e10vq
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011.
OR
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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 1-13053
STILLWATER MINING COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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81-0480654 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1321 DISCOVERY DRIVE, BILLINGS, MONTANA 59102
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(406) 373-8700
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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 whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its
corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES o NO
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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 definitions of large accelerated
filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act. (Check one).
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Large Accelerated Filer þ
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Accelerated Filer o
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Non-Accelerated Filer o |
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act) YES o NO þ
At April 25, 2011 the Company had outstanding 103,029,917 shares of common stock, par value $0.01
per share.
STILLWATER MINING COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2011
INDEX
2
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Stillwater Mining Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2011 |
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2010 |
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Revenues |
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Mine production |
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$ |
121,980 |
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$ |
95,199 |
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PGM recycling |
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48,081 |
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33,650 |
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Other |
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4,622 |
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Total revenues |
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170,061 |
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133,471 |
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Costs and expenses |
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Costs of metals sold |
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Mine production |
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60,250 |
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57,863 |
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PGM recycling |
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45,154 |
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30,995 |
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Other |
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4,622 |
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Total costs of metals sold |
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105,404 |
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93,480 |
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Depletion, depreciation and amortization |
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Mine production |
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15,801 |
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18,457 |
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PGM recycling |
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262 |
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44 |
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Total depletion, depreciation and amortization |
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16,063 |
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18,501 |
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Total costs of revenues |
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121,467 |
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111,981 |
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Marketing |
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853 |
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468 |
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General and administrative |
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6,362 |
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6,421 |
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Research and development |
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459 |
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Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
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(19 |
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(217 |
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Total costs and expenses |
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129,122 |
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118,653 |
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Operating income |
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40,939 |
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14,818 |
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Other income (expense) |
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Other |
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8 |
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6 |
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Interest income |
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782 |
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401 |
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Interest expense |
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(1,635 |
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(1,633 |
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Foreign currency transaction gain |
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182 |
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Income before income tax provision |
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40,276 |
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13,592 |
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Income tax provision |
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(4,084 |
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(233 |
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Net income |
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$ |
36,192 |
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$ |
13,359 |
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Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
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(190 |
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(194 |
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Comprehensive income |
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$ |
36,002 |
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$ |
13,165 |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding |
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Basic |
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102,334 |
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97,041 |
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Diluted |
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110,580 |
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98,117 |
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Basic earnings per share |
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Net income |
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$ |
0.35 |
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$ |
0.14 |
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Diluted earnings per share |
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Net income |
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$ |
0.34 |
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$ |
0.14 |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
3
Stillwater Mining Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
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March 31, |
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December 31, |
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2011 |
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2010 |
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ASSETS |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
43,320 |
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$ |
19,363 |
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Investments, at fair market value |
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175,531 |
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188,988 |
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Inventories |
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141,553 |
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101,806 |
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Trade receivables |
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7,854 |
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7,380 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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24,527 |
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17,890 |
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Other current assets |
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10,617 |
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13,940 |
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Total current assets |
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403,402 |
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349,367 |
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Property, plant and equipment, net of $393,877 and $378,390 of accumulated
depletion, depreciation and amortization |
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523,718 |
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509,787 |
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Restricted cash |
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35,070 |
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38,070 |
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Other noncurrent assets |
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12,356 |
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12,246 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
974,546 |
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$ |
909,470 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
22,599 |
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$ |
19,405 |
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Accrued compensation and benefits |
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26,041 |
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24,746 |
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Property, production and franchise taxes payable |
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10,019 |
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10,999 |
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Other current liabilities |
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8,924 |
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3,052 |
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Total current liabilities |
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67,583 |
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58,202 |
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Long-term debt |
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196,019 |
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196,010 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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60,496 |
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53,859 |
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Accrued workers compensation |
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6,679 |
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7,155 |
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Asset retirement obligation |
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6,888 |
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6,747 |
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Other noncurrent liabilities |
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7,076 |
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4,425 |
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Total liabilities |
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344,741 |
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326,398 |
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Stockholders equity |
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Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued |
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Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 103,009,568
and 101,881,816 shares issued and outstanding |
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1,030 |
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1,019 |
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Paid-in capital |
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772,195 |
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761,475 |
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Accumulated deficit |
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(142,378 |
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(178,570 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(1,042 |
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(852 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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629,805 |
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583,072 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
974,546 |
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$ |
909,470 |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
4
Stillwater Mining Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2011 |
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2010 |
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Cash flows from operating activities |
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Net income |
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$ |
36,192 |
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$ |
13,359 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities: |
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Depletion, depreciation and amortization |
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16,063 |
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18,501 |
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Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
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(19 |
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(217 |
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Accretion of asset retirement obligation |
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141 |
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130 |
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Amortization of debt issuance costs |
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246 |
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245 |
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Stock based compensation and other benefits |
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3,100 |
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2,966 |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Inventories |
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(40,064 |
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(6,935 |
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Trade receivables |
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(474 |
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(5,057 |
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Accrued compensation and benefits |
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1,290 |
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(659 |
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Accounts payable |
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3,194 |
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3,644 |
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Property, production and franchise taxes payable |
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1,671 |
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1,265 |
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Workers compensation |
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(476 |
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874 |
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Restricted cash |
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3,000 |
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(25 |
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Other |
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10,008 |
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1,672 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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33,872 |
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29,763 |
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Cash flows from investing activities |
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Capital expenditures |
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(23,185 |
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(10,727 |
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Purchase of long-term investment |
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(616 |
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Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment |
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21 |
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265 |
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Purchases of short-term investments |
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(65,295 |
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(44,046 |
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Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments |
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78,442 |
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12,973 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(10,633 |
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(41,535 |
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Cash flows from financing activities |
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Issuance of common stock |
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718 |
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251 |
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Net cash provided by financing activities |
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718 |
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251 |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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Net increase (decrease) |
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23,957 |
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(11,521 |
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Balance at beginning of period |
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19,363 |
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166,656 |
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Balance at end of period |
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$ |
43,320 |
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$ |
155,135 |
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See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
5
Stillwater Mining Company
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1
GENERAL
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements
contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present
fairly the financial position of Stillwater Mining Company (the Company) as of March 31, 2011,
and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three- month periods ended March
31, 2011 and 2010. The results of operations for the first three months of 2011 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The accompanying
consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report should be read in conjunction with
the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Companys 2010 Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
The preparation of the Companys consolidated financial statements in conformity with
United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and
accompanying notes. The more significant areas requiring the use of managements estimates
relate to mineral reserves, reclamation and environmental obligations, valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets, useful lives utilized for depreciation, amortization and accretion
calculations, future cash flows from long-lived assets, and fair value of derivatives and other
financial instruments. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The Company evaluates subsequent events through the date the consolidated financial
statements are issued. No subsequent events were identified that required additional disclosure
in the consolidated financial statements through the date of this filing.
NOTE 2
SALES
Mine Production
The Company mines and processes ores containing palladium, platinum, rhodium, gold, silver,
copper and nickel into intermediate and final products for sale to customers. Palladium,
platinum, rhodium, gold and silver are sent to third party refineries for final processing from
where they are sold to a number of consumers and dealers with whom the Company has established
trading relationships. Refined platinum group metals (PGMs) of 99.95% purity (rhodium of 99.9%)
in sponge form are transferred upon sale from the Companys account at third party refineries to
the account of the purchaser. By-product precious metals are normally sold at market prices to
customers, brokers or outside refiners. By-products of copper and nickel are produced by the
Company at less than commercial grade, so prices for these metals typically reflect a quality
discount. By-product sales are included in revenues from mine production. During the first
quarter of 2011 and 2010, total by-product (copper, nickel, gold, silver and mined rhodium)
sales were $7.5 million and $8.2 million, respectively.
The Company entered into a three-year supply agreement with General Motors Corporation (GM)
effective January 1, 2011 that provides for fixed quantities of palladium to be delivered to GM
each month. The agreement provides for pricing at a small discount to a trailing market price.
The Company also has entered into one-year palladium and platinum supply agreements with Ford
Motor Company and BASF and a one-year platinum supply agreement with Tiffany & Co. The Company
is continuing to negotiate potential supply arrangements with other large PGM consumers and in
the meantime is selling its remaining mine production under month-to-month and spot sales
agreements.
PGM Recycling
The Company purchases spent catalyst materials from third parties and processes these
materials in its facilities in Columbus, Montana to recover palladium, platinum and rhodium for
sale. It also accepts material supplied from third parties on a tolling basis, processing it
for a fee and returning the recovered metals to the
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supplier. The Company has entered into sourcing arrangements for catalyst material with
several suppliers. Under these sourcing arrangements as currently structured, the Company
advances cash against a shipment of material shortly before actually receiving the physical
shipment. These advances are included in Other current assets on the Companys consolidated
balance sheet until such time as the material has been physically received and title has
transferred to the Company. The Company holds a security interest in materials procured by its
largest recycling supplier that have not been received by the Company. Once the material is
physically received and title has transferred, the associated advance is reclassified from Other
current assets into Inventories. Finance charges collected on advances and inventories prior to
being earned are included in Other current liabilities on the Companys consolidated balance
sheet. Finance charges are reclassed from Other current liabilities to Interest income ratably
from the time the advance was made until the out-turn date of the inventory.
At the same time the Company purchases recycling material, it typically enters into a fixed
forward contract for future delivery of the PGMs contained in the recycled material at a price
consistent with the purchase cost of the recycled material. The contract commits the Company to
deliver finished metal on a specified date that normally corresponds to the expected out-turn
date for the metal from the final refiner. The purpose of this arrangement is to eliminate the
Companys exposure to fluctuations in market prices during processing, while at the same time
creating an obligation for the Company to deliver metal at a future point in time that could be
subject to operational risks. If the Company were unable to complete the processing of the
recycled material by the contractual delivery date, it could either cover its delivery
commitments with mine production or purchase finished metal in the open market. If open market
purchases are used, the Company would bear the cost (or benefit) of any change in the market
price relative to the price stipulated in the delivery contract.
Other
The Company makes other open market purchases of PGMs from time to time for resale to third
parties. The Company made no open market purchases in the three- month period ended March 31,
2011. The Company recognized revenue of $4.6 million for 10,000 ounces of PGMs that were
purchased in the open market and resold for the three- month period ended March 31, 2010.
Total Sales
Total sales to significant customers as a percentage of total revenues for the three- month
periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, were as follows:
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2011 |
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2010 |
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Customer A |
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24 |
% |
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21 |
% |
Customer B |
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23 |
% |
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54 |
% |
Customer C |
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17 |
% |
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* |
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Customer D |
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12 |
% |
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* |
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76 |
% |
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75 |
% |
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* |
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Represents less than 10% of total revenues |
NOTE 3
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company uses various derivative instruments to manage its exposure to changes in PGM
market commodity prices. Some of these derivatives are designated as hedges. Because the
Company hedges only with instruments that have a high correlation with the value of the
underlying exposures, changes in the derivatives fair value are expected to be offset by
changes in the value of the hedged transaction.
Commodity Derivatives
The Company customarily enters into fixed forward contracts and on occasion it also enters
into financially
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settled forward contracts to offset the price risk in its PGM recycling
activity. From time to time, it also has entered into these types of contracts on portions of
its mine production. Under these customary fixed forward transactions, the Company agrees to
deliver a stated quantity of metal on a specific future date at a price stipulated in advance.
The Company uses fixed forward transactions primarily to price in advance the metals acquired
for processing in its recycling segment. Under the occasional financially settled forward
transactions, at each settlement date the Company receives the net difference between the
forward price and the market price if the market price is below the forward price and the
Company pays the net difference between the forward price and the market price if the market
price is above the forward price. These financially settled forward contracts are settled in
cash at maturity and do not require physical delivery of metal at settlement. The Company
typically has used financially settled forward contracts with third parties to reduce its
exposure to price risk on metal it is obligated to deliver under long-term sales agreements.
Mine Production
At present the Company has no outstanding derivative contracts pertaining to its mined
production.
PGM Recycling
The Company regularly enters into fixed forward sales relating to its recycling of PGM
catalyst materials. The metals from PGM recycled materials are typically sold forward at the
time of purchase and delivered against the fixed forward contracts when the ounces are
recovered. All of these fixed forward sales contracts open at March 31, 2011, will settle at
various periods through August 2011. The Company has credit agreements with its major trading
partners that provide for margin deposits in the event that forward prices for metals exceed the
Companys hedged prices by a predetermined margin limit. As of March 31, 2011, no such margin
deposits were outstanding or due.
Occasionally, the Company also has entered into financially settled forward contracts on
its recycled materials. Such contracts are utilized when the Company wishes to establish a firm
forward price for recycled metal on a specific future date. No financially settled forward
contracts were entered into during the first quarter of 2011. The Company generally has not
designated these contracts as cash flow hedges, so they are marked to market at the end of each
accounting period. The change in the fair value of the derivatives is reflected in the
consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
The following is a summary of the Companys outstanding commodity derivatives as of March
31, 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGM Recycling: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed Forwards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Platinum |
|
|
Palladium |
|
|
Rhodium |
|
Settlement Period |
|
Ounces |
|
|
Avg. Price |
|
|
Ounces |
|
|
Avg. Price |
|
|
Ounces |
|
|
Avg. Price |
|
Second Quarter 2011 |
|
|
24,895 |
|
|
$ |
1,788 |
|
|
|
26,642 |
|
|
$ |
788 |
|
|
|
4,308 |
|
|
$ |
2,396 |
|
Third Quarter 2011 |
|
|
1,623 |
|
|
$ |
1,740 |
|
|
|
672 |
|
|
$ |
740 |
|
|
|
1,105 |
|
|
$ |
2,363 |
|
NOTE 4
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Stock Plans
The Company sponsors stock option plans (the Plans) that enabled the Company to grant
stock options or nonvested shares to employees and non-employee directors. Effective March 1,
2011, the Company ceased
offering stock options as incentive compensation to employees and non-employee directors
and in the future expects to issue only cash awards or nonvested shares in lieu of stock
options. The Company continues to have options issued previously that remain outstanding under
three separate plans: the 1994 Incentive Plan, the General Plan and the 2004 Equity Incentive
Plan. The 1994 Incentive Plan and the General Plan have been terminated and while no additional
options may be issued under these two terminated plans, options issued prior to plan termination
remain outstanding. Authorized shares of common stock have been reserved for options that were
8
issued prior to the expiration of the 1994 Incentive Plan and the General Plan. At inception of
the plans, approximately 7.8 million shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under
the Plans, including approximately 5.2 million, 1.4 million and 1.2 million shares were
authorized for the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan, the General Plan and the 1994 Incentive Plan,
respectively. Approximately 1.1 million shares were available and reserved for grant under the
2004 Equity Incentive Plan as of March 31, 2011.
The Compensation Committee of the Companys Board of Directors administers the Plans and
determines the exercise period, vesting period and all other terms of instruments issued under
the Plans. Employees options and nonvested shares vest in equal annual installments over a
three- year period after date of grant. Officers and directors options expire ten years after
the date of grant. All other employee options expire five to ten years after the date of grant,
depending upon the original grant date. The Company received $0.7 million and $0.3 million in
cash from the exercise of stock options in the three- month periods ended March 31, 2011 and
2010, respectively.
The Company recognizes compensation expense associated with its stock option grants based
on their fair market value on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The
Company recognizes stock option expense ratably over the vesting period of the options. If
options are canceled or forfeited prior to vesting, the Company stops recognizing the related
expense effective with the date of forfeiture. The compensation expense, recorded in General
and administrative in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income,
related to the fair value of stock options during the three- month periods ended March 31, 2011
and 2010, was $70,000 and $38,000, respectively. Total compensation expense not yet recognized
related to nonvested stock options is $164,000, $97,000 and $33,000 for the remaining nine
months of 2011 and for years 2012 and 2013, respectively.
Nonvested Shares
The following table summarizes the status of and changes in the Companys nonvested shares
during the first three months of 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grant-Date Fair |
|
|
|
Nonvested Shares |
|
|
Value |
|
Nonvested shares at January 1, 2011 |
|
|
1,563,886 |
|
|
$ |
9.37 |
|
Granted |
|
|
310,681 |
|
|
|
23.02 |
|
Vested |
|
|
(412,211 |
) |
|
|
14.86 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
(714 |
) |
|
|
16.57 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested shares at March 31, 2011 |
|
|
1,461,642 |
|
|
$ |
10.72 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compensation expense related to grants of nonvested shares was $1.5 million and
$1.6 million in the three- month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is
included within General and administrative in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income.
The following table presents the compensation expense (in millions) of
the nonvested shares outstanding at March 31, 2011 to be recognized over the remaining vesting
periods:
|
|
|
|
|
Second quarter 2011 |
|
$ |
1.4 |
|
Third quarter 2011 |
|
|
1.4 |
|
Fourth quarter 2011 |
|
|
1.4 |
|
2012 |
|
|
4.8 |
|
2013 |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
12.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
9
NOTE 5
INCOME TAXES
The Company determines income taxes using the asset and liability approach which results in
the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences
of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of those 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. The effect on deferred
tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that
includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded on a
jurisdictional basis.
At March 31, 2011, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs), which expire at
various times in years 2011 through 2030. The Company has reviewed its net deferred tax assets
and has provided a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of net deferred tax
assets which management considers, more likely than not, will not be realized. As of March 31,
2011, the Company has accrued $4.1 million for its estimated alternative minimum tax (AMT)
obligations associated with earnings for the three- month period ended March 31, 2011. The
Company has AMT net operating loss carry-forwards, and anticipates that up to approximately
$80.5 million of 2011 AMT income will be subject to offset by available AMT NOLs. No income tax
provision was recognized for the comparable period ended March 31, 2010. Changes in the
Companys net deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset by a corresponding change in
the valuation allowance.
The Companys policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in
Income tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
There were no interest or penalties for the three- month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
Tax years still open for examination by the taxing authorities are the years ending December 31,
2010, 2009, and 2008.
NOTE 6
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Comprehensive loss consists of earnings items and other gains and losses affecting
stockholders equity that are excluded from current net income. As of March 31, 2011 and 2010,
such items consisted of unrealized losses on available-for-sale marketable securities.
The following summary sets forth the changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss in
stockholders equity for the first three months of 2011 and 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Accumulated Other |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 |
|
Comprehensive Loss |
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
(852 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in value |
|
|
(190 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(190 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 2011 |
|
$ |
(1,042 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Accumulated Other |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 |
|
Comprehensive Loss |
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2009 |
|
$ |
(90 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in value |
|
|
(194 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(194 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at March 31, 2010 |
|
$ |
(284 |
) |
|
|
|
|
NOTE 7
DEBT
|
|
On March 12, 2008, the Company issued and sold $181.5 million aggregate principal amount of
senior convertible debentures due March 15, 2028 (debentures). The debentures pay interest at
1.875% per annum, |
10
payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, and commenced
on September 15, 2008. The debentures will mature on March 15, 2028, subject to earlier
repurchase or conversion. Each $1,000 principal amount of debentures is initially convertible,
at the option of the holders, into approximately 42.5351 shares of the Companys common stock,
at any time prior to the maturity date. The conversion rate is subject to certain adjustments,
but will not be adjusted for accrued interest or any unpaid interest. The conversion rate
initially represents a conversion price of $23.51 per share. Holders of the debentures may
require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of their debentures on March 15, 2013, March
15, 2018 and March 15, 2023, or at any time before March 15, 2028 upon the occurrence of certain
events including a change in control. The Company may redeem the debentures for cash beginning
on or after March 22, 2013.
In October 2009, the Company undertook the exchange of $15.0 million face amount of the
convertible debentures for 1.84 million shares of the Companys common stock. The debentures so
acquired were retired. There is $166.5 million face value of the debentures outstanding as of
March 31, 2011.
Amortization expense related to the issuance costs of the debentures was approximately $0.2
million and $0.3 million for the three- month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010,
respectively, and the interest expense on the debentures was approximately $0.8 million in each
of the three- month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The Company made cash payments of
$1.6 million for interest on the debentures during each of the three- month periods ended March
31, 2011 and 2010.
The Company also has outstanding a $30.0 million offering of 8.0% Exempt Facility Revenue
Bonds, Series 2000, issued through the State of Montana Board of Investments and due July 1,
2020. The balance outstanding at March 31, 2011, was $29.5 million, which is net of unamortized
discount of $0.5 million.
NOTE 8
SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates three reportable business segments: Mine Production, PGM Recycling and
Canadian Properties. These segments are managed separately based on fundamental differences in
their operations.
The Mine Production segment consists of two business components: the Stillwater Mine and
the East Boulder Mine. The Mine Production segment is engaged in the development, extraction,
processing and refining of PGMs. The Company sells PGMs from mine production under long-term
sales agreements, through derivative financial instruments and in open PGM markets. The
financial results of the Stillwater Mine and the East Boulder Mine have been aggregated, as both
have similar products, processes, customers, distribution methods and economic characteristics.
The PGM Recycling segment is engaged in the recycling of spent catalyst material to recover
the PGMs contained in the material. The Company allocates costs of the smelter and base metal
refinery to both the Mine Production segment and to the PGM Recycling segment for internal and
segment reporting purposes because the Companys smelting and refining facilities support the
PGM extraction of both business segments.
The Canadian Properties segment consists of the Marathon PGM assets (the majority of which
is mineral property) purchased in late 2010 and the Bermuda exploration mineral property
purchased in February 2011. The principal Marathon property acquired is a large PGM and copper
deposit located near the town of Marathon, Ontario, Canada. The Marathon deposit is currently
in the permitting stage and will not be in production for several years. The Bermuda
exploration mineral property is located adjacent to the Marathon property. Financial
information available for this segment of the Company as of March 31, 2011, consists of total
asset values, general and administrative costs, exploration costs and capital expenditures as
the properties are developed.
The All Other group primarily consists of assets, revenues, and expenses of various
corporate and support functions.
11
The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on income or loss before income
taxes. The following financial information relates to the Companys business segments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Mine |
|
|
PGM |
|
|
Canadian |
|
|
All |
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 |
|
Production |
|
|
Recycling |
|
|
Properties |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Total |
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
121,980 |
|
|
$ |
48,081 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
170,061 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
$ |
15,801 |
|
|
$ |
262 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
16,063 |
|
Interest income |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
375 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
407 |
|
|
$ |
782 |
|
Interest expense |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,635 |
|
|
$ |
1,635 |
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
$ |
45,948 |
|
|
$ |
2,890 |
|
|
$ |
(274 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,288 |
) |
|
$ |
40,276 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
15,255 |
|
|
$ |
25 |
|
|
$ |
7,840 |
|
|
$ |
65 |
|
|
$ |
23,185 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
397,711 |
|
|
$ |
80,158 |
|
|
$ |
190,245 |
|
|
$ |
306,432 |
|
|
$ |
974,546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Mine |
|
|
PGM |
|
|
Canadian |
|
|
All |
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 |
|
Production |
|
|
Recycling |
|
|
Properties |
|
|
Other |
|
|
Total |
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
95,199 |
|
|
$ |
33,650 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4,622 |
|
|
$ |
133,471 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
$ |
18,457 |
|
|
$ |
44 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
18,501 |
|
Interest income |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
113 |
|
|
$ |
401 |
|
Interest expense |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,633 |
|
|
$ |
1,633 |
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
$ |
19,096 |
|
|
$ |
2,899 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(8,403 |
) |
|
$ |
13,592 |
|
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
9,405 |
|
|
$ |
1,259 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
63 |
|
|
$ |
10,727 |
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
399,760 |
|
|
$ |
39,896 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
308,771 |
|
|
$ |
748,427 |
|
NOTE 9
INVENTORIES
For purposes of inventory accounting, the market value of inventory is generally deemed
equal to the Companys current cost of replacing the inventory, provided that: (1) the market
value of the inventory may not exceed the estimated selling price of such inventory in the
ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion and disposal, and
(2) the market value may not be less than net realizable value reduced by an allowance for a
normal profit margin. No adjustments were made to the inventory value in the first quarter of
2011.
The costs of mined PGM inventories as of any date are determined based on combined
production costs per ounce and include all inventoriable production costs, including direct
labor, direct materials, depreciation and amortization and other overhead costs relating to
mining and processing activities incurred as of such date.
The costs of recycled PGM inventories as of any date are determined based on the
acquisition cost of the recycled material and include all inventoriable processing costs,
including direct labor, direct materials and third party refining costs which relate to the
processing activities incurred as of such date.
Inventories reflected in the accompanying balance sheets consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
(in thousands) |
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
Metals inventory |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Raw ore |
|
$ |
2,952 |
|
|
$ |
943 |
|
Concentrate and in-process |
|
|
59,253 |
|
|
|
40,818 |
|
Finished goods |
|
|
60,651 |
|
|
|
42,236 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
122,856 |
|
|
|
83,997 |
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
18,697 |
|
|
|
17,809 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total inventory |
|
$ |
141,553 |
|
|
$ |
101,806 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
NOTE 10
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings available to common
stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if the Companys
dilutive outstanding stock options or nonvested shares were exercised or vested and the
Companys convertible debt was converted. Reported net income was adjusted for the interest
expense (including amortization expense of deferred debt fees) and the related income tax effect
for the convertible debentures for the three- month period ending March 31, 2011. No adjustment
was made to reported net income in the computation of basic earnings per share or diluted
earnings per share for the three- month period ended March 31, 2010. The Company currently has
only one class of equity shares outstanding.
A total of 114,946 and 45,491 stock option weighted shares of common stock were included in
the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three- month periods ended March 31, 2011
and 2010, respectively. Outstanding options to purchase 60,067 and 520,848 of weighted shares
of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three-
month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, because the market price at the end
of each period was lower than the exercise price, and therefore the effect would have been
antidilutive.
The effect of including outstanding nonvested shares was to increase diluted weighted
average shares outstanding by 1,049,428 shares for the three- month period ended March 31, 2011.
A total of 1,030,105 outstanding nonvested shares were included in the computation of diluted
earnings per share for the three- month period ended March 31, 2010.
All 7.1 million shares of common stock applicable to the outstanding convertible debentures
were included in the computation of diluted weighted average shares in the three- month period
ended March 31, 2011. All shares of common stock applicable to the outstanding convertible
debentures were excluded from the computation of diluted weighted average shares in the three-
month period ended March 31, 2010, because the net effect of assuming all the debentures were
converted would have been antidilutive.
A reconciliation showing the computation of basic and diluted shares and the related impact
on income for the three- month period ended March 31, 2011, is shown in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
(in thousands, except per share amounts) |
|
March 31, 2011 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income |
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Per Share |
|
|
|
(Numerator) |
|
|
(Denominator) |
|
|
Amount |
|
Income |
|
$ |
36,192 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic EPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income available to |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
common stockholders |
|
|
36,192 |
|
|
|
102,334 |
|
|
$ |
0.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of Dilutive Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
|
|
Nonvested shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,049 |
|
|
|
|
|
1.875% Convertible debentures |
|
|
994 |
|
|
|
7,082 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted EPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income available to common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
stockholders + assumed conversions |
|
$ |
37,186 |
|
|
|
110,580 |
|
|
$ |
0.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
NOTE 11
REGULATIONS AND COMPLIANCE
At March 31, 2011, the Company believes all underground operations are in compliance with
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) limits on diesel particulate matter (DPM) exposure
for underground miners through the use of blended bio-diesel fuels, post exhaust treatments,
power train advances and high secondary ventilation standards. No assurance can be given that
any lack of compliance will not impact the Company in the future.
Nitrogen concentrates in groundwater have been elevated above background levels at both the
Stillwater Mine and the East Boulder Mine as a result of operational activities and discharges
currently authorized under permit. Noncompliance with standards has occurred in some instances
and is being addressed by the Company through action plans approved by the appropriate federal
and state regulatory agencies. Additionally, an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) has been
approved in response to exceedances at the East Boulder Mine which modifies enforcement limits
and provides for Agency approval of remedial actions under the compliance plan. In view of its
efforts to comply and progress to date in implementing remedial and advanced treatment
technologies, the Company does not believe that failure to be in strict compliance will have a
material adverse effect on the Companys financial position, results of operations, cash flows
or its ability to operate permitted facilities.
NOTE 12
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants and
also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of
observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The
fair value hierarchy distinguishes three levels of inputs that may be utilized when measuring
fair value: Level 1 inputs (using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities), Level 2 inputs (using external inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted
prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for
the asset or liability) and Level 3 inputs (unobservable inputs supported by little or no market
activity based on internal assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities). The
classification of each financial asset or liability within the above hierarchy is determined
based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31,
2011 and December 31, 2010, consisted of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Fair Value Measurements |
|
At March 31, 2011 |
|
Total |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
Mutual funds |
|
$ |
1,196 |
|
|
$ |
1,196 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Investments |
|
$ |
175,531 |
|
|
$ |
175,531 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Fair Value Measurements |
|
At December 31, 2010 |
|
Total |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
Mutual funds |
|
$ |
1,092 |
|
|
$ |
1,092 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Investments |
|
$ |
188,988 |
|
|
$ |
188,988 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
The fair value of mutual funds and investments is based on market prices which are readily
available. Unrealized gains or losses on mutual funds and investments are recorded in
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at March
31, 2011, and December 31, 2010, consisted of the following:
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Fair Value Measurements |
|
At March 31, 2011 |
|
Total |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
Convertible debentures |
|
$ |
196,054 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
196,054 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Exempt facility revenue
bonds |
|
$ |
28,177 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
28,177 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Fair Value Measurements |
|
At December 31, 2010 |
|
Total |
|
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
Convertible debentures |
|
$ |
193,973 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
193,973 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Exempt facility revenue
bonds |
|
$ |
26,903 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
26,903 |
|
The Company used implicit interest rates of comparable unsecured obligations to calculate
the fair value of the Companys $30 million 8% Series 2000 exempt facility industrial revenue
bonds at March 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010. The Company used its current trading data to
determine the fair value of the Companys $166.5 million 1.875% convertible debentures at March
31, 2011, and December 31, 2010.
ITEM 2
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The commentary that follows should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements included in this quarterly report and with the information provided in the Companys
2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
Stillwater Mining Company (the Company) is a Delaware corporation, headquartered in
Billings, Montana and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWC. The Company
mines, processes, refines and markets palladium and platinum ores from two underground mines
situated within the J-M Reef, an extensive trend of PGM mineralization located in Stillwater and
Sweet Grass Counties in south central Montana. Ore produced from each of the mines is crushed
and concentrated in a mill at each mine site. The resulting concentrates are then trucked to
the Companys smelting and refining complex in Columbus, Montana which processes the mine
concentrates and also recycles spent catalyst materials received from third parties. A portion
of the recycling material is purchased for the Companys own account and the balance is toll
processed on behalf of others. The
finished product of the refinery is a PGM-rich filter cake which is shipped to third parties for
final refining into finished metal.
For the first quarter of 2011, the Company reported net income of $36.2 million, or $0.34
per fully diluted share, an increase from the $13.4 million, or $0.14 per share, reported in the
first quarter 2010. The Company experienced significantly stronger realized prices in the 2011
first quarter compared to the same period last year. The firmer prices more than offset lower
sales volumes in this years first quarter, as mined palladium and platinum sold declined to
115,100 ounces from 135,100 ounces in the first quarter of 2010. The lower sales were the result
of the timing of metal outturns. The average realized price on sales of mined palladium and
platinum was $994 per ounce in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $644 per ounce realized in
the first quarter of 2010 and the $844 per ounce realized in the fourth quarter of 2010. The
Companys combined average realized price for each metal differs from equivalent average market
prices as the result of various contractual provisions, including small contractual discounts
and selling prices based on monthly averages which generally lag the market price by one month.
In addition, the Companys average realized price for mined metals differs from recycled metals
due to contractual provisions and timing differences.
Mine production of palladium and platinum totaled 131,200 ounces in the 2011 first quarter,
a 1.7% improvement over the 129,000 ounces produced in the first quarter of 2010 and an 8.3%
increase from the 121,100 total ounces produced during the fourth quarter of 2010. The
increased production in the first quarter was primarily due to improved overall ore production
in both mines and higher average ore grades in the Stillwater Mine.
15
Revenues from PGM recycling for the first quarter 2011 were $48.1 million,
an increase of 42.7% over the $33.7 million reported for the first quarter of 2010. The
increase in PGM recycling revenues is a result of higher prices realized for PGM sales, up
24.8%, and greater ounces sold in the first quarter of 2011. Recycled PGM ounces sold (which
include palladium, platinum and rhodium) increased by 19.4% to 42,800 ounces in the 2011 first
quarter, from 36,000 ounces for the first quarter of 2010. In addition, during the first
quarter of 2011, the Company processed and returned 59,900 ounces of material tolled for third
parties, compared to 56,100 ounces tolled and returned in the first quarter of 2010. The
Companys combined average realization on recycling sales was $1,122 per ounce in the first
quarter of 2011, up from $899 per ounces realized in the first quarter of last year. Total
recycled ounces processed, including materials processed on a toll basis, decreased slightly to
115,600 ounces in the first quarter of 2011 from 119,300 ounces in the first quarter of 2010.
Total consolidated cash costs per ounce of mined palladium and platinum produced, a non-GAAP
measure of extraction efficiency, in the first quarter of 2011 rose by 20.1% and 1.2% to $437 per
ounce, compared to $364 per ounce in the first quarter of 2010 and $432 per ounce in the fourth
quarter of 2010, respectively. Compared to the first quarter of 2010, virtually all categories
of operating costs saw increases year-on-year, but the strongest cost growth centered in
royalties and taxes, which increase with revenues, and in the maintenance area, reflecting both
higher component prices and increased attention to our mining equipment.
The Companys total available liquidity, expressed as cash plus short-term investments,
strengthened during the quarter and at March 31, 2011, was $218.9 million, up from $208.4 million
at December 31, 2010. Net working capital (including cash and investments) also increased over
the quarter to $335.8 million at March 31, 2011 from $291.2 million at year end 2010. During the
first quarter 2011, working capital uses increased $32.2 million as the recycling business grew.
Of the Companys almost 1,400 employees, approximately 835 employees are located at the
Stillwater Mine and approximately 131 employees at the Columbus processing facilities are covered
by a collective bargaining agreement with the USW Local 11-0001, which expires July 1, 2011.
About 225 employees at the East Boulder Mine are covered by a separate collective bargaining
agreement which is scheduled to expire on July 1, 2012. The Company is engaged in discussions
with union leaders to address issues in the agreements. There is no assurance that the Company
can achieve a timely or satisfactory renewal of either of these agreements as they expire.
Strikes and work stoppages have occurred in the past in connection with the expiration of such
agreements. A strike or other work stoppage by the Companys represented employees would likely
result in a significant disruption of the Companys operations and could lead to higher ongoing
labor costs, either of which could adversely affect the Companys targeted production and costs
for 2011.
Mining Operations
As previously disclosed, the Companys operating objectives for the full year of 2011
include targeted mine production of 500,000 combined ounces of palladium and platinum at a total
consolidated cash cost per ounce of about $430, and capital expenditures of about $120.0 million.
Based on historical performance, management believes current mining operations function most
efficiently with targeted mine production in the range of 500,000 palladium and platinum ounces
per year. Total mine production of PGMs during the first quarter of 2011 was 131,200 ounces.
The first quarter production results suggest mine output is ahead of the targeted production of
500,000 PGM ounces. However, some of the output in the first quarter particularly at the
Stillwater Mine may not be as sustainable in the second or third quarter, so the Company is
maintaining its production guidance of 500,000 ounces for 2011 at this time.
Total cash costs per mined ounce (a non-GAAP measure) averaged $437 per ounce in the first
quarter of 2011 compared to total cash costs of $432 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The Companys full-year 2011 guidance for total cash cost per ounce is about $430, up from the
$397 averaged in 2010. The increase in 2011 reflects a rising cost trend during 2010 fourth
quarter 2010 total cash costs were $432 per ounce plus an expectation of continuing general
inflation for wages and materials, staffing growth, and the effect of higher average sales
realizations on royalties and taxes during 2011, all partially offset by the slightly higher mine
production expected in 2011. The $437 per ounce reported for the 2011 first quarter is a little
higher than guidance, in part because of higher royalties and taxes than planned with PGM prices
stronger than originally projected and also the result of timing differences in by-product and
recycling credits. At this point, the Company is maintaining its total cash cost guidance of
$430 per mined ounce for the full year 2011.
Capital spending is planned to increase from $50.3 million in 2010 to about $120.0 million
in 2011. Capital
16
expenditures during the first quarter of 2011 totaled $23.2 million, and are expected to increase
steadily as the year progresses. The higher 2011 spending target is primarily attributable to
equipment replacement and expanded development efforts in the Montana mines, plus approximately
$10.0 million of spending for the Marathon project, $10.0 million for new resource developments
within the J-M Reef, and $8.0 million for a new slag cleaning circuit in the Columbus processing
facilities.
During the fourth quarter of 2010, the company announced two new resource development
projects along the Stillwater Complex in Montana: the Blitz project, immediately to the east of
the Companys Stillwater Mine, and the Graham Creek project, immediately to the west of the
Companys East Boulder Mine. Depending on the ultimate quality of the resource in these areas,
these projects have the potential to extend the life of the existing mines and may allow the
Company to increase annual mine production. In addition, these projects provide the opportunity
to expand the Companys understanding of undeveloped areas along the J-M Reef. The Company
continues to make progress in the assessment phase of these development projects.
The Blitz project anticipates developing two 20,000-foot parallel drifts east from the
existing infrastructure of the Stillwater Mine. We have implemented changes to our approach on
the Blitz project, increasing its cost and broadening its scope. These changes will shorten
project development time from 5 years to an estimated 3.5 years while at the same time
accelerating the required development and providing the necessary infrastructure to begin
production. Although the Blitz project will share some facilities with the Stillwater Mine, it
will be operated independently of the Stillwater operation. The cost is now authorized to be
$180.0 million over about six years, compared with the previous spending projection of $68.0
million. This provides an avenue for future extension or expansion of Stillwater production.
Although this increase in total cost for the Blitz project is substantial, the effect on 2011
capital expenditures will be negligible, and we are not revising our earlier guidance of $120.0
million for 2011 capital spending at this time.
The Graham Creek project will utilize an existing tunnel boring machine at the East Boulder
Mine to extend the existing drift about 8,200 feet to the west from the current western extremity
of the mine. The project, with its more limited scope, is expected to take about five years to
complete at a cost of approximately $8.0 million. The plan would require installing a new
ventilation raise at the end of the drift and constructing additional infrastructure once the
development phase is completed.
First quarter 2011 palladium and platinum production at the Stillwater Mine totaled 98,600
ounces, an improvement of 2.4% over the 96,300 ounces in the first quarter of 2010 and an
increase of 13.9% over the 86,600 ounces produced in the fourth quarter of 2010. The increased
production in the first quarter was driven by a combination of more tons mined, improved ore
grades in the lower off shaft and resuming production from the east side of the mine that was
idled in 2008.
Stillwater Mines total cash costs of $430 per ounce for the first quarter of 2011 were
higher than the $339 per ounce for the first quarter of 2010. Staffing levels at the Stillwater
Mine were increased by about 12.5% between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of
2011, and total costs have increased significantly and proportionately. Taxes and royalties also
have increased substantially, reflecting higher PGM values. Cash costs per ore ton mined at the
Stillwater Mine were $201 for the first quarter, higher than the $167 per ton reported for the
first quarter of 2010 but essentially on plan, in part reflecting the higher costs of mining on
the east side. Capital expenditures at the Stillwater Mine were $10.3 million for the first
quarter of 2011, less than planned and somewhat more than the $7.7 million spent during the first
quarter of 2010. Primary and secondary development for first quarter 2011 at the Stillwater Mine
were about 32% behind plan with primary development advancing about 5,400 feet, and secondary
development advancing about 4,500 feet. Diamond drilling footages for the first quarter at the
Stillwater Mine total about 76,300 feet, about 10% less than planned. For the most part, the
shortfall in development and drilling footages is the result of resources being allocated to
mining. The mine would expect to make up most of these development shortfalls by year end.
Mining production at the East Boulder Mine was on plan for the first quarter of 2011, with
combined palladium and platinum production of 32,600 ounces. Total cash costs of $459 per mined
ounce were also on plan for the quarter. During the first quarter of 2010 the East Boulder Mine
produced 32,700 ounces of palladium and platinum at a total cash cost of $439 per ounce. Again,
the increased cash costs were directionally in line with a manpower increase of 9.8%, plus the
effect on royalty and tax expense of higher PGM prices. Capital expenditures at the mine were
$4.5 million in the first quarter of 2011 compared to $1.7 million in the first quarter of 2010.
Actual primary development at the East Boulder Mine advanced about 4,400 feet during the 2011
first quarter, and secondary
17
development advanced 1,200 feet during the quarter. In total, development footage at the East
Boulder Mine is slightly ahead of plan, in part because the tunnel boring machine is operating.
Diamond drilling footage totaled about 1,200 feet for the first quarter, behind plan, but is
expected to catch up to plan during the remainder of the year.
Managements assessment of mining conditions for 2011 suggest that future ore grades in the
lower off-shaft area of the Stillwater Mine are likely to remain more variable on average than in
the past, reflecting the trend toward smaller stopes in that area than experienced in the past.
In planning for 2011, the Company has taken these lower grades into account and to offset this
has resumed a planned production on the east side of the mine. In the past the east side has
enjoyed higher ore grades but also encountered more difficult mining conditions and higher costs.
These higher-cost stopes are economic at current PGM prices.
PGM Recycling
The Company also recycles spent catalyst material, commingled with its mine concentrates,
through its smelting and refining facilities in Columbus, Montana, ultimately recovering the
palladium, platinum and rhodium from these materials. For the first quarter of 2011, the Company
earned $2.9 million from recycling operations on revenues of $48.1 million, reflecting a combined
average realization of $1,122 per sold ounce. For the first quarter of 2010, the Company also
reported net income from recycling operations of $2.9 million, on revenues of $33.7 million and a
combined average realization of $899 per sold ounce. Total tons of recycling material processed
during the first quarter of 2011, including tolled material, averaged 18.3 tons per day, compared
to 18.4 tons per day in the first quarter of 2010. Higher PGM prices continue to create a strong
incentive for suppliers to collect recycling material. During first quarter 2011, the Company
entered into sourcing arrangements for catalyst material with several new suppliers. As noted
previously, total ounces recycled in the first quarter of 2011, including toll ounces processed,
were 115,600 ounces compared to 119,300 ounces in the first quarter of 2010.
The Company enjoys certain competitive advantages in the recycling business. The smelting
and refining complex in Columbus, Montana already processes mined PGM concentrates, which contain
not only PGMs, but also significant quantities of nickel and copper as by-products.
Consequently, the Company is able to recycle catalyst material within its system at an
incremental cost lower than other processors and the nickel and copper in the mine concentrates
act metallurgically as natural collectors of the PGMs, significantly improving PGM recoveries.
Moreover, the Company also believes the physical location of its processing facilities provides a
logistical advantage over smelters in Europe and South Africa. And as described below, the
Company has recently added technological innovations that will contribute further benefit.
The Company has taken steps to reposition itself in the recycling business. In May 2009,
the Company commissioned a new electric furnace in the Columbus smelter, increasing throughput
capacity and creating backup furnace capacity in the event of planned or unforeseen outages.
During the third quarter 2010, the Company commissioned a dedicated catalyst processing and
sampling plant that allows for the segregation and handling of multiple batches of recycling
material simultaneously. During the first quarter of 2011, the Company commissioned a
state-of-the-art assay laboratory constructed and equipped in 2010 which utilizes an automated
x-ray facility that provides accurate results with faster turnaround times than conventional fire
assay methods. New laboratory software will support this automated x-ray system, as well as
other laboratory processes.
In sourcing recycled automotive catalysts, in general the Company only advances funds to its
suppliers when the associated material for recycling is awaiting transit or is already in transit
to the Columbus processing facilities. The new recycling sampling and assay facilities will
allow the Company to accelerate final settlements with suppliers, thereby reducing the amount of
working capital they require. Outstanding procurement advances that were not backed up by
inventory physically in the Companys possession at March 31, 2011 and 2010, totaled $7.0 million
and $3.9 million, respectively.
Marathon PGM-Copper Project
The Company completed the acquisition of the PGM assets of Marathon PGM Corporation during
the fourth quarter of 2010. The principal asset acquired is the Marathon PGM-Copper development
project near the town of Marathon, Ontario on the north shore of Lake Superior. The cash and
stock transaction was valued on the Companys books at $173.4 million upon closing. The project
will require several more years to complete permitting and mine construction; and the Company
believes the mine could be in production by 2014 or 2015, although there can be no assurance at
this point that that time frame will be met. Based on a completed definitive
18
feasibility study, the Marathon deposit contains the potential for PGM production of 200,000
ounces per year (at a ratio of about 4 to 1 palladium to platinum) and annual copper production
of approximately 37.0 million pounds per year. Mine life, based on the feasibility study
reserves, is anticipated to be approximately 11.5 years. It is estimated that costs to construct
the mine will be about $450.0 million; this estimate will be refined once a detailed engineering
study of the project is completed. The Company expects to finance the Marathon project through
internally generated funds, supplemented by external financing if market conditions so warrant.
The Company has assembled a management team headed by Stan Emms, a mining industry veteran, to
direct the Marathon PGM-Copper project. A separate exploration team also has been established to
conduct a drilling and evaluation program on the Companys various Canadian properties.
The Marathon transaction fits well into the Companys long-term strategy to diversify its
mining activities. The size of this transaction is manageable financially, and the location is
politically stable and logistically accessible. The Marathon area is well developed with
extensive public infrastructure already established, and there is other active mining in the
general vicinity of the project. The new mine is projected to create a significant number of
jobs in an area with relatively high unemployment. The Companys focus on environmental
stewardship should serve it well in this region.
On April 15, 2011, Stillwater Canada Inc., the Companys Canadian subsidiary, announced a
voluntary agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Environment to have the Marathon PGM-Copper
Project be subject to the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act (EAA).
In the Province of Ontario, ancillary activities associated with the development of a mine,
such as establishment of transmission corridors and disposition of Crown lands, are subject to
the provincial EAA, while private mining development projects that trigger the Federal
Environmental Assessment Act are reviewed by the federal government. In October 2010, Canadas
Environment Minister announced his decision to refer assessment of the Marathon PGM-Copper
Project to an independent Federal Review Panel. Following that decision, Stillwater requested
that consideration be given to establishing a joint federal/provincial review panel in order to
better coordinate all assessment activities related to the Marathon project. In moving forward
with this voluntary harmonization agreement, Stillwater is hopeful that the coordinated review
will reduce duplication and permitting delays while improving the overall process from a
consultation and disclosure perspective. This fits in well with Stillwaters corporate culture
of transparency and its proactive approach to environmentally and socially responsible
development.
In preparation for the environmental assessment, Stillwater Canada Inc. and its predecessors
have gathered extensive baseline information dealing with the natural environment and social and
cultural background around the project area. These baseline studies have been underway since
2001 and have been supplemented and updated further since 2007. The baseline program includes
research related to climate and meteorology, air quality, noise, geology, soils, wildlife,
vegetation, groundwater, surface water, fish and fish habitat, socioeconomics, land use, and
cultural and traditional knowledge. Analysis and computer modeling by third-party environmental,
engineering and consulting firms are currently under way to assess the cultural and environmental
effects of all phases of the mines life cycle from construction through operation and closure.
Additionally, the Company is committed to consulting and working with aboriginal groups, local
communities, federal and provincial government representatives and the public at large in order
to move the project forward constructively.
Supply and Demand Commentary for PGM Markets
(The market price for PGMs, and particularly for palladium, dramatically impacts the
Company. As the Company has often acknowledged, it has limited control over these market prices.
However, the Companys view over future prices and the factors affecting price form the basis
for decisions on mining, expansion of opportunities, acquisitions, capital expenditures,
financing, hiring and many other factors. While no assurance can be provided as to the future
direction of prices or whether the Company views will be shown to be correct, the following is
intended to reflect managements current thinking as to the PGM markets.)
The market price of palladium trended down during the first quarter of 2011 from its high in
late 2010, while the price of platinum strengthened somewhat during the same period. After
ending the year 2010 quoted at $797 per ounce by the London Bullion Market Association, the
market price for palladium averaged about $791 per ounce during the 2011 first quarter and closed
the quarter quoted at $766 per ounce. Similarly, after ending 2010 quoted at $1,755 per ounce,
the market price of platinum averaged about $1,793 per ounce in the first quarter of 2011 and
ended the quarter quoted at $1,773 per ounce. Palladium in particular encountered modest
downward
19
pricing pressure toward the end of the first quarter in response to uncertainty surrounding the
effect of rising oil prices and impact of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami damage on
automobile production.
Overall, it appears that worldwide PGM supplies remain constrained despite the relatively
high current prices for these metals. Johnson Matthey has estimated that worldwide supply of
palladium totaled about 9.0 million ounces in 2010, including 6.1 million ounces from primary
production sources, 1.0 million from Russian government inventory liquidations and 1.9 million
ounces from recycling. They likewise estimated 2010 platinum production at 7.85 million ounces,
including 1.8 million ounces from recycling. Primary mine production in 2010 for both metals was
at about 6.1 million ounces each. Primary producers have not been able to increase PGM
production appreciably since production peaked in 2006, despite the significant increase in
metals prices. South African producers are struggling with a number of challenges, including
shortages of power, water, skilled labor, political headwinds, safety issues, and an appreciating
currency that largely offsets the benefit of PGM price increases in U.S. dollar terms. New PGM
investments in South Africa typically will be billion-dollar projects that take five years or so
to complete and face all of the uncertainties noted above. Production in Zimbabwe faces similar
issues, coupled with the recent announcement that the government intends shortly to mandate the
divestiture of majority interests in the existing producers there. Palladium production in the
Russian Federation is primarily the output of Norilsk Nickel, which produces all its palladium
and platinum as by-products of nickel output. New production in North America, which is modest
at best, is still several years from coming on-line. Any anticipated new PGM production in the
world appears to be barely sufficient to offset the ongoing depletion of existing mines.
Secondary production of PGMs is largely the result of recycling operations. Industry
participants and analysts have estimated that PGM recycling of automotive catalysts the
largest secondary source is currently at about 50% of its potential. If PGM prices remain
relatively strong, one commentator has projected that within four or five years this could
increase to 70% of the total recycling opportunity as recycling becomes more established in less
developed parts of the world. Coupling this higher penetration of PGM recycling with increasing
PGM loadings in recycled catalytic converters, it appears that automotive PGM recycling could
increase from about 2.4 million ounces of palladium and platinum per year in 2010 (per a recent
Johnson Matthey estimate) to about 4.3 million ounces per year in 2015. Johnson Matthey also
estimates that another 1.3 million ounces were recycled in 2010 from jewelry and electrical
scrap. So it appears that increases in recycling volumes could assist in meeting future demand
growth for PGMs.
The other potentially significant source of PGM supply is existing inventories. Over the
past 20 years or so, a very substantial share of worldwide palladium demand has been met out of
Russian government inventories accumulated from Norilsk Nickel production during the Soviet era.
It appears that during the 20-year period from 1990 through 2009, approximately 30 million ounces
of palladium in total were exported out of these old Soviet inventories about 1.5 million
ounces per year on average. For the decade from 2001 through 2010, Johnson Matthey estimates
imply that these Russian inventory exports made the difference between deficit and surplus in the
palladium market in nine of the ten years. Although the Russian government does not comment on
the status of these inventories, remarks from Russian commentators and other sources have
suggested these Russian government palladium inventories may now be approaching depletion.
Besides the Russian government inventories, there also are substantial inventories of PGMs
held in Zurich and in London. Some of these represent physical metal backing up exchange-traded
funds, or ETFs, while other inventories presumably represent holdings by individuals or
institutions. Most of these inventories are considered to be in stable hands and do not trade
very much. However, the first quarter of 2011 reportedly did see some liquidation of ETF
holdings of PGMs, particularly by U.S. investors, as prices declined.
Turning to the demand side, the largest single use for palladium and platinum is in
catalytic converters. Johnson Matthey has estimated that in 2010, 5.15 million ounces of
palladium (57.6% of total palladium consumed) and 3.0 million ounces of platinum (39.5% of total
platinum consumed) were used in manufacturing catalytic converters. The 2010 platinum percentage
remained lower than in the past, mostly reflecting the still-depressed market for diesel vehicles
in Europe in 2010.
In an effort to assess the effect of the recent disaster in Japan, Mitsui has provided an
early analysis of light vehicle production activity during the first quarter of 2011. In view of
the important role of auto production in the PGM markets, the Company follows such reports
closely. Mitsui reported that world light-duty vehicle production was lower in the 2011 first
quarter than in the fourth quarter of 2010, but was substantially higher than in the first
quarter of 2010. The most important constraint on worldwide auto production in 2011 appears to
be the effect of
20
earthquake and tsunami damage to the Japanese infrastructure. Because many large manufacturers
have significant back-up inventories of key parts, the eventual effect of selective parts
shortages may be difficult to assess until later in the year.
Mitsui also confirms that China surpassed North America and Europe as the largest vehicle
market during 2010. Chinas first-quarter 2011 vehicle production declined compared to the
fourth quarter 2010, as subsidies ended on purchases of new cars. The Chinese Association of
Automobile Manufacturers has suggested that growth in Chinese light vehicle production will
decline below 10% in 2011. This acknowledges Chinese government efforts to slow the economy by
tightening credit and tempering demand. Also, several key auto manufacturers in China have
indicated that they will have to restrict second-quarter 2011 production as a result of the
events in Japan. However, it is difficult to predict at this point what the effect on full-year
2011 Chinese production will be.
According to Mitsui, auto sales in North America continued to expand during the 2011 first
quarter and were up substantially over the 2010 fourth quarter. Concerns regarding the effect of
higher oil prices on the market have not yet materialized, and much of the market strength
appears to be pent-up demand from purchasers returning to the market as the economy recovers.
Cutbacks in production, due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, were beginning to appear in
early April 2011, but as elsewhere their ultimate effect on 2011 is still hard to assess.
European vehicle sales overall reportedly declined during the first quarter of 2011, as
stronger German demand was offset by tight fiscal conditions in the U.K., Italy and Spain.
European production was stronger, however, based mostly on growing export sales of luxury
vehicles into China. European production also may pick up some of the slack from production
cutbacks elsewhere; as it is much less exposed to Japanese parts supplies than other regions.
Automotive sales growth in the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia and India reportedly was
robust during the first quarter of 2011.
While first-quarter data on other PGM markets is still pending, jewelry demand for both
palladium and platinum had declined somewhat during 2010 as a result of higher metals prices.
Johnson Matthey has estimated total jewelry demand for palladium at about 0.6 million ounces in
2010, and platinum at about 2.4 million ounces. Industry marketing expenditures in support of
palladium jewelry are being stepped up during 2011, with particular emphasis on new high-end
lines in Japan and broadened awareness campaigns in other key markets. The Company expects to
dedicate about $10.0 million to these efforts during 2011.
Other sources of demand for palladium include chemical manufacturing, dental alloys,
electronic components and investment purchases. According to Johnson Matthey, in aggregate these
consumed about 3.2 million ounces of palladium in 2010, up from about 2.9 million ounces in 2009.
Similarly, other demand sources for platinum include medical, chemical and petrochemical
applications, electronic components, glass manufacturing and investment. Johnson Matthey
estimates these other uses consumed about 2.2 million ounces of platinum in 2010, compared to 1.8
million ounces in 2009.
Taking a longer view of the markets for these metals, and particularly the impact of growth
in emerging markets, demand for PGMs appears to be on a rising trend, and it is still unclear
where the supply growth will come from to accommodate these expanding markets. The Companys
strategic focus reflects managements view that as the world economic recovery continues, there
likely will be continued strong demand from Asia for PGMs and raw materials, a recovery in
automotive demand, and associated investor interest in platinum group metals. With respect to
supply, there appears to have been a substantial reduction in palladium exports from the Russian
government stockpiles in 2010 and so far in 2011, although it is not possible to assert this
definitively. Such supply and demand factors apparently have combined to drive the increase in
PGM prices over the past year or so.
However, this market view clearly also encompasses certain risks. PGM trading volumes are
relatively thin and their markets have limited liquidity, particularly in comparison to markets
for other precious metals and the major industrial metals. Consequently, PGM prices historically
have been volatile and difficult to forecast. PGM prices may be affected, favorably or
unfavorably, by numerous factors, including the level of industrial demand, particularly from the
automotive sector; supply factors that include changes in mine production and inventory activity;
and by shifts in investor sentiment. Recent PGM prices are comparatively high by historical
standards, and to some extent these price levels are likely driven by investor sentiment that
could shift away from precious metals if other markets become more attractive. The Company
attempts to manage this market volatility in several ways, including by entering into long-term
supply agreements, in some cases through metal hedging, by investing in the developed state of
the mines, attention to cost controls and monitoring liquidity to
bridge periods when PGM prices
are low.
21
Sales and Customers
Going into 2011, the Company has recently signed a new three-year palladium supply agreement
with General Motors Corporation, a one-year palladium and platinum supply agreement with Ford
Motor Company, a one-year palladium and platinum supply agreement with BASF, and a one-year
platinum supply agreement with Tiffany & Co. All of these agreements are market based, with no
pricing floors or ceilings.
Estimation of Proven and Probable Reserves
Stillwaters proven ore reserve estimates are based on fan drilling along 50-foot centers,
while its probable ore reserve estimates generally are based on 1,000-foot projections from
drill-holes or other J-M Reef samples (unless there is a known geologic boundary, such as fault
or mafic dike that dictates a lesser projection distance). Although the Company believes there
is a geostatistical basis for using the same 1,600-foot projections as are typically used in the
Bushveld Complex of South Africa (the most comparable deposit to the J-M Reef), since 2002 the
Company has elected to use 1,000-foot projections. An independent review conducted on behalf of
the Company in early 2010 (and reproduced in the Companys 2009 Annual Report) commented that, in
its opinion, the Company uses an unconventional method of estimating probable ore reserves by
projecting estimated mineralization outside of a drilling grid rather than the usual approach of
interpolating within a drilling grid but on a more widely spaced pattern than would be used for
determining proven reserves. Responding to that review, the Companys independent ore reserve
consultant, Behre Dolbear, stated in its March 2011 Technical Report on Mining Operations that
this comment ignores the fact that estimates of mineral resources and reserves routinely include
extrapolated areas of mineralization as well as interpolated areas. It also failed to recognize
that the Companys approach is similar to that used for the Bushveld Complex.
The 2010 independent review also noted that at the Stillwater Mine the percentage of
estimated probable reserves to proven reserves has been declining over the past ten years even
though the average conversion between 1997 and 2010 is 88%. Behre Dolbear in its response stated
that the percentage conversion from probable to proven reserves is expected to vary from year to
year, depending on the areas within the J-M Reef in which the footwall laterals are being driven
each year. They also concluded that the year-by-year changes were random in direction.
The conversion rate of probable reserves to proven reserves at the Companys East Boulder
Mine in 2010 was 95% and was developed using the same procedures as described above. However,
the resource at the East Boulder Mine generally tends to be more consistent than in portions of
the Stillwater Mine.
Under the direction of the Ore Reserve Committee of the Companys board of directors, the
Company is following up on this declining conversion issue. During 2010, an independent
statistical review of the issue conducted by a well-recognized geostatistical expert identified a
number of complex interacting factors affecting the estimation of probable reserves at the
Stillwater Mine. Potential modifications will be studied during 2011, and if appropriate they
will be taken into consideration during the 2011 year-end ore reserve estimation process.
Strategic Areas of Emphasis
The Companys management for many years has identified and focused on three broad strategic
areas of emphasis. While specific initiatives have varied as markets have shifted and the
Company has progressed, these fundamental strategic directions continue to provide a basic
framework for managements efforts to strengthen performance. Those elements are included in the
Companys Mission Statement Operate Responsibly, Grow and Develop and Position the Company.
1. Position the Company as a Safe, Low-Cost Operator
The Company maintains that companies with safe operations also tend to be well managed and
efficient in other important areas. The Company measures safety performance using several
criteria, including the frequency and severity of medical reportable incidents and lost-time
accidents in comparison to the Companys own historical performance and relative to other mining
operations in the industry. Safety is also assessed in terms of the number and severity of
citations issued by MSHA inspectors during their regular visits to the mine sites. Both
measures, accident frequency and regulatory compliance, are critical elements of the Companys
safety efforts. Various internal programs support these safety efforts, including annual
refresher training and other training programs, pre-shift employee inspections of each work area,
regular workgroup discussions of current safety issues and incidents,
22
detailed accident investigations to identify core causes, reporting of near misses that had the
potential of resulting in injuries, and more rarely so-called safety stand-downs to
re-emphasize safety principles as necessary. The Company also responds promptly to correct any
safety issues, whether identified internally or by MSHA inspectors, and to eliminate unsafe work
practices.
Safety performance at the Companys mining operations falls under the regulatory
jurisdiction of MSHA. MSHA performs detailed quarterly inspections at each of the Companys mine
sites and separately investigates any occurrences deemed to pose a significant hazard to employee
health and safety. The Company cooperates fully with MSHA in its compliance responsibilities and
maintains its own program of safety training and incident tracking in an effort to ensure that no
employee is put at risk in carrying out his or her job responsibilities and that all unsafe
situations are identified and remediated. The Companys safety incident rate (including
contractors on site), measured in terms of reportable incidents per 200,000 hours worked,
averaged a rate of 2.8 during first quarter of 2011, about even with the 2.7 rate reported for
the first quarter of 2010.
The significance of being a low cost operator is critical to the Companys operations. Ore
grades at the Companys operations are some of the best in the world, and consequently total cash
costs per ounce for the Companys mining operations also rank among the lowest of any primary PGM
producer in the industry. However, because the Companys ore contains about 3.4 times as much
palladium as platinum, and South African ores typically have about twice as much platinum as
palladium, the Companys average revenues per ounce are lower and operating margins may be
tighter than for South African producers. Other significant PGM producers, including Norilsk
Nickel and the Canadian nickel operations, produce PGMs as by-products, assigning them almost
zero cost. Consequently, the Company measures its performance both relative to its own
historical cost performance and relative to historical market prices for its products.
Management is cautiously optimistic that during 2011 a number of the challenges that have
limited the Companys mining flexibility will largely be resolved. The first-phase installation
of the Kiruna electric trucks at Stillwater Mine, providing more efficient ramp haulage from the
deeper portions of the off shaft area, is now operational and should open up more mining
alternatives in that part of the mine. Development through a largely barren zone on the west end
of the lower off-shaft area in the Stillwater Mine also is nearing completion, allowing access
for the first time to the Lower West portion of the mine. The Company expects to experience good
ore continuity in the Lower West, analogous to the Upper West area above it, and initial findings
in the drifts that have driven through have tended to confirm this expectation. Assuming this
resource proves out as expected, the Lower West is likely to be a primary mining area at
Stillwater Mine over the next decade.
Although manpower on site remains adequate to staff current operations, the Company will
need to add manpower to support the additional development in 2011 and for all of these future
operating initiatives. Some staffing increases also will be needed to support the expanded
exploration, marketing and development programs. While it may be a challenge to add all of the
new miners needed, the Company has an active recruiting program and is considering reinstating a
new-miner training program in an effort to meet these increased requirements.
Ore production at the Stillwater Mine averaged 2,345 tons of ore per day during the first
quarter of 2011 and 2,171 tons of ore per day in the first quarter of 2010. The rate of ore
production at the East Boulder Mine averaged 1,216 and 1,136 tons per day during the first
quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively.
During the first quarter of 2011, the Companys mining operations produced a total of
101,100 ounces of palladium and 30,100 ounces of platinum. This compares to 99,100 ounces of
palladium and 29,900 ounces of platinum produced during the first quarter of 2010.
2. Develop and Grow Palladium Markets
A consortium of South African producers has spent significant sums each year for many
decades now marketing platinum. Their efforts have been well rewarded, with platinum positioned
as the premier jewelry metal, projecting an image of elegance and high quality. Platinum also is
a metal of choice in certain industrial applications where its remarkable catalytic properties
are required. Palladium, on the other hand, historically has never enjoyed a comparable level of
marketing support and has remained largely an unknown metal to a large swath of consumers.
However, in 2004 palladium began to appear as an alternative jewelry metal in China after the
price of platinum moved above $800 per ounce in December 2003. Recognizing this as an
opportunity, and identifying the marketing gap, the Company stepped forward beginning in 2004,
initially putting forward a comparatively modest marketing program that focused on providing
technical support to manufacturers and bench jewelers and
23
image advertising at the industry level through the Palladium Alliance International, a entity
organized by the Company to facilitate marketing collaborations. This effort continued on a
modest scale until the economic downturn of late 2008 and 2009, at which time it was cut back
sharply due to economic constraints. However, in 2011 the Company is broadening its marketing
efforts worldwide.
Even through the economic downturn, the Company maintained marketing representatives in
China who continue to provide first-hand insight into palladium activity there and maintain
contact with key palladium consumers. The Company also has sponsored palladium image advertising
in Chinese media. China first led the recent trend toward using palladium in jewelry and remains
the largest market for it. According to Johnson Matthey, worldwide consumption of palladium in
jewelry declined to just over 600,000 ounces in 2010, down from about a million ounces per year
prior to the economic downturn, with most of the consumption drop centered in Asia. Some of this
may be attributable to lower prices for platinum jewelry during the downturn, as the demand for
platinum jewelry increased sharply when prices fell in 2009. Efforts in 2011 will include
promoting a high-end palladium jewelry line in Japan and broadening palladiums recognition as a
prime jewelry medium in key markets worldwide. Palladium jewelry is now recognized in major
jewelry centers, and in January of 2010 the U.K. mandated the hallmarking of all palladium
jewelry, formally recognizing it, along with gold, silver and platinum, as a precious jewelry
metal.
Automotive applications for palladium in catalytic converters are well established for
gasoline engines, but diesel engine catalytic technologies generally have been based on platinum.
In recent years, driven mostly by economics, research efforts in the auto industry have focused
on how to substitute less expensive palladium for platinum in these applications. The Company
has encouraged this research and closely monitored its progress. Reportedly, it is now possible
in the laboratory to replace about 50% of the platinum in a diesel system with palladium on
nearly a one-for-one basis, although the average proportion of palladium actually used in
production vehicles right now is estimated to be closer to 25%. Palladium and platinum also are
important players in emerging fuel cell technologies.
Other industrial applications for palladium include refinery catalysts, electronics,
hydrogen generation and dentistry. Electronic uses that take advantage of palladiums unique
characteristics include multi-layered ceramic capacitors, high-end television screens, and
compact discs. Palladium in thin films has a unique ability to pass hydrogen molecules while
blocking other impurities, allowing relatively inexpensive production of high-purity hydrogen for
chemical processes and fuel cells. Palladium alloys used in dental fillings wear well and have
an expansion coefficient that closely matches that of the teeth themselves, although other
materials tend to be substituted for palladium when its price rises.
3. Grow and Diversify the Company
The Company monitors diversification opportunities in various mineral exploration and
development projects, as well as potential merger or acquisition candidates and other business
ventures. It also seeks appropriate opportunities to diversify its existing mining and
processing operations, and evaluates potential avenues for vertical integration. The focus of
these diversification efforts is both to establish a broader operating base, reducing the
Companys sole reliance on the Stillwater and East Boulder mine properties, and ultimately to
build value for the Companys shareholders.
Recognizing the need to broaden its base, the Company over the past several years has
successfully expanded its recycling operations into a distinct business segment that has become a
meaningful source of income, reducing the Companys captive reliance financially on the
performance of the mines. The recycling business has utilized surplus capacity within the
Companys smelting and refining facilities to generate an additional income stream, requiring
relatively little incremental investment in facilities. As already noted, over the past year or
so the Company has invested in some new dedicated recycling facilities that are intended to
increase the Companys capacity to handle recycled material and sharply reduce turnaround times
for settlement with suppliers.
For several years now the Company has held minority investments in two small exploration
companies that target PGMs and other precious metals. In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company
acquired the PGM assets of Marathon PGM Corporation, including both a large development property
and various exploration holdings. Since then the Company also has acquired additional properties
adjacent to the Marathon project in Ontario. The Company also has formed an exploration group
aimed at evaluating opportunities related to the Marathon holdings and perhaps extending further
afield, as well.
24
The Company follows the progress of various later-stage mineral development projects, along
with possible merger and acquisition candidates, in an effort to diversify the Companys
financial and operating risk and perhaps add scale. While the Companys primary focus is on
properties with potential for PGM production, with particular emphasis on North America, the pool
of opportunities meeting those criteria is limited, and other opportunities outside of PGMs that
have strategic benefits for the Company and are compatible with its existing mining expertise are
not ruled out.
Consequently, the Company also tracks gold, silver, copper and nickel opportunities (and
combinations thereof). Management believes that the acquisition of Marathon PGM Corporation,
which as described previously has both PGMs and copper, will provide an excellent entry into a
development-stage project that will utilize the Companys resources effectively and establish a
strong presence in an attractive North American PGM district.
The Company has instituted a small research and development budget in 2011, primarily
emphasizing more efficient technologies for processing PGMs. In particular, the Company is
evaluating opportunities to develop its own precious metals refining capability. The Company
expects to advance its assessment of these opportunities during 2011.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Three- Month Periods Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
The Companys total revenues increased by 27.4% to $170.1 million in the first quarter of
2011 compared to $133.5 million for the first quarter of 2010. The following analysis covers key
factors contributing to the increase in revenues:
25
SALES AND PRICE DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase |
|
|
Percentage |
|
(in thousands, except for average prices) |
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
(Decrease) |
|
|
Change |
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
170,061 |
|
|
$ |
133,471 |
|
|
$ |
36,590 |
|
|
|
27 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces Sold: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium (oz.) |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
%) |
Platinum (oz.) |
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGM recycling: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium (oz.) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
37 |
% |
Platinum (oz.) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhodium (oz.) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
19 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other:
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium (oz.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By-products
from mining: (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhodium (oz.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
%) |
Gold (oz.) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Silver (oz.) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper (lb.) |
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
%) |
Nickel (lb.) |
|
|
340 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
realized price per ounce (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine Production: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
784 |
|
|
$ |
413 |
|
|
$ |
371 |
|
|
|
90 |
% |
Platinum ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,782 |
|
|
$ |
1,428 |
|
|
$ |
354 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
Combined
($/oz.) (5) |
|
$ |
994 |
|
|
$ |
644 |
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
|
|
54 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGM recycling: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
653 |
|
|
$ |
365 |
|
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
|
79 |
% |
Platinum ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,696 |
|
|
$ |
1,390 |
|
|
$ |
306 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
Rhodium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
2,260 |
|
|
$ |
1,864 |
|
|
$ |
396 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other:
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
462 |
|
|
$ |
(462 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By-products
from mining: (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhodium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,458 |
|
|
$ |
(2,458 |
) |
|
|
(100 |
%) |
Gold ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,383 |
|
|
$ |
1,100 |
|
|
$ |
283 |
|
|
|
26 |
% |
Silver ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
|
106 |
% |
Copper ($/lb.) |
|
$ |
4.18 |
|
|
$ |
3.08 |
|
|
$ |
1.10 |
|
|
|
36 |
% |
Nickel ($/lb.) |
|
$ |
10.57 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
$ |
2.36 |
|
|
|
29 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
market price per ounce (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
791 |
|
|
$ |
441 |
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
|
|
79 |
% |
Platinum ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,793 |
|
|
$ |
1,563 |
|
|
$ |
230 |
|
|
|
15 |
% |
Combined
($/oz.) (5) |
|
$ |
1,002 |
|
|
$ |
697 |
|
|
$ |
305 |
|
|
|
44 |
% |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Ounces sold and average realized price per ounce from PGM
recycling relate to ounces produced from processing of catalyst
materials. |
|
(2) |
|
Ounces sold and average realized price per ounce from other
relate to ounces purchased in the open market for resale. |
|
(3) |
|
By-product metals sold reflect contained metal. Realized
prices reflect net values (discounted due to product form and
transportation and marketing charges) per unit received. |
|
(4) |
|
The Companys average realized price represents
revenues, which include the effect of any applicable agreement floor
and ceiling prices, hedging gains and losses realized on commodity
instruments and agreement discounts, divided by ounces sold. The
average market price represents the average London Bullion Market
Association afternoon postings for the actual months of the period. |
|
(5) |
|
The Company reports a combined average realized and a
combined average market price of palladium and platinum at the same
ratio as ounces that are produced from the base metal refinery. |
26
Net revenues from sales of mine production (includes by-products) were $122.0
million in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $95.2 million for the same period in 2010, a
28.2% increase. The increase in mine production revenues reflects higher market prices which
more than offset the lower volumes sold in the first quarter of 2011 than in the first quarter of
2010. The Companys average combined realized price on sales of palladium and platinum from
mining operations was $994 per ounce in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $644 per ounce in
the same quarter of 2010. The total quantity of mined palladium and platinum sold decreased by
14.8% to 115,100 ounces in the first quarter of 2011, compared to 135,100 ounces sold during the
same time period in 2010.
Revenues from PGM recycling increased to $48.1 million in the first quarter of 2011, or
42.7%, from $33.7 million in the first quarter of 2010. The increase in PGM recycling revenues
is a combination of higher prices realized for PGM sales thus far in 2011 as compared to 2010,
and higher volumes sold. The Companys combined average realization on recycling sales (which
include palladium, platinum and rhodium) was $1,122 per ounce in the first quarter of 2011, up
24.8% from $899 per ounce realized in the first quarter of last year. Recycled ounces sold
increased to 42,800 ounces in the first quarter of this year from 36,000 ounces in the first
quarter of 2010. Recycled ounces, including ounces processed on a toll basis, decreased to
115,600 ounces in the first quarter of 2011, from 119,300 ounces in the first quarter of 2010.
The Company also purchases PGMs for resale from time to time to accommodate customer
requirements. No open market purchases were made in the first quarter of 2011 for resale. In
the first quarter of 2010, revenue totaled $4.6 million on the resale of 10,000 ounces of
palladium purchased in the open market and resold at cost.
The Companys total costs of metals sold (before depletion, depreciation, amortization, and
corporate overhead expenses) increased to $105.4 million in the first quarter of 2011 from $93.5
million in the first quarter of 2010, a 12.7% increase. The higher cost in 2011 was driven
primarily by higher volumes of recycling material purchased (and the related higher value of the
contained metals) and higher levels of costs of mine production.
The costs of metals sold from mine production totaled $60.3 million for the first quarter of
2011, compared to $57.9 million for the first quarter of 2010, a 4% increase. The increase
reflected higher labor and contracting costs between the two periods.
Total consolidated cash costs per ounce produced, a non-GAAP measure of extraction
efficiency, in the first quarter of 2011 rose by 20.1% to $437 per ounce, compared to $364 per
ounce in the first quarter of 2010. This increase reflected higher total operating costs
including general inflation for wages and materials, staffing increases and the effect of higher
average sales realizations on royalties and taxes, partially offset by slightly higher mine
production.
The costs of metals sold from PGM recycling were $45.2 million in the first quarter of 2011,
compared to $31.0 million in the first quarter of 2010, an increase of 45.8%. This increase was
due both to higher recycling volumes processed and sold and the related higher market value of
the materials acquired for processing.
There were no purchases of metals on the open market for resale during the first quarter of
2011. The cost of purchasing 10,000 ounces of palladium for re-sale in the first quarter of 2010
was $4.6 million.
During the first quarter of 2011, the Companys mining operations produced 131,200 ounces of
PGMs, a 1.7% improvement over the 129,000 ounce production in the first quarter of 2010.
Production in the first quarter of 2011 included 101,100 ounces of palladium and 30,100 ounces of
platinum compared to 99,100 palladium ounces and 29,900 platinum ounces produced in the first
quarter of 2010. Production at the Stillwater Mine increased to 98,600 ounces, an improvement
over the 96,300 ounces produced in the first quarter of 2010, and production at the East Boulder
Mine decreased slightly to 32,600 ounces from 32,700 ounces in the same period last year. The
production increase at the Stillwater Mine was driven by a combination of more tons mined than
anticipated and higher ore grades than planned in the lower off shaft and east areas of the mine.
The small production decline at the East Boulder Mine reflected normal variability in mining
conditions.
27
Total marketing, general and administrative and research and development expenses in the
first quarter of 2011 were $7.7 million compared to $6.9 million in the same period of 2010.
Total interest income for the first quarter of 2011 increased to $0.8 million from $0.4
million in the corresponding quarter of 2010, mostly reflecting the Companys increased balance
of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Interest earned on recycling volumes in
the first quarter of 2011 contributed $0.4 million to net income in comparison to $0.3 million in
the first quarter of 2010. Interest expense in the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 was $1.6
million for both periods.
In the first quarters of 2011 and 2010, other comprehensive income (loss) included a total
decrease in the fair value of available-for-sale investment securities and long-term mutual fund
investments of $0.2 million for both periods.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
For the first quarter of 2011, net cash provided by operating activities was $33.9 million
compared to $29.8 in the first quarter of 2010. The Companys net cash flow from operating
activities is affected by several key factors, including net realized prices for its products,
cash costs of production, and the level of PGM production from the mines. Mining productivity
rates and ore grades in turn can affect both PGM production and cash costs of production. Net
cash flow from operations also includes changes in non-cash working capital, including changes to
inventories and advances.
In its recycling activities, the Company customarily enters into fixed forward contracts
that set the selling price for a significant portion of the recovered PGMs. Consequently, for
outstanding recycling lots a change in the market price of palladium and platinum on sales of
recycling materials would have little or no effect on margins earned from this activity or on
cash flow from operations. However, a percentage change in market prices would affect margins on
future lots by about the same percentage as the change in price. It normally takes existing lots
of recycling material two to three months from the date of receipt to flow through to sales.
Changes in the cash costs of production generally flow through dollar-for-dollar into cash
flow from operations. A reduction due to grade in total mine production of 10%, or about 50,000
palladium and platinum ounces per year, would reduce cash flow from operations by an estimated
$40.0 million per year at the price and cost levels
prevailing at March 31, 2011.
Net cash used in investing activities was $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2011,
comprised of $23.2 million of capital expenditures (which includes $7.2 million to complete the
purchase of the Benton Resources Corp. property adjacent to Marathon), $13.1 million as a net
increase in short-term investments, $0.6 million for investment in Marathon Gold. In the same
period of 2010, investing activities consumed a net $41.5 million, comprised of $10.7 million of
capital expenditures, $31.1 million net increase in short-term investments and $0.3 million in
proceeds for asset sales.
The Company received $0.7 million in proceeds during the first quarter of 2011 from the
exercise of outstanding stock options in comparison to $0.3 million in proceeds during the first
quarter of 2010.
At March 31, 2011, the Companys available cash was $43.3 million, compared to $19.4 million
at December 31, 2010. If highly liquid short-term investments are included with available cash,
the Companys balance sheet liquidity increases to $218.9 million at March 31, 2011, up from
$208.4 million at December 31, 2010. It had $196.0 million of debt outstanding, unchanged from
December 31, 2010. The Companys total debt includes $166.5 million outstanding in the form of
convertible debentures due in 2028 and $29.5 million of Exempt Facility Revenue Bonds due in
2020. The Company expects to pay $5.5 million of interest due during 2011 related to its
outstanding debt obligations, of which $1.6 million was paid during the first quarter. The
Company does not currently have in place any revolving credit facility or other short-term credit
commitment. While the lack of a credit agreement may create vulnerability under certain
circumstances for the Company, management believes that under present circumstances the Companys
liquidity is adequate to support its existing business operations.
28
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The Company is obligated to make future payments under various debt agreements and
regulatory obligations. The following table represents significant contractual cash obligations
and other commercial and regulatory commitments, including related interest payments, as of
March 31, 2011:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
2011 (1) |
|
|
2012 |
|
|
2013 |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
2015 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
Total |
|
Convertible debentures |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
166,500 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
166,500 |
|
Exempt Facility Revenue Bonds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Operating leases |
|
|
303 |
|
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
281 |
|
|
|
234 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1,188 |
|
Asset retirement obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144,271 |
|
|
|
144,271 |
|
Payments of interest (2) |
|
|
3,961 |
|
|
|
5,522 |
|
|
|
3,961 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
2,400 |
|
|
|
10,800 |
|
|
|
29,044 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
9,974 |
|
|
|
7,076 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,050 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
14,238 |
|
|
$ |
12,965 |
|
|
$ |
170,742 |
|
|
$ |
2,634 |
|
|
$ |
2,402 |
|
|
$ |
185,072 |
|
|
$ |
388,053 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amounts represent cash obligations for April through December 2011. |
|
(2) |
|
Interest payments on the convertible debentures noted in the above table are
calculated up to March 15, 2013, the date the holders of the debentures can exercise their
put option. |
Interest payments noted in the table above assume all are based on fixed rates of
interest. Amounts included in other noncurrent liabilities that are anticipated to be paid in
2011 and 2012, include property taxes and severance taxes.
FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Some statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, therefore, involve uncertainties or risks that could
cause actual results to differ materially. These statements may contain words such as
desires, believes, anticipates, plans, expects, intends, estimates or similar
expressions. Such statements also include, but are not limited to, comments regarding the
acquisition and plans for Marathon PGM Corporation; the global automotive market and the outlook
for automobile production and sales; contract negotiations and the future ability to sell the
Companys products; expansion plans and realignment of
operations; future costs, grade, production and recovery rates; permitting; labor matters;
financing needs and the terms and availability of future credit facilities; capital
expenditures; increases in processing capacity; cost reduction measures; safety performance;
timing for engineering studies; environmental permitting and compliance; litigation exposures;
and anticipated changes in global supply and demand and prices for PGM materials. These
statements are not guarantees of the Companys future performance and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other important factors that could cause its actual performance or
achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking
statements. Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to differ
materially from managements expectations is found in the Companys 2010 Annual Report on Form
10-K on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the
Companys website.
The Company intends that the forward-looking statements contained herein be subject to the
above-mentioned statutory safe harbors. Investors are cautioned not to rely on forward-looking
statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Companys critical accounting policies are discussed in detail in the Companys 2010
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
29
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Operating Factors
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
OPERATING AND COST DATA FOR MINE PRODUCTION |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces produced (000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium |
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
Platinum |
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
129 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled (000) |
|
|
293 |
|
|
|
278 |
|
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.48 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) |
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Sub-grade tons mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
0.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tons milled (000) (1) |
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
294 |
|
Combined mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.46 |
|
|
|
0.48 |
|
Total mill recovery (%) |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
338 |
|
|
$ |
300 |
|
Total cash costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
437 |
|
|
$ |
364 |
|
Total production costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
556 |
|
|
$ |
505 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
141 |
|
|
$ |
132 |
|
Total cash costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
182 |
|
|
$ |
160 |
|
Total production costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
232 |
|
|
$ |
221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stillwater Mine: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces produced (000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
74 |
|
Platinum |
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled (000) |
|
|
194 |
|
|
|
179 |
|
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
|
0.57 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Sub-grade tons mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.21 |
|
|
|
0.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tons milled (000) (1) |
|
|
211 |
|
|
|
195 |
|
Combined mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
0.54 |
|
Total mill recovery (%) |
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
338 |
|
|
$ |
279 |
|
Total cash costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
430 |
|
|
$ |
339 |
|
Total production costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
556 |
|
|
$ |
467 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
158 |
|
|
$ |
137 |
|
Total cash costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
201 |
|
|
$ |
167 |
|
Total production costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
260 |
|
|
$ |
230 |
|
30
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Operating Factors (continued)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
OPERATING AND COST DATA FOR MINE PRODUCTION
(Continued) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
East Boulder Mine: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces produced (000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium |
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
Platinum |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tons milled (000) |
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sub-grade tons mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total tons milled (000) (1) |
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
Combined mill head grade (ounce per ton) |
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
0.37 |
|
Total mill recovery (%) |
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
337 |
|
|
$ |
363 |
|
Total cash costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
459 |
|
|
$ |
439 |
|
Total production costs per ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
557 |
|
|
$ |
618 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
120 |
|
Total cash costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
144 |
|
|
$ |
145 |
|
Total production costs per ton milled (Non-GAAP) (2) |
|
$ |
175 |
|
|
$ |
204 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Sub-grade tons milled includes reef waste material only. Total tons milled
includes ore tons and sub-grade tons only. See Proven and
Probable Ore Reserves
Discussion in the Companys 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. |
|
(2) |
|
Total operating costs include costs of mining, processing and administrative expenses at
the mine site (including mine site overhead and credits for metals produced other than
palladium and platinum from mine production). Total cash costs include total operating
costs plus royalties, insurance and taxes other than income taxes. Total production costs
include total cash costs plus asset retirement costs and depreciation and amortization.
Income taxes, corporate general and administrative expenses, asset impairment write-downs,
gain or loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, restructuring costs and interest
income and expense are not included in total operating costs, total cash costs or total
production costs. Operating costs per ton, operating costs per ounce, cash costs per ton,
cash costs per ounce, production costs per ton and production costs per ounce are non-GAAP
measurements that management uses to monitor and evaluate the efficiency of its mining
operations. These measures of cost are not defined under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles (GAAP). Please see Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to Costs of Revenues
and the accompanying discussion for additional detail. |
31
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Operating Factors (continued)
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
(in thousands, where noted) |
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
SALES AND PRICE DATA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces sold (000) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine production: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium (oz.) |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
Platinum (oz.) |
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGM recycling: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium (oz.) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
Platinum (oz.) |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
Rhodium (oz.) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other: (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium (oz.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By-products from mining: (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhodium (oz.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Gold (oz.) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Silver (oz.) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
Copper (lb.) |
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
Nickel (lb.) |
|
|
340 |
|
|
|
312 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average realized price per ounce (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine production: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
784 |
|
|
$ |
413 |
|
Platinum ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,782 |
|
|
$ |
1,428 |
|
Combined ($/oz)(5) |
|
$ |
994 |
|
|
$ |
644 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGM recycling: (1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
653 |
|
|
$ |
365 |
|
Platinum ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,696 |
|
|
$ |
1,390 |
|
Rhodium ($/oz) |
|
$ |
2,260 |
|
|
$ |
1,864 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other: (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
462 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By-products from mining: (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rhodium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
2,458 |
|
Gold ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,383 |
|
|
$ |
1,100 |
|
Silver ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
33 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
Copper ($/lb.) |
|
$ |
4.18 |
|
|
$ |
3.08 |
|
Nickel ($/lb.) |
|
$ |
10.57 |
|
|
$ |
8.21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average market price per ounce (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Palladium ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
791 |
|
|
$ |
441 |
|
Platinum ($/oz.) |
|
$ |
1,793 |
|
|
$ |
1,563 |
|
Combined ($/oz)(5) |
|
$ |
1,002 |
|
|
$ |
697 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Ounces sold and average realized price per ounce from PGM recycling relate to ounces
produced from processing of catalyst materials. |
|
(2) |
|
Ounces sold and average realized price per ounce from other relate to ounces purchased in
the open market for resale. |
|
(3) |
|
By-product metals sold reflect contained metal. Realized prices reflect net values
(discounted due to product form and transportation and marketing charges) per unit received. |
|
(4) |
|
The Companys average realized price represents revenues, which include the effect of any
applicable agreement floor and ceiling prices, hedging gains and losses realized on commodity
instruments and agreement discounts, divided by ounces sold. The average market price
represents the average London Bullion Market Association afternoon postings for the actual
months of the period. |
|
(5) |
|
The Company reports a combined average realized and a combined average market price of
palladium and platinum at the same ratio as ounces that are produced from the base metal
refinery. |
32
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to Costs of Revenues
The Company utilizes certain non-GAAP measures as indicators in assessing the performance
of its mining and processing operations during any period. Because of the processing time
required to complete the extraction of finished PGM products, there are typically lags of one to
three months between ore production and sale of the finished product. Sales in any period
include some portion of material mined and processed from prior periods as the revenue
recognition process is completed. Consequently, while costs of revenues (a GAAP measure
included in the Companys Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income)
appropriately reflects the expense associated with the materials sold in any period, the Company
has developed certain non-GAAP measures to assess the costs associated with its producing and
processing activities in a particular period and to compare those costs between periods.
While the Company believes that these non-GAAP measures may also be of value to outside
readers, both as general indicators of the Companys mining efficiency from period to period and
as insight into how the Company internally measures its operating performance, these non-GAAP
measures are not standardized across the mining industry and in most cases will not be directly
comparable to similar measures that may be provided by other companies. These non-GAAP measures
are only useful as indicators of relative operational performance in any period, and because
they do not take into account the inventory timing differences that are included in costs of
revenues, they cannot meaningfully be used to develop measures of earnings or profitability. A
reconciliation of these measures to costs of revenues for each period shown is provided as part
of the following tables, and a description of each non-GAAP measure is provided below.
Total Costs of Revenues: For the Company as a whole, this measure is equal to total costs
of revenues, as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
For the Stillwater Mine, the East Boulder Mine, and other PGM activities, the Company segregates
the expenses within total costs of revenues that are directly associated with each of these
activities and then allocates the remaining facility costs included in total cost of revenues in
proportion to the monthly volumes from each activity. The resulting total costs of revenues
measures for Stillwater Mine, East Boulder Mine and other PGM activities are equal in total to
total costs of revenues as reported in the Companys Consolidated Statement of Operations and
Comprehensive Income.
Total Production Costs (Non-GAAP): Calculated as total costs of revenues (for each mine or
combined) adjusted to exclude gains or losses on asset dispositions, costs and profit from
recycling activities, and timing differences resulting from changes in product inventories.
This non-GAAP measure provides a comparative measure of the total costs incurred in association
with production and processing activities in a period, and may be compared to prior periods or
between the Companys mines.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total Production Cost per
Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) - measured for each mine or combined provides an indication of the cost
per ton milled in that period. Because of variability of ore grade in the Companys mining
operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured against ore tons produced
rather than contained PGM ounces. Because ore tons are first actually weighed as they are fed
into the mill, mill feed is the first point at which production tons are measured precisely.
Consequently, Total Production Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) is a general measure of production
efficiency, and is affected both by the level of Total Production Costs (Non-GAAP) and by the
volume of tons produced and fed to the mill.
When divided by the total recoverable PGM ounces from production in the respective period,
Total Production Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) - measured for each mine or combined provides an
indication of the cost per ounce produced in that period. Recoverable PGM ounces from
production are an indication of the amount of PGM product extracted through mining in any
period. Because extracting PGM material is ultimately the objective of mining, the cost per
ounce of extracting and processing PGM ounces in a period is a useful measure for comparing
extraction efficiency between periods and between the Companys mines. Consequently, Total
Production Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) in any period is a general measure of extraction
efficiency, and is affected by the level of Total Production Costs (Non-GAAP), by the grade of
the ore produced and by the volume of ore produced in the period.
33
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP): This non-GAAP measure is calculated by excluding the
depreciation and amortization and asset retirement costs from Total Production Costs (Non-GAAP)
for each mine or combined. The Company uses this measure as a comparative indication of the
cash costs related to production and processing in any period.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total Cash Cost per Ton
Milled (Non-GAAP) - measured for each mine or combined provides an indication of the level of
cash costs incurred per ton milled in that period. Because of variability of ore grade in the
Companys mining operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured against
ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. Because ore tons are first weighed as they
are fed into the mill, mill feed is the first point at which production tons are measured
precisely. Consequently, Total Cash Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) is a general measure of
production efficiency, and is affected both by the level of Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP) and by
the volume of tons produced and fed to the mill.
When divided by the total recoverable PGM ounces from production in the respective period,
Total Cash Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) - measured for each mine or combined provides an
indication of the level of cash costs incurred per PGM ounce produced in that period.
Recoverable PGM ounces from production are an indication of the amount of PGM product extracted
through mining in any period. Because ultimately extracting PGM material is the objective of
mining, the cash cost per ounce of extracting and processing PGM ounces in a period is a useful
measure for comparing extraction efficiency between periods and between the Companys mines.
Consequently, Total Cash Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) in any period is a general measure of
extraction efficiency, and is affected by the level of Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP), by the grade
of the ore produced and by the volume of ore produced in the period.
Total Operating Costs (Non-GAAP): This non-GAAP measure is derived from Total Cash Costs
(Non-GAAP) for each mine or combined by excluding royalty, tax and insurance expenses from Total
Cash Costs (Non-GAAP). Royalties, taxes and insurance costs are contractual or governmental
obligations outside of the control of the Companys mining operations, and in the case of
royalties and most taxes, are driven more by the level of sales realizations rather than by
operating efficiency. Consequently, Total Operating Costs (Non-GAAP) is a useful indicator of
the level of production and processing costs incurred in a period that are under the control of
mining operations.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total Operating Cost per
Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) - measured for each mine or combined provides an indication of the level
of controllable cash costs incurred per ton milled in that period. Because of variability of
ore grade in the Companys mining operations, production efficiency underground is frequently
measured against ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. Because ore tons are first
actually weighed as they are fed into the mill, mill feed is the first point at which production
tons are measured precisely. Consequently, Total Operating Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) is a
general measure of production efficiency, and is affected both by the level of Total Operating
Costs (Non-GAAP) and by the volume of tons produced and fed to the mill.
When divided by the total recoverable PGM ounces from production in the respective period,
Total Operating Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) - measured for each mine or combined provides an
indication of the level of controllable cash costs incurred per PGM ounce produced in that
period. Recoverable PGM ounces from
production are an indication of the amount of PGM product extracted through mining in any
period. Because ultimately extracting PGM material is the objective of mining, the cost per
ounce of extracting and processing PGM ounces in a period is a useful measure for comparing
extraction efficiency between periods and between the Companys mines. Consequently, Total
Operating Cost per Ounce (Non-GAAP) in any period is a general measure of extraction efficiency,
and is affected by the level of Total Operating Costs (Non-GAAP), by the grade of the ore
produced and by the volume of ore produced in the period.
34
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to Costs of Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
(in thousands) |
|
2011 |
|
|
2010 |
|
Consolidated: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to consolidated costs of revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
44,300 |
|
|
$ |
38,741 |
|
Royalties, taxes and other |
|
|
13,048 |
|
|
|
8,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
57,348 |
|
|
$ |
47,003 |
|
Asset retirement costs |
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
130 |
|
Depletion, depreciation and amortization |
|
|
15,801 |
|
|
|
18,457 |
|
Depletion, depreciation and amortization (in inventory) |
|
|
(317 |
) |
|
|
(442 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total production costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
72,973 |
|
|
$ |
65,148 |
|
Change in product inventories |
|
|
(7,495 |
) |
|
|
4,691 |
|
Cost of PGM recycling |
|
|
45,154 |
|
|
|
30,995 |
|
PGM recycling depreciation |
|
|
262 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
Add: Profit from PGM recycling |
|
|
3,039 |
|
|
|
2,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total consolidated costs of revenues (1) |
|
$ |
113,933 |
|
|
$ |
103,777 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stillwater Mine: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to costs of revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
33,310 |
|
|
$ |
26,865 |
|
Royalties, taxes and other |
|
|
9,072 |
|
|
|
5,791 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
42,382 |
|
|
$ |
32,656 |
|
Asset retirement costs |
|
|
131 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
Depletion, depreciation and amortization |
|
|
11,987 |
|
|
|
12,698 |
|
Depletion, depreciation and amortization (in inventory) |
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
(520 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total production costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
54,819 |
|
|
$ |
44,954 |
|
Change in product inventories |
|
|
(6,620 |
) |
|
|
469 |
|
Add: Profit from PGM recycling |
|
|
2,288 |
|
|
|
2,165 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs of revenues |
|
$ |
50,487 |
|
|
$ |
47,588 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
East Boulder Mine: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to costs of revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
10,990 |
|
|
$ |
11,876 |
|
Royalties, taxes and other |
|
|
3,976 |
|
|
|
2,471 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
14,966 |
|
|
$ |
14,347 |
|
Asset retirement costs |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
Depletion, depreciation and amortization |
|
|
3,814 |
|
|
|
5,759 |
|
Depletion, depreciation and amortization (in inventory) |
|
|
(636 |
) |
|
|
78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total production costs (Non-GAAP) |
|
$ |
18,154 |
|
|
$ |
20,194 |
|
Change in product inventories |
|
|
(875 |
) |
|
|
(400 |
) |
Add: Profit from PGM recycling |
|
|
751 |
|
|
|
734 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs of revenues |
|
$ |
18,030 |
|
|
$ |
20,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGM recycling and Other (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation to costs of revenues: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of open market purchases |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
4,622 |
|
PGM recycling depreciation |
|
|
262 |
|
|
|
44 |
|
Cost of PGM recycling |
|
|
45,154 |
|
|
|
30,995 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs of revenues |
|
$ |
45,416 |
|
|
$ |
35,661 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Revenues from the sale of mined by-products are credited against gross production
costs for Non-GAAP presentation. Revenues from the sale of mined by-products are reported on
the Companys financial statements as mined revenue and are included in consolidated costs of
revenues. Total costs of revenues in the above table have been reduced by $7.5 million and
$8.2 million for the first quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively. |
|
(2) |
|
PGM recycling and Other include PGM recycling and metal purchased on the open
market for resale. |
35
ITEM 3
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company is exposed to market risk, including the effects of adverse changes in metal
prices and interest rates as discussed below.
Commodity Price Risk
The Company produces and sells palladium, platinum and associated by-product metals
directly to its customers and also through third parties. As a result, financial performance
can be materially affected when prices for these commodities fluctuate. In order to manage
commodity price risk and to reduce the impact of fluctuation in prices, the Company has entered
into long-term agreements with suppliers and customers, from time to time has employed various
derivative financial instruments and attempts to maintain adequate liquidity to sustain
operations during a downturn in PGM prices. Because the Company hedges only with instruments
that have a high correlation with the value of the hedged transactions, changes in the fair
value of the derivatives are expected to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the value
of the hedged transaction.
The Companys remaining long-term automotive supply agreement with Ford Motor
Company expired on December 31, 2010. The floor prices in that agreement applied to 70% of the
Companys mined platinum ounces and 80% of the Companys mined palladium ounces. Replacement
supply agreements are not likely to include any comparable floor price protection, and
consequently the Companys mining revenues going forward will be more fully exposed to
prevailing market prices. Without these pricing provisions, the risk increases that the Company
may not be able to operate profitably during any future downturns in PGM prices.
The Company entered into a three-year supply agreement with General Motors Corporation (GM)
effective January 1, 2011 that provides for fixed quantities of palladium to be delivered to GM
each month. The agreement provides for pricing at a small discount to a trailing market price.
The Company is continuing to negotiate potential supply arrangements with other large PGM
consumers and in the meantime is selling its remaining mine production under month-to-month and
spot sales agreements.
The Company customarily enters into fixed forward sales and from time to time in the past
has entered into financially settled forward sales transactions that may or may not be accounted
for as cash-flow hedges to mitigate the price risk in its PGM recycling and mine production
activities. Under these fixed forward transactions, typically metals contained in the spent
catalytic materials are sold forward at the time the materials are purchased and then are
delivered against the fixed forward contracts when the finished ounces are recovered. The
Company believes such transactions qualify for the exception to hedge accounting treatment
provided for in the accounting literature and so has elected to account for these transactions
as normal purchases and normal sales.
Financially settled forward sales provide another mechanism to offset fluctuations in metal
prices associated with future production, particularly in circumstances where the Company elects
to retain control of the final disposition of the metal. In financially settled forward sales,
the parties agree in advance to a net financial settlement in the future based on the difference
between the market price of the metal on the settlement date and a forward price set at
inception. Consequently, at the settlement date, the Company receives the net difference
between the forward price and the market price if the market price is below the forward price,
and the Company pays the difference between the forward price and the market price if the market
price is above the forward price. No metal changes hands between the parties in these
financially settled transactions. The Company generally has accounted for financially settled
forward transactions as cash flow hedges, as they are not eligible for treatment as normal
purchases and normal sales. However, if the Company determines not to document them as cash
flow hedges, these transactions are marked to market in each accounting period and the realized
and unrealized gains or losses are recognized in net income in each period. As of March 31,
2011 and 2010, the Company was not party to any financially settled forward agreements.
Periodically, the Company also has entered into financially settled forwards related to its
recycling segment which are not accounted for as cash flow hedges. The realized and unrealized
gains or losses on such transactions therefore are recognized in net income in each period.
36
Interest Rate Risk
At March 31, 2011, all of the Companys outstanding long-term debt was subject to fixed
rates of interest.
Interest income on payments to the Companys recycling suppliers is generally linked to
short-term inter-bank rates.
The Companys convertible debentures and industrial revenue bonds do not contain financial
covenants, other than change in control protection and, in the case of the convertible
debentures, investor make-whole provisions. Consequently, the Company is not subject to
conventional financial covenants at this time.
Foreign Currency Risk
With the acquisition of certain Canadian assets during the fourth quarter of 2010, the
Company has gained some modest exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the
Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar. While this exposure is currently limited to Canadian
dollar cash deposits and expenses incurred for the services of a few Canadian employees and
contractors along with some associated support costs, as the Companys commitments there expand
in the future, the exposure may become more material. The Company does not hedge this exposure
at present, but may consider doing so in the future as the scale of its Canadian operations
grows.
Credit Risk
During
the third quarter of 20l0, the Company revised its cash management guidelines to extend the
available investment maturities on a portion of its cash balances, broaden the suite of permissible
investments, and adjust the percentage limits on certain classes of
investments. The Companys
investment securities at March 31, 2011, consisted of a mutual fund, federal agency notes and
commercial paper. All investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at
fair value. The Companys intent is to hold its available-for-sale investment securities until maturity
and therefore any unrealized gain or loss is deemed to be temporary.
ITEM 4
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Companys management, with the participation of the Companys Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure
controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period
covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Companys Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Companys
disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and
reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports
that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.
Management believes, to the best of its knowledge, that (i) this report does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements complete, accurate and not misleading, and (ii) the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the
Companys financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of, and for, the periods
represented in this report.
In designing and evaluating the Companys disclosure controls and procedures, management
recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and well
operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the
disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and
procedures, the Companys management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in
evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The
Company also designed disclosure controls and procedures based in part upon assumptions about
the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in
achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
In reviewing internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2011, management
determined that during the first quarter of 2011 there have not been any changes in the
Companys internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f)
and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
37
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course
of business, primarily employee lawsuits. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Companys
consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
For further information on legal guarantees and indemnities, see Note 19 Commitments and
Contingencies in the Companys audited consolidated financial statements as presented in the
Companys 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 1A
RISK FACTORS
The Company filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 22, 2011, which sets forth its risk factors
in Item 1A therein. As of the date of this filing, the Company has not experienced any material
changes to the risk factors previously described therein.
ITEM 5
OTHER INFORMATION
Mine Safety Regulations
Safety performance at the Companys mining operations falls under the regulatory
jurisdiction of the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). MSHA performs detailed
quarterly inspections at each of the Companys mine sites and separately investigates any
occurrences deemed to pose a significant hazard to employee health and safety. The Company
cooperates fully with MSHA in its compliance responsibilities and maintains its own safety
management system to ensure that no employee is put at risk in carrying out his or her job
responsibilities and unsafe conditions are identified and remediated immediately.
MSHA enforcement powers include a broad range of alternatives, including issuing citations
for violations of mandatory health or safety standards under the Federal Mine Safety and Health
Act of 1977 (the Mine Act), elevated citations for violations that could significantly and
substantially contribute to a safety or health hazard, 104(b) withdrawal orders for failure to
abate a violation, 104(d) orders for unwarrantable failure of a mine operator to comply with
mandatory health or safety standards, 110(b)(2) citations for flagrant violations of the Mine
Act, and 107(a) imminent danger withdrawal orders. In addition, MSHA has authority to put on
notice or close mining operations that demonstrate a continuing pattern of violations of the
Mine Act and to impose criminal penalties on mine operators who fail to address violations of
mine health and safety standards.
In legislation signed into law on July 21, 2010, publicly traded mining companies are
required to disclose certain statistics pertaining to their compliance with the Mine Act. For
the quarter ending March 31, 2011, none of the Companys mines received written notice from MSHA
of (i) a flagrant violation under section 110(b)(2) of the Mine Act; (ii) a pattern of
violations of mandatory health or safety standards that are of such nature as could have
significantly and substantially contributed to the cause and effect of other mine health or
safety hazards under section 104(e) of the Mine Act; or (iii) the potential to have such a
pattern. During the quarter ending March 31, 2011, the Company experienced no fatalities at any
of its mines.
The table below includes these statistics for the first quarter of 2011. For each mine
site, the numbers listed below are numbers of actual issuances of citations/orders except for
proposed assessment dollar values.
38
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Section |
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Section |
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Section |
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Section |
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Assessment |
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Legal |
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104 (S&S) |
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104 (b) |
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104 (d) |
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107 (a) |
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(in 000s) |
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Actions |
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Stillwater Mine |
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21 |
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$ |
22 |
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7 |
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East Boulder Mine |
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11 |
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$ |
9 |
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5 |
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As of the quarter ending March 31, 2011, the Company had a total of 12
matters pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. This includes
legal actions that were initiated prior to the three months ending March 31, 2011, and which do
not necessarily relate to the citations, orders or proposed assessments issued by MSHA during
such twelve-month period.
The Company believes that the ultimate disposition of these alleged Mine Act violations and
the pending legal dockets before the Commission will not have a material adverse effect on the
Companys business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 6
EXHIBITS
See attached exhibit index
39
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
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STILLWATER MINING COMPANY
(Registrant)
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Date: May 4, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ Francis R. McAllister
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Francis R. McAllister |
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) |
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Date: May 4, 2011 |
By: |
/s/ Gregory A. Wing
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Gregory A. Wing |
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Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) |
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40
EXHIBITS
|
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|
Number |
|
Description |
10.1
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Palladium and Platinum Sales Agreement, dated January 1, 2011, by and between Stillwater Mining Company
and Ford Motor Company, (portions of the agreement have been omitted pursuant to a confidential
treatment request), filed herewith. |
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31.1
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification Chief Executive Officer, dated, May 4, 2011 |
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31.2
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Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, dated, May 4, 2011 |
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32.1
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Section 1350 Certification, dated, May 4, 2011 |
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32.2
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Section 1350 Certification, dated, May 4, 2011 |
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101
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The following materials from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Stillwater Mining Company for the
three-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, filed on May 4, 2011, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible
Business Reporting Language): (i) Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (ii)
Balance Sheets, (iii) Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) document and entity information, and (v) related
notes to these financial statements. Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulation
S-T that the financial information contained in the XBRL document is unaudited and these are not the
officially publicly filed financial statements of Stillwater Mining Company. The purpose of submitting
these XBRL formatted documents is to test the related format and technology and, as a result, investors
should continue to rely on the official filed version of the furnished documents and not rely on this
information in making investment decisions. In accordance with Rule 402 of Regulation S-T, the
information in this Exhibit 101 shall not be deemed filed for the purposes of section 18 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liability
of that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other
document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be
expressly set forth by the specific reference in such filing. |
41