Item 1A (Risk Factors) of the 2013 10-K sets forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or operating results. Those risk factors have been supplemented and updated in this Form 10-Q. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations.
The Company’s results of operations, cash flows and operating costs are highly dependent upon the market prices of silver and gold and other commodities, which are volatile and beyond the Company’s control. The Company’s use of derivative contracts to protect against such volatility exposes us to risk of opportunity loss, mark-to-market accounting adjustments and exposure to counterparty credit risk.
Silver and gold are commodities, and their prices are volatile. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, the price of silver ranged from a low of $18.70 per ounce to a high of $32.31 per ounce, and the price of gold ranged from a low of $1,192 per ounce to a high of $1,694 per ounce. During the first quarter of 2014, the price of silver ranged from a low of $19.17 per ounce to a high of $22.12 per ounce, and the price of gold ranged from a low of $1,221 per ounce to a high of $1,385 per ounce. The closing market prices of silver and gold on May 6, 2014 were $19.63 per ounce and $1,306 per ounce, respectively.
Silver and gold prices are affected by many factors beyond the Company’s control, including prevailing interest rates and returns on other asset classes, expectations regarding inflation, speculation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional demand and production, political and economic conditions and other factors. In addition, Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”), which have substantially facilitated the ability of large and small investors to buy and sell precious metals, have become significant holders of gold and silver. Factors that are generally understood to contribute to a decline in the prices of silver and gold include a strengthening of the U.S. dollar, net outflows from gold and silver ETFs, bullion sales by private and government holders and a general global economic slowdown.
Because the Company derives all of its revenues from sales of silver and gold, its results of operations and cash flows will fluctuate as the prices of these metals increase or decrease. A sustained period of declining or low gold and silver prices would materially and adversely affect the results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, if market prices for silver and gold decline or remain at relatively low levels for a sustained period of time, the Company may have to revise its operating plans, including reducing operating costs and capital expenditures, terminating or suspending mining operations at one or more of its properties and discontinuing certain exploration and development plans. The Company may be unable to decrease its costs in an amount sufficient to offset reductions in revenues, and may incur losses.
Operating costs at the Company’s mines are affected by the price of input commodities, such as fuel, electricity, labor, chemical reagents, explosives, steel and concrete. Prices for these input commodities are volatile and can fluctuate due to conditions that are difficult to predict, including global competition for resources, currency fluctuations, consumer or industrial demand and other factors. Continued volatility in the prices of commodities and other supplies the Company purchases could lead to higher costs, which would adversely affect results of operations and cash flows.
Since the beginning of 2011, the Company has made strategic minority investments in several silver and gold development companies in North and South America. The value of these investments depends significantly on the market prices of silver and gold. The value of these investments has declined, and the Company cannot assure you that the value of these investments, or the value of future investments it may make in other development companies, will not decline further. Declines in the value of these investments could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition.
A significant and sustained decline in gold and silver prices during 2013 caused the Company to write down its long-lived assets and, in the future such declines could cause one or more of the Company’s mining properties to become unprofitable, which could require the Company to record additional write-downs of longlived assets. Such write-downs may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for recoverability pursuant to the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Section 360 (“ASC 360”). Under that standard, the Company reviews the recoverability of the cost of its long-lived assets, such as its mining properties, upon a triggering event. Such review involves the Company estimating the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment, measured by comparing an asset’s carrying value to its fair value, must be recognized when the carrying value of the asset exceeds these cash flows. The Company conducts a review of the financial performance of its mines in connection with the preparation of its financial statements for each reported period and determines whether any triggering events are indicated.
The Company’s assessment of the recoverability of its long-lived assets as of December 31, 2013 under ASC 360 indicated that a write-down of its long-lived assets at December 31, 2013 of approximately $773 million was required. This non-cash write-down resulted in an impairment charge in the Company’s statement of comprehensive income (loss) and reduced the carrying value of mining properties and property, plant and equipment on the Company’s balance sheet. See “Note 4-Write-Downs” in the notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the 2013 Form 10-K for further detail.
If there are further significant and sustained declines in silver and gold prices or if the currently low silver or gold prices remain at such prices, or if the Company fails to control production and operating costs or realize the mineable ore reserves at its mining properties, the Company may terminate or suspend mining operations at one or more of its properties. These events could require a further write-down of the carrying value of the Company’s assets. Any such actions would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company may record other types of additional mining property charges in the future if it sells a property for a price less than its carrying value or has to increase reclamation liabilities in connection with the closure and reclamation of a property. Any such additional write-downs of mining properties could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s use of derivative contracts to protect against market price volatility exposes it to risk of opportunity loss, mark-to-market accounting adjustments and exposure to counterparty credit risk.
From time to time, the Company may enter into price risk management contracts to protect against fluctuations in the price of its products and changes in the price of fuel and other input costs. These contracts could include forward sales or purchase contracts, futures contracts, purchased or sold put and call options and other contracts.
Any use of forward or futures contracts can expose the Company to risk of an opportunity loss. The use of derivative contracts may also result in significant mark-to-market accounting adjustments, which may have a material adverse impact on reported financial results. The Company is exposed to credit risk with contract counterparties, including, but not limited to, sales contracts and derivative contracts. In the event of nonperformance in connection with a contract, the Company could be exposed to a loss of value for that contract.
The Company is an international company and is exposed to political and social risks in the countries in which it has significant operations or interests.
A majority of the Company’s revenues are generated by operations outside the United States, and it is subject to significant risks inherent in mineral extraction by foreign companies and contracts with government owned entities. Exploration, development, production and closure activities in many countries are potentially subject to heightened political and social risks that are beyond the Company’s control. These risks include the possible unilateral cancellation or forced renegotiation of contracts, unfavorable changes in foreign laws and regulations, royalty and tax increases, claims by governmental entities or indigenous communities, expropriation or nationalization of property and other risks arising out of foreign sovereignty over areas in which operations are conducted. The right to export silver and gold may depend on obtaining certain licenses and quotas, which could be delayed or denied at the discretion of the relevant regulatory authorities. In addition, the Company’s rights under local law may be less secure in countries where judicial systems are susceptible to manipulation and intimidation by government agencies, non-governmental organizations or civic groups.
Any of these developments could require the Company to curtail or terminate operations at its mines, incur significant costs to meet newly-imposed environmental or other standards, pay greater royalties or higher prices for labor or services and recognize higher taxes, which could materially and adversely affect financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
These risks may be higher in developing countries in which the Company may expand its exploration for and development of mineral deposits. Potential operations in these areas increase the Company’s exposure to risks of war, local economic conditions, political disruption, civil disturbance and governmental policies that may disrupt its operations.
The Company’s ongoing and future success depends on developing and maintaining productive relationships with the communities, including indigenous peoples, and other stakeholders in its operating locations. The Company believes its operations can provide valuable benefits to surrounding communities, in terms of direct employment, training and skills development and other community benefits associated with ongoing payment of taxes. In addition, the Company seeks to maintain its partnerships and relationships with local communities and stakeholders in a variety of ways, including in-kind contributions, volunteer time, sponsorships and donations. Notwithstanding the Company’s ongoing efforts, local communities and stakeholders can become dissatisfied with its activities, which may result in civil unrest, protests, direct action or campaigns against it. Any such occurrences could materially and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company’s operations outside the United States also expose it to economic and operational risks.
The Company’s operations outside the United States also expose it to economic and operational risks. Local economic conditions can cause shortages of skilled workers and supplies, increase costs and adversely affect the security of operations. In addition, higher incidences of criminal activity and violence in the area of some of the Company’s foreign operations, including drug-cartel related violence in Mexico, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to operate in an optimal fashion and may impose greater risks of theft and greater risks as to personnel and property security. These conditions could lead to lower productivity and higher costs, which would adversely affect results of operations and cash flows. The Company sells gold and silver doré in U.S. dollars, but it conducts operations outside the United States in local currency. Currency exchange movements could adversely affect results of operations.
Silver and gold mining involves significant production and operational risks.
Silver and gold mining involves significant production and operational risks, including those related to uncertain mineral exploration success, unexpected geological or mining conditions, the difficulty of development of new deposits, unfavorable climate conditions, equipment or service failures, current unavailability of or delays in installing and commissioning plants and equipment, import or customs delays and other general operating risks.
Commencement of mining can reveal mineralization or geologic formations, including higher than expected content of other minerals that can be difficult to separate from silver, which can result in unexpectedly low recovery rates. Problems also may arise due to the quality or failure of locally obtained equipment or interruptions to services (such as power, water, fuel or transport or processing capacity) or technical support, which could result in the failure to achieve expected target dates for exploration, or could cause production activities to require greater capital expenditure to achieve expected recoveries. Many of these production and operational risks are beyond the Company’s control. Delays in commencing successful mining activities at new or expanded mines, disruptions in production and low recovery rates could have adverse effects on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The estimation of ore reserves is imprecise and depends upon subjective factors. Estimated ore reserves may not be realized in actual production. The Company’s results of operations and financial position may be adversely affected by inaccurate estimates.
The ore reserve figures presented in the Company’s public filings are estimates made by the Company’s technical personnel and independent mining consultants the Company contracts with. Reserve estimates are a function of geological and engineering analyses that require the Company to make assumptions about production costs, recoveries and silver and gold market prices. Reserve estimation is an imprecise and subjective process. The accuracy of such estimates is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation, judgment and experience. Assumptions about silver and gold market prices are subject to great uncertainty as those prices have fluctuated widely in the past. Declines in the market prices of silver or gold may render reserves containing relatively lower grades of ore uneconomic to exploit, and the Company may be required to reduce reserve estimates, discontinue development or mining at one or more of its properties or write down assets as impaired. Should the Company encounter mineralization or geologic formations at any of its mines or projects different from those predicted, it may adjust its reserve estimates and alter its mining plans. Either of these alternatives may adversely affect actual production and financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company’s estimates of future production are imprecise, depend upon subjective factors and may not be realized in actual production and such estimates speak only as of their respective dates.
The Company has in the past, and may in the future, provide estimates and projections of its future production. Any such information is forward-looking. Such estimates are made by the Company’s management and technical personnel and depend on numerous assumptions, including assumptions about the availability, accessibility, sufficiency and quality of ore, the Company’s costs of production, its ability to sustain and increase production levels, the sufficiency of its infrastructure, the performance of its personnel and equipment, its ability to maintain and obtain mining interests and permits and its compliance with existing and future laws and regulations. Actual results and experience may differ materially from these assumptions. Any such production estimates speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update such estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Forward sales and royalty arrangements can result in limiting the Company’s ability to take advantage of increased metal prices while increasing its exposure to lower metal prices.
The Company has in the past entered into, and may in the future enter into, arrangements under which it has agreed to make royalty or similar payments to lenders or other third parties in amounts that are based on expected production and price levels for gold or silver. The Company enters into such arrangements when it concludes that they provide it with necessary capital to develop a specific mining property on favorable terms or to achieve other business objectives. Royalty or similar payment obligations, however, can limit the Company’s ability to realize the full effects of rising gold or silver prices and require the Company to make potentially significant cash payments if the mine fails to achieve specified minimum production levels.
The Company’s future operating performance may not generate cash flows sufficient to meet debt payment obligations.
As of March 31, 2014, the Company had approximately
$464.2 million
of outstanding indebtedness. In addition, the Company's total debt excludes
$46.0 million
for future minimum estimated gold production royalty payments due from its subsidiary Coeur Mexicana to Franco-Nevada. The liabilities associated with these gold production royalty payments increase as the price of gold increases. The Company’s ability to make scheduled debt payments on outstanding indebtedness will depend on future results of operations and cash flows. The Company’s results of operations and cash flows, in part, are subject to economic factors beyond its control, including the market prices of silver and gold. The Company may not be able to generate enough cash flow to meet obligations and commitments. If the Company cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service debt, it may need to further refinance debt, dispose of assets or issue equity to obtain the necessary funds.
The Company cannot predict whether it would be able to refinance debt, issue equity or dispose of assets to raise funds on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms.
The Company’s future growth will depend upon its ability to develop new mines, either through exploration at existing properties or by acquisition from other mining companies.
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable ore reserves, an important element of the Company’s business strategy is the opportunistic acquisition of silver and gold mines, properties and businesses or interests therein. During 2011, the Company successfully constructed a new leach pad at the Company’s Rochester mine. Development of other major mining properties at Palmarejo, San Bartolomé and Kensington has been substantially completed. Since December 2012, the Company has owned 100% of the Joaquin silver- gold development project located in the Santa Cruz province of southern Argentina. As a result of its acquisition of Orko (now Coeur La Preciosa Silver Corp.) in April 2013, the Company also holds the La Preciosa silver-gold project in the state of Durango, Mexico. The Company’s ability to achieve significant additional growth in revenues and cash flows will depend upon success in further developing existing properties and developing or acquiring new mining properties. Both strategies are inherently risky, and the Company cannot assure that it will be able to successfully develop existing or new mining properties or acquire additional mining properties on favorable economic terms or at all.
While it is the Company’s practice to engage independent mining consultants to assist in evaluating and making acquisitions, any mining properties or interests that it may acquire may not be developed profitably. If profitable when acquired, that profitability might not be sustained. In connection with any future acquisitions, the Company may incur indebtedness or issue equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, resulting in increased interest expense, or dilution of the percentage ownership of existing stockholders. The Company cannot predict the impact of future acquisitions on the price of its common stock, or assure that it would be able to obtain any necessary financing on acceptable terms. Unprofitable acquisitions, or additional indebtedness or issuances of securities in connection with such acquisitions, may negatively affect results of operations.
Significant investment risks and operational costs are associated with exploration, development and mining activities. These risks and costs may result in lower economic returns and may adversely affect the Company’s business.
The Company’s ability to sustain or increase its present production levels depends in part on successful exploration and development of new ore bodies and expansion of existing mining operations. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, to extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities.
Mineral exploration, particularly for silver and gold, involves many risks and is frequently unproductive. Even if mineral deposits are found, those deposits may be insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production, or it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. The commercial viability of a mineral deposit, once developed, depends on a number of factors, including: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; government regulations including taxes, royalties and land tenure; land use; importing and exporting of minerals; environmental protection; mineral prices; completion of favorable feasibility studies; issuance and maintenance of necessary permits; and receipt of adequate financing. Factors that affect adequacy of infrastructure include: reliability of roads, bridges, power sources and water supply; unusual or infrequent weather phenomena; sabotage; and government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure. All of these factors are highly cyclical. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination may result in not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
In addition, development projects may have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future operating costs and capital requirements. Development project items such as estimates of reserves, metal recoveries and cash operating costs are to a large extent based upon the interpretation of geologic data, obtained from a limited number of drill holes and other sampling techniques, and feasibility studies. Estimates of cash operating costs are then derived based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the ore body, expected recovery rates of metals from the ore, comparable facility and equipment costs, anticipated climate conditions and other factors. As a result, actual operating costs and economic returns of any and all development projects may materially differ from the costs and returns estimated, and accordingly, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be negatively affected.
The Company might be unable to raise additional financing necessary to meet capital needs, conduct business, make payments when due or refinance debt.
The Company might need to raise additional funds in order to meet capital needs, implement its business plan, refinance debt or acquire complementary businesses or products. Any required additional financing might not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If the Company raises additional funds by issuing equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, holders of its common stock could experience significant dilution of their ownership interest, and these securities could have rights senior to those of the holders of common stock.
The Company’s silver-gold project, La Preciosa, is subject to significant development, operational and regulatory risks.
As a development phase project, La Preciosa is subject to numerous risks. These risks include uncertainty as to the development of the La Preciosa project in accordance with current expectations or at all, and the ultimate extent, quality, grade and minability of mineralization. Further, the Company may be unable to complete project and environmental permitting within an economically acceptable time frame.
The preliminary economic assessment, or PEA, for the La Preciosa project completed in 2013 does not have sufficient certainty to constitute a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study. The PEA includes mineralized material that is considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to it that would enable the material to be categorized as proven and probable reserves. The Company cannot assure that the results reflected in the PEA will be realized or that it will ever be in a position to identify proven and probable reserves at the La Preciosa project. In particular, the PEA uses estimated capital costs and operating costs which are based on factors including tonnage and grades of metal expected to be mined and processed and expected recovery rates, none of which has been completed to a pre-feasibility study or a feasibility study level. While the Company is currently conducting a feasibility study on the La Preciosa project, the ultimate identification of proven and probable reserves will depend on a number of factors, including the attributes of the deposit (including size, grade, geological formation and proximity to infrastructure), metal prices, government regulations (including regulations pertaining to taxes, royalties, land use, international trade and permitting) and environmental protections. It is possible that proven and probable reserves will never be identified at the La Preciosa project, which would inhibit the Company’s ability to develop the La Preciosa project into a commercial mining operation. In addition, following completion of the feasibility study, the Company may determine not to proceed with project construction.
The Company plans to configure and design the La Preciosa project as a large-tonnage, open pit operation in an effort to maximize annual production and mine life. However, the Company may be unable to obtain the permits required for this design scope, or may be unable to complete the design in a manner that complies with environmental laws. Further, geological or technological impediments to extraction and processing may render the engineering impracticable or uneconomic.
As a result of these and related risks, future estimates of or actual cash operating costs and economic returns of the La Preciosa project may materially differ from the estimated costs and returns for this project, and accordingly, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be negatively affected.
A significant delay or disruption in sales of concentrates as a result of the unexpected discontinuation of purchases by smelter customers could have a material adverse effect on results of operations.
The Company currently markets silver and gold concentrates to third-party smelters and refineries in China and Japan. The loss of any one smelter could have a material adverse effect on the Company if alternative smelters and refineries were unavailable. The Company cannot ensure that alternative smelters or refineries would be available if the need for them were to arise or that it would not experience delays or disruptions in sales that would materially and adversely affect results of operations.
The Company’s silver and gold production may decline in the future, reducing its results of operations and cash flows.
The Company’s silver and gold production, unless it is able to develop or acquire new properties, will decline over time due to the exhaustion of reserves and the possible closure of mines in response to declining metals prices or other factors. Identifying promising mining properties is difficult and speculative.
The Company encounters strong competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties producing or capable of producing silver and gold. Many of these companies have greater financial resources than the Company does. Consequently, the Company may be unable to replace and expand current ore reserves through the acquisition of new mining properties or interests therein on terms that are considered acceptable. As a result, revenues from the sale of silver and gold may decline, resulting in lower income and reduced growth. The Company cannot assure that it would be able to replace the production that would be lost due to the exhaustion of reserves and the possible closure of mines.
There are significant hazards associated with mining activities, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance.
The mining business is subject to risks and hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, the encountering of unusual or unexpected geological formations, cave-ins, flooding, earthquakes and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. These occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, reduced production and delays in mining, asset write-downs, monetary losses and possible legal liability.
Insurance fully covering many environmental risks, including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production, is not generally available to us or to other companies in the industry. Any liabilities that the Company incurs for these risks and hazards could be significant and could adversely affect results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
The Company is subject to significant governmental regulations, including under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, and related costs and delays may negatively affect its business.
Mining activities are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing environmental protection, natural resources, prospecting, development, production, post-closure reclamation, taxes, labor standards and occupational health and safety laws and regulations, including mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. The costs associated with compliance with such laws and regulations are substantial. Possible future laws and regulations, or more restrictive interpretations of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of operations and delays in the development of new properties.
U.S. surface and underground mines like the Kensington and Rochester mines are continuously inspected by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”), which inspections often lead to notices of violation. Recently, the MSHA has been conducting more frequent and more comprehensive inspections of mining operations in general.
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, which may require corrective
measures including capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions. In addition, any of the Company’s U.S. mines could be subject to a temporary or extended shutdown as a result of a violation alleged by the MSHA. Parties engaged in mining operations or in the exploration or development of mineral properties may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may be subject to civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations. Any such penalties, fines, sanctions or shutdowns could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
Compliance with environmental regulations and litigation based on environmental regulations could require significant expenditures.
Environmental regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation, and set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for mining companies and their officers, directors and employees. The Company may incur environmental costs that could have a material adverse effect on financial condition and results of operations. Any failure to remedy an environmental problem could require it to suspend operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy. The environmental standards that ultimately may be imposed at a mine site affect the cost of remediation and could exceed the financial accruals that the Company has made for such remediation. The potential exposure may be significant and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, governmental authorities and private parties may bring lawsuits based upon damage to property and injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health and safety impacts of prior and current operations, including operations conducted by other mining companies many years ago at sites located on properties that the Company currently or formerly owned. These lawsuits could lead to the imposition of substantial fines, remediation costs, penalties and other civil and criminal sanctions. Substantial costs and liabilities, including for restoring the environment after the closure of mines, are inherent in the Company’s operations. The Company cannot assure that any such law, regulation, enforcement or private claim would not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Some of the mining wastes from the Company’s U.S. mines currently are exempt to a limited extent from the extensive set of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “USEPA”) regulations governing hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). If the USEPA were to repeal this exemption, and designate these mining wastes as hazardous under RCRA, the Company would be required to expend additional amounts on the handling of such wastes and to make significant expenditures to construct hazardous waste storage or disposal facilities. In addition, if any of these wastes causes contamination in or damage to the environment at a U.S. mining facility, that facility could be designated as a “Superfund” site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). Under CERCLA, any present owner or operator of a Superfund site or the owner or operator at the time of contamination may be held jointly and severally liable regardless of fault, and may be forced to undertake extensive remedial cleanup action or to pay for the cleanup efforts. The owner or operator also may be liable to federal, state and tribal governmental entities for the cost of damages to natural resources, which could be substantial. Additional regulations or requirements also are imposed on the Company’s tailings and waste disposal areas in Alaska under the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and in Nevada under the Nevada Water Pollution Control Law which implements the CWA.
Airborne emissions are subject to controls under air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act in Nevada and Alaska. In addition, there are numerous legislative and regulatory proposals related to climate change, including legislation pending in the U.S. Congress to require reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Adoption of these proposals could have a materially adverse effect on results of operations and cash flows.
The Company relies on third parties who own, maintain and operate the mines underlying its royalty and streaming assets.
The Endeavor mine is owned, maintained and operated by Cobar, a wholly owned subsidiary of CBH. However, pursuant to a silver sale and purchase agreement, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, CDE Australia Pty. Ltd. (“CDE Australia”), has acquired all silver production and reserves at the Endeavor mine, up to a total of 20.0 million payable ounces. CDE Australia has agreed to pay Cobar an operating cost contribution of $1.00 for each ounce of payable silver plus 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $7.00 per ounce, subject to annual adjustments for inflation. In addition, the Company currently holds a tiered royalty on McEwen Mining Inc.’s El Gallo/Magistral mine in Mexico, currently paying a 3.5% NSR, a 1.5% NSR on Dynasty Metals & Mining, Inc.’s Zaruma mine in Ecuador and a 2.0% NSR on Mandalay Resources Corp.’s Cerro Bayo mine in Chile, and plans to acquire additional royalty and streaming interests in the future.
The Company relies on third parties to own, maintain and operate the mining projects underlying its royalty and streaming interests, which exposes it to substantial counterparty risk. These third parties may fail to adequately or appropriately operate or maintain their respective projects or may be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations under their agreements with the Company.
The Company cannot ensure that each of these third parties will not suffer financial hardship, will continue as a going concern or will not enter bankruptcy or otherwise liquidate. Any such event could expose the Company to significant costs and could limit the amounts, if any, the Company could recover in any proceeding against any such third party for breach of their agreement with the Company. There can be no assurance that the production from any of these mining operations will meet forecasted production targets. At any time, any of the owners or operators of these mining operations may decide to suspend or discontinue operations. In addition, the owners or operators of projects that are not yet operational in which the Company may hold royalty or streaming interests may decide to delay or not to proceed with commencing commercial production. Any failure, inability or refusal of a counterparty to meet its obligations to the Company under these royalty or streaming arrangements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.
The Company’s ability to obtain necessary government permits to expand operations or begin new operations can be materially affected by third party activists.
Private parties such as environmental activists frequently attempt to intervene in the permitting process and to persuade regulators to deny necessary permits or seek to overturn permits that have been issued. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings. These third party actions can materially increase the costs and cause delays in the permitting process and could cause the Company to not proceed with the development or expansion of a mine.
An environmental organization, Great Basin Resource Watch (“GBRW”) has brought an administrative appeal challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s (“BLM”) approval in October 2010 of a plan of amendment which allows active mining to be resumed and a new heap leach pad to be constructed at the Rochester property. However, because GBRW did not seek a stay of the BLM’s decision, operations have been proceeding as approved during the Interior Board of Land Appeals proceeding. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the appeal or what effect, if any, an adverse ruling may have on current operations. If an adverse ruling is issued, the Company may be required to update the permitting for the current operations at Rochester.
The Company’s operations in Bolivia are subject to political risks.
Since 2009, a working group composed of Bolivian government officials and key mining sector participants has been working on amendments to the country’s existing mining law. In March 2014, the Bolivian President officially presented the working group's new mining law proposal to Congress for approval. During this legislative process, amendments were proposed which triggered protests by mining cooperatives. Currently, the Bolivian government and mining cooperatives are engaged in discussions to address these changes. The Company has been assessing the potential effects of the proposed legislation on its Bolivian operations but any effects remain uncertain until the law is enacted. The law is expected to regulate royalties and to provide for mining contracts with the government rather than concession holding. If the new mining law mandates a renegotiation of the terms of our existing contracts with the Bolivian state-owned mining company, Corporacion Minera de Bolivia (“COMIBOL”) and the mining cooperatives, this could materially adversely affect the profitability and cash flow of our operations in Bolivia. It is also uncertain if any new mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude may further affect mining in Bolivia.
In addition, pending the enactment of the new mining law, companies are operating under Law No. 403 of September 18, 2013, and its regulatory Supreme Decree, which provides for the reversion of mining rights if the Ministry of Mines verifies that a person with mining rights has not initiated mining activities or developed the mining rights. The contracts with COMIBOL and the cooperatives are excluded from the application of Law No. 403. In April 2014, our subsidiary in Bolivia was served by the Bolivian government with a reversion decision affecting nine mining rights wholly-owned by our subsidiary. The affected area is not in an area of active mining by the Company and the Company’s San Bartolomé operations were not targeted as an area of interest in the decision since all of our past and current mining activity is performed through our contracts with COMIBOL and the mining cooperatives. Nonetheless, the Company has challenged the decision and is waiting for the outcome of the appeal process.
On October 14, 2009, the COMIBOL announced by resolution that it was temporarily suspending mining activities above the elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level while stability studies of the Cerro Rico mountain are undertaken. The Company holds rights to mine above this elevation under valid contracts with COMIBOL as well as under authorized contracts with local mining cooperatives that hold their rights under contract themselves with COMIBOL. The Company temporarily adjusted its mine plan to confine mining activities to the ore deposits below 4,400 meters above sea level and timely notified COMIBOL of the
need to lift the restriction. In 2010 and 2011, the Cooperative Reserva Fiscal, with whom the Company has contracted, subsequently determined that the Huacajchi and Huacajchi Sur deposits were not covered by the COMIBOL resolution and notified COMIBOL that it was resuming mining of high-grade material above the 4,400 meter level in the Huacajchi and Huacajchi Sur deposits. Based on these notifications and the absence of any objection from COMIBOL, the Company resumed mining operations at the San Bartolomé mine on the Huacajchi and Huacajchi Sur deposits in 2012. Mining in other areas above the 4,400 meter level continue to be suspended. The partial suspension may reduce production until the Company is able to resume mining above 4,400 meters generally. It is uncertain at this time how long the suspension will remain in place. In addition, it is possible that COMIBOL may decide that the Company’s operations at the Huacajchi deposit or Huacajchi Sur are subject to the COMIBOL resolution, which may force it to ultimately cease mining at such deposits. If COMIBOL objects to the Company’s mining at the Huacajchi deposit or Huacajchi Sur or if the other restrictions are not lifted, the Company may need to write down the carrying value of the asset.
Although we previously carried political risk insurance with respect to the San Bartolomé mine in Bolivia, we recently determined not to renew this coverage. In determining whether to renew the coverage, we based our assessment on the political risk environment and the likelihood of a timely and material claim payout against the cost of carrying political risk insurance, which was approximately $2.1 million as of the most recent period ended December 16, 2013.
The Company’s business depends on good relations with its employees.
The Company could experience labor disputes, work stoppages or other disruptions in production that could adversely affect its business and results of operations. Labor disruptions may be used to advocate labor, political or social goals, particularly at non-U.S. mines. For example, labor disruptions may occur in sympathy with strikes or labor unrest in other sectors of local economies. During the past three years, two of the Company’s mines have experienced work stoppages, each of which was resolved within a short period of time and had no material effect on operations. The Company cannot assure that work stoppages or other disruptions will not occur in the future. Any such work stoppage or disruption could expose the Company to significant costs and have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations or financial condition.
As of March 31, 2014, unions represented approximately
9.9%
of the Company’s worldwide workforce, all of which were composed of workers at the San Bartolomé mine in Bolivia. The Company currently has a labor agreement at the San Bartolomé mine which is in effect for 2014. The Company cannot predict whether this agreement will be renewed on similar terms or at all, whether future labor disruptions will occur or, if disruptions do occur, how long they will last.
Disputes regarding the Company’s mining claims, concessions or surface rights to land in the vicinity of the Company’s mining projects, could adversely impact operations.
The validity of mining or exploration claims, concessions or rights, which constitute most of the Company’s property holdings, is often uncertain and may be contested. The Company has used commercially reasonable efforts, in accordance with industry standard, to investigate its title or claims to its various properties, however, no assurance can be given that applicable governments will not revoke or significantly alter the conditions of the applicable exploration and mining claims, concessions or rights or that such exploration and mining claims, concessions or rights will not be challenged by third parties. Although the Company has attempted to acquire satisfactory title to undeveloped properties, in accordance with mining industry practice it does not generally obtain title opinions until a decision is made to develop a property. As a result, some titles, particularly titles to undeveloped properties may be defective. Defective title to any of the Company’s exploration and mining claims, concessions or rights could result in litigation, insurance claims and potential losses affecting its business as a whole. There may be challenges to the title of any of the claims comprising the Company’s projects that, if successful, could impair development and operations. A defect could result in the Company losing all or a portion of its right, title, estate and interest in and to the properties to which the title defect relates.
In Mexico, while mineral rights are administered by the federal government through federally issued mining concessions,
ejidos
(communal owners of land recognized by the federal laws in Mexico) control surface or surface access rights to the land. An
ejido
may sell or lease lands directly to a private entity. While the Company has agreements or is in the process of negotiating agreements with the
ejidos
that impact all of its projects in Mexico, some of these agreements may be subject to renegotiation. In Bolivia, we obtain surface rights from cooperatives, through a series of “joint venture” contracts. Changes to the existing agreements or leases or failure to reach agreement in any negotiations may have a significant impact on operations at the Company’s projects and may, on occasion, lead to litigation. Further, the Bolivian government under Law No. 403 may have the ability to reverse our wholly-owned mining rights. Any such reversion decision, if successful upon appeal, could adversely impact our future mining plans.
The Company has the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of its issued and outstanding common stock and may materially and adversely affect the price of its common stock.
The issuance of additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities would result in dilution of the Company's existing stockholders' equity ownership. The Company is authorized to issue, without stockholder approval, 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series, to establish the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and relative participating, optional, conversion and other special rights of the shares of each series as well as the qualification, limitations or restrictions on each series. Any series of preferred stock could contain dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences or other rights superior to the rights of holders of its common stock. If the Company issues additional equity securities, the price of its common stock may be materially and adversely affected.