ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
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. 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. We obtained permit revisions that allowed us to reopen the Libby adit and to dewater and rehabilitate the adit. 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 $56.3 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:
•Development and advancement of the Libby adit by 3,000 feet to access the deposit;
•Drifting of approximately 10,000 feet and establishment of drill stations; and
•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, and the Army Corps of Engineers. A draft EIS was issued by the USFS and the MDEQ in the first quarter of 2009. After the
comment period expired, it was determined by the agencies that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was necessary and this was completed in September 2011. The public comment period for the Supplemental EIS closed in December 2012. The agencies are addressing the final comments with completion scheduled for the second or third quarter of 2012. We anticipate that the permits could be issued by the end of 2012, based on the current published schedule on the USFS website. Until these permits have been received, we will not be able to proceed with the underground evaluation program.
In addition, we have entered into a binding letter of intent and are completing agreements 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 is an advanced exploration stage project which contains an epithermal, volcanic-hosted gold-silver system with associated base-metal mineralization. The terms of the agreement allow the Company through its subsidiary, Minera Montanore Peru, SAC, to earn 75% of the La Estrella property by expending $5.0 million over four years on exploration activities and making annual cash payments to Estrella of $100,000 on the first anniversary of execution of the definitive agreements and $200,000 on each of the following anniversaries of such execution until the earn-in has been completed.
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 29, 2012, the Company had eight employees located in Spokane, Washington and seven employees in Libby, Montana. The Company plans to add additional engineering, geological, and operating staff at Libby as the development of our Montanore Project progresses. Outside consultants and contractors are engaged 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 to provide these services in the immediate future.
Regulation
The Company's activities in the United States are subject to various 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 current 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
Item 1A "Risk Factors."
Available Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or 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 with 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.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
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 us to advance the exploration of our 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 with regard to 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.
We will require additional financing to complete our exploratory drilling program at the Montanore Project, which we may be unable to obtain.
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. Following the common stock offering completed in March 2011, we have approximately $18.7 million of cash, cash equivalents and certificates of deposit on hand as of December 31, 2011. We anticipate that our
expenses in 2012 will be approximately $2.0 million for regulatory permitting activities and $6.0 million of general and administrative expenses, assuming that permitting is not completed until the end of 2012. We estimate that, following the completion of permitting, the costs of completing the exploratory drilling program will be approximately $20 to $25 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 in hand will not be sufficient to complete the exploratory drilling program and prepare the bankable feasibility study, and additional financing will be required. We cannot guarantee that we would be able to obtain any such additional financing on commercially reasonable terms or at all, nor can we guarantee that we would be able to fund the activities required to 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 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 and our 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, our current estimates indicate that we would be required to raise approximately $550 million in external financing to develop and construct the Montanore Project. 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 our 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 2012. However, the process is controlled by the governmental agencies, and during the process these agencies have repeatedly missed anticipated deadlines. Obtaining required 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 if that effort was successful, the impact of that operation on the environment and on wildlife in the area would have to be taken into consideration in our permitting determinations and could make those determinations more difficult. Private groups 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 2011 have been approximately $34 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 not have 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, 2009, 2010 and 2011, we incurred losses of $9.4 million, $10.7 million and $5.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, we had a deficit accumulated during the exploration stage of $63.0 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 our Montanore Project would require that we establish resources, obtain approximately $550 million of financing, and construct and operate a mine, processing plant, and related infrastructure. 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.
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:
•establish ore reserves through drilling and metallurgical and other testing techniques;
•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 or at the La Estrella Property, 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 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 our 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;
•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 our properties, which would have a material 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, 2011, the high and low settlement prices for silver and copper were approximately $48.70 and $8.88 per ounce and $4.62 and $1.24 per pound, respectively.
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:
•environmental protection;
•management and use of toxic substances and explosives;
•management of natural resources;
•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 ours, 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.
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 holdings consist of unpatented lode and millsite claims. Certain 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 be difficult to obtain. The Company has obtained a title opinion on 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 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 recently filed a lawsuit in the United 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 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 from unpatented mining claims located on federal lands or impose fees on production from patented mining claims. Further, it 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 have no reason to believe that title to any of our properties is in doubt, title to mining properties is subject to potential claims by third parties claiming an interest in them. For example, on September 26, 2007, we filed a declaratory judgment in Montana state district court against parties who had located unpatented mining claims on surface land above our adit and above where our patented and unpatented mining claims, mill sites and tunnel sites are located. The defendants then asserted trespass claims against us relating to our use of our mining claims and millsites and the adit. The parties engaged in a mediation in 2009 which resulted in a settlement. Subsequently, however, one of the defendants claimed that a settlement had not been reached. As a result, we filed a motion to enforce the settlement reached in the mediation. Motions for reconsideration from all parties are pending. We do not believe that the defendants have valid claims that interfere with our right to use the adit to reach the Montanore deposit.
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 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, in each case, for which we receive no upfront payment. The existence of this agreement may make other potential buyers for silver we produce less likely to negotiate with us to purchase silver, since they would be subject to losing the silver bargained for. A reduction in the number of bidders for our silver could reduce the price we can obtain for silver we produce.
The market price of our common stock is subject to volatility and could decline significantly.
Our common stock is listed on the NYSE Amex 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 Amex has fluctuated from a low of $1.15 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 follow our securities;
•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 Amex 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.
Our shareholders are subject to future dilution by the exercise of options and warrants, and the existence of a significant number of options and warrants could depress the price of our common stock.
As of December 31, 2011, we had 28,739,110 shares outstanding. As of that date, there were (i) options outstanding to purchase up to 3,601,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $1.86 per share and (ii) warrants outstanding to purchase 5,524,048 shares at a weighted average exercise price of $4.53 per share (2,105,748 shares at an exercise price of $2.56 and 3,418,300 shares at an exercise price of $5.75 per share). The warrants are scheduled to expire on April 20, 2012.
Historically, we have repriced stock options when the exercise price falls $1.00 or more below the prevailing market price of our common stock, but as of January 1, 2010, the Company no longer reprices stock options. 669,000 additional shares of common stock (520,000 in Consultant Stock Compensation Plan and 149,000 in the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan) are available for issuance under our stock option plans, and we plan to propose to stockholders adoption of a new employee stock option plan, which will provide for 3 million additional shares of common stock being available for officers, directors, employees, and consultants. If we issue additional options or warrants, or if currently outstanding options or warrants 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 and warrants 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 and warrants 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 our 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 you might otherwise receive a premium for your shares of common stock of our company. Specifically, our articles of incorporation divides our board of directors into three classes having staggered terms of office. This may prevent or frustrate attempts by our shareholders to replace or remove our management. We have also implemented a shareholders rights plan, also 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 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 the 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 us. 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.
There are differences in U.S. and Canadian requirements for reporting of resources and mineralization, and we utilized the Canadian 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 Amex, we also report in Canada estimates of resources that are prepared in accordance with Canadian standards because we are also traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange 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 may choose to finance any such acquisition with existing resources 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.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
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 two patented mining claims and approximately 825 unpatented mining claims. The mining claims are owned by the Company and are held subject to a $140 per claim annual payment 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 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, we acquired 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 and 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 2,000 feet short of the deposit. The Libby adit, when extended, will provide access to the Montanore deposit for our planned underground exploration and delineation drilling program. Prior to our activity in 2006, there were no plant, equipment, subsurface improvements or equipment 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. The estimate was prepared in accordance with SEC Industry Guide 7.
Mineralized Material Estimate in accordance with U.S. SEC Industry Guide 7
"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 expends down dip at least 12,000 ft 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, 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 ("Noranda") between 1988 and 2002. During that time, the project received a record of decision 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 2002, we held royalty rights to a portion of the deposit. In 2002, Noranda announced that it was abandoning 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, subsurface improvements or equipment 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 we believe will be sufficient for proposed mining activities.
In the fourth quarter of 2006, we purchased a site generator and erected a warehouse building at the Libby adit site, along with an office and employee change facility. Power for the evaluation drilling program will be provided by three on-site Cummins 800 KW generators. We established a $1.124 million stand-by letter of credit in January 2007 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. This included the design, engineering and construction of a $1.5 million water treatment plant to process all water pumped out of the adit. The utility design was completed and electrical supplies, ventilation material, pumping equipment, and ground control roof bolts and supplies have been delivered to the site. Construction of a dry storage structure for inventory was completed in the fall of 2007 and an initial fleet of surface equipment and underground equipment was purchased at a cost in excess of $6 million and delivered to the Libby adit site in the third and fourth quarters of 2007.
In 2008, 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. Other preparations for the commencement of drifting and delineation drilling (consisting of two declining drifts approximately 15 × 15 in section and 80 feet long each) included the retention of Small Mine Development, LLC ("SMD") to manage the adit advancement and the drilling program, engineering for a new nitrate circuit addition to the water treatment facility and installation of the initial sumps and pumping system. Two sumps were placed into service during the third quarter of 2008. These sumps are part of the overall dewatering system designed to clarify water from the adit before sending it to the water treatment plant on the surface. Construction of the sumps allowed us to test most of the mining equipment that will be used during the adit advancement and future development activities. A jumbo drill, roof bolter, LHDs, and haul trucks were all used to construct the sumps. Other support equipment, such as explosives loading truck and scissor lift truck, saw limited use.
Engineering and geology work continued during 2008. In 2008, we added six additional staff, purchased additional equipment and continued to install and test the underground water pumping stations and sumps, and in early 2009 we proceeded with dewatering. SMD completed engineering for a new nitrate removal addition to the water treatment facility and installation of the initial sumps and pumping system. Two additional sumps and a decanting system were placed into service at the 7,200 foot level during the second quarter of 2009. These sumps are part of the overall dewatering system designed to clarify water from the adit before sending it to the water treatment plant on the surface.
On April 30, 2009, SMD was demobilized, and the decline is now in a standby mode, until the environmental review process is complete. Similarly, construction of the nitrate circuit is scheduled to start when timing of the receipt of permits is more certain, and to be completed prior to beginning the extension of the final section of the adit to reach the ore body and install drill stations. The current schedule is to begin construction of the concrete chambers based on timing of receipt of the record of decision following completion of a final EIS. Current operations at the Libby adit include continued pumping at the site water treatment system.
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:
Stage 1-Dewatering and Adit Rehabilitation
With the exception of the first 600 feet, the length of the Libby adit contains water. During this stage of the evaluation drilling program, we have developed a plan to dewater the adit and to treat the discharged water using ultra-filtration and possibly chemical pre-treatment so that discharged water, both during the dewatering process as well as during development of the adit and drilling program, meets state and federal water quality standards. In 2007, we completed the design, procurement, engineering construction, start-up and pilot scale tests of the $1.3 million water treatment plant. In 2008, we continued to install and test the underground water pumping stations and sumps, and in early 2009 we proceeded with dewatering. We have retained an independent contractor, SMD, to manage the adit advancement and the drilling program. It has completed engineering for a new nitrate removal addition to the water treatment facility and installation of the initial sumps and pumping system, consisting of two declining drifts each approximately 80 feet long and 15 × 15 inches. Two sumps and a decanting system were placed into service at the 7,200 foot level of the adit during the third quarter of 2008. These sumps are part of the overall dewatering system designed to clarify water from the adit before sending it to the water treatment plant on the surface. Construction of the nitrate system is scheduled to start when timing of the receipt of permits is more certain, and to be completed prior to beginning the extension of the adit to reach the ore body. Current operations on the Libby adit include continued operations on the Montanore site water treatment system and dewatering of the decline.
Concurrent with dewatering, we started rehabilitating the adit, which involves, among other activities, scaling the walls, installing new roof bolts and extending electricity, ventilation and dewatering infrastructure into the adit. Power for the planned evaluation drilling program will be provided by three on-site Cummins 800 KW generators. In the fourth quarter of 2006, we purchased a site generator and erected a warehouse building at the Libby adit site, along with an office and employee change facility. In 2007, an initial order of electrical supplies, ventilation material, pumping equipment, and ground control roof bolts and supplies was delivered to the site. Construction of a dry storage structure for inventory was completed in the fall of 2007. The initial fleet of surface equipment and underground equipment was purchased at a cost in excess of $6 million and delivered in the third and fourth quarters of 2007. During 2008, we added six additional staff and purchased additional equipment. Construction of the sumps has allowed us to test most of the mining equipment that will be used during the adit advancement and future exploration activities. 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 ft. location. On April 30, 2009, SMD was demobilized, and the decline is now in a standby mode, 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 approximately $7.3 million, of which approximately $5.8 million had been spent by December 31, 2011.
Stage 2-Advancement of Adit, Drifting and Establishment of Drill Stations
Once the permitting process is complete and the adit rehabilitation completed, we plan to advance the adit approximately 3,000 feet towards the middle of the deposit. Following the advancement of the adit, we expect to commence 10,000 feet of development drifting, which will be necessary to provide drill access. Once drifting is underway we would also begin to establish drill stations. The process of drifting and the establishment of drill stations would continue throughout the remainder of the program. We estimate that Stage 2 would cost approximately $5.0 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 delineation diamond core drilling of approximately 40 holes. We expect to spend approximately $0.5 million on Phase I delineation drilling. We also expect to spend approximately $12.7 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 $10.0 million. A feasibility study and report would provide the basis for financing the development of the project, currently estimated to require approximately $550 million in external financing.
We are currently conducting trade off studies, reviewing the geology, and performing initial engineering reviews to improve our estimates of the projected costs and schedule for the final three stages of the program. We expect that, following completion of permitting, Stages 2, 3 and 4 would take approximately 18 months.
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.
In 2004, the USFS and the MDEQ began a joint review of the Montanore Project. As part of this process, the USFS and MDEQ completed a draft environmental impact statement ("DEIS") in March 2009, evaluated the environmental impacts of the project, circulated the DEIS to the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and to the public for comment. Based on comments concerning the transmission lines alternatives presented in the DEIS, the USFS and MDEQ selected their preferred alternative for the transmission line location. The USFS and MDEQ required preparation of a supplemental draft environmental impact statement ("SDEIS") to address certain issues related to the Montanore Project, including wetlands mitigation, water quality analyses, and the placement and impact of the transmission line. The SDEIS was completed in September of 2011. The public was given an extended review and comment period, which was closed late in December 2011.
As part of the development of a final EIS and the determination of the agencies' preferred alternatives, the USACE must complete an analysis of potential project discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. Such discharges are regulated by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act which requires a permit before dredged or fill material may be
discharged and is required for the construction of the tailings facility. The USACE determined that the 404 permit application submitted by the Company for the tailings impoundment site, including a related off-site wetlands mitigation measure, was complete and advanced the permitting review process for this permit. The USACE has determined that our proposed tailings site is the Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative, which is the first step in this 404 permit approval process. As part of their effort, they published a public notice of the intent to review and process the Company's permit application in December 2011. The public comment period was completed February 2012. The Company is working closely with the USACE to more closely review the jurisdictional aspect of small drainages within the proposed tailings impoundment area as they relate to waters of the United States. This determination is required for completion of this permitting process.
The agencies continue to incorporate analyses and new technical data generated by the environmental impact statement contractor and the Company. With the completion of the SDEIS, the agencies will now combine comments generated by the public and EPA in response to the DEIS and the SDEIS and formulate a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). With the 404 permitting process as well as the USFS and MDEQ on-going review, work continues to refine mitigation and information to support the development of the FEIS.
The Company's consultants completed extensive field work in 2011 to support aquatic habitat characteristic of the impoundment area. This information is important to establishing wetland mitigation and the preparation of the FEIS. This field work also provides information to support agency responses to comments.
As part of our permitting process, the USFS must undertake certain biological assessments and submit draft reports of these assessments to the USFWS for consideration in connection with the USFWS's biological opinions addressing the impact of the project on threatened and endangered species, including grizzly bear and bull trout. The issuance of the biological opinions by the FWS is required prior to the completion of a record of decision. The USFS completed a Biological Assessment in July 2011 and submitted it to the USFWS as part of the consultation process. For various reasons, the USFWS has not responded to the proposed Biological Assessment. We are working with the USFS and USFWS to resolve the staffing issue so the Biological Assessment can proceed.
Issuance of a record of decision ("ROD") by the USFS approving the proposed Mine Plan of Operations is the final step of the federal approval process and can occur only after the final USFWS biological opinion, the 404 dredge and fill discharge permit, and the FEIS have been issued. Following the ROD, the other agencies would be expected to issue their permits relating to mine development activities, including amendments to the hard rock mining permit and the MPDES permit, over a 6 month period. Once the USFS issues a ROD, we would be authorized to commence our planned advanced exploration and delineation drilling program. No further authorization would be required by the State of Montana for the exploration program, which received State approvals in 2006.
Based on the estimated timing of the SDEIS and issuance of the biological opinions, we believe that the agencies could issue a record of decision before the end of 2012. While we are providing information to the various state and federal agencies when requested and are actively engaged in working with such agencies, most of the timing issues surrounding the issuance of the EIS, biological opinions and environmental permits are beyond our control. Accordingly, no assurance can be given regarding the timing of the issuance of permits and approvals.
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 for the project 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.
Engineering refinement and geology work continues at the Montanore site using existing information. Geology confirmation mapping was begun with the advance of the rehabilitation down the decline. Currently, hydrological studies are being carried out for the creation of a hydrological model for the rock formations being crossed by the decline. Ongoing optimization and trade-off studies will help prepare assumptions that will be used in development of a feasibility study on the Montanore Project.
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 oz/short ton silver and 0.75% copper with a cutoff grade of 1.0 oz /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 lb. 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 $552.3 million (with a ± 35% accuracy). The PEA assumed that the project would utilize conventional grinding and flotation processing techniques at a processing rate of 12,500 short tons per day.
The PEA concludes that the Montanore Project "demonstrates favorable economic potential" which justifies "commencement of a resource evaluation program and subsequent pre-feasibility study."
On February 3, 2011, the PEA was filed in Canada in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The technical report summarizing the results of the PEA was prepared by or under the supervision of Mr. Chris Kaye and Mr. Geoffrey Challiner of Mine and Quarry Engineering Services, Inc. of San Mateo, California, each of whom is an independent "Qualified Person," as such term is defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101. The PEA filed in Canada is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Description of Royalties on our Patented Mining Claims
The HR 133 and HR 134 patented mining claims, which cover the Montanore deposit, are burdened by a production payment obligation of twenty cents ($.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 subsidiary of Noranda. The production payment is calculated based upon "the
total number of measured, indicated and inferred reserves, as defined by the American Association of Professional Geologists, on the Premises, as calculated and described in the independent feasibility study prepared for project financing purposes, and payable after the end of each six month period following Commencement of Commercial Production." "Commencement of Commercial Production" is defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreements as "the last day of the first period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which Commercial Production from the Property has occurred." "Commercial Production" is defined in the Purchase and Sale Agreements as "the production of concentrate from the Property on a regular basis, from the treatment of ore at not less than sixty percent (60%) of the concentrator's rated capacity, or rated capacity of the concentrator specified by the independent feasibility study, but excluding ore treated or concentrate produced for testing purposes." That production payment obligation terminates at such time as the "total number of reserves from the (properties), measured and calculated as specified above, has been extracted and milled."
Potential Acquisitions
We are continually seeking potential acquisitions, and have engaged from time to time in discussions with companies conducting mining operations or owners of mining properties or projects. The acquisition targets vary in many respects, but most relate to the mining of precious metals. See "Risk Factors-Acquisitions and business integration issues will expose us to risks" above.
Other Properties
We also own certain patented and unpatented mining claims on zinc properties in northern Washington State, referred to as the Iroquois and Advance properties. We have not conducted mining activities on these properties since the 1960s. In December 2007, we completed an impairment analysis of the carrying values of the Iroquois and Advance properties to assess their immediate development potential. In connection with that evaluation, we wrote off the capitalized costs associated with the properties in the amount of $226,000 which had been recorded in connection with mining activity that occurred in the 1950s. We continue to hold the real property, mining claims, and patented claims underlying the Iroquois and Advance properties; however, such property, mining claims, and patented claims do not have any book value in our consolidated financial statements. We also generate minor income from a working interest royalty, acquired more than 40 years ago, in several producing oil wells located in Kansas.
In addition, we have entered into a binding letter of intent and are completing agreements 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 is an advanced exploration stage project which contains an epithermal, volcanic-hosted gold-silver system with associated base-metal mineralization. The terms of the agreement allow the Company through its subsidiary, Minera Montanore Peru, SAC, to earn 75% of the La Estrella property by expending $5.0 million over four years on exploration activities and making annual cash payments to Estrella of $100,000 on the first anniversary of execution of the definitive agreements and $200,000 on each of the following anniversaries of such execution until the earn-in has been completed.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
None.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
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 (now the NYSE Amex Equities) 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, 2010. The quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions. On March 28, 2012, the closing price of the Company's common stock was $1.66 on the NYSE Amex and CDN $1.68 on the TSX.
As of March 28, 2012 there were approximately 600 shareholders of record of our common stock and approximately 6,000 additional shareholders whose shares are held through banks, brokerage firms or other institutions.
We have never paid dividends and anticipate 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, 2011:
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7.
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, 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
•On April 4, 2011, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of 5,120,000 shares of common stock that yielded net proceeds of approximately $13.8 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for advancement of the permitting process for its Montanore Project, the commencement of the Company's planned delineation drilling program, which will include advancement of the adit, establishment of drilling stations and commencement of exploratory drilling, and for general corporate purposes, including possible acquisition and exploration of new mining properties.
•Mine and Quarry Engineering Services, Inc. of San Mateo, California ("MQES") finalized the Technical Report entitled "Technical Report: Preliminary Economic Assessment, Montanore Project, Montana, USA prepared for Mines Management, Inc." dated February 3, 2011 ("PEA"), which was filed with Canadian securities regulators in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101-Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").
•The Company sold marketable equity securities during March 2011, resulting in gross proceeds of $3.8 million and realized a gain of $2 million.
•The USFS and the MDEQ continued their environmental review of the Montanore Project and of the responses to comments received from the public and from EPA, and issued the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Study ("SDEIS") in late September 2011. The comment period of the SDEIS was completed on December 21, 2011 and the responses are being incorporated in the final document.
•The Company continued meetings with federal and state agencies, Montana legislators, and local Lincoln County, Montana Commissioners, City of Libby officials, business leaders and community members and kept them informed of the project status.
•The Company announced that its Montanore Silver-Copper Project has been awarded the Sentinels of Safety Certificate of Achievement in Safety for the calendar year 2010. Montanore Minerals Corporation, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, received the state award for outstanding safety performance in the category of small underground metal mines in the Rocky Mountain District.
•The Company has signed a letter of intent and is completing agreements with Estrella Gold Corp. ("EGC") for an option to acquire 75% of the La Estrella gold and silver exploration property located in central Peru.
•The Company continued its program to reduce expenditures and conserve cash pending the completion of permitting.
•Cash and investment position remained strong at $18.7 million as of December 31, 2011.
At December 31, 2011, the balance of our cash and unrestricted certificates of deposit remained strong at over $18.7 million. Our net cash expenditures for operating activities for 2011 totaled $6.9 million. Cash outlays were less than projected due to delays in the USFS approval of our EIS and the cessation of adit rehabilitation and dewatering until permits are received. Our cash position was augmented by the $13.8 million of net proceeds received from the common stock offering completed in April 2011. In 2012, we plan to continue to focus on planning for our exploration and delineation drilling program at the Montanore Project pending the final permitting approvals. The completion of the 2011 financings will provide sufficient cash to complete the permitting process and initiate the adit rehabilitation and drill station development. Additional financing will be required to complete the evaluation drilling program and a bankable feasibility study. Development activities could be deferred if the permitting process is delayed or if commodity prices make the project difficult to finance or increase the cost of such financing.
The Company signed a letter of intent and are completing agreements pursuant to which we could acquire 75% of the La Estrella silver and gold exploration property in Peru by expending $5.0 million over four years. The Company plans to start the initial $400,000 drilling program in April 2012. The drilling program is fully permitted and will consist of eight to ten holes ranging from 200 to 300 meters each with completion slated for late summer 2012. The program will also include soil surveys over selected areas and the current geophysics data will be extended approximately 1 kilometer to the south.
Financial and Operating Results
We reported a net loss for the year ended December 31, 2011 of $5.6 million or $0.20 per share compared to a loss of $10.7 million or $0.46 per share for the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease of $5.1 million in net loss between 2011 and 2010 was comprised of a net reduction in project and administrative expenses of $0.2 million, a decrease of $0.2 million in non-cash stock option
expenses, and a decrease of $4.7 million in other (income) expense described below. The following table summarizes expenditures by category and year:
Montanore Project Expense includes exploration, fees, filing and licenses, and technical services, including environmental, engineering and permitting expense. Montanore Project Expense decreased by $0.8 million during 2011 compared to 2010 because of the following items: (i) $0.5 million in consultant fees paid to MQES to conduct the PEA during 2010, and (ii) $0.3 million paid for the grizzly bear study conducted during 2010.
Administrative Expense, which includes general overhead and office expense, legal, accounting, compensation, rent, taxes, and investor relations expense, increased in 2011 by $0.6 million. This increase included the following items: (i) an increase in investor and public relations expenditures of $0.2 million, (ii) an increase in expenditures related to the evaluation of mineral properties of $0.2 million, and (iii) an increase in salaries and bonuses of $0.2 million.
Non-Cash Stock Option Expense (which is included in general and administrative and technical services expenses in our statement of operations) decreased by $0.2 million during 2011 primarily because the fair value of the options granted during 2011 was lower than those granted during 2010.
The $4.7 million increase in Other (Income) Expense includes a change in the fair market value of warrant derivatives of $2.7 million and a realized gain on the sale of marketable securities of $2.0 million during 2011.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2011, our aggregate cash, short term investments, and long term investments totaled $18.7 million compared to $10.1 million at December 31, 2010. Cash flows provided by financing activities were $15.3 million in 2011 primarily due to the public offering completed during the year compared to $0.5 million in proceeds from stock options and warrants exercised during 2010. The net cash used for operating activities during 2011 was $6.9 million, which consisted primarily of permitting, environmental, exploration, and engineering expenses for the Montanore Project and general and administrative expenses, compared with $6.7 million of cash used for operating activities in 2010. Cash provided by investing activities for 2011 was $3.8 million of proceeds from the sale of marketable securities compared with $4.9 million in 2010 primarily from the early withdrawal of funds from a certificate of deposit. The net increase in cash and cash equivalents for the year ending December 31, 2011 was $12.3 million.
We anticipate expenditures in 2012 of approximately $8.5 million, which we expect will consist of (i) $1.5 million in each quarter for ongoing operating and general administrative expenses, (ii) $0.5 million in each quarter for permitting, engineering and geologic studies to finalize our permitting of the Montanore Project, and (iii) $0.5 million on exploration at La Estrella during 2012. We should have enough cash on hand to fund ongoing environmental, engineering, permitting and general administrative expenses for years 2012 and 2013. Additional financing, however, will be required to complete the evaluation drilling program and a bankable feasibility study at the Montanore
Project and increased exploration efforts at the La Estrella property in 2013, which decision will be based on 2012 drilling results.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements.
Table of Contractual Obligations
Not applicable.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as set forth below.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Consolidated balance sheets
Consolidated statements of operations
Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity
Consolidated statements of cash flows
Notes to consolidated financial statements
39 - 50
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, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, 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, 2011. 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, 2011 and 2010, 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, 2011 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Tanner LLC
Salt Lake City, Utah
March 29, 2012
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FROM INCEPTION (AUGUST 12, 2002) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2011
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Mines Management, Inc. and Subsidiaries (An Exploration Stage Company)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
See accompanying 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 in North and South America.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
a. 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.
b. 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 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 915 Development 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.
c. 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.
d. 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.
e. 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
NOTE 1-ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
allowances for depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the statement of operations.
f. 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.
g. 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.
h. 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.
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.
i. 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
NOTE 1-ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
obligation. The Company has an asset retirement obligation associated with its underground evaluation program at the Montanore Project, described more fully in note 7.
j. 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.
k. Stock 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.
l. 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 periods. 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, 2011 and 2010.
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.
NOTE 1-ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (Continued)
o. New accounting standards
In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2011-05, which amended ASC 220, "Comprehensive Income", with respect to the presentation of other comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. Under the amendments, an entity may present other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. The entity is also required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with the exception of the amendment regarding presentation of reclassification adjustments, which has been deferred to a later date. Adoption of this update is not anticipated to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, which amends ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement", to clarify the application of existing common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. ASU 2011-04 provides clarification for the following:
1.application of the highest and best use of valuation premise concepts;
2.measuring the fair value of an instrument classified in shareholders' equity; and
3.disclosures about fair value measurements.
ASU 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Adoption of this update is not anticipated to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The FASB has issued ASU 2011-11 which requires enhanced disclosures that will enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on the Company's financial position. This includes the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with the Company's recognized assets and recognized liabilities within the scope of ASU 2011-11. The guidance requires enhanced disclosure by requiring improved information about financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset in accordance with either ASC Section 210-20-45 or ASC Section 815-1-45 or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with either Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45. The revised disclosures would apply to derivatives, sale and repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and lending arrangements. Reporting entities will be required to disclose both net amounts (amounts that have been offset) and gross amounts in the notes to the financial statements under the revised requirements. ASU 2011-11 will be effective for the Company as of January 1, 2013, including interim periods within that annual period. The guidance included in ASU 2011-11 will be applied retrospectively for any period presented that begins prior to the date of initial application of the guidance and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial statements.
NOTE 2-MINING PROPERTIES:
Montanore:
The Montanore property is located in northwestern Montana and includes 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. 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 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.
NOTE 3-CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT:
The Company owned two certificates of deposit for a total of $1,559,361 and $1,519,797 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These investments mature in August 2012 and bear interest at the rate of 0.70%.
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 is in the amount of $1,175,935 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. It bears interest at the rate of 0.85% as of December 31, 2011 and had a maturity date of January 3, 2012. 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, 2011 and 2010. The certificate was renewed on January 3, 2012 in the amount of $1,124,055 bearing interest at the rate of 0.55% and expires on January 3, 2013.
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:
The Company sold one investment in marketable equity securities during March 2011. Proceeds from the sale were $3,821,252 and the realized gain from the sale was $2,005,904. No securities were sold during 2010.
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, 2011 and 2010, 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.
The following table presents the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value during the year ended December 31, 2011:
NOTE 6-WARRANT DERIVATIVES
Some of the Company's issued and outstanding common share purchase warrants which have exercise price reset features qualify for treatment as a derivative liability. These common share purchase warrants were initially issued in connection with the Company's issuance of common shares in 2005 and were not issued with the intent of effectively hedging any future cash flow, fair value of any asset, liability or any net investment in a foreign operation. The warrants do not qualify for hedge accounting, and as such, all future changes in the fair value of these warrants will be recognized currently in earnings until such time as the warrants are exercised or expire. The Company extended the expiration date of the warrants from October 2011 to April 20, 2012. The Company reported a gain (loss) from the change in fair value of the warrants of $1,718,265 and $(1,058,398) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
These common share purchase warrants do not trade in an active securities market, and as such, we estimate the fair value of these warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:
NOTE 6-WARRANT DERIVATIVES (Continued)
Expected volatility is based primarily on historical volatility. Historical volatility was computed using weekly pricing observations for recent periods. The Company believes this method produces an estimate that is representative of its expectations of future volatility over the expected term of these warrants. The Company currently has no reason to believe future volatility over the expected remaining life of these warrants is likely to differ materially from historical volatility. The expected life is based on the remaining term of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is based on three-month U.S. Treasury securities.
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.
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 its cash and cash equivalents in one financial institution. Balances are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. The Company's total uninsured bank deposit balance totals approximately $19,631,000 as of December 31, 2011. 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 cash equivalents will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets.
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
NOTE 9-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: (Continued)
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 is comprised of one share of common stock and one-half of one common stock purchase warrant, with each full warrant being exercisable until April 20, 2012 to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $5.75 per share. The warrants are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange 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. To date, no warrants related to this offering have been exercised.
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 (the "2005 Transaction"). 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 October 20, 2010 (the "2005 Warrants"). In accordance with the anti-dilution provisions of the 2005 warrant agreement, the exercise price of the warrants has been reduced three times and the number of common shares issuable upon exercise has increased during the term of the warrants. Most recently, in February 2010, the exercise price of these warrants was reduced to $2.56 per share, and the number of shares purchasable on exercise was increased to 2,375,368. In October 2010, the Company extended the expiration date of the warrants to October 20, 2011. The expiration date of the warrants was further extended in October 2011 to April 20, 2012. Cumulative warrants exercised relating to this issue were 269,620 and 168,185 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, 101,435 and -0- warrants were exercised for gross proceeds of $144,474 and $-0-, respectively.
The following table summarizes exercise prices and expiration dates of the Company's outstanding common share purchase warrants as of December 31, 2011.
(1)Pursuant to the terms of the 2005 Warrants and the rules of the NYSE Amex, the Company was prohibited from issuing a number of common shares and common shares issuable on exercise of the 2005 Warrants that exceeded 19.999% of the number of issued and outstanding common shares immediately prior to the 2005 Transaction without obtaining stockholder approval. The Company presented a proposal to stockholders that would permit issuance of the full number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the 2005 Warrants. The stockholders approved the
NOTE 9-STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: (Continued)
proposal at the Company's annual meeting of shareholders held on June 16, 2011. The Company is now permitted to issue the full number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the 2005 Warrants as well as any other shares that may become issuable in the future as a result of future dilutive issuances.
Preferred Shares:
The Company has authorized 10,000,000 shares of no par value preferred stock. Through December 31, 2011, the Company had not issued any preferred shares.
NOTE 10-STOCK OPTIONS:
The Company has three equity incentive plans: the 2003 Stock Option Plan (which includes both qualified and nonqualified options), the 2003 Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, and the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the 2003 Stock Option Plan and Consultant Stock Compensation Plan, the Company may grant options to purchase up to 3,000,000 shares and 700,000 shares of common stock, respectively. The shares are issued from the Company's authorized and unissued common stock upon exercise. 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. The vesting schedule of the options granted under both plans is at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
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. Repricing of stock options is permitted under the terms of the 2007 Plan as approved by stockholders. Effective January 1, 2010, the Company terminated its policy of re-pricing stock options when the market price of the stock was $1.00 below the exercise price of the outstanding option. The Company may still consider repricing stock options in the event of significant and sustained adverse market conditions or other extraordinary events. Repriced stock options have the same vesting schedule and expiration date as the original options. There were no stock options repriced during 2011 or 2010.
A summary of the option activity under the Plans as of December 31, 2011, and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
NOTE 10-STOCK OPTIONS: (Continued)
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.
During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were 303,000, and 358,000 options exercised with a weighted average exercise price of $1.57 and $1.39, respectively. The total intrinsic value of the options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $218,293 and $437,845, respectively.
A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested options as of December 31, 2011 and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
As of December 31, 2011, there was $50,870 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plans. That 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 $1,664,173 and $1,824,776 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These costs were included in general and administrative and technical services expenses on the Statements of Operations. Total costs recognized for stock-based compensation awards for services performed by outside parties were $40,500 and $0 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Cash received from options exercised under all share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $152,700 and $64,500, respectively.
NOTE 11-DEFERRED INCOME TAX:
At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had net deferred tax assets that were fully reserved by valuation allowances. Following are the components of such assets and allowances:
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, 2011 and 2010 relate only to corresponding changes in deferred tax assets for those periods.
At December 31, 2011, the Company had federal tax-basis net operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $53,700,000 which will expire in various amounts from 2012 through 2031. The Company is subject to examination of its income tax filings in the United States and various state jurisdictions for the 2008 through 2011 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, 2011.
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,
NOTE 12-COMMITMENTS: (Continued)
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, 2011, the potential aggregate liability for severance pay under the agreements is $3,300,000.
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.
NOTE 13-SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
The Company has entered into a binding letter of intent and is completing agreements pursuant to which we could acquire 75% of the La Estrella gold and silver exploration property located in central Peru approximately 230 kilometers southeast of Lima. La Estrella is an advanced exploration stage project which contains an epithermal, volcanic-hosted gold-silver system with associated base-metal mineralization. The terms of the agreement allow the Company through its subsidiary, Minera Montanore Peru, SAC, to earn 75% of the La Estrella property by expending $5 million over four years on exploration activities and making annual cash payments to Estrella of $100,000 on the first anniversary of execution of the definitive agreements and $200,000 on each of the following anniversaries of such execution until the earn-in has been completed.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
ITEM 9A.
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 Chief 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 Chief 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 Chief 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, 2011. 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.
Based on its assessment using those criteria, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.
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, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III
In accordance with General Instruction G(3), the information required by Part III is hereby incorporated by reference from our proxy statement for our 2012 annual shareholders' meeting to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A (the "2012 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.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
Information relating to this item will be included in the 2012 Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
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 33 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.
EXHIBITS
*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, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 S-8 filed April 24, 2003.
(13)Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed June 10, 2005.
(14)Incorporated by reference to Proxy Statement of Schedule 14A filed April 21, 2008.
(15)Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2009.
(16)Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed December 8, 2008.
(17)Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed March 3, 2011.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed March 29, 2012 on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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.
EXHIBIT INDEX
*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, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 S-8 filed April 24, 2003.
(13)Incorporated by reference to Form S-8 filed June 10, 2005.
(14)Incorporated by reference to Proxy Statement of Schedule 14A filed April 21, 2008.
(15)Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed June 19, 2009.
(16)Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed December 8, 2008.
(17)Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed March 3, 2011.