Item 1.
Financial Statements
SOLITARIO ZINC CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands of U.S. dollars,
|
|
June 30,
|
|
December 31,
|
except share and per share amounts)
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
Assets
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
564
|
|
|
$
|
117
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
|
8,714
|
|
|
|
10,223
|
|
Investments in marketable equity securities, at fair value
|
|
|
1,196
|
|
|
|
1,585
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
416
|
|
|
|
211
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
10,890
|
|
|
|
12,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mineral properties
|
|
|
15,617
|
|
|
|
15,657
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
161
|
|
|
|
110
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
26,668
|
|
|
$
|
27,903
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
$
|
667
|
|
|
$
|
688
|
|
Operating lease liability
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
706
|
|
|
|
688
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset retirement obligation – Lik
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
Operating lease liability
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total long-term liabilities
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’ equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000
shares (none issued and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and
December 31, 2018)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares
(58,138,266 and 58,171,466 shares, respectively, issued
and outstanding at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018)
|
|
|
581
|
|
|
|
582
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
70,036
|
|
|
|
69,873
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(44,808
|
)
|
|
|
(43,365
|
)
|
Total shareholders’ equity
|
|
|
25,809
|
|
|
|
27,090
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
|
|
$
|
26,668
|
|
|
$
|
27,903
|
|
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
SOLITARIO ZINC CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts)
|
|
Three months ended
June 30
|
|
Six months ended
June 30
|
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Revenue, net – mineral property sale
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
502
|
|
|
$
|
408
|
|
|
$
|
502
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs, expenses and other:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exploration expense
|
|
|
702
|
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
865
|
|
|
|
342
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
321
|
|
|
|
762
|
|
|
|
746
|
|
|
|
1,165
|
|
Total costs, expenses and other
|
|
|
1,029
|
|
|
|
930
|
|
|
|
1,624
|
|
|
|
1,519
|
|
Other (loss) income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income (net)
|
|
|
90
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
162
|
|
|
|
63
|
|
Unrealized (loss) on marketable equity securities
|
|
|
(63
|
)
|
|
|
(222
|
)
|
|
|
(389
|
)
|
|
|
(663
|
)
|
Total other income (loss)
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
(185
|
)
|
|
|
(227
|
)
|
|
|
(600
|
)
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(1,002
|
)
|
|
$
|
(613
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,443
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,617
|
)
|
Loss per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
Weighted average shares outstanding:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted
|
|
|
58,141
|
|
|
|
58,390
|
|
|
|
58,151
|
|
|
|
58,439
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
SOLITARIO ZINC CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
|
|
Six months ended
June 30,
|
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$
|
(1,443
|
)
|
|
$
|
(1,617
|
)
|
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
Non-cash office lease expense
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Unrealized loss on marketable equity securities
|
|
|
389
|
|
|
|
663
|
|
Employee stock option expense
|
|
|
173
|
|
|
|
442
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
Note receivable, net of mineral property sold
|
|
|
(223
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
|
|
|
(38
|
)
|
|
|
12
|
|
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
|
(995
|
)
|
|
|
(440
|
)
|
Investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sale of short-term investments, net
|
|
|
1,453
|
|
|
|
509
|
|
Purchase of other assets
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
Net cash provided by investing activities
|
|
|
1,453
|
|
|
|
501
|
|
Financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of common stock for cancellation
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
447
|
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
214
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
|
|
$
|
564
|
|
|
$
|
210
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Business
and Significant Accounting Policies
Business and company formation
Solitario Zinc Corp. (“Solitario,”
or the “Company”) is an exploration stage company as defined in Industry Guide 7, as issued by the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Solitario was incorporated in the state of Colorado on November 15, 1984 as a wholly
owned subsidiary of Crown Resources Corporation ("Crown"). In July 1994, Solitario became a publicly traded company on
the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") through its initial public offering. Solitario has been actively involved in mineral
exploration since 1993. Solitario’s primary business is to acquire exploration mineral properties or royalties and/or discover
economic deposits on its mineral properties and advance these deposits, either on its own or through joint ventures, up to the
development stage. At that point, or sometime prior to that point, Solitario would likely attempt to sell its mineral properties,
pursue their development either on its own, or through a joint venture with a partner that has expertise in mining operations,
or create a royalty with a third party that continues to advance the property. Solitario is primarily focused on the acquisition
and exploration of zinc-related exploration mineral properties, however Solitario will evaluate and potentially acquire other base
and precious metal mineral exploration properties. In addition to focusing on its mineral exploration properties, Solitario also
evaluates potential strategic transactions for the acquisition of new precious and base metal properties and assets with exploration
potential or business combinations that Solitario determines to be favorable to Solitario.
Solitario has recorded revenue in
the past from the sale of mineral properties, including the sale of certain mineral royalty properties in January 2019, discussed
below, and the sale in June 2018 of its interest in the royalty on the Yanacocha property. Revenues and / or proceeds from the
sale or joint venture of properties or assets have not been a consistent annual source of cash and would only occur in the future,
if at all, on an infrequent basis.
Solitario currently considers its
carried interest in the Florida Canyon project and its interest in the Lik project to be its core mineral property assets. Nexa
Resources, Ltd. (“Nexa”), Solitario’s joint venture partner, is continuing the exploration and furtherance of
the Florida Canyon project and Solitario is monitoring progress at Florida Canyon. Solitario is working with its 50% joint venture
partner, Teck American Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited (both companies are referred to as “Teck”),
in the Lik deposit to further the exploration of, and to evaluate potential development plans, for the Lik project.
As
of June 30, 2019, Solitario has significant balances of cash and short-term investments that Solitario anticipates using, in part,
to further the exploration of the Florida Canyon and Lik projects and to potentially acquire additional mineral property assets.
The
fluctuations in precious metal and other commodity prices contribute to a challenging environment for mineral exploration
and development, which has created opportunities as well as challenges for the potential acquisition of early-stage and advanced
mineral exploration projects or other related assets at potentially attractive terms.
The accompanying interim condensed
consolidated financial statements of Solitario for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 are unaudited and are prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“generally accepted accounting
principles”). They do not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial
statements, but in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for
a fair presentation. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results, which may be achieved in the future or for the
full year ending December 31, 2019.
These financial statements should
be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto which are included in Solitario’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. The accounting policies set forth in those annual financial statements are the
same as the accounting policies utilized in the preparation of these financial statements, except as modified for appropriate interim
financial statement presentation.
Recent Developments
Royalty sale
On January 22, 2019, Solitario completed
the sale of its interest in certain royalties to SilverStream SEZC, a private Cayman Island royalty and streaming company (“SilverStream”)
for Cdn$600,000 (the “Royalty Sale”). The Royalty Sale covered (i) a royalty on the formerly Solitario-owned 125,000-acre
polymetallic Pedra Branca palladium, platinum, gold, nickel, cobalt and chrome project in Brazil, (ii) a royalty covering 3,880-acres
of non-producing exploration properties in Mexico, and (iii) a purchase option on 11 separate non-producing properties covering
over 16,500 acres in Montana. On closing of the Royalty Sale, Solitario received Cdn$250,000 in cash and a convertible note from
SilverStream in the principal amount of Cdn$350,000 (the “SilverStream Note”). The SilverStream Note is due December
31, 2019, accrues 5% per annum simple interest, payable on a quarterly basis, and is convertible into common shares of SilverStream,
at the discretion of SilverStream, by providing Solitario a notice of conversion. Solitario recorded interest income of $3,000
and $6,000, respectively, from the SilverStream Note during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. SilverStream may only
provide a notice of conversion if SilverStream has completed an initial public offering during the term of the SilverStream Note
for minimum proceeds of Cdn$5,000,000, otherwise the SilverStream note will be payable in cash at the maturity date. Pursuant to
the terms of the SilverStream Note, if converted, Solitario would receive common shares converted at 85% of the weighted average
quoted price of a share of SilverStream common stock for the most recent 10-day period prior to the notice of conversion. During
the six months ended June 30, 2019, Solitario recorded mineral property revenue of $408,000 for the Royalty Sale, consisting of
the fair value of the cash received on the date of the sale of $185,000 and the fair value of the SilverStream Note on the date
of the sale of $263,000 less the carrying value of the royalties sold of $40,000. As of June 30, 2019, the approximate fair value
of the SilverStream Note was $267,000, based upon the current US Dollar / Canadian Dollar exchange rate, and Solitario recorded
a credit to exchange gain and loss of $4,000, included in general and administrative expense during the six months ended June 30,
2019.
Financial reporting
The consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Solitario and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles and are expressed in U.S. dollars.
Revenue recognition
Solitario has recorded revenue from
the sale of exploration mineral properties and joint venture property payments. Solitario’s policy is to recognize revenue
from the sale of its exploration mineral properties (those without reserves) on a property by property basis, computed as the cash
received and / or expected collectable receivables less any capitalized cost. Payments received for the sale of exploration property
interests that are less than the properties cost are recorded as a reduction of the related property's capitalized cost. In addition,
Solitario’s policy is to recognize revenue on any receipts of joint venture property payments in excess of its capitalized
costs on a property that Solitario may lease to another mining company.
Solitario has recognized revenue
during the six months ended June 30, 2019 of $408,000 related to the Royalty Sale, discussed above, in accordance with Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606. In addition, Solitario recorded revenue during the second quarter of 2018 of $502,000
from the sale of its Yanacocha exploration mineral property. Solitario expects any property or asset sales in the future to be
on an infrequent basis. Prior to the sale of its Yanacocha exploration mineral property, the last proceeds from joint venture property
payments was in 2015 and Solitario does not expect to record joint venture property payments on any of its currently held properties
for the foreseeable future.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. Some of the more significant estimates included in the preparation of Solitario's financial statements pertain to:
(i) Solitario’s carrying value of short-term investments; (ii) the recoverability of mineral properties related to its mineral
exploration properties and their future exploration potential; (iii) the fair value of stock option grants to employees, to officers
and directors and to others; (iv) the ability of Solitario to realize its deferred tax assets; (v) the collectability of the SilverStream
Note; and (vi) Solitario's investment in marketable equity securities.
In performing its activities, Solitario
has incurred certain costs for mineral properties. The recovery of these costs is ultimately dependent upon the sale of mineral
property interests or the development of economically recoverable ore reserves and the ability of Solitario or its joint venture
partners to obtain the necessary permits and financing to successfully place the properties into production, and upon future profitable
operations, none of which is assured.
Cash equivalents
Cash equivalents include investments
in highly liquid money-market securities with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. As of June 30, 2019,
$553,000 of Solitario’s cash and cash equivalents are held in brokerage accounts and foreign banks, which are not covered
under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) rules for the United States.
Short-term investments
As of June 30, 2019, Solitario has
$8,714,000 of its current assets in United States Treasury Securities (“USTS”) with maturities of 15 days to 18 months.
The USTS are recorded at their fair value, based upon quoted market prices and are not covered under the FDIC insurance rules for
United States deposits, with increases or decreases in fair market value recorded as interest income in the statement of operation
in the period. Solitario’s USTS are highly liquid and may be sold in their entirety at any time at their quoted market price
and are classified as a current asset.
Mineral properties
Solitario expenses all exploration
costs incurred on its mineral properties prior to the establishment of proven and probable reserves through the completion of a
feasibility study. Initial acquisition costs of its mineral properties are capitalized. Solitario regularly performs evaluations
of its investment in mineral properties to assess the recoverability and/or the residual value of its investments in these assets.
All long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances change which indicate the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable, utilizing established guidelines based upon undiscounted future net cash flows from the asset
or upon the determination that certain exploration properties do not have sufficient potential for economic mineralization.
Leases
Solitario accounts for its leases
in accordance with ASC 842,
Leases
(“ASC 842”) by recognizing right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the
condensed consolidated balance sheet and disclosing key information about lease arrangements. Solitario has elected the practical
expedient option to use January 1, 2019, the effective date of adoption of ASC 842, as the initial date of transition and not to
restate comparative prior periods and to carry forward historical lease classification. In addition, Solitario has elected the
option not to apply the recognition of assets and liabilities provisions of ASC 842 to operating leases of less than one year.
See Note 4 “Operating Leases” for more information and disclosures regarding Solitario’s leases.
Fair value
ASC 820,
Fair Value measurement
(“ASC 820”)
established a framework for measuring fair value of financial instruments and required disclosures
about fair value measurements. For certain of Solitario's financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents and accounts
payable, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. Solitario's short-term investments in
USTS, its marketable equity securities and any covered call options against those marketable equity securities are carried at their
estimated fair value based on quoted market prices. See Note 6, “Fair Value,” below.
Marketable equity securities
Solitario's investments in marketable
equity securities are carried at fair value, which is based upon quoted prices of the securities owned. Solitario records investments
in marketable equity securities for investments in publicly traded marketable equity securities for which it does not exercise
significant control and where Solitario has no representation on the board of directors of those companies and exercises no control
over the management of those companies. The cost of marketable equity securities sold is determined by the specific identification
method. Changes in fair value are recorded as unrealized gain or loss in the statement of operations.
Foreign exchange
The United States dollar is the functional
currency for all of Solitario's foreign subsidiaries. Although Solitario's South American exploration activities during 2018 and
the first half of 2019 have been conducted primarily in Peru, a portion of the payments under the land, leasehold and exploration
agreements of Solitario are denominated in United States dollars. Realized foreign currency gains and losses are included in the
results of operations in the period in which they occur.
Income taxes
Solitario accounts for income taxes
in accordance with ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under ASC 740, income taxes are
provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred
taxes related to certain income and expenses recognized in different periods for financial and income tax reporting purposes. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible
when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses and tax credits
that are available to offset future taxable income and income taxes, respectively. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more
likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Accounting for uncertainty in income taxes
ASC 740 clarifies the accounting
for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company's financial statements. ASC 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and
measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in
a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods,
disclosure, and transition. ASC 740 provides that a company's tax position will be considered settled if the taxing authority has
completed its examination, the company does not plan to appeal, and it is remote that the taxing authority would reexamine the
tax position in the future.
Earnings per share
The calculation of basic and diluted
earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the three and six
months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. Potentially dilutive shares related to outstanding common stock options of 4,373,000 and 4,025,228
for Solitario common shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were excluded from the calculation
of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the effects were anti-dilutive.
Employee stock compensation and incentive plans
Solitario classifies all of its stock
options as equity options in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.”
Recent accounting pronouncements
On January 1, 2019, Solitario
adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02
Leases
(“ASU 2016-02”) which requires the application of ASC
842 and the recognition of right-of-use assets and related liabilities associated with all leases that are not short-term in nature.
As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019, Solitario recorded both an operating lease asset for its Wheat
Ridge Colorado office of $82,000 and an operating lease liability of $82,000 related to the same lease. The adoption of ASU 2016-02
did not require the recording of any other assets or liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and had an immaterial
effect on Solitario’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, and
its condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Solitario has elected the practical
expedient option to use January 1, 2019, the effective date of adoption, as the initial date of transition and not to restate
comparative prior periods and to carry forward historical lease classification. See Note 4 “Operating Leases” for
more information and disclosures regarding Solitario’s leases.
2. Mineral
Property
The following table details Solitario’s investment
in Mineral Property:
(in thousands)
|
|
June 30,
|
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Exploration
|
|
|
|
|
Lik project (Alaska – US)
|
|
$
|
15,611
|
|
|
$
|
15,611
|
|
La Promesa (Peru)
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Montana Royalty property (US)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
40
|
|
Total exploration mineral property
|
|
$
|
15,617
|
|
|
$
|
15,657
|
|
All exploration costs on our exploration
properties, none of which have proven and probable reserves, including any additional costs incurred for subsequent lease payments
or exploration activities related to our projects are expensed as incurred.
Royalty Sale
On January 22, 2019, Solitario completed
the Royalty Sale, discussed above under “Recent Developments” to SilverStream for Cdn$600,000. On closing of the Royalty
Sale, Solitario received Cdn$250,000 in cash and the SilverStream Note with a principal amount of Cdn$350,000, with a maturity
date of December 31, 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, Solitario recorded mineral property revenue of $408,000 from
the Royalty Sale, consisting of the fair value of the cash received on the date of the sale of $185,000 and the fair value of the
SilverStream Note on the date of the sale of $263,000 less the carrying value of the royalties sold of $40,000.
Exploration expense
The following items comprised exploration expense:
(in thousands)
|
|
Three months ended
June 30,
|
|
Six months ended
June 30,
|
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Geologic and field expenses
|
|
$
|
680
|
|
|
$
|
21
|
|
|
$
|
827
|
|
|
$
|
45
|
|
Administrative
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
|
141
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
297
|
|
Total exploration costs
|
|
$
|
702
|
|
|
$
|
162
|
|
|
$
|
865
|
|
|
$
|
342
|
|
Asset Retirement Obligation
In connection with the acquisition
of its interest in the Lik project in 2017, Solitario has recorded an asset retirement obligation of $125,000 as of June 30, 2019
and December 31, 2018 for Solitario’s estimated reclamation cost of the existing disturbance at the Lik project. This disturbance
consists of an exploration camp including certain drill sites and access roads at the camp. The estimate is based upon Solitario’s
estimated cash costs for reclamation. Solitario has purchased a reclamation bond insurance policy for the bonding required by the
State of Alaska, in the event Solitario or its 50% partner, Teck, do not complete any required reclamation.
Solitario has not applied a discount
rate to the recorded asset retirement obligation as the estimated time frame for reclamation is not currently known, as reclamation
is not expected to occur until the end of the Lik project life, which would follow future development and operations, the start
of which cannot be estimated or assured at this time.
3. Marketable
Equity Securities
Solitario's investments in marketable
equity securities are carried at fair value, which is based upon quoted prices of the securities owned. The cost of marketable
equity securities sold is determined by the specific identification method. Changes in market value are recorded in the condensed
consolidated statement of operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, Solitario recorded an unrealized loss
on marketable equity securities of $63,000 and $389,000, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, Solitario
recorded an unrealized loss on marketable equity securities of $222,000 and $663,000, respectively.
The following tables summarize Solitario’s
marketable equity securities and adjustments to fair value:
(in thousands)
|
|
June 30,
2019
|
|
December 31,
2018
|
Marketable equity securities at cost
|
|
$
|
1,714
|
|
|
$
|
1,714
|
|
Cumulative unrealized loss on marketable equity securities
|
|
|
(518
|
)
|
|
|
(129
|
)
|
Marketable equity securities at fair value
|
|
$
|
1,196
|
|
|
$
|
1,585
|
|
The following table represents changes, including sales,
in marketable equity securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018:
(in thousands)
|
|
Three months ended
June 30,
|
|
Six months ended
June 30,
|
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Gross (loss) recorded in the statement of operations
|
|
$
|
(63
|
)
|
|
$
|
(222
|
)
|
|
$
|
(389
|
)
|
|
$
|
(663
|
)
|
Change in marketable equity securities at fair value
|
|
$
|
(63
|
)
|
|
$
|
(222
|
)
|
|
$
|
(389
|
)
|
|
$
|
(663
|
)
|
Solitario did not sell any marketable
equity securities during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018 and the change in the fair value of marketable equity
securities was related entirely to the unrealized loss on marketable equity securities related to their fair values based upon
quoted market prices for the marketable equity securities held by Solitario during the periods.
4. Operating
Leases
Solitario adopted ASU 2016-02 effective
January 1, 2019 and accounts for its leases in accordance with ASC 842. Solitario leases one facility, its Wheat Ridge, Colorado
office (the “WR Lease”), that has a term of more than one year. Solitario has no other material operating lease costs.
The WR Lease is classified as an operating lease and has a term of 20 months at June 30, 2019, with no renewal option. At June
30, 2019, the right-of-use office lease asset for the WR Lease is classified as other assets and the related liability separated
between current and non-current office lease liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Lease expense is recognized
on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those payments are incurred.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, Solitario recognized $10,000 and $20,000, respectively, of non-cash lease
expense for the WR Lease included in general and administrative expense. Cash lease payments of $7,000 and $17,000, respectively,
were made on the WR Lease during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and this amount, less $1,000 and $2,000, respectively,
of imputed interest during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, reduced the related liability on the WR Lease. The discount
rate within the WR Lease is not determinable and Solitario has applied a discount rate of 5% based upon Solitario’s estimate
of its cost of capital.
The maturities of Solitario’s lease liability for
its WR Lease are as follows at June 30, 2019:
(in thousands)
|
|
|
Lease payments per year
|
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
2020
|
|
|
42
|
|
2021
|
|
|
7
|
|
Total lease payments
|
|
|
69
|
|
Less amount of payments representing interest
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
Present value of lease payments
|
|
$
|
67
|
|
The following is supplemental cash flow information related
to our operating lease for the six months ended June 30, 2019:
(in thousands)
|
|
Six months ended June 30, 2019
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Operating cash outflows from WR Lease payments
|
|
$
|
17
|
|
Non-cash amounts related to the WR lease
|
|
|
|
|
Leased assets recorded in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
|
|
$
|
82
|
|
5 Other
Assets
The following items comprised other assets:
(in thousands)
|
|
June 30,
|
|
December 31
|
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Furniture and fixtures, net of accumulated depreciation
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
|
$
|
36
|
|
Lik project equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
70
|
|
Exploration bonds and other assets
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
Office lease asset
|
|
|
64
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total other assets
|
|
$
|
161
|
|
|
$
|
110
|
|
6. Fair
Value
Solitario
accounts for its financial instruments under ASC 820. For certain of Solitario’s financial instruments, including cash and
cash equivalents and payables, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities. Solitario’s
short-term investments in USTS, and marketable equity securities are carried at their estimated fair value primarily based on quoted
market prices. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 there were no reclassifications in financial assets or liabilities
between Level 1, 2 or 3 categories.
The following is a listing of Solitario’s
financial assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they are classified within
the hierarchy as of June 30, 2019:
(in thousands)
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
$
|
8,714
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
8,714
|
|
Marketable equity securities
|
|
$
|
1,196
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,196
|
|
The following is a listing of Solitario’s
financial assets and liabilities required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis and where they are classified within
the hierarchy as of December 31, 2018:
(in thousands)
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Total
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments
|
|
$
|
10,223
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
10,223
|
|
Marketable equity securities
|
|
$
|
1,585
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,585
|
|
7. Income
Taxes
Solitario accounts for income taxes
in accordance with ASC 740. Under ASC 740, income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial
statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes related to certain income and expenses recognized in different
periods for financial and income tax reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences
of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are recovered or settled. Deferred
taxes are also recognized for operating losses and tax credits that are available to offset future taxable income and income taxes,
respectively. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets
will not be realized.
At June 30, 2019 and December 31,
2018, a valuation allowance has been recorded, which fully offsets Solitario’s net deferred tax assets, because it is more
likely than not that the Company will not realize some portion or all of its deferred tax assets. The Company continually
assesses both positive and negative evidence to determine whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets can be
realized prior to their expiration.
During the three and six months ended
June 30, 2019 and 2018, Solitario recorded no current or deferred tax expense.
8. Commitments
and contingencies
Solitario has recorded an asset retirement
obligation of $125,000 related to its Lik project in Alaska. See Note 2, “Mineral Property,” above.
In August of 2018, Solitario agreed
to fund a portion of a 2018 – 2019 drilling program at the Florida Canyon project. Pursuant to the agreement, Solitario will
fund up to $1,580,000 of a planned 41-hole 17,000-meter drilling program to be conducted through December 31, 2019 (the “Drilling
Program”). Upon Nexa completing the first 1,700 meters of the Drilling Program, Solitario will pay Nexa $527,000, upon completion
of the next 1,700 meters (3,400 meters total) of the Drilling Program, Solitario will pay Nexa $527,000, and upon completion of
the next 1,700 meters (5,100 meters total) of the Drilling Program, Solitario will pay Nexa the balance remaining on its $1,580,000
funding commitment, or $526,000. Solitario has no obligation to pay Nexa prior to the attainment of the separate 1,700-meter thresholds.
The funding commitments are in the form of an advance on Solitario’s commitment to fund 30% of any future development of
Florida Canyon under the existing joint venture agreement with Nexa. Accordingly, in the event Florida Canyon is developed, which
cannot be assured at this time, any funds paid to Nexa under this agreement, will reduce the amount of Solitario’s obligation
to fund 30% of future development costs, and / or repay loans from Nexa for future development costs at the Florida Canyon project.
During 2018, Nexa completed a total of 2,203 meters under the Drilling Program and Solitario recorded a charge to exploration expense
of $527,000, which Solitario paid during 2019. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, Nexa completed additional drilling to
meet the second required meter threshold of 1,700 meters (or a total of 3,400 meters). Solitario recorded a charge to exploration
expense of $527,000 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and Solitario has recorded an account payable as of June
30, 2019 to Nexa of $527,000, which was paid in July 2019 for the completion of this second phase of the drilling during the six
months ended June 30, 2019. Should Nexa complete the remaining 1,700 meters (5,100 meters less the completed 3,400 meters) during
the remainder of 2019, Solitario will be obligated to pay Nexa the final tranche under the agreement of $526,000 during the remainder
of 2019.
9. Employee
Stock Compensation Plans
On June 18, 2013, Solitario’s
shareholders approved the 2013 Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”).
Under the terms of the 2013 Plan, a total of 1,750,000 shares of Solitario common stock were reserved for awards to directors,
officers, employees and consultants. On June 29, 2017, Solitario shareholders approved an amendment to the 2013 Plan, which increased
the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2013 Plan from 1,750,000 to 5,750,000. Awards granted under
the 2013 Plan may take the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and restricted stock units. The
terms and conditions of the awards are pursuant to the 2013 Plan and are granted by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed
by the Board of Directors.
As of June 30, 2019, and December
31, 2018 there were options outstanding that are exercisable to acquire 4,373,000 and 5,223,160 shares, respectively, of Solitario
common stock, with option prices between $0.28 and $0.77 per share. During the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 Solitario
did not grant any additional options. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, Solitario granted options exercisable to acquire
150,000 shares of common stock, with an exercise price of $0.28 per share, a five-year term, and a grant date fair value of $23,000
based upon a Black-Scholes model, with a 64% volatility and a 2.4% risk-free interest rate. In addition, during the six months
ended June 30, 2019, options exercisable to acquire 1,000,160 shares of common stock, with exercise prices between $1.68 and $0.70
per share, expired unexercised. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, Solitario granted options exercisable to acquire 100,000
shares of common stock to a consultant, with an exercise price of $0.62 per share, a seven-month term and a grant date fair value
of $12,000 based upon a Black-Scholes model with a 66% volatility and a 1% risk-free interest rate. There were no exercises of
options under the 2013 Plan during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. During the three and six months ended
June 30, 2019, Solitario recorded stock option compensation expense of $85,000 and $173,000, respectively. During the three and
six months ended June 30, 2018, Solitario recorded non-cash stock option compensation expense of $432,000 and $442,000, respectively.
On September 1, 2017, the Board of
Directors granted, subject to shareholder approval at the next meeting of shareholders, 2,300,000 stock options under the 2013
Plan to officers and members of the Board of Directors (the “Conditional Options”). The Conditional Options were approved
at Solitario’s annual meeting on June 19, 2018. The Conditional Options have a five-year life, an exercise price of $0.77
per share, and a grant date fair value of $970,000, based upon a Black-Scholes model with a volatility of 64%, and a risk-free
interest rate of 1.70%. The Conditional Options vest on the schedule of 25% on date of approval of the grant (June 19, 2018) and
25% on each of the next three anniversary dates of the date of grant (September 1, 2018, 2019 and 2020).
At June 30, 2019, the total unrecognized
stock option compensation cost related to non-vested options is $487,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average
period of 19 months.
10. Shareholders’
Equity
Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended
June 30, 2018:
(in thousands, except
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Share amounts)
|
|
Common
|
|
Common
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Stock
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
Shareholders’
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Deficit
|
|
Income
|
|
Equity
|
Balance at December 31, 2017
|
|
|
58,434,566
|
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
$
|
69,312
|
|
|
$
|
(40,343
|
)
|
|
$
|
576
|
|
|
$
|
30,129
|
|
Cumulative-effect adjustment
change in accounting principle
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
576
|
|
|
|
(576
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Adjusted balance January 1, 2018
|
|
|
58,434,566
|
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
|
69,312
|
|
|
|
(39,767
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
30,129
|
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
442
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
442
|
|
Purchase of shares for cancellation
|
|
|
(145,200
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(64
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
Net loss
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1,617
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1,617
|
)
|
Balance at June 30, 2018
|
|
|
58,289,366
|
|
|
$
|
583
|
|
|
$
|
69,690
|
|
|
$
|
(41,384
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
28,889
|
|
Solitario adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
(“ASU 2016-01”) in the first quarter
of 2018. ASU No. 2016-01 revised the classification and measurement of investment in certain equity investments and the presentation
of certain fair value changes for certain financial liabilities measured at fair value. ASU No. 2016-01 requires the change in
fair value of many equity investments to be recognized in net income. Solitario recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment for the
change in accounting principle to retained earnings of $576,000 related to the adoption of ASU 2016-01.
Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended
June 30, 2019:
(in thousands, except
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share amounts)
|
|
Common
|
|
Common
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Stock
|
|
Stock
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Shareholders’
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Capital
|
|
Deficit
|
|
Equity
|
Balance at December 31, 2018
|
|
|
58,171,466
|
|
|
|
582
|
|
|
$
|
69,873
|
|
|
$
|
(43,365
|
)
|
|
$
|
27,090
|
|
Stock option expense
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
173
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
173
|
|
Purchase of shares for cancellation
|
|
|
(33,200
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
Net loss
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(1,443
|
)
|
|
|
(1,443
|
)
|
Balance at June 30, 2019
|
|
|
58,138,266
|
|
|
$
|
581
|
|
|
$
|
70,036
|
|
|
$
|
(44,808
|
)
|
|
$
|
25,809
|
|
Share Repurchase Program
On October 28, 2015, Solitario’s
Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorized Solitario to purchase up to two million shares of its outstanding
common stock. During 2018, Solitario’s Board of Directors extended the expiration date of the share repurchase program through
December 31, 2019. During the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, Solitario purchased 5,300 and 92,566 shares of Solitario
common stock, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $2,000 and $39,000, respectively. During the six months ended June
30, 2019 and 2018, Solitario purchased 33,200 and 145,200 shares of Solitario common stock, respectively, for an aggregate purchase
price of $11,000 and $65,000, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, Solitario has purchased a total of 964,100 shares for an aggregate
purchase price of $460,000 under the share repurchase program since its inception.
Item 2.
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be
read in conjunction with the information contained in the consolidated financial statements of Solitario for the years ended December
31, 2018 and 2017, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in
Solitario’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Solitario's financial condition and results
of operations are not necessarily indicative of what may be expected in future periods. Unless otherwise indicated, all references
to dollars are to U.S. dollars.
(a) Business Overview and Summary
We are an exploration stage company
under Industry Guide 7, as issued by the SEC, with a focus on the acquisition of precious and base metal properties with exploration
potential and the development or purchase of royalty interests. . Currently our primary focus is the acquisition and exploration
of zinc-related exploration mineral properties. However, we will continue to evaluate other mineral properties for acquisition
and hold a portfolio of mineral exploration properties and assets for future sale, joint venture or to create a royalty prior to
the establishment of proven and probable reserves. Although our mineral properties may be developed in the future by us, through
a joint venture or by a third party, we have never developed a mineral property. In addition to focusing on our current mineral
exploration properties, we also from time to time evaluate potential strategic transactions for the acquisition of new precious
and base metal properties and assets with exploration potential.
Our geographic focus for the evaluation
of potential mineral property assets is in North and South America; however, we have conducted property evaluations for potential
acquisition in other parts of the world. Our exploration properties may be developed in the future by us or through a joint venture,
although we have never developed a mineral property. At June 30, 2019, we consider our carried interest in the Florida Canyon project
in Peru and our interest in the Lik project in Alaska to be our core mineral property assets. In addition, at June 30, 2019, we
have one exploration property in Peru. We are conducting independent exploration activities in Peru and through joint ventures
operated by our partners in Peru and the United States. We conduct potential acquisition evaluations in other countries located
in South and North America.
We have recorded revenue in the past
from the sale of mineral properties, including the Royalty Sale and the sale in June 2018 of our interest in the royalty on the
Yanacocha property. In addition, we have received proceeds from the sale in 2015 of our former interest in MH-LLC the owner of
our former Mt. Hamilton project, and joint venture property payments and the sale of a royalty on our former Mt. Hamilton project.
Revenues and / or proceeds from the sale or joint venture of properties or assets, although generally significant when they occur,
have not been a consistent source of revenue and would only occur in the future, if at all, on an infrequent basis. We have reduced
our exposure to the costs of our exploration activities in the past through the use of joint ventures. Although we anticipate that
the use of joint venture funding for some of our exploration activities will continue for the foreseeable future, we can provide
no assurance that these or other sources of capital will be available in sufficient amounts to meet our needs, if at all.
As
of June 30, 2019, we have significant balances of cash and short-term investments that we anticipate using, in part, to (i) further
the development of the Lik project, (ii) fund exploration, including drilling at the Florida Canyon project, and conduct reconnaissance
exploration and (iii) potentially acquire additional mineral property assets. The
fluctuations in precious metal and other
commodity prices contribute to a challenging environment for mineral exploration and development, which has created opportunities
as well as challenges for the potential acquisition of advanced mineral exploration projects or other related assets at potentially
attractive terms.
(b) Results of Operations
Comparison of the quarter ended June 30, 2019 to the
quarter ended June 30, 2018
We had a net loss of $1,002,000
or $0.02 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to a net loss of $613,000 or $0.01 per
basic and diluted share for the three months ended June 30, 2018. As explained in more detail below, the primary reasons for the
increase in the net loss in the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the net loss in the three months ended June 30, 2018
were (i) the mineral property revenue, net, of $502,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018 with no similar mineral property
revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2019; and (ii) an increase in exploration expense to $702,000 during the three
months ended June 30, 2019, primarily related to the drilling completed by Nexa at the Florida Canyon project, compared to $162,000
in exploration expense during the three months ended June 30, 2018, when we were primarily doing reconnaissance exploration. Partially
offsetting the above items which increased the net loss, were (i) a reduction in the non-cash loss on unrealized loss on marketable
equity securities to $63,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to a non-cash unrealized loss on marketable
equity securities of $222,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018; (ii) a decrease in general and administrative expense
to $321,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to general and administrative expense of $762,000 during the
three months ended June 30, 2018; and (iii) an increase in interest income (net) to $90,000 during the three months ended June
30, 2019 compared to interest income of $37,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018. Each of the major components of these
items is discussed in more detail below.
Our
net exploration expense increased to $702,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to exploration expense of $162,000
during the three months ended June 30, 2018. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, Nexa met the second required total drilling
target of 3,400 meters of drilling at the Florida Canyon project and Solitario was responsible for $527,000 of the total drilling
costs incurred by Nexa, with Nexa responsible for any excess. We recorded $527,000 of exploration expense during the three months
ended June 30, 2019 related to the drilling at Florida Canyon and recorded an account payable of the same amount, which was paid
to Nexa in July of 2019. There was no similar item during the three months ended June 30, 2018. In addition, we incurred $24,000
of exploration expense at our Lik project in Alaska during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to Lik project expenditures
of $10,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018 and we incurred $35,000 of exploration expense related to permitting and
site work at our La Promesa project in Peru, compared to $23,000 of exploration expense at La Promesa during the six months ended
June 30, 2018. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 we had three contract geologists in Peru, and our Denver personnel
spent a majority of their time on reconnaissance exploration activities described above and related matters. We anticipate Nexa
will complete the 2019 exploration program at our Florida Canyon project during the third quarter of 2019, as discussed above in
Note 8, “Commitments and Contingencies.” Should Nexa complete the drilling program as budgeted, we anticipate we will
record the final amount due under the program of $526,000 in exploration expense at Florida Canyon during the third quarter of
2019. In addition, we have budgeted approximately $178,000 for our share of exploration at our Lik project in Alaska for the full
year of 2019, which the bulk of those expenses are planned for the third and fourth quarter of 2019. As a result, we expect our
full-year exploration expenditures for 2019 to exceed the expenditures for full-year 2018.
Exploration expense (in thousands)
by project for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following:
|
|
Three months ended
June 30,
|
|
Six months ended
June 30,
|
Project Name
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2018
|
Florida Canyon
|
|
$
|
535
|
|
|
$
|
7
|
|
|
$
|
535
|
|
|
$
|
21
|
|
Lik
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
La Promesa
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
Reconnaissance
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
|
228
|
|
|
|
244
|
|
Total exploration expense
|
|
$
|
702
|
|
|
$
|
162
|
|
|
$
|
865
|
|
|
$
|
342
|
|
General and administrative costs,
excluding stock option compensation costs, discussed below, were $236,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared
to $330,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018. The major components of these costs were related to (i) salaries and
benefit expense of $108,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to salary and benefit costs of $162,000 during
the three months ended June 30, 2018, as we have reduced staff and taken salary reductions during 2019; (ii) legal and accounting
expenditures of $54,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $85,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018;
(iii) office and other expenses of $27,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $35,000 during the three months
ended June 30, 2018; and (iv) travel and shareholder relation costs of $48,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared
to $47,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018. We anticipate the general and administrative costs will be incurred at
comparable quarterly amounts for the remainder of 2019.
We recorded $85,000 of stock option
expense for the amortization of unvested grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in-capital during the three months
ended June 30, 2019 compared to $432,000 of stock option compensation expense during the three months ended June 30, 2018. The
decrease was primarily related to $422,000 of stock option expense recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2018, for the
amortization of vested grant date fair value for the Conditional Options which were granted on September 1, 2017, but were subject
to shareholder approval, which was received on June 19, 2018 as discussed in Note 9, “Employee Stock Compensation Plans,”
above. We anticipate our stock option expense related to vesting of grant date fair value for the remainder of 2019 will be comparable
to the expense incurred through June 30, 2019.
We recorded an unrealized loss on
marketable equity securities of $63,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to an unrealized loss on marketable
equity securities of $222,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018. The loss during each of the three months ended June
30, 2019 and 2018 was primarily related to a decrease in the value of our holdings of 11,000,000 shares of Vendetta common stock
which decreased from a fair value, based on quoted market prices, of $906,000 and $1,792,000, respectively, at March 31, 2019 and
2018, to a fair value of $800,000 and $1,589,000, respectively at June 30, 2019 and 2018. During the three months ended June 30,
2019 the value of our holdings of 100,000 shares of Kinross Gold Corp (“Kinross”) common stock increased in value based
upon quoted market prices by $43,000, compared to a loss of $19,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018.
We recorded interest income of $90,000
during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to interest income of $37,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2018
primarily due to (i) an increase in the value of our short-term investments in USTS as a result of a decrease in interest rates
during the three months ended June 30, 2019, which increases the value of existing USTS, and (ii) the average interest rates on
our existing short term investments was still higher during the three months ended June 30, 2019 than the average interest rates
on our short term investments during the three months ended June 30, 2018.
We regularly perform evaluations
of our mineral property assets to assess the recoverability of our investments in these assets. All long-lived assets are reviewed
for impairment whenever events or circumstances change which indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable utilizing
guidelines based upon future net cash flows from the asset as well as our estimates of the geological potential of an early stage
mineral property and its related value for future sale, joint venture or development by us or others. During the three and six
months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, we recorded no property impairments.
At June 30, 2019 and 2018, our net
operating loss carryforwards exceeded our taxable gains resulting in a net tax asset position for which we provide a valuation
allowance for all net deferred tax assets. We recorded no income tax expense or benefit during the three and six months ended June
30, 2019 or 2018. As a result of our exploration activities, we anticipate we will not have currently payable income taxes during
2019. In addition to the valuation allowance discussed above, we provide a valuation allowance for our foreign net operating losses,
which are primarily related to our exploration activities in Peru. We anticipate we will continue to provide a valuation allowance
for these net operating losses until we are in a net tax liability position with regards to those countries where we operate or
until it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize those net operating losses in the future.
Comparison of the six months ended June 30, 2019 to
the six months ended June 30, 2018
We had a net loss of $1,443,000
or $0.02 per basic and diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to a net loss of $1,617,000 or $0.03 per
basic and diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2018. As explained in more detail below, the primary reasons for the
decrease in our net loss were (i) a decrease in general and administrative costs to $746,000 during the six months ended June
30, 2019, compared to general and administrative expenses of $1,165,000 including $442,000 of non-cash stock option compensation
expense, discussed above, during the six months ended June 30, 2018; (ii) a reduction in the unrealized loss on marketable equity
securities to $389,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to an unrealized loss on marketable equity securities
of $663,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018; and (iii) an increase in interest income to $162,000 during the six months
ended June 30, 2019 compared to interest income of $63,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018. These causes of the decrease
in our net loss during the period were partially offset by (i) an increase in exploration expense to $865,000 during the six months
ended June 30, 2019 compared to exploration expense of $342,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018; and (ii) the reduction
in mineral property sale revenue to $408,000 from the Royalty Sale compared to the mineral property sale revenue of $502,000 from
the Yanacocha Royalty sold during the six months ended June 30, 2018; The significant changes for these items are discussed in
more detail below.
During the six months ended June
30, 2019, we completed the Royalty Sale and recorded net revenues of $408,000. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 we sold
our interest in our Yanacocha royalty property to Newmont Mining Corporation for $502,000 in cash, discussed in “Recent Developments”
in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. We do not anticipate additional significant property sales during the remainder
of 2019.
Our net exploration expense increased
to $865,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $342,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The primary
reason for the increase was the recording of $527,000 of exploration expense for the completion of drilling by Nexa in excess of
the 3,400 meter threshold at the Florida Canyon project during the first six months of 2019, discussed above. The remaining changes
in exploration expense for the six-month periods of 2019 and 2018 are shown above, by property and reconnaissance exploration,
and are not significantly different between the six months ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018.
General and administrative costs,
excluding stock option compensation costs discussed below, were $573,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to
$723,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The major components of the costs were (i) salaries and benefit expense during
the six months ended June 30, 2019 of $215,000 compared to salaries and benefit expense of $319,000 during the six months ended
June 30, 2018 as a result of personnel and salary reductions; (ii) legal and accounting expenditures of $106,000 during the six
months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $127,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018; (iii) office and other costs of $70,000
during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $76,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018; and (iv) travel and shareholder
relation costs of $181,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $201,000 during the six months ended June 30,
2018.
During the six months ended June
30, 2019 and 2018, Solitario recorded $173,000 and $442,000, respectively, of stock option expense for the amortization of unvested
grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in capital. The large decrease was related to the stock option expense for
the Conditional Options recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2018, as discussed above.
We recorded an unrealized loss on
marketable equity securities of $389,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to an unrealized loss on marketable
equity securities of $663,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018. The non-cash unrealized loss during the six months ended
June 30, 2019 and 2018 was primarily related to a decrease in the value of our holdings of 11,000,000 shares of Vendetta common
stock which decreased from a fair value of $1,249,000 and 2,191,000, respectively, at December 31, 2018 and 2017 to a fair value
of $800,000 and $1,589,000, respectively, at June 30, 2019 and 2018 based on quoted market prices. We may look to reduce our holdings
of marketable equity securities as a source of cash flow over the next year, which may reduce the volatility of the changes in
unrealized gains and losses in marketable equity securities during the remainder of 2019.
During the six months ended June
30, 2019 our interest income on short-term investments increased to $162,000 compared to interest income of $63,000 for the six
months ended June 30, 2018 primarily as a result of the effects of lower interest rates on the quoted market price of our USTS
holdings as well as a slightly increased average interest rate received on USTS invested during 2019 compared to 2018. We anticipate
as we utilize our short-term investments to provide funds for exploration and general and administrative expenses, our interest
income will be reduced during the remainder of 2019.
(c) Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and Short-term Investments
As of June 30, 2019, we have $9,278,000
in cash and short-term investments. As of June 30, 2019, we have invested $8,714,000 of our current assets in USTS with maturities
of 15 days to 18 months. The USTS are recorded at their fair value, based upon quoted market prices. We anticipate we will roll
over that portion of our USTS not used for exploration expenditures, operating costs or mineral property acquisitions as they become
due during the remainder of 2019.
We intend to utilize a portion of
our cash and short-term investments in our exploration activities and the potential acquisition of mineral assets over the next
several years. We also expect to use a portion of our cash to repurchase shares of our common stock pursuant to the terms of a
stock buy-back program announced on October 28, 2015, and discussed above in Note 10, “Shareholders’ Equity,”
to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. The stock buy-back program may be terminated at any time and does not require
Solitario to purchase a minimum number of shares.
Investment in Marketable Equity Securities
Our marketable equity securities
are carried at fair value, which is based upon market quotes of the underlying securities. At June 30, 2019 we own 11,000,000 shares
of Vendetta common stock and 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock. The Vendetta shares are recorded at their fair market value
of $800,000 and the Kinross shares are recorded at their fair value of $388,000 at June 30, 2019. In addition, we own other marketable
equity securities with a fair market value of $8,000 at June 30, 2019. We did not sell any of our marketable equity securities
during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.
Working Capital
We had working capital of $10,184,000
at June 30, 2019 compared to working capital of $11,448,000 as of December 31, 2018. Our working capital at June 30, 2019 consists
primarily of our cash and cash equivalents, our investment in USTS and our investment in marketable equity securities of $1,196,000,
other current assets of $416,000, which include the SilverStream Note of $267,000 at June 30, 2019, less our current liabilities
of $706,000, which consist of accounts payable and the current portion of our operating lease liability. As of June 30, 2019, our
cash balances along with our short-term investments and marketable equity securities are adequate to fund our expected expenditures
over the next year.
The nature of the mineral exploration
business requires significant sources of capital to fund exploration, development and operation of mining projects. We will need
additional capital if we decide to develop or operate any of our current exploration projects or any projects or assets we may
acquire. We anticipate we would finance any such development through the use of our cash reserves, short-term investments, joint
ventures, issuance of debt or equity, or the sale of other exploration projects or assets.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
As of June 30, 2019, and December
31, 2018 there were options outstanding that are exercisable to acquire 4,373,000 and 2,028,428 shares of Solitario common stock,
respectively, with exercise prices between $0.77 per share and $0.28 per share. We do not anticipate the exercise of options to
be a significant source of cash flow during the remainder of 2019.
Share Repurchase Program
On October 28, 2015, our Board of
Directors approved a share repurchase program that authorized us to purchase up to two million shares of our outstanding common
stock. During 2018, our Board of Directors extended the term of the share repurchase program until December 31, 2019. All shares
purchased to date have been cancelled and reduced the number of shares of outstanding common stock. The amount and timing of any
shares purchased has been and will be determined by our management and the purchases will be effected in the open market or in
privately negotiated transactions based upon market conditions and other factors, including price, regulatory requirements and
capital availability and in compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws. Purchases may also be made in accordance
with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). The repurchase program does
not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares of common stock by the Company, and may be suspended, modified or discontinued
at any time without prior notice. No purchases will be made outside of the United States, including on the TSX. Payments for shares
of common stock repurchased under the program have been funded using the Company’s working capital. As of June 30, 2019,
Solitario has purchased a total of 964,100 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $460,000 under the share repurchase program
since its inception and these shares are no longer included in our issued and outstanding shares. We anticipate we will continue
to purchase a limited number of shares under the share repurchase plan during the remainder of 2019 as determined by management.
(d) Cash Flows
Net cash used in operations during
the six months ended June 30, 2019 increased to $995,000 compared to $440,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018 primarily
as a result of (i) the cash outflows of $527,000 for the Nexa drilling exploration expense incurred during 2018, and paid during
the second quarter of 2019, with no comparable exploration cash use during the six months ended June 30, 2018; and (ii) the receipt
of $185,000 in cash on the mineral property revenue related to the Royalty Sale, compared to the receipt of $502,000 in cash from
the Yanacocha royalty property sale, discussed above, during 2018. Partially offsetting these increases in usages of operating
cash were (i) a decrease in non-stock option general and administrative expense to $573,000 during the six months ended June 30,
2019 compared to $723,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2018, discussed above; and (ii) an increase in cash interest income
during the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2018. Based upon projected expenditures in
our 2019 budget, we anticipate continued use of funds from operations through the remainder of 2019, primarily for exploration
related to our Florida Canyon project and our Lik project and reconnaissance exploration. See “Results of Operations”
discussed above for further explanation of some of these variances.
During the six months ended June
30, 2019, $1,453,000 in cash was provided from investing activities compared to the provision of $501,000 of cash from investing
activities during the six months ended June 31, 2018. The primary sources of cash related to the net proceeds from short-term investment
sales and purchases of $1,453,000 and $509,000, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. During the six
months ended June 30, 2018 we purchased $8,000 of office equipment. We do not anticipate significant sales of marketable equity
securities during the remainder of 2019. However, we will continue to liquidate a portion of our investments in USTS as needed
to fund our operations and potential mineral property acquisitions during the remainder of 2019. Any potential mineral property
acquisition or strategic corporate investment during the remainder of 2019, discussed above under “Business Overview and
Summary,” could involve a significant change in our cash provided or used for investing activities, depending on the structure
of any potential transaction.
We used $11,000 and $65,000, respectively,
in financing activities for the purchase of our common stock during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, as discussed above
under “Share Repurchase Program” in “Liquidity and Capital Resources.” We anticipate the use of funds for
additional purchases of our common stock during the remainder of 2019, however, this will be limited to the maximum number of shares,
permissible under the share repurchase program.
(e) Off-balance sheet arrangements
As of June 30, 2019, and December
31, 2018 we have no off-balance sheet obligations.
(f) Development Activities, Exploration Activities,
Environmental Compliance and Contractual Obligations
We are not involved in any development
activities, nor do we have any contractual obligations related to any potential development activities as of June 30, 2019. As
of June 30, 2019, there have been no changes to our exploration activities, environmental compliance or other contractual obligations
from those disclosed in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2018.
(g) Discontinued Projects
We sold our Brazil, Mexico and Montana
royalty properties during the six months ended June 30, 2019 in the Royalty Sale. We did not record any mineral property write-downs
during the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.
(h) Critical Accounting Estimates
Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, describe the significant accounting estimates and policies used in preparation
of our consolidated financial statements. Actual results in these areas could differ from management’s estimates.
(i) Related Party Transactions
As of June 30, 2019, and for the
three and six months ended June 30, 2019, we have no related party transactions or balances.
(j) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1, “Business and Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the unaudited consolidated financial statements under “
Recent Accounting
Pronouncements”
above for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
(k) Forward Looking Statements
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking
statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the 1934 Act
with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future
events, capital expenditures, and exploration and development efforts. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,”
“intends,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,”
“may,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements
are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to
the outcome and timing of future events. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors
and other cautionary statements described under the heading "Risk Factors" included in Item 1A of Part I of our
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. These forward-looking statements appear in a number
of places in this report and include statements with respect to, among other things:
|
·
|
Our estimates of the
value and recovery of our short-term investments;
|
|
·
|
Our estimates of future
exploration, development, general and administrative and other costs;
|
|
·
|
Our ability to realize
a return on our investment in the Lik project;
|
|
·
|
Our ability to successfully
identify and execute on transactions to acquire new mineral exploration properties and other related assets;
|
|
·
|
Our estimates of fair
value of our investment in shares of Vendetta and Kinross;
|
|
·
|
Our estimate of the
collectability of the SilverStream Note:
|
|
·
|
Our expectations regarding
development and exploration of our properties, including those properties subject to joint venture and shareholder agreements;
|
|
·
|
The impact of political
and regulatory developments;
|
|
·
|
Our future financial
condition or results of operations and our future revenues and expenses; and
|
|
·
|
Our business strategy
and other plans and objectives for future operations.
|
Although we have attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there
may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that these statements
will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in the statements.
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.