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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Text block1 [abstract]  
Basis of measurement
  (a) Basis of measurement

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for those assets and liabilities that are measured at revalued amounts or fair values at the end of each reporting period.

Currency of presentation
  (b) Currency of presentation

The Company’s presentation currency is the United States (“US”) dollar. All amounts, with the exception of per share amounts, are expressed in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise stated. References to C$ are to Canadian dollars.

Basis of consolidation
  (c) Basis of consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Company. Control exists when the Company has power over an investee, when the Company is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from the investee and when the Company has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial results of the Company from the effective date of acquisition up to the effective date of disposition or loss of control. The principal subsidiaries of Goldcorp and their geographic locations at December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

Direct parent company

  

Location

   Ownership
interest
   

Mining properties and

development projects owned

(note 19)

Les Mines Opinaca Ltée (“Éléonore”)

   Canada      100   Éléonore mine

Goldcorp Canada Ltd./Goldcorp Inc. (“Musselwhite”)

   Canada      100   Musselwhite mine

Goldcorp Canada Ltd./Goldcorp Inc. (“Porcupine”)

   Canada      100   Porcupine mine and Borden project

Red Lake Gold Mines Ontario Partnership (“Red Lake”)

   Canada      100   Red Lake and Campbell mines, and Cochenour project

Minera Peñasquito S.A. de C.V. (“Peñasquito”)

   Mexico      100   Peñasquito mine

Oroplata S.A. (“Cerro Negro”)

   Argentina      100   Cerro Negro mine

Kaminak Gold Corporation (“Kaminak”)

   Canada      100   Coffee project

Intercompany assets and liabilities, equity, income, expenses, and cash flows between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated.

Investments in associates and joint arrangements
  (d) Investments in associates and joint arrangements

These consolidated financial statements also include the following joint arrangements and investments in associates:

 

Associates and joint arrangements

  

Location

   Ownership
interest
   

Classification and

accounting method

  

Mining properties (note20)

Compañia Minera Casale SpA (“Norte Abierto”)”)

   Chile      50.0   Joint Operation; consolidate Goldcorp’s share    Norte Abierto project

NuevaUnión SpA (“NuevaUnión”)

   Chile      50.0   Joint Venture; equity method    NuevaUnión project

Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation (“Pueblo Viejo”)

   Dominican Republic      40.0   Associate; equity method    Pueblo Viejo mine

Minera Alumbrera Limited (“Alumbrera”)

   Argentina      37.5   Associate; equity method    Alumbrera mine

Leagold Mining Corporation (“Leagold”)

   Mexico      22.9   Associate; equity method    Los Filos mine
          

The Company conducts a portion of its business through joint arrangements where the parties are bound by contractual arrangements establishing joint control and decisions about the activities that significantly affect the returns of the investee require unanimous consent. A joint arrangement is classified as either a joint operation or a joint venture, subject to the terms that govern each investor’s rights and obligations in the arrangement.

In a joint operation, the investor has rights and obligations to the separate assets and liabilities of the investee and in a joint venture, the investors have rights to the net assets of the joint arrangement. For a joint operation, the Company recognizes its share of the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses of the joint arrangement, while for a joint venture, the Company accounts for its investment in the joint arrangement using the equity method.

An associate is an entity over which the Company has significant influence, and is neither a subsidiary nor a joint arrangement. The Company has significant influence when it has the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the associate but does not have control or joint control over those policies. The Company accounts for its investments in associates using the equity method.

Under the equity method, the Company’s investment in a joint venture or an associate is initially recognized at cost and subsequently increased or decreased to recognize the Company’s share of net earnings and losses of the joint venture or associate, after any adjustments necessary to give effect to uniform accounting policies, any other movement in the joint venture or associate’s reserves, and for impairment losses after the initial recognition date. The total carrying amount of the Company’s investments in joint venture and associates also include any long-term debt interests which in substance form part of the Company’s net investment. The Company’s share of a joint venture or an associate’s losses that are in excess of its investment are recognized only to the extent that the Company has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate or joint venture. The Company’s share of earnings and losses of joint venture and associates are recognized in net earnings during the period. Dividends and repayment of capital received from a joint venture or an associate are accounted for as a reduction in the carrying amount of the Company’s investment. Unrealized gains and losses between the Company and its joint venture and associates are recognized only to the extent of unrelated investors’ interests in the associates and joint venture. Intercompany balances and interest expense and income arising on loans and borrowings between the Company and its joint venture and associates are not eliminated.

 

The Company’s investments in joint venture and associates are included in mining interests on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Impairment and reversal of impairment of investments in associates and joint arrangements

At the end of each reporting period, the Company assesses whether there is any objective evidence that an investment in an associate or joint venture is impaired. Objective evidence includes observable data indicating there is a measurable decrease in the estimated future cash flows of the investee’s operations. When there is objective evidence that an investment is impaired, the carrying amount of such investment is compared to its recoverable amount, being the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCD”) and value-in-use (“VIU”). If the recoverable amount of an investment is less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount and an impairment loss, being the excess of carrying amount over the recoverable amount, is recognized in the period in which the relevant circumstances are identified. When an impairment loss reverses in a subsequent period, the carrying amount of the investment is increased to the revised estimate of recoverable amount to the extent that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had an impairment loss not been previously recognized. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized in net earnings in the period in which the reversal occurs.

Similar to the assessment of impairment for subsidiaries, the Company reviews the mining properties and plant and equipment for a joint operation at the cash-generating unit (“CGU”) level to determine whether there is any indication that these assets are impaired (note 3(m)).

Business combinations
  (e)

Business combinations

A business combination is defined as an acquisition of assets and liabilities that constitute a business. A business is an integrated set of activities and assets that is capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return to the Company and its shareholders in the form of dividends, lower costs or other economic benefits. A business consists of inputs, including non-current assets, and processes, including operational processes, that when applied to those inputs have the ability to create outputs that provide a return to the Company and its shareholders. A business also includes those assets and liabilities that do not necessarily have all the inputs and processes required to produce outputs, but can be integrated with the inputs and processes of the Company to create outputs. When acquiring a set of activities or assets in the exploration and development stage, which may not have outputs, the Company considers other factors to determine whether the set of activities or assets is a business. Those factors include, but are not limited to, whether the set of activities or assets:

(i) Has begun planned principal activities;

(ii) Has employees, intellectual property and other inputs and processes that could be applied to those inputs;

(iii) Is pursuing a plan to produce outputs; and

(iv) Will be able to obtain access to customers that will purchase the outputs.

Not all of the above factors need to be present for a particular integrated set of activities or assets in the exploration and development stage to qualify as a business.

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method whereby identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent liabilities, are recorded at 100% of their fair values at acquisition date. The acquisition date is the date at which the Company obtains control over the acquiree, which is generally the date that consideration is transferred and the Company acquires the assets and assumes the liabilities of the acquiree. The Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances in determining the acquisition date.

The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the fair values of the assets at the acquisition date transferred by the Company, the liabilities, including contingent consideration, incurred and payable by the Company to former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the Company. The measurement date for equity interests issued by the Company is the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs, other than costs to issue debt or equity securities of the acquirer, are expensed as incurred. The costs to issue equity securities of the Company as consideration for the acquisition are reduced from share capital as share issue costs.

 

It generally requires time to obtain the information necessary to identify and measure the following as of the acquisition date:

(i) The identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree;

(ii) The consideration transferred in exchange for an interest in the acquiree;

(iii) In a business combination achieved in stages, the equity interest in the acquiree previously held by the acquirer; and

(iv) The resulting goodwill or gain on a bargain purchase.

If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, the Company reports in its consolidated financial statements provisional amounts for the items for which the accounting is incomplete. During the measurement period, the Company will retrospectively adjust the provisional amounts recognized at the acquisition date to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date and, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. During the measurement period, the Company will also recognize additional assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date and, if known, would have resulted in the recognition of those assets and liabilities as of that date. The measurement period ends as soon as the Company receives the information it was seeking about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date or learns that more information is not obtainable and shall not exceed one year from the acquisition date.

Non-controlling interests are recorded at their proportionate share of the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired on initial recognition. The excess of: (i) total consideration transferred by the Company, measured at fair value, including contingent consideration, and (ii) the non-controlling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of net assets acquired, is recorded as goodwill.

Discontinued operations
  (f)

Discontinued operations

A discontinued operation is a component of the Company that either has been disposed of, or is classified as held for sale, and: (i) represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operation; (ii) is part of a single coordinated plan to dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operation; or (iii) is a subsidiary acquired exclusively with a view to resell.

A component of the Company comprises an operation and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the Company.

Assets and liabilities held for sale
  (g)

Assets and liabilities held for sale

A non-current asset or disposal group of assets and liabilities (“disposal group”) is classified as held for sale, if its carrying amount will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through continuing use, and when the following criteria are met:

 

  (i)

The non-current asset or disposal group is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets or disposal groups; and

 

  (ii)

The sale of the non-current asset or disposal group is highly probable. For the sale to be highly probable:

 

  a.

The appropriate level of management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset or disposal group;

 

  b.

An active program to locate a buyer and complete the plan must have been initiated;

 

  c.

The non-current asset or disposal group must be actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value;

 

  d.

The sale should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification as held for sale (with certain exceptions); and

 

  e.

Actions required to complete the plan should indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

Non-current assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale from the date these criteria are met and are measured at the lower of the carrying amount and FVLCD. If the FVLCD is lower than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in net earnings. Upon classification as held for sale, non-current assets are no longer depreciated.

Foreign currency translation
  (h)

Foreign currency translation

The functional and presentation currency of the Company and each of its subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements is the US dollar. Accordingly, foreign currency transactions and balances of the Company’s subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements are translated as follows: (i) monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the US dollar (“foreign currencies”) are translated into US dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date; (ii) non-monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies and measured at other than fair value are translated using the rates of exchange at the transaction dates; (iii) non-monetary assets denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at fair value are translated using the rates of exchange at the dates those fair values are determined; and (iv) income statement items denominated in foreign currencies are principally translated using daily exchange rates, except for depreciation and depletion which is translated at historical exchange rates.

Foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized in net earnings and presented in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in accordance with the nature of the transactions to which the foreign currency gains and losses relate. Unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on cash and cash equivalent balances denominated in foreign currencies are disclosed separately in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Revenue recognition
  (i)

Revenue recognition

The Company includes proceeds from the sale of all metals in revenue. The Company’s primary product is gold and other metals produced as part of the extraction process are considered to be by-products arising from the production of gold. Revenue from the sale of metals is recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the buyer; it is probable that economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Company; the sale price can be measured reliably; the Company has no significant continuing involvement; and the costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. In circumstances where title is retained to protect the financial security interests of the Company, revenue is recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the buyer.

The initial sales price of the Company’s concentrate metal sales is determined on a provisional basis at the date of sale. The final sales price is based on the monthly average London Metal Exchange or London Bullion Market Association prices with monthly movements between the provisional and final pricing recognized in revenue. The period between provisional invoicing and final pricing, or settlement period, is typically between 30 and 120 days. Revenue on provisionally priced sales is recognized based on the estimated fair value of the total consideration receivable. These provisional sales contain an embedded derivative instrument which represents the forward contract for which the provisional sale is subsequently adjusted and is required to be separated from the host contract. Accordingly, the fair value of the final sales price adjustment is re-estimated by reference to forward market prices at each period end and changes in fair value are recognized as an adjustment to revenue. Accounts receivable for metal concentrate sales are therefore measured at fair value. Refining and treatment charges are netted against revenues from metal concentrate sales.

Earnings per share
  (j)

Earnings per share

Earnings per share calculations are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For calculations of diluted earnings per share, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding are adjusted to include the effects of restricted share units and dilutive stock options, whereby proceeds from the potential exercise of dilutive stock options with exercise prices that are below the average market price of the underlying shares are assumed to be used in purchasing the Company’s common shares at their average market price for the period.

Cash and cash equivalents
  (k)

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term money market investments that are readily convertible to cash with original terms of three months or less.

Inventories and stockpiled ore
  (l)

Inventories and stockpiled ore

Finished goods, work-in-process, heap leach ore and stockpiled ore are measured at the lower of weighted average cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is calculated as the estimated price at the time of sale based on prevailing and long-term metal prices less estimated future costs to convert the inventories into saleable form and estimated costs to sell. At operations where the ore extracted contains significant amounts of metals other than gold, primarily silver, copper, lead and zinc, cost is allocated between the joint products on a pro-rata basis. Incremental processing costs directly related to a joint product are allocated to that metal. Stockpiled ore and ore on leach pads that is expected to take longer than 12 months to recover is presented as a non-current asset.

Ore extracted from the mines is generally stockpiled and subsequently processed into finished goods (gold and by-products in doré or concentrate form). Costs are included in work-in-process inventory based on current costs incurred up to the point prior to the refining process, including applicable depreciation and depletion of mining interests, and removed at the weighted average cost per recoverable ounce of gold. The average costs of finished goods represent the average costs of work-in-process inventories incurred prior to the refining process, plus applicable refining costs.

The recovery of gold and by-products from certain oxide ore is achieved through a heap leaching process at Peñasquito. Under this method, ore is stacked on leach pads and treated with a cyanide solution that dissolves the gold contained within the ore. The resulting pregnant solution is further processed in a plant where the gold is recovered. Costs are included in heap leach ore inventory based on current mining and leaching costs, including applicable depreciation and depletion of mining interests, and removed from heap leach ore inventory as ounces of gold are recovered at the weighted average cost per recoverable ounce of gold on the leach pads. Estimates of recoverable gold on the leach pads are calculated based on the quantities of ore placed on the leach pads (measured tonnes added to the leach pads), the grade of ore placed on the leach pads (based on assay data), and a recovery percentage (based on ore type).

Supplies are measured at weighted average cost. In the event that the net realizable value of the finished product, the production of which the supplies are held for use in, is lower than the expected cost of the finished product, the supplies are written down to net realizable value.

The costs of inventories sold during the period are presented as mine operating costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Mining interests
  (m)

Mining interests

Mining interests include mining properties, related plant and equipment, and the Company’s investments in associates and joint venture.

Mining properties

Mining properties are comprised of reserves, resources and exploration potential. The value associated with resources and exploration potential is the value beyond proven and probable reserves.

Resources represent the property interests that are believed to potentially contain economic mineralized material such as inferred material within pits; measured, indicated and inferred resources with insufficient drill spacing to qualify as proven and probable reserves; and inferred resources in close proximity to proven and probable reserves. Exploration potential represents the estimated mineralized material contained within: (i) areas adjacent to existing reserves and mineralization located within the immediate mine area; (ii) areas outside of immediate mine areas that are not part of measured, indicated, or inferred resources; and (iii) greenfields exploration potential that is not associated with any other production, development, or exploration stage property.

Recognition

Capitalized costs of mining properties include the following:

 

  (i)

Costs of acquiring production, development and exploration stage properties in asset acquisitions;

 

  (ii)

Costs attributed to mining properties acquired in business combinations;

 

  (iii)

Expenditures incurred to develop mining properties;

 

  (iv)

Economically recoverable exploration and evaluation expenditures;

 

  (v)

Borrowing costs incurred that are attributable to qualifying mining properties;

 

  (vi)

Certain costs incurred during production, net of proceeds from sales, prior to reaching operating levels intended by management; and

 

  (vii)

Estimates of reclamation and closure costs (note 3(p)).

 

  Acquisitions:

The cost of acquiring a mining property as part of a business combination is capitalized and represents the property’s fair value at the date of acquisition. The purchase consideration of the acquisition of a mining property determined to be an asset acquisition is allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. Fair value is determined by estimating the value of the property’s reserves, resources and exploration potential.

 

  Development

expenditures:

Drilling and related costs incurred to define and delineate a mineral deposit that has not been classified as proven and probable reserves are capitalized and included in the carrying amount of the related property in the period incurred, when management determines that it is probable that the expenditures will result in a future economic benefit to the Company.

In open pit mining operations, it is necessary to incur costs to remove overburden and other mine waste materials in order to access the ore body (stripping costs). Stripping costs incurred prior to the production stage of a mining property (pre-stripping costs) are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related mining property.

 

  Exploration

and evaluation expenditures:

The costs of acquiring rights to explore, exploratory drilling and related costs incurred on sites without an existing mine and on areas outside the boundary of a known mineral deposit which contain proven and probable reserves are exploration and evaluation expenditures and are expensed as incurred to the date of establishing that costs incurred are economically recoverable. Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred subsequent to the establishment of economic recoverability are capitalized and included in the carrying amount of the related mining property.

Management uses the following criteria in its assessments of economic recoverability and probability of future economic benefit:

 

  (i)

Geology: there is sufficient geologic certainty of converting a mineral deposit into a proven and probable reserve. There is a history of conversion to reserves at operating mines;

 

  (ii)

Scoping, prefeasibility or feasibility: there is a scoping study, prefeasibility or preliminary feasibility study that demonstrates the additional reserves and resources will generate a positive commercial outcome. Known metallurgy provides a basis for concluding there is a significant likelihood of being able to recover the incremental costs of extraction and production;

 

  (iii)

Accessible facilities: the mineral deposit can be processed economically at accessible mining and processing facilities where applicable;

 

  (iv)

Life of mine plans: an overall life of mine plan and economic model to support the economic extraction of reserves and resources exists. A long-term life of mine plan and supporting geological model identifies the drilling and related development work required to expand or further define the existing ore body; and

 

  (v)

Authorizations: operating permits and feasible environmental programs exist or are obtainable.

Prior to capitalizing exploratory drilling, evaluation, development and related costs, management determines that the following conditions have been met:

 

  (i)

It is probable that a future economic benefit will flow to the Company;

 

  (ii)

The Company can obtain the benefit and controls access to it;

 

  (iii)

The transaction or event giving rise to the future economic benefit has already occurred; and

 

  (iv)

Costs incurred can be measured reliably.

 

  Borrowing

costs:

Borrowing costs incurred that are attributable to acquiring and developing exploration and development stage mining properties and constructing new facilities (“qualifying assets”) are capitalized and included in the carrying amounts of qualifying assets until those qualifying assets are ready for their intended use, which in the case of mining properties, is when the mining property reaches commercial production. Capitalization commences on the date that expenditures for the qualifying asset are incurred, borrowing costs are being incurred by the Company and activities that are necessary to prepare the qualifying asset for its intended use are being undertaken. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. For funds obtained from general borrowing, the amount capitalized is calculated using a weighted average of rates applicable to the borrowings during the period. For funds borrowed that are directly attributable to a qualifying asset, the amount capitalized represents the actual borrowing costs incurred on the specific borrowings.

 

  Costs

incurred during production:

Capitalization of costs incurred ceases when the mining property is capable of operating at levels intended by management. Costs incurred prior to this point, including depreciation of related plant and equipment, are capitalized and proceeds from sales during this period are offset against costs capitalized.

Development costs incurred to maintain current production are included in mine operating costs. These costs include the development and access (tunnelling) costs of production drifts to develop the ore body in the current production cycle.

During the production phase of a mine, stripping costs incurred that provide access to a component of reserves and resources that will be produced in future periods and that would not have otherwise been accessible are capitalized (“stripping activity asset”). The costs qualifying for capitalization are those costs directly incurred to perform the stripping activity that improves access to the identified component of ore, plus an allocation of directly attributable overhead costs, and which are determined using a strip ratio methodology. The strip ratio represents the ratio of the estimated total volume of waste material to the estimated total quantity of economically recoverable ore of the component of the reserves and resources for which access has been improved.The stripping activity asset is included as part of the carrying amount of the mining property. Capitalized stripping costs are amortized based on the estimated recoverable ounces contained in reserves and resources that directly benefit from the stripping activities. Costs for waste removal that do not give rise to future economic benefits are included in mine operating costs in the period in which they are incurred.

Measurement

Mining properties are recorded at cost less accumulated depletion and impairment losses.

 

  Depletion:

The carrying amounts of mining properties are depleted using the unit-of-production method over the estimated recoverable ounces, when the mine is capable of operating at levels intended by management. Under this method, depletable costs are multiplied by the number of ounces produced, and divided by the estimated recoverable ounces contained in proven and probable reserves and a portion of resources where it is considered highly probable that those resources will be economically extracted. During the year ended December 31, 2017, depletion expense would have increased by $63 million (2016 – $80 million) if resources were excluded from recoverable ounces.

A mine is capable of operating at levels intended by management when:

 

  (i)

Operational commissioning of major mine and plant components is complete;

 

  (ii)

Operating results are being achieved consistently for a period of time;

 

  (iii)

There are indicators that these operating results will be continued; and

 

  (iv)

Other factors are present, including one or more of the following: A significant portion of plant/mill capacity has been achieved; a significant portion of available funding is directed towards operating activities; a pre-determined, reasonable period of time has passed; or significant milestones for the development of the mining property have been achieved.

Management reviews the estimated total recoverable ounces contained in depletable reserves and resources annually, and when events and circumstances indicate that such a review should be made. Changes to estimated total recoverable ounces contained in depletable reserves and resources are accounted for prospectively.

 

  Impairment

and reversal of impairment:

At the end of each reporting period, the Company reviews its mining properties and plant and equipment at the CGU level to determine whether there is any indication that these assets are impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the relevant CGU is estimated in order to determine the extent of impairment. A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The Company’s CGUs are its mine sites, represented by its principal producing mining properties and significant development projects.

The recoverable amount of a mine site is the greater of its FVLCD and VIU. In determining the recoverable amounts of each of the Company’s mine sites, the Company uses the FVLCD as this will generally be greater than or equal to the VIU. When there is no binding sales agreement, FVLCD is primarily estimated as the discounted future after-tax cash flows expected to be derived from a mine site, less an amount for costs to sell estimated based on similar past transactions. When discounting estimated future after-tax cash flows, the Company uses its after-tax weighted average cost of capital. Estimated cash flows are based on expected future production, metal selling prices, operating costs and capital expenditures. Continued access to the estimated recoverable reserves, resources and exploration potential of the Company’s mining interests is a key assumption in determining their recoverable amounts. The ability to maintain existing or obtain necessary mining concessions, surface rights title, and water concessions is integral to the access of the reserves, resources and exploration potential. A mining concession gives its holder the right to carry out mining activities in the area covered by that concession and take ownership of any minerals found, but it does not always grant surface access rights. In some jurisdictions surface access rights must be separately negotiated with the owner of the surface lands and in the event of a dispute or failed negotiations, administrative legal process may be available. In other jurisdictions, surface access rights may be granted along with mining rights. Water concessions provide its holder the right to specified levels of water usage and are granted based on water availability in the source area.

If the recoverable amount of a mine site is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount is reduced to its recoverable amount. The carrying amount of each mine site includes the carrying amounts of mining properties, plant and equipment, goodwill and related deferred income tax balances, net of the mine site reclamation and closure cost provision. In addition, the carrying amounts of the Company’s corporate assets are allocated to the relevant mine sites for impairment purposes. Impairment losses are recognized in net earnings in the period in which they are incurred. The allocation of an impairment loss, if any, for a particular mine site to its mining properties and plant and equipment is based on the relative carrying amounts of those assets at the date of impairment. Those mine sites which have been impaired are tested for possible reversal of the impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the impairment may have reversed. When an impairment loss reverses in a subsequent period, the revised carrying amount shall not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset previously, less subsequent depreciation and depletion. Reversals of impairment losses are recognized in net earnings in the period in which the reversals occur.

 

  Plant

and equipment

Plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Costs capitalized for plant and equipment include borrowing costs incurred that are attributable to qualifying plant and equipment. The carrying amounts of plant and equipment are depreciated using either the straight-line or unit-of-production method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the life of mine. The significant classes of depreciable plant and equipment and their estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

Mill and mill components

     life of mine

Underground infrastructure

     life of mine

Mobile equipment components

     3 to 15 years

 

Assets under construction are depreciated when they are substantially complete and available for their intended use, over their estimated useful lives.

Management reviews the estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation methods of the Company’s plant and equipment at the end of each financial year, and when events and circumstances indicate that such a review should be made. Changes to estimated useful lives, residual values or depreciation methods resulting from such review are accounted for prospectively.

 

  Derecognition

Upon disposal or abandonment, the carrying amounts of mining properties and plant and equipment are derecognized and any associated gains or losses are recognized in net earnings. The cost and accumulated depreciation and depletion and impairment of fully depleted mineral properties and fully depreciated plant and equipment are derecognized.

Leases
  (n)

Leases

Contracts which contain the legal form of a lease are classified as either finance or operating leases. Finance leases represent leases that transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the leased asset. They are capitalized at the commencement of the lease at the lower of the fair value of the leased asset and the present value of the minimum lease payments and these capitalized costs are depreciated over the shorter of the period of expected use and the lease term. Leases in which a significant portion of the risks and rewards of ownership are retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. Operating lease payments are included in production costs in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings on a straight-line basis over the period of the lease. In addition to contracts which take the legal form of a lease, other significant contracts are assessed to determine whether, in substance, they are or contain a lease, if the contractual arrangement contains the use of a specific asset and the right to use that asset.

Income Taxes
  (o)

Income Taxes

The Company uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, unused tax losses and other income tax deductions. Deferred income tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and other income tax deductions to the extent that it is probable the Company will have taxable income against which those deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and other income tax deductions can be utilized. The extent to which deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and other income tax deductions are expected to be realized is reassessed at the end of each reporting period.

In a business combination, temporary differences arise as a result of differences between the fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax effects of these differences. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are not recognized for temporary differences arising from goodwill or from the initial recognition of assets and liabilities acquired in a transaction other than a business combination which do not affect either accounting or taxable income or loss.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted or substantively enacted tax rates expected to apply when the related assets are realized or the liabilities are settled. The measurement of deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Company expects, at the reporting date, to recover and settle the carrying amounts of its assets and liabilities, respectively. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the change is substantively enacted.

The Company records foreign exchange gains and losses representing the impacts of movements in foreign exchange rates on the tax bases of non-monetary assets and liabilities which are denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange gains and losses relating to deferred income taxes and current income taxes are included in deferred income tax expense/recovery and current income tax expense/recovery, respectively in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Current and deferred income tax expense or recovery are recognized in net earnings except when they arise as a result of items recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the related current and deferred income taxes are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

Provisions
  (p)

Provisions

Provisions are liabilities that are uncertain in timing or amount. The Company records a provision when and only when:

 

  (i)

The Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event;

 

  (ii)

It is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and

 

  (iii)

A reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

Constructive obligations are obligations that derive from the Company’s actions where:

 

  (i)

By an established pattern of past practice, published policies or a sufficiently specific current statement, the Company has indicated to other parties that it will accept certain responsibilities; and

 

  (ii)

As a result, the Company has created a valid expectation on the part of those other parties that it will discharge those responsibilities.

Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted or reversed to reflect management’s current best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the end of the reporting period. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed. Provisions are reduced by actual expenditures for which the provision was originally recognized. Where discounting has been used, the carrying amount of a provision is accreted during the period to reflect the passage of time. This accretion expense is included in finance costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Reclamation and closure cost obligations

The Company records a provision for the estimated future costs of reclamation and closure of operating, closed and inactive mines and development projects when environmental disturbance occurs or a constructive obligation arises. Future costs represent management’s best estimates which incorporate assumptions on the effects of inflation, movements in foreign exchange rates, the effects of country and other specific risks associated with the related liabilities. These estimates of future costs are discounted to net present value using the risk-free interest rate applicable to the future cash outflows. The provision for the Company’s reclamation and closure cost obligations is accreted over time to reflect the unwinding of the discount with the accretion expense included in finance costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The provision for reclamation and closure cost obligations is remeasured at the end of each reporting period for changes in estimates or circumstances. Changes in estimates or circumstances include changes in legal or regulatory requirements, increased obligations arising from additional mining and exploration activities, changes to cost estimates and changes to the risk-free interest rates.

Reclamation and closure cost obligations relating to operating mines and development projects are initially recorded with a corresponding increase to the carrying amounts of related mining properties. Changes to the obligations which may arise as a result of changes in estimates and assumptions are also accounted for as changes in the carrying amounts of related mining properties, except where a reduction in the obligation is greater than the capitalized reclamation and closure costs, in which case, the capitalized reclamation and closure costs are reduced to nil and the remaining adjustment is included in production costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Reclamation and closure cost obligations related to inactive and closed mines are included in production costs in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings on initial recognition and subsequently when remeasured.

Financial instruments
  (q)

Financial instruments

Measurement – initial recognition

On initial recognition, all financial assets and financial liabilities are recorded at fair value, net of attributable transaction costs, except for financial assets and liabilities classified as at fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”). The directly attributable transaction costs of financial assets and liabilities classified as at FVTPL are expensed in the period in which they are incurred.

Classification and measurement – subsequent to initial recognition

 

Subsequent measurement of financial assets and liabilities depends on the classifications of such assets and liabilities.

 

  Classified

as at FVTPL:

Financial assets and liabilities classified as at FVTPL are measured at fair value with changes in fair values recognized in net earnings. Financial assets and liabilities are classified as at FVTPL when: (i) they are acquired or incurred principally for short-term profit taking and/or meet the definition of a derivative (held-for-trading); or (ii) they meet the criteria for being designated as at FVTPL and have been designated as such on initial recognition.

A contract to buy or sell non-financial items that can be settled net in cash, which include non-financial items that are readily convertible to cash, that has not been entered into and held for the purpose of receipt or delivery of non-financial items in accordance with the Company’s expected purchase, sale or use meets the definition of a non-financial derivative. Derivatives are classified as either hedges of highly probable forecasted transactions (“cash flow hedges”) or non-hedge derivatives.

 

  Derivative

instruments designated as cash flow hedges:

On initial designation of the derivative as a cash flow hedge, the Company documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item and assesses the effectiveness of the hedging instrument in offsetting the changes in the cash flows attributable to the hedged risk and whether the forecast transaction is highly probable. Subsequent assessment will be performed on an ongoing basis to determine that the hedging instruments have been highly effective throughout the reporting periods for which they were designated. The changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and determined to be effective in offsetting forecasted cash flows is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately as Gain (loss) on derivatives, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

When the forecasted transaction impacts earnings, the cumulative gains or losses that were recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) are reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction has occurred. When the forecasted transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset, the cumulative gains or losses that were recorded in AOCI are reclassified and included in the carrying amount of the asset.

When a derivative designated as a cash flow hedge expires or is sold and the forecasted transaction is still expected to occur, any cumulative gain or loss relating to the derivative that is recorded in AOCI at that time remains in AOCI and is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings when the forecasted transaction occurs. When a forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was recorded in AOCI is immediately transferred to the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

 

  Non-hedge

derivatives

Derivative instruments that do not qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings.

 

  Classified

as available-for-sale:

A financial asset is classified as available-for-sale when: (i) it is not classified as a loan and receivable, a held-to-maturity investment or as at FVTPL; or (ii) it is designated as available-for-sale on initial recognition. The Company has investments in equity securities in accordance with its long-term investment plans. The Company’s investments in equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are measured at fair value with mark-to-market gains and losses recognized in OCI and accumulated in the investment revaluation reserve within equity until the financial assets are derecognized or there is objective evidence that the financial assets are impaired. When available-for-sale investments in marketable securities and equity securities are derecognized, the cumulative mark-to-market gains or losses that had been previously recognized in OCI are reclassified to earnings for the period. When there is objective evidence that an available-for-sale financial asset is impaired, the cumulative loss that had been previously recognized in OCI is reclassified to earnings for the period. Equity securities are classified as non-current assets if the Company intends to hold the investment for more than 12 months, otherwise, they are classified as marketable securities and included in other current assets. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, all of the Company’s equity securities were classified as non-current assets.

 

 

  Loans

and receivables, held-to-maturity investments, and other financial liabilities:

Financial assets classified as loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments, and other financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. The effective interest method calculates the amortized cost of a financial asset or financial liability and allocates the effective interest income or interest expense over the term of the financial asset or financial liability, respectively. The interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts or payments throughout the term of the financial instrument to the net carrying amount of the financial asset or financial liability, respectively.

When there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on a financial asset measured at amortized cost has been incurred, an impairment loss is recognized in net earnings for the period measured as the difference between the financial asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows (excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the financial asset’s effective interest rate at initial recognition.

Impairment

The Company assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that financial assets are impaired. A financial asset is impaired and impairment losses are incurred if, and only if, there is objective evidence of impairment as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the asset that has a negative impact on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset that can be reliably estimated.

Share-based payments
  (r)

Share-based payments

The fair value of the estimated number of stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) awarded to employees, officers and directors that will eventually vest, determined as of the date of grant, is recognized as share-based compensation expense within corporate administration in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings over the vesting period of the stock options and RSUs, with a corresponding increase to equity. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with market related inputs as of the date of grant. The fair value of RSUs is the market value of the underlying shares as of the date of grant. Stock options and RSUs with graded vesting schedules are accounted for as separate grants with different vesting periods and fair values. Changes to the estimated number of awards that will eventually vest are accounted for prospectively.

Performance share units (“PSUs”) and phantom restricted units (“PRUs”) are settled in cash. The fair value of the estimated number of PSUs and PRUs awarded that will eventually vest, determined as of the date of grant, is recognized as share-based compensation expense within corporate administration expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings over the vesting period, with a corresponding amount recorded as a liability. Until the liability is settled, the fair value of the PSUs and PRUs is re-measured at the end of each reporting period and at the date of settlement, with changes in fair value recognized as share-based compensation expense or recovery over the vesting period. The fair value of PRUs is the market value of the underlying shares as of the date of valuation.