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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
 
     
(Mark One)    
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
OR
o
  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 1-8641
 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Idaho   82-0109423
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
505 Front Ave., P. O. Box “I”
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
(Address of principal executive offices)
  83816
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (208) 667-3511
 
Securities Registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   New York Stock Exchange/Toronto Stock Exchange/Australian Stock Exchange
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
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 o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o
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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
             
Large accelerated filer þ
  Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
$917,797,845
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
As of February 23, 2010, 81,431,083 shares of Common Stock, Par Value $0.01
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information called for by Part III of the Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which will be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
      Business     2  
      Risk Factors     12  
      Unresolved Staff Comments     22  
      Properties     22  
      Legal Proceedings     43  
      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     43  
 
PART II
      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     45  
      Selected Financial Data     49  
      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     50  
      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     74  
      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     76  
      Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     76  
      Controls and Procedures     77  
      Other Information     78  
 
PART III
      Directors, Executive Officers of the Registrant     78  
      Executive Compensation     78  
      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     78  
      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     79  
      Principal Accounting Fees and Services     79  
 
PART IV
      Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules     79  
    83  
 EX-3.D
 EX-10.B
 EX-10.C
 EX-10.I
 EX-10.J
 EX-10.K
 EX-10.L
 EX-10.AA
 EX-12
 EX-21
 EX-23
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


Table of Contents

 
PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
INTRODUCTION
 
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation is primarily a silver producer with a growing gold production profile. The Company is located in North America and is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the operation and ownership, development and exploration of silver and gold mining properties and companies located primarily within South America (Chile, Argentina and Bolivia), Mexico (Chihuahua), United States (Nevada and Alaska) and Australia (New South Wales). Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and its subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to collectively as “Coeur” or the “Company.” Coeur is an Idaho corporation incorporated in 1928.
 
OVERVIEW OF MINING PROPERTIES AND INTERESTS
 
The Company’s most significant operating and development-stage mining properties and interests are:
 
  •  Coeur owns, either directly or indirectly, 100% of Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V., which operates the underground and surface Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. The Palmarejo mine poured its first silver/gold doré on March 30, 2009 and began shipping doré on April 16, 2009. Palmarejo produced 3.0 million ounces of silver and 54,740 gold ounces during this initial year of operation. During 2009, the Company increased reserves at Palmarejo by 49.6% or 31.5 silver ounces and 54.0% or 408,000 gold ounces after giving effect for the 2009 production. The Company also controls other exploration-stage properties in northern Mexico. On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. The royalty is payable when the market price per ounce of gold is greater than $400.00.
 
  •  Coeur owns, either directly or indirectly, 100% of Empresa Minera Manquiri S.A., a Bolivian company that controls the mining rights for the San Bartolomé mine, which is a surface silver mine in Bolivia where commercial production commenced in June 2008. San Bartolomé produced 7.5 million ounces of silver during its first full year of operation in 2009. The mine plan has been temporarily adjusted during a temporary suspension of mining above 4,400 meters while stability studies of the Cerro Rico Mountain are undertaken by COMIBOL. Mining continues on the remainder of the property.
 
  •  The Company owns 100% of Coeur Alaska, Inc., which owns the Kensington property, an advanced underground gold property located north of Juneau, Alaska, which is an advanced development-stage underground gold property. Construction activities have recommenced at the Kensington mine and production is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2010. A lawsuit was filed in 2005 in Federal Court challenging a permit necessary for construction of a tailings facility at the Kensington property. During 2008, the Company completed all surface facility construction activities not impacted by the legal challenge. On June 22, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that invalidated the previously issued U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit for the tailings facility for the Kensington gold mine, and on August 14, 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re-activated the Company’s 404 permit clearing the way for construction at the tailings facility to continue.
 
  •  The Company owns 100% of Coeur Rochester, Inc., which has owned and operated the Rochester mine, a silver and gold surface mining operation located in northwestern Nevada since 1986. The active mining of ore at the Rochester mine was completed during 2007; however, silver and gold production is expected to continue through 2014 as a result of continuing heap leaching operations. During 2009, the Company completed a technical and economic evaluation of an expansion of mining operations at its Rochester mine. This study envisions an average of 2.9 million ounces of incremental annual silver production and 30,000 ounces of further gold production through 2017. The Company expects to complete the permitting necessary for construction of facilities to restart active mining in the second half of 2010. Rochester produced 2.2 million ounces of silver and 12,663 ounces of gold in 2009.


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  •  Coeur owns, either directly or indirectly, 100% of the capital stock of Coeur Argentina S.R.L., which owns and operates the underground high-grade silver and gold Martha mine located in Santa Cruz, Argentina. Mining operations commenced at the Martha mine in June 2002. In 2007, the Company built a stand-alone mill to process ore from the Martha mine which previously was transported to its Cerro Bayo mine in Chile for processing. The Company carries on an active exploration program at its Martha mine and on its other exploration properties in Santa Cruz, which totals over 560 square miles. During 2009, Martha produced 3.7 million ounces of silver, the most in its history. Due to depletion of the ore reserve at the Martha mine, the Company expects operating activities will cease in late 2010, unless additional mineralization is discovered during the year.
 
  •  In May 2005, the Company acquired, for $44.0 million, all of the silver production and reserves (up to 20.0 million payable ounces) contained at the Endeavor mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Cobar Operations Pty. Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (“CBH”). The Endeavor mine is an underground zinc, lead and silver mine located in New South Wales, Australia, which has been in production since 1983. Endeavor produced 461,800 ounces of silver in 2009.
 
  •  Coeur owns, either directly or indirectly, 100% of Compania Minera Cerro Bayo Limitada, which controls the Cerro Bay mine in southern Chile. Cerro Bay comprises a gold and silver underground mine and processing facilities. The ore deposits at the Cerro Bayo districts were discovered in the late 1990’s and exploration discoveries have been made consistently from then to the present. Operations commenced in 1995 and continued uninterrupted until 2000 when a brief production hiatus occurred. That same year new deposits were discovered and production recommenced there in late 2001 and ore processing restarted in April 2002. The Company carries on an active exploration program on its 132 square mile (34,106 hectares) property package encompassing the mine and mill complex and exploration area. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company suspended operations at Cerro Bayo in order to conserve existing reserves and to focus on exploration and development of new discoveries and existing veins. The suspension resulted in no silver and gold production in 2009.
 
  •  Effective July 1, 2009, the Company sold its 100% interest in silver contained at the Broken Hill mine for $55.0 million in cash to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd.
 
Coeur also has interests in other properties that are subject to silver or gold exploration activities upon which no minable ore reserves have yet been delineated.
 
SILVER AND GOLD PRICES
 
The Company’s operating results are substantially dependent upon the world market prices of silver and gold. The Company has no control over silver and gold prices, which can fluctuate widely. The volatility of such prices is illustrated by the following table, which sets forth the high and low prices of silver (as reported by Handy and Harman) and gold (as reported by London Final) per ounce during the periods indicated:
 
                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,
    2009   2008   2007
 
      High       Low       High       Low       High       Low  
                                                 
Silver
  $ 19.28     $ 10.45     $ 20.70     $ 8.81     $ 15.67     $ 11.54  
Gold
  $ 1,212.50     $ 810.00     $ 1,011.25     $ 712.50     $ 841.10     $ 608.40  
 
MARKETING
 
All of our mining operations produce silver and gold in doré form except for the Martha Mine which produces a concentrate that contains both silver and gold and the Endeavor Mine which produces a concentrate that contains silver.
 
The Company markets its refined metal and doré to credit worthy bullion trading houses, market makers and members of the London Bullion Market Association, industrial companies and sound financial institutions. The refined metals are sold to end users for use in electronic circuitry, jewelry, silverware, and the pharmaceutical and


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technology industries. The Company currently has five trading counterparties (Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Standard Bank, Valcambi and Auramet) and the sales of metals to these companies amounted to approximately 83%, 50% and 52% of total metal sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading counterparty would not adversely affect the Company due to the liquidity of the markets and the availability of alternative trading counterparties.
 
The Company refines and markets its precious metals doré and concentrates using a geographically diverse group of third party smelters and refiners, including clients located in Mexico, Switzerland, Australia and the United States (Penoles, Valcambi, Nyrstar, Johnson Matthey). Sales of silver concentrates to third-party smelters amounted to approximately 17%, 50% and 48% of total metal sales for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The loss of any one smelting and refining client may have a material adverse effect if alternate smelters and refiners are not available. The Company believes there is sufficient global capacity available to address the loss of any one smelter.
 
HEDGING ACTIVITES
 
The Company’s strategy is to provide shareholders with leverage to changes in silver and gold prices by selling silver and gold production at market prices. Coeur has historically sold silver and gold from its mines both pursuant to forward contracts and at spot prices prevailing at the time of sale. The Company has entered into derivative contracts to protect the selling price for certain anticipated gold and silver production and to manage risks associated with commodities and foreign currencies. For additional information see hedging in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and Note Q to the consolidated financial statements, Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments.
 
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
General
 
The Company’s activities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws governing the protection of the environment, prospecting, development, production, taxes, labor standards, occupational health, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. The costs associated with compliance with such regulatory requirements are substantial and possible future legislation and regulations could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions and delays in the development and continued operation of the Company’s properties, the extent of which cannot be predicted. In the context of environmental permitting, including the approval of reclamation plans, the Company must comply with known standards and regulations which may entail significant costs and delays. Although Coeur has been recognized for its commitment to environmental responsibility and believes it is in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, amendments to current laws and regulations, more stringent implementation of these laws and regulations through judicial review or administrative action or the adoption of new laws could have a materially adverse effect upon the Company and its results of operations.
 
Estimated future reclamation costs are based primarily on legal and regulatory requirements. As of December 31, 2009, $38.2 million was accrued for reclamation costs relating to currently developed and producing properties. The Company is also involved in several matters concerning environmental obligations associated with former mining activities. Based upon our best estimate of our liabilities for these items, $1.7 million was accrued as of December 31, 2009. These amounts are included in reclamation and mine closure liabilities and the consolidated balance sheet.
 
Federal Environmental Laws
 
Certain mining wastes from extraction and beneficiation of ores are currently exempt from the extensive set of Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulations governing hazardous waste, although such wastes may be subject to regulation under state law as a solid or hazardous waste. The EPA has worked on a program to regulate these mining wastes pursuant to its solid waste management authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). Certain ore processing and other wastes are currently regulated as hazardous wastes by the EPA under RCRA. If the Company’s mine wastes were treated as hazardous waste or such wastes resulted in operations being designated as a “Superfund” site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,


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Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”) for cleanup, material expenditures would be required for the construction of additional waste disposal facilities or for other remediation expenditures. Under CERCLA, any present owner or operator of a Superfund site or an owner or operator at the time of its contamination generally may be held liable and may be forced to undertake remedial cleanup action or to pay for the government’s cleanup efforts. Such owner or operator may also be liable to governmental entities for the cost of damages to natural resources, which may be substantial. Additional regulations or requirements may also be imposed upon the Company’s tailings and waste disposal in Alaska under the Federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and state law counterparts, and in Nevada under the Nevada Water Pollution Control Law which implements the CWA. Air emissions are subject to controls under Nevada’s and Alaska’s air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act. The Company has reviewed and considered current federal legislation relating to climate change and does not believe it to have a material effect on its operations. Additional regulation or requirements under any of these laws and regulations could have a materially adverse effect upon the Company and its results of operations.
 
Proposed Mining Legislation
 
Legislation has been introduced regularly in the U.S. Congress over the last decade to change the Mining Law of 1872 as amended, under which the Company holds unpatented mining claims on federal lands. A portion of the Company’s U.S. mining properties are on unpatented mining claims on federal lands. It is possible that the Mining Law may be amended or be replaced by more onerous legislation in the future. Previously proposed legislation contained a production royalty obligation, new environmental standards and conditions, additional reclamation requirements and extensive new procedural steps which would be likely to result in delays in permitting. In January 2009, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives called the “Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of 2009” (H.R. 699). The proposed legislation contains new proposed royalties on gross revenues for new and existing mining operations on public lands, among other provisions. The ultimate content of this or any future proposed legislation, if enacted, is uncertain. If a royalty on unpatented mining claims were to be imposed under any ultimately enacted law, the Company’s operations could be adversely affected, although the majority of the Company’s operations are either outside of the United States or on private patented lands and would be unaffected by potential legislation. In addition, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have considered revising regulations governing operations under the Mining Law on federal lands they administer, which, if implemented, may result in additional procedures and environmental conditions and standards on those lands.
 
Any such reform of the Mining Law or Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service regulations there under could increase the costs of mining activities on unpatented mining claims, or could materially impair the ability of the Company to develop or continue operations which derive ore from federal lands, and as a result could have an adverse affect on the Company and its results of operations. Until such time, if any, as new reform legislation or regulations are enacted, the ultimate effects and costs of compliance on the Company cannot be estimated.
 
Foreign Government Regulations
 
The mining properties of the Company that are located in Chile and Argentina are subject to various government laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the air, surface water, ground water and the environment in general, as well as the health of the work force, labor standards and the socio-economic impacts of mining facilities upon the communities. In Chile, a recently established State Council for the Environment (“COREMA”) has responsibility to define policy, approve plans and programs, control regulatory activities and enforce compliance in Chile. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all applicable laws and regulations to which it is subject in Chile and Argentina.
 
Bolivia, where the San Bartolomé mine is located, and Mexico, where the Palmarejo mine is located, have both adopted laws and guidelines for environmental permitting that are similar to those in effect in the United States and other South American countries. The permitting process requires a thorough study to determine the baseline condition of the mining site and surrounding area, an environmental impact analysis, and proposed mitigation measures to minimize and offset the environmental impact of mining operations. The Company has received all permits required to operate the San Bartolomé mine and to build and operate the Palmarejo mine.


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The Company does not directly hold any interest in mining properties in Australia. However, under the Silver Sale Agreements with CBH Resources Limited (“CBH”), the Company has purchased CBH’s silver reserves and resources in the ground. CBH is responsible for the mining operation and compliance with government regulations and the Company is not responsible for compliance. The Company is however at risk for any production stoppages resulting from non-compliance. The mining property of CBH is subject to a range of state and federal government laws and regulations pertaining to the protection of the air, surface water, ground water, noise, site rehabilitation and the environment in general, as well as the occupational health and safety of the work force, labor standards and the socio-economic impacts of mining facilities among local communities. In addition, the various federal and state native title legislation recognize and protect the rights and interests in Australia of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in land and waters, according to their traditional laws and customs, and may restrict mining and exploration activity and/or result in additional costs. CBH is required to deal with a number of governmental departments in development and exploitation of its mining property. The Company is not aware of any substantial non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations to which this company is subject in Australia.
 
Maintenance of Claims
 
United States
 
At mining properties in the United States, including the Rochester and Kensington mines, operations are conducted in part upon unpatented mining claims, as well as patented mining claims. Pursuant to applicable federal law it is necessary, to maintain the unpatented claims, to pay to the Secretary of the Interior, on or before August 31 of each year, a claim maintenance fee of $135 per claim. This claim maintenance fee is in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law. In addition, in Nevada, holders of unpatented mining claims are required to pay the county recorder of the county in which the claim is situated an annual fee of $8.50 per claim. No maintenance fees are payable for patented claims. Patented claims are similar to land held by an owner who is entitled to the entire interest in the property with unconditional power of disposition.
 
Mexico
 
In order to carry out mining activities in Mexico, the Company is required to obtain a mining concession from the General Bureau of Mining which belongs to the Ministry of Economy (Secretaría de Economía) of the Federal Government, or be assigned previously granted concession rights, and both must be recorded with the Public Registry of Mining. In addition, mining works may have to be authorized by other authorities when performed in certain areas, including villages, dams, channels, general communications ways, submarine shelf of islands, islets and reefs, marine beds and subsoil and federal maritime-terrestrial zones. Reports have to be filed with the Bureau in May of each year evidencing previous calendar year mining works. Generally nominal biannual mining duties are payable in January and July of each year, and failure to pay these duties could lead to cancellation of the concessions. Obligations such as not to withdraw permanent works of fortification and to file technical reports are to be fulfilled upon expiration or cancellation of the concession.
 
Bolivia
 
The Bolivian national mining company, Corporación Minera de Bolivia (“Comibol”), is the underlying owner of all of the mining rights relating to the San Bartolomé mine. Comibol’s ownership derives from the Supreme Decree 3196 issued in October 1952, when the government nationalized most of the mines in Potosí. Comibol has leased the mining rights for the surface sucu or pallaco gravel deposits to several Potosí cooperatives. The cooperatives in turn have subleased their mining rights to Manquiri through a series of “joint venture” contracts with Manquiri. In addition to those agreements with the cooperatives, Coeur, through its subsidiary Manquiri, holds additional mining rights under lease agreements directly with Comibol. All of Manquiri’s mining and surface rights collectively constitute the San Bartolomé project. For additional information regarding the maintenance of our claims to the San Bartolomé mine, see Item 2 Properties — Silver and Gold Mining Properties — South America — Bolivia below.


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Argentina
 
Minerals are owned by the provincial governments, which impose a maximum 3% mine-mouth royalty on mineral production. The first step in acquiring mining rights is filing a cateo, which gives exclusive prospecting rights for the requested area for a period of time, generally up to 3 years. Maximum size of each cateo is 10,000 hectares; a maximum of 20 cateos, or 200,000 hectares, can be held by a single entity (individual or company) in any one province.
 
The holder of a cateo has exclusive right to establish a Manifestation of Discovery (“MD”) on that cateo, but MD’s can also be set without a cateo on any land not covered by someone else’s cateo. MDs are filed as either a vein or disseminated discovery. A square protection zone can be declared around the discovery — up to 840 hectares for a vein MD or up to 7,000 hectares for a disseminated MD. The protection zone grants the discoverer exclusive rights for an indefinite period, during which the discoverer must provide an annual report presenting a program of exploration work and investments related to the protection zone. A MD can later be upgraded to a Mina (mining claim), which gives the holder the right to begin commercial extraction of minerals.
 
Chile
 
In Chile, mineral rights are owned by the national government. Mineral concessions are granted by the court with jurisdiction over the land where the requested concession is located. For exploitation concessions (somewhat similar to a U.S. patented claim), to maintain the concession, an annual tax is payable to the government before March 31 of each year in the approximate amount of $6.90 per hectare. For exploration concessions, to maintain the right, the annual tax is approximately $1,380 per hectare. An exploration concession is valid for a five-year period. It may be renewed unless a third party claims the right to explore upon the property, in which event the exploration concession must be converted to an exploitation concession in order to maintain the rights to the concession.
 
Australia
 
At the mining property in Australia operated by CBH, operations are conducted on designated Mining Leases issued by the relevant state government mining department. Mining Leases are issued for a specific term and include a range of environmental and other conditions including the payment of production royalties, annual lease fees and the use of cash or a bank guarantee as security for reclamation liabilities. The amounts required to be paid to secure reclamation liabilities are determined on a case by case basis. In addition, CBH holds a range of exploration titles and permits, which are also issued by the respective state government mining departments for specified terms and require payment of annual fees and completion of designated expenditure programs on the leases to maintain title. In Australia, minerals in the ground are owned by the state until severed from the ground through mining operations.
 
Condition of Physical Assets and Insurance
 
Our business is capital intensive, requiring ongoing capital investment for the replacement, modernization or expansion of equipment and facility. For more information see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations below.
 
The Company maintains insurance policies against property loss and business interruption and insures against risks that are typical in the operation of our business, in amounts we believe to be reasonable. Such insurance, however, contains exclusions and limitations on coverage, particularly with respect to environmental liability and political risk. There can be no assurance that claims would be paid under such insurance policies in connection with a particular event. See Item 1A Risk Factors below.


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EMPLOYEES
 
The number of full-time employees at the Company as of December 31, 2009 was:
 
         
U.S. Corporate Staff and Office
    43  
Rochester Mine
    31  
Kensington Mine
    74  
South American Administrative Offices
    34  
South American Exploration
    16  
Cerro Bayo Mine/Chile(1)
    31  
Mina Martha/Argentina(1)
    179  
San Bartolomé Mine/Bolivia(1)
    299  
Palmarejo Mine/Mexico
    586  
Australia
     
Tanzania
    1  
         
Total
    1,294  
         
 
 
(1) The Company maintains three labor agreements in South America, consisting of a labor agreement with Syndicato de Trabajadores de Compañía Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. at its Cerro Bayo mine in Chile, a labor agreement with Associacion Obrera Minera Argentina at its Martha mine in Argentina and a labor agreement with Sindicato de la Empresa Minera Manquiri at its San Bartolomé mine in Boliva. The agreement at Cerro Bayo is effective from December 24, 2007 to December 21, 2010 and the agreement at Mina Martha is effective from June 12, 2006 to June 1, 2010. The Bolivian labor agreement, which became effective October 11, 2007, does not have a fixed term. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 19% of the Company’s worldwide labor force was covered by collective bargaining agreements.
 
EXPLORATION STAGE MINING PROPERTIES
 
The Company, either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns, leases and has interests in certain exploration-stage mining properties located in the United States, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico and Tanzania. During 2010, the Company expects to invest approximately $17.9 million in exploration and reserve development compared to $18.9 million spent on similar activities in 2009.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
The Company’s business strategy is to discover, acquire, develop and operate low-cost silver and gold operations that will produce long-term cash flow, provide opportunities for growth through continued exploration, and generate superior and sustainable returns for shareholders.
 
SOURCES OF REVENUE
 
The Palmarejo mine, San Bartolomé mine, Martha mine, Rochester mine, each operated by the Company and the Endeavor mine, operated by another non-affiliated party, constituted the Company’s principal sources of mining revenues in 2009. See the Financial Statements, Note U Segment Information under the caption “Geographical Information” for revenues attributed to all foreign countries. The following table sets forth information regarding


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the percentage contribution to the Company’s total revenues (i.e., revenues from the sale of concentrates and doré) by the sources of those revenues during the past five years:
 
                                                 
    CoeurPercentage
                               
    Ownership at
    Percentage of Total Revenues(2)
 
    December 31,
    For The Years Ended December 31,  
Mine/Company
  2009     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
 
Palmarejo Mine
    100 %     30 %     %     %     %     %
San Bartolomé Mine
    100       38       10                    
Martha Mine
    100       15       18       19       18       14  
Rochester Mine
    100       15       40       52       53       46  
Endeavor Mine(1)
    100       2       7       4       3       1  
Cerro Bayo Mine
    100             25       25       26       39  
                                                 
              100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
                                                 
 
 
(1) Ownership interest reflects the Company’s ownership interest in the property’s silver production. Other constituent metals are owned by another non-affiliated entity.
 
(2) Effective July 1, 2009, the Company sold to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. its 100% interest in silver contained at the Broken Hill mine for $55.0 million in cash.
 
DEFINITIONS
 
The following sets forth definitions of certain important mining terms used in this report.
 
“Ag” is the abbreviation for silver.
 
“Au” is the abbreviation for gold.
 
“Backfill” is primarily waste sand or rock used to support the roof or walls after removal of ore from a stope.
 
“By-Product” is a secondary metal or mineral product recovered in the milling process such, as gold.
 
“Cash Costs” are costs directly related to the physical activities of producing silver and gold, and include mining, processing, transportation and other plant costs, third-party refining and smelting costs, marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and in-mine drilling expenditures that are related to production and other direct costs. Sales of by-product metals, including gold, are deducted from the above in computing cash costs per ounce. Cash costs exclude depreciation, depletion and amortization, corporate general and administrative expense, exploration, interest, and pre-feasibility costs and accruals for mine reclamation. Cash costs are calculated and presented using the “Gold Institute Production Cost Standard” applied consistently for all periods presented.
 
“Cash Costs per Ounce” are calculated by dividing the cash costs computed for each of the Company’s mining properties for a specific period by the amount of gold ounces or silver ounces produced by that property during that same period. Management uses cash costs per ounce produced as a key indicator of the profitability of each of its mining properties. Gold and silver are sold and priced in the world financial markets on a U.S. dollar per ounce basis. By calculating the cash costs from each of the Company’s mines on the same unit basis, management can determine the gross margin that each ounce of gold and silver produced is generating. While this represents a key indicator of the performance of the Company’s mining properties you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this single measurement. To fully evaluate a mine’s performance, management also monitors U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”) based profit/(loss), depreciation and amortization expenses and capital expenditures for each mine as presented in Note T — Segment Information in the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Total cash costs per ounce is a non-GAAP measurement and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on it and are urged to read all GAAP accounting disclosures presented in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes.
 
“Concentrate” is a very fine powder-like product containing the valuable metal from which most of the waste material in the ore has been eliminated.


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“Contained Ounces” represents ounces in the ground before reduction of ounces not able to be recovered by applicable metallurgical process.
 
“Cut-off Grade” is the minimum metal at which an ore body can be economically mined; used in the calculation of reserves in a given deposit.
 
“Cyanidation” is a method of extracting gold or silver by dissolving it in a weak solution of sodium or potassium cyanide.
 
“Development” is work carried out for the purpose of accessing a mineral deposit. In an underground mine that includes shaft sinking, crosscutting, drifting and raising. In an open pit mine, development includes the removal of over burden.
 
“Dilution” is an estimate of the amount of waste or low-grade mineralized rock which will be mined with the ore as part of normal mining practices in extracting an ore body.
 
“Doré” is unrefined gold and silver bullion bars which contain gold, silver and minor amounts of impurities which will be further refined to almost pure metal.
 
“Drilling”
 
Core: with a hollow bit with a diamond cutting rim to produce a cylindrical core that is used for geological study and assays used in mineral exploration.
 
In-fill: is any method of drilling intervals between existing holes, used to provide greater geological detail and to help establish reserve estimates.
 
“Exploration” is prospecting, sampling, mapping, diamond drilling and other work involved in searching for ore.
 
“Gold” is a metallic element with minimum fineness of 999 parts per 1000 parts pure gold.
 
“Grade” is the amount of metal in each ton of ore, expressed as troy ounces per ton or grams per tonne for precious metals.
 
“Heap Leach Pad” is a large impermeable foundation or pad used as a base for ore during heap leaching.
 
“Heap Leaching Process” is a process of extracting gold and silver by placing broken ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained gold and silver, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
 
“Hectare” is a metric unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters (2.471 acres).
 
“Mill” is a processing facility where ore is finely ground and thereafter undergoes physical or chemical treatments to extract the valuable metals.
 
“Mill-Lead Grades” are metal content of mined ore going into a mill for processing.
 
“Mineralized Material” is gold and silver bearing material that has been physically delineated by one or more of a number of methods, including drilling, underground work, surface trenching and other types of sampling. This material has been found to contain a sufficient amount of mineralization of an average grade of metal or metals to have economic potential that warrants further exploration evaluation. While this material is not currently or may never be classified as ore reserves, it is reported as mineralized material only if the potential exists for reclassification into the reserves category. This material cannot be classified in the reserves category until final technical, economic and legal factors have been determined. Under the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s standards, a mineral deposit does not qualify as a reserve unless it can be economically and legally extracted at the time of reserve determination and it constitutes a proven or probable reserve (as defined below). In accordance with Securities of Exchange Commission guidelines, mineralized material reported in the Company’s Form 10-K no longer includes inferred mineral resources.
 
“Mining Rate” tons of ore mined per day or even specified time period.


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“Non-cash Costs” are costs that are typically accounted for ratably over the life of an operation and include depreciation, depletion and amortization of capital assets, accruals for the costs of final reclamation and long-term monitoring and care that are usually incurred at the end of mine life, and the amortization of the cost of property acquisitions.
 
“Open Pit” is a mine where the minerals are mined entirely from the surface.
 
“Operating Cash Costs Per Ounce” are cash costs per ounce minus production taxes and royalties.
 
“Ore” is rock, generally containing metallic or non-metallic minerals, which can be mined and processed at a profit.
 
“Ore Body” is a sufficiently large amount of ore that can be mined economically.
 
“Ore Reserve” is the part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time of the reserve determination.
 
“Probable Reserve” is a part of a mineralized deposit which can be extracted or produced economically and legally at the time of the reserve determination. The quantity and grade and/or quality of a probable reserve is computed from information similar to that used for a proven reserve, but the sites for inspection, sampling and measurement are farther apart or are otherwise less adequately spaced. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation. Mining dilution, where appropriate, has been factored into the estimation of probable reserves.
 
“Proven Reserve” is a portion of a mineral deposit which can be extracted or produced economically and legally at the time of the reserve determination. The quantity of a proven reserve is computed from dimensions revealed in outcrops, trenches, workings or drill holes; grade and/or quality are computed from the results of detailed sampling and the sites for inspections, sampling and measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of a proven reserve is well-established. Mining dilution, where appropriate, has been factored into the estimation of proven reserves.
 
“Reclamation” is the process by which lands disturbed as a result of mining activity are modified to support beneficial land use. Reclamation activity may include the removal of buildings, equipment, machinery and other physical remnants of mining, closure of tailings, leach pads and other features, and contouring, covering and re-vegetation of waste rock and other disturbed areas.
 
“Recovery Rate” is a term used in process metallurgy to indicate the proportion of valuable material physically recovered in the processing of ore. It is generally stated as a percentage of material recovered compared to the material originally present.
 
“Refining” is the final stage of metal production in which impurities are removed from the molten metal.
 
“Run-of-mine Ore” is mined ore which has not been subjected to any pretreatment, such as washing, sorting or crushing prior to processing.
 
“Silver” is a metallic element with minimum fineness of 995 parts per 1000 parts pure silver.
 
“Stripping Ratio” is the ratio of the number of tons of waste material to the number of tons of ore extracted at an open-pit mine.
 
“Tailings” is the material that remains after all economically and technically recovered precious metals have been removed from the ore during processing.
 
“Ton” means a short ton which is equivalent to 2,000 pounds, unless otherwise specified.
 
“Total costs” are the sum of cash costs and non-cash costs.
 
IMPORTANT FACTORS RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains numerous forward-looking statements relating to the Company’s gold and silver mining business, including estimated production data, expected operating schedules, expected capital costs and other


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operating data and permit and other regulatory approvals. Such forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “hopes,” “may,” “should,” “plan,” “projected,” “contemplates,” “anticipates” or similar words. Actual production, operating schedules, results of operations, ore reserve and resources could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements include (i) the risk factors set forth below under Item 1A, (ii) the risks and hazards inherent in the mining business (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, weather or geologically related conditions), (iii) changes in the market prices of gold and silver, (iv) the uncertainties inherent in the Company’s production, exploratory and developmental activities, including risks relating to permitting and regulatory delays, (v) any future labor disputes or work stoppages, (vi) the uncertainties inherent in the estimation of gold and silver ore reserves, (vii) changes that could result from the Company’s future acquisition of new mining properties or businesses, (viii) reliance on third parties to operate certain mines where the Company owns silver production and reserves, (ix) the loss of any third-party smelter to which the Company markets silver and gold, (x) the effects of environmental and other governmental regulations, (xi) the risks inherent in the ownership or operation of or investment in mining properties or businesses in foreign countries, (xii) the worldwide economic downturn and difficult conditions in the global capital and credit markets, and (xiii) the Company’s ability to raise additional financing necessary to conduct its business, make payments or refinance its debt. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
The Company maintains an internet website at http://www.coeur.com. Coeur makes available, free of charge, on or through its website, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and Forms 4 and 5, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of Coeur’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, charters of the key Committees of the Board of Directors (Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance) and its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors, Officers and Employees, applicable to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, are available at our website http://www.coeur.com. Information contained on the Company’s website is not a part of this report.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
The following sets forth information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results. References to “we,” “our” and “us” in these risk factors refer to the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not presently know or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.
 
The market prices of silver and gold are volatile. Low silver and gold prices could result in decreased revenues, decreased net income or losses and decreased cash flows, and may negatively affect our business.
 
Silver and gold are commodities. Their prices fluctuate, and are affected by many factors beyond our control, including interest rates, expectations regarding inflation, speculation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional demand and production, political and economic conditions and other factors. Because we currently derive approximately 79% of our revenues from continuing operations from sales of silver and 21% from gold, our earnings are primarily related to the price of these metals.
 
The market prices of silver (Handy & Harman) and gold (London Final) on February 23, 2010 were $15.92 per ounce and $1,107 per ounce, respectively. The prices of silver and gold may decline in the future. Factors that are generally understood to contribute to a decline in the price of silver include sales by private and government holders, and a general global economic slowdown.


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If the prices of silver and gold are depressed for a sustained period and our net losses continue, we may be forced to suspend mining at one or more of our properties until the prices increase, and to record additional asset impairment write-downs. Any lost revenues, continued or increased net losses or additional asset impairment write-downs would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
We have significant demands on our liquidity.
 
We have incurred significant capital expenditures in recent years to acquire and develop new mining properties. Our ability to complete the funding of these properties depends to a significant extent on both our operating performance, which in turn depends on our production of silver and gold and the price of silver and gold, as well as on our ability to raise funds through the sale of debt and equity securities. The current global financial crisis has increased our cost of funds and may impede our ability to raise any additional funds that could be required in the future. There can be no assurances that such funds will be available upon acceptable terms, or at all, when or if needed.
 
We may have to record write-downs of long-lived assets, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
 
Established accounting standards for impairment of the value of long-lived assets such as mining properties requires a company to review the recoverability of the cost of its assets by estimating the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Impairment, measured by comparing an asset’s carrying value to its fair value, must be recognized when the carrying value of the asset exceeds these cash flows, and recognizing impairment write-downs could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
 
If silver or gold prices decline or we fail to control production costs or realize the minable ore reserves at our mining properties, we may be required to recognize asset write-downs. We also may record other types of additional mining property charges in the future to the extent a property is sold by us for a price less than the carrying value of the property, or if reclamation liabilities have to be increased in connection with the closure and reclamation of a property. Additional write-downs of mining properties could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Due to declining ore reserve at the Martha mine, the Company expects operating activities to cease in late 2010 unless additional mineralization is discovered during the year. In addition, the Company has placed the Cerro Bayo mine under a care and maintenance plan, while undertaking efforts to further explore its holdings and develop a new mine plan and ore reserves in an effort to re-commence operations. The Company is also pursuing strategic alternatives for our Cerro Bayo and Martha mines which may result in the assets (asset groups) being sold or otherwise substantially disposed of before the end of their previously estimated useful lives.
 
On October 14, 2009, the Bolivian state-owned mining organization, COMIBOL, announced by resolution that it was temporarily suspending mining activities above the elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level while stability studies of Cerro Rico mountain are undertaken. The Company holds rights to mine above this elevation under valid contracts backed by Supreme Decree with COMIBOL as well as contracts with local mining cooperatives who hold their rights through COMIBOL. The Company temporarily adjusted its mine plan to confine its activities to ore deposits below 4,400 meters above sea level and has advised COMIBOL that the restriction must be lifted timely. It is uncertain at this time how long the temporary suspension will remain in place.
 
The Company determined that these factors were triggering events in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, (U.S. GAAP), requiring the Company to assess whether the long-lived assets at these mines were impaired. The impairment assessment compared the cumulative undiscounted prospective cash flows of each mine to the sum of the carrying values of the long-lived assets at San Bartolomé, Cerro Bayo and Martha mines as of December 31, 2009.
 
In projecting its future cash flows, the Company considered certain assumptions for silver and gold prices (including current and historical prices, analyst consensus forward prices, as well as the trailing three-year average silver and gold market prices) and production levels, expected and historical operating costs and required capital


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expenditures based on available life of mine plans. Assumptions underlying future cash flows are subject to significant risk and uncertainty associated with any differences between specific assumptions and market conditions, such as silver and gold prices, lower than expected recoverable ounces and/or the Company’s operating performance. Based on the Company’s assessment, there were no required impairments at the San Bartolomé, Cerro Bayo and the Martha mines as of December 31, 2009. Should silver prices fall below consensus forward for historical prices, should cash costs per ounce exceed those projected and historically achieved or should facts and circumstances regarding mining restrictions above the 4,400 level at the San Bartolomé mine adversely change, the Company may need to record an impairment loss and that loss could have a material adverse affect on the Company’s operations and financial position.
 
Our future operating performance may not generate cash flows sufficient to meet our debt payment obligations.
 
As of December 31, 2009, we had a total of approximately $363.6 million of outstanding indebtedness. Our ability to make scheduled debt payments on our outstanding indebtedness will depend on our future operating performance and cash flow. Our operating performance and cash flow, in part, are subject to economic factors beyond our control, including the market prices of silver and gold. We may not be able to generate enough cash flow to meet our obligations and commitments. If we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from operations to service our debt, we may need to further refinance our debt, dispose of assets or issue equity to obtain the necessary funds. We cannot predict whether we will be able to refinance our debt, issue equity or dispose of assets to raise funds on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms.
 
We might be unable to raise additional financing necessary to complete capital needs, conduct our business, make payments when due or refinance our debt.
 
We might need to raise additional funds in order to meet capital needs, implement our business plan, refinance our debt or acquire complementary businesses or products. Any required additional financing might not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, holders of our common stock could experience significant dilution of their ownership interest, and these securities could have rights senior to those of the holders of our common stock.
 
We are an international company and are exposed to risks in the countries in which we have significant operations or interests. Foreign instability or variances in foreign currencies may cause unforeseen losses, which may affect our business.
 
Exploration, development, production and closure activities outside of North America are potentially subject to heightened political and economic risks, including (i) cancellation or re-negotiation of contracts; (ii) disadvantages of competing against companies from countries that are not subject to U.S. laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; (iii) changes in foreign laws and regulations; (iv) royalty and tax increases or claims by governmental entities or indigenous communities, including retroactive claims; (v) expropriation or nationalization of property; (vi) currency fluctuations; and (vii) other risks arising out of foreign sovereignty over areas in which our operations are conducted including risks inherent in contracts with government owned entities.
 
Consequently, our exploration, development and production activities outside of North America may be substantially affected by factors beyond our control, some of which could materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and liquidity. Furthermore, if a dispute arises from such activities, we may be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts outside North America, which could adversely affect the outcome of a dispute.
 
Our revenues and income (or loss) from our interest in the Endeavor mine are dependent in part upon the performance of the operators of the mine.
 
In May 2005, we acquired silver production and reserves at the Endeavor mine in Australia. This mine is owned and operated by another mining company. The Company’s revenues and income (or loss) from its interest in the silver production at this mine is dependent in part upon the performance of the operators of this mine as well as


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upon zinc and lead prices that are sufficient to maintain sustainable operations. The decline in primary metal prices may result in cessation of mining operations at Endeavor and an impairment would likely occur.
 
The estimation of ore reserves is imprecise and depends upon subjective factors. Estimated ore reserves may not be realized in actual production. Our operating results may be negatively affected by inaccurate estimates.
 
The ore reserve figures presented in our public filings are estimates made by our technical personnel. Reserve estimates are a function of geological and engineering analyses that require us to make assumptions about production costs and silver and gold market prices. Reserve estimation is an imprecise and subjective process. The accuracy of such estimates is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation, judgment and experience. Assumptions about silver and gold market prices are subject to great uncertainty as those prices have fluctuated widely in the past. Declines in the market prices of silver or gold may render reserves containing relatively lower grades of ore uneconomic to exploit, and we may be required to reduce reserve estimates, discontinue development or mining at one or more of our properties, or write down assets as impaired. Should we encounter mineralization or geologic formations at any of our mines or projects different from those we predicted, we may adjust our reserve estimates and alter our mining plans. Either of these alternatives may adversely affect our actual production and operating results.
 
We based our ore reserve determinations as of December 31, 2009 on a long-term silver price average of $14.50 per ounce, with the exceptions of San Bartolomé which used $13.25, Martha at $16.00 and the Endeavor mine at $12.00 per ounce of silver, and a long-term gold price average of $850 per ounce for all properties with the exceptions of Kensington which uses $750, and the Martha Mine at $950. On February 23, 2010 silver and gold prices were $15.92 per ounce and $1,107 per ounce, respectively.
 
The estimation of the ultimate recovery of metals contained within the Rochester heap leach pad inventory is inherently inaccurate and subjective and requires the use of estimation techniques. Actual recoveries can be expected to vary from estimations.
 
The Rochester mine utilizes the heap leach process to extract silver and gold from ore. The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes.
 
We use several integrated steps in the process of extracting silver and gold to estimate the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads. Although we refine our estimates as appropriate at each step in the process, the final amounts are not determined until a third-party smelter converts the doré and determines final ounces of silver and gold available for sale. We then review this end result and reconcile it to the estimates we developed and used throughout the production process. Based on this review, we adjust our estimation procedures when appropriate. As a result, actual recoveries can vary from estimates, and the amount of the variation could be significant and could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our estimates of current and non-current inventories may not be realized in actual production and operating results, which may negatively affect our business.
 
We use estimates, based on prior production results and experiences, to determine whether heap leach inventories will be recovered more than one year in the future, and is non-current inventory, or will be recovered within one year, and is current inventory. The estimates involve assumptions that may not prove to be consistent with our actual production and operating results. We cannot determine the amount ultimately recoverable until leaching is completed. If our estimates prove inaccurate, our current and long-term operating results may be less than anticipated.


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Silver mining involves significant production and operational risks. Coeur may suffer from the failure to efficiently operate its mining projects.
 
Silver mining involves significant degrees of risk, including those related to mineral exploration success, unexpected geological or mining conditions, the development of new deposits, climatic conditions, equipment and/or service failures, compliance with current or new governmental requirements, current availability of or delays in installing and commissioning plant and equipment, import or customs delays and other general operating risks. Problems may also arise due to the quality or failure of locally obtained equipment or interruptions to services (such as power, water, fuel or transport or processing capacity) or technical support, which results in the failure to achieve expected target dates for exploration or production activities and/or result in a requirement for greater expenditure. The right to export silver and gold may depend on obtaining certain licenses and quotas, the granting of which may be at the discretion of the relevant regulatory authorities. There may be delays in obtaining such licenses and quotas, leading to our results of operations being adversely affected, and it is possible that from time to time export licenses may be refused. Many of these risks are outside of the ability of Coeur’s management to control and may result in a materially adverse effect on Coeur’s operations, financial position and cash flows.
 
Mineral exploration and development inherently involves significant and irreducible financial risks. Coeur may suffer from the failure to find and develop profitable mines.
 
The exploration for and development of mineral deposits involves significant financial risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge may not eliminate. Unprofitable efforts may result from the failure to discover mineral deposits. Even if mineral deposits are found, such deposits may be insufficient in quantity and quality to return a profit from production, or it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Few properties which are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Mining companies rely on consultants and others for exploration, development, construction and operating expertise.
 
Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. The economic feasibility of any development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of ore reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), metallurgical recoveries, production rates and capital and operating costs of such development projects, and metals prices. Development projects are also subject to the completion of favorable feasibility studies, issuance and maintenance of necessary permits and receipt of adequate financing.
 
Once a mineral deposit is developed, whether it will be commercially viable depends on a number of factors, including: the particular attributes of the deposit, such as size, grade and proximity to infrastructure; government regulations including taxes, royalties and land tenure; land use, importing and exporting of minerals and environmental protection; and mineral prices. Factors that affect adequacy of infrastructure include: reliability of roads, bridges, power sources and water supply; unusual or infrequent weather phenomena; sabotage; and government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure. All of these factors are highly cyclical. The exact effect of these factors cannot be accurately predicted, but the combination may result in not receiving an adequate return on invested capital.
 
Significant investment risks and operational costs are associated with our exploration, development and mining activities. These risks and costs may result in lower economic returns and may adversely affect our business.
 
Our ability to sustain or increase our present production levels depends in part on successful exploration and development of new ore bodies and/or expansion of existing mining operations. Mineral exploration, particularly for silver and gold, involves many risks and is frequently unproductive. If mineralization is discovered, it may take a number of years until production is possible, during which time the economic viability of the project may change. Substantial expenditures are required to establish ore reserves, extract metals from ores and, in the case of new properties, to construct mining and processing facilities. The economic feasibility of any development project is based upon, among other things, estimates of the size and grade of ore reserves, proximity to infrastructures and other resources (such as water and power), metallurgical recoveries, production rates and capital and operating costs


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of such development projects, and metals prices. Development projects are also subject to the completion of favorable feasibility studies, issuance and maintenance of necessary permits and receipt of adequate financing.
 
Development projects may have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future operating costs and capital requirements. Development project items such as estimates of reserves, metal recoveries and cash operating costs are to a large extent based upon the interpretation of geologic data, obtained from a limited number of drill holes and other sampling techniques, and feasibility studies. Estimates of cash operating costs are then derived based upon anticipated tonnage and grades of ore to be mined and processed, the configuration of the ore body, expected recovery rates of metals from the ore, comparable facility and equipment costs, anticipated climate conditions and other factors. As a result, actual cash operating costs and economic returns of any and all development projects may materially differ from the costs and returns estimated, and accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations may be negatively affected.
 
The Company’s marketing of metals and concentrates could be adversely affected if there were to be a significant delay or purchases by its third-party smelter and refinery customers. In particular, a significant delay or disruption in our sales of concentrates as a result of the unexpected discontinuation of purchases by our smelter customers could have a material adverse effect on our operations.
 
The Company currently markets and refines its silver and gold doré and concentrates to third-party smelters and refineries in Mexico, Switzerland, United States and Australia. The loss of any one smelter and/or refinery customer could have a material adverse effect on us in the event of the possible unavailability of alternative smelters and refineries. No assurance can be given that alternative smelters or refineries would be timely available if the need for them were to arise, or that delays or disruptions in sales could not be experienced that would result in a materially adverse effect on our operations and our financial results.
 
Our silver and gold production may decline, reducing our revenues and negatively impacting our business.
 
Our future silver and gold production may decline as a result of an exhaustion of reserves and possible closure of mines. It is our business strategy to conduct silver and gold exploratory activities at our existing mining and exploratory properties as well as at new exploratory projects, and to acquire silver and gold mining properties and businesses or reserves that possess minable ore reserves and are expected to become operational in the near future. We can provide no assurance that our silver and gold production in the future will not decline. Accordingly, our revenues from the sale of silver and gold may decline, negatively affecting our results of operations.
 
There are significant hazards associated with our mining activities, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance. To the extent we must pay the costs associated with such risks, our business may be negatively affected.
 
The mining business is subject to risks and hazards, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, the encountering of unusual or unexpected geological formations, cave-ins, flooding, earthquakes and periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions. These occurrences could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties or production facilities, personal injury or death, environmental damage, reduced production and delays in mining, asset write-downs, monetary losses and possible legal liability. Insurance fully covering many environmental risks (including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of disposal of waste products occurring from exploration and production) is not generally available to us or to other companies in the industry. Although we maintain insurance in an amount that we consider to be adequate, liabilities might exceed policy limits, in which event we could incur significant costs that could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operation and liquidity.
 
We are subject to significant governmental regulations, and their related costs and delays may negatively affect our business.
 
Coeur’s mining activities are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing environmental protection, natural resources, prospecting, development, production, post-closure


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reclamation, taxes, labor standards and occupational health and safety laws and regulations including mine safety, toxic substances and other matters related to Coeur’s business. The costs associated with compliance with such laws and regulations are substantial. Possible future laws and regulations, or more restrictive interpretations of current laws and regulations by governmental authorities could cause additional expense, capital expenditures, restrictions on or suspensions of Coeur’s operations and delays in the development of its properties. Moreover, future developments in U.S. federal laws and regulations are currently especially difficult to predict due to the new President and Congress in 2009. Changes in the federal government may increase the likelihood that mining companies generally will be subject to new laws, regulations and regulatory investigations.
 
In addition, government approvals, approval of aboriginal people and permits are currently and may in the future be required in connection with our operations at San Bartolomé and Palmarejo. To the extent such approvals are required and not obtained, Coeur may be curtailed or prohibited from operating at San Bartolomé or Palmarejo.
 
Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permitting requirements may result in enforcement actions thereunder, including orders issued by regulatory or judicial authorities causing operations to cease or be curtailed, and may include corrective measures requiring capital expenditures, installation of additional equipment, or remedial actions. Parties engaged in mining operations or in the exploration or development of mineral properties may be required to compensate those suffering loss or damage by reason of the mining activities and may have civil or criminal fines or penalties imposed for violations of applicable laws or regulations.
 
Compliance with environmental regulations and litigation based on environmental regulations could require significant expenditures.
 
Environmental regulations mandate, among other things, the maintenance of air and water quality standards and land reclamation. They also set forth limitations on the generation, transportation, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous waste. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees.
 
To the extent Coeur is subject to environmental liabilities, the payment of such liabilities or the costs that it may incur to remedy environmental pollution would reduce funds otherwise available to it and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. If Coeur is unable to fully remedy an environmental problem, it might be required to suspend operations or enter into interim compliance measures pending completion of the required remedy. The environmental standards that may ultimately be imposed at a mine site impact the cost of remediation and may exceed the financial accruals that have been made for such remediation. The potential exposure may be significant and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Moreover, governmental authorities and private parties may bring lawsuits based upon damage to property and injury to persons resulting from the environmental, health and safety impacts of Coeur’s past and current operations, which could lead to the imposition of substantial fines, remediation costs, penalties and other civil and criminal sanctions. Substantial costs and liabilities, including for restoring the environment after the closure of mines, are inherent in Coeur’s operations. Although Coeur believes that it is in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations, Coeur cannot assure you that any such law, regulation, enforcement or private claim will not have a negative effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
Some of Coeur’s mining wastes are currently exempt to a limited extent from the extensive set of federal Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) regulations governing hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). If the EPA designates these wastes as hazardous under RCRA, Coeur would be required to expend additional amounts on the handling of such wastes and to make significant expenditures to construct hazardous waste disposal facilities. In addition, if any of these wastes causes contamination in or damage to the environment at a mining facility, such facility may be designated as a “Superfund” site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). Under CERCLA, any owner or operator of a Superfund site since the time of its contamination may be held liable and may be forced to undertake extensive remedial cleanup action or to pay for the government’s cleanup efforts. Such owner or operator


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may also be liable to governmental entities for the cost of damages to natural resources, which may be substantial. Additional regulations or requirements are also imposed upon Coeur’s tailings and waste disposal areas in Alaska under the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) and in Nevada under the Nevada Water Pollution Control Law which implements the CWA. The Company considers the current proposed federal legislation relating to climate change and its potential enactment may have future impacts to the Company’s operations in the United States or abroad through international accords.
 
Airborne emissions are subject to controls under air pollution statutes implementing the Clean Air Act in Nevada and Alaska. In addition, there are numerous legislative and regulatory proposals related to climate change, including legislation pending in the U.S. Congress to require reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. The Company has reviewed and considered current federal legislation relating to climate change and does not believe it to have a material effect on its operations, however, additional regulation or requirements under any of these laws and regulations could have a materially adverse effect upon the Company and its results of operations.
 
Compliance with CERCLA, the CWA and state environmental laws could entail significant costs, which could have a material adverse effect on Coeur’s operations.
 
In the context of environmental permits, including the approval of reclamation plans, Coeur must comply with standards and regulations which entail significant costs and can entail significant delays. Such costs and delays could have a dramatic impact on Coeur’s operations. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect Coeur’s operations. Coeur intends to fully comply with all applicable environmental regulations.
 
We are required to obtain government permits to expand operations or begin new operations. The acquisition of such permits can be materially impacted by third party litigation seeking to prevent the issuance of such permits. The costs and delays associated with such approvals could affect our operations, reduce our revenues, and negatively affect our business as a whole.
 
Mining companies are required to seek governmental permits for expansion of existing operations or for the commencement of new operations. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions and often involving public hearings and costly undertakings. The duration and success of permitting efforts are contingent on many factors that are out of our control. The governmental approval process may increase costs and cause delays depending on the nature of the activity to be permitted, and could cause us to not proceed with the development of a mine. Accordingly, this approval process could harm our results of operations.
 
Our operations in Bolivia are subject to political risks.
 
The Bolivian government adopted a new constitution in early 2009 that strengthened state control over key economic sectors such as mining. We cannot assure you that our operations at the San Bartolomé mine in Bolivia will not be affected in the current political environment in Bolivia. On October 14, 2009, the Bolivian state-owned mining organization, COMIBOL, announced by resolution that it was temporarily suspending mining activities above the elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level while stability studies of Cerro Rico mountain are undertaken. The Company holds rights to mine above this elevation under valid contracts backed by Supreme Decree with COMIBOL as well as contracts with local mining cooperatives who hold their rights through COMIBOL. The Company temporarily adjusted its mine plan to confine its activities to the ore deposits below 4,400 meters above sea level. The Company timely notified COMIBOL of the need to lift the restriction. The mine plan adjustment may reduce the 2010 production by as much as 500,000 ounces of silver per quarter until the Company is able to resume mining above 4,400 meters. The Company is also reviewing its mine plan and may modify its manpower and operations schedule to minimize any financial impact of this potential production shortfall. It is uncertain at this time how long the temporary suspension will remain in place. It is also unknown if any new mining or investment policies or shifts in political attitude may affect mining in Bolivia.


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Our business depends on good relations with our employees.
 
The Company could experience labor disputes, work stoppages or other disruptions in production that could adversely affect us. As of December 31, 2009, unions represented approximately 19% of our worldwide workforce. On that date, the Company had 7 employees at its Cerro Bayo mine and 57 employees at its Martha mine who were working under a collective bargaining agreement. The agreement covering the Cerro Bayo mine expires on December 21, 2010 and a collective bargaining agreement covering the Martha mine expires on June 1, 2010. Additionally, the Company had 176 employees at its San Bartolomé mine working under a labor agreement which became effective October 11, 2007, and does not have a fixed term.
 
Coeur is exposed to risks with respect to the legal systems in the countries in which it has significant operations or interests and resolutions of any disputes may adversely affect its business.
 
Some of the jurisdictions in which Coeur currently and may in the future operate have less developed legal systems than would be found in more established economies like the United States. This may result in risks such as potential difficulties in obtaining effective legal redress in the courts of such jurisdictions, whether in respect of a breach of law or regulation, or in an ownership dispute; a higher degree of discretion on the part of governmental authorities; the lack of judicial or administrative guidance on interpreting applicable rules and regulations; inconsistencies or conflicts between and within various laws, regulations, decrees, orders and resolutions; or relative inexperience of the judiciary and courts in such matters.
 
In certain jurisdictions the commitment of local business people, government officials and agencies and the judicial system to abide by legal requirements and negotiated agreements may be uncertain, creating particular concerns with respect to licenses and agreements for business. These may be susceptible to revision or cancellation and legal redress may be uncertain or delayed. There can be no assurance that joint ventures, licenses, license applications or other legal arrangements will not be adversely affected by the actions of government authorities or others, and the effectiveness of and enforcement of such arrangements in these jurisdictions cannot be assured.
 
Any of our future acquisitions may result in significant risks, which may adversely affect our business.
 
An important element of our business strategy is the opportunistic acquisition of silver and gold mines, properties and businesses or interests therein. While it is our practice to engage independent mining consultants to assist in evaluating and making acquisitions, any mining properties or interests therein we may acquire may not be developed profitably or, if profitable when acquired, that profitability might not be sustained. In connection with any future acquisitions, we may incur indebtedness or issue equity securities, resulting in increased interest expense, or dilution of the percentage ownership of existing shareholders. We cannot predict the impact of future acquisitions on the price of our business or our common stock. Unprofitable acquisitions, or additional indebtedness or issuances of securities in connection with such acquisitions, may impact the price of our common stock and negatively affect our results of operations.
 
Coeur is continuously considering possible acquisitions of additional mining properties or interests therein that are located in other countries, and could be exposed to significant risks associated with any such acquisitions.
 
In the ordinary course of Coeur’s business, Coeur is continuously considering the possible acquisition of additional significant mining properties or interests therein that may be located in countries other than those in which Coeur now has operations or interests. Consequently, in addition to the risks inherent in the valuation and acquisition of such mining properties, as well as the subsequent development, operation or ownership thereof, Coeur could be subject to additional risks in such countries as a result of governmental policies, economic instability, currency value fluctuations and other risks associated with the development, operation or ownership of mining properties or interests therein. Such risks could adversely affect Coeur’s results of operations.


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Our ability to find and acquire new mineral properties is uncertain. Accordingly, our prospects are uncertain for the future growth of our business.
 
Because mines have limited lives based on proven and probable ore reserves, we are continually seeking to replace and expand our ore reserves. Identifying promising mining properties is difficult and speculative. Furthermore, we encounter strong competition from other mining companies in connection with the acquisition of properties producing or capable of producing silver and gold. Many of these companies have greater financial resources than we do. Consequently, we may be unable to replace and expand current ore reserves through the acquisition of new mining properties or interests therein on terms we consider acceptable. As a result, our revenues from the sale of silver and gold may decline, resulting in lower income and reduced growth.
 
Third parties may dispute our unpatented mining claims, which could result in the discovery of defective titles and losses affecting our business.
 
The validity of unpatented mining claims, which constitute a significant portion of Coeur’s property holdings in the United States, is often uncertain and may be contested. Although Coeur has attempted to acquire satisfactory title to undeveloped properties, Coeur, in accordance with mining industry practice, does not generally obtain title opinions until a decision is made to develop a property. As a result, some titles, particularly titles to undeveloped properties may be defective. Defective title to any of Coeur’s mining claims could result in litigation, insurance claims, and potential losses affecting its business as a whole.
 
The acquisition of title to concessions and similar property interests is a detailed and time consuming process. Title to, and the area of, concessions and similar property interests may be disputed.
 
There may be challenges to the title of any of the claims comprising Palmarejo that, if successful, could impair development and/or operations. A defect could result in Coeur losing all or a portion of its right, title, estate and interest in and to the properties to which the title defect relates. Also, while Coeur believes that the registration defects relating to certain non-material properties as described herein will be remedied; there can be no assurance as to timing or successful completion.
 
The market price of our common stock has been volatile and may decline.
 
The market price of our common stock has been volatile and may decline in the future. The market price of our common stock historically has fluctuated widely and been affected by our operating results and by many factors beyond our control. These factors include: market prices of silver and gold; general stock market conditions; interest rates; expectations regarding inflation; currency values; and global and regional political and economic conditions and other factors.
 
We have the ability to issue additional equity securities, which would lead to dilution of our issued and outstanding common stock and may materially and adversely affect the price of our common stock.
 
The issuance of additional equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities would result in dilution of existing shareholders’ equity interests in the Company. We are authorized to issue, without shareholder approval, 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series to establish the number of shares to be included in each series and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and relative participating, optional, conversion and other special rights of the shares of each series as well as the qualification, limitations or restrictions on each series, including but not limited to the fixing or alteration of the dividend rights, dividend rate or rates, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, the redemption price or prices and the liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series of shares of preferred stock, or any or all of them. Any series of preferred stock could contain dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences or other rights superior to the rights of holders of our common stock. Our Board of Directors has no present intention of issuing any preferred stock, but reserves the right to do so in the future and has reserved for issuance a series of preferred stock in connection with our shareholder rights plan. If we issue additional equity securities, the price of our common stock may be materially and adversely affected.


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We are subject to anti-takeover provisions in our charter and in our bylaws that could delay or prevent an acquisition of Coeur even if such an acquisition would be beneficial to our shareholders.
 
Certain provisions in our articles of incorporation and our bylaws could provide the ability to delay or prevent a third party from acquiring us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our shareholders. Some of these provisions: (i) authorize the issuance of preferred stock which can be created and issued by the Board of Directors without prior shareholder approval, commonly referred to as “blank check” preferred stock, with rights senior to those of common stock; (ii) authorize the Board of Directors to increase or decrease the size of the board without shareholder approval; (iii) authorize a majority of the directors then in office to fill any vacancy on the Board of Directors; and (iv) require that a “fair price” be paid in some business transactions.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
WORLD MAP
 
SILVER AND GOLD MINING PROPERTIES
 
Our operating segments include Rochester (Nevada), Palmarejo (Mexico), San Bartolomé (Bolivia), Martha (Argentina), Endeavor (Australia) and Cerro Bayo (Chile). See Item 1A Risk Factors, related to Coeur’s operations in Bolivia and Note T to the consolidated financial statements for information relating to our business segments and our domestic and export sales.
 
South America
 
Bolivia — San Bartolomé Mine
 
The San Bartolomé open pit silver mine, operated by Empresa Minera Manquiri SA (“Manquiri”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, is located on the flanks of the Cerro Rico Mountain bordering the town of Potosí, Bolivia. Access to the property and the Company’s processing facilities is by paved and all-weather gravel roads leading south-southwest from Potosí.
 
Silver production for 2009 was 7.5 million ounces compared to 2.9 million ounces in 2008. Cash operating costs per ounce for 2009 were $7.80 per ounce compared to $8.22 per ounce in 2008. Total cash costs per ounce (which includes production taxes and royalties) for 2009 were $10.48 per ounce compared to $10.53 per ounce in 2008.
 
The mineral rights for the San Bartolomé mine are held through joint venture and long-term lease agreements with several independent mining cooperatives and the Bolivian State Mining Company (“COMIBOL”). Manquiri controls 67 square kilometers under lease from COMIBOL and 16,600 acres under lease from the cooperatives at San Bartolomé and approximately 17.8 square miles of concessions at the Khori Huasi property, a gold exploration target south of Potosí. The San Bartolomé lease agreements, executed between 1996 and 2003 and with 25 year


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terms, are generally subject to a 4% production royalty payable partially to the cooperatives and partially to COMIBOL. During 2003, the Company acquired additional mining rights known as the Plahipo project which include the mining rights to oxide dumps adjacent to the original property package. The oxide dumps included in the Plahipo project are subject to a sliding scale royalty payable to COMIBOL that is a function of silver price. The Company incurred royalty payment obligations for these mining rights totaling $20.0 million and $6.6 million for the years ended 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
On October 14, 2009, the state-owned mining organization, COMIBOL, announced by resolution that it was temporarily suspending mining activities above the elevation of 4,400 meters above sea level while stability studies of Cerro Rico mountain are undertaken. The Company holds rights to mine above this elevation under valid contracts backed by Supreme Decree with COMIBOL as well as contracts with local mining cooperatives who hold their rights through COMIBOL. The Company temporarily adjusted its mine plan to confine its activities to the ore deposits below 4,400 meters above sea level and the Company timely notified COMIBOL of the need to lift the restriction. It is uncertain at this time how long the temporary suspension will remain in place.
 
Coeur acquired 100% of the equity in Manquiri from Asarco Incorporated (“ASARCO”) on September 9, 1999. Manquiri’s principal asset is the mining rights to the San Bartolomé mine. Silver was first discovered in the area around 1545. Mining of silver and lesser amounts of tin and base metals has been conducted nearly continuously since that time from multiple underground mines driven into Cerro Rico. The prior owner did not conduct any mining or processing of the surface ores at San Bartolomé.
 
We completed a preliminary feasibility study in 2000, which concluded that an open pit mine was potentially capable of producing approximately six million ounces of silver annually. In 2003, SRK, an independent consulting firm, was retained to review the reserve/resource estimate to include additional sampling data to incorporate additional resources acquired with the Plahipo project at Cerro Rico. During 2003, we retained Fluor Daniel Wright to prepare an updated feasibility study which was completed at the end of the third quarter of 2004. The study provides for the use of a cyanide milling flow sheet with a wet pre-concentration screen circuit which will result in the production of a doré that may be treated by a number of refiners under a tolling agreement which results in the return of refined silver to the Company that is readily marketed by metal banks and brokers to the ultimate customer. During 2004, the Company obtained all operating permits and commercial construction activities commenced.
 
The Company’s total capital cost (excluding political risk insurance premiums and capitalized interest) to place the mine into production was $237.9 million. The property, plant and equipment were placed into service in June 2008 and are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventative maintenance program with periodic improvements as required. Power is supplied to the property by the local power utility. Water is supplied to the property by a public water source.
 
In November 2007, Bolivia’s Congress approved a reform to the mining tax code. The Bolivia tax rate on most mining companies has increased from 25% to 37.5%. However, mining companies similar to San Bartolomé that produce a doré product will receive a 5% credit based upon their specific operation. Thus, the tax rate for San Bartolomé will be 32.5%.
 
The Company obtained political risk insurance policies from the Overseas Private Insurance Corporation (“OPIC”) and another private insurer. The combined policies are in the amount of $155 million and cover Coeur up to the lesser of $131 million or 85% of any loss arising from expropriation, political violence or currency inconvertibility. The policy costs approximately $3.4 million per year, which was capitalized during the development and construction phases and is now included as a cost of inventory produced (estimated at approximately $0.21 per ounce of silver produced) over the term of the policies which expire in 2019 and 2024.
 
The silver mineralization at San Bartolomé is hosted in gravel (pallacos) and reworked gravel (sucu and troceras) deposits and oxide stockpiles and dumps from past mining that occurred on the flanks of Cerro Rico. Cerro Rico is a prominent mountain in the region that reaches an elevation of over 15,400 feet (over 4,700 meters). It is composed of Tertiary-aged volcanic and intrusive rocks that were emplaced into and over older sedimentary, and volcanic, basement rocks. Silver, along with tin and base metals, is located in multiple veins and vein swarms that occur in a northeast trending belt which transects Cerro Rico. The upper parts of the Cerro Rico mineralized system were subsequently eroded and re-deposited into the flanking gravel deposits. Silver is hosted in all portions of the


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pallacos, sucus, and troceras with the best grades segregated to the coarser-grained silicified fragments. These deposits lend themselves to simple, free digging surface mining techniques and can be extracted without drilling and blasting. Of the several pallaco deposits which are controlled by Coeur and surround Cerro Rico, three are of primary importance and are known as Huacajchi, Diablo and Santa Rita.
 
In 2009, exploration at San Bartolomé consisted of collecting additional data from new pits (pozos) to further define and/or expand the ore reserves.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — San Bartolomé Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    131       160        
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.29       6.35        
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    430       1,015        
Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    31,241       35,147       42,043  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.83       3.81       3.64  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    119,603       134,015       153,003  
Proven and Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    31,372       35,307       42,043  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.83       3.82       3.64  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    120,033       135,030       153,003  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — San Bartolomé Mine
 
                         
    2009   2008   2007
 
Short Tons (000’s)
    36,953       37,087       15,567  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.75       1.75       2.22  
 
Operating Data
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Production(6)
                       
Tons ore milled
    1,518,671       505,514        
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    5.49       7.46        
Recovery silver(%)
    89.6       75.8        
Silver produced (oz.)
    7,469,222       2,861,500        
Cost per Ounce of Silver
                       
Cash operating costs
  $ 7.80     $ 8.22     $  
Other cash costs(7)
    2.68       2.31        
                         
Cash costs(8)
    10.48       10.53        
Non-cash costs
    2.48       1.97        
                         
Total production costs
  $ 12.96     $ 12.50     $  
                         
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2009. The metal price used for current ore reserves was $13.25 per ounce of silver.
 
(2) Ore reserves are open pit-minable and include variable mining recovery factors from 96.1 to 100%


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(3) Metallurgical recoveries are variable per ore type but average 62.2% based on operating experience to date for silver and should be applied to the total contained silver ounces.
 
(4) Ore reserves were prepared by G. Blaylock (consultant Mining Engineer) and J. Sims (Geologist) of the Company’s technical staff.
 
(5) Proven and probable ore reserves are defined by surface drill holes and pits (pozos) with an average spacing of no more than 70 meters. Proven reserves are those reserves in stockpile at the end of 2009. The grade of ore reserve block is determined by the grade of proximal drill hole and/or pit composites and three-dimensional models of geologic controls. A minimum of 8 and maximum of 20 composite were used to classify proven and probable ore reserves and variable geostatistical estimation variances. Mineralized material is similarly classified.
 
(6) Includes production taxes and royalties, if applicable.
 
(7) Costs per ounce of silver represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
Argentina — Martha Mine
 
The Martha mine is an underground silver and gold mine owned and operated by Coeur Argentina S.R.L., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, which is located in the Santa Cruz Province of southern Argentina. Access to the mine is provided by all-weather gravel roads 30 miles northeast of the town of Gobernador Gregores.
 
Production at the Martha mine in 2009 was approximately 3.7 million ounces of silver and 4,709 ounces of gold compared to 2.7 million ounces of silver and 3,313 ounces of gold in 2008. The 36.8% increase in silver production was primarily due to an 90.0% increase in tons milled as a result of increased processing of ore stockpile in 2009. Cash operating costs per ounce for 2009 were $6.19 per ounce compared to $6.87 per ounce in 2008. Total cash costs per ounce of silver (which includes production taxes and royalties) were $6.68 in 2009 compared to $7.57 in 2008. The decrease in total cash costs per ounce was attributed to the increase in silver production as compared to 2008 due to a significant increase in tons milled in 2009. The Company expects active mining operations will cease in late 2010 unless additional mineralization is discovered during the year. In addition, the Company is pursuing strategic alternatives for Martha.
 
The mineral rights for the Martha property are fully-owned by Coeur Argentina S.R.L. totaling 195 square miles (50,623 hectares) of exploration concessions (claims), 86.4 square miles (22,377 hectares) of discovery concessions, and 0.54 square miles (142 hectares) of exploitation concessions. Martha is centered on the exploitation concessions, which fully cover the area of the mine infrastructure and the ore reserves reported herein. Concessions do not have an expiration date; subject only to required annual fees. Surface rights covering the Martha deposit are controlled by the 137.8 square mile (35,705-hectare) Cerro 1o de Abril Estancia which is owned by Coeur Argentina S.R.L. Included on the estancia is a 60-person man camp, mine and exploration offices, and assay lab.
 
The Company acquired the property in 2002 through the purchase of a subsidiary of Yamana Resources Inc. for $2.5 million. The prior owner conducted minor underground mining on the near-surface portion of the Martha vein from late 2000 to mid 2001. The Company is obligated to pay a 2% net smelter royalty on silver and gold production to Royal Gold Corporation granted by Yamana Resources. In addition, the Company is subject to a 3.0% net proceeds royalty payable to the Province of Santa Cruz. The Company incurred royalty payments totaling $1.8 million, $1.9 million and $2.0 million for the years ended 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Prior to 2008, ore from the Martha mine was trucked approximately 600 miles by road for processing at the Company’s Cerro Bayo mill located approximately 270 miles away. In 2007, the Company commenced the construction of a 240 ton per day flotation mill which was completed in December 2007 and produces a flotation concentrate. During December 2007, the newly-constructed facility commenced operating. In 2008, concentrate began to be shipped to a third-party smelter located in Mexico. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventive maintenance program with periodic improvements as required. Power is provided by Company-owned diesel generators.
 
Total capital expenditures at the Martha mine in 2009 were $1.6 million and the Company plans approximately $0.4 million of additional capital expenditures in 2010.


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At Martha, silver and gold mineralization is hosted in epithermal quartz veins and veinlets within generally sub-horizontal volcanic rocks of the Chon Aike Formation. The veins and veinlets occur as sub-parallel clusters largely trending west-northwest and dipping steeply to the southwest. The main ore minerals of silver and gold are silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite, electrum (a naturally-occurring gold and silver alloy) and native silver.
 
During 2009, we spent $3.1 million on exploration near the Martha Mine in the Santa Cruz province and $0.8 million on reserve development at the Martha mine to discover new silver- and gold-bearing veins and define new reserves. In 2009, exploration tested extensions at depth and on strike on the Martha, R4, Catalina, Francisca, Belen, Esperanza and Isabel and Betty ore-bearing structures. A total of 61,266 feet (18,764 meters) of drilling was completed in 2009.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Martha Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
          18       55  
Ounces of silver per ton
          55.86       52.95  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
          992       2,924  
Ounces of gold per ton
          0.07       0.07  
Contained ounces of gold
          1,000       4,100  
Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    38       58       98  
Ounces of silver per ton
    33.14       31.22       54.55  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    1,249       1,817       5,369  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.04       0.04       0.07  
Contained ounces of gold
    1,400       2,000       6,500  
Proven and Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    38       76       154  
Ounces of silver per ton
    33.14       36.99       53.97  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    1,249       2,809       8,293  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.04       0.04       0.07  
Contained ounces of gold
    1,400       3,000       10,600  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Martha Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Short Tons (000’s)
    29       46       92  
Ounces of silver per ton
    59.54       29.5       36.80  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.05       0.02       0.05  


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Operating Data
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Production
                       
Tons ore milled
    109,974       57,886       37,047  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    36.03       49.98       78.10  
Ore grade gold (oz./ton)
    0.049       0.065       0.120  
Recovery silver(%)
    93.6       93.7       95.0  
Recovery gold(%)
    87.6       88.3       92.7  
Silver produced (oz.)
    3,707,544       2,710,673       2,748,705  
Gold produced (oz.)
    4,709       3,313       4,127  
Cost per Ounce
                       
Cash operating costs
  $ 6.19     $ 6.87     $ 5.54  
Other cash costs(6)
    0.49       0.70       0.73  
                         
Cash costs(7)
    6.68       7.57       6.27  
Non-cash costs
    1.94       1.81       0.51  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 8.62     $ 9.38     $ 6.78  
                         
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2009. Metal prices used for current ore reserves were $16.00 per ounce of silver and $950 per ounce of gold
 
(2) Ore reserves are underground minable and include a variable dilution, at zero grade, added to vein true widths. Mining recovery is 90% on stope ore and on development ore.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factors of 93% for silver and 90% for gold should be applied to the contained silver and gold ounces.
 
(4) Ore reserves were prepared by J. Sims (Geologist) and K. Flores (Mining Engineer) of the Company’s technical staff.
 
(5) Ore reserves are defined with polygonal estimation using underground channels and drill hole samples. For probable reserves: An area demonstrating grade continuity with channel sample or drill hole spacing less than 25 meters. Mineralized material is similarly classified.
 
(6) Includes production taxes and royalties, if applicable.
 
(7) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
Chile — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
The Cerro Bayo District is located south of Coyhaique, the capital of Region XI in southern Chile, and due west of the town of Chile Chico. The underground silver and gold mine and ore processing facilities lie on the east side of the Andes mountain range at an elevation ranging from 600 to 4,500 feet and are serviced by an all-weather gravel road from Chile Chico.
 
There was no production during 2009 because of the temporary suspension. Production at the Cerro Bayo mine in 2008 was approximately 1.2 million ounces of silver and 21,761 ounces of gold. Cash costs per ounce of silver produced in 2008 were $8.56.
 
The mineral rights for the Cerro Bayo property are fully-controlled by Compañia Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. (CMCB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, encompassing an 89 square mile contiguous block (23,106 hectares) of exploitation concessions and 18.1 square miles (4,700 hectares) of exploration concessions. The Company also controls several other concessions southeast of the Cerro Bayo District. The Company’s ore reserves


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and rights to operate are fully-contained within the exploitation concessions and separate surface use agreements from private surface land owners. Exploitation concessions are maintained by annual payments (taxes).
 
The Company acquired the property in 1990 from Freeport Chilean Exploration Company. No mining or processing was conducted by the prior owner. Initial mining and processing commenced, by the Company in 1995, at the Laguna Verde area, in the western portion of the holdings. Mining and processing temporarily ceased in late 2000 then recommenced in 2002 at the Cerro Bayo area on the east. The entire holdings and infrastructure are now referred to as the Cerro Bayo district. Construction of two ramps to intersect the high-grade Lucero Vein, in the Cerro Bayo zone on the east side of its holdings, commenced in November 2001. Additional mineralized high-grade gold and silver vein systems were discovered since then from surface and underground exploration.
 
The ore processing mill for the Cerro Bayo Mine uses a standard flotation process to produce a high grade gold and silver concentrate. The mill has a design capacity of 1,650 tons per day. On October 31, 2008, the Company announced a temporary suspension of operating activities at the Cerro Bayo mine due primarily to lower metal prices and continuing higher operating costs. The Company has placed the Cerro Bayo mine under a care and maintenance plan, while undertaking efforts to further explore its holdings and develop a new mine plan and ore reserves in an effort to re-commence operations. The Company is also pursuing strategic alternatives for the Cerro Bayo mine. The property, plant and equipment are maintained in good working condition through a regular preventive maintenance program with periodic improvements as required. Power is supplied to the property by the local power utility as well as generators. Mining is conducted utilizing underground methods. Total capital expenditures at the Cerro Bayo property in 2009 were $1.1 million. The Company does not plan to incur capital expenditures in 2010.
 
Silver and gold mineralization is hosted in epithermal quartz veins and veinlets and lesser amounts of stockworks and breccias within generally sub-horizontal volcanic rocks of the Ibañez Formation. Veins and veinlets occur in sub-parallel clusters largely trending north-northwest and dipping steeply to the west or east. The main ore minerals of silver and gold are silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite and electrum (a naturally-occurring gold and silver alloy). Numerous epithermal veins located within the Cerro Bayo district offer exploration and development opportunities for us. To date, we have discovered over 100 veins.
 
During 2009, the Company continued its exploration and development program in the district with its efforts concentrated in the Cerro Bayo and Laguna Verde zones in the east and west sections of the Company’s land holdings. In 2009, $2.7 million was spent on exploration in Chile and $1.0 million on reserve development at Cerro Bayo with 108,700 feet (33,130 meters) of core drilling completed during the year. Most of this drilling was focused on exploration and definition of the new Delia silver and gold-bearing vein discovered approximately one half mile south of the ore processing facilities at Laguna Verde and other targets at Cerro Bayo. Other targets drilled were Granja Temer, Polvorin, Cerro Coigues, Trinidad, Caiquenes, Juncos, Gaby and Taitao, also all near the ore processing facilities. District reconnaissance identified new targets at Zona 2, Ema, Brillantes and Cerro Bayo Este for future drilling. The Company plans to continue its exploration programs in the Chile and the Cerro Bayo district in 2010 with a budget of $0.9 million for this work.


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Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (1, 2, 3, 4,5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    41             440  
Ounces of silver per ton
    8.32             9.73  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    345             4,280  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.05             0.15  
Contained ounces of gold
    2,000             67,100  
Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    734       547       342  
Ounces of silver per ton
    9.86       10.18       8.64  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    7,242       5,564       2,954  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.08       0.07       0.13  
Contained ounces of gold
    55,000       38,000       44,500  
Proven and Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    775       547       782  
Ounces of silver per ton
    9.78       10.18       9.26  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    7,587       5,564       7,234  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.07       0.07       0.14  
Contained ounces of gold
    57,000       38,000       111,600  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Tons (000’s)
    769       908       1,266  
Ounces of silver per ton
    10.36       9.71       8.10  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.15       0.14       0.14  
 
Operating Data
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Production
                       
Ore tons milled
          236,403       387,378  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
          5.54       4.68  
Ore grade gold (oz./ton)
          0.102       0.105  
Recovery silver(%)
          93.4       94.4  
Recovery gold(%)
          90.2       92.2  
Silver produced (oz.)
          1,224,083       1,709,830  
Gold produced (oz.)
          21,761       37,479  
Cost per Ounce
                       
Operating costs
  $     $ 8.56     $ 8.22  
Other cash costs
                 
                         
Cash costs(6)
          8.56       8.22  
Non-cash costs
          6.09       3.60  
                         
Total production costs
  $     $ 14.65     $ 11.82  
                         


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(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2009. Metal prices used to calculate proven and probable reserves were $14.50 per ounce of silver and $850 per ounce of gold.
 
(2) Ore reserves are minable reserves within underground mine designs and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. Veins are diluted to a minimum mining width of 2.4 meters at zero grade. Mining recovery is 90%.
 
(3) Metallurgical recoveries of 93.4% and 90.5% should be applied to the contained silver and gold ounces, respectively.
 
(4) Ore reserve estimates were prepared by J. Sims (Geologist), and D. Duffy (Mining Engineer) of the Company’s technical staff.
 
(5) Proven and probable reserves are defined by geostatistical methods within manual boundaries based on grade thickness contouring. For proven reserves: An area demonstrating grade continuity defined by two or more bounding horizontal levels of drill holes or channel samples spaced vertically no more than about 12.5 meters containing horizontally spaced samples less than 5 meters apart — the key feature being confirmation on two levels. For probable reserves: An area demonstrating grade continuity with channel sample or drill hole spacing less than about 35 meters. Mineralized material is similarly classified .
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
North America
 
Mexico — Palmarejo Silver and Gold Mine
 
On December 21, 2007, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Bolnisi Gold NL (“Bolnisi”) and Palmarejo Silver and Gold Corporation (“Palmarejo”) resulting in 100% ownership of the Palmarejo mine. The Palmarejo mine commenced commercial production on April 20, 2009. The Palmarejo mine is an open-pit and underground silver and gold mine and ore processing facility, located in the state of Chihuahua in northern Mexico. Access to the Palmarejo property is by paved and all weather dirt roads southwest from the capital city of Chihuahua.
 
In its initial year of operations, production at the Palmarejo mine was 3.0 million ounces of silver and 54,740 ounces of gold. Cash operating costs per ounce and total cash costs per ounce of silver for 2009 were $9.80. Operational results continue to improve and the Company now expects production for 2010 to be approximately 7.9 million ounces of silver and approximately 109,000 ounces of gold.
 
The Company’s property position at Palmarejo consists of 32 mining concessions totaling 46.9 square miles (12,141 hectares). Of the total concessions, 23 concessions consisting of 46.1 square miles (11,949 hectares) are owned 100% by Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (Coeur Mexicana), formerly Planet Gold S.A. de C.V. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), and the remaining nine concessions, representing 0.74 square miles (191.96 hectares) are held by Coeur Mexicana under various agreements and leases. All of the company’s reserves are located on concessions owned 100% by Coeur Mexicana. All concessions owned by Coeur Mexicana are valid until at least 2029. In addition to Palmarejo, the Company also acquired the Yecora exploration-stage property located in Sonora, on the border with Chihuahua, and the El Realito and La Guitarra exploration-stage properties in Chihuahua.
 
Total capital costs in 2009 were $162.8 million. The Company incurred $190.3 million of capital expenditures in 2008. All property and equipment are in good operating condition with no major maintenance expected. Power is supplied to the property by the local power utility as well as by generators. Water is supplied to the property by pipeline from the Chinipas River and also from recycled process water collected at site.
 
Commercial production commenced in April 2009, and the commissioning of the plant continued during the second half of 2009. Recovery of gold has been consistent with metallurgical testwork and feasibility study estimations, and averaged 88.2% during 2009. The recovery of silver has not achieved the feasibility study values and averaged 66.3% during 2009. Consequently, during the fourth quarter, the Company conducted substantial


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metallurgical test work and third party reviews of the processing plant, which led to a number of improvements now being implemented and causing silver recoveries to increase during January and February.
 
The terrain at the Palmarejo mine is characterized by steep-sided hills and V-shaped valleys, although sites for mining infrastructures such as a mill should not pose a significant problem. Dumps and tailings will likely need to be placed within the upper reaches of drainage valleys, which would require the construction of a retention dam(s).
 
The Palmarejo mine is located on the western flank of the Sierra Madre Occidental, a mountain range that comprises the central spine of northern Mexico. The north-northwest-trending Sierra Madre Occidental is composed of a relatively flat-lying sequence of Tertiary volcanic rocks that forms a volcanic plateau. This volcanic plateau is deeply incised in the Palmarejo mine area, locally forming steep-walled canyons. The Sierra Madre Occidental gives way to the west to an extensional terrain that represents the southward continuation of the Basin and Range Province of the western United States, and then to the coastal plain of western Mexico.
 
The gold and silver deposits at the Palmarejo mine, typical of many of the other silver and gold deposits in the Sierra Madre, are classified as epithermal deposits, and are hosted in multiple veins, breccias and fractures. These geologic structures trend generally northwest to southeast and dip either southwest or northeast. The dip on the structures ranges from about 45 degrees to 70 degrees. In the mineralized portions of the structures gold and silver are zoned from top to bottom with higher silver values occurring in the upper parts of the deposit to a gold-rich basal portion, sometimes accompanied by base metal mineralization. The Palmarejo property contains a number of mineralized zones or areas of interest. The most important of these to date is the Palmarejo zone in the far north of the concessions which covers the old Palmarejo gold-silver mine based on the northwest-southeast trending La Prieta and La Blanca gold-silver bearing structures. In addition to Palmarejo, mineralized vein and alteration systems in the Trogan license area have been identified on other strongly mineralized corridors, roughly sub-parallel to the Palmarejo zone. The most significant of these additional targets are the Guadalupe (including Animas) and La Patria vein systems in the southern part of the property and are currently under investigation by the Company’s exploration teams.
 
The Company spent $7.6 million on exploration in Mexico of which $7.4 million was committed to the Palmarejo District in 2009, to discover new silver and gold mineralization and define new ore reserves. This program consisted of drilling 136,024 feet (41,460 meters) of core drilling at Palmarejo and 5,154 feet (1,571 meters) on other targets in Mexico. The exploration budget for Mexico for 2010 is $9.2 million of which $8.4 million is allocated to the Palmarejo district.


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Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Palmarejo Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (1, 2, 3, 4,5)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    7,277       6,840        
Ounces of silver per ton
    5.05       5.09        
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    37,121       34,844        
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.06       0.06        
Contained ounces of gold
    442,000       406,000        
Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    10,623       5,355        
Ounces of silver per ton
    5.03       5.37        
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    53,400       28,732        
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.06       0.07        
Contained ounces of gold
    660,000       350,000        
Proven and Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    17,900       12,195        
Ounces of silver per ton
    5.06       5.21        
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    90,521       63,576        
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.06       0.06        
Contained ounces of gold
    1,102,000       756,000        
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Palmarejo Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (1, 2, 3, 4)              
 
Short Tons (000’s)
    4,493       15,373       16,105  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.48       3.47       5.51  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.05       0.04       0.06  
 
Operating Data
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Production
                       
Ore tons milled
    1,065,508              
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    4.31              
Ore grade gold (oz./ton)
    .058              
Recovery silver(%)
    66.3              
Recovery gold(%)
    88.2              
Silver produced (oz.)
    3,047,843              
Gold produced (oz.)
    54,740              
Cost per Ounce
                       
Cash operating costs
  $ 9.80     $     $  
Other cash costs
                 
                         
Cash costs
    9.80              
Non-cash costs
    17.00              
                         
Total production costs
  $ 26.80     $     $  
                         
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2009. Metal prices used in calculating proven and probable reserves were $14.50 per ounce of silver and $850 per ounce of gold.


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(2) The ore reserves are underground and open pit minable and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. For underground-minable reserves, 10% additional tons at zero grade and 100% mining recovery was applied to the Palmarejo mine and 16% average additional tons at 0.69 g/t Au and 58.3 g/t Ag as dilution for the Guadalupe deposit and 100% mining recovery. For open pit-minable reserves, 10% additional tons at zero grade as mining dilution was added and a 95% mining recovery for the Palmarejo open pit. For Guadalupe open pit reserves a variable dilution and 95% mining recovery was applied.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 90.8% and 93.8% should be applied to the contained silver and gold reserve ounces, respectively.
 
(4) The ore reserves were estimated by G. Blaylock (Mine Engineer consultant) and J. Sims (Geologist) of the Company’s technical staff and the independent consulting firm of Mine Development Associates.
 
(5) Proven and probable reserves are defined by exploration holes drilled from stations on a nominal grid spacing of 40 meters. Proven reserves is material demonstrating grade continuity that is less than or equal to 15 meters distance from the nearest hole, with a minimum of 5 samples, no more than 2 of which originate from the same diamond drill hole. Sample spacing for probable reserves was less than or equal to approximately 40 meters.
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
USA — Rochester Mine
 
The Rochester Mine is an open pit silver and gold mine located in Pershing County, Nevada, which is located approximately 25 paved and all-weather gravel road miles northeast of the town of Lovelock. The Company owns 100% of the Rochester Mine by virtue of its 100% ownership of its subsidiary, Coeur Rochester, Inc. (“Coeur Rochester”). The mine consists of the main Rochester deposit and the adjacent Nevada Packard deposit, due south of Rochester.
 
Production at the Rochester mine in 2009 was approximately 2.2 million ounces of silver and 12,663 ounces of gold, compared to approximately 3.0 million ounces of silver and 21,041 ounces of gold in 2008. Production was lower due to decreased ounces recovered from the ore on leach pad. Cash operating costs per ounce of silver increased to $1.95 per ounce in 2009, compared to $(0.75) per ounce in 2008. Total cash costs per ounce of silver (which includes production taxes and royalties) were $2.58 per ounce in 2009 compared to $(0.03) per ounce in 2008. This increase was primarily due to lower by-product credit of gold production in 2009 compared to 2008.
 
Coeur Rochester controls 541 US Federal unpatented claims (including 54 mill sites), 23 patented claims, and leases an additional 53 unpatented claims, totaling approximately 7,200 acres. All of the Company’s mineral resources and reserves are located within the claims. The unpatented claims and mill sites are maintained via annual fees to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and to Pershing County, which acts as administrator of the claims. Real property taxes to the State of Nevada are paid yearly for the patented claims. Lease payments are paid annually; all leases are in good standing.
 
The Company acquired the Rochester property from ASARCO in 1983 and commenced mining in 1986. No mining or processing was conducted at Rochester by the prior owner. The Company acquired initial interest in the adjacent Nevada Packard property in 1996, completed the full purchase in 1999 and commenced mining in 2003. Very limited mining and processing was conducted at Nevada Packard by the prior owner. Collectively, the Rochester and Nevada Packard properties comprise the Company’s Rochester silver and gold mining and processing operation.
 
In August of 2007, the Company completed mining of the existing ore reserves. While mining operations were discontinued, it is expected that metal production will continue as a result of residual leaching until approximately 2014.
 
The Rochester Mine is fully supported with electricity, supplied by a local power company on their public grid, telephone and radio communications, production water wells, and processing, maintenance, warehouse, and office facilities. All of these facilities are in good operating condition with no major maintenance expected. The mine utilizes the heap leaching process to extract both silver and gold from ore mined using conventional open pit methods.


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Based upon actual operating experience and certain metallurgical testing, the Company estimates ultimate recovery rates from the crushed ore of between 59.0% and 61.5% for silver, depending on the area being leached, and 93% for gold. See Note C — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
 
The Company completed a technical and economic study in early 2010 demonstrating the viability of an expansion of mining and leaching operations at its Rochester mine through 2017. The Company prepared an Amended Plan of Operations for resumption of mining within the existing and permitted Rochester Pit and construction of an additional heap leach pad, all within the currently permitted mine boundary. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) deemed this plan complete in August 2009 under federal regulations and initiated the NEPA process. An Environmental Assessment is currently being prepared and approvals are anticipated in late summer 2010. A modification to the Water Pollution Control Permit will also be required from the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection. Application is pending and approvals are expected in a similar time period.
 
The Company’s capital expenditures at the Rochester Mine totaled approximately $0.3 million in 2009. The Company plans capital expenditures at the Rochester Mine of $0.8 million in 2010. The Company is obligated to pay a net smelter royalty interest only when the market price of silver equals or exceeds $22.87 per ounce up to a maximum rate of 5% to ASARCO, the prior owner. No royalties were required to be paid by the Company during the three years ended December 31, 2009.
 
At Rochester, silver and gold mineralization is hosted in folded and faulted volcanic rocks of the Rochester Formation and overlying Weaver Formation. Silver and gold, consisting of silver sulfosalt minerals, argentite, argentian tetrahedrite and minor native gold, are contained in zones of multiple quartz veins and veinlets (vein and vein swarms and stockworks) with variable but lesser amounts of pyrite.
 
In 2009, exploration expenditures consisted of evaluation of prior drilling results and target selection for 2010. The Company has plans to follow-up on targets in the Rochester and Nevada Packard area and has allocated $0.2 million for the first phase of drilling in 2010.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Rochester Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6)              
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    31,821              
Ounces of silver per ton
    0.58              
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    18,361              
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.006              
Contained ounces of gold
    185,000              
Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    10,596              
Ounces of silver per ton
    0.71              
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    7,523              
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.005              
Contained ounces of gold
    48,000              
Proven and Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    42,417              
Ounces of silver per ton
    0.61              
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    25,884              
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.005              
Contained ounces of gold
    233,000              


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Year-end Mineralized Material — Rochester Mine
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Short Tons (000’s)
    104,783       114,058       32,664  
Ounces of silver per ton
    0.52       0.54       0.85  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.004       0.005       0.006  
 
Operating Data
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Production (7)
                       
Tons ore mined (000’s)
                2,962  
Tons crushed/leached (000’s)
                5,061  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
                0.65  
Ore grade gold (oz./ton)
                0.006  
Recovery/Ag oz
                141.4 %
Recovery/Au oz
                167.6 %
Silver produced (oz.)
    2,181,788       3,033,721       4,614,780  
Gold produced (oz.)
    12,663       21,041       50,408  
Cost per Ounce
                       
Operating cash costs(8)
  $ 1.95     $ (0.75 )   $ 0.99  
Other cash costs(9)
    .63       .72       .53  
                         
Cash costs(7)
    2.58       (0.03 )     1.52  
Non-cash costs
    0.93       0.78       2.30  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 3.51     $ 0.75     $ 3.82  
                         
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2009. Metal prices used in calculating proven and probable reserves were $14.50 per ounce of silver and $850 per ounce of gold.
 
(2) Reserves were estimated with a cutoff grade of 0.54 silver equivalent ounces per ton.
 
(3) The mineralized material was estimated with gold and silver prices of $1100 and $17.00 per ounce, respectively, historical metallurgical recoveries for gold and silver, historical mine operating costs within a non-optimized Whittle® open pit model, and include no additional factors for mining dilution or recovery. The estimate of mineralized material and reserves was constrained to exclude any silver and gold mineralization beneath existing leaching operations.
 
(4) The Company estimates the ultimate metallurgical recovery to be approximately 61% for silver and 92% for gold. However, ultimate recoveries will not be known until leaching operations cease.. Current recovery may vary significantly from ultimate recovery, calculated based on the ounces recovered as a percent of the ounces placed on the pad. The ore reserves were estimated by J. Sims (Geologist) and C. Kiel (Superintendent of Rochester Technical Services) of the Company’s technical staff. The firm of Pincock, Allen & Holt, an independent consulting group, was used to review engineering studies and the consulting firm of Reserva International was used to model results from drilling l.
 
(5) Ore reserves are defined by drilling on grid of 100 feet by 200 feet, or closer, and includes open pit mine production sampling to assist with determination of gold and silver grades. The grade is defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. The number of drill samples used in estimation of grades must be at least 4 with a maximum search distance 150 feet at Rochester and 120 feet at Nevada Packard.
 
(6) Mining and crushing operations terminated in August 2007 and are planned to resume in 2010. L leaching will continue until approximately 2 years following depletion of the ore reserves.


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(7) Includes production taxes.
 
(8) Cash costs per ounce of silver or gold represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
Australia
 
New South Wales — Endeavor Mine
 
The Endeavor Mine, is an underground silver and base metal operation, located in north central New South Wales, Australia, about 447 miles (720 kilometers) from Sydney. Access to the mine is by paved roads 30 miles (18 kilometers) to the northwest from the community of Cobar.
 
Production at the Endeavor mine in 2009 was 461,800 ounces of silver compared to 824,093 ounces of silver in 2008. The decrease in silver production was due to a 46.3% decrease in tons milled partially offset by a 18.4% increase in ore grades as compared to 2008. Cash operating costs and total cash costs per ounce of silver produced were $6.80 in 2009 compared to $2.55 in 2008. This increase was primarily due to the price participation component of the transaction which was not in effect until 2009.
 
The ore reserves at Endeavor are covered by five consolidated mining leases issued by the state of New South Wales to Cobar Operations Pty. Limited (“Cobar”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (“CBH”). The leases form a contiguous block of 10,121 acres in size and expire between 2019 and 2027.
 
The Endeavor Mine has been in production since 1983. On September 12, 2003, CBH acquired the Elura mine and processing facilities from Pasminco and changed the name to the Endeavor Mine. On May 23, 2005, CDE Australia Pty. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur (“CDE Australia”), acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to a maximum 17.7 million payable ounces, contained at the Endeavor Mine, which is owned and operated by CBH, for $44.0 million including transaction fees. Under the terms of the original agreement, CDE Australia paid Cobar $15.4 million of cash at the closing. In addition, CDE Australia agreed to pay Cobar approximately $26.5 million upon the receipt of a report confirming that the reserves at the Endeavor mine are equal to or greater than the reported ore reserves for 2004. In addition, CDE Australia originally committed to pay Cobar an operating cost contribution of $1.00 for each ounce of payable silver plus a further increment when the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. This further increment was to have begun on the second anniversary of this agreement and is 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. A cost contribution of $0.25 per ounce is also payable by CDE Australia in respect of new ounces of proven and probable silver reserves as they are discovered. During the first quarter of 2007, $2.1 million was paid for additional ounces of proven and probable silver reserves under the terms of the contract. This amount was capitalized as a cost of the mineral interests acquired and is being amortized using the units of production method.
 
On March 28, 2006, CDE Australia reached an agreement with CBH to modify the terms of the original silver purchase agreement. Under the modified terms, CDE Australia owns all silver production and reserves up to a total of 20.0 million payable ounces, up from 17.7 million payable ounces in the original agreement. The silver price-sharing provision is deferred until such time as CDE Australia has received approximately two million cumulative ounces of silver from the mine or June 2007, whichever is later. In addition, the silver price-sharing threshold increased to $7.00 per ounce, from the previous level of $5.23 per ounce. The conditions relating to the second payment were also modified and tied to certain paste fill plant performance criteria and mill throughput tests. In January 2008, the mine met the criteria for payment of the additional $26.2 million. This amount was paid on April 1, 2008, plus accrued interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from January 24, 2008. CDE Australia has received approximately 2.5 million payable ounces to-date, and the current ore reserve contains approximately 9.8 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the modified contract. It is expected that future expansion to the ore reserve will occur as a result of the conversion of portions of the property’s existing inventory of mineralized material and future exploration discoveries. CBH conducts regular exploration to discover new mineralization and to define reserves from surface and underground drilling platforms.


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As of December 31, 2009, CDE Australia had recovered approximately 50% of the transaction consideration consisting of 2.5 million payable ounces, or 13%, of the 20 million maximum payable silver ounces to which CDE Australia is entitled under the terms of the silver sale and purchase agreement. No assurances can be made that the mine will achieve its 20 million payable silver ounce cap to which CDE Australia is entitled under the terms of the silver sale and purchase agreement.
 
The mine employs bulk mining methods and utilizes a conventional flotation mill to produce a concentrate that is sold to a third-party smelter. Silver recovery averaged approximately 49.9% in 2009 and 56.5% in 2008. Power to the mine and processing facilities is provided by the grid servicing the local communities. The property and equipment are maintained in good working condition, by CBH, through a regular preventive maintenance program with periodic improvements as required.
 
The Company is not required to contribute to ongoing capital costs at the mine.
 
At Endeavor, silver, lead, zinc and lesser amounts of copper mineralization are contained within sulfide lenses hosted in fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Paleozoic-aged Amphitheatre Group. Sulphide lenses are elliptically-shaped, steeply-dipping to the southwest and strike to the northwest. Principal ore minerals are galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Silver occurs with both lead and zinc rich sulphide zones.
 
CBH conducts regular exploration to define new reserves at the mine from both underground and surface core drilling platforms. For fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, which is the fiscal year used by the operator (CBH), the exploration expenditure at the mine was A$2.5 million (US$2.0 million).
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Endeavor Mine
 
                         
    2009   2008   2007
    (1, 2, 3, 4)        
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    1,984       3,417       8,818  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.93       1.47       1.52  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    3,820       5,019       13.375  
Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    6,393       5,842       10,913  
Ounces of silver per ton
    3.15       3.55       1.52  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    20,139       20,753       16,551  
Proven and Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    8,377       9,259       19,731  
Ounces of silver per ton
    2.86       2.78       1.52  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    23,959       25,772       29,926  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Endeavor Mine
 
                         
    2009   2008   2007
 
Short Tons (000’s)
    20,205       18,127       12,172  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.77       0.96       2.44  


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Operating Data (Coeur’s Share)
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Production
                       
Tons ore milled
    552,799       1,030,368       1,146,857  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    1.67       1.41       1.40  
Recovery silver(%)
    49.9       56.5       48.0  
Silver produced (oz.)
    461,800       824,093       772,609  
Cost per Ounce of Silver
                       
Operating cash costs
  $ 6.80     $ 2.55     $ 2.67  
Other cash costs
                 
                         
Cash costs(5)
    6.80       2.55       2.67  
Non-cash costs
    2.75       2.39       0.98  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 9.55     $ 4.94     $ 3.65  
                         
 
 
(1) Ore reserves are effective as of June 30, 2009, which is the end of the most recent fiscal year of the operator, CBH Resources Ltd. These totals do not include additions or depletions through December 31, 2009. Metal prices used were $12.00 per ounce of silver.
 
(2) The ore reserves are underground and open pit minable. Underground reserves include variable mining dilution (10% to 20% additional waste) and mining recovery factor (50% -for pillars to 95%). For open pit reserves 10% additional tons at variable grades and 100% mining recovery was applied
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 45% should be applied to the silver reserve ounces.
 
(4) Classification of reserves is based on spacing from drill hole composites to reserve block centers. For proven reserves the maximum distance is 20 meters and for probable reserves it is 40 meters. A minimum of 15 drill holes samples are used in estimation of ore reserve grades. Mineralized material is similarly classified.
 
(5) Cash costs per ounce of silver represent a non U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
Discontinued Operation
 
New South Wales — Broken Hill Mine
 
Effective July 1, 2009, the Company sold to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. its 100% interest in silver contained at the Broken Hill mine for $55.0 million in cash. As a result of this transaction, the Company realized a gain on the sale in the third quarter of 2009 of approximately $25.5 million, net of income taxes. Coeur originally purchased this interest from Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. in September 2005 for $36.9 million. This transaction closed on July 30, 2009.
 
Silver production in 2009 from the Broken Hill mine amounted to approximately 0.8 million ounces of silver compared to 1.4 million ounces of silver in 2008. The decrease in silver production was due to the sale of the company’s interest in the silver production from the Broken Hill mineral interests on July 1, 2009. The cash cost per ounce of silver production, which includes the operating cost contribution and smelting, refining and transportation costs, was $3.40 in 2009 compared to $3.41 in 2008.


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Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Broken Hill Mine
 
                 
    2008     2007  
    (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)        
 
Proven
               
Short Tons (000’s)
    6,431       8,021  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.58       1.59  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    10,185       12,727  
Probable
               
Short Tons (000’s)
    4,616       4,373  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.05       1.19  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    4,861       5,204  
Proven and Probable
               
Short Tons (000’s)
    11,047       12,394  
Ounces of silver per ton
    1.36       1.45  
Contained ounces of silver (000’s)
    15,046       17,931  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Broken Hill Mine
 
                 
    2008   2007
 
Short Tons (000’s)
    6,376       5,357  
Ounces of silver per ton
    4.51       5.15  
 
Operating Data (Coeur’s share)
 
                         
    2009(7)     2008     2007  
 
Production
                       
Tons ore milled
    827,766       1,952,066       1,646,203  
Ore grade silver (oz./ton)
    1.44       0.97       1.19  
Recovery (%)
    70.6       72.5       83.6  
Silver produced (oz.)
    842,751       1,369,009       1,642,205  
Cost per Ounce of Silver
                       
Operating cash costs
  $ 3.40     $ 3.41     $ 3.18  
Other cash costs
                 
                         
Cash costs(6)
    3.40       3.41       3.18  
Non-cash costs
    1.86       1.83       1.86  
                         
Total production costs
  $ 5.26     $ 5.24     $ 5.04  
                         
 
 
(1) Ore reserves are effective as of June 30, 2008, which is the end of the most recent fiscal year of the operator (PBH). Metal prices used were $2.22 per ounce of silver.
 
(2) The ore reserves are underground minable reserves and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. Dilution ranges from 0% to 20% of additional tonnage while recovery ranges from 80% to 100% of the diluted tonnage and averages 85%.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 72% should be applied to the silver reserve ounces.
 
(4) The ore reserves were estimated by the technical staff of CBH Resources, the mine operator, and reviewed by B. O’Leary (Mine Engineer) and J. L. Sims (Geologist) of the Company’s technical staff.
 
(5) The proven and probable reserves are a combination of zinc, lead and silver mineralization remnant from historic mining and new parts or extensions of the mine. Proven and probable reserves must be accessible as


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defined by the site specific conditions of the mine. Furthermore, reserves are defined by definition drilling on a grid of 40 meters horizontally by 20 meters vertically and over 70% of the proven reserves are drilled on a 20 meter by 10 meter grid.
 
(6) Cash costs per ounce of silver represent a non-U.S. GAAP measurement that management uses to monitor and evaluate the performance of its mining operations. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs.”
 
(7) Broken Hill was sold in July 2009, therefore, production totals represent a partial year.
 
SILVER AND GOLD DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES
 
USA — Alaska — Kensington Gold Project
 
The Kensington underground gold project, consisting of the Kensington and adjacent Jualin properties, is located on the east side of the Lynn Canal about 45 miles north-northwest of Juneau, Alaska. The mine will be accessed by a horizontal tunnel and utilize conventional and mechanized underground mining methods. The ore will be processed in a flotation mill that produces a concentrate which will be sold to third party smelters. Waste material will be deposited in an impoundment facility on the property. Power is supplied to the site by on-site diesel generators. Access to the project is presently by helicopter, float plane or boat from Juneau.
 
The Company estimates $81.7 million of remaining capital expenditures are required to complete construction and mine related activities at Kensington and to commence production during the third quarter of 2010. Production during the mine’s initial partial year is expected to be approximately 40,000 ounces of gold. Based on an initial 12.5 year mine life based solely on proven and probable mineral reserves, the Company expects gold production to average approximately 120,000 ounces annually and total operating costs to average approximately $475 per ounce annually.
 
Coeur Alaska, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Coeur Alaska”), controls two contiguous land groups: the Kensington and Jualin. The Kensington property consists of 51 private patented lode and mill-site claims covering approximately 766 acres, 294 federal unpatented lode claims covering approximately 3,127 acres, and eight State of Alaska mining claims covering approximately 95 acres. The Company controls the Jualin Property, under a lease agreement with Hyak Mining Company, through the cessation of mining, so long as the Company makes timely payments pursuant to the lease agreement. The Jualin Property consists of 23 patented lode and mill-site claims covering approximately 383.6 acres, 438 federal unpatented lode claims and one unpatented mill-site claim covering approximately 7,911 acres, and 17 State of Alaska mining claims covering approximately 110 acres. The Federal and State claims, as well as the private patented lode and mill-site claims, provide Coeur with the necessary rights to mine and process ore from Kensington. All of the Company’s ore reserves are located within the patented claims. The unpatented claims and mill site are maintained via annual filings and fees to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which acts as administrator of the claims. State claims are maintained via filings and fees to ADNR — Juneau Recorder’s Office. Real property taxes to the State of Alaska are paid yearly for the patented claims. Lease payments are paid annually and all leases are in good standing.
 
The property is located on the east side of Lynn Canal between Juneau and Haines, Alaska. Coeur Alaska is obligated to pay a scaled net smelter return royalty on 1.0 million ounces of future gold production after Coeur Alaska recoups the $32.5 million purchase price and its construction and development expenditures incurred after July 7, 1995 in connection with placing the property into commercial production. The royalty ranges from 1% at $400 per ounce gold prices to a maximum of 21/2% at gold prices above $475 per ounce, with the royalty to be capped at 1.0 million ounces of production.
 
On June 22, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that invalidated the previously issued Section 404 Permit for the tailings facility for the Kensington gold mine. The Kensington property litigation, described in Note U of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, “Federal Court (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge”, has contributed to an increase in capital costs.
 
Following the U.S. Supreme Court decision, on August 14, 2009, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers re-activated the Company’s 404 permit, clearing the way for construction at the tailing facility to continue.


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Construction activities have recommenced at the Kensington mine and production is expected to begin in the second half of 2010.
 
No assurances can be given as to whether or when regulatory permits and approvals granted to the Company may be further challenged, appealed or contested by third parties or issuing agencies, or as to whether the Company will ultimately place the Kensington project into commercial production.
 
The Kensington ore deposit consists of multiple precious metals bearing mesothermal, quartz, carbonate, pyrite vein swarms and discrete quartz-pyrite veins hosted in the Cretaceous age Jualin diorite. The gold-telluride-mineral calaverite is associated with the pyrite mineralization.
 
In 2009, the Company continued the exploration program started in the third quarter of 2005 designed to increase the size and geologic continuity of gold mineralization in its mineralized material inventory and ultimately result in an increase in ore reserves. In 2009, a total of $0.3 million was spent on this program.
 
Year-end Proven and Probable Ore Reserves — Kensington Property
 
                         
    2009   2008   2007
    (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
 
Proven
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    199       199       21  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.38       0.38       0.23  
Contained ounces of gold (000’s)
    76       76       5  
Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    5,301       5,301       4,397  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.26       0.26       0.31  
Contained ounces of gold (000’s)
    1,402       1,402       1,347  
Proven and Probable
                       
Short Tons (000’s)
    5,500       5,500       4,419  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.27       0.27       0.31  
Contained ounces of gold (000’s)
    1,478       1,478       1,352  
 
Year-end Mineralized Material — Kensington Property
 
                         
    2009   2008   2007
 
Short Tons (000’s)
    2,724       2,724       3,136  
Ounces of gold per ton
    0.18       0.18       0.20  
 
 
(1) Current ore reserves are effective as of December 31, 2009. Metal price used in calculating proven and probable reserves was $750 per ounce of gold.
 
(2) The ore reserves are underground minable and include factors for mining dilution and recovery. A factor of approximately 10% additional tonnage at 0.063 ounces per ton of dilution was included. An average 97% mining recovery was included.
 
(3) Metallurgical recovery factor of 95.3% should be applied to the contained gold reserve ounces.
 
(4) The ore reserves were estimated by J. Barry (Mine Engineer) and J. Sims (Geologist) of the Company’s technical staff. Snowden Mining Industry Consultants, an independent consultant group, performed an independent review of the Company’s updated resource estimate model used to prepare the ore reserve estimates and AMEC, an independent consultant group, were used to help prepare the Company’s mine plan and mining cost estimates.
 
(5) Proven and probable reserves are defined underground drilling and underground workings. In practice, reserve blocks are defined by the number of proximal composites and three-dimensional geologic controls. Proven ore


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reserves include stockpiled ore. Ore reserve must be defined by at least 10 drill samples from at least 2 drill holes spaced not more than 60 feet from the block center. Mineralized material is similarly classified.
 
(6) See the additional discussion — Note U of the consolidated financial statements for further details under “Federal Court of (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge” and Part I, “Item 1A. — Risk Factors.”
 
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY
 
Coeur, either directly or through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns, leases and has interests in certain exploration-stage mining properties located in the United States, Chile, Argentina, Tanzania, Bolivia, and Mexico. Exploration and reserve development expenditures of approximately $18.9 million, $23.6 million and $11.9 million were incurred by the Company in 2009, 2008 and 2007 respectively.
 
Highlights of the 2009 program include:
 
  •  Drilling and engineering studies on the Guadalupe structure at Palmarejo led to estimation of the first proven and probable ore reserve estimate for that important gold and silver system in south east Palmarejo.
 
  •  Discovery of new high-grade mineralization at the La Negra zone at Joaquin in Argentina located northwest of the Company’s Martha mill facility.
 
  •  Discovery of a new gold-bearing vein and vein system at Kensington called Kimberly. Fourteen core holes were completed on this new discovery.
 
  •  Definition drilling on the Delia vein at Cerro Bayo, discovered in late 2008, resulting in the first proven and probable ore reserve estimate for that gold and silver-bearing vein.
 
Coeur plans to spend $17.9 million in exploration during 2010 with approximately 80% of the budget earmarked for expansion of mineral resources and reserves at or near its existing operations at Palmarejo (Mexico), Kensington (Alaska), Rochester (Nevada), Martha (Argentina) and Cerro Bayo (Chile).
 
USA — Kensington/Jualin
 
Fourteen core holes, totaling 4,100 feet, were completed in 2009 at Kensington. This work targeted a new blind vein (not exposed on surface) called the Kimberly. Eight of the core holes intersected significant gold mineralization in Kensington-style veins. The Company plans for an additional drilling program in 2010 on Kimberly and other targets with a budget of $2.0 million. Approximately $0.3 million was spent in exploration in 2009 at Kensington; all at Jualin.
 
USA — Rochester
 
The Company did not explore around the Rochester and Nevada Packard deposits in 2009 but used results from 2008 and prior years drilling to assess the viability of recommencing mining and leaching of new ore and in combination with existing leaching of prior-placed ore, extend the mine life and production. In 2010, the Company has allocated $0.2 million for exploration.
 
Chile — Cerro Bayo Mine
 
Coeur continued to conduct extensive exploration at its 100%-owned Cerro Bayo gold/silver mining operation in southern Chile. Approximately $2.2 million was spent in exploration for new silver and gold-bearing veins, and an additional $1.0 million was capitalized as reserve development during 2009. Over 103,900 feet (31,700 meters) of core drilling was completed during the year to discover new mineralization and define new ore reserves. The most significant result of this program was the expansion and definition of new ore reserves at the Delia vein discovered near the Laguna Verde ore processing facility in 2008. Silver and gold mineralization at Delia extends for over 1 kilometer on strike and over 100 meters vertically and forms a significant part of the reserves at Cerro Bayo. The Company believes that there is potential to discover additional high grade veins within the entire Cerro Bayo district. Late in 2009, new veins were discovered west of the mill facilities in a zone called Zona 2 and due east of the Cerro Bayo Dome in the eastern part of the district.


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Chile — Other Properties
 
In 2009, Coeur completed a phase one drilling program on the Huantajaya silver property in northern Chile. During 2009, first phase of reverse circulation drilling totaling 4,783 feet (1,458 meters) was completed at Huantajaya at a total cost of $0.6 million including supports costs in Santiago. This work was not successful defining significant new mineralization. The 2010 exploration budget for Chile is expected to be $0.5 million.
 
Argentina — Martha Mine
 
In 2009, the Company’s exploration efforts consisted of mapping, sampling and 61,266 feet (18,674 meters) of core drilling for a total expenditure of $3.3 million, of which $0.8 million was capitalized as reserve development at Martha. At the Martha mine area, drilling amounted to over 35,400 feet (10,799 meters) of the total for Argentina.
 
Argentina — Other Properties
 
The Company also continued exploration in other parts of the Santa Cruz Province near the Martha mine. Activities focused on the Nico, Satelite and Joaquin properties as well as targets near to the Martha mine. A total of over 25,700 feet of drilling (7,039 meters) was completed on these areas. During 2010, we expect to spend $3.3 million on exploration for the discovery of new mineralization and reserve development, across all our large land holdings in the province of Santa Cruz.
 
Drilling at Joaquin in the fourth quarter of 2009 returned encouraging results with of drilling on three targets; La Morena, La Negra and La Morocha. Joaquin is located about 80 kilometers north of the Company’s Martha mine, and the Company has an option to earn up to 71% managing interest in a joint venture with property owners Mirasol Resources Ltd. A fourth phase of drilling will begin early this year.
 
The Company has budgeted $3.3 million for 2010 in Argentina, Joaquin and reconnaissance exploration in the country.
 
Africa, Tanzania
 
During the first quarter of 2004, the Company acquired ten prospecting licenses for properties located in the Lake Victoria Gold Belt of Tanzania, Africa, and in 2005, 2006 and 2007 added the Saragurwa, Bismark and Pangea properties, respectively. Based on results from its annual exploration programs, four of the original ten concessions were not renewed. Except for Saragurwa, Bismark and Pangea, all properties are held 100% by Tanzanian subsidiaries of the Company. Saragurwa, Bismark and Pangea were all returned to their respective owners. The Company changed its business plan in 2009 and actively sought to attract a partner or buyer for its interests and companies.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings.
 
For a discussion of legal proceedings, see Note U to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
None.


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Item 4A.   Executive Officers of the Registrant.
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company’s current executive officers:
 
                     
Name
 
Age
 
Positions with Coeur
 
Since
 
Dennis E. Wheeler
    67     Chairman of the Board     1992  
            Chief Executive Officer and President     1986  
                  1980  
Mitchell J. Krebs
    38     Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer     2008  
Richard M. Weston
    58     Senior Vice President, Operations     2007  
Donald J. Birak
    56     Senior Vice President, Exploration     2004  
Kelli C. Kast
    43     Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary     2009  
Humberto Rada
    57     President, Coeur South America     2008  
K. Leon Hardy
    56     Senior Vice President, North American Operations     2008  
Tom T. Angelos
    54     Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer     2008  
Luther J. Russell
    54     Vice President, Environmental Services     2005  
Larry A. Nelson
    57     Vice President, Human Resources     2008  
Kenneth L. Koski
    41     Controller     2008  
 
Dennis E. Wheeler has been Chairman of the Board of the Company since May 1992, Chief Executive Officer since December 1986 and President since December 1980. Mr. Wheeler was our Chief Administrative Officer from December 1980 to December 1986, Secretary from January 1980 to December 1980 and Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1978 to 1980.
 
Mitchell J. Krebs first joined Coeur in 1995 after spending several years in the investment banking industry in New York. During his tenure with Coeur, Mr. Krebs has held various positions in the corporate development department, including Senior Vice President of Corporate Development. Since March 2008, Mr. Krebs has held the position of Chief Financial Officer and was made Treasurer in July 2008. Mr. Krebs holds a BS in Economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard University.
 
Richard M. Weston was appointed Senior Vice President — Operations in May 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Weston served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Coeur Australia and Vice President of the Company’s South American Operations from December 2006 to May 2007. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Coeur Australia from February 2006 to December 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Weston was employed with Barrick Australia from January 2003 to February 2006 as General Manager of Cowal Gold Project and Rio Tinto Australia from December 2000 to November 2002 as General Manager of the ERA and Jabiluka mines.
 
Donald J. Birak was appointed as Senior Vice President — Exploration of Coeur in January 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Birak was employed with AngloGold North America, Inc. from March 1999 to January 20, 2004, as Vice President — Exploration and with Independence Mining Company Inc. as Vice President of Exploration from 1995 to 1999.
 
Kelli C. Kast was appointed Sr. Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary in March 2009. Prior to that, Ms. Kast served as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from May of 2005 to March of 2009. Ms. Kast was previously Corporate Counsel for HealtheTech. Inc. from April 2004 to April 2005. Prior thereto, she served as Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Global Water Technologies Inc. and Psychrometric Systems, Inc. from December 1997 through February 2003.
 
Humberto Rada was appointed President, Coeur South America in July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Rada was employed from 1985 to 2008 by Newmont Mining Corp. at their Bolivian subsidiary, Empresa Minera Inti Raymi S.A., most recently as General Manager. Prior to that Mr. Rada held various positions in Argentina and Bolivia with PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1978 to 1984.


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K. Leon Hardy was appointed Senior Vice President North American Operations in July 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Hardy served as Vice President and General Manager for Coeur Argentina from May 2003 to July 2008. Prior to that Mr. Hardy was employed with Apex Silver Mines as Operations Manager at their San Cristobal project in Bolivia from 1999 to 2002. Prior to that Mr. Hardy was employed in Argentina with Minera Alumbrera Ltd from 1996 to 1998. Prior to that Mr. Hardy was employed with Cyprus Amax Minerals from 1979 to 1996.
 
Tom T. Angelos was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in March 2008. Prior to this, Mr. Angelos was Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company from December 2006 to March 2008 and Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company from 2004 to 2006. Mr. Angelos was previously Controller of Stillwater Mining Company from 1998 to 2004, and from 1983 to 1998 was employed by Coeur in various capacities, most recently as Controller.
 
Luther J. Russell was appointed Vice President of Environmental Services at Coeur in 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Russell was Coeur d’Alene Basin Project Manager for the State of Idaho’s Department of Environmental Quality from 2001 to 2005. Before that, he held a series of increasingly responsible positions in the management of environmental affairs at major mining companies and was previously Director of Environmental and Government Affairs for Coeur from 1995 to 2000.
 
Larry A. Nelson was appointed Vice President Human Resources in January 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Nelson served as Director Human Resources from 2005 to 2008. Mr. Nelson held the position of Human Resources Manager at Coeur Silver Valley from 1996 to 2005. Prior to that, he was employed in corporate and site human resource positions within the mining industry since 1977.
 
Kenneth L. Koski was appointed Controller of Coeur in March 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Koski served as Assistant Controller of Coeur from August 2002 to March 2008. From January 2001 to August 2002 Mr. Koski was employed with Telect Inc. as a financial and cost analyst. Prior to this, Mr. Koski was employed by Coeur from June 1990 to January 2001 in various capacities, most recently as Manager of Financial Accounting.
 
PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
                                 
                Maximum Number
                (or Approximate
            Total Number of
  Dollar Value) of
            Shares (or Units)
  Shares (or Units)
            Purchased as
  That May Yet be
    Total Number of
  Average Price
  Part of Publicly
  Purchased Under
    Shares (or Units)
  Paid per Share
  Announced Plans
  the Plans or
Period
  Purchased(1)   (or Unit)   or Programs   Programs
 
1/1/09 - 1/31/09
    3,898       9.00              
2/1/09 - 2/29/09
    1,231       7.70              
3/1/09 - 3/31/09
    3,144       8.60              
4/1/09 - 4/30/09
    937       11.00              
5/1/09 - 5/31/09
                       
6/1/09 - 6/30/09
                       
7/1/09 - 7/31/09
    570       10.53              
8/1/09 - 8/31/09
                       
9/1/09 - 9/30/09
                       
10/1/09 - 10/31/09
                       
11/1/09 - 11/30/09
                       
12/1/09 - 12/31/09
                       
Total
    9,780       8.99              


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(1) Represents shares withheld from employees to pay taxes related to the vesting of restricted shares.
 
                                 
                      Maximum Number
 
                Total Number of
    (or Approximate
 
                Shares (or Units)
    Dollar Value) of
 
                Sold as
    Shares (or Units)
 
    Total Number of
    Average Price
    Part of Publicly
    That May Yet be
 
    Shares (or Units)
    Received per Share
    Announced Plans
    Sold Under the
 
Period
  Sold     (or Unit)     or Programs     Plans or Programs  
 
1/1/09 - 1/31/09
                           
2/1/09 - 2/29/09
                           
3/1/09 - 3/31/09
    1,988,057 (1)     6.50                  
      1,074,773 (2)     6.80                  
4/1/09 - 4/30/09
    127,320 (4)     10.58                  
5/1/09 - 5/31/09
                           
6/1/09 - 6/30/09
    3,556,561 (3)     13.03                  
      3,215,467 (4)     13.60                  
7/1/09 - 7/31/09
                           
8/1/09 - 8/31/09
    784,466 (5)     15.19                  
9/1/09 - 9/30/09
    1,951,700 (5)     16.20                  
10/1/09 - 10/31/09
                           
11/1/09 - 11/30/09
                       
12/1/09 - 12/31/09
    2,074,305 (6)     22.11              
      93,848 (7)     19.69                  
Total
    14,866,497       13.68              
 
 
(1) Pursuant to privately-negotiated agreements, the Company agreed to exchange $22.2 million aggregate principal amount of its 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024.
 
(2) Pursuant to privately-negotiated agreements, the Company agreed to exchange $16.6 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028.
 
(3) Pursuant to privately-negotiated agreements, the Company agreed to exchange $51.1 million aggregate principal amount of its 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024.
 
(4) Pursuant to privately-negotiated agreements, the Company agreed to exchange $63.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028.
 
(5) Pursuant to privately-negotiated agreements, the Company agreed to exchange $41.6 million aggregate principal amount of its 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024.
 
(6) Pursuant to privately-negotiated agreements, the Company agreed to exchange $43.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024.
 
(7) Pursuant to privately-negotiated agreements, the Company agreed to exchange $2.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028.


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The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”). The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sales prices of the Common Stock as reported by the NYSE:
 
                                 
    2009   2008(1)
    High   Low   High   Low
 
First Quarter
  $ 9.80     $ 5.80     $ 51.60     $ 38.80  
Second Quarter
  $ 16.70     $ 10.00     $ 39.40     $ 27.70  
Third Quarter
  $ 21.56     $ 10.51     $ 28.90     $ 14.40  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 24.29     $ 17.96     $ 14.80     $ 3.60  
2010
                               
First Quarter (through February 23, 2010)
  $ 14.70     $ 13.68                  
 
 
(1) Common stock prices in 2008 have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split. See Note N of the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
 
The Company has not paid per share cash distributions or dividends on its Common Stock since 1996. Future distributions or dividends on the Common Stock, if any, will be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s results of operations, financial conditions, capital requirements and other factors.
 
On February 23, 2010, there were outstanding 81,431,083 shares of the Company’s common stock which were held by approximately 3175 stockholders of record.
 
The Company made no repurchases of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2009.


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STOCK PERFORMANCE CHART
 
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION,
S&P 500 INDEX AND PEER GROUP INDEX
 
The following performance graph compares the performance of the Company’s Common Stock during the period beginning December 31, 2004 and ending December 31, 2009 to the S&P 500 and a Peer Group Index consisting of the following companies: Agnico Eagle Mines, Goldcorp, Hecla Mining Co., IAM Gold, Kinross Gold Corp., Northgate Minerals, Pan American Silver Corp. Centerra Gold, Inc, and Stillwater Mining Co. for the same period. The graph assumes a $100 investment in the Company’s Common Stock and in each of the indexes at the beginning of the period, and a reinvestment of dividends paid on such investments throughout the period.
 
 
                                                             
      Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
    Dec.
      2004     2005     2006     2007     2008     2009
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation
      100.00         101.9         125.96         125.70         22.39         45.96  
S&P 500 Index
      100.00         104.89         121.46         128.13         80.73         102.08  
Peer Group Only
      100.0         131.53         160.00         191.59         157.47         202.45  
                                                             
 
This stock performance information is “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or subject to Rule 14A, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this report and irrespective of any general incorporation by reference language in any such filing, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate the information by reference.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The following table summarizes certain selected consolidated financial data with respect to the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.
 
                                         
Income Statement Data:
  2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Sales of metal
  $ 300,618     $ 170,874     $ 194,717     $ 192,782     $ 152,014  
Production costs applicable to sales
    (191,105 )     (106,582 )     (113,733 )     (88,014 )     (87,415 )
Depreciation and depletion
    (85,570 )     (24,856 )     (17,930 )     (21,652 )     (17,082 )
                                         
Gross profit
    23,943       39,436       63,054       83,116       47,517  
Costs and expenses:
                                       
Administrative and general
    22,097       25,846       23,875       19,369       20,624  
Exploration
    15,209       20,531       11,941       9,474       10,553  
Care and maintenance and other
    11,801       3,155                    
Pre-development
    97       16,950                   6,057  
Litigation settlement
                507       2,365       1,600  
                                         
Total costs and expenses
    49,204       66,482       36,323       31,208       38,834  
                                         
Operating income (loss)
    (25,261 )     (27,046 )     26,731       51,908       8,683  
Other income (expense)
                                       
Gains (loss) on debt extinguishments
    31,988                          
Loss on derivatives, net
    (82,687 )     1,756                    
Interest and other income
    3,248       2,557       18,195       18,654       8,385  
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
    (18,102 )     (4,726 )     (365 )     (1,224 )     (2,485 )
                                         
Total other income (expense)
    (65,553 )     (413 )     17,830       17,430       5,900  
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (90,814 )     (27,459 )     44,561       69,338       14,583  
Income tax benefit (provision)
    25,921       17,500       (10,650 )     (3,934 )     (989 )
                                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (64,893 )     (9,959 )     33,911       65,404       13,594  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    7,449       9,332       9,979       11,950       (3,043 )
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operation
    25,537                   11,132        
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (31,907 )   $ (627 )   $ 43,890     $ 88,486     $ 10,551  
                                         
Other comprehensive income (loss)
          (634 )     86       2,391       447  
                                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (31,907 )   $ (1,261 )   $ 43,976     $ 90,877     $ 10,998  
                                         
Basic and Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share Data:
                                       
Basic Income (Loss) Per Share:
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (0.91 )   $ (0.18 )   $ 1.19     $ 2.41     $ 0.56  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.46       0.17       0.35       0.85       (0.12 )
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (0.45 )   $ 0.01     $ 1.54     $ 3.26     $ 0.44  
                                         
Diluted Income (Loss) Per Share:
                                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (0.91 )   $ (0.18 )   $ 1.10     $ 2.21     $ 0.56  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.46       0.17       0.32       0.78       (0.13 )
                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (0.45 )   $ 0.01     $ 1.42     $ 2.99     $ 0.43  
                                         
Weighted average number of shares of common stock(1)
                                       
Basic
    71,565       55,073       28,597       27,136       24,291  
                                         
Diluted
    71,565       55,073       31,052       29,608       24,368  
                                         


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Balance Sheet Data:(2)
  2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (In thousands except per share data)  
 
Total assets
  $ 3,054,035     $ 2,928,121     $ 2,651,694     $ 849,626     $ 594,816  
Working capital
  $ (2,572 )   $ (8,533 )   $ 152,390     $ 383,082     $ 281,977  
Long-term liabilities
  $ 872,222     $ 981,225     $ 812,650     $ 210,117     $ 206,921  
Shareholders’ equity
  $ 1,993,205     $ 1,785,912     $ 1,727,367     $ 580,994     $ 341,553  
 
 
(1) In May 2009, the company’s Board of Directors authorized a 1-for-10 reverse stock split which became effective on May 26, 2009. Consequently, previously reported amounts for weighted average number of shares of common stock have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split.
 
(2) On December 21, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all the shares of Bolnisi and Palmarejo in exchange for a total of approximately 272 million shares of Coeur common stock and a total cash payment of approximately $1.1 million. The total consideration paid amounted to $1.1 billion and the total liabilities assumed were $0.7 billion.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion provides information that management believes is relevant to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and its subsidiaries for the three years ended December 31, 2009. It consists of the following subsections:
 
  •  “Overview” provides a brief summary of our financial position and the primary factors affecting those results.
 
  •  “Critical Accounting Policies” which provides a discussion of the accounting policies we consider critical because of their effect on the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and/or expenses in our consolidated financial statements and/or because they require different objectives or complex judgments by management.
 
  •  “Operating statistics and ore reserve estimates” which provides a summary of the consolidated production results for the three years ended December 31, 2009 and discussion of our reported ore reserves.
 
  •  “Results of operations” which sets forth an analysis of the operating results for the last three years.
 
  •  “Liquidity and capital resources” which contains a discussion of our cash flows and liquidity, investing activities and financing activities, contractual obligations and environmental compliance expenditures.
 
  •  “Recently issued accounting pronouncements” which summarizes recently published authorative accounting guidance, how it might apply to us and how it might affect our future results.
 
Overview
 
Coeur is one of the world’s largest silver producers with growing gold production from assets in the United States, Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile and Australia. The Palmarejo mine, San Bartolomé mine, Rochester mine and Martha mine, each operated by the Company, and the Endeavor Mine which is operated by others, constituted the Company’s principal sources of mining revenues in 2009. The Company’s management focuses on maximizing cash flow from its existing operations, the main factors of which are silver and gold prices, cash costs of production and capital expenditures. The Company also focuses on reducing its non-operating costs in order to maximize cash flow.
 
We face key risks associated with our business. One of the most significant risks is fluctuation in prices of silver and gold, which are affected by numerous factors beyond our control including interest rates, expectations regarding inflation, currency values, governmental decisions regarding the disposal of precious metals stockpiles, global and regional political and economic conditions, and other factors. In addition, we face challenges which include capital and production cost increases and social, political and environmental issues. Operating costs at our mines are subject to variation due to a number of factors such as changing commodity prices, ore grades, metallurgy, revisions to mine plans, and changes in accounting principles. At foreign locations, operating costs are also influenced by currency fluctuations that may affect our U.S. dollar costs.


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Highlights during 2009:
 
  •  Silver and gold prices averaged $14.65 per ounce and $972.35 per ounce in 2009, respectively. Silver hit a high of $19.275 per ounce on December 2, 2009 and a low of $10.45 per ounce on January 15, 2009. Gold hit a high of $1,212.50 per ounce on December 2, 2009 and a low of $810 per ounce on January 15, 2009;
 
  •  The Company produced a total of 17.7 million ounces of silver (includes 842,751 of silver production from Broken Hill) and 72,112 ounces of gold during 2009, 47.3% and 56.4% increases over 2008, respectively;
 
  •  Net cash provided by operating activities in 2009 was $64.5 million, compared to $(7.4) million in 2008;
 
  •  On June 22, 2009, the United States Supreme Court released its decision reversing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that invalidated the previously issued Section 404 permit for the tailings facility for the Kensington gold mine near Juneau, Alaska clearing the way for final construction of the project. The Company estimates $81.7 million of remaining capital expenditures are required to complete construction and mine related activities at Kensington and to commence production during the second half of 2010;
 
  •  The Company completed construction and commenced production at its 100% owned Palmarejo mine in Mexico in April 2009;
 
  •  The Company’s silver reserves increased by 16% over 2008 to over 269 million ounces, while gold reserves increased 26% to 2.9 million ounces;
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Management considers the following policies to be most critical in understanding the judgments that are involved in preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the uncertainties that could impact its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Our consolidated financial statements are affected by the accounting policies used and the estimates and assumptions made by management during their preparation. We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The information provided herein is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We base these estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that we consider reasonable under the circumstances; however, reported results could differ from those based on the current estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The effects and associated risks of these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout this discussion and analysis. The areas requiring the use of management’s estimates and assumptions relate to recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves that are the basis of future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation and amortization calculations; useful lives utilized for depreciation, depletion, and long lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; and post-employment and other employee benefit liabilities. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note C in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-K.
 
Revenue Recognition.  Revenue includes sales value received for our principal product, silver, and associated by-product revenues from the sale of by-product metals consisting primarily of gold and copper. Revenue is recognized when title to silver and gold passes to the buyer and when collectability is reasonably assured. Title passes to the customer based on terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example, the London Bullion Market for both gold and silver, in an identical form to the product sold.
 
Under our concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, final gold and silver prices are set on a specified future quotational period, typically one to three months, after the shipment date based on market metal prices. Revenues are recorded under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. Final settlement is based on the average applicable price for a


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specified future period and generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. Final sales are settled using smelter weights, settlement assays (average of assays exchanged and/or umpire assay results) and are priced as specified in the smelter contract. The Company’s provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded as a derivative asset in prepaid expenses and other assets or as a derivative liability in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final gold and silver settlement. The form of the material being sold, after deduction for smelting and refining, is in an identical form to that sold on the London Bullion Market. The form of the product is metal in flotation concentrate, which is the final process for which the Company is responsible.
 
The effects of forward sales contracts are reflected in revenue at the date the related precious metals are delivered. Third-party smelting and refining costs are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $19.1 million consisting of 1.0 million ounces of silver and 1,227 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $19.1 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $10,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $1,200. At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $32.1 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $22,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $8,000.
 
Estimates.  The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates. The most critical accounting principles upon which the Company’s financial status depends are those requiring estimates of recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves and/or assumptions of future commodity prices. There are a number of uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of reserves, including many factors beyond our control. Ore reserves estimates are based upon engineering evaluations of samplings of drill holes and other openings. These estimates involve assumptions regarding future silver and gold prices, the geology of our mines, the mining methods we use and the related costs we incur to develop and mine our reserves. Changes in these assumptions could result in material adjustments to our reserve estimates. We use reserve estimates in determining the units-of-production depreciation and amortization expense, as well as in evaluating mine asset impairments.
 
We review and evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. An impairment is considered to exist if total estimated future cash flows or probability-weighted cash flows on an undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the assets, including property, plant and equipment, mineral property, development property, and any deferred costs. The accounting estimates related to impairment are critical accounting estimates because the future cash flows used to determine whether an impairment exists is dependent on reserve estimates and other assumptions, including silver and gold prices, production levels, and capital and reclamation costs, all of which are based on detailed engineering life-of-mine plans.
 
We depreciate our property, plant and equipment, mining properties and mine development using the units-of-production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on our proven and probable recoverable reserves or on a straight-line basis over the useful life, whichever is shorter. The accounting estimates related to depreciation and amortization are critical accounting estimates because 1) the determination of reserves involves uncertainties with respect to the ultimate geology of our reserves and the assumptions used in determining the economic feasibility of mining those reserves and 2) changes in estimated proven and probable reserves and useful asset lives can have a material impact on net income.
 
Ore on leach pad.  The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold,


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which are then recovered in metallurgical processes. In August 2007, the Company terminated mining and crushing operations at the Rochester mine as ore reserves were fully mined. Residual heap leach activities are expected to continue through 2014.
 
The Company used several integrated steps to scientifically measure the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads. As the ore body was drilled in preparation for the blasting process, samples were taken of the drill residue which is assayed to determine estimated quantities of contained metal. The Company estimated the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning satellite survey techniques. The Company then processed the ore through crushing facilities where the output was again weighed and sampled for assaying. A metallurgical reconciliation with the data collected from the mining operation was completed with appropriate adjustments made to previous estimates. The crushed ore was then transported to the leach pad for application of the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from the leach pads, it is continuously sampled for assaying. The quantity of leach solution is measured by flow meters throughout the leaching and precipitation process. After precipitation, the product is converted to dorè, which is the final product produced by the mine. The inventory is stated at lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method.
 
The Company reported ore on leach pad of $24.0 million as of December 31, 2009. Of this amount, $9.6 million is reported as a current asset and $14.4 million is reported as a non-current asset. The distinction between current and non-current is based upon the expected length of time necessary for the leaching process to remove the metals from the broken ore. The historical cost of the metal that is expected to be extracted within twelve months is classified as current and the historical cost of metals contained within the broken ore that will be extracted beyond twelve months is classified as non-current. Inventories of ore on leach pad are valued based on actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the leach pad, adjusted for effects on monthly production of costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process.
 
The estimate of both the ultimate recovery expected over time and the quantity of metal that may be extracted relative to the time the leach process occurs requires the use of estimates which are inherently inaccurate since they rely upon laboratory testwork. Testwork consists of 60 day leach columns from which the Company projects metal recoveries up to five years in the future. The quantities of metal contained in the ore are based upon actual weights and assay analysis. The rate at which the leach process extracts gold and silver from the crushed ore is based upon laboratory column tests and actual experience occurring over more than twenty years of leach pad operations at the Rochester Mine. The assumptions used by the Company to measure metal content during each stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. The Company periodically reviews its estimates compared to actual experience and revises its estimates when appropriate. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company increased its estimated silver ounces contained in the heap inventory by 5.4 million ounces. The increase in estimated silver ounces contained in the heap inventory is due to changes in estimated recoveries anticipated for the remainder of the residual leach phase. There were no changes in recoveries related to gold contained in the heap. Consequently, the Company believes its current residual heap leach activities are expected to continue through 2014. The ultimate recovery will not be known until leaching operations cease. If our estimate of ultimate recovery requires adjustment, the impact upon our valuation and upon our income statement would be as follows:
 
                                                 
    Positive/Negative
    Positive/Negative
 
    Change in Silver Recovery     Change in Gold Recovery  
    1%     2%     3%     1%     2%     3%  
 
Quantity of recoverable ounces
    1.7 million       3.5 million       5.2 million       13,240       26,480       39,720  
Positive impact on future cost of production per silver equivalent ounce for increases in recovery rates
  $ 3.52     $ 2.81     $ 2.33     $ 4.05     $ 3.54     $ 3.14  
Negative impact on future cost of production per silver equivalent ounce for decreases in recovery rates
  $ 7.17     $ 12.05     $ 12.05     $ 5.67     $ 7.10     $ 7.77  


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Inventories of ore on leach pads are valued based upon actual production costs incurred to produce and place such ore on the leach pad during the current period, adjusted for the effects on monthly production of costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process. The costs consist of those production activities occurring at the mine site and include the costs, including depreciation, associated with mining, crushing and precipitation circuits. In addition, refining is provided by a third-party refiner to place the metal extracted from the leach pad in a saleable form. These additional costs are considered in the valuation of inventory.
 
Reclamation and remediation costs.  The Company recognizes obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. These legal obligations are associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and normal use of the asset. The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation will be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset. An accretion cost, representing the increase over time in the present value of the liability, is recorded each period in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. As reclamation work is performed or liabilities are otherwise settled, the recorded amount of the liability is reduced.
 
Future remediation costs for inactive mines are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at the site. Such cost estimates include, where applicable, ongoing care and maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised.
 
Income taxes.  The Company computes income taxes using an asset and liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences or benefits of temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the tax bases of 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.
 
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance has been provided for the portion of the Company’s net deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 1999. Federal income tax returns for 2000 through 2008 are subject to examination. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. There were no significant accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2009.
 
Operating Statistics and Ore Reserve Estimates
 
The Company’s total production, including discontinued operations in 2009 was 17.7 million ounces of silver and 72,112 ounces of gold, compared to 12.0 million ounces of silver and 46,115 ounces of gold in 2008. Total estimated proven and probable reserves at December 31, 2009 were approximately 269.5 million ounces of silver and 2.9 million ounces of gold, compared to silver and gold ore reserves at December 31, 2008 of approximately 247.8 million ounces and 2.3 million ounces, respectively.


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The following table shows the estimated amounts of proven and probable ore reserves and mineralized material at the following Company locations at year-end 2009:
 
                                                                 
    Proven and Probable Ore Reserves     Mineralized Material  
    (000’s)
    Grade
    Grade
    (000’s)
    (000’s)
    (000’s)
    Grade
    Grade
 
    Tons     Ag oz/t     Au oz/t     Ounces Ag     Ounces Au     Tons     Ag oz/t     Au oz/t  
 
Rochester
    42,417       0.61       0.005       25,884       233       104,783       0.52       0.004  
Cerro Bayo
    775       9.78       0.07       7,587       57       769       10.36       0.15  
Mina Martha
    38       33.14       0.04       1,249       1       29       59.54       0.05  
San Bartolomé
    31,372       3.83             120,033             36,953       1.75        
Kensington
    5,500             0.27             1,478       2,724             0.18  
Endeavor
    8,377       2.86             23,959             20,205       1.77        
Palmarejo
    17,900       5.03       0.06       90,521       1,102       4,493       3.48       0.05  
                                                                 
Total tons
    106,379                       269,233       2,871       169,956                  
                                                                 
                                                                 
                                                                 
    Total tons
    Ag oz/t
    Au oz/t
                Total tons
    Ag oz/t
    Au oz/t
 
    (000’s)     (Wt. Avg.)     (Wt. Avg.)                 (000’s)     (Wt. Avg.)     (Wt. Avg.)  
 
Summary by metal:
                                                               
Silver
    101,006       2.67                             167,275       1.08        
Gold
    66,757             0.04                       112,841             0.01  
 
The ore reserves at December 31, 2009 may change with fluctuations in the price of gold and silver. The following table shows the estimated changes to ore reserves at mines operated by the Company at different pricing ranges:
 
                                         
    Proven and Probable Ore Reserve Sensitivity to  
    Per ounce
    Per ounce
    (000’s)
    (000’s)
    (000’s)
 
    Silver Price     Gold Price     Tons     Ounces Ag     Ounces Au  
 
Cerro Bayo
  $ 12.50     $ 750       730       7,374       56  
    $ 13.50     $ 800       758       7,516       57  
    $ 14.50     $ 850       776       7,587       57  
    $ 15.50     $ 900       802       7,688       58  
    $ 16.50     $ 950       822       7,752       59  
                                         
Mina Martha
  $ 12.50     $ 750       31       1,112       1.2  
    $ 13.50     $ 800       34       1,191       1.3  
    $ 14.50     $ 850       34       1,191       1.3  
    $ 15.50     $ 900       34       1,191       1.3  
    $ 16.50     $ 950       38       1,249       1.4  
                                         
San Bartolomé
  $ 12.50             25,724       107,646        
    $ 13.50             31,372       120,033        
    $ 14.50             34,196       126,227        
    $ 15.50             36,732       132,114        
    $ 16.50             39,267       138,001        
                                         
Kensington
        $ 750       5,500             1,478  
          $ 800       6,364             1,622  
          $ 850       7,247             1,738  
          $ 900       7,926             1,814  
          $ 950       8,550             1,883  


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    Proven and Probable Ore Reserve Sensitivity to  
    Per ounce
    Per ounce
    (000’s)
    (000’s)
    (000’s)
 
    Silver Price     Gold Price     Tons     Ounces Ag     Ounces Au  
 
Palmarejo(1)
  $ 12.50     $ 750       17,286       89,443       1,090  
    $ 13.50     $ 800       17,744       90,372       1,101  
    $ 14.50     $ 850       17,900       90,521       1,102  
    $ 15.50     $ 900       18,205       91,052       1,107  
    $ 16.50     $ 950       18,392       91,293       1,110  
                                         
Rochester(2)
  $ 13.50     $ 800       42,417       25,884       232  
    $ 14.50     $ 850       42,417       25,884       232  
    $ 15.50     $ 900       42,417       25,884       232  
    $ 16.50     $ 950       42,417       25,884       232  
 
 
(1) Palmarejo reserves include the Palmarejo and Guadalupe deposits.
 
(2) Rochester reserves do not change at metal price ranges specified due to heap leach pad limitations; the reserve is reported at cut-off grade that was raised above the economic breakeven to accommodate this limitation.
 
The following table presents production information by mine and consolidated sales information for the years ended December 31:
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Palmarejo(A)
                       
Tons milled
    1,065,508              
Ore grade/Ag oz
    4.31              
Ore grade/Au oz
    0.06              
Recovery/Ag oz(A)
    66.3 %            
Recovery/Au oz(A)
    88.2 %            
Silver production ounces
    3,047,843              
Gold production ounces
    54,740              
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 9.80              
Cash cost/oz
  $ 9.80              
Total production cost/oz
  $ 26.80              
San Bartolomé(B)
                       
Tons milled
    1,518,671       505,514        
Ore grade/Ag oz
    5.49       7.46        
Recovery/Ag oz
    89.6 %     75.8 %      
Silver production ounces
    7,469,222       2,861,500        
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 7.80     $ 8.22        
Cash cost/oz
  $ 10.48     $ 10.53        
Total production cost/oz
  $ 12.96     $ 12.50        

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    2009     2008     2007  
 
Martha Mine
                       
Tons milled
    109,974       57,886       37,047  
Ore grade/Ag oz
    36.03       49.98       78.10  
Ore grade/Au oz
    0.05       0.07       0.12  
Recovery/Ag oz
    93.6 %     93.7 %     95.0 %
Recovery/Au oz
    87.6 %     88.3 %     92.7 %
Silver production ounces
    3,707,544       2,710,673       2,748,705  
Gold production ounces
    4,709       3,313       4,127  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 6.19     $ 6.87     $ 5.54  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 6.68     $ 7.57     $ 6.27  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 8.62     $ 9.38     $ 6.78  
Rochester
                       
Tons processed
                5,060,678  
Ore grade/Ag oz
                0.65  
Ore grade/Au oz
                0.01  
Recovery/Ag oz(B)
                141.4 %
Recovery/Au oz(B)
                167.6 %
Silver production ounces
    2,181,788       3,033,720       4,614,780  
Gold production ounces
    12,663       21,041       50,408  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 1.95     $ (0.75 )   $ 0.99  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 2.58     $ (0.03 )   $ 1.52  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 3.51     $ 0.75     $ 3.82  
Endeavor
                       
Tons milled
    552,799       1,030,368       1,146,857  
Ore grade/Ag oz
    1.67       1.41       1.40  
Recovery/Ag oz
    49.9 %     56.5 %     48.0 %
Silver production ounces
    461,800       824,093       772,609  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 6.80     $ 2.55     $ 2.67  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 6.80     $ 2.55     $ 2.67  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 9.55     $ 4.94     $ 3.65  
Cerro Bayo
                       
Tons milled
          236,403       387,378  
Ore grade/Ag oz
          5.54       4.68  
Ore grade/Au oz
          0.10       0.11  
Recovery/Ag oz
          93.4 %     94.4 %
Recovery/Au oz
          90.2 %     92.2 %
Silver production ounces
          1,224,084       1,709,830  
Gold production ounces
          21,761       37,479  
Cash operating costs/oz
        $ 8.56     $ 8.22  
Cash cost/oz
        $ 8.56     $ 8.22  
Total production cost/oz
        $ 14.65     $ 11.82  

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    2009     2008     2007  
 
CONSOLIDATED PRODUCTION TOTALS
                       
Silver ounces
    16,868,197       10,654,070       9,845,924  
Gold ounces
    72,112       46,115       92,014  
Cash operating costs/oz
  $ 7.03     $ 4.92     $ 3.64  
Cash cost per oz/silver
  $ 8.40     $ 5.92     $ 4.10  
Total production cost/oz
  $ 13.19     $ 8.02     $ 6.02  
CONSOLIDATED SALES TOTALS(C)
                       
Silver ounces sold
    16,310,225       9,637,242       9,846,982  
Gold ounces sold
    65,607       49,130       94,284  
Realized price per silver ounce
  $ 14.83     $ 14.22     $ 13.53  
Realized price per gold ounce
  $ 1,003     $ 915     $ 700  
 
 
(A) Palmarejo achieved commercial production on April 20, 2009. Mine statistics do not represent normal operating results.
 
(B) The leach cycle at Rochester requires 5 to 10 years to recover gold and silver contained in the ore. The Company estimates the ultimate recovery to be approximately 61.5% for silver and 93% for gold. However, ultimate recoveries will not be known until leaching operations cease, which is currently estimated for 2014. Current recovery may vary significantly from ultimate recovery. See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Ore on Leach Pad.
 
(C) Current production ounces and recoveries reflect final metal settlements of previously reported production ounces.
 
Operating Statistics From Discontinued Operations
 
The following table presents information for Broken Hill which was sold on July 30, 2009, effective as of July 1, 2009:
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Broken Hill
                       
Tons milled
    827,766       1,952,066       1,646,203  
Ore grade/Silver oz
    1.44       0.97       1.19  
Recovery/Silver oz
    70.6 %     72.5 %     83.6 %
Silver production ounces
    842,751       1,369,009       1,642,205  
Cash operating cost/oz
  $ 3.40     $ 3.41     $ 3.18  
Cash cost/oz
  $ 3.40     $ 3.41     $ 3.18  
Total cost/oz
  $ 5.26     $ 5.24     $ 5.04  
 
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs
 
The following table presents a reconciliation between non-GAAP cash operating costs per ounce and cash costs per ounce to production costs applicable to sales including depreciation, depletion and amortization, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
 
Total cash costs include all direct and indirect operating cash costs related directly to the physical activities of producing metals, including mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties and mining production taxes, net of by-product revenues earned from all metals other than the primary metal produced at each unit. Cash operating costs include all cash costs except production taxes and royalties if applicable. Total cash costs and cash operating costs are performance measures which we believe provide management and investors with an indication of net cash flow, after consideration of the realized price received for production sold. Management also uses these measurements for

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the comparative monitoring of performance of our mining operations period-to-period from a cash flow perspective. “Cash operating costs per ounce” and “Total cash costs per ounce” are measures developed by precious metals companies in an effort to provide a comparable standard, however, there can be no assurance that our reporting of these non-GAAP measures are similar to that reported by other mining companies. Cash operating costs and total cash costs, as alternative measures, have the limitation of excluding potentially large amounts related to inventory adjustments, non-cash charges and byproduct credits. Management compensates for this limitation by using both the GAAP production costs and the non-GAAP cash costs metrics in its planning.
 
Production costs applicable to sales including depreciation, depletion and amortization, is the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP to total cash costs. The sum of the production costs applicable to sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization for our mines as set forth in the tables below is included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009
 
                                                         
(In thousands except ounces and
  San
                Cerro
                   
per ounce costs)
  Bartolomé     Martha     Palmarejo     Bayo     Rochester     Endeavor     Total  
 
Production of silver (ounces)
    7,469,222       3,707,544       3,047,843             2,181,788       461,800       16,868,197  
Cash operating cost per ounce
  $ 7.80     $ 6.19     $ 9.80     $     $ 1.95     $ 6.80     $ 7.03  
                                                         
Cash costs per ounce
  $ 10.48     $ 6.68     $ 9.80     $     $ 2.58     $ 6.80     $ 8.40  
                                                         
Total Operating Cost (Non-GAAP)
  $ 58,293     $ 22,963     $ 29,883     $     $ 4,236     $ 3,142     $ 118,517  
Royalties
    19,988       1,815                               21,803  
Production taxes
                            1,401             1,401  
                                                         
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
    78,281       24,778       29,883             5,637       3,142       141,721  
Add/Subtract:
                                                       
Third party smelting costs
          (7,118 )     (1,416 )                 (1,035 )     (9,569 )
By-product credit(2)
          4,615       55,386             12,335             72,336  
Other adjustments
    8       669       20             171             868  
Change in inventory
    2,590       (5,048 )     (19,028 )     1,211       6,063       (38 )     (14,250 )
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    18,509       6,511       51,801             1,852       1,269       79,942  
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)
    99,388       24,407       116,646       1,211       26,058       3,338       271,048  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
                                                 
    San
                               
(In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
  Bartolomé     Martha     Cerro Bayo     Rochester     Endeavor     Total  
 
Production of silver (ounces)
    2,861,500       2,710,673       1,224,084       3,033,720       824,093       10,654,070  
Cash operating cost per ounce
  $ 8.22     $ 6.87     $ 8.56     $ (0.75 )   $ 2.55     $ 4.92  
                                                 
Cash costs per ounce
  $ 10.53     $ 7.57     $ 8.56     $ (0.03 )   $ 2.55     $ 5.92  
                                                 
Total Operating Cost (Non-GAAP)
  $ 23,535     $ 18,619     $ 10,478     $ (2,290 )   $ 2,101     $ 52,443  
Royalties
    6,605       1,889                         8,494  
Production taxes
                      2,188             2,188  
                                                 
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
    30,140       20,508       10,478       (102 )     2,101       63,125  
Add/Subtract:
                                               
Third party smelting costs
          (3,019 )     (3,818 )           (1,212 )     (8,049 )
By-product credit(2)
          2,880       19,595       18,499             40,974  
Other adjustment
          470       (425 )     12             57  
Change in inventory
    (12,393 )     (3,240 )     2,099       23,837       171       10,474  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    5,638       4,431       7,881       2,353       1,971       22,274  
                                                 
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)
  $ 23,385     $ 22,030     $ 35,810     $ 44,599     $ 3,031     $ 128,855  
                                                 


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Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
                                         
In thousands except ounces and per ounce costs)
  Martha     Cerro Bayo     Rochester     Endeavor     Total  
 
Production of silver (ounces)
    2,748,705       1,709,830       4,614,780       772,609       9,845,924  
Cash operating cost per ounce
  $ 5.53     $ 8.22     $ 0.99     $ 2.67     $ 3.64  
                                         
Cash costs per ounce
  $ 6.27     $ 8.22     $ 1.52     $ 2.67     $ 4.10  
                                         
Total Operating Cost (Non-GAAP)
  $ 15,217     $ 14,055     $ 4,559     $ 2,064     $ 35,895  
Royalties
    2,028                         2,028  
Production taxes
                2,476             2,476  
                                         
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
    17,245       14,055       7,035       2,064       40,399  
Add/Subtract:
                                       
Third party smelting costs
    (2,112 )     (3,603 )           (1,347 )     (7,062 )
By-product credit(2)
    2,889       26,199       34,664             63,752  
Other adjustment
                1,926             1,926  
Change in inventory
    (146 )     (1,701 )     16,738       (172 )     14,719  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    1,383       6,155       8,697       755       16,990  
                                         
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)
  $ 19,259     $ 41,105     $ 69,060     $ 1,300     $ 130,724  
                                         
 
 
(1) The Palmarejo gold production royalty is currently reflected as a minimum royalty obligation which commenced on July 1, 2009 and ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold, at which time a royalty expense will be recorded.
 
(2) Amounts reflect final metal settlement adjustments.
 
The following tables present a reconciliation between non-GAAP cash costs per ounce to GAAP production costs applicable to sales reported in Discontinued Operations for the years ended (see Note F — Discontinued Operations):
 
                         
Broken Hill
  2009(2)     2008     2007  
 
Production of Silver (ounces)
    842,751       1,369,009       1,642,205  
Cash operating costs per ounce
  $ 3.40     $ 3.41     $ 3.18  
                         
Cash Costs per ounce
  $ 3.40     $ 3.41     $ 3.18  
                         
Total Cash Costs (Non-GAAP)
    2,862       4,670       5,228  
Add/Subtract:
                       
Third party smelting costs
    (1,164 )     (1,938 )     (2,006 )
By-Product credit
                 
Other adjustments
                 
Change in inventory
    39       22       69  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    1,570       2,507       3,055  
                         
Production costs applicable to sales, including depreciation, depletion and amortization (GAAP)
  $ 3,307     $ 5,261     $ 6,346  
                         
 
“Operating Costs per Ounce” and “Cash Costs per Ounce” are calculated by dividing the operating cash costs and cash costs computed for each of the Company’s mining properties for a specified period by the amount of gold ounces or silver ounces produced by that property during that same period. Management uses cash operating costs and cash costs per ounce as key indicators of the profitability of each of its mining properties. Gold and silver are sold and priced in the world financial markets on a U.S. dollar per ounce basis.
 
“Cash Operating Costs” and “Cash Costs” are costs directly related to the physical activities of producing silver and gold, and include mining, processing and other plant costs, third-party refining and smelting costs, marketing expense, on-site general and administrative costs, royalties, in-mine drilling expenditures that are related to production and other direct costs. Sales of by-product metals are deducted from the above in computing cash


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costs. Cash costs exclude depreciation, depletion and amortization, accretion, corporate general and administrative expense, exploration, interest, and pre-feasibility costs. Cash operating costs include all cash costs except production taxes and royalties, if applicable. Cash costs are calculated and presented using the “Gold Institute Production Cost Standard” applied consistently for all periods presented.
 
Total operating costs and cash costs per ounce are non-GAAP measures and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on them and are urged to read all GAAP accounting disclosures presented in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes. In addition, see the reconciliation of cash costs to production costs under “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Cash Costs to GAAP Production Costs” set forth above.
 
Results of Operations
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2008
 
Revenues
 
Sales of metal from continuing operations in the year ended December 31, 2009 increased by $129.7 million, or 75.9%, from the year ended December 31, 2008 to $300.6 million. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the quantity of silver ounces sold due to contributions from the Company’s two new mines; (i) the San Bartolomé mine which operated at full capacity during the year ended December 31, 2009 and commenced operations in June 2008; and (ii), the Palmarejo silver and gold mine which began commercial operations on April 20, 2009. In 2009, the Company sold 16.3 million ounces of silver and 65,607 ounces of gold, compared to sales of 9.6 million ounces of silver and 49,130 ounces of gold in 2008 from continuing operations. In the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company realized average silver and gold prices of $14.83 per ounce and $1,003 per ounce, respectively, compared with realized average prices of $14.22 per ounce and $915 per ounce, respectively, in the prior year.
 
Included in revenues is by-product metal sales derived from the sale of gold. In 2009, by-product revenues totaled $62.3 million compared to $41.0 million in 2008. The increase is a result of the Company’s Palmarejo mine being in operation since April 20, 2009, offset by the decrease from the Cerro Bayo mine which was not in operation during 2009. The Company believes that presentation of these revenue streams as by-products from its current operations will continue to be appropriate in the future.
 
In the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company’s continuing operations produced a total of 16.9 million ounces of silver (excludes 842,751 ounces of silver production from Broken Hill) and 72,112 ounces of gold compared to 10.7 million ounces of silver and 46,115 ounces of gold in 2008. The increase in silver production in 2009, as compared to 2008, was primarily due to the increase of 4.6 million ounces from the San Bartolomé mine, which operated at full capacity during the year ended 2009 and commenced operations in June 2008, and an increase of 3.0 million ounces at the Palmarejo silver and gold mine, which began operations on April 20, 2009 and an increase of 1.0 million ounces at the Martha mine. The increase in gold production is due to an increase of 54,740 ounces at the Palmarejo mine partially offset by a decrease of 21,761 ounces of gold at the Cerro Bayo mine which was not in operation during 2009.
 
Production costs applicable to sales from continuing operations for the year ended 2009 increased by $84.5 million, or 79.3%, from the same period of 2008 to $191.1 million. The increase in production costs applicable to sales for the year is primarily due to increased production costs at the Palmarejo and San Bartolomé mines related to the commencement of operations at Palmarejo and inclusion of operating costs for San Bartolomé for the entire year ended 2009.
 
Depreciation and depletion increased in the year ended December 31, 2009 by $60.7 million, or 244.3%, over the prior year, primarily due to increased depreciation and depletion expense from the Palmarejo mine and a full year at the San Bartolomé mine.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Administrative and general expenses decreased $3.7 million or 14.5% in 2009 compared to 2008 due primarily to realization of cost reduction initiatives.
 
Exploration expenses decreased by $5.3 million or 25.9% in 2009 compared to 2008 as a result of decreased exploration activity.


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Care and maintenance and other expenses increased by $8.6 million compared to 2008. The increase was due to a full year of care and maintenance costs incurred at the Cerro Bayo Mine due to the temporary suspension of operating activities which occurred in October 2008. In addition, the Company accrued environmental remediation expense of $5.0 million for its Furioso property located at the Cerro Bayo Mine, during the fourth quarter of 2009.
 
Pre-development costs were $0.1 million in 2009. Pre-development expenses of $17.0 million were recorded as a result of pre-development activities at the Palmarejo project during 2008. The Company completed its final feasibility study in the second quarter of 2008 and commenced capitalizing its mine development expenditures for the remainder of 2008 and the year ended 2009.
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
The Company recognized $32.0 million of gains from debt extinguishments during 2009 from the exchange of a portion of the 31/4% convertible senior notes and the 11/4% convertible senior notes for shares of common stock. There were no gains from debt extinguishments recorded during the year ended December 31, 2008.
 
Losses on derivative instruments during 2009 were $82.7 million. The increase was due to mark-to-market adjustments driven by higher gold and silver prices related to the Franco-Nevada royalty obligation and warrant, the gold lease facility, warrants to acquire the senior secured floating rate convertible notes, put and call options and forward foreign exchange contracts. See Note Q of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial Instruments for further discussion.
 
Interest and other income in 2009 increased by $0.7 million compared with the same period in 2008. The increase was primarily due to gains on foreign currency transactions.
 
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest was $18.1 million in 2009 compared to $4.7 million in 2008. The increase in interest expense is related to accretion expenses for the Franco Nevada obligation, the 31/4% convertible debentures, and interest expense for the gold lease facility and other short term borrowings and capital lease obligations. See Note K of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, Long-Term Debt, for further discussion. In addition, the Palmarejo project was placed into service on April 20, 2009, thereby, decreasing capitalized interest in 2009. Capitalized interest was $22.8 million in 2009 compared to $12.2 million in 2008.
 
Income Taxes
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported an income tax benefit of approximately $25.9 million compared to an income tax benefit of $17.5 million in 2008. The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s income tax benefit for the years ended 2009 and 2008.
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31  
    2009     2008  
 
Current:
               
United States — Alternative minimum tax
  $ (2,249 )   $ (644 )
United States — Foreign withholding tax
    (1,509 )     (1,498 )
Argentina
    (6,284 )     (2,047 )
Australia
    592       (1,085 )
Mexico
    (124 )     (623 )
Bolivia
    (2,673 )      
Canada
    (53 )     (34 )
Deferred:
               
Argentina
          (1,410 )
Australia
    200       1,115  
Bolivia
    (6,221 )     (2,480 )
Chile
    (2,308 )     113  
Mexico
    40,346       (27,753 )
United States
    6,204       53,846  
                 
Income tax benefit (provision)
  $ 25,921     $ 17,500  
                 


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In 2009, the Company recognized a current provision in the U.S. and certain foreign jurisdictions primarily related to higher metals prices, inflationary adjustments on non-monetary assets and unrealized foreign exchange gains on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities in Bolivia. Further, the Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $1.5 million on inter-company transactions from the U.S. parent to the Argentina, Mexico and Australia subsidiaries. Finally, the Company recognized a $46.6 million deferred tax benefit for the recognition of deferred taxes on deductible temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards in various jurisdictions (principally Mexico). The Company recognized a deferred tax provision of $8.5 million (principally Bolivia and Chile) for inflation adjustments on non-monetary assets in Bolivia and established a valuation allowance in Chile as the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets would not be realized.
 
In 2008, due to higher metals prices, the Company recognized a current provision in the U.S. and certain foreign operating jurisdictions. Further, the Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $1.5 million on inter-company transactions from the U.S. parent to the Mexico, Argentina and Australia subsidiaries. The Company recognized a $31.6 million deferred tax provision primarily in Bolivia and Mexico related to higher metal prices and inflationary adjustments on non-monetary assets and unrealized foreign exchange gains on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities in Bolivia. Finally, the Company recognized a deferred tax benefit of $55.1 million related to the recognition of deferred taxes and deductible temporary differences in net operating loss carryforwards in various jurisdictions, principally in the U.S.
 
Results of Discontinued Operations
 
Effective July 1, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its mineral interest in the Broken Hill mine to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. for $55.0 million in cash. Pursuant to GAAP, the Broken Hill segment has been reported in discontinued operations for the three years ended December 31, 2009. Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes, was $7.4 million during 2009 compared to $9.3 million during 2008. The Company recognized a gain, net of taxes, of $25.5 million on the sale in 2009.
 
The following is a summary of the Company’s discontinued operations included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
 
                 
    2009     2008  
 
Sales of metal
  $ 10,435     $ 18,591  
Production costs applicable to sales
    (1,652 )     (2,754 )
Depreciation and depletion
    (1,570 )     (2,506 )
Mining exploration
           
Other
           
Income tax benefit (expense)
    236       (3,999 )
                 
Income from discontinued operations
    7,449       9,332  
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations
    25,537        
                 
Net income for discontinued operations
  $ 32,986     $ 9,332  
                 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2007
 
Revenues
 
Sales of metal from continuing operations in the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $23.8 million, or 12.2%, from the year ended December 31, 2007 to $170.9 million. The decrease in sales of metal was primarily due to a decrease in the quantity of gold ounces sold during 2008, partially offset by increased metal prices realized in 2008 compared to 2007. In 2008, the Company sold 9.6 million ounces of silver and 49,130 ounces of gold from continuing operations, compared to sales of 9.8 million ounces of silver and 94,284 ounces of gold in 2007. In the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company realized average silver and gold prices of $14.22 per ounce and $915 per ounce, respectively, compared with realized average prices of $13.53 per ounce and $700 per ounce, respectively, in the prior year.


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Included in revenues is by-product metal sales consisting of gold. In 2008, by-product revenues totaled $41.0 million compared to $64.4 million in 2007. The decrease in by-product revenues is due to a decrease in the quantity of gold sold in 2008 partially offset by an increase in the realized prices of gold. The Company believes that presentation of these revenue streams as by-products from its current operations will continue to be appropriate in the future.
 
In the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company produced a total of 10.7 million ounces of silver and 46,115 ounces of gold compared to 9.8 million ounces of silver and 92,014 ounces of gold in 2007. The increase in silver production in 2008, as compared to 2007, was primarily due to the commencement of production activities at the San Bartolomé mine, offset by lower silver production from the Rochester, Cerro Bayo and Broken Hill mines.
 
Production costs applicable to sales from continuing operations for the year ended 2008 decreased by $7.2 million, or 6.3%, from the same period of 2007 to $106.6 million. The decrease in production costs applicable to sales for the year is primarily the result of $18.1 million lower production costs at the Rochester mine primarily due to the increase in estimated recoverable silver ounces contained in the heap inventory at the Rochester mine. Production costs also declined by $7.7 million primarily due to the temporary suspension of activities at Cerro Bayo due to uneconomical total production costs and a decision to conserve existing reserves and focus on exploration and development of new discoveries. These decreases were partially offset by a $17.7 million increase in operating costs due to commencement of operations at the San Bartolomé mine.
 
Depreciation and amortization increased in the year ended December 31, 2008 by $6.9 million, or 38.6%, over the prior year, primarily due to increased depreciation and depletion expense from the San Bartolomé mine which began operations at the end of June 2008.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Administrative and general expenses increased $2.0 million in 2008 compared to 2007 due primarily to increased costs associated with the Company’s audit and tax services and other corporate expenses.
 
Exploration expenses increased by $8.6 million or 71.9% in 2008 compared to 2007 as a result of increased exploration activities primarily due to the addition of the Palmarejo project.
 
A total of $17.0 of pre-development costs at the Palmarejo project were recorded as expenses during 2008. The Company completed its final feasibility study for the Palmarejo project on June 10, 2008 and commenced capitalizing its mine development expenses for the remainder of 2008. No pre-development expenses were recorded during the year ended 2007.
 
A total of $3.2 million of care and maintenance expenses were incurred at the Cerro Bayo Mine due to the temporary suspension of operating activities. No idle facility expenses were recorded during the year-ended 2007.
 
Litigation settlement expenses decreased by $0.5 million in 2008. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company accrued the remaining $0.5 million royalty to the U.S. Government called for under the May, 2001 settlement agreement relating to the Federal National Resource action commenced against the Company in March 1996. The final payment was made early in the second quarter of 2007. No litigation settlement expenses were recorded during 2008.
 
Other Income and Expenses
 
Interest and other income in the year ended December 31, 2008 decreased by $15.6 million, or 85.9% compared with the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease was primarily due to lower levels of invested cash and short-term investments as a result of construction activities at the Palmarejo, San Bartolomé and Kensington projects and lower interest rates earned on the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
 
Gains (loss) on derivative instruments in the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by $1.8 million, compared with the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase was due to mark to market adjustments related to the gold lease facility, conversion option and warrant of the Senior Secured Floating Convertible Notes. There were no gains (loss) on derivative instruments recorded during 2007.


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Interest expense, net of capitalized interest was $4.7 million in 2008 compared to $0.4 million in 2007. The increase in interest expense is related to the issuance of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes, 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes, Gold Lease Facility and other short term borrowing and capital lease obligations. Capitalized interest was $12.2 million in 2008 compared to $2.3 million in 2007.
 
Income Taxes
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported an income tax benefit of approximately $17.5 million compared to an income tax provision of $10.7 million in 2007. The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s income tax provision for the years ended 2008 and 2007.
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31  
    2008     2007  
 
Current:
               
United States — Alternative minimum tax
  $ (644 )   $ (381 )
United States — Foreign withholding tax
    (1,498 )     (904 )
Argentina
    (2,047 )     (6,590 )
Australia
    (1,085 )     (621 )
Mexico
    (623 )      
Bolivia
           
Canada
    (34 )      
Deferred:
               
Argentina
    (1,410 )     172  
Australia
    1,115       (664 )
Bolivia
    (2,480 )      
Chile
    113       (1,662 )
Mexico
    (27,753 )      
United States
    53,846        
                 
Income tax benefit (provision)
  $ 17,500     $ (10,650 )
                 
 
In 2008, the Company recognized a current provision in certain foreign jurisdictions. The Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $1.5 million on inter-company transactions between the U.S. parent and subsidiaries operating in Mexico, Argentina and Australia. The Company recognized a $23.4 million net deferred tax benefit for the recognition of deferred taxes on deductible temporary differences and net operating loss carryforwards in various jurisdictions (principally Mexico). The Company recognized a $2.5 million deferred tax provision in Bolivia for inflationary adjustments on non-monetary assets and unrealized foreign exchange gains on U.S. dollar denominated liabilities in Bolivia.
 
In 2007, due to higher metal prices, the Company recognized a current provision in the U.S. and all foreign operating jurisdictions. The Company accrued foreign withholding taxes of approximately $0.9 million on interest payable on inter-company loans from the U.S. parent to the Argentina and Australia subsidiaries. The Company recognized a $2.2 million deferred tax provision in foreign jurisdictions for the recognition of the benefit of tax loss carryforwards in Chile net of the recognition of deferred taxes on taxable temporary differences in Argentina and Australia. During 2007, the Company recorded $1.1 million in income tax provisions resulting from its assessment of prior period tax contingencies across its various tax jurisdictions in accordance with FIN 48.
 
Results of Discontinued Operations
 
Effective July 1, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its mineral interest in the Broken Hill mine to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. for $55.0 million in cash. Pursuant to GAAP, Broken Hill has been reported in discontinued operations for the three years ended December 31, 2009. Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes, was $9.3 million during 2008 compared to $10.0 million during 2007.


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The following is a summary of the Company’s discontinued operations included in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):
 
                 
    2008     2007  
 
Sales of metal
  $ 18,591     $ 20,602  
Production costs applicable to sales
    (2,754 )     (3,292 )
Depreciation and depletion
    (2,506 )     (3,054 )
Mining exploration
           
Other
           
Income tax expense
    (3,999 )     (4,277 )
                 
Income from discontinued operations
    9,332       9,979  
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations
           
                 
Net income for discontinued operations
    9,332       9,979  
                 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Working Capital; Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company’s working capital at December 31, 2009 improved by $5.9 million to a deficit of approximately $2.6 million compared to a deficit working capital of approximately $8.5 million at December 31, 2008. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was .99 to 1 at December 31, 2009 compared to .95 to 1 at December 31, 2008. Giving effect to the recent sale of the unsecured notes on February 5, 2010, the Company estimates its working capital to be approximately $97.0 million and its current ratio to be 1.52 to 1. See Note W — Subsequent Events for further discussion
 
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2009 was $64.5 million compared with net cash used by operating activities of $7.4 million in 2008 and net cash provided by operating activities of $40.1 million in 2007. Cash provided by operating activities consist of the following:
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
(In thousands)
  2009     2008     2007  
 
Cash collected from customers
  $ 311,085     $ 203,219     $ 220,055  
Cash paid to suppliers, employees, etc. 
    (246,484 )     (214,433 )     (195,377 )
Interest received
    1,141       4,592       15,589  
Interest paid for operations
    (1,254 )     (745 )     (210 )
                         
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
  $ 64,488     $ (7,367 )   $ 40,057  
                         
 
A total of $148.7 million was used in investing activities in 2009 compared to $326.2 million used in 2008. The decrease of $177.6 million is primarily due to lower capital investment activity at Kensington and San Bartolomé and the proceeds from the sale of our interest in the Broken Hill mine of $55 million, offset by higher investment activity at Palmarejo.
 
The Company’s financing activities provided $86.2 million of cash during 2009 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $255.7 million in 2008. The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to the issuance of the Company’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $230 million which occurred on March 18, 2008, offset by the cash proceeds received in the first quarter of 2009, from the exercise of the warrant to purchase the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012, and proceeds from the gold production royalty. Cash and cash equivalents increased slightly in 2009 compared to a decrease of $77.9 million in 2008.


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Liquidity
 
As of December 31, 2009, the Company’s cash, equivalents and short-term investments totaled $22.8 million. As of the date of this Form 10-K, the Company estimates its cash, equivalents and short-term investments to be $118.4 million (See Note W — Subsequent Events). During 2009, the Company received approximately $150.4 million of cash proceeds consisting of $20.4 million from the exercise of a warrant relating to the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012, $75 million from the gold royalty stream transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation and $55.0 million related to the sale of Broken Hill in July 2009. (See Note F to the consolidated financial statements, Discontinued Operations and Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale).
 
The Company believes that its liquidity and projected operating cashflows will be adequate to meet its obligations for at least the next twelve months. The Company plans to invest approximately $150 million in capital activities in 2010 to complete the construction of the Palmarejo and Kensington facilities/mines and for sustaining capital investments at its existing operations.
 
The Company may elect to defer some capital investment activities or to secure additional capital to ensure it maintains sufficient liquidity. In addition, if the Company decides to pursue the acquisition of additional mineral interests, new capital projects, or acquisitions of new properties, mines or companies, additional financing activities may be necessary. There can be no assurances that such financing will be available when or if needed upon acceptable terms, or at all, when or if needed.
 
Acquisitions of Bolnisi and Palmarejo
 
On December 21, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the shares of Bolnisi Gold NL and Palmarejo Gold and Silver Corporation in exchange for a total of approximately 27.2 million shares of Coeur common stock, a total cash payment of approximately $1.1 million and the assumption of liabilities of $0.7 billion. Coeur issued 0.0682 shares of Coeur common stock (or, at the election of the Bolnisi shareholder, CHESS Depositary Interests representing Coeur shares) and A$0.004 in cash (or approximately US$1.0 million in the aggregate) for each Bolnisi ordinary share, and 0.2715 shares of Coeur common stock and C$0.004 in cash (or approximately US $0.1 million in the aggregate) for each Palmarejo common share.
 
Capitalized Expenditures
 
During 2009, capital expenditures totaled $219.1 million. The Company expended $162.8 million at the Palmarejo project, $42.1 million for construction and development activities at the Kensington project, $11.1 million for the development of the San Bartolomé project, $1.6 million at the Martha mine, $1.1 million at the Cerro Bayo Mine and $0.3 million at the Rochester Mine.
 
Gold Lease Facility
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company entered into a gold lease facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation (“MIC”). Under the facility, the Company received proceeds of $20 million for the sale of 23,529 ounces of gold leased from MIC to the Company. During 2009, the Company repaid 2,000 ounces of gold and leased an additional 5,000 ounces of gold. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had 26,529 ounces of gold leased from MIC. The Company has committed to deliver this number of ounces of gold to MIC over the next seven months on scheduled delivery dates. As of December 31, 2009 the Company is required to pledge certain collateral, including standby letters of credit of $2.3 million and $11.3 million of metal inventory held at its refiners. The Company accounts for the gold lease facility as a derivative instrument, and it is recorded in accrued liabilities and other in the balance sheet.
 
Debt and Capital Resources
 
Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes
 
As of December 31, 2009 and the date of this Form 10-K, there were no outstanding Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes.


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On October 20, 2008 the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes. The Company also sold to the purchaser a warrant to purchase up to an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes. The notes were convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the holder at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion price was $11.50 per share. The net proceeds to the Company were $40.2 million after deducting $0.5 million of issuance costs. The purchaser also received warrants to purchase up to an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes for $20.4 million.
 
The notes bore interest at LIBOR plus 7.50% per year, provided that in no event would the annual rate be less than 9% or more than 12%. As of December 31, 2008 the interest rate was 12%. Interest was payable, at the Company’s option, in cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. The notes were the Company’s senior secured obligations, ranking equally with all existing and future senior obligations and ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness, and were secured by certain assets of the Company’s Coeur Rochester, Inc. subsidiary.
 
On January 12, 2009, the Company amended its agreement with the holders of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes to modify the exercise date to allow the holder to exercise the warrant early and fix the interest rate at 12% through July 15, 2009.
 
On January 20, 2009, the Company received proceeds of $20.4 million from the exercise of the warrant to purchase an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes with terms similar to the notes it issued in October of 2008.
 
As of December 31, 2009, all of the $50 million Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012 had been fully converted into 6.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock and all $25 million of the notes issued in January upon exercise of the warrant had been converted into 3.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Upon exercising the conversion option, the holder received 86.95652 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, plus an additional payment in common stock and cash representing the value of the interest that would be earned on the notes through the fourth anniversary of the conversion date.
 
Interest and accretion on the notes, prior to their conversion in March 2009, was $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
 
31/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
As of December 31, 2009, the outstanding balance of the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes was $148.4 million or $125.3 million net of debt discount.
 
On March 18, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $230 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 31/4% per year, payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2008. The notes mature on March 15, 2028, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased by the Company.
 
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on March 15, 2013, March 15, 2015, March 15, 2018 and March 15, 2023 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. Holders will also have the right, following certain fundamental change transactions, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may redeem the notes for cash in whole or in part at any time on or after March 22, 2015 at 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.
 
The notes provide for “net share settlement” of any conversions. Pursuant to this feature, upon conversion of the notes, the Company (1) will pay the note holder an amount in cash equal to the lesser of the conversion obligation or the principal amount of the notes and (2) will settle any excess of the conversion obligation above the notes’ principal amount in the Company’s common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at the Company’s election.


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The notes are convertible under certain circumstances, as defined in the indenture agreement, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate of 17.60254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $56.81 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
As of December 31, 2009, $81.6 million of the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 were repurchased in exchange for 4.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock which reduced the principal amount of the notes outstanding to $148.4 million ($125.3 million net of debt discount).
 
The fair value of the notes outstanding, as determined by market transactions at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $131.3 million and $74.5 million, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $45.0 million of debt discount and the effective interest rate on the notes increased to 8.9%, including the accretion of the debt discount as described in Note D — Recently Adopted Accounting Standards.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008 interest was $5.9 million and $5.9 million, respectively, and accretion of the debt discount was $7.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively.
 
11/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
As of December 31, 2009 the balance of the 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes was $22.2 million. As of the date of this Form 10-K, it was $2.5 million.
 
The remaining $2.5 million principal amount of 11/4% Convertible Notes due 2024 outstanding at February 25, 2009 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014, and 2019, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion price of $76.00 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Company’s common stock over a specified number of trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. Before January 18, 2011, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus an amount equal to 8.75% of the principal amount of the notes, less the amount of any interest actually paid on the notes on or prior to the redemption date. The notes are due on January 15, 2024.
 
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on January 15, 2011, January 15, 2014 and January 15, 2019 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. Holders will also have the right, following certain fundamental change transactions, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest.
 
As of December 31, 2009, $157.8 million of the 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 were repurchased in exchange for 10.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Since the year end, $19.7 million were repurchased in exchange for 1.1 million shares of common stock.
 
The fair value of the notes outstanding, as determined by market transactions on December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $22.8 million and $54.0 million, respectively.
 
Interest on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $1.5 million. Interest on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $2.3 million.
 
Franco Nevada Royalty Obligation
 
On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. Coeur received total consideration of $78.0 million


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consisting of $75.0 million in cash, plus a warrant to acquire Franco-Nevada Common Shares (the “Franco-Nevada warrant”), which was valued at $3.0 million at closing of the Franco-Nevada transaction. The royalty obligation is payable in an amount equal to the greater of the minimum of 4,167 ounces of gold or 50% of actual gold production per month multiplied by the market price of gold in excess of $400 (increasing by 1% per annum beginning on the fourth anniversary of the transaction). The minimum royalty obligation commenced on July 1, 2009 and ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold.
 
Kensington Term Facility
 
On October 27, 2009 the Company entered into a term facility with Credit Suisse — Zurich of Switzerland whereby Credit Suisse will provide Coeur Alaska, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur, a $45 million, five-year term facility to fund the remaining construction at the Company’s Kensington Gold Mine in Alaska. The Company began drawing down the facility during the fourth quarter. After a twelve month grace period, Coeur Alaska will repay the loan in equal quarterly payments with interest based on a margin over the three-month LIBOR rate. The facility will be secured by the mineral rights and infrastructure at Kensington as well as a pledge of the shares of Coeur Alaska owned by Coeur.
 
As of December 31, 2009, the company has $15.5 million outstanding bearing interest at 5.2% (three month Libor rate plus 5% margin). The Company is also subject to financial covenants including (i) guarantor tangible net worth; (ii) borrower tangible net worth; (iii) debt to equity ratio (iv) debt service coverage ratio and; (v) maximum production cost. Events of default in the Kensington term facility include (i) a cross-default of other indebtedness; (ii) a material adverse effect; (iii) loss of or failure to obtain applicable permits; or (iv) failure to achieve final completion date.
 
As a condition of the Kensington term facility with Credit Suisse — Zurich noted above, the Company agreed to enter into a gold hedging program which protects a minimum of 125,000 ounces of gold production over the life of the facility against the risk associated with fluctuations in the market price of gold. This program took the form of a series of zero — cost collars which consist of a floor price and a ceiling price of gold. The required collars of 125,000 ounces of gold were entered into in November and December 2009. The collars mature quarterly beginning September 2010 and conclude in December 2014. The weighted average put feature of each collar is $862.50 per ounce and the weighted average call feature of each collar is $1,688.50 per ounce.
 
Senior Unsecured Notes
 
On February 5, 2010 the Company completed the sale of $100 million of Senior Unsecured Notes. In conjunction with the sale of the Notes, the Company also sold shares of its common stock valued at $3.75 million. The principal of the notes is payable in twelve equal quarterly installments, with the first such installment due on March 31, 2010. The Company has the option of paying amounts due on the notes in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock. The stated interest rate on the notes is 6.50%, but the payments for principal and interest due on any payment date will be computed to give effect to recent share prices, valuing the shares of common stock at 90% of a weighted average share price over a pricing period ending shortly before the payment date.
 
Bank Loans
 
On November 27, 2009, the Company’s wholly owned Bolivia subsidiary, Empressa Minera Manquiri, received proceeds from short-term borrowings from Banco Bisa in the amount of $5.0 million bearing interest at approximately 6.5% to fund working capital requirements. The short-term bank loan matures on November 17, 2011. During 2008, Empressa Minera Manquiri, received proceeds from short-term borrowings from Banco Bisa and Banco de Credito de Bolivia in the amount of $3.0 million to fund working capital requirements. The short-term bank loans matured and were repaid in April 2009.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company’s wholly-owned Argentinean subsidiary entered into several temporary credit lines in the amount of $3.5 million with the Standard Bank of Argentina secured by a standby letter of credit by Cerro Bayo, (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), to fund working capital requirements. The credit lines matured and were repaid on April 13, 2009, June 30, 2009 and July 24, 2009.


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Capitalized Interest
 
The Company capitalizes interest incurred on its various debt instruments as a cost of properties under development. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company capitalized interest of $22.8 million, $12.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
 
Cost Reduction Plan
 
In October 2008, Coeur implemented a cost reduction plan designed to reduce non-operating costs by $10 million annually. The results of these efforts were reflected in the Company’s 2009 results with non-operating costs of $9.1 million or 19.5% lower in 2009 than in 2008. The Company continues to identify and pursue opportunities to reduce non operating costs.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at December 31, 2009 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
 
                                         
    Payments Due by Period  
          Less Than
                More Than
 
Contractual Obligations
  Total     1 Year     1- 3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years  
 
Long-term debt obligation:
                                       
Convertible debt(1)
  $ 170,636     $     $     $     $ 170,636  
Interest on convertible debt
    91,511       5,101       10,202       10,202       66,006  
Kensington Term Facility(2)
    15,464             7,410       7,732       322  
                                         
      277,611       5,101       17,612       17,934       236,964  
                                         
Capital lease obligations(3)
    35,688       14,316       12,768       8,551       53  
Operating lease obligations:
                                       
Hyak Mining Lease
    8,201       1,854       508       508       5,331  
Operating leases
    1,722       689       689       344        
                                         
      9,923       2,543       1,197       852       5,331  
Other long-term obligations:
                                       
Reclamation and mine closure(4)
    89,499       4,670       7,030       13,445       64,354  
Lines of credit
    5,609       3,123       2,486              
Severance payments(5)
    4,930             463             4,467  
Gold Lease Facility(6)
    28,506       28,506                    
Palmarejo Royalty Obligation(7)
    293,009       38,033       73,064       80,749       101,164  
                                         
      421,553       74,332       83,043       94,199       169,985  
                                         
Total
  $ 744,775     $ 96,292     $ 114,620     $ 121,530     $ 412,333  
                                         
 
 
(1) On March 18, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $230 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 31/4% per year, payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2008. The notes mature on March 15, 2028, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased by the Company. Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on March 15, 2013, March 15, 2015, March 15, 2018 and March 15, 2023 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. Holders will also have the right, following certain fundamental change transactions, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may redeem the notes for cash in whole or in part at any time on or after March 22, 2015


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at 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. The notes provide for “net share settlement” of any conversions. Pursuant to this feature, upon conversion of the notes, the Company (1) will pay the note holder an amount in cash equal to the lesser of the conversion obligation or the principal amount of the notes, and (2) will settle any excess of the conversion obligation above the notes’ principal amount in the Company’s common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at the Company’s election. The notes will be convertible under certain circumstances, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate of 176.0254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $56.81 per share of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The $180.0 million principal amount of 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 outstanding at December 31, 2009 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014 and 2019 unless previously redeemed at a conversion rate of approximately 131.5789 shares of Coeur common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, representing a conversion price of $7.60 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
 
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The Debentures are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Company’s common stock over a specified number of trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. The Debentures have no other funding requirements until maturity on January 15, 2024.
 
(2) On October 27, 2009 the Company entered into a term facility with Credit Suisse — Zurich of Switzerland whereby Credit Suisse will provide Coeur Alaska, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur, a $45 million, five-year term facility to fund the remaining construction at the Company’s Kensington Gold Mine in Alaska. The Company expects to begin drawing down the facility during the fourth quarter. After a twelve month grace period, Coeur Alaska will repay the loan in equal quarterly payments with interest based on a margin over the three-month LIBOR rate. The facility will be secured by the mineral rights and infrastructure at Kensington as well as a pledge of the shares of Coeur Alaska owned by Coeur.
 
(3) The Company has entered into various capital lease agreements for commitments principally over the next year.
 
(4) Reclamation and mine closure amounts represent the Company’s estimate of the cash flows associated with its legal obligation to reclaim and remediate mining properties. This amount will decrease as reclamation and remediation work is completed. Amounts shown on table are undiscounted.
 
(5) Severance amounts represent a termination benefit program at the Rochester mine as the mine approaches the end of mine life and accrued benefits for government mandated severance at the Cerro Bayo mine, Martha mine and San Bartolomé mine.
 
(6) On December 18, 2008, the Company entered into a gold lease facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation (“MIC”). Under the facility, the Company received proceeds of $20 million for the sale of 23,529 ounces of gold leased from MIC to the Company.
 
(7) On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. Coeur received total consideration of $78.0 million consisting of $75.0 million in cash, plus a warrant to acquire Franco-Nevada Common Shares (the “Franco-Nevada warrant”), which was valued at $3.0 million at closing of the Franco-Nevada transaction. The royalty obligation is payable in an amount equal to the greater of the minimum of 4,167 ounces of gold or 50% of actual gold production per month multiplied by the market price of gold in excess of $400 (increasing by 1% per annum beginning on the fourth anniversary of the transaction). The minimum royalty obligation commenced on July 1, 2009 and ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold. Amounts shown in table are undiscounted.


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Environmental Compliance Expenditures
 
For the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company expended $5.8 million, $8.1 million and $4.5 million, respectively, in connection with routine environmental compliance activities at its operating properties. Such activities include monitoring, earth moving, water treatment and re-vegetation activities. In addition, the Company has incurred reclamation activities of $1.5 million, $3.3 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Such activities include monitoring, earth moving water treatment and re-vegetation activities.
 
The Company estimates that environmental compliance expenditures during 2010 will be approximately $7.3 million to obtain permit modifications and other regulatory authorizations. Future environmental expenditures will be determined by governmental regulations and the overall scope of the Company’s operating and development activities. The Company places a very high priority on its compliance with environmental regulations.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Recent Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In May 2008, the FASB adopted new accounting standards related to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, unless the embedded conversion option is required to be separately accounted for as a derivative. The new rules require that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the entity’s borrowing rate. This requires an allocation of the convertible debt proceeds between the liability component and the embedded conversion option (i.e., the equity component). The difference between the principal amount of the debt and the amount of the proceeds allocated to the liability component is reported as a debt discount and subsequently accreted as additional interest over the instrument’s expected life using the effective interest method. The new accounting standards were adopted effective January 1, 2009 and have been applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company determined that the provisions of the new accounting standard were applicable to the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes. The expected life for purposes of the allocation was deemed to be five years which coincides with the initial put option date of March 15, 2013. If exercised, the Company is required to repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes in cash and/or shares at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount. See Note D — Recently Adopted Accounting Standards to the consolidated financial statements for further details.
 
The Accounting Standard Codification
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued new accounting standards related to its accounting standards codification of the hierarchy of generally accepted accounting principles. The new standard is the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification superseded non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All accounting literature that is not in the Codification, not issued by the SEC and not otherwise grandfathered is nonauthoritative. The new standard is effective for the Company’s interim quarterly period beginning July 1, 2009. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Subsequent Events
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued new accounting standards that established accounting and reporting standards for events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The new standard sets forth (i) a period after the balance sheet date during which a reporting entity’s management should evaluate events or transactions for possible recognition or disclosure in financial statements, (ii) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet in its financial statements, and (iii) the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements. The Company adopted the provisions of the new


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accounting standards for the interim period ended June 30, 2009. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position results of operations or cash flows.
 
Derivative Instruments
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued new accounting standards related to enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The new accounting standards were adopted effective January 1, 2009 and were effective for the Company’s fiscal year, beginning January 1, 2009. See Note D — Recently Adopted Accounting Standards for the Company’s required disclosures.
 
Equity Linked Financial Instruments
 
In June 2008, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, reached a consensus which clarifies the accounting treatment of an instrument (or an embedded feature) that is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which would qualify as a scope exception under U.S. GAAP. The adoption of the consensus reached by the EITF was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. Upon adoption, the Company determined that the bifurcated embedded conversion option in its Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes was no longer a derivative that is required to be adjusted to fair value at the end of each period. The carrying amount of the liability of $21.6 million for the conversion option was reclassified to shareholders’ equity upon adoption.
 
Fair Value
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted new accounting standards related to fair value measurements of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new standard defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company already recorded marketable securities and derivative instruments at fair value. The adoption of the new standard had no impact on the financial statements as management did not elect the fair value option for any other financial instruments or other assets and liabilities.
 
Risk Factors; Forward-Looking Statements
 
For information relating to important risks and uncertainties that could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, securities, financial condition or operating results, reference is made to the disclosure set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” above. In addition, because the preceding discussion includes numerous forward-looking statements relating to the Company, its results of operations and financial condition and business, reference is made to the information set forth above in “Item 1. Business” under the caption “Important Factors Relating to Forward-Looking Statements.”
 
Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
The Company is exposed to various market risks as a part of its operations. In an effort to mitigate losses associated with these risks, the Company may, at times, enter into derivative financial instruments. These may take the form of forward sales contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. The Company does not actively engage in the practice of trading derivative instruments for profit. This discussion of the Company’s market risk assessments contains “forward looking statements” that contain risks and uncertainties. Actual results and actions could differ materially from those discussed below.
 
The Company’s operating results are substantially dependent upon the world market prices of silver and gold. The Company has no control over silver and gold prices, which can fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors, such as supply and demand and investor sentiment. In order to mitigate some of the risk associated with these fluctuations, the Company will at times enter into forward sale contracts. The Company continually evaluates the potential benefits of engaging in these strategies based on current market conditions. The Company may be exposed to nonperformance risk by counterparties as a result of its hedging activities. This exposure would be limited to the amount that the spot price of the metal falls short of the contract price. The Company enters into


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contracts and other arrangements from time to time in an effort to reduce the negative effect of price changes on its cashflows. These arrangements typically consist of managing its exposure to foreign currency exchange rates and market prices associated with changes in gold and silver commodity prices. The Company may also manage price risk through the purchase of put options.
 
The Company enters into concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. The provisionally priced sales contracts contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative, which is the final settlement price based on a future price, does not qualify for hedge accounting. These embedded derivatives are recorded as derivative assets in prepaid expenses and other or as derivative liabilities in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings each period until the date of final settlement.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $19.1 million consisting of 1.0 million ounces of silver and 1,227 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $19.1 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $10,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $1,200. At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million, consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of $32.1 million, including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $22,000; and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $8,000.
 
The Company operates, or has mining interests, in several foreign countries, specifically Australia, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Argentina, which exposes it to risks associated with fluctuations in the exchange rates of the currencies involved. As part of its program to manage foreign currency risk, the Company enters into, from time to time, foreign currency forward exchange contracts. These contracts enable the Company to purchase a fixed amount of foreign currencies. Gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts that are related to firm commitments are designated and effective as hedges and are deferred and recognized in the same period as the related transaction. All other contracts that do not qualify as hedges are marked to market and the resulting gains or losses are recorded in income. The Company continually evaluates the potential benefits of entering into these contracts to mitigate foreign currency risk and proceeds when it believes that the exchange rates are most beneficial.
 
During 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Mexican peso (“MXP”) and Argentine peso (“ARS”) operating costs at its Palmarejo mine and Martha mine, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company had MXP foreign exchange contracts of $27.9 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for MXP at a weighted average exchange rate of 13.45 MXP to each U.S. dollar and had a fair value of $1.3 million at December 31, 2009. The Company recorded unrealized gains of $1.3 million, $3.5 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which is reflected in the gain (loss) on derivatives. The Company recorded realized gains (losses) of $1.5 million, $(0.6) million and $0.4 million in production costs applicable to sales during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. There were no ARS peso foreign exchange contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2009.
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company entered into a gold lease facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation (“MIC”). Under the facility, the Company received proceeds of $20 million for the sale of 23,529 ounces of gold leased from MIC to the Company. During 2009, the Company repaid 2,000 ounces of gold and leased an additional 5,000 ounces of gold. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had 26,529 ounces of gold leased from MIC. The Company has committed to deliver this number of ounces of gold to MIC over the next seven months on scheduled delivery dates. As of December 31, 2009 the Company is required to pledge certain collateral, including standby letters of credit of $2.3 million and $11.3 million of metal inventory held at its refiners. The Company accounts for the gold lease facility as a derivative instrument, and it is recorded in accrued liabilities and other in the balance sheet.


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As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, based on the current futures metals prices for each of the delivery dates and using a 5.7% and 15.0% discount rate, respectively, the fair value of the instrument was a liability of $28.5 million and $18.8 million, respectively. The pre-credit risk adjusted fair value of the net derivative liability as of December 31, 2009 was $29.1 million. A credit risk adjustment of $0.6 million to the fair value of the derivative reduced the reported amount of the net derivative liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet to $28.5 million. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, mark-to market adjustments for the gold lease facility amounted to a loss of a $6.3 million and a gain of $1.2 million, respectively.
 
During the twelve months ended, December 31, 2009, the Company purchased silver put options to reduce the risk associated with potential decreases in the market price of silver. The cost of these put options was largely offset by proceeds received from the sale of gold call options. At December 31, 2009, the Company held put options allowing it to deliver 5.4 million ounces of silver at a weighted average strike price of $9.21 per ounce. The contracts will expire over the next nine months.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company also had written outstanding call options requiring it to deliver 125,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $1,688.50 per ounce if the market price of gold exceeds the weighted average strike price. In addition, the Company had purchased outstanding put options allowing it to sell 125,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $862.50 per ounce if the market price of gold were to fall below the strike price. The contracts will expire over the next five years. As of December 31, 2009 the fair market value of these contracts was a net liability of $0.8 million.
 
On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. Coeur received total consideration of $78.0 million consisting of $75.0 million in cash, plus a warrant to acquire Franco-Nevada Common Shares (the “Franco-Nevada warrant”), which was valued at $3.0 million at closing of the Franco-Nevada transaction. The royalty obligation is payable in an amount equal to the greater of the minimum of 4,167 ounces of gold or 50% of actual gold production per month multiplied by the market price of gold in excess of $400 (increasing by 1% per annum beginning on the fourth anniversary of the transaction). The minimum royalty obligation commenced on July 1, 2009 and ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold. The 400,000 ounces of gold minimum is considered an embedded derivative financial instrument under U.S. GAAP. The royalty obligation is accreted to its expected value over the expected minimum payment period based on the implicit interest rate. The fair value of the embedded derivative at December 31, 2009 was a liability of $78.0 million. The Franco-Nevada warrant is a contingent option to acquire 316,436 common shares of Franco-Nevada for no additional consideration, once the mine satisfies certain completion tests stipulated in the agreement. The Franco-Nevada warrant is considered a derivative instrument. The fair value of the warrant was $6.3 million at December 31, 2009. These derivative instruments are recorded in prepaid expenses and other or accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and adjusted to fair value through current earnings. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, mark to market adjustments for the embedded derivative and warrant amounted to a loss of $78.0 million and a gain of $3.3 million, respectively. During 2009, realized losses on settlement of the liabilities were $3.5 million. At December 31, 2009 the Company had a minimum quantity of 369,387 ounces of gold outstanding, which had a fair value of $162.8 million. For each one dollar change in gold price, the undiscounted derivative would vary (plus or minus) by approximately $0.4 million.
 
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
The financial statements required hereunder and contained herein are listed under “Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules” below.
 
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
Not applicable.


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Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures
 
(a)   Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by it in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures conducted by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, such officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective and operating at a reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2009.
 
(b)   Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 defines internal control over financial reporting in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
  •  Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;
 
  •  Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and
 
  •  Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based upon its assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based upon those criteria.
 
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, have audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO, and its report dated February 25, 2010, which is included in this Form 10-K immediately preceding the Company’s audited financial statements, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.


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(c)   Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
Not applicable.
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G (3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item regarding directors is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report under the captions “Proposal No. 1 Election of Directors, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and “Audit Committee Report”. Information regarding our executive officers is set forth under “Item 4A. Executive Officers of the Registrant”.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “2009 Summary Compensation Table,” “2009 Grants of Plan-Based Awards,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year End,” “2009 Option Exercises and Stock Vested,” “Pension Benefits and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation,” “Director Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Report.”
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, certain information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report under the caption “Share Ownership.”
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2009 regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans.
 
                         
                Number of shares remaining
 
    Number of shares to be
          available for future issuance
 
    issued upon exercise of
    Weighted-average exercise
    under equity compensation
 
    outstanding options,
    price of outstanding options,
    plans (excluding securities
 
Plan category
  warrants and rights     warrants and rights     reflected in column(a)  
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    392,678       23.48 (1)     175,785  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
                 
                         
Total
    392,678       23.48       175,785  
                         


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(1) Amounts include 136,398 performance shares which are issued at the end of the three year service period if certain market conditions are met and the recipient remains and employee of the Company.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report under the captions “Certain Related Person Transactions” and “Committees of the Board of Directors.”
 
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services
 
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or amendment hereto to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report under the captions “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” and “Audit Committee Policies and Procedures for Pre-Approval of Independent Auditor Services.”
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a) The following financial statements are filed herewith:
 
(1)  The following consolidated financial statements of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries are included in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2009 and 2008.
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(b) Exhibits: The following listed documents are filed as Exhibits to this report:
 
         
3(a)
    Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the Series B Junior Preferred Stock of the Registrant, as filed with Idaho Secretary of State on May 13, 1999 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.C of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC file number 001-08641) for the year ended December 31, 2002).
3(b)
    Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B Junior Preferred Stock of the Registrant, dated December 7, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(G) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
3(d)
    Restated and Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, dated May 26, 2009.
3(e)
    Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended effective July 16, 2007 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007).
4(a)
    Specimen certificate of the Registrant’s stock. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 27, 2009).


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4(b)
    Indenture dated as of January 13, 2004, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York relating to the Registrant’s 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (SEC file number 001-08641) dated January 15, 2004).
4(c)
    Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York relating to the Registrant’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 2008).
4(d)
    First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008 to Indenture dated as of March 18, 2008, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York relating to the Registrant’s 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 20, 2008).
4(e)
    Indenture dated as of October 20, 2008, by and between the Registrant and the Bank of New York Mellon (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(f)
    First Supplemental Indenture and Security Agreement dated as of October 20, 2008, among the Registrant, Coeur Rochester, Inc. and the Bank of New York Mellon (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(g)
    Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Note due 2012, dated October 20, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(h)
    Warrant to Purchase Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012 of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation, dated October 20, 2008 (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 2008).
4(i)
    Agreement and Consent, dated as of January 12, 2009, by and among the Registrant, JMB Capital Partners Master Fund, L.P. and Lonestar Partners LP (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2009).
4(j)
    Amendment No. 2, dated as of January 12, 2009, between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon to the First Supplemental Indenture and Security Agreement, dated as of October 20, 2008, among the Registrant, Coeur Rochester, Inc., and The Bank of New York Mellon (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2009).
4(k)
    Indenture between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, dated as of February 5, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2010).
4(l)
    First Supplemental Indenture between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, dated as of February 5, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2010).
4(m)
    Form of Senior Term Note due December 31, 2012, dated February 5, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2010).
10(a)
    401k Plan of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(pp) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (SEC file number 001-08641) for the year ended December 31, 1994).*
10(b)
    2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Registrant. As amended for the Registrant’s reverse stock split as of May 26, 2009.*
10(c)
    Amended and Restated 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan, as amended for the Registrant’s reverse stock split.*
10(d)
    Amended Mining Lease, effective as of August 5, 2005, between Hyak Mining Company, Inc. and Coeur Alaska, Inc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005).
10(e)
    Silver Sale Agreement, dated September 8, 2005, between the Registrant, Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. and CDE Australia Pty. Ltd. (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).
10(f)
    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2005).*

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10(g)
    Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2005).*
10(h)
    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 18, 2005).*
10(i)
    Form of Performance Share Award Agreement,.*
10(j)
    Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement.*
10(k)
    Form of Cash Settled restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement,*
10(l)
    Form of Cash-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights Award Agreement,*
10(m)
    Amended and Restated Silver Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated March 28, 2006, between CDE Australia Pty Limited and Cobar Operations Pty Limited (Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment.) (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006).
10(n)
    Supplemental Agreement in respect of the Amended and Restated Silver Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated January 29, 2008, between CDE Australia Pty Limited and Cobar Operations Pty Limited (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(cc) of the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
10(o)
    Gold royalty stream agreement, dated as of January 21, 2009, by and between the Registrant and Franco-Nevada (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 11, 2009).*
10(p)
    Deed of Termination, dated July 15, 2009, of the Silver Sale Agreement, dated September 8, 2005, between the Registrant, Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. and CDE Australia Pty. Ltd. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.)
10(q)
    Term Facility Agreement dated October 27, 2009 by and among Coeur Alaska Inc. and the financial institutions listed in schedule I thereto (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 2, 2009).
10(r)
    Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement dated October 27, 2009 between the Registrant and Credit Suisse, as Security Agent (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 2, 2009).
10(s)
    Capital Expenditure and Cost Overrun Guarantee and Indemnity Agreement dated October 27, 2009 among the Registrant, Coeur Alaska Inc. as Borrower and Credit Suisse, as Security Agent (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 2, 2009).
10(t)
    Securities Purchase Agreement among the Company, Sonoma Capital Offshore, Ltd., Sonoma Capital, L.P., Manchester Securities Corp, JGB Capital L.P., JGB Capital Offshore Ltd. and SAMC LLC, dated as of February 5, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2010).
10(u)
    Employment Agreement and Change in Control Agreement, effective October 15, 2005, between the Registrant and James K. Duff. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005).*
10(v)
    First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated July 31, 2006, between the Registrant and James K. Duff. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(z) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).*
10(w)
    Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Dennis E. Wheeler. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*
10(x)
    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Mitchell J. Krebs. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*
10(y)
    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Donald J. Birak. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*

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10(z)
    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Alan L. Wilder. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 7, 2009).*
10(aa)
    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective December 31, 2008, between the Registrant and Richard Weston.*
12
    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Filed herewith).
21
    List of subsidiaries of the Registrant (Filed herewith).
23
    Consent of KPMG LLP (Filed herewith).
31.1
    Certification of the CEO (Filed herewith).
31.2
    Certification of the CFO (Filed herewith).
32.1
    CEO Section 1350 Certification (Filed herewith).
32.2
    CFO Section 1350 Certification (Filed herewith).
 
 
* Management contract or compensatory plan.

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation
(Registrant)
 
 
 
         
Date: February 25, 2010   By:  
/s/  Dennis E. Wheeler
Dennis E. Wheeler(Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer)
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
         
/s/  Dennis E. Wheeler

Dennis E. Wheeler
  Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  Mitchell J. Krebs

Mitchell J. Krebs
  Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
  February 25, 2010
         
/s/  Tom T. Angelos

Tom T. Angelos
  Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  James J. Curran

James J. Curran
  Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  Sebastian Edwards

Sebastian Edwards
  Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  Andrew D. Lundquist

Andrew D. Lundquist
  Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  Robert E. Mellor

Robert E. Mellor
  Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  John H. Robinson

John H. Robinson
  Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  J. Kenneth Thompson

J. Kenneth Thompson
  Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  Michael Bogert

Michael Bogert
  Director   February 25, 2010
         
/s/  Timothy R. Winterer

Timothy R. Winterer
  Director   February 25, 2010


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ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION
COEUR D’ALENE, IDAHO
 
         
    F-2 – F-3  
    F-4  
    F-5  
    F-6  
    F-7  
    F-8  


F-1


Table of Contents

 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation:
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
As described in Note D to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for embedded conversion options settleable in cash related to convertible debt instruments, and its method of accounting for embedded conversion options indexed to the Company’s own stock related to convertible debt instruments, due to adoption of new accounting requirements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, as of January 1, 2009.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 25, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Boise, Idaho
February 25, 2010


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Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation:
 
We have audited Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and our report dated February 25, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
Boise, Idaho
February 25, 2010


F-3


Table of Contents

COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (In thousands)        
 
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 22,782     $ 20,760  
Short-term investments (Note H)
          7,881  
Receivables
    58,981       53,187  
Ore on leach pad (Note C )
    9,641       9,193  
Metal and other inventory (Note H)
    67,712       34,846  
Deferred tax assets (Note M)
          240  
Prepaid expenses and other
    26,920       26,344  
                 
      186,036       152,451  
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
               
Property, plant and equipment (Note I)
    539,037       486,130  
Mining properties (Note J)
    2,240,056       2,191,922  
Ore on leach pad, non-current portion (Note C)
    14,391       20,998  
Restricted assets
    26,546       23,110  
Receivables, non current
    37,534       34,139  
Debt issuance costs, net
    3,544       10,253  
Deferred tax assets (Note M)
    2,355       4,666  
Other
    4,536       4,452  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 3,054,035     $ 2,928,121  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable
  $ 77,003     $ 66,300  
Accrued liabilities and other
    33,517       64,673  
Accrued income taxes
    11,783       927  
Accrued payroll and related benefits
    9,815       8,106  
Accrued interest payable
    1,744       4,446  
Current portion of capital leases and other short-term obligations
    15,403       14,608  
Current portion of royalty obligation (Note K and Q)
    34,672        
Current portion of reclamation and mine closure (Note L)
    4,671       1,924  
                 
      188,608       160,984  
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Long-term debt (Note K)
    185,397       383,668  
Non-current portion of royalty obligation (Note K and Q)
    128,107        
Reclamation and mine closure (Note L)
    35,241       34,093  
Deferred income taxes (Note M)
    516,678       557,449  
Other long-term liabilities
    6,799       6,015  
                 
      872,222       981,225  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
               
(See Notes K, L, O, Q, R, S, and U)
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 150,000,000 shares, 80,310,347 issued at December 31, 2009 and 56,779,909 shares issued at December 31, 2008
    803       568  
Additional paid-in capital
    2,444,262       2,218,487  
Accumulated deficit
    (451,865 )     (419,958 )
Shares held in treasury, at cost (none at December 31, 2009 and 105,921 at December 31, 2008)
          (13,190 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    5       5  
                 
      1,993,205       1,785,912  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 3,054,035     $ 2,928,121  
                 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except per share data)  
 
Sales of metal
  $ 300,618     $ 170,874     $ 194,717  
Production costs applicable to sales
    (191,105 )     (106,582 )     (113,733 )
Depreciation and depletion
    (85,570 )     (24,856 )     (17,930 )
                         
Gross profit
    23,943       39,436       63,054  
COSTS AND EXPENSES
                       
Administrative and general
    22,097       25,846       23,875  
Exploration
    15,209       20,531       11,941  
Care and maintenance and other
    11,801       3,155        
Pre-development
    97       16,950        
Litigation settlements
                507  
                         
Total cost and expenses
    49,204       66,482       36,323  
                         
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    (25,261 )     (27,046 )     26,731  
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE
                       
Gain on debt extinguishments
    31,988              
Gain (loss) on derivatives, net
    (82,687 )     1,756        
Interest and other income
    3,248       2,557       18,195  
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
    (18,102 )     (4,726 )     (365 )
                         
Total other income and expense
    (65,553 )     (413 )     17,830  
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
    (90,814 )     (27,459 )     44,561  
Income tax benefit (provision)
    25,921       17,500       (10,650 )
                         
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    (64,893 )     (9,959 )     33,911  
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    7,449       9,332       9,979  
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations, net of income taxes
    25,537              
                         
NET INCOME (LOSS)
    (31,907 )     (627 )     43,890  
Other comprehensive income (loss)
          (634 )     86  
                         
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
  $ (31,907 )   $ (1,261 )   $ 43,976  
                         
BASIC AND DILUTED INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
                       
Basic income per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (0.91 )   $ (0.18 )   $ 1.19  
Income from discontinued operations
    0.46       0.17       0.35  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (0.45 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 1.54  
                         
Diluted income per share:
                       
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ (0.91 )   $ (0.18 )   $ 1.10  
Income from discontinued operations
    0.46       0.17       0.32  
                         
Net income (loss)
  $ (0.45 )   $ (0.01 )   $ 1.42  
                         
Weighted average number of shares of common stock
                       
Basic
    71,565       55,073       28,597  
Diluted
    71,565       55,073       31,052  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands, except share data)
 
                                                         
                                  Accumulated
       
    Common
                      Shares
    Other
       
    Stock
    Common
    Additional
          Held in
    Comprehensive
       
    Shares     Stock     Paid-In Capital     Accumulated Deficit     Treasury     Income (Loss)     Total  
 
Balances at January 1, 2007 as adjusted
    27,905     $ 279     $ 1,056,573     $ (463,221 )   $ (13,190 )   $ 553     $ 580,994  
Net income
                      43,890                   43,890  
Unrealized gain on short-term investments and marketable securities
                                  103       103  
Issuance of common stock in Bolnisi/Palmarejo merger
    27,197       272       1,097,758                         1,098,030  
Common stock issued under long-term incentive plans, net
    49       1       4,366                         4,367  
Other
                                  (17 )     (17 )
                                                         
Balances at December 31, 2007
    55,151     $ 552     $ 2,158,697     $ (419,331 )   $ (13,190 )   $ 639     $ 1,727,367  
Net loss
                      (627 )                 (627 )
Effect of change in accounting for convertible debt instrument
                49,841                         49,841  
Conversions of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes to common stock
    1,591       16       7,115                         7,131  
Unrealized gain on short-term investments and marketable securities, net
                                  (716 )     (716 )
Common stock issued under long-term incentive plans, net
    38             2,834                         2,834  
Other
                                  82       82  
                                                         
Balances at December 31, 2008
    56,780     $ 568     $ 2,218,487     $ (419,958 )   $ (13,190 )   $ 5     $ 1,785,912  
Net loss
                      (31,907 )                 (31,907 )
Reclassification of liability for embedded conversion option upon adoption of new accounting standard (See Note D)
                21,566                         21,566  
Fractional shares purchased related to reverse stock split
    (1 )           (36 )                       (36 )
Conversion of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes to common stock
    8,666       87       27,670                         27,757  
Common stock issued to extinguish debt
    14,866       148       187,597                         187,745  
Retirement of treasury shares
    (106 )     (1 )     (13,189 )           13,190              
Unrealized loss on hedging
                                         
Common stock issued under long-term incentive plans, net
    105       1       2,167                         2,168  
                                                         
Balances at December 31, 2009
    80,310     $ 803     $ 2,444,262     $ (451,865 )   $     $ 5     $ 1,993,205  
                                                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
    (In thousands)  
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net (loss) income
  $ (31,907 )   $ (627 )   $ 43,890  
Add (deduct) non-cash items:
                       
Depreciation and depletion
    87,140       27,362       20,984  
Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs
    15,573       2,064       303  
Deferred income taxes
    (38,220 )     (23,165 )     2,154  
Gain on debt extinguishment
    (31,988 )            
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net
    81,339       1,888       (1,462 )
Loss (gain) on foreign currency transactions
    546       2,216       (433 )
Share-based compensation
    4,876       2,692       3,448  
Loss on sale of asset backed securities
    600       2,600        
Loss (gain) on asset retirement obligation
    1,181       (3,169 )     (871 )
Gain on sales of assets
    (31,988 )     (632 )     (1,947 )
Environmental remediation
    5,040              
Other non-cash charges
          413       610  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Receivables and other current assets
    (10,592 )     (19,414 )     (24,021 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (3,728 )     476       (4,065 )
Inventories
    (26,804 )     4,799       13,172  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    43,420       (4,870 )     (11,705 )
                         
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    64,488       (7,367 )     40,057  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of investments
    (18,564 )     (336,350 )     (167,346 )
Proceeds from sales of investments
    33,083       375,047       183,121  
Capital expenditures
    (219,095 )     (365,019 )     (216,978 )
Merger related costs
                (13,727 )
Proceeds from sales of assets
    57,364       133       3,270  
Other
    (1,460 )     (47 )     187  
                         
CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (148,672 )     (326,236 )     (211,473 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from sale of gold production royalty
    75,000              
Payments on gold production royalty
    (15,762 )            
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
    20,368       270,737        
Proceeds from bank borrowings
    20,436       26,658       1,698  
Repayment of credit facility, long-term debt and capital leases
    (26,187 )     (32,262 )     (1,360 )
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions
    12,511              
Payments of common stock and debt issuance costs
          (9,105 )     (726 )
Other
    (160 )     (336 )     (197 )
                         
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    86,206       255,692       (585 )
                         
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    2,022       (77,911 )     (172,001 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    20,760       98,671       270,672  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 22,782     $ 20,760     $ 98,671  
                         
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
NOTE A — NATURE OF OPERATIONS
 
The Company is a large primary silver producer with significant gold assets located in North America and is engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the operation and ownership, development and exploration of silver and gold mining properties and companies located primarily within South America (Chile, Argentina and Bolivia), Mexico (Chihuahua), the United States (Nevada and Alaska) and Australia (New South Wales). Coeur is an Idaho corporation incorporated in 1928.
 
NOTE B — BASIS OF PRESENTATION
 
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). In 2009, we revised the 2008 financial statements to reflect the retrospective adoption of “Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion”, which requires an allocation of convertible debt proceeds between the liability component and the equity component (See Note D).
 
Effective July 1, 2009, the Company sold to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. its 100% interest in silver contained at the Broken Hill mine for $55.0 million in cash. Consequently, for all of the periods presented, income from Broken Hill has been presented within discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
In May 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to proceed with a 1-for-10 reverse stock split as described in Note N. To ensure comparability of financial information, all common stock information (including information related to options to purchase shares, restricted stock, restricted units, performance shares and performance units under the Company’s share-based compensation plans as described in Note O) and all “per share” information related to common stock in the consolidated financial statements have been restated to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split. In addition, in May 2009 the Company’s stockholders approved a change in the par value from $1.00 per share to $0.01 per share. As a result, for all periods presented, the carrying value of the common stock was reduced and a corresponding adjustment was recorded within additional paid-in capital.
 
NOTE C — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company, the most significant of which are Empressa Minera Manquiri S.A., Coeur Mexicana S.A. de C.V. (formerly Planet Gold S.A. de C.V.), Coeur Rochester, Inc., Coeur Alaska, Inc., CDE Cerro Bayo Ltd., Coeur Argentina S.R.L. and CDE Australia Pty. Ltd. The consolidated financial statements also include all entities in which voting control of more than 50% is held by the Company. The Company has no investments in entities in which it has greater than 50% ownership interest accounted for using the equity method. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in corporate joint ventures where the Company has ownership of 50% or less and funds its proportionate share of expenses are accounted for under the equity method. The Company has no investments in entities in which it has a greater than 20% ownership interest accounted for using the cost method.
 
Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, no obligations remain and collection is probable. The passing of title to the customer is based on the terms of the sales contract. Product pricing is determined at the point revenue is recognized by reference to active and freely traded commodity markets, for example the London Bullion Market for both gold and silver, in an identical form to the product sold.
 
Under our concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters, final gold and silver prices are set on a specified future quotational period, typically one to three months, after the shipment date based on market metal prices. Revenues and production costs applicable to sales are recorded on a gross basis under these contracts at the time title passes to the buyer based on the forward price for the expected settlement period. The contracts, in general, provide for provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices. Final settlement is


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
based on the average applicable price for a specified future period and generally occurs from three to six months after shipment. Final sales are settled using smelter weights, settlement assays (average of assays exchanged and/or umpire assay results) and are priced as specified in the smelter contract. The Company’s provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates measured at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative does not qualify for hedge accounting. The embedded derivative is recorded as a derivative asset in prepaid expenses and other assets or as a derivative liability in accrued liabilities and other on the consolidated balance sheet and is adjusted to fair value through revenue each period until the date of final gold and silver settlement. The form of the material being sold, after deduction for smelting and refining, is in an identical form to that sold on the London Bullion Market. The form of the product is metal in flotation concentrate, which is the final process for which the Company is responsible.
 
The effects of forward sales contracts are reflected in revenue at the date the related precious metals are delivered or the contracts expire. Third-party smelting and refining costs of $8.3 million, $7.5 million and $6.4 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, are recorded as a reduction of revenue.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $19.1 million consisting of 1.0 million ounces of silver and 1,227 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $19.1 million including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $10,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $1,200. At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $32.1 million, including the embedded derivative. For each one cent per ounce change in realized silver price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $22,000 and for each one dollar per ounce change in realized gold price, revenue would vary (plus or minus) approximately $8,000.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents include all highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. The Company minimizes its credit risk by investing its cash and cash equivalents with major international banks and financial institutions located principally in the United States and Argentina with a minimum credit rating of A1 as defined by Standard & Poor’s. The Company’s management believes that no concentration of credit risk exists with respect to the investment of its cash and cash equivalents.
 
Short-term Investments: Short-term investments principally consist of highly-liquid United States, foreign government and corporate securities all classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with maturities that range from three months to one year. Unrealized gains and losses on these investments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Any decline in market value considered to be other than temporary is recognized in determining net income (loss). Realized gains and losses from the sale of these investments are included in determining net income (loss).
 
Ore on Leach Pad: The heap leach process is a process of extracting silver and gold by placing ore on an impermeable pad and applying a diluted cyanide solution that dissolves a portion of the contained silver and gold, which are then recovered in metallurgical processes. In August 2007, the Company terminated mining and crushing operations at the Rochester mine as ore reserves were fully mined. Residual heap leach activities are expected to continue through 2014.
 
The Company used several integrated steps to scientifically measure the metal content of ore placed on the leach pads. As the ore body was drilled in preparation for the blasting process, samples were taken of the drill residue which is assayed to determine estimated quantities of contained metal. The Company estimated the quantity of ore by utilizing global positioning satellite survey techniques. The Company then processed the ore through crushing facilities where the output was again weighed and sampled for assaying. A metallurgical reconciliation with the data collected from the mining operation was completed with appropriate adjustments made to previous


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
estimates. The crushed ore was then transported to the leach pad for application of the leaching solution. As the leach solution is collected from the leach pads, it is continuously sampled for assaying. The quantity of leach solution is measured by flow meters throughout the leaching and precipitation process. After precipitation, the product is converted to dorè, which is the final product produced by the mine. The inventory is stated at lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method.
 
The Company reported ore on the leach pads of $24.0 million as of December 31, 2009. Of this amount, $9.6 million is reported as a current asset and $14.4 million is reported as a non-current asset. The distinction between current and non-current is based upon the expected length of time necessary for the leaching process to remove the metals from the broken ore. The historical cost of the metal that is expected to be extracted within twelve months is classified as current and the historical cost of metals contained within the broken ore that will be extracted beyond twelve months is classified as non-current. Inventories of ore on leach pad are valued based on actual production costs incurred to produce and place ore on the leach pad, adjusted for effects on monthly production of costs of abnormal production levels, less costs allocated to minerals recovered through the leach process.
 
The estimate of both the ultimate recovery expected over time and the quantity of metal that may be extracted relative to the time the leach process occurs requires the use of estimates which are inherently inaccurate since they rely upon laboratory testwork. Testwork consists of 60 day leach columns from which the Company projects metal recoveries up to five years in the future. The quantities of metal contained in the ore are based upon actual weights and assay analysis. The rate at which the leach process extracts gold and silver from the crushed ore is based upon laboratory column tests and actual experience occurring over more than twenty years of leach pad operations at the Rochester Mine. The assumptions used by the Company to measure metal content during each stage of the inventory conversion process includes estimated recovery rates based on laboratory testing and assaying. The Company periodically reviews its estimates compared to actual experience and revises its estimates when appropriate. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company increased its estimated silver ounces contained in the heap inventory by approximately 5.4 million ounces. The increase in estimated silver ounces contained in the heap inventory is due to changes in estimated silver recoveries anticipated over the remainder of the residual leaching phase. In the year ended December 31, 2009, there were no changes in estimated recoveries related to gold contained in the heap. The Company believes its current residual heap leach activities are expected to continue through 2014. The ultimate recovery will not be known until leaching operations cease.
 
Metal and Other Inventory: Inventories include concentrate ore, dorè, ore in stockpiles and operating materials and supplies. The classification of inventory is determined by the stage at which the ore is in the production process. To the extent there is work in process inventories at the Endeavor mine, such amounts are carried as inventories. Inventories of ore in stock piles are sampled for gold and silver content and are valued based on the lower of actual costs incurred or estimated net realizable value based upon the period ending prices of gold and silver. Material that does not contain a minimum quantity of gold and silver to cover estimated processing expense to recover the contained gold and silver is not classified as inventory and is assigned no value. All inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost being determined using a weighted average cost method. Concentrate and dorè inventory includes product at the mine site and product held by refineries and are also valued at lower of cost or market value. Concentrate inventories associated with the Endeavor mine are held by third parties. Metal inventory costs include direct labor, materials, depreciation, depletion and amortization as well as administrative overhead costs relating to mining activities.
 
Property, Plant, and Equipment: Expenditures for new facilities, assets acquired pursuant to capital leases, new assets or expenditures that extend the useful lives of existing facilities are capitalized and depreciated using the straight-line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the shorter of estimated productive lives of such facilities or the useful life of the individual assets. Productive lives range from 7 to 31 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 13 years for machinery and equipment and 3 to 7 years for furniture and fixtures. Certain mining


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
equipment is depreciated using the units-of-production method based upon estimated total proven and probable reserves. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.
 
Operational Mining Properties and Mine Development: Capitalization of mine development costs that meet the definition of an asset begins once all operating permits have been secured, mineralization is classified as proven and probable reserves and a final feasibility study has been completed. Mine development costs include engineering and metallurgical studies, drilling and other related costs to delineate an ore body, the removal of overburden to initially expose an ore body at open pit surface mines and the building of access ways, shafts, lateral access, drifts, ramps and other infrastructure at underground mines. Costs incurred during the start-up phase of a mine are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred before mineralization is classified as proven and probable reserves are expensed and classified as Exploration or Pre-development expense. All capitalized costs are amortized using the units of production method over the estimated life of the ore body based on recoverable ounces to be mined from proven and probable reserves. Interest expense allocable to the cost of developing mining properties and to construct new facilities is capitalized until assets are ready for their intended use. Gains or losses from sales or retirements of assets are included in other income or expense.
 
Drilling and related costs incurred at our operating mines are expensed as incurred as exploration expense, unless we can conclude with a high degree of confidence, prior to the commencement of a drilling program, that the drilling costs will result in the conversion of a mineral resource into proven and probable reserves. Our assessment is based on the following factors: results from previous drill programs; results from geological models; results from a mine scoping study confirming economic viability of the resource; and preliminary estimates of mine inventory, ore grade, cash flow and mine life. In addition, the Company must have all permitting and/or contractual requirements necessary to have the right to and/or control of the future benefit from the targeted ore body. The costs of a drilling program that meet these criteria are capitalized as mine development costs. All other drilling and related costs, including those beyond the boundaries of the development and production stage properties, are expensed as incurred.
 
Drilling and related costs of approximately $3.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively, at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, met the criteria for capitalization listed above at our properties that are in the development and production stages.
 
The cost of removing overburden and waste materials to access the ore body at an open pit mine prior to the production phase are referred to as “pre-stripping costs.” Pre-stripping costs are capitalized during the development of an open pit mine. Stripping costs incurred during the production phase of a mine are variable production costs that are included as a component of inventory to be recognized in production costs applicable to sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of inventory.
 
Mineral Interests: Significant payments related to the acquisition of land and mineral rights are capitalized as incurred. Prior to acquiring such land or mineral rights, the Company generally makes a preliminary evaluation to determine that the property has significant potential to develop an economic ore body. The time between initial acquisition and full evaluation of a property’s potential is variable and is determined by many factors including: location relative to existing infrastructure, the property’s stage of development, geological controls and metal prices. If a mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are amortized when production begins using the units-of-production method based on recoverable ounces to be mined from proven and probable reserves. If no mineable ore body is discovered, such costs are expensed in the period in which it is determined the property has no future economic value. The Company amortizes its mineral interests in the Endeavor mine using the units of production method.
 
Asset Impairment: Management reviews and tests its long-lived assets for impairment when events and changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts of its assets may not be recoverable. Impairment is considered to exist if total estimated future cash flows or probability-weighted cash flows on an


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
undiscounted basis are less than the carrying amount of the assets, including property plant and equipment, mineral property, development property, and any deferred costs. An impairment loss is measured and recorded based on the difference between book value and discounted estimated future cash flows or the application of an expected present value technique to estimate fair value in the absence of a market price. Future cash flows include estimates of recoverable ounces, gold and silver prices (considering current and historical prices, price trends and related factors), production levels and required capital investment, all based on life-of-mine plans and projections. Assumptions underlying future cash flow estimates are subject to risks and uncertainties. If the discounted cash flows are not in excess of the carrying value of the asset, a calculation of fair value is performed and if the fair value is lower than the carrying value of the assets, the assets are reduced to their fair market value. Any differences between these assumptions and actual market conditions or the Company’s actual operating performance could have a material effect on the Company’s determination of ore reserves or its ability to recover the carrying amounts of its long-lived assets resulting in impairment charges. In estimating future cash flows, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of cash flows from other asset groups. Generally, in estimating future cash flows, all assets are grouped at a particular mine for which there is identifiable cash flow.
 
As of December 31, 2009, suspension of mining operations above the 4,400 meter level at the San Bartolomé mine, declining ore reserves at the Martha mine and continued care and maintenance at the Cerro Bayo mine prompted an impairment review of the carrying value of these mines. The review determined that there were no impairments for the San Bartolome, Cerro Bayo, and Martha mines. At the San Bartolome mine, the Company utilized a probability weighted discounted cash flow analysis which evaluated the Company continuing to mine above the 4,400 meter level or is being restricted from mining above the 4,400 meter level. At the Cerro Bayo and Martha mines, the Company used a probability weighted analysis of various cash flow scenarios which assumes that the Company either continues ownership of or sells the asset group. The estimates of future cash costs of production and capital expenditures are based on the life of mine plans for each reporting unit. The Company used estimated average silver and gold prices of $16.16 and $1,028 per ounce, respectively, which is based on the year-end spot prices, trailing twelve quarter average and long-term silver and gold price forecasts prepared by analysts.
 
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company, under the terms of its lease, self insurance, and bonding agreements with certain banks, lending institutions and regulatory agencies, is required to collateralize certain portions of the Company’s obligations. The Company has collateralized these obligations by assigning certificates of deposit that have maturity dates ranging from three months to a year, to the respective institution or agency. At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company held certificates of deposit and cash under these agreements of $26.5 million and $23.1 million, respectively, restricted for this purpose. The ultimate timing for the release of the collateralized amounts is primarily dependent on the timing and closure of each mine. In order to release the collateral, the Company must seek approval from certain government agencies responsible for monitoring the mine closure status. Collateral could also be released to the extent the Company was able to secure alternative financial assurance satisfactory to the regulatory agencies. The Company believes there is a reasonable probability that the collateral will remain in place beyond a twelve-month period and has therefore classified these investments as long-term. In addition, as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company held certificates of deposit totaling $2.3 and $5.5 million, respectively, that were pledged to support letters of credit to Mitsubishi International. This amount is included in prepaids and other.
 
Reclamation and Remediation Costs: The Company recognizes obligations for the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and other associated asset retirement costs. These legal obligations are associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and normal use of the asset. The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation will be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset. An accretion cost, representing the increase over time in the present value of the liability, is recorded each period in depreciation,


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
depletion and amortization expense. As reclamation work is performed or liabilities are otherwise settled, the recorded amount of the liability is reduced.
 
Future remediation costs for inactive mines are accrued based on management’s best estimate at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be incurred at the site. Such cost estimates include, where applicable, ongoing care and maintenance and monitoring costs. Changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate is revised.
 
Foreign Currency: The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using U.S. dollars as their functional currency. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the determination of net income (loss).
 
Derivative Financial Instruments: The Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. Appropriate accounting recognition for changes in the fair value of derivatives held is dependent on whether the derivative instrument is designated and qualifies as an accounting hedge and on the classification of the hedge transaction.
 
Fair Value: Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted new accounting standards related to Fair Value Measurements with respect to its financial assets and liabilities only. The new standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and enhances disclosures about fair value measurement. Refer to Note E for further details regarding the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
 
Stock-based Compensation Plans: The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option award using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company estimates the fair value of performance share grants using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model. The Company estimates forfeitures of stock based awards using historical data and periodically adjusts the forfeiture rate. The adjustment of the forfeiture rate is recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period the forfeiture estimate is changed. The compensation costs are included in administrative and general expenses, production costs applicable to sales and the cost of self-constructed property, plant and equipment as deemed appropriate.
 
Income Taxes: The Company uses an asset and liability approach which results in the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences or benefits of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of 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.
 
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. A valuation allowance has been provided for the portion of the Company’s net deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that they will not be realized.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 1999. Federal income tax returns for 2000 through 2008 are subject to examination. The Company’s practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. There were no significant accrued interest or penalties at December 31, 2009.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Comprehensive Income (Loss): Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss) as well as changes in stockholders’ equity that result from transactions and events other than those with stockholders. Items of comprehensive income (loss) include the following:
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (31,907 )   $ (627 )   $ 43,890  
Unrealized income (loss) on marketable securities
          (716 )     103  
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of settlements
                 
Other
          82       (17 )
                         
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (31,907 )   $ (1,261 )   $ 43,976  
                         
 
Net Income Per Share: Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The effect of potentially dilutive stock options and Convertible Senior Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:
 
                                                                         
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
    Year Ended
 
    December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    Income
    Shares
    Per-Share
    Income
    Shares
    Per-Share
    Income
    Shares
    Per-Share
 
    (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
    (In thousands except for EPS)  
 
Basic EPS
                                                                       
Income loss from continuing operations
  $ (64,893 )     71,565     $ (0.91 )   $ (9,959 )     55,073     $ (0.18 )   $ 33,911       28,597     $ 1.18  
Income from discontinued operations
    32,986       71,565       0.46       9,332       55,073       0.17       9,979       28,597       .35  
                                                                         
Income loss
  $ (31,907 )     71,565     $ (0.45 )   $ (627 )     55,073     $ (0.01 )   $ 43,890       28,597     $ 1.53  
Effect of Dilutive Securities
                                                                       
Equity awards
                                                  87          
Convertible notes
                                        297       2,368          
                                                                         
Diluted EPS
                                                                       
Net loss from continuing operations
  $ (64,893 )     71,565       (0.91 )   $ (9,959 )     55,073       (0.18 )   $ 34,208       31,052       1.10  
Net income from discontinued operations
    32,986       71,565       0.46       9,332       55,073       0.17       9,979       31,052       .32  
                                                                         
Income (loss)
  $ (31,907 )     71,565     $ (0.45 )   $ (627 )     55,073     $ (0.01 )   $ 44,187       31,052     $ 1.42  
                                                                         
 
For the years ended 2009, 2008 and 2007, common shares attributed to outstanding options, performance shares and non-vested shares of 666,568, 144,037 and 53,111 respectively, at prices between $7.40 to $70.90, $32.40 to $70.90 and $48.10 to $89.40, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect was anti-dilutive. The options, which expire between 2010 to 2019, are outstanding at December 31, 2009. Potentially dilutive shares of 1,514,460 and 2,368,421 attributed to the 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes have been excluded from the earnings per share calculation for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 as their effect was anti-dilutive. The 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for 2009 and 2008 because there is no excess value upon conversion over the principal amount of the Notes.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information: The following table sets forth non-cash financing and investing activities and other cash flow information for the years ended (in thousands):
 
                         
Non-cash financing and investing activities:   2009   2008   2007
 
Capital expenditures(1)
  $ (22,501 )   $ 15,287     $ 9,216  
Capital lease obligations
    20,421       (938 )     1,477  
Non-cash capitalized interest
    6,765       6,477        
Non-cash interest paid with stock
    2,177              
                         
Other cash flow information:
                       
                         
Interest paid
    12,809       9,361       2,283  
Capitalized interest
    22,839       12,247       2,250  
Income taxes paid
    8,963       13,071       11,994  
 
 
(1) Accrued capital expenditures are recognized in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the period in which they are paid.
 
Debt Issuance Costs: Costs associated with the issuance of debt are included in other noncurrent assets and are amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective interest method.
 
Use of Estimates: The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in their consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The areas requiring the use of management’s estimates and assumptions relate to recoverable ounces from proven and probable reserves that are the basis of future cash flow estimates and units-of-production depreciation and amortization calculations; useful lives utilized for depreciation, depletion and amortization; estimates of future cash flows for long lived assets; estimates of recoverable gold and silver ounces in ore on leach pad; the amount and timing of reclamation and remediation costs; valuation allowance for deferred tax assets; and other employee benefit liabilities.
 
Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications of prior year balances have been made to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the periods presented. The most significant reclassifications were to reclassify $75.0 million from operational mining properties to property, plant and equipment including accumulated depreciation related to the tailings facility at the San Bartolomé mine and to reclassify $52.1 million from non-producing development properties to operational properties related to the commencement of commercial production at the Palmarejo mine.
 
NOTE D — RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
In May 2008, the FASB adopted new accounting standards related to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, unless the embedded conversion option is required to be separately accounted for as a derivative. The new rules require that the liability and equity components of convertible debt instruments be separately accounted for in a manner that reflects the entity’s borrowing rate. This requires an allocation of the convertible debt proceeds between the liability component and the embedded conversion option (i.e., the equity component). The difference between the principal amount of the debt and the amount of the proceeds allocated to the liability component is reported as a debt discount and subsequently accreted as additional interest over the instrument’s expected life using the effective interest method. The new accounting standards were adopted effective January 1, 2009 and have been applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company determined that the provisions of the new accounting standard were applicable to the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes. The expected life for purposes of the allocation was deemed to be five years, which coincides with the initial put option date of March 15, 2013. If exercised, the Company is required


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
to repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes in cash and/or shares at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount.
 
The Company has recorded the following balances in the consolidated balance sheet related to the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes reflecting the recently adopted accounting standard:
 
                 
    As of December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Principal amount of the notes
  $ 148,404     $ 230,000  
Unamortized debt discount
    (23,081 )     (44,999 )
                 
Net carrying value
  $ 125,323     $ 185,001  
                 
 
The following table reflects the impact of adopting the new accounting standard in the consolidated balance sheet and footnote disclosures as of December 31, 2008:
 
                         
    As Previously
    Effect of
       
    Reported
    Adopting New
    As Revised
 
    December 31,
    Accounting
    December 31,
 
    2008     Standard     2008  
 
Operational mining properties
  $ 269,155     $ 1,551     $ 270,706  
Accumulated depletion
    (131,524 )     (32 )     (131,556 )
Non producing development properties
    299,846       4,927       304,773  
Debt issuance costs, net
    12,476       (2,223 )     10,253  
31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028
    230,000       (44,999 )     185,001  
Additional paid-in capital
    2,168,646       49,841       2,218,487  
Accumulated deficit
    (419,339 )     (619 )     (419,958 )
 
The new accounting standard required retrospective application to all periods presented. As a result of adopting the new accounting standard, the effective interest rate of 31/4% on the Notes increased by approximately 5.7% to 8.9% because of non-cash amortization of debt discount over the expected life of the notes. Earnings per share decreased by $0.01 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2008. Cash flows from operations were not affected by the adoption of the new accounting standards.
 
Following the adoption, the Company will amortize $51.7 million of debt discount over the remaining period ending on the initial put option date of March 15, 2013. As of December 31, 2009 the outstanding debt discount amounted to $23.1 million. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded $5.9 million in interest expense for the contractual interest rate and accretion of $7.1 million of the debt discount.
 
Equity Linked Financial Instruments
 
In June 2008, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, reached a consensus which clarifies the accounting treatment of an instrument (or an embedded feature) that is indexed to an entity’s own stock, which would qualify as a scope exception under U.S. GAAP. The adoption of the consensus reached by the EITF was effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. Upon adoption, the Company determined that the bifurcated embedded conversion option in its Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes was no longer a derivative that is required to be adjusted to fair value at the end of each period. The carrying amount of the liability of $21.6 million for the conversion option was reclassified to shareholders’ equity upon adoption.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Derivative Instruments
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued new accounting standards related to enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The new accounting standards were adopted effective January 1, 2009 and were effective for the Company’s fiscal year, beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, result of operations or cash flows.
 
Subsequent Events
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued new accounting standards that established accounting and reporting standards for events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. The new standard sets forth (i) a period after the balance sheet date during which a reporting entity’s management should evaluate events or transactions for possible recognition or disclosure in financial statements, (ii) the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and (iii) the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements. The Company adopted the provisions of the new accounting standards for the interim period ended June 30, 2009. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
The Accounting Standards Codification
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued its accounting standards codification. The codification is the source of authoritative U.S. GAAP to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification superseded non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All accounting literature that is not in the Codification, not issued by the SEC and not otherwise grandfathered is non-authoritative. The new standard was effective for the Company’s interim quarterly period beginning July 1, 2009. The adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
NOTE E — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted a new accounting standard related to fair value measurements of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new standard defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The new standard established a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
  Level 1   Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
 
  Level 2   Quoted prices in markets that are not active or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
 
  Level 3   Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy. As required, assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Fair Value at December 31, 2009  
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Assets:
                               
Restricted investments
  $ 5,440     $     $ 5,440     $  
Other derivative instruments, net
    1,379             1,379        
Franco-Nevada warrant
    6,339             6,339        
Put and call options
    121             121        
                                 
    $ 13,279     $     $ 13,279     $  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Gold lease facility
  $ 28,506     $     $ 28,506     $  
Royalty obligation embedded derivative
    78,013             78,013        
Put and call options
    964             964        
                                 
    $ 107,483     $     $ 107,483     $  
                                 
 
                                 
    Fair Value at December 31, 2008  
    Total     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3  
 
Assets:
                               
Marketable equity securities
  $ 8     $ 8     $     $  
Marketable debt securities
    7,882             7,882        
Short-term certificates of deposit
    8,525             8,525        
Restricted investments
    2,031             2,031        
Asset-backed commercial paper
    1,772                   1,772  
Other derivative instruments, net
    2,359             2,359        
                                 
    $ 22,577     $ 8     $ 20,797     $ 1,772  
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Gold lease facility
  $ 18,806     $     $ 18,806     $  
Warrant on floating rate convertible notes
    15,277                   15,277  
Senior secured floating rate note conversion option
    21,566                   21,566  
                                 
    $ 55,649     $     $ 18,806     $ 36,843  
                                 
 
The Company’s marketable equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. The fair value of the marketable equity securities is calculated as the quoted market price of the marketable equity security multiplied by the quantity of shares held by the Company.
 
The Company’s short-term certificates of deposit, restricted investments, marketable debt securities, Franco-Nevada warrant and other derivative instruments, net are valued using pricing models which require inputs that are derived from observable market data and as such are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The Company’s derivative instruments related to the concentrate sales contracts, foreign exchange contracts, royalty obligation embedded derivative, put and call options and gold lease facility are valued using quoted market


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
prices and other significant observable inputs, including fair value modeling techniques. Such instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The warrant and conversion option on the floating rate convertible notes and asset-backed commercial paper fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because there are no observable market quotes. For these instruments, management uses significant other observable inputs adjusted for various factors within valuation models which require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, credit spreads, measures of volatility and correlation of such inputs. The Company estimated the fair value of the warrant on the floating rate convertible notes using a Monte Carlo simulation model including expected terms, LIBOR volatilities and correlation of such inputs.
 
The table below sets forth a summary in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets and liabilities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 (in thousands):
 
                         
    Warrant and
             
    Conversion Option
    Asset
       
    to Purchase
    Backed
       
    Floating rate
    Commercial
       
    Convertible Notes     Paper     Total  
 
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 36,843     $ 1,772     $ 38,615  
Additions (deletions)
    (30,286 )     (1,395 )     (38,238 )
Unrealized (loss) gain
    (6,857 )     223       223  
Realized loss
          (600 )     (600 )
                         
Balance at end of period
  $     $     $  
                         
 
NOTE F — DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE
 
Effective July 1, 2009, the Company sold to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. its 100% interest in the silver contained at the Broken Hill mine for $55.0 million in cash. As a result of this transaction, the Company realized an after tax gain on the sale of approximately $25.5 million, net of income taxes. Coeur originally purchased this interest from Perilya Broken Hill, Ltd. in September 2005 for $36.9 million. This transaction closed on July 30, 2009.
 
The following table details selected financial information included in the income from discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Sales of metal
  $ 10,435     $ 18,591     $ 20,602  
Production costs applicable to sales
    (1,652 )     (2,754 )     (3,292 )
Depreciation and depletion
    (1,570 )     (2,506 )     (3,054 )
Mining exploration
                 
Other
                 
Income tax benefit (expense)
    236       (3,999 )     (4,277 )
                         
Income from discontinued operations
    7,449       9,332       9,979  
Gain on sale of net assets of discontinued operations, net of tax of $6.5 million
    25,537              
                         
Net income from discontinued operations
  $ 32,986     $ 9,332     $ 9,979  
                         


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
NOTE G — INVESTMENTS AND OTHER MARKETABLE SECURITIES
 
As of December 31, 2009, there were no short-term investments on hand. As of December 31, 2008, the Company classified its investment securities as available-for-sale securities. These securities are measured at fair market value in the financial statements with unrealized gains or losses recorded in other comprehensive income. At the time securities are sold or otherwise disposed of, gains or losses are included in net income. The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2008, (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Available-For-Sale Securities  
          Gross
    Gross
    Estimated
 
          Unrealized
    Unrealized
    Fair
 
    Cost     Losses     Gains     Value  
 
U.S. Corporate
  $     $     $     $  
U.S. Government
    7,881                   7,881  
                                 
Total current available for sale securities
    7,881                   7,881  
Asset-Backed Commercial Paper
    1,772                   1,772  
Equity securities
    9       (1 )           8  
                                 
    $ 9,662     $ (1 )   $     $ 9,661  
                                 
 
During 2008 gross realized gains and losses were based on a carrying value (cost, net of discount or premium) of short-term investments sold or adjusted for other than temporary decline in market value. Short-term investments mature at various dates. There were $0.6 million of realized gains and $2.6 million of realized losses in 2008.
 
The Company acquired certain asset-backed securities in connection with the Bolnisi and Palmarejo acquisition. Palmarejo had investments in non-bank sponsored ABCP, of which $6.3 million was invested in Apsley Trust Class A and $0.5 million in Aurora Trust Class E. Based on the Company’s assessment of the fair value of its investments in ABCP as of December 31, 2008, the Company recorded an additional adjustment of $2.6 million to reduce the carrying value of the investment during the year ended December 31, 2008. The total fair value of the ABCP investments was estimated to be $1.8 million at December 31, 2008. During 2009, the Company sold the remaining balance of the ABCP securities and recorded a realized loss of $0.6 million.
 
NOTE H — METAL AND OTHER INVENTORY
 
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Concentrate and dorè inventory
  $ 39,487     $ 19,826  
Supplies
    28,225       15,020  
                 
Metal and other inventory
  $ 67,712     $ 34,846  
                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
NOTE I — PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Land
  $ 1,133     $ 1,133  
Building improvements
    384,107       384,663  
Machinery and equipment
    227,524       151,658  
Capitalized leases for machinery and equipment and buildings
    55,652       37,566  
                 
      668,416       575,020  
Accumulated depreciation
    (129,379 )     (88,890 )
                 
    $ 539,037     $ 486,130  
                 
 
The Company’s capital expenditures, excluding the acquisitions of Bolnisi and Palmarejo, were as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Rochester
  $ 310     $ 635     $ 1,647  
Cerro Bayo
    1,077       8,233       11,330  
Martha
    1,575       4,503       16,444  
San Bartolomé
    4,805       108,723       100,169  
Kensington
    48,029       40,858       92,337  
Palmarejo
    140,601       190,344        
Endeavor
          26,513       2,112  
Other
    196       497       1,942  
                         
Net asset additions
  $ 196,593     $ 380,306     $ 225,981  
                         
Discontinued Operations — Broken Hill
                213  
                         
 
At December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately $13.9 million, $37.3 million and $22.1 million, respectively, of invoices for capital expenditures remained in accounts payable and for purposes of the consolidated cash flows were treated as non-cash transactions.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Minimum future lease payments under capital and operating leases at December 31, 2009 are as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    Capital
    Operating
 
Year Ending December 31,
  Leases     Leases  
 
2010
  $ 14,316     $ 689  
2011
    12,768       689  
2012
    8,551       344  
2013
    53        
Thereafter
           
                 
Total minimum payments due
    35,688     $ 1,722  
                 
Less: Amount representing interest
    3,516          
                 
Present value of net minimum lease payments
    32,172          
Less: Current maturities
    12,281          
                 
Non-current portion
  $ 19,891          
                 
 
The Company has entered into various operating lease agreements which expire over the next year. Total rent expense charged to net income under these agreements was $5.7 million, $2.5 million and $1.7 million for 2009, 2008, 2007, respectively.
 
NOTE J — MINING PROPERTIES
 
                                                                         
    San
                                                 
December 31, 2009
  Bartolomé     Martha     Cerro Bayo     Palmarejo(A)     Rochester     Endeavor     Kensington     Other     Total  
 
Operational mining properties:
  $ 67,327     $ 10,000     $ 43,554     $ 113,167     $ 97,435     $     $     $     $ 331,483  
Accumulated depletion
    (5,793 )     (8,968 )     (25,679 )     (7,232 )     (97,435 )                       (145,107 )
                                                                         
      61,534       1,032       17,875       105,935                               186,376  
Mineral interest(B)
    26,642                   1,657,188             44,033                   1,727,863  
Accumulated depletion
    (2,284 )                 (24,171 )           (4,897 )                 (31,352 )
                                                                         
      24,358                   1,633,017             39,136                   1,696,511  
Non-producing and development properties
                                        357,027       142       357,169  
                                                                         
Total mining properties
  $ 85,892     $ 1,032     $ 17,875     $ 1,738,952     $     $ 39,136     $ 357,027     $ 142     $ 2,240,056  
                                                                         
 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
                                                                                 
    San(C)
                                              Broken
       
December 31, 2008
  Bartolomé     Martha     Cerro Bayo     Palmarejo(E)     Rochester     Endeavor     Kensington     Other     Hill(D)     Total  
 
Operational mining properties:
  $ 68,823     $ 8,755     $ 43,555     $ 52,138     $ 97,435     $     $     $     $     $ 270,706  
Accumulated depletion
    (1,771 )     (6,671 )     (25,679 )           (97,435 )                             (131,556 )
                                                                                 
      67,052       2,084       17,876       52,138                                     139,150  
Mineral interest
    26,642                   1,657,188             44,033             50       36,879       1,764,792  
Accumulated depletion
    (679 )                             (3,627 )                 (12,488 )     (16,794 )
                                                                                 
      25,963                   1,657,188             40,406             50       24,391       1,747,998  
Non-producing and development properties
                                        304,632       142             304,774  
                                                                                 
Total mining properties
  $ 93,015     $ 2,084     $ 17,876     $ 1,709,326     $     $ 40,406     $ 304,632     $ 192     $ 24,391     $ 2,191,922  
                                                                                 
 
 
(A) On December 21, 2007, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the shares of Bolnisi and Palmarejo in exchange for a total of approximately 27.2 million shares of Coeur common stock and a total cash payment of approximately $1.1 million. The total consideration paid was $1.1 billion and assumed liabilities were $0.7 billion.
 
(B) Balance represents acquisition cost of mineral interest
 
(C) During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reclassified $68.0 million from non-producing and development properties to operational mining properties related to the commencement of operations at the San Bartolomé mine.
 
(D) Effective July 1, 2009, the Company sold to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. its 100% interest in silver contained at the Broken Hill mine for $55.0 million in cash.
 
(E) Includes a reclassification of prior year balances to conform to current year presentation. The reclassification was to reclassify $52.1 million in non-producing development properties to operational properties related to the commencement of operations at the Palmarejo mine.
 
Operational Mining Properties
 
Palmarejo:  Palmarejo is located in the State of Chihuahua in northern Mexico, and its principal silver and gold properties are collectively referred to as the “Palmarejo mine.” The Palmarejo mine commenced production in April 2009.
 
San Bartolomé Mine:  The San Bartolomé Mine is a silver mine located near the city of Potosi, Bolivia. The mineral rights for the San Bartolomé project are held through long-term joint venture/lease agreements with several local independent mining co-operatives and the Bolivian State owned mining company, (“COMIBOL”). The Company commenced commercial production in June 2008.
 
Rochester Mine:  The Company has conducted operations at the Rochester Mine, located in Western Nevada, since September 1986. The mine utilizes the heap-leaching process to extract both silver and gold from ore mined using open pit methods. Rochester’s primary product is silver with gold produced as a by-product.
 
Martha Mine:  The Martha Mine is an underground silver mine located in Argentina, approximately 270 miles southeast of Coeur’s Cerro Bayo mine. Coeur acquired a 100% interest in the Martha mine in April 2002. In July 2002, Coeur commenced shipment of ore from the Martha Mine to the Cerro Bayo facility for processing. In December 2007, the Company completed a 240 tonne per day flotation mill, which produces a flotation concentrate.

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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The Company anticipates that operating activities will cease in late 2010 unless additional mineralization is discovered during the year.
 
Cerro Bayo Mine:  The Cerro Bayo Mine is a gold and silver underground mine located in southern Chile. Commercial production commenced on April 18, 2002. Operations were suspended in October 2008 in order to allow the Company to develop additional reserves and a new mine plan.
 
Mineral Interests
 
Endeavor Mine:  On May 23, 2005, the CDE Australia Pty. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur (“CDE Australia”) acquired all of the silver production and reserves, up to a maximum 17.7 million payable ounces, contained at the Endeavor Mine in Australia, which is owned and operated by Cobar Operations Pty. Limited (“Cobar”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBH Resources Ltd. (“CBH”), for $44.0 million, including transaction fees. Under the terms of the original agreement, CDE Australia paid Cobar $15.4 million of cash at the closing. In addition, CDE Australia agreed to pay Cobar approximately $26.5 million upon the receipt of a report confirming that the reserves at the Endeavor mine are equal to or greater than the reported ore reserves for 2004. In addition to these upfront payments, CDE Australia originally committed to pay Cobar an operating cost contribution of $1.00 for each ounce of payable silver plus a further increment when the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. This further increment was to have begun on the second anniversary of this agreement and is 50% of the amount by which the silver price exceeds $5.23 per ounce. A cost contribution of $0.25 per ounce is also payable by CDE Australia in respect of new ounces of proven and probable silver reserves as they are developed. During the first quarter of 2007, $2.1 million was paid for additional ounces of proven and probable silver reserves under the terms of the contract. This amount was capitalized as a cost of the mineral interest acquired and is being amortized using the units of production method.
 
On March 28, 2006, CDE Australia reached an agreement with CBH to modify the terms of the original silver purchase agreement. Under the modified terms, CDE Australia owns all silver production and reserves up to a total of 20.0 million payable ounces, up from 17.7 million payable ounces in the original agreement. The silver price-sharing provision was deferred until such time as CDE Australia has received approximately 2 million cumulative ounces of silver from the mine or June 2007, whichever is later. In addition, the silver price-sharing threshold increased to $7.00 per ounce, from the previous level of $5.23 per ounce. The conditions relating to the second payment were also modified and tied to certain paste fill plant performance criteria and mill throughput tests. In January 2008, the mine met the criteria for payment of the additional $26.2 million. This amount was paid on April 1, 2008, plus accrued interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from January 24, 2008. During late November 2008, the mine exceeded the 2.0 million cumulative ounce thresholds and therefore, CDE Australia realized a reduction in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2008 of approximately $73,000 as a result of the silver price sharing provision. CDE Australia has received approximately 2.5 million payable ounces to-date and the current ore reserve contains approximately 9.8 million payable ounces based on current metallurgical recovery and current smelter contract terms. Expansion of the ore reserve will be required to achieve the maximum payable ounces of silver production as set forth in the modified contract. It is expected that future expansion to the ore reserve will occur as a result of the conversion of portions of the property’s existing inventory of mineralized material and future exploration discoveries. CBH conducts regular exploration to discover new mineralization and to define reserves from surface and underground drilling platforms.
 
Non-Producing and Development Properties
 
Kensington:  Kensington is a gold property located near Juneau, Alaska. The mine has been constructed as an underground gold mine accessed by a horizontal tunnel and will utilize conventional and mechanized underground mining methods. The ore will be processed in a flotation mill that produces a concentrate which will be sold to third-party smelters.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
NOTE K — LONG-TERM DEBT
 
                 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
 
31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2028
  $ 125,323     $ 185,001  
11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due January 2024
    22,232       180,000  
Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012
          1,830  
Capital lease obligation
    32,172       23,788  
Kensington term facility
    15,464        
Bank loans
    5,609       7,657  
                 
Total
    200,800       398,276  
                 
Less: non-current portion
    (15,403 )     (14,608 )
                 
Total long-term debt
  $ 185,397     $ 383,668  
                 
 
Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes
 
On October 20, 2008 the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes. The Company also sold to the purchaser a warrant to purchase up to an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes. The notes were convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the holder at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date. The initial conversion price was $11.50 per share. The net proceeds to the Company were $40.2 million after deducting $0.5 million of issuance costs. The purchaser also received warrants to purchase up to an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes for $20.4 million.
 
The notes bore interest at LIBOR plus 7.50% per year, provided that in no event would the annual rate be less than 9% or more than 12%. As of December 31, 2008 the interest rate was 12%. Interest was payable, at the Company’s option, in cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. The notes were the Company’s senior secured obligations, ranking equally with all existing and future senior obligations and ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness, and were secured by certain assets of the Company’s Coeur Rochester, Inc. subsidiary.
 
On January 12, 2009, the Company amended its agreement with the holders of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes to modify the exercise date to allow the holder to exercise the warrant early and fix the interest rate at 12% through July 15, 2009.
 
On January 20, 2009, the Company received proceeds of $20.4 million from the exercise of the warrant to purchase an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes with terms similar to the notes it issued in October of 2008.
 
As of December 31, 2009, all of the $50 million Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012 had been fully converted into 6.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock and all $25 million of the notes issued in January upon exercise of the warrant had been converted into 3.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Upon exercising the conversion option, the holder received 86.95652 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, plus an additional payment in common stock and cash representing the value of the interest that would be earned on the notes through the fourth anniversary of the conversion date.
 
Interest and accretion on the notes, prior to their conversion in March 2009, was $0.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
31/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
As of December 31, 2009, the outstanding balance of the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes was $148.4 million, or $125.3 million net of debt discount.
 
On March 18, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $230 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due 2028. The notes are unsecured and bear interest at a rate of 31/4% per year, payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2008. The notes mature on March 15, 2028, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased by the Company.
 
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on March 15, 2013, March 15, 2015, March 15, 2018 and March 15, 2023 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. Holders will also have the right, following certain fundamental change transactions, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company may redeem the notes for cash in whole or in part at any time on or after March 22, 2015 at 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.
 
The notes provide for “net share settlement” of any conversions. Pursuant to this feature, upon conversion of the notes, the Company (1) will pay the note holder an amount in cash equal to the lesser of the conversion obligation or the principal amount of the notes and (2) will settle any excess of the conversion obligation above the notes’ principal amount in the Company’s common stock, cash or a combination thereof, at the Company’s election.
 
The notes are convertible under certain circumstances, as defined in the indenture agreement, at the holder’s option, at an initial conversion rate of 17.60254 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $56.81 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
As of December 31, 2009, $81.6 million of the 31/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 were repurchased in exchange for 4.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock which reduced the principal amount of the notes outstanding to $148.4 million ($125.3 million net of debt discount).
 
The fair value of the notes outstanding, as determined by market transactions at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $131.3 million and $74.5 million, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company recorded $45.0 million of debt discount and the effective interest rate on the notes increased to 8.9%, including the accretion of the debt discount as described in Note D — Recently Adopted Accounting Standards.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008 interest was $5.9 million and $5.9 million, respectively, and accretion of the debt discount was $7.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively.
 
11/4% Convertible Senior Notes
 
As of December 31, 2009 the balance of the 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes was $22.2 million.
 
The remaining $22.2 million principal amount of 11/4% Convertible Notes due 2024 outstanding at December 31, 2009 are convertible into shares of common stock at the option of the holder on January 15, 2011, 2014, and 2019, unless previously redeemed, at a conversion price of $76.00 per share, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The Company is required to make semi-annual interest payments. The notes are redeemable at the option of the Company before January 18, 2011, if the closing price of the Company’s common stock over a specified number of


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
trading days has exceeded 150% of the conversion price, and anytime thereafter. Before January 18, 2011, the redemption price is equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus an amount equal to 8.75% of the principal amount of the notes, less the amount of any interest actually paid on the notes on or prior to the redemption date. The notes are due on January 15, 2024.
 
Each holder of the notes may require that the Company repurchase some or all of the holder’s notes on January 15, 2011, January 15, 2014 and January 15, 2019 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, in cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at the Company’s election. Holders will also have the right, following certain fundamental change transactions, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of their notes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest.
 
As of December 31, 2009, $157.8 million of the 11/4% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024 were repurchased in exchange for 10.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock.
 
The fair value of the notes outstanding, as determined by market transactions on December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was $22.8 million and $54.0 million, respectively.
 
Interest on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $1.5 million. Interest on the notes for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $2.3 million.
 
Franco Nevada Royalty Obligation
 
On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. Coeur received total consideration of $78.0 million consisting of $75.0 million in cash, plus a warrant to acquire Franco-Nevada Common Shares (the “Franco-Nevada warrant”), which was valued at $3.0 million at closing of the Franco-Nevada transaction. The royalty obligation is payable in an amount equal to the greater of the minimum of 4,167 ounces of gold or 50% of actual gold production per month multiplied by the market price of gold in excess of $400 (increasing by 1% per annum beginning on the fourth anniversary of the transaction). The minimum royalty obligation commenced on July 1, 2009 and ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold.
 
Kensington Term Facility
 
On October 27, 2009 the Company entered into a term facility with Credit Suisse — Zurich of Switzerland whereby Credit Suisse will provide Coeur Alaska, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coeur, a $45 million, five-year term facility to fund the remaining construction at the Company’s Kensington Gold Mine in Alaska. The Company began drawing down the facility during the fourth quarter. After a twelve month grace period, Coeur Alaska will repay the loan in equal quarterly payments with interest based on a margin over the three-month LIBOR rate. The facility will be secured by the mineral rights and infrastructure at Kensington as well as a pledge of the shares of Coeur Alaska owned by Coeur.
 
As of December 31, 2009, the company has $15.5 million outstanding; bearing interest at 5.2% (three month Libor rate plus 5% margin). The Company is also subject to financial covenants including (i) guarantor tangible net worth; (ii) borrower tangible net worth; (iii) debt to equity ratio; (iv) debt service coverage ratio and (v) maximum production cost. Events of default in the Kensington term facility include (i) a cross-default of other indebtedness; (ii) a material adverse effect; (iii) loss of or failure to obtain applicable permits; or (iv) failure to achieve final completion date.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
As a condition of the Kensington term facility with Credit Suisse — Zurich noted above, the Company agreed to enter into a gold hedging program which protects a minimum of 125,000 ounces of gold production over the life of the facility against the risk associated with fluctuations in the market price of gold. This program took the form of a series of zero — cost collars which consist of a floor price and a ceiling price of gold. The required collars of 125,000 ounces of gold were entered into in November and December 2009. The collars mature quarterly beginning September 2010 and conclude in December 2014. The weighted average put feature of each collar is $862.50 per ounce and the weighted average call feature of each collar is $1,688.50 per ounce.
 
Bank Loans
 
On November 27, 2009, the Company’s wholly owned Bolivia subsidiary, Empressa Minera Manquiri, received proceeds from short-term borrowings from Banco Bisa in the amount of $5.0 million bearing interest at approximately 6.5% to fund working capital requirements. The short-term bank loan matures on November 17, 2011. During 2008, Empressa Minera Manquiri, received proceeds from short-term borrowings from Banco Bisa and Banco de Credito de Bolivia in the amount of $3.0 million to fund working capital requirements. The short-term bank loans matured and were repaid in April 2009.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company’s wholly-owned Argentinean subsidiary entered into several temporary credit lines in the amount of $3.5 million with the Standard Bank of Argentina secured by a standby letter of credit by Cerro Bayo, (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company), to fund working capital requirements. The credit lines matured and were repaid on April 13, 2009, June 30, 2009 and July 24, 2009.
 
Palmarejo had an amended temporary credit facility of $2.0 million secured by the Company’s investments in asset backed commercial paper, to fund working capital requirements. On June 3, 2008, the Company paid off the outstanding balance on the credit facility.
 
Capitalized Interest
 
The Company capitalizes interest incurred on its various debt instruments as a cost of properties under development. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company capitalized interest of $22.8 million, $12.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
 
The following is the Company’s scheduled minimum debt repayments at December 31, 2009:
 
         
    Minimum
 
    Debt
 
December 31,
  Repayments  
    (In thousands)  
 
2010
  $ 41,155  
2011
    41,792  
2012
    41,168  
2013
    43,083  
2014
    45,397  
Thereafter
    272,122  
         
      484,417  
Debt discount
    (153,310 )
Present value of net scheduled lease payments (See Note I)
    32,172  
         
    $ 363,579  
         


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
NOTE L — RECLAMATION AND REMEDIATION COSTS
 
Reclamation and remediation costs are based principally on legal and regulatory requirements. Management estimates costs associated with reclamation of mining properties as well as remediation cost for inactive properties. The Company uses assumptions about future costs, mineral prices, mineral processing recovery rates, production levels and capital and reclamation costs. Such assumptions are based on the Company’s current mining plan and the best available information for making such estimates. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions; however, actual amounts could differ from those based on such estimates and assumptions.
 
The asset retirement obligation is measured using the following factors: 1) Expected labor costs, 2) Allocated overhead and equipment charges, 3) Contractor markup, 4) Inflation adjustment, and 5) Market risk premium. The sum of the expected costs by year is discounted, using the Company’s credit adjusted risk-free interest rate from the time it expects to pay the retirement obligation to the time it incurs the obligation. The measurement objective is to determine the amount a third party would demand to assume the asset retirement obligation.
 
Upon initial recognition of a liability for an asset retirement obligation, the Company capitalizes the asset retirement cost as an increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The Company depletes this amount using the units-of-production method. The Company is not required to re-measure the obligation at fair value each period, but the Company is required to evaluate the cash flow estimates at the end of each reporting period to determine whether the estimates continue to be appropriate. Upward revisions in the amount of undiscounted cash flows are discounted using a current credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Downward revisions are discounted using the credit-adjusted risk-free rate that existed when the original liability was recorded, or, if not readily determinable, at the weighted average discount rate used to record the liability.
 
At December 31, 2009 and 2008, $38.2 million and $34.7 million, respectively, was accrued for reclamation obligations related to currently producing and developmental mineral properties. In addition, the Company has accrued $0.4 million and $1.3 million for reclamation obligations associated with former mining activities at the Ropes Gold mine and Golden Cross mine, respectively. These amounts are also included in reclamation and mine closure liabilities.
 
The following is a description of the changes to the Company’s asset retirement obligations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Asset retirement obligation — January 1
  $ 34,662     $ 33,135  
Accretion
    3,018       2,565  
Additions and changes in estimates
    1,490       1,759  
Settlements
    (977 )     (2,797 )
                 
Asset retirement obligation — December 31
  $ 38,193     $ 34,662  
                 
 
In addition, the Company has accrued $1.7 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, for environmental remediation liabilities related to former mining operations. These amounts are also included in reclamation and mine closure liabilities.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
NOTE M — INCOME TAXES
 
The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
United States
  $ 25,279     $ (125 )   $ 21,909  
Foreign
    (116,093 )     (27,334 )     22,652  
                         
Total
  $ (90,814 )   $ (27,459 )   $ 44,561  
                         
 
The components of the consolidated income tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations were as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Current:
                       
United States — Alternative minimum tax
  $ (2,249 )   $ (644 )   $ (381 )
United States — Foreign withholding tax
    (1,509 )     (1,498 )     (904 )
Argentina
    (6,284 )     (2,047 )     (6,590 )
Australia
    592       (1,085 )     (621 )
Mexico
    (124 )     (623 )      
Bolivia
    (2,673 )            
Canada
    (53 )     (34 )      
Deferred:
                       
Argentina
          (1,410 )     172  
Australia
    200       1,115       (664 )
Bolivia
    (6,221 )     (2,480 )      
Chile
    (2,308 )     113       (1,662 )
Mexico
    40,346       (27,753 )      
United States
    6,204       53,846        
                         
Income tax benefit (provision)
  $ 25,921     $ 17,500     $ (10,650 )
                         


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
A reconciliation of the Company’s effective tax rate with the federal statutory tax rate for the periods indicated is as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Years Ended December 31  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations
  $ 31,785     $ 8,727     $ (16,323 )
State tax provision from continuing operations
    2,724       405       (1,766 )
Percentage depletion and related deductions
    2,726       3,890       4,860  
Change in valuation allowance
    10,759       6,652       3,896  
Non-deductible imputed interest
    (1,986 )     (2,168 )      
Uncertain tax positions
    898       (2,665 )      
U.S. and Foreign non-deductible expenses
    (3,619 )     (2,767 )     (663 )
Partially reinvested
          19,886        
Foreign exchange rates
    2,340       (6,663 )      
Foreign inflation and indexing
    (2,635 )     1,425        
Foreign tax rate differences
    (15,011 )     (6,019 )     2,309  
Foreign withholding taxes
    (1,509 )     (1,604 )     (904 )
Other, net
    (551 )     (1,599 )     (2,059 )
                         
    $ 25,921     $ 17,500     $ (10,650 )
                         
 
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31  
    2009     2008  
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Mineral properties
  $ 458,204     $ 332,399  
Investment in foreign subsidiaries
    141,624       275,127  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    41,237       30,149  
                 
      641,065       637,675  
                 
Deferred tax assets:
               
Net operating loss carryforwards
    166,234       175,678  
Investment in foreign subsidiaries
    18,115       24,753  
Royalty and other long-term debt
    23,335        
Capital loss carryforwards
    8,558       9,547  
Asset retirement obligation
    9,327       8,314  
Unrealized foreign currency loss and other
    5,550       6,381  
Accrued expenses
    8,561       5,168  
Tax credit carryforwards
    9,518       2,691  
Inventory
    593       1,036  
                 
      249,791       233,568  
Valuation allowance
    (123,049 )     (148,435 )
                 
      126,742       85,133  
                 
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
  $ (514,323 )   $ (552,542 )
                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The Company has evaluated the amount of taxable income and periods over which it must be earned to allow for realization of the deferred tax assets. Based upon this analysis, the Company has recorded valuation allowances as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended December 31  
    2009     2008  
 
U.S. 
  $ 76,904     $ 106,239  
Argentina
    4,760       3,376  
Australia
          2,679  
Canada
    6,727       6,732  
New Zealand
    28,516       28,125  
Chile
    4,702       1,284  
Other
    1,440        
                 
    $ 123,049     $ 148,435  
                 
 
The Company continues to monitor the valuation allowance quarterly, and will make the appropriate adjustments as necessary.
 
The Company adopted the provisions under U.S. GAAP, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” on January 1, 2007. U.S. GAAP clarifies the criteria that an individual tax position must satisfy for some or all of the benefits of that position to be recognized in a Company’s financial statements. U.S. GAAP prescribes a recognition threshold of more likely than not, and a measurement attribute for all tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a return. The Company determined that it had no impact on the financial statements, and as a result, did not record any cumulative effect adjustment related to adoption of this pronouncement.
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount related to unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
 
         
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2009
  $ 2,732  
Gross increase to current period tax positions
    166  
Gross decrease to prior period tax positions
    (2,150 )
         
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2009
  $ 748  
         
 
The Company has decided to classify interest and penalties associated with these uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense and has recorded approximately $0.03 million during 2009.
 
The Company files income tax returns in various U.S. federal and state jurisdictions, in all identified foreign jurisdictions and various others. To the extent there are loss carryovers in any such jurisdictions, the statute of limitations generally remains open.
 
The Company has previously determined the earnings from certain foreign jurisdictions were not indefinitely reinvested. Accordingly, the Company has recognized deferred taxes and withholding taxes related to those jurisdictions. In 2009, the company retained its position established in 2008 when it was determined that it was reasonable, appropriate and prudent that a portion of the anticipated future cash flows from Mexico would be indefinitely reinvested to fund ongoing capital improvements and additional exploration activities within and around the Palmarejo operating site.
 
The Company intends to indefinitely reinvest earnings from its Palmarejo operations in Mexico. Accordingly, U.S. and non-U.S. income and withholding taxes for which deferred taxes might otherwise be required, have not been provided on a cumulative amount of temporary differences (including, for this purpose, any difference


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
between the tax basis in the stock of a consolidated subsidiary and the amount of the subsidiary’s net equity determined for financial reporting purposes) related to investments in foreign subsidiaries of approximately $170 million and $170 million for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. The additional U.S. and non-U.S. income and withholding tax that would arise on the reversal of the temporary differences could be offset in part, by tax credits. Because the determination of the amount of available tax credits and the limitations imposed on the annual utilization of such credits are subject to a highly complex series of calculations and expense allocations, it is impractical to estimate the amount of net income and withholding tax that might be payable if a reversal of temporary differences occurred.
 
During 2007, the Company incurred an ownership change which generally limits the availability of existing tax attributes, including net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income. The Company has the following tax attribute carryforwards as of December 31, 2009, by jurisdiction (in thousands):
 
                                                                         
    U.S.     Australia     Bolivia     Canada     Chile     Mexico     New Zealand     Other     Total  
 
Regular net operating losses
  $ 78,826                 $ 2,427     $ 27,370     $ 360,078     $ 95,054     $ 4,798     $ 568,553  
Alternative minimum tax net operating losses
    528                                                 528  
Capital losses
    18,939                   3,891                               22,830  
Alternative
    4,909                                                 4,909  
minimum tax credits
                                                                       
Foreign tax credits
    4,608                                                 4,608  
 
The U.S. net operating losses expire from 2017 through 2028 and the Canada net operating losses expire from 2028 through 2029. The Mexico net operating losses expire in 2017 and 2019, while the remaining net operating losses from the foreign jurisdictions have an indefinite carryforward period. The U.S. capital losses expire in 2012 while the Canada capital losses generally have an indefinite carryforward period. Alternative minimum tax credits do not expire and foreign tax credits expire if unused by 2019.
 
NOTE N — 1 FOR 10 REVERSE STOCK SPLIT
 
In May 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to proceed with a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, which became effective at 6:01 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 26, 2009, and which had been approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 12, 2009. The Company’s common stock began trading at the split-adjusted basis on May 27, 2009.
 
As the reverse stock split proportionally reduced the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of common stock of the Company, without any change to the par value, the “common stock” balance on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and all per share amounts contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless otherwise indicated, have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split assuming the reverse stock split occurred January 1, 2007.
 
NOTE O — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
 
The Company has an Annual Incentive Plan, a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2003 Long-Term Incentive Plan”) and the 2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (“2005 Non-Employee Directors’ Plan”). Total employee compensation charged to operations and capital projects under these Plans was $7.1 million and $5.1 million and $6.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
Stock options and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) granted under the Company’s incentive plans vest over three years and are exercisable over a period not to exceed ten years from the grant date. The exercise price of the stock options and SARs is equal to the greater of the par value of the shares or the fair market value of the shares on


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
the date of the grant. The value of each stock option award and SAR is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Stock options granted are accounted for as equity based awards and SARs are accounted for as liability based awards. The value of the SARs are remeasured at each reporting date. SARs, when vested, provide the participant the right to receive cash equal to the excess of the market price of the shares over the exercise price when exercised.
 
Restricted stock and restricted stock units granted under the Company’s incentive plans are accounted for based on the market value of the underlying shares on the date of grant and vest in equal installments annually over three years. Restricted stock awards are accounted for as equity-based awards and restricted stock unit awards are accounted for as liability-based awards. Restricted stock units are remeasured at each reporting date. Holders of the restricted stock are entitled to vote the shares and to receive any dividends declared on the shares. Restricted stock units are settled in cash based on the number of vested restricted stock units multiplied by the current market price of the common shares when vested.
 
Performance shares and performance units granted under the Company’s incentive plans are accounted for at fair value. Performance share awards are accounted for as equity-based awards and performance units are accounted for as liability based awards. Performance shares and performance units are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model on the date of grant. The value of the performance units is remeasured each reporting date. Vesting is contingent on meeting certain market conditions based on relative total shareholder return. The performance shares and units vest at the end of the three-year service period if the market conditions are met and the employee remains an employee of the Company. The existence of a market condition requires recognition of compensation cost for the performance share awards over the requisite period regardless of whether the market condition is ever satisfied. Performance units are cash-based awards and are settled in cash based on the current market price of the common shares when vested.
 
The compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 for stock based compensation awards was $4.9 million, $2.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively. The SAR’s, restricted stock units and performance units are liability-based awards and are required to be remeasured at the end of each reporting period with corresponding adjustments to previously recognized and future stock-based compensation expense. As of December 31, 2009, there was $2.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost (net of estimated forfeitures) related to unvested stock options, SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.7 years.
 
The following table sets forth the weighted average fair value of stock options on the date of grant and the weighted average fair value of the SARs at December 31, 2009. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the stock options and SARs using the Black-Scholes option valuation model are as follows:
 
                 
    Date of Grant   As of December 31,
    Stock Options   SARs
  SARs
    2009   2008   2009   2009
 
Weighted average fair value of stock options granted and SAR’s outstanding
  $3.90   $2.26   $3.90   $13.35
Expected volatility
  70.8%   56.0-56.2%   70.8%   75.9%
Expected life
  6.0 years   6.0 years   6.0 years   5.1 years
Risk-free interest rate
  2.08%   3.0-3.35%   2.08%   2.7%
Expected dividend yield
       
 
The expected volatility is determined using historical volatilities based on historical stock prices. The Company estimated the expected life of the options and SARs granted using the midpoint between the vesting


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
date and the original contractual term. The risk free rate was determined using the yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the option or SAR. The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock since 1996.
 
The following table summarizes stock option and SARs activity for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, adjusted for the 1 for 10 reverse stock split:
 
                                 
    Stock Options     SARs  
          Weighted
          Weighted
 
          Average
          Average
 
          Exercise
          Exercise
 
    Shares     Price     Shares     Price  
 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2006
    208,965     $ 35.60           $  
Granted
    46,215       39.90              
Exercised
    (5,617 )     32.90              
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (21,365 )     59.90              
                                 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2007
    228,198       34.20              
Granted
    55,021       42.70              
Exercised
    (905 )     39.20              
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (38,944 )     48.80              
                                 
Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2008
    243,370       33.80              
Granted
    163,720       10.00       112,471       10.00  
Exercised
                       
Canceled/forfeited
    (14,412 )     44.36              
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    392,678     $ 23.48       112,471     $ 10.00  
                                 
 
Options to purchase 192,990 shares were exercisable at December 31, 2009 at a weighted average exercise price of $31.63.
 
                                                 
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
                Weighted
                Weighted
 
          Weighted
    Average
          Weighted
    Average
 
          Average
    Remaining
          Average
    Remaining
 
Range of
  Number
    Exercise
    Contractual
    Number
    Exercise
    Contractual Life
 
Exercise Price
  Outstanding     Price     Life (Years)     Exercisable     Price     (Years)  
 
$ 0.00-$10.00
    207,988     $ 9.57       7.5       44,268     $ 8.00       1.8  
$10.00-$20.00
    32,044     $ 17.53       2.7       32,044     $ 17.53       2.7  
$20.00-$30.00
    22,981     $ 22.67       5.8       15,098     $ 21.87       4.4  
$30.00-$40.00
    63,256     $ 38.94       5.4       54,781     $ 38.79       5.2  
$40.00-$50.00
    29,426     $ 48.50       8.0       9,816     $ 48.50       8.0  
$50.00-$60.00
    18,023     $ 51.40       6.1       18,023     $ 51.40       6.1  
$60.00-$70.00
    3,219     $ 66.60       4.0       3,219     $ 66.60       4.0  
$70.00-$80.00
    15,741     $ 70.90       4.1       15,741     $ 70.90       4.1  
 
As of December 31, 2009, there was $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options and SARs to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The following table summarizes restricted stock and restricted stock units activity for the years ended December 31, 1007, 2008 and 2009, adjusted for the 1-for-10 reverse stock split:
 
                                 
    Restricted Stock     Restricted Stock Units  
          Weighted
          Weighted Average
 
          Average
          Fair Value as of
 
    Number of
    Grant Date
    Number of
    December 31,
 
    Shares     Fair Value     Units     2009  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
    41,303     $ 48.30           $  
Granted
    49,809       39.90              
Vested
    (24,178 )     48.20              
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (6,597 )     43.00              
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    60,337       42.00              
Granted
    56,095       41.60              
Vested
    (26,571 )     42.20              
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (16,774 )     42.30              
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    73,087       41.50              
Granted
    98,983       6.90       67,485       18.06  
Vested
    (32,084 )     41.65              
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (5,597 )     42.32              
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    134,389     $ 15.95       67,485     $ 18.06  
                                 
 
As of December 31, 2009, there was $0.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.
 
The following table summarizes performance shares and performance units’ activity for the years-ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, adjusted for the 1-for-10 reverse stock split:
 
                                 
    Performance Shares     Performance Units  
          Weighted
          Weighted Average
 
          Average
          Fair Value as of
 
    Number of
    Grant Date
    Number of
    December 31,
 
    Shares     Fair Value     Units     2009  
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2006
    21,045     $ 51.40           $  
Granted
    30,688       39.90              
Vested
    (3,030 )     44.80              
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (6,643 )     44.70              
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    42,060       44.50              
Granted
    28,241       52.50              
Vested
                       
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (15,534 )     48.80              
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    54,767       47.40              
Granted
    98,233       8.60       67,485       27.53  
Vested
                       
Cancelled/Forfeited
    (16,702 )     46.70              
                                 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    136,298     $ 16.59       67,485     $ 27.53  
                                 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
As of December 31, 2009, there was $1.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to performance shares and performance units to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.
 
NOTE P — DEFINED CONTRIBUTION AND 401(k) PLANS
 
Defined Contribution Plan
 
The Company provides a noncontributory defined contribution retirement plan for all eligible U.S. employees. Total contributions charged to expense were $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.8 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which is based on a percentage of the salary of eligible employees.
 
401(k) Plan
 
The Company maintains a retirement savings plan (which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the U.S. Internal Revenue code) covering all eligible U.S. employees. Under the plan, employees may elect to contribute up to 100% of their cash compensation, subject to ERISA limitations. The Company adopted a Safe Harbor Tiered Match and is required to make matching contributions equal to 100% of the employee’s contribution up to 3% of the employee’s compensation plus matching contributions equal to 50% of the employee’s contribution up to an additional 2% of the employee’s compensation. Employees have the option of investing in twelve different types of investment funds. Total plan expenses recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements were $0.5 million, $0.6 million and $0.6 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively and plan expenses charged to operations were $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
 
NOTE Q — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
Palmarejo Gold Production Royalty
 
On January 21, 2009, the Company entered into a gold production royalty transaction with Franco-Nevada Corporation under which Franco-Nevada purchased a royalty covering 50% of the life of mine gold to be produced by Coeur from its Palmarejo silver and gold mine in Mexico. Coeur received total consideration of $78.0 million consisting of $75.0 million in cash, plus a warrant to acquire Franco-Nevada Common Shares (the “Franco-Nevada warrant”), which was valued at $3.0 million at closing of the Franco-Nevada transaction. The royalty obligation is payable in an amount equal to the greater of the minimum of 4,167 ounces of gold or 50% of actual gold production per month multiplied by the market price of gold in excess of $400 (increasing by 1% per annum beginning on the fourth anniversary of the transaction). The minimum royalty obligation commenced on July 1, 2009 and ends when payments have been made on a total of 400,000 ounces of gold. The 400,000 ounces of gold minimum is considered an embedded derivative financial instrument under U.S. GAAP. The royalty obligation is accreted to its expected value over the expected minimum payment period based on the implicit interest rate. The fair value of the embedded derivative at December 31, 2009 was a liability of $78.0 million. The Franco-Nevada warrant is a contingent option to acquire 316,436 common shares of Franco-Nevada for no additional consideration, once the mine satisfies certain completion tests stipulated in the agreement. The Franco-Nevada warrant is considered a derivative instrument. The fair value of the warrant was $6.3 million at December 31, 2009. These derivative instruments are recorded in prepaid expenses and other or accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and adjusted to fair value through current earnings. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2009, mark to market adjustments for the embedded derivative and warrant amounted to a loss of $78.0 million and a gain of $3.3 million, respectively. During 2009, realized losses on settlement of the liabilities were $3.5 million.


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts
 
During 2009 and the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the foreign exchange risk associated with forecasted Mexican peso (“MXP”) and Argentine peso (“ARS”) operating costs at its Palmarejo project and Martha mine, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company had MXP foreign exchange contracts of $27.9 million in U.S. dollars. These contracts require the Company to exchange U.S. dollars for MXP at a weighted average exchange rate of 13.45 MXP to each U.S. dollar and had a fair value of $1.3 million at December 31, 2009. The Company recorded unrealized gains of $1.3 million, $3.5 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which is reflected in the gain (loss) on derivatives. The Company recorded realized gains (losses) of $1.5 million, $(0.6) million and $0.4 million in production costs applicable to sales during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. There were no ARS peso foreign exchange contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2009.
 
Gold Lease Facility
 
As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, based on the current futures metals prices for each of the delivery dates and using a 5.7% and 15.0% discount rate, respectively, the fair value of the instrument was a liability of $28.5 million and $18.8 million, respectively. The pre-credit risk adjusted fair value of the net derivative liability as of December 31, 2009 was $29.1 million. A credit risk adjustment of $0.6 million to the fair value of the derivative reduced the reported amount of the net derivative liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet to $28.5 million. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, mark-to market adjustments for the gold lease facility amounted to a loss of a $6.3 million and a gain of $1.2 million, respectively.
 
On December 18, 2008, the Company entered into a gold lease facility with Mitsubishi International Corporation (“MIC”). Under the facility, the Company received proceeds of $20 million for the sale of 23,529 ounces of gold leased from MIC to the Company. During 2009, the Company repaid 2,000 ounces of gold and leased an additional 5,000 ounces of gold. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had 26,529 ounces of gold leased from MIC. The Company has committed to deliver this number of ounces of gold to MIC over the next seven months on scheduled delivery dates. As of December 31, 2009 the Company is required to pledge certain collateral, including standby letters of credit of $2.3 million and $11.3 million of metal inventory held at its refiners. The Company accounts for the gold lease facility as a derivative instrument, which is recorded in accrued liabilities and other in the balance sheet.
 
As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, based on the current futures metals prices for each of the delivery dates and using a 5.7% and 15.0% discount rate, respectively, the fair value of the instrument was a liability of $28.5 million and $18.8 million, respectively. The pre-credit risk adjusted fair value of the net derivative liability as of December 31, 2009 was $29.1 million. A credit risk adjustment of $0.6 million to the fair value of the derivative reduced the reported amount of the net derivative liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet to $28.5 million. During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, mark-to market adjustments for the gold lease facility amounted to a loss of a $6.3 million and a gain of $1.2 million, respectively.
 
Concentrate Sales Contracts
 
The Company enters into concentrate sales contracts with third-party smelters. The contracts, in general, provide for a provisional payment based upon provisional assays and quoted metal prices and the provisionally priced sales contain an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host contract for accounting purposes. The host contract is the receivable from the sale of concentrates at the forward price at the time of sale. The embedded derivative, which is the final settlement price based on a future price, does not qualify for hedge accounting. These embedded derivatives are recorded as derivative assets (in Prepaid expenses and other), or


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
derivative liabilities (in Accrued liabilities and other), on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings each period until the date of final settlement. At December 31, 2009, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $19.1 million consisting of 1.0 million ounces of silver and 1,227 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $19.1 million including the embedded derivative. At December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding provisionally priced sales of $33.2 million consisting of 2.2 million ounces of silver and 8,388 ounces of gold, which had a fair value of approximately $32.1 million including the embedded derivative.
 
Commodity Derivatives
 
During the twelve months ended, December 31, 2009, the Company purchased silver put options to reduce the risk associated with potential decreases in the market price of silver. The cost of these put options was largely offset by proceeds received from the sale of gold call options. At December 31, 2009, the Company held put options allowing it to deliver 5.4 million ounces of silver at a weighted average strike price of $9.21 per ounce. The contracts will expire over the next nine months.
 
At December 31, 2009, the Company also had written outstanding call options requiring it to deliver 125,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $1,688.50 per ounce if the market price of gold exceeds the weighted average strike price. In addition, the Company had purchased outstanding put options allowing it to sell 125,000 ounces of gold at a weighted average strike price of $862.50 per ounce if the market price of gold were to fall below the strike price. The contracts will expire over the next five years. As of December 31, 2009 the fair market value of these contracts was a net liability of $0.8 million.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company closed outstanding call options requiring it to deliver 35,240 ounces of gold at an average strike price of $1,108 per ounce if the market price of gold exceeds the average strike price.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had the following derivative instruments that settle in each of the years indicated in the table (in thousands except average rates, ounces and per share data):
 
                                 
    2010     2011     2012     Thereafter  
 
Palmarejo gold production royalty
    23,390       24,027       24,865       108,567  
Average gold price in excess of minimum contractual deduction
  $ 467.77     $ 480.51     $ 497.27     $ 494.89  
Notional ounces
    50,004       50,004       50,004       219,375  
Franco-Nevada Warrant
    5,000                    
Share price
  $ 15.80                    
Notional Shares
    316,455                    
Mexican peso forward purchase contracts
    27,900                    
Average rate (MXP/$)
  $ 13.45                    
Mexican peso notional amount
    375,141                    
Gold lease forward purchase contracts
    23,408                    
Average gold forward price
  $ 882.34                    
Notional ounces
    26,529                    
Silver concentrate sales agreements
    17,758                    
Average silver price
  $ 17.10                    
Notional ounces
    1,038,405                    
Gold concentrate sales agreements
    1,333                    
Average gold price
  $ 1,086.49                    
Notional ounces
    1,227                    
Gold put options purchased
    360       3,240       2,880       2,520  
Average gold strike price
  $ 862.50     $ 862.50     $ 862.50     $ 862.50  
Notional ounces
    5,000       45,000       40,000       35,000  
Gold call options sold
    360       3,240       2,880       2,520  
Average gold strike price
  $ 1,688.50     $ 1,688.50     $ 1,688.50     $ 1,688.50  
Notional ounces
    5,000       45,000       40,000       35,000  
Silver put options
    2,109                    
Average silver strike price
  $ 9.21                    
Notional ounces
    5,400,000                    


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
The following summarizes classification of the fair value of the derivative instruments as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 :
 
                                 
          As of December 31, 2009  
                Current
    Non-Current
 
    Prepaid
    Accrued
    Portion of
    Portion of
 
    Expenses
    Liabilities and
    Royalty
    Royalty
 
    and Other     Other     Obligation     Obligation  
 
Gold lease facility
  $     $ 28,506     $     $  
Forward foreign exchange contracts
    1,490       155              
Palmarejo gold production royalty
                12,174       65,839  
Franco-Nevada warrant
    6,339                      
Put and call options
    121       964                
Concentrate sales contracts
    624       580              
                                 
    $ 8,574     $ 30,205     $ 12,174     $ 65,839  
                                 
 
                         
    As of December 31, 2008  
                Non-Current
 
    Prepaid
    Accrued
    Portion of
 
    Expenses
    Liabilities
    Royalty
 
    and Other     and Other     Obligation  
 
Gold lease facility
  $ 1,194     $ 20,000     $  
Forward foreign exchange contracts
    3,467              
Senior secured floating note warrant
          15,277        
Senior secured floating note conversion option
          21,566        
Concentrate sales contracts
    1,476       2,590        
                         
    $ 6,137     $ 59,433     $  
                         
 
The following represent unrealized mark-to-market gains (losses) on derivative instruments as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 :
 
                 
    Twelve Months Ended
 
    December 31,  
    2009     2008  
 
Gold lease facility
  $ (6,292 )   $ 1,194  
Forward foreign exchange contracts
    1,335       3,467  
Palmarejo gold royalty
    (78,014 )      
Franco-Nevada warrant
    3,340        
Put and call options
    (2,953 )      
Senior secured floating note warrant
          (402 )
Senior secured floating note conversion option
          (2,503 )
                 
    $ (82,584 )   $ 1,756  
                 
 
In the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, the company recorded realized losses of $0.1 million and $0.1 million in gain (loss) on derivatives, net and a gain (loss) of $1.5 million and $(0.6) million recorded in production costs applicable to sales related to forward foreign exchange contracts.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
Conversion Option of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes
 
On October 20, 2008, the Company completed an offering of $50 million in aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes, realizing net proceeds of $40.2 million after deducting $0.5 million of issuance costs. The purchaser also received warrants to purchase up to an additional $25 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes for $20.4 million. Upon exercising the conversion option, the holder receives common stock of the Company at an initial conversion rate of 86.95652, plus an additional payment in common stock or cash, at the election of the Company, representing the value of the interest that would be earned on the notes through the earlier of the fourth anniversary of the conversion date or October 15, 2013, at the interest rate applicable on the conversion date. The conversion option is considered an embedded derivative that is required to be separated from the host debt contract for accounting purposes. The warrants are also considered derivative instruments. These derivatives are recorded in accrued liabilities and other on the balance sheet and are adjusted to fair value through earnings. At the issuance date, because the combined fair value of the conversion option and the warrants exceeded the net proceeds, the notes were recorded with a full original issue discount. The amount by which the fair value of the conversion option and warrants exceeded the proceeds received, or $10.0 million, was recorded as a loss upon issuance and is included in unrealized gains (loss) on derivatives and other in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair values of the conversion option and warrants were $32.2 million and $18.5 million, respectively, at the issuance date. As of December 31, 2009, all of the $50 million Senior Secured Floating Rate Convertible Notes due 2012 have been fully converted.
 
Credit Risk
 
The credit risk exposure related to any potential derivative instruments is limited to the unrealized gains, if any, on outstanding contracts based on current market prices. To reduce counter-party credit exposure, the Company deals only with a group of large credit-worthy financial institutions and limits credit exposure to each. The Company does not anticipate non-performance by any of its counterparties. In addition, to allow for situations where positions may need to be revised, the Company deals only in markets that it considers highly liquid.
 
NOTE R — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Labor Union Contract
 
The Company maintains three labor agreements in South America, consisting of a labor agreement with Syndicato de Trabajadores de Compañía Minera Cerro Bayo Ltd. at its Cerro Bayo mine in Chile and with Associacion Obrera Minera Argentina at its Martha mine in Argentina and Sindicato de la Empresa Minera Manquiri at its San Bartolomé mine in Bolivia. The agreement at Cerro Bayo is effective from December 24, 2007 to December 21, 2010 and the agreement at Mina Martha is effective from June 12, 2006 to June 1, 2010. The Bolivian labor agreement, which became effective October 11, 2007, does not have a fixed term. As of December 31, 2009, approximately 19% of the Company’s worldwide labor force was covered by collective bargaining agreements.
 
Termination Benefits
 
In September 2005, the Company established a one-time termination benefit program at the Rochester mine as the mine approaches the end of its mine life. The employees will be required to render service until they are terminated in order to be eligible for benefits. Approximately 85% of the workforce was severed by the end of 2008, while the remaining employees are expected to stay on for residual leaching and reclamation activities. As of December 31, 2009, the total benefit expected to be incurred under this plan is approximately $5.0 million. The


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
liability is recognized ratably over the minimum future service period. The amount accrued as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is as follows (in thousands):
 
                         
    Year Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Beginning Balance
  $ 445     $ 820     $ 1,959  
Accruals
    144       12       1,917  
Payments
          (387 )     (3,056 )
                         
Ending Balance
  $ 589     $ 445     $ 820  
                         
 
The Company does not have a written severance plan for any of its foreign operations including Chile, Argentina, Bolivia and Mexico. However, laws in these foreign jurisdictions require payment of certain minimum statutory termination benefits. Accordingly, in situations where minimum statutory termination benefits must be paid to the affected employees, the company records employee severance costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company has accrued obligations for postemployment benefits in these locations of approximately $3.9 million as of December 31, 2009.
 
Kensington Production Royalty
 
On July 7, 1995, Coeur, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coeur Alaska, Inc. (“Coeur Alaska”), acquired the 50% ownership interest of Echo Bay Exploration Inc. (“Echo Bay”) in the Kensington property from Echo Bay and Echo Bay Alaska, Inc., giving Coeur 100% ownership of the Kensington property. The property is located on the east side of Lynn Canal between Juneau and Haines, Alaska. Coeur Alaska is obligated to pay Echo Bay a scaled net smelter return royalty on 1.0 million ounces of future gold production after Coeur Alaska recoups the $32.5 million purchase price and its construction and development expenditures incurred after July 7, 1995 in connection with placing the property into commercial production. The royalty ranges from 1% at $400 gold prices to a maximum of 21/2% at gold prices above $475, with the royalty to be capped at 1.0 million ounces of production.
 
NOTE S — SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS
 
The Company markets its refined metal and doré to credit worthy bullion trading houses, market makers and members of the London Bullion Market Association, industrial companies and sound financial institutions. The refined metals are sold to end users for use in electronic circuitry, jewelry, silverware, and the pharmaceutical and technology industries. The Company has five trading counterparties (Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Standard Bank, Valcambi and Auramet) and the sales of metals to these companies amounted to approximately 83%, 50% and 52% of total metal sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Generally, the loss of a single bullion trading counterparty would not adversely affect the Company due to the liquidity of the markets and the availability of alternative trading counterparties.
 
The Company refines and markets its precious metals doré concentrates using a geographically diverse group of third party smelters and refiners, including clients located in Mexico, Switzerland, Australia and the United States (Penoles, Valcambi, Nyrstar, Johnson Matthey). Sales of silver concentrates to third-party smelters amounted to approximately 17%, 50% and 48% of total metal sales for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The loss of any one smelting and refining client may have a material adverse effect if alternative smelters and refineries are not available. The Company believes there is sufficient global capacity available to address the loss of any smelter.


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
 
NOTE T — SEGMENT REPORTING
 
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief operating decision-making group is comprised of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the Senior Vice President of Operations and the President of South American Operations.
 
The operating segments are managed separately because each segment represents a distinct use of company resources and a separate contribution to the Company’s cash flows. The Company’s reportable operating segments include the Palmarejo, San Bartolomé, Mina Martha, Rochester, Endeavor and Cerro Bayo mining properties. As of July 30, 2009, the Company completed the sale of its interest in the Broken Hill mine (See Note F). All operating segments are engaged in the discovery and/or mining of gold and silver and generate the majority of their revenues from the sale of these precious metal concentrates and/or refined precious metals. The Martha mine sells precious metal concentrates, typically under long-term contracts, to smelters located in Mexico. Refined gold and silver produced by the Rochester, Palmarejo and San Bartolomé mines are principally sold on a spot basis to precious metals trading banks, such as Standard Bank, Mitsubishi, Auramet and Mitsui. Concentrates produced at the Endeavor mine are sold to Nyrstar (formerly Zinifex), an Australia smelter. The Company’s exploration programs are reported in its other segment. The other segment also includes the corporate headquarters, elimination of intersegment transactions and other items necessary to reconcile to consolidated amounts. The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies above. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources based on profit or loss before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, unusual and infrequent items, and extraordinary items.
 
Revenues from silver sales were $238.4 million, $129.9 million and $130.4 million in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Revenues from gold sales were $62.3 million, $41.0 million and $64.4 million in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
 
Financial information relating to the Company’s segments is as follows (In thousands):
 
                                                                         
                            San
                         
    Rochester
    Cerro Bayo
    Martha
    Endeavor
     Bartolomé
    Kensington
    Palmarejo
             
    Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Project     Mine     Other(C)     Total  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2009
                                                                       
Sales of metals
  $ 45,473     $ 1,673     $ 44,820     $ 5,808     $ 113,701     $     $ 89,143     $     $ 300,618  
Productions costs applicable to sales
    24,206       1,211       17,896       2,069       80,878             64,845             191,105  
Depreciation and depletion
    1,852       4,195       7,410       1,269       18,510             52,042       292       85,570  
Exploration expense
          2,153       3,119             34       297       5,615       3,991       15,209  
Other operating expenses
    913       10,456                         39       968       21,619       33,995  
Interest and other income
    (168 )     1,600       (1,953 )           1,075       3       1,075       1,616       3,248  
Interest expense
                (401 )           (125 )     (16 )     (14,213 )     (3,347 )     (18,102 )
Gain on debt extinguishment
                                              31,988       31,988  
Unrealized (losses) on derivatives and other
                                  (965 )     (78,148 )     (3,574 )     (82,687 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
          (2,309 )     (6,284 )           (8,894 )     5       40,222       3,181       25,921  
                                                                         
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
    18,334       (17,051 )     7,757       2,470       6,335       (1,309 )     (85,391 )     3,962       (64,893 )
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
                                              32,986       32,986  
                                                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 18,334     $ (17,051 )   $ 7,757     $ 2,470     $ 6,335     $ (1,309 )   $ (85,391 )   $ 36,948     $ (31,907 )
Segment assets(A)
  $ 31,232     $ 38,047     $ 33,024     $ 39,852     $ 276,926     $ 397,457     $ 2,129,024     $ 8,901     $ 2,954,463  
Capital expenditures(B)
  $ 310     $ 1,077     $ 1,575     $     $ 11,091     $ 42,092     $ 162,754     $ 196     $ 219,095  
 


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
                                                                         
                            San
                         
    Rochester
    Cerro Bayo
    Martha
    Endeavor
     Bartolomé
    Kensington
    Palmarejo
             
    Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Project     Project     Other(C)     Total  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008
                                                                       
Sales of metals
  $ 67,831     $ 41,589     $ 31,445     $ 12,434     $ 17,575     $     $     $     $ 170,874  
Productions costs applicable to sales
    42,246       27,930       17,599       1,060       17,747                         106,582  
Depreciation and depletion
    2,353       8,357       4,853       1,971       5,835             930       557       24,856  
Exploration expense
    599       2,693       5,426             66       166       7,686       3,895       20,531  
Other operating expenses
    149       3,053       17             27       1,796       15,759       25,150       45,951  
Interest and other income
    3,176       (1,377 )     (977 )           2,541       54       (44 )     (816 )     2,557  
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative and other
                                              1,756       1,756  
Interest expense
                (57 )           (43 )     (10 )     298       (4,914 )     (4,726 )
Income tax benefit (provision)
          113       (3,625 )           (2,479 )           23,844       (353 )     17,500  
                                                                         
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
                                              (33,929 )     (9,959 )
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
                                              9,332       9,332  
                                                                         
Net income (loss)
  $ 25,660     $ (1,708 )   $ (1,109 )   $ 9,403     $ (6,081 )   $ (1,918 )   $ (277 )   $ (24,597 )   $ (627 )
Segment assets(A)
  $ 39,049     $ 46,701     $ 36,089     $ 41,003     $ 293,216     $ 344,919     $ 2,005,595     $ 7,493     $ 2,814,065  
Capital expenditures
  $ 635     $ 8,233     $ 4,503     $ 26,513     $ 120,872     $ 41,614     $ 162,202     $ 447     $ 365,019  
 
                                                                         
                            San
                         
    Rochester
    Cerro Bayo
    Martha
    Endeavor
     Bartolomé
    Kensington
    Palmarejo
             
    Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Mine     Project     Project     Other     Total  
 
Year Ended December 31, 2007
                                                                       
Sales of metals
  $ 100,903     $ 47,794     $ 38,077     $ 7,943     $     $     $     $     $ 194,717  
Productions costs applicable to sales
    60,364       35,594       17,231       545             (1 )                 113,733  
Depreciation and depletion
    8,697       6,260       1,731       755                         487       17,930  
Exploration expense
    361       2,908       4,418                   619             3,635       11,941  
Other operating expenses
    62       113       38                   38             24,131       24,382  
Interest and other income
    2,948       1,590       (303 )                 85             13,875       18,195  
Interest expense
          (23 )                                   (342 )     (365 )
Income tax benefit (provision)
          (1,662 )     (6,418 )                 (20 )           (2,550 )     (10,650 )
                                                                         
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
                                              (17,270 )     33,911  
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
                                              9,979       9,979  
                                                                         
Profit (loss)
  $ 34,367     $ 2,824     $ 7,938     $ 6,643     $     $ (591 )   $     $ (7,291 )   $ 43,890  
Segment assets(A)
  $ 62,848     $ 63,570     $ 25,799     $ 17,885     $ 169,196     $ 301,730     $ 1,759,153     $ 36,861     $ 2,437,042  
Capital expenditures(B)
  $ 1,647     $ 11,330     $ 16,444     $ 2,112     $ 84,332     $ 98,958     $     $ 2,155     $ 216,978  
 
 
(A) Segment assets consist of receivables, prepaids, inventories, property, plant and equipment, and mining properties
 
(B) Balances represent cash flow amounts.
 
(C) Includes discontinued operations.
 

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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Assets
                       
Total assets for reportable segments
  $ 2,954,463     $ 2,814,065     $ 2,437,042  
Cash and cash equivalents
    22,782       20,760       98,671  
Short-term investments
          7,881       53,039  
Other assets
    76,790       85,415       62,942  
                         
Total consolidated assets
  $ 3,054,035     $ 2,928,121     $ 2,651,694  
                         
 
Geographic Information
 
                         
    As of December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Long Lived Assets:
                       
United States
  $ 401,177     $ 349,423     $ 305,876  
Australia
    39,136       64,802       42,772  
Chile
    25,628       29,083       28,028  
Argentina
    12,392       18,587       18,640  
Bolivia
    248,667       263,491       151,716  
Mexico
    2,051,950       1,952,509       1,756,042  
Other countries
    143       157       190  
                         
Total
  $ 2,779,093     $ 2,678,052     $ 2,303,264  
                         
 
Geographic Information
 
                         
    Twelve Months Ended December 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
 
Revenues:
                       
United States
  $ 45,473     $ 67,831     $ 100,903  
Australia
    5,808       12,434       7,943  
Chile
    1,673       41,589       47,794  
Argentina
    44,820       31,445       38,077  
Bolivia
    113,701       17,575        
Mexico
    89,143              
Other countries
                 
                         
Total
  $ 300,618     $ 170,874     $ 194,717  
                         
 
NOTE U — LITIGATION AND OTHER EVENTS
 
States of Maine, Idaho and Colorado Superfund Sites Related to Callahan Mining Corporation
 
During 1991, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Callahan Mining Corporation.
 
During 2001, the Forest Service made a formal request for information regarding the Deadwood Mine Site located in central Idaho. Callahan Mining Corporation had operated at this site during the 1940s. The Forest Service believes that some cleanup action is required at the location. However, the Company did not acquire Callahan until

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
1991, more than 40 years after Callahan disposed of its interest in the Deadwood property. The Company did not make any decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at the site. Therefore, the Company believes that it is not liable for any cleanup, and if Callahan might be liable, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy any such liability. To date, no claim has been made by the United States for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
During 2002, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Maine. Callahan operated there in the late 1960s, shut the operations down in the early 1970s and disposed of the property. The EPA contends that some cleanup action is warranted at the site, and listed it on the National Priorities List in late 2002. In 2009, the EPA and the State of Maine made additional formal requests for information relating to the Maine Callahan mine site. The Company believes that because it made no decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
In January 2003, the Forest Service made a formal request for information regarding a Callahan mine site in the State of Colorado known as the Akron Mine Site. Callahan operated there in approximately the late 1930s through the 1940s, and, to the Company’s knowledge, disposed of the property. The Company is not aware of what, if any, cleanup action the Forest Service is contemplating. However, the Company did not make decisions with respect to generation, transport or disposal of hazardous waste at this location, and therefore believes it is not liable for any cleanup costs. If Callahan might have liability, it has no substantial assets with which to satisfy such liability. To date, no claim has been made for any cleanup costs against either the Company or Callahan.
 
Federal Court (Alaska) Kensington Project Permit Challenge
 
On June 22, 2009, the United States Supreme Court released its decision reversing the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that invalidated the previously issued Section 404 permit for the tailings facility for the Kensington gold mine near Juneau, Alaska.
 
The Supreme Court decision was the result of the filing of a lawsuit by three environmental groups, Southeast Alaska Conversation Council, Sierra Club and Lynn Canal Conservation, on September 12, 2005 in Federal District Court in Alaska against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps of Engineers) and the U.S. Forest Service (“USFS”) seeking to invalidate a permit issued to Coeur Alaska, Inc. for the Company’s Kensington mine. The plaintiffs claimed the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) Section 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers authorizing the deposition of mine tailings into Lower Slate Lake conflicted with the CWA. They additionally claim the Forest Service’s approval of the Amended Plan of Operations was arbitrary and capricious because it relies on the 404 permit issued by the Corps of Engineers. Following the District Court’s remand of the Section 404 permit to the Corps of Engineers for further review, the Corps reinstated the Company’s permit on March 29, 2006. The lawsuit challenging the permit was re-opened on April 6, 2006; Coeur Alaska filed its answer to the Amended Complaint; and Coeur Alaska, the State of Alaska, and Goldbelt, Inc., a local native corporation, were granted Defendant-Intervenor status to join the agencies in their defense of the permit.
 
On August 4, 2006, the Federal District Court in Alaska dismissed the plaintiffs’ challenge and upheld the Section 404 permit. On August 7, 2006, the plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal of the decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and on August 9, 2006 the plaintiffs additionally filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court. The Ninth Circuit Court granted a temporary injunction pending appeal on August 24, 2006, enjoining certain activities relating to the lake tailings facility.
 
On May 22, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court reversed the District Court’s August 4, 2006 decision which had upheld the Company’s 404 permit, and issued its opinion that remanded the case to the District Court with instructions to vacate the Company’s 404 permit as well as the USFS’s Record of Decision approving the general


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COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
tailings disposal plan and the Goldbelt 404 permit to construct the Cascade Point Marine Facility. On August 20, 2007, Coeur Alaska filed a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the Ninth Circuit Court, as did the State of Alaska and Goldbelt, Inc. The U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the Corps of Engineers, and the USFS additionally filed a limited Petition for Rehearing with the Ninth Circuit Court panel seeking reconsideration of the mandate of the May 22, 2007 panel decision. On October 29, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court denied the Petitions for Rehearing En Banc. On November 14, 2007, the Ninth Circuit Court granted a stay of the mandate pending further appeal to the Supreme Court, subject to the development of a reclamation plan for the lake area. The Company and the State of Alaska filed Petitions for Certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States on January 28, 2008.
 
On June 27, 2008, the Supreme Court of the United States granted the State of Alaska and Coeur Alaska’s Petitions for a writ of certiorari to review the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court. Arguments were made before the Supreme Court by both parties on January 12, 2009. On May 4, 2009 the Supreme Court ordered supplemental briefing by the parties, to be completed by May 22, 2009. On June 22, 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision which reversed the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that invalided the Company’s 404 permit. On July 8, 2009, upon unopposed motion, the Ninth Circuit dissolved in the junction it had issued on August 24, 2006 and on August 14, 2009 the Corps of Engineers reinstated the Company’s 404 permit.
 
NOTE V — SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
The following table sets forth a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (In thousands, except per share data):
 
                                 
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
 
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
 
2009:
                               
Sales of metal
  $ 45,084     $ 67,560     $ 89,793     $ 98,181  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 3,835     $ 8,901     $ (39,808 )   $ (37,821 )
Income from discontinued operations
    2,223       2,708       22,525       5,530  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 6,058     $ 11,609     $ (17,283 )   $ (32,291 )
                                 
Basic net income (loss) per share
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.06     $ 0.13     $ (0.52 )   $ (0.48 )
Income from discontinued operations
    0.04       0.04       0.29       0.07  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.10     $ 0.17     $ (0.23 )   $ (0.41 )
                                 
Diluted net income (loss) per share
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.06     $ 0.13     $ (0.52 )   $ (0.48 )
Income from discontinued operations
    0.04       0.04       0.29       0.07  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.10     $ 0.17     $ (0.23 )   $ (0.41 )
                                 
 


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Table of Contents

 
COEUR D’ALENE MINES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, unless otherwise specified)
 
                                 
    First
    Second
    Third
    Fourth
 
    Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter  
 
2008:
                               
Sales of metal
  $ 50,880     $ 43,727     $ 36,538     $ 39,729  
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    1,195       (8,774 )     (5,462 )     3,082  
Income from discontinued operations(2)
    3,526       3,356       1,419       1,031  
                                 
Net income
  $ 4,721     $ (5,418 )   $ (4,043 )   $ 4,113  
                                 
Basic net income per share(1)
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.02     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.05  
Income from discontinued operations(2)
    0.07       0.06       0.03       0.02  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.09     $ (0.10 )   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.07  
                                 
Diluted net income (loss) per share(1)
                               
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 0.02     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.10 )   $ 0.05  
Income from discontinued operations(2)
    0.06       0.06       0.03       0.02  
                                 
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.08     $ (0.10 )   $ (0.07 )   $ 0.07  
                                 
 
 
(1) In May 2009, the company’s Board of Directors authorized a 1-for-10 reverse stock split which became effective on May 26, 2009. Consequently, previously reported amounts for weighted average number of shares of common stock have been adjusted to reflect the 1-for-10 reverse stock split.
 
(2) Effective July 1, 2009, the Company sold to Perilya Broken Hill Ltd. its 100% interest in silver contained at the Broken Hill mine for $55.0 million in cash.
 
NOTE W — SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
On February 5, 2010, the Company completed the sale of $100 million in senior unsecured notes to private investors. The notes are unsecured, have a three year term and an annual coupon rate of 6.5%. The Company will repay the loan in twelve equal quarterly installments comprised of a combination of cash and common shares with cash comprising up to a maximum 50% of each quarterly payment. The share component of each quarterly payment will be calculated based on a 10% discount to a four day volume weighted average price (VWAP). On February 25, 2010, the Company sold 297,455 shares valued at $3.75 million for payment of financing fees.
 
On January 5 and 6, 2010 and February 3, 2010, $19.7 million of the 11/4% Convertible Notes were repurchased in exchange for 1.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock which reduced the principle amount of the notes outstanding for $2.5 million.
 
On February 16, 2010, the Company paid 6,500 ounces of gold valued at $7.2 million under the Gold Lease.
 
On February 23, 2010 Credit Suisse amended the Kensington Term Facility to change the definition of the maximum production cost covenant, to exclude smelting and refining costs from this measurement for the period starting October 1, 2010 until December 31, 2010.
 
The Company has evaluated subsequent events occurring through February 25, 2010.

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