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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One) | ||
ý | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 | ||
OR | ||
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the transition period from to |
Commission file number 001-32047
MINES MANAGEMENT, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Idaho (State of Incorporation or Organization) | 91-0538859 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
905 W. Riverside Avenue, Suite 311 Spokane, Washington (Address of principal executive offices) | 99201 (Zip Code) |
(509) 838-6050
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Name of each exchange on which registered | |
---|---|---|
Common Stock, $0.001 par value Preferred Stock Purchase Rights | NYSE MKT |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý
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 ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated Filer o | Accelerated Filer o | Non-accelerated Filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company ý |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No ý
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2013, was approximately $14.2 million based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE MKT LLC of $0.53 per share. The number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 28, 2014 was 29,161,448.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information required for Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed no later than April 30, 2014.
| | PAGE | ||||
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PART I | 7 | |||||
ITEM 1. | BUSINESS | 7 | ||||
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS | 9 | ||||
ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | 19 | ||||
ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES | 19 | ||||
ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | 25 | ||||
ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES | 26 | ||||
PART II | 26 | |||||
ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES | 26 | ||||
ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA | 27 | ||||
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS | 27 | ||||
ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 29 | ||||
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA | 30 | ||||
ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE | 47 | ||||
ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 47 | ||||
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION | 48 | ||||
PART III | 48 | |||||
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 48 | ||||
ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 48 | ||||
ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS | 48 | ||||
ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE | 48 | ||||
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES | 48 | ||||
PART IV | 48 | |||||
ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES | 48 |
Some information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Annual Report that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
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- comments regarding further exploration and evaluation of the Montanore Project, including drilling activities, feasibility determinations, including those in the Preliminary Economic Assessment, engineering and environmental studies, environmental, reclamation and permitting requirements and the process and timing and the costs associated with the foregoing;
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- the process and timing associated with the permitting process, including the issuance of biological opinions, a final environmental impact statement and a record of decision and completion of wetland mitigation plans;
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- estimates of mineralized material;
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- financing needs, including the financing required to fund the final phases of the advanced exploration and delineation drilling program and bankable feasibility study;
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- sources of financing;
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- estimates of costs to complete the rehabilitation of the Libby adit and commence delineation drilling;
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- planned expenditures and cash requirements for 2014;
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- efforts to reduce costs, including reducing manpower;
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- the search for potential exploration and development opportunities in the mining industry and the chance of success of any exploration project;
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- the possibility of challenges by environmental groups or others to our permitting efforts or planned exploration, development or mining activities;
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- potential completion of a bankable feasibility study and the costs associated therewith; and
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- markets for silver and copper.
The use of any of the words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "may," "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 the 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 this report:
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- the availability of experienced employees;
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- uncertainties associated with developing new mines or mining operations;
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- the absence of any history of production;
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- the history of losses, which we expect to continue for the foreseeable future;
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- uncertainties associated with acquiring new mining properties, including uncertainties regarding the availability of properties or companies to be acquired, the ability to negotiate acquisitions on acceptable terms or to otherwise accomplish such acquisitions, the ability to finance such
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- •
- the absence of proven or probable reserves, and uncertainty regarding whether reserves will be established at our Montanore Project;
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- potential increases in cost estimates for rehabilitating the libby adit, delineation drilling, completion of a feasibility study, mine development costs and other estimates, most of which were estimated several years ago;
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- the speculative nature of exploration for mineral resources, including variations in ore grade and other characteristics affecting mining and mineral recoveries which involves substantial expenditures and is frequently non-productive;
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- changes in interpretation of geological information;
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- the need for additional financing to continue our business, complete the underground evaluation program and to develop the Montanore Project;
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- financial market conditions and the availability of financing, or its availability on terms acceptable to us;
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- the availability, terms, conditions, costs, timing of, or delays in receiving required governmental permits and approvals;
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- the competitive nature of the mining industry;
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- risks inherent in the mining process, including geological, technical, permitting, mining and processing problems;
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- worldwide economic and political events affecting the supply of and demand for silver and copper and volatility in the market price for silver and copper;
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- ongoing reclamation obligations on the Montanore Project properties;
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- significant government regulation of mining activities;
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- uncertainty regarding changes in mining or environmental laws that could increase costs and impair our ability to develop our properties;
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- environmental risks;
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- uncertainty regarding title to some of our properties;
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- the volatility of the market price of our common stock;
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- obligations under a long-term contract to sell our silver production;
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- the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2013.
acquisitions on acceptable terms, and the ability to manage acquired assets or to achieve the goals of the acquisition;
For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements, please see the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors" contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2013. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the statements. Except as required by law (e.g. information contained in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and any
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amendments thereto), we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Guide 7 Definitions | ||
Mineralized material | The term "mineralized material" refers to material that is not included in reserves as it does not meet all of the criteria for adequate demonstration of economic or legal extraction. | |
Reserves | The term "reserves" refers to that part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced. | |
Non-reserves | The term "non-reserves" refers to mineralized material that is not included in reserves as it does not meet all of the criteria for adequate demonstration of economic or legal extraction. | |
Exploration stage | An "exploration stage" prospect is one which is not in either the development or production stage. | |
Development stage | A "development stage" project is one which is undergoing preparation of an established commercially mineable deposit for extraction but which is not yet in production. This stage occurs after completion of a feasibility study. | |
Production stage | A "production stage" project is one actively engaged in the process of extraction and beneficiation of mineral reserves to produce a marketable metal or mineral product. | |
Additional Definitions |
| |
Adit | A horizontal tunnel or drive, open to the surface at one end, which is used as an entrance to a mine. | |
Axis | Intersection of the axial plane of a fold with a particular bed; axial line. | |
Bankable feasibility study | A comprehensive study of a mineral deposit in which all geological, engineering, legal, operating, economic, social, environmental and other relevant factors are considered in sufficient detail that it could reasonably serve as the basis for a final decision by a financial institution to finance the development of the deposit for mineral production. | |
Bornite | An isometric mineral, 1[Cu5 FeS4]; metallic; brownish bronze tarnishing to iridescent blue and purple; in hypogene and contact metamorphic deposits and mafic rocks; a valuable source of copper. | |
Chalcocite | A monoclinic mineral, 96[Cu2 S]; pseudohexagonal, metallic gray-black with blue to green tarnish; a secondary vein mineral; an important source of copper. | |
Development | Work carried out for the purpose of opening up a mineral deposit and making the actual ore extraction possible. | |
Dip | The angle at which a vein, structure or rock bed is inclined from the horizontal as measured at right angles to the strike. |
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Drift | A horizontal underground opening that follows along the length of a vein or rock formation as opposed to a cross-cut which crosses the rock formation. | |
Exploration | Work involved in searching for ore, usually by drilling or driving a drift. | |
Galena | A sulphide mineral of lead, being a common lead ore mineral. | |
Grade | The average assay of a ton of ore, reflecting metal content. | |
Horizon | In geology, any given definite position or interval in the stratigraphic column or the scheme of stratigraphic classification; generally used in a relative sense. | |
Host rock | The rock surrounding an ore deposit. | |
Interbed | Occurring between distinct rock layers or strata. | |
Lode | A vein of mineral ore deposited between clearly demarcated layers of rock. | |
Metasediment | A sedimentary rock which shows evidence of having been subjected to metamorphism. | |
Mineral | A naturally occurring homogeneous substance having definite physical properties and chemical composition and, if formed under favorable conditions, a definite crystal form. | |
Mineralization | The presence of economic minerals in a specific area or geological formation. | |
Ore | Material that can be mined and processed that provides a positive cash flow. | |
Patented mining claim | A patented mining claim is one for which the federal government of the United States has passed its title to the claimant, making it private land. A person may mine and remove minerals from a mining claim without a mineral patent. However, a mineral patent gives the owner exclusive title to the locatable minerals. It also gives the owner title to the surface and other resources. | |
Precambrian | All geologic time before the Paleozoic era. | |
Prospect | A mining property, the value of which has not been determined by exploration. | |
Quartzite | A metamorphic rock formed by the transformation of a sandstone rock by heat and pressure. | |
Reclamation | The restoration of a site after mining or exploration activity is completed. | |
Recovery | The percentage of valuable metal in the ore that is recovered by metallurgical treatment. | |
Siltite | An indurated silt having the texture and composition of shale but lacking its fine lamination or fissility; a massive mudstone in which the silt predominates over clay; a nonfissile silt shale. It tends to be flaggy, containing hard, durable, generally thin layers, and often showing various primary current structures. |
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Stope | An excavation in the form of steps made by the mining of ore from steeply inclined or vertical veins. | |
Stratabound | A situation in which mineralization is essentially contained in or confined to a particular sedimentary or volcanic unit. | |
Stratigraphy | The branch of geology which studies the formation, composition, sequence and correlation of the stratified rock as parts of the earth's crust. | |
Strike | The direction, or bearing from true north, of a vein or rock formation measured on a horizontal surface. | |
Sulfide | A compound of bivalent sulfur with an electropositive element or group, especially a binary compound of sulfur with a metal. | |
Tailings | Material rejected from a mill after the recoverable valuable minerals have been extracted. | |
Trend | The direction, in the horizontal plane, or a linear geological feature (for example, an ore zone), measured from true north. | |
Unpatented mining claim | A parcel of property located on federal lands pursuant to the General Mining Law of 1872 and the requirements of the state in which the unpatented claim is located, the paramount title of which remains with the federal government of the United States. The holder of a valid, unpatented lode mining claim is granted certain rights including the right to explore and mine such claim under the General Mining Law. | |
Vein | A mineralized zone having a more or less regular development in length, width and depth, which clearly separates it from neighboring rock. |
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Overview
Mines Management, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, "MMI," "Mines Management," the "Company," "we," "our," "ours," or "us"), is engaged in the business of acquiring and exploring, and if exploration is successful, developing mineral properties, primarily those containing silver and associated base and precious metals. The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Idaho on February 20, 1947. The Company's executive offices are located at 905 W. Riverside, Suite 311, Spokane, Washington 99201.
The Company's principal mineral property interest, the Montanore Project, is held by its wholly owned subsidiaries, Newhi, Inc. and Montanore Minerals Corp. The Company's properties, including the Montanore property, are currently in the exploration stage; none of its properties are currently in production. The Company has commenced re-permitting of the Montanore Project and is determining its feasibility for development.
The Montanore Project is located in northwestern Montana, and from 1988 to 2002 was owned by Noranda Minerals Corporation ("Noranda"). During that time the project received an approved environmental impact statement ("EIS") and all of its primary environmental permits. From 1988 to 2002 the Company held royalty rights to a portion of the deposit. In 2002, Noranda announced that it was abandoning the project, and subsequently transferred to the Company by quitclaim deed the patented and unpatented mining claims that control the mineral rights, and all drill core and intellectual property including geologic, environmental and engineering studies, relating to the Montanore Project.
In May 2006, we acquired two Noranda subsidiaries that held title to the property providing access to the 14,000 foot Libby adit and related permits. The Libby adit, when extended, will provide access to the Montanore deposit for our planned underground exploration and delineation drilling program. We submitted revisions to the operating permit that allowed us to reopen the Libby adit in 2006 and to proceed with dewatering and rehabilitation of the adit. In March 2008, we obtained authorization from the State of Montana to resume the exploration activities started by the previous owner. Until the environmental review process for the Montanore Project is complete, however, we are prohibited from conducting exploration activities at the Libby adit.
Since 2003, we have spent approximately $67.4 million on evaluation and updating of data, including that originating from previous owners, permitting activities, acquisition of equipment, construction of site infrastructure, and development and construction of a dewatering system. As currently planned, the advanced exploration and delineation drilling program includes the following:
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- Development and advancement of the Libby adit by 3,000 feet to access the Montanore deposit;
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- Drifting of approximately 10,000 feet and establishment of drill stations; and
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- Diamond core drilling of approximately 50 holes totaling approximately 50,000 feet.
Results of the drilling program, if successful, would provide data to support the completion of a bankable feasibility study and further optimization of the mine plan. The advanced exploration and delineation drilling program, through completion of a bankable feasibility study, is expected to cost an additional $20.0 to $25.0 million.
Before we are able to advance the Montanore Project, we must obtain the requisite project approvals and permits from the U.S. Forest Service ("USFS"), the State of Montana Department of Environmental Quality ("MDEQ"), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS"), and the Army Corps of Engineers. A draft environmental impact statement was issued by the USFS and the
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MDEQ in the first quarter of 2009. After the comment period expired, it was determined by the agencies that a supplemental draft environmental impact statement was necessary and this was completed in September 2011. The public comment period for the supplemental draft environmental impact statement closed in December 2011. Government agencies have addressed final comments and the formal biological consultation with the USFWS commenced in March 2013. Subsequently, biological assessments were completed and final draft biological opinions were reviewed by the USFWS in the first quarter of 2014. We expect the final biological opinion to be issued during the second quarter of 2014, to be followed by completion of the final environmental impact study and Record of Decision ("ROD") process. We expect the ROD process to progress throughout 2014 and the issuance of the final ROD in late 2014 or early 2015. The underground evaluation and drilling program is scheduled to recommence following issuance of the ROD.
On April 5, 2012, we entered into an Exploration Earn-In Agreement with Estrella Gold Corporation pursuant to which we could acquire 75% of the La Estrella silver and gold exploration property in Peru, approximately 230 kilometers southeast of Lima. La Estrella was an advanced exploration stage project which contains an epithermal, volcanic-hosted gold-silver system with associated base-metal mineralization. The terms of the agreement allowed the Company through its subsidiary, Minera Montanore Peru, SAC, to earn 75% of the La Estrella property by expending $5.0 million on exploration activities and making annual cash payments to Estrella of $0.1 million on the first anniversary of execution of the agreement and $0.2 million on each of the following anniversaries of such execution until the earn-in was completed. The Company terminated the Earn-In Agreement with Estrella Gold Corporation without penalty during January of 2014.
Competition
There is aggressive competition within the minerals industry to discover and acquire properties considered to have commercial potential. When we wish to acquire an exploration project, we typically compete with other entities, most of which have greater resources than we do. In addition, we compete with others in efforts to obtain financing to explore and develop mineral properties.
Employees
As of March 31, 2014, the Company had six employees located in Spokane, Washington and five employees in Libby, Montana. The Company plans to add additional engineering, geological, and operating staff at Libby as the development of the Montanore Project progresses. Outside consultants and contractors are engaged from time to time to perform tasks involved in re-permitting the Montanore Project and advancing the adit rehabilitation and drifting. The Company expects to continue to rely on consultants from time to time to provide these services.
Regulation
The Company's activities in the United States are subject to numerous federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing exploration, labor standards, occupational health and mine safety, control of toxic substances, and other matters involving environmental protection and taxation. These laws are continually changing and, in general, are becoming more restrictive. We have made, and expect to make in the future, significant expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations. Changes to local, state or federal laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we operate could require additional capital expenditures and result in an increase in our costs. Although we are unable to predict what additional legislation, if any, might be proposed or enacted, additional regulatory requirements could impact the economics of our projects.
For more information regarding the regulations to which we are subject and the risks associated therewith, see "Permitting and Environmental" under Item 2 "Properties" and Item 1A "Risk Factors."
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Available Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). You may access and read our filings without charge through the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC's Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room.
We also make our public reports available through our website, www.minesmanagement.com, as soon as practicable after we file or furnish them to the SEC. You may also request copies of the documents, at no cost, by telephone at (509) 838-6050 or by mail at Mines Management, Inc., 905 W. Riverside Avenue, Suite 311, Spokane, Washington 99201. The information on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our business, operations, and financial condition are subject to various risks. In addition to historical information, the information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains "forward-looking" statements about our future business and performance. Our actual operating results and financial performance may be very different from what we expect as of the date of this report. The risks below address some of the factors that may affect our future operating results and financial performance.
We have no proven or probable reserves.
We are currently in the exploration stage and have no proven or probable reserves, as those terms are defined by the SEC, on any of our properties, including the Montanore Project. The mineralized material identified to date in respect of the Montanore Project has not demonstrated economic viability and we cannot provide any assurance that mineral reserves with economic viability will be identified on that property.
In order to demonstrate the existence of proven or probable reserves under SEC guidelines, it would be necessary for the Company to advance the exploration of the Montanore Project by significant additional delineation drilling to demonstrate the existence of sufficient mineralized material with satisfactory continuity. If successful, the results of this drilling program would provide the basis for a feasibility study demonstrating with reasonable certainty that the mineralized material can be economically extracted and produced. We do not currently have sufficient data to support a feasibility study of the Montanore Project, and in order to perform the drilling to support such feasibility study, we must first obtain the necessary permits to continue our exploration efforts. It is possible that, even if we obtain sufficient geologic data to support a feasibility study on the Montanore Project, the data will lead us to conclude that none of the identified mineral deposits can be economically and legally extracted or produced. If we cannot adequately confirm or discover any mineral reserves of precious metals on the Montanore property, we may not be able to generate any revenues.
Even if we discover mineral reserves on the Montanore property in the future that can be economically developed, the initial capital costs associated with development and production of any reserves found is such that we might not be profitable for a significant time after the initiation of any development or production. The commercial viability of a mineral deposit once discovered is dependent on a number of factors beyond our control, including particular attributes of the deposit such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure, as well as metal prices. In addition, development of a project as significant as Montanore will likely require significant debt financing, the terms of which could contribute to a delay of profitability.
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We will require additional financing which we may be unable to obtain, to continue our business after 2014 and to complete our exploratory drilling program at the Montanore Project.
We are an exploration stage mining company and currently do not have sufficient capital to fully fund the activities needed to establish the economic feasibility of the Montanore Project. We have approximately $5.7 million of cash, cash equivalents and certificates of deposit on hand as of December 31, 2013. We anticipate that our expenses in 2014 will be approximately $2.0 million for regulatory permitting activities and $3.7 million of general and administrative expenses, assuming that permitting is not completed until the end of 2014. We estimate that, following the completion of permitting, the costs of completing the exploratory drilling program will be approximately $20.0 to $25.0 million, plus general and administrative expenses during the period in which the drilling program is being conducted. Uncertainties surrounding the exploratory drilling program and, in particular, the permitting process could require the project to take longer and cause costs to increase. Our cash on hand will not be sufficient to continue our business past 2014 or to commence the exploratory drilling program and the bankable feasibility study, and additional financing will be required. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all, nor can we guarantee that we would be able to fund the activities required to continue our business or complete a bankable feasibility study. Additional equity funding could be dilutive to existing stockholders. If we fail to obtain the necessary financing when needed, we may not be able to continue our business or execute our planned activities and we may be forced to abandon exploration and development of, or to sell our interest in, the Montanore Project, which would have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy, results of operations and financial condition.
Even if our exploration efforts at Montanore are successful, we may not be able to raise the funds necessary to develop the Montanore Project.
If our exploration efforts at Montanore are successful, a Preliminary Economic Assessment completed in November 2010 indicated the project would cost approximately $550.0 million in external financing to develop and construct the Montanore Project. If and when an updated estimate is completed, this amount could increase significantly. Sources of external financing could include bank borrowings and debt and equity offerings. Even if a bankable feasibility study is completed, commodity prices, the then-current state of financial markets or other factors may make financing for the development of the Montanore Project unavailable. Financing has become significantly more difficult to obtain in the current market environment. There can be no assurance that we will commence production at Montanore or generate sufficient revenues to meet our obligations as they become due or obtain necessary financing on acceptable terms, if at all, and we may not be able to secure the financing necessary to begin or sustain production at the Montanore Project. If we cannot adequately finance our exploration of the Montanore property and its subsequent development, we will not be able to generate any revenues. In addition, should we incur significant losses in future periods, we may be unable to continue as a going concern, and realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in other than the normal course of business may be at amounts significantly different than those included in our periodic reports.
We may not be able to obtain permits required for development of the Montanore Project.
In the ordinary course of business, mining companies are required to seek governmental permits for expansion of existing operations or for the commencement of new operations. We are required to obtain numerous permits for the Montanore Project. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits has been, and continues to be, a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings. We have been engaged in renewing or pursuing permits since early 2005, and, under the most favorable timing, could have permits in place by the end of 2014. However, the process is controlled by the governmental agencies, and throughout the permitting process these agencies have repeatedly missed anticipated deadlines. Obtaining required
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permits for the Montanore Project may be more difficult due to its location within the Cabinet Wilderness Area, and its proximity to core habitat of certain protected species, including the grizzly bear and bull trout. In addition, a third party is seeking to permit another mining operation near the Montanore Project and the impact of that operation on the environment and on wildlife in the area was taken into consideration in our permitting determinations and has lengthened our permitting process and made those determinations more difficult. Private political groups purportedly dedicated to protection of the environment have been active in opposing permitting of projects in and near the Cabinet Wilderness Area.
Mining projects require the evaluation of environmental impacts for air, water, vegetation, wildlife, cultural, historical, geological, geotechnical, geochemical, soil and socioeconomic conditions. Permits are required for, among other things, storm-water discharge; air quality; wetland disturbance; dam safety (for water storage and/or tailing storage); septic and sewage; and water rights appropriation, and compliance must be demonstrated with the Endangered Species Act and the National Historical Preservation Act. An EIS is required before we could commence mine development or mining activities. Baseline environmental conditions are the basis on which direct and indirect impacts of the Montanore Project are evaluated and based on which potential mitigation measures would be proposed. If the Montanore Project were found to significantly adversely impact the baseline conditions, we could incur significant additional costs to avoid or mitigate the adverse impact, and delays in the Montanore Project could result.
The duration and success of our efforts to re-permit are contingent upon many variables not within our control. There can be no assurance that we will obtain all necessary permits and, if obtained, that the permitting costs involved will not exceed available funds. Permitting costs through 2013 have totaled approximately $40.0 million, and it is possible that the costs and delays associated with the compliance with such standards and regulations could become such that we would be unable to raise sufficient funds to proceed with the further exploration, development or operation of a mine at the Montanore Project.
We have a history of losses and we expect losses to continue.
As an exploration stage company that has no production history, we have incurred losses since our inception and we expect to continue to incur additional losses for the foreseeable future. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we incurred losses of $7.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, we had a deficit accumulated during the exploration stage of $78.6 million. There can be no assurance that we will achieve or sustain profitability in the future.
We have no recent history of production.
We have no recent history of producing silver or other metals and the process of achieving production has many uncertainties. The development of the Montanore Project may require that we establish reserves. A Preliminary Economic Assessment completed in November 2010 indicated the project would require approximately $550.0 million of external financing to develop and construct the Montanore Project. If and when an updated estimate is completed, this amount could increase significantly. During this process, we would be subject to all of the risks associated with establishing a new mining operation and business enterprise. We may never successfully establish mining operations, and any operations may never achieve profitability.
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The exploration of mineral properties is highly speculative in nature, involves substantial expenditures and is frequently non-productive.
Mineral exploration is highly speculative in nature and is frequently non-productive. Substantial expenditures are required to:
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- establish ore reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques;
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- determine metal content and metallurgical recovery processes to extract metal from the ore; and
- •
- design mining and processing facilities.
If we discover ore at the Montanore Project, we expect that it would be several additional years from the initial phases of exploration until production is possible. During this time, the economic feasibility of production could change as a result of changes in commodity prices, inflation or other issues. As a result of these uncertainties, there can be no assurance that our exploration programs will result in proven and probable reserves in sufficient quantities to justify commercial operations at the Montanore Project or at any other exploration project.
Operation of a mine at the Montanore site will depend on our ability to recruit and retain qualified employees.
If our exploration efforts at Montanore site are successful and we are able to raise the necessary external financing to develop and construct the Montanore Project, our ability to conduct mining operations will depend in part upon our ability to attract, compensate and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, including executive officers, managers, employees and other personnel knowledgeable about the mining business. Qualified individuals of the requisite caliber and number needed to fill these positions may be in short supply in areas near the Montanore Project, and the challenges in attracting and relocating qualified employees to the Montanore site may be considerable. If we are unable to hire and retain employees to operate the mine, any planned commencement of mining operations in the future would be delayed. Furthermore, increases in labor costs due to the competition for qualified employees and hiring employees represented by labor unions could render mining operations at Montanore uneconomical. Any such delays or any increases in labor costs could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
Our future profitability, if any, and our ability to finance the development of the Montanore Project, will be affected by changes in the prices of metals.
If we establish reserves, our ability to obtain a favorable feasibility study for the Montanore Project and obtain financing for the development of a mine, as well as our profitability and long-term viability will depend, in large part, on the market prices of silver and copper. The market prices for these metals are volatile and are affected by numerous factors beyond our control, including:
- •
- global or regional consumption patterns;
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- supply of, and demand for, silver and copper;
- •
- speculative activities and producer hedging activities;
- •
- expectations for inflation;
- •
- political and economic conditions; and
- •
- supply of, and demand for, consumables required for production.
The aggregate effect of these factors on metals prices is impossible for us to predict. Future weakness in the global economy and decreases in metals prices could adversely affect our ability to finance the exploration and development of the Company's properties, which would have a material
12
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and cash flows. There can be no assurance that metals prices will not decline. During the five-year period ended December 31, 2013, the high and low settlement prices for silver and copper were approximately $48.70 on May 2, 2011 and $10.51 on January 15, 2009 per ounce of silver and $4.62 on February 14, 2011 and $1.38 on January 22, 2009 per pound of copper.
We are subject to significant governmental regulations.
Our operations and exploration and development activities are subject to extensive federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing various matters, including:
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- environmental protection;
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- management and use of toxic substances and explosives;
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- management of natural resources;
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- exploration and development of mines, production and post-closure reclamation;
- •
- taxation;
- •
- labor standards and occupational health and safety, including mine safety; and
- •
- historic and cultural preservation.
Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions, any of which could result in us incurring significant expenditures. We may also be required to compensate private parties suffering loss or damage by reason of a breach of such laws, regulations or permitting requirements. It is also possible that future laws and regulations, or a more stringent enforcement of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of any future operations and delays in the exploration of our properties.
Changes in mining or environmental laws could increase costs and impair our ability to develop our properties.
From time to time the U.S. Congress may consider revisions in its mining and environmental laws. It remains unclear to what extent new legislation may affect existing mining claims or operations. The effect of any such revisions on our operations cannot be determined conclusively until such revision is enacted; however, such legislation could materially increase costs on properties located on federal lands, such as the Montanore property, and such revision could also impair our ability to develop the Montanore Project and to explore and develop other mineral projects.
We are subject to environmental risks.
Mineral exploration and mining is subject to potential risks and liabilities associated with pollution of the environment and the disposal of waste products occurring as a result of mineral exploration and production. Insurance against environmental risk (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) is not generally available to us (or to other companies in the minerals industry) at a reasonable price. To the extent that we become subject to environmental liabilities, the satisfaction of those liabilities would reduce funds otherwise available to us and could have a material adverse effect on us. Laws and regulations intended to ensure the protection of the environment are constantly changing, and are generally becoming more restrictive.
The mining industry is intensely competitive.
The mining industry is intensely competitive. We may be at a competitive disadvantage because we must compete with other individuals and companies, many of which have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than we do. Increased competition could adversely affect our ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future.
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Our future success is subject to risks inherent in the mining industry.
Our future mining operations, if any, would be subject to all of the hazards and risks normally incident to developing and operating mining properties. These risks include:
- •
- insufficient ore reserves;
- •
- fluctuations in metal prices and increase in production costs that may make mining of reserves uneconomic;
- •
- significant environmental and other regulatory restrictions;
- •
- labor disputes;
- •
- geological problems;
- •
- failure of underground stopes and/or surface dams;
- •
- force majeure events; and
- •
- the risk of injury to persons, property or the environment.
We have ongoing reclamation obligations on the Montanore Project properties.
Although we have posted bonds with the State of Montana to cover expected future mine reclamation costs, there is no guarantee that the amount of these bonds will satisfy the environmental regulations and requirements in effect at the time of reclamation. Should government regulators determine that additional reclamation work is required, we may be required to fund this work, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position.
The title to some of our properties may be uncertain or defective.
Although the Montanore deposit is held by patented mining claims, a significant portion of our United States mineral and surface use rights consist of "unpatented" mining and millsite claims created and maintained in accordance with the U.S. General Mining Law of 1872, or the General Mining Law. Unpatented mining and millsite claims are unique U.S. property interests, and are generally considered to be subject to greater title risk than other real property interests because the validity of unpatented mining and millsite claims is often uncertain. This uncertainty arises, in part, out of the complex federal and state laws and regulations that supplement the General Mining Law. Also, unpatented mining and millsite claims and related rights, including rights to use the surface, are subject to possible challenges by third parties or contests by the federal government. The validity of an unpatented mining or millsite claim, in terms of both its location and its maintenance, is dependent on strict compliance with a complex body of federal and state statutory and decisional law. In addition, there are few public records that definitively control the issues of validity and ownership of unpatented mining and millsite claims. We have not filed a patent application for any of our unpatented mining and millsite claims that are located on federal public lands in the United States and, under current law and possible future legislation to change the General Mining Law, patents may not be available. The Company has obtained a title opinion on some of the patented mining claims covering the Montanore deposit, but not on all of its patented mining claims. The Company has not obtained title opinions on any of its unpatented mining or millsite claims.
Our ability to conduct exploration, development, mining and related activities may also be impacted by administrative actions taken by federal agencies. With respect to unpatented millsites, for example, the ability to use millsites and their validity has been subject to greater uncertainty since 1997. In November of 1997, the Secretary of the Interior (appointed by President Clinton) approved a Solicitor's Opinion which concluded that the General Mining Law imposed a limitation that only a single five-acre millsite may be claimed or used in connection with each associated and valid
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unpatented or patented lode mining claim. Subsequently, however, on October 7, 2003, the new Secretary of the Interior (appointed by President Bush) approved an Opinion by the Deputy Solicitor which concluded that the mining laws do not impose a limitation that only a single five-acre millsite may be claimed in connection with each associated unpatented or patented lode mining claim. Current federal regulations do not include the millsite limitation. There can be no assurance, however, that the Department of the Interior will not seek to re-impose the millsite limitation at some point in the future.
In addition, in 2009, a consortium of environmental groups filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, and the USFS, asking the court to order the BLM and USFS to adopt the five-acre millsite limitation. That lawsuit also asks the court to order the BLM and the USFS to require mining claimants to pay fair market value for their use of the surface of federal lands where those claimants have not demonstrated the validity of their unpatented mining claims and millsites. If the plaintiffs in that lawsuit prevailed, that could have an adverse impact on our ability to use our unpatented millsites for facilities ancillary to our mining activities, and could significantly increase the cost of using federal lands at the Montanore Project for such ancillary facilities.
In recent years, the U.S. Congress has considered a number of proposed amendments to the General Mining Law, as well as legislation that would make comprehensive changes to the law. Although no such legislation has been adopted to date, there can be no assurance that such legislation will not be adopted in the future. If adopted, such legislation, if it included concepts that have been part of previous legislative proposals, could, among other things, (i) adopt the millsite limitation discussed above, (ii) impose time limits on the effectiveness of plans of operation that may not coincide with mine life, (iii) impose more stringent environmental compliance and reclamation requirements, (iv) establish a mechanism that would allow states, localities and Native American tribes to petition for the withdrawal of identified tracts of federal land from the operation of the General Mining Law, (v) allow for administrative determinations that mining would not be allowed in situations where undue degradation of the federal lands in question could not be prevented, and (vi) impose royalties on silver and copper production or tons of material moved from unpatented mining claims located on federal lands or impose fees on production from patented mining claims. If adopted, such legislation could have an adverse impact on earnings from our operations, could reduce estimates of any reserves we may establish and could curtail our future exploration and development activity on federal lands or patented claims.
While we do not believe that title to any of our properties is defective, title to mining properties is subject to potential claims by third parties claiming an interest in them. For example, in September 2007, we filed a declaratory judgment action, Mines Management, Inc., Newhi, Inc. and Montanore Minerals Corp. v. Tracie Fus et al., Cause No. DV 07-248 in Montana Nineteenth Judicial District Court, Lincoln County. In this action we sought a Court judgment against certain of the defendants that the unpatented mining claims of such defendants allegedly located above portions of our adit and overlapping certain of our patented and unpatented mining claims, mill sites and tunnel sites are invalid. The defendants then asserted trespass claims against us relating to our use of certain of our mining claims, millsites and the adit. The parties participated in a mediation in 2009 which resulted in a settlement with seven of the ten defendants. In mid-March 2013 the Court issued an order (i) enforcing the settlement with seven of the ten defendants, (ii) enjoining us from trespassing on certain mining claims owned by one of the defendants, and (iii) finding that the mining claim of another defendant is valid and superior to certain of our claims. The claims with respect to which we were enjoined from trespass do not overlap the adit. The mining claim that the Court determined was valid and superior to certain of our claims overlaps portions of the adit and portions of certain of our patented claims and unpatented mill sites and tunnel sites. We do not believe that this order affects our
15
ability to use the adit or to conduct exploration and development operations as currently planned once we have obtained the required permits. See further details regarding this action under "Item 3—Legal Proceedings".
We are obligated by a right of first refusal agreement relating to our future silver production that may affect the willingness of third parties to enter into silver purchase agreements with us.
In November 2007, we entered into a Right of First Refusal agreement with a significant stockholder that granted to that stockholder a 20-year right of first proposal and a right to match third-party proposals to purchase a silver stream, i.e. all or any portion of silver mined, produced or recovered by us in the State of Montana. The right does not apply to trade sales and spot sales in the ordinary course of business or forward sales. The existence of this agreement may make other potential buyers less likely to negotiate with us to purchase silver we produce since they would be subject to this right of first refusal.
The market price of our common stock is subject to volatility and could decline significantly.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE MKT LLC ("NYSE MKT") and the Toronto Stock Exchange, or TSX. Securities of small-cap companies such as ours have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. This volatility has been exacerbated in recent years because of global economic and political disruptions and natural disasters. Our share price is also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in silver and copper prices or in our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations as reflected in our quarterly earnings reports. Over the last three years, the closing price of our common shares as reported on the NYSE MKT has fluctuated from a low of $0.50 per share to a high of $4.30 per share. Other factors unrelated to our performance that could have an effect on the price of our common stock include the following:
- •
- volatility in metal prices;
- •
- the extent of analyst coverage available to investors concerning our business is limited because investment banks with research capabilities do not typically follow our securities or the securities of other exploration or developmental companies;
- •
- the trading volume and general market interest in our securities could affect an investor's ability to trade significant numbers of shares of our common stock;
- •
- the relatively small size of the public float will limit the ability of some institutions to invest in our securities;
- •
- a substantial decline in our stock price that persists for a significant period of time could cause our securities to be delisted from the NYSE MKT and the TSX, further reducing market liquidity; and
- •
- news reports relating to trends in our industry or general economic conditions.
As a result of any of these factors, the market price of our common stock at any given point in time might not accurately reflect our long-term value. Securities class action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. We could in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management's attention and resources.
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Our shareholders are subject to future dilution by the exercise of options, and the existence of a significant number of options could depress the price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2013, we had 28,999,752 shares outstanding. As of that date, there were options outstanding to purchase up to 4,663,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $1.53 per share. As of March 28, 2014, there are 2,186,000 additional shares of common stock (741,000 in the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, and 1,445,000 in the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan) available for issuance under our stock option plans. If we issue additional options or warrants, or if currently outstanding options to purchase our common stock are exercised, the investments of our shareholders would be further diluted. In addition, the potential for exercise of a significant number of options can have a depressive effect on the market price for our common stock.
The issuance of additional common stock may negatively impact the trading price of our common stock.
We have issued equity securities in the past, most recently in March 2011, and may continue to issue equity securities to finance our activities in the future, including to finance future acquisitions, or as consideration for acquisitions of businesses or assets. In addition, outstanding options to purchase our common stock may be exercised and additional options and warrants may be issued, resulting in the issuance of additional shares of common stock. The issuance by us of additional shares of common stock would result in dilution to our stockholders, and even the perception that such an issuance may occur could have a negative impact on the trading price of our common stock.
Anti-takeover provisions in our articles of incorporation, our bylaws and under Idaho law may enable our incumbent management to retain control of us and discourage or prevent a change of control that may be beneficial to our shareholders.
Certain provisions of the Company's articles of incorporation and bylaws and of Idaho law could discourage, delay or prevent a merger, acquisition, or other change of control that shareholders may consider favorable, including transactions in which shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares of common stock in the company. Specifically, the Company's articles of incorporation divide the board of directors into three classes having staggered terms of office. This may prevent or frustrate attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove management. The Company has also implemented a shareholders rights plan, sometimes called a "poison pill", which would substantially reduce or eliminate the expected economic benefit to an acquirer from acquiring us in a manner or on terms not approved by our board of directors. In addition, our board of directors is able to issue a new series of preferred stock from time to time without stockholder approval that could affect the voting power of our common stock and have dividend and liquidation preferences that could negatively affect the value of our common stock. These and other impediments to a third party acquisition or change of control could limit the price investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. Our board of directors has also approved employment agreements with certain of our executive officers that include change of control provisions that provide severance benefits in the event that their employment terminates involuntarily without cause or for good reason within twelve months after a change of control of the Company. These agreements could affect the consummation of and the terms of a third party acquisition. We are also subject to provisions of Idaho law that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company. One of these provisions prevents us from engaging in a business combination with any interested shareholder for a period of three years from the date the person becomes an interested shareholder, unless specified conditions are satisfied.
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There are differences in U.S. and Canadian requirements for reporting of resources and mineralization, and we utilized the Canadian mining industry reporting standards for reporting of resources in our recent Preliminary Economic Assessment, or PEA. Some information required by Canadian reporting is not permitted under SEC guidelines.
The mineralization figures presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based upon estimates made by independent geologists. U.S. reporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties are governed by SEC Industry Guide 7. Although we are a U.S. company traded on the NYSE MKT, we also report in Canada estimates of resources that are prepared in accordance with Canadian standards because we are also traded on the TSX and are thus subject to Canadian reporting requirements. These resource estimates were prepared in accordance with standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in Canadian National Instrument 43-101, commonly known as NI 43-101. In early 2011, we completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment, or PEA, that was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 reporting standards. The reporting standards required by NI 43-101 are different from the standards permitted to report reserve and resource estimates in reports and other materials filed with the SEC. Accordingly, information concerning descriptions of mineralization contained in our public filings with the SEC may not be comparable to information, including the PEA, we file with Canadian securities authorities.
Under NI 43-101, we report in Canada measured, indicated and inferred resources, measurements which are not permitted in filings made with the SEC by issuers incorporated in the United States. Under SEC rules, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated resources will ever be converted into reserves. Further, "inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and as to whether they can be mined legally or economically. In accordance with Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources cannot form the basis of a feasibility study or other economic evaluations, but they were considered in the PEA. Accordingly, U.S. investors should not place undue reliance on the PEA, and should not assume that all or any part of measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources, or inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category.
Acquisitions and business integration issues will expose us to risks.
We may, in the future, engage in targeted acquisitions. Any acquisition that we make may change our business and operations, and may expose us to new geographic, political, operating, financial, governmental, environmental and geological risks. Our success in acquisition activities depends on our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, negotiate acceptable terms for any such acquisition and successfully integrate the acquired operations. Any acquisition would be accompanied by risks. We may expend considerable resources on pursuing an acquisition candidate, including on due diligence and negotiations, and we may ultimately not prove successful in completing the acquisition. Even if successful in completing the acquisition, the acquisition may present problems. For example, there may be significant decreases in commodity prices after we have committed to complete the transaction and have established the purchase price or exchange ratio; a material ore body may prove to be below expectations; we may have difficulty integrating and assimilating the operations and personnel of any acquired companies, realizing anticipated synergies and maximizing the financial and strategic position of the combined enterprise and maintaining uniform standards, policies and controls across the organization; the integration of the acquired business or assets may disrupt our ongoing business and our relationships with employees, customers, suppliers and contractors; and the acquired business or assets may have unknown liabilities which may be significant. If we choose to use equity securities as consideration for such an acquisition, our existing stockholders may suffer substantial dilution. Alternatively, we could in the future choose to finance any such acquisition with then existing resources
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which could materially affect our liquidity and the availability of funds to invest in the Montanore Project. There can be no assurance that we would be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with any acquisition.
We do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid cash dividends and we intend to retain our earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. Any return on an investment in our common stock will come from the appreciation, if any, in the value of our common stock.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
The significant properties in which the Company has an interest are described below.
Montanore Property
The Montanore Project is located in Sanders and Lincoln Counties in northwestern Montana and consists of 10 patented mining claims and 825 unpatented mining claims owned by the Company. The unpatented mining claims are held subject to a $140 per claim annual maintenance fee paid to the federal government.
The Company's ownership of the Montanore deposit stems primarily from its ownership of two patented mining claims, identified as HR 133 and HR 134, which cover the surface outcrop or "apex" of the gently dipping mineralized beds. According to U.S. mining law, the holders of claims covering the apex of a dipping, tabular deposit own the minerals to depth, even if the deposit passes from beneath the apex claim. For the Company's claims at Montanore, these "extralateral rights" have been confirmed by the U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior and upheld in U.S. District Court. In addition to the patented apex claims, the Company owns unpatented claims located along the fault which bounds the southwestern margin of the deposit and extends outside of the western border of the Cabinet Wilderness Area.
The Company's property holdings for operational access and infrastructure support for the Montanore Project are located to the east of the deposit, south of the town of Libby, and are accessed from Libby by about 16 miles of secondary road up Libby Creek. The apex of the deposit can be reached from Noxon, the nearest town, by taking State Highway 200 about 2 miles to the east and then north about 5 miles on a secondary graveled road to the junction of the west and east forks of Rock Creek. From this point it is about a 4 mile hike up a Jeep trail behind a locked USFS gate to the deposit outcrop. The deposit outcrops near the border of, and other than the outcrop that occurs on the patented claims HR 133 and HR 134, lies entirely within the Cabinet Wilderness Area. Because any future mining of the deposit would take place underground and the Company has access to the deposit from outside the Cabinet Wilderness Area (our patented mining claims and certain other mineral rights predate the wilderness area designation), we do not believe that any future mining or associated surface activity would have a material impact on the wilderness area.
On May 31, 2006, the Company acquired the State Hard Rock Operating Permit 150 that covers certain exploration activities and the Montana Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("MPDES") water discharge permit for the Montanore Project as well as title to properties providing access to the portal of the Libby adit. The 14,000 foot Libby adit was constructed in the early 1990s by previous operators. The adit stops approximately 3,000 feet short of the deposit. The Libby adit, when extended, will provide access to the Montanore deposit for a planned underground exploration and delineation
19
drilling program. Prior to our activity in 2006, there were no plant, equipment, or subsurface improvements other than the Libby adit, which was plugged and in reclamation. During the third quarter of 2006, the Company reopened the adit and completed initial water testing to determine the treatment method for water discharged from the adit.
Non-Reserves—Mineralized Material
Non-Reserves Reported in the United States. The estimate of mineralized material set forth below was prepared by Mine Development Associates, or MDA, of Reno, Nevada in October 2005. The estimate was prepared in accordance with SEC Industry Guide 7.
Mineralized Material Estimate in accordance with U.S. SEC Industry Guide 7
| Tons | Silver Grade (Ounces per ton) | Copper Grade | Cutoff Grade (Silver ounces per ton) | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mineralized Material | 81,506,000 | 2.04 | 0.75 | % | 1.0 |
"Mineralized material" as used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, although permissible under SEC's Industry Guide 7, does not indicate "reserves" by SEC standards. We cannot be certain that any part of the mineralized material at Montanore will ever be confirmed or converted into SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant "reserves." Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of the mineralized material will ever be confirmed or converted into reserves or that mineralized material can be economically or legally extracted.
Geology
The Montanore Project contains a strata-bound silver-copper deposit occurring in the Revett Formation, which is part of an extensive series of Precambrian-aged metasedimentary rocks belonging to the Belt Supergroup. The Revett Formation has been subdivided into three members (upper, middle and lower) based on the contained amounts of quartzite, silty quartzite and siltite. The lower Revett, which hosts the mineralized horizons, is composed primarily of quartzite with lesser interbeds of siltite and silty quartzite.
The silver-copper mineralization at Montanore is strata-bound in the upper portions of the lower Revett Formation. Copper and silver values are carried predominately in the minerals bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite and native silver in variable proportions and concentrations. Sulfide content of the mineralized rock rarely exceeds 3% to 4% and is commonly 1% to 2%.
The mineralized zone crops out at the surface and extends down dip at least 12,000 feet to the north-northwest. The mineralization is open ended in the down dip direction. Mineralization occurs in at least two sub-parallel horizons separated by a silver- and copper-deficient zone containing low-grade lead in the form of galena. The two horizons are identified as the B1 for the upper zone and the B for the lower and more extensive zone. Both zones dip to the northwest between 15 degrees and 30 degrees, with an average of just over 15 degrees. The width of the main (B) horizon, in plan view, is defined by a fault on one side and a fold axis on the other, and varies from 804 feet to 3,540 feet. The property boundaries, however, limit the controlled portion of the deposit to a maximum of 2,000 feet. The average thickness for each of the two horizons is 35 feet, depending upon cutoff.
History and Development
The Montanore Project was owned by Noranda Minerals Corporation between 1988 and 2002. During that time, the project received a Record of Decision ("ROD") approving a plan of operations from the USFS and the State of Montana, as well as all other permits required for the project, allowing Noranda to proceed with full operations, but the project was never put into operation. From 1988 to
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2002, the Company held royalty rights to a portion of the deposit. In 2002, Noranda announced that it was withdrawing from the project, and subsequently transferred to us by quitclaim deed the patented and unpatented mining claims that control the mineral rights, and all drill core and intellectual property, including geologic, environmental and engineering studies, relating to the Montanore Project.
In May 2006, we acquired two Noranda subsidiaries that held title to the Montanore property, providing access to the 14,000 foot Libby adit which, when extended, will provide access to the Montanore deposit. Through this acquisition, we also received the Hard Rock Operating Permit 150 that covers certain exploration activities and the MPDES water discharge permit for the Montanore Project. The 14,000 foot Libby adit was constructed in the early 1990s by previous operators. The adit stops approximately 3,000 feet short of the deposit. Prior to our activity in 2006, there were no plant, equipment, or subsurface improvements other than the Libby adit, which was plugged and in reclamation. During the third quarter of 2006, we reopened the adit and completed initial water testing to determine the treatment method for water discharged from the adit. The necessary permit revisions were received in November 2006 to undertake an underground evaluation drilling program. We own water rights associated with the Montanore property that are believed to be sufficient for proposed mining activities. In the fourth quarter of 2006, we purchased generators to provide power for the initial evaluation drilling program and erected a warehouse building and shop at the Libby adit site, along with an office and employee change facility.
In January 2007, we established a $1.124 million stand-by letter of credit to satisfy reclamation bonding requirements related to our planned exploration at the Libby adit. In 2007, we completed the construction of site infrastructure to support our planned underground evaluation program at the Montanore Project including a $1.5 million water treatment plant to process all water pumped out of the adit and a dry storage structure for inventory. We also acquired an initial fleet of surface and underground heavy equipment.
In 2008 and 2009, we continued the testing and installation of the adit dewatering system in preparation for the planned 3,000 foot extension and initiation of the drilling program and installed sumps that allowed us to test most of the mining equipment that will be used during the adit advancement and future development activities. We dewatered the adit in 2009. Engineering and geology work also continued during 2008 and 2009.
The decline has been on care and maintenance since the second quarter 2009, pending completion of the environmental review process. Operations at the Libby adit are limited to maintaining the water level at the 7,400 foot level in the adit and treating the water pumped from the adit.
Advanced Exploration and Delineation Drilling Program
The objectives of our underground evaluation drilling program are to:
- •
- expand the known higher grade intercepts of the Montanore deposit;
- •
- develop additional information about the deposit;
- •
- further assess and define the mineralized zone; and
- •
- provide additional geotechnical, hydrological and other data.
The stages of the advanced exploration and delineation drilling program, and activities undertaken to date in each stage, are set out below. We expect that, following completion of permitting, Stages 2, 3 and 4 would take approximately 18 months.
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Stage 1—Dewatering and Adit Rehabilitation
The construction of water pumping and treatment facilities and the addition of generators to provide power for the underground exploration program are described above. In addition, we have worked to rehabilitate the adit which involves, among other things, sealing the walls, installing new roof bolts and extending power, ventilation and dewatering infrastructure in the adit. To date, infrastructure placed in the decline includes a refuge chamber, mine power center and temporary pump station, along with the previously installed sumps and pumping system at the 700 foot location. As previously noted, the adit is now on care and maintenance until the environmental review process is complete. We are prohibited from doing further work in the adit until the USFS approves an operating plan for Montanore. Total costs for Stage 1 activities are projected at approximately $7.3 million, of which approximately $6.8 million had been spent by December 31, 2013.
Stage 2—Advancement of Adit, Drifting and Establishment of Drill Stations
Once the permitting process is complete and the adit rehabilitation completed, the Company plans to advance the adit approximately 3,000 feet towards the middle of the deposit. Upon reaching the deposit, we intend to commence approximately 6,000 feet of development drifting and establishing drill stations, which will be necessary to provide drill access. We estimate that Stage 2 will cost approximately $12.0 million.
Stage 3—Phase I Delineation Drilling
In Stage 3 of the advanced exploration and delineation drilling program, we expect to commence approximately 25,000 feet of diamond core drilling. We expect to spend approximately $2.0 million on Phase I delineation drilling. We also expect to spend approximately $8.2 million (in addition to amounts set forth above) during Stages 1, 2 and 3 on site operating and capital costs, optimization studies and general corporate support.
Stage 4—Phase II Drilling and Bankable Feasibility Study
During this stage, we anticipate completing an additional 25,000 feet of diamond core drilling, undertaking additional metallurgical and geotechnical testing and analysis, and if the results of our exploration are successful, preparing for and completing a bankable feasibility study at an estimated cost, with site operating and capital costs, of approximately $6.0 million. A feasibility study and report would provide the basis for financing the development of the project, which was estimated in November 2010 to cost $550.0 million to develop and constuct.
Permitting and Environmental
Approval by regulatory agencies will be required before the Montanore Project can proceed with exploration and project development. The agencies that are involved with the major permits include the U.S. Forest Service ("USFS"), Montana Department of Environmental Quality ("MDEQ"), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE"), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS"). There are other permits required, such as water rights, which will involve other agencies. Effort continued in 2013 towards obtaining the necessary approvals from these agencies.
In 2013 the USFS and MDEQ continued to develop the final environmental impact statement ("FEIS") that assesses the environmental impacts of the Montanore Project including wetlands mitigation and water quality analyses. The agencies completed a draft environmental impact statement in March 2009 and, following comments from the environmental protection agency and public comments, the required submission of a supplemental draft environmental impact statement was completed in September 2011. Public comment on the supplemental draft environmental impact statement was completed in December 2011. In developing the FEIS during 2012 and 2013, public
22
comments were considered as well as updated analyses and new technical data generated by the environmental impact contractor and the Company, to prepare updates to monitoring requirements and proposed mitigation designed to minimize or offset the projected impact of the Montanore Project.
As part of the permitting process, the USFS must prepare a biological assessment ("BA") for both terrestrial and aquatic life. The USFWS reviews these reports in connection with its biological opinion ("BO") addressing the impact of the Project on threatened and endangered species, including grizzly bear and bull trout. The issuance of biological opinions is required prior to the completion of the FEIS and issuance of a record of decision, which are required for issuance of permits for commencement of the underground drilling and evaluation program and full project development. The initial BA was prepared by the USFS and submitted to the USFWS in 2011. The USFWS provided general comments to the USFS early in 2012, and the two agencies continued the Section 7 consultation process into 2013. In December 2013, the USFWS completed a final draft terrestrial biological opinion on the project and submitted it to the USFS and the Company for review. In March 2014, the USFWS completed the final draft aquatic biological opinion. We expect the final biological opinion to be issued by the USFWS in the second quarter of 2014.
Also as part of the development of the FEIS and determination of the agencies' preferred alternatives, the USACE must complete an analysis of potential project discharges of dredged or fill material into water of the United States, including wetlands. These discharges are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act which requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be discharged that is required for construction of the tailings facility. In 2012, the USACE completed a jurisdictional determination on the proposed tailings impoundment site. This process required extensive aquatic habitat data. The Company completed a conceptual mitigation plan for aquatic resources affected by the proposed tailings impoundment and continues to work with the USACE to advance the mitigation plan. During 2012, the Company also provided extensive technical analyses for alternative tailings impoundment areas and the feasibility of each site in connection with the 404 analysis.
During 2012 and 2013, project monitoring activities were expanded to establish baseline conditions prior to the initiation of project development activities. The increased monitoring activities are tied to projected agency requirements prior to or during initial project development activities that will be incorporated into the FEIS.
Under Montana regulations, new projects or amendments must go through a non-degradation review pertaining to water quality. The project went through the process in 1993 when it was approved by the previous operator. The Company maintains this provision is not required since Permit 150 has remained active since issuance and it went through the non-degradation review process at that time. MDEQ has provided its proposal to review the project under this regulatory provision.
Engineering
In May 2006, McIntosh Engineering and Hatch Ltd. completed a Cost Update Study and generated a draft report for the Montanore Project. This report included engineering optimization, engineering review, cost updates, mine planning, and other aspects of the project. The report also provided additional optimization opportunities that will be evaluated as part of the on-going internal engineering work currently underway.
As part of the mine planning effort, we assembled all of the geologic information developed by Noranda and another previous owner and incorporated the information into the Vulcan mine modeling package. This 3-dimensional geologic model is a critical first step in further evaluating mine planning activities and projection of ore zones. This information was also used to develop the underground drilling targets for the evaluation drilling program.
23
Preliminary Economic Assessment
On December 22, 2010, we announced the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for the Montanore Project. The PEA was prepared to provide guidance on the potential viability of the Montanore Project and the basis for the continuation of exploration activities. Because of the uncertainties associated with any mineral deposit that, like the Montanore Project, does not have reserves, the PEA should not be relied on to value the Montanore Project, nor should it be considered to be a feasibility or pre-feasibility study.
The PEA did not update the mineral resource analysis of the Montanore deposit completed in October 2005 by Mine Development Associates ("MDA Report"). Mineralized material, as set forth in the MDA Report, is 81.5 million short tons of material grading 2.04 ounces per short ton silver and 0.75% copper with a cutoff grade of 1.0 ounces per short ton silver.
The PEA assumed pricing of the estimated Montanore resources based on a three year trailing average at August 16, 2010 (i.e. $3.10 per pound for copper and $15.00 per ounce for silver) and developed cost estimates for development of the Montanore Project. Initial capital costs for the project were estimated to be $552.3 million (with a ± 35% accuracy). The PEA assumed that the project would utilize conventional grinding and flotation processing techniques at a processing rate of 12,500 short tons per day.
The PEA concluded that the Montanore Project demonstrates favorable economic potential which justifies commencement of a resource evaluation program and subsequent pre-feasibility study.
On February 3, 2011, the PEA was filed in Canada in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101—Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The technical report summarizing the results of the PEA was prepared by or under the supervision of Mr. Chris Kaye and Mr. Geoffrey Challiner of Mine and Quarry Engineering Services, Inc. of San Mateo, California, each of whom is an independent "Qualified Person," as such term is defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101. The PEA filed in Canada is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Description of Royalties on our Patented Mining Claims
Under the HR 133 and HR 134 patented mining claims, which cover the Montanore deposit, we are required to pay a production payment royalty of twenty cents ($.20) per ton of ore extracted and milled therefrom, pursuant to (i) that Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 6, 1988, between Atlantic Goldfields Inc. and Montana Reserves Company, and (ii) that Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 6, 1988, between Jascan Resources Inc. and Montana Reserves Company, a former joint venture partner with Noranda. The royalty is payable with respect to the amount of resources included in an independent feasibility study prepared for project financing purposes, is payable at six month intervals following the commencement of commercial production as defined in the referenced agreements, and terminates when the resource as defined in the feasibility study has been mined and milled.
Other Properties
The Company also owns certain patented and unpatented mining claims on zinc properties in northern Washington State, referred to as the Iroquois and Advance properties. No mining activities have been conducted on these properties since the 1960s. We also generate minor income from a working interest royalty, acquired more than 40 years ago, in several producing oil wells located in Kansas.
24
Exploration Earn-In Agreement
During 2012, we entered into an Exploration Earn-In Agreement with Estrella Gold Corporation ("Estrella") pursuant to which we could acquire 75% of the La Estrella silver and gold exploration property in central Peru. The terms of the agreement allowed the Company to earn 75% of the La Estrella property by expending $5.0 million on exploration activities and making annual cash payments to Estrella of $0.1 million prior to the end of the first agreement year ending on February 28, 2013 and $0.2 million prior to the end of each subsequent agreement year until the earn-in was completed. The Company was also required to expend a minimum of $0.5 million in exploration and development expenditures in each of the first and second agreement years in order to maintain its rights under the Earn-In Agreement. The Company was able to terminate the Earn-In Agreement at any time without penalty, subject to reclamation and other customary obligations.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had met the first year's exploration and development expenditure requirements. Our 2012 exploration program consisted of a ten person camp, which supported an eight hole, 2697 meter diamond drill campaign beginning in early June and ending mid-August. All drill samples were washed, measured, logged, and cut on site. The program demonstrated continuous mineralization in seven of the eight holes. Based on these results, combined with a subsequent 3D IP/Res Survey conducted by Val d'Or Geophysics Peru, the Company decided to continue the program into a second year. During 2013, we completed metallurgical analysis on main phase mineralized rock and extended exploration permits for three months. In addition, a new water use permit was granted by the regional water authority. Exploration activities on the property were reduced in 2013 as part of the Company's overall cost reduction initiative. During January 2014, the Company terminated the Earn-In Agreement.
In September 2007, we filed a declaratory judgment action, Mines Management, Inc., Newhi, Inc. and Montanore Minerals Corp. v. Tracie Fus et al., Cause No. DV 07-248 in Montana Nineteenth Judicial District Court, Lincoln County. In this action we sought a Court judgment against certain of the defendants that the unpatented mining claims of such defendants allegedly located above portions of our adit and overlapping certain of our patented and unpatented mining claims, mill sites and tunnel sites are invalid. The defendants then asserted trespass claims against us relating to our use of certain of our mining claims, millsites and the adit. The parties participated in a mediation in 2009 which resulted in a settlement with seven of the ten defendants. On March 21, 2013, the Court issued an order (i) enforcing the settlement with seven of the ten defendants, (ii) enjoining us from trespassing on certain mining claims owned by one of the defendants, and (iii) finding that the mining claim of another defendant is valid and superior to certain of our claims. The claims with respect to which we were enjoined from trespass do not overlap the adit. The mining claim that the Court determined was valid and superior to certain of our claims overlaps portions of the adit and portions of certain of our patented claims and unpatented mill sites and tunnel sites. We do not believe that this order affects our ability to use the adit or to conduct exploration and development operations as currently planned once we have obtained the required permits.
We appealed to the Montana Supreme Court, Case No. DA 13-0240, certain portions of the order. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Company remanding the case to the District Court with instructions to vacate the injunction and to conduct further proceedings. The Supreme Court reversed the District Court on the basis of lack of findings, existence of an issue of fact, lack of evidence regarding trespass and misplaced reliance on evidence that the District Court relied upon with respect to claim validity.
On remand, the Company filed a motion to substitute the District Court judge, which was denied. The Company has appealed this denial to the Montana Supreme Court.
25
We also filed on June 28, 2013 a condemnation action, Montanore Minerals Corp. v. Easements and Rights of Way under through and across those certain unpatented lode mining claims et al., Cause No. CV-00133-DLC, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division. In this action we seek to acquire necessary easements and rights of way for the Montanore Project including for use of the adit and the construction and use of another underground tunnel and related equipment that are contemplated by the draft environment impact statement for the Montanore Project and other draft permits. The defendants include the defendant in the case referenced in the preceding paragraphs whose claim was determined to be valid and overlaps the existing adit. We have filed a motion for a preliminary condemnation order and injunction to obtain immediate access to the easements and rights-of-way and a motion to have the court declare the subject mining claims void for failure to comply with an essential federal filing requirement. The primary defendant has filed a motion requesting the court to dismiss without prejudice or stay the condemnation proceeding on abstention grounds and a motion to dismiss one of the two condemnation counts.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
Our common stock commenced trading on the AMEX MKT LLC (NYSE MKT") under the symbol, "MGN," on March 24, 2004. On January 10, 2006, the Company's common stock began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol "MGT."
The following table shows the high and low closing sales prices for our common stock for each quarter since January 1, 2012. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions. On March 28, 2014, the closing price of the Company's common stock was $1.11 on the NYSE MKT and CDN $1.20 on the TSX.
| NYSE MKT | Toronto Stock Exchange | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fiscal Year | High | Low | High | Low | |||||||||
| ($) | (CDN$) | |||||||||||
2014: | |||||||||||||
First Quarter (through March 28, 2014) | 1.73 | 0.60 | 1.89 | 0.66 | |||||||||
2013: | |||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 0.65 | 0.50 | 0.65 | 0.55 | |||||||||
Third Quarter | 0.93 | 0.54 | 0.97 | 0.55 | |||||||||
Second Quarter | 0.96 | 0.53 | 0.96 | 0.61 | |||||||||
First Quarter | 1.25 | 0.95 | 1.24 | 0.96 | |||||||||
2012: | |||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 1.54 | 0.90 | 1.49 | 0.91 | |||||||||
Third Quarter | 1.68 | 1.19 | 1.63 | 1.18 | |||||||||
Second Quarter | 1.77 | 1.15 | 1.68 | 1.16 | |||||||||
First Quarter | 2.20 | 1.66 | 2.21 | 1.68 |
As of March 25, 2014 there were 513 shareholders of record of our common stock and approximately 5,900 shareholders whose shares are held through banks, brokerage firms or other institutions.
26
The Company has never paid a dividend and anticipates that future earnings, if any, will be retained to finance growth and development of our business.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Not applicable.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following information is provided as of December 31, 2013:
Plan Category | Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) | Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column(a)) (c) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders | 4,663,000 | $ | 1.53 | 2,364,000 | ||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders | — | — | — | |||||||
Total | 4,663,000 | $ | 1.53 | 2,364,000 |
Due to the expiration of two equity compensation plans in February 2014, there were 2,186,000 shares available for future issuance under our equity compensation plans as of March 28, 2014.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion and analysis is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our financial statements, the accompanying notes ("Notes") and other information appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As used in this Annual Report on form 10-K, unless the context otherwise indicates, references to the "Company," "we," "our," "ours," and "us" refer to Mines Management, Inc. and its subsidiaries collectively.
Overview
Recent Events
- •
- The biological consultation between the U.S. Forest Service ("USFS") and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS") was initiated in March 2013. A final draft terrestrial biological opinion was completed in December 2013 and a final draft aquatics biological opinion was completed in March 2014. Both the terrestrial and aquatics biological opinions indicated non-jeopardy opinions could be granted. The final biological opinion is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2014.
- •
- The USFS and the Montana Environmental Quality ("MDEQ") continued to develop the Final Environmental Impact Statement ("FEIS") during 2013. The agency contractor responsible for writing the FEIS completed a draft of the document as well as a draft Record of Decision ("ROD") for agency review in December 2013. Only a few sections of the FEIS, including the final biological opinion which is nearing completion, remain to be completed.
27
- •
- The Company continued to work with the United States Army Corps of engineers ("USACE") on the Clean Water Act 404 permitting process. This process will continue concurrently with work on the FEIS and is required prior to the beginning construction of the tailings impoundment dam. The Company prepared and submitted a conceptual mitigation plan and commenced discussions with USACE concerning preliminary plan designs.
- •
- The Company continued meeting in 2013 with federal and state agencies, members of congress, Montana legislators, local Lincoln County Commissioners and City of Libby officials, business leaders and community members in an effort to keep them informed of the project's status.
- •
- Based on the results of the initial core drilling completed during 2012, the Company elected to extend the Exploration Earn-In Agreement with Estrella Gold Corporation, for an option to acquire 75% of the La Estrella gold and silver exploration property located in central Peru into the second year. During 2013, the Company completed metallurgical analysis and a 3D-Induced Polarization survey to further evaluate the property. In January 2014, the Company terminated the Earn-In Agreement without penalty.
Financial and Operating Results
We reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2013 of $7.4 million or $0.25 per share compared to a loss of $8.2 million or $0.28 per share for the year ended December 31, 2012. The following table summarizes expenses and other income by category and year:
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (millions) | ||||||
Montanore Project Expense | $ | 2.4 | $ | 2.7 | |||
Estrella Project Expense | $ | 0.4 | $ | 1.2 | |||
Administrative Expense | $ | 3.3 | $ | 3.4 | |||
Depreciation | $ | 0.9 | $ | 1.0 | |||
Non Cash Stock Based Compensation Expense | $ | 0.4 | $ | 0.3 | |||
Other Income | $ | 0.0 | $ | (0.4 | ) |
Montanore Project Expense includes exploration, fees, filing and licenses, and technical services, including environmental, engineering and permitting expense. Montanore Project Expense decreased by $0.3 million during 2013 compared to 2012 because of the following items: (i) $0.1 million decrease due to the absence of expense for the grizzly bear study completed in 2012, (ii) $0.1 million reduction in fees paid to the contractor working on the Environmental Impact Study during 2013, and (iii) $0.1 million decrease in costs associated with the care and maintenance of the Montanore project.
There was a $0.8 million reduction in Estrella Project Expenses during 2013 primarily because the drilling program was completed during 2012. Estrella project expenses during 2013 included a 3D-Induced Polarization Survey, an assessment of the environmental impact of the project, metallurgical analyses, and license fees.
Administrative Expense, which includes general overhead and office expense, legal, accounting, compensation, rent, taxes, and investor relations expense, had a net decrease of $0.1 million during 2013. This decrease included the following items: (i) a decrease in investor and public relations expenditures of $0.2 million, (ii) a decrease in salaries of $0.2 million as a result of having fewer employees during 2013, partly offset by (iii) an increase of $0.3 million in legal, accounting, and consulting fees primarily associated with a litigation matter as described in Item 3, Legal Proceedings.
Depreciation decreased by $0.1 million during 2013 as a result of equipment reaching the end of its depreciable life and limited acquisitions of property and equipment during the past few years.
28
Non-Cash Stock Based Compensation Expense (which is included in general and administrative and technical services expenses in our statement of operations) increased by $0.1 million during 2013 because the number of options granted and the fair value of options granted during 2013 was greater than those granted during 2012.
Other Income of $0.4 million in 2012 consisted of a gain from the change in fair value of our warrant derivative liability. The common share purchase warrants associated with the warrant derivative liability expired in April 2012.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2013, our aggregate cash, short term investments, and long term investments totaled $5.7 million compared to $11.8 million at December 31, 2012. The net cash used in operating activities during 2013 was $6.1 million, which consisted primarily of permitting, environmental, exploration, and engineering expenses for the Montanore Project, the Estrella exploration program, and general and administrative expenses, compared with $7.2 million of cash used in operating activities in 2012. Cash flows provided by financing activities were $0.3 million in proceeds from stock options exercised during 2012 compared to $0 in 2013. Cash provided by investing activities during 2013 and 2012 was an insignificant amount. The net decrease in cash and cash equivalents for the year ending December 31, 2013 was $6.1 million.
In 2014, we plan to continue to focus on planning for our evaluation and delineation drilling program at the Montanore Project pending the final permitting approvals. We anticipate expenditures in 2014 of approximately $5.7 million, consisting of $0.8 million in each quarter for ongoing operating and general administrative expenses, and $0.6 million in each quarter for permitting, engineering and geologic studies to finalize our permitting of the Montanore Project during 2014. We do not currently have enough cash on hand to fund ongoing environmental, engineering, permitting and general administrative expenses beyond 2014. Additional financing will be required to continue operations as a going concern and to complete the evaluation drilling program and a bankable feasibility study. See the opinion of our independent public accountants in our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements.
Table of Contractual Obligations
Not applicable.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable.
29
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as set forth below.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 31 | |||
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: | ||||
Consolidated balance sheets | 32 | |||
Consolidated statements of operations | 33 | |||
Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss | 34 | |||
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity | 35 | |||
Consolidated statements of cash flows | 36 | |||
Notes to consolidated financial statements | 37 - 46 |
30
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mines Management, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from inception of the exploration stage (August 12, 2002) through December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Mines Management, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from the inception of the exploration stage (August 12, 2002) through December 31, 2013 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has suffered recurring losses from operations which raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Tanner LLC
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 31, 2014
31
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| December 31, | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||
Assets | |||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,145,092 | $ | 10,246,073 | |||
Interest receivable | 6,988 | 7,815 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 237,286 | 250,892 | |||||
Certificates of deposit | 1,559,361 | 1,559,361 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total current assets | 5,948,727 | 12,064,141 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: | |||||||
Buildings and leasehold improvements | 836,454 | 836,454 | |||||
Equipment | 6,419,066 | 6,450,089 | |||||
Office equipment | 344,939 | 344,939 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
7,600,459 | 7,631,482 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation | 6,294,700 | 5,392,684 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
1,305,759 | 2,238,798 | ||||||
| | | | | | | |
OTHER ASSETS: | |||||||
Available-for-sale securities | 14,174 | 19,633 | |||||
Reclamation deposits | 1,191,182 | 1,184,966 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
1,205,356 | 1,204,599 | ||||||
| | | | | | | |
$ | 8,459,842 | $ | 15,507,538 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 381,305 | $ | 495,326 | |||
Payroll and payroll taxes payable | 23,358 | 17,874 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | 404,663 | 513,200 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | |||||||
Asset retirement obligation | 479,488 | 456,823 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | 884,151 | 970,023 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||||
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: | |||||||
Preferred stock—no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding | — | — | |||||
Common stock—$0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,999,752 shares issued and outstanding | 29,000 | 29,000 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 87,230,381 | 86,805,769 | |||||
Accumulated deficit | (1,117,306 | ) | (1,117,306 | ) | |||
Deficit accumulated during the exploration stage | (78,569,393 | ) | (71,188,416 | ) | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 3,009 | 8,468 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total stockholders' equity | 7,575,691 | 14,537,515 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
$ | 8,459,842 | $ | 15,507,538 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
32
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| Years Ended December 31, | | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Inception of Exploration Stage August 12, 2002 Through December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||
REVENUE: | ||||||||||
Royalties | $ | 30,172 | $ | 31,233 | $ | 181,476 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES: | ||||||||||
General and administrative | 2,884,821 | 3,219,702 | 35,826,078 | |||||||
Technical services and exploration | 2,619,191 | 3,857,609 | 33,423,676 | |||||||
Depreciation | 933,039 | 972,155 | 6,357,776 | |||||||
Legal, accounting, and consulting | 762,317 | 418,677 | 5,426,856 | |||||||
Fees, filing, and licenses | 258,844 | 178,511 | 3,004,173 | |||||||
Impairment of mineral properties | — | — | 504,492 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | 7,458,212 | 8,646,654 | 84,543,051 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | (7,428,040 | ) | (8,615,421 | ) | (84,361,575 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
OTHER INCOME: | ||||||||||
Gain from warrant derivatives | — | 357,977 | 476,381 | |||||||
Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities | — | — | 2,005,904 | |||||||
Gain from sale of property and equipment | 23,000 | — | 23,000 | |||||||
Interest income, net | 24,063 | 58,104 | 3,286,897 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total other income | 47,063 | 416,081 | 5,792,182 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
NET LOSS | $ | (7,380,977 | ) | $ | (8,199,340 | ) | $ | (78,569,393 | ) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
NET LOSS PER SHARE (basic and diluted) | $ | (0.25 | ) | $ | (0.28 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (basic and diluted) | 28,999,752 | 28,946,272 | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
33
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
| Years Ended December 31, | | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Inception of Exploration Stage August 12, 2002 Through December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||
Net loss | $ | (7,380,977 | ) | $ | (8,199,340 | ) | (78,569,393 | ) | ||
Reclassification to realized gain upon sale of marketable securities | — | — | (2,005,904 | ) | ||||||
Adjustment to net unrealized gain on marketable securities | (5,459 | ) | 6,357 | 2,008,913 | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | $ | (7,386,436 | ) | $ | (8,192,983 | ) | (78,566,384 | ) | ||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
34
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FROM INCEPTION (AUGUST 12, 2002) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2013
| Common Stock | Issuable Common Stock | | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | Deficit Accumulated During the Exploration Stage | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Paid-in Capital | Accumulated Deficit | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
BALANCES, AUGUST 12, 2002 (Inception of exploration stage) | 5,316,956 | $ | 5,317 | 90,000 | $ | 22,500 | $ | 1,495,998 | $ | (1,117,306 | ) | $ | — | $ | 846 | $ | 407,355 | |||||||||||
Issuable common stock issued | 90,000 | 90 | (90,000 | ) | (22,500 | ) | 22,410 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cash | 14,515,912 | 14,517 | — | — | 55,400,354 | — | — | — | 55,414,871 | |||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options and warrants | 3,288,080 | 3,288 | — | — | 4,147,557 | — | — | — | 4,150,845 | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 380,000 | 380 | — | — | 10,599,289 | — | — | — | 10,599,669 | |||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for Heidelberg shares | 5,148,162 | 5,147 | — | — | 15,035,173 | — | — | — | 15,040,320 | |||||||||||||||||||
Cumulative adjustment for warrant derivative | — | — | — | — | (476,381 | ) | — | — | — | (476,381 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Adjustment to net unrealized gain on marketable securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2,007,169 | 2,007,169 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification to realized gain upon sale of marketable securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (2,005,904 | ) | (2,005,904 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | (62,989,076 | ) | — | (62,989,076 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 2011 | 28,739,110 | 28,739 | — | — | 86,224,400 | (1,117,306 | ) | (62,989,076 | ) | 2,111 | 22,148,868 | |||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options and warrants | 260,642 | 261 | — | — | 275,139 | — | — | — | 275,400 | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 306,230 | — | — | — | 306,230 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment to net unrealized gain on marketable securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6,357 | 6,357 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | (8,199,340 | ) | — | (8,199,340 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 2012 | 28,999,752 | 29,000 | — | — | 86,805,769 | (1,117,306 | ) | (71,188,416 | 8,468 | 14,537,515 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | 424,612 | — | — | — | 424,612 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment to net unrealized gain on marketable securities | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (5,459 | ) | (5,459 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | — | — | (7,380,977 | ) | — | (7,380,977 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 2013 | 28,999,752 | $ | 29,000 | — | $ | — | $ | 87,230,381 | $ | (1,117,306 | ) | $ | (78,569,393 | ) | $ | 3,009 | $ | 7,575,691 | ||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
35
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| Years Ended December 31, | | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Inception of Exploration Stage August 12, 2002 Through December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
| 2013 | 2012 | ||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | ||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (7,380,977 | ) | $ | (8,199,340 | ) | $ | (78,569,393 | ) | |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 424,612 | 306,230 | 11,330,511 | |||||||
Stock received for services | — | — | (11,165 | ) | ||||||
Depreciation | 933,039 | 972,155 | 6,357,776 | |||||||
Initial measurement of asset retirement obligation | — | — | 344,187 | |||||||
Accretion of asset retirement obligation | 22,665 | 21,652 | 135,301 | |||||||
Gain on sale of available-for-sale investments | — | — | (2,005,904 | ) | ||||||
Gain from warrant derivatives | — | (357,977 | ) | (476,381 | ) | |||||
Gain on sale of property and equipment | (23,000 | ) | — | (23,000 | ) | |||||
Impairment of mineral properties | — | — | 504,492 | |||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||
Interest receivable | 827 | 5,887 | (6,988 | ) | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and deposits | 13,606 | (43,607 | ) | (297,697 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable | (114,021 | ) | 124,603 | 381,141 | ||||||
Payroll and payroll taxes payable | 5,484 | 243 | 20,178 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities | (6,117,765 | ) | (7,170,154 | ) | (62,316,942 | ) | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||
Purchase of property and equipment | — | (32,853 | ) | (7,697,121 | ) | |||||
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment | 23,000 | — | 58,423 | |||||||
Proceeds (purchase) of certificates of deposit | (6,216 | ) | 51,880 | (2,689,631 | ) | |||||
Net proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities | — | — | 2,005,904 | |||||||
Increase in mineral properties | — | — | (144,312 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 16,784 | 19,027 | (8,466,737 | ) | ||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||
Net proceeds from sale of common stock | — | 275,400 | 74,881,436 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | (6,100,981 | ) | (6,875,727 | ) | 4,097,757 | |||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 10,246,073 | 17,121,800 | 47,335 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | $ | 4,145,092 | $ | 10,246,073 | $ | 4,145,092 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | ||||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 65,768 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | ||||||||||
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities | $ | — | $ | 6,357 | $ | 3,009 | ||||
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
36
NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization:
Mines Management, Inc. (the "Company") is a publicly held Idaho corporation incorporated in 1947. The Company acquires, explores, and develops mineral properties in North and South America.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
a. Going concern
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. The Company is an exploration stage company and has incurred losses since the inception of its exploration stage. The Company does not have sufficient cash to fund normal operations beyond 2014 without raising additional funds. The Company currently does not have a recurring source of revenue sufficient to fund normal operations and its ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company's ability to secure sufficient funding for its future exploration and working capital requirements, which may include the sale if its equity or debt securities, and the eventual profitable exploitation of its mining properties. There can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in securing additional funding on terms acceptable to the Company or at all, or in generating future profitable operations. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
b. Principles of consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and include the accounts of Mines Management, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Newhi, Inc., Montanore Minerals Corp., Montmin Resources Corp., and Minera Montanore Peru, SAC. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
c. Exploration stage enterprise
Since the Company is in the exploration stage of operation, the Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with the provisions of theFinancial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 915Development Stage Enterprises, as it devotes substantially all of its efforts to acquiring and exploring mining interests that management believes should eventually provide sufficient net profits to sustain the Company's existence. Until such interests are engaged in commercial production, the Company will continue to prepare its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in accordance with this standard.
Financial statements issued by an exploration stage enterprise present financial position, changes in financial position, and results of operations in conformity with U.S. GAAP applicable to established operating enterprises and include the following additional information: (1) cumulative net losses reported as "deficit accumulated during exploration stage" in the stockholders' equity section of the consolidated balance sheets; (2) cumulative amounts from the inception of the exploration stage included on the consolidated statements of operations, statements of cash flows, and statements of stockholders' equity.
d. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks, investments in certificates of deposit with original maturities of 90 days or less, and money market funds.
37
NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
e. Available for sale securities
Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses recorded as a component of equity, unless a decline in value of the security is considered other than temporary. Realized gains and losses and other than temporary impairments are recorded in the statement of operations.
f. Property and equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Buildings and leasehold improvements are depreciated on the straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 39 years. Plant and equipment and office equipment are generally depreciated on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 10 years. When assets are retired or sold, the costs and related allowances for depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the statement of operations.
g. Mining properties, exploration and development costs
All exploration expenditures, including costs to acquire stationary equipment for use in exploration activities that have no significant alternative future use, are expensed as incurred. Significant property acquisition payments for active exploration properties are capitalized, including payments to acquire mineral rights. Once a feasibility study has been completed, approved by management, and a decision is made to put the ore body into production, expenditures to develop new mines, to define further mineralization in existing ore bodies, and to expand the capacity of operating mines, are capitalized and amortized on the units of production basis over proven and probable reserves. The Company charges to operations the allocable portion of capitalized costs attributable to properties sold. Capitalized costs are allocated to properties sold based on the proportion of claims sold to the claims remaining within the project area.
h. Asset impairment
The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of estimated future net cash flows on an undiscounted basis is less than the carrying amount of the related asset grouping, asset impairment is considered to exist. The related impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Changes in significant assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates may have a material effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
i. Fair value measurements
The Company discloses the inputs used to develop the fair value measurements for the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as well as the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements in their entirety fall. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.
38
NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Level 2: Quoted prices in inactive markets for identical assets or liabilities, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or other observable inputs either directly related to the asset or liability or derived principally from corroborated observable market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs due to the fact that there is little or no market activity.
j. Asset retirement obligations
A liability is recognized for the present value of estimated environmental remediation (asset retirement obligation), in the period in which the liability is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The offsetting balance is charged to expense as an exploration cost if the liability is incurred during the exploration stage of the related mining project or as an asset if the related mining project is in production. Adjustments are made to the liability for changes resulting from passage of time and changes to either the timing or amount of the original present value estimate underlying the obligation. The Company has an asset retirement obligation associated with its underground evaluation program at the Montanore Project, described more fully in note 7.
k. Deferred income taxes
Deferred income tax is provided for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting. A deferred tax asset, subject to a valuation allowance, is recognized for estimated future tax benefits of tax-basis operating losses being carried forward. Uncertain tax positions are evaluated in a two-step process, whereby (1) it is determined whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority would be recognized. If income tax related interest and penalties were to be assessed, the Company would charge interest to interest expense, and penalties to general and administrative expense.
l. Stock based compensation
The Company measures and records 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. Compensation cost is recognized for awards granted and for awards modified, repurchased or cancelled.
m. Net loss per share
Basic earnings or loss per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings or loss per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the effect of potential dilutive shares during the period. Potential dilutive shares include outstanding stock options and warrants. For periods in which a net loss is reported, potential dilutive shares are excluded because they are antidilutive. Therefore, basic loss per share is the same as diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.
39
NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
n. Assumptions and use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities known to exist as of the date the financial statements are published, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring the use of management assumptions and estimates relate to asset impairments, including long-lived assets and investments, asset retirement obligations, and valuation of stock based compensation and warrant derivatives. Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements; accordingly, it is possible that the actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material effect on the reported amounts of the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations.
o. Recent accounting pronouncements
In February 2013, FASB issued guidance related to items reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income. The new standard requires disclosure either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements of: (i) the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its sources and (ii) the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance effective January 1, 2013. This guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
p. Subsequent events
The Company evaluated events and transactions subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2013, for potential recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 2—MINING PROPERTIES
Montanore:
The Montanore property is located in northwestern Montana and includes 10 patented mining claims and 825 unpatented mining claims. In August 2002, the Company acquired a controlling interest in the Montanore silver and copper deposit in Sanders and Lincoln Counties, Montana. The Company received a quitclaim deed from Noranda Mineral Corp. ("Noranda") when Noranda elected to withdraw from the project. In December 2002, the Company received a quitclaim deed to all intellectual property connected with studies that Noranda carried out on the project.
Advance and Iroquois:
The Advance and Iroquois properties are located in northern Washington State. The Advance property consists of 720 acres of patented mineral rights. Although the Company does not own the overlying surface rights to its patented mineral rights, it does have right of access to explore and mine. The Iroquois property consists of 62 acres of patented mineral and surface rights and 15 unpatented mining claims containing 300 acres.
40
NOTE 3—CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT
The Company owned two certificates of deposit for a total of $1,559,361 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. These investments matured in February 2014 and bore interest at the rate of 0.35%.
The Company also has a certificate of deposit pledged as security for a letter of credit to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality as a reclamation guarantee for the Montanore expansion evaluation program. This certificate of deposit was in the amount of $1,130,271 and $1,124,055 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. It bore interest at the rate of 0.45% as of December 31, 2013 and had a maturity date of January 3, 2014. This certificate of deposit renews automatically each year and is included with reclamation deposits on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The certificate was renewed on January 3, 2014 in the amount of $1,124,055 bearing interest at the rate of 0.40% and expires on January 3, 2015.
NOTE 4—AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
Available-for-sale securities are comprised of common stocks which have been valued using quoted market prices in active markets. The following table summarizes the Company's available-for-sale securities:
| December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost | $ | 11,165 | $ | 11,165 | |||
Unrealized Gains | 3,009 | 8,468 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Fair Market Value | $ | 14,174 | $ | 19,633 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
NOTE 5—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The following table summarizes the Company's financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the fair value calculation input hierarchy level determined to apply to each asset and liability category. Quoted market prices were used to determine the fair value of available-for-sale securities. See note 6 for further discussion on the fair value measurement technique used to value the warrant derivatives. The Company has no financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
| Balance at December 31, 2013 | Balance at December 31, 2012 | Input Hierarchy Level | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Assets: | ||||||||
Available-for-sale securities | $ | 14,174 | $ | 19,633 | Level 1 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Asset retirement obligation | $ | 479,488 | $ | 456,823 | Level 3 |
41
NOTE 5—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)
The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value during the year ended December 31, 2013:
| Asset Retirement Obligation | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Balance January 1, 2013 | $ | 456,823 | ||
Accretion expense | 22,665 | |||
| | | | |
Balance December 31, 2013 | $ | 479,488 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
NOTE 6—WARRANT DERIVATIVES
The Company had common share purchase warrants with exercise price reset features which qualified for treatment as a derivative liability. These warrants expired on April 20, 2012. The warrants did not qualify for hedge accounting, and as such, all changes in the fair value of the warrants were recognized in earnings until they expired. These common share purchase warrants did not trade in an active securities market, and as such, the Company estimated the fair value of these warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company reported a gain from the change in fair value of the warrants of $357,977 in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
NOTE 7—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The Company has an asset retirement obligation ("ARO") associated with its underground evaluation program at the Montanore Project. The ARO resulted from the reclamation and remediation requirements of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality as outlined in the Company's permit to carry out the evaluation program.
Estimated reclamation costs were discounted using a credit adjusted risk-free interest rate of 4.78% from the time the Company expects to pay the retirement obligation to the time it incurred the obligation, which is estimated at 25 years. The following table summarizes activity in the Company's ARO.
| Year Ended December 31, 2013 | Year Ended December 31, 2012 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance January 1, | $ | 456,823 | $ | 435,171 | |||
Accretion expense | 22,665 | 21,652 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Balance December 31, | $ | 479,488 | $ | 456,823 | |||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The Company has a certificate of deposit which is pledged as security for a Letter of Credit to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality as a reclamation guarantee for the Montanore expansion evaluation program which is discussed further in note 3.
NOTE 8—CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
The Company maintains most of its cash and cash equivalents in one financial institution. To date, the Company has not experienced a material loss or lack of access to its invested cash or cash equivalents; however, no assurance can be provided that access to the Company's invested cash and
42
NOTE 8—CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK (Continued)
cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. The Company's total uninsured bank deposit balance totaled approximately $6,629,000 as of December 31, 2013.
NOTE 9—STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common Shares:
On March 8, 2011, the Company completed a public offering of 4,800,000 shares of common stock at a price of $3.15 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of $15,120,000 ($14,212,800 in net proceeds after deducting underwriting commissions and a corporate finance fee but before deducting offering expenses). The underwriters were granted an over-allotment option to purchase an additional 720,000 shares exercisable for a period of 30 days following the closing. On April 4, 2011, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option for 320,000 shares of common stock at a price of $3.15 per share. The gross proceeds resulting from the exercise of the over-allotment option were $1,008,000 ($947,520 in net proceeds after deducting underwriting commissions and a corporate finance fee but before deducting offering expenses). Therefore, the total offering was 5,120,000 shares of common stock, resulting in aggregate net proceeds of $15,160,320 before deducting offering expenses.
On April 20, 2007, the Company completed a public offering of 6,000,000 units at a price of $5.00 per unit. Each unit was comprised of one share of common stock and one-half of one common stock purchase warrant, with each full warrant being exercisable to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $5.75 per share. No warrants related to this offering were exercised before they expired on April 20, 2012.
On November 2, 2007, the Company sold 2,500,000 common shares at a price of $4.00 per share in a private placement to one investor. In connection with the stock sale, the Company entered into a Right of First Refusal agreement (the "ROFR") which grants a twenty-year right of first proposal and a right to match third-party proposals, to purchase all or any portion of silver mined, produced or recovered by the Company in the State of Montana. The ROFR does not apply to trade sales and spot sales in the ordinary course of business or to forward sales, in each case, for which no upfront payment is received by the Company.
In October 2005, the Company sold 1,016,667 common shares at a price of $6.00 per share. In connection with the stock sales, the Company granted warrants to purchase up to 737,084 shares of common stock at $8.25 per share. During the term of the warrants, the exercise price of the warrants was reduced to $2.56 per share and the number of common shares issuable upon exercise increased to 2,375,368 shares to comply with the anti-dilution provisions of the warrant agreement. The warrants expired on April 20, 2012. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, no warrants were exercised. Cumulative warrants exercised relating to this issue were 269,620 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Preferred Shares:
The Company has authorized 10,000,000 shares of no par value preferred stock. Through December 31, 2013, the Company had not issued any preferred shares.
NOTE 10—STOCK OPTIONS
The Company has four equity incentive plans: the 2003 Stock Option Plan (which includes both qualified and nonqualified options), the 2003 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, and the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the "Plans"). Under all of the equity incentive plans, the option exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share
43
NOTE 10—STOCK OPTIONS (Continued)
on the date of grant, the stock options are exercisable within ten years from the date of the grant of the option, and the vesting schedule of the options is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Under the 2003 Stock Option Plan and Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, both of which expired in February 2014, the Company could grant options to purchase up to 3,000,000 shares and 700,000 shares of authorized and unissued common stock, respectively. Under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the "2007 Plan"), which provides for the issuance of both qualified and nonqualified stock options and restricted shares to directors, employees and consultants of the Company, the Company may issue up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company's authorized but unissued common stock.
The Board of Directors authorized the Company to establish the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan ("2012 Plan") which was approved by the shareholders in June 2012. The Company may grant options to purchase up to 3,000,000 common shares, bought on the market or otherwise, at the discretion of the Board. The 2012 Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock options to employees and nonqualified stock options to directors, employees and consultants of the Company. No participant is eligible to be granted more than 200,000 common shares during any calendar year.
A summary of the option activity under the Plans as of December 31, 2013, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
| Number of Options | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Outstanding at January 1, 2013 | 3,622,000 | $ | 1.81 | ||||||||||
Granted | 1,430,000 | $ | 0.74 | ||||||||||
Forfeited or expired | (389,000 | ) | $ | 1.23 | |||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2013 | 4,663,000 | $ | 1.53 | 2.90 | $ | 9,360 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercisable at December 31, 2013 | 4,075,000 | $ | 1.67 | 2.59 | $ | 9,360 | |||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fair value for each option award is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the assumptions noted in the following table. Volatility for the years presented is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock over the expected life of the option. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The Company does not foresee the payment of dividends in the near term.
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||
Weighted average risk-free interest rate | 0.54 | % | 0.30 | % | |||
Weighted average volatility | 70.56 | % | 72.33 | % | |||
Expected dividend yield | — | — | |||||
Weighted average expected life (in years) | 3.0 | 3.0 | |||||
Weighted average grant-date fair value | $ | 0.35 | $ | 0.56 |
During the year ended December 31, 2013, there were no stock options exercised. During the year ended December 31, 2012, there were 265,000 options exercised with a weighted average exercise price of $1.06. The total intrinsic value of the options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2012 was $212,522.
44
NOTE 10—STOCK OPTIONS (Continued)
A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested options as of December 31, 2013 and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
| Number of Options | Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nonvested at January 1, 2013 | — | — | |||||
Issued | 910,000 | $ | 0.27 | ||||
Vested | (312,000 | ) | $ | 0.27 | |||
Forfeited | (10,000 | ) | $ | 0.27 | |||
| | | | | | | |
Nonvested at December 31, 2013 | 588,000 | $ | 0.27 | ||||
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
As of December 31, 2013, there was $70,688 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of less than one year.
Total compensation costs recognized for stock-based employee compensation awards was $401,533 and $306,230 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These costs were included in general and administrative and technical services and exploration expenses on the Statements of Operations. Total costs recognized for stock-based compensation awards for services performed by outside parties were $23,079 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Cash received from options exercised under all share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $0 and $275,400, respectively.
NOTE 11—DEFERRED INCOME TAX
As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had net deferred tax assets that were fully reserved by valuation allowances. Following are the components of such assets and allowances:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2012 | |||||
Deferred tax assets: | |||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | 22,390,000 | $ | 20,340,000 | |||
Stock-based compensation | 550,000 | 650,000 | |||||
Property and equipment | 1,250,000 | 1,250,000 | |||||
Asset retirement obligation | 170,000 | 160,000 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Total deferred tax assets | 24,360,000 | 22,400,000 | |||||
Deferred tax liabilities: | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 350,000 | 480,000 | |||||
| | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance | 24,010,000 | 21,920,000 | |||||
Less valuation allowance | (24,010,000 | ) | (21,920,000 | ) | |||
| | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax assets | $ | — | $ | — | |||
| | | | | | | |
For the periods presented, the effective income tax rate differed from the expected rate because of the effects of changes in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance. Changes in the deferred tax asset valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 relate only to corresponding changes in deferred tax assets for those periods.
As of December 31, 2013, the Company had federal tax-basis net operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $65,870,000 which will expire in various amounts from 2018 through 2033. The
45
NOTE 11—DEFERRED INCOME TAX (Continued)
Company is subject to examination of its income tax filings in the United States and various state jurisdictions for the 2010 through 2013 tax years. Within each of these jurisdictions the Company has examined its material tax positions and determined that they would more likely than not be sustained.
NOTE 12—COMMITMENTS
Operating Leases:
The Company leases office space and equipment. The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2013.
Years ending December 31: | ||||
2014 | 48,500 | |||
2015 | 50,000 | |||
2016 | 8,500 | |||
| | | | |
Total minimum payments required | $ | 107,000 | ||
| | | | |
| | | | |
Employment Agreements:
The Company has employment agreements with certain executives. The agreements include a provision for severance pay equal to a multiple of each executive's salary. To receive severance, termination must be without cause and cannot be a result of death or disability. Additionally, severance must be paid if the executive resigns for good reason within one year following a change in control of the Company. As of December 31, 2013, the potential aggregate liability for severance pay under the agreements is $2,100,000.
Royalties on Patented Mining Claims:
Two of the Company's patented mining claims, which cover the Montanore deposit, are burdened by a production payment obligation of $0.20 per ton of ore extracted and milled therefrom. The calculation and timing of the production payment are specifically defined by a Purchase and Sale Agreement.
Exploration Earn-In Agreement
The Company entered into an Exploration Earn-In Agreement with Estrella Gold Corporation ("Estrella") on April 5, 2012, pursuant to which the Company could acquire 75% of the Estrella gold and silver exploration property located in central Peru by expending $5,000,000 on exploration activities. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company was required to make annual cash payments to Estrella of $100,000 prior to the end of the first agreement year ending on February 28, 2013, and $200,000 prior to the end of each subsequent agreement year until the earn-in was completed. The Company was also required to expend a minimum of $500,000 in exploration and development expenditures in each of the first and second agreement years. The Company was able to terminate this agreement at any time during the earn-in period, however, a minimum of $350,000 in exploration and development expenses was required during the first year of the agreement regardless of whether or not the agreement was terminated. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had met the first year's exploration and development expenditure requirements. During February 2013, the Company made the required $100,000 cash payment prior to the end of the first agreement year and continued the Exploration Earn-In Agreement into the second year. During January 2014, the Company terminated the Exploration Earn-In Agreement.
46
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure.
The management of the Company, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. 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 and includes those policies and procedures that:
- •
- pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets,
- •
- provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and
- •
- provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013. In making its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria described in "Internal Control—Integrated Framework" issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
47
Based on its assessment using those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
None.
In accordance with General Instruction G(3), the information required by Part III is hereby incorporated by reference from our proxy statement for our 2014 annual shareholders' meeting to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A (the "2014 Proxy Statement") not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2014 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) Documents filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference:
- (1)
- Our consolidated financial statements beginning on page 30 of this report.
- (2)
- Financial Statement Schedules (omitted because they are either not required, are not applicable, or the required information is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements or related notes).
- (3)
- The following exhibits are filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference.
48
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibits | ||
---|---|---|---|
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of Mines Management, Inc., as amended.(1)(2) | ||
3.2 | Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Mines Management, Inc.(3) | ||
3.3 | Bylaws of Mines Management, Inc.(4) | ||
3.4 | First Amendment to Bylaws of Mines Management, Inc.(5) | ||
4.1 | Specimen of Certificate of Common Stock, par value $0.001(6) | ||
4.2 | Registration Rights Agreement dated October 21, 2005(7) | ||
4.3 | Subscription Agreement dated November 2, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(9) | ||
4.4 | Registration Rights Agreement dated November 2, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(9) | ||
4.5 | Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement dated March 12, 2008 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(10) | ||
10.1 | Right of First Refusal Agreement dated November 2, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(9) | ||
10.2 | Employment Agreement dated December 28, 2011 between Mines Management, Inc. and Douglas Dobbs.(11) | ||
10.3 | Employment Agreement dated December 28, 2011 between Mines Management, Inc. and Glenn M. Dobbs.(11) | ||
10.4 | Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Nicole Altenburg.(12) | ||
10.5 | Mines Management, Inc., 2003 Stock Option Plan, as amended.(13)(14) | ||
10.6 | Mines Management, Inc., 2003 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, as amended.(13)(14) | ||
10.7 | Mines Management, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.(15) | ||
10.8 | Mines Management, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan(18) | ||
10.9 | Rights Agreement, dated June 18, 2009, between Mines Management, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.(16) | ||
10.10 | Exploration Earn-In Agreement dated March 2, 2012 between Estrella Gold Corporation, Mines Management, Inc. and Minera Montanore Peru S.A.C.(12) | ||
14 | Code of Ethics.(17) | ||
21 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant.* | ||
23.1 | Consent of Tanner LLC.* | ||
23.2 | Consent of Mine Development Associates, Inc.* | ||
23.3 | Consent of Mine and Quarry Engineering Services, Inc.* | ||
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Periodic Report pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* |
49
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibits | ||
---|---|---|---|
31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* | ||
32.1 | Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* | ||
32.2 | Certificate of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* | ||
101 | The following financial information from Mines Management, Inc.'s Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from inception through December 31, 2013; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from inception through December 31, 2013; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity from inception through December 31, 2013; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from inception through December 31, 2013; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, detail tagged.** |
- *
- Filed herewith.
- **
- Furnished herewith. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of any registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
- (1)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10SB12G filed November 12, 1998.
- (2)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed August 12, 2005.
- (3)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2009.
- (4)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10SB12G filed November 12, 1998.
- (5)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed April 21, 2009.
- (6)
- Incorporated by reference to Form S-3 filed June 12, 2006.
- (7)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed October 24, 2005.
- (8)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed April 20, 2007.
- (9)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed November 8, 2007.
- (10)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 17, 2008.
- (11)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed December 30, 2011.
- (12)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed April 1, 2013
- (13)
- Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed April 24, 2003.
- (14)
- Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed June 10, 2005.
- (15)
- Incorporated by reference to Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 21, 2008.
- (16)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2009.
- (17)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed December 8, 2008.
- (18)
- Incorporated by reference to Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 30, 2012.
50
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed March 31, 2014 on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MINES MANAGEMENT, INC. Registrant | ||||||
By: | /s/ GLENN M. DOBBS | |||||
By: | Glenn M. Dobbs | |||||
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this Report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant, in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
/s/ GLENN M. DOBBS Glenn M. Dobbs | Chief Executive Officer and Chairman (Principal Executive Officer) | March 31, 2014 | ||
/s/ ROY G. FRANKLIN Roy G. Franklin | Director | March 31, 2014 | ||
/s/ ROBERT L. RUSSELL Robert L. Russell | Director | March 31, 2014 | ||
/s/ JERRY POGUE Jerry Pogue | Director | March 31, 2014 | ||
/s/ RUSSELL C. BABCOCK Russell C. Babcock | Director | March 31, 2014 | ||
/s/ NICOLE ALTENBURG Nicole Altenburg | Principal Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | March 31, 2014 |
51
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibits | ||
---|---|---|---|
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of Mines Management, Inc., as amended.(1)(2) | ||
3.2 | Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of Mines Management, Inc.(3) | ||
3.3 | Bylaws of Mines Management, Inc.(4) | ||
3.4 | First Amendment to Bylaws of Mines Management, Inc.(5) | ||
4.1 | Specimen of Certificate of Common Stock, par value $0.001(6) | ||
4.2 | Registration Rights Agreement dated October 21, 2005(7) | ||
4.3 | Subscription Agreement dated November 2, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(9) | ||
4.4 | Registration Rights Agreement dated November 2, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(9) | ||
4.5 | Amendment No. 1 to Registration Rights Agreement dated March 12, 2008 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(10) | ||
10.1 | Right of First Refusal Agreement dated November 2, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp.(9) | ||
10.2 | Employment Agreement dated December 28, 2011 between Mines Management, Inc. and Douglas Dobbs.(11) | ||
10.3 | Employment Agreement dated December 28, 2011 between Mines Management, Inc. and Glenn M. Dobbs.(11) | ||
10.4 | Employment Agreement dated May 7, 2007 between Mines Management, Inc. and Nicole Altenburg(12) | ||
10.5 | Mines Management, Inc., 2003 Stock Option Plan, as amended.(13)(14) | ||
10.6 | Mines Management, Inc., 2003 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, as amended.(13)(14) | ||
10.7 | Mines Management, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan.(15) | ||
10.8 | Mines Management, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan(18) | ||
10.9 | Rights Agreement, dated June 18, 2009, between Mines Management, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A.(16) | ||
10.10 | Exploration Earn-In Agreement dated March 2, 2012 between Estrella Gold Corporation, Mines Management, Inc. and Minera Montanore Peru S.A.C.(12) | ||
14 | Code of Ethics.(17) | ||
21 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant.* | ||
23.1 | Consent of Tanner LLC.* | ||
23.2 | Consent of Mine Development Associates, Inc.* | ||
23.3 | Consent of Mine and Quarry Engineering Services, Inc.* | ||
31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Periodic Report pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* | ||
31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Periodic Report pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a)(Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* | ||
32.1 | Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* |
Exhibit Number | Description of Exhibits | ||
---|---|---|---|
32.2 | Certificate of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).* | ||
101 | The following financial information from Mines Management, Inc.'s Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from inception through December 31, 2013; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from inception through December 31, 2013; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity from inception through December 31, 2013; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and from inception through December 31, 2013; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, detail tagged.** |
- *
- Filed herewith.
- **
- Furnished herewith. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of any registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
- (1)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10SB12G filed November 12, 1998.
- (2)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed August 12, 2005.
- (3)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2009.
- (4)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10SB12G filed November 12, 1998.
- (5)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed April 21, 2009.
- (6)
- Incorporated by reference to Form S-3 filed June 12, 2006.
- (7)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed October 24, 2005.
- (8)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed April 20, 2007.
- (9)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed November 8, 2007.
- (10)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 17, 2008.
- (11)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed December 30, 2011.
- (12)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed April 1, 2013.
- (13)
- Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed April 24, 2003.
- (14)
- Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed June 10, 2005.
- (15)
- Incorporated by reference to Proxy Statement of Schedule 14A filed April 21, 2008.
- (16)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2009.
- (17)
- Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed December 8, 2008.
- (18)
- Incorporated by reference to Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 30, 2012.