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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(MARK ONE) | | |
| | |
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2007. |
| | |
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 000-29786
MINES MANAGEMENT, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
IDAHO | | 91-0538859 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
905 W. Riverside Avenue, Suite 311 Spokane, Washington | | 99201 |
(Address Of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(509) 838-6050
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, and accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated filer x | | Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
At November 6, 2007, 22,236,067 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, were issued and outstanding.
SEC 1296 (9-05) Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
MINES MANAGEMENT, INC.
FORM 10-Q
QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
INDEX
2
MINES MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements
September 30, 2007 and 2006
3
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Contents
4
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
| | September 30, 2007 | | December 31, 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Assets | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 26,286,391 | | $ | 743,652 | |
Interest receivable | | 50,681 | | 64,426 | |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | | 414,618 | | 71,118 | |
Total current assets | | 26,751,690 | | 879,196 | |
| | | | | |
MINERAL PROPERTIES | | 504,492 | | 504,492 | |
| | | | | |
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: | | | | | |
Construction in progress | | 1,773,654 | | — | |
Mine buildings and leasehold improvements | | 794,641 | | 172,535 | |
Equipment | | 2,297,341 | | 259,914 | |
Office equipment | | 290,206 | | 222,514 | |
| | 5,155,842 | | 654,963 | |
Less accumulated depreciation | | 297,733 | | 156,280 | |
| | 4,858,109 | | 498,683 | |
| | | | | |
INVESTMENTS: | | | | | |
Certificates of deposit | | 2,601,276 | | 4,370,253 | |
Available-for-sale securities | | 213,075 | | 77,844 | |
| | 2,814,351 | | 4,448,097 | |
| | $ | 34,928,642 | | $ | 6,330,468 | |
| | | | | |
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 1,662,377 | | $ | 301,667 | |
Due to officer | | 2,398 | | 2,398 | |
Payroll payable | | 4,552 | | — | |
Payroll taxes payable | | 8,031 | | 3,549 | |
Total current liabilities | | 1,677,358 | | 307,614 | |
| | | | | |
CONTINGENCIES & COMMITMENTS | | | | | |
| | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | | | | | |
Common stock – 100,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value authorized; 19,736,067 and 12,849,467 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | | 19,736 | | 12,849 | |
Preferred stock – 10,000,000 shares, no par value, authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding | | — | | — | |
Additional paid-in capital | | 54,503,656 | | 22,268,710 | |
Accumulated deficit | | (1,117,306 | ) | (1,117,306 | ) |
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | | (20,356,712 | ) | (15,208,078 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | 201,910 | | 66,679 | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | 33,251,284 | | 6,022,854 | |
| | $ | 34,928,642 | | $ | 6,330,468 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | From Inception August 12, 2002 Through September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | |
REVENUE: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Royalties | | $ | 2,277 | | $ | 3,269 | | $ | 4,970 | | $ | 9,776 | | $ | 46,469 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | 82,793 | | 17,247 | | 141,453 | | 39,837 | | 233,719 | |
Administrative | | 307,907 | | 125,154 | | 874,044 | | 386,614 | | 2,856,793 | |
Legal, accounting, and consulting | | 246,004 | | 176,807 | | 541,015 | | 339,433 | | 1,392,759 | |
Miscellaneous | | 3,424 | | 1,756 | | 13,625 | | 3,602 | | 45,758 | |
Exploration | | — | | 78,614 | | 11,866 | | 78,614 | | 165,176 | |
Oil and gas operating | | 279 | | — | | 797 | | — | | 12,970 | |
Rent and office | | 133,895 | | 104,487 | | 359,970 | | 225,517 | | 883,177 | |
Compensation; directors, officers and staff | | 410,194 | | 268,393 | | 1,148,132 | | 625,916 | | 3,356,359 | |
Taxes and licenses | | 22,789 | | (20,320 | ) | 80,135 | | 42,183 | | 218,225 | |
Telephone | | 11,361 | | 5,791 | | 29,854 | | 16,438 | | 81,878 | |
Fees, filing, and licenses | | 148,971 | | 268,016 | | 326,463 | | 514,725 | | 1,560,759 | |
Environmental | | 96,486 | | 67,336 | | 182,201 | | 177,705 | | 703,029 | |
Engineering | | 22,960 | | 54,085 | | 59,955 | | 332,131 | | 1,488,365 | |
Permitting | | 433,059 | | 351,729 | | 1,462,281 | | 1,053,588 | | 4,011,948 | |
Commissions | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 68,440 | |
Stock options granted to directors, officers and employees | | 228,700 | | — | | 649,570 | | 392,530 | | 4,120,701 | |
Stock options granted for services | | — | | 18,200 | | 6,550 | | 29,745 | | 607,754 | |
Total operating expenses | | 2,148,822 | | 1,517,295 | | 5,887,911 | | 4,258,578 | | 21,807,810 | |
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | | (2,146,545 | ) | (1,514,026 | ) | (5,882,941 | ) | (4,248,802 | ) | (21,761,341 | ) |
OTHER INCOME: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | 407,362 | | 74,676 | | 734,307 | | 237,733 | | 1,401,171 | |
Miscellaneous | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 3,458 | |
| | 407,362 | | 74,676 | | 734,307 | | 237,733 | | 1,404,629 | |
NET LOSS | | $ | (1,739,183 | ) | $ | (1,439,350 | ) | $ | (5,148,634 | ) | $ | (4,011,069 | ) | $ | (20,356,712 | ) |
NET LOSS PER SHARE (actual and fully diluted) | | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | (0.11 | ) | $ | (0.30 | ) | $ | (0.31 | ) | | |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING | | 19,736,067 | | 12,849,467 | | 16,923,168 | | 12,759,033 | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries
| | Common Stock | | Issuable Common Stock | | Additional | | Accumulated | | Deficit Accumulated During the Development | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive | | | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Paid-in Capital | | Deficit | | Stage | | Income | | Total | |
BALANCES, AUGUST 12, 2002 (INCEPTION) | | 5,316,956 | | $ | 5,317 | | 90,000 | | $ | 22,500 | | $ | 1,495,998 | | $ | (1,117,306 | ) | $ | — | | $ | 846 | | $ | 407,355 | |
Common stock issued for cash | | 5,169,312 | | 5,130 | | — | | — | | 14,152,615 | | — | | — | | — | | 14,157,745 | |
Common stock issued to directors | | 375,000 | | 375 | | — | | — | | 149,625 | | — | | — | | — | | 150,000 | |
Common stock issued for services | | 5,000 | | 5 | | — | | — | | 1,995 | | — | | — | | — | | 2,000 | |
Issuable common stock issued | | 90,000 | | 90 | | (90,000 | ) | (22,500 | ) | 22,410 | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Exercise of stock options | | 1,181,462 | | 1,181 | | — | | — | | 957,548 | | — | | — | | — | | 958,729 | |
Exercise of stock warrants | | 684,117 | | 724 | | — | | — | | 1,568,359 | | — | | — | | — | | 1,569,083 | |
Issuance of stock options | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 3,900,257 | | — | | — | | — | | 3,900,257 | |
Issuance of stock for Heidelberg shares | | 27,620 | | 27 | | — | | — | | (27 | ) | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Revaluation of stock options | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 19,930 | | — | | — | | — | | 19,930 | |
Comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjustment to net unrealized gain on marketable securities | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 65,833 | | 65,833 | |
Net loss | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (15,208,078 | ) | — | | (15,208,078 | ) |
Comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (15,142,245 | ) |
BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 2006 | | 12,849,467 | | 12,849 | | — | | — | | 22,268,710 | | (1,117,306 | ) | (15,208,078 | ) | 66,679 | | 6,022,854 | |
Common Stock issued for cash | | 6,886,600 | | 6,887 | | — | | — | | 31,578,826 | | — | | — | | — | | 31,585,713 | |
Issuance of stock options | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 203,020 | | — | | — | | — | | 203,020 | |
Revaluation of stock options | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 453,100 | | — | | — | | — | | 453,100 | |
Comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Adjustment to net unrealized gain on marketable securities | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 135,231 | | 135,231 | |
Net loss | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (5,148,634 | ) | — | | (5,148,634 | ) |
Comprehensive loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (5,013,403 | ) |
BALANCES, SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 | | 19,736,067 | | $ | 19,736 | | — | | $ | — | | $ | 54, 503,656 | | $ | (1,117,306 | ) | $ | (20,356,712 | ) | $ | 201,910 | | $ | 33,251,284 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
7
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | From Inception August 12, 2002 Through September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | |
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | | | | | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (1,739,183 | ) | $ | (1,439,350 | ) | $ | (5,148,634 | ) | $ | (4,011,069 | ) | $ | (20,356,712 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of stock options | | 228,700 | | — | | 656,120 | | 392,530 | | 4,728,455 | |
Stock received for services | | — | | 18,200 | | — | | 29,745 | | (11,165 | ) |
Depreciation | | 82,793 | | 17,247 | | 141,453 | | 39,837 | | 233,719 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest receivable | | 8,016 | | 111,865 | | 13,745 | | 80,782 | | (50,681 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | | 132,209 | | (84,305 | ) | (343,500 | ) | (115,136 | ) | (414,118 | ) |
Accounts payable | | 733,938 | | (4,189 | ) | 1,360,710 | | (84,010 | ) | 1,664,775 | |
Payroll payable | | (2,457 | ) | — | | 4,552 | | — | | 4,552 | |
Severance payable | | — | | — | | — | | (20,000 | ) | — | |
State income taxes payable | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (164 | ) |
Payroll taxes payable | | 1,481 | | (15,775 | ) | 4,482 | | (13,346 | ) | 4,851 | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | (554,503 | ) | (1,396,307 | ) | (3,311,072 | ) | (3,700,667 | ) | (14,196,488 | ) |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of fixed assets | | (2,061,917 | ) | (120,026 | ) | (2,727,225 | ) | (129,128 | ) | (3,316,336 | ) |
Construction in Progress | | (1,304,060 | ) | — | | (1,773,654 | ) | — | | (1,773,654 | ) |
(Purchase) Sale of certificates of deposit | | (60,263 | ) | (156,258 | ) | 1,768,977 | | (211,560 | ) | (2,601,276 | ) |
Increase in mineral properties | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (144,312 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | (3,426,240 | ) | (276,284 | ) | (2,731,902 | ) | (340,688 | ) | (7,835,578 | ) |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sales of common stock | | — | | — | | 31,585,713 | | 1,513,750 | | 48,271,122 | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | (3,980,743 | ) | (1,672,591 | ) | 25,542,739 | | (2,527,605 | ) | 26,239,056 | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | 30,267,134 | | 3,793,280 | | 743,652 | | 4,648,294 | | 47,335 | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 26,286,391 | | $ | 2,120,689 | | $ | 26,286,391 | | $ | 2,120,689 | | $ | 26,286,391 | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
8
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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 principally in North America. The Company performed exploration activities in South America in 2002.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
a. | The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mines Management, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Newhi, Inc., Montanore Mineral Corporation, and Montmin Corporation. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Newhi, Inc. was formed by the Company for the purpose of merger with Heidelberg Silver Mining Company, Inc. In the merger, completed on April 15, 1988, Heidelberg Silver Mining Company, Inc. was merged into Newhi, Inc. To effect the merger, the Company issued 367,844 shares of its previously unissued common stock. Also in connection with this merger, the Company issued 11,117 shares of common stock and paid $4,446 as a finder’s fee. Montanore Mineral Corporation and Montmin Corporation were acquired in conjunction with a stock transfer agreement with Noranda Finance Corporation as described more fully in note 10. |
| |
b. | All exploration expenditures are expensed as incurred. Significant property acquisition payments for active exploration properties are capitalized. If no mineable ore body is discovered, previously capitalized costs are expensed in the period the property is abandoned. 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. Should a property be abandoned, its capitalized costs are charged to operations. 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. |
| |
c. | 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 by comparing estimated future net cash flows on a discounted basis to the carrying amount of the asset. Changes in significant assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates may have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. To date no such impairments have been identified. |
| |
d. | Property and equipment are stated at cost. Buildings and leasehold improvements are depreciated on the straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of 39 years. Machinery and furniture are generally depreciated using accelerated methods over estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 10 years. |
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e. | Basic and diluted loss per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the periods. Stock options and warrants outstanding are antidilutive and are not considered in the computation. |
| |
f. | 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. |
9
g. | The Company’s financial instruments, as defined by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, include cash and loans payable. All instruments are accounted for on a historical cost basis, which, due to the short maturity of these financial instruments, approximates fair value at September 30, 2007. |
| |
h. | Deferred income tax is provided for differences between the bases 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. |
| |
i. | The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. |
| |
j. | The Company has adopted SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, which establishes a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. According to SFAS No. 143, the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation (ARO) will be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The ARO is capitalized as part of the carrying value of the assets to which it is associated, and depreciated over the useful life of the asset. |
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| In March 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation (FIN) No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations, which clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143 refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity where the timing or method of settlement is conditional on a future event. Where the obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional, even though uncertainty exists about the timing or method of settlement, the entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of the conditional retirement obligation if reasonably estimable. FIN No. 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate fair value. At September 30, 2007, no asset retirement liabilities have been recorded by the Company. |
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k. | In July 2006, FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The interpretation applies to all tax positions related to income taxes subject to SFAS No. 109, Accounting For Income Taxes. FIN No. 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. Differences between the amounts recognized in the balance sheets prior to the adoption of FIN No. 48 and the amounts reported after adoption should be accounted for as cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of retained earnings. The Company does not expect the adoption of this statement to have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. |
10
l. | In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued in respect of fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this statement could have on its financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. |
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m. | Certain amounts in the prior-period financial statements have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to current period presentation with no effect on previously reported net loss. |
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n. | The Company uses the “modified prospective method” of transition as described under SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure, to account for the costs of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments. Under this method of transition, the costs recognized in the financial statements for the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are the same as if they had been based on their fair values at the grant date. The Company recognized stock-based compensation of $228,700 and $18,200 for the quarters ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. |
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o. | For purposes of calculating the fair value of options issued and vested during the period, volatility for the three years presented is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over a two year period. The Company does not foresee the payment of dividends in the near term. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions: |
| | Quarters Ended September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Weighted average risk-free interest rate | | 4.77 | % | 4.71 | % | 3.87 | % |
Weighted average volatility | | 53.39 | % | 58.91 | % | 70.40 | % |
Expected dividend yield | | — | | — | | — | |
Weighted average expected life (in years) | | 2.00 | | 2.00 | | 2.00 | |
At September 30, 2007, the Company had two stock option plans, which are described more fully in note 6.
NOTE 2 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common Stock:
In 2003, the Company sold 1,152,007 common shares for $1,267,207 ($1.10 per share). In connection with the stock sales, the Company granted warrants to purchase up to 1,152,007 common shares at $1.20 per share through two years from the date of issue. Cumulative warrants exercised relating to this issue at December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, were 1,152,007, 1,152,007, and 573,640 shares, respectively.
In 2004, the Company sold 1,285,000 common shares for $6,425,000 ($5.00 per share). In connection with the stock sales, the Company granted warrants to purchase up to 511,000 shares of common stock at $7.25 per share through five years from the initial exercise date. The Company paid a cash finder’s fee of 7% of the gross purchase price received in the offering. The finder also received 3% warrant compensation, or warrants to purchase 192,750 common shares at $7.25 per share through February 18, 2009. These warrants were repriced at $6.00 per share in October 2005 and to $5.00 per share in April 2007 in accordance with the terms of the 2004 warrant agreement.
11
Cumulative warrants exercised relating to this issue at December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, were 145,750, 40,000, and -0-, respectively.
In 2005, the Company sold 1,016,667 common shares for $6,100,002 ($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 through five years from the initial exercise date. To date, no warrants have been exercised. The Company paid a cash finder’s fee of 7% of the gross purchase price received in the offering. The finder also received a 3.75% warrant compensation, or warrants to purchase 228,750 common shares at $8.25 per share through October 20, 2010. These warrants were repriced at $5.00 per share in April 2007 in accordance with the terms of the 2005 warrant agreement.
In 2005, the Company sold 40,000 common shares for $240,000 ($6.00 per share).
On April 20, 2007 the Company completed a public offering of 6,000,000 units at a price of $5.00 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $30,000,000 ($28,200,000 net proceeds). Each unit is comprised of one share of common stock and one-half of one common stock purchase warrant, with each full warrant being exercisable for five years to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $5.75 per share. The warrants are listed on the TSX and are tradable in US dollars under the symbol MGT.GT.U.
The underwriters were granted an over-allotment option, exercisable for a period of 30 days following the closing, to acquire up to an additional 900,000 units. On May 7, 2007, the underwriters exercised the over-allotment option for 836,600 units. The total offering was therefore 6,836,600 units for gross proceeds to the Company of $34,183,000, or $32,124,697 in net proceeds to the Company, after deducting underwriting commissions but before deducting offering expenses.
Preferred Stock:
The Company has authorized 10,000,000 shares of no par value preferred stock. Through September 30, 2007, the Company had not issued any preferred stock.
NOTE 3 — MINING PROPERTIES:
Mineral properties are comprised of acquisition, exploration, and development costs related to the Montanore property in northwestern Montana and the Advance and Iroquois properties in the Northport region of northeastern Washington, as shown below:
| | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Montanore | | $ | 278,519 | | $ | 278,519 | |
Advance | | 2,139 | | 2,139 | |
Iroquois | | 223,834 | | 223,834 | |
| | $ | 504,492 | | $ | 504,492 | |
The Montanore property is located in northwestern Montana and includes 18 mining claims covering 355 acres plus one 5-acre patented mill site. In August 2002, the Company acquired a controlling interest in the Montanore silver and copper deposit in Sanders County, Montana. The Company received a quitclaim deed from Noranda Mineral Corp. (Noranda) when Noranda elected to withdraw from the project. The mineral rights acquired by the Company are subject to a $0.20 per ton royalty, and a 5% net profits royalty which would commence after the operator has recovered all of its exploration and development costs. In December 2002, the Company received a quitclaim deed to all intellectual property connected with studies that Noranda carried out on the project.
12
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 64 acres of patented mineral and surface rights and 15 unpatented mining claims containing 300 acres.
NOTE 4 —CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS:
The Company is in the process of constructing a water treatment plant at the proposed Montanore mine site in Libby, Montana. This project was approximately 95% complete as of September 30, 2007 and has an estimated total cost of $740,000. The water treatment plant was completed by October 31, 2007.
Construction has also begun on the underground electrical and pumping systems at the Libby adit at the Montanore project. The anticipated cost of these projects is expected to total $1,125,100, with approximately $1,040,000 included in construction in progress as of September 30, 2007.
NOTE 5 — INVESTMENTS:
The Company owns a $115,684 certificate of deposit which matures in September 2008 and has an interest rate of 3.64%. The Company also owns a $1,124,055 certificate of deposit which is pledged as security for a Letter of Credit to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality for the reclamation guarantee for the Montanore expansion evaluation program. This certificate matures in January 2008 and will automatically renew annually. It currently earns a rate of 5.28%. The Company owns six $226,923 certificates of deposit for a total of $1,361,537. These investments mature in 2009 and earn rates of 4.21%.
The Company owns 45,000 free-trading shares of Bitterroot Resources, Ltd. (BTT), a public Canadian corporation traded on the Toronto Venture Exchange. The shares are held as “available for sale.” This investment is being recorded at fair market value with a corresponding adjustment to stockholders’ equity. The 45,000 free-trading shares had a market value of $16,267 and $28,213 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The Company also owns 196,000 free-trading shares of Centram Exploration Ltd., a public Canadian corporation traded on the Toronto Venture Exchange. The shares are held as “available for sale.” The shares were received in year 2002 in exchange for administrative services provided by the Company. The 196,000 free-trading shares had a market value of $196,808 and $49,631 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
NOTE 6 — STOCK OPTIONS:
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the shareholders of the Company approved two stock-based compensation plans – the 2003 Stock Option Plan (which includes both qualified and nonqualified options) and the 2003 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan. Under the 2003 Stock Option Plan, the Company may grant options to purchase up to 1,200,000 shares of common stock. Under the 2003 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, the Company may grant options to purchase up to 400,000 shares of common stock. During 2004, the Company increased the maximum number of common shares available under the 2003 Stock Option Plan and the 2003 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan to 3,000,000 and 700,000 shares, respectively.
Under both 2003 Stock Option Plans, the option exercise price may not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. Stock options are exercisable within ten years from the date of the grant of the option. Vesting of the options granted under both plans is at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The Company has a policy of re-pricing all incentive stock options as market conditions allow.
13
At September 30, 2007, the following 2003 plan options were outstanding under the 2003 Stock Option Plans:
| | | | | | Remaining | | | |
| | | | Weighted | | Contractual | | | |
Exercise | | Number of | | Average | | Life | | Number | |
Prices | | Options | | Exercise Price | | (in years) | | Exercisable | |
$ | 1.60 | | 500,000 | | $ | 1.60 | | .43 | | 500,000 | |
1.85 | | 100,000 | | 1.85 | | 0.91 | | 100,000 | |
2.82 | | 20,000 | | 2.82 | | 1.59 | | 20,000 | |
3.33 | | 475,000 | | 3.33 | | 1.73 | | 475,000 | |
3.75 | | 120,000 | | 3.75 | | 0.10 | | 120,000 | |
2.82 | | 155,000 | | 2.82 | | 2.34 | | 155,000 | |
4.01 | | 214,000 | | 4.01 | | 0.07 | | 214,000 | |
5.70 | | 5,000 | | 5.70 | | 2.71 | | 5,000 | |
2.82 | | 5,000 | | 2.82 | | 0.10 | | 5,000 | |
2.82 | | 145,000 | | 2.82 | | 3.70 | | 145,000 | |
2.82 | | 25,000 | | 2.82 | | 0.10 | | 25,000 | |
6.20 | | 5,000 | | 6.20 | | 0.42 | | 5,000 | |
2.82 | | 30,000 | | 2.82 | | 0.42 | | 20,000 | |
2.82 | | 100,000 | | 2.82 | | 3.21 | | 100,000 | |
2.82 | | 200,000 | | 2.82 | | 4.78 | | 100,000 | |
3.33 | | 30,000 | | 3.33 | | 4.58 | | 10,000 | |
3.79 | | 18,000 | | 3.79 | | 4.71 | | 18,000 | |
3.33 | | 30,000 | | 3.33 | | 4.75 | | 10,000 | |
3.30 | | 30,000 | | 3.30 | | 4.96 | | 10,000 | |
Subtotal | | 2,207,000 | | $ | 2.82 | | | | 2,037,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
During January 2005, the Company issued 214,000 stock options to an individual as compensation for the performance of marketing services. The options have an exercise price of $4.01 and vested 25% at the time of issuance, 25% in 60 days thereafter and the remaining balance on May 28, 2005. In January 2007, the option agreement was extended nine months by the Board of Directors to October 27, 2007.
During February 2005, the Company issued 205,000 stock options to directors and employees. The options had an exercise price of $3.93 and vested immediately. During August 2007, the options were cancelled and replaced by the same number of stock options at an exercise price of $2.82 per share representing the stock price as of the close of trading on August 16, 2007. The options expire five years from issuance.
During June 2005, the Company issued 5,000 stock options to an individual as compensation for the performance of consulting services. The options have an exercise price of $5.70 per share and vested immediately. These options expire five years from issuance.
During June 2005, the Company issued 25,000 stock options to an individual as compensation for the performance of consulting services. The options had an exercise price of $5.99 per share, representing the share price at the close of trading on June 6, 2005, and vested 40% at the time of grant (June 6, 2005), and 20% each on June 6 of 2006, 2007, and 2008. During September 2005, the options were cancelled and replaced by the same number of
14
stock options at an exercise price of $4.92 per share representing the stock price as of the close of trading on September 7, 2005. During September 2006, the remaining outstanding options were forfeited.
During December 2005, the Company issued 100,000 stock options to an officer. The options had an exercise price of $6.34 per share, representing the share price at the close of trading on December 13, 2005, and vested 50% at the time of issuance (December 13, 2005), and 50% on December 13, 2006. During August and May of 2007 and October 2006, the options were cancelled and replaced by the same number of stock options at an exercise price of $2.82, $3.90 and $5.01 per share representing the stock price as of the close of trading on August 16, 2007, May 16, 2007 and October 3, 2006, respectively.
During June 2006, the Company issued 170,000 stock options to officers, directors, and employees and 5,000 stock options to an individual as compensation for the performance of consulting services. The options had an exercise price of $6.20 and vested immediately. The options expire five years from issuance. During August and May of 2007 and October 2006, the options were cancelled and replaced by the same number of stock options at an exercise price of $2.82, $3.90 and $5.01 per share representing the stock price as of the close of trading on August 16, 2007, May 16, 2007 and October 3, 2006, respectively.
During July and September 2006, the Company issued 200,000 stock options to directors and 30,000 to the new Project Engineer for the Montanore Project. The options had exercise prices of $6.42 and $6.21, respectively. The options issued to the directors vest over a two year period, 20,000 on July 9, 2007 and 20,000 on July 9, 2008 for each director. For the options issued to the new employee, 10,000 vested immediately, while the remaining 20,000 vest over a two year period, 10,000 on September 20, 2007 and 10,000 on September 20, 2008. During August and May of 2007 and October 2006, the options were cancelled and replaced by the same number of stock options at an exercise price of $2.82, $3.90 and $5.01 per share representing the stock price as of the close of trading on August 16, 2007, May 16, 2007 and October 3, 2006, respectively.
During April 2007, the Company issued 30,000 stock options to a new employee. The options had an exercise price of $4.34 and 10,000 options vested immediately while the remaining 20,000 options vest over a two year period; 10,000 in April 2008 and 2009, respectively. During July 2007, the options were cancelled and replaced by the same number of stock options at an exercise price of $3.33 per share representing the stock price as of the close of trading on July 6, 2007.
During September and June 2007, the Company issued 30,000 stock options to each of two new employees. The options had exercise prices of $3.30 and $3.33, respectively. For each employee, 10,000 options vested immediately while the remaining 20,000 options vest over a two year period; 10,000 in September 2008 and 2009, respectively, and 10,000 in June 2008 and 2009, respectively. The Company issued an additional 18,000 options to other employees in June 2007. These options had an exercise price of $3.79 and were fully vested at the date of grant.
For purposes of calculating the fair value of options, volatility for the two quarters presented is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s Common Stock over a two year period. The Company does not foresee the payment of dividends in the near term. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
15
| | Quarters Ended September 30, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average risk-free interest rate | | 4.77 | % | 4.71 | % | 3.87 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average volatility | | 53.39 | % | 58.91 | % | 70.41 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Expected dividend yield | | — | | — | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average expected life (in years) | | 2.00 | | 2.00 | | 2.00 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average fair value (in dollars) | | 1.30 | | 1.82 | | 1.99 | |
The following summarizes option activity for the quarters presented:
| | | | Weighted-Average | |
| | Shares | | Exercise Price | |
| | Under Option | | Per Share | |
| | | | | |
Balance, at June 30, 2006 | | 1,979,000 | | 3.73 | |
Issued | | 230,000 | | 6.39 | |
Exercised | | — | | — | |
Forfeited | | — | | — | |
Balance at September 30, 2006 | | 2,209,000 | | 4.01 | |
| | | | | |
Balance at June 30, 2007 | | 2,277,000 | | 3.46 | |
Issued | | 30,000 | | 3.30 | |
Exercised | | — | | — | |
Forfeited | | (100,000 | ) | 3.75 | |
Balance at September 30, 2007 | | 2,207,000 | | $ | 2.82 | |
| | | | | | |
The options outstanding at September 30, 2007, have a remaining contractual life of approximately two years.
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NOTE 7 — CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK:
The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in one financial institution. Balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $100,000.
NOTE 8 — DEFERRED INCOME TAX:
At September 30, 2007, and December 31, 2006, the Company had deferred tax assets that were fully reserved by valuation allowances. Following are the components of such assets and allowances:
| | September 30, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Deferred tax assets arising from: | | | | | |
Net operating loss carryforwards | | $ | 2,540,000 | | $ | 1,770,000 | |
Stock option compensation | | 709,000 | | 610,000 | |
| | 3,249,000 | | 2,380,000 | |
Less valuation allowance | | 3,249,000 | | 2,380,000 | |
| | | | | |
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 periods ended September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 relate only to corresponding changes in deferred tax assets for those periods.
At September 30, 2007, the Company had federal tax-basis net operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $16,930,000 which will expire in various amounts from 2008 through 2027.
NOTE 9 —COMMITMENTS:
The Company hs ordered primary mobile mine equipment with a purchase price of $1,700,000 and a water treatment plant with a purchase price of $650,000. As of September 30, 2007, the Company had deposits totaling $372,600 toward the purchase of these items.
NOTE 10 — BUSINESS COMBINATION:
On May 31, 2006, Noranda Finance Corporation and Newhi, Inc. executed a stock transfer agreement by which all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock for both Noranda Minerals Corporation and Normin Corporation have been transferred to Newhi, Inc. Noranda Minerals Corporation and Normin Corporation are Delaware corporations registered to do business in Montana. At the same time, Newhi submitted a $30,000 cash bond to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to replace Noranda’s previous bond. Subsequently, the official names of the companies were changed to Montanore Mineral Corporation and Montmin Corporation, respectively. The existing Montana State Hard Rock Permit #00150 and MPDES permit MT-00320279 stayed in place and is now held by Montanore Mineral Corporation, formerly known as Noranda Minerals Corporation, which is owned by Newhi, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
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NOTE 11 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
On August 11, 2005, Mines Management was named as a co-defendant along with Noranda Minerals, Normin Corp. and Newhi, Inc. in a lawsuit filed by Montana Reserves Company (MRC) in the Superior Court of the State of Washington in Spokane County, Washington. The action seeks damages in connection with the conveyance of the Montanore property from Noranda to Newhi, and challenges the computation of a net proceeds royalty payable to MRC pursuant to a Royalty Agreement between Noranda and MRC in respect to the Montanore property. On October 18, 2007, the Company agreed to purchase the net proceeds royalty from MRC for $500,000 cash, in consideration of the dismissal with prejudice of all claims. The settlement agreement was executed on November 6, 2007.
On November 5, 2007, the Company sold 2,500,000 shares of its common stock to Silver Wheaton Corp. at $4.00 per share in a private placement transaction. In connection with the transaction, the Company entered into a Right of First Refusal Agreement, granting Silver Wheaton Corp. a right of first refusal to purchase all or any portion of the silver produced, mined or recovered from properties owned by the Company in Montana for a period of twenty years. Following the transaction, Silver Wheaton Corp. owns approximately 11% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company.
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ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Advancing the Montanore Silver-Copper Project continues to be the Company’s main focus. In addition to its planned advanced exploration and delineation drilling program, the Company is continuing its repermitting efforts with federal and state agencies and its optimization review of the Project. During the third quarter of 2007, construction and installation of a water treatment plant was the main activity at the Montanore Project site, with testing and commissioning of the plant scheduled for early November 2007.
Overview
In the third quarter of 2007, the Company:
• Maintained a strong cash position with $26.3 million at September 30, 2007.
• Continued preparations for the advanced exploration and delineation drilling program by:
a) Commenced installation and construction of the water treatment plant and building, which was completed as of October 31, 2007;
b) Hiring additional staff at the Project site to support initiation of underground activities at the Libby adit, which will include dewatering, rehabilitation, advancement, drifting, and delineation drilling; and
c) Receiving shipments of underground mining and surface equipment.
• Advanced the permitting process by working closely with state and federal agencies to provide technical and other information in support of the preparation of the draft environmental impact statement.
During the third quarter, our progress at the Project site included the installation of a water treatment plant and construction of the initial ventilation support structure in preparation for the commencement of rehabilitation activities in the Libby adit.
The Company expects to start the dewatering and rehabilitation of the Libby adit late in the fourth quarter of 2007, once the final approval of the Environmental Assessment for road use is received. Following dewatering and rehabilitation, the Company expects to advance the adit approximately 3,000 feet toward the middle of the mineral deposit over the next eighteen months. The Company plans an additional 10,000 feet of development drifting to provide drill access to different portions of the deposit, construction of drill stations, and diamond core drilling of approximately 50 holes totaling approximately 45,000 feet. The objectives of the advanced exploration and delineation 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 Company expects that results of the drilling program, if successful, would provide data to support the completion of a bankable feasibility study, allowing the Company to convert a portion of its mineralized material/resource estimates into reserves.
The net cash expenditures for the quarter ending September 30, 2007 were $3.4 million for the purchase of equipment and construction of the water treatment plant and other infrastructure and $0.6 million for
19
operating activities. The Company believes that it has sufficient working capital for rehabilitation of the Libby adit and commencement of the delineation drilling program.
Advanced Exploration and Delineation Drilling Program
During the third quarter of 2007, the Company continued to advance toward the commencement of exploration and delineation drilling activities at the Libby adit site. The water treatment plant components were delivered during the quarter and installation of the plant was completed October 31, 2007, with testing and startup activities beginning on November 1, 2007. Other activities included the delivery of major mine equipment, pump stations, power load centers and other key equipment necessary for the delineation drilling program. Installation of the ventilation duct work was completed for the first several hundred feet of the adit. Technical staff and site personnel numbers remained relatively constant with an electrician and general labor added to the site staffing.
The Company expects to begin rehabilitation activities at the Libby adit once the approval of the environmental assessment (EA) is received from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and dewatering commences. The EA is scheduled to be approved in early December 2007.
Major equipment for the rehabilitation stage of the program is either on site or scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2007 or early in the first quarter of 2008. Costs for the major equipment are within budget, and it is still anticipated that expenditures through the end of 2007 will be approximately $6.5 million for equipment and activities related to the preparation for commencement of the drilling program.
During the third quarter, we also advanced the geologic model for the project, and it is expected that the updated model will be completed in the fourth quarter. The Libby site engineering and geologist staff continue to focus their efforts on optimization of the current proposed mine plan. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company expects to initiate discussions and solicit proposals from outside engineering firms on the task of updating the current cost study to a bankable feasibility study by incorporating the results of the delineation drilling program.
Permitting and Environmental
The Company continued work with the U.S. Forest Service and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in the third quarter of 2007 on the final stages of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). It is anticipated that the preliminary draft will be issued to the agencies for internal review early in November. This preliminary draft EIS will be reviewed for content and then jointly edited to produce the draft EIS which will be submitted for public comment. The agencies’ schedule indicates the completion of the draft EIS by April 2008.
The Company also continues to work with the State of Montana to develop the 404 permit application, which will establish allowable discharge levels, and collect baseline environmental information to support our permit applications. Formal permit applications will be submitted concurrently with the submission of the draft EIS for public comment.
Financial and Operating Results
Mines Management is an exploration stage company with a large silver-copper project, the Montanore Project, located in northwestern Montana. The Company continues to expense all of its expenditures and has no revenues from mining operations. Financial results of operations include primarily interest income, general and administrative expenses, permitting, project advancement and engineering expenses.
Quarter Ended September 30, 2007
The Company reported a net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 of $1.7 million, or $0.09 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $0.11 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
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The $0.3 million increase in net loss was attributed to a $0.3 million increase in the third quarter of 2007 in legal, accounting, financing, and administrative expenses related to increased investor relations activities in support of the Montanore Project, and a $0.2 million increase in employee compensation as a result of salary increases and the addition of thirteen new employees, offset by a $0.3 million increase in interest income received in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 from earnings on the $32.1 million net proceeds of the Company’s public offering in April 2007. Overall Project spending also increased in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006 as a result of increased permitting activities and site preparation for the delineation drilling program.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
The Company reported a net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 of $5.1 million or $0.30 per share compared to a net loss of $4.0 million, or $0.21 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The $1.1 million increase in net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is largely attributable to a $0.3 million increase in legal, accounting and administrative expenses related to the increased cost of implementing additional Sarbanes-Oxley internal control procedures and investor relations activities related to the public offering completed in April 2007; increased compensation expense of $0.5 million, a net $0.3 million increase in all other activities and a $0.3 million increase in stock option expense due to new hires and repricing of options in accordance with Company policy. These increased expenditures of $1.6 million were offset by an increase of $0.5 million in interest income for the first nine months of 2007 from earnings on the proceeds of the Company’s public offering in April 2007.
Liquidity
During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the net cash used for operating activities was $0.5 million, which consisted largely of permitting and administrative expenses associated with increased activities at the Montanore Project. The net cash used in investing activities during the quarter was $3.4 million for procurement of equipment and construction in progress.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the net cash from financing activities was $31.6 million, consisting of proceeds from the public offering completed in April 2007. The net cash on hand at the end of the first nine months of 2007 was $26.2 million, compared to $2 million at end of the first nine months of 2006.
The Company anticipates spending approximately $6.5 million from cash and investments on hand during the final quarter of 2007 for activities and equipment purchases related to the advanced exploration and delineation drilling program and repermitting efforts at the Montanore Project. The Company believes that it has sufficient working capital for rehabilitation of the Libby adit and commencement of the delineation drilling program which will take place over the next two years.
The Company completed a $10 million private placement of its common stock on November 5, 2007. The proceeds of that transaction are expected to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including advancement of the Montanore Project and potential acquisitions.
Forward Looking Statements
Some information contained in or incorporated by reference into this report may contain forward looking statements. These statements include comments regarding further exploration and evaluation of the Montanore Project, including planned rehabilitation and extension of the Libby Adit, drilling activities, feasibility determination, engineering studies, environmental and permitting requirements, process and timing, and estimates of mineralized material and measured, indicated and inferred resource; financing needs; planned expenditures in 2007 and 2008; potential completion of a bankable feasibility study; the use of proceeds received from the Company’s recent private placement transaction and the markets for silver and copper. The use of any of the words “development”, “anticipate”, “continues”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, and similar expressions are intended to identify uncertainties. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward looking statements are
21
reasonable. However, the Company 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 and incorporated by reference into this report:
• Worldwide economic and political events affecting the supply of and demand for silver and copper
• Volatility in the market price for silver and copper
• Financial market conditions and the availability of financing on acceptable terms
• Uncertainties associated with developing new mines
• Variations in ore grade and other characteristics affecting mining, crushing, milling and smelting and mineral recoveries
• Geological, technical, permitting, mining and processing problems
• The availability, terms, conditions and timing of required governmental permits and approvals, and potential opposition to the majority of permits
• Uncertainty regarding future changes in applicable law or implementation of existing law
• The availability of experienced employees
• The factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K, as amended, for the period ending December 31, 2006.
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES |
All of our cash balances are held in U.S. dollars and our long term investment certificates of deposit are denominated in U.S. dollars in local and national banking institutions. We manage the timing of cash required for review of the permitting and engineering of the Montanore Project and for general corporate purposes utilizing our money market account and we invest funds not immediately required in certificates of deposit with varying maturities and fixed early retirement costs of three months interest. Our policy is to invest only in government and corporate grade securities rated “investment grade” or better.
The market prices of base and precious metals such as silver and copper fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the control of any mining company. These factors included expectations with regard to the rate of inflation, the exchange rates of the dollar and other currencies, interest rates, global or regional political, economic or banking crises, and a number of other factors. If the market price of silver or copper should decrease, the value of the Company’s Montanore Project could decline and the Company might not be able to recover its investment in that project. Any determination to develop or construct a mine would be made long before the first revenues from production would be received. Price fluctuations between the time that such decisions are made and the commencement of production could affect the economics of the mine.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Glenn M. Dobbs, the Company’s President and CEO, and James H. Moore, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, have evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed and were effective as of September 30, 2007 to give reasonable assurances that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company’s files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and that such information is also accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal controls or, to the knowledge of the management of the Company, any other changes that materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On August 11, 2005, Mines Management was named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by Montana Reserves Company (MRC) in the Superior Court in Spokane County Washington. Named as co-defendants are Noranda Minerals, Normin Corp., Mines Management and Newhi, Inc. The action seeks damages in connection with the conveyance of the Montanore property from Noranda to Newhi, and challenges the computation of a net proceeds royalty payable to MRC pursuant to a Royalty Agreement between Noranda and MRC in respect to the Montanore property. On October 18, 2007, the Company agreed to purchase the net proceeds royalty from MRC for $500,000 in consideration of the dismissal with prejudice of its claim against the Company. The settlement agreement was executed on November 6, 2007.
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
Except as noted below, there are no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ending December 31, 2006.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
On November 5, 2007, the Company completed a private placement of 2,500,000 shares of its common stock (the “Shares”) to Silver Wheaton Corp. at $4.00 per share, for a total purchase price of $10 million. As a material inducement to purchase the Shares, the Company has granted Silver Wheaton a twenty-year right of first refusal to purchase any silver stream that the Company elects to sell from its Montana properties.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
| 4.1 | Subscription Agreement, dated November 2, 2007, between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp. |
| | |
| 4.2 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 2, 2007, between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp. |
| | |
| 10.1 | Right of First Refusal Agreement, dated November 2, 2007, between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp. |
| | |
| 31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
| | |
| 31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
| | |
| 32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) |
23
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act)
24
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf of the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 8, 2007 | By: | /s/ Glenn M. Dobbs | |
| | Glenn M. Dobbs President and Chief Executive Officer |
| |
| |
Date: November 8, 2007 | By: | /s/ James H. Moore | |
| | James H. Moore Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT INDEX
| 4.1 | Subscription Agreement, dated November 2, 2007, between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp. |
| | |
| 4.2 | Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 2, 2007, between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp. |
| | |
| 10.1 | Right of First Refusal Agreement, dated November 2, 2007, between Mines Management, Inc. and Silver Wheaton Corp. |
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| 31.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
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| 31.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act |
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| 32.1 | Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) |
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| 32.2 | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) |