Form 10-QSB
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-QSB

 

(Mark One)

x   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2003

 

¨   TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission file Number 000-22731

 


 

MINERA ANDES INC.

(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)

 

ALBERTA, CANADA

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

NONE

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

3303 N. SULLIVAN ROAD, SPOKANE, WA 99216

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(509) 921-7322

(Issuer’s telephone number)

 


 

Shares outstanding as of July 31, 2003: 37,475,864 shares of common stock, with no par value

 

Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (Check One):    Yes   ¨    No   x

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    

    Item 1.          Consolidated Financial Statements

   3

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

   14

    Item 3.          Controls and Procedures

   19

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

    

    Item 2.          Changes in Securities

   20

    Item 6.          Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   20

SIGNATURES

   22

 

2


Table of Contents

MINERA ANDES INC.

“An Exploration Stage Corporation”

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(U.S. Dollars)

 

    

June 30,

2003

(Unaudited)


   

December 31,

2002


 
ASSETS                 

Current:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 567,769     $ 1,009,258  

Receivables and prepaid expenses

     166,054       63,294  
    


 


Total current assets

     733,823       1,072,552  

Mineral properties and deferred exploration costs

     3,600,139       3,536,448  

Capital assets, net

     4,349       5,480  
    


 


Total assets

   $ 4,338,311     $ 4,614,480  
    


 


LIABILITIES                 

Current:

                

Accounts payable and accruals

   $ 71,038     $ 23,244  

Due to related parties

     31,050       25,746  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     102,088       48,990  
    


 


SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

Share capital

     18,861,729       18,796,018  

Contributed capital - stock option compensation

     62,004       33,372  

Accumulated deficit

     (14,687,510 )     (14,263,900 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     4,236,223       4,565,490  
    


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 4,338,311     $ 4,614,480  
    


 


 

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

 

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MINERA ANDES INC.

“An Exploration Stage Corporation”

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT

(U.S. Dollars-Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

   

Period from

July 1, 1994

(commencement)
through

June 30, 2003


 
   

June 30,

2003


   

June 30,

2002


   

June 30,

2003


   

June 30,

2002


   

Administration fees

  $ 6,560     $ 6,237     $ 14,411     $ 12,624     $ 271,987  

Audit and accounting

    3,938       4,253       16,141       11,436       371,789  

Consulting fees

    65,337       12,532       178,342       23,480       1,197,998  

Depreciation

    439       919       1,131       1,904       63,090  

Equipment rental

    0       0       0       0       21,522  

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

    (26,615 )     (1,134 )     (54,027 )     12,298       377,210  

Insurance

    2,387       1,360       4,277       2,720       239,570  

Legal

    76,531       19,917       92,567       30,693       788,327  

Maintenance

    0       0       329       0       2,827  

Materials and supplies

    0       701       0       701       45,512  

Office overhead

    24,007       26,119       46,885       34,291       1,474,518  

Telephone

    5,596       1,991       10,432       4,435       375,541  

Transfer agent

    1,278       2,155       2,468       3,252       101,041  

Travel

    7,873       4,999       18,908       8,136       353,767  

Wages and benefits

    46,797       39,390       95,009       80,182       1,455,709  

Write-off of deferred costs

    0       0       0       0       8,118,123  
   


 


 


 


 


Total expenses

    214,128       119,439       426,873       226,152       15,258,531  

Gain on sale of capital assets

    0       0       0       0       (104,588 )

Gain on sale of property

    0       0       0       0       (898,241 )

Interest income

    (1,731 )     (215 )     (3,263 )     (376 )     (458,245 )
   


 


 


 


 


Net loss for the period

    212,397       119,224       423,610       225,776       13,797,457  

Accumulated deficit, beginning of the period

    14,475,113       14,744,307       14,263,900       14,637,755       0  

Share issue costs

    0       53,821       0       53,821       872,838  

Deficiency on acquisition of subsidiary

    0       0       0       0       17,215  
   


 


 


 


 


Accumulated deficit, end of the period

  $ 14,687,510     $ 14,917,352     $ 14,687,510     $ 14,917,352     $ 14,687,510  
   


 


 


 


 


Basic and diluted loss per common share

  $ 0.006     $ 0.004     $ 0.01     $ 0.01          
   


 


 


 


       

Weighted average shares outstanding

    37,061,426       30,359,623       37,018,052       30,203,693          
   


 


 


 


       

 

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

 

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MINERA ANDES INC.

“An Exploration Stage Corporation”

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MINERAL PROPERTIES

AND DEFERRED EXPLORATION COSTS

(U.S. Dollars-Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended

  Six Months Ended

   

Period from

July 1, 1994

(commencement)
through

June 30, 2003


 
   

June 30,

2003


 

June 30,

2002


 

June 30,

2003


   

June 30,

2002


   

Administration fees

  $ 5,678   $ 3,903   $ 10,760     $ 7,960     $ 383,281  

Assays and analytical

    2,470     0     5,542       0       944,946  

Construction and trenching

    0     0     0       0       507,957  

Consulting fees

    36,849     19,651     65,670       23,686       1,020,162  

Depreciation

    0     669     0       1,338       170,625  

Drilling

    0     0     0       0       928,833  

Equipment rental

    0     0     0       0       244,924  

Geology

    28,438     0     49,546       1,125       2,979,609  

Geophysics

    0     0     0       0       309,902  

Insurance

    2,125     2,159     4,250       3,572       250,383  

Legal

    0     1,192     0       1,192       664,598  

Maintenance

    510     168     780       1,430       161,961  

Materials and supplies

    600     108     1,120       161       435,590  

Project overhead

    2,402     1,155     3,709       1,495       316,846  

Property and mineral rights

    3,251     127     3,487       1,109       1,307,641  

Telephone

    1,624     773     2,288       777       84,923  

Travel

    36,227     6,468     50,170       8,049       1,092,012  

Wages and benefits

    32,488     26,019     66,369       53,065       1,116,831  
   

 

 


 


 


Costs incurred during the period

    152,662     62,392     263,691       104,959       12,921,024  

Deferred costs, beginning of the period

    3,447,477     3,362,956     3,536,448       3,520,389       0  

Deferred costs acquired

    0     0     0       0       576,139  

Deferred costs written off

    0     0     0       0       (8,118,123 )

Mineral property option proceeds

    0     0     (200,000 )     (200,000 )     (1,778,901 )
   

 

 


 


 


Deferred costs, end of the period

  $ 3,600,139   $ 3,425,348   $ 3,600,139     $ 3,425,348     $ 3,600,139  
   

 

 


 


 


 

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

 

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MINERA ANDES INC.

“An Exploration Stage Corporation”

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(U.S. Dollars-Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended

    Six Months Ended

   

Period from

July 1, 1994

(commencement)

through

June 30, 2003


 
   

June 30,

2003


   

June 30,

2002


   

June 30,

2003


   

June 30,

2002


   

Operating Activities

                                       

Net loss for the period

  $ (212,397 )   $ (119,224 )   $ (423,610 )   $ (225,776 )   $ (13,797,457 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

                                       

Write-off of incorporation costs

    0       0       0       0       665  

Write-off of deferred costs

    0       0       0       0       8,118,123  

Depreciation

    439       919       1,131       1,904       63,090  

Stock option compensation

    2,607       0       28,632       0       62,004  

Gain on sale of capital assets

    0       0       0       0       (104,588 )

Gain on sale of mineral properties

    0       0       0       0       (898,241 )

Change in:

                                       

Receivables and prepaid expense

    (118,365 )     13,427       (102,760 )     (1,592 )     (164,068 )

Accounts payable and accruals

    37,561       27,584       47,794       30,077       51,837  

Due to related parties

    (11,794 )     (79,273 )     5,304       (77,042 )     31,050  
   


 


 


 


 


Cash used in operating activities

    (301,949 )     (156,567 )     (443,509 )     (272,429 )     (6,637,585 )
   


 


 


 


 


Investing Activities

                                       

Incorporation costs

    0       0       0       0       (665 )

Proceeds from sale (purchase) of capital assets

    0       (1,715 )     0       (1,715 )     (143,476 )

Proceeds from sale of property

    0       0       0       0       898,241  

Mineral properties and deferred exploration

    (152,662 )     (61,723 )     (263,691 )     (103,621 )     (12,750,399 )

Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries

    0       0       0       0       9,398  

Mineral property option proceeds

    0       0       200,000       200,000       1,778,901  
   


 


 


 


 


Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    (152,662 )     (63,438 )     (63,691 )     94,664       (10,208,000 )
   


 


 


 


 


 

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MINERA ANDES INC.

“An Exploration Stage Corporation”

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Cont.)

(U.S. Dollars-Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended

  Six Months Ended

 

Period from

July 1, 1994

(commencement)

through

June 30, 2003


   

June 30,

2003


   

June 30,

2002


 

June 30,

2003


   

June 30,

2002


 

Financing Activities

                                 

Shares and subscriptions issued for cash, less issue costs

    48,677       386,096     65,711       386,096     17,413,354
   


 

 


 

 

Cash provided by financing activities

    48,677       386,096     65,711       386,096     17,413,354
   


 

 


 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (405,934 )     166,091     (441,489 )     208,331     567,769

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period

    973,703       163,225     1,009,258       120,985     0
   


 

 


 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 567,769     $ 329,316   $ 567,769     $ 329,316   $ 567,769
   


 

 


 

 

Supplementary Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities

                                 

Stock option compensation

  $ 2,607       0   $ 28,632     $ 0   $ 62,004
   


 

 


 

 

 

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

 

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Table of Contents

MINERA ANDES INC.

“An Exploration Stage Corporation”

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(U.S. Dollars-Unaudited)

 

1. Accounting Policies, Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Minera Andes Inc. (the “Corporation”) for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 and for the period from commencement (July 1, 1994) through June 30, 2003 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada which differ in certain respects from principles and practices generally accepted in the United States, as described in Note 2. Also, they are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for a fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results which may be achieved in the future. The December 31, 2002 financial information has been derived from the Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements.

 

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2002, included in our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2002 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and with the TSX Venture Exchange. The accounting policies set forth in the audited annual consolidated financial statements are the same as the accounting policies utilized in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements, except as modified for appropriate interim presentation.

 

The recoverability of amounts shown as mineral properties and deferred exploration costs is dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Corporation to obtain necessary financing to complete their development, and future profitable production or disposition thereof. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in Canada applicable to a going concern. The use of such principles may not be appropriate because, as of June 30, 2003, there was significant doubt that the Corporation would be able to continue as a going concern.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2003, the Corporation had a loss of approximately $424,000 and an accumulated deficit of approximately $14.7 million. In addition, due to the nature of the mining business, the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties requires significant expenditures prior to the commencement of production. To date, the Corporation has financed its activities through the sale of equity securities and joint venture arrangements. The Corporation expects to use similar financing techniques in the future and is actively pursuing such additional sources of financing.

 

Although there is no assurance that the Corporation will be successful in these actions, management believes that they will be able to secure the necessary financing to enable it to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, these financial statements do not reflect adjustments to the carrying value of assets and liabilities, the reported revenues and expenses and balance sheet classifications used that would be necessary if the going concern assumption were not appropriate. Such adjustments could be material.

 

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Table of Contents

2. Differences Between Canadian and United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

 

Differences between Canadian and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) as they pertain to the Corporation relate to accounting for loss per share, the acquisition of Scotia Prime Minerals, Incorporated, compensation expense associated with the release of shares from escrow, mineral properties and deferred exploration costs and are described in Note 10 to the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2002 in the 2002 10-KSB.

 

The impact of the above on the interim consolidated financial statements is as follows:

 

    

June 30,

2003


   

Dec. 31,

2002


 

Shareholders’ equity, end of period, per Canadian GAAP

   $ 4,236,223     $ 4,565,490  

Adjustment for acquisition and deferred exploration costs

     (3,600,139 )     (3,536,448 )
    


 


Shareholders’ equity, end of period, per U.S. GAAP

   $ 636,084     $ 1,029,042  
    


 


 

     Three Months Ended

   Six Months Ended

   

Period from

July 1, 1994

(commencement)

through

June 30, 2003


    

June 30,

2003


  

June 30,

2002


  

June 30,

2003


  

June 30,

2002


   

Net loss for the period, per Canadian GAAP

   $ 212,397    $ 119,224    $ 423,610    $ 225,776     $ 13,797,457

Adjustment for acquisition of Scotia

     0      0      0      0       248,590

Adjustment for compensation expense

     0      0      0      0       6,324,914

Adjustment for deferred exploration costs, net

     152,662      62,392      63,691      (95,041 )     3,600,139
    

  

  

  


 

Net loss for period, per U.S. GAAP

   $ 365,059    $ 181,616    $ 487,301    $ 130,735     $ 23,971,100
    

  

  

  


 

Net loss per common share, per U.S. GAAP,

basic and diluted

   $ 0.01    $ 0.01    $ 0.01    $ 0.01        
    

  

  

  


     

 

3. Changes to Share Capital

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2003, the Corporation issued 441,667 common shares for the exercise of broker warrants from a June 25, 2002 financing, with gross proceeds to the Corporation of Cdn$66,250 (US$48,677).

 

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Table of Contents

On June 25, 2003, warrants to purchase 2,158,330 common shares of the Corporation (from the June 25, 2002 financing) expired, without being exercised.

 

As of June 30, 2003, there were no warrants outstanding for the Corporation.

 

4. Basic and Diluted Loss Per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing loss applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if potentially dilutive securities were exercised or converted to common stock. Due to the losses in the 2003 and 2002 periods, potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS, as they were anti-dilutive. Therefore, there was no difference in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS in 2003 and 2002. See Note 7 for potentially dilutive stock options.

 

5. Mineral Properties and Deferred Exploration Costs

 

At June 30, 2003, the Corporation, through its subsidiaries, held interests in a total of approximately 198,140 hectares of mineral rights and mining lands in three Argentine provinces. Under its present acquisition and exploration programs, the Corporation is continually acquiring additional mineral property interests and exploring and evaluating its properties. If, after evaluation, a property does not meet the Corporation’s requirements, then the property and deferred exploration costs are written off to operations. Mineral property costs and deferred exploration costs, net of mineral property option proceeds, are as follows:

 

Province/

Property

Package


   Property

  

Carrying

Value

December 31,

2002


  

Acquisition

Costs

for the Six

Months Ended

June 30, 2003


  

Exploration

and Overhead

for the Six

Months Ended

June 30, 2003


   

Write-Offs

for the Six

Months Ended

June 30, 2003


  

Carrying

Value

June 30, 2003


ARGENTINA

San Juan

  

Cateos

   $ 327,959    $ 0    $ 13,587     $ 0    $ 341,546

San José

  

El Pluma

Cerro Saavedra

  

 

 

1,175,016

1,214,510

  

 

 

0

0

  

 

 

(37,098

825

)

 

 

 

 

0

0

  

 

 

1,137,918

1,215,335

                

Santa Cruz

  

Cateos

     552,936      2,832      39,071       0      594,839

Chubut

  

Cateos

     246,154      654      36,971       0      283,779

Neuquén

  

General

     6,852      0      0       0      6,852

Río Negro

  

General

     13,021      0      6,849       0      19,870
         

  

  


 

  

TOTAL

        $ 3,536,448    $ 3,486    $ 60,205     $ 0    $ 3,600,139
         

  

  


 

  

 

The San José project (formerly, El Pluma/Cerro Saavedra) area is made up of one cateo and 46 manifestations of discovery totaling 40,499 ha. The cateos are located in the western half of the province of Santa Cruz. All of the cateos are controlled 100% by Minera Santa Cruz S.A., a holding and operating company set up under the terms of the agreement with MHC. Any production from these lands may be subject to a provincial royalty. The San José project is the Corporation’s most advanced project.

 

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In October of 2000, following completion of a 30-day due diligence period under a memorandum of understanding, Mauricio Hochschild & Cia. Ltda. (“MHC”) of Lima, Peru exercised an option to enter into a joint venture on the project.

 

On March 15, 2001, Minera Andes Inc. signed an option and joint venture agreement with MHC for the exploration and possible development of Minera Andes’ epithermal gold-silver exploration land package at El Pluma/Cerro Saavedra (now referred to as San José), including Huevos Verdes.

 

Under the agreement, MHC could earn a 51% ownership in the JV by spending a total of $3 million in three years, and a minimum of $100,000 per year on exploration targets within the JV, other than Huevos Verdes, the most advanced prospect. In addition, MHC will make semiannual payments totaling $400,000 per year until pilot plant production is achieved. To date, MHC has made all required payments.

 

On May 6, 2003, the Corporation received notice from MHC that, according to their records, they have fulfilled all obligations necessary to enable MHC to vest at 51% in the San José project, including all obligations under section 4.1.2 of the Option and Joint Venture Agreement dated March 15, 2001 (see Item 2 in the 2002 Form10-KSB and Exhibit 10.19 to the 2000 Form 10-KSB). The Corporation has reviewed and accepted the information submitted by MHC.

 

Now that MHC has vested at 51% ownership, Minera Andes will have the option of participating in the development of a pilot production plant that would process a minimum of 50 tons per day (tpd). Minera Andes may participate on either a pro-rata basis, or by choosing to retain a 35 percent “carried” ownership interest. Upon the successful completion and operation of the 50 tpd plant, Minera Andes would have the option of participating on a pro-rata basis, or choosing a 15% interest in return to being “carried” to first production of 500 tpd.

 

The Corporation has not yet determined which alternative it will pursue and is presently evaluating alternatives. However, if the Corporation elects to retain its 49% interest in the San José project, the expense payable to MHC is estimated to be approximately $244,000 through June 30, 2003.

 

San José property consulting fee expenditures for the second quarter of 2003 include $38,620 to consultants specializing in debt and equity project finance and related travel, and $4,470 to mining engineering consultants compared to $10,861 and $12,660 in the first quarter of 2003, respectively. The increased consulting fees are due to negotiations with MHC regarding vesting and project status and corporate strategy regarding such. Wages related to geology and related travel totaled $21,213 in the second quarter of 2003 compared to $3,183 for the period ending March 31, 2003. This increase is due to increased activity by key employees on the project and increased travel.

 

In the six months ended 2003 and 2002, the Corporation received $200,000 from MHC under the option and joint venture agreement signed on March 15, 2001, for the exploration and possible development of the Corporation’s San José properties in Santa Cruz province.

 

In Santa Cruz, separate from the San José project, the Corporation controls 16 cateos and 30 manifestations of discovery totaling 78,663 ha. The second quarter of 2003 saw increased expenditures on the Santa Cruz properties reflecting the continuation of a regional reconnaissance program. Expenditures during the second quarter of 2003, included approximately $6,775 in geological services, $1,500 in analytical services, $4,300 in consulting fee expenditures relating to management of land and mineral rights and land payments of approximately $2,788. For comparative purposes, payments for the same categories in the first quarter of 2003 were $5,120 for geological services, $0 for analytical services, $2,761 for land management and $44 in land payments.

 

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Table of Contents

Wages and benefits were approximately $32,000 during the second quarter of 2003 compared to approximately $34,000 during the first quarter 2003. During the second quarter 2003, $21,659 of the wage and benefit expense was for the benefit of all properties and was prorated to each project, compared to the first quarter of 2003 where all wage and benefit expense was for the benefit of all properties and was prorated accordingly.

 

6. New U.S. Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which amends SFAS No. 19, and establishes a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. This statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The adoption of this statement on January 1, 2003 did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections” (SFAS No. 145). SFAS No. 145 updates, clarifies and simplifies existing accounting pronouncements, by rescinding SFAS No. 4, which required all gains and losses from extinguishments of debt to be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item, net of related income tax effect. As a result, the criteria in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 will now be used to classify those gains and losses. Additionally, SFAS No. 145 amends SFAS No. 13 to require that certain lease modifications that have economic effects similar to sale-leaseback transactions be accounted for in the same manner as sale-leaseback transactions. Finally, SFAS No. 145 also makes technical corrections to existing pronouncements. While those corrections are not substantive in nature, in some instances, they may change accounting practice. The provisions of SFAS No. 145 that amend SFAS No. 13 were effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002, with all other provisions of SFAS No. 145 being required to be adopted by us in January 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” SFAS No. 146 requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Examples of costs covered by the standard include lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing or other exit or disposal activity. SFAS No. 146 replaces the prior guidance that was provided by EITF Issue No. 94-3 “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 is to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.” SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosure about the effects of reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. Finally, this statement amends APB Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosure about those effects in interim financial information. The amendments to SFAS No. 123, which provides alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation is effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The amendment to SFAS No. 123 relating to disclosures and the amendment to Opinion 28 is effective for financial reports containing condensed financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. We have adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123 and do not intend to adopt

 

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the fair value accounting provisions of SFAS No. 123. The adoption of SFAS No. 148 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149 “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 is effective for all contracts created or modified after June 30, 2003. We do not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 establishes standards on the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and to all other instruments that exist as of the beginning of the first interim financial reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003. We do not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 150 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements.” FIN 46 clarifies the application of ARB No. 51 to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

7. Stock Options

 

  a.   A summary of the status of the Corporation’s stock option plan as of June 30, 2003 is:

 

     Options

   

Weighted Ave.

Exercise Price (Cdn)


Outstanding and exercisable at Dec. 31, 2002

   2,848,500     $ 0.44

Granted

   715,000     $ 0.31

Exercised

   (55,000 )   $ 0.16

Forfeited

   (215,000 )   $ 0.68
    

     

Outstanding at June 30, 2003

   3,293,500     $ 0.40
    

 

 

The range of exercise prices is from Cdn$0.16 to Cdn$0.59 with a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3.88 years at June 30, 2003.

 

At June 30, 2003, there were options held by directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Corporation for the purchase of common shares as follows:

 

Number of Shares

  

Exercise Price


  

Expiry Date


1,146,000

   Cdn$0.55    June 3, 2004

29,000

   Cdn$0.59    June 3, 2004

473,500

   Cdn$0.16    August 28, 2005

930,000

   Cdn$0.40    June 27, 2007

715,000

   Cdn$0.31    March 21, 2013

         

3,293,500

         

         

 

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  b.   Generally accepted accounting principles require disclosure of compensation expense for the stock option plan as if the value of all options granted had been determined based on the fair market value-based method. The Corporation’s net loss for the year and net loss per common share would have been increased to the pro forma amounts below had the market value based method been followed:

 

     2003

    2002

 

Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders:

                

As reported

   $ (423,610 )   $ (225,776 )

Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported loss

     —         —    

Stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards

     (112,362 )     —    
    


 


Pro forma

   $ (535,972 )   $ (225,776 )
    


 


Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders per share:

                

As reported

   $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )

Pro forma

   $ (0.015 )   $ (0.01 )

 

The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants:

 

     2003

   2002

Dividend yield (%)

   —      —  

Expected volatility (%)

   110    131

Risk-free interest rates (%)

   3.97    4.08

Expected lives (years)

   10.0    5.00

 

In connection with the granting of certain options to non-employees and directors in 2002 and 2003, the Corporation has recorded $28,632 of stock option compensation during the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

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

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

The information in this report includes “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“1934 Act”), and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected include, but are not limited to, results of current exploration activities, the market price of precious and base metals, the availability of joint venture partners or sources of financing, and other risk factors detailed in the Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

 

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Overview

 

The principal business of the Corporation is the exploration and development of mineral properties, located primarily in the Republic of Argentina, consisting of mineral rights and applications for mineral rights, covering approximately198,400 hectares in three provinces in Argentina. The Corporation carries out its business by acquiring, exploring and evaluating mineral properties through its ongoing exploration program. Following exploration, the Corporation either seeks to enter joint ventures to further develop these properties or disposes of them if the properties do not meet the Corporation’s requirements. The Corporation’s properties are all early stage exploration properties and no proven or probable reserves have been identified.

 

Plan of Operations

 

The Corporation has working capital of approximately $632,000 sufficient, together with funds from the joint venture on the San José property, as estimated by management, to cover its budgeted expenditures for mineral property and exploration activities on its properties in Argentina, and general and administrative expenses through at least the end of 2003.

 

On March 15, 2001, Minera Andes Inc. signed an option and joint venture agreement with Mauricio Hochschild & Cia. Ltda. (“MHC”), Lima, Peru, for the exploration and possible development of Minera Andes’ 217,000-acre (88,000 hectares) epithermal gold-silver exploration land package in southern Argentina. The land package, known as San José (formerly El Pluma/Cerro Saavedra), includes Huevos Verdes, a high-grade gold/silver vein system target, and Minera Andes’ most advanced exploration prospect. The signing allows MHC to immediately begin exploration work on San José, and required an initial payment to Minera Andes of US$200,000 (received on March 19, 2001) as part of a total annual payment of US$400,000.

 

Under the agreement, MHC could earn a 51% ownership in the JV by spending a total of $3 million in three years, and a minimum of $100,000 per year on exploration targets within the JV, other than Huevos Verdes, the most advanced prospect. In addition, MHC will make semiannual payments totaling $400,000 per year until pilot plant production is achieved. To date, MHC has made all required payments.

 

On May 6, 2003, the Corporation received notice from MHC that, according to their records, they have fulfilled all obligations necessary to enable MHC to vest at 51% in the San José project, including all obligations under section 4.1.2 of the Option and Joint Venture Agreement dated March 15, 2001 (see Item 2 in the 2002 Form10-KSB and Exhibit 10.19 to the 2000 Form 10-KSB). The Corporation has reviewed and accepted the information submitted by MHC.

 

Now that MHC has vested at a 51% ownership, Minera Andes will have the option of participating in the development of a pilot production plant that would process a minimum of 50 tons per day (tpd). Minera Andes may participate on either a pro-rata basis, or by choosing to retain a 35 percent “carried” ownership interest. Upon the successful completion and operation of the 50 tpd plant, Minera Andes would have the option of participating on a pro-rata basis, or choosing a 15% interest in return to being “carried” to first production of 500 tpd.

 

The Corporation has not yet determined which alternative it will pursue and is presently evaluating alternatives. However, if the Corporation elects to retain its 49% interest in the San José project, the expense payable to MHC is estimated to be approximately $244,000 through June 30, 2003.

 

If we cannot match MHC pro rata, we expect to have our interest in the San José project diluted in accordance with the joint venture agreement. Failure by either party to contribute to work programs will result in simple dilution of that party’s interest in the project. If additional funds are raised during 2003 through the exercise of options, through a further equity financing, by the sale of property interests or by joint venture financing, additional exploration could be planned and carried out on our properties before year-end. If we were to develop a property

 

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or a group of properties beyond the exploration stage, substantial additional financing would be necessary. Such financing would likely be in the form of equity, debt, or a combination of equity and debt. There is no assurance that such financing, if necessary, would be available to Minera Andes on favorable terms.

 

We have budgeted and plan to spend approximately $1.3 million on our mineral property and exploration activities and general and administrative expenses through 2003, with most properties being kept on care and maintenance. See “Description of Properties.” In addition, our joint venture partner on the San José project plans to spend in excess of $2 million for exploration through 2003. Our existing funds plus funds from the joint venture on the San José project are estimated by management to be sufficient to finance a portion of our joint venture costs we have presently forecast for 2003.

 

Results of Operations

 

Second quarter 2003 compared with second quarter 2002

 

The Corporation had a net loss of approximately $212,000 for the second quarter of 2003, compared to a net loss of $119,000 for the second quarter of 2002. Total mineral property and deferred exploration costs were approximately$153,000 during the second quarter of 2003, compared with approximately $62,000 spent in the second quarter of 2002. The increase is reflects increased costs associated with monitoring the Corporation’s joint venture in the San José property in Argentina and costs related to the reconnaissance exploration program in southern Argentina, while still maintaining its staff in Argentina at minimum levels.

 

Six months ended June 30, 2003 compared with the six months ended June 30, 2002

 

The Corporation had a net loss of $423,610 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, compared with a net loss of $225,776 for the comparable period in 2002. Total mineral property and deferred exploration costs for the six months were approximately $264,000 in 2003 and $105,000 in the comparable period of 2002 (before mineral property option proceeds).The increase is reflects increased costs associated with monitoring the Corporation’s joint venture in the San José property in Argentina and costs related to the reconnaissance exploration program. Expenditures in both years were focused on the San José project. Deferred expenditures related to mineral properties and exploration were approximately $3,600,000 at June 30, 2003, compared with $3,425,000 at June 30, 2002.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Due to the nature of the mining industry, the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties requires significant expenditures prior to the commencement of production. To date, the Corporation has financed its activities through the sale of equity securities and joint venture arrangements. The Corporation expects to use similar financing techniques in the future. However, there can be no assurance that the Corporation will be successful with such financings. See “Plan of Operations”.

 

At June 30, 2003 the Corporation had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $568,000 compared to approximately $329,000 at June 30, 2002. Working capital at June 30, 2003 was approximately $632,000, sufficient, together with funds from joint ventures on the San José, as estimated by management, to cover its budgeted expenditures for mineral property and exploration activities on its properties in Argentina and general and administrative expenses through the end of 2003. The Corporation’s operating activities used approximately $0.4 million in the first six months of 2003 compared with approximately $0.3 million in 2002.

 

Administrative expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2003 included approximately $178,000 in consulting fees (an increase of $155,000 over the same period last year, directly related to the more advanced stage of the San José project and stock option compensation expense); approximately $19,000 in travel; approximately

 

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$47,000 in office overhead and approximately $10,000 in telephone expenditures. All of these costs are due to our increased investor relations and public relations program. Wages and benefits were approximately $95,000 during the six months ended 2003 compared to approximately $80,000 in the same period last year. This increase is due to pay adjustments for key employees.

 

The Corporation’s financing activities generated net proceeds of approximately $49,000 (from broker warrant exercise)during the second quarter of 2003 compared with approximately$386,000 in the same period of 2002. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $441,489 in the first six months of 2003 compared to an increase of $208,000 in the same period in 2002. The recoverability of amounts shown as mineral properties and deferred exploration costs is dependent upon the existence of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Corporation to obtain necessary financing to complete their development, and future profitable production or disposition thereof. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in Canada applicable to a going concern. The use of such principles may not be appropriate because, as of June 30, 2003, there was significant doubt that the Corporation would be able to continue as a going concern.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2003, the Corporation had a loss of approximately $424,000 and an accumulated deficit of approximately $14.7 million. In addition, due to the nature of the mining business, the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties requires significant expenditures prior to the commencement of production. To date, the Corporation has financed its activities through the sale of equity securities and joint venture arrangements. The Corporation expects to use similar financing techniques in the future and is actively pursuing such additional sources of financing.

 

Although there is no assurance that the Corporation will be successful in these actions, management believes that they will be able to secure the necessary financing to enable it to continue as a going concern. Accordingly, these financial statements do not reflect adjustments to the carrying value of assets and liabilities, the reported revenues and expenses and balance sheet classifications used that would be necessary if the going concern assumption were not appropriate. Such adjustments could be material.

 

Recent U.S. Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which amends SFAS No. 19, and establishes a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation and abandonment costs. This statement requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The adoption of this statement on January 1, 2003 did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections” (SFAS No. 145). SFAS No. 145 updates, clarifies and simplifies existing accounting pronouncements, by rescinding SFAS No. 4, which required all gains and losses from extinguishments of debt to be aggregated and, if material, classified as an extraordinary item, net of related income tax effect. As a result, the criteria in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 will now be used to classify those gains and losses. Additionally, SFAS No. 145 amends SFAS No. 13 to require that certain lease modifications that have economic effects similar to sale-leaseback transactions be accounted for in the same manner as sale-leaseback transactions. Finally, SFAS No. 145 also makes technical corrections to existing pronouncements. While those corrections are not substantive in nature, in some instances, they may change accounting practice. The provisions of SFAS No. 145 that amend SFAS No. 13 were effective for transactions occurring after May 15, 2002, with all other provisions of SFAS No. 145 being required to be adopted by us in January 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 145 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146 “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” SFAS No. 146 requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. Examples of costs covered by the standard include lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing or other exit or disposal activity. SFAS No. 146 replaces the prior guidance that was provided by EITF Issue No. 94-3 “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS No. 146 is to be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The adoption of SFAS No. 146 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.” SFAS No. 148 provides alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. It also amends the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosure about the effects of reported net income of an entity’s accounting policy decisions with respect to stock-based employee compensation. Finally, this statement amends APB Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosure about those effects in interim financial information. The amendments to SFAS No. 123, which provides alternative methods of transition for an entity that voluntarily changes to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation is effective for financial statements for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The amendment to SFAS No. 123 relating to disclosures and the amendment to Opinion 28 is effective for financial reports containing condensed financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. We have adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123 and do not intend to adopt the fair value accounting provisions of SFAS No. 123. The adoption of SFAS No. 148 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149 “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies financial accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities under FASB Statement No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 149 is effective for all contracts created or modified after June 30, 2003. We do not believe the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 establishes standards on the classification and measurement of certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and to all other instruments that exist as of the beginning of the first interim financial reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003. We do not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 150 will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2003, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (FIN 46) “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements.” FIN 46 clarifies the application of ARB No. 51 to certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 3. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Within the 90 days prior to the date of this report, the Corporation carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c)) under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporation’s management, including the Corporation’s President and its Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, the Corporation’s President and its Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Corporation reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, but are not limited to, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Corporation reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

There were no significant changes in our internal controls or, to our knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect our disclosure controls and procedures subsequent to the date the Corporation carried out this evaluation.

 

 

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PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities

 

On June 25, 2002, the Corporation sold 4,416,667 units to 28 accredited investors for Cdn$0.15 per unit for an aggregate of Cdn$662,500 (US$432,498). Each unit consisted of one common share and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant entitled the holder to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of Cdn$0.35 for a period of 12 months. Each whole warrant had a forced exercise clause (starting when the units were exercisable), whereby the subscribers had to exercise warrants into common shares if the average price of the common shares of the Corporation was equal to or greater than Cdn$0.50 per common share for a period of 30 consecutive trading days.

 

The sale of the units was exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D thereof and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Under the transaction, Haywood Securities Inc. (“Haywood”) acted as the agent and received a 7 percent cash commission. In addition, Haywood received broker warrants equal to 10 percent of the 4,416,667 share private placement. Each broker warrant, upon exercise, entitled the holder to purchase one common share of the Corporation at a price of Cdn$0.15 for a period of 12 months. The units were subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2003, the Corporation issued 441,667 shares for the exercise of broker warrants from the June 25, 2002 financing, with gross proceeds to the Corporation of Cdn$66,250 (US$48,667).

 

On June 25, 2003, purchase warrants to purchase 2,158,330 common shares of the Corporation (from the June 25, 2002 financing) expired, without being exercised.

 

At June 30, 2003, there were no warrants outstanding for the Corporation.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

  a.   Exhibits:

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Identification of Exhibit


31.1    Certification of President pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1    Certification of President pursuant to 18U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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  b.   Reports on Form 8-K:

 

May 19, 2003: An 8-K was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a proposed arrangement agreement with La Mancha Resources.

 

July 2, 2003: An 8-K was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the termination of a proposed arrangement agreement with La Mancha Resources and the announcement that MHC had earned a 51% interest in the San José property.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

       

MINERA ANDES INC.

Date:

 

August 11, 2003


      By:  

/s/ Allen V. Ambrose


               

Allen V. Ambrose

               

President

Date:

 

August 11, 2003


      By:  

/s/ Bonnie L. Kuhn


               

Bonnie L. Kuhn

               

Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

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