SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Risks and Uncertainties

As a global mining company, the Company’s revenue, profitability and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on prevailing metal prices, primarily for gold, but also for copper, silver, lead and zinc. Historically, the commodity markets have been very volatile, and there can be no assurance that commodity prices will not be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. A substantial or extended decline in commodity prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows, access to capital and on the quantities of reserves that the Company can economically produce. The carrying value of the Company’s Property, plant and mine development, net; Inventories; Stockpiles and ore on leach pads; Investments; Deferred income tax assets; and Goodwill are particularly sensitive to the outlook for commodity prices. A decline in the Company’s price outlook from current levels could result in material impairment charges related to these assets.

In addition to changes in commodity prices, other factors such as changes in mine plans, increases in costs, geotechnical failures, changes in social, environmental or regulatory requirements, impacts of global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and management’s decision to reprioritize or abandon a development project can adversely affect the Company’s ability to recover its investment in certain assets and result in impairment charges.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a material impact on the global economy, the scale and duration of which remain uncertain. As of September 30, 2021, all sites were fully operational, including Cerro Negro and Tanami. Cerro Negro returned to full capacity during September 2021 after operating for more than a year at reduced levels due to COVID-related impacts. After temporarily being placed into care and maintenance in late June 2021 to protect our employees and nearby communities, align with country mandated travel restrictions and manage ongoing COVID-related impacts, Tanami returned to full capacity by the end of July 2021.

The impact of this pandemic could include placing additional sites into care and maintenance, significant COVID-19 specific costs, volatility in the prices for gold and other metals, logistical challenges shipping our products, delays in product refining and smelting due to restrictions or temporary closures, additional travel restrictions, other supply chain disruptions and workforce interruptions, including loss of life. Depending on the duration and extent of the impact of COVID-19, this could materially impact the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and could result in material impairment charges to the Company’s Property, plant and mine development, net; Inventories; Stockpiles and ore on leach pads; Investments; Deferred income tax assets; and Goodwill.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses. The Company must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information used is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision from data available or simply cannot be readily calculated based on generally accepted methodologies. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Securities and Exchange Commission Rules

Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2019-12 was issued to simplify the accounting for income taxes, eliminate certain exceptions within Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") 740, Income Taxes, and clarify certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistency among reporting entities. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosures.

Accounting for Equity Securities, Investments and Certain Forward Contracts and Options

In January 2020, ASU No. 2020-01 was issued which clarifies the interaction in accounting for equity securities under ASC 321, investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting in ASC 323 and the accounting for certain forward contracts and purchased options accounted for under ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosures.

Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses

In May 2020, the SEC finalized its proposed updates to Rule 3-05 within Regulation S-X, Financial statements of businesses acquired or to be acquired, Rule 3-14, Special instructions for real estate operations to be acquired; Article 11, Pro Forma Financial Information; and other related rules and forms (the “Rules”). The Rules include amendments, which among other things: revise significance tests used to determine disclosure requirements; require the financial statements of the acquired business to cover only up to the two most recent fiscal years; permit the use of, or reconciliation to, International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board in certain circumstances; and amend certain pro forma financial information requirements. The Rules were adopted on January 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosures.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Effects of Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, ASU No. 2020-04 was issued which provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden on accounting for contract modifications caused by reference rate reform. This guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The guidance may be adopted over time as reference rate reform activities occur and should be applied on a prospective basis. The Company is still completing its evaluation of the impact of ASU 2020-04 and plans to elect optional expedients as reference rate reform activities occur. In January 2021, ASU No. 2021-01 was issued which broadened the scope of ASU No. 2020-04 to include certain derivative instruments. The Company expects neither the guidance nor the subsequent update to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosures.