CDE-03.31.2012-Q1

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
___________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
___________________________________________
þ
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
OR
¨
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 001-08641
____________________________________________ 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
____________________________________________
Idaho
 
82-0109423
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
PO Box I,
505 Front Ave.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
 
83816
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(208) 667-3511
(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  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files.)    Yes  þ    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
þ
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  þ
The Company has 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01, authorized of which 89,886,250 shares were issued and outstanding as of May 4, 2012.

1


COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION
INDEX
 
 
Page No.
Part I.
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Part II.
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 6.

2




COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
ASSETS
Notes

 
(In thousands, except share data)
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
$
151,883

 
$
175,012

Short term investments
5

 
1,316

 
20,254

Receivables
6

 
84,782

 
83,497

Ore on leach pad
 
 
29,773

 
27,252

Metal and other inventory
7

 
151,049

 
132,781

Deferred tax assets
12

 
2,090

 
1,869

Restricted assets
 
 
456

 
60

Prepaid expenses and other
 
 
19,943

 
24,218

 
 
 
441,292

 
464,943

NON-CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
8

 
693,569

 
687,676

Mining properties, net
9

 
1,975,364

 
2,001,027

Ore on leach pad, non-current portion
 
 
10,613

 
6,679

Restricted assets
 
 
29,247

 
28,911

Marketable securities
5

 
20,268

 
19,844

Receivables, non-current portion
6

 
41,641

 
40,314

Debt issuance costs, net
 
 
1,633

 
1,889

Deferred tax assets
12

 
202

 
263

Other
 
 
12,664

 
12,895

TOTAL ASSETS
 
 
$
3,226,493

 
$
3,264,441

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
 
$
64,307

 
$
78,590

Accrued liabilities and other
 
 
8,875

 
13,126

Accrued income taxes
 
 
13,577

 
47,803

Accrued payroll and related benefits
 
 
13,244

 
16,240

Accrued interest payable
 
 
1,122

 
559

Current portion of capital leases and other debt obligations
10

 
80,857

 
32,602

Current portion of royalty obligation
10,15
 
64,739

 
61,721

Current portion of reclamation and mine closure
11

 
1,978

 
1,387

Deferred tax liabilities
12

 
284

 
53

 
 
 
248,983

 
252,081

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt and capital leases
10

 
63,934

 
115,861

Non-current portion of royalty obligation
10,15
 
176,119

 
169,788

Reclamation and mine closure
11

 
32,488

 
32,371

Deferred tax liabilities
12

 
535,180

 
527,573

Other long-term liabilities
 
 
28,236

 
30,046

 
 
 
835,957

 
875,639

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16)
 
 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 150,000,000 shares, 89,882,510 issued at March 31, 2012 and 89,655,124 issued at December 31, 2011
 
 
899

 
897

Additional paid-in capital
 
 
2,586,063

 
2,585,632

Accumulated deficit
 
 
(440,858
)
 
(444,833
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
 
(4,551
)
 
(4,975
)
 
 
 
2,141,553

 
2,136,721

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
$
3,226,493

 
$
3,264,441


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

3


COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In thousands, except share data)
Sales of metal
$
204,564

 
$
199,624

Production costs applicable to sales
(92,554
)
 
(92,474
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
(52,592
)
 
(50,041
)
Gross profit
59,418

 
57,109

COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
 
 
Administrative and general
7,596

 
12,231

Exploration
6,567

 
2,762

Pre-development, care, maintenance and other
1,068

 
3,574

Total cost and expenses
15,231

 
18,567

OPERATING INCOME
44,187

 
38,542

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
 
 
 
Loss on debt extinguishments

 
(467
)
Fair value adjustments, net
(23,113
)
 
(5,302
)
Interest income and other
5,007

 
1,934

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
(6,670
)
 
(9,304
)
Total other income and expense
(24,776
)
 
(13,139
)
Income before income taxes
19,411

 
25,403

Income tax provision
(15,436
)
 
(12,939
)
NET INCOME
$
3,975

 
$
12,464

BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE
 
 
 
Basic income per share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.04

 
$
0.14

Diluted income per share:
 
 
 
Net income
$
0.04

 
$
0.14

Weighted average number of shares of common stock
 
 
 
Basic
89,591

 
89,288

Diluted
89,821

 
89,653

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

4


COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In thousands)
Net income
$
3,975

 
$
12,464

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities
424

 

Other comprehensive income
424

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
$
4,399

 
$
12,464

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

COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Common
Stock
Shares
 
Common
Stock Par
Value
 
Additional Paid-
In Capital
 
Accumulated
(Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total
Balances at December 31, 2011
89,655

 
$
897

 
$
2,585,632

 
$
(444,833
)
 
$
(4,975
)
 
$
2,136,721

Net income

 

 

 
3,975

 

 
3,975

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
424

 
424

Common stock issued/cancelled under long-term incentive plans and director fees and options, net
228

 
2

 
431

 

 

 
433

Balances at March 31, 2012
89,883

 
$
899

 
$
2,586,063

 
$
(440,858
)
 
$
(4,551
)
 
$
2,141,553

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

5


COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Net income
$
3,975

 
$
12,464

Add (deduct) non-cash items
 
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
52,592

 
50,041

Accretion of discount on debt and other assets, net
541

 
450

Accretion of royalty obligation
4,580

 
5,267

Deferred income taxes
7,677

 
5,870

Loss on debt extinguishment

 
467

Fair value adjustments, net
21,778

 
6,661

Loss on foreign currency transactions
299

 
109

Share-based compensation
2,137

 
8,155

Other non-cash charges
256

 
632

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and other current assets
(2,956
)
 
(4,841
)
Prepaid expenses and other
4,774

 
(19
)
Inventories
(24,722
)
 
(12,493
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(53,929
)
 
(36,977
)
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
17,002

 
35,786

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Purchase of short term investments
(1,035
)
 
(1,229
)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short term investments
20,018

 
586

Capital expenditures
(31,647
)
 
(15,918
)
Other
185

 
(51
)
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(12,479
)
 
(16,612
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of notes and bank borrowings

 
27,500

Payments on long-term debt, capital leases, and associated costs
(5,166
)
 
(18,531
)
Payments on gold production royalty
(21,374
)
 
(14,618
)
Payments on gold lease facility

 
(13,800
)
Additions to restricted assets associated with the Kensington Term Facility

 
(1,325
)
Other
(1,112
)
 
(91
)
CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(27,652
)
 
(20,865
)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(23,129
)
 
(1,691
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
175,012

 
66,118

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
151,883

 
$
64,427

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

6

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)



NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Basis of Presentation — The Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regarding interim financial reporting and include the accounts of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Coeur” or the “Company”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated during consolidation. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, these unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011, included herein, was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the Company’s results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2012. All references to March 31, 2012 or to the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited.
Use of Estimates: The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Areas requiring significant management estimates and assumptions include: recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves that are the basis of future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation, depletion and amortization calculations; useful lives utilized for depreciation and amortization; estimates of future cash flows for long-lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; amount and timing of reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; assessment of valuation allowance for value added tax receivables; and employee benefit liabilities.
Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications of prior year balances have been made to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported financial position or results of operation.
NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements: Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted ASU 2011-04 which included new guidance on fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. This standard provides guidance on the application of fair value accounting where it is already required or permitted by other standards. This standard also requires additional disclosures related to transfers of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy and quantitative and qualitative disclosures related to significant unobservable inputs. In addition, the standard includes specifications for the categorization by level of the fair value hierarchy for items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position, but for which the fair value of such items is required to be disclosed. The adoption of this standard has no effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Refer to Note 4 — Fair Value Measurements, for further details regarding the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted ASU 2011-05 which includes guidance for presentation of comprehensive income and requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The updated guidance was effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2012. The Company chose to use the two-statement approach and the update has no effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
NOTE 3 – EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, 1,167 shares of common stock equivalents related to equity-based awards have not been included in the diluted per share calculation as the shares would be antidilutive. For the three months ended March 31, 2011, 1,394,136 shares of common stock equivalents related to convertible debt and equity based awards have not been included in the diluted per share calculation, as the shares would be antidilutive. The 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes were not included in the computation of diluted earning per share because there is no excess value upon conversion over the principle amount of the Notes. The effect

7

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

of potentially dilutive stock outstanding as of March 31, 2012, and 2011 are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 
Three months ended March 31, 2012
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Shares
(Denominator)
 
Per-Share
Amount
Basic EPS
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common stockholders
$
3,975

 
89,591

 
$
0.04

Effect of Dilutive Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Equity awards

 
230

 
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common stockholders
$
3,975

 
89,821

 
$
0.04

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended March 31, 2011
 
Income
(Numerator)
 
Shares
(Denominator)
 
Per-Share
Amount
Basic EPS
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common stockholders
$
12,464

 
89,288

 
$
0.14

Effect of Dilutive Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Equity awards

 
365

 
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
 
 
Net income available to common stockholders
$
12,464

 
89,653

 
$
0.14

NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2
Quoted market prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
Level 3
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by accounting guidance, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
 
Fair Value at March 31, 2012
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3  
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
25,679

 
$
25,679

 
$

 
$

Short-term investments
1,316

 
1,316

 

 

Marketable equity securities
20,268

 
20,268

 

 

Restricted certificates of deposit
897

 
897

 

 

Put and call options
98

 

 
98

 

Silver ounces receivable from Mandalay
899

 

 
899

 

 
$
49,157

 
$
48,160

 
$
997

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty obligation embedded derivative
$
171,797

 
$

 
$
171,797

 
$

Put and call options
17,782

 

 
17,782

 

Other derivative instruments, net
13

 

 
13

 

 
$
189,592

 
$

 
$
189,592

 
$


8

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

 
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2011
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3  
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents
$
44,708

 
$
44,708

 
$

 
$

Short term investments
20,254

 
20,254

 

 

Marketable securities
19,844

 
19,844

 

 

Restricted certificates of deposit
548

 
548

 

 

Put and call options
3,040

 

 
3,040

 

Silver ounces receivable from Mandalay
814

 

 
814

 

 
$
89,208

 
$
85,354

 
$
3,854

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Royalty obligation embedded derivative
$
159,400

 
$

 
$
159,400

 
$

Put and call options
20,892

 

 
20,892

 

Other derivative instruments, net
4,012

 

 
4,012

 

 
$
184,304

 
$

 
$
184,304

 
$

The Company’s cash equivalents and short-term investments are readily convertible to cash and, therefore these investments are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s marketable equity securities are recorded at fair market value in the financial statements based on quoted market prices, which are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets. Such instruments are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Company’s derivative instruments related to the put and call options, silver ounces receivable from Mandalay, royalty obligation embedded derivative, and other derivative instruments, net, which relate to the concentrate sales contracts and foreign exchange contracts, are valued using pricing models which require inputs that are derived from observable market data, including contractual terms, forward market prices, yield curves and credit spreads. The model inputs can generally be verified and do not involve significant management judgment. Such instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Company had no Level 3 financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.
There were no transfers between levels of fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities during the first quarter of 2012.
Financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are set forth in the following table (in thousands):
 
Fair Value at March 31, 2012
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3  
Liabilities:

 
 
 
 
 
 
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes
$
48,658

 
$
48,658

 
$

 
$

Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty Obligation
$
105,613

 
$

 
$
105,613

 
$

 
Fair Value at December 31, 2011
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3  
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes
$
49,205

 
$
49,205

 
$

 
$

Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty Obligation
$
111,257

 
$

 
$
111,257

 
$

The fair value at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes outstanding were determined by market transactions. As such, the notes are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of the Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty Obligation is valued using a pricing model which requires inputs

9

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

that are derived from observable market data, including contractual terms, yield curves, and credit spreads. The model inputs can generally be verified and do not involve significant management judgment. As such, the obligation is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of the Kensington Term Facility is valued at the outstanding principal amount plus accrued but unpaid interest which approximates book value. The interest rate is periodically adjusted per contractual terms to give effect to current rates that market participants would consider when pricing the obligation.
The fair value of the Company's receivables, restricted assets, payables, accrued liabilities, and capital leases approximate book value due to the nature of these assets and liabilities and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy, except for capital leases which are classified as Level 2.
The fair value of the Company's non-current portion of the refundable value added tax is not practicable to estimate due to the uncertainty of the timing of the expected future cash flows to be received.
NOTE 5 – INVESTMENTS IN MARKETABLE SECURITIES
The Company classifies the marketable securities in which it invests as available-for-sale securities. Such securities are measured at fair market value in the financial statements with unrealized gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). At the time securities are sold or otherwise disposed of, gains or losses are included in net income. The equity securities reflected in the table below consist of equity securities of silver exploration and development companies that the Company purchased. The following table summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale securities on hand as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):
 
 
Investments in marketable securities
 
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Marketable securities at March 31, 2012
$
24,819

 
$
(4,551
)
 
$

 
$
20,268

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketable securities at December 31, 2011
$
24,819

 
$
(4,975
)
 
$

 
$
19,844

In the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $0.4 million and nil, respectively, in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company performs a quarterly assessment on each of their marketable securities with unrealized losses to determine if the security is other than temporarily impaired. The Company has the intent and ability to hold these investments until they recover or increase in value. The Company’s management team uses industry knowledge and expertise and has determined that these unrealized losses are not other than temporary based on a review of the potential for each company in which it currently holds investments.
Gross realized gains and losses are based on cost, net of discount or premium of investments sold. There were no realized gains or losses in any of the periods presented.
In addition, the Company had $1.3 million and $20.3 million of short-term investments at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. These investments are primarily in certificates of deposit with various banks and all have maturity dates of less that one year.
NOTE 6 – RECEIVABLES
Receivables consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31,
2011
Receivables - current portion
 
 
 
Accounts receivable - trade
$
8,278

 
$
14,366

Refundable income tax
11,449

 
11,480

Refundable value added tax
60,153

 
52,968

Accounts receivable - other
4,902

 
4,683

 
$
84,782

 
$
83,497

Receivables - non-current portion
 
 
 
Refundable value added tax
$
41,641

 
$
40,314

 

10

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

Trade receivables and other receivable balances recorded in other current assets are reported at outstanding principal amounts, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Management evaluates the collectability of receivable account balances to determine the allowance, if any. The Company determined that no allowance against its receivable balances at March 31, 2012, or December 31, 2011 was necessary.
Taxes paid to foreign governments that are refundable to the Company are classified as “Refundable value added tax” at the face value of the amount of the tax refund due. Refunds expected to be received in the next twelve months are classified as “current” and amounts that are expected to be received after twelve months are classified as “non-current”.
NOTE 7 – METAL AND OTHER INVENTORY
Metal and other inventory consist of the following (in thousands): 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31,
2011
Concentrate and doré inventory
$
86,613

 
$
73,590

Supplies
64,436

 
59,191

Metal and other inventory
$
151,049

 
$
132,781

NOTE 8 – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands): 
 
March 31, 2012
 
December 31,
2011
Land
$
1,432

 
$
1,432

Building improvements
535,911

 
520,137

Machinery and equipment
260,620

 
246,584

Capitalized leases for machinery, equipment and buildings
77,435

 
76,244

 
875,398

 
844,397

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(253,551
)
 
(235,528
)
 
621,847

 
608,869

Construction in progress
71,722

 
78,807

 
$
693,569

 
$
687,676

NOTE 9 – MINING PROPERTIES
Mining properties consist of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2012
Palmarejo
 
San
Bartolomé
 
Kensington
 
Rochester
 
Martha
 
Endeavor
 
Other
 
Total
Operational mining properties
$
138,333

 
$
69,019

 
$
325,102

 
$
113,094

 
$
13,226

 
$

 
$

 
$
658,774

Accumulated depletion
(61,065
)
 
(15,871
)
 
(29,441
)
 
(98,391
)
 
(10,807
)
 

 

 
(215,575
)
 
77,268

 
53,148

 
295,661

 
14,703

 
2,419

 

 

 
443,199

Mineral interests (A)
1,658,389

 
26,642

 

 

 

 
44,033

 

 
1,729,064

Accumulated depletion
(179,015
)
 
(6,348
)
 

 

 

 
(11,678
)
 

 
(197,041
)
 
1,479,374

 
20,294

 

 

 

 
32,355

 

 
1,532,023

Non-producing and development properties

 

 

 

 

 

 
142

 
142

Total mining properties
$
1,556,642

 
$
73,442

 
$
295,661

 
$
14,703

 
$
2,419

 
$
32,355

 
$
142

 
$
1,975,364

 

11

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

December 31, 2011
Palmarejo
 
San
Bartolomé
 
Kensington
 
Rochester
 
Martha
 
Endeavor
 
Other
 
Total
Operational mining properties
$
134,296

 
$
68,684

 
$
321,456

 
$
112,826

 
$
12,643

 
$

 
$

 
$
649,905

Accumulated depletion
(53,060
)
 
(14,989
)
 
(27,160
)
 
(97,834
)
 
(10,373
)
 

 

 
(203,416
)
 
81,236

 
53,695

 
294,296

 
14,992

 
2,270

 

 

 
446,489

Mineral interests (A)
1,658,389

 
26,642

 

 

 

 
44,033

 

 
1,729,064

Accumulated depletion
(158,627
)
 
(6,007
)
 

 

 

 
(10,034
)
 

 
(174,668
)
 
1,499,762

 
20,635

 

 

 

 
33,999

 

 
1,554,396

Non-producing and development properties

 

 

 

 

 

 
142

 
142

Total mining properties
$
1,580,998

 
$
74,330

 
$
294,296

 
$
14,992

 
$
2,270

 
$
33,999

 
$
142

 
$
2,001,027

A.
See mineral interest explanations under operational mining properties for Palmarejo and San Bartolomé.
Operational Mining Properties
Palmarejo Mine: The Palmarejo silver and gold mine is an underground and surface mine located in the State of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, and its principal silver and gold properties are collectively referred to as the “Palmarejo mine.” On December 31, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the shares of Bolnisi and Palmarejo in exchange for a total of approximately 272 million shares of Coeur common stock and a total cash payment of approximately $1.1 million. The total consideration paid was $1.1 billion and assumed liabilities were $0.7 billion. This amount is presented in mineral interests in the above table. The Palmarejo mine commenced commercial production in April 2009.

San Bartolomé Mine: The San Bartolomé mine is a silver mine located near the city of Potosi, Bolivia. The mineral rights for the San Bartolomé project are held through long-term joint venture/lease agreements with several local independent mining co-operatives and the Bolivian state owned mining organization, ("COMIBOL"). These are presented in mineral interests in the table above. The Company commenced commercial production at San Bartolomé in June 2008.
Kensington Mine: The Kensington mine is an underground gold mine and consists of the Kensington and adjacent Jualin properties located on the east side of the Lynn Canal about 45 miles north-northwest of Juneau, Alaska. The Kensington mine commenced commercial production in July 2010.
Rochester Mine: The Company has conducted operations at the Rochester mine, located in Western Nevada, since September 1986. The mine utilizes the heap-leaching process to extract both silver and gold from ore mined using open pit methods. Rochester’s primary product is silver with gold produced as a by-product.
Martha Mine: The Martha mine is an underground silver mine located in Argentina. Coeur acquired a 100% interest in the Martha mine in April 2002.
Mineral Interests
Endeavor Mine: In May 2005, CDE Australia Pty Ltd, (“CDE Australia”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur acquired the silver production and reserves, up to a maximum 17.7 million  payable ounces, contained at the Endeavor mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Cobar Operations Pty. Limited (“Cobar”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (“CBH”). In March 2006, CDE Australia entered into an amended agreement under which it owns all silver production and reserves up to a total of 20.0 million payable ounces.
CDE Australia began realizing reductions in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008 as a result of a silver price sharing provision that was part of the purchase agreement. CDE Australia has received approximately 3.8 million payable ounces to-date and the current ore reserve contains approximately 3.7 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms.
Non-Producing and Development Properties
Joaquin Project – Argentina: The Joaquin project is located in the Santa Cruz province of southern Argentina. The Company commenced exploration of this large property, consisting of over 28,450 hectares (70,300 acres) north of the Company's Martha silver and gold mine, in November 2007. Since that time the Company has defined silver and gold mineralization in two deposits at Joaquin, La Negra and La Morocha, and has recently commenced work on detailed drilling and other technical, economic and environmental programs which it expects will lead to completion of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies. The Company has not

12

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

capitalized any expenditures associated with the Joaquin Project as of March 31, 2012.
NOTE 10 – DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
The current and non-current portions of long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
Current
 
Non-Current
 
Current
 
Non-Current
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2028
$
46,157

 
$

 
$

 
$
45,545

Kensington Term Facility
21,747

 
54,075

 
15,398

 
60,425

Capital lease obligations
12,953

 
9,859

 
17,119

 
9,891

Other

 

 
85

 

 
$
80,857

 
$
63,934

 
$
32,602

 
$
115,861


3.25% Convertible Senior Notes
As of March 31, 2012, the outstanding balance of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 was $48.7 million, or $46.2 million net of debt discount. The notes were reclassified from non-current to current liabilities as a result of the holders' option to require the Company to repurchase the notes on March 15, 2013.
The notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 3.25% per year, payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2008. The notes mature on March 15, 2028, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased by the Company.
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on March 15, 2013, March 15, 2015, March 15, 2018 and March 15, 2023 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. Holders have the right, following certain fundamental change transactions, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may redeem the notes for cash in whole or in part at any time on or after March 22, 2015 at 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The notes provide for “net share settlement” of any conversions. Pursuant to this feature, upon conversion of the notes, the Company (1) will pay the note holder an amount in cash equal to the lesser of the conversion obligation or the principal amount of the notes and (2) will settle any excess of the conversion obligation above the notes’ principal amount in the Company’s common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at the Company’s election.
The notes are convertible under certain circumstances, at the holder’s option, at a conversion rate of 17.60254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $56.81 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
The fair value of the notes outstanding, as determined by market transactions at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $48.7 million and $49.2 million, respectively. The carrying value of the equity component at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $10.9 million and $10.9 million, respectively.
For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 interest expense recognized was $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and accretion of the debt discount was $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The debt discount remaining at March 31, 2012 was $2.5 million, which will be amortized through March 15, 2013. The effective interest rate on the notes was 8.9%.
Kensington Term Facility
As of March 31, 2012 the outstanding balance of the Kensington Term Facility was $75.8 million.
As a condition to the Kensington term facility with Credit Suisse, the Company agreed to enter into a gold hedging program which protects a minimum of 243,750 ounces of gold production over the life of the term facility against the risk associated with fluctuations in the market price of gold. This program consists of a series of zero cost collars which consist of a floor price and a ceiling price of gold. Call options protecting 136,000 ounces of gold were outstanding at March 31, 2012. The weighted average strike price of the call options was $1,919.83. Put options protecting 173,000 ounces of gold were outstanding at March 31, 2012. The weighted average strike price of the options was $954.74.

13

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

The Amended Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants that the Company believes are usual and customary, including financial covenants that Coeur Alaska’s debt to equity ratio shall not exceed 40%, the ratio of project cash flow to debt service shall be at least 125%, the tangible net worth of the Borrower is not less than $325 million and the tangible net worth of the Guarantor is no less than $1.0 billion. Project covenants include covenants as to performance of sales contracts, maintenance and management. As of March 31, 2012, the Company was not in compliance with the debt service ratio covenant. The bank has waived that requirement of the agreement for the year ending December 31, 2012.
Capital Lease Obligations
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding balances on capital leases of $22.8 million and $27.0 million, respectively.
Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty Obligation
The Company recognized accretion expense on the Palmarejo gold production royalty obligation for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 of $5.1 million and $5.3 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the remaining minimum obligation under the royalty agreement was $69.1 million and $72.1 million, respectively.
Interest Expense
The Company expenses interest incurred on its various debt instruments as a cost of operating its properties. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company expensed interest of $6.7 million and $9.3 million, respectively.
 
Three month ended March 31,
 
2012
2011
 
(in thousands)
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2028
$
395

$
395

1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due January 2024

1

Senior Term Notes due December 2012

488

Kensington Term Facility
974

1,105

Capital lease obligations
343

466

Other debt obligations
69

469

Gold Lease Facility

107

Accretion of Franco Nevada royalty obligation
5,104

5,267

Amortization of debt issuance costs
256

624

Accretion of debt discount
612

560

Capitalized interest
(1,083
)
(178
)
Total interest expense, net of capitalized interest
$
6,670

$
9,304

Capitalized Interest
The Company capitalizes interest incurred on its various debt instruments as a cost of properties under development. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company capitalized interest of $1.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
NOTE 11 – RECLAMATION AND MINE CLOSURE
Reclamation and mine closure costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Management estimates costs associated with reclamation of mining properties as well as remediation costs for inactive properties. The Company uses assumptions about future costs, mineral prices, mineral processing recovery rates, production levels, capital costs and reclamation costs. Such assumptions are based on the Company’s current mining plan and the best available information for making such estimates. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions; however, actual amounts could differ from those based on such estimates and assumptions.




14


Changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligations are as follows (in thousands): 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Asset retirement obligation - Beginning
$
32,714

 
$
27,302

Accretion
724

 
637

Addition and changes in estimates

 

Settlements
(4
)
 
(31
)
Asset retirement obligation - March 31
$
33,434

 
$
27,908

In addition, the Company has accrued $1.0 million and $1.0 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, for reclamation liabilities related to former mining activities. These amounts are also included in reclamation and mine closure liabilities.
NOTE 12 – INCOME TAXES
For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company reported an income tax provision of approximately $15.4 million and $12.9 million, respectively. The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s income tax provision from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands): 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Current:
 
 
 
United States - Alternative minimum tax
$

 
$
1,938

United States - Foreign withholding
(17
)
 
(78
)
Argentina
(201
)
 
98

Australia
(371
)
 
101

Mexico
(154
)
 
(50
)
Bolivia
(7,015
)
 
(9,079
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
United States
(3,120
)
 
(616
)
Australia
(340
)
 
(519
)
Mexico
(3,544
)
 
(3,776
)
Bolivia
(674
)
 
(958
)
Income tax provision from continuing operations
$
(15,436
)
 
$
(12,939
)
The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2012 varies from the statutory rate primarily because of differences in tax rates for the Company’s foreign operations and changes in valuation allowances for net deferred tax assets, permanent differences and foreign exchange rate differences. The Company has U.S. net operating loss carryforwards which expire in 2017 through 2031. Net operating losses in foreign countries have an indefinite carryforward period, except in Mexico where net operating loss carryforwards are limited to ten years.
NOTE 13 – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company has an annual incentive plan and a long-term incentive plan. The Company’s shareholders approved the Amended and Restated 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation at the 2010 annual shareholders meeting.
The compensation expense (benefit) recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 for stock based compensation awards was $1.7 million and $8.2 million, respectively. The stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance units outstanding under the plan are liability-based awards and are required to be re-measured at the end of each reporting period with corresponding adjustments to previously recognized and future stock-based compensation expense. As of March 31, 2012, there was $9.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to unvested stock options, SARs, restricted stock, RSUs, performance shares and performance units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.9 years.


15

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

The following table summarizes the new grants issued during the three months ended March 31, 2012:
Grant date
Restricted
stock
 
Grant date fair
value of
restricted stock
 
Stock options
 
Grant date
fair value of
stock
options
 
Performance
shares
 
Grant date fair
value of
performance
shares
January 31, 2012
165,169

 
$
27.66

 
120,720

 
$
17.67

 
77,137

 
$
41.53

March 1, 2012
4,844

 
$
28.72

 

 
$

 

 
$

The following options and stock appreciation rights were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2012:
Award Type
Number of Units
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Options
16,403

 
$
9.29

Stock Appreciation Rights
17,832

 
$
11.16

The following shows the weighted average fair value of SARs, performance units and RSUs outstanding at March 31, 2012: 
  
March 31, 2012
  
SARs
 
Performance
units
 
Restricted
stock units
Weighted average fair value
$
16.84

 
$
33.80

 
$
23.74


The following table shows the options and SARs exercisable at March 31, 2012:
Options
Exercisable
 
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
 
SARs
Exercisable
 
Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
231,591
 
$32.86
 
61,090
 
$13.87
NOTE 14 – DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND 401(k) PLANS
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company provides a noncontributory defined contribution retirement plan for all eligible U.S. employees. Total contributions, which are based on a percentage of the salary of eligible employees, were $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
401(k) Plan
The Company maintains a retirement savings plan (which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code) covering all eligible U.S. employees. Under the plan, employees may elect to contribute up to 100% of their cash compensation, subject to ERISA limitations. The Company adopted a Safe Harbor Tiered Match and is required to make matching contributions equal to 100% of the employee’s contribution up to 3% of the employee’s compensation plus matching contributions equal to 50% of the employee’s contribution up to an additional 2% of the employee’s compensation. Total plan expenses recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
NOTE 15 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty
On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation. The minimum royalty obligation ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold. As of March 31, 2012, a total of 239,974 ounces of gold remain outstanding under the minimum royalty obligation. The price volatility associated with the minimum royalty obligation is considered an embedded derivative financial instrument under U.S. GAAP. The fair value of the embedded derivative at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was a liability of $171.8 million and $159.4 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, mark-to-market adjustments for this embedded derivative amounted to a loss of $12.4 million and a gain of $1.1 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, realized losses on settlement of the liabilities were $13.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively. The mark-to-market adjustments and realized losses are included in fair value adjustments, net in the consolidated statement of operations.


16

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Company periodically enters into forward foreign currency contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Mexican peso (“MXP”) operating costs at its Palmarejo mine. At March 31, 2012, the Company had MXP foreign exchange contracts of $25.8 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for MXP at a weighted average exchange rate of 12.78 MXP to each U.S. dollar and had a fair value of $(0.5) million at March 31, 2012. At December 31, 2011, the Company had MXP foreign exchange contracts of $25.5 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts required the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for MXP at a weighted average exchange rate of 12.40 MXP to each U.S. dollar and had a fair value of $(3.2) million at December 31, 2011. The Company recorded mark-to-market gains on these contracts of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, and mark-to-market gains of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. These mark-to-market adjustments are reflected in fair value adjustments, net. The Company recorded realized gains (losses) of $(0.8) million and $0.3 million in production costs applicable to sales during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Concentrate Sales Contracts
The Company enters into concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. The provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative, which is the final settlement price based on a future price, does not qualify for hedge accounting. These embedded derivatives are recorded as derivative assets (in Prepaid expenses and other) or derivative liabilities (in Accrued liabilities and other) on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings each period until the date of final settlement. At March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $16.2 million, consisting of 0.3 million ounces of silver and 3,181 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of $16.7 million including the embedded derivative. At December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $22.5 million consisting of 0.2 million ounces of silver and 9,701 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $21.7 million including the embedded derivative.

Commodity Derivatives
As of March 31, 2012, in connection with the Kensington term facility, the Company had outstanding call options requiring it to deliver 136,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $1,919.83 per ounce if the market price of gold exceeds the strike price. At March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding put options allowing it to sell 173,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $954.74 per ounce if the market price of gold were to fall below the strike price. The contracts will expire over the next four years. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the fair market value of these contracts was a net liability of $17.7 million and $17.9 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 no gold call options expired. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, 17,000 ounces of gold put options expired resulting in a realized loss of $0.7 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, 11,250 ounces of gold call options at a weighted average strike price of $1,723.11 expired resulting in a realized gain of $0.7 million and 11,250 ounces of gold put options at a weighted average strike price of $878.56 per ounce expired resulting in a realized loss of $0.7 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recorded unrealized gains (losses) of $0.2 million and $(0.7) million, respectively, related to the outstanding options which was included in fair value adjustments, net.
In connection with the sale of the Cerro Bayo mine to Mandalay Resources Corporation, the Company received the right to 125,000 ounces of silver to be delivered in six equal quarterly installments commencing in the third quarter of 2011. The third installment of 20,833 ounces was received on March 31, 2012 and the Company realized a $0.3 million gain on the settlement. The Company recognized mark to market gains of $0.1 million and $0.8 million associated with this silver in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The silver had a fair value of $2.0 million at March 31, 2012, and a fair value of $2.3 million at December 31, 2011.








17

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had the following derivative instruments that settle in each of the years indicated in the table (in thousands except average rates, ounces and per share data):
 
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
Thereafter
Palmarejo gold production royalty
$
20,784

 
$
25,097

 
$
24,895

 
$
48,337

Average gold price in excess of minimum contractual deduction
$
499

 
$
502

 
$
498

 
$
492

Notional ounces
41,670

 
50,004

 
50,004

 
98,296

Mexican peso forward purchase contracts
$
25,800

 
$

 
$

 
$

Average rate (MXP/$)
$
12.78

 
$

 
$

 
$

Mexican peso notional amount
329,603

 

 

 

Silver ounces receivable from Mandalay
$
1,152

 
$

 
$

 
$

Average silver forward price
$
18.43

 
$

 
$

 
$

Notional ounces
62,500

 

 

 

Silver concentrate sales agreements
$
10,689

 
$

 
$

 
$

Average silver price
$
31.71

 
$

 
$

 
$

Notional ounces
337,058

 

 

 

Gold concentrates sales agreements
$
5,500

 
$

 
$

 
$

Average gold price
$
1,729

 
$

 
$

 
$

Notional ounces
3,181

 

 

 

Gold put options purchased
$
2,160

 
$
1,800

 
$
720

 
$

Average gold strike price
$
923

 
$
928

 
$
979

 
$
1,010

Notional ounces
51,000

 
45,000

 
47,000

 
30,000

Gold call options sold
$

 
$
1,800

 
$
720

 
$

Average gold strike price
2,000

 
1,827

 
1,934

 
2,000

Notional ounces
14,000

 
45,000

 
47,000

 
30,000


The following summarizes the classification of the fair value of the derivative instruments as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):
 
March 31, 2012
 
Prepaid
expenses and
other
 
Accrued
liabilities and
other
 
Other long-
term
liabilities
 
Current
portion of
royalty
obligation
 
Non-current
portion of
royalty
obligation
Silver ounces receivable from Mandalay
$
899

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Forward foreign exchange contracts
480

 
978

 

 

 

Palmarejo gold production royalty

 

 

 
40,909

 
130,888

Put and call options, net

 
3,501

 
14,183

 

 

Concentrate sales contracts
634

 
122

 

 

 

 
$
2,013

 
$
4,601

 
$
14,183

 
$
40,909

 
$
130,888


18

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

 
December 31, 2011
 
Prepaid
expenses and
other
 
Accrued
liabilities and
other
 
Other long-
term
Liabilities
 
Current
portion of
royalty
obligation
 
Non-current
portion of
royalty
obligation
Silver ounces receivable from Mandalay
$
814

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Forward foreign exchange contracts

 
3,188

 

 

 

Palmarejo gold production royalty

 

 

 
37,206

 
122,194

Put and call options, net

 
3,183

 
14,669

 

 

Concentrate sales contracts

 
825

 

 

 

 
$
814

 
$
7,196

 
$
14,669

 
$
37,206

 
$
122,194

The following represent mark-to-market gains (losses) on derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
Financial statement line
Derivative
 
2012
 
2011
Sales of metal
Concentrate sales contracts
 
$
1,336

 
$
(1,349
)
Production costs applicable to sales
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
(783
)
 
252

Fair value adjustments, net
Gold lease facility
 

 
(132
)
Fair value adjustments, net
Forward foreign exchange contracts
 
2,690

 
1,005

Fair value adjustments, net
Forward gold contract
 

 
35

Fair value adjustments, net
Silver ounces receivable
 
359

 
831

Fair value adjustments, net
Palmarejo gold royalty
 
(25,611
)
 
(6,343
)
Fair value adjustments, net
Put and call options
 
(551
)
 
(698
)
 
 
 
$
(22,560
)
 
$
(6,399
)

Credit Risk
The credit risk exposure related to any potential derivative instruments is limited to the unrealized gains, if any, on outstanding contracts based on current market prices. To reduce counter-party credit exposure, the Company deals with financial institutions management deems credit worthy and limits credit exposure to each. The Company does not anticipate non-performance by any of its counterparties. In addition, to allow for situations where positions may need to be revised, the Company deals only in markets that management considers highly liquid.
NOTE 16 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Labor Union Contracts
The Company maintains two labor agreements in South America, consisting of a labor agreement with Associacion Obrera Minera Argentina at the Martha mine in Argentina and with Sindicato de la Empresa Minera Manquiri at the San Bartolomé mine in Bolivia. The agreement at the Martha mine is effective from June 12, 2006 to June 30, 2012. The labor agreement at the San Bartolomé mine, which became effective October 11, 2007, does not have a fixed term. As of March 31, 2012, approximately 14.0% of the Company’s worldwide labor force was covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Termination Benefits
The Company established a termination benefit program for its employees at the Rochester mine in 2005. The program provides a financial benefit in the form of severance pay to terminated employees if their employment is terminated due to curtailment of operations. The individual benefit is based on the employee’s service time and rate of pay at the time of termination. The Rochester mine resumed mining and crushing operations in late 2011, and currently employs more than 200 employees. This termination benefit program has been extended to include newly hired employees. As of March 31, 2012, the total benefit expected to be incurred under this plan is approximately $4.6 million. The liability is recognized at the discounted amount and accreted over the service period.


19

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

Changes to the Company's termination benefits are as follows (in thousands):
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Beginning Balance
$
3,335

 
$
1,105

Accruals
87

 
786

Payments

 

Ending Balance
$
3,422

 
$
1,891

The Company does not have a written severance plan for any of its foreign operations including Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico. However, laws in these foreign jurisdictions require payment of certain minimum statutory termination benefits. Accordingly, in situations where minimum statutory termination benefits must be paid to the affected employees, the Company records employee severance costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company has accrued obligations for post-employment benefits in these locations of approximately $7.2 million and $7.4 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
Kensington Production Royalty
On July 7, 1995, Coeur, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coeur Alaska, Inc., acquired the 50% ownership interest of Echo Bay Exploration Inc., or Echo Bay, giving Coeur 100% ownership of the Kensington property. Coeur Alaska is obligated to pay Echo Bay, a subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation, a scaled net smelter return royalty on 1.0 million ounces of future gold production after Coeur Alaska recoups the $32.5 million purchase price and its construction and development expenditures incurred after July 7, 1995 in connection with placing the property into commercial production. The royalty ranges from 1% at gold prices of $400 per ounce to a maximum of 2.5% at gold prices above $475 per ounce, with the royalty to be capped at 1.0 million ounces of production. No royalty has been paid to date.
Rochester Production Royalty
The Company acquired the Rochester property from ASARCO, a subsidiary of Grupo Mexico SA de CV, in 1983. The Company is obligated to pay a net smelter royalty interest to ASARCO when the market price of silver equals or exceeds $23.60 per ounce up to a maximum rate of 5%. Royalty expense was $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty
On January 21, 2009, Coeur Mexicana entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. The royalty agreement provides for a minimum obligation to be paid monthly on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold, or 4,167 ounces per month over an initial eight year period.
NOTE 17 – SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
The Company markets its doré to credit worthy bullion trading houses, market makers and members of the London Bullion Market Association, industrial companies and sound financial institutions. The refined metals are sold to end users for use in electronic circuitry, jewelry, silverware, pharmaceutical products, and the technology industry. The Company currently has seven trading counterparties (International Commodities, Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Standard Bank, TD Securities, Valcambi and Auramet) and the sales of metals to these companies amounted to approximately 90%, and 75% of total metal sales for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading counterparty would not adversely affect the Company due to the liquidity of the markets and the availability of alternative trading counterparties.
Sales of silver and gold concentrates to third parties (Nyrstar, Aurubis, Sumitomo, Trafigura, and China National Gold) amounted to approximately 10% and 25% of total metal sales for the three months ended March 31, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The loss of any one smelting and refining client may have a material adverse effect if alternate smelters and refiners are not available. The Company believes there is sufficient global capacity available to address the loss of any one smelter.




20

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

The following table indicates customers that represent 10% or more of total revenue (in millions):
Customer
 
March 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2011
 
Segments reporting revenue
Valcambi
 
$
107.9

 
$
52.6

 
Palmarejo, San Bartolomé
Auramet
 
13.9

 
29.9

 
San Bartolomé, Kensington
China National Gold
 
4.6

 
48.1

 
Kensington
International Commodities
 
16.8

 
46.2

 
Palmarejo, San Bartolomé, Rochester
Mitsui
 

 

 
Palmarejo, San Bartolomé, Rochester
NOTE 18 – SEGMENT REPORTING
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision-making group is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Operating Officer.
The operating segments are managed separately because each segment represents a distinct use of company resources and a separate contribution to the Company’s cash flows. The Company’s reportable operating segments include the Palmarejo, San Bartolomé, Martha, Rochester, Kensington and Endeavor mining properties. All operating segments are engaged in the discovery and/or mining of gold and silver and generate the majority of their revenues from the sale of these precious metal concentrates and/or refined precious metals. The Martha mine sells precious metal concentrates, typically under long-term contracts, to trading partners located in the United States and Switzerland. The Kensington mine sells precious metals and concentrates, typically under long-term contracts to smelters in China and Germany. Refined gold and silver produced by the Rochester, Palmarejo, and San Bartolomé mines are principally sold on a spot basis to precious metals trading banks such as International Commodities, Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Standard Bank, TD Securities, Valcambi and Auramet. Concentrates produced at the Endeavor mine are sold to Nyrstar (formerly Zinifex), an Australian smelter. The Company’s exploration programs are reported in its other segment. The other segment also includes the corporate headquarters, elimination of intersegment transactions and other items necessary to reconcile to consolidated amounts. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies above. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unusual and infrequent items and extraordinary items.
Revenues from silver sales were $139.3 million and $112.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Revenues from gold sales were $65.3 million and $87.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

























21

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

Financial information relating to the Company’s segments is as follows (in thousands):
Three months ended March 31, 2012
Palmarejo
Mine
 
San Bartolomé
Mine
 
Kensington
Mine
 
Rochester
Mine
 
Martha
Mine
 
Endeavor
Mine
 
Other
 
Total
Sales of metals
$
123,722

 
$
41,376

 
$
10,377

 
$
18,758

 
$
3,618

 
$
6,713

 
$

 
$
204,564

Productions costs applicable to sales
(45,860
)
 
(13,608
)
 
(17,090
)
 
(9,565
)
 
(3,694
)
 
(2,737
)
 

 
(92,554
)
Depreciation and depletion
(37,769
)
 
(4,219
)
 
(6,605
)
 
(1,642
)
 
(596
)
 
(1,644
)
 
(117
)
 
(52,592
)
Gross profit (loss)
40,093

 
23,549

 
(13,318
)
 
7,551

 
(672
)
 
2,332

 
(117
)
 
59,418

Exploration expense
1,320

 
70

 
222

 
709

 
3,412

 

 
834

 
6,567

Other operating expenses

 
5

 
19

 
1,341

 
197

 

 
7,102

 
8,664

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
38,773

 
23,474

 
(13,559
)
 
5,501

 
(4,281
)
 
2,332

 
(8,053
)
 
44,187

Interest and other income
4,581

 
95

 

 
49

 
(75
)
 

 
357

 
5,007

Interest expense
(4,810
)
 

 
(892
)
 
(8
)
 

 

 
(960
)
 
(6,670
)
Fair value adjustments, net
(25,611
)
 

 
(551
)
 

 

 

 
3,049

 
(23,113
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(3,544
)
 
(7,689
)
 

 

 
(201
)
 

 
(4,002
)
 
(15,436
)
Net income (loss)
$
9,389

 
$
15,880

 
$
(15,002
)
 
$
5,542

 
$
(4,557
)
 
$
2,332

 
$
(9,609
)
 
$
3,975

Segment assets (A)
$
2,008,004

 
$
285,276

 
$
504,082

 
$
90,072

 
$
24,183

 
$
36,372

 
$
17,104

 
$
2,965,093

Capital expenditures (B)
$
7,170

 
$
10,207

 
$
10,878

 
$
2,639

 
$
659

 
$

 
$
94

 
$
31,647


Three months ended March 31, 2011
Palmarejo
Mine
 
San Bartolomé
Mine
 
Kensington
Mine
 
Rochester
Mine
 
Martha
Mine
 
Endeavor
Mine
 
Other
 
Total
Sales of metals
$
88,165

 
$
46,321

 
$
48,110

 
$
14,262

 
$
(314
)
 
$
3,080

 
$

 
$
199,624

Productions costs applicable to sales
(37,369
)
 
(14,118
)
 
(32,920
)
 
(7,357
)
 
390

 
(1,100
)
 

 
(92,474
)
Depreciation and depletion
(33,675
)
 
(5,143
)
 
(9,365
)
 
(514
)
 
(592
)
 
(619
)
 
(133
)
 
(50,041
)
Gross profit (loss)
17,121

 
27,060

 
5,825

 
6,391

 
(516
)
 
1,361

 
(133
)
 
57,109

Exploration expense
636

 
4

 
46

 
21

 
1,296

 

 
759

 
2,762

Other operating expenses

 
38

 
20

 
3,536

 

 

 
12,211

 
15,805

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
16,485

 
27,018

 
5,759

 
2,834

 
(1,812
)
 
1,361

 
(13,103
)
 
38,542

Interest and other income
1,289

 
607

 
1

 
46

 
(311
)
 

 
302

 
1,934

Interest expense
(5,703
)
 
(34
)
 
(1,247
)
 

 
(345
)
 

 
(1,975
)
 
(9,304
)
Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 

 

 

 

 
(467
)
 
(467
)
Fair value adjustments, net
(6,343
)
 

 
(698
)
 

 

 

 
1,739

 
(5,302
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(3,776
)
 
(10,037
)
 
(20
)
 

 
41

 

 
853

 
(12,939
)
Net income (loss)
$
1,952

 
$
17,554

 
$
3,795

 
$
2,880

 
$
(2,427
)
 
$
1,361

 
$
(12,651
)
 
$
12,464

Segment assets (A)
$
2,106,197

 
$
269,158

 
$
503,321

 
$
27,049

 
$
17,571

 
$
39,093

 
$
23,506

 
$
2,985,895

Capital expenditures (B)
$
5,081

 
$
3,536

 
$
5,369

 
$
1,668

 
$
251

 
$

 
$
13

 
$
15,918

(A)
Segment assets consist of receivables, prepaids, inventories, property, plant and equipment, and mining properties
(B)
Balance represents cash flow amounts 

22

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011

Assets
 
 
 
Total assets for reportable segments
$
2,965,093

 
$
2,963,130

Cash and cash equivalents
151,883

 
175,012

Short term investments
1,316

 
20,254

Other assets
108,201

 
106,045

Total consolidated assets
$
3,226,493

 
$
3,264,441

Geographic Information
 
March 31,
2012
 
December 31,
2011

Long Lived Assets:
 
 
 
United States
$
520,403

 
$
515,096

Australia
32,355

 
33,999

Chile
65

 
65

Argentina
5,336

 
5,213

Bolivia
237,069

 
230,956

Mexico
1,873,705

 
1,903,375

Total
$
2,668,933

 
$
2,688,704

 

 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues:
 
 
 
United States
$
29,135

 
$
62,372

Mexico
123,722

 
88,165

Bolivia
41,376

 
46,321

Australia
6,713

 
3,080

Argentina
3,618

 
(314
)
Total
$
204,564

 
$
199,624

NOTE 19 – LITIGATION AND OTHER EVENTS
Sites Related to Callahan Mining Corporation
In 1991, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Callahan Mining Corporation. Since then, the Company has received requests for information or notices of potential liability from state or federal agencies with regard to Callahan's operations at sites in Idaho, Maine, Colorado and Washington. The Company did not make any decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at these sites. Therefore, the Company believes that it is not liable for any potential cleanup costs either directly as an operator or indirectly as a parent. To date, none of these agencies have made any claims against the Company or Callahan for cleanup costs. The Company anticipates that further agency interaction may be possible with respect to two of these sites.
Callahan operated a mine and mill in Brooksville, Maine from 1968 until 1972 and subsequently disposed of the property. In 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, made a formal request to the Company for information regarding the site. The site was placed on the National Priorities List on September 5, 2002, and the Maine Department of Transportation, a partial owner of the property, signed a consent order in 2005. In January 2009, the EPA and the State of Maine made additional formal requests to the Company for information relating to the site, to which the Company responded. The first phase of cleanup at the site began in April 2011.
The Van Stone Mine in Stevens County, Washington consists of several parcels and was mined from 1926 until 1993. Callahan sold its parcel in 1990. In February 2010, the State of Washington Department of Ecology notified Callahan Mining Corporation that it, among others, is a potentially liable person (PLP) under Washington law. American Smelting and Refining Company, which developed the mill on the site in 1951, settled for $3.5 million. Another potentially liable person, Vaagen Brothers, signed a consent order which allows access to the site for a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. The Company has no

23

Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - (Continued)

further information on the investigation and has not received any further notices.
Bolivian Temporary Restriction on Mining above 4,400 Meters
On October 14, 2009, the Bolivian state-owned mining organization, COMIBOL, announced by resolution that it was temporarily suspending mining activities above the elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level while stability studies of Cerro Rico mountain are undertaken. The Company holds rights to mine above this elevation under valid contracts backed by Supreme Decree with COMIBOL as well as contracts with local mining cooperatives that hold their rights through COMIBOL. The Company adjusted its San Bartolomé mine plan to confine mining activities to the ore deposits below 4,400 meters above sea level and timely notified COMIBOL of the need to lift the restriction.
In March 2010, the San Bartolomé mine began mining operations above the 4,400 meter level in high grade material located in the Huacajchi deposit, which was confirmed to be excluded from the October 2009 resolution, under an agreement with the cooperatives. In December 2011, a further area in the deposit, known as Huacajchi Sur was further confirmed to be open for mining as well. Other mining areas above the 4,400 meter level continue to be suspended. The mine plan adjustment may reduce production until the Company is able to resume mining above 4,400 meters. The Company believes this is a temporary suspension, although it is uncertain at this time how long the suspension will remain in place. If the restriction is not lifted, the Company may need to write down the carrying value of the asset.
Unpatented Mining Claims Dispute at Rochester in Nevada
On December 5, 2011, Coeur Rochester filed a lawsuit in the Sixth Judicial District Court of Nevada against Rye Patch Gold Corp and Rye Patch Gold US, Inc. seeking a declaratory judgment as to Coeur Rochester's ownership of 447 unpatented mining claims covering approximately 8,600 acres of federal lands in and surrounding the Coeur Rochester mine operation.  On December 5, 2011, Rye Patch Gold US, Inc. filed a similar action asserting its interest in the claims in the Second Judicial District Court of Nevada.  The Rye Patch action was subsequently moved to the Sixth Judicial Court and consolidated with Coeur Rochester's pending action.  The dispute stems from competing asserted interests in the mining claims between Coeur Rochester and Rye Patch following Coeur Rochester's inadvertent failure to pay annual mining claim maintenance fees.   On December 5, 2011, the court issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting Rye Patch from entering the property.  On December 20, 2011, following a hearing, the District Court judge issued a preliminary injunction, enjoining Rye Patch from entering certain active mine areas at the Coeur Rochester mine operation.  On March 6, 2012 Rye Patch filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction to which Coeur Rochester responded in opposition on March 21, 2012. It is Coeur Rochester's position that there is no new material for review by the Court since the original preliminary injunction was granted in favor of Coeur Rochester. However, if granted in favor of Rye Patch, a preliminary injunction could halt Coeur Rochester's mining operations on the disputed claims. A hearing on the pending Motion is scheduled for May 10, 2012. The Company believes it holds a superior property interest to Rye Patch based on flaws in the Rye Patch claims, and the Company's prior valid possessory rights in the claims. The mine operates under an approved BLM plan of operations and has continued normal operations while the legal action is pending.  We cannot predict how the court will rule on the ownership interest in the claims and if all or some of the claims at issue will be retained by the Company.  The Company believes there would be no impact to the current silver and gold reserves at Coeur Rochester assuming an adverse outcome.  However, the Company does believe an adverse outcome would cause it to modify existing plans to further expand future mining operations and would require permits to be updated to reflect changes in claim ownership arising from an adverse outcome.
The Rochester property is also the subject of an administrative appeal filed by Great Basin Resource Watch (“GBRW”) with the Interior Board of Land Appeals (“IBLA”). This appeal challenges the decision of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) to approve a plan of operations amendment permitting resumed mining in the existing mine pit and construction of a new heap leach pad.  GBRW asserts that the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) required an Environmental Impact Statement for the plan of operations amendment, as opposed to the Environmental Assessment (“EA”) that was prepared.  GBRW further alleges that BLM violated the Federal Land Policy & Management Act (“FLPMA”) by failing to avoid unnecessary and undue degradation of public lands.  Because GBRW did not seek a stay of BLM's decision, operations are proceeding as approved. Coeur was granted intervenor status in the appeal and is actively participating in its resolution.  The BLM and Coeur assert that the EA complies with NEPA and that BLM complied with FLPMA by, among other things, requiring mitigation of any possible future effects on water quality.  BLM filed a Supplemental Briefing on March 1, 2012 regarding additional analysis conducted by the BLM further supporting and strengthening BLM and Coeur's positions that the EA complies with NEPA. We cannot predict whether this will result in further briefing with the IBLA, when the IBLA will rule on the appeal or what impact, if any, an adverse ruling may have on Rochester's operations.
NOTE 20 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company reported on April 26, 2012 that its Kensington gold mine is resuming full production ahead of schedule.


24


Item 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide the reader of the Company's financial statements with a narrative from management’s perspective on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and other factors that may affect our future results. The Company believes it is important to read its MD&A in conjunction with its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as well as other publicly available information.
This report contains numerous forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s gold and silver mining business, including estimated production data, expected operating schedules, results of operations, ore reserves and resources, expected capital costs and other operating data and permit and other regulatory approvals. Such forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “hopes,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “plan,” “projected,” “contemplates,” “anticipates” or similar words. Actual production, operating schedules, results of operations, ore reserves and resources, expected capital costs and receipt of permits and regulatory approvals could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include: (i) the risk factors set forth below under Part II, Item 1A and under Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011; (ii) risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather and geologically related conditions); (iii) changes in the market prices of gold and silver; (iv) uncertainties inherent in the Company’s production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays; (v) any future labor disputes or work stoppages; (vi) uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver ore reserves; (vii) changes resulting from the Company’s future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses; (viii) reliance on third parties to operate certain mines where the Company owns silver production and reserves; (ix) the loss of any third-party smelter to which the Company markets silver and gold; (x) effects of environmental and other governmental regulations; (xi) risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in mining properties or businesses in foreign countries; (xii) the worldwide economic downturn and difficult conditions in the global capital and credit markets; and (xiii) the Company’s possible inability to raise additional financing necessary to conduct its business, make payments or refinance its debt. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Non-U.S. GAAP Measures
We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) with certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including cash operating costs and operating cash flow. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful information to assist management, investors and analysts in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures are important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. We believe cash operating costs and operating cash flow are important measures in assessing the Company's overall financial performance.
Introduction to the Company
The Company is a large primary silver producer with growing gold production and has assets located in the United States, Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and Australia. The Palmarejo mine, San Bartolomé mine, Kensington mine, Rochester mine and Martha mine, each of which is operated by the Company, and the Endeavor mine, which is operated by a non-affiliated party, constituted the Company’s principal sources of mining revenues during the first three months of 2012.
The Company’s business strategy is to discover, acquire, develop and operate low-cost silver and gold operations that it expects to produce long-term cash flow, provide opportunities for growth through continued exploration, and generate superior and sustainable returns for shareholders. The Company’s management focuses on maximizing cash flow from its existing operations, the main elements of which are silver and gold prices, cash costs of production and capital expenditures. The Company also focuses on reducing its non-operating costs in order to maximize cash flow.
The results of the Company’s operations are significantly affected by the prices of silver and gold, which may fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors beyond the Company’s control, including interest rates, expectations regarding inflation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional political and economic conditions and other factors. In addition, the Company faces challenges including raising capital, increasing production and managing social, political and environmental issues. Operating costs at its mines are subject to variation due to a number of factors such as changing commodity prices, ore grades, metallurgy, revisions to mine plans and changes in accounting principles. At foreign locations, operating costs are also influenced by currency fluctuations that may affect the Company’s U.S. dollar costs.


25


Overview of Performance
Production
In the first quarter of 2012, the Company’s total silver production increased 19.1% to 4.9 million ounces as compared to 4.1 million ounces in the comparable period in 2011. The increase is primarily due to higher production from Palmarejo and Rochester compared to the same time period in 2011. The Company’s total gold production in the first quarter of 2012 decreased 9,229 ounces, or 17.4%, to 43,901 ounces, as compared to 53,130 ounces in the comparable period in 2011. The decrease was primarily driven by the planned temporary reduction in production at Kensington while the operation focused on other key initiatives.
Sales of Metal
Sales of metal increased $4.9 million, or 2.5%, to $204.6 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $199.6 million in the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to production from the Palmarejo mine and from higher average realized silver and gold prices. The Company’s average realized silver and gold prices during the first quarter of 2012 were $32.61 per ounce and $1,702 per ounce, respectively, representing increases of 4.3% and 23.9% respectively, over last year’s first quarter. Sales of silver contributed 68.1% of the Company’s total metal sales during the first quarter of 2012, compared to 56.4% during the first quarter of 2011.
Earnings
The Company reported net income of $4.0 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to net income of $12.5 million, or $0.14 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The earnings reflect non-cash fair value adjustments that decreased net income by $23.1 million and $5.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These fair value adjustments are driven primarily by higher gold prices which increased the estimated future liabilities related to the Palmarejo gold production royalty obligation.
Production costs increased by $0.1 million or 0.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same time period in 2011 on a higher sales base.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization increased by $2.6 million or 5.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same time period in 2011 as a result of the new leach pad at Rochester being placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2011 as well as increased production at Palmarejo.
Administrative and general expenses decreased by $4.6 million or 37.9% during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same time period in 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the stock based compensation expense of the Company's former CEO, who retired in the third quarter of 2011.
Exploration expense increased by $3.8 million or 137.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same time period in 2011 as a result of increased exploration activity at the Palmarejo and Rochester mines, and at the Joaquin project.
Pre-development, care, maintenance and other expenses decreased by $2.5 million or 70.1% during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same time period in 2011, due to lower expenses at the Rochester mine as a result of the new leach pad being placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2011.
Interest expense decreased $2.6 million or 28.3% during the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011, primarily due to a decrease in total debt outstanding.

Other Highlights
In addition to the matters discussed above regarding the key elements of the Company’s business strategy, the matters management considers most important in evaluating the Company’s financial condition and results of operations include:
The average price of silver (Handy & Harman) and gold (London Gold PM) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $32.72 and $1,691 per ounce, respectively, compared to $32.00 and $1,386 per ounce, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The market price of silver and gold on May 4, 2012 was $30.13 per ounce and $1,644 per ounce, respectively.
The Company produced a total of 4.9 million ounces of silver during the first quarter of 2012, which was a 19.1% increase over the first quarter of 2011. The Company produced a total of 43,901 ounces of gold during the first quarter of 2012, which was a 17.4% decrease from the first quarter of 2011.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of 2012 was $17.0 million, compared to $35.8 million during the first quarter of 2011 as a result of changes in operating assets and liabilities.
The Company spent $31.6 million on capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2012, which is $15.7 million higher than

26


the same time period last year. The majority of the capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2012 were at Palmarejo, San Bartolomé, and Kensington. Palmarejo's expenditures were primarily related to tailings dam construction. The majority of San Bartolomé's expenditures were for new filter presses. Kensington’s capital expenditures were primarily related to construction of a paste backfill plant.
The Company’s ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.77 to 1 at March 31, 2012, compared to 1.84 to 1 at December 31, 2011. The reduction was primarily the result of a tax payment of $41.2 million in Bolivia that reduced its cash and cash equivalents and a reclassification of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes from non-current to current liabilities as a result of the holders' option to require the Company to repurchase the notes on March 15, 2013.
Operating Highlights and Statistics
Palmarejo Mine:
Production during the first quarter of 2012 was 2.5 million ounces of silver, which represented a 43.5% increase compared to the first quarter of 2011. Gold production was 31,081 ounces which represented a 12.0% increase from the first quarter of 2011. Cash operating costs and total cash costs during the first quarter decreased to $(2.27) per ounce compared to $4.80 for the first quarter of 2011. Production costs applicable to sales for the three months ended March 31, 2012 increased by 22.7% compared to the same time period in 2011 due to the increase in production.
San Bartolomé Mine:
Silver production for the first quarter of 2012 decreased 7.0% to 1.6 million ounces of silver compared to 1.7 million ounces of silver in the first quarter of 2011. Production costs applicable to sales decreased by 3.6% during the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter of 2011 due to the decrease in production. Total cash operating costs per ounce during the first quarter of 2012 were $10.21 and total cash costs per ounce, including royalties and taxes, were $11.49 compared to $9.13 and $10.47, respectively, in the first quarter of 2011.
On October 14, 2009, COMIBOL announced by resolution that it was temporarily suspending mining activities above the elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level while stability studies of Cerro Rico mountain are undertaken. The Company holds rights to mine above this elevation under valid contracts backed by Supreme Decree with COMIBOL as well as contracts with local mining cooperatives who hold their rights through COMIBOL. The Company adjusted its mine plan to confine mining activities to the ore deposits below 4,400 meters above sea level and timely notified COMIBOL of the need to lift the restriction. The Company's mine plan was adjusted and mining continued on the remainder of the property. In March 2010, the San Bartolomé mine began mining operations above the 4,400 meter level in high grade material located in the Huacajchi deposit, which was confirmed to be excluded from the October 2009 resolution, under an agreement with the Cooperative Reserva Fiscal. In December 2011, a further area in the deposit known as Huacajchi Sur was confirmed to be open for mining as well. Other mining areas above the 4,400 meter level continue to be suspended. The Company does not use explosives in its surface-only mining activities and is sensitive to the preservation of the mountain under its contracts with the state-owned mining entity and the local cooperatives.
Kensington Mine:
The Kensington mine is an underground gold mine that commenced commercial production on July 3, 2010. Production for the first quarter of 2012 was 7,444 ounces of gold, as compared to 23,676 ounces of gold for the same time period of 2011. Total cash operating costs per ounce in the first quarter of 2012 were $2,709 as compared to $989 for the same time period during 2011. In December of 2011, Kensington entered an expected six month period where processing levels were reduced by 50% to approximately 700 tons per day. This was intended to allow the mine to implement and complete several key initiatives, including:
Accelerated underground development, resulting in greater operational flexibility and efficiency
In-fill drilling program to better define the high-grade ore zones and convert existing resources into proven and probable reserves
Completion and commissioning of the underground paste backfill plant and related distribution system, providing access to ore in previously mined areas
Construction of several underground and surface projects
    
On April 26, 2012, the Company announced that Kensington has resumed full production.
Rochester Mine:
Production was 0.4 million ounces of silver and 5,292 ounces of gold during the first quarter of 2012 compared to 0.3 million ounces of silver and 1,451 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2011. Production costs applicable to sales increased to $9.6 million during the first quarter of 2012, as compared to $7.4 million during the same time period in 2011 due to the increase in production. Total cash operating costs per ounce in the first quarter of 2012 were $23.35 and total cash costs per ounce, including

27


production taxes, were $24.75 in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to total cash operating costs per ounce of $10.28 and total cash costs per ounce of $11.86 in the first quarter of 2011.
In 2008, the Company commenced studies to investigate the potential to recommence mining and leaching of new material and in 2009 and 2010 completed feasibility studies demonstrating the viability of an expansion of mining and leaching operations at the mine through 2017. The Company prepared an Amended Plan of Operations for resumption of mining within the existing and permitted Rochester pit and construction of an additional heap leach pad, all within the currently permitted mine boundary. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) deemed this plan complete in August 2009 under federal regulations and initiated the National Environmental Policy Act process. The BLM issued a positive Decision Record (DR) for the mine to extend silver and gold mining operations by several years. The Company began to recover new production ounces in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Martha Mine:
Silver production at the Martha mine was 0.1 million ounces in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 0.2 million ounces in the first quarter of 2011. Total cash operating costs per ounce in the first quarter of 2012 were $46.48 and total cash costs per ounce, including royalties and taxes, were $47.15, as compared to $24.44 and $25.46, respectively, during the first quarter of 2011. The decrease in silver production for the quarter was primarily due to a decrease in ore grade as the mine transitions to higher grade areas in development.
Endeavor Mine:
Silver production at the Endeavor mine in the first quarter of 2012 was 0.2 million ounces compared to 0.1 million ounces in the first quarter of 2011. Production costs applicable to sales were $2.7 million for the quarter compared to $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2011. Total cash costs per ounce of silver produced were $16.64 in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $17.15 in the first quarter of 2011. The decrease in total cash costs per ounce was primarily due to the price participation component terms of the silver purchase agreement with CBH Resources Ltd. Under the terms of the price participation component, CDE Australia Pty. Ltd a subsidiary of the Company, pays an additional operating cost contribution of 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $7.00 per ounce.
As of March 31, 2012, CDE Australia Pty Ltd had recovered approximately 89.4% of the transaction consideration consisting of 3.8 million payable ounces, or 18.8% of the 20.0 million maximum payable silver ounces to which CDE Australia Pty Ltd is entitled under the terms of the silver sale and purchase agreement.


28


Operating Statistics from Continuing Operations
The following table presents information by mine and consolidated sales information for the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Silver Operations:
 
 
 
Palmarejo
 
 
 
Tons milled
528,543

 
398,740

Ore grade/Ag oz
6.12

 
5.97

Ore grade/Au oz
0.06

 
0.08

Recovery/Ag oz
76.8
%
 
72.7
%
Recovery/Au oz
93.3
%
 
87.4
%
Silver production ounces
2,482,814

 
1,729,766

Gold production ounces
31,081

 
27,759

Cash operating cost/oz
$
(2.27
)
 
$
4.80

Cash cost/oz
$
(2.27
)
 
$
4.80

Total production cost/oz
$
13.04

 
$
24.40

San Bartolomé
 
 
 
Tons milled
378,104

 
387,668

Ore grade/Ag oz
4.62

 
5.60

Recovery/Ag oz
91.2
%
 
88.6
%
Silver production ounces
1,591,292

 
1,710,948

Cash operating cost/oz
$
10.21

 
$
9.13

Cash cost/oz
$
11.49

 
$
10.47

Total production cost/oz
$
14.02

 
$
13.37

Martha
 
 
 
Tons milled
34,069

 
17,818

Ore grade/Ag oz
4.43

 
12.06

Ore grade/Au oz

 
0.02

Recovery/Ag oz
81.4
%
 
83.7
%
Recovery/Au oz
64.6
%
 
75.3
%
Silver production ounces
122,793

 
179,985

Gold production ounces
84

 
244

Cash operating cost/oz
$
46.48

 
$
24.44

Cash cost/oz
$
47.15

 
$
25.46

Total production cost/oz
$
51.85

 
$
29.28

Rochester (A)
 
 
 
Tons milled
2,009,518

 

Ore grade/Ag oz
0.55

 

Ore grade/Au oz
0.004

 

Recovery/Ag oz
40.2
%
 

Recovery/Au oz
62.1
%
 

Silver production ounces
441,337

 
333,696

Gold production ounces
5,292

 
1,451

Cash operating cost/oz
$
23.35

 
$
10.28

Cash cost/oz
$
24.75

 
$
11.86

Total production cost/oz
$
28.67

 
$
13.53


29


 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Endeavor
 
 
 
Tons milled
195,846

 
167,287

Ore grade/Ag oz
3.35

 
2.00

Recovery/Ag oz
37.8
%
 
44.5
%
Silver production ounces
247,958

 
149,182

Cash operating cost/oz
$
16.64

 
$
17.15

Cash cost/oz
$
16.64

 
$
17.15

Total production cost/oz
$
23.27

 
$
21.30

Gold Operation:
 
 
 
Kensington(B)
 
 
 
Tons milled
43,936

 
105,820

Ore grade/Au oz
0.18

 
0.24

Recovery/Au oz
93.4
%
 
92.4
%
Gold production ounces
7,444

 
23,676

Cash operating cost/oz
$
2,709

 
$
989

Cash cost/oz
$
2,709

 
$
989

Total production cost/oz
$
3,598

 
$
1,384

CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TOTALS (B)
 
 
 
Total silver ounces
4,886,194

 
4,103,577

Total gold ounces
43,901

 
53,130

Silver Operations:(C)
 
 
 
Cash operating cost per oz - silver
$
6.29

 
$
8.36

Cash cost per oz - silver
$
6.85

 
$
9.10

Total production cost oz - silver
$
16.26

 
$
19.02

Gold Operation:(D)
 
 
 
Cash operating cost per oz - gold
$
2,709

 
$
989

Cash cost per oz - gold
$
2,709

 
$
989

Total production cost per oz - gold
$
3,598

 
$
1,384

CONSOLIDATED SALES TOTALS (E)
 
 
 
Silver ounces sold
4,290,049

 
3,659,154

Gold ounces sold
38,884

 
65,948

Realized price per silver ounce
$
32.61

 
$
31.27

Realized price per gold ounce
$
1,702

 
$
1,374

 
(A) 
The Rochester mine recommenced production in the fourth quarter of 2011. The leach cycle at Rochester requires five to ten years to recover gold and silver contained in the ore. The Company estimates the ultimate recovery to be approximately 61% for silver and 92% for gold. However, ultimate recoveries will not be known until leaching operations cease, which is currently estimated for 2017. Current recovery may vary significantly from ultimate recovery. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Ore on Leach Pad in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(B)
Current production ounces and recoveries reflect final metal settlements of previously reported production ounces.
(C) 
Amount includes by-product gold credits deducted in computing cash costs per ounce.
(D) 
Amounts reflect Kensington per ounce statistics only.
(E) 
Units sold at realized metal prices will not match reported metal sales due primarily to the effects on revenues of mark-to-market adjustments on embedded derivatives in the Company’s provisionally priced sales contracts.
“Operating Costs per Ounce” and “Cash Costs per Ounce” are calculated by dividing the operating cash costs and cash costs computed for each of the Company’s mining properties for a specified period by the amount of gold ounces or silver ounces produced by that property during that same period. Management uses cash operating costs per ounce and cash costs per ounce as key indicators of the profitability of each of its mining properties. Gold and silver are sold and priced in the world financial markets on a U.S. dollar per ounce basis.


30


“Cash Operating Costs” and “Cash Costs” are costs directly related to the physical activities of producing silver and gold, and include mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and smelting costs, marketing expenses, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties, in-mine drilling expenditures related to production and other direct costs. Produced by-product metal unit at the average market price is deducted from the above in computing cash costs. Cash costs exclude depreciation, depletion and amortization, accretion, corporate general and administrative expenses, exploration, interest, and pre-feasibility costs. Cash operating costs include all cash costs except production taxes and royalties, if applicable. Cash costs are calculated and presented using the “Gold Institute Production Cost Standard” applied consistently for all periods presented.
Total operating costs and cash costs per ounce are non-U.S. GAAP measures and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them and are urged to read all U.S. GAAP accounting disclosures presented in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. In addition, see the reconciliation of “cash costs” to production costs under “Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Cash Costs to U.S. GAAP Production Costs” set forth below. We supplement the reporting of our financial information determined under United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) with certain non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including cash operating costs and operating cash flow. We believe that these adjusted measures provide meaningful information to assist management, investors and analysts in understanding our financial results and assessing our prospects for future performance. We believe these adjusted financial measures are important indicators of our recurring operations because they exclude items that may not be indicative of, or are unrelated to our core operating results, and provide a better baseline for analyzing trends in our underlying businesses. We believe cash operating costs and operating cash flow are important measures in assessing the Company's overall financial performance.

The following tables present a reconciliation between non-U.S. GAAP cash operating costs per ounce and cash costs per ounce to production costs applicable to sales including depreciation, depletion and amortization, which are calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP:
Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Cash Costs to U.S. GAAP Production Costs
Three months ended
March 31, 2012
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
 
Palmarejo
 
San Bartolomé
 
Kensington
 
Rochester
 
Martha
 
Endeavor
 
Total
Total cash operating cost (Non-U.S. GAAP)
 
$
(5,643
)
 
$
16,253

 
$
20,168

 
$
10,303

 
$
5,708

 
$
4,127

 
$
50,916

Royalties
 

 
2,036

 

 
609

 
82

 

 
2,727

Production taxes
 

 

 

 
12

 

 

 
12

Total cash costs (Non-U.S. GAAP)
 
$
(5,643
)
 
$
18,289

 
$
20,168

 
$
10,924

 
$
5,790

 
$
4,127

 
$
53,655

Add/Subtract:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third party smelting costs
 

 

 
(1,083
)
 

 
(1,975
)
 
(788
)
 
(3,846
)
By-product credit
 
52,526

 

 

 
8,957

 
141

 

 
61,624

Other adjustments
 
244

 
(194
)
 
7

 
87

 
57

 

 
201

Change in inventory
 
(1,268
)
 
(4,487
)
 
(2,001
)
 
(10,403
)
 
(320
)
 
(601
)
 
(19,080
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
37,761

 
4,219

 
6,604

 
1,642

 
520

 
1,644

 
52,390

Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (U.S. GAAP)
 
$
83,620

 
$
17,827

 
$
23,695

 
$
11,207

 
$
4,213

 
$
4,382

 
$
144,944

Production of silver (ounces)
 
2,482,814

 
1,591,292

 

 
441,337

 
122,793

 
247,958

 
4,886,194

Cash operating cost per silver ounce
 
$
(2.27
)
 
$
10.21

 
$

 
$
23.35

 
$
46.48

 
$
16.64

 
$
6.29

Cash costs per silver ounce
 
$
(2.27
)
 
$
11.49

 
$

 
$
24.75

 
$
47.15

 
$
16.64

 
$
6.85

Production of gold (ounces)
 

 

 
7,444

 

 

 

 
7,444

Cash operating cost per gold ounce
 
$

 
$

 
$
2,709

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,709

Cash cost per gold ounce
 
$

 
$

 
$
2,709

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,709

 

31


Three months ended
March 31, 2011
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
 
Palmarejo
 
San Bartolomé
 
Kensington
 
Rochester
 
Martha
 
Endeavor
 
Total
Total cash operating cost (Non-U.S. GAAP)
 
$
8,311

 
$
15,615

 
$
23,410

 
$
3,429

 
$
4,399

 
$
2,558

 
$
57,722

Royalties
 

 
2,304

 

 
330

 
183

 

 
2,817

Production taxes
 

 

 

 
200

 

 

 
200

Total cash costs (Non-U.S. GAAP)
 
$
8,311

 
$
17,919

 
$
23,410

 
$
3,959

 
$
4,582

 
$
2,558

 
$
60,739

Add/Subtract:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third party smelting costs
 

 

 
(2,650
)
 

 
(1,373
)
 
(563
)
 
(4,586
)
By-product credit
 
38,468

 

 

 
2,015

 
339

 

 
40,822

Other adjustments
 
221

 
(189
)
 

 
42

 
96

 

 
170

Change in inventory
 
(9,631
)
 
(3,612
)
 
12,160

 
1,341

 
(4,034
)
 
(895
)
 
(4,671
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
33,666

 
5,143

 
9,365

 
514

 
591

 
619

 
49,898

Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (U.S. GAAP)
 
$
71,035

 
$
19,261

 
$
42,285

 
$
7,871

 
$
201

 
$
1,719

 
$
142,372

Production of silver (ounces)
 
1,729,766

 
1,710,948

 

 
333,696

 
179,985

 
149,182

 
4,103,577

Cash operating cost per silver ounce
 
$
4.80

 
$
9.13

 
$

 
$
10.28

 
$
24.44

 
$
17.15

 
$
8.36

Cash costs per silver ounce
 
$
4.80

 
$
10.47

 
$

 
$
11.86

 
$
25.46

 
$
17.15

 
$
9.10

Production of gold (ounces)
 

 

 
23,676

 

 

 

 
23,676

Cash operating cost per gold ounce
 
$

 
$

 
$
989

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
989

Cash cost per gold ounce
 
$

 
$

 
$
989

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
989

 

Exploration Activity

During the three months ending March 31, 2012, the Company completed 67,671 meters (222,016 feet) of new core and reverse circulation drilling and trenching in its global exploration program. The majority of this drilling was devoted to the Company's Palmarejo (Mexico) property followed by Joaquin (Argentina), Rochester (Nevada), Kensington (Alaska) and San Bartolomé (Bolivia). At peak, up to 16 drills were employed company-wide during the first quarter. The Company plans to spend $39.9 million in exploration during 2012 with approximately 84% of the budget earmarked for its existing operations at San Bartolomé, Martha and Joaquin, Palmarejo, Kensington and Rochester. In the second quarter, exploration and definition drilling will focus on many of the same areas and targets.
Palmarejo (Mexico)
The Company completed 37,186 meters (122,001 feet) of exploration core drilling in the first quarter in the Palmarejo District. This drilling was split nearly evenly between targets around the current Palmarejo mine from both surface and underground drill platforms, specifically the Rosario, Tucson and Chapotillo zones, and at Guadalupe and other targets including La Patria, Independencia and Guerra al Tirano. Guadalupe and Palmarejo will receive the bulk of drilling in the second quarter of this year.
Martha and Joaquin (Argentina)
A total of 14,342 meters (47,021 feet) of drilling was completed in the Santa Cruz Province of southern Argentina in the first quarter of 2012. Over 92% of this drilling was completed at the Joaquin joint venture property, with a focus on expanding and increasing the confidence of mineralization at the La Morocha and La Negra deposits and drilling to collect new samples for metallurgy tests. The Company plans to continue drilling to define the two deposits at Joaquin and to work toward completion of a feasibility study, which would increase the Company's managing and participating interest in the Joaquin project from 51% to 61%. Subject to certain conditions the Company has an option to increase its interest further. The Joaquin project is located approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) by road north of the Martha mine. Other targets drilled in the quarter in Argentina were at the Martha mine.
Rochester (USA)
Drilling at Rochester continued at the pace set in the second half of 2011. A total of 12,634 meters (41,450 feet) of reverse circulation drilling were completed on the property. In addition, drilling of surface stockpiles commenced in the quarter.

32


Kensington (USA)
Exploration at Kensington consisted of just over 3,014 meters (9,887 feet) of core drilling in the quarter. Nearly all of the drilling was devoted to the Raven vein zone which is located approximately 685 meters (2,250 feet) due west of the Kensington ore body. In addition, drilling recommenced on the new Kensington South target. This target is immediately south of the Kensington ore body, on trend, and has seen very little historic exploration.
In addition to this exploration drilling, up to 3 drills were employed this quarter to further define the lower part of Zone 10. The Company completed 6,211 meters (20,377 feet) of definition drilling on a nominal 15 meter spacing (50 feet). Zone 10 will form the bulk of mining for the next 3 years.
San Bartolomé (Bolivia)
For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, 87 new backhoe trenches were completed and sampled, resulting in 505 new meters of trenching and sampling on one-meter vertical intervals. Most of this work was centered on the Santa Rita area with a smaller amount at Diablo.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Use of Estimates: The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in their consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The areas requiring significant management estimates and assumptions relate to: recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves that are the basis of future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation and amortization calculations; useful lives utilized for depreciation, depletion and amortization; estimates of future cash flows for long-lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; amount and timing of reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; assessment of valuation allowance for value added tax receivables; and other employee benefit liabilities.
Please see Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional critical accounting policies and estimates.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
Sales of metal from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2012 increased by 2.5% to $204.6 million from $199.6 million in the first quarter of 2011. The increase in sales of metal was due to an increase in silver ounces sold as well as an increase in realized prices. In the first quarter of 2012, the Company sold 4.3 million ounces of silver and 38,884 ounces of gold compared to 3.7 million ounces of silver and 65,948 ounces of gold for the same period in 2011. Realized silver and gold prices in the first quarter of 2012 increased 4.3% and 23.9%, respectively, over the first quarter 2011. Realized silver and gold prices were $32.61 and $1,702 per ounce, respectively, in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $31.27 and $1,374 per ounce, respectively, in the comparable quarter of 2011.
Included in sales of metals are the by-product sales derived from the sale of gold by the Company's silver mines. Total gold sales for the periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $65.3 million and $87.1 million, respectively. Of those totals, by-product metal sales were $54.9 million compared to $39.0 million, respectively. The Company believes that presentation of these metal sales as a by-product from its silver operations will continue to be appropriate in the future. The increases in by-product sales were primarily due to the increase in gold prices.
In the first quarter of 2012, the Company produced a total of 4.9 million ounces of silver and 43,901 ounces of gold, compared to 4.1 million ounces of silver and 53,130 ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2011.
While quarterly sales of metal rose 2.5%, production costs applicable to sales of metal in the first quarter of 2012 increased slightly from $92.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 to $92.6 million in the first quarter of 2012. The increase in sales is primarily due to the increases in production at Palmarejo and Rochester and an increase in metal prices.
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization increased by $2.6 million, from $50.0 million to $52.6 million, compared to the first quarter of 2011. The increase is due to depreciation and depletion expense from the Rochester mine, which commenced commercial production on the new leach pad in the fourth quarter of 2011 as well as increased production at Palmarejo.
Costs and Expenses
Administrative and general expenses decreased by $4.6 million, from $12.2 million to $7.6 million, as compared to the first quarter of 2011. The decrease was primarily caused by the stock based compensation expense of the Company's former CEO, who

33


retired in the third quarter of 2011.
Exploration expenses increased to $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $2.8 million in the same period of 2011 primarily due to increased exploration activity at the Palmarejo, Rochester, and Martha mines.
Other Income and Expenses
Non-cash fair value adjustments, net in the three months ended March 31, 2012 were a loss of $23.1 million compared to a loss of $5.3 million in the first quarter of 2011. The majority of the increase in the fair value adjustment, net was due to the impact of higher gold prices on the Palmarejo gold production royalty obligation.
Interest income and other increased by $3.1 million to $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared with $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2011. The increase was primarily due to foreign currency transactions in Mexico.
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, decreased to $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2012 from $9.3 million in the first quarter of 2011. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in total debt and capital leases outstanding.

Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company reported an income tax provision of approximately $15.4 million compared to an income tax provision of $12.9 million in the first quarter of 2011.
The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Current:
 
 
 
United States - Alternative minimum tax
$

 
$
1,938

United States - Foreign withholding
(17
)
 
(78
)
Argentina
(201
)
 
98

Australia
(371
)
 
101

Mexico
(154
)
 
(50
)
Bolivia
(7,015
)
 
(9,079
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
United States
(3,120
)
 
(616
)
Australia
(340
)
 
(519
)
Mexico
(3,544
)
 
(3,776
)
Bolivia
(674
)
 
(958
)
Income tax provision
$
(15,436
)
 
$
(12,939
)
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company recognized a current provision in Bolivia, Mexico and Australia primarily related to higher metal prices and inflation adjustments on non-monetary assets. In addition, the Company recognized a net $7.7 million deferred tax provision for the recognition of deferred taxes on deductible temporary differences, foreign exchange rate adjustments and net operating loss carryforwards in various jurisdictions (principally in Bolivia and Mexico).
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company recognized a current provision in Bolivia primarily related to higher metal prices and inflationary adjustments on non-monetary assets. Further, the Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $0.1 million on inter-company transactions between the U.S. parent and subsidiaries operating in Mexico, Argentina and Australia, and a $2.0 million benefit for anticipated operating losses in the U.S. In addition, the Company recognized a net $5.9 million deferred tax provision for the recognition of deferred taxes on deductible temporary differences, foreign exchange rate adjustments and net operating loss carryforwards in various jurisdictions (principally in Bolivia and Mexico).


34


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Working Capital; Cash and Cash Equivalents
As of March 31, 2012, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short term investments totaled $153.2 million compared to $195.3 million as of December 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily attributed to payment of income taxes in Bolivia.
The Company’s working capital decreased by $20.6 million between December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2012 to $192.3 million, compared to $212.9 million at December 31, 2011. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.77 to 1 at March 31, 2012 and was 1.84 to 1 at December 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to the $46.2 million reclassification of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2028 from non-current to current liabilities as a result of the holders' option to require the Company to repurchase the notes on March 15, 2013.
The Company intends to indefinitely reinvest a portion of its earnings from its Palmarejo operations in Mexico. Accordingly, U.S. and non-U.S. income and withholding taxes for which deferred taxes might otherwise be required, have not been provided on a cumulative amount of temporary differences (including, for this purpose, any difference between the tax basis in the stock of a consolidated subsidiary and the amount of the subsidiary’s net equity determined for financial reporting purposes) related to investments in foreign subsidiaries of approximately $170.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011. The additional U.S. and non-U.S. income and withholding tax that would arise on the reversal of the temporary differences could be offset in part, by tax credits. Because the determination of the amount of available tax credits and the limitations imposed on the annual utilization of such credits are subject to a highly complex series of calculations and expense allocations, it is impractical to estimate the amount of net income and withholding tax that might be payable if a reversal of temporary differences occurred. The Company does not believe that the amounts permanently reinvested will have a material impact on liquidity.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $17.0 million, compared with $35.8 million for the same time period in 2011. The decrease is primarily the result of changes in operating assets and liabilities. Excluding changes in operating assets and liabilities, the Company’s operating cash flow consisted of the following: 
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In thousands)
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
17,002

 
$
35,786

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Receivables and other current assets
2,956

 
4,841

Prepaid expenses and other
(4,774
)
 
19

Inventories
24,722

 
12,493

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
53,929

 
36,977

Operating cash flow
$
93,835

 
$
90,116

Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $12.5 million, compared to $16.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011. The decrease is primarily due to proceeds from sales and maturities of investments offset by increased capital expenditures.
The Company spent $31.6 million on capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $15.9 million during the same time period last year. The majority of the capital expenditures for the first three months of 2012 were at Palmarejo, San Bartolomé, and Kensington.
Cash Used in Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $27.7 million compared to $20.9 million for the same time period last year. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company paid $26.5 million to reduce existing debt and royalty obligations, primarily the Palmarejo gold production royalty. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company borrowed $27.5 million and paid $47.0 million to reduce existing debt.


35


Debt and Capital Resources
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028
As of March 31, 2012, the outstanding balance of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes was $48.7 million, or $46.2 million net of debt discount.
The carrying value of the equity component representing the embedded conversion option at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $10.9 million and $10.9 million, respectively.
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on March 15, 2013, March 15, 2015, March 15, 2018 and March 15, 2023 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. Holders will also have the right, following certain fundamental change transactions, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may redeem the notes for cash in whole or in part at any time on or after March 22, 2015 at 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The notes provide for “net share settlement” of any conversions. Pursuant to this feature, upon conversion of the notes, the Company (1) will pay the note holder an amount in cash equal to the lesser of the conversion obligation or the principal amount of the notes and (2) will settle any excess of the conversion obligation above the notes’ principal amount in the Company’s common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at the Company’s election.
The notes are convertible under certain circumstances, as defined in the indenture agreement, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate of 17.60254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $56.81 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.

Kensington Term Facility
As of March 31, 2012 the balance of the Kensington term facility was $75.8 million.
As a condition to the Kensington term facility with Credit Suisse, the Company agreed to enter into a gold hedging program which protects a minimum of 243,750 ounces of gold production over the life of the facility against the risk associated with fluctuations in the market price of gold. This program consists of a series of zero cost collars which consist of a floor price and a ceiling price of gold. Collars protecting 136,000 ounces of gold call options were outstanding at March 31, 2012. The weighted average call feature of each collar was $1,919.83. Collars protecting 173,000 ounces of gold put options were outstanding at March 31, 2012. The weighted average strike price of the options was $954.74.
The Amended Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants that the Company believes are usual and customary, including financial covenants that Coeur Alaska’s debt to equity ratio shall not exceed 40%, the ratio of project cash flow to debt service shall be at least 125%, the tangible net worth of the Borrower is not less than $325 million and the tangible net worth of the Guarantor is no less than $1.0 billion. Project covenants include covenants as to performance of sales contracts, maintenance and management. As of March 31, 2012, the Company was not in compliance with the debt service ratio covenant. The bank has waived that requirement of the agreement for the year ending December 31, 2012.
Capital Lease Obligations
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding balances on capital leases of $22.8 million and $27.0 million, respectively.
Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty Obligation
The Company recognized accretion expense on the Palmarejo gold production royalty obligation of $5.1 million and $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the remaining minimum obligation under the royalty agreement was $69.1 million and $72.1 million, respectively.
Capitalized Interest
The Company capitalizes interest incurred on its various debt instruments as a cost of properties under development. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, and 2011 the Company capitalized interest of $1.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
Litigation and Other Events
For a discussion of litigation and other events, see Note 19 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Litigation and Other Events.

36


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Risk Mitigation Overview
The Company is exposed to various market risks as a part of its operations. In an effort to mitigate losses associated with these risks, the Company may, at times, enter into derivative financial instruments. These may take the form of forward sales contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. The Company does not actively engage in the practice of trading derivative instruments for profit. This discussion of the Company’s market risk assessments contains “forward looking statements” that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results and actions could differ materially from those discussed below.
The Company’s operating results are substantially dependent upon the world market prices of silver and gold. The Company has no control over silver and gold prices, which can fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors, such as supply and demand and investor sentiment. From time to time, in order to mitigate some of the risk associated with these fluctuations, the Company may enter into forward sale contracts. The Company continually evaluates the potential benefits of engaging in these strategies based on current market conditions. The Company may be exposed to nonperformance risk by counterparties as a result of its hedging activities. This exposure would be limited to the amount that the spot price of the metal falls short of the contract price. The Company enters into contracts and other arrangements from time to time in an effort to reduce the negative effect of price changes on its cashflows. These arrangements typically consist of managing the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rates and market prices associated with changes in gold and silver commodity prices. The Company also may manage price risk by purchasing put options.
Concentrate Sales Contracts
The Company enters into concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. The provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative, which is the final settlement price based on a future price, does not qualify for hedge accounting. These embedded derivatives are recorded as derivative assets (in Prepaid expenses and other) or derivative liabilities (in Accrued liabilities and other) on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings each period until the date of final settlement. At March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $16.2 million, consisting of 337,058 ounces of silver and 3,181 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of $16.7 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $3,000; and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $3,200. At December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $22.5 million consisting of 189,975 ounces of silver and 9,701 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $21.7 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $2,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $9,700.
Foreign Currency Contracts
The Company operates, or has mining interests, in several foreign countries, specifically Argentina, Australia, Bolivia and Mexico, which exposes the Company to risks associated with fluctuations in the exchange rates of the currencies involved. From time to time, as part of its program to manage foreign currency risk, the Company may enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts. These contracts enable the Company to purchase a fixed amount of foreign currencies at pre-established exchange rates. Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts that are related to firm commitments are designated and effective as hedges and are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related transaction. The Company has no outstanding firm commitments at March 31, 2012. All other contracts that do not qualify as hedges are marked to market and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in income. The Company continually evaluates the potential benefits of entering into these contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk and proceeds when it believes that the exchange rates are most beneficial.
The Company periodically enters into forward foreign currency contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Mexican peso (“MXP”) operating costs at its Palmarejo mine. At March 31, 2012, the Company had MXP foreign exchange contracts of $25.8 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for MXP at a weighted average exchange rate of 12.78 MXP to each U.S. dollar and had a fair value of $(0.5) million at March 31, 2012. The Company recorded a mark-to-market gain of $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012, and a mark-to market gain of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011, which is reflected in fair value adjustments, net. A 10% weakening of the MXP would result in a reduction in fair value of $2.8 million. The Company recorded realized gains (losses) of $(0.8) million in production costs applicable to sales during the three months ended March 31, 2012, and $0.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

37


Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty
On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into the gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation. The minimum royalty obligation ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold. As of March 31, 2012, a total of 239,974 ounces of gold remain outstanding under the minimum royalty obligation. The price volatility associated with the minimum royalty obligation is considered an embedded derivative financial instrument under U.S. GAAP. The fair value of the embedded derivative at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was a liability of $171.8 million and $159.4 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the mark-to-market adjustments for this embedded derivative amounted to a loss of $12.4 million and a gain of $1.1 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, realized losses on settlement of the liabilities were $13.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively. The mark-to-market adjustments and realized losses are included in fair value adjustments, net in the consolidated statement of operations.
For each $1.00 increase in the price of gold, the fair value of the net derivative liability at March 31, 2012 would have increased by approximately $0.2 million. For each $1.00 decrease in the price of gold, the fair value of the net derivative liability at March 31, 2012 would have decreased by approximately $0.2 million.
Kensington Term Facility
On March 31, 2012, in connection with the Kensington term facility, the Company had outstanding call options requiring it to deliver 136,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $1,919.83 per ounce if the market price of gold exceeds the strike price. At March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding put options allowing it to sell 173,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $954.74 per ounce if the market price of gold were to fall below the strike price. The contracts will expire over the next four years. As of March 31, 2012 the fair market value of these contracts was a net liability of $17,700.0 million.
Additional information about the Company’s derivative financial instruments may be found in Note 15 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), and management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, which by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Based upon the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective and operating to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Based on an evaluation by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, such officers concluded that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The information contained under Note 19 to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 sets forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results. Those risk factors continue to be relevant to an understanding of the Company’s business, financial

38


condition and operating results. In addition, those risk factors have been supplemented and updated in this Form 10-Q as set forth below. References to “we,” “our” and “us” in these risk factors refer to the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations.
The Company is subject to significant governmental regulations, including under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, and related costs and delays may negatively affect its business.
Mining activities are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing environmental protection, natural resources, prospecting, development, production, post-closure reclamation, taxes, labor standards and occupational health and safety laws and regulations, including mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. The costs associated with compliance with such laws and regulations are substantial. Possible future laws and regulations, or more restrictive interpretations of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities, could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of operations and delays in the development of new properties.
U.S. surface and underground mines like the Kensington and Rochester mines are continuously inspected by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), which inspections often lead to notices of violation. Recently, the MSHA has been conducting more frequent and more comprehensive inspections.
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, which may require corrective measures including capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment or remedial actions. In addition, any of our U.S. mines could be subject to a temporary or extended shut down as a result of a violation alleged by the MSHA. Parties engaged in mining operations or in the exploration or development of mineral properties may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may be subject to civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations. Any such penalties, fines, sanctions or shutdowns could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities in the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Item 4. Other Information
Mine Safety Disclosures
Information concerning any mine safety violations and other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has been included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

39


Item 6. Exhibits
 
Exhibits
  
 
 
 
10.1
  
Employment Agreement, dated January 4, 2012, between the Company and K. Leon Hardy (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2012.)*
 
 
10.2
  
Employment Agreement, dated January 4, 2012, between the Company and Kelli C. Kast (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2012.)*
 
 
10.3
  
Coeur d' Alene Mines Corporation Executive Severance Policy, effective as of January 1, 2012 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2012.)*
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of the CEO
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of the CFO
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of the CEO (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
 
 
32.2
  
Certification of the CFO (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
 
 
95.1
  
Mine Safety Disclosure Exhibit
 
 
101.INS
  
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH
  
XBRL Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
  
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
  
Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB
  
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
  
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan

40



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Dated
May 7, 2012
/s/ Mitchell J. Krebs
 
 
MITCHELL J. KREBS
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Dated
May 7, 2012
/s/ Frank L. Hanagarne Jr.
 
 
FRANK L. HANAGARNE JR.
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


41