Value Added Tax Receivable, Net	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Value added tax receivable, net
Value added tax receivable, Net	6. Value Added Tax Receivable, Net The Company has recorded value added tax (“VAT”) paid in Mexico and related to the Velardeña Properties as a recoverable asset. Mexico law allows for certain VAT payments to be recovered through ongoing applications for refunds. At June 30, 2017, the Company has also recorded approximately $15,000 of VAT receivable as a reduction to VAT payable in Mexico, which appears in “Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Following the end of June 30, 2017, the Company received a refund of approximately $0.2 million from the government of Argentina for VAT paid in that country during 2011 and 2012. Because of uncertainties relating to collectability of the taxes the Company had recorded a full valuation allowance against the VAT receivable at the time the taxes were paid. At June 30, 2017, the Company reversed $0.2 million of the valuation allowance and recorded a VAT receivable of $0.2 million with a corresponding gain in “Other operating income” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The Company has also paid VAT in Mexico as well as other countries, primarily related to exploration projects, which has been charged to expense as incurred because of the uncertainty of recoverability.

6. Value Added Tax Receivable, Net

The Company has recorded value added tax (“VAT”) paid in Mexico and related to the Velardeña Properties as a recoverable asset. Mexico law allows for certain VAT payments to be recovered through ongoing applications for refunds. At June 30, 2017, the Company has also recorded approximately $15,000 of VAT receivable as a reduction to VAT payable in Mexico, which appears in “Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Following the end of June 30, 2017, the Company received a refund of approximately $0.2 million from the government of Argentina for VAT paid in that country during 2011 and 2012. Because of uncertainties relating to collectability of the taxes the Company had recorded a full valuation allowance against the VAT receivable at the time the taxes were paid. At June 30, 2017, the Company reversed $0.2 million of the valuation allowance and recorded a VAT receivable of $0.2 million with a corresponding gain in “Other operating income” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.

The Company has also paid VAT in Mexico as well as other countries, primarily related to exploration projects, which has been charged to expense as incurred because of the uncertainty of recoverability.