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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
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 hereunto duly authorized.
By: /s/ John R. Stark BILLINGS, MT -- 02/25/2008 -- STILLWATER MINING COMPANY (NYSE: SWC) today
reported net income for the fourth quarter 2007 of $0.4 million, or less
than $0.01 per fully diluted share, on revenue of $148.7 million. This is
lower than the $2.8 million of net income ($0.03 per fully diluted share)
on $175.5 million of revenue reported for the same period in 2006.
For the full-year 2007, Stillwater Mining Company reported a net loss of
$14.3 million, or $0.15 per fully diluted share, on revenues of $619.2
million. In 2006, the Company reported full-year net income of $7.9
million, or $0.09 per fully diluted share, on revenues of $613.1 million.
The 2007 financial loss is the result of low mine production, and to a
lesser extent to rising costs per ounce of platinum-group metal (PGM)
production. Mine production of palladium and platinum for the year totaled
just 537,500 ounces, well below the 600,600 ounces produced in 2006. The
lower production was primarily the result of some challenges on the labor
front during 2007, challenges faced by the mining industry in general,
including higher attrition among skilled mineworkers as the Company
implemented a new longer work schedule, but also including a seven-day
strike at the Stillwater Mine in July. Average mining productivity has
dropped with the loss of experienced miners and mine performance is now
more dependent on newly trained local miners. At the East Boulder Mine,
productivity also has been lower in the face of transitional issues as the
Company changes its mix of core mining methods there.
The Company did not benefit fully from increases in platinum and palladium
prices during 2007 or 2006. The automotive contracts include floor prices
on palladium production and ceiling prices on a smaller portion of platinum
production that, at lower palladium prices and higher platinum prices, tend
to insulate the Company from changes in market prices. Further, the
Company had in place a hedge book of financially settled forward contracts
at prices well below market on most of its remaining platinum production.
These forward sales reduced net revenues and profits by $31.7 million and
$31.1 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Recycling activities continued strong in 2007, representing more than 50%
of the Company's revenue for the year. In 2007, Stillwater Mining Company
recycled a total of 372,900 PGM ounces through the smelter and refinery, up
7.8% from the 346,500 ounces recycled during 2006. Recycling activities
contributed about $20.3 million to the Company's gross operating margin
(before corporate overhead and financing charges) in 2007, compared to
about $19.4 million in 2006.
As previously reported, during the first quarter of 2006 the Company
completed its two-year program to sell the 877,169 ounces of palladium
received in connection with the 2003 Norilsk Nickel transaction. In 2006,
sales of this palladium contributed $17.6 million to revenues and $6.9
million to earnings. There were no corresponding sales in 2007.
Commenting on the surge in PGM prices during 2007 as well as early 2008,
Francis R. McAllister, Stillwater Chairman and CEO, said; "Underlying the
price surge is a fundamental supply shortage, specifically for platinum and
rhodium, as demand for both in catalytic converters is very strong. In
particular, the demand for platinum in automotive emission controls has
grown at a compounded annual rate of about 13% for the past eight years,
driven largely by the ever increasing popularity of diesel automobiles in
Europe. Such demand growth, coupled with shortfalls in production from
South Africa exacerbated by a mounting manpower skills shortage and safety
issues, and compounded by the reduced availability of electrical power
there, has driven prices up sharply. Recent market prices for platinum at
$2,155 per ounce and rhodium at $9,080 per ounce are up 90% and 80%,
respectively, since the beginning of 2007. Palladium, priced recently at
$506 per ounce, is up a more modest 52%, but could benefit from growth in
demand as users seek lower priced alternatives to platinum."
Regarding the outlook for 2008, Mr. McAllister noted, "With our remaining
platinum hedges rolling off during the first half 2008 and palladium prices
that exceed our contractual floors, we should be in a position to benefit
from these strong market prices -- at least to the extent the strong prices
continue. The platinum hedges reduced 2007 earnings by about $31.7 million,
as about 98,000 ounces were locked in at prices in the $1,000 per ounce
range, as compared to an average market price for platinum last year of
just over $1,300 per ounce. By comparison, only 15,000 ounces remain
hedged at the beginning of 2008, all scheduled to roll off during the first
half of 2008. Except for the 14% of our platinum production subject to a
ceiling price of $850 per ounce under one of our automobile contracts, all
of our remaining platinum production during 2008 should be priced very
close to market.
"The Company's contractual palladium floor prices for 2007 averaged $345
per ounce, slightly below the average market price of $355 per ounce. In
reality, despite the higher average market price, only a portion of 2007
palladium sales exceeded the floors, so the Company received a contractual
benefit from floor prices on the remaining sales. For 2008, the palladium
floor prices will average $360 per ounce, and with current market prices
well above that level, the Company's results are likely to reflect directly
and fully the benefit of higher palladium prices."
Commenting on the Company's 2007 performance McAllister said; "We are
clearly disappointed with the loss reported for 2007, particularly in view
of the strong underlying price environment for PGMs. But, despite the poor
2007 performance, given the shortage of skilled miners and rising prices,
on the whole we believe actions taken in 2007 place the Company on the
right track, in accelerating the move to a more local based workforce,
reducing our platinum hedge book and shifting toward more cost-effective
mining methods. We expect the benefits of these measures to become
apparent in 2008 as our workforce grows in experience, masters the new
mining methods and as the residual 2008 platinum hedge book of 15,000
ounces runs off completely.
"The labor issues during 2007 deserve some added comment. Several years
ago, the Company implemented an unusual, 7-day-on, 7-day-off work schedule
in order to attract experienced miners from outside the region, allowing
them to commute weekly between home and the mines. This work schedule
averaged just 35 hours per week, with no built-in overtime. More recently,
as rising commodity prices have driven up competition in the industry for
skilled underground miners, the schedule became less effective as these
miners increasingly chose to leave us and find jobs closer to home. At the
same time, we found ourselves grappling with sharply higher rates quoted by
the mining contractors we have used to augment our workforce and with
steeply rising employee benefits costs. In this tight labor, higher-cost
environment, we recognized the 7-on, 7-off work schedule, while popular,
was rapidly becoming ineffective, was underutilizing our workforce and was
making our benefit costs unduly expensive when viewed on an hourly basis.
Taking all these factors into consideration, we concluded that attracting
and retaining miners from out of state was no longer a viable option and
that while painful, we needed to make changes if we were to remain
competitive and be able to sustain operations long term.
McAllister commented on Stillwater's ongoing miner training program,
stating, "In 2005 we had moved to recruit Montana residents. We
redesigned, greatly expanded and implemented an ongoing six month long
miner training program based upon our highly successful GETSafe
(Guide-Educate-Train) safety process. We expanded our 18 month long
mentoring program for new miners as well as reduced, our hiring age from 21
to 19 years of age.
"Having so prepared ourselves, in early 2007, prior to the July expiration
of the Stillwater Mine labor agreement, we implemented a change in work
schedules at the Stillwater Mine, moving to a more complex, 43-hour per
week schedule that included some built-in overtime. We did this,
acknowledging we would accelerate the loss of experienced miners; miners
who used their days off under the previous schedule to travel home or to
hold down other jobs. During this same period, we also reduced the
Company's reliance on mining contractors, many of whom were no longer cost
effective and were competing with us for experienced miners. The change in
work schedule, together with uncertainties around the impending labor
negotiations, resulted in high attrition within our mining workforce --
considerably higher even than we had anticipated. This attrition continued
throughout the summer and then moderated by year end. Finally, going from
a four crew schedule of 7-on, 7-off allowed us to maintain the same 'on
shift' manpower with the new three crew schedule effectively offsetting
this attrition rate.
"In early July," McAllister continued, "the United Steelworkers turned down
a labor agreement endorsed by their leadership and went on strike for seven
days at the Stillwater Mine and Columbus processing facilities. The lost
production during the negotiations and subsequent strike, while
significant, was exacerbated for a time by high attrition among our
maintenance groups that sharply reduced equipment availability and slowed
our ability to get ore out of the mine. When combined with lower
productivity from our less experienced miners, the result was much lower
production in 2007 than originally anticipated.
"The challenge of bringing newer miners up to full productivity is largely
a matter of time as they gain experience. Additional experience, coupled
with ongoing training efforts, will naturally increase their productivity.
However, that implies lower total mine production for a period of time --
while it also offers an opportunity to take mine production beyond its
historical levels once the workforce is fully seasoned. Considering these
circumstances, our production guidance for 2008 is between 550,000 and
565,000 ounces from the mines, stronger than 2007 performance, but well
below 2006. Absent any major disruptions, this level of production should
be achievable with current and expected resources. Achieving this
performance assumes reasonable rates of attrition and successful
renegotiation of the labor agreement at East Boulder Mine, while there may
be additional upside if mining productivity improves more rapidly than
projected."
McAllister added, "The Company's total cash costs per PGM ounce produced(1)
in 2007 averaged $328 per ounce compared to $295 per ounce in 2006. Total
cash costs in 2007 benefitted from strong by-product prices and recycling
earnings, both of which are taken as credits against total cash costs.
Offsetting these benefits, however, were rising costs for labor and
materials, and the lower overall mine production. The Company's earlier
guidance for full year 2007 estimated that average total cash costs for the
year would fall between $300 and $315 per ounce. For 2008, the Company is
providing guidance for total cash costs of between $355 and $375 per ounce
produced, reflecting about a 10% year-on-year assumed increase in
underlying costs. "
(1) As discussed in more detail in the Company's 2007 Annual Report on Form
10-K, total cash cost per ounce of production is a non-GAAP measure of
extraction efficiency; this and similar measures are widely reported within
the mining industry.
Regarding the Company's mine transformation efforts, McAllister reported,
"Operationally, during 2007 we continued to focus our efforts on
strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the Company's mining
properties. Several infrastructure projects were completed during 2007,
including a new ventilation portal at the Stillwater Mine, and new surface
facilities for the miners at the East Boulder Mine. Our ongoing effort to
improve the developed state and increase proven reserves at both mines also
continued to progress, with over 39,000 feet of new primary development and
about 491,000 feet of definitional drilling completed during 2007. Proven
reserves were maintained at about 4.8 million tons and 2.7 million
contained ounces as reserve additions offset production. The Company's
development objective is to achieve and maintain proven reserves equal to
about 40 months of production; as reserves have reached that level the
Company has redirected some of its development resources into ore
production. At year-end 2007, proven reserves represented about 45 months
of production at current production rates.
"Our mine transformation efforts during 2008 will focus on continued
workforce development, the extension of a major decline below the existing
operating levels at Stillwater Mine and refinement of captive cut-and-fill
stopes and other selective mining methods at both mines. During 2008, we
will further upgrade the metallurgical processing facilities in Columbus,
including about $22 million for the construction of a second smelter
furnace to accommodate growth in recycling and mine production. We will
continue our miner training program to broaden mining skills within the
Company's existing workforce and to train new employees in these skills. We
also plan to expand training and development opportunities for our
front-line supervisors."
Turning to the Company's marketing efforts, Mr. McAllister commented, "In
early 2006, the Company established the Palladium Alliance International,
or PAI, primarily to promote palladium as a jewelry metal and to provide
expertise to the jewelry industry in working with palladium. During 2007,
the PAI participated with the International Platinum Group Metals
Association in an industry-wide study of the market for palladium jewelry,
directed toward identifying how best to develop and support this market
from the industry's perspective. We are hopeful that these efforts lead to
broader participation in the palladium marketing program from within the
industry.
"During 2007 the PAI also continued its focus within the Chinese jewelry
market, presenting targeted promotional marketing in the Chinese media and
providing technical assistance and fabrication tips to manufacturers of
palladium jewelry pieces. Similar efforts were directed toward North
American and European markets, although on a smaller scale."
Concluding with some comments on the Company's exploration efforts, Mr.
McAllister added, "The Company also continued its diversification program
during 2007. Through our interest in Pacific North West Capital Corp., a
Canadian exploration company that specializes in identifying and
delineating potential PGM reserve targets, we expended about $0.7 million
during 2007 to participate in exploration efforts at Good News Bay in
Alaska and to fund a broad evaluation of other potential exploration
targets within the region. In July, we invested $1.5 million in Benton
Resources Corp., another Canadian exploration company, providing an equity
interest in Benton and participation in their emerging Goodchild prospect.
We believe that conducting exploration through companies with attractive
existing prospects and seasoned exploration teams makes sense in view of
our limited manpower resources. We also are continuously evaluating other
strategic opportunities within the mining industry."
Cash Flow and Liquidity
The Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $61.4 million at December
31, 2007, down $26.9 million from the end of 2006. Including the Company's
available-for-sale investments in highly liquid federal agency notes and
commercial paper, the Company's total available liquidity at year end 2007
was $89.0 million, down about $34.9 million from liquidity of $123.9
million at the end of 2006. The year-on-year drop in liquidity was largely
the result of increases in working capital, including those associated with
the growth of our recycling business. Working capital constituting
marketable inventories and related advances in the Company's growing PGM
recycling business increased to $83.7 million at the end of 2007 from $70.9
million at the end of 2006. Total cash and other working capital decreased
to $195.8 million at December 31, 2007, from $198.7 million at the end of
2006. Also at the end of 2007, the Company had $20.3 million available to
it under undrawn revolving credit lines.
Net cash provided from operating activities totaled $56.4 million in 2007,
down substantially from $97.0 million in 2006. Essentially all of this
decrease is explained by a $22.2 million drop in net income year-on-year
plus the non-recurring benefit during 2006 of $17.6 million in sales of
palladium received in the Norilsk Nickel transaction. Capital expenditures
were $87.9 million in 2007, well below the planned $107.7 million spending
level for the year, and lower than the $97.8 million of capital spending in
2006. The 2007 plan included about $18 million of expenditures for
upgrading the Company's processing facilities in Columbus, Montana. Much
of that planned spending was deferred into 2008, pending completion of
engineering design work on the new furnace in late 2007. The Company's
capital expenditure guidance for 2008 is about $110 million, which includes
about $22 million for the new smelter furnace in Columbus.
The Company paid down $2.6 million of debt and capital lease obligations
during 2007, in accordance with the terms of its credit and lease
agreements. Outstanding debt, at December 31, 2007, was $128.0 million.
Fourth Quarter Results - Details
In the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company's mining operations produced
131,700 PGM ounces including 91,400 ounces from the Stillwater Mine and
40,300 ounces from East Boulder Mine. For the comparable quarter of 2006,
Stillwater Mine produced 107,700 ounces and East Boulder Mine 46,600
ounces. The nearly 15% decrease in total output between 2007 and 2006
resulted from lower manpower counts in 2007 at the Stillwater Mine, as well
as unusually favorable active mining areas at Stillwater in the fourth
quarter of 2006. The decrease at the East Boulder Mine primarily reflects
the transitional challenges of changing from highly mechanized methods
toward more selective mining.
Sales from mine production totaled 126,200 ounces in the fourth quarter of
2007 at an overall average realization of $528 per ounce, compared to
164,800 ounces at $499 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2006. Problems
with equipment availability at Stillwater Mine that reduced production
during the 2007 third quarter affected the fourth quarter's PGM sales.
Although PGM market prices rose in the fourth quarter of 2007, the
Company's average realization in both periods was reduced by contractual
price caps on platinum and by losses on forward sales commitments for
platinum at prices well below current market. Partially offsetting these
factors were above-market pricing provisions for palladium sales under the
Company's contracts with major automobile companies. The Company's average
realization on palladium sales from mine production was $389 per ounce in
the 2007 fourth quarter, compared to $370 per ounce in the same period of
2006. The comparable average realization on platinum, net of the loss on
forward sales and contractual price caps, was $1,006 per ounce in the
fourth quarter of 2007 and $933 per ounce in the 2006 fourth quarter.
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company processed about 94,300
ounces of PGMs from recycled catalytic materials. By comparison, in the
fourth quarter of 2006 the Company processed about 107,800 ounces of
recycled material. The Company processes both material it purchases from
third parties and material toll processed on behalf of others for a fee.
Revenues for the fourth quarter 2007 totaled $148.7 million, down 15% from
$175.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Proceeds (net of hedging
offsets) from sales of mined PGMs totaled $66.6 million in the 2007 fourth
quarter, down from $82.2 million in the same quarter of 2006, reflecting
the lower ounces sold in the 2007 quarter. Recycling revenues also
declined to $78.4 million from $91.5 million in last year's fourth quarter,
despite the higher 2007 PGM prices. Resales of purchased metal generated
$3.7 million and $1.9 million in revenue during the 2007 and 2006 fourth
quarters, respectively.
Costs of metals sold (before depreciation and amortization expense)
decreased to $122.8 million in the 2007 fourth quarter from $143.9 million
in the fourth quarter of 2006, mostly reflecting the lower production and
sales volumes in the 2007 quarter. Mining costs included in costs of
metals sold decreased to $46.0 million in the 2007 fourth quarter from
$57.6 million in the 2006 fourth quarter. Recycling costs, largely
comprised of the cost to purchase spent catalytic materials for processing,
totaled $74.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $85.2
million in the fourth quarter of 2006, also driven by the lower volumes
processed in the fourth quarter 2007. Purchases totaling 10,400 ounces and
6,000 ounces of palladium for resale added $2.8 million and $1.1 million to
fourth-quarter 2007 and 2006 costs, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased to $20.3 million in the
2007 fourth quarter from $22.4 million in the same period of 2006. The
decrease is attributable to the lower 2007 mine production offset in part
by slightly higher amortization rates in 2007.
General and administrative ("G&A") costs decreased to $5.4 million in the
fourth quarter of 2007 from $6.2 million in the 2006 fourth quarter.
Year-on-year increases in these costs were more than offset by benefit
forfeitures and share-based compensation adjustments.
Net income of $0.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2007 included, by
business segment, $0.3 million from mining operations, $6.0 million from
recycling activities, and $0.9 million of income from miscellaneous metal
sales, less corporate costs including $5.4 million of G&A expense and $1.5
million of unallocated net interest expense. The remaining $0.1 million
net benefit is from miscellaneous income and expense items.
For the fourth quarter of 2006, the reported net income of $2.8 million
included income from mining operations of $2.2 million and income from
recycling activities of $8.0 million. These earnings items were offset by
$6.2 million of G&A expense and $1.7 million of net unallocated interest
expense. The remaining $0.5 million net benefit is from miscellaneous
income and expense items. Overall performance for the quarter reflected
good mining conditions and strong production, particularly at the
Stillwater Mine.
Year End Results - Details
For the full year 2007, Stillwater Mining Company produced 537,500 ounces
of PGMs from its mining operations, including 359,300 ounces from the
Stillwater Mine and 178,200 ounces from the East Boulder Mine. This was
much weaker than in 2006, when the Company's mines produced 600,600 ounces
- -- 409,400 ounces at Stillwater and 191,200 ounces at East Boulder. The
lower production during 2007 was driven mostly by labor issues, including
exceptionally high attrition among the mine workforce, a seven-day work
stoppage at the Stillwater Mine, and a higher proportion of
less-experienced miners in the workforce.
Platinum and palladium sold from mine production during 2007 totaled
544,800 ounces at an overall average realization of $509 per ounce,
compared to 603,800 ounces sold during 2006 at a combined average
realization of $484 per ounce. Broken out by metal, total mine sales in
2007 included 424,500 ounces of palladium at an average realization, with
the benefit of contract floor prices, of $384 per ounce; for 2006, sales of
mined palladium totaled 465,600 ounces at an average realized price of $370
per ounce. Platinum sales from mined production in 2007 were 120,300
ounces at an average realization, net of hedging losses and contractual
pricing caps, of $953 per ounce, compared to 138,200 ounces at $868 per
ounce in 2006.
Recycling activity increased modestly during 2007, with a total of 372,900
ounces of spent catalytic material processed, up from 346,500 ounces
processed in 2006. The Company processed both material purchased from
third parties and material toll processed on behalf of third parties for a
fee.
Total Company revenues for 2007 equaled $619.2 million, up very slightly
from $613.1 million of revenue in the previous year, as higher PGM prices
offset lower overall sales volumes in 2007. Sales of mined PGM ounces
contributed $277.5 million to 2007's total revenue and $292.2 million to
2006 revenue. Recycling revenues expanded to $326.4 million in 2007 from
$269.9 million in 2006, as higher market prices for PGMs (including
rhodium) amplified the small increase in volumes processed. Revenues from
sales of the palladium received in the 2003 Norilsk Nickel transaction
contributed $17.6 million in 2006; there were no corresponding sales during
2007, as that sales program was completed in the first quarter of 2006.
Other sales, mostly of metal purchased to meet resale obligations,
contributed $15.4 million to 2007 revenue, down from $33.4 million in 2006.
Costs of metals sold, excluding depreciation and amortization expense,
increased by 5% to $523.3 million for 2007 from $493.5 million in 2006,
driven mostly by recycling activity. The cost of mining operations,
included in these numbers, increased only 1.6% to $203.1 million in 2007
from $200.0 million in 2006. Recycling costs of metals sold, however,
increased by about 22% to $305.9 million from $250.4 million in 2006. Most
of the cost of recycling represents cost to purchase the spent catalyst
material itself, while the actual processing is a relatively small portion
of the total cost. The increase in recycling cost between 2007 and 2006 is
almost entirely the result of rising per-ton acquisition costs as the value
of the contained PGMs in the catalytic material has risen. Costs
associated with sales of the palladium received in the Norilsk Nickel
transaction were $10.8 million in 2006, with no corresponding cost in 2007;
again, the sales program for these metals was completed during the first
quarter of 2006. Costs of other miscellaneous metals purchased for resale
equaled $14.3 million in 2007, down from $32.3 million on much higher
purchase volumes in the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased slightly to $82.5 million
in 2007 from $83.7 million in 2006. The decrease reflects the lower 2007
production volumes, which more than offset higher 2007 amortization rates
that reflected new assets placed in service during 2007.
G&A costs increased during 2007 to $28.5 million from $27.7 million in
2006. The $0.8 million increase is the result of higher market development
efforts (up $1.4 million year-on-year) and exploration expenses (up $0.7
million), offset mainly by benefit forfeitures.
The Company's net loss for of the full year 2007 was $14.3 million.
Breaking this out by business segment, mining operations lost $7.8 million,
recycling contributed $27.0 million of earnings (including financing
charges), and miscellaneous metal transactions generated $1.2 million of
income. At the corporate level, G&A expense totaled $28.5 million and
unallocated interest expense equaled $6.2 million.
For the full year 2006, the Company's reported net income was $7.9 million.
Mining operations contributed $8.4 million to earnings, recycling added
earnings of $25.3 million, income from miscellaneous metal sales equaled
$1.1 million and sales related to the palladium received in the Norilsk
Nickel transaction generated an additional $6.9 million of income.
Partially offsetting this were corporate overhead expenses of $27.7 million
and $6.1 million of unallocated net interest expense.
Stillwater Mining Company will host its 2007 year-end results conference
call at 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time on February 26, 2008. The
conference call dial-in numbers are 800-288-8974 (U.S.) and 612-288-0329
(International). The conference call will simultaneously be webcast on the
Internet via the Company's website at www.stillwatermining.com. To access
the conference call on the Company's website, go to the Investor Relations
section under Presentations and click on the link to the conference call.
A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website
or by a telephone replay, numbers (800) 475-6701 (U.S.) and (320) 365-3844
(International), access code 911770, through March 4, 2008, ending at 11:59
p.m. Eastern Time.
Stillwater Mining Company is the only U.S. producer of palladium and
platinum and is the largest primary producer of platinum group metals
outside of South Africa and the Russian Federation. The Company's shares
are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWC.
Information on Stillwater Mining can be found at its Website:
www.stillwatermining.com.
Some statements contained in this news release 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 "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends,"
"estimates" or similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of
the Company's future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties
and other important factors that could cause our actual performance or
achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited
to, comments regarding expansion plans, costs, grade, production and
recovery rates, permitting, financing needs, the terms of future credit
facilities and capital expenditures, increases in processing capacity, cost
reduction measures, safety, timing for engineering studies, and
environmental permitting and compliance, litigation, labor matters and the
palladium and platinum market. Additional information regarding factors,
which could cause results to differ materially from management's
expectations, is found in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the
Company's 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Date of Report: February 25, 2008
(Date of earliest event reported)
Stillwater Mining Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DE
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
001-13053
(Commission File Number)
81-0480654
(IRS Employer
Identification Number)
1321 Discovery Drive
(Address of principal executive offices)
59102
(Zip Code)
406.373.8700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
2007 YE AND 4TH Q
(a) Financial statements:
None
(b) Pro forma financial information:
None
(c) Shell company transactions:
None
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press Release of Stillwater Mining Company dated February 25, 2008
Dated: February 25, 2008
STILLWATER MINING COMPANY
John R. Stark
Vice President
Exhibit No.
Description
99.1
Press Release of Stillwater Mining Company dated February 25, 2008
Ore Reserves, Key Factors Tables and Financial Statements follow.
Stillwater Mining Company
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
-------------------- --------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
--------- --------- --------- ---------
REVENUES
Mine production $ 66,578 $ 82,170 $ 277,456 $ 292,204
PGM recycling 78,418 91,460 326,394 269,941
Sales of palladium received in
Norilsk Nickel transaction - - - 17,637
Other 3,718 1,916 15,365 33,366
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total revenues 148,714 175,546 619,215 613,148
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Costs of metals sold
Mine production 46,004 57,646 203,121 199,982
PGM recycling 73,979 85,152 305,911 250,444
Sales of palladium received
in Norilsk Nickel
transaction - - - 10,785
Other 2,784 1,092 14,289 32,300
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total costs of metals sold 122,767 143,890 523,321 493,511
Depreciation and amortization
Mine production 20,262 22,342 82,396 83,583
PGM recycling 58 25 142 100
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total depreciation and
amortization 20,320 22,367 82,538 83,683
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total costs of revenues 143,087 166,257 605,859 577,194
Exploration 500 - 1,062 332
Marketing 1,591 952 5,586 4,186
General and administrative 3,288 5,215 21,817 23,221
(Gain)/loss on disposal of
property, plant and equipment 4 115 (180) 279
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total costs and expenses 148,470 172,539 634,144 605,212
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) 244 3,007 (14,929) 7,936
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Other 127 (209) 236 94
Interest income 2,762 2,927 11,705 11,322
Interest expense (2,762) (2,918) (11,269) (11,413)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX
PROVISION 371 2,807 (14,257) 7,939
Income tax provision - - - (10)
NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 371 $ 2,807 $ (14,257) $ 7,929
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income, net
of tax 5,756 9,937 9,578 1,799
--------- --------- --------- ---------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) $ 6,127 $ 12,744 $ (4,679) $ 9,728
========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average common shares
outstanding
Basic 92,337 91,457 92,016 91,260
Diluted 92,532 91,941 92,016 91,580
Basic earnings (loss) per share
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ 0.00 $ 0.03 $ (0.15) $ 0.09
========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted earnings (loss) per
share
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income (loss) $ 0.00 $ 0.03 $ (0.15) $ 0.09
========= ========= ========= =========
Stillwater Mining Company
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006
------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 61,436 $ 88,360
Restricted cash 5,885 3,785
Investments, at fair market value 27,603 35,497
Inventories 118,663 106,895
Advances on inventory purchases 28,396 24,191
Trade receivables 12,144 16,008
Deferred income taxes 4,597 5,063
Other current assets 6,092 4,540
------------ ------------
Total current assets 264,816 284,339
Property, plant and equipment, net 465,054 460,328
Long-term investments 3,556 1,869
Other noncurrent assets 8,981 9,487
------------ ------------
Total assets $ 742,407 $ 756,023
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 17,937 $ 24,833
Accrued payroll and benefits 20,944 20,348
Property, production and franchise taxes
payable 10,528 11,123
Current portion of long-term debt and capital
lease obligations 1,209 1,674
Fair value of derivative instruments 6,424 15,145
Unearned income 788 570
Other current liabilities 11,144 11,897
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 68,974 85,590
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 126,841 129,007
Fair value of derivative instruments - 715
Deferred income taxes 4,597 5,063
Accrued workers compensation 9,982 10,254
Asset retirement obligation 10,506 8,550
Other noncurrent liabilities 4,103 4,288
------------ ------------
Total liabilities $ 225,003 $ 243,467
------------ ------------
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000
shares authorized; none issued - -
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000
shares authorized; 92,405,111 and 91,514,668
shares issued and outstanding 924 915
Paid-in capital 626,625 617,107
Accumulated deficit (104,120) (89,863)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,025) (15,603)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 517,404 512,556
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 742,407 $ 756,023
============ ============
Stillwater Mining Company
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
-------------------- --------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from operating
activities
Net income (loss) $ 371 $ 2,807 $ (14,257) $ 7,929
Adjustments to reconcile net
income (loss) to net cash
provided by operating
activities
Depreciation and amortization 20,320 22,367 82,538 83,683
Lower of cost or market
inventory adjustment 849 1,325 6,013 2,519
(Gain)/loss on disposal of
property, plant and equipment 4 115 (180) 279
Asset retirement obligation 189 168 734 650
Stock issued under employee
benefit plans 1,568 1,351 5,470 4,910
Amortization of debt issuance
costs (118) 201 500 783
Share based compensation 60 932 3,805 3,549
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities
Inventories (8,238) 12,465 (16,518) (24,440)
Advances on inventory
purchases (149) 821 (4,205) (17,241)
Trade receivables (722) 5,206 3,864 11,279
Employee compensation and
benefits (869) 2,651 596 2,547
Accounts payable 1,004 8,053 (6,896) 10,426
Property, production and
franchise taxes payable (1,668) 2,017 (780) 1,581
Workers compensation (585) 464 (272) 4,400
Unearned income 227 (176) 218 (75)
Restricted cash (1,500) - (2,100) (1,100)
Other (576) 1,402 (2,108) 5,284
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating
activities 10,167 62,169 56,422 96,963
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing
activities
Capital expenditures (25,033) (30,048) (87,876) (97,802)
Purchases of long-term
investments - (1,869) (1,687) (1,869)
Proceeds from disposal of
property, plant and equipment 21 105 396 615
Purchases of investments (8,871) (34,319) (64,925) (106,287)
Proceeds from maturities of
investments 18,191 27,199 73,125 126,434
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing
activities (15,692) (38,932) (80,967) (78,909)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing
activities
Payments on long-term debt and
capital lease obligations (401) (448) (2,631) (10,726)
Issuance of common stock, net
of stock issue costs 4 18 252 825
Payments of debt issuance
costs - - - (579)
Other - 526 - 526
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities (397) 96 (2,379) (9,954)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) (5,922) 23,333 (26,924) 8,100
Balance at beginning of period 67,358 65,027 88,360 80,260
========= ========= ========= =========
Balance at end of period $ 61,436 $ 88,360 $ 61,436 $ 88,360
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Stillwater Mining Company
Proven and Probable Ore Reserves*
December 31, 2007
%
Change
Average % Change in
Grade Contained in Tons Ounces
Tons (Oz/Ton) Ounces from from
(000's) Pd + Pt (000's) 2006 2006
-------- -------- -------- ------- -------
Stillwater Mine
Proven Reserves 2,784 0.65 1,796 0.30% -1.21%
Probable Reserves 14,360 0.61 8,791 -7.58% -9.82%
Total Stillwater Mine 17,144 0.62 10,586 (1) -6.38% -8.47%
East Boulder Mine
Proven Reserves 2,017 0.46 921 0.29% 2.10%
Probable Reserves 20,868 0.46 9,660 -5.64% -8.68%
Total East Boulder Mine 22,885 0.46 10,581 -5.14% -7.83%
Total Proven Reserves 4,800 0.57 2,717 0.29% -0.14%
Total Probable Reserves 35,228 0.52 18,451 -6.44% -9.22%
Total Proven and Probable
Reserves 40,028 0.53 21,167 (1) -5.68% -8.16%
* In testing ore reserves at December 31, 2007, the Company applied the
trailing 12-quarter combined average PGM market price of $476.20 per ounce,
based upon the 12-quarter average palladium price of $292.08 per ounce and
the 12-quarter average platinum price of $1,114.35.
(1) Columns do not add mathematically due to rounding.
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Factors Three months ended Twelve months ended
(Unaudited) December 31, December 31,
--------------------- ---------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
OPERATING AND COST DATA FOR MINE
PRODUCTION
Consolidated:
Ounces produced (000)
Palladium 101 119 413 463
Platinum 31 35 124 138
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total 132 154 537 601
========== ========== ========== ==========
Tons milled (000) 278 332 1,169 1,289
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.52 0.51 0.50 0.51
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) 22 15 75 62
Sub-grade tons mill head grade
(ounce per ton) 0.11 0.14 0.12 0.13
Total tons milled (000) (1) 278 347 1,244 1,351
Combined mill head grade (ounce
per ton) 0.49 0.49 0.48 0.49
Total mill recovery (%) 91 91 91 91
Total operating costs per ounce
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 291 $ 241 $ 266 $ 240
Total cash costs per ounce
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 342 $ 300 $ 328 $ 295
Total production costs per
ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 507 $ 437 $ 485 $ 432
Total operating costs per ton
milled (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 128 $ 107 $ 115 $ 107
Total cash costs per ton milled
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 150 $ 133 $ 142 $ 131
Total production costs per ton
milled (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 223 $ 194 $ 210 $ 192
Stillwater Mine:
Ounces produced (000)
Palladium 70 83 274 314
Platinum 22 25 85 95
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total 92 108 359 409
========== ========== ========== ==========
Tons milled (000) 159 196 640 739
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.62 0.59 0.60 0.60
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) 22 15 75 62
Sub-grade tons mill head grade
(ounce per ton) 0.11 0.14 0.12 0.13
Total tons milled (000) (1) 181 211 715 801
Combined mill head grade (ounce
per ton) 0.56 0.56 0.55 0.56
Total mill recovery (%) 91 92 92 92
Total operating costs per ounce
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 241 $ 219 $ 232 $ 228
Total cash costs per ounce
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 287 $ 272 $ 292 $ 280
Total production costs per
ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 421 $ 392 $ 423 $ 400
Total operating costs per ton
milled (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 122 $ 112 $ 116 $ 116
Total cash costs per ton milled
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 145 $ 139 $ 147 $ 143
Total production costs per ton
milled (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 213 $ 201 $ 213 $ 205
Stillwater Mining Company
Key Factors (continued)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended Twelve months ended
December 31, December 31,
--------------------- ---------------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
OPERATING AND COST DATA FOR MINE
PRODUCTION (Continued)
East Boulder Mine:
Ounces produced (000)
Palladium 31 36 139 149
Platinum 9 10 39 43
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total 40 46 178 192
========== ========== ========== ==========
Tons milled (000) 119 137 529 550
Mill head grade (ounce per ton) 0.38 0.39 0.38 0.39
Sub-grade tons milled (000) (1) - - - -
Sub-grade tons mill head grade
(ounce per ton) - - - -
Total tons milled (000) (1) 119 137 529 550
Combined mill head grade (ounce
per ton) 0.38 0.39 0.38 0.39
Total mill recovery (%) 90 89 90 89
Total operating costs per ounce
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 404 $ 290 $ 337 $ 266
Total cash costs per ounce
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 466 $ 363 $ 403 $ 326
Total production costs per
ounce (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 703 $ 540 $ 611 $ 501
Total operating costs per ton
milled (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 137 $ 99 $ 113 $ 93
Total cash costs per ton milled
(Non-GAAP) (2) $ 158 $ 124 $ 136 $ 113
Total production costs per ton
milled (Non-GAAP) (2) $ 238 $ 184 $ 206 $ 174
Stillwater Mining Company
Three Months ended Twelve months ended
(Unaudited) December 31, December 31,
------------------- -------------------
(in thousands, where noted) 2007 2006 2007 2006
--------- --------- --------- ---------
SALES AND PRICE DATA
Ounces sold (000)
Mine production:
Palladium (oz.) 98 127 425 466
Platinum (oz.) 28 38 120 138
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total 126 165 545 604
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Other PGM activities: (5)
Palladium (oz.) 33 40 146 196
Platinum (oz.) 25 40 119 130
Rhodium (oz.) 6 7 24 28
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total 64 87 289 354
--------- --------- --------- ---------
By-products from mining: (6)
Rhodium (oz.) 1 1 4 4
Gold (oz.) 3 3 11 11
Silver (oz.) 3 2 9 6
Copper (lb.) 258 44 942 892
Nickel (lb.) 301 370 1,171 1,585
Average realized price per ounce
(3)
Mine production:
Palladium ($/oz.) $ 389 $ 370 $ 384 $ 370
Platinum ($/oz.) $ 1,006 $ 933 $ 953 $ 868
Combined ($/oz.)(4) $ 528 $ 499 $ 509 $ 484
Other PGM activities: (5)
Palladium ($/oz.) $ 360 $ 324 $ 352 $ 306
Platinum ($/oz.) $ 1,318 $ 1,158 $ 1,247 $ 1,122
Rhodium ($/oz.) $ 6,013 $ 4,738 $ 5,732 $ 4,111
By-products from mining:(6)
Rhodium ($/oz.) $ 6,618 $ 4,953 $ 6,217 $ 4,516
Gold ($/oz.) $ 800 $ 621 $ 699 $ 603
Silver ($/oz.) $ 14 $ 13 $ 13 $ 12
Copper ($/lb.) $ 3.42 $ 2.48 $ 3.34 $ 2.91
Nickel ($/lb.) $ 13.80 $ 14.71 $ 16.91 $ 10.04
Average market price per ounce (4)
Palladium ($/oz.) $ 360 $ 321 $ 355 $ 320
Platinum ($/oz.) $ 1,445 $ 1,130 $ 1,303 $ 1,143
Combined ($/oz.)(4) $ 605 $ 506 $ 564 $ 508
(1) Sub-grade tons milled includes reef waste material only. Total tons
milled includes ore tons and sub-grade tons only.
(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 writedowns, gain or loss on
disposal of property, plant and equipment, restructuring costs, Norilsk
Nickel transaction expenses 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.
(3) The Company's average realized price represents revenues, which include
the effect of contract floor and ceiling prices, hedging gains and
losses realized on commodity instruments and contract discounts,
divided by ounces sold. The average market price represents the
average London PM Fix for the actual months of the period.
(4) The Company reports a combined average realized and market price of
palladium and platinum at the same ratio as ounces that are produced
from the refinery.
(5) Ounces sold and average realized price per ounce from other PGM
activities relate to ounces produced from processing of catalyst
materials, ounces purchased in the open market for resale and
palladium received in the Norilsk Nickel transaction.
(6) 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.
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 from 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 Company's Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss)) 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 Company's 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 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 on a consolidated basis, this measure is equal to consolidated costs of revenues, as reported in the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income/ (Loss). For the Stillwater Mine, East Boulder Mine, and other PGM activities, the Company segregates the expenses within costs of revenues that are directly associated with each of these activities and then allocates the remaining facility costs included in consolidated costs 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 consolidated costs of revenues as reported in the Company's Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income/(Loss).
Total Production Costs (Non-GAAP): Calculated as total costs of revenues (for each mine or consolidated) adjusted to exclude gains or losses on asset dispositions, costs and profit from secondary recycling, and changes in product inventories. This non-GAAP measure provides an indication of the total costs incurred in association with production and processing in a period, before taking into account the timing differences resulting from inventory changes and before any effect of asset dispositions or secondary recycling activities. The Company uses it as a comparative measure of the level of total production and processing activities in a period, and may be compared to prior periods or between the Company's mines. As noted above, because this measure does not take into account the inventory timing differences that are included in costs of revenues, it cannot be used to develop meaningful measures of earnings or profitability.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total Production Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) -- measured for each mine or consolidated -- provides an indication of the cost per ton milled in that period. Because of variability of ore grade in the Company's mining operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured against ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. And 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 consolidated -- 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 Company's 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.
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP): This non-GAAP measure is calculated (for each mine or consolidated) as total costs of revenues adjusted to exclude gains or losses on asset dispositions, costs and profit from recycling activities, depreciation and amortization and asset retirement costs and changes in product inventories. The Company uses this measure as a comparative indication of the cash costs related to production and processing in any period. As noted above, because this measure does not take into account the inventory timing differences that are included in costs of revenues, it cannot be used to develop meaningful measures of earnings or profitability.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total Cash Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) -- measured for each mine or consolidated -- provides an indication of the level of cash costs incurred per ton milled in that period. Because of variability of ore grade in the Company's mining operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured against ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. And 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 consolidated -- 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 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 Company's 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 consolidated 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 Company's 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. As noted above, because this measure does not take into account the inventory timing differences that are included in costs of revenues, it cannot be used to develop meaningful measures of earnings or profitability.
When divided by the total tons milled in the respective period, Total Operating Cost per Ton Milled (Non-GAAP) -- measured for each mine or consolidated -- 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 Company's mining operations, production efficiency underground is frequently measured against ore tons produced rather than contained PGM ounces. And 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 consolidated -- 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 Company's 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.
Stillwater Mining Company Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to Costs of Revenues (unaudited) (in thousands, Three months ended Twelve months ended except per ounce and per ton December 31, December 31, costs) -------------------- -------------------- 2007 2006 2007 2006 --------- --------- --------- --------- Consolidated: Reconciliation to consolidated costs of revenues: Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) $ 38,325 $ 37,153 $ 143,142 $ 144,144 Royalties, taxes and other 6,671 9,134 33,396 32,901 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) $ 44,996 $ 46,287 $ 176,538 $ 177,045 Asset retirement costs 189 168 734 650 Depreciation and amortization 20,262 22,342 82,396 83,583 Depreciation and amortization (in inventory) 1,357 (1,365) 1,264 (1,659) --------- --------- --------- --------- Total production costs (Non-GAAP) $ 66,804 $ 67,432 $ 260,932 $ 259,619 Change in product inventories (3,759) 5,679 11,848 41,642 Costs of recycling activities 73,979 85,152 305,911 250,444 Recycling activities - depreciation 58 25 142 100 Add: Profit from recycling activities 6,005 7,969 27,026 25,389 Loss or (gain) on sale of assets 4 115 (180) 279 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total consolidated costs of revenues $ 143,091 $ 166,372 $ 605,679 $ 577,473 ========= ========= ========= ========= Stillwater Mine: Reconciliation to costs of revenues: Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) $ 22,034 $ 23,621 $ 83,174 $ 93,230 Royalties, taxes and other 4,176 5,755 21,633 21,496 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) $ 26,210 $ 29,376 $ 104,807 $ 114,726 Asset retirement costs 132 121 512 470 Depreciation and amortization 11,180 13,599 46,521 49,620 Depreciation and amortization (in inventory) 975 (833) 255 (993) --------- --------- --------- --------- Total production costs (Non-GAAP) $ 38,497 $ 42,263 $ 152,095 $ 163,823 Change in product inventories (5,586) (2,742) (2,872) 1,882 Add: Profit from recycling activities 4,161 5,571 17,883 17,612 Loss or (gain) on sale of assets (9) 7 (254) 187 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total costs of revenues $ 37,063 $ 45,099 $ 166,852 $ 183,504 ========= ========= ========= ========= East Boulder Mine: Reconciliation to costs of revenues: Total operating costs (Non-GAAP) $ 16,291 $ 13,532 $ 59,968 $ 50,914 Royalties, taxes and other 2,495 3,379 11,763 11,405 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total cash costs (Non-GAAP) $ 18,786 $ 16,911 $ 71,731 $ 62,319 Asset retirement costs 57 47 222 180 Depreciation and amortization 9,083 8,744 35,877 33,963 Depreciation and amortization (in inventory) 381 (532) 1,007 (666) --------- --------- --------- --------- Total production costs (Non-GAAP) $ 28,307 $ 25,170 $ 108,837 $ 95,796 Change in product inventories (957) (1,846) 432 (439) Add: Profit from recycling activities 1,844 2,398 9,143 7,777 Loss or (gain) on sale of assets 13 92 36 40 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total costs of revenues $ 29,207 $ 25,814 $ 118,448 $ 103,174 ========= ========= ========= ========= Other PGM activities: (1) Reconciliation to costs of revenues: Change in product inventories $ 2,784 $ 10,267 $ 14,288 $ 40,199 Recycling activities - depreciation 58 25 142 100 Costs of recycling activities 73,979 85,152 305,911 250,444 Loss or (gain) on sale of assets - 16 38 52 --------- --------- --------- --------- Total costs of revenues $ 76,821 $ 95,460 $ 320,379 $ 290,795 ========= ========= ========= ========= (1) The East Boulder Mine commenced commercial production activities at the beginning of 2002. (2) Other PGM activities include recycling and sales of palladium received in the Norilsk Nickel transaction and other.
CONTACT: Dawn McCurtain (406) 373-8787-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----