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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NOTE 2    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Risks and Uncertainties

As a global mining company, our revenue, profitability and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on prevailing prices for gold, copper and, to a lesser extent, silver. Historically, the commodity markets have been very volatile, and there can be no assurance that commodity prices will not be subject to wide fluctuations in the future. A substantial or extended decline in commodity prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, access to capital and on the quantities of reserves that we can economically produce. The carrying value of our property, plant and mine development assets, inventories, stockpiles and ore on leach pads, and deferred tax assets are particularly sensitive to the outlook for commodity prices. A decline in our long term price outlook from current levels could result in material impairment charges related to these assets.

In September 2014, PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara (“PTNNT”) and the Government of Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) that resulted in PTNNT receiving a six-month permit to export copper concentrate. Effective with the signing of the MoU, PTNNT agreed to pay export duties set forth in a new regulation issued in July 2014, provide a $25 surety bond to demonstrate its support for smelter development, and pay royalties of 4 percent for copper, 3.75 percent for gold, and 3.25 percent for silver. On July 25, 2014, the Minister of Finance revised its January 2014 regulations to reduce export duties on copper concentrate providing for export duties on copper concentrate to reduce as smelter development progresses, with duties initially at 7.5 percent, then declining to 5 percent when development progress exceeds 7.5 percent and finally to 0 percent when smelter progress exceeds 30 percent. The MoU also outlines terms for the six main elements of the Contract of Work renegotiation, which will be incorporated into an amendment of the Contract of Work. The six areas are: concession area size; royalties, taxes and export duties; domestic processing and refining; ownership divestment; utilization of local manpower, domestic goods and services; and duration of the Contract of Work. Negotiations between PTNNT and the Government of Indonesia to amend the Contract of Work remain on-going. No assurances can be made at this time with respect to the outcome of such negotiations. Future amendments to the Contract of Work and/or failure to successfully renegotiate the Contract of Work prior to the expiration of the export permit may negatively impact future operations and financial results at Batu Hijau.

As a result of the on-going Contract of Work renegotiations at Batu Hijau, we have evaluated, and will continue to evaluate, the need for asset impairments, inventory write-downs, tax valuation allowances and other applicable accounting charges due to the status of the mine.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Discontinued Operations

In April 2014, FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) guidance was issued related to Discontinued Operations which changed the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modified related disclosure requirements. The updated guidance requires an entity to only classify discontinued operations due to a major strategic shift or a major effect on an entity’s operations in the financial statements. The updated guidance will also require additional disclosures relating to discontinued operations. The Company early adopted this guidance prospectively at the beginning of fiscal year January 1, 2014. Adoption of the new guidance did not have an impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit

In July 2013, ASC guidance was issued related to the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The updated guidance requires an entity to net its unrecognized tax benefits against its jurisdictional deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforwards. A gross presentation will be required only if such carryforwards are not available or would not be used by the entity to settle any additional income taxes resulting from disallowance of the uncertain tax position. Adoption of the new guidance, effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014, had no impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Foreign Currency Matters

In March 2013, ASC guidance was issued related to foreign currency matters to clarify the treatment of cumulative translation adjustments when a parent sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity. The updated guidance also resolves the diversity in practice for the treatment of business combinations achieved in stages in a foreign entity. Adoption of the new guidance, effective for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2014, had no impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Stock based compensation

In June 2014, ASU guidance was issued to resolve the diversity of practice relating to the accounting for stock based performance awards that the performance target could be achieved after the employee completes the required service period. The update is effective prospectively or retrospectively beginning January 1, 2015. The Company does not expect the updated guidance to have an impact on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, ASU guidance was issued related to revenue from contracts with customers. The new standard provides a five-step approach to be applied to all contracts with customers and also requires expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods and is to be retrospectively applied. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance and the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.