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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
 
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission File Number 1-8641
 
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.)
     
505 Front Ave., P. O. Box “I”
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
  83816
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (208) 667-3511
 
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share   New York Stock Exchange/Toronto Stock
Exchange/Australian Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
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 o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.[  ]
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 definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  þ     Accelerated filer  o     Non-accelerated filer  o Small reporting company o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
$1,592,960,320
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of February 26, 2009.
610,567,110 shares of Common Stock, Par Value $1.00
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Certain information called for by Part III of the Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
      Business     2  
      Risk Factors     11  
      Unresolved Staff Comments     21  
      Properties     21  
      Legal Proceedings     44  
      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     45  
      Executive Officers of the Registrant     45  
 
PART II
      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     47  
      Selected Financial Data     49  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     50  
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     72  
      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     74  
      Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     74  
      Controls and Procedures     74  
      Other Information     75  
 
PART III
      Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     75  
      Executive Compensation     75  
      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     75  
      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     76  
      Principal Accounting Fees and Services     76  
 
PART IV
      Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules     76  
    82  
 EX-12
 EX-21
 EX-23
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


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PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
INTRODUCTION
 
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation is a large primary silver producer with significant gold assets located in North America and is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the operation and/or ownership, development and exploration of silver and gold mining properties and companies located primarily within South America (Chile, Argentina and Bolivia), Mexico (Chihuahua), United States (Nevada and Alaska) and Australia (New South Wales). Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to collectively as “Coeur” or the “Company.” Coeur was incorporated in Idaho in 1928.
 
OVERVIEW OF MINING PROPERTIES AND INTERESTS
 
The Company’s most significant operating and development-stage mining properties and interests are:
 
  •  Coeur owns, either directly or indirectly, 100% of Empresa Minera Manquiri S.A. (“Manquiri”), a Bolivian company that controls the mining rights for the San Bartolomé mine, which is an open pit silver mine in Bolivia where commercial production commenced June 2008.
 
  •  On December 21, 2007, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Bolnisi Gold NL (“Bolnisi”) and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (“Palmarejo”), through which its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V. owns and is developing the underground and surface Palmarejo silver and gold project in Mexico. The Palmarejo project is currently in the beginning stage of commercial production. Through the Bolnisi acquisition, the Company also controls other exploration-stage properties in northern Mexico.
 
  •  Coeur owns, either directly or indirectly, 100% of the capital stock of Coeur Argentina S.R.L., which owns and operates the underground high-grade silver Martha mine located in Santa Cruz, Argentina. Mining operations commenced at the Martha mine in June 2002. In 2007, the Company built a stand-alone mill to process ore from the Martha mine which previously was transported to its Cerro Bayo mine for processing. The Company carries on an active exploration program at its Martha mine and on its other land in Santa Cruz, which totals over 560 square miles.
 
  •  The Rochester mine is a silver and gold surface mining operation located in northwestern Nevada that has been 100% owned and operated by the Company since 1986. During 1999, the Company acquired the mineral rights to the Nevada Packard property, which is located one and one-half miles south of the Rochester mine, and commenced mining there in the first quarter of 2003. The active mining of ore at the Rochester mine was completed during 2007; however, silver and gold production is expected to continue through 2014 as a result of continuing heap leaching operations.
 
  •  In September 2005, the Company acquired, for $36.9 million, all of the silver production and reserves, up to 17.2 million payable ounces, contained at the Broken Hill mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. (“PBH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Perilya Limited (“Perilya”). The Broken Hill Mine is located in New South Wales, Australia and is an underground zinc/lead/silver mine.
 
  •  In May 2005, the Company acquired, for $44.0 million, all of the silver production and reserves, up to 20.0 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”). The Endeavor mine is an underground zinc/lead/silver mine located in New South Wales, Australia, which has been in production since 1983.
 
  •  Coeur owns 100% of the Cerro Bayo mine in southern Chile, which comprises a high-grade gold and silver underground mine and processing facilities. The Cerro Bayo deposit was discovered during 2000. Initial mining operations commenced in late 2001 and processing started in April 2002. The Company carries on an active exploration program on its 176 square mile property package in southern Chile. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company temporarily suspended operations at Cerro Bayo in order to conserve existing


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  reserves and focus on exploration and development of new discoveries and existing veins. The Company’s objective is to recommence production at lower costs and higher production rates in 2010.
 
  •  The Company owns 100% of the Kensington property, located north of Juneau, Alaska, which is a development-stage underground gold property. An updated feasibility study was completed for the property during 2004 and construction activities commenced in 2005. A lawsuit was filed in 2005 in Federal Court challenging a certain permit necessary for construction of a tailings facility. During 2008, the Company continued all surface facility construction activities not impacted by the legal challenge. The Company will provide an updated timetable and cost estimates once it receives a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, more fully described under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” below.
 
Coeur also has interests in other properties which are subject to silver or gold exploration activities upon which no minable ore reserves have yet been delineated.
 
SILVER AND GOLD PRICES
 
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. The volatility of such prices is illustrated by the following table, which sets forth the high and low prices of silver (as reported by Handy and Harman) and gold (London Final) per ounce during the periods indicated:
 
                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    High     Low     High     Low     High     Low  
 
Silver
  $ 20.70     $ 8.81     $ 15.67     $ 11.54     $ 14.93     $ 8.84  
Gold
  $ 1,011.25     $ 712.50     $ 841.10     $ 608.40     $ 725.00     $ 524.75  
 
MARKETING
 
The Company markets its metals products and concentrates primarily to bullion trading banks and third-party smelters. These customers then sell the metals to end users for use in industry applications such as electronic circuitry, jewelry and silverware production and the manufacture and development of photographic film. Sales of metals to bullion trading banks amounted to approximately 45%, 47% and 47% of total sales of metals in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and sales of metal concentrates to third-party smelters amounted to approximately 55%, 53% and 53% of total metal sales in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading bank customer would not adversely affect the Company in view of the liquidity of the product and availability of alternative trading banks. In 2008, the Company had sales of concentrates to two third-party smelters, Met-Mex Penoles and Nyrstar, which each constituted 10% or more of the Company’s total metal sales. A significant delay or disruption as the result of a disruption in the Company’s contracts could have a materially adverse effect on our operations if we were unable to locate an alternate smelter to treat our concentrates.
 
The Company had no future silver or gold production hedged at December 31, 2008. Coeur has historically sold the gold from its mines both pursuant to forward contracts and at spot prices prevailing at the time of sale. Silver has been sold at spot prices prevailing at the time of sale.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
General
 
The Company’s commitment to environmental responsibility has been recognized in 24 awards received since 1987, which included the Dupont/Conoco Environmental Leadership Award, awarded to the Company on October 1, 1991 by a judging panel that included representatives from environmental organizations and the federal government, the “Star” award granted on June 23, 1993 by the National Environmental Development Association, the Environmental Waikato Regional Council award for Golden Cross environmental initiative granted on May 15, 1995 and in March 2004 the Habitat Restoration Award from the Nevada Division of Wildlife for developing habitat at the Rochester mine. In 1994, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and in 1997, the Company’s Vice President of Environmental and Governmental Affairs, were awarded the American


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Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers’ Environmental Conservation Distinguished Service Award. In 2006, the Company’s Kensington Gold Project was awarded the prestigious 2006 Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award presented by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in recognition of responsible mineral resource development while demonstrating an understanding of sustainable development.
 
The Company’s activities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws governing the protection of the environment, prospecting, development, production, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Although the Company is usually involved in regulatory proceedings for renewal or reissuance of various permits, such regulations have never caused the Company to close any mine. The costs associated with compliance with such regulatory requirements are substantial and possible future legislation and regulations could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the development and continued operation of the Company’s properties, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In the context of environmental permitting, including the approval of reclamation plans, the Company must comply with known standards and regulations which may entail significant costs and delays. Although Coeur has been recognized for its commitment to environmental responsibility and believes it is in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, amendments to current laws and regulations, the more stringent implementation thereof through judicial review or administrative action or the adoption of new laws could have a materially adverse effect upon the Company.
 
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company expended $8.6 million, $5.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively, in connection with routine environmental compliance activities at its operating properties and expects to expend approximately $5.5 million for that purpose in 2009. Future environmental expenditures will be determined by governmental regulations and the overall scope of the Company’s operating and development activities.
 
Federal Environmental Laws
 
Certain mining wastes from extraction and beneficiation of ores are currently exempt from the extensive set of Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulations governing hazardous waste, although such wastes may be subject to regulation under state law as a solid or hazardous waste. The EPA has worked on a program to regulate these mining wastes pursuant to its solid waste management authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). Certain ore processing and other wastes are currently regulated as hazardous wastes by the EPA under RCRA. If the Company’s mine wastes were treated as hazardous waste or such wastes resulted in operations being designated as a “Superfund” site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”) for cleanup, material expenditures would be required for the construction of additional waste disposal facilities or for other remediation expenditures. Under CERCLA, any present owner or operator of a Superfund site or an owner or operator at the time of its contamination generally may be held liable and may be forced to undertake remedial cleanup action or to pay for the government’s cleanup efforts. Such owner or operator may also be liable to governmental entities for the cost of damages to natural resources, which may be substantial. Additional regulations or requirements may also be imposed upon the Company’s tailings and waste disposal in Alaska under the Federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and state law counterparts, and in Nevada under the Nevada Water Pollution Control Law which implements the CWA. Air emissions are subject to controls under Nevada’s and Alaska’s air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act.
 
Proposed Mining Legislation
 
Legislation has been introduced regularly in the U.S. Congress over the last decade to change the Mining Law of 1872, as amended, under which the Company holds unpatented mining claims on federal lands. A portion of the Company’s U.S. mining properties are on unpatented mining claims on federal lands. It is possible that the Mining Law may be amended or be replaced by more onerous legislation in the future. Previously proposed legislation contained a production royalty obligation, new environmental standards and conditions, additional reclamation requirements and extensive new procedural steps which would be likely to result in delays in permitting. Most recently, in late January 2009, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives called the “Hardrock


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Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009” (H.R. 699). The proposed legislation contains new proposed royalties on gross revenues for new and existing mining operations on public lands, among other provisions. The ultimate content of this or any future proposed legislation, if enacted, is uncertain. If a royalty on unpatented mining claims were to be imposed under any ultimately enacted law, the Company’s operations could be adversely affected, although the majority of the Company’s operations are either outside of the United States or on private patented lands and would be unaffected by potential legislation. In addition, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have considered revising regulations governing operations under the Mining Law on federal lands they administer, which, if implemented, may result in additional procedures and environmental conditions and standards on those lands.
 
Any reform of the Mining Law or Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service regulations thereunder based on these initiatives could increase the costs of mining activities on unpatented mining claims, or could materially impair the ability of the Company to develop or continue operations which derive ore from federal lands, and as a result could have an adverse affect on the Company and its results of operations. Until such time, if any, as new reform legislation or regulations are enacted, the ultimate effects and costs of compliance on the Company cannot be estimated.
 
Foreign Government Regulations
 
The mining properties of the Company that are located in Chile and Argentina are subject to various government laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the air, surface water, ground water and the environment in general, as well as the health of the work force, labor standards and the socioeconomic impacts of mining facilities upon the communities. In Chile, a recently established State Council for the Environment (“COREMA”) has responsibility to define policy, approve plans and programs, control regulatory activities and enforce compliance in Chile. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations to which it is subject in Chile and Argentina.
 
The Republic of Bolivia, where the San Bartolomé mine is located, and the country of Mexico, where the Palmarejo project is located, have both adopted laws and guidelines for environmental permitting that are similar to those in effect in the United States and other South American countries. The permitting process requires a thorough study to determine the baseline condition of the mining site and surrounding area, an environmental impact analysis, and proposed mitigation measures to minimize and offset the environmental impact of mining operations. The Company has received all permits required to operate the San Bartolomé mine and to build and operate the Palmarejo project.
 
The Company does not directly hold any interest in mining properties in Australia. However, under the respective Silver Sale Agreements with CBH and PBH, the Company has purchased the silver reserves and resources in the ground of these mining companies. These two companies are responsible for the mining operation and compliance with government regulations and the Company is not responsible for compliance. The Company is, however, at risk for any production stoppages resulting from non-compliance. The mining properties of CBH and PBH are subject to a range of state and federal government laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the air, surface water, ground water, noise, site rehabilitation and the environment in general, as well as the occupational health and safety of the work force, labor standards and the socio-economic impacts of mining facilities among local communities. In addition, the various federal and state native title legislation recognize and protect the rights and interests in Australia of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in land and waters, according to their traditional laws and customs, and may restrict mining and exploration activity and/or result in additional costs. CBH and PBH are required to deal with a number of governmental departments in development and exploitation of their respective mining properties. The Company is not aware of any substantial non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations to which these companies are subject in Australia.
 
Maintenance of Claims
 
United States
 
At mining properties in the United States, including the Rochester and Kensington mines, operations are conducted in part upon unpatented mining claims, as well as patented mining claims. Pursuant to applicable federal


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law, in order to maintain the unpatented claims, it is necessary to pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before August 31 of each year, a claim maintenance fee of $125 per claim. This claim maintenance fee is in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law. In addition, in Nevada, holders of unpatented mining claims are required to pay the county recorder of the county in which the claim is situated an annual fee of $8.50 per claim. No maintenance fees are payable for patented claims. Patented claims are similar to land held by an owner who is entitled to the entire interest in the property with unconditional power of disposition.
 
Chile
 
In Chile, operations are conducted upon mineral concessions granted by the national government. For exploitation concessions (somewhat similar to a U.S. patented claim), to maintain the concession, an annual tax is payable to the government before March 31 of each year in the approximate amount of $1.14 per hectare. For exploration concessions, to maintain the right, the annual tax is approximately $0.30 per hectare. An exploration concession is valid for a five-year period. It may be renewed for new periods unless a third-party claims the right to explore upon the property, in which event the exploration concession must be converted to an exploitation concession in order to maintain the rights to the concession.
 
Argentina
 
Minerals are owned by the Argentine government, which allows individual provinces to impose a maximum 3% mine-mouth royalty on mineral production. The first step in acquiring mining rights is filing a cateo, which gives exclusive prospecting rights for the requested area for a period of time, generally up to 3 years. Maximum size of each cateo is 10,000 hectares; a maximum of 20 cateos can be held by a single entity (individual or company) in any one province.
 
The holder of a cateo has exclusive right to establish a Manifestation of Discovery (“MD”) on that cateo, but MD’s can also be set without a cateo on any land not covered by someone else’s cateo. MDs are filed as either a vein or disseminated discovery. A square protection zone can be declared around the discovery — up to 840 hectares for vein MD or up to 7,000 hectares for a disseminated MD. The protection zone grants the discoverer exclusive rights for an indefinite period, during which the discoverer must provide an annual report presenting a program of exploration work and investments related to the protection zone. A MD can later be upgraded to a Mina (mining claim), which give the holder the right to begin commercial extraction of minerals.
 
Bolivia
 
The Bolivian national mining company, Corporación Minera de Bolivia (“Comibol”), is the underlying owner of all of the mining rights relating to the San Bartolomé mine, with the exception of the Thuru property, which is owned by the Cooperativa Reserva Fiscal, a local miners’ cooperative. Comibol’s ownership derives from the Supreme Decree 3196 in October 1952, when the government nationalized most of the mines in Potosí. Comibol has leased the mining rights for the surface sucu or pallaco gravel deposits to several Potosí cooperatives. The cooperatives in turn have subleased their mining rights to Manquiri through a series of “joint venture” contracts with Manquiri. In addition to those agreements with the cooperatives, Coeur, through its subsidiary Manquiri, holds additional mining rights under lease agreements with Comibol. All of Manquiri’s mining and surface rights collectively constitute the San Bartolomé project.
 
Australia
 
At mining properties in Australia operated by CBH and PBH, operations are conducted on designated Mining Leases issued by the relevant state government mining department. Mining Leases are issued for a specific term and include a range of environmental and other conditions including the payment of production royalties, annual lease fees and the use of cash or a bank guarantee as security for reclamation liabilities. The amounts required to be paid to secure reclamation liabilities are determined on a case by case basis. In addition, both CBH and PBH hold a range of exploration titles and permits, which are also issued by the respective state government mining departments for specified terms and require payment of annual fees and completion of designated expenditure programs on the


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leases to maintain title. In Australia, minerals in the ground are owned by the state until severed from the ground through mining operations.
 
Mexico
 
In order to carry out mining activities in Mexico, the Company is required to obtain a mining concession from the General Bureau of Mining which belongs to the Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía) of the Federal Government, or be assigned previously granted concession rights, and both must be recorded with the Public Registry of Mining. In addition, mining works may have to be authorized by other authorities when performed at villages, dams, channels, general communications ways, submarine shelf of islands, islets and reefs, marine beds and subsoil, federal maritime-terrestrial zones, etc. Reports have to be filed with the Bureau in May of each year evidencing previous calendar year mining works. Generally nominal biannual mining duties are payable in January and August of each year, lack of said duties payment may cause cancellation of the concessions. Obligations such as not to withdraw permanent works of fortification, technical reports etc, are to be fulfilled upon expiration or cancellation of the concession.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
The number of full-time employees at the Company as of December 31, 2008 was:
 
         
United States Corporate Staff and Office
    44  
Rochester Mine
    30  
Kensington Project
    47  
South American Administrative Offices
    30  
South American Exploration
    49  
Cerro Bayo Mine/Chile(1)
    53  
Mina Martha/Argentina(1)
    188  
San Bartolomé Mine/Bolivia(1)
    231  
Palmarejo Project/Mexico
    355  
CDE Australia
    2  
Tanzania
    5  
         
Total
    1,034  
         
 
 
(1) The Company maintains two labor agreements in South America, consisting of a labor agreement with Syndicato de Trabajadores de Compañía Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. at its Cerro Bayo mine in Chile and with Associacion Obrera Minera Argentina at its Martha mine in Argentina. The agreement at Cerro Bayo is effective from December 24, 2007 to December 21, 2010 and the agreement at Mina Martha is effective from June 12, 2006 to June 1, 2010. Additionally, certain employees at San Bartolomé are covered by a labor agreement that became effective October 11, 2007; this Bolivian labor agreement does not have a fixed term. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately 27.5% of its worldwide labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements.
 
EXPLORATION STAGE MINING PROPERTIES
 
The Company, either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns, leases and has interests in certain exploration-stage mining properties located in the United States, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and Tanzania. During 2009, the Company expects to invest approximately $17.7 million in exploration and reserve development compared to $23.6 million spent on similar activities in 2008.


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BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
The Company’s business strategy is to discover, acquire, develop and operate low-cost silver and gold operations that will produce long-term cash flow, provide opportunities for growth through continued exploration, and generate superior and sustainable returns for shareholders.
 
SOURCES OF REVENUE
 
The San Bartolomé mine, Rochester mine, Cerro Bayo mine and Martha mine, each operated by the Company, and the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines operated by others, constituted the Company’s principal sources of mining revenues in 2008. See the Financial Statements, Note R Segment Information under the caption “Geographical Information” for revenues attributed to all foreign countries. The following table sets forth information regarding the percentage contribution to the Company’s total revenues (i.e., revenues from the sale of concentrates and doré) by the sources of those revenues during the past five years:
 
                                                 
    Coeur Percentage
                               
    Ownership at
    Percentage of Total Revenues(2)
 
    December 31,
    For The Years Ended December 31,  
Mine/Company
  2008     2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
 
Rochester Mine
    100 %     36 %     47 %     47 %     45 %     59 %
San Bartolomé Mine
    100       9                          
Cerro Bayo Mine
    100       22       22       23       38       32  
Martha Mine
    100       17       18       16       13       9  
Endeavor Mine(1)
    100       6       4       3       1        
Broken Hill Mine(1)
    100       10       9       11       3        
                                                 
              100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Ownership interest reflects the Company’s ownership interest in the property’s silver production. Other constituent metals are owned by another non-affiliated entity.
 
(2) On June 1, 2006, the Company completed its sale of Coeur Silver Valley (Galena). The Company’s interest in the Galena mine was 100% prior to the sale. Revenues from the Galena mine are reflected in Discontinued Operations.
 
DEFINITIONS
 
The following sets forth definitions of certain important mining terms used in this report.
 
“Ag” is the abbreviation for silver.
 
“Au” is the abbreviation for gold.
 
“Cash Costs” are costs directly related to the physical activities of producing silver and gold, and include mining, processing, transportation and other plant costs, third-party refining and smelting costs, marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and in-mine drilling expenditures that are related to production and other direct costs. Sales of by-product metals, including gold, are deducted from the above in computing cash costs per ounce. Cash costs exclude depreciation, depletion and amortization, corporate general and administrative expense, exploration, interest, and pre-feasibility costs and accruals for mine reclamation. Cash costs are calculated and presented using the “Gold Institute Production Cost Standard” applied consistently for all periods presented.
 
“Cash Costs per Ounce” are calculated by dividing the cash costs computed for each of the Company’s mining properties for a specific period by the amount of gold ounces or silver ounces produced by that property during that same period. Management uses cash costs per ounce produced as a key indicator 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. By calculating the cash costs from each of the Company’s mines on the same unit basis, management can easily determine the gross margin that each ounce of gold and silver produced is generating. While this represents a key indicator of the performance of the Company’s mining properties you are cautioned not to place


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undue reliance on this single measurement. To fully evaluate a mine’s performance, management also monitors U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) based profit/(loss), depreciation and amortization expenses and capital expenditures for each mine as presented in Note R — Segment Information in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Total cash costs per ounce is a non-GAAP measurement and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on it and are urged to read all GAAP accounting disclosures presented in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes.
 
“Concentrate” is a product containing the valuable metal and from which most of the waste material in the ore has been eliminated.
 
“Cut-off Grade” is the lowest grade of mineral resource considered economic; used in the calculation of reserves in a given deposit.
 
“Cyanidation” is a method of extracting gold or silver by dissolving it in a weak solution of sodium or potassium cyanide.
 
“Dilution” is an estimate of the amount of waste or low-grade mineralized rock which will be mined with the ore as part of normal mining practices in extracting an ore body.
 
“Doré” is unrefined gold and silver bullion bars which contain gold, silver and minor amounts of impurities which will be further refined to almost pure metal.
 
“Gold” is a metallic element with minimum fineness of 999 parts per 1000 parts pure gold.
 
“Heap Leaching Process” is a process of extracting gold and silver by placing broken ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained gold and silver, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
 
“Mineralized Material” is gold and silver bearing material that has been physically delineated by one or more of a number of methods, including drilling, underground work, surface trenching and other types of sampling. This material has been found to contain a sufficient amount of mineralization of an average grade of metal or metals to have economic potential that warrants further exploration evaluation. While this material is not currently or may never be classified as ore reserves, it is reported as mineralized material only if the potential exists for reclassification into the reserves category. This material cannot be classified in the reserves category until final technical, economic and legal factors have been determined. Under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s standards, a mineral deposit does not qualify as a reserve unless it can be economically and legally extracted at the time of reserve determination and it constitutes a proven or probable reserve (as defined below). In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines, mineralized material reported in the Company’s Form 10-K no longer includes inferred mineral resources.
 
“Non-cash Costs” are costs that are typically accounted for ratably over the life of an operation and include depreciation, depletion and amortization of capital assets, accruals for the costs of final reclamation and long-term monitoring and care that are usually incurred at the end of mine life, and the amortization of the cost of property acquisitions.
 
“Operating Cash Costs Per Ounce” are cash costs per ounce minus production taxes and royalties.
 
“Ore Reserve” is the part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
 
“Probable Reserve” is a part of a mineralized deposit which can be extracted or produced economically and legally at the time of the reserve determination. The quantity and grade and/or quality of a probable reserve is computed from information similar to that used for a proven reserve, but the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation. Mining dilution, where appropriate, has been factored into the estimation of probable reserves.
 
“Proven Reserve” is a portion of a mineral deposit which can be extracted or produced economically and legally at the time of the reserve determination. The quantity of a proven reserve is computed from dimensions


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revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and the sites for inspections, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of a proven reserve is well-established. Mining dilution, where appropriate, has been factored into the estimation of proven reserves.
 
“Run-of-mine Ore” is mined ore which has not been subjected to any pretreatment, such as washing, sorting or crushing prior to processing.
 
“Silver” is a metallic element with minimum fineness of 995 parts per 1000 parts pure silver.
 
“Stripping Ratio” is the ratio of the number of tons of waste material to the number of tons of ore extracted at an open-pit mine.
 
“Ton” means a short ton which is equivalent to 2,000 pounds, unless otherwise specified.
 
“Total costs” are the sum of cash costs and non-cash costs.
 
IMPORTANT FACTORS RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains numerous forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s gold and silver mining business, including estimated production data, expected operating schedules, 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,” “plan,” “projected,” “contemplates,” “anticipates” or similar words. Actual production, operating schedules, results of operations, ore reserve and resource estimates and other projections and estimates could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include (i) the risk factors set forth below under Item 1A, (ii) the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iii) changes in the market prices of gold and silver, (iv) the 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) the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver ore reserves, (vii) changes that could result 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) the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations, (xi) the 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 ability 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.
 
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
The Company’s website is http://www.coeur.com. Coeur makes available free of charge, on or through its website, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and Forms 3 and 4, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors are available at our website www.coeur.com. Coeur has adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. A copy of the code of ethics and our Corporate Governance Guidelines are available at our website www.coeur.com. Information contained on the Company’s website is not a part of this report.
 
The Company’s Board of Directors adopted an addendum to its Policies and Procedures Manual to establish a code of ethics for the chief executive and principal financial and accounting officers of the Company. The Company will provide a copy of the code free of charge to any person that requests a copy by writing to the Secretary, Coeur


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d’Alene Mines Corporation, 400 Coeur d’Alene Mines Building, 505 Front Avenue, Post Office Box I, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83816-0316.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
The following information sets forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results. 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 may also impair our business operations.
 
The worldwide economic downturn and difficult conditions in the global capital and credit markets have affected and may continue to adversely affect our business, as well as the industries of our customers. We do not expect these conditions to improve in the near future.
 
Recent declines in consumer and business confidence and spending, together with severe reductions in the availability and cost of credit, and volatility in the capital and credit markets, have adversely affected the business and economic environment in which we operate and the profitability of our business. Our business is exposed to risks associated with the creditworthiness of our key suppliers, customers and business partners. These conditions have resulted and may continue to result in financial instability or other adverse effects at any of our suppliers, customers or business partners. The consequences of such adverse effects could include the interruption of production at the facilities of our customers, the reduction, delay or cancellation of customer orders, delays in or the inability of customers to obtain financing to purchase from us, and bankruptcy of customers or other creditors. Any of these events may adversely affect our cash flow, profitability and financial condition. Similarly, any of these events may affect our business partners’ financial condition, such as those companies that operate mines where we own silver production and reserves, and the negative impact on our business partners could adversely affect our cash flow, profitability and financial condition.
 
Moreover, the current worldwide financial crisis has reduced the availability of liquidity and credit to fund or support the continuation and expansion of business operations worldwide. Many lenders and institutional investors have reduced and, in some cases, ceased to provide funding to borrowers. Continued disruption of the credit markets has affected and could continue to adversely affect our customers’ access to credit, which supports the continuation and expansion of their businesses worldwide and could result in contract cancellations or suspensions, payment delays or defaults by our customers.
 
The market prices of silver and gold are volatile. If we experience low silver and gold prices it may result in decreased revenues, decreased net income or losses and decreased cash flows, and may negatively affect our business.
 
Silver and gold are commodities. Their prices fluctuate, and are affected by many factors beyond our control, including interest rates, expectations regarding inflation, speculation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional demand and production, political and economic conditions and other factors. Because we currently derive approximately 69% of our revenues from continuing operations from sales of silver, our earnings and cash flows are primarily related to the price of this metal. Sustained weakness in the price of silver could have a material adverse impact on our earnings and cash flows.
 
The market prices of silver (Handy & Harman) and gold (London Final) on February 26, 2009 were $13.12 and $937 per ounce, respectively. The prices of silver and gold may decline in the future. Factors that are generally understood to contribute to a decline in the price of silver include sales by private and government holders, and a general global economic slowdown.
 
Coeur may also suffer from declines in mineral prices. Since 1999, Coeur has not engaged in any silver hedging activities and is currently not engaged in any gold hedging activities. Accordingly, Coeur has no protection from declines in mineral prices or currency fluctuations.


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If the prices of silver and gold are depressed for a sustained period and our net losses resume, we may be forced to suspend mining at one or more of our properties until the prices increase, and to record additional asset impairment write-downs. Any lost revenues, continued or increased net losses or additional asset impairment write-downs would adversely affect our results of operations.
 
We have significant demands on our liquidity.
 
We have incurred significant capital expenditures in recent years to acquire and develop additional producing properties, during which time our revenues have decreased and operating costs have increased. In addition, the Company plans to invest approximately $130 million in capital activities in 2009 to complete construction of Palmarejo and for sustaining capital investments at our existing operations. This excludes capital expenditures at Kensington, which will be updated after the U.S. Supreme Court decision. Our ability to fund these operations depends to a significant extent on both our operating performance, which in turn depends on our production of silver and gold and the price of silver and gold, as well as on our ability to raise funds through the sale of debt and equity securities. The current global financial crisis has increased our cost of funds and may impede our ability to raise any funds that could be required in the future.
 
We may have to record write-downs of long-lived assets, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“SFAS 144”), established accounting standards for impairment of the value of long-lived assets such as mining properties. SFAS 144 requires a company to review the recoverability of the cost of its assets by estimating the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment, measured by comparing an asset’s carrying value to its fair value, must be recognized when the carrying value of the asset exceeds these cash flows, and recognizing impairment write-downs could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
 
If silver or gold prices decline or we fail to control production costs or realize the minable ore reserves at our mining properties, we may be required to recognize asset write-downs. We also may record other types of additional mining property charges in the future to the extent a property is sold by us for a price less than the carrying value of the property, or if reclamation liabilities have to be increased in connection with the closure and reclamation of a property. Additional write-downs of mining properties could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
 
The Kensington property has been the subject of litigation involving a permit required to complete construction of a required tailings facility. Reference is made to the discussion set forth in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings — Federal Court (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge” for a detailed description of the Kensington project permit legal challenge, including the possibility of an impairment writedown in the event that the expectation of the long-term price for gold decreases below approximately $750 per ounce.
 
No assurance can be given as to whether or when regulatory permits and approvals granted to the Company may be further challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing agencies, or as to whether the Company will ultimately place the Kensington project into commercial production.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company temporarily suspended operations at Cerro Bayo in order to conserve existing reserves and focus on exploration and development of new discoveries and existing veins. The Company’s objective is to recommence production at lower costs and higher production rates in 2010.
 
The Company determined that the reduced production levels and the increase in operating cost levels was a triggering event in accordance with SFAS 144, requiring the Company to assess whether the long-lived assets at the mine were impaired. Step one of the impairment assessment compares the cumulative undiscounted prospective cash flows of the mine to the sum of the carrying values of the long-lived assets at Cerro Bayo. Should the carrying values of the long-lived assets at the mine exceed the sum of those undiscounted future cash flows, a comparison of


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the fair value of the asset to its book value is then required. If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the assets, an impairment loss would be recorded.
 
In projecting its future cash flows, the Company considers certain assumptions for silver prices (including current and historical prices, analyst consensus forward prices, as well as the trailing three-year average silver market prices) and production levels, expected and historical operating costs and required capital expenditures based on available life of mine plans. Assumptions underlying future cash flows are subject to significant risk and uncertainty associated with any differences between specific assumptions and market conditions, such as silver and gold prices, lower than expected recoverable ounces and/or the Company’s operating performance. Based on the Company’s assessment, there was not a required impairment at December 31, 2008. Should silver prices fall below the consensus forward or historical prices, should the cash costs per ounce exceed those projected and historically achieved, or should an updated reserve report result in a reduction of the number of ounces recoverable at Cerro Bayo, the Company may be required to record an impairment loss and that loss could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and financial position.
 
Our future operating performance may not generate cash flows sufficient to meet our debt payment obligations.
 
As of December 31, 2008, we had a total of approximately $462 million of outstanding indebtedness. Our ability to make scheduled debt payments on our outstanding indebtedness will depend on our future operating performance and cash flow. Our operating performance and cash flow, in part, are subject to economic factors beyond our control, including the market prices of silver and gold. We may not be able to generate enough cash flow to meet our obligations and commitments. If we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt, we may need to further refinance our debt, dispose of assets or issue equity to obtain the necessary funds. We cannot predict whether we will be able to refinance our debt, issue equity or dispose of assets to raise funds on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms.
 
We might be unable to raise additional financing necessary to conduct our business, make payments when due or refinance our debt.
 
We might need to raise additional funds in order to implement our business plan, refinance our debt or acquire complementary businesses or products. Any required additional financing might not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, holders of our common stock could experience significant dilution of their ownership interest, and these securities could have rights senior to those of the holders of our common stock.
 
The Palmarejo project is in the beginning stages of commercial production and involves significant risks associated with the commencement of commercial production.
 
There can be no assurance that significant losses will not occur at the Palmarejo project in the near future or that the Palmarejo project will be profitable in the future. Coeur’s operating expenses and capital expenditures may increase in subsequent years as needed consultants, personnel and equipment associated with advancing exploration, development and commercial production of the Palmarejo project and any other properties Coeur may acquire are added. The amounts and timing of expenditures will depend on the progress of ongoing exploration and development and the results of consultants’ analyses and recommendations, which are beyond Coeur’s control.
 
Our revenues and income (or loss) from our interest in the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines are dependent in part upon the performance of the operators of the mine.
 
In May and September 2005, we acquired silver production and reserves at the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines in Australia, respectively. These mines are owned and operated by other mining companies. The Company’s revenues and income (or loss) from its interest in the silver production at these mines are dependent in part upon the performance of those operators and such mines as well as upon zinc and lead prices that are sufficient to maintain sustainable operations. The decline in primary metal prices may result in cessation of mining operations and an impairment would likely occur.


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On August 21, 2008, the operator of the Broken Hill mine advised the market that, following an extensive review of its Broken Hill operations, it had implemented a plan to resize the operation in light of current low metal prices. Under the revised operating plan, ore production will decrease from 1.8 to 0.95 million tonnes per year. This reduction in ore production could have an adverse effect on Coeur’s revenues and income at this mine.
 
The estimation of ore reserves is imprecise and depends upon subjective factors. Estimated ore reserves may not be realized in actual production. Our operating results may be negatively affected by inaccurate estimates.
 
The ore reserve figures presented in our public filings are estimates made by our technical personnel. Reserve estimates are a function of geological and engineering analyses that require us to make assumptions about production costs and silver and gold market prices. Reserve estimation is an imprecise and subjective process and the accuracy of such estimates is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation, judgment and experience. Assumptions about silver and gold market prices are subject to great uncertainty as those prices have fluctuated widely in the past. Declines in the market prices of silver or gold may render reserves containing relatively lower grades of ore uneconomic to exploit, and we may be required to reduce reserve estimates, discontinue development or mining at one or more of our properties, or write down assets as impaired. Should we encounter mineralization or geologic formations at any of our mines or projects different from those we predicted, we may adjust our reserve estimates and alter our mining plans. Either of these alternatives may adversely affect our actual production and operating results.
 
We based our ore reserve determinations as of December 31, 2008 on a long-term silver price average of $13.25 per ounce, with the exception of the Endeavor mine which uses $12.00 per ounce and the Broken Hill mine which uses $2.22 per ounce of silver, and a long-term gold price average of $750 per ounce for all properties. On February 26, 2009 silver and gold prices were $13.12 per ounce and $937 per ounce, respectively.
 
The estimation of the ultimate recovery of metals contained within the Rochester heap leach pad inventory is inherently inaccurate and subjective and requires the use of estimation techniques. Actual recoveries can be expected to vary from estimations.
 
The Rochester mine utilizes the heap leach process to extract silver and gold from ore. The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
 
We use several integrated steps in the process of extracting silver and gold to estimate the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads. Although we refine our estimates as appropriate at each step in the process, the final amounts are not determined until a third-party smelter converts the doré and determines final ounces of silver and gold available for sale. We then review this end result and reconcile it to the estimates we developed and used throughout the production process. Based on this review, we adjust our estimation procedures when appropriate. As a result, actual recoveries can vary from estimates, and the amount of the variation could be significant and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our estimates of current and non-current inventories may not be realized in actual production and operating results, which may negatively affect our business.
 
We use estimates, based on prior production results and experiences, to determine whether heap leach inventory will be recovered more than one year in the future, and is non-current inventory, or will be recovered within one year, and is current inventory. The estimates involve assumptions that may not prove to be consistent with our actual production and operating results. We cannot determine the amount ultimately recoverable until leaching is completed. If our estimates prove inaccurate, our operating results may be less than anticipated.


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Silver mining involves significant production and operational risks. Coeur may suffer from the failure to efficiently operate its mining projects.
 
Silver mining involves significant degrees of risk, including those related to mineral exploration success, unexpected geological or mining conditions, the development of new deposits, climatic conditions, equipment and/or service failures, compliance with current or new governmental requirements, current availability of or delays in installing and commissioning plant and equipment, import or customs delays and other general operating risks. Problems may also arise due to the quality or failure of locally obtained equipment or interruptions to services (such as power, water, fuel or transport or processing capacity) or technical support, which results in the failure to achieve expected target dates for exploration or production activities and/or result in a requirement for greater expenditure. The right to export silver and gold may depend on obtaining certain licenses and quotas, the granting of which may be at the discretion of the relevant regulatory authorities. There may be delays in obtaining such licenses and quotas leading to the financial result of Coeur being adversely affected, and it is possible that from time to time export licenses may be refused. Many of these risks are outside of the ability of Coeur’s management to control and may result in a materially adverse effect on Coeur’s operations, financial position and cash flows.
 
Mineral exploration and development inherently involves significant and irreducible financial risks. Coeur may suffer from the failure to find and develop profitable mines.
 
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant financial risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Unprofitable efforts may result from the failure to discover mineral deposits. Even if mineral deposits are found, such deposits may be insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production, or it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Mining companies rely on consultants and others for exploration, development, construction and operating expertise.
 
Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. The economic feasibility of any development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of ore reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), metallurgical recoveries, production rates and capital and operating costs of such development projects, and metals prices. Development projects are also subject to the completion of favorable feasibility studies, issuance and maintenance of necessary permits and receipt of adequate financing.
 
Once a mineral deposit is developed, whether it will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; government regulations including taxes, royalties and land tenure; land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection; and mineral prices. Factors that affect adequacy of infrastructure include: reliability of roads, bridges, power sources and water supply; unusual or infrequent weather phenomena; sabotage; and government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure. All of these factors are highly cyclical. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination may result in not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
 
Significant investment risks and operational costs are associated with our exploration, development and mining activities. These risks and costs may result in lower economic returns and may adversely affect our business.
 
Our ability to sustain or increase our present production levels depends in part on successful exploration and development of new ore bodies and/or expansion of existing mining operations. Mineral exploration, particularly for silver and gold, involves many risks and is frequently unproductive. If mineralization is discovered, it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. The economic feasibility of any development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of ore reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), metallurgical recoveries, production rates and capital and operating costs


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of such development projects, and metals prices. Development projects are also subject to the completion of favorable feasibility studies, issuance and maintenance of necessary permits and receipt of adequate financing.
 
Development projects may have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future operating costs and capital requirements. Development project items such as estimates of reserves, metal recoveries and cash operating costs are to a large extent based upon the interpretation of geologic data obtained from a limited number of drill holes and other sampling techniques and feasibility studies. Estimates of cash operating costs are then derived based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the orebody, expected recovery rates of metals from the ore, comparable facility and equipment costs, anticipated climate conditions and other factors. As a result, actual cash operating costs and economic returns of any and all development projects may materially differ from the costs and returns estimated, and accordingly, our business results of operations may be negatively affected.
 
The Company’s marketing of metals concentrates could be adversely affected if there were to be a significant delay or disruption of purchases by its third-party smelter customers. In particular, a significant delay or disruption in our sales of concentrates as a result of the unexpected discontinuation of purchases by our smelter customers could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
 
The Company currently markets its silver and gold concentrates to third-party smelters in Mexico, Japan and Australia. The loss of any one smelter customer could have a material adverse effect on us in the event of the possible unavailability of alternative smelters. No assurance can be given that alternative smelters would be timely available if the need for them were to arise, or that delays or disruptions in sales could not be experienced that would result in a materially adverse effect on our operations and our financial results.
 
Our silver and gold production may decline, reducing our revenues and negatively impacting our business.
 
Our future silver and gold production may decline as a result of an exhaustion of reserves and possible closure of mines. It is our business strategy to conduct silver and gold exploratory activities at our existing mining and exploratory properties as well as at new exploratory projects, and to acquire silver and gold mining properties and businesses or reserves that possess minable ore reserves and are expected to become operational in the near future. We can provide no assurance that our silver and gold production in the future will not decline. Accordingly, our revenues from the sale of silver and gold may decline, negatively affecting our results of operations.
 
There are significant hazards associated with our mining activities, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance. To the extent we must pay the costs associated with such risks, our business may be negatively affected.
 
The mining business is subject to risks and hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, the encountering of unusual or unexpected geological formations, cave-ins, flooding, earthquakes and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. These occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, reduced production and delays in mining, asset write-downs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Although we maintain insurance in an amount that we consider to be adequate, liabilities might exceed policy limits, in which event we could incur significant costs that could adversely affect our results of operation. Insurance fully covering many environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) is not generally available to us or to other companies in the industry. The realization of any significant liabilities in connection with our mining activities as described above could negatively affect our results of operations.
 
We are subject to significant governmental regulations, and their related costs and delays may negatively affect our business.
 
Coeur’s mining activities are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing environmental protection, natural resources, prospecting, development, production, post-closure


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reclamation, taxes, labor standards and occupational health and safety laws and regulations including mine safety, toxic substances and other matters related to Coeur’s business. Although these laws and regulations have never required Coeur to close any mine, 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 Coeur’s operations and delays in the development of its properties. Moreover, future developments in U.S. federal laws and regulations are currently especially difficult to predict due to the new President and Congress. These changes in the federal government may increase the likelihood that we will be subject to new laws, regulations and regulatory investigations.
 
In addition, government approvals, approval of aboriginal people and permits are currently and may in the future be required in connection with the Palmarejo project. To the extent such approvals are required and not obtained, Coeur may be curtailed or prohibited from planned mining operations or continuing its planned exploration or development of mineral properties at the Palmarejo project.
 
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. 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 have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
 
Compliance with environmental regulations and litigation based on environmental regulations could require significant expenditures.
 
Environmental regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner that will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees.
 
To the extent Coeur is subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities or the costs that it may incur to remedy environmental pollution would reduce funds otherwise available to it and could have a material adverse effect on the combined company. If Coeur is unable to fully remedy an environmental problem, it might be required to suspend operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy. The potential exposure may be significant and could have a material adverse effect.
 
Moreover, governmental authorities and private parties may bring lawsuits based upon damage to property and injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health and safety impacts of Coeur’s past and current operations, which could lead to the imposition of substantial fines, remediation costs, penalties and other civil and criminal sanctions. Substantial costs and liabilities, including for restoring the environment after the closure of mines, are inherent in Coeur’s operations. Although Coeur believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, Coeur cannot assure you that any such law, regulation, enforcement or private claim will not have a negative effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Some of Coeur’s mining wastes are currently exempt to a limited extent from the extensive set of federal Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulations governing hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). If the EPA designates these wastes as hazardous under RCRA, Coeur would be required to expend additional amounts on the handling of such wastes and to make significant expenditures to construct hazardous waste disposal facilities. In addition, if any of these wastes causes contamination in or damage to the environment at a mining facility, such facility may be designated as a “Superfund” site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). Under CERCLA, any owner or operator of a Superfund site since the time of its contamination may be held liable and may be forced to undertake extensive remedial cleanup action or to pay for the government’s cleanup efforts. Such owner or operator may also be liable to governmental entities for the cost of damages to natural resources, which may be substantial.


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Additional regulations or requirements are also imposed upon Coeur’s tailings and waste disposal areas in Alaska under the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and in Nevada under the Nevada Water Pollution Control Law which implements the CWA. Airborne emissions are subject to controls under air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act in Nevada and Alaska. Compliance with CERCLA, the CWA and state environmental laws could entail significant costs, which could have a material adverse effect on Coeur’s operations.
 
In the context of environmental permits, including the approval of reclamation plans, Coeur must comply with standards and regulations which entail significant costs and can entail significant delays. Such costs and delays could have a dramatic impact on Coeur’s operations. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect Coeur’s operations. Coeur intends to fully comply with all applicable environmental regulations.
 
We are required to obtain government permits to expand operations or begin new operations. The acquisition of such permits can be materially impacted by third-party litigation seeking to prevent the issuance of such permits. The costs and delays associated with such approvals could affect our operations, reduce our revenues and negatively affect our business as a whole.
 
Mining companies are required to seek governmental permits for expansion of existing operations or for the commencement of new operations such as the Kensington development project and the Palmarejo project. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings. The duration and success of permitting efforts are contingent on many factors that are out of our control. The governmental approval process may increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted, and could cause us to not proceed with the development of a mine. Accordingly, this approval process could harm our results of operations.
 
Reference is made to the discussion of the current litigation regarding the validity of the mine tailings permit at the Kensington property in Alaska that is set forth under the above risk factor entitled “We may have to record write-downs of long-lived assets, which could negatively impact our results of operations.”
 
Our business depends on good relations with our employees.
 
The Company could experience labor disputes, work stoppages or other disruptions in production that could adversely affect us. As of December 31, 2008, unions represented approximately 27.5% of our worldwide workforce. On that date, the Company had 13 employees at its Cerro Bayo mine and 137 employees at its Martha mine who were working under a collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covering the Cerro Bayo mine expires on December 21, 2010, and a collective bargaining agreement covering the Martha mine expires on June 1, 2010. Additionally, the Company had 134 employees at its San Bartolomé mine working under a labor agreement which became effective October 11, 2007 and does not have a fixed term.
 
We are an international company and are exposed to risks in the countries in which we have significant operations or interests. Foreign instability or variances in foreign currencies may cause unforeseen losses, which may affect our business.
 
Any foreign operation or investment is subject to political and economic risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties may include exchange controls; extreme fluctuations in currency exchange rates; high rates of inflation; labor unrest; civil unrest; military repression; expropriation and nationalization; renegotiation or nullification of existing concessions, licenses, permits and contracts; illegal mining; changes in taxation policies; restrictions on foreign exchange and repatriation; and laws or policies in the U.S. affecting foreign trade investment and taxation. Further, foreign operations or investment is subject to changes in government regulations with respect to, but not limited to, restrictions on production, price controls, export controls, currency remittance, income taxes, expropriation of property, foreign investment, maintenance of claims, environmental legislation, land use, land claims of local people, water use and mine safety.
 
Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and Australia are the most significant foreign countries in which Coeur now directly or indirectly owns or operates mining properties or developmental projects. Coeur also conducts exploratory projects in these countries. Argentina and Bolivia, while currently economically and politically stable, have


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experienced political instability, provincial government pressures on mining operations, currency value fluctuations and changes in banking regulations in recent years. It is uncertain at this time how new mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude may affect mining in these countries.
 
Coeur may enter into agreements which require Coeur to purchase currencies of foreign countries in which Coeur does business in order to ensure fixed exchange rates. In the event that actual exchange rates vary from those set forth in any such hedge contracts, Coeur will experience U.S. dollar-denominated currency gains or losses. Continued worldwide economic volatility, future political instabilities or changes in the laws of foreign countries in which Coeur has significant operations or interests and unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could negatively impact its foreign operations and its business as a whole. Further, property ownership in a foreign country is generally subject to the risk of expropriation or nationalization with inadequate compensation.
 
Coeur is exposed to risks with respect to the legal systems in the countries in which it has significant operations or interests and resolutions of any disputes may adversely affect its business.
 
Some of the jurisdictions in which Coeur currently and may in the future operate have less developed legal systems than would be found in more established economies like the United States. This may result in risks such as potential difficulties in obtaining effective legal redress in the courts of such jurisdictions, whether in respect of a breach of law or regulation, or in an ownership dispute; a higher degree of discretion on the part of governmental authorities; the lack of judicial or administrative guidance on interpreting applicable rules and regulations; inconsistencies or conflicts between and within various laws, regulations, decrees, orders and resolutions; or relative inexperience of the judiciary and courts in such matters.
 
In certain jurisdictions the commitment of local business people, government officials and agencies and the judicial system to abide by legal requirements and negotiated agreements may be uncertain, creating particular concerns with respect to licenses and agreements for business. These may be susceptible to revision or cancellation and legal redress may be uncertain or delayed. There can be no assurance that joint ventures, licenses, license applications or other legal arrangements will not be adversely affected by the actions of government authorities or others, and the effectiveness of and enforcement of such arrangements in these jurisdictions cannot be assured.
 
Any of our future acquisitions may result in significant risks, which may adversely affect our business.
 
An important element of our business strategy is the opportunistic acquisition of silver and gold mines, properties and businesses or interests therein. While it is our practice to engage independent mining consultants to assist in evaluating and making acquisitions, any mining properties or interests therein we may acquire may not be developed profitably or, if profitable when acquired, that profitability might not be sustained. In connection with any future acquisitions, we may incur indebtedness or issue equity securities, resulting in increased interest expense, or dilution of the percentage ownership of existing shareholders. We intend to seek shareholder approval for any such acquisitions to the extent required by applicable law, regulations or stock exchange rules. We cannot predict the impact of future acquisitions on the price of our business or our common stock. Unprofitable acquisitions, or additional indebtedness or issuances of securities in connection with such acquisitions, may impact the price of our common stock and negatively affect our results of operations.
 
Coeur is continuously considering possible acquisitions of additional mining properties or interests therein that are located in other countries, and could be exposed to significant risks associated with any such acquisitions.
 
In the ordinary course of Coeur’s business, Coeur is continuously considering the possible acquisition of additional significant mining properties or interests therein that may be located in countries other than those in which Coeur now has operations or interests. Consequently, in addition to the risks inherent in the valuation and acquisition of such mining properties, as well as the subsequent development, operation or ownership thereof, Coeur could be subject to additional risks in such countries as a result of governmental policies, economic instability, currency value fluctuations and other risks associated with the development, operation or ownership of mining properties or interests therein. Such risks could adversely affect Coeur’s results of operations.


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Our ability to find and acquire new mineral properties is uncertain. Accordingly, our prospects are uncertain for the future growth of our business.
 
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable ore reserves, we are continually seeking to replace and expand our ore reserves. Identifying promising mining properties is difficult and speculative. Furthermore, we encounter strong competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties producing or capable of producing silver and gold. Many of these companies have greater financial resources than we do. Consequently, we may be unable to replace and expand current ore reserves through the acquisition of new mining properties or interests therein on terms we consider acceptable. As a result, our revenues from the sale of silver and gold may decline, resulting in lower income and reduced growth.
 
Third parties may dispute our unpatented mining claims, which could result in the discovery of defective titles and losses affecting our business.
 
The validity of unpatented mining claims, which constitute a significant portion of Coeur’s property holdings in the United States, is often uncertain and may be contested. Although Coeur has attempted to acquire satisfactory title to undeveloped properties, Coeur, in accordance with mining industry practice, does not generally obtain title opinions until a decision is made to develop a property. As a result, some titles, particularly titles to undeveloped properties, may be defective. Defective title to any of Coeur’s mining claims could result in litigation, insurance claims and potential losses affecting its business as a whole.
 
The acquisition of title to concessions and similar property interests is a detailed and time consuming process. Title to, and the area of, concessions and similar property interests may be disputed.
 
No assurances can be given that title defects to the Palmarejo project do not exist. The Palmarejo project may be subject to prior unregistered agreements, interests or native land claims and title may be affected by undetected defects. There may be challenges to the title of any of the claims comprising the Palmarejo project that, if successful, could impair development and/or operations. A defect could result in Coeur losing all or a portion of its right, title, estate and interest in and to the properties to which the title defect relates. Also, while Coeur believes that the registration defects relating to certain non-material properties as described herein will be remedied, there can be no assurance as to timing or successful completion.
 
The market price of our common stock has been volatile and may decline.
 
The market price of our common stock has been volatile and may decline in the future. The market price of our common stock historically has fluctuated widely and been affected by our operating results and by many factors beyond our control. These factors include: market prices of silver and gold; general stock market conditions; interest rates; expectations regarding inflation; currency values; and global and regional political and economic conditions and other factors.
 
Conversion of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes will dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders, including holders who had previously converted their Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes.
 
To the extent we issue shares of our common stock upon conversion of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes, the conversion of some or all of such notes will dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders, including holders who had previously converted their notes. Any sales in the public market of shares of our common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of shares of our common stock. In addition, the existence of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes may encourage short selling by market participants because the conversion of such notes could depress the price of shares of our common stock.


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We have the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of our issued and outstanding common stock and may materially and adversely affect the price of our common stock.
 
The issuance of additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities would result in dilution of existing shareholders’ equity interests in the Company. We are authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series to establish the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and relative participating, optional, conversion and other special rights of the shares of each series as well as the qualification, limitations or restrictions on each series, including but not limited to the fixing or alteration of the dividend rights, dividend rate or rates, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, the redemption price or prices and the liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of shares of preferred stock, or any or all of them. Any series of preferred stock could contain dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences or other rights superior to the rights of holders of our common stock. Our Board of Directors has no present intention of issuing any preferred stock, but reserves the right to do so in the future and has reserved for issuance a series of preferred stock in connection with our shareholder rights plan. If we issue additional equity securities, the price of our common stock may be materially and adversely affected.
 
We are subject to anti-takeover provisions in our charter, in our bylaws and in our shareholder rights plan that could delay or prevent an acquisition of Coeur even if such an acquisition would be beneficial to our shareholders.
 
Certain provisions in our articles of incorporation and our bylaws could provide the ability to delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our shareholders. Some of these provisions (i) authorize the issuance of preferred stock which can be created and issued by the Board of Directors without prior shareholder approval, commonly referred to as “blank check” preferred stock, with rights senior to those of common stock; (ii) authorize the Board of Directors to increase or decrease the size of the board without shareholder approval; (iii) authorize a majority of the directors then in office to fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors; and (iv) require that a “fair price” be paid in some business transactions. We have also implemented a shareholder rights plan which could delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
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SILVER AND GOLD MINING PROPERTIES
 
South America
 
Bolivia — San Bartolomé Mine
 
The San Bartolomé open pit silver mine, operated by Empressa Minera Manquiri SA (“Manquiri”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is located on the flanks of the Cerro Rico Mountain bordering the town of Potosí, Bolivia. Access to the property and the Company’s pre processing facilities is by paved and all-weather gravel roads leading south-southwest from Potosí.
 
The mineral rights for the San Bartolomé mine are held through joint venture and long-term lease agreements with several independent mining cooperatives and the Bolivian State Mining Company (“COMIBOL”). Manquiri controls 67 square kilometers under lease from COMIBOL and 16,600 acres under lease from the cooperatives at San Bartolomé and approximately 17.8 square miles of concessions at the Khori Huasi property, a gold exploration target south of Potosí. The San Bartolomé lease agreements, executed between 1996 and 2003 and with 25 year terms, are generally subject to a 4% production royalty payable partially to the cooperatives and partially to COMIBOL. During 2003, the Company acquired additional mining rights known as the Plahipo project which include the mining rights to oxide dumps adjacent to the original property package. The oxide dumps included in the Plahipo project are subject to a sliding scale royalty payable to COMIBOL that is a function of silver price. The Company incurred royalty payments for these mining rights totaling $6.6 million. commencing with operating activities in June 2008.
 
Coeur acquired 100% of the equity in Manquiri from Asarco Incorporated (“ASARCO”) on September 9, 1999. Manquiri’s principal asset is the mining rights to the San Bartolomé mine. Silver was first discovered in the area around 1545. Mining of silver and lesser amounts of tin and base metals has been conducted nearly continuously since that time from multiple underground mines driven into Cerro Rico. The prior owner did not conduct any mining or processing of the surface ores at San Bartolomé.
 
We completed a preliminary feasibility study in 2000, which concluded that an open pit mine was potentially capable of producing approximately six million ounces of silver annually. In 2003, SRK, an independent consulting firm, was retained to review the reserve/resource estimate to include additional sampling data to incorporate additional resources acquired with the Plahipo project at Cerro Rico. During 2003, we retained Fluor Daniel Wright to prepare an updated feasibility study which was completed at the end of the third quarter of 2004. The study provides for the use of a cyanide milling flow sheet with a wet pre-concentration screen circuit which will result in the production of a doré that may be treated by a number of refiners under a tolling agreement which results in the return of refined silver to the Company that is readily marketed by metal banks and brokers to the ultimate customer. During 2004, the Company obtained all operating permits and commercial construction activities commenced.
 
The property and equipment were placed into service in June 2008 and are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventative maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Power is supplied to the property by the local power utility. The San Bartolomé mine commenced production on June 27, 2008. Silver production for 2008 was 2.9 million ounces. Total cash costs per ounce for 2008 were $10.53 per ounce. Operational results continue to improve and the Company now expects production for 2009 to be approximately 9.0 million ounces of silver.
 
In November 2007, Bolivia’s Congress approved a reform to the mining tax code. The Bolivia tax rate on most mining companies has increased from 25% to 37.5%. However, mining companies similar to San Bartolomé that produce a doré product will receive a 5% credit based upon their specific operation. Thus, the tax rate for San Bartolomé will be 32.5%.
 
The Company obtained a political risk insurance policy from the Overseas Private Insurance Corporation (“OPIC”) and another private insurer. The combined policies are in the amount of $155 million and cover Coeur up to the lesser of $131 million or 85% of any loss arising from expropriation, political violence or currency inconvertibility. The policy is expected to cost approximately $3.4 million per year, which was capitalized during the development and construction phases and is now included as a cost of inventory produced (estimated at approximately $0.21 per ounce of silver produced) over the term of the policies which expire in 2019 and 2024.


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The Company’s total capital cost (excluding political risk insurance premiums and capitalized interest) to place the mine into production was $237.9 million.
 
The silver mineralization at San Bartolomé is hosted in gravel (pallaco) and reworked gravel (sucu and troceras) deposits and oxide stockpiles and dumps from past mining that occur on the flanks of Cerro Rico. Cerro Rico is a prominent mountain in the region that reaches an elevation of over 15,400 feet (over 4,700 meters). It is composed of Tertiary-aged volcanic and intrusive rocks that were emplaced into and over older sedimentary, and volcanic, basement rocks. Silver, along with tin and base metals, is located in multiple veins and vein swarms that occur in a northeast trending belt which transects Cerro Rico. The upper parts of the Cerro Rico mineralized system were subsequently eroded and re-deposited into the flanking gravel deposits. Silver is hosted in all portions of the pallacos and sucus with the best grades segregated to the coarser-grained silicified fragments. These deposits lend themselves to simple, free digging surface mining techniques and can be extracted without drilling and blasting. Of the several pallaco deposits which are controlled by Coeur and surround Cerro Rico, three are of primary importance and are known as Huacajchi, Diablo and Santa Rita.
 
In 2009, exploration planned at San Bartolomé will consist of collecting additional data from new pits (pozos) to further define and/or expand the ore reserves.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — San Bartolomé Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    160              
Ounces of silver per ton
    6.35              
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    1,015              
Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    35,147       42,043       46,176  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.81       3.64       3.29  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    134,015       153,003       151,882  
Proven and Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    35,307       42,043       46,176  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.82       3.64       3.29  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    135,030       153,003       151,882  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — San Bartolomé Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Tons (000’s)
    37,087       15,567       70  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.75       2.22       2.29  


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Operating Data
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Production(7)
                       
Tons ore milled
    505,514              
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    7.46              
Recovery silver(%)
    75.8              
Silver produced (oz.)
    2,861,500              
Cost per Ounce of Silver
                       
Cash costs(6)
    10.53     $     $  
Non-cash costs
    1.97              
                         
Total production costs
  $ 12.50     $     $  
                         
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2008. The metal price used for current ore reserves was $13.25 per ounce of silver.
 
(2) Ore reserves are open pit-minable and include variable mining recovery factors from 96.1 to 100%.
 
(3) Metallurgical recoveries are variable per ore type but average 61.1% for silver and should be applied to the total contained silver ounces.
 
(4) Ore reserves were prepared by B. O’Leary (Mining Engineer), J. L. Sims (Geologist), and A. Tattersall (Mining Engineer) of the Company’s technical staff.
 
(5) Proven and probable ore reserves are defined by surface drill holes and pits (pozos) with an average spacing of no more than 70 meters. Proven reserves are those reserves in stockpile at the end of 2008. The grade of ore reserve block is determined by the grade of proximal drill hole and/or pit composites and three-dimensional models of geologic controls. A minimum of 8 and maximum of 20 composite were used to classify proven and probable ore reserves and variable geostatistical estimation variances. Mineralized material is similarly classified.
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
(7) San Bartolomé commenced production in late June 2008.
 
Argentina — Martha Mine
 
The Martha mine is an underground silver and gold mine owned and operated by Coeur Argentina S.R.L., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which is located in the Santa Cruz Province of southern Argentina. Access to the mine is provided by all-weather gravel roads 30 miles northeast of the town of Gubernador Gregores.
 
The mineral rights for the Martha property are fully-owned by Coeur Argentina S.R.L., totaling 195 square miles (50,623 hectares) of exploration concessions (claims), 86.4 square miles (22,377 hectares) of discovery concessions, and 0.54 square miles (142 hectares) of exploitation concessions. Martha is centered on the exploitation concessions, which fully cover the area of the mine infrastructure and the ore reserves reported herein. Concessions do not have an expiration date; they are subject only to required annual fees. Surface rights covering the Martha deposit are controlled by the 137.8 square mile (35,705-hectare) Cerro 1o de Abril Estancia which is owned by Coeur Argentina S.R.L. Included on the estancia is a 60-person man camp, mine and exploration offices, and assay lab.
 
The Company acquired the property in 2002 through the purchase of a subsidiary of Yamana Resources Inc. for $2.5 million. The prior owner conducted minor underground mining on the near-surface portion of the Martha vein from late 2000 to mid 2001. The Company is obligated to pay a 2% net smelter royalty on silver and gold production to Royal Gold Corporation granted by Yamana Resources. The Company incurred royalty payments totaling $1.9 million, $2.0 million and $1.4 million for the years ended 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


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Prior to 2008 we transported the Martha mine ore by truck approximately 600 miles by road for processing at the Company’s Cerro Bayo mill located approximately 270 miles away. In 2007, the Company commenced the construction of a 240 ton per day flotation mill which was completed in December 2007 and produces a flotation concentrate. During December 2007, the newly-constructed facility commenced operating. In 2008, we began shipping the concentrate to a third-party smelter located in Mexico. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Power is provided by Company-owned diesel generators.
 
Production at the Martha mine in 2008 was approximately 2.7 million ounces of silver and 3,313 ounces of gold compared to 2.7 million ounces of silver and 4,127 ounces of gold in 2007. Cash cost per ounce of silver produced was $7.57 in 2008 compared to $6.27 in 2007. The increase in total cash costs per ounce was primarily due to an increase in labor and operating supplies and mill start-up related costs in 2008.
 
Total capital expenditures at the Martha mine in 2008 were $4.5 million and the Company plans approximately $1.6 million of additional capital expenditures there in 2009.
 
At Martha, silver and gold mineralization is hosted in epithermal quartz veins and veinlets within generally sub-horizontal volcanic rocks of the Chon Aike Formation. The veins and veinlets occur as sub-parallel clusters largely trending west-northwest and dipping steeply to the southwest. The main ore minerals of silver and gold are silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite, electrum (a naturally-occurring gold and silver alloy) and native silver.
 
During 2008, we spent $2.9 million on exploration and $0.4 million on reserve development at the Martha mine, and $2.6 million at our other properties in the Santa Cruz province, to discover new silver- and gold-bearing veins and define new reserves. In 2008, exploration tested extensions at depth and on strike on the Martha, R4, Catalina, Francisca, Belen, Isabel and Betty ore-bearing structures. A total of 37,221 feet (11,345 meters) of drilling was completed in 2008. During 2009, we expect to spend $2.9 million on exploration for the discovery of new mineralization and reserve development, across all our large land holdings in the province of Santa Cruz.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Martha Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    18       55       33  
Ounces of silver per ton
    55.86       52.95       64.05  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    992       2,924       2,118  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.07       0.07       0.10  
                         
Contained ounces of gold
    1,000       4,100       3,300  
Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    58       98       66  
Ounces of silver per ton
    31.22       54.55       59.97  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    1,817       5,369       3,996  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.04       0.07       0.08  
Contained ounces of gold
    2,000       6,500       5,500  
Proven and Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    76       154       99  
Ounces of silver per ton
    36.99       53.97       61.35  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    2,809       8,293       6,084  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.04       0.07       0.09  
Contained ounces of gold
    3,000       10,600       8,800  


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Year-end Mineralized Material — Martha Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Tons (000’s)
    46       92       56  
Ounces of silver per ton
    29.5       36.80       39.31  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.02       0.05       0.06  
 
Operating Data
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Production Tons ore milled
    57,886       37,047       35,843  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    49.98       78.10       79.93  
Ore grade gold (oz./ton)
    .065       0.120       0.104  
Recovery silver (%)
    93.7       95.0       94.7  
Recovery gold (%)
    88.3       92.7       92.5  
Silver produced (oz.)
    2,710,673       2,748,705       2,712,846  
Gold produced (oz.)
    3,313       4,127       3,440  
Cost per Ounce
                       
Cash costs(6)
  $ 7.57     $ 6.27     $ 4.88  
Non-cash costs
    1.81       0.51       0.48  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 9.38     $ 6.78     $ 5.36  
                         
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2008. Metal prices used for current ore reserves were $13.25 per ounce of silver and $750 per ounce of gold
 
(2) Ore reserves are underground minable and include a dilution of 0.4 meters, at zero grade, added to vein widths. Mining recoveries are 85% on stope ore and 100% on development ore.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factors of 94% for silver and 93% for gold should be applied to the contained silver and gold ounces.
 
(4) Ore reserves were prepared by B. O’Leary (Mining Engineer), J. L. Sims (Geologist) and D. Duffy (Mining Engineer) of the Company’s technical staff. The independent firm of Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle was used to assist in preparation of the vein models.
 
(5) Proven and probable reserves are defined by manual boundaries based on grade thickness contouring to produce domains imposed on the block models given a certain density of composites. For proven reserves: An area demonstrating grade continuity defined by two or more bounding horizontal levels of drill holes or channel samples spaced vertically no more than about 12.5 meters containing horizontally spaced samples less than 5 meters apart — the key feature being confirmation on two levels. For probable reserves: An area demonstrating grade continuity with channel sample or drill hole spacing less than about 25 meters. Mineralized material is similarly classified with channel sample or drill hole spacing more than 25 meters and less than 50 meters.
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
Chile — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
The Cerro Bayo District is located south of Coyhaique, the capital of Region XI in southern Chile, and due west of the town of Chile Chico. The underground silver and gold mine and ore processing facilities lie on the east side of the Andes mountain range at an elevation ranging from 600 to 4,500 feet and are serviced by an all-weather gravel road from Chile Chico.


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The mineral rights for the Cerro Bayo property are fully-controlled by Compañia Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. (“CMCB”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, encompassing a 89 square mile contiguous block (23,106 hectares) of exploitation concessions and 18.1 square miles (4,700 hectares) of exploration concessions. The Company also controls several other concessions southeast of the Cerro Bayo District. The Company’s ore reserves and rights to operate are fully-contained within the exploitation concessions and separate surface use agreements from private surface land owners. Exploitation concessions are maintained by annual payments (taxes).
 
The Company acquired the property in 1990 from Freeport Chilean Exploration Company. No mining or processing was conducted by the prior owner. Initial mining and processing commenced, by the Company in 1995, at the Laguna Verde area, in the western portion of the holdings. Mining and processing temporarily ceased in late 2000 then recommenced in 2002 at the Cerro Bayo area on the east. The entire holdings and infrastructure are now referred to as the Cerro Bayo district. Construction of two ramps to intersect the high-grade Lucero Vein, in the Cerro Bayo zone on the east side of its holdings, commenced in November 2001. Additional mineralized high-grade gold and silver vein systems were discovered since then from surface and underground exploration.
 
The ore processing mill for the Cerro Bayo Mine uses a standard flotation process to produce a high grade gold and silver concentrate. During 2008, the concentrate processed at this mill was sold to third-party smelters, primarily in Japan and Mexico. The mill has a design capacity of 1,650 tons per day. During 2008, the Company experienced recovery rates of approximately 93.4% for silver and 90.2% for gold. Electrical power is generated on-site by diesel generators and process water is obtained from a combination of the adjacent General Carrera Lake and from tailings re-circulation. The property, plant and equipment are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Mining is conducted utilizing underground methods. Total capital expenditures at the Cerro Bayo property in 2008 were $8.2 million and the Company plans approximately $1.6 million of capital expenditures there in 2009.
 
Production at the Cerro Bayo mine in 2008 was approximately 1.2 million ounces of silver and 21,761 ounces of gold compared to 1.7 million ounces of silver and 37,479 ounces of gold in 2007. The decrease in silver production was due to a 39% decrease in tons mined. Cash costs per ounce of silver produced increased to $8.56 in 2008 from $8.22 in 2007.
 
On October 31, 2008, the Company announced a temporary suspension of operating activities at the Cerro Bayo mine due primarily to lower metal prices and continuing higher operating costs. During 2009, the Company will undertake efforts to further explore its holdings and develop a new mine plan and ore reserves in an effort to re-commence operations in 2010.
 
Silver and gold mineralization is hosted in epithermal quartz veins and veinlets and lesser amounts of stockworks and breccias within generally sub-horizontal volcanic rocks of the Ibañez Formation. Veins and veinlets occur in sub-parallel clusters largely trending north-northwest and dipping steeply to the west or east. The main ore minerals of silver and gold are silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite and electrum (a naturally-occurring gold and silver alloy). Numerous epithermal veins located within the Cerro Bayo district offer exploration and development opportunities for us. To date, we have discovered over 100 veins.
 
During 2008, the Company continued its exploration and development program in the district with its efforts concentrated in the Cerro Bayo and Laguna Verde zones in the east and west sections of the Company’s land holdings. In 2008, we spent approximately $2.7 million on exploration and $1.5 million on reserve development for new gold and silver mineralization and completed over 172,000 feet (52,456 meters) of core drilling. Most of this drilling was focused on exploration and definition of the new silver- and gold-bearing veins discovered approximately one mile east of the ore processing facilities at Laguna Verde; Dagny, Fabiola, Coyita, Yasna and Dalila. In the second half of 2008 a new vein, termed Delia, was discovered just to the east of the other veins. The Company plans to continue its extensive exploration and mine development programs in the district in 2009 with a budget of $3.9 million for this work.


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Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    -       440       375  
Ounces of silver per ton
    -       9.73       10.41  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    -       4,280       3,902  
Ounces of gold per ton
    -       0.15       0.20  
Contained ounces of gold
    -       67,100       75,000  
Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    547       342       259  
Ounces of silver per ton
    10.18       8.64       8.66  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    5,564       2,954       2,242  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.07       0.13       0.18  
Contained ounces of gold
    38,000       44,500       47,000  
Proven and Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    547       782       634  
Ounces of silver per ton
    10.18       9.26       9.68  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    5,564       7,234       6,144  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.07       0.14       0.19  
Contained ounces of gold
    38,000       111,600       122,000  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
                                                 
    2008           2007           2006        
 
Tons (000’s)
    908               1,266               1,182          
Ounces of silver per ton
    9.71               8.10               7.37          
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.14               0.14               0.15          
 
Operating Data
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Production
                       
Tons ore milled
    236,403       387,378       428,346  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    5.54       4.68       5.76  
Ore grade gold (oz./ton)
    0.102       0.105       0.103  
Recovery silver (%)
    93.4       94.4       94.5  
Recovery gold (%)
    90.2       92.2       93.0  
Silver produced (oz.)
    1,224,083       1,709,830       2,331,060  
Gold produced (oz.)
    21,761       37,479       40,923  
Cost per Ounce
                       
Cash costs(6)
  $ 8.56     $ 8.22     $ 3.04  
Non-cash costs
    6.09       3.60       2.42  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 14.65     $ 11.82     $ 5.46  
                         
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2008. Metal prices used to calculate proven and probable reserves were $13.25 per ounce of silver and $750 per ounce of gold.


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(2) Ore reserves are minable reserves within underground mine designs and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. Veins are diluted to a minimum mining width of 2.4 meters at zero grade. Veins greater than 1.2 meters wide receive a 0.4 meter dilution at zero grade. Mining recovery is 85%.
 
(3) Metallurgical recoveries of 93.4% and 90.5% should be applied to the contained silver and gold ounces, respectively.
 
(4) Ore reserve estimates were prepared by B. O’Leary (Mining Engineer), J. L. Sims (Geologist), and D. Duffy (Mining Engineer) of the Company’s technical staff. The independent firm of Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle was used to assist in preparation of the veins models.
 
(5) Proven and probable reserves are defined by manual boundaries based on grade thickness contouring to produce domains imposed on the block models given a certain density of composites. For proven reserves: An area demonstrating grade continuity defined by two or more bounding horizontal levels of drill holes or channel samples spaced vertically no more than about 12.5 meters containing horizontally spaced samples less than 5 meters apart — the key feature being confirmation on two levels. For probable reserves: An area demonstrating grade continuity with channel sample or drill hole spacing less than about 25 meters. Mineralized material is similarly classified with channel sample or drill hole spacing more than 25 meters and less than 50 meters.
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
North America
 
USA — Rochester Mine
 
The Rochester Mine is an open pit silver and gold mine located in Pershing County, Nevada, which is located approximately 25 paved and all-weather gravel road miles northeast of the town of Lovelock. The Company owns 100% of the Rochester Mine by virtue of its 100% ownership of its subsidiary, Coeur Rochester, Inc. (“Coeur Rochester”). The mine consists of the main Rochester deposit and the adjacent Nevada Packard deposit, due south of Rochester.
 
Coeur Rochester controls 541 U.S. Federal unpatented claims (including 54 mill sites), 23 patented claims, and leases an additional 53 unpatented claims, totaling approximately 7,200 acres. All of the Company’s mineral resources and reserves are located within the claims. The unpatented claims and mill sites are maintained via annual fees to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) and to Pershing County, which acts as administrator of the claims. Real taxes to the State of Nevada are paid yearly for the patented claims. Lease payments are paid annually; all leases are in good standing.
 
The Company acquired the Rochester property from ASARCO in 1983 and commenced mining in 1986. No mining or processing was conducted at Rochester by the prior owner. The Company acquired initial interest in the adjacent Nevada Packard property in 1996, completed the full purchase in 1999 and commenced mining in 2003. Very limited mining and processing was conducted at Nevada Packard by the prior owner. Collectively, the Rochester and Nevada Packard properties comprise the Company’s Rochester silver and gold mining and processing operation.
 
In August of 2007, mining and crushing operations at the Rochester mine were suspended. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company revised its estimates of silver ounces contained in the heap inventory. Consequently, the Company has extended the anticipated completion of its residual leaching phase from 2011 to 2014. At the Nevada Packard satellite deposit, located south of the Rochester deposit, the Company commenced mining of silver in the first quarter of 2003. Mining at Nevada Packard was completed in mid-2007.
 
The Rochester Mine is fully supported with electricity, supplied by a local power company on their public grid, telephone and radio communications, production water wells, and processing, maintenance, warehouse, and office facilities. All of these facilities are in good operating condition with no major maintenance expected. The mine utilizes the heap leaching process to extract both silver and gold from ore mined using conventional open pit


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methods. The Company completed mining of the existing ore reserves in August of 2007. While mining operations were discontinued, it is expected that metal production will continue as a result of residual leaching until approximately 2014. Production at the Rochester mine in 2008 was approximately 3.0 million ounces of silver and 21,041 ounces of gold, compared to approximately 4.6 million ounces of silver and 50,408 ounces of gold in 2007. Cash costs per ounce of silver decreased to $(0.03) per ounce in 2008, compared to $1.52 per ounce in 2007. The decrease in cash costs per ounce is due to decreased mining and crushing costs during the year because mining and crushing operations were terminated in August 2007, as contained ore reserves were fully mined and placed on the heap leach pads for on-going leaching and metal recovery.
 
Based upon actual operating experience and certain metallurgical testing, the Company estimates ultimate recovery rates from the crushed ore of between 59% and 61.5% for silver, depending on the area being leached, and 93% for gold.
 
The Company’s capital expenditures at the Rochester Mine totaled approximately $0.6 million in 2008. The Company plans capital expenditures at the Rochester Mine of $0.7 million in 2009. ASARCO, the prior owner, had a net smelter royalty interest which is payable only when the market price of silver equals or exceeds $22.54 per ounce up to a maximum rate of 5%. No royalties were required to be paid by the Company during the three years ended December 31, 2008.
 
At Rochester, silver and gold mineralization is hosted in folded and faulted volcanic rocks of the Rochester Formation and overlying Weaver Formation. Silver and gold, consisting of silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite, argentian tetrahedrite and minor native gold, are contained in zones of multiple quartz veins and veinlets (vein and vein swarms and stockworks) with variable but lesser amounts of pyrite.
 
In 2008, the Company commenced an exploration program to identify new silver- and gold-bearing structures on its large holdings in the district and to expand and define mineralized material occurring around the Rochester mine. Over 20,200 feet of reverse circulation and core drilling was completed at the new Mystic Springs targets and around the Rochester mine. During 2008, we spent $0.6 million on exploration in the Rochester area. The Company has plans to follow-up on any favorable results from this drilling in 2009.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Rochester Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
                3,720  
Ounces of silver per ton
                0.66  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
                2,436  
Ounces of gold per ton
                0.007  
Contained ounces of gold
                26,400  
Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
                 
Ounces of silver per ton
                 
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
                 
Ounces of gold per ton
                 
Contained ounces of gold
                 
Proven and Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
                3,720  
Ounces of silver per ton
                0.66  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
                2,436  
Ounces of gold per ton
                0.007  
Contained ounces of gold
                26,400  


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Year-end Mineralized Material — Rochester Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Tons (000’s)
    114,058       32,664       15,235  
Ounces of silver per ton
    0.54       0.85       0.94  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.005       0.006       0.007  
 
Operating Data
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Production(7)
                       
Tons ore mined (000’s)
          2,962       9,804  
Tons crushed/leached (000’s)
          5,061       10,399  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
          0.65       0.74  
Ore grade gold (oz./ton)
          0.006       0.010  
Recovery/Ag oz
          141.4 %     65.9 %
Recovery/Au oz
          167.6 %     68.9 %
Silver produced (oz.)
    3,033,721       4,614,78       5,113,50  
Gold produced (oz.)
    21,041       50,408       71,891  
Cost per Ounce
                       
Cash costs(6)
  $ (0.03 )   $ 1.52     $ 2.80  
Non-cash costs
    0.78       2.30       3.04  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 0.75     $ 3.82     $ 5.84  
 
 
(1) Current mineralized material is effective as of December 31, 2008. Mineralized material was estimated with a cutoff grade of 0.56 silver equivalent ounces per ton. Formula Ag equivalent = (Au*221) +Ag.
 
(2) The mineralized material is in-situ and was estimated with gold and silver prices of $1,000 and $16.00 per ounce, respectively, historical metallurgical recoveries for gold and silver, historical mine operating costs within a non-optimized Whittle® open pit model, and include no additional factors for mining dilution or recovery. The estimate of mineralized material was constrained to exclude any silver and gold mineralization beneath existing leaching operations.
 
(3) The Company estimates the ultimate recovery to be approximately 61.5% for silver and 93% for gold. However, ultimate recoveries will not be known until leaching operations cease which is currently estimated for 2014. Current recovery may vary significantly from ultimate recovery. Recoveries are calculated based on the ounces recovered as a percent of the ounces placed on the pad. As ore production ceased in August 2007, silver and gold recoveries increased significantly as a percent of ore placed on the pad. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Ore on Leach Pad.”
 
(4) Mineralized material was estimated by J. L. Sims (Geologist) of the Company’s technical staff. The firm of Reserva International, an independent consultant, was used to assist with modeling the results from the 2008 drilling conducted at Rochester to produce the new mineralized material.
 
(5) Mineralized material is defined by drilling on grid of 100 feet by 200 feet, or closer, and includes open pit mine production sampling to assist with determination of gold and silver grades. In practice, the grade of mineralized material is defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. The number of drill samples used in estimation of grades must be at least 4 with a maximum search distance 150 feet at Rochester and 120 feet at Nevada Packard.
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”


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(7) Mining and crushing operations terminated in August 2007. Residual leaching will continue until approximately 2014.
 
Australia
 
New South Wales — Endeavor Mine
 
The Endeavor Mine, an underground silver and base metal mine, is located in north central New South Wales, Australia, about 447 miles (720 kilometers) from Sydney. Access to the mine is by paved roads 30 miles (18 kilometers) to the northwest from the community of Cobar.
 
The ore reserves at Endeavor are covered by five Consolidated Mining Leases issued by the state of New South Wales to Cobar Operations Pty. Limited (“Cobar”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (“CBH”). The leases form a contiguous block of 10,121 acres in size and expire between 2019 and 2027.
 
The Endeavor Mine has been in production since 1983. On September 12, 2003, CBH acquired the Elura mine and processing facilities from Pasminco and changed the name to the Endeavor Mine. On May 23, 2005, CDE Australia Pty. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur (“CDE Australia”), acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to a maximum 17.7 million payable ounces, contained at the Endeavor Mine, which is owned and operated by CBH, for $44.0 million including transaction fees. Under the terms of the original agreement, CDE Australia paid Cobar $15.4 million of cash at the closing. In addition, CDE Australia agreed to pay Cobar approximately $26.5 million upon the receipt of a report confirming that the reserves at the Endeavor mine are equal to or greater than the reported ore reserves for 2004. In addition, CDE Australia originally committed to pay Cobar an operating cost contribution of $1.00 for each ounce of payable silver plus a further increment when the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. This further increment was to have begun on the second anniversary of this agreement and is 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. A cost contribution of $0.25 per ounce is also payable by CDE Australia in respect of new ounces of proven and probable silver reserves as they are discovered. During the first quarter of 2007, $2.1 million was paid for additional ounces of proven and probable silver reserves under the terms of the contract. This amount was capitalized as a cost of the mineral interests acquired and is being amortized using the units of production method.
 
On March 28, 2006, CDE Australia reached an agreement with CBH to modify the terms of the original silver purchase agreement. Under the modified terms, CDE Australia owns all silver production and reserves up to a total of 20.0 million payable ounces, up from 17.7 million payable ounces in the original agreement. The silver price-sharing provision is deferred until such time as CDE Australia has received approximately two million cumulative ounces of silver from the mine or June 2007, whichever is later. In addition, the silver price-sharing threshold increased to $7.00 per ounce, from the previous level of $5.23 per ounce. During late November 2008, the mine exceeded the two million cumulative ounce thresholds and therefore, CDE Australia realized a reduction in revenues of $73,318 as a result of the silver price-sharing provision. The conditions relating to the second payment were also modified and tied to certain paste fill plant performance criteria and mill throughput tests. In January 2008, the mine met the criteria for payment of the additional $26.2 million. This amount was paid on April 1, 2008, plus accrued interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from January 24, 2008. CDE Australia has received approximately 2.1 million payable ounces to date, and the current ore reserve contains approximately 13.5 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the modified contract. It is expected that future expansion to the ore reserve will occur as a result of the conversion of portions of the property’s existing inventory of mineralized material and future exploration discoveries. CBH conducts regular exploration to discover new mineralization and to define reserves from surface and underground drilling platforms.
 
As of December 31, 2008, CDE Australia had recovered approximately 42.8% of the transaction consideration consisting of 2.1 million payable ounces, or 10.6%, of the 20 million maximum payable silver ounces to which CDE Australia is entitled under the terms of the silver sale and purchase agreement. No assurances can be made that the mine will achieve its 20 million payable silver ounce cap to which CDE Australia is entitled under the terms of the silver sale and purchase agreement.


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The mine employs bulk mining methods and utilizes a conventional flotation mill to produce a concentrate that is sold to a third-party smelter. Silver recovery averaged approximately 56.5% in 2008 and 48.0% in 2007. Power to the mine and processing facilities is provided by the grid servicing the local communities. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition, by CBH, through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required.
 
Production at the Endeavor mine in 2008 was 824,093 ounces of silver compared to 772,609 ounces of silver in 2007. Cash cost per ounce of silver produced was $2.55 in 2008 compared to $2.67 in 2007.
 
The Company is not required to contribute to ongoing capital costs at the mine.
 
At Endeavor, silver, lead, zinc and lesser amounts of copper mineralization are contained within sulfide lenses hosted in fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Paleozoic-aged Amphitheatre Group. Sulphide lenses are elliptically-shaped, steeply-dipping to the southwest and strike to the northwest. Principal ore minerals are galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Silver occurs with both lead and zinc rich sulphide zones.
 
CBH conducts regular exploration to define new reserves at the mine from both underground and surface core drilling platforms. For fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, which is the fiscal year used by the operator (CBH), the exploration expenditure at the mine was A$0.9 million (US$0.6 million).
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Endeavor Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    3,417       8,818       9,700  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.47       1.52       1.59  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    5,019       13.375       15,420  
Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    5,842       10,913       11,700  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.55       1.52       1.42  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    20,753       16,551       16,563  
Proven and Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    9,259       19,731       21,400  
Ounces of silver per ton
    2.78       1.52       1.45  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    25,772       29,926       31,983  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Endeavor Mine
 
                         
    2008   2007   2006
 
Tons (000’s)
    18,127       12,172       8,267  
Ounces of silver per ton
    0.96       2.44       3.07  


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Operating Data (Coeur’s Share)
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Production
                       
Tons ore milled
    1,030,368       1,146,857       750,115  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    1.41       1.40       1.01  
Recovery silver (%)
    56.5       48.0       63.5  
Silver produced (oz.)
    824,093       772,609       481,991  
Cost per Ounce of Silver
                       
Cash costs(5)
  $ 2.55     $ 2.67     $ 2.85  
Non-cash costs
    2.39       0.98       1.02  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 4.94     $ 3.65     $ 3.87  
                         
 
 
(1) Ore reserves are effective as of June 30, 2008, which is the end of the most recent fiscal year of the operator, CBH. Metal prices used were $12.00 per ounce of silver.
 
(2) The ore reserves are underground minable and include variable mining dilution (5% to 20% additional waste) and mining recovery factors ranging from 50% (for pillars) to 95%.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 45% should be applied to the silver reserve ounces.
 
(4) Classification of reserves is based on spacing from drill hole composites to reserve block centers. For proven reserves the maximum distance is 25 meters and for probable reserves it is 40 meters. A minimum of 15 drill holes samples are used in estimation of ore reserve grades. Mineralized material is similarly classified.
 
(5) Cash costs per ounce of silver represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
New South Wales — Broken Hill Mine
 
The Broken Hill Mine, an underground lead, zinc and silver mine, is located in western New South Wales, Australia. Access to the mine is by paved roads leading from the adjacent community of Broken Hill.
 
The ore reserves at Broken Hill are covered by nine Consolidated Mining Leases issued by the state of New South Wales to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. (“PBH”). The leases form a northeast elongate contiguous block of 18,502 acres in size and are currently being renewed. The new leases have various expiration dates ranging from 2019 to 2024.
 
On September 8, 2005, CDE Australia acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to 17.2 million payable ounces (24.5 million contained ounces), contained at the Broken Hill mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by PBH for $36.9 million including transaction fees. In addition, CDE Australia pays PBH an operating cost contribution of approximately $2.00 for each ounce of payable silver. Under the terms of the agreement, PBH may earn up to $0.75 million per year of additional consideration by meeting certain silver production thresholds. No additional payments pursuant to production thresholds were made during 2008.
 
The mine uses bulk mining methods and utilizes a conventional flotation mill to produce a concentrate that is sold to third-party smelters in Australia. Silver recovery averaged approximately 72.5% in 2008 and 83.6% in 2007. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition by PBH, through a regular preventive maintenance program and periodic improvements as required. Power to the mine and processing facilities is provided by the grid servicing the local community.
 
As of December 31, 2008, CDE Australia had recovered approximately 120% of the transaction consideration consisting of 5.4 million payable ounces, or 31.4%, of the 17.2 million payable silver ounces to which it is entitled to under the terms of the silver sale agreement. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the contract. It is expected that future expansion to the ore


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reserves will occur as a result of conversion of portions of the property’s inventory of mineralized material and future exploration discoveries on the property. PBH conducts regular exploration to discover new mineralization and define reserves from surface and underground drilling platforms. For its fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, PBH has budgeted A$5.8 million (US$5.1 million) for this work. CDE Australia is not required to contribute to ongoing capital costs at the mine. No assurances can be made that the mine will achieve its 17.2 million payable silver ounce target to which CDE Australia is entitled under the terms of the silver sale and purchase agreement.
 
Silver production in 2008 from the Broken Hill mine amounted to approximately 1.4 million ounces of silver compared to 1.6 million ounces of silver in 2007. The decrease in silver production is primarily due to an 18.5% decrease in ore grades. The cash cost per ounce of silver production, which includes the operating cost contribution and smelting, refining and transportation costs, was $3.41 in 2008 compared to $3.18 in 2007.
 
Silver, lead and zinc mineralization at Broken Hill is contained within sulfide lenses hosted in metasedimentary and igneous rocks of Precambrian-aged Broken Hill and underlying Thackaringa groups. In general sulphide lenses are tabular in shape steeply dipping to the north-northwest and striking east-northeast. Principal ore minerals are galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Silver occurs with both lead- and zinc-rich sulphide zones but is higher grade in the lead zones.
 
PBH conducts regular exploration to define new ore reserves, largely from underground core drilling platforms. For fiscal year ended June 30, 2008, which is the fiscal year used by the operator, A$11.3 million (US$7.2 million) was spent on near-mine exploration.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Broken Hill Mine
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    6,431       8,021       10,064  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.58       1.59       1.46  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    10,185       12,727       14,648  
                         
Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    4,616       4,373       2,844  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.05       1.19       1.18  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    4,861       5,204       3,368  
                         
Proven and Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    11,047       12,394       12,908  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.36       1.45       1.40  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    15,046       17,931       18,016  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Broken Hill Mine
 
                         
    2008   2007   2006
 
Tons (000’s)
    6,376       5,357       3,615  
Ounces of silver per ton
    4.51       5.15       2.17  


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Operating Data (Coeur’s share)
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Production
                       
Tons ore milled
    1,952,066       1,646,203       2,288,355  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    0.97       1.19       1.28  
Recovery (%)
    72.5       83.6       74.2  
Silver produced (oz.)
    1,369,009       1,642,205       2,174,585  
                         
Cost per Ounce of Silver
                       
Cash costs(6)
  $ 3.41     $ 3.18     $ 3.09  
Non-cash costs
    1.83       1.86       2.35  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 5.24     $ 5.04     $ 5.44  
                         
 
 
(1) Ore reserves are effective as of June 30, 2008, which is the end of the most recent fiscal year of the operator (PBH). Metal prices used were $2.22 per ounce of silver.
 
(2) The ore reserves are underground minable reserves and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. Dilution ranges from 0% to 20% of additional tonnage while recovery ranges from 80% to 100% of the diluted tonnage and averages 85%.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 72% should be applied to the silver reserve ounces.
 
(4) The ore reserves were estimated by the technical staff of CBH Resources, the mine operator, and reviewed by B. O’Leary (Mine Engineer) and J. L. Sims (Geologist) of the Company’s technical staff.
 
(5) The proven and probable reserves are a combination of zinc, lead and silver mineralization remnant from historic mining and new parts or extensions of the mine. Proven and probable reserves must be accessible as defined by the site specific conditions of the mine. Furthermore, reserves are defined by definition drilling on a grid of 40 meters horizontally by 20 meters vertically and over 70% of the proven reserves are drilled on a 20 meter by 10 meter grid.
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
Discontinued Operation
 
USA — Coeur Silver Valley
 
On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary Coeur Silver Valley, Inc. to U.S. Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash and additional consideration received of $1.1 million for working capital. Coeur Silver Valley was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company that owned and operated the Galena underground silver mine, an operating mine, and the Coeur and Caladay properties, which adjoin to the Galena mine, located in the heart of the Coeur d’Alene Mining District in Shoshone County, Idaho. Coeur Silver Valley’s property consisted of 6,131 acres of Company-owned fee land, patented mining claims and unpatented claims in addition to 4,800 acres of leased claims. Coeur Silver Valley’s operations were accessed by paved road from US Interstate 90 south of the town of Wallace, Idaho. Silver Valley recommenced operations at the Coeur mine in June 1996 and continued mining existing reserves there through July 2, 1998 when known reserves were depleted. Silver Valley resumed production at the Galena Mine in May 1997, and operations continued to the date of the sale.
 
The Galena Mine property was located immediately west of the City of Wallace in Shoshone County in northern Idaho. The property consisted of 52 patented mining claims and 25 unpatented mining claims totaling approximately 1,100 acres.


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The Galena Mine was an underground silver-copper mine served by two vertical shafts. The No. 3 shaft was the primary production shaft and was 5,800 feet deep. The Galena shaft primarily provided utility access for water, electrical power and sand backfill for underground operations down to the 2,400 level.
 
The mine utilized conventional and mechanized cut and fill mining methods with sand backfill to extract ore from the high grade silver-copper vein deposits that constituted the majority of the ore reserves. Silver and copper were recovered by a flotation mill that produced a silver rich concentrate which was sold to third-party smelters in Canada. Silver recovery through the mill averaged 96% in 2006, the last year that the Company operated the mine.
 
Waste material from the milling process was deposited in a tailings pond located approximately two miles from the mine site. As of the date of the sale, the tailings containment pond, which was expanded on an as needed basis, had capacity for approximately seven additional years at current production rates.
 
Silver production at the Galena Mine in 2006, up to the date of the sale, was approximately 768,674 ounces of silver. Cash costs for 2006 were $9.75 per ounce. Total capital expenditures by Silver Valley at the Galena Mine in 2006 were $0.6 million.
 
Operating Data
 
         
    2006  
 
Production
       
Tons ore milled
    52,876  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    15.15  
Recovery (%)
    96  
Silver produced (oz.)
    768,674  
Gold produced (oz.)
    180  
         
Cost per Ounce of Silver
       
Cash costs(1)
  $ 9.75  
Non-cash costs
    0.89  
         
Total production costs
  $ 10.64  
 
 
(1) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
SILVER AND GOLD DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES
 
Mexico — Palmarejo Silver and Gold Project
 
The Palmarejo project is being built as an open-pit and underground silver and gold mine and ore processing facility, located in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. Access to the Palmarejo property is by paved and all weather dirt roads southwest from the capitol city of Chihuahua.
 
On December 21, 2007, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Bolnisi Gold NL (“Bolnisi”) and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (“Palmarejo”) resulting in 100% ownership of the project. The Palmarejo silver and gold mine is currently in the beginning stage of commercial production.
 
The Company’s property position at Palmarejo consists of 32 mining concessions totaling 46.9 square miles (12,141 hectares). Of the total concessions, 23 concessions consisting of 46.1 square miles (11,949 hectares) are owned 100% by Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (Coeur Mexicana), formerly Planet Gold S.A. de C.V. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), and the remaining nine concessions, representing 0.74 square miles (191.96 hectares) are held by Coeur Mexicana under various agreements and leases. All of the company’s reserves are located on concessions owned 100% by Coeur Mexicana. All concessions owned by Coeur Mexicana are valid until


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at least 2029. In addition to the Palmarejo project, the Company also acquired the Yecora exploration-stage property located in Sonora, on the border with Chihuahua and the El Realito and La Guitarra exploration-stage properties in Chihuahua.
 
Total capital costs in 2008 were $190.3 million. This excludes $17.0 million of costs that were expensed as pre-development. The Company expects to spend approximately $100 million in capital expenditures during 2009. Silver production in 2009 is anticipated to be 5.4 million ounces and gold production is estimated to be 72,000 ounces during this initial year of operations.
 
On June 10, 2008, Coeur announced the results of a feasibility study for the Palmarejo silver/gold open pit/underground project. The feasibility study reflects results from geologic, engineering and economic analyses for only the Palmarejo deposit. This study established the first proven and probable mineral reserve for the Palmarejo project.
 
The terrain at the Palmarejo project mine is characterized by steep-sided hills and V-shaped valleys, although sites for mining infrastructures such as a mill should not pose a significant problem. Dumps and tailings will likely need to be placed within the upper reaches of drainage valleys, which would require the construction of a retention dam(s).
 
The Palmarejo mine is located on the western flank of the Sierra Madre Occidental, a mountain range that comprises the central spine of northern Mexico. The north-northwest-trending Sierra Madre Occidental is composed of a relatively flat-lying sequence of Tertiary volcanic rocks that forms a volcanic plateau. This volcanic plateau is deeply incised in the Palmarejo project area, locally forming steep-walled canyons. The Sierra Madre Occidental gives way to the west to an extensional terrain that represents the southward continuation of the Basin and Range Province of the western United States, and then to the coastal plain of western Mexico.
 
The gold and silver deposits at the Palmarejo project, typical of many of the other silver and gold deposits in the Sierra Madre, are classified as epithermal deposits, and are hosted in multiple veins, breccias and fractures. These geologic structures trend generally northwest to southeast and dip either southwest or northeast. The dip on the structures ranges from about 45 degrees to 70 degrees. In the mineralized portions of the structures gold and silver are zoned from top to bottom with higher silver values occurring in the upper parts of the deposit to a gold-rich basal portion, sometimes accompanied by base metal mineralization. The Palmarejo property contains a number of mineralized zones or areas of interest. The most important of these to date is the Palmarejo zone in the far north of the concessions which covers the old Palmarejo gold-silver mine based on the northwest-southeast trending La Prieta and La Blanca gold-silver bearing structures. In addition to Palmarejo, mineralized vein and alteration systems in the Trogan license area have been identified on other strongly mineralized corridors, roughly sub-parallel to the Palmarejo zone. The most significant of these additional targets are the Guadalupe (including Animas) and La Patria vein systems in the southern part of the property and are currently under investigation by the Company’s exploration teams.
 
The Company spent $8.6 million on exploration at the Palmarejo District in 2008, its first year of exploration since completion of the acquisition, to discover new silver and gold mineralization and define new ore reserves. Its exploration budget for 2009 is $8.2 million.


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Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Palmarejo Property
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)        
 
Proven
               
Short Tons (000’s)
    6,840        
Ounces of silver per ton
    5.09        
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    34,844        
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.06        
Contained ounces of gold
    406,000        
                 
Probable
               
Tons (000’s)
    5,355        
Ounces of silver per ton
    5.37        
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    28,732        
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.07        
Contained ounces of gold
    350,000        
                 
Proven and Probable
               
Tons (000’s)
    12,195        
Ounces of silver per ton
    5.21        
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    63,576        
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.06        
Contained ounces of gold
    756,000        
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Palmarejo Property
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)     (1)(2)(3)(4)  
 
Tons (000’s)
    15,373       16,105  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.47       5.51  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.04       0.06  
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2008. Metal prices used in calculating proven and probable reserves were $13.25 per ounce of silver and $750 per ounce of gold.
 
(2) The ore reserves are underground and open pit minable and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. For underground-minable reserves, 15% additional tons at 0.004 ounces per ton of gold and 0.46 oz/ton of silver was added for dilution and 100% mining recovery. For open pit-minable reserves, 10% additional tons at the same grades as mining dilution were added and a 95% mining recovery.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 90.8% and 93.8% should be applied to the contained silver and gold reserve ounces, respectively.
 
(4) The ore reserves were estimated B. O’Leary (Mine Engineer), J. Sims (Geologist) and A. Tattersall (Mine Engineer) of the Company’s technical staff. Mineralized material includes estimates for the La Patria zone prepared by Mine Development Associates (“MDA”) as of September 17, 2007.
 
(5) Proven and probable reserves are defined by exploration holes drilled from stations on a nominal grid spacing of 40 meters. Measured resources determination parameter is material demonstrating grade continuity that is less than or equal to 15 meters distance from the nearest hole, with a minimum of 5 samples, no more than 2 of which originate from the same diamond drill hole. The corresponding estimation parameter for indicated resource estimation is less than or equal to 35 meters.


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USA — Alaska — Kensington Gold Project
 
The Kensington underground gold project, consisting of the Kensington and adjacent Jualin properties, is located on the east side of the Lynn Canal about 45 miles north-northwest of Juneau, Alaska. The mine will be accessed by a horizontal tunnel and utilize conventional and mechanized underground mining methods. The ore will be processed in a flotation mill that produces a concentrate which will be sold to third-party smelters. Waste material will be deposited in an impoundment facility on the property. Power is supplied to the site by on-site diesel generators. Access to the project is presently by helicopter, float plane or boat from Juneau.
 
Coeur Alaska, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Coeur Alaska”), controls two contiguous land groups: the Kensington and Jualin. The Kensington property consists of 51 private patented lode and mill-site claims covering approximately 766 acres, 407 federal unpatented lode claims covering approximately 5,290 acres, and eight State of Alaska mining claims covering approximately 95 acres. The Company controls the Jualin Property, under a lease agreement with Hyak Mining Company, through the cessation of mining, so long as the Company makes timely payments pursuant to the lease agreement. The Jualin Property consists of 25 patented lode and mill-site claims covering approximately 416.5 acres, 472 federal unpatented lode claims and one unpatented mill-site claim covering approximately 8,479 acres, and 25 State of Alaska mining claims covering approximately 381 acres. The Federal and State claims, as well as the private patented lode and mill-site claims, provide Coeur with the necessary rights to mine and process ore from Kensington. All of the Company’s ore reserves are located within the patented claims. The unpatented claims and mill sites are maintained via annual filings and fees to the BLM, which acts as administrator of the claims. State claims are maintained via filings and fees to ADNR — Juneau Recorder’s Office. Real property taxes to the State of Alaska are paid yearly for the patented claims. Lease payments are paid annually and all leases are in good standing.
 
The property is located on the east side of Lynn Canal between Juneau and Haines, Alaska. Coeur Alaska is obligated to pay 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 $400 per ounce gold prices to a maximum of 21/2% at gold prices above $475 per ounce, with the royalty to be capped at 1.0 million ounces of production.
 
The Kensington property litigation, described under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings — Federal Court (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge,” has contributed to an increase in capital costs. Total expenditures by the Company at the Kensington property in the year ended December 31, 2008 were $42.1 million. Such expenditures were used to continue the permitting and development activities. Based upon the Company’s current estimates, an impairment write-down could be necessary should the expectation of the long-term price for gold decrease below approximately $750 per ounce. As of February 26, 2009, the current gold price is $937. As of December 31, 2008, the carrying value of the Kensington project’s long-lived assets was $338.2 million.
 
The Company will provide an updated timetable and cost estimates once it receives a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. No assurances can be made that the project will achieve its schedule and cost estimates. Further, no assurance can be given as to whether or when regulatory permits and approvals granted to the Company may be further challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing agencies, or as to whether the Company will ultimately place the Kensington project into commercial production.
 
The Kensington ore deposit consists of multiple precious metals bearing mesothermal, quartz, carbonate, pyrite vein swarms and discrete quartz-pyrite veins hosted in the Cretaceous age Jualin diorite. The gold-telluride-mineral calaverite is associated with the pyrite mineralization.
 
In 2008, the Company continued the exploration program started in the third quarter of 2005 designed to increase the size and geologic continuity of gold mineralization in its mineralized material inventory and ultimately result in an increase in ore reserves. In 2008, a total of $0.2 million was spent on this program.


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Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Kensington Property
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
    (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    199       21        
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.38       0.23        
Contained ounces of gold (000’s)
    76       5        
                         
Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    5,301       4,397       4,419  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.26       0.31       0.31  
Contained ounces of gold (000’s)
    1,402       1,347       1,352  
                         
Proven and Probable
                       
Tons (000’s)
    5,500       4,419       4,419  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.27       0.31       0.31  
Contained ounces of gold (000’s)
    1,478       1,352       1,352  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Kensington Property
 
                         
    2008   2007   2006
 
Tons (000’s)
    2,724       3,136       3,136  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.18       0.20       0.20  
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2008. Metal price used in calculating proven and probable reserves was $750 per ounce of gold.
 
(2) The ore reserves are underground minable and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. A factor of approximately 10% additional tonnage at 0.063 ounces per ton of dilution was included. An average 97% mining recovery was included.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 95.3% should be applied to the contained gold reserve ounces.
 
(4) The ore reserves were estimated B. O’Leary (Mine Engineer), J. L. Sims (Geologist) of the Company’s technical staff. Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, an independent consultant group, performed an independent review of the Company’s updated resource estimate model used to prepare the ore reserve estimates and AMEC, an independent consultant group, were used to help prepare the Company’s mine plan and mining cost estimates.
 
(5) Proven and probable reserves are defined underground drilling and underground workings. In practice, reserve blocks are defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. Proven ore reserves include stockpiled ore. Ore reserve must be defined by least 10 drill samples from at least 2 drill holes spaced not more than 60 feet from the block center. Mineralized material is similarly classified.
 
(6) Ore reserve estimates are based upon an operating scenario according to operating permits that have been received. Certain of these permits are the subject of legal proceedings. See the additional discussion under “Item 3. Legal Proceedings — Federal Court (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
 
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
 
Coeur, either directly or through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns, leases and has interests in certain exploration-stage mining properties located in the United States, Chile, Argentina, Tanzania, Bolivia, and as of December 31, 2008, Mexico. Exploration and reserve development expenditures of approximately $23.6 million, $11.9 million and $9.5 million were incurred by the Company in 2008, 2007 and 2006 respectively.


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Highlights of the 2008 program include:
 
  •  Discovery of the Delia vein at Cerro Bayo, Chile; a wide, silver- and gold-bearing vein located about 500 meters south of the Cerro Bayo mill.
 
  •  Favorable results from drilling on three targets at Joaquin, an exploration property located northwest of the Company’s Martha mill facility.
 
  •  Addition of three new properties — La Currita near Palmarejo, Nico near Martha and Huantajaya in northern Chile.
 
Coeur plans to invest $17.6 million in exploration during 2009 with over 85% of the budget earmarked for expansion of mineral resources and reserves at or near its existing operations at Palmarejo (Mexico), Martha (Argentina) and Cerro Bayo (Chile).
 
USA — Kensington/Jualin
 
No drilling was completed in 2008 at Kensington. The Company plans for an additional drilling program in 2009. The Company’s rights to use and develop the Jualin property are subject to an Amended Lease Agreement dated August 5, 2005 between Hyak Mining Company Inc. as Lessor and Coeur Alaska as Lessee which expires in 2035 with provision for lease extensions through cessation of mining operations. Approximately $0.2 million was spent in exploration in 2008 on Jualin.
 
USA — Rochester
 
The Company invested $0.6 million on exploration around the Rochester and Nevada Packard deposits in 2008. A total of 20,255 feet of reverse circulation drilling was completed, primarily at Rochester, to expand and define known zones of silver and gold mineralization.
 
Chile — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
Coeur continued to conduct extensive exploration at its 100%-owned Cerro Bayo gold/silver mining operation in southern Chile. Approximately $2.7 million was spent in exploration, and an additional $1.5 million was capitalized as reserve development during 2008. A total of over 172,400 feet (52,556 meters) of core drilling was completed during the year to discover new mineralization and define new ore reserves. The most significant result of this program was the expansion and definition of new ore at several of the new silver- and gold-bearing veins discovered near the Laguna Verde ore processing facility in 2007 and the discovery of a new, major vein in that area in 2008, termed Delia. Many of the new drill holes into Delia intersected wide silver and gold mineralization that is expected to be an important contribution along with Dagny, Fabiola and other veins in the district towards the development of a new, multi-year mine plan. Silver and gold mineralization at Delia now extends for over 1 kilometer on strike and up to 100 meters vertically. The Company believes that there is potential to discover additional high grade veins within the entire Cerro Bayo district.
 
Chile — Other Properties
 
In 2008, Coeur completed an agreement for an option to purchase 100% of the Huantajaya silver property in northern Chile. The property covers over 624 hectares of prospective ground, in a historic silver district, 15 kilometers east of the port city of Iquique. Access to the property and local infrastructure are excellent. Surface geological and geophysical exploration program is planned in early 2009, to define new drilling targets.
 
The 2009 exploration budget for Chile is $4.2 million of which $3.9 million is devoted to Cerro Bayo.
 
Argentina — Martha Mine
 
In 2008, the Company’s exploration efforts consisted of mapping, sampling and over 47,400 feet (14,463 meters) of core drilling for a total expenditure of $3.3 million, of which $0.4 million was capitalized as reserve development.


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Argentina — Other Properties
 
The Company also continued exploration in other parts of the Santa Cruz Province near the Martha mine. Activities focused on the El Aguila, Sascha and Joaquin properties. In 2008 drilling and other exploration work was conducted at the three properties. By property, core drilling amounted to the following subtotals: El Aguila — 4,193 feet (1,278 meters), Sascha — 2,008 feet (612 meters), and Joaquin — 5,397 feet (1,645 meters). In addition, the Company also conducted exploration at its wholly-owned Lejano and Cisne properties in west central Santa Cruz Province. At Cisne, a total of 1,132 feet (345 meters) of core was drilled in the first quarter and at Lejano, 7,766 feet (2,367 meters) of core was drilled throughout the year.
 
Drilling at Joaquin in the fourth quarter returned encouraging results with 1,648 meters of drilling in 15 core holes on three targets; La Morena, La Negra and La Morocha. Joaquin is located about 80 kilometers northwest of the Company’s Martha mine, and the Company has an option to earn up to 71% managing interest in a joint venture with property owners Mirasol Resources Ltd. A second phase of drilling will begin early this year.
 
  •  At the La Morena target, drilling of six core holes encountered near-vertical zones of silicified breccias and veins. Drill intercepts reach up to 16.5 meters estimated true width with gold grades up to 7.67 grams per tonne in higher-grade portions of the breccias. Drilling tested to 120 meters depth and just 200 meters of strike of the target system which extends over 2.5 kilometers on surface.
 
  •  At La Negra, drilling of three core holes tested approximately 150 meters of strike and down to 100 meters below the surface of this epithermal vein system which has been traced for over 500 meters on surface. Two veins and related breccias in their hangingwall and footwall have been identified with this initial core drilling. All holes returned very encouraging silver and gold mineralization with values up to 541 grams per tonne of silver and 2.87 of gold.
 
  •  At La Morocha, drilling of six core holes tested the target structure along an exposed strike length of 450 meters and 110 meters down dip. Wide intercepts — up to 42 meters estimated true width — were discovered, with values up to 140 grams per tonne silver and 0.47 grams per tonne of gold. La Morocha is currently at least 970 meters long.
 
In February 2009, the company completed an agreement for an option to earn up to 75% managing interest in a joint venture on the Nico property owned by Mirasol Resources Ltd. Nico is a large property located about 45 kilometers north of the Martha mine, covering over 20,000 hectares of prospective ground with potential for silver mineralization in veins and bulk tonnage silver mineralization in breccias and mantos. Detailed exploration is planned to start during the first quarter of 2009.
 
The Company has budgeted $2.7 million for 2009 in Argentina for the Martha mine, Joaquin and Nico exploration.
 
Africa, Tanzania
 
During the first quarter of 2004, the Company acquired ten prospecting licenses for properties located in the Lake Victoria Gold Belt of Tanzania, Africa, and in 2005, 2006 and 2007 added the Saragurwa, Bismark and Pangea properties, respectively. Based on results from its annual exploration programs, four of the original ten concessions were not renewed. Except for Saragurwa, Bismark and Pangea, all properties are held 100% by Tanzanian subsidiaries of the Company. Saragurwa and Bismark are owned by separate private Tanzanian interests and Pangea is controlled by a Tanzanian subsidiary of Barrick Gold Company. Coeur Tanzania Ltd. has an option to acquire all three properties in return for staged work and payment commitments. The Company is currently addressing its strategic options in Tanzania which includes a possible sale or a joint venture partner.
 
In 2008, exploration work consisted of mapping, trenching, sampling and acquisition and interpretation of detailed ground geophysical data and core and reverse circulation drilling. In total 11,647 feet (3,550 meters) of core drilling was completed in 2008 at Kiziba Hill which lies on the same belt of Archean-aged rocks, commonly termed “greenstone,” which host the Geita gold mine to the east.
 
During 2008, the Company spent $2.0 million on exploration activities in Tanzania and expects to spend approximately $0.2 million in 2009.


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Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
States of Maine, Idaho and Colorado Superfund Sites Related to Callahan Mining Corporation
 
During 1991, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Callahan Mining Corporation. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
During 2001, the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) made a formal request for information regarding the Deadwood Mine Site located in central Idaho. Callahan Mining Corporation had operated at this site during the 1940s. The USFS believes that some cleanup action is required at the location. However, the Company did not acquire Callahan until 1991, more than 40 years after Callahan disposed of its interest in the Deadwood property. The Company did not make any decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at the site. Therefore, the Company believes that it is not liable for any cleanup, and if Callahan might be liable, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy any such liability. To date, no claim has been made by the United States for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
During 2002, the EPA made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Maine. Callahan operated there in the late 1960s, shut the operations down in the early 1970s and disposed of the property. The EPA contends that some cleanup action is warranted at the site, and listed it on the National Priorities List in late 2002. In January 2009, the EPA and the State of Maine made additional formal requests for information relating to the Maine Callahan mine site. The Company believes that because it made no decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
In January 2003, the USFS made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Colorado known as the Akron Mine Site. Callahan operated there in approximately the late 1930s through the 1940s, and to the Company’s knowledge, disposed of the property. The Company is not aware of what, if any, cleanup action the USFS is contemplating. However, the Company did not make decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, and therefore believes it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability.
 
Federal Court (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge
 
On September 12, 2005, three environmental groups, Southeast Alaska Conservation Council (“SEACC”), The Sierra Club and Lynn Canal Conservation (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps of Engineers”) and the USFS seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska for the Company’s Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into a nearby lake called Lower Slate Lake conflicts with the CWA. They additionally claim the USFS’s approval of the Amended Plan of Operations is arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers. Following the District Court’s remand of the Section 404 permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review, the Corps reinstated the Company’s permit on March 29, 2006. The lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened on April 6, 2006; Coeur Alaska filed its answer to the Amended Complaint and Coeur Alaska, the State of Alaska, and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native corporation, were granted Defendant-Intervenor status to join the agencies in their defense of the permit.
 
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffs’ challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006, the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (“Ninth Circuit Court”) and on August 9, 2006 the Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court. The Ninth Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility.
 
On May 22, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court reversed the District Court’s August 4, 2006 decision which had upheld the Company’s 404 permit and issued its opinion that remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to vacate the Company’s 404 permit as well as the USFS Record of Decision approving the general tailings disposal plan and the Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine Facility. On August 20,


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2007, Coeur Alaska filed a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit Court, as did the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, and USFS additionally filed a limited Petition for Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit Court panel seeking reconsideration of the mandate of the May 22, 2007 panel decision. On October 29, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court denied the Petitions for Rehearing En Banc. On November 14, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court granted a stay of the mandate pending further appeal to the United States Supreme Court (“Supreme Court”), subject to the development of a reclamation plan for the lake area. The Company and the State of Alaska filed Petitions for writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States on January 28, 2008. On June 27, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted the State of Alaska and Coeur Alaska’s Petitions for writ of certiorari to review the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court. Oral arguments were made before the Supreme Court by both parties on January 12, 2009. The Company expects a decision on the case pending with the Supreme Court in the second quarter of 2009. The Company cannot predict if it will prevail in this appeal.
 
On October 1, 2008 the Company announced a temporary curtailment of its development activities at the Kensington Project until such time as a decision is rendered from the Supreme Court. Consequently, the Company laid off approximately 50% of its existing workforce and paid termination benefits of $0.3 million.
 
No assurance can be given as to whether or when regulatory permits and approvals granted to the Company may be further challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing agencies, or as to whether the Company will ultimately place the Kensington project into commercial production.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
None.
 
Item 4A.   Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company’s current executive officers:
 
                     
Name
 
Age
 
Positions with Coeur
 
Since
 
Dennis E. Wheeler
    66     Chairman of the Board     1992  
            Chief Executive Officer and President     1986  
                  1980  
Mitchell J. Krebs
    37     Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer     2008  
Richard M. Weston
    57     Senior Vice President, Operations     2007  
Donald J. Birak
    55     Senior Vice President, Exploration     2004  
Humberto Rada
    56     President, Coeur South America     2008  
Tom T. Angelos
    53     Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer     2008  
Kelli C. Kast
    42     Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary     2005  
K. Leon Hardy
    55     Senior Vice President, North American Operations     2008  
Donald P. Gray
    50     Senior Vice President, South American Operations     2008  
Luther J. Russell
    53     Vice President, Environmental Services     2005  
Larry A. Nelson
    56     Vice President, Human Resources     2008  
Kenneth L. Koski
    40     Controller     2008  
 
Dennis E. Wheeler has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since May 1992, Chief Executive Officer since December 1986 and President since December 1980. Mr. Wheeler was our Chief Administrative Officer from December 1980 to December 1986, Secretary from January 1980 to December 1980 and Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1978 to 1980.
 
Mitchell J. Krebs was appointed to the position of Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Coeur in March 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Krebs served as the Company’s Senior Vice President Corporate Development from May 2006 to March 2008 and Vice President Corporate Development from February 2003 to May 2006. Mr. Krebs


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was employed as an independent consultant from September 2001 through January 2003, and from May 2000 through August 2001 was employed as the President of Mine Depot Inc. From August 1999 through April 2000, Mr. Krebs was an associate with Allied Capital Corporation. From August 1995 through November 1997, Mr. Krebs was employed by Coeur as Manager, Acquisition Evaluation.
 
Richard M. Weston was appointed Senior Vice President – Operations in May 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Weston served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Coeur Australia and Vice President of the Company’s South American Operations from December 2006 to May 2007. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Coeur Australia from February 2006 to December 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Weston was employed with Barrick Australia from January 2003 to February 2006 as General Manager of Cowal Gold Project and Rio Tinto Australia from December 2000 to November 2002 as General Manager of the ERA and Jabiluka mines.
 
Donald J. Birak was appointed as Senior Vice President – Exploration of Coeur in January 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Birak was employed with AngloGold North America, Inc. from March 1999 to January 20, 2004, as Vice President – Exploration and with Independence Mining Company Inc. as Vice President of Exploration from 1995 to 1999.
 
Humberto Rada was appointed President, Coeur South America in July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Rada was employed from 1985 to 2008 by Newmont Mining Corp. at their Bolivian subsidiary, Empresa Minera Inti Raymi S.A., most recently as General Manager. Prior to that Mr. Rada held various positions in Argentina and Bolivia with PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1978 to 1984.
 
Tom T. Angelos was appointed Senior Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer in March 2008. Prior to this, Mr. Angelos was Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company from December 2006 to March 2008 and Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Angelos was previously Controller of Stillwater Mining Company from 1998 to 2004, and from 1983 to 1998 was employed by Coeur in various capacities, most recently as Controller.
 
Kelli C. Kast was appointed Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in May 2005. Prior to that, Ms. Kast served as Corporate Counsel for HealtheTech. Inc. from April 2004 to April 2005. Prior thereto, she served as Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Global Water Technologies Inc. and Psychrometric Systems, Inc. from December 1997 through February 2003.
 
K. Leon Hardy was appointed Senior Vice President North American Operations in July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Hardy served as Vice President and General Manager for Coeur Argentina from May 2003 to July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Hardy was employed with Apex Silver Mines as Operations Manager at their San Cristobal project in Bolivia from 1999 to 2002. Prior to that Mr. Hardy was employed in Argentina with Minera Alumbrera Ltd from 1996 to 1998. Prior to that Mr. Hardy was employed with Cyprus Amax Minerals from 1979 to 1996.
 
Donald P. Gray was appointed Senior Vice President South American Operations in July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Gray served as Vice President and General Manager for Coeur’s Cerro Bayo Mine in Chile from October 2007 to July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Gray was employed by Hecla Mining Co. from 1993 to 2007, most recently as Vice President and General Manager of Minera Hecla Venezolana. Prior to that Mr. Gray held mine operation positions with Newmont Mining Corporation, Exxon Mobil Corporation and Climax Molybdenum.
 
Luther J. Russell was appointed Vice President of Environmental Services at Coeur in 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Russell was Coeur d’Alene Basin Project Manager for the State of Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality from 2001 to 2005. Before that, he held a series of increasingly responsible positions in the management of environmental affairs at major mining companies and was previously Director of Environmental and Government Affairs for Coeur from 1995 to 2000.
 
Larry A. Nelson was appointed Vice President Human Resources in January 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Nelson served as Director Human Resources from 2005 to 2008. Mr. Nelson held the position of Human Resources Manager at Coeur Silver Valley from 1996 to 2005. Prior to that, he was employed in corporate and site human resource positions within the mining industry since 1977.


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Kenneth L. Koski was appointed Controller of Coeur in March 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Koski served as Assistant Controller of Coeur from August 2002 to March 2008. From January 2001 to August 2002 Mr. Koski was employed with Telect Inc. as a financial and cost analyst. Prior to this, Mr. Koski was employed by Coeur from June 1990 to January 2001 in various capacities, most recently as Manager of Financial Accounting.
 
PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”). The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices of the Common Stock as reported by the NYSE:
 
                 
    High     Low  
 
2007
               
First Quarter
  $ 4.80     $ 3.95  
Second Quarter
  $ 4.32     $ 3.51  
Third Quarter
  $ 4.22     $ 3.25  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 4.94     $ 3.62  
2008
               
First Quarter
  $ 5.16     $ 3.88  
Second Quarter
  $ 3.94     $ 2.77  
Third Quarter
  $ 2.89     $ 1.44  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 1.48     $ 0.36  
2009
               
First Quarter (through February 26, 2009)
  $ 0.98     $ 0.68  
 
The Company has not paid per share cash distributions or dividends on its Common Stock since 1996. Future distributions or dividends on the Common Stock, if any, will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s results of operations, financial conditions, capital requirements and other factors.
 
At February 26, 2009, there were 4,728 record holders of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock.
 
The Company made no repurchases of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2008.


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STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION,
S&P 500 INDEX AND PEER GROUP INDEX
 
The following performance graph compares the performance of the Company’s Common Stock during the period beginning December 31, 2003 and ending December 31, 2008 to the S&P 500 and a Peer Group Index consisting of the following companies: Agnico Eagle Mines, Goldcorp, Hecla Mining Co., IAM Gold, Kinross Gold Corp., Northgate Minerals, Pan American Silver Corp. Centerra Gold, Inc, and Stillwater Mining Co. for the same period. The graph assumes a $100 investment in the Company’s Common Stock and in each of the indexes at the beginning of the period, and a reinvestment of dividends paid on such investments throughout the period.
 
 
                                                             
      Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
      2003     2004     2005     2006     2007     2008
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation
      100.00         67.99         69.21         85.64         85.47         15.23  
S&P 500 Index
      100.00         110.87         116.30         134.66         141.96         89.45  
Peer Group Only
      100.00         95.63         125.75         179.80         216.76         182.84  
                                                             
 
This stock performance information is “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or subject to Rule 14A, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this report and irrespective of any general incorporation by reference language in any such filing, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate the information by reference.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated financial data with respect to the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
 
                                         
Income Statement Data:
  2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Revenues:
                                       
Sales of metal
  $ 189,465     $ 215,319     $ 216,573     $ 156,284     $ 109,047  
                                         
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Production costs applicable to sales
    109,336       117,025       92,378       88,232       63,715  
Depreciation and depletion
    27,330       20,984       26,772       18,889       16,833  
Administrative and general
    25,846       23,875       19,369       20,624       17,499  
Exploration
    20,531       11,941       9,474       10,553       8,031  
Pre-development
    16,950                   6,057       11,449  
Care and maintenance and other
    3,155                          
Litigation settlement
          507       2,365       1,600        
                                         
Total costs and expenses
    203,148       174,332       150,358       145,955       117,527  
                                         
                                         
Operating income (loss)
    (13,683 )     40,987       66,215       10,329       (8,480 )
                                         
Other income (expense)
                                       
Interest and other income
    2,557       18,195       18,654       8,385       3,165  
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and other
    1,756                          
Interest expense, net
    (4,139 )     (365 )     (1,224 )     (2,485 )     (2,831 )
Merger expenses
                            (15,675 )
                                         
Total other income (expense)
    174       17,830       17,430       5,900       (15,341 )
                                         
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (13,509 )     58,817       83,645       16,229       (23,821 )
Income tax benefit (provision)
    13,501       (14,927 )     (8,226 )     (1,483 )     5,785  
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (8 )     43,890       75,419       14,746       (18,036 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
                1,935       (4,195 )     1,178  
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operation
                11,132              
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (8 )   $ 43,890     $ 88,486     $ 10,551     $ (16,858 )
                                         
                                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (634 )     86       2,391       447       (908 )
                                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (642 )   $ 43,976     $ 90,877     $ 10,998     $ (17,766 )
                                         
                                         
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share Data:
                                       
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share:
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.15     $ 0.28     $ 0.06     $ (0.08 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
                0.05       (0.02 )     0.00  
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.15     $ 0.33     $ 0.04     $ (0.08 )
                                         


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Income Statement Data:
  2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share:
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.14     $ 0.26     $ 0.06     $ (0.08 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
                0.04       (0.02 )     0.00  
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.14     $ 0.30     $ 0.04     $ (0.08 )
                                         
                                         
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
                                       
Basic
    550,733       285,972       271,357       242,915       215,969  
                                         
Diluted
    550,733       310,524       296,082       243,683       215,969  
                                         
 
 
* less than $0.01 per share
 
                                         
Balance Sheet Data:(1)
  2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
    (In thousands except per share data)  
 
Total assets
  $ 2,923,898     $ 2,651,694     $ 849,626     $ 594,816     $ 525,777  
Working capital
  $ (8,533 )   $ 152,390     $ 383,082     $ 281,977     $ 345,894  
Long-term liabilities
  $ 1,026,224     $ 812,650     $ 210,117     $ 206,921     $ 198,873  
Shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,736,690     $ 1,727,367     $ 580,994     $ 341,553     $ 293,454  
 
 
(1) On December 21, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all 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 amounted to $1.1 billion and the total liabilities assumed were $0.7 billion.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The Company’s management focuses on maximizing cash flow from its existing operations, the main factors 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.
 
Overview:
 
  •  Silver and gold prices averaged $15.06 per ounce and $871.96 per ounce in 2008, respectively. Silver hit a high of $20.70 per ounce on March 5, 2008 and a low of $8.81 per ounce on October 28, 2008. Gold hit a high of $1,011 per ounce on March 17, 2008 and a low of $713 per ounce on October 24, 2008;
 
  •  The Company produced a total of 12.0 million ounces of silver and 46,115 ounces of gold during 2008;
 
  •  The Company completed construction and commenced production at its 100%-owned San Bartolomé silver mine in Bolivia in June 2008;
 
  •  The Company invested a total of $380.3 million in capital expenditures during 2008, including $190.3 million at Palmarejo (excludes $17.0 million of expenditures that were expensed as pre-development costs), $108.7 million at San Bartolomé and $40.9 million at Kensington;
 
  •  The Company implemented aggressive cost reductions in October, resulting in a 22% reduction in general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2008 compared to the fourth quarter of 2007;
 
  •  The Company sold $230 million of 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes on March 18, 2008;
 
  •  The Company sold $50 million of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes on October 20, 2008;
 
  •  The Company temporarily suspended operations at its Cerro Bayo Mine on October 31, 2008 due primarily to lower metals price and higher operating costs; and
 
  •  The Company entered into a $20 million gold lease facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation on December 18, 2008.

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General
 
The results of the Company’s operations are significantly affected by the market prices of gold and silver which fluctuate widely and are affected by many 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.
 
The San Bartolomé mine, Rochester mine, Cerro Bayo mine and Martha mine, each operated by the Company, and the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines which are operated by others, constituted the Company’s principal sources of mining revenues in 2008.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Management considers the following policies to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Our consolidated financial statements are impacted by the accounting policies used and the estimates and assumptions made by management during their preparation. We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of our Financial Condition and Results of Operations are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base these estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we consider reasonable under the circumstances; however, reported results could differ from those based on the current estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The areas requiring the use of management’s 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 long lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; and post-employment and other employee benefit liabilities. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note B — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K.
 
Revenue Recognition.  Revenue includes sales value received for our principal product, silver, and associated by-product revenues from the sale of by-product metals consisting primarily of gold and copper. Revenue is recognized when title to silver and gold passes to the buyer and when collectability is reasonably assured. Title passes to the customer based on terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example, the London Bullion Market for both gold and silver, in an identical form to the product sold.
 
Under our concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, final gold and silver prices are set on a specified future quotational period, typically one to three months, after the shipment date based on market metal prices. Revenues are recorded under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. Final settlement is based on the average applicable price for a specified future period, and generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. Final sales are settled using smelter weights, settlement assays (average of assays exchanged and/or umpire assay results) and are priced as specified in the smelter contract. The Company’s 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 does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded as a derivative asset in prepaid expenses and other, or a derivative liability on the balance sheet and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final gold and silver settlement. The form of the material being sold, after deduction for smelting and refining is in an identical


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form to that sold on the London Bullion Market. The form of the product is metal in flotation concentrate, which is the final process for which the Company is responsible.
 
The effects of forward sales contracts are reflected in revenue at the date the related precious metals are delivered. Third-party smelting and refining costs are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $32.1 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $22,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $8,000. At December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $61.2 million consisting of 3.3 million ounces of silver and 20,775 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $63.8 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $33,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $21,000.
 
Estimates.  The preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates. The most critical accounting principles upon which the Company’s financial status depends are those requiring estimates of recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves and/or assumptions of future commodity prices. There are a number of uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves, including many factors beyond our control. Ore reserves estimates are based upon engineering evaluations of samplings of drill holes and other openings. These estimates involve assumptions regarding future silver and gold prices, the geology of our mines, the mining methods we use and the related costs we incur to develop and mine our reserves. Changes in these assumptions could result in material adjustments to our reserve estimates. We use reserve estimates in determining the units-of-production depreciation and amortization expense, as well as in evaluating mine asset impairments.
 
We review and evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. We utilize the methodology set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” to evaluate the recoverability of our assets. An impairment is considered to exist if total estimated future cash flows or probability-weighted cash flows on an undiscounted basis is less than the carrying amount of the assets, including property, plant and equipment, mineral property, development property, and any deferred costs. The accounting estimates related to impairment are critical accounting estimates because the future cash flows used to determine whether an impairment exists is dependent on reserve estimates and other assumptions, including silver and gold prices, production levels, and capital and reclamation costs, all of which are based on detailed engineering life-of-mine plans. An impairment loss exists when estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. Any impairment loss recognized represents the excess of the asset’s carrying value as compared to its estimated fair value. We review the carrying value of our assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of our assets may not be fully recoverable. We did not record any write-downs during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
We depreciate our property, plant and equipment, mining properties and mine development using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on our proven and probable recoverable reserves or on a straight-line basis over the useful life, whichever is shorter. The accounting estimates related to depreciation and amortization are critical accounting estimates because 1) the determination of reserves involves uncertainties with respect to the ultimate geology of our reserves and the assumptions used in determining the economic feasibility of mining those reserves and 2) changes in estimated proven and probable reserves and useful asset lives can have a material impact on net income.
 
Ore on leach pad.  The Rochester Mine utilized the heap leach process to extract silver and gold from ore. The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying


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a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
 
We used several integrated steps to scientifically measure the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads. As the ore body was drilled in preparation for the blasting process, samples are taken of the drill residue which is assayed to determine estimated quantities of contained metal. We estimated the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning satellite survey techniques. We then processed the ore through crushing facilities where the output was again weighed and sampled for assaying. A metallurgical reconciliation with the data collected from the mining operation was completed with appropriate adjustments made to previous estimates. The crushed ore was then transported to the leach pad for application of the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from the leach pads, it is continuously sampled for assaying. The quantity of leach solution is measured by flow meters throughout the leaching and precipitation process. After precipitation, the product is converted to dorè, which is the final product produced by the mine. The inventory is stated at lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method.
 
Our reported inventories include metals estimated to be contained in the ore on leach pad of $30.2 million as of December 31, 2008. Of this amount, $9.2 million is reported as a current asset and $21.0 million is reported as a non-current asset. The distinction between current and non-current is based upon the expected length of time necessary for the leaching process to remove the metals from the broken ore. The historical cost of the metal that is expected to be extracted within twelve months is classified as current and the historical cost of metals contained within the broken ore that will be extracted beyond twelve months is classified as noncurrent. The ore on leach pad inventory is stated at actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the leach pad during the current period, adjusted for the effects on monthly production costs of abnormal production levels.
 
The estimate of both the ultimate recovery expected over time, and the quantity of metal that may be extracted relative to such twelve-month period, requires the use of estimates which are inherently inaccurate since they rely upon laboratory testwork. Testwork consists of 60-day leach columns from which we project metal recoveries into the future. The quantities of metal contained in the ore are based upon actual weights and assay analysis. The rate at which the leach process extracts gold and silver from the crushed ore is based upon laboratory column tests and actual experience occurring over approximately twenty years of leach pad operation at the Rochester Mine. The assumptions we use to measure metal content during each stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. We periodically review our estimates compared to actual experience and revise our estimates when appropriate. However, the ultimate recovery will not be known until leaching operations cease, which is currently estimated for 2014.
 
When we began operations at the Rochester mine in 1986, based solely on laboratory testing, we estimated the ultimate recovery of silver and gold at 50% and 80%, respectively. Since 1986, we have adjusted the expected ultimate recovery 3 times (once in each of 1989, 1997 and 2003) based upon actual experience gained from leach operations. In 1989, we increased our estimated recoveries for silver and gold to 55% and 85%, respectively. The change was accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate, which had the effect of increasing the estimated recoverable ounces of silver and gold contained in the heap by 1.6 million ounces and 10,000 ounces, respectively. In 1997, we revised our estimated recoveries for silver and gold to 59% and 89%, respectively, which increased the estimated recoverable ounces of silver and gold contained in the heap by 4.7 million ounces and 39,000 ounces, respectively. In 2003, we revised our estimated recoveries for silver and gold to 61.5% and 93%, respectively, which increased the estimated recoverable ounces of silver and gold contained in the heap by 1.8 million ounces and 41,000 ounces, respectively. During the third quarter of 2008, we increased our estimated silver ounces contained in the heap inventory by 5.4 million ounces. The increase in estimated silver ounces contained in the heap inventory is due to changes in estimated silver recoveries anticipated for the remainder of the residual leach phase. There were no changes in recoveries related to gold contained in the heap. Consequently, we believe our current residual heap leach activities are expected to continue through 2014. However, the ultimate recovery will not be known until leaching operations cease.


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If our estimate of ultimate recovery requires adjustment, the impact upon our inventory valuation and upon our income statement would be as follows:
 
                                                 
    Positive/Negative
    Positive/Negative
 
    Change in Silver Recovery     Change in Gold Recovery  
    1%     2%     3%     1%     2%     3%  
 
Quantity of recoverable ounces
    1.7 million       3.5 million       5.2 million       13,240       26,480       39,720  
Positive impact on future cost of production per silver equivalent ounce for increases in recovery rates
  $ 2.92     $ 2.50     $ 2.19     $ 3.13     $ 2.83     $ 2.57  
Negative impact on future cost of production per silver equivalent ounce for decreases in recovery rates
  $ 4.40     $ 5.90     $ 8.83     $ 4.00     $ 4.65     $ 5.54  
 
Inventories of ore on leach pads are valued based upon actual production costs incurred to produce and place such ore on the leach pad during the current period, adjusted for the effects on monthly production of costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process. The costs consist of those production activities occurring at the mine site and include the costs, including depreciation, associated with mining, crushing and precipitation circuits. In addition, refining is provided by a third-party refiner to place the metal extracted from the leach pad in a saleable form. These additional costs are considered in the valuation of inventory.
 
Reclamation and remediation costs.  Reclamation and remediation costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Management estimates costs associated with reclamation of mining properties as well as remediation cost for inactive properties. Such costs related to active mines are accrued and charged over the expected operating lives of the mines using the units-of-production method.
 
The estimated undiscounted cash flows generated by our assets and the estimated liabilities for reclamation and remediation are determined using the Company’s assumptions about future costs, mineral prices, mineral processing recovery rates, production levels and capital 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.
 
Income taxes.  The Company computes income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” SFAS No. 109 requires an asset and liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences or benefits of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
 
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance has been provided for the portion of the Company’s net deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 1999. Federal income tax returns for 2000 through 2007 are subject to examination. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. There were no significant accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2008.


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Operating Statistics and Ore Reserve Estimates
 
The Company’s total production from continuing operations in 2008 was 12.0 million ounces of silver and 46,115 ounces of gold, compared to 11.5 million ounces of silver and 92,014 ounces of gold in 2007. Total estimated proven and probable reserves at December 31, 2008 were approximately 247.8 million ounces of silver and 2.28 million ounces of gold, compared to silver and gold ore reserves at December 31, 2007 of approximately 216.0 million ounces and 1.48 million ounces, respectively.
 
The following table shows the estimated amounts of proven and probable ore reserves and mineralized material at the following Company locations at year-end 2008:
 
                                                                 
    Proven and Probable Ore Reserves(1)     Mineralized Material  
    Tons
    Grade
    Grade
    Ounces Ag
    Ounces Au
    Tons
    Grade
    Grade
 
    (000’s)     Ag oz/t     Au oz/t     (000’s)     (000’s)     (000’s)     Ag oz/t     Au oz/t  
 
Rochester
                                  114,058       0.54       0.01  
Cerro Bayo
    547       10.18       0.07       5,564       38       908       9.71       0.14  
Mina Martha
    76       36.99       0.04       2,809       3       46       29.5       0.02  
Endeavor(2)
    9,259       2.78             25,772             18,127       0.96        
Broken Hill(2)
    11,047       1.36             15,046             6,376       4.51        
San Bartolomé
    35,307       3.82             135,030             37,087       1.75        
Kensington
    5,500             0.27             1,478       2,724             0.18  
Palmarejo
    12,195       5.21       0.06       63,576       756       15,373       3.47       0.04  
                                                                 
Total tons
    73,931                       247,797       2,275       194,699                  
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
    Total tons
    Ag oz/t
    Au oz/t
                Total tons
    Ag oz/t
    Au oz/t
 
    (000’s)     (Wt. Avg.)     (Wt. Avg.)                 (000’s)     (Wt. Avg.)     (Wt. Avg.)  
 
Summary by metal:
                                                               
Silver
    68,431       3.62                               191,975       1.23          
Gold
    18,318               0.12                       133,109               0.01  
 
 
(1) Using silver price of $13.25 per ounce and gold price of $750 per ounce, except for Endeavor which uses a $12.00 silver price and Broken Hill which uses a $2.22 silver price.
 
(2) Ore reserves are provided by the operator as of June 30, 2008, the end of the operator’s most recent fiscal year. These totals do not include additions or depletions through December 31, 2008.


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The ore reserves at December 31, 2008 may change with fluctuations in the price of gold and silver. The following table shows the estimated changes to ore reserves at mines operated by the Company at different pricing ranges.
 
                                         
    Proven and Probable Ore Reserve Sensitivity to Prices  
    Per ounce
    Per ounce
    Tons
    (000’s)
    (000’s)
 
    Silver Price     Gold Price     (000’s)     Ounces Ag     Ounces Au  
 
Cerro Bayo
    11       650       470       5,109       35  
      12       700       512       5,370       37  
      14       800       566       5,660       39  
      15       850       587       5,746       40  
                                         
Mina Martha
    11       650       70       2,737       3.2  
      12       700       73       2,770       3.2  
      14       800       78       2,833       3.3  
      15       850       81       2,857       3.3  
                                         
San Bartolomé
    11               25,221       112,616          
      12               28,954       122,409          
      14               40,250       147,183          
      15               45,321       158,957          
                                         
Kensington
            650       4,017               1,257  
              700       5,011               1,422  
              800       6,364               1,622  
              850       7,247               1,738  
                                         
Palmarejo
    11       650       10,832       61,234       746  
      12       700       11,273       62,254       754  
      14       800       12,725       65,973       789  
      15       850       12,838       66,189       791  
 
The following table presents production information by mine and consolidated sales information for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Rochester
                       
Tons processed
          5,060,678       10,399,416  
Ore grade/Ag oz
          0.65       0.74  
Ore grade/Au oz
          0.01       0.01  
Recovery/Ag oz(A)
          141.4 %     65.9 %
Recovery/Au oz(A)
          167.6 %     68.9 %
Silver production ounces
    3,033,720       4,614,780       5,113,504  
Gold production ounces
    21,041       50,408       71,891  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ (0.75 )   $ 0.99     $ 2.41  
Cash cost/oz
  $ (0.03 )   $ 1.52     $ 2.80  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 0.75     $ 3.82     $ 5.84  


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    2008     2007     2006  
 
Cerro Bayo
                       
Tons milled
    236,403       387,378       428,346  
Ore grade/Ag oz
    5.54       4.68       5.76  
Ore grade/Au oz
    0.10       0.11       0.10  
Recovery/Ag oz
    93.4 %     94.4 %     94.5 %
Recovery/Au oz
    90.2 %     92.2 %     93.0 %
Silver production ounces
    1,224,084       1,709,830       2,331,060  
Gold production ounces
    21,761       37,479       40,923  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 8.56     $ 8.22     $ 3.04  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 8.56     $ 8.22     $ 3.04  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 14.65     $ 11.82     $ 5.46  
Martha Mine
                       
Tons milled
    57,886       37,047       35,843  
Ore grade/Ag oz
    49.98       78.10       79.93  
Ore grade/Au oz
    0.07       0.12       0.10  
Recovery/Ag oz
    93.7 %     95.0 %     94.7 %
Recovery/Au oz
    88.3 %     92.7 %     92.5 %
Silver production ounces
    2,710,673       2,748,705       2,712,846  
Gold production ounces
    3,313       4,127       3,440  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 6.87     $ 5.54     $ 4.36  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 7.57     $ 6.27     $ 4.88  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 9.38     $ 6.78     $ 5.36  
San Bartolomé(B)
                       
Tons milled
    505,514              
Ore grade/Ag oz
    7.46              
Recovery/Ag oz
    75.8 %            
Silver production ounces
    2,861,500              
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 8.22              
Cash cost/oz
  $ 10.53              
Total production cost/oz
  $ 12.50              
Endeavor(B)
                       
Tons milled
    1,030,368       1,146,857       750,115  
Ore grade/Ag oz
    1.41       1.40       1.01  
Recovery/Ag oz
    56.5 %     48.0 %     63.5 %
Silver production ounces
    824,093       772,609       481,991  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 2.55     $ 2.67     $ 2.85  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 2.55     $ 2.67     $ 2.85  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 4.94     $ 3.65     $ 3.87  

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    2008     2007     2006  
 
Broken Hill(B)
                       
Tons milled
    1,952,066       1,646,203       2,288,355  
Ore grade/Ag oz
    0.97       1.19       1.28  
Recovery/Ag oz
    72.5 %     83.6 %     74.2 %
Silver production ounces
    1,369,009       1,642,205       2,174,585  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 3.41     $ 3.18     $ 3.09  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 3.41     $ 3.18     $ 3.09  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 5.24     $ 5.04     $ 5.44  
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TOTALS
                       
Silver ounces
    12,023,079       11,488,129       12,813,986  
Gold ounces
    46,115       92,014       116,254  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 4.75     $ 3.58     $ 3.07  
Cash cost per oz/silver
  $ 5.64     $ 3.97     $ 3.33  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 7.71     $ 5.88     $ 5.53  
CONSOLIDATED SALES TOTALS(C) 
                       
Silver ounces sold
    11,012,584       11,506,560       12,841,634  
Gold ounces sold
    49,130       94,284       116,400  
Realized price per silver ounce
  $ 14.31     $ 13.59     $ 12.03  
Realized price per gold ounce
  $ 915     $ 700     $ 623  
 
 
(A) The leach cycle at Rochester requires 5 to 10 years to recover gold and silver contained in the ore. The Company estimates the ultimate recovery to be approximately 61.5% for silver and 93% for gold. However, ultimate recoveries will not be known until leaching operations cease which is currently expected to continue through 2014. Current recovery may vary significantly from ultimate recovery. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Ore on Leach Pad. In August 2007, mining and crushing activities were terminated as ore reserves were fully mined.
 
(B) The Company acquired its interests in the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines in May 2005 and September 2005, respectively.
 
(C) 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 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.
 
“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 expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties, in-mine drilling expenditures that are related to production and other direct costs. Sales of by-product metals are deducted from the above in computing cash costs. Cash costs exclude depreciation, depletion and amortization, accretion, corporate general and administrative expense, 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 a non-GAAP measure and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on it and are urged to read all GAAP accounting disclosures presented in the consolidated

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financial statements and accompanying footnotes. In addition, see the reconciliation of “cash costs” to production costs under “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs” set forth below.
 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs
 
The tables below present reconciliations between non-GAAP cash operating costs per ounce and cash costs per ounce to production costs applicable to sales including depreciation, depletion and amortization, which is calculated in accordance with GAAP.
 
Total cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes, net of by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. Cash operating costs include all cash costs except production taxes and royalties if applicable. Total cash costs and cash operating costs are performance measures which we believe provides management and investors with an indication of net cash flow, after consideration of the realized price received for production sold. Management also uses these measurements for the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective. “Cash operating costs per ounce” and “Total cash costs per ounce” are measures developed by precious metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard, however, there can be no assurance that our reporting of these non-GAAP measures are similar to that reported by other mining companies. Cash operating costs and total cash cost, as alternative measures, have the limitation of excluding potentially large amounts related to inventory adjustments, non cash charges and by product credits. Management compensates for this limitation by using both GAAP production costs and non-GAAP cash costs metrics in its planning.
 
Production costs applicable to sales including depreciation, depletion and amortization, is the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP to total cash costs. The sum of the production costs applicable to sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization for our mines as set forth in the tables below is included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.


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Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
                                                         
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
  Rochester     Cerro Bayo     Martha     San Bartolomé     Endeavor(1)     Broken Hill(1)     Total  
 
Production of silver (ounces)
    3,033,720       1,224,084       2,710,673       2,861,500       824,093       1,369,009       12,023,079  
Cash operating cost per ounce
  $ (0.75 )   $ 8.56     $ 6.87     $ 8.22     $ 2.55     $ 3.41     $ 4.75  
                                                         
Cash costs per ounce
  $ (0.03 )   $ 8.56     $ 7.57     $ 10.53     $ 2.55     $ 3.41     $ 5.64  
                                                         
                                                         
Total Operating Cost (Non-GAAP)
  $ (2,290 )   $ 10,478     $ 18,619     $ 23,535     $ 2,101     $ 4,670     $ 57,113  
Royalties
                1,889       6,605                   8,494  
Production taxes
    2,188                                     2,188  
                                                         
                                                         
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
    (102 )     10,478       20,508       30,140       2,101       4,670       67,795  
Add/Subtract:
                                                       
Third-party smelting costs
          (3,818 )     (3,019 )           (1,212 )     (1,938 )     (9,987 )
By-product credit(2)
    18,499       19,595       2,880                         40,974  
Other adjustment
    12       (425 )     470                         57  
Change in inventory
    23,837       2,099       (3,240 )     (12,393 )     171       22       10,496  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    2,352       7,881       4,431       5,638       1,971       2,507       24,780  
                                                         
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)
  $ 44,598     $ 35,810     $ 22,030     $ 23,385     $ 3,031     $ 5,261     $ 134,115  
                                                         
 
Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
                                                 
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
  Rochester     Cerro Bayo     Martha     Endeavor(1)     Broken Hill(1)     Total  
 
Production of silver (ounces)
    4,614,780       1,709,830       2,748,705       772,609       1,642,205       11,488,129  
Cash operating cost per ounce
  $ 0.99     $ 8.22     $ 5.54     $ 2.67     $ 3.18     $ 3.58  
                                                 
Cash costs per ounce
  $ 1.52     $ 8.22     $ 6.27     $ 2.67     $ 3.18     $ 3.97  
                                                 
                                                 
Total Operating Cost (Non-GAAP)
  $ 4,559     $ 14,055     $ 15,217     $ 2,064     $ 5,228     $ 41,123  
Royalties
                2,028                   2,028  
Production taxes
    2,476                               2,476  
                                                 
                                                 
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
    7,035       14,055       17,245       2,064       5,228       45,627  
Add/Subtract:
                                               
Third-party smelting costs
          (3,603 )     (2,112 )     (1,347 )     (2,006 )     (9,068 )
By-product credit(2)
    34,664       26,199       2,889                   63,752  
Other adjustment
    1,926                               1,926  
Change in inventory
    16,738       (1,701 )     (146 )     (172 )     69       14,788  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    8,697       6,155       1,383       755       3,055       20,045  
                                                 
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)
  $ 69,060     $ 41,105     $ 19,259     $ 1,300     $ 6,346     $ 137,070  
                                                 


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Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
                                                 
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
  Rochester     Cerro Bayo     Martha     Endeavor(1)     Broken Hill(1)     Total  
 
Production of silver (ounces)
    5,113,504       2,331,060       2,712,846       481,991       2,174,585       12,813,986  
Cash operating cost per ounce
  $ 2.41     $ 3.04     $ 4.36     $ 2.85     $ 3.09     $ 3.07  
                                                 
Cash costs per ounce
  $ 2.80     $ 3.04     $ 4.88     $ 2.85     $ 3.09     $ 3.33  
                                                 
                                                 
Total Operating Cost (Non-GAAP)
  $ 12,317     $ 7,089     $ 11,821     $ 1,373     $ 6,712     $ 39,312  
Royalties
                1,419                   1,419  
Production taxes
    1,982                               1,982  
                                                 
                                                 
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
    14,299       7,089       13,240       1,373       6,712       42,713  
Add/Subtract:
                                               
Third-party smelting costs
          (3,475 )     (1,853 )     (948 )     (2,620 )     (8,896 )
By-product credit(2)
    43,697       24,861       2,079                   70,637  
Other adjustment
    1,803                               1,803  
Change in inventory
    (12,489 )     (1,105 )     (518 )     (39 )     272       (13,879 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    13,745       5,638       1,297       490       5,120       26,290  
                                                 
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)
  $ 61,055     $ 33,008     $ 14,245     $ 876     $ 9,484     $ 118,668  
                                                 
 
 
(1) The Company’s share of silver production at Endeavor and Broken Hill commenced in May 2005 and September 2005, respectively.
 
(2) By-product credits are based upon production units and the period’s average metal price for purposes of reporting cash costs per ounce.
 
Results of Operations
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Revenues
 
Sales of metal from continuing operations in the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $25.9 million, or 12.0%, from the year ended December 31, 2007 to $189.5 million. The decrease in sales of metal was primarily due to a decrease in the quantity of gold ounces sold during 2008, partially offset by increased metal prices realized in 2008 compared to 2007. In 2008, the Company sold 11.0 million ounces of silver and 49,130 ounces of gold, compared to sales of 11.5 million ounces of silver and 94,284 ounces of gold in 2007. In the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company realized average silver and gold prices of $14.31 per ounce and $915 per ounce, respectively, compared with realized average prices of $13.59 per ounce and $700 per ounce, respectively, in the prior year.
 
Included in revenues is by-product metal sales consisting of gold. In 2008, by-product revenues totaled $58.6 million compared to $64.4 million in 2007. The decrease in by-product revenues is due to a decrease in the quantity of gold sold in 2008 partially offset by an increase in the realized prices of gold. The Company believes that presentation of these revenue streams as by-products from its current operations will continue to be appropriate in the future.
 
In the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company produced a total of 12.0 million ounces of silver and 46,115 ounces of gold compared to 11.5 million ounces of silver and 92,014 ounces of gold in 2007. The increase in silver production in 2008, as compared to 2007, was primarily due to the commencement of production activities at the San Bartolomé mine, offset by lower silver production from the Rochester, Cerro Bayo and Broken Hill mines.


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Costs and Expenses
 
Production costs applicable to sales from continuing operations for the year ended 2008 decreased by $7.7 million, or 6.6%, from the same period of 2007 to $109.3 million. The decrease in production costs applicable to sales for the year is primarily the result of $18.1 million lower production costs at the Rochester mine primarily due to the increase in estimated recoverable silver ounces contained in the heap inventory at the Rochester mine. Production costs also declined by $7.7 million primarily due to the temporary suspension of activities at Cerro Bayo due to uneconomical total production costs and a decision to conserve existing reserves and focus on exploration and development of new discoveries. These decreases were partially offset by a $17.7 million increase in operating costs due to commencement of operations at the San Bartolomé mine.
 
Depreciation and amortization increased in the year ended December 31, 2008 by $6.3 million, or 30.2%, over the prior year, primarily due to increased depreciation and depletion expense from the San Bartolomé mine which began operations at the end of June 2008.
 
Administrative and general expenses increased $2.0 million in 2008 compared to 2007 due primarily to increased costs associated with the Company’s audit and tax services and other corporate expenses.
 
Exploration expenses increased by $8.6 million or 71.9% in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of increased exploration activities primarily due to the addition of the Palmarejo project.
 
A total of $17.0 of pre-development costs at the Palmarejo project were recorded as expenses during 2008. The Company completed its final feasibility study for the Palmarejo project on June 10, 2008 and commenced capitalizing its mine development expenses for the remainder of 2008. No pre-development expenses were recorded during the year ended 2007.
 
A total of $3.2 million of idle facility expenses were incurred at the Cerro Bayo Mine due to the temporary suspension of operating activities. No idle facility expenses were recorded during the year-ended 2007.
 
Litigation settlement expenses decreased by $0.5 million in 2008. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company accrued the remaining $0.5 million royalty to the U.S. Government called for under the May, 2001 settlement agreement relating to the Federal National Resource action commenced against the Company in March 1996. The final payment was made early in the second quarter of 2007. No litigation settlement expenses were recorded during 2008.
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
Interest and other income in the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $15.6 million, or 85.9% compared with the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to lower levels of invested cash and short-term investments as a result of construction activities at the Palmarejo, San Bartolomé and Kensington projects and lower interest rates earned on the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
 
Unrealized gains (loss) on derivative instruments in the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by $1.8 million, compared with the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was due to mark to market adjustments related to the Gold Lease Facility, conversion option and warrant of the Senior Secured Floating Convertible Notes. No unrealized gains (loss) on derivative instruments were recorded during 2007.
 
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest was $4.1 million in 2008 compared to $0.4 million in 2007. The increase in interest expense is related to the issuance of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes, 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes, Gold Lease Facility and other short term borrowing and capital lease obligations. Capitalized interest was $12.2 million in 2008 compared to $2.3 million in 2007.


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Income Taxes
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported an income tax benefit of approximately $13.5 million compared to an income tax provision of $14.9 million in 2007. The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s income tax provision for the years ended 2008 and 2007.
 
                 
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Current:
               
United States — Alternative minimum tax
  $ (644 )   $ (381 )
United States — Foreign withholding
    (1,498 )     (904 )
Argentina
    (2,047 )     (6,590 )
Australia
    (5,084 )     (4,898 )
Canada
    (34 )      
Mexico
    (623 )      
Deferred:
               
Argentina
    (1,410 )     172  
Australia
    1,115       (664 )
Bolivia
    (2,480 )      
Chili
    113       (1,662 )
Mexico
    (27,753 )      
United States
    53,846        
                 
Income tax benefit (provision)
  $ 13,501     $ (14,927 )
                 
 
In 2008, the Company recognized a current provision in certain foreign jurisdictions. The Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $1.5 million on inter-company transactions between the U.S. parent and subsidiaries operating in Mexico, Argentina and Australia. The Company recognized a $23.4 million net deferred tax benefit for the recognition of deferred taxes on deductible temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards in various jurisdictions (principally Mexico). The Company recognized a $2.5 million deferred tax provision in Bolivia for inflationary adjustments on non-monetary assets and unrealized foreign exchange gains on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities in Bolivia.
 
In 2007, due to higher metal prices, the Company recognized a current provision in the U.S. and all foreign operating jurisdictions. The Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $0.9 million on interest payable on inter-company loans from the U.S. Parent to the Argentina and Australia subsidiaries. The Company recognized a $2.2 million deferred tax provision in foreign jurisdictions for the recognition of the benefit of tax loss carryforwards in Chile net of the recognition of deferred taxes on taxable temporary differences in Argentina and Australia. During 2007, the Company recorded $1.1 million in income tax provisions resulting from its assessment of prior period tax contingencies across its various tax jurisdictions in accordance with FIN 48.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2007 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
Revenues
 
Sales of metal from continuing operations in the year ended December 31, 2007 decreased by $1.3 million, or 1%, from the year ended December 31, 2006 to $215.3 million. The decrease in sales of metal was primarily due to a decrease in the quantity of silver and gold ounces sold during 2007, partially offset by increased metal prices realized. In 2007, the Company sold 11.6 million ounces of silver and 94,284 ounces of gold, compared to sales of 12.8 million ounces of silver and 116,400 ounces of gold in 2006. In the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company realized average silver and gold prices of $13.59 and $700, respectively, compared with realized average prices of $12.03 and $623, respectively, in the prior year.


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Included in revenues is the by-product revenue associated with by-product metal sales consisting of gold. In 2007, by-product revenues totaled $64.4 million compared to $68.8 million in 2006. The decrease is due to a decrease in the quantity of gold sold in 2007. The Company believes, based on the best estimates, that presentation of these revenue streams as by-products from its current operations will continue to be appropriate in the future.
 
In the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company produced a total of 11.5 million ounces of silver and 92,014 ounces of gold compared to 12.8 million ounces of silver and 116,254 ounces of gold in 2006. The decrease in silver production in 2007, as compared to 2006, was primarily due to decreased production at the Rochester, Cerro Bayo and Broken Hill mines in 2007 as compared to 2006.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Production costs applicable to sales from continuing operations for the year ended 2007 increased by $24.6 million, or 26.7%, from the same period of 2006 to $117.0 million.
 
The increase in production costs applicable to sales for the year is primarily the result of higher costs per ounce allocated with the drawdown of heap leach inventory associated with historic ore production, which is recognized as expense as ounces are recovered from the leaching process and sold. In addition, the increase in production costs is attributable to higher costs of labor, fuel, power and other consumables at the Company’s other mine operations. In addition, during 2007, the Rochester mine recorded a $1.5 million expense associated with the cessation of mining and crushing activities and a $1.0 million expense associated with early termination of employees employed in mining and crushing activities.
 
Depreciation and amortization decreased in the year ended December 31, 2007 by $5.8 million, or 21.6%, over the prior year, primarily due to decreased depreciation and depletion expense attributable to the Rochester mine due to the cessation of mining and crushing activities in August of 2007.
 
Administrative and general expenses increased $4.5 million in 2007 compared to 2006 due primarily to compensation costs associated with the Company’s annual incentive plan, business development activities related to the Bolnisi and Palmarejo acquisition and increases in other corporate expenses.
 
Total exploration expenses were $11.9 million in 2007 compared to $9.5 million in 2006.
 
Litigation settlement expenses decreased by $1.9 million in 2007 to $0.5 million. During 2006, the Company commenced payments pursuant to the Federal Natural Resource Settlement Decree dated May 14, 2001. Under the terms of the settlement, the Company was required to pay royalties on all of its domestic and foreign operating properties, up to a cumulative maximum of $3.0 million, amounting to a 2% net smelter royalty on silver production if the price of silver exceeds $6.50 per ounce, and a $5.00 per ounce royalty on gold production if the price of gold exceeds $325 per ounce. The royalty payment obligation commenced on May 14, 2006 and expires after May 14, 2021. The Company made its final payment to the U.S. government called for under the settlement agreement in the first quarter of 2007.
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
Interest and other income in the year ended December 31, 2007 decreased by $0.5 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase was primarily due to an increase in gain on sale of assets of $1.9 million offset by a decrease in interest income due to lower levels of cash and short-term investments and lower interest rates earned on the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.


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Income Taxes
 
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recorded an income tax provision of approximately $14.9 million compared to $8.2 million in 2006. The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006:
 
                 
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2007     2006  
 
Current:
               
United States — Alternative minimum tax
  $ (381 )   $ (900 )
United States — Foreign withholding
    (904 )     (713 )
Foreign — Argentina
    (6,590 )     (4,842 )
Foreign — Australia
    (4,898 )     (4,673 )
Deferred:
               
Foreign — Argentina
    172       65  
Foreign — Australia
    (664 )     (93 )
Foreign — Chile
    (1,662 )     2,930  
                 
Income tax provision
  $ (14,927 )   $ (8,226 )
                 
 
In 2007, due to higher metal prices, the Company recognized a current provision in the U.S. and all foreign operating jurisdictions. Further, the Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $0.9 million on interest payable on inter-company loans from the U.S. Parent to the Argentina and Australia subsidiaries. Finally, the Company recognized a $2.2 million deferred tax provision in foreign jurisdictions for the recognition of the benefit of tax loss carryforwards in Chile net of the recognition of deferred taxes on taxable temporary differences in Argentina and Australia. During 2007, the Company recorded $1.1 million in income tax provision resulting from its assessment of prior period tax contingencies across its various tax jurisdictions in connection with the adoption of FIN 48 effective January 1, 2007.
 
In 2006, due to significantly higher metals prices, additional proven and probable reserves, and a full year of operation in Australia, the Company recognized a current provision in the U.S. and all foreign operating jurisdictions. Further, the Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $0.7 million on interest payable on inter-company loans from the U.S. Parent to the Argentina and Australia subsidiaries. Finally, the Company recognized an additional $2.9 million deferred tax benefit in Chile as anticipated metals prices and projections of future pre-tax income are sufficient to utilize the remaining net operating loss carry-forwards in Chile.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Working Capital; Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company’s working capital at December 31, 2008 decreased by $160.9 million to a deficit of approximately $8.5 million compared to positive working capital of approximately $152.4 million at December 31, 2007. Approximately $340.0 million of this decrease in working capital was attributed to capital spending related to the Palmarejo, San Bartolomé and Kensington projects, approximately $36.8 million relates to the December 31, 2008 fair value of the warrant and conversion option associated with the floating rate securities. This was partially offset by the proceeds received from the issuance of notes and an increase in net proceeds from the sale of investments. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 0.95 to 1 at December 31, 2008 compared to 2.4 to 1 at December 31, 2007.


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Net cash used in operating activities in 2008 was $7.4 million compared with net cash provided by operating activities of $40.1 million in 2007 and $91.2 million in 2006. Cash provided by operating activities consist of the following:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Cash collected from customers
  $ 203,219     $ 220,055     $ 212,102  
Cash paid to suppliers, employees, etc. 
    (214,433 )     (195,377 )     (139,417 )
Interest received
    4,592       15,589       17,674  
Interest paid for operations
    (745 )     (210 )     (921 )
Discontinued operations
                1,792  
                         
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ (7,367 )   $ 40,057     $ 91,230  
                         
 
A total of $326.2 million was used in investing activities in 2008 compared to $211.5 million used in 2007. The increase of $114.8 million used in investing activities is primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures related to the construction activities at the Palmarejo, San Bartolomé and Kensington projects partially offset by net proceeds from sales of short-term investments.
 
The Company’s financing activities provided $255.7 million of cash during 2008 compared to net cash used in financing activities of $0.6 million in 2007. The increase is due to cash proceeds from the issuance on March 18, 2008 of the Company’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 in the aggregate amount of $230 million, the issuance on October 20, 2008 of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes in the aggregate amount of $50 million and the cash proceeds on December 18, 2008 of $20 million related to the Gold Lease Facility. This was partially offset by the repayment of a credit facility, long-term debt and capital lease obligation of approximately $32.3 million. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $77.9 million in 2008 compared to a decrease of $172.0 million in 2007.
 
Liquidity
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company’s cash equivalents and short term investments totaled $28.6 million. Since year-end, the Company has received approximately $95.4 million of cash proceeds consisting of $20.4 million from the exercise of a warrant relating to the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes it issued in October of 2008 and a gold royalty stream transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. See Note U — Subsequent Events — in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K. As of January 31, 2009, the Company estimates its cash balance was approximately $100 million.
 
The Company believes this liquidity, combined with cash flow from existing operations during the year, will be adequate to meet its operating obligations during the next twelve months. The Company plans to invest approximately $136 million in capital activities in 2009 to complete construction of Palmarejo and for sustaining capital investments at its existing operations. This estimate of capital expenditures excludes projected 2009 capital expenditures at the Kensington property, for which the Company will update capital cost and timetable estimates once it receives a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” on page 44.
 
The Company may elect to defer some capital investment activities or to secure additional capital to ensure it maintains sufficient liquidity. In addition, if the Company decides to pursue the acquisition of additional mineral interests, new capital projects, or acquisitions of new properties, mines or companies, additional financing activities may be necessary. There can be no assurances that such financing will be available when or if needed upon acceptable terms, or at all, when or if needed.
 
Acquisitions of Bolnisi and Palmarejo
 
On December 21, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the shares of Bolnisi Gold NL and Palmarejo Gold and Silver Corporation in exchange for a total of approximately 272 million shares of Coeur


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common stock, a total cash payment of approximately $1.1 million and the assumption of liabilities of $0.7 billion. Coeur issued 0.682 shares of Coeur common stock (or, at the election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests representing Coeur shares) and A$0.004 in cash (or approximately US$1.0 million in the aggregate) for each Bolnisi ordinary share, and 2.715 shares of Coeur common stock and C$0.004 in cash (or approximately US $0.1 million in the aggregate) for each Palmarejo common share.
 
Capitalized Expenditures
 
During 2008, the Company expended $0.6 million at the Rochester mine, $8.2 million at the Cerro Bayo mine, $4.5 million at the Martha mine, $26.5 million at the Endeavor mine, $0.5 million for corporate and other activities, $108.7 million for the development of the San Bartolomé project, $40.9 million for construction and development activities at the Kensington project and $190.3 million at the Palmarejo project. During 2009, the Company plans to expend approximately $0.7 million for investment activities at the Rochester mine, $0.1 million at Cerro Bayo, $1.6 million at Martha, $6.8 million at San Bartolomé property, $119.1 million at the Palmarejo development property and $0.5 million for corporate and other activities. The Company will update its capital expenditures at the Kensington development property once a decision is received from the U.S. Supreme Court. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” on p. 44.
 
Gold Lease Facility
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company entered into a $20 million Gold Lease Facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation (“MIC”). Under the Gold Lease Facility, the Company received proceeds of $20 million for the sale of 23,529 ounces of gold simultaneously leased from MIC to the Company. The Company has committed to this number of ounces of gold to MIC over the next twelve months at scheduled delivery dates. The Company is required to pledge certain collateral including standby letter of credits of $5.5 million and $7.5 million of metal inventory at our refiners. The Company accounts for the Gold Lease Facility as a derivative instrument and is recorded in accrued liabilities and other. As of December 31, 2008, based on the current futures metals prices for each of the delivery dates, using a 15% discount rate, the fair value of the Gold Lease Facility was $18.8 million. The Company recorded an unrealized gain of $1.2 million in 2008, which is reflected in earnings as unrealized gains (losses) in derivatives and other.
 
Debt and Capital Resources
 
Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes
 
On October 20, 2008 the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes. The Company also sold to the purchaser a warrant to purchase up to an addition $25 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the holder at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The conversion price is $1.15 per share. The net proceeds to the Company were $40.7 million.
 
The notes bear interest at LIBOR plus 7.50% per year, provided that in no event will the annual rate be less than 9.00% or more than 12.00%. As of December 31, 2008 the interest rate was 12%. Interest is payable, at the Company’s option, in cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. The notes are the Company’s senior secured obligations, ranking equally with all existing and future senior obligations and ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness, and are secured by certain assets of the Company’s Coeur Rochester, Inc. subsidiary. See Note O — Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments — in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for a discussion of the derivative features of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes.
 
31/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
On March 18, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $230 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 31/4% per year, payable on


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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 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 will be convertible under certain circumstances, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate of 176.0254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $5.68 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The fair value of the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes as determined by market transactions on December 31, 2008 was $74.5 million.
 
11/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
The $180.0 million principal amount of 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due January 2024 outstanding at December 31, 2008 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014, and 2019, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion price of $7.60 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Company’s common stock over a specified number of trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. Before January 18, 2011, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus an amount equal to 8.75% of the principal amount of the notes, less the amount of any interest actually paid on the notes on or prior to the redemption date. The notes are due on January 15, 2024.
 
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on January 15, 2011, January 15, 2014 and January 15, 2019 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 fair value of the notes as determined by market transactions on December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $54.0 million and $156.6 million, respectively.
 
Bank Loans
 
During 2008, the Company received short-term borrowings from Banco Bisa and Banco de Credito de Bolivia for an amount of $3.0 million to fund working capital requirements. The short-term borrowings bear interest rates between 8.5% and 10.1% and expire between April and June 2009.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered into several temporary credit lines in the amount of $3.5 million with the Standard Bank of Argentina secured by a stand by letter of credit to fund working capital


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requirements. The credit lines bear interest rates of 7.25% to 9.85% and expire at various dates in 2009 on or before June 30, 2009.
 
Palmarejo had an amended temporary credit facility of $2.0 million secured by the Company’s investments in asset backed commercial paper, to fund working capital requirements. On June 3, 2008, the Company paid off the outstanding balance on the credit facility.
 
Cost Reduction Plan
 
In October 2008, Coeur implemented a cost reduction plan designed to reduce non-operating costs by $10 million, or approximately 40%, annually. The results of these efforts were reflected in the fourth quarter of 2008 with general and administrative expenses declining 22.0%, or $1.6 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. In addition, operating activities at the Cerro Bayo mine were temporarily suspended and construction activities were curtailed at Kensington until a decision is made by the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
Issuances of Common Stock
 
During the first quarter of 2006, the Company completed a public offering of 27.6 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $5.60 per share. The Company realized net proceeds of $146.2 million after payment of the underwriters’ discount and other offering costs. Offering costs incurred were $8.3 million.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2008 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
 
                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
          Less Than
                More Than
 
Contractual Obligations
  Total     1 Year     1- 3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
 
Long-term debt obligation:
                                       
Convertible debt(1)
  $ 447,641     $     $     $ 37,641     $ 410,000  
Interest on convertible debt
    193,843       14,242       28,484       23,967       127,150  
                                         
      641,484       14,242       28,484       61,608       537,150  
Capital lease obligations(2)
    27,654       8,591       13,754       5,309        
Operating lease obligations:
                                       
Hyak Mining Lease
    9,237       3,231       462       462       5,082  
Plahipo Lease
    10,397       9,282       1,115              
Operating leases
    1,348       1,348                    
                                         
      20,982       13,861       1,577       462       5,082  
Other long-term obligations:
                                       
Reclamation and mine closure(3)
    102,203       2,010       4,006       8,965       87,222  
Lines of credit
    6,464       6,464                    
Severance payments(4)
    2,849       445       53             2,351  
Kensington Trust(5)
    74       74                    
                                         
      111,590       8,993       4,059       8,965       89,573  
                                         
Total
  $ 801,710     $ 45,687     $ 47,874     $ 76,344     $ 631,805  
                                         
 
 
(1) On October 20, 2008 the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes. The Company also sold to the purchaser a warrant to purchase up to an addition $25 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the holder at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion price is $1.15 per share. The net proceeds


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to the Company were $40.7 million. The notes bear interest at LIBOR plus 7.50% per year, provided that in no event will the annual rate be less than 9.00% or more than 12.00%. Interest is payable, at the Company’s option, in cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. The notes are the Company’s senior secured obligations, ranking equally with all existing and future senior obligations and ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness, and are secured by certain assets of the Company’s Coeur Rochester, Inc. subsidiary. See Note O — Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments — in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K for a discussion of the derivative features of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes.
 
On March 18, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $230 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 31/4% 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 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 will be convertible under certain circumstances, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate of 176.0254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $5.68 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The $180.0 million principal amount of 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 outstanding at December 31, 2008 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014 and 2019 unless previously redeemed at a conversion rate of approximately 131.5789 shares of Coeur common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, representing a conversion price of $7.60 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
 
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The Debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Company’s common stock over a specified number of trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. The Debentures have no other funding requirements until maturity on January 15, 2024.
 
(2) The Company has entered into various capital lease agreements for commitments principally over the next year.
 
(3) Reclamation and mine closure amounts represent the Company’s estimate of the cash flows associated with its legal obligation to reclaim and remediate mining properties. This amount will decrease as reclamation and remediation work is completed. Amounts shown on table are undiscounted.
 
(4) Severance amounts represent a termination benefit program at the Rochester mine as the mine approaches the end of mine life and accrued benefits for government mandated severance at the Cerro Bayo mine and San Bartolomé project.
 
(5) Purchased obligation for the Kensington property in Alaska.
 
Risk Factors; Forward-Looking Statements
 
For information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, securities, financial condition or operating results, reference is made to the disclosure set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” above. In addition, because the preceding discussion includes numerous forward-looking statements relating to the Company, its results of operations and financial condition and business, reference


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is made to the information set forth above in “Item 1. Business — Important Factors Relating to Forward-Looking Statements.”
 
Environmental Compliance Expenditures
 
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company expended $8.6 million, $5.2 million and $5.6 million, respectively, in connection with routine environmental compliance activities at its operating properties. Such activities include monitoring, earth moving, water treatment and re-vegetation activities.
 
The Company estimates that environmental compliance expenditures during 2009 will be approximately $5.5 million to obtain permit modifications and other regulatory authorizations. Future environmental expenditures will be determined by governmental regulations and the overall scope of the Company’s operating and development activities. The Company places a very high priority on its compliance with environmental regulations.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. APB 14-1 “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)” (the “FSP”). The FSP applies to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, unless the embedded conversion option is required to be separately accounted for as a derivative under FASB Statement No. 133. The FSP requires that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments within the scope of the FSP be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. This requires an allocation of the convertible debt proceeds between the liability component and the embedded conversion option (i.e., the equity component). The difference between the principal amount of the debt and the amount of the proceeds allocated to the liability component is reported as a debt discount and subsequently amortized to earnings over the instrument’s expected life using the effective interest method. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009 and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this statement.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosure about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“FAS 161”) which provides revised guidance for enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and the related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133, and how derivative instruments and the related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this statement on the Company’s derivative instrument disclosures.
 
In February 2008, the FASB staff issued Staff Position No. 157-2 “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”). FSP FAS 157-2 delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The provisions of FSP FAS 157-2 are effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis (fair value option) with changes in fair value reported in earnings. The Company already records marketable securities at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and derivative


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instruments and hedging activities at fair value in accordance with SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended (SFAS 133). The adoption of SFAS 159 had no impact on the financial statements as management did not elect the fair value option for any other financial instruments or other assets and liabilities.
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) as it relates to financial assets and financial liabilities. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This standard is now the single source in GAAP for the definition of fair value, except for the fair value of leased property as defined in SFAS 13. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
 
In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the Company recognize in its financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that tax position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification of interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods and disclosure. The provisions of FIN 48 were effective beginning January 1, 2007. The adoption of FIN 48 did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
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 contain 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. In order to mitigate some of the risk associated with these fluctuations, the Company will at times 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 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 has historically sold silver and gold produced by our mines pursuant to forward contracts and at spot prices prevailing at the time of sale. Since 1999, the Company has not engaged in any silver hedging activities and is currently not engaged in any gold hedging activities.
 
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 contracts 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 December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $32.1 million


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including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $22,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $8,000.
 
The Company operates, or has mining interests, in several foreign countries, specifically Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Argentina, which exposes it to risks associated with fluctuations in the exchange rates of the currencies involved. As part of its program to manage foreign currency risk, the Company enters into, from time to time, foreign currency forward exchange contracts. These contracts enable the Company to purchase a fixed amount of foreign currencies. 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. 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. During 2008, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Mexican peso and Argentine peso operating costs at its Palmarejo project and Martha mine, respectively. During 2007 and 2006, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with the forecasted Chilean peso operating costs for 2008 and 2007 at its Cerro Bayo mine.
 
The Mexican peso contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Mexican pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 13.57 pesos to each U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2008, the Company had Mexican peso foreign exchange contracts of $22.4 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts had a fair value of $2.0 million at December 31, 2008.
 
The Argentine peso contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Argentine pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 4.03 pesos to each U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2008, the Company had Argentine peso foreign exchange contracts of $12.9 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts had a fair value of $1.5 million at December 31, 2008.
 
The Chilean peso contracts entered into in 2007 require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Chilean pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 503 pesos to each U.S. dollar. There were no outstanding contracts at December 31, 2008.
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company entered into a $20 million Gold Lease Facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation (“MIC”). Under the Gold Lease Facility, the Company received proceeds of $20 million for the sale of 23,529 ounces of gold simultaneously leased from MIC to the Company. The Company has committed to this number of ounces of gold to MIC over the next twelve months at scheduled delivery dates. The Company is required to pledge certain collateral including standby letter of credits of $5.5 million and $7.5 million of metal inventory at our refiners. The Company accounts for the Gold Lease Facility as a derivative instrument and is recorded in accrued liabilities and other. As of December 31, 2008, based on the current futures metals prices for each of the delivery dates, using a 15% discount rate, the fair value of the Gold Lease Facility was $18.8 million. The Company recorded an unrealized gain of $1.2 million in 2008, which is reflected in earnings as unrealized gains (losses) in derivatives and other.
 
The fair value of the Company’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes and 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes at December 31, 2008 was $74.5 million and $54.0 million respectively. The fair value was estimated based upon bond market closing prices near the balance sheet date.
 
On October 20, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes, realizing net proceeds of $40.2 million after deducting $0.5 million of issuance costs. The purchaser also received warrants to purchase up to an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes for $20 million. Upon exercising the conversion option, the holder receives common stock of the Company at an initial conversion rate of 869.5652, plus an additional payment in common stock or cash, at the election of the Company, representing the value of the interest that would be earned on the notes through the earlier of the fourth anniversary of the conversion date or October 15, 2013, at the interest rate applicable on the conversion date. The conversion option is considered an embedded derivative that is required to be


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separated from the host debt contract for accounting purposes. The warrants are also considered derivative instruments. These derivatives are recorded in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings. At the issuance date, because the combined fair value of the conversion option and the warrants exceeded the net proceeds, the notes were recorded with a full original issue discount. The amount by which the fair value of the conversion option and warrants exceeded the proceeds received, or $10.0 million, was recorded as a loss upon issuance and is included in unrealized gains (loss) on derivatives and other in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair values of the conversion option and warrants were $32.2 million and $18.5 million, respectively, at the issuance date and $21.6 million and $15.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008.
 
As of December 31, 2008, $12.4 million of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes had been converted into 15.9 million shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
The financial statements required hereunder and contained herein are listed under “Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” below.
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
(a)   Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by it in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures conducted by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, such officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective and operating at a reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2008.
 
(b)   Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 defines internal control over financial reporting in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
  •  Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
 
  •  Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
 
  •  Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.


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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based upon its assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2008, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based upon those criteria.
 
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, have audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO, and its report dated March 2, 2009, which is included in this Form 10-K immediately preceding the Company’s audited financial statements, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008.
 
(c)   Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
Not applicable.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G (3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item regarding directors is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. Information regarding our executive officers is set forth under “Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant.”
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, certain information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.


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Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2008 regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans.
 
                         
                Number of shares remaining
 
    Number of shares to be
          available for future issuance
 
    issued upon exercise of
    Weighted-average exercise
    under equity compensation
 
    outstanding options,
    price of outstanding options,
    plans (excluding securities
 
Plan category
  warrants and rights     warrants and rights     reflected in column (a))  
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    2,433,182       3.38       4,321,305  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
                         
Total
    2,433,182       3.38       4,321,305  
                         
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a) The following financial statements are filed herewith:
 
(1)  The following consolidated financial statements of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:”
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2008 and 2007.
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(b)  Exhibits: The following listed documents are filed as Exhibits to this report:
 
         
2(a)
    Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and among Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, Coeur Sub Two, Inc. and Bolnisi Gold NL (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007).


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2(b)
    Amending Agreement dated June 8, 2007 Relating to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and among Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, Coeur Sub Two, Inc. and Bolnisi Gold NL (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 8, 2007).
2(c)
    Second Amending Agreement dated June 22, 2007 Relating to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and among Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, Coeur Sub Two, Inc. and Bolnisi Gold NL, as amended on June 8, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 22, 2007).
2(d)
    Deed Poll made by the Registrant in favor of Bolnisi shareholders dated May 3, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007).
2(e)
    Conditional extension dated September 24, 2007 to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and among Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, Coeur Sub Two, Inc. and Bolnisi Gold NL (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 25, 2007).
2(f)
    Third Amending Agreement dated October 23, 2007 to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and among Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, Coeur Sub Two, Inc. and Bolnisi Gold NL (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 29, 2007).
2(g)
    Fourth Amending Agreement dated December 5, 2007 to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and among Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, Coeur d’Alene Mines Australia Pty Ltd, Coeur Sub Two, Inc. and Bolnisi Gold NL (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2007).
2(h)
    Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and among Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007).
2(i)
    Extension dated September 24, 2007 to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and between Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 25, 2007).
2(j)
    Amendment dated October 23, 2007 to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and between Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 29, 2007).
2(k)
    Second Amendment dated December 4, 2007 to Merger Implementation Agreement dated May 3, 2007 by and between Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2007).
3(a)
    Certificate of Designations, Powers and Preferences of the Series B Junior Preferred Stock of the Registrant, as filed with Idaho Secretary of State on May 13, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.C of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002).
3(b)
    Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B Junior Preferred Stock of the Registrant, dated December 7, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(G) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
3(c)
    Amended and Restated Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B Junior Preferred Stock of the Registrant, dated December 7, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(H) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
3(d)
    Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated December 7, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(J) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).

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3(e)
    Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended effective July 16, 2007. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007).
4(a)
    Specimen certificate of the Registrant’s stock. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 2-84174)).
4(b)
    Indenture dated as of January 13, 2004, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York relating to the Registrant’s 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 15, 2004).
4(c)
    Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York relating to the Registrant’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 2008).
4(d)
    First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008 to Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York relating to the Registrant’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 2008).
4(e)
    Indenture dated as of October 20, 2008, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York Mellon (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(f)
    First Supplemental Indenture and Security Agreement dated as of October 20, 2008, among the Registrant, Coeur Rochester, Inc. and the Bank of New York Mellon (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(g)
    Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Note due 2012, dated October 20, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(h)
    Warrant to Purchase Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012 of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, dated October 20, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(i)
    Agreement and Consent, dated as of January 12, 2009, by and among the Registrant, JMB Capital Partners Master Fund, L.P. and Lonestar Partners LP (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2009).
4(j)
    Amendment No. 2, dated as of January 12, 2009, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon to the First Supplemental Indenture and Security Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2008, among the Registrant, Coeur Rochester, Inc., and The Bank of New York Mellon (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2009).
10(a)
    Agreement, dated January 1, 1994, between Coeur-Rochester, Inc. and Johnson Matthey Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(m) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993).
10(b)
    Master Equipment Lease No. 099-03566-01, dated as of December 28, 1988, between Idaho First National Bank and the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(w) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988).
10(c)
    Master Equipment Lease No. 01893, dated as of December 28, 1988, between Cargill Leasing Corporation and the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(x) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988).
10(d)
    Rights Agreement, dated as of May 11, 1999, between the Registrant and ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., as Rights Agent. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-A filed May 24, 1999 relating to the registration of the Rights on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges).
10(e)
    Amended and Restated Profit Sharing Retirement Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ff) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993).*

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10(f)
    1993 Annual Incentive Plan and Long-Term Performance Share Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(jj) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993).*
10(g)
    Lease Agreement, dated January 12, 1994, between First Security Bank of Idaho and Coeur Rochester, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(mm) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993).
10(h)
    401k Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(pp) to the Registrants Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994).*
10(i)
    Form of Executive Severance Agreement entered into by the Registrant with each of its executive officers. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(hh) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).*
10(j)
    Employment Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2003, between the Registrant and James A. Sabala. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(jj) to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2002).*
10(k)
    2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 21, 2003).*
10(l)
    Silver Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated April 7, 2005, between CDE Australia Pty. Limited and Cobar Operations Pty. Limited. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005).
10(m)
    2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 6, 2005).
10(n)
    Employment Agreement and Change in Control Agreement, effective July 1, 2005, between the Registrant and Donald J. Birak (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).*
10(o)
    Employment Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2002, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).*
10(p)
    Amended Mining Lease, effective as of August 5, 2005, between Hyak Mining Company, Inc. and Coeur Alaska, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).
10(q)
    Silver Sale Agreement, dated September 8, 2005, between the Registrant, Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. and CDE Australia Pty. Ltd. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).
10(r)
    Employment Agreement and Change in Control Agreement, effective October 15, 2005, between the Registrant and James K. Duff. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).*
10(s)
    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2005).*
10(t)
    Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2005).*
10(u)
    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2005).*
10(v)
    First Amendment to Employment to Agreement, effective March 30, 2006, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006).*
10(w)
    Amended and Restated Silver Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated March 28, 2006, between CDE Australia Pty Limited and Cobar Operations Pty Limited (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006).

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10(x)
    Employment Agreement and Change in Control Agreement, dated July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and Alan L. Wilder. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006).*
10(y)
    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and Donald J. Birak. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006).*
10(z)
    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and James K. Duff. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).*
10(aa)
    Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2007, to Employment Agreement dated July 1, 2005, as amended on July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and Donald J. Birak (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007).*
10(bb)
    Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated May 2, 2007, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 7, 2007).*
10(cc)
    Supplemental Agreement in respect of the Amended and Restated Silver Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated January 29, 2008, between CDE Australia Pty Limited and Cobar Operations Pty Limited. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(cc) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
10(dd)
    Employment Agreement and Change in Control agreement, effective July 1, 2005, between the Registrant and Mitchell J. Krebs (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).*
10(ee)
    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and Mitchell J. Krebs. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ee) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).*
10(ff)
    Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective July 31, 2007, between the Registrant and Mitchell J. Krebs. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ff) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).*
10(gg)
    Employment Agreement and Change in Control agreement, effective July 1, 2005, between the Registrant and Harry F. Cougher (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).*
10(hh)
    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and Harry F. Cougher. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(hh) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).*
10(ii)
    Employment Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2006, between CDE Australia Pty Ltd and Richard M. Weston. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ii) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).*
10(jj)
    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and Richard M. Weston. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(jj) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).*
10(kk)
    Second Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective as of July 31, 2007, between the Registrant and Richard M. Weston. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(kk) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).*
10(ll)
    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated February 6, 2008, between the Registrant and Alan L. Wilder. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(ll) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).*
10(mm)
    Third Amendment to Employment Agreement, effective March 7, 2008, between the Registrant and Mitchell J. Krebs. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 10, 2008).*
10(nn)
    Employment Agreement as amended and restated, effective May 7, 2008, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2008).*

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10(oo)
    Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*
10(pp)
    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Mitchell J. Krebs. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*
10(qq)
    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Donald J. Birak. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*
10(rr)
    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Alan L. Wilder. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*
10(ss)
    Gold royalty stream agreement, dated as of January 21, 2009, by and between the Registrant and Franco-Nevada (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 22, 2009).*
10(tt)(i-vi)
    Option Deeds dated May 3, 2007 by and between Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and each of Kenneth M. Phillips, Altinova Nominees Pty Ltd, Dragonlyn Pty Ltd, Rosignol Consultants Pty Ltd, Promin Mining Services Pty Limited and Rosignol Pty Limited (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 99.1(a-f) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007).
10(uu)(i-vi)
    Amendments dated September 24, 2007 to Option Deeds dated May 3, 2007 by and between Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and each of Kenneth M. Phillips, Altinova Nominees Pty Ltd, Dragonlyn Pty Ltd, Rosignol Consultants Pty Ltd, Promin Mining Services Pty Limited and Rosignol Pty Limited (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 99.1(a-f) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 25, 2007).
10(vv)(i-vi)
    Amending Agreements dated October 23, 2007 to Option Deeds dated May 3, 2007 by and between Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and each of Kenneth M. Phillips, Altinova Nominees Pty Ltd, Dragonlyn Pty Ltd, Rosignol Consultants Pty Ltd, Promin Mining Services Pty Limited and Rosignol Pty Limited, as amended to date (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 99.1(a-f) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 29, 2007).
12
    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
21
    List of subsidiaries of the Registrant. (Filed herewith).
23
    Consent of KPMG LLP (Filed herewith).
31.1
    Certification of the CEO (Filed herewith).
31.2
    Certification of the CFO (Filed herewith).
32.1
    CEO Section 1350 Certification (Filed herewith).
32.2
    CFO Section 1350 Certification (Filed herewith).
 
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan.

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation
(Registrant)
 
 
 
         
Date: March 2, 2009   By:  
/s/  Dennis E. Wheeler
Dennis E. Wheeler
(Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer)
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
         
/s/  Dennis E. Wheeler

Dennis E. Wheeler
  Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  Mitchell J. Krebs

Mitchell J. Krebs
  Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
  March 2, 2009
         
/s/  Tom T. Angelos

Tom T. Angelos
  Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  James J. Curran

James J. Curran
  Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  Sebastian Edwards

Sebastian Edwards
  Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  Andrew D. Lundquist

Andrew D. Lundquist
  Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  Robert E. Mellor

Robert E. Mellor
  Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  John H. Robinson

John H. Robinson
  Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  J. Kenneth Thompson

J. Kenneth Thompson
  Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  Alex Vitale

Alex Vitale
  Director   March 2, 2009
         
/s/  Timothy R. Winterer

Timothy R. Winterer
  Director   March 2, 2009


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ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION
COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO
 
         
    F-2 – F-3  
    F-4 – F-5  
    F-6  
    F-7  
    F-8  
    F-9  


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Table of Contents

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 2, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
KPMG LLP
 
Boise, Idaho
March 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation:
 
We have audited Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008, and our report dated March 2, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 
KPMG LLP
 
Boise, Idaho
March 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 20,760     $ 98,671  
Short-term investments
    7,881       53,039  
Receivables
    60,183       56,121  
Ore on leach pad
    9,193       25,924  
Metal and other inventory
    34,846       18,918  
Deferred tax assets
    240       3,573  
Prepaid expenses and other
    19,348       7,821  
                 
      152,451       264,067  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
               
Property, plant and equipment
    500,025       322,733  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (88,717 )     (69,937 )
                 
      411,308       252,796  
MINING PROPERTIES
               
Operational mining properties
    292,013       198,208  
Less accumulated depletion
    (131,698 )     (124,401 )
                 
      160,315       73,807  
Mineral interests
    1,764,794       1,731,715  
Less accumulated depletion
    (16,796 )     (11,639 )
                 
      1,747,998       1,720,076  
Non-producing and development properties
    351,985       256,585  
                 
      2,260,298       2,050,468  
OTHER ASSETS
               
Ore on leach pad, non-current portion
    20,998       24,995  
Restricted assets
    23,110       25,760  
Receivables, non current
    34,139       18,708  
Debt issuance costs, net
    12,476       4,848  
Deferred tax assets
    4,666       1,109  
Other
    4,452       8,943  
                 
      99,841       84,363  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 2,923,898     $ 2,651,694  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except share data)  
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Credit facility, current portion of capital lease obligations
  $ 14,608     $ 30,831  
Accounts payable
    66,300       49,642  
Accrued liabilities and other
    64,673       9,072  
Accrued income taxes
    927       7,547  
Accrued payroll and related benefits
    8,106       9,342  
Accrued interest payable
    4,446       1,060  
Current portion of reclamation and mine closure
    1,924       4,183  
                 
      160,984       111,677  
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
               
Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012
    1,830        
31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2028
    230,000        
11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due January 2024
    180,000       180,000  
Non-current portion of capital lease obligations
    16,837       23,661  
Reclamation and mine closure
    34,093       30,629  
Deferred income taxes
    557,449       573,681  
Other long-term liabilities
    6,015       4,679  
                 
      1,026,224       812,650  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
(See Notes I, J, M, O, P, Q and S)
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share; authorized 750,000,000 shares in 2008 and 2007, issued 567,799,088 shares in 2008 and 551,512,230 in 2007
    567,799       551,512  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,601,415       1,607,737  
Accumulated deficit
    (419,339 )     (419,331 )
Shares held in treasury
    (13,190 )     (13,190 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    5       639  
                 
      1,736,690       1,727,367  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 2,923,898     $ 2,651,694  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
REVENUES
                       
Sales of metal
  $ 189,465     $ 215,319     $ 216,573  
COSTS AND EXPENSES
                       
Production costs applicable to sales
    109,336       117,025       92,378  
Depreciation and depletion
    27,330       20,984       26,772  
Administrative and general
    25,846       23,875       19,369  
Exploration
    20,531       11,941       9,474  
Pre-development expenses
    16,950              
Care and maintenance and other
    3,155              
Litigation settlements
          507       2,365  
                         
Total cost and expenses
    203,148       174,332       150,358  
                         
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    (13,683 )     40,987       66,215  
                         
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
                       
Interest and other income
    2,557       18,195       18,654  
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and other
    1,756              
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
    (4,139 )     (365 )     (1,224 )
                         
Total other income and expense
    174       17,830       17,430  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (13,509 )     58,817       83,645  
Income tax benefit (provision)
    13,501       (14,927 )     (8,226 )
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (8 )     43,890       75,419  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
                1,935  
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
                11,132  
                         
NET INCOME (LOSS)
    (8 )     43,890       88,486  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (634 )     86       2,391  
                         
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (642 )   $ 43,976     $ 90,877  
                         
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
                       
Basic income per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.15     $ 0.28  
Income from discontinued operations
                0.05  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.15     $ 0.33  
                         
Diluted income per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.14     $ 0.26  
Income from discontinued operations
                0.04  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.00 *   $ 0.14     $ 0.30  
                         
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
                       
Basic
    550,733       285,972       271,357  
Diluted
    550,733       310,524       296,082  
 
 
* Less than $0.01 per share
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
(In thousands, except share data)
 
                                                         
                                  Accumulated
       
    Common
                      Shares
    Other
       
    Stock
    Common
    Additional
          Held in
    Comprehensive
       
    Shares     Stock     Paid-In Capital     Accumulated Deficit     Treasury     Income (Loss)     Total  
 
Balances at January 1, 2006
    250,961     $ 250,961     $ 656,977     $ (551,357 )   $ (13,190 )   $ (1,838 )   $ 341,553  
Net income
                      88,486                   88,486  
Cumulative effect of accounting change
                      (350 )                 (350 )
Unrealized gain on short-term investments and marketable securities
                                  63       63  
Elimination of excess additional pension liability over unrecognized prior service cost attributable to discontinued operations
                                  2,219       2,219  
Issuance of common stock
    27,600       27,600       118,631                         146,231  
Common stock issued under long-term incentive plans, net
    493       493       2,190                         2,683  
Other
                                      109       109  
                                                         
Balances at December 31, 2006
    279,054     $ 279,054     $ 777,798     $ (463,221 )   $ (13,190 )   $ 553     $ 580,994  
Net income
                            43,890                       43,890  
Unrealized gain on short-term investments and marketable securities
                                  103       103  
Issuance of common stock in Bolnisi/Palmarejo merger
    271,969       271,969       826,061                         1,098,030  
Common stock issued under long-term incentive plans, net
    489       489       3,878                         4,367  
Other
                                  (17 )     (17 )
                                                         
Balances at December 31, 2007
    551,512     $ 551,512     $ 1,607,737     $ (419,331 )   $ (13,190 )   $ 639     $ 1,727,367  
Net income
                            (8 )                     (8 )
Unrealized loss on short-term investments and marketable securities, net
                                  (716 )     (716 )
Conversions of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes to common stock
    15,905       15,905       (8,774 )                       7,131  
Common stock issued under long-term incentive plans, net
    382       382       2,452                         2,834  
Other
                                  82       82  
                                                         
Balances at December 31, 2008
    567,799     $ 567,799     $ 1,601,415     $ (419,339 )   $ (13,190 )   $ 5     $ 1,736,690  
                                                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (8 )   $ 43,890     $ 88,486  
Add (deduct) non-cash items:
                       
Depreciation and depletion
    27,330       20,984       26,772  
Deferred taxes
    (23,165 )     2,154       (2,902 )
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivatives and other
    1,888       (1,462 )     1,166  
Share-based compensation
    2,692       3,448       2,218  
Amortization of debt issuance costs
    1,477       303       303  
Loss on asset backed securities
    2,600              
Gain on asset retirement obligation
    (3,169 )     (871 )     (41 )
Loss (gain) on foreign currency transactions
    2,216       (433 )     (147 )
Gain on sales of assets
    (632 )     (1,947 )     (237 )
Other non-cash charges
    413       610       136  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Receivables
    (19,414 )     (24,021 )     (14,781 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    476       (4,065 )     (599 )
Inventories
    4,799       13,172       (15,555 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (4,870 )     (11,705 )     17,686  
Discontinued operations
                (11,275 )
                         
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    (7,367 )     40,057       91,230  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of investments
    (336,350 )     (167,346 )     (317,743 )
Proceeds from sales of investments
    375,047       183,121       430,292  
Capital expenditures
    (365,019 )     (216,978 )     (147,998 )
Merger related costs
          (13,727 )      
Proceeds from sales of assets
    133       3,270       314  
Other
    (47 )     187       (642 )
Discontinued operations
                15,446  
                         
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (326,236 )     (211,473 )     (20,331 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
    270,737              
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
    26,658       1,698        
Repayment of credit facility, long-term debt and capital leases
    (32,262 )     (1,360 )     (1,448 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
                154,560  
Payments of common stock and debt issuance costs
    (9,105 )     (726 )     (8,329 )
Other
    (336 )     (197 )     94  
                         
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    255,692       (585 )     144,877  
                         
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    (77,911 )     (172,001 )     215,776  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    98,671       270,672       54,896  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 20,760     $ 98,671     $ 270,672  
                         
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
NOTE A — BUSINESS OF COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION
 
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Coeur” or the “Company”) is principally engaged in silver and gold mining and related activities including exploration, development, and mining at its properties located in South America (Chile, Argentina and Bolivia), the United States (Nevada and Alaska), Australia (New South Wales) and Mexico (Chihuahua).
 
NOTE B — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, the most significant of which are Empressa Minera Manquiri S.A., Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (formerly Planet Gold S.A. de C.V.), Coeur Rochester, Inc., Coeur Argentina, CDE Australia Pty Ltd., Coeur Alaska, Inc., and CDE Cerro Bayo Ltd. The consolidated financial statements also include all entities in which voting control of more than 50% is held by the Company. The Company has no investments in entities in which it has greater than 50% ownership interest accounted for using the equity method. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in corporate joint ventures where the Company has ownership of 50% or less and funds its proportionate share of expenses are accounted for under the equity method. The Company has no investments in entities in which it has a greater than 20% ownership interest accounted for using the cost method.
 
Revenue Recognition: Pursuant to guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition for Financial Statements”, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, no obligations remain and collectability is probable. The passing of title to the customer is based on the terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example the London Bullion Market for both gold and silver, in an identical form to the product sold.
 
Under our concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, final gold and silver prices are set on a specified future quotational period, typically one to three months, after the shipment date based on market metal prices. Revenues and production costs applicable to sales are recorded on a gross basis under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. Final settlement is based on the average applicable price for a specified future period, and generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. Final sales are settled using smelter weights, settlement assays (average of assays exchanged and/or umpire assay results) and are priced as specified in the smelter contract. The Company’s 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 measured at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded as a derivative asset, in prepaid expenses and other assets, or as a derivative liability in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final gold and silver settlement. The form of the material being sold, after deduction for smelting and refining is in an identical form to that sold on the London Bullion Market. The forms of the Company’s products are as metal in flotation concentrate and doré bullion, which is the final process for which the Company is responsible.
 
The effects of forward sales contracts are reflected in revenue at the date the related precious metals are delivered or the contracts expire. Third-party smelting and refining costs of $9.5 million, $8.4 million and $9.1 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $32.1 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
(plus or minus) approximately $22,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $8,000. At December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $61.2 million consisting of 3.3 million ounces of silver and 20,775 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $63.8 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $33,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $21,000.
 
Short-term Investments: Short-term investments principally consist of highly-liquid United States, foreign government and corporate securities; all are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value with maturities that range from three months to forty years. Unrealized gains and losses on these investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Any decline in market value considered to be other than temporary is recognized in determining net income (loss). Realized gains and losses from the sale of these investments are included in determining net income (loss).
 
Ore on Leach Pad: The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes. In August 2007, the Company ceased mining and crushing operations at the Rochester mine as ore reserves were fully mined. Residual heap leach activities are expected to continue through 2014.
 
The Company used several integrated steps to scientifically measure the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads. As the ore body was drilled in preparation for the blasting process, samples were taken of the drill residue which is assayed to determine estimated quantities of contained metal. The Company estimated the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning satellite survey techniques. The Company then processed the ore through crushing facilities where the output was again weighed and sampled for assaying. A metallurgical reconciliation with the data collected from the mining operation was completed with appropriate adjustments made to previous estimates. The crushed ore was then transported to the leach pad for application of the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from the leach pads, it is continuously sampled for assaying. The quantity of leach solution is measured by flow meters throughout the leaching and precipitation process. After precipitation, the product is converted to dorè, which is the final product produced by the mine. The inventory is stated at lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method.
 
The Company reported ore on the leach pads of $30.2 million as of December 31, 2008. Of this amount, $9.2 million is reported as a current asset and $21.0 million is reported as a non-current asset. The distinction between current and non-current is based upon the expected length of time necessary for the leaching process to remove the metals from the broken ore. The historical cost of the metal that is expected to be extracted within twelve months is classified as current and the historical cost of metals contained within the broken ore that will be extracted beyond twelve months is classified as non-current. Inventories of ore on leach pad are valued based on actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the leach pad, adjusted for effects on monthly production of costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process.
 
The estimate of both the ultimate recovery expected over time and the quantity of metal that may be extracted relative to the time the leach process occurs requires the use of estimates which are inherently inaccurate since they rely upon laboratory testwork. Testwork consists of 60 day leach columns from which the Company projects metal recoveries up to five years in the future. The quantities of metal contained in the ore are based upon actual weights and assay analysis. The rate at which the leach process extracts gold and silver from the crushed ore is based upon laboratory column tests and actual experience occurring over approximately twenty years of leach pad operations at the Rochester Mine. The assumptions used by the Company to measure metal content during each stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. The Company periodically reviews its estimates compared to actual experience and revises its estimates when appropriate. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company increased its estimated silver ounces contained in


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
the heap inventory by approximately 5.4 million ounces. The increase in estimated silver ounces contained in the heap inventory is due to changes in estimated silver recoveries anticipated over the remainder of the residual leaching phase. There were no changes in estimated recoveries related to gold contained in the heap. Consequently, the Company believes its current residual heap leach activities are expected to continue through 2014. The ultimate recovery will not be known until leaching operations cease.
 
Metal and Other Inventory: Inventories include concentrate ore, dorè, ore in stockpiles and operating materials and supplies. The classification of inventory is determined by the stage at which the ore is in the production process. To extent there is work in process inventories at the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines, such amounts are carried as inventories. Inventories of ore in stock piles are sampled for gold and silver content and are valued based on the lower of actual costs incurred or estimated net realizable value based upon the period ending prices of gold and silver. Material that does not contain a minimum quantity of gold and silver to cover estimated processing expense to recover the contained gold and silver is not classified as inventory and is assigned no value. All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method. Concentrate and dorè inventory includes product at the mine site and product held by refineries and are also valued at the lower of cost or market value. Concentrate inventories associated with the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines are held by third parties. Metal inventory costs include direct labor, materials, depreciation, depletion and amortization as well as administrative overhead costs relating to mining activities.
 
Property, Plant, and Equipment: Expenditures for new facilities, assets acquired pursuant to capital leases, new assets or expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the shorter of estimated productive lives of such facilities or the useful life of the individual assets. Productive lives range from 7 to 31 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 13 years for machinery and equipment and 3 to 7 years for furniture and fixtures. Certain mining equipment is depreciated using the units-of-production method based upon estimated total proven and probable reserves. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
 
Operational Mining Properties and Mine Development: Capitalization of mine development costs that meet the definition of an asset begins once all operating permits have been secured, mineralization is classified as proven and probable reserves and a final feasibility study has been completed. Mine development costs include engineering and metallurgical studies, drilling and other related costs to delineate an ore body, the removal of overburden to initially expose an ore body at open pit surface mines and the building of access ways, shafts, lateral access, drifts, ramps and other infrastructure at underground mines. Costs incurred during the start-up phase of a mine are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred before mineralization is classified as proven and probable reserves are expensed and classified as Exploration or Pre-development expense. All capitalized costs are amortized using the units of production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on recoverable ounces to be mined from proven and probable reserves. Interest expense allocable to the cost of developing mining properties and to construct new facilities is capitalized until assets are ready for their intended use. Gains or losses from sales or retirements of assets are included in other income or expense.
 
Drilling and related costs incurred at our operating mines are expensed as incurred as exploration expense, unless we can conclude with a high degree of confidence, prior to the commencement of a drilling program, that the drilling costs will result in the conversion of a mineral resource into proven and probable reserves. Our assessment is based on the following factors: results from previous drill programs; results from geological models; results from a mine scoping study confirming economic viability of the resource; and preliminary estimates of mine inventory, ore grade, cash flow and mine life. In addition, the Company must have all permitting and/or contractual requirements necessary to have the right to and/or control of the future benefit from the targeted ore body. The costs of a drilling program that meet these criteria are capitalized as mine development costs. All other drilling and related costs, including those beyond the boundaries of the development and production stage properties, are expensed as incurred.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Drilling and related costs of approximately $3.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, met the criteria for capitalization listed above at our properties that are in the development and production stages.
 
The cost of removing overburden and waste materials to access the ore body at an open pit mine prior to the production phase are referred to as “pre-stripping costs.” Pre-stripping costs are capitalized during the development of an open pit mine. Stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that are included as a component of inventory to be recognized in production costs applicable to sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of inventory.
 
Mineral Interests: Significant payments related to the acquisition of land and mineral rights are capitalized as incurred. Prior to acquiring such land or mineral rights, the Company generally makes a preliminary evaluation to determine that the property has significant potential to develop an economic ore body. The time between initial acquisition and full evaluation of a property’s potential is variable and is determined by many factors including: location relative to existing infrastructure, the property’s stage of development, geological controls and metal prices. If a mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are amortized when production begins using the units-of-production method based on recoverable ounces to be mined from proven and probable reserves. If no mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are expensed in the period in which it is determined the property has no future economic value. The Company amortizes its mineral interests in the Endeavor and Broken Hill mines using the units of production method.
 
Asset Impairment: The Company follows Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” to evaluate the recoverability of its assets. Management reviews and evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts of its assets may not be recoverable. Impairment is considered to exist if total estimated future cash flows or probability-weighted cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the assets, including property plant and equipment, mineral property, development property, and any deferred costs. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on the difference between book value and discounted estimated future cash flows or the application of an expected present value technique to estimate fair value in the absence of a market price. Future cash flows include estimates of recoverable ounces, gold and silver prices (considering current and historical prices, price trends and related factors), production levels and capital, all based on life-of-mine plans and projections. Assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties. If the assets are impaired, a calculation of fair value is performed and if the fair value is lower than the carrying value of the assets, the assets are reduced to their fair market value. Any differences between significant assumptions and market conditions and/or the Company’s operating performance could have a material effect on the Company’s determination of ore reserves, or its ability to recover the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets resulting in impairment charges. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of cash flows from other asset groups. Generally, in estimating future cash flows, all assets are grouped at a particular mine for which there is identifiable cash flow.
 
 Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company, under the terms of its lease, self insurance, and bonding agreements with certain banks, lending institutions and regulatory agencies, is required to collateralize certain portions of the Company’s obligations. The Company has collateralized these obligations by assigning certificates of deposit that have maturity dates ranging from three months to a year, to the respective institutions or agency. At December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the Company held certificates of deposit and cash under these agreements of $23.1 million and $25.8 million, respectively, restricted for this purpose. The ultimate timing for the release of the collateralized amounts is primarily dependent on the timing and closure of each mine. In order to release the collateral, the Company must seek approval from certain government agencies responsible for monitoring the mine closure status. Collateral could also be released to the extent the Company was able to secure alternative financial assurance satisfactory to the regulatory agencies. The Company believes there is a


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
reasonable probability that the collateral will remain in place beyond a twelve-month period and has therefore classified these investments as long-term. In addition, as of December 31, 2008, the Company held certificates of deposit totaling $8.5 million that were pledged to support letters of credit to Mitsubishi International of $5.5 million and to Banco de Credito e Inversiones of $3.0 million. These amounts are included in prepaids and other.
 
Reclamation and Remediation Costs: The Company follows SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. The standard applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and normal use of the asset. SFAS No. 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset, and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset. An accretion cost, representing the increase over time in the present value of the liability, is recorded each period in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. As reclamation work is performed or liabilities are otherwise settled, the recorded amount of the liability is reduced.
 
Future remediation costs for inactive mines are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at the site. Such cost estimates include, where applicable, ongoing care and maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised.
 
Foreign Currency: Substantially all assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments: The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” (as amended by SFAS No. 137) and SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities.” These Statements require recognition of all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measurement of those instruments at fair value. Appropriate accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives held is dependent on whether the derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as an accounting hedge and on the classification of the hedge transaction.
 
Stock-based Compensation Plans: Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with awards of equity instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123(R), and, consequently, has not retroactively adjusted results from prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation cost associated with awards of equity instruments recognized includes: 1) amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all awards granted for the fiscal years 1995 to 2005, based on the grant date fair value, estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation;” and 2) amortization related to all equity instrument awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The compensation costs are included in administrative and general expenses, production costs applicable to sales and the cost of self-constructed property, plant and equipment as deemed appropriate.
 
The Company continues to estimate the fair value of each stock option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. In addition, the Company estimates the fair value of performance share grants using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model. The Company estimates forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical data and periodically adjusts the forfeiture rate. The adjustment of the estimated forfeiture rate will result in a cumulative adjustment in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed.


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Income Taxes: The Company computes income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” SFAS No. 109 requires an asset and liability approach that results in the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences or benefits of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
 
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance has been provided for the portion of the Company’s net deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 1999. Federal income tax returns for 2000 through 2007 are subject to examination. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. There were no significant accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2008.
 
Comprehensive Income (loss): Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) as well as changes in shareholders’ equity that result from transactions and events other than those with shareholders. Items of comprehensive income (loss) include the following (in thousands):
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Net (loss) income
  $ (8 )   $ 43,890     $ 88,486  
Unrealized (loss) gain on securities
    (716 )     103       63  
Minimum pension liabilities
                2,219  
Other
    82       (17 )     109  
                         
    $ (642 )   $ 43,976     $ 90,877  
                         
 
Net Income Per Share: The Company follows SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share,” which requires the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income 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


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The effect of potentially dilutive stock options and debentures outstanding in the years ending December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:
 
                                                                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007     December 31, 2006  
    Income
    Shares
    Per-Share
    Income
    Shares
    Per-Share
    Income
    Shares
    Per-Share
 
    (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
    (In thousands except for EPS)  
 
Basic EPS
                                                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (8 )     550,733     $ 0.00     $ 43,890       285,972     $ 0.15     $ 75,419       271,357     $ 0.28  
Income from discontinued operations
                                        13,067             0.05  
                                                                         
Net (loss) income
  $ (8 )     550,733     $ 0.00     $ 43,890       285,972     $ 0.15     $ 88,486       271,357     $ 0.33  
Effect of Dilutive Securities
                                                                       
Equity awards
                              868                     1,041          
Convertible notes
                        297       23,684               1,117       23,684          
                                                                         
Diluted EPS
                                                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (8 )     550,733       0.00     $ 44,187       310,524       0.14     $ 76,536       296,082       0.26  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
                                          13,067       296,082       0.04  
                                                                         
Net (loss) income
  $ (8 )     550,733     $ 0.00     $ 44,187       310,524     $ 0.14     $ 89,603       296,082     $ 0.30  
                                                                         
 
For the years ended 2008, 2007 and 2006, options to purchase 1,440,365, 531,112 and 322,653 shares of common stock at prices between $3.24 to $7.09, $4.81 to $8.94 and $6.66 to $15.19, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise price of options was greater than the average market price of the common shares. The options, which expire between 2009 to 2018, are outstanding at December 31, 2008. Potentially dilutive shares totaling 23,684,211 attributed to the 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes and 8,096,593 attributed to the Senior Secured Floating Convertible Notes have been excluded from the earnings per share calculation for the year ended December 31, 2008 as their effect was anti-dilutive. The 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because there is no excess value upon conversion over the principal amount of the Notes.
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:  The following table sets forth non-cash financing and investing activities and other cash flow information for the years ended (in thousands):
 
                         
Non-cash financing and investing activities:   2008     2007     2006  
 
Capital expenditures(1)
  $ 15,287     $ 9,216     $ 3,296  
Capital lease obligations
    (938 )     1,477          
                         
Other cash flow information:
                       
                         
Interest paid
    9,361       2,283       2,334  
Capitalized interest
    12,247       2,250          
Income taxes paid
    13,071       11,994       814  
 
 
(1) Accrued capital expenditures are recognized in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the period in which they are paid.
 
Debt Issuance Costs:  Costs associated with the issuance of debt are included in other noncurrent assets and are amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method.
 
Use of Estimates:  The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
amounts reported in their consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The areas requiring the use of management’s 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; the amount and timing of reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowances for deferred tax assets; and estimates of other employee benefit liabilities.
 
Reclassifications:  Certain reclassifications of prior year balances have been made to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the periods presented. During the year ended December 31, 2008 the Company reclassified approximately $142.8 million from non-producing and development properties to operational mining properties related to the commencement of operations at the San Bartolomé mine.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements:  In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. APB 14-1 “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)” (the “FSP”). The FSP applies to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, unless the embedded conversion option is required to be separately accounted for as a derivative under FASB Statement No. 133. The FSP requires that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments within the scope of the FSP be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the entity’s nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. This requires an allocation of the convertible debt proceeds between the liability component and the embedded conversion option (i.e., the equity component). The difference between the principal amount of the debt and the amount of the proceeds allocated to the liability component is reported as a debt discount and subsequently amortized to earnings over the instrument’s expected life using the effective interest method. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009 and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company estimates that approximately $140.1 million of debt discount will be recorded and the effective interest rate on the Company’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes will increase by approximately 7.6 percentage points to 10.8%, including the amortization of the debt discount.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 161, “Disclosure about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (“FAS 161”), which provides revised guidance for enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and the related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133, and how derivative instruments and the related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. FAS 161 is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this statement on the Company’s derivative instrument disclosures.
 
In February 2008, the FASB staff issued Staff Position No. 157-2 “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157” (“FSP FAS 157-2”). FSP FAS 157-2 delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The provisions of FSP FAS 157-2 are effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards:  On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other assets and liabilities at fair value on an instrument-by-instrument basis (fair value option) with changes in fair value reported in earnings. The Company already records marketable securities at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” and derivative instruments and hedging activities at fair value in accordance with SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
(SFAS 133). The adoption of SFAS 159 had no impact on the financial statements as management did not elect the fair value option for any other financial instruments or other assets and liabilities.
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”) as it relates to financial assets and financial liabilities. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This standard is now the single source in GAAP for the definition of fair value, except for the fair value of leased property as defined in SFAS 13. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 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 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;
 
  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 by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required by SFAS 157, 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 December 31, 2008  
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Assets:
                               
Marketable equity securities
  $ 8     $ 8     $     $  
Marketable debt securities
    7,882             7,882        
Short-term certificates of deposit
    8,525             8,525        
Restricted investments
    2,031             2,031        
Asset-backed commercial paper
    1,772                     1,772  
Other derivative instruments, net
    2,359             2,359        
                                 
    $ 22,577     $ 8     $ 20,797     $ 1,772  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
11/4% Convertible senior notes
  $ 54,000     $ 54,000     $     $  
31/4% Convertible senior notes
    74,463       74,463              
Gold Lease Facility
    18,806             18,806        
Conversion option on floating rate convertible notes
    21,566                   21,566  
Warrant on floating rate convertible notes
    15,277                   15,277  
                                 
    $ 184,112     $ 128,463     $ 18,806     $ 36,843  
                                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The Company’s marketable equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The fair value of the marketable equity securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the marketable equity security multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company.
 
The Company’s marketable debt securities, and short-term certificates of deposit and restricted investments are valued using pricing models which require inputs that are derived from observable market data and as such are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The Company’s outstanding debentures are classified within level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices in active markets.
 
The Company’s derivative instruments related to the concentrate sales contracts, foreign exchange contracts and gold lease facility are valued using quoted market prices and other significant observable inputs, including fair value modeling techniques. Such instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The conversion option, warrants and asset backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because there are no observable market quotes. For these instruments, management uses significant other observable inputs adjusted for various factors such as valuation models which require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit spreads, measures of volatility and correlation of such inputs. The Company estimated fair value of the conversion option and warrant using a Monte Carlo simulation model including extended terms, LIBOR volatilities and correlation of such inputs.
 
The table below sets forth a summary in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2008 (in thousands):
 
                         
    Conversion Option
             
    and Warrant     ABCP     Total  
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $     $ 5,286     $ 5,286  
Additions
    50,761               50,761  
Unrealized loss
    (13,918 )     (3,514 )     (17,432 )
                         
Balance at end of period
  $ 36,843     $ 1,772     $ 38,615  
                         
 
In February 2007, FAS Statement No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value, with the objective of improving financial reporting value by mitigating volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounts provisions. The provisions of FAS 159 were adopted January 1, 2008. The Company did not elect the Fair Value Option for any of its financial assets or liabilities, and therefore, the adoption of FAS 159 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
NOTE C — ACQUISITIONS OF BOLNISI AND PALMAREJO
 
On December 21, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all the shares of Bolnisi Gold NL (“Bolnisi”) and Palmarejo Gold and Silver Corporation (“Palmarejo”) in exchange for a total of approximately 272 million shares of Coeur common stock, a total cash payment of approximately $1.1 million and assumption of liabilities of $0.7 billion. Coeur issued 0.682 shares of Coeur common stock (or, at the election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests representing Coeur shares) and A$0.004 in cash (or approximately US$1.0 million in the aggregate) for each Bolnisi ordinary share, and 2.715 shares of Coeur common stock and C$0.004 in cash (or approximately US$0.1 million in the aggregate) for each Palmarejo common share. The transaction was accounted for as a purchase of assets and not as a business combination since Bolnisi and Palmarejo were considered to be in the development stage.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The total consideration paid for the acquisition was as follows (in thousands):
 
         
Consideration:
       
Coeur stock issued (271,969,428 shares at $4.04)
  $ 1,098,757  
Cash payments
    1,102  
Transaction advisory fees and other costs
    16,621  
         
Total purchase price
    1,116,480  
Current liabilities
    54,946  
Other long-term liabilities
    23,642  
Deferred income taxes
    572,711  
         
Total liabilities assumed
    651,299  
         
    $ 1,767,779  
         
 
The following summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired on December 21, 2007 (in thousands).
 
         
Fair value of assets acquired:
       
Cash
  $ 3,996  
Other current assets
    3,789  
Property, plant and equipment
    97,519  
Mineral interests
    1,657,189  
Other assets
    5,286  
         
Total assets acquired
  $ 1,767,779  
         
 
NOTE D — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
During the first quarter of 2006, the Company committed to a plan to sell Coeur Silver Valley Inc. (“CSV”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, that owned and operated the Galena underground silver mine and adjoining properties in Northern Idaho. On April 10, 2006, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell 100% of the shares of CSV to U.S. Silver Corporation for $15 million in cash. On June 1, 2006, the Company completed the sale of 100% of CSV to U.S. Silver Corporation for a total of $15 million in cash plus a post-closing working capital adjustment of $1.1 million. The Company recorded, within discontinued operations, a gain of approximately $11.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2006. Pursuant to SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” CSV was classified as held for sale and the results of its operations reported in discontinued operations beginning in the period ended June 30, 2006.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The following table details selected financial information included in income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 (in thousands):
 
         
    Year Ended
 
    December 31,
 
    2006  
 
Sales of metal
  $ 11,223  
Production costs applicable to sales
    (8,233 )
Depreciation and depletion
    (681 )
Mining exploration
    (279 )
Other
    (95 )
         
Income from discontinued operations
    1,935  
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations
    11,132  
         
Net income from discontinued operations
  $ 13,067  
         
 
NOTE E — INVESTMENTS AND OTHER MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 
The Company classifies its investment securities as available-for-sale securities. Pursuant to SFAS 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”, such securities are measured at fair market value in the financial statements with unrealized gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income. At the time securities are sold or otherwise disposed of, gains or losses are included in net income. The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Available-For-Sale Securities  
          Gross
    Gross
    Estimated
 
          Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Losses     Gains     Value  
 
As of December 31, 2008
                               
U.S. Corporate
  $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government
    7,881                   7,881  
                                 
Total current available for sale securities
    7,881                   7,881  
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper
    1,772                   1,772  
Equity securities
    9       (1 )           8  
                                 
Total available for sale securities
  $ 9,662     $ (1 )   $     $ 9,661  
                                 
As of December 31, 2007
                               
U.S. Corporate
  $ 2,000     $     $     $ 2,000  
U.S. Government
    51,031             8       51,039  
                                 
Total current available for sale securities
    53,031             8       53,039  
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper
    5,286                   5,286  
Equity securities
    99             702       801  
                                 
    $ 58,416     $     $ 710     $ 59,126  
                                 
 
Gross realized gains and losses are based on a carrying value (cost, net of discount or premium) of short-term investments sold or adjusted for other than temporary decline in market value. Short-term investments mature at various dates. There were $0.6 million of realized gains and $2.6 million of realized losses in 2008. There were no realized gains and/or losses in 2007 and 2006.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper (“ABCP”)
 
The Company acquired certain asset-backed securities in connection with the Bolnisi and Palmarejo acquisition. Palmarejo had investments in non-bank sponsored ABCP, of which $6.3 million was invested in Apsley Trust Class A and $0.5 million in Aurora Trust Class E.
 
Since a portion of the assets supporting the commercial paper was invested in U.S. sub-prime residual mortgage-backed securities, the Company determined the fair value of the investments based on the best available market data for such investments at the date of acquisition. The Company recorded these investments at the date of the Palmarejo acquisition, as a non-current asset, at their estimated fair value of $5.3 million ($5.3 million Canadian dollars).
 
On August 16, 2007, it was announced that a group representing banks, asset providers and major investors had agreed to stand-still with regard to all non bank sponsored ABCP (the “Montreal Proposal ABCP”). On December 24, 2008, a tentative deal was reached between investors and banks to restructure the majority of Montreal Proposal ABCP.
 
The Company has determined the fair value of its investments in ABCP using available information regarding the proposed restructuring, market conditions and other factors as of the measurement date of December 31, 2008. Under the restructuring plan, the ABCP investments will be converted to new notes with maturities matching underlying assets. The new notes will have interest rates commensurate with the nature of underlying assets.
 
Based on the Company’s assessment of the fair value of its investments in ABCP as of December 31, 2008, the Company recorded an additional adjustment of $2.6 million to reduce the carrying value of the investment during the year ended December 31, 2008. The total fair value of the ABCP investments is estimated to be $1.8 million at December 31, 2008. This estimate is subject to measurement uncertainty and is dependent on market conditions as of the measurement date.
 
NOTE F — METAL AND OTHER INVENTORIES
 
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Concentrate and dorè inventory
  $ 19,826     $ 11,221  
Supplies
    15,020       7,697  
                 
Metal and other inventory
  $ 34,846     $ 18,918  
                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
NOTE G — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Land
  $ 1,133     $ 1,133  
Building improvements
    309,668       130,795  
Machinery and equipment
    151,658       153,328  
Capitalized leases for machinery and equipment
    37,566       37,477  
                 
      500,025       322,733  
Accumulated depreciation
    (88,717 )     (69,937 )
                 
    $ 411,308     $ 252,796  
                 
 
The Company’s capital expenditures, excluding the acquisitions of Bolnisi and Palmarejo, were as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Rochester
  $ 635     $ 1,647     $ 1,225  
Cerro Bayo
    8,233       11,330       7,555  
Martha
    4,503       16,444       2,481  
San Bartolomé
    108,723       100,169       16,805  
Kensington
    40,858       92,337       122,640  
Palmarejo
    190,344              
Endeavor
    26,513       2,112        
Broken Hill
          213        
Other
    497       1,942       588  
                         
Net asset additions
  $ 380,306     $ 226,194     $ 151,294  
                         
Discontinued Operations — Coeur Silver Valley
  $     $     $ 617  
                         
 
At December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, approximately $37.3 million, $22.1 million and $12.9 million, respectively, of invoices for capital expenditures remained in accounts payable and for purposes of the consolidated cash flows were treated as non-cash transactions.
 
In connection with the acquisition of Bolnisi and Palmarejo, the Company assumed certain liabilities related to capital leases. In December 2006, Bolnisi, through its Canadian subsidiary Palmarejo, entered into a 2-year lease agreement for a power station. Under the terms of the agreement, including an amendment in January 2007, the Company will pay a fixed monthly amount of $0.3 million, including interest calculated at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%, starting at the date that the construction of the equipment is completed. The Company has the option at the end of the agreement to purchase the equipment by paying a nominal amount. In June 2007, Palmarejo entered into a 5-year lease agreement for mining equipment to be delivered to Palmarejo as the equipment becomes available from the supplier. Mining equipment with a cost of $37.3 million was delivered as of December 31, 2008. The Company paid a monthly amount of approximately $1.0 million during the 2008 period, including interest calculated at the rate of LIBOR plus 3.65%. The Company has the option at the end of the agreement to purchase the equipment by paying a nominal amount.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Minimum future lease payments under capital leases at December 31, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):
 
         
    Capital
 
Year Ending December 31,
  Leases  
 
2009
  $ 8,592  
2010
    6,877  
2011
    6,877  
2012
    5,256  
Thereafter
    53  
         
Total minimum payments due
    27,655  
Less: Amount representing interest
    3,867  
         
Present value of net minimum lease payments
    23,788  
Less: Current maturities
    6,951  
         
    $ 16,837  
         
 
The Company has entered into various operating lease agreements which expire over the next year. Total rent expense charged to net income under these agreements was $2.5 million, $1.7 million and $2.6 million for 2008, 2007, 2006, respectively.
 
NOTE H — MINING PROPERTIES
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Capitalized costs for mining properties, net of accumulated depletion consist of the following (in thousands):
               
Operational mining properties:
               
San Bartolomé Mine
  $ 140,355     $  
Cerro Bayo Mine
    17,876       17,091  
Martha Mine
    2,084       1,832  
                 
Total operational mining properties
    160,315       18,923  
                 
Mineral interests, net of accumulated depletion
               
Palmarejo(A)
    1,629,049       1,657,189  
San Bartolomé(B)
    25,963       20,125  
Endeavor Mine
    40,405       15,865  
Broken Hill Mine
    24,391       26,897  
Other
    50        
                 
Total mineral interests
    1,719,858       1,720,076  
                 
Non-producing and developmental properties:
               
Palmarejo
    51,226        
San Bartolomé(C)
          54,884  
Kensington(D)
    300,617       256,443  
Other
    142       142  
                 
Total non-producing and developmental properties
    351,985       311,469  
                 
Total mining properties
  $ 2,232,158     $ 2,050,468  
                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
(A) On December 21, 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.
 
(B) Balance represents acquisition cost of mineral interest.
 
(C) During the second quarter of 2008, the Company commenced commercial production activities at its San Bartolomé property. Consequently, capitalized development costs were re-classified to operational mining properties in 2008.
 
(D) During the third quarter of 2005, the Company commenced construction activities at its Kensington property. The costs incurred subsequent to commencing construction have been capitalized as developmental properties.
 
Operational Mining Properties
 
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 company, (“COMIBOL”). The Company commenced commercial production in June 2008.
 
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.
 
Cerro Bayo Mine:  The Cerro Bayo Mine is a gold and silver underground mine located in southern Chile. Commercial production commenced on April 18, 2002.
 
Martha Mine:  The Martha Mine is an underground silver mine located in Argentina, approximately 270 miles southeast of Coeur’s Cerro Bayo mine. Coeur acquired a 100% interest in the Martha mine in April 2002. In July 2002, Coeur commenced shipment of ore from the Martha Mine to the Cerro Bayo facility for processing. In December 2007, the Company completed a 240 tonne per day flotation mill, which produces a flotation concentrate.
 
Mineral Interests
 
Endeavor Mine:  On May 23, 2005, the CDE Australia Pty. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur (“CDE Australia”) acquired all of 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”), for $44.0 million including transaction fees. Under the terms of the original agreement, CDE Australia paid Cobar $15.4 million of cash at the closing. In addition, CDE Australia agreed to pay Cobar approximately $26.5 million upon the receipt of a report confirming that the reserves at the Endeavor mine are equal to or greater than the reported ore reserves for 2004. In addition to these upfront payments, CDE Australia originally committed to pay Cobar an operating cost contribution of $1.00 for each ounce of payable silver plus a further increment when the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. This further increment was to have begun on the second anniversary of this agreement and is 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. A cost contribution of $0.25 per ounce is also payable by CDE Australia in respect of new ounces of proven and probable silver reserves as they are discovered. During the first quarter of 2007, $2.1 million was paid for additional ounces of proven and probable silver reserves under the terms of the contract. This amount was capitalized as a cost of the mineral interests acquired and is being amortized using the units of production method.
 
On March 28, 2006, CDE Australia reached an agreement with CBH to modify the terms of the original silver purchase agreement. Under the modified terms, CDE Australia owns all silver production and reserves up to a total


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
of 20.0 million payable ounces, up from 17.7 million payable ounces in the original agreement. The silver price-sharing provision is deferred until such time as CDE Australia has received approximately 2 million cumulative ounces of silver from the mine or June 2007, whichever is later. In addition, the silver price-sharing threshold increased to $7.00 per ounce, from the previous level of $5.23 per ounce. The conditions relating to the second payment were also modified and tied to certain paste fill plant performance criteria and mill throughput tests. In January 2008, the mine met the criteria for payment of the additional $26.2 million. This amount was paid on April 1, 2008, plus accrued interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from January 24, 2008. During late November 2008, the mine exceeded the 2.0 million cumulative ounce thresholds and therefore, CDE Australia realized a reduction in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008 of approximately $73,000 as a result of the silver price sharing provision. CDE Australia has received approximately 2.1 million payable ounces to-date and the current ore reserve contains approximately 13.5 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the modified contract. It is expected that future expansion to the ore reserve will occur as a result of the conversion of portions of the property’s existing inventory of mineralized material and future exploration discoveries. CBH conducts regular exploration to discover new mineralization and to define reserves from surface and underground drilling platforms.
 
Broken Hill Mine:  On September 8, 2005, CDE Australia acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to 17.2 million payable ounces (24.5 million contained ounces), contained at the Broken Hill mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. (“PBH”), for $36.9 million including transaction fees. In addition, CDE Australia pays PBH an operating cost contribution of approximately $2.00 for each ounce of payable silver. Under the terms of the agreement, PBH may earn up to $0.75 million per year of additional consideration by meeting certain silver production thresholds. No additional payments pursuant to production thresholds were made during 2006, 2007 or 2008.
 
Non-Producing and Development Properties
 
Palmarejo:  Palmarejo is located in the State of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, and its principal silver and gold properties are collectively referred to as the “Palmarejo mine.” The Palmarejo mine is currently in the initial stages of production. The Company invested approximately $190.3 million at the Palmarejo mine during 2008.
 
Kensington:  Kensington is a gold property located near Juneau, Alaska. The mine has been constructed as an underground gold mine accessed by a horizontal tunnel and will utilize conventional and mechanized underground mining methods. The ore will be processed in a flotation mill that produces a concentrate which will be sold to third-party smelters. During 2008, the Company capitalized $40.9 million in connection with construction activities at Kensington.
 
NOTE I — DEBT OBLIGATIONS
 
Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes
 
On October 20, 2008 the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes. The Company also sold to the purchaser a warrant to purchase up to an addition $25 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The notes are convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the holder at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion price is $1.15 per share. The net proceeds to the Company were $40.7 million.
 
The notes bear interest at LIBOR plus 7.50% per year, provided that in no event will the annual rate be less than 9.00% or more than 12.00%. As of December 31, 2008 the interest rate was 12%. Interest is payable, at the Company’s option, in cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. The notes are the


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Company’s senior secured obligations, ranking equally with all existing and future senior obligations and ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness, and are secured by certain assets of the Company’s Coeur Rochester, Inc. subsidiary. See Note O — Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments for a discussion of the derivative features of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes.
 
Total interest expense on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $3.3 million.
 
As of December 31, 2008, $12.4 million of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes have been converted into 15.9 million shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
31/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
On March 18, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $230 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 31/4% 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 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 will be convertible under certain circumstances, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate of 176.0254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $5.68 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The fair value of the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes as determined by market transactions on December 31, 2008 was $74.5 million.
 
Total interest expense on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $5.9 million. Interest paid was $3.7 million in 2008.
 
11/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
The $180.0 million principal amount of 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due January 2024 outstanding at December 31, 2008 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014, and 2019, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion price of $7.60 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Company’s common stock over a specified number of trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. Before January 18, 2011, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus an amount equal to 8.75% of the


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
principal amount of the notes, less the amount of any interest actually paid on the notes on or prior to the redemption date. The notes are due on January 15, 2024.
 
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on January 15, 2011, January 15, 2014 and January 15, 2019 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 fair value of the notes as determined by market transactions on December 31, 2008 and 2007, was $54.0 million and $156.6 million, respectively.
 
Total interest expense on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $2.3 million, $2.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Interest paid was $2.3 million in 2008, $2.3 million in 2007, and $2.3 million in 2006.
 
Bridging Debt Facility
 
On October 22, 2007, Bolnisi entered into a $20 million credit facility with Macquarie Bank Limited to fund further exploration and development of the Palmarejo silver/gold project, surrounding exploration and development areas and for working capital purposes. The credit facility was extended to September 30, 2008 and had an interest at a variable rate (LIBOR) plus a margin of 2.45%. The Company paid off the outstanding balance under the facility on September 30, 2008.
 
Bank Loans
 
During 2008, the Company received short-term borrowings from Banco Bisa and Banco de Credito de Bolivia for an amount of $3.0 million to fund working capital requirements. The short-term borrowings bear interest rates between 8.5% and 10.1% and expire between April and June 2009.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered into several temporary credit lines in the amount of $3.5 million with the Standard Bank of Argentina secured by a stand by letter of credit to fund working capital requirements. The credit lines bear interest rates of 7.25% to 9.85% and expire at various dates in 2009 on or before June 30, 2009.
 
On August 30, 2007, Palmarejo entered into a temporary credit facility of $2.0 million secured by the Company’s investments in asset backed commercial paper, to fund working capital requirements. The credit facility was amended on October 9, 2007. On June 3, 2008, the Company paid off the outstanding balance on the credit facility.
 
Capitalized Interest
 
The Company capitalizes interest incurred on its various debt instruments as a cost of properties under development. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company capitalized interest of $12.2 million, $2.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
 
NOTE J — RECLAMATION AND REMEDIATION COSTS
 
Reclamation and remediation 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


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
levels and capital 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.
 
The asset retirement obligation is measured using the following factors: 1) Expected labor costs, 2) Allocated overhead and equipment charges, 3) Contractor markup, 4) Inflation adjustment, and 5) Market risk premium. The sum of all these costs is discounted, using the Company’s credit adjusted risk-free interest rate from the time it expects to pay the retirement obligation to the time it incurs the obligation. The measurement objective is to determine the amount a third party would demand to assume the asset retirement obligation.
 
Upon initial recognition of a liability for an asset retirement obligation, the Company capitalized the asset retirement cost as an increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Company depletes this amount using the units-of-production method. The Company is not required to re-measure the obligation at fair value each period, but the Company is required to evaluate the cash flow estimates at the end of each reporting period to determine whether the estimates continue to be appropriate. Upward revisions in the amount of undiscounted cash flows are discounted using a current credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Downward revisions are discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free rate that existed when the original liability was recorded, or, if not readily determinable, at the weighted average discount rate used to record the liability.
 
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, $34.7 million and $33.1 million, respectively, was accrued for reclamation obligations related to currently producing and developmental mineral properties. In addition, the Company has accrued $0.4 million and $1.0 million for reclamation obligations associated with former mining activities at the Ropes Gold mine and Golden Cross mine, respectively. These amounts are also included in reclamation and mine closure liabilities.
 
In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company reviewed and revised its cash flow estimates for its asset retirement obligations. This resulted in an increase to the asset retirement obligation of $6.5 million and a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the asset to be retired. The increase was due to additional reclamation required at the Company’s Cerro Bayo mine, Palmarejo project and San Bartolomé mine. The increase was discounted using the Company’s current weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate of 17.1%.
 
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company reviewed and revised its cash flow estimates for its asset retirement obligations. This resulted in an increase to the asset retirement obligation of $3.4 million and a corresponding increase to the carrying amount of the asset to be retired. The increase was due to additional reclamation required at the Company’s Cerro Bayo mine, Kensington project and San Bartolomé project. The increase was discounted using the Company’s current weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate of 9.34%.
 
The following is a description of the changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007  
 
Asset retirement obligation — January 1
  $ 33,135     $ 29,909  
Accretion
    2,565       2,260  
Additions
    6,483       3,390  
Changes in estimates
    (4,724 )     (1,202 )
Settlements
    (2,797 )     (1,222 )
                 
Asset retirement obligation — December 31
  $ 34,662     $ 33,135  
                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
In addition, the Company has accrued $1.4 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for environmental remediation liabilities related to former mining operations. These amounts are also included in reclamation and mine closure liabilities.
 
NOTE K — INCOME TAXES
 
The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
United States
  $ 494     $ 21,909     $ 33,252  
Foreign
    (14,003 )     36,908       50,393  
                         
Total
  $ (13,509 )   $ 58,817     $ 83,645  
                         
 
The components of the consolidated income tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations were as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Current:
                       
United States — Alternative minimum tax
  $ (644 )   $ (381 )   $ (900 )
United States — Foreign withholding tax
    (1,498 )     (904 )     (713 )
Foreign — Argentina
    (2,047 )     (6,590 )     (4,842 )
Foreign — Australia
    (5,084 )     (4,898 )     (4,673 )
Foreign — Canada
    (34 )            
Foreign — Mexico
    (623 )            
Deferred:
                       
Foreign — Argentina
    (1,410 )     172       65  
Foreign — Australia
    1,115       (664 )     (93 )
Foreign — Australia
    (2,480 )            
Foreign — Chile
    113       (1,662 )     2,930  
Foreign — Mexico
    (27,753 )            
United States
    53,846              
                         
Income tax benefit (provision)
  $ 13,501     $ (14,927 )   $ (8,226 )
                         


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
A reconciliation of the Company’s effective tax rate with the federal statutory tax rate for the periods indicated is as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations
  $ 4,728     $ (20,600 )   $ (29,276 )
State tax provision from continuing operations
    405       (1,766 )     (2,509 )
Percentage depletion and related deductions
    3,890       4,860       6,199  
Change in valuation allowance
    6,652       3,896       14,778  
Non-deductible imputed interest
    (2,168 )            
Uncertain tax positions
    (2,665 )            
U.S. and Foreign non-deductible expenses
    (2,767 )     (663 )     (711 )
Partially reinvested
    19,886              
Foreign exchange rates
    (6,663 )            
Foreign inflation and indexing
    1,425              
Foreign tax rate differences
    (6,019 )     2,309       4,744  
Foreign withholding taxes
    (1,604 )     (904 )     (713 )
Other, net
    (1,599 )     (2,059 )     (738 )
                         
    $ 13,501     $ (14,927 )   $ (8,226 )
                         
 
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31  
    2008     2007  
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Mineral properties
  $ 332,399     $ 552,007  
Investment in foreign subsidiaries
    275,127       18,430  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    30,149       2,836  
                 
      637,675       573,273  
                 
Deferred tax assets:
               
Net operating loss carryforwards
    175,678       111,996  
Investment in foreign subsidiaries
    24,753       16,331  
Capital loss carryforwards
    9,547       10,305  
Asset retirement obligation
    8,314       10,234  
Unrealized foreign currency loss and other
    6,381       8,651  
Accrued expenses
    5,168       3,330  
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards
    2,691       2,520  
Inventory
    1,036       1,523  
                 
      233,568       164,890  
Valuation allowance
    (148,435 )     (160,898 )
                 
      85,133       3,992  
                 
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
  $ (552,542 )   $ (569,281 )
                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The Company has evaluated the amount of taxable income and periods over which it must be earned to allow for realization of the deferred tax assets. Based upon this analysis, the Company determined it is more likely than not that net deferred tax assets of $3.6 million will be realized in Chile. Thus, the Company has recorded valuation allowances as follows (In thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31  
    2008     2007  
 
U.S
  $ 106,239     $ 111,685  
Argentina
    3,376       1,966  
Australia
    2,679       7,282  
Canada
    6,732       8,220  
New Zealand
    28,125       30,999  
Chile and other
    1,284       746  
                 
    $ 148,435     $ 160,898  
                 
 
The Company continues to monitor the valuation allowance quarterly, and will make the appropriate adjustments as necessary.
 
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (FIN 48) an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 clarifies the criteria that an individual tax position must satisfy for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in a company’s financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The Company determined that FIN 48 had no impact on the financial statements, and as a result, did not record any cumulative effect adjustment related to the adoption of FIN 48.
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
 
         
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2008
  $  
Gross increase to current period tax positions
    2,665  
         
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2008
  $ 2,665  
         
 
The Company’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with these uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense and has recorded approximately $0.1 million during 2008.
 
The Company files income tax returns in the US federal jurisdiction, various U.S. states and in certain foreign jurisdictions. To the extent there are loss carryovers in any such jurisdictions, the statute of limitations generally remains open.
 
The Company has previously determined the earnings from certain foreign jurisdictions were not indefinitely reinvested. Accordingly, the Company has recognized deferred taxes and withholding taxes related to those jurisdictions. During 2008, the Company determined that it was reasonable, appropriate and prudent that a portion of the anticipated future cash flows from Mexico would be indefinitely reinvested to fund ongoing capital improvements and additional exploration activities within and around the Palmarejo operating site.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
During 2007, the Company incurred an ownership change which generally limits the availability of existing tax attributes, including net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income. The Company has the following tax attribute carryforwards as of December 31, 2008 (In thousands):
 
                                                                         
    U.S.     Australia     Bolivia     Canada     Chile     Mexico     New Zealand     Other     Total  
 
Regular net operating losses
  $ 102,987     $     $ 37,098     $ 1,099     $ 19,976     $ 325,900     $ 93,750     $ 4,508     $ 585,318  
Alternative minimum tax net operating losses
    9,065                                                 9,065  
Capital losses
    18,774       8,044                                           26,818  
Alternative minimum tax credits
    2,691                                                 2,691  
 
The U.S. net operating losses expire from 2017 through 2025 and the Canada net operating losses expire from 2028 through 2029. The Mexico net operating losses expire in 2017 and 2019, while the remaining net operating losses from the foreign jurisdictions have an indefinite carryforward period. The U.S. capital losses expire in 2012 while the Australia capital losses generally have an indefinite carryforward period. Alternative minimum tax credits do not expire.
 
NOTE L — SHAREHOLDER’S EQUITY
 
On May 11, 1999, the Company’s shareholders adopted a shareholder rights plan (the “Plan”). The Plan entitles each holder of the Company’s common stock to one right. Each right entitles the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of newly authorized Series B Junior Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $100. The rights will not be distributed and become exercisable unless and until ten business days after a person acquires 20% of the outstanding common shares or commences an offer that would result in the ownership of 30% or more of the shares. Each right also carries the right to receive upon exercise that number of Coeur common shares which has a market value equal to two times the exercise price. Each preferred share issued is entitled to receive 100 times the dividend declared per share of common stock and 100 votes for each share of common stock and is entitled to 100 times the liquidation payment made per common share. The Board may elect to redeem the rights prior to their exercisability at a price of $0.01 per right. The rights will expire on May 24, 2009, unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company. Any preferred shares issued are not redeemable. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, there were a total of 566,739,877 and 550,453,019 rights outstanding, respectively, which was equal to the number of outstanding shares of common stock.
 
During the first quarter of 2006, the Company completed a public offering of 27.6 million shares of common stock at a public offering price of $5.60 per share. The Company realized net proceeds of $146.2 million after payment of the underwriters’ discount. Offering costs incurred were $8.3 million.
 
NOTE M — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
The Company has an Annual Incentive Plan, a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan”), the “1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan” and the 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Plan (the “2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Plan”). Total employee compensation expense charged to operations and capital projects under these Plans was $5.1 million, $6.3 million and $4.7 million for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
 
Annual Incentive Plan
 
Under the Annual Incentive Plan, the Board of Directors may annually approve cash-based awards to the executive officers and key management employees based on certain Company and employee performance measures. Cash payments for awards for 2008, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $2.2 million, $2.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
Under the 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended by shareholders in 1995, the Company may grant non-qualified and incentive stock options that are exercisable at prices equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant and vest cumulatively at an annual rate of one third during the three-year period following the date of grant. In addition to stock options, the Company’s 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock appreciation rights (SARs), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash based awards, and stock based awards.
 
The number of shares authorized to be issued under this plan was 2.9 million shares. There were 0.6 million shares reserved for issuance under this plan at December 31, 2008 for stock options previously awarded. No further awards will be made under this plan.
 
2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan
 
The 2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) was approved by our shareholders on May 20, 2003, and replaced our prior 1989 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Under the plan, we may grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash-based awards and other stock-based awards to our executive officers and other key employees.
 
The number of shares authorized for grant under this plan was 6.8 million shares. There were 5.4 million shares reserved for issuance under this plan at December 31, 2008. Of the 5.4 million shares, 3.5 million shares can be issued for future grants. There were 1.4 million options and 0.5 million performance shares outstanding under this plan at December 31, 2008.
 
Non-Employee Directors Plan
 
On June 3, 2005, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan and authorized 500,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the plan. During 2008 and 2007, 55,782 and 59,476 shares were issued in lieu of $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of Directors’ fees. At December 31, 2008, 0.3 million shares are reserved for issuance under this plan.
 
Under the previous Directors’ plan, options were granted only in lieu of annual directors’ fees. At December 31, 2008, 0.4 million shares are reserved for issuance under this plan for stock options previously awarded. No further grants will be made under this plan.
 
As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, options to purchase 2,433,182 shares and 2,281,595 shares of common stock, respectively, were outstanding under the LTIP and the Directors’ Plans described above. The options are exercisable at prices ranging from $0.74 to $7.09 per share.
 
Stock options granted under the Company’s incentive plans vest over three years and are exercisable over a period not to exceed 10 years from the grant date. Exercise prices are equal to the higher of the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant or the par value per share. The value of each option award is estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
 
Restricted stock grants are recorded based on the fair value of the underlying shares on the date of grant and vest in equal installments annually over two and three years. Holders of the restricted stock are entitled to vote the shares and to receive any dividends declared on the shares.
 
Performance shares are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the date of grant. Compensation costs ultimately recognized are equal to the grant date fair value. Vesting is contingent on meeting certain market conditions based on relative total shareholder return. The performance shares vest at the end of the three-year


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
service period if the market conditions are met and the employee remains an employee of the Company. The existence of a market condition requires recognition of compensation cost over the requisite period regardless of whether the market condition is ever satisfied.
 
Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began recording compensation expense associated with awards of equity instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”. The Company adopted the modified prospective transition method provided for under SFAS No. 123(R), and, consequently, has not retroactively adjusted results for prior periods. Under this transition method, compensation cost associated with awards of equity instruments recognized in 2006 includes: 1) amortization related to the remaining unvested portion of all awards granted for the fiscal years 1995 to 2005, based on the grant date fair value, estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”; and 2) amortization related to all equity instruments awards granted subsequent to December 31, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). The compensation cost is included in administrative and general expenses, production costs and the cost of self-constructed property, plant and equipment as deemed appropriate.
 
SFAS No. 123(R) requires excess tax benefits be reported as a financing cash inflow rather than as a reduction of taxes paid. There were no significant excess tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
The compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 for awards of equity instruments was $2.9 million, $3.7 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of which $0.2 million, $0.2 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, was capitalized as part of mine development activities. As of December 31, 2008, there was $1.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to unvested stock options, restricted stock grants and performance share grants which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average vesting period of 2.0 years.
 
The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company estimates forfeitures of stock-based awards based on historical data and adjusts the forfeiture rate periodically.
 
The impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R) as of January 1, 2006 resulted in a decrease in net income of $1.4 million, or less than $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2006. The impact of adoption excludes the amortization of restricted stock awards in the amount of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Compensation expense related to the amortization of restricted stock awards was recognized prior to the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R).
 
Cash received from share options exercised under the Long-Term Incentive Plan for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were less than $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and is reflected as an other financing activity in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. The adjustment of the forfeiture rate results in a cumulative adjustment in the period the forfeiture estimate is charged. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million to reduce compensation expense for forfeited awards.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The weighted average fair value of stock options on the date of grant, and the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options using the Black-Scholes option valuation model were as follows:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 2.26     $ 2.35     $ 3.35  
Expected volatility
    56% - 56.2%       58.9%       68.5%  
Expected life
    6 years       6 years       6 years  
Risk-free interest rate
    3.0% - 3.35%       4.5%       4.6%  
Expected dividend yield
    0.0%       0.0%       0.0%  
 
The expected volatility of the option is determined using historical volatilities based on historical stock prices. The Company estimated the expected life of options granted using the midpoint between the vesting date and the original contractual term. The risk free rate was determined using the yield available on U.S. Treasury Zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option. The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock since 1996.
 
The following table summarizes stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008:
 
                 
          Weighted Average
 
    Shares     Exercise Price  
 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2005
    2,218,629     $ 3.16  
Granted
    332,169       5.14  
Exercised
    (395,723 )     1.99  
Canceled/expired
    (65,425 )     7.65  
                 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006
    2,089,650       3.56  
Granted
    462,015       3.99  
Exercised
    (56,167 )     3.29  
Canceled/expired
    (213,903 )     5.99  
                 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2007
    2,281,595       3.42  
Granted
    550,180       4.27  
Exercised
    (9,053 )     3.92  
Canceled/expired
    (389,540 )     4.88  
                 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2008
    2,433,182       3.38  
                 
 
Options exercisable at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 were for 1,735,921, 1,598,685, and 1,413,117 shares, respectively, with a weighted average exercise price of $3.04, $3.06 and $2.95, respectively.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The following table summarizes information for options currently outstanding at December 31, 2008:
 
                                                 
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
                Weighted
                   
          Weighted
    Average
          Weighted
    Weighted Average
 
          Average
    Remaining
          Average
    Remaining
 
Range of
  Number
    Exercise
    Contractual
    Number
    Exercise
    Contractual Life
 
Exercise Price
  Outstanding     Price     Life (Years)     Exercisable     Price     (Years)  
 
$0.74-$1.22
    442,641     $ 0.80       2.76       442,641     $ 0.80       2.76  
$1.23-$1.85
    320,420     $ 1.75       3.67       320,420     $ 1.75       3.67  
$1.86-$2.63
    229,756     $ 2.27       6.79       111,502     $ 2.10       3.89  
$2.64-$4.85
    1,050,745     $ 4.21       7.14       538,398     $ 3.91       5.61  
$4.86-$7.09
    389,620     $ 6.05       6.15       322,960     $ 6.24       5.95  
 
As of December 31, 2008, the total future compensation cost related to non-vested options not yet recognized in the statement of income was $0.3 million and the weighted average period over which these awards are expected to be recognized was 2 years. The total intrinsic value of share options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was less than $0.1 million, less than $0.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively. At December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the total intrinsic value was less than $0.1 million and $4.1 million, respectively, for stock options outstanding and exercisable.
 
The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008:
 
                 
          Weighted
 
    Number of
    Average Grant
 
    Shares     Date Fair Value  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2005
    661,381     $ 3.30  
Granted
    220,894       5.14  
Vested
    (445,025 )     2.71  
Forfeited
    (24,218 )     4.83  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
    413,032       4.83  
Granted
    497,990       3.99  
Vested
    (241,784 )     4.82  
Forfeited
    (66,043 )     4.30  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    603,195       4.20  
Granted
    560,845       4.16  
Vested
    (265,705 )     4.22  
Forfeited
    (167,812 )     4.23  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    730,523       4.15  
                 
 
The fair value of restricted stock is determined based on the closing stock price on the grant date. As of December 31, 2008, there was $0.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted awards to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The following table summarizes performance shares activity during the year ended December 31, 2008:
 
                 
          Weighted
 
    Number of
    Average Grant
 
    Shares     Date Fair Value  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
    210,445     $ 5.14  
Granted
    306,852       3.99  
Exercised
    (30,298 )     4.48  
Forfeited
    (66,456 )     4.47  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    420,543       4.45  
Granted
    282,326       5.25  
Exercised
           
Forfeited
    155,341       4.88  
                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    547,528       4.74  
                 
 
The fair value of performance shares is determined based on fair value modeling techniques that consider the market and service conditions relevant for these grants. As of December 31, 2008, there was $0.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to performance shares to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years.
 
NOTE N — 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 charged to expense were $0.7 million, $0.8 million and $1.2 million for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, which is based on a percentage of the salary of eligible employees.
 
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. Employees have the option of investing in twelve different types of investment funds. Total plan expenses recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements were $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively and plan expenses charged to operations were $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
 
NOTE O — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The Company enters into derivative instruments to manage the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rates and market prices associated with changes in gold and silver commodity prices. The Company accounts for its derivative contracts in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses related to the change in fair market value of derivative contracts, which qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges, are recorded as other comprehensive income or loss and such amounts are recognized in earnings as the associated contracts are settled.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
During 2008, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Mexican peso and Argentine peso operating costs at its Palmarejo project and Martha mine, respectively. During 2007 and 2006, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with the forecasted Chilean peso operating costs for 2008 and 2007 at its Cerro Bayo mine.
 
The Mexican peso contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Mexican pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 13.57 pesos to each U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2008, the Company had Mexican peso foreign exchange contracts of $22.4 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts had a fair value of $2.0 million at December 31, 2008.
 
The Argentine peso contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Argentine pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 4.03 pesos to each U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2008, the Company had Argentine peso foreign exchange contracts of $12.9 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts had a fair value of $1.5 million at December 31, 2008.
 
The Chilean peso contracts entered into in 2007 require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for Chilean pesos at a weighted average exchange rate of 503 pesos to each U.S. dollar. There were no outstanding contracts at December 31, 2008.
 
Gold Lease Facility
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company entered into a $20 million Gold Lease Facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation (“MIC”). Under the Gold Lease Facility, the Company received proceeds of $20 million for the sale of 23,529 ounces of gold simultaneously leased from MIC to the Company. The Company has committed to this number of ounces of gold to MIC over the next twelve months at scheduled delivery dates. The Company is required to pledge certain collateral including standby letter of credits of $5.5 million and $7.5 million of metal inventory at our refiners. The Company accounts for the Gold Lease Facility as a derivative instrument and is recorded in accrued liabilities and other. As of December 31, 2008, based on the current futures metals prices for each of the delivery dates, using a 15% discount rate, the fair value of the Gold Lease Facility was $18.8 million. The Company recorded an unrealized gain of $1.2 million in 2008, which is reflected in earnings as unrealized gains (losses) in derivatives and other.
 
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 and 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 December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $32.1 million including the embedded derivative.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
At December 31, 2007, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $61.2 million consisting of 3.3 million ounces of silver and 20,775 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $63.8 million including the embedded derivative.
 
Commodity Derivatives
 
The Company has occasionally entered into forward metal sales contracts to manage the price risk associated with a portion of its cash flows against fluctuating gold prices. As of December 31, 2008, and 2007, the Company had no outstanding forward sales contracts for either gold or silver.
 
Conversion Option of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes
 
On October 20, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes, realizing net proceeds of $40.2 million after deducting $0.5 million of issuance costs. The purchaser also received warrants to purchase up to an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes for $20 million. Upon exercising the conversion option, the holder receives common stock of the Company at an initial conversion rate of 869.5652, plus an additional payment in common stock or cash, at the election of the Company, representing the value of the interest that would be earned on the notes through the earlier of the fourth anniversary of the conversion date or October 15, 2013, at the interest rate applicable on the conversion date. The conversion option is considered an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host debt contract for accounting purposes. The warrants are also considered derivative instruments. These derivatives are recorded in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings. At the issuance date, because the combined fair value of the conversion option and the warrants exceeded the net proceeds, the notes were recorded with a full original issue discount. The amount by which the fair value of the conversion option and warrants exceeded the proceeds received, or $10.0 million, was recorded as a loss upon issuance and is included in unrealized gains (loss) on derivatives and other in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair values of the conversion option and warrants were $32.2 million and $18.5 million, respectively, at the issuance date and $21.6 million and $15.3 million, respectively, at December 31, 2008.
 
As of December 31, 2008, $12.4 million of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes had been converted into 15.9 million shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
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 only with a group of large credit-worthy financial institutions 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 it considers highly liquid.
 
NOTE P — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Labor Union Contract
 
The Company maintains two labor agreements in South America, consisting of a labor agreement with Syndicato de Trabajadores de Compañía Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. at its Cerro Bayo mine in Chile and with Associacion Obrera Minera Argentina at its Martha mine in Argentina. The agreement at Cerro Bayo is effective from December 24, 2007 to December 21, 2010 and the agreement at Mina Martha is effective from June 12, 2006 to June 1, 2010. Certain employees at San Bartolomé are covered by a labor agreement that became effective October 11, 2007. This Bolivian labor agreement does not have a fixed term. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately 27.5% of its worldwide labor force covered by collective bargaining agreements.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Termination Benefits
 
In September 2005, the Company established a one-time termination benefit program at the Rochester mine as the mine approaches the end of its mine life. The employees will be required to render service until they are terminated in order to be eligible for benefits. Approximately 85% of the workforce was severed by the end of 2008, while the remaining employees are expected to stay on for residual leaching and reclamation activities. As of December 31, 2008, the total benefit expected to be incurred under this plan is approximately $5.0 million. The liability is recognized ratably over the minimum future service period. The amount accrued as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 is as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Beginning Balance
  $ 820     $ 1,959     $ 542  
Accruals
    12       1,917       1,803  
Payments
    (387 )     (3,056 )     (386 )
                         
Ending Balance
  $ 445     $ 820     $ 1,959  
                         
 
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 SFAS No. 112, “Employers’ Accounting for Postemployment Benefits.” The Company has accrued obligations for postemployment benefits in these locations of approximately $2.4 million as of December 31, 2008.
 
Kensington Production Royalty
 
On July 7, 1995, Coeur, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coeur Alaska, Inc. (“Coeur Alaska”), acquired the 50% ownership interest of Echo Bay Exploration Inc. (“Echo Bay”) in the Kensington property from Echo Bay and Echo Bay Alaska, Inc., giving Coeur 100% ownership of the Kensington property. The property is located on the east side of Lynn Canal between Juneau and Haines, Alaska. Coeur Alaska is obligated to pay Echo Bay 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 $400 gold prices to a maximum of 21/2% at gold prices above $475, with the royalty to be capped at 1.0 million ounces of production.
 
NOTE Q — SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
 
The Company markets its metals products and concentrates primarily to bullion trading banks and five third-party smelters. These customers then sell the metals to end users for use in industry applications such as electronic circuitry, jewelry and silverware production and the manufacture and development of photographic film. Sales of metals to bullion trading banks amounted to approximately 45%, 47% and 47% of total metals sales in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading bank customer would not adversely affect the Company in view of the liquidity of the markets and availability of alternative trading banks.
 
The Company currently markets its silver and gold concentrates to third-party smelters in Japan, Mexico and Australia. Sales of metals concentrates to third-party smelters amounted to approximately 55%, 53% and 53% of metals sales in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The loss of any one smelter customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company in the event of the possible unavailability of alternative smelters.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
NOTE R — SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
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, the Senior Vice President of Operations and the President of South American Operations.
 
The operating segments are managed separately because each segment represents a distinct use of Company resources which contribute to Company cash flows in its respective geographic area. The Company’s reportable operating segments include the Rochester, Cerro Bayo, Martha, San Bartolomé, Kensington, Palmarejo, Endeavor and Broken Hill 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 Cerro Bayo and Martha mines sell precious metal concentrates, typically under long-term contracts, to a smelter located in Japan (Dowa Mining Ltd.), Mexico (Met-Mex Penoles) and Germany (Norddeutsche). Refined gold and silver produced by the Rochester mine is principally sold on a spot basis to precious metals trading banks such as Standard Bank and Mitsui. Concentrates produced at CDE Australia (Endeavor and Broken Hill mines) are sold to Nyrstar (formerly Zinifex), an Australia smelter. The Company’s exploration programs are included as other. 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 $130.9 million, $151.0 million and $147.8 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Revenues from gold sales were $58.6 million, $64.3 million and $68.8 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
 
Financial information relating to the Company’s segments is as follows (In thousands):
 
                                                                                 
          Cerro
                Broken
    San
                         
    Rochester
    Bayo
    Martha
    Endeavor
    Hill
    Bartolomé
    Kensington
    Palmarejo
             
    Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Project     Project     Other     Total  
 
December 31, 2008
                                                                               
Total net sales of metals
  $ 67,831     $ 41,589     $ 31,445     $ 12,434     $ 18,591     $ 17,575     $     $     $     $ 189,465  
Productions costs applicable to sales
    42,246       27,930       17,599       1,060       2,754       17,747                         109,336  
Depreciation and depletion
    2,353       8,357       4,853       1,971       2,506       5,803             930       557       27,330  
Exploration expense
    599       2,693       5,426                   66       166       7,686       3,895       20,531  
Other operating expenses
    149       3,053       17                   27       1,796       15,759       25,150       45,951  
Interest and other income
    3,176       (1,377 )     (977 )                 2,541       54       (44 )     (816 )     2,557  
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and other
                                                    1,756       1,756  
Interest expense
                (57 )                 (43 )     (10 )     298       (4,327 )     (4,139 )
Income tax benefit (provision)
          113       (3,625 )                 (2,479 )           23,844       (4,352 )     13,501  
                                                                                 
Profit (loss)
  $ 25,660     $ (1,708 )   $ (1,109 )   $ 9,403     $ 13,331     $ (6,049 )   $ (1,918 )   $ (277 )   $ (37,341 )   $ (8 )
Segment assets (A)
  $ 39,049     $ 46,701     $ 36,089     $ 41,003     $ 24,654     $ 291,697     $ 340,905     $ 347,494     $ 1,640,028     $ 2,807,620  
Capital expenditures
  $ 635     $ 8,233     $ 4,503     $ 26,513     $     $ 108,723     $ 40,858     $ 190,344     $ 497     $ 380,306  
 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
                                                                                 
          Cerro
                Broken
    San
                         
    Rochester
    Bayo
    Martha
    Endeavor
    Hill
    Bartolomé
    Kensington
    Palmarejo
             
    Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Project     Project     Other     Total  
 
December 31, 2007
                                                                               
Total net sales of metals
  $ 100,903     $ 47,794     $ 38,077     $ 7,943     $ 20,602     $     $     $     $     $ 215,319  
Productions costs applicable to sales
    60,364       35,594       17,231       545       3,292             (1 )                 117,025  
Depreciation and depletion
    8,697       6,260       1,731       755       3,054                         487       20,984  
Exploration expense
    361       2,908       4,418                         619             3,635       11,941  
Other operating expenses
    62       113       38                         38             24,131       24,382  
Interest and other income
    2,948       1,590       (303 )                       85             13,875       18,195  
Interest expense
          (23 )                                         (342 )     (365 )
Income tax benefit (provision)
          (1,662 )     (6,418 )                       (20 )           (6,827 )     (14,927 )
                                                                                 
Profit (loss)
  $ 34,367     $ 2,824     $ 7,938     $ 6,643     $ 14,256     $     $ (591 )   $     $ (21,547 )   $ 43,890  
Segment assets (A)
  $ 62,848     $ 63,570     $ 25,799     $ 17,885     $ 29,391     $ 169,196     $ 301,730     $ 1,759,153     $ 7,470     $ 7,470  
Capital expenditures
  $ 1,647     $ 11,330     $ 16,444     $ 2,112     $ 213     $ 100,169     $ 92,337     $     $ 1,942     $ 226,194  
 
                                                                         
          Cerro
                Broken
    San
                   
    Rochester
    Bayo
    Martha
    Endeavor
    Hill
    Bartolomé
    Kensington
             
    Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Project     Other     Total  
 
December 31, 2006
                                                                       
Total net sales of metals
  $ 102,393     $ 50,293     $ 34,733     $ 5,363     $ 23,791     $     $     $     $ 216,573  
Productions costs applicable to sales
    47,310       27,780       12,538       386       4,364                         92,378  
Depreciation and depletion
    13,745       5,795       1,313       490       5,120                   309       26,772  
Exploration expense
          2,639       2,904                         936       2,995       9,474  
Other operating expenses
          28       17                         108       21,581       21,734  
Interest and other income
    25       809       13                   (6 )     13       17,800       18,654  
Interest expense
          (84 )                                   (1,140 )     (1,224 )
Income tax benefit (provision)
          2,930       (4,777 )                             (6,379 )     (8,226 )
                                                                         
Profit (loss)
  $ 41,363     $ 17,706     $ 13,197     $ 4,487     $ 14,307     $ (6 )   $ (1,031 )   $ (14,604 )   $ 75,419  
Segment assets (A)
  $ 87,371     $ 49,428     $ 11,508     $ 15,666     $ 32,894     $ 59,080     $ 207,745     $ 6,154     $ 469,846  
Capital expenditures
  $ 1,225     $ 7,555     $ 2,481     $     $     $ 16,805     $ 122,640     $ 588     $ 151,294  
 
Note:  (A) Segment assets consist of receivables, prepaids, inventories, property, plant and equipment, and mining properties.
 
                         
    2008     2007     2006  
 
Assets Total assets for reportable segments
  $ 2,807,620     $ 2,437,042     $ 469,846  
Cash and cash equivalents
    20,760       98,671       270,672  
Short-term investments
    7,881       53,039       70,373  
Other assets
    87,637       62,942       38,735  
                         
Total consolidated assets
  $ 2,923,898     $ 2,651,694     $ 849,626  
                         

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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Geographic Information
 
                 
          Long-Lived
 
    Revenues     Assets  
 
2008
               
United States
  $ 67,831     $ 345,408  
Australia
    31,025       64,802  
Chile
    41,589       29,083  
Argentina
    31,445       18,587  
Bolivia
    17,575       261,972  
Mexico
          1,951,597  
Other foreign countries
          157  
                 
Total
  $ 189,465     $ 2,671,606  
                 
2007
               
United States
  $ 100,903     $ 305,876  
Australia
    28,545       42,772  
Chile
    47,794       28,028  
Argentina
    38,077       18,640  
Bolivia
          151,716  
Mexico
          1,756,042  
Other foreign countries
          190  
                 
Total
  $ 215,319     $ 2,303,264  
                 
2006
               
United States
  $ 102,393     $ 218,236  
Australia
    29,154       44,253  
Chile
    50,293       20,295  
Argentina
    34,733       3,700  
Bolivia
          50,858  
Mexico
           
Other foreign countries
          214  
                 
Total
  $ 216,573     $ 337,556  
                 
 
NOTE S — LITIGATION AND OTHER EVENTS
 
States of Maine, Idaho and Colorado Superfund Sites Related to Callahan Mining Corporation
 
During 1991, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Callahan Mining Corporation.
 
During 2001, the United States Forest Service (“USFS”) made a formal request for information regarding the Deadwood Mine Site located in central Idaho. Callahan Mining Corporation had operated at this site during the 1940s. The USFS believes that some cleanup action is required at the location. However, the Company did not acquire Callahan until 1991, more than 40 years after Callahan disposed of its interest in the Deadwood property. The Company did not make any decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at the site. Therefore, the Company believes that it is not liable for any cleanup, and if Callahan might be liable, it has no


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
substantial assets with which to satisfy any such liability. To date, no claim has been made by the United States for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
During 2002, the EPA made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Maine. Callahan operated there in the late 1960s, shut the operations down in the early 1970s and disposed of the property. The EPA contends that some cleanup action is warranted at the site, and listed it on the National Priorities List in late 2002. In January 2009, the EPA and the State of Maine made additional formal requests for information relating to the Maine Callahan mine site. The Company believes that because it made no decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
In January 2003, the USFS made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Colorado known as the Akron Mine Site. Callahan operated there in approximately the late 1930s through the 1940s, and to the Company’s knowledge, disposed of the property. The Company is not aware of what, if any, cleanup action the USFS is contemplating. However, the Company did not make decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, and therefore believes it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
Federal Court (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge
 
On September 12, 2005, three environmental groups (“Plaintiffs”) filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps of Engineers”) and the USFS seeking to invalidate the permit issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Company’s Kensington mine. The Plaintiffs claim the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake conflicts with the CWA. They additionally claim the USFS’s approval of the Amended Plan of Operations is arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers. Following the District Court’s remand of the Section 404 permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review, the Corps reinstated the Company’s permit on March 29, 2006. The lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened on April 6, 2006; Coeur Alaska filed its answer to the Amended Complaint; and Coeur Alaska, the State of Alaska, and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native corporation, were granted Defendant-Intervenor status to join the agencies in their defense of the permit.
 
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the Plaintiffs’ challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006, the Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (“Ninth Circuit Court”) and on August 9, 2006 the Plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court. The Ninth Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility.
 
On May 22, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court reversed the District Court’s August 4, 2006 decision which had upheld the Company’s 404 permit and issued its opinion that remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to vacate the Company’s 404 permit as well as the USFS Record of Decision approving the general tailings disposal plan and the Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine Facility. On August 20, 2007, Coeur Alaska filed a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit Court, as did the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. The Department of Justice, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, and USFS additionally filed a limited Petition for Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit Court panel seeking reconsideration of the mandate of the May 22, 2007 panel decision. On October 29, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court denied the Petitions for Rehearing En Banc. On November 14, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court granted a stay of the mandate pending further appeal to the Supreme Court, subject to the development of a reclamation plan for the lake area. The Company and the State of Alaska filed Petitions for Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States on January 28, 2008. On June 27,


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted the State of Alaska and Coeur Alaska’s Petitions for a writ of certiorari to review the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court. Arguments were made before the Supreme Court by both parties on January 12, 2009. The Company expects a decision on the case pending with the Supreme Court in the second quarter of 2009. The Company cannot predict if it will prevail in this appeal.
 
On October 1, 2008 the Company announced a temporary curtailment of its development activities at the Kensington Project until such time as a decision is rendered from the U.S. Supreme Court on its original tailings plan. Consequently, the Company laid off approximately 50% of its existing workforce and paid termination benefits of $0.3 million.
 
No assurance can be given as to whether or when regulatory permits and approvals granted to the Company may be further challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing agencies, or as to whether the Company will ultimately place the Kensington project into commercial production.
 
NOTE T — SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
The following table sets forth a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 (In thousands, except per share data):
 
                                 
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
 
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
 
2008:
                               
Sales of metal
  $ 57,286     $ 50,024     $ 39,763     $ 42,392  
Net income (loss)
  $ 4,721     $ (5,377 )   $ (3,634 )   $ 4,282  
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.01     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.01  
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.01     $ (0.01 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.01  
 
                                 
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
 
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
 
2007:
                               
Sales of metal
  $ 50,860     $ 51,664     $ 52,863     $ 59,931  
Net income
  $ 14,018     $ 11,918     $ 3,635     $ 14,319  
Basic net income per share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.04     $ 0.01     $ 0.05  
Diluted net income per share
  $ 0.05     $ 0.04     $ 0.01     $ 0.04  
 
NOTE U — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
A member of the Company’s board of directors serves as Managing Director, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. The Company paid approximately $5.0 million to Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in offering costs, in connection with the issuance of the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes in March 2008.
 
NOTE V — SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
On January 12, 2009, the Company amended its agreement with the holders of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes to modify the exercise date to allow the holder to early exercise the warrant and fix the interest rate at 12%.
 
On January 20, 2009, the Company received proceeds of $20.4 million from the early exercise of the warrant to purchase an additional $25.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes it issued in October of 2008.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
On January 21, 2009, the Company announced that it entered into a gold royalty stream transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. Coeur received total proceeds of US$80.0 million consisting of US$75.0 million in cash plus a contingent payment comprised of special warrants to purchase $5 million of common shares of Franco-Nevada for no additional consideration received once the mine achieves certain completion tests. The royalty is payable when the market price for each ounce of gold sold is greater than $400 (increasing by 1% per annum beginning on the fourth anniversary of the transaction). The royalty is considered a derivative financial instrument under SFAS No. 133 “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and hedging Activities.” Accordingly, changes in fair value of the contract will be recorded in earnings currently.
 
As of March 2, 2009, $47.5 million of the $50 million Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes have been converted into 61.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, and all of the $25 million of the notes issued in January 2009 for the warrant exercise have been converted into 36.9 million shares of the Company’s common stock.


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