UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q/A

Amendment No. 1

(MARK ONE)

 

 

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2006.

 

 

OR

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM         TO         .

 

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-13627

APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

CAYMAN ISLANDS, BRITISH WEST INDIES

NOT APPLICABLE

(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF

(I.R.S. EMPLOYER

INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

IDENTIFICATION NO.)

 

 

WALKER HOUSE

 

MARY STREET

 

GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN

 

CAYMAN ISLANDS, BRITISH WEST INDIES

NOT APPLICABLE

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

(ZIP CODE)

 

(345) 949-0050
(REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS:   YES x   NO o

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A LARGE ACCELERATED FILER, AN ACCELERATED FILER, OR A NON-ACCELERATED FILER:

LARGE ACCELERATED FILER o

ACCELERATED FILER x

NON-ACCELERATED FILER o

 

INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS DEFINED IN RULE 12B-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT):   YES o   NO x

AT AUGUST 3, 2006, 58,410,300 ORDINARY SHARES, $0.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, WERE ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING.

 




EXPLANATORY NOTE

Apex Silver Mines Limited (“we,” “us,” or the “Company”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 (this “Amendment”) to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006 to restate its consolidated financial statements and related financial information.

We are restating the consolidated financial statements to correct the liability of our metals derivative positions. We determined that the method used in prior periods to estimate the fair value of our open metals derivative positions was not appropriate. pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS No. 133”), we record our open derivative positions at their fair value on our consolidated balance sheet and record the changes in fair value to current earnings at the end of each reporting period.

Our derivative positions mature or expire on various dates over an approximate six-year period commencing in July 2007. Many of the derivative positions mature or expire beyond the periods covered by the major commodities price indices such as LME or COMEX, or expire in future periods covered by those indices with respect to which only limited trading activity has occurred. In instances where only limited market activity existed, we used price projections provided by an independent third party employing statistical analysis and models to estimate the fair value of our open derivative positions. The models used by the independent third party relied on commodities prices indices out to three months and mean reversion statistical estimates beyond the three-month period. Recently, we reassessed the market information reflected in the commodities prices indices out to twenty-seven months and quoted prices from the counterparties holding the derivative positions and concluded that the additional market information is a more reliable indicator of fair value than the independent third party price projections we previously used.

Based on the reassessment, we concluded that we had understated the liability related to the open derivative positions commencing with the quarter ended September 30, 2005. The cumulative liability for our open derivative positions was understated by $226.0 million at June 30, 2006.

As a result, we have concluded that our financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, the year ended December 31, 2005 and the first three quarters of 2006 should be restated. Use of the additional market information in calculating the fair value of our open derivative positions will likely result in increased volatility in our earnings during the next three years, the period over which most of the derivatives mature or expire. We intend to settle these derivatives with revenues from San Cristobal production over the six-year period commencing in July 2007. Therefore, the cash effect of settling these hedges will be realized as higher or lower revenue over that six-year period and the ultimate losses or gains from these derivatives will be determined based upon market prices at the time of settlement.

The information contained in this Amendment, including the financial statements and the notes thereto, amends only Items 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the original filing, in each case to reflect only the restatement discussed herein. No other information in the original filing is amended hereby. Currently-dated certifications from our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer have been included as exhibits to this Amendment.  As discussed in Item 4, Controls and Procedures (as restated), management identified a control deficiency that relates to the restatement that, under the circumstances, constitutes a material weakness.

The foregoing items have not been updated to reflect other events occurring after the filing date of the original filing or to modify or update those disclosures affected by subsequent events.  Except for the foregoing amended information, this Amendment continues to describe conditions as of the date of the original filing, and we have not updated the disclosures contained herein to reflect events that occurred at a later date.

We do not intend to amend our previously-filed Annual Report on Form 10-K or our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods affected by the restatement described herein that ended prior to January 1, 2006.




 

APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
FORM 10-Q
QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2006

INDEX

 

 

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

 

2




 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements

APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
An Exploration and Development Stage Company
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share data)

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

11,851

 

$

4,808

 

Restricted cash

 

37,934

 

135,182

 

Short term investments

 

113,165

 

132,000

 

Restricted investments

 

144,061

 

67,491

 

Materials and supply inventory

 

3,495

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

11,148

 

5,824

 

Total current assets

 

321,654

 

345,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

505,741

 

379,138

 

Ore inventories

 

8,909

 

 

Deferred financing costs

 

20,134

 

21,604

 

Value added tax recoverable

 

34,881

 

20,052

 

Restricted investments

 

77,258

 

12,392

 

Other

 

2,098

 

2,020

 

Total assets

 

$

970,675

 

$

780,511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

$

56,060

 

$

74,487

 

Accrued interest payable

 

3,267

 

3,096

 

Derivatives at fair value

 

13,845

 

5,652

 

Current portion of long term debt

 

2,708

 

2,270

 

Total current liabilities

 

75,880

 

85,505

 

Long term debt

 

382,275

 

320,021

 

Derivatives at fair value

 

356,269

 

145,719

 

Asset retirement obligation

 

4,936

 

2,003

 

Total liabilities

 

819,360

 

553,248

 

Minority interest in subsidiaries

 

41

 

34

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares, $.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized; 58,406,400 and 50,444,890 shares issued and outstanding at respective dates

 

584

 

504

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

719

 

(243

)

Additional paid in capital

 

664,679

 

486,762

 

Accumulated deficit during development stage

 

(514,708

)

(259,794

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

151,274

 

227,229

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

970,675

 

$

780,511

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3




 

APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
An Exploration and Development Stage Company
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

For the Period
from December 22,
1994 (inception)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

through

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

June 30, 2006

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share data)

 

Operating income and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exploration

 

$

(1,557

)

$

(1,435

)

$

(3,007

)

$

(2,761

)

$

(76,438

)

Administrative

 

(5,686

)

(4,917

)

(10,999

)

(8,846

)

(80,857

)

Gain (loss) on commodity derivatives

 

(78,143

)

2,430

 

(250,961

)

2,056

 

(401,509

)

Gains (loss) on foreign currency derivatives and transactions

 

123

 

(666

)

236

 

(1,284

)

964

 

Other operating expense (1)

 

(94

)

 

(142

)

 

(142

)

Amortization and depreciation

 

(101

)

(17

)

(196

)

(33

)

(1,592

)

Total operating expenses

 

(85,458

)

(4,605

)

(265,069

)

(10,868

)

(559,574

)

Other income and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and other income

 

5,264

 

3,643

 

8,168

 

7,043

 

42,840

 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

2,875

 

 

9,640

 

Interest expense and other borrowing costs (2)

 

(255

)

(1,872

)

(774

)

(3,862

)

(11,696

)

Total other income and expense

 

5,009

 

1,771

 

10,269

 

3,181

 

40,784

 

Loss before minority interest and income taxes

 

(80,449

)

(2,834

)

(254,800

)

(7,687

)

(518,790

)

Income taxes

 

(53

)

 

(107

)

 

(486

)

Minority interest in (income) loss of consolidated subsidiary

 

 

11

 

(7

)

11

 

4,568

 

Net loss

 

$

(80,502

)

$

(2,823

)

$

(254,914

)

$

(7,676

)

$

(514,708

)

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities

 

$

77

 

$

(22

)

$

467

 

$

(157

)

$

224

 

Reclassification for loss on securities included in net income

 

 

 

495

 

 

495

 

Other comprehensive gain (loss)

 

77

 

(22

)

962

 

(157

)

719

 

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(80,425

)

$

(2,845

)

$

(253,952

)

$

(7,833

)

$

(513,989

)

Net loss per Ordinary Share – basic and diluted (3)

 

$

(1.40

)

$

(0.06

)

$

(4.68

)

$

(0.16

)

 

 

Weighted average Ordinary Shares outstanding

 

57,551,214

 

47,983,111

 

54,483,319

 

47,831,454

 

 

 


(1)             Other operating expense is accretion expense associated with our asset retirement obligation at San Cristobal.

(2)             Interest expense and other borrowing costs are net of $6.4 million and $11.0 million capitalized for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2006, respectively and $1.4 million and $2.5 million for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2005, respectively and $20.3 million for the inception to date period ended June 30, 2006.

(3)             Diluted earnings per share were anti-dilutive for all periods presented.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4




 

APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
An Exploration and Development Stage Company
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in United States dollars)
(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

For the period from
December 22, 1994
(inception)

 

 

 

June 30,

 

through

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

June 30, 2006

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(33,780

)

$

(9,935

)

$

(140,657

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of available for sale investments

 

(188,212

)

(330,112

)

(1,381,404

)

Sale of available for sale investments

 

126,388

 

408,165

 

1,190,340

 

Purchase of held-to-maturity investments

 

 

(17,524

)

(239,207

)

Sale of held-to-maturity investments

 

1,003

 

89,702

 

188,010

 

Purchase of available for sale restricted investments

 

(226,080

)

 

(241,030

)

Sale of available for sale restricted investments

 

181,900

 

 

181,900

 

Purchase of held-to-maturity restricted investments

 

(46,862

)

 

(74,205

)

Sale of held-to-maturity restricted investments

 

30,819

 

1,868

 

45,595

 

Payment of derivative premiums & settlements, net

 

(32,219

)

 

(32,320

)

Advances for construction of port facility

 

 

 

(2,000

)

Advances to suppliers and contractors

 

(4,089

)

(1,296

)

(7,964

)

Release from (transfer to) restricted cash to collateralize credit facility, letters of credit and interest payments, net

 

97,247

 

(96,892

)

(40,897

)

Capitalized property, plant and equipment

 

(135,903

)

(55,733

)

(418,833

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(196,008

)

(1,822

)

(832,015

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of Ordinary Shares net of offering costs of $4.8 million

 

156,795

 

5,343

 

580,358

 

Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes

 

 

 

339,987

 

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

(209

)

(3,375

)

(24,530

)

Payments of notes payable and long term debt

 

(1,204

)

 

(4,480

)

Borrowings under project finance facility

 

80,000

 

 

80,000

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants

 

1,449

 

91

 

13,188

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

236,831

 

2,059

 

984,523

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

7,043

 

(9,698

)

11,851

 

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

 

4,808

 

27,740

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

 

$

11,851

 

$

18,042

 

$

11,851

 

 

See Note 13 for supplemental cash flow information.

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5




 

APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED
An Exploration and Development Stage Company

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Expressed in United States dollars)

1.              Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Apex Silver Mines Limited (the “Company”) and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Such rules and regulations allow the omission of certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, so long as such omissions do not render the financial statements misleading.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented.  All adjustments were of a normal recurring nature.  These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements of the Company included in its 2005 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2.              Significant Accounting Policies

Effective January 1, 2006 the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS No. 123R”), using the modified prospective approach, which revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123,  “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS No. 123”), and superseded Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and its related implementation guidance. The Company is currently evaluating whether it will adopt the short-cut method for calculating the pool of windfall tax benefits as allowed by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Position FAS No. 123R-3. The Company had previously adopted FAS No. 123 effective January 1, 2004. FAS No. 123R requires measurement and recording in the financial statements of the costs of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award, recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award.  Additionally, FAS No. 123R requires companies that did not previously include the effects of estimated forfeitures in the FAS No. 123 expenses they reported, to record a cumulative adjustment to the income statements presented in the period of adoption of FAS No. 123R in order to reflect the effect of the estimated forfeitures.  The forfeiture rate used by the Company prior and subsequent to the adoption of FAS No. 123R has not changed and, therefore, the Company did not record a cumulative effect adjustment related to prior period estimated forfeitures. The adoption of FAS No. 123R did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations and is not expected to have a material impact in the future (see Note 10).

During March 2005, a committee of the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus (EITF Issue No. 04-6) that stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that should be included in the costs of inventory produced during the period that the stripping costs are incurred.  The FASB ratified the EITF consensus.  The EITF consensus is effective for the first reporting period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.  In January 2006, the EITF issued additional guidance defining the commencement of production as the period when saleable minerals are first extracted in greater than de minimis amounts.  During the first quarter 2006, the Company began mining significant amounts of oxide ore reserves at its San Cristobal project, which have been placed in stockpiles for future processing.  The quantity and value of the minerals mined were sufficient to declare the start of ore production according to the EITF consensus.  The Company has included the costs associated with the oxide ore production as ore inventories on its financial statements.  The Company expects the mining and stockpiling of significant amounts of oxide ore to continue throughout the year, with the commencement of sulfide ore mining and stockpiling in the third quarter of the year.

The Company records costs related to production activities as inventory held for sale in the ordinary course of business or work in process for such sale.  Work-in-process inventories include ore produced and

6




 

stockpiled for which further processing is necessary before a product is ready for sale.  The Company uses the average cost method to assign costs to the units of ore stockpiled during the period.  Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or the current net realizable value.  If costs held in inventory exceed their net realizable value, the excess cost is recognized as a loss in the current period.  Net realizable value reflects the gross realizable value (“estimated selling price”) reduced by estimated costs of completion and disposal as of the balance sheet date.  Gross realizable value reflects the anticipated average realization that the inventory will generate when it is sold.

New Accounting Standards

In March 2006 the EITF reached a tentative consensus (EITF Issue No. 05-1) that the issuance of equity securities to settle an instrument that becomes convertible upon the issuer’s exercise of a call option should be accounted for as a conversion (as opposed to an extinguishment) if, at issuance, the debt instrument contains a substantive conversion feature other than the issuer’s call option.  The EITF concluded that if an instrument is deemed convertible at issuance, then a subsequent conversion of the instrument is in accordance with a “conversion privilege that existed at issuance” and is, therefore, outside the scope of APB Opinion No. 26, “Early Extinguishment of Debt.”  Therefore, the issuance of shares to settle the debt pursuant to the original terms of the instrument should be afforded conversion treatment.  If the instrument does not contain a substantive conversion feature at issuance, the issuance of equity securities to settle the instrument should be recognized as a debt extinguishment.  EITF Issue No. 05-1 became effective for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after June 28, 2006, following its ratification during June 2006. The Company previously accounted for two transactions involving the buy-back of its convertible debt as an extinguishment under APB Opinion No. 26.  Ratification of EITF Issue No. 05-1 will require similar future transactions to be accounted for as conversions.

Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections — a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3” (“FAS No. 154”) is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2005.   FAS No. 154 changes the requirements for the accounting and reporting of a change in accounting principle.  The statement applies to voluntary changes as well as changes required by accounting pronouncements which do not otherwise provide specific transition provisions, requiring retrospective application to prior period’s financial statements where practical.  FAS No. 154 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations for the period and is not expected to have a material impact in the future.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standards Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (“FIN 48”) an interpretation of Financial Accounting Standards Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Interpretation requires that the Company recognize in the financial statements, the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48 are effective beginning January 1, 2007 with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FIN 48 but does not believe it will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Correction of an Error Related to the Valuation of Open Derivative positions

Pursuant to the requirements of the lenders of its $225 million project finance facility, the Company was required to provide price protection for a portion of its planned production from the San Cristobal project. In the third quarter 2005, the Company entered into silver, zinc and lead derivative positions utilizing primarily forward sales, but also puts and calls, to comply with this requirement. As discussed above, the Company records its open derivative positions at their estimated fair value on its balance sheet and records the change in estimated fair value in earnings at the end of each reporting period.

The Company’s derivative positions mature or expire on various dates over an approximate six-year period commencing in July 2007. Many of the derivative positions mature or expire beyond the periods covered by the major commodity price indices such as LME or COMEX, or expire in future periods covered by those indices with respect to which only limited trading activity has occurred. In instances where only limited market activity exists, the Company had historically used price projections to estimate a forward price curve provided by an independent third party employing statistical analysis and models to estimate the fair value of its open derivative positions. The models used by the independent third party relied on commodity price indices out to three months and mean reversion statistical estimates beyond the three-month period. Recently, the Company reassessed the market information reflected in the commodities prices indices out to twenty-seven months and quoted prices from the counterparties holding our derivative positions and concluded that the additional market information is a more reliable indicator of fair value than the independent third party price projections previously used. Accordingly, the Company concluded the derivative liability related to its open derivative positions was understated at June 30, 2006 by $226.0 million ($4.15 per share) and December 31, 2005 by $95.1 million ($1.96 per share).

7




The following table summarizes the impact of the restatement on the historical balances reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets for the periods ended June 30, 2006:

 

June 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives at fair value

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

130,265

 

 Adjustment

 

226,004

 

 As restated

 

356,269

 

Total liabilities

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

593,356

 

 Adjustment

 

226,004

 

 As restated

 

819,360

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

(288,704

)

 Adjustment

 

(226,004

)

 As restated

 

(514,708

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

377,278

 

 Adjustment

 

(226,004

)

 As restated

 

151,274

 

 

8




The following table summarizes the impact of the restatement on the historical amounts reported on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and the inception to date period through June 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Period from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 22, 1994

 

 

 

For the Three

 

For the Six

 

(Inception)

 

 

 

Months Ended

 

Months Ended

 

Through June 30,

 

 

 

June 30, 2006

 

2006

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands except per share data)

 

Losses on commodity derivatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

(61,076

)

$

(120,055

)

$

(175,505

)

 Adjustment

 

(17,067

)

(130,906

)

(226,004

)

 As restated

 

(78,143

)

(250,961

)

(401,509

)

Total operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

(68,391

)

$

(134,163

)

$

(333,570

)

 Adjustment

 

(17,067

)

(130,906

)

(226,004

)

 As restated

 

(85,458

)

(265,069

)

(559,574

)

Loss before minority interest and income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

(63,382

)

$

(123,894

)

$

(292,786

)

 Adjustment

 

(17,067

)

(130,906

)

(226,004

)

 As restated

 

(80,449

)

(254,800

)

(518,790

)

Net Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

(63,435

)

$

(124,008

)

$

(288,704

)

 Adjustment

 

(17,067

)

(130,906

)

(226,004

)

 As restated

 

(80,502

)

(254,914

)

(514,708

)

Comprehensive Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

(63,358

)

$

(123,046

)

$

(287,985

)

 Adjustment

 

(17,067

)

(130,906

)

(226,004

)

 As restated

 

(80,425

)

(253,952

)

(513,989

)

Net Loss per Ordinary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share - basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 As previously reported

 

$

(1.10

)

$

(2.28

)

 

 

 Adjustment

 

(0.30

)

(2.40

)

 

 

 As restated

 

(1.40

)

(4.68

)

 

 

 

The restatements had no impact on the Company’s cash or investment balances or cash flows.

3.              Investments

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  Short-term investments include investments with maturities greater than three months, but not exceeding twelve months.  Long-term investments include investments with maturities greater than twelve months.

9




 

The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in debt and equity securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates classifications at each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as held to maturity when the Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity.  Held to maturity debt securities are stated at amortized cost and include government agency and corporate obligations.  Available for sale investments are marked to market at each reporting period with changes in value recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. If declines in value are deemed other than temporary, a charge is made to net loss for the period.

The Company generally records its investments as short term or long term based on the underlying maturity date of the investments held.  However, in certain instances the Company has been required to place investment funds in escrow where the restrictions on the use of such funds expire beyond the maturity dates of the underlying investments.  In this instance, where the expiration date of the restriction is greater than one year, the Company classifies the investment as long term.  At June 30, 2006, as required by the project financing facility, the Company placed $71.1 million of investments in escrow to fund possible overruns of the San Cristobal Project.  The underlying investments in this escrow account have maturity dates of less than twelve months, however, because the escrow account will not be released until after completion of the San Cristobal project, the Company classified these investments as long term. (See Note 11 for additional discussion of restricted investments)

The Company invests only in government and corporate securities rated “investment grade” or better. The following tables, based on quoted market prices, summarizes the Company’s investments at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005:

June 30, 2006

 

Cost

 

Market

 

Balance

 

 

 

(in Thousands)

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

$

111,500

 

$

111,500

 

$

111,500

 

Common stock

 

946

 

1,665

 

1,665

 

Total short term

 

$

112,446

 

$

113,165

 

$

113,165

 

Restricted Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

$

115,880

 

$

115,880

 

$

115,880

 

Total available for sale

 

115,880

 

115,880

 

115,880

 

Held to maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate notes

 

2,242

 

2,239

 

2,242

 

Government bonds

 

25,939

 

25,822

 

25,939

 

Total held to maturity

 

28,181

 

28,061

 

28,181

 

Total short term

 

$

144,061

 

$

143,941

 

$

144,061

 

Long-term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

$

23,400

 

$

23,400

 

$

23,400

 

Total available for sale

 

23,400

 

23,400

 

23,400

 

Held to maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate notes

 

3,559

 

3,550

 

3,559

 

Government bonds

 

50,299

 

49,974

 

50,299

 

Total held to maturity

 

53,858

 

53,524

 

53,858

 

Total long term

 

$

77,258

 

$

76,924

 

$

77,258

 

 

10




 

December 31, 2005

 

Cost

 

Market

 

Balance

 

 

 

(in Thousands)

 

Short-term investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

$

434

 

$

686

 

$

686

 

Bond funds

 

3,381

 

2,885

 

2,885

 

Auction rate securities

 

127,426

 

127,426

 

127,426

 

Total available for sale

 

131,241

 

130,997

 

130,997

 

Held to maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate notes

 

1,003

 

998

 

1,003

 

Total held to maturity

 

1,003

 

998

 

1,003

 

Total short term

 

$

132,244

 

$

131,995

 

$

132,000

 

Restricted Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available for sale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auction rate securities

 

$

14,950

 

$

14,950

 

$

14,950

 

Total available for sale

 

14,950

 

14,950

 

14,950

 

Held to maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate notes

 

2,003

 

2,004

 

2,003

 

Government bonds

 

50,538

 

50,191

 

50,538

 

Total held to maturity

 

52,541

 

52,195

 

52,541

 

Total short term

 

$

67,491

 

$

67,145

 

$

67,491

 

Long-term

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Held to maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government bonds

 

$

12,392

 

$

12,173

 

$

12,392

 

 

To fulfill the requirements of the San Cristobal project finance facility the Company liquidated prior to their maturity dates approximately $34.0 million of investments in the fourth quarter of 2005 and $12.0 million of investments in the first quarter of 2006, which were previously recorded as held-to-maturity (“HTM”) securities.  The Company recognized a $0.2 million and $0.1 million loss on the liquidation for the fourth quarter of 2005 and first quarter of 2006, respectively.  The liquidation was necessitated by the terms of the project finance facility which required the Company to transfer substantially all of its cash and/or investments to collateral accounts to restrict funds necessary to complete the San Cristobal project.  Certain covenants related to the project finance facility restricted the maturity dates of investments held in the collateral accounts to less than one year. A portion of the Company’s HTM portfolio had maturity dates slightly beyond the one year limitation. As a result, prior to transferring the securities to the project finance collateral accounts, those HTM securities with maturities greater than one year were liquidated and reinvested in instruments with maturities less than one year.  During the full year 2005 and for the six month period ended June 30, 2006 the Company recorded as an investing cash inflow an additional $126.3 million and $19.8 million respectively related to HTM securities that matured on their maturity dates.  The Company believes the project financing requirements which caused the Company to liquidate a portion of its HTM investments prior to their maturity dates represent an isolated, unanticipated event that does not change the Company’s ability or intent to hold its remaining HTM investments until their maturity dates.

11




 

4.   Prepaid expenses and other assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets consist of the following:

 

June 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Prepaid insurance

 

$

538

 

$

824

 

Prepaid bank fees

 

146

 

-

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

1,652

 

758

 

Prepaid consulting & contractor fees

 

7,953

 

3,874

 

Receivables, travel advances and other

 

419

 

118

 

Withholding taxes receivable

 

440

 

250

 

 

 

$

11,148

 

$

5,824

 

 

The prepaid consulting and contractor fees consist primarily of advance payments made to contractors for work being performed for the San Cristobal Project.

5.   Value Added Tax Recoverable

The Company has recorded value added tax (“VAT”) paid in Bolivia as a recoverable asset.  Current Bolivian tax law states that VAT paid prior to production is recoverable as a credit against Bolivian taxes arising from production, including income tax. The VAT paid in Bolivia is expected to be recovered through production from the proven and probable reserves at the San Cristobal Project that the Company is developing.  Future changes to Bolivian tax law should they occur, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to recover these taxes.  At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 the recoverable VAT recorded for Bolivia is $34.9 million and $20.1 million, respectively.

In addition, the Company incurred VAT related to various exploration activities outside of the San Cristobal project in Bolivia and other countries. Because of the uncertainty of the recoverability of these taxes they are charged to expense as incurred.

6.   Property, Plant and Equipment

The components of property, plant and equipment were as follows:

 

June 30,
2006

 

December 31,
2005

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Mineral properties

 

$

117,072

 

$

117,103

 

Construction in progress

 

351,995

 

232,288

 

Buildings

 

10,667

 

8,423

 

Mining equipment and machinery

 

12,595

 

10,127

 

Equipment under capital lease

 

18,824

 

14,928

 

Other furniture and equipment

 

2,910

 

1,966

 

 

 

514,063

 

384,835

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

 

(8,322

)

(5,697

)

 

 

$

505,741

 

$

379,138

 

 

For the six month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 the Company recorded depreciation expense of $196,000 and $33,000, respectively.  Also, for the six month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 the Company capitalized depreciation associated with the San Cristobal Project in the amounts of $2.4 million and $0.6 million respectively.

12




 

The June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 construction in progress balances include $20.3 and $9.4 million of capitalized interest respectively.

7.   Debt

The Company’s debt consists of the following:

 

June 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Current

 

Long term

 

Current

 

Long term

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

2.875% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024

 

$

 

$

180,000

 

$

 

$

180,000

 

4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024

 

 

109,987

 

 

129,987

 

Project finance facility

 

 

80,000

 

 

 

 

 

Capital lease obligations

 

2,708

 

12,288

 

2,270

 

10,034

 

 

 

$

2,708

 

$

382,275

 

$

2,270

 

$

320,021

 

 

In December 2005 the Company closed on a $225 million project finance facility, arranged by BNP Paribas and Barclays Capital, and funded by a group of international financial institutions including banks, export credit agencies and the Andean Development Corporation, a multilateral financial agency that promotes sustainable development in South America.  Borrowings from the facility are being used to complete the development of the Company’s San Cristobal Project. During the six months ended June 30, 2006 the Company borrowed $80.0 million under the facility. The Company is required to pay a 1.0% annual commitment fee on the undrawn amount of the facility.  Interest on the outstanding amounts drawn under the facility is based on LIBOR plus a credit spread.  Covenants related to the facility require the Company to maintain certain security interests, financial ratios, insurance coverage, minimum sales contracts and metal price protection contracts as well as other requirements.

During the six months ended June 30, 2006 the Company placed in service $3.9 million of additional mining equipment to be used in stripping and future mine production, and recorded the transaction as a capital lease, resulting in total capital lease obligations of $15.0 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2006 the Company made payments of $1.4 million related to capital lease obligations and will be required to make additional payments of $1.4 million for the remainder of 2006, $2.7 million during each of 2007 and 2008, $2.1 million during 2009, $1.4 million during 2010 and $4.7 million thereafter.

During the six months ended June 30, 2006 the Company issued approximately 1.1 million Ordinary Shares valued at $17.1 million and $0.3 million of cash for unpaid interest to complete the purchase of $20.0 million principal amount of the Company’s 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a privately negotiated exchange transaction. The transaction resulted in the recognition of a $2.9 million gain on extinguishment of debt.  The Company canceled the notes purchased in the transaction.

Pursuant to the agreement related to the 4% Notes and certain provisions of the project finance facility, the Company is required to maintain restricted investments to cover the payment of interest on the Notes through 2007.  The amount invested will at maturity equal the interest payments due.  As of June 30, 2006, $16.1 million of restricted investments were designated for this purpose, including $9.8 million in investments classified as current and $6.3 million in investments classified as long-term.

8.   Sales Contracts and Derivative Instruments

Certain covenants related to the project finance facility required the Company to provide price protection for a portion of its planned production of metals from San Cristobal.  During the third quarter 2005, the Company entered into positions utilizing primarily forward sales, but also puts and calls, to comply with the project finance facility covenants. In order to maintain leverage to silver market prices, the Company entered into proportionally more zinc and lead positions than silver positions. Non-cash mark-to-market gains and losses from these outstanding metal derivative positions may fluctuate substantially from period to period based on spot and forward prices and option volatilities.

13




In addition, the Company made limited investments in shorter duration put and call options and other metals derivatives not required by the project financing facility. During the second quarter of 2006, the Company made $29.1 million of net cash payments to settle the majority of these discretionary derivative contracts. The remaining liability for these discretionary derivative positions on a mark-to-market basis as of June 30, 2006 was $13.8 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2006 the Company has taken steps to cap a significant portion of the exposure on the remaining discretionary derivatives by purchasing offsetting positions.

The Company marks its open derivative positions to estimated fair value at the end of each accounting period with the related change in estimated fair value recorded to earnings. For the quarter and year to date periods ended June 30, 2006 the Company recorded non-cash mark to market losses of $49.0 million and $221.9 million and realized losses of $29.1 million and $29.1 million compared to a $2.4 million and $2.1 million non-cash mark to market gain and realized gains or losses of $nil and $nil for the quarter and year to date periods ended June 30, 2005 and a non-cash mark-to-market gain of $0.8 million and realized gains or losses of $nil recorded for the year ended December 31, 2004. The 2006 and 2005 losses are the result of continuing high spot and forward prices for silver, zinc and lead. The actual financial impact of the required project financing facility derivative positions will not be known until the positions are closed on their future settlement dates. The Company does not intend to settle the open derivatives position contracts relating to the project financing facility prior to their settlement dates which begin during the second half of 2007. At the time of final settlement, the gain or loss recorded will exclude previously recognized non-cash mark-to-market gains or losses.

The following table sets forth the Company’s open derivative positions at June 30, 2006.  The contracts with open maturity dates of less than one year represent the discretionary derivatives while those with maturities greater than one year are all related to the requirements of the project financing and will be settled for cash based on monthly average prices for each metal in the period indicated.

 

 

Current Maturity Date

 

 

 

Year 1

 

Years 2 and 3

 

Years 3 and 4

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Forward Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (000 ounces)

 

 

230

 

185

 

200

 

615

 

Average price (per ounce)

 

$

 

$

7.27

 

$

7.21

 

$

7.13

 

$

7.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc (000 pounds)

 

 

370,757

 

365,357

 

39,683

 

775,797

 

Average price (per pound)

 

$

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead (000 pounds)

 

 

226,850

 

96,120

 

 

322,970

 

Average price (per pound)

 

$

 

$

0.30

 

$

0.29

 

$

 

$

0.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put Option Contracts Owned

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (000 ounces)

 

 

1,150

 

2,790

 

5,160

 

9,100

 

Average price (per ounce)

 

$

 

$

5.43

 

$

5.71

 

$

5.89

 

$

5.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc (000 pounds)

 

24,251

 

 

 

 

24,251

 

Average price (per pound)

 

$

0.57

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

0.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call Option Contracts Written

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver (000 ounces)

 

1,285

 

4,700

 

4,590

 

510

 

11,085

 

Average price (per ounce)

 

$

15.24

 

$

8.38

 

$

8.16

 

$

9.21

 

$

9.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc (000 pounds)

 

17,086

 

10,472

 

3,307

 

 

30,864

 

Average price (per pound)

 

$

0.88

 

$

0.57

 

$

0.57

 

$

 

$

0.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead (000 pounds)

 

4,409

 

20,944

 

6,614

 

 

31,967

 

Average price (per pound)

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.39

 

$

0.39

 

$

 

$

0.43

 

 

14




The following table sets forth the fair value of the Company’s open derivative positions based on indices such as the LME and COMEX and valuations from counterparties holding the Company’s derivative positions at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 and the change for the six months ended June 30, 2006.

 

 

Amount To Be Realized In

 

Period Ended

 

Less Than
1 Year

 

2 to 3
Years

 

4 to 5
Years

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

12/31/2005

 

$

5,652

 

$

62,268

 

$

77,584

 

$

5,867

 

$

151,371

 

6/30/2006 Restated

 

$

13,845

 

$

229,922

 

$

122,113

 

$

4,235

 

$

370,114

 

2006 Change

 

$

8,193

 

$

167,654

 

$

44,529

 

$

(1,632

)

$

218,743

 

 

During 2005, the Company recognized a $0.9 million mark-to-market loss on a foreign currency collar transaction utilizing puts and calls that were put in place during 2004 to hedge currency fluctuations related to payments required on certain long-lead equipment purchased for the San Cristobal project that was denominated in Euros. The transaction resulted in a realized gain of $0.5 million during the two years it was in place. No such gains or losses were recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and the Company did not have any foreign currency derivative positions.

The Company’s 2.875% and 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024 have several embedded derivatives that have been determined to have no value.

Credit Risk and Risks Relating to the Use of Derivatives

Credit risk is the risk that a third party might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of a financial instrument. For derivatives, when the fair value of a derivative is negative, as in the Company’s case at June 30, 2006, we assume no credit risk. However, should the Company’s derivative positions become positive, the Company would become exposed to credit risk. All of the Company’s derivative positions at June 30, 2006 are required by the project finance facility and per the terms of the facility are concentrated with two counterparties. The two counterparties are of high credit-quality and the Company monitors their financial condition at regular intervals. Under the terms of the derivative agreements, the counterparties cannot require the Company to immediately settle outstanding derivatives, except upon the occurrence of customary events of default such as covenant breaches, including financial covenants, insolvency or bankruptcy.

9.   Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company has developed an asset retirement plan for its San Cristobal Project which is currently under construction and is expected to begin producing in the third quarter of 2007. The plan includes estimated reclamation, remediation and closure requirements based on Bolivian government requirements, World Bank financing requirements and the Company’s policies.  Beginning in the third quarter 2005 the Company has been conducting activities at its San Cristobal Property including earthworks and plant construction that fall within the scope of the asset retirement plan and as such will require future reclamation and closure expenditures.

15




 

Per the guidance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“FAS No. 143”), the fair value of the asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) associated with the San Cristobal Project is calculated by first estimating the cash flows required to settle an estimated $26.7 million ARO obligation in future periods using an inflation rate of 1.6 percent and then discounting the future cash flows using the Company’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 9.8 percent.

The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balance for the Company’s asset retirement obligations (in thousands):

Balance at December 31, 2005

 

$

2,003

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

2,791

 

Changes in estimates, and other

 

 

Liabilities settled

 

 

Accretion expense

 

142

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2006

 

$

4,936

 

 

10.   Shareholders’ Equity

The following table sets forth the changes in shareholders’ equity during the first six months of 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

Other

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Shareholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Deficit

 

income

 

Equity

 

 

 

(in thousands except share data)

 

Balance, December 31, 2005

 

50,444,890

 

$

504.4

 

$

486,762

 

$

(259,794

)

$

(243

)

$

227,229

 

Stock to construct power line ($15.09 per share)

 

369,033

 

3.7

 

5,724

 

 

 

5,728

 

Shares issued to retire debt, ($15.77 per share)

 

1,086,653

 

10.9

 

17,114

 

 

 

17,125

 

Stock to consultants ($15.90 per share)

 

1,699

 

 

27

 

 

 

27

 

Stock compensation accrued

 

 

 

2,602

 

 

 

2,602

 

Stock options exercised ($12.92 per share)

 

112,125

 

1.1

 

1,447

 

 

 

1,448

 

Stock granted as compensation ($19.30 per share)

 

17,000

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

Sale of Ordinary Shares, net ($23.70 per share)

 

6,375,000

 

63.8

 

151,003

 

 

 

151,067

 

Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

962

 

962

 

Net loss Restated

 

 

 

 

(254,914

)

 

(254,914

)

Balance, June 30, 2006 Restated

 

58,406,400

 

$

584.1

 

$

664,679

 

$

(514,708

)

$

719

 

$

151,274

 

 

Ordinary Share Issuances — During January 2006, the Company issued 369,033 of its Ordinary Shares, valued at $5.7 million, as the last of four agreed upon advances to SC TESA for the construction of the power line to the San Cristobal project. The Company had previously issued 1,134,799 of its Ordinary Shares, valued at $16.6 million, during 2005, as the first three advances to SC TESA. Proceeds in excess of construction costs of approximately $0.1 million received by SC TESA from the sale of the shares will be added to the advances to be repaid to the Company with interest through credits against charges for future delivery of power.

In January and February 2006 the Company issued approximately 1.1 million Ordinary Shares valued at $17.1 million and paid $0.3 million for interest to complete the purchase of $20.0 million principal amount of the Company’s 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a privately negotiated exchange transaction. The Company canceled the notes purchased in the transaction.

During the second quarter of 2006, the Company completed the public offering of 6,375,000 of its Ordinary Shares at $24.45 per share ($23.70 per share net of commissions) registered under its shelf registration statement.  The Company intends to use the net proceeds of approximately $151.1 million to

16




 

continue further evaluation, exploration, advancement and expansion of its portfolio of exploration properties and for other general corporate purposes.

Stock Option Plans — The Company established a plan to issue share options and other share awards for officers, employees, consultants and agents of the Company and its subsidiaries (the ‘‘Plan’’). Option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. Options typically vest ratably over periods of up to four years with the first tranche vesting on the date of grant or the first anniversary of the date of grant. Unexercised options expire typically ten years after the date of grant.  The options and other awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control as defined in the Plan.

The Company also established a share option plan for its non-employee directors (the “Director Plan”).   Options granted under the Director Plan vest on the date of the grant and expire ten years after the date of the grant or three years after the date that a non-employee director ceases to be a director of the Company.  Options granted under the Director Plan are transferable only in limited circumstances.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.  Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the entity’s stock.  The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the Black-Scholes model.  The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, based on past experience and future estimates and includes data from both the Plan and the Directors Plan.  The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

For purposes of calculating the fair value of options, volatility for the periods presented is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s Ordinary Shares.  The Company currently does not foresee the payment of dividends in the near term. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

Expected volatility

 

43.8% - 45.3

%

42.6% - 43.8

%

Weighted average volatility

 

44.9

%

43.2

%

Expected dividend yield

 

 

 

Expected term (in years)

 

3.03

 

3.79

 

Risk-free rate

 

4.90

%

3.69

%

 

A summary of the Company’s stock options at June 30, 2006 and changes during the six months then ended is presented in the following table:

Options

 

Number

of Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

Outstanding at beginning of period

 

2,859,781

 

$

14.42

 

6.4 Years

 

$

4,232,476

 

Granted during period

 

111,377

 

$

16.00

 

9.9 Years

 

$

 

Forfeited or expired during period

 

(47,000

)

$

16.64

 

 

 

$

(74,730

)

Exercised during period

 

(112,125

)

$

12.92

 

 

 

$

238,826

 

Outstanding at end of period

 

2,812,033

 

$

14.50

 

6.0 Years

 

$

1,546,618

 

Exercisable at end of period

 

1,955,857

 

$

13.29

 

4.9 Years

 

$

3,442,308

 

Expected to vest at the end of the period

 

856,176

 

$

17.28

 

8.6 Years

 

$

(1,909,272

)

 

17




 

During the six months ended June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005, the Company granted equity awards with weighted average grant date fair values of $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively; options were exercised with total intrinsic values of $1.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively; and the total fair value of shares vested during the six months was $1.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

As of June 30, 2006, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested stock options granted pursuant to the Plan was $2.2 million which the Company expects will be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 year.

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested restricted stock grants at June 30, 2006 and changes during the six months then ended is presented in the following table:

Nonvested Shares

 

Number
of Shares

 

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Share

 

Nonvested at beginning of period

 

170,700

 

$

18.41

 

Granted during period

 

25,000

 

$

13.75

 

Vested during period

 

(14,500

)

$

17.70

 

Forfeited during period

 

(3,000

)

$

16.03

 

Nonvested at end of period

 

178,200

 

$

17.85

 

 

As of June 30, 2006, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested restricted shares granted pursuant to the Plan was $2.2 million.  The Company expects that the total unrecognized cost will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years.

During 2005 the Company granted stock-based performance bonuses under the Plan, related to certain budget targets and completion date targets for the San Cristobal Project.  The following table summarizes the stock-based performance bonus plan at June 30, 2006 and changes during the first six months of 2006:

Nonvested Shares

 

Number
of Shares

 

Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Share

 

Nonvested at beginning of period

 

32,000

 

$

15.41

 

Granted during period

 

 

$

 

Vested during period

 

 

$

 

Forfeited during period

 

(6,000

)

$

16.25

 

Nonvested at end of period

 

26,000

 

$

15.21

 

 

As of June 30, 2006, total unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested performance bonuses granted pursuant to the Plan was $0.1 million.  The Company expects that the total unrecognized cost will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years.

Total compensation costs recognized for all stock-based employee compensation awards, including amounts capitalized, were $2.6 million and $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

11.   Commitments and Contingencies

Letters of Credit — At June 30, 2006, the Company had outstanding irrevocable standby letters of credit related to the San Cristobal Project in the aggregate amount of $14.1 million. The letters of credit include $11.0 million associated with the rail contract to transport metal concentrates to the port facilities, $2.0 million associated with the construction management contract and $1.1 million associated with the power line construction.  At June 30, 2006 the Company had deposited $13.0 million to collateralize certain

 

18




 

of the letters of credit and has recorded that amount to restricted cash.  Per the terms of the letters of credit the required amounts may be reduced from time to time under certain circumstances.

Escrow and Other Restricted Amounts — At June 30, 2006 the Company placed $12.0 million in an account to cover the liability related to its discretionary metals trading program.  In addition, the Company placed $4.1 million in an escrow account to provide for certain requirements related to the development of the port facility for the San Cristobal Project.  At June 30, 2006 the $16.1 million in these two accounts was recorded as restricted cash.

Project Financing — Per the terms and conditions of the San Cristobal Project finance facility the Company was required to deposit cash and investments in a fund the use of which is restricted to the development of the San Cristobal Project. At June 30, 2006 the remaining balance in the account was $142.5 million of which $11.7 million was recorded to restricted cash and $130.8 million recorded to restricted investments. In addition, per the terms of the project finance facility the Company placed $71.1 million of investments in an account to provide over-run funding for the San Cristobal Project if necessary.  At June 30, 2006 the amounts were recorded to restricted investments and will be released upon certain project completion requirements being met or to fund over-runs should they occur.

Capital Commitments — The Company entered into agreements with certain service providers and placed orders for certain long-lead equipment and construction materials for its San Cristobal project resulting in open commitments totaling approximately $99.8 million at June 30, 2006.  If the Company had cancelled all of these agreements or orders at June 30, 2006, it would have incurred cancellation fees totaling approximately $19.7 million.

Taxes — The Company is receiving certain tax and duty benefits on a portion of the equipment it is importing for its San Cristobal Project. The benefits are contingent upon fulfilling certain expenditure commitments within a specified period of time and returning certain equipment off shore within a specified period of time. Failing to comply with these commitments would obligate the Company to refund all or a portion of the benefits received.

Other Contingencies — The Company reported in its 10-K filing for the period ended December 31, 2005 that it had concluded an internal investigation regarding impermissible payments made to government officials by several senior employees of one of its South American subsidiaries during 2003 and 2004.  The Company reported at that time that the SEC had commenced an investigation with respect to these matters including possible violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The Company is cooperating fully with the SEC investigation and will cooperate with any investigation by the U. S. Department of Justice.  The Company cannot predict with any certainty at this time the final outcome of any investigations that may take place including any fines or penalties that may be imposed.

12.   Foreign Currency

Gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives and translation consist of the following:

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 

Loss on Euro derivatives

 

$

 

$

(248

)

$

 

$

(866

)

Gain (loss) on re-measurement of monetary assets denominated in other that US dollars

 

$

123

 

$

(418

)

$

236

 

$

(418

)

Total

 

$

123

 

$

(666

)

$

236

 

$

(1,284

)

 

The re-measurement of monetary assets is related to certain taxes receivable and other accounts denominated in Bolivia’s local currency.

19




 

The loss on the Euro derivatives during 2005 is related to the marking to market of open Euro derivative positions held by the Company related to certain capital equipment purchased for San Cristobal for which the price was denominated in Euros.  The Company held no such derivative positions during 2006.

13.   Supplemental cash flow information

The following table sets forth supplemental cash flow information and non-cash transactions:

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

Restated

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Supplemental disclosure:

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

$

9,455

 

$

5,208

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense capitalized

 

$

2,351

 

$

636

 

Accrued interest capitalized

 

$

3,267

 

$

1,691

 

Stock issued as compensation to consultants

 

$

27

 

$

180

 

Mark-to-market gain (loss) on derivatives

 

$

221,910

 

$

2,430

 

Accrued property plant & equipment

 

$

(18,713

)

$

34,604

 

Capitalized leases

 

$

3,897

 

$

8,261

 

Stock issued to purchase debt

 

$

17,125

 

$

 

 

14.  Subsequent Events

During July 2006 the Company borrowed an additional $20 million against the $225 million project finance facility, bringing to $100 million the total borrowings against the facility. The funds are restricted to the development of the San Cristobal Project.

20




 

Item 2:   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

The following discussion and analysis summarizes the results of operations of Apex Silver Mines Limited (“Apex Silver” or “we”) for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2006 and changes in our financial condition from December 31, 2005.  This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005.

Apex Silver is a mining exploration and development company that holds a portfolio of exploration and development properties primarily in South America and Central America. We currently focus our resources primarily on the development of our San Cristobal Project in Bolivia. At present, none of our properties are in production and, consequently, we have no current operating income.

Overview

During the first six months of 2006 we continued to make significant progress on the construction of our San Cristobal Project in Bolivia with expenditures of approximately $136 million on equipment procurement, plant construction, infrastructure development, engineering and other costs. Significant progress was made on construction of the primary crusher and the associated conveyor system, the installation of mills, concrete work and power line construction during the first six months of 2006.  At June 30, 2006 the project was estimated to be approximately 70% completed. We anticipate commencement of production at the project in the third quarter of 2007.

We began mining oxide ores at the San Cristobal Project during the first quarter 2006. At June 30, 2006 we had stockpiled approximately 1.6 million tonnes of work-in-process ore inventories recorded at a cost of approximately $8.9 million. Work-in-process inventories include ore produced and stockpiled for which further processing is necessary before a product is ready for sale. Final processing of work-in-process ore inventories to a salable product is scheduled to begin during the third quarter of 2007.

During the first quarter of 2006 we issued approximately 1.1 million Ordinary Shares valued at $17.1 million and paid $0.3 million for interest to complete the purchase of $20.0 million principal amount of our 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2024 in a privately negotiated exchange transaction. The transaction resulted in the recognition of a $2.9 million gain on extinguishment of debt.  The Company canceled the notes purchased in the transaction.

During the first quarter of 2006 we initiated borrowing under the $225 million San Cristobal project finance facility that we closed during December 2005.  At June 30, 2006 we had borrowed $80.0 million under the facility.  During July 2006 we borrowed an additional $20 million bringing the total borrowings against the facility to $100 million.

During the second quarter of 2006 we completed the sale of 6,375,000 of our Ordinary Shares at $24.45 per share ($23.70 per share net of commissions). We intend to use the net proceeds of approximately $151.1 million to continue further evaluation, exploration, advancement and expansion of our portfolio of exploration properties and for other general corporate purposes.  With this additional available funding we are formulating plans to accelerate the evaluation of our current exploration portfolio and the expansion of new exploration opportunities.

Certain covenants related to the project finance facility required the Company to provide price protection for a portion of its planned production of metals from San Cristobal.  During the third quarter 2005, the Company entered into contracts utilizing forward sales, puts and calls to comply with the project finance facility covenants.  In order to maintain leverage to silver market prices, the Company entered into proportionally more zinc and lead contracts than silver. In addition, the Company has made limited investments in shorter duration put and call options and other

21




 

metals derivatives not required by the project financing. These discretionary derivative positions typically have settlement dates less than one year and management has the option to settle these positions in cash or roll them forward to a future date. During the second quarter 2006 the Company made $29.1 million of net cash payments to settle the majority of these discretionary derivative contracts not required by the project financing.  The remaining liability for these discretionary derivative positions on a mark-to-market basis as of June 30, 2006 was $13.8 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2006 the Company has taken steps to cap a significant portion of the exposure on the remaining discretionary derivatives by purchasing offsetting positions.

The Company continues to recognize losses on its total derivative position as a result of the continued escalation of spot and forward prices for silver, zinc and lead. During the first six months of 2006 the Company recorded losses of $251.0 million. During the same period we made net cash payments of $29.1 million to settle the majority of our discretionary positions not required by the project financing facility.   While the final financial impact of the required price protection program related to the project financing will not be known until the positions are closed on their future settlement dates, we do not intend to settle those open positions with cash prior to the settlement dates beginning in 2007.  At the time of final settlement, the gain or loss recorded will exclude previously recognized mark-to-market gains or losses.  In addition, if the increased silver, zinc and lead prices continue into the production phase of the San Cristobal project, the increased revenue from metals sales for which price protection was not required would generate a significant benefit to future earnings and cash flows.  During the periods that the metal derivative positions are outstanding, gains and losses may fluctuate substantially from period to period in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”), based on spot prices, forward prices and quoted option volatilities. If current spot prices continue into future periods that include the settlement dates of the Company’s open derivative positions, the Company will report further mark-to-market losses in subsequent periods.

At June 30, 2006 we have open contractual commitments of approximately $99.8 million related to contractor agreements and material and equipment orders associated with the construction of our San Cristobal Project. During the remainder of the year we expect to spend approximately $175 million on the above commitments and other San Cristobal Project construction and development. In addition, for the remainder of the year we expect to spend approximately $7 million on general corporate costs and we will be required to make interest payments of approximately $11 million on our outstanding debt. Our current plans call for expenditures of approximately $6 million on exploration efforts for the remainder of the year which reflects an increase of $3 million over planned expenditures.

With the installation of the new government in Bolivia we continue to monitor the political uncertainties that may affect our San Cristobal Project.  Newly elected Bolivian President Evo Morales who took office in January 2006 has issued a decree nationalizing the country’s hydrocarbon industry.  To date, there have been no formal proposals by the Bolivian government to nationalize the mining industry but it is possible that the government may alter its current policies with respect to the mining industry in the future.

With the advancement of mining activities and with project construction well underway at San Cristobal, we commenced a review of the development plan.  This review is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.  Findings to-date indicate that in the early years of operation, San Cristobal is expected to experience higher annual rates of production of zinc and lower annual rates of production of silver than originally forecasted.  These findings are not expected to have a significant effect on the project.

 

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

Exploration.  Exploration expense was $1.6 million for the second quarter 2006 compared to $1.4 million for the second quarter 2005.  Exploration expense was incurred primarily in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico with additional expenditures in Argentina during the second quarter of 2006.

Administrative.  Administrative expense was $5.7 million for the second quarter 2006, compared to $4.9 million for the second quarter of 2005.  The increase in administrative expense during 2006 is primarily the result of additional personnel and related indirect support costs associated with the advancement of our San Cristobal Project and certain legal fees and other costs associated with the investigation of a possible violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as previously reported.

Gains and Losses - Commodity Derivatives.  For the second quarter of 2006 we recorded losses related to our metals derivative positions in the amount of $78.1 million compared to a gain of $2.4 million on our derivative positions for the second quarter of 2005. During the same period of 2006 we made net cash payments of $29.1 million to settle the majority of our discretionary derivative positions not required by the

22




 

project financing facility.  Continuing high spot and forward prices for silver, zinc and lead resulted in the losses for the 2006 period. Our open metals derivative position for the second quarter of 2005 was substantially smaller prior to the project financing facility requirements as reflected in the smaller non-cash mark-to-market gain. (See “Overview” for additional discussion of the second quarter 2006 derivative loss)

Interest and other income. Interest and other income was $5.3 million for the second quarter of 2006 compared to $3.6 million recorded during the second quarter of 2005.  The 2006 increase is primarily the result of more interest earned because of higher average aggregate cash, cash equivalent and investment balances held during 2006 as well as higher interest rates as compared to the same period of 2005. The higher average aggregate cash, cash equivalent and investment balances are primarily the result of the proceeds from the equity offering completed during the quarter.

Interest expense and other borrowing costs.  Interest and other borrowing costs were $0.3 million and $1.9 million, net of approximately $6.4 million and $1.4 million capitalized, for the second quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The interest expense for 2006 is primarily related to the Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024 and the project finance facility while the 2005 interest expense is primarily related to the Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024.

Income Taxes.   For the second quarter of 2006 we recorded approximately $0.1 million of income tax expense related to withholding taxes on certain services we provided to one of our Bolivian subsidiaries.  No such taxes were incurred during the second quarter of 2005.

Results of Operations — Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

Exploration.  Exploration expense was $3.0 million for the first six months of 2006 compared to $2.8 million for the first six months of 2005.  Exploration expense was incurred primarily in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Mexico with additional expenditures in Argentina during the first half of 2006.

Administrative.  Administrative expense was $11.0 million for the first six months of 2006, compared to $8.8 million for the first six months of 2005.  The increase in administrative expense during 2006 is primarily the result of additional personnel and related indirect support costs associated with the advancement of our San Cristobal Project and certain legal fees and other costs associated with the investigation of a possible violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as previously reported.

Gains and Losses - Commodity Derivatives.  For the first six months of 2006 we recorded losses related to our metals derivative positions in the amount of $251.0 million compared to a gain of $2.1 million on our derivative positions for the first six months of 2005. During the same period of 2006 we made net cash payments of $29.1 million to settle the majority of our discretionary derivative positions not required by the project financing facility. Continuing high spot and forward prices for silver, zinc and lead resulted in the losses for the 2006 period. Our open metals derivative position for the first half of 2005 was substantially smaller prior to the project financing requirements as reflected in the smaller non-cash mark-to-market gain. (See “Overview” for additional discussion of the first half of 2006 derivative loss)

Interest and other income.  Interest and other income was $8.2 million for the first six months of 2006 compared to $7.0 million recorded during the first six months of 2005.  The 2006 increase is primarily the result of more interest earned because of higher average aggregate cash, cash equivalent and investment balances held during 2006 as well as higher interest rates as compared to the same period of 2005. The higher average aggregate cash, cash equivalent and investment balances are primarily the result of the proceeds from the equity offering completed during the second quarter of 2006.  Interest and other income for the 2006 period includes a $0.4 million loss on certain held to maturity investments that were liquidated prior to their maturity dates as a requirement of the project financing facility.

Interest expense and other borrowing costs.  Interest and other borrowing costs were $0.8 and $3.9 million, net of approximately $11.0 and $2.5 million capitalized, for the first six months of 2006 and 2005, respectively. The 2006 interest expense includes a $0.5 million write off of deferred issuance costs related to the extinguishment of debt. The interest expense for 2006 is primarily related to the Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024 and the project finance facility while the 2005 interest expense is primarily related to the Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024.

23




 

Income Taxes.  For the first six months of 2006 we recorded approximately $0.1 million of income tax expense related to withholding taxes on certain services we provided to one of our Bolivian subsidiaries.  No such taxes were incurred during the first six months of 2005.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At June 30, 2006 our aggregate cash, restricted cash, short and long term investments and restricted investments totaled $384.3 million compared to an aggregate of $351.9 million in cash, restricted cash, short and long term investments and restricted investments at December 31, 2005.  The amounts held at June 30, 2006 include $11.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, $113.2 million in short term investments,  $37.9 million of cash that has been restricted to collateralize outstanding letters of credit, the discretionary metals hedge position and certain obligations related to the project finance facility, and $221.3 million of short and long term investments including $201.9 million that is restricted to fund development and possible over runs at our San Cristobal Project and $20.3 million that at maturity will provide the amounts necessary to pay interest through September 2007 on the 4.0% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2024.

As of June 30, 2006, we had cash and cash equivalents of $11.9 million, compared to $4.8 million at December 31, 2005.  The increase in our cash balance at June 30, 2006 is the result of a net decrease in restricted cash of $97.2 million, $80.0 million of borrowings against the project finance facility, $5.7 million of net proceeds from the sale of Ordinary Shares to fund the power line construction, $151.1 million  of net proceeds from an equity offering and $1.5 million of proceeds from employee stock options exercised, all partially offset by $135.9 million invested in property, plant and equipment related to the development of the San Cristobal Project, $33.8 million used to fund operations, property holding costs and administrative costs, net of interest and other income, the net purchase of $121.0 million of investments, $32.2 million of net premiums and liquidation payments related to our discretionary derivative positions, $4.1 million paid to suppliers and contractors related to our San Cristobal Project, $0.2 million paid to the banks related to the credit facility and payments on long term debt (capital lease payments) of $1.2 million.

Our estimate for the total amount of project funding required for the San Cristobal Project from January 1, 2004 through the beginning of production scheduled for the third quarter of 2007 is approximately $600 million.  This amount includes all estimated costs required to commence production at San Cristobal, including all engineering, procurement and construction costs, as well as estimates for constant-dollar escalation and contingencies.  The estimate excludes $22 million advanced through the issuance of Ordinary Shares to the company constructing the power line, $6 million advanced to or escrowed for the company constructing the port facilities and $27 million of working capital.  Advances to the power line and port facility providers are expected to be recouped through credits applied against payments for the contracted services.  Including the power line and port advances, we have spent approximately $371 million on the Project through June 30, 2006.  In addition to the amounts above, we expect to incur interest and other financing costs related to the project finance facility of approximately $30 million.

During April 2006 we completed the sale of 6,375,000 of our Ordinary Shares at $24.45 per share ($23.70 per share net of commissions). We intend to use the net proceeds of approximately $151.1 million to continue further evaluation, exploration, advancement and expansion of our portfolio of exploration properties and for other general corporate purposes.

For the remaining six months of 2006, we expect to spend about $175 million on the San Cristobal Project including the purchase of equipment, construction materials, payments to contractors and other development costs already accrued or to be incurred during the year.  Funds for this purpose will be provided by liquidating a portion of our restricted investments set aside for this purpose and drawing on additional funds from the project financing facility.  In addition, for the remaining nine months of 2006 we expect to spend approximately $7 million on general corporate costs and approximately $11 million on interest payments. Our current plans call for expenditures of approximately $6 million on exploration efforts for the remainder of the year reflecting an increase of $3 million over planned expenditures. We plan to fund these project, operating and financing cash expenditures from our existing cash and investment balances and from interest and other income.

24




 

Significant Accounting Policies

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“FAS No. 123R”) which revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“FAS No. 123”), and superseded Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and its related implementation guidance. As the Company had previously adopted FAS No. 123 effective January 1, 2004, the adoption of FAS No. 123R did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations and is not expected to have a material impact in the future.

Effective January 1, 2006 the Company adopted Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 04-06 (“EITF 04-06”), “Accounting for Stripping Costs Incurred during Production in the Mining Industry.” In January 2006, the EITF issued additional guidance defining the commencement of production as the period when saleable minerals are first extracted in greater than de minimis amounts. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company began mining significant amounts of oxide ore reserves at its San Cristobal project, which have been placed in stockpiles for future processing.  The quantity and value of the minerals mined were sufficient to declare the start of ore production according to the EITF consensus. At June 30, 2006 the Company had recorded ore inventories valued at $8.9 million.

See Item 1, Note 2 for additional discussion of significant accounting policies and new accounting standards.

Contractual Obligations

We have entered into agreements with certain service providers and placed orders for certain equipment and construction materials for our San Cristobal Project resulting in commitments totaling approximately $99.8 million at June 30, 2006.  If we had cancelled all of these agreements or orders at June 30, 2006, we would have incurred cancellation fees totaling approximately $19.7 million.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some information contained in or incorporated by reference into this report may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include comments regarding San Cristobal development and construction plans, capital and other costs, funding and timing; the timing of completion of San Cristobal construction, start-up and commencement of operations; spending during 2006; the likely increased volatility in future earnings due to forward sales, derivative positions and metals trading activity; and the timing and amounts of spending on the evaluation and expansion of our exploration portfolio. The use of any of the words “anticipate,” “continues,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “should,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify uncertainties.  We believe the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable.  However, we cannot assure that these expectations will prove to be correct.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the factors set forth below and other factors set forth in, or incorporated by reference into this report:

·                  worldwide economic and political events affecting the supply of and demand for silver, zinc and lead;

·                  political unrest and economic instability in Bolivia including the communities located near the San Cristobal Project and other countries in which we conduct business;

·                  future actions of the Bolivian government with respect to nationalization of gas and other natural resources;

·                  changes in the mining policies of the Bolivian government;

·                  volatility in market prices for silver, zinc and lead;

·                  financial market conditions;

·                  uncertainties associated with developing a new mine, including potential cost overruns and the unreliability of production and cost estimates in early stages of mine development;

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·                  variations in ore grade and other characteristics affecting mining, crushing, milling and smelting operations and mineral recoveries;

·                  geological, technical, permitting, mining and processing problems;

·                  the availability, terms, conditions and timing of required government permits and approvals;

·                  uncertainties regarding future changes in applicable law or implementation of existing law, including Bolivian laws related to tax, mining, environmental matters and exploration; and

·                  the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2005.

Many of those factors are beyond our ability to control or predict.  You should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this report on Form 10-Q.  Except as required by law, we are not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments.

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and Hedging Activities

Currently our major principal cash balances are held in U.S. dollars.  We maintain minimum cash balances in foreign currencies and therefore have a relatively low exposure to currency fluctuations. We have previously engaged in a limited amount of currency hedging activities primarily related to an equipment order for our San Cristobal Project that was denominated in Euros. In addition, because we conduct our activities mainly in Bolivia, as well as in several other foreign countries, we may in the future engage in hedging activities to minimize the risk of exposure to currency and interest rate fluctuations.

We manage the timing of the cash required to construct the San Cristobal Project, to fund general corporate costs, exploration and other funding requirements and invest funds not immediately required in investments with varying maturities.   Our policy is to invest only in government and corporate securities rated “investment grade” or better.

To complete the project financing for San Cristobal, we were required to hedge a portion of our planned production from San Cristobal.  In addition, when San Cristobal enters production, we may sell forward a portion of our production and use price hedging techniques to mitigate some of the risks associated with fluctuating metals prices.  We recorded losses of $251.0 million on our derivative positions for the six months ended June 30, 2006. During the same period we made net cash payments of $29.1 million to settle the majority of our discretionary positions not required by the project financing facility. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Results of Operations.”

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a)   Background to the restatement

During the first quarter of 2007, we determined that the method used in the periods ended September 30, 2005 through September 30, 2006 to estimate the fair value of our open metals derivative positions was not appropriate.  This resulted in a restatement of the Company’s 2005 annual consolidated financial statements; interim consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and for each of the first three quarters of 2006; and an audit adjustment to the Company’s 2006 annual consolidated financial statements.

See explanatory note and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended June 30, 2006, for a discussion and summary of the impact of the restatement on the previously issued financial statements.

(b)   Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Apex Silver’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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In connection with the original filing of report 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, under the supervision and with the participation of our Disclosure Committee and management (including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer) we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness and design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Subsequent to the evaluation made in connection with the filing of the original Form 10-Q and in connection with the restatement discussed above in the explanatory note to this Form 10-Q/A, our management, with the participation of our Disclosure Committee, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, reevaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2006. Based upon this evaluation and subject to the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of material weaknesses.  For a discussion of the material weaknesses, see Item 9A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Based upon the substantial work performed during the restatement process, management has concluded that the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the periods covered by and included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A are fairly stated in all material respects.

(c)   Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Apex Silver’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.

In connection with the filing of the original Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, management concluded that there were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006, that had materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Subsequent to the filing of the original Form 10-Q and as a result of the evaluation made in connection with the restatement discussed above in the explanatory note to this Form 10-Q/A, management has concluded that the material weaknesses described in Item 9A of our annual report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2006, existed at June 30, 2006.

For a further discussion on the material weaknesses and the actions we are planning to take to remediate the material weaknesses, see Item 9A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

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PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.    Exhibits

1.1

Underwriting Agreement, Dated April 6, 2006 between the Company and Harris Nesbitt Corp.*

10.1

Separation Agreement and Release, dated June 9, 2006 between the Company and Mark A. Lettes*

10.2

Form of Change of Control Agreement*

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

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Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act)


*              Previously filed with the Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2006.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q/A to be signed on behalf of the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

APEX SILVER MINES LIMITED

 

 

 

Date: May 2, 2007

By:

\s\ Jeffrey G. Clevenger

 

 

Jeffrey G. Clevenger

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Date: May 2, 2007

By:

\s\ Gerald J. Malys

 

 

Gerald J. Malys

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

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