UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 (Mark One)

 

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended      September 30, 2013      

OR

[  ] 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.   001-39278

 

SOLITARIO EXPLORATION & ROYALTY CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Colorado (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 4251 Kipling St. Suite 390, Wheat Ridge, CO (Address of principal executive offices) (303)  534-1030 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

84-1285791 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 80033 (Zip Code)

 

Indicate by checkmark 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    ☒

NO    ☐

 

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    ☒

NO    ☐

 

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.

 

Large accelerated filer  ☐

Accelerated filer  ☐

Non-accelerated filer (do not check if a smaller reporting company) ☐

Smaller reporting company  ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

YES    ☐

NO    ☒

          

 There were 37,184,350 shares of $0.01 par value common stock outstanding as of November 4, 2013.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION			Page
Item 1     Financial Statements			3
Item 2    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations			19
Item 3    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			28
Item 4    Controls and Procedures			28
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1    Legal Proceedings			28
Item 1A   Risk Factors			28
Item 2    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			28
Item 3    Defaults Upon Senior Securities			28
Item 4    Mine Safety Disclosures			28
Item 5    Other Information			28
Item 6    Exhibits			28
SIGNATURES			29

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SOLITARIO EXPLORATION & ROYALTY CORP.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars,		September 30,				December 31,
except share and per share amounts)		2013				2012
		(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	3,368			$	616
Investments in marketable equity securities, at fair value			1,313				3,110
Royalty sale receivable			—				4,000
Prepaid expenses and other			122				210
Total current assets			4,803				7,936
Mineral properties			11,438				9,327
Investments in marketable equity securities, at fair value			2,477				3,983
Equity method investment			270				1,165
Other assets			830				1,072
Total assets		$	19,818			$	23,483
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	381			$	398
Short-term margin loan			—				1,500
Current portion long-term debt			714				727
Deferred income taxes			—				963
Other			127				103
Total current liabilities			1,222				3,691
Long-term debt, net of discount			3,972				2,437
Deferred gain on sale of mineral property			7,000				7,000
Warrant liability			185				1,138
Total non-current liabilities			11,157				10,575
Commitments and contingencies
Equity:
Solitario shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 10,000,000      shares (none issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and      December 31, 2012)			—				—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares       (37,184,350 and 34,479,958, respectively,  shares issued and       outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)			372				345
Additional paid-in capital			50,196				47,107
Accumulated deficit			(44,309	)			(42,678	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			1,089				3,914
Total Solitario shareholders’ equity			7,348				8,688
Noncontrolling interest			91				529
Total shareholders’ equity			7,439				9,217
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	19,818			$	23,483

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

SOLITARIO EXPLORATION & ROYALTY CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Property and joint venture revenue		$	200			$	200			$	200			$	200
Costs, expenses and other:
Exploration expense			76				507				774				1,585
Depreciation and amortization			5				15				21				42
General and administrative			413				571				1,557				1,863
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments			(64	)			22				(67	)			76
Property abandonment and impairment			—				24				13				24
Interest expense			—				105				—				246
Interest and dividend income			—				(53	)			(56	)			(100	)
Gain on sale of assets			—				1				(11	)			(8	)
Total costs, expenses and other			430				1,192				2,231				3,728
Other income (expense)
Gain on sale of marketable equity securities			38				—				308				1,464
Gain (loss) on warrant liability			96				(729	)			953				(729	)
Equity in net loss of equity method investment			(158	)			(93	)			(896	)			(339	)
Total other income			(24	)			(822	)			365				396
Loss before income tax			(254	)			(1,814	)			(1,666	)			(3,132	)
Income tax benefit			47				436				23				432
Net loss			(207	)			(1,378	)			(1,643	)			(2,700	)
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest			5				19				12				286
Net loss attributable to Solitario shareholders		$	(202	)		$	(1,359	)		$	(1,631	)		$	(2,414	)
Loss per common share attributable to Solitario shareholders:
Basic and diluted		$	(0.01	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.05	)		$	(0.07	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted			36,463				34,466				35,244				34,308

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

SOLITARIO EXPLORATION & ROYALTY CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Net Loss		$	(207	)		$	(1,378	)		$	(1,643	)		$	(2,700	)
Unrealized (loss) gain on marketable equity securities, net of deferred taxes			(272	)			968				(2,825	)			(1,621	)
Comprehensive loss		$	(479	)		$	(410	)		$	(4,468	)		$	(4,321	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Solitario shareholders		$	(474	)		$	(391	)		$	(4,456	)		$	(4,035	)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			(5	)			(19	)			(12	)			(286	)
Comprehensive loss		$	(479	)		$	(410	)		$	(4,468	)		$	(4,321	)

 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

SOLITARIO EXPLORATION & ROYALTY CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012
Operating activities:
Net loss		$	(1,643	)		$	(2,700	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments			(67	)			76
Depreciation and amortization			21				42
Loss on equity method investment			896				339
(Gain) loss on warrant liability			(953	)			729
Employee stock option expense			206				523
Deferred income tax expense			(23	)			(432	)
Amortization of discount on long-term debt			—				187
Property abandonment and impairment			13				24
Gain on asset and equity security sales			(319	)			(1,472	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			76				272
Accounts payable and other current liabilities			(18	)			277
Net cash used in operating activities			(1,811	)			(2,135	)
Investing activities:
Additions to mineral properties			(1,640	)			(2,557	)
Other assets, net			45				(86	)
Proceeds from mineral property sale receivable			4,000				6,000
Proceeds from asset sales			107				68
Proceeds from sale of marketable equity securities			358				1,591
Net cash provided by investing activities			2,870				5,016
Financing activities:
Short-term borrowing			1,117				1,565
Repayment of short-term borrowing			(2,617	)			(3,171	)
Repayment of long-term debt			(750	)			(750	)
Proceeds from long-term debt			2,000				1,500
Deferred offering costs			—				(588	)
Contribution from noncontrolling interest			250				—
Proceeds from sale of common stock			2,060				275
Proceeds from exercise of options			183				—
Noncontrolling interest contribution, net			—				50
Distribution to noncontrolling interest			(50	)			—
Payment to noncontrolling interest			(500	)			(169	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			1,693				(1,288	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents			2,752				1,593
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			616				432
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	3,368			$	2,025
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest, capitalized to mineral property		$	137			$	—
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activities:
Capitalized non-cash interest		$	420			$	—
Capitalized depreciation		$	23			$	—
Repayment of loan to noncontrolling interest		$	—			$	373
Royalty sale receivable		$	—			$	4,000
Warrant liability		$	—			$	650
Issuance of stock for mineral property		$	41			$	—
Issuance of stock to noncontrolling interest		$	126			$	71
Transfer of contra-noncontrolling interest to noncontrolling      interest upon earn-in		$	—			$	531
Disproportionate share entry from noncontrolling interest to additional      paid-in capital upon earn-in		$	—			$	2,983

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1.       Business and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Business

 

Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. (“Solitario”) is a development stage company (but not a company in the “Development Stage”) under Industry Guide 7, as issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, with a focus on developing the Mt. Hamilton project located in Nevada. In addition to its Mt. Hamilton project, Solitario acquires and holds a portfolio of precious and base metal exploration properties for future sale, joint venture or to create a royalty prior to the establishment of proven and probable reserves. Although Solitario intends to develop the Mt. Hamilton project, Solitario has never developed a mineral property. At September 30, 2013, Solitario's mineral properties are located in the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Peru.

 

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Solitario for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are unaudited and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 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, 2013.

 

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, 2012. 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.

 

Investment in Kinross

 

Solitario has a significant investment in Kinross Gold Corporation (“Kinross”) at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which consists of the following:

 

(in thousands)		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
Shares			600				670
Fair value
Current assets		$	1,313			$	3,110
Long term assets		$	1,717			$	3,402

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Solitario sold the following shares of Kinross:

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Shares sold			10				—				70				180
Proceeds		$	45			$	—			$	358			$	1,591
Gain on sale		$	38			$	—			$	308			$	1,464

 

As of September 30, 2013 Solitario has no outstanding short-term margin loans and as of December 31, 2012, Solitario had borrowed $1,500,000 in short-term margin loans against its holdings of Kinross shares. The short-term margin loans are discussed below under, “Short-term debt.” As of November 4, 2013 we own 600,000 shares of Kinross common stock which have a value of approximately $3.01 million based upon the market price of $5.01 per Kinross share. Solitario’s investment in Kinross common stock represents a significant concentration of assets, with the inherent risk that entails. Any significant decline in the market value of Kinross common shares could have a material impact on our liquidity and capital resources.

 

Equity method investments

 

Solitario accounts for its 49% investment in Pedra Branca do Mineracao, Ltd. (“PBM”) under the equity method. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 Solitario recorded a reduction of $158,000 and $896,000, respectively, in its equity method investment for Solitario’s share of the loss of PBM. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 Solitario recorded a reduction of $93,000 and $339,000, respectively, in its equity method investment for Solitario’s share of the loss of PBM. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 PBM had no revenues.

 

Employee stock compensation plans

 

On June 18, 2013 Solitario’s shareholders approved the 2013 Solitario Exploration and Royalty Corp. Omnibus Stock and Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”). Under the terms of the 2013 Plan, the Board of Directors may grant awards for up to 1,750,000 shares to Directors, officers, employees and consultants. Such awards 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.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario granted stock options for 120,000 shares with an exercise price of $1.14, the closing price of a share of Solitario common stock as quoted on the NYSE-MKT on the date of the grant. The options have a term of five years, vested 25% on the date of grant and 25% on each subsequent anniversary date, and a grant date fair value of $78,000, based upon a Black-Scholes model with a 68% expected volatility, an expected life of five years and a risk free interest rate of 1.24%. There were no options exercised from the 2013 Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

On June 27, 2006 Solitario’s shareholders approved the 2006 Stock Option Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”). Under the terms of the 2006 Plan, the Board of Directors may grant up to 2,800,000 options to Directors, officers and employees with exercise prices equal to the market price of Solitario’s common stock at the date of grant.

 

There were no new options granted under the 2006 Plan during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. There were no options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2013. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 options for 112,500 shares were exercised at a price of Cdn$1.55 per share for proceeds of $176,000 and 5,000 options were exercised at a price of Cdn$1.49 per share for proceeds of $7,000. No options were exercised during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Solitario’s outstanding options on the date of grant have a five year term, and vest 25% on date of grant and 25% on each of the next three anniversary dates. Solitario recognizes stock option compensation expense on the date of grant for 25% of the grant date fair value, and subsequently, based upon a straight line amortization of the unvested grant date fair value of each of its outstanding options. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario recorded $13,000 and $206,000, respectively, of stock option expense for the amortization of grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in-capital. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, Solitario recorded $174,000 and $523,000, respectively, of stock option expense for the amortization of grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in-capital.

 

Revenue recognition

 

          Solitario records delay rental payments as revenue in the period received. Solitario received $200,000 in delay rental payments on its Bongará property during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Any payments received for the sale of property interests without reserves are recorded as a reduction of the related property’s capitalized cost. Proceeds which exceed the capitalized cost of the property without reserves are recognized as revenue. Payments received on the sale of properties with reserves are recognized as revenue to the extent the proceeds exceed the proportionate basis in the assets sold. Gain on the sale of a mineral property revenue stream is deferred to the extent there is a guarantee for the future revenue stream until such time as the potential funding obligation for the guarantee is reduced or released.

 

Earnings per share

 

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings and loss per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. During the three and nine months

ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Solitario excluded 2,600,900 and 2,433,400, respectively, potentially dilutive shares related to outstanding common stock options from the calculation because the effects were anti-dilutive. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Solitario excluded an additional 1,624,748 shares related to warrants from the calculation of earnings per share because the effects were anti-dilutive.

 

Marketable equity securities

 

Solitario's investments in marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and 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 fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders' equity, unless a decline in fair value is considered other than temporary, in which case the decline is recognized as a loss in the consolidated statement of operations.

 

The following tables summarize Solitario’s marketable equity securities and accumulated other comprehensive income related to its marketable equity securities:

(in thousands)		September 30,     2013				December 31,     2012
Marketable equity securities at fair value		$	3,790			$	7,093
Cost			1,301				851
Accumulated other comprehensive income for     unrealized holding gains			2,489				6,242
Deferred taxes on accumulated other comprehensive     income for unrealized holding gains			1,400				2,328
Accumulated other comprehensive income		$	1,089			$	3,914

 

The following table represents changes in marketable equity securities: 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Gross cash proceeds		$	45			$	—			$	358			$	1,591
Cost			7				—				50				127
Gross gain on sale included in earnings during the period			38				—				308				1,464
Deferred taxes on gross gain on sale included in earnings			(14	)			—				(115	)			(546	)
Reclassification adjustment to unrealized gain in other    comprehensive income for net gains included in earnings			(24	)			—				(193	)			(918	)
Gross unrealized holding (loss) gain arising during the period    included in other comprehensive loss.			(187	)			1,544				(3,445	)			(1,121	)
Deferred taxes on unrealized holdings loss included in    other comprehensive loss			(61	)			(576	)			813				418
Net unrealized holding loss (gain)			(248	)			968				(2,632	)			(703	)
Other comprehensive loss (gain) from marketable equity    Securities		$	(272	)		$	968			$	(2,825	)		$	(1,621	)

 

 

 

2.        Mineral Property

 

The following table details Solitario’s investment in Mineral Property:

(in thousands)		September 30,				December 31,
		2013				2012
Development (United States)
Mt. Hamilton		$	11,399			$	9,275
Exploration
Pachuca (Mexico)			20				20
Norcan (Mexico)			6				6
Aconchi (Mexico)			5				5
Canta Colorado (Peru)			3				3
La Promesa (Peru)			5				5
Cerro Azul (Peru)			—				3
Atico (Peru)			—				5
Jaripo (Mexico)			—				5
Total exploration			39				52
Total mineral property		$	11,438			$	9,327

 

Mt. Hamilton

 

On February 22, 2012, Solitario announced the completion of a feasibility study related to its Mt. Hamilton project (the “Feasibility Study”) prepared by SRK Consulting (US), Inc. of Lakewood, Colorado (“SRK”). As a result of the completion of the Feasibility Study, Solitario earned an 80% interest in MH-LLC, owner of the Mt. Hamilton project, and intends to develop the Mt. Hamilton project, subject to a number of factors including obtaining necessary permits and availability of required capital, none of which is currently in place. Solitario began capitalizing its development costs incurred at its Mt. Hamilton project subsequent to the completion of the Feasibility Study.   

 

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Development expenditures		$	601			$	1,448			$	1,369			$	2,211
Capitalized interest			184				—				557				—
Property payments			75				50				175				325
Capitalized depreciation			7				12				23				18
Total capitalized costs		$	867			$	1,510			$	2,124			$	2,554

 

On May 23, 2013, Solitario entered into an agreement to modify two of its mineral leases on mining claims included in the Mt. Hamilton project covered by the Feasibility Study, whereby Solitario acquired an additional 32 mining claims under one of the leases and reduced its cash payments to maintain the leases from $160,000 per year to the following payments:

 

		June 1, 2013				June 1, 2014				June 1, 2015(1)				Remaining years (2)
Solitario common stock shares			35,000				35,000				66,500				—
Target value of Solitario shares (3)(4)		$	50,000			$	50,000			$	95,000			$	—
Cash			50,000				50,000				75,000				190,000
Minimum lease payment value		$	100,000			$	100,000			$	170,000			$	190,000
Annual work commitments			—				—				—			$	150,000
(1)     The leases may be terminated after June 1, 2015. (2)     The annual payments accelerate $2,000 per year after June 1, 2016. (3)     The target value is determined based upon the 20-day average price on the NYSE-MKT prior to the relevant payment              date. (4)     To the extent the market value of the shares delivered is below the target value, the difference is paid in cash.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario delivered 35,000 shares under the amended lease terms, with a target value of $41,000 and paid $59,000 in cash. The total amount of the payments in cash and shares were capitalized to mineral property. See Note 9, “Shareholders’ equity, comprehensive loss and noncontrolling interest.”

 

Exploration expense

 

Solitario capitalizes initial property acquisition costs on its exploration properties. 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. The following items comprised exploration expense:

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Geologic and field expenses		$	28			$	432			$	521			$	1,003
Administrative			48				81				253				274
Mt. Hamilton exploration and development			—				(6	)			—				308
Total exploration costs		$	76			$	507			$	774			$	1,585

 

Discontinued projects

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario recorded $13,000 of mineral property write-downs related to its Cerro Azul property in Peru, and its Atico and Jaripo projects in Mexico. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, Solitario recorded $24,000 of mineral property write-downs related to its Triunfo and Espanola properties.

 

3.        Other assets

 

The following items comprised other assets:

 

(in thousands)		September 30,				December 31,
		2013				2012
Deferred offering costs RMB Loan		$	371			$	518
Accumulated Mt. Hamilton advance royalty payments			300				300
Furniture and Fixtures, net of accumulated depreciation			107				143
Exploration bonds and other assets			52				111
Total other assets		$	830			$	1,072

 

In connection with the RMB Loan, Solitario recorded deferred offering costs that are being amortized on a straight-line basis to interest cost over 36 months, the term of the Facility Agreement. See Note 5, “Long-term debt,” below.

 

4.       Short-term debt

 

Solitario maintains a secured credit line agreement with UBS Bank, USA (“UBS Bank”). During the three months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario repaid all amounts due on its secured line of credit and at September 30, 2013 Solitario has no balance outstanding on its secured line of credit. The credit line is secured by all of Solitario’s assets held in its UBS brokerage account, consisting primarily of 460,000 Kinross shares. The UBS Bank credit line carries an interest rate which floats, based upon a base rate of 2.25% plus the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), which is 0.18% as of September 30, 2013. The average interest rate was approximately 2.45% for the period of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 that the secured line of credit was outstanding. See a discussion of Solitario’s UBS Bank line of credit under “Short-term debt” in the notes to the financial statements in Solitario’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. At September 30, 2013, the equity value in Solitario's UBS brokerage account was 100%.

 

Solitario also maintains a short-term margin account with RBC Capital Markets, LLC ("RBC"). See a discussion of Solitario’s RBC margin account under “Short-term debt” in the notes to the financial statements in Solitario’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. There were no balances outstanding at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012, or during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 on Solitario’s RBC margin account and the equity balance in Solitario's account at RBC was 100%.

 

The following tables summarize Solitario’s short-term debt:

 

(in thousands)
UBS short-term credit line
Beginning balance December 31, 2012		$	1,500
Borrowing			1,117
Repayments			(2,617	)
Ending balance September 30, 2013		$	—

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Interest UBS short-term credit line		$	3			$	5			$	19			$	36
Interest RBC short-term margin loan			—				7				—				21
Total interest, short-term margin loans		$	3			$	12			$	19			$	57

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, Solitario capitalized all of its interest to mineral property. See Note 2, “Mineral property,” above.

 

5.       Long-term debt

 

Augusta debt

 

The following is the schedule of debt payments due Augusta as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

(in thousands) Payment date		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
June 1, 2013		$	—			$	750
June 1, 2014			750				750
June 1, 2015			1,000				1,000
Unamortized discount			(154	)			(264	)
Total			1,596				2,236
Current portion			714				727
Long-term debt		$	882			$	1,509

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Interest accretion on Augusta debt		$	29			$	41			$	110			$	143

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario capitalized all of its interest to mineral property. See Note 2, “Mineral property,” above.

 

On April 22, 2013, Solitario entered into an agreement, (the “Letter Agreement”) between Solitario, Ely and DHI Minerals (US), Ltd. (“DHI”). The Letter Agreement modified certain terms and conditions of the letter of intent dated August 26, 2010 between Solitario, Ely and DHI, as amended, in the MH-LLC OA Side Agreement between Solitario Ely, DHI, RMBAH and RMBR dated August 10, 2012 (both agreements collectively the “LOI, as amended”). Under the LOI, as amended, on or before May 1, 2014 and May 1, 2015, Solitario is required to subscribe for Ely common stock, in an amount equal to the required Augusta debt payment due June 1, 2014 and June 1, 2015, respectively, at a price equal to the greater of (A) the weighted moving average price of Ely common stock as quoted on the TSX Venture Exchange (the “TSX-V”) over the 20 trading days immediately preceding the date of the subscription agreement and (B) the Discounted Market Price (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) of Ely common stock on the last trading day immediately preceding the date of the subscription agreement, however Ely has the right to reduce the amount of the subscriptions if it pays the remaining amount required to make the required Augusta debt payment. Ely is required to use the funds from the subscription to pay the Augusta debt. Solitario records the payment of the subscription price as a reduction of its Augusta debt obligation and records the value of the Ely common stock received as an increase to paid-in-capital. Under the Letter Agreement, Ely exercised its right to

reduce Solitario’s required subscription of $750,000 due on May 1, 2013 to $500,000, the proceeds of which Ely used to pay a portion of the $750,000 payment due on June 1, 2013 due to Augusta. Ely paid the remaining $250,000 of the payment due to Augusta from their funds. Concurrent with the Letter Agreement, Solitario delivered a subscription agreement, (the “Subscription Agreement”) to Ely for the subscription of 5,131,150 shares of Ely common stock at a price of Cdn$0.10 as of April 22, 2013. Solitario paid Ely $500,000 in cash and received the 5,131,150 shares of Ely common stock after Ely’s acceptance of the Subscription Agreement. The delivery and acceptance of the Subscription Agreement, and payment of the subscription price of $500,000, satisfied Solitario’s obligations with respect to the June 1, 2013 payment due Augusta. Solitario recorded $500,000 for the fair value of the 5,131,150 shares of Ely common stock received as marketable equity securities and as an increase in its additional paid-in-capital.

 

RMB Facility Agreement

On August 10, 2012, Solitario entered into a Facility Agreement (the “Facility Agreement”) with RMB Australia Holdings Limited, an Australian corporation (“RMBAH”), and RMB Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation (“RMBR”) whereby Solitario may borrow up to $5,000,000 from RMBAH (with any amounts outstanding collectively being the “RMB Loan”) at any time during the 24 month period commencing on August 21, 2012, (the “Availability Period”), after which time any undrawn portion of the $5,000,000 commitment will be cancelled and will no longer be available for drawdown. In connection with the Facility Agreement, Solitario recorded a warrant discount related to the 1,624,748 warrants issued to RMBAH at the time Solitario entered into the Facility Agreement (the “RMB Warrants”). The warrant discount is being amortized to interest cost over 36 months, the term of the Facility Agreement. The RMB Loan amounts bear interest at the 90-day LIBOR rate plus 5%, payable in arrears on the last day of each quarterly interest period. The RMB Loan interest rate was 5.28% at September 30, 2013. The RMB Loan may be repaid at any time without penalty. Any amounts repaid may not be redrawn under the Facility Agreement. The RMB Loan is secured by a lien on Solitario’s 80% interest in MH-LLC as well as a general security interest in Solitario’s remaining assets.

 

The following table summarizes the RMB Loan:

		RMB				RMB				RMB
(in thousands)		Loan borrowing				Warrant discount				Long-term Debt
Beginning balance December 31, 2012		$	1,500			$	(573	)		$	927
Borrowing			1,000								1,000
Amortization of discount to interest cost			—				54				54
Ending balance March 31, 2013		$	2,500			$	(519	)			1,981
Borrowing			1,000								1,000
Amortization of discount to interest cost			—				54				54
Ending June 30, 2013		$	3,500			$	(465	)			3,035
Borrowing			—								—
Amortization of discount to interest cost			—				55				55
Ending September 30, 2013		$	3,500			$	(410	)			3,090

 

Solitario recorded the following interest cost related to the RMB Loan:

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30								Nine months ended September 30
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Interest paid in cash		$	48			$	8			$	118			$	8
Amortization of the RMB Warrants discount			55				23				163				23
Amortization of RMB deferred financing costs			49				21				147				21
Total interest expense related to the RMB Loan		$	152			$	52			$	428			$	52

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario capitalized all of its interest to mineral property. See Note 2, “Mineral property,” above.

 

6.        Derivative instruments

 

RMB Warrants

 

In August 2012, pursuant to the Facility Agreement, the Company issued the RMB Warrants to RMBAH as partial consideration for financing services provided in connection with the Facility Agreement. Each RMB Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Solitario common stock pursuant to the terms and conditions of the RMB Warrants (a “Warrant Share”). The RMB Warrants expire 36 months from their date of issuance and have an exercise price of $1.5387 per Warrant Share, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. Solitario has recorded a liability for the fair value of the RMB Warrants based upon a Black-Scholes model. Solitario adjusts the fair value of the warrants at each balance sheet date, with changes in value recorded in other income (loss) in the statement of operations.

 

The following tables summarize the RMB Warrants:

 

(in thousands)
RMB warrant liability balance December 31, 2012		$	1,138
(Gain) on warrant liability			(953	)
Ending balance September 30, 2013		$	185

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
(Gain) loss on warrant liability		$	(96	)		$	729			$	(953	)		$	729
Black Scholes model
Life (months)											23				35
Stock price per share										$	0.86			$	1.85
Volatility (%)											57				65
Risk-free interest rate (%)											0.3				0.4

 

Ely and International Lithium Corp. Warrants

 

In connection with the equity investment in Ely during 2010, Solitario acquired warrants to purchase 1,666,666 shares of Ely common stock at Cdn$0.25 per share for a period of two years. The warrants expired unexercised during 2012. Solitario recorded an unrealized loss on derivative instrument of $22,000 and $73,000, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Solitario also recorded a loss on International Lithium Corp. (“ILC”) warrants of $3,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Covered Call Options

 

From time to time Solitario has sold covered call options against its holdings of Kinross. The business purpose of selling covered calls is to provide additional income on a limited portion of shares of Kinross that Solitario may sell in the near term, which is generally defined as less than one year. Solitario has not designated its covered calls as hedging instruments as described in ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” and any changes in the fair value of its covered calls are recognized in the statement of operations in the period of the change. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario recorded the following liabilities and gain or loss on derivative instruments related to Kinross covered call options and Ely and ILC warrants:

 

(in thousands)		KGC February 2013 $11 call				KGC February 2014 $7 call				KGC February 2014 $8 call
Shares of Kinross			100				100				50
Balance December 31, 2012		$	3			$	—			$	—
Sale of call							55				35
(Gain) on derivative instrument			(3	)			(40	)			(24	)
Ending liability balance September 30, 2013		$	—			$	15			$	11

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
(Gain) Loss on derivative instruments		2013				2012				2013				2012
(Gain) loss on Kinross $7 February 2014 call		$	(40	)		$	—			$	(40	)		$	—
(Gain) loss on Kinross $8 February 2014 call			(24	)			—				(24	)			—
(Gain) loss on Kinross $11 February 2013 call			—				—				(3	)			3
Total Kinross Calls			(64	)			—				(67	)			3
(Gain) loss on Ely & ILC warrants			—				22				—				73
Total (gain) loss on derivative instruments		$	(64	)		$	22			$	(67	)		$	76

 

7.        Fair value

 

For certain of Solitario’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, payables and short-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short term maturities. Solitario’s marketable equity securities and Kinross calls are carried at their estimated fair value primarily based on quoted market prices. The RMB Warrants are carried at their estimated fair value based on a Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

Solitario accounts for its financial instruments under ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements." ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. ASC 820 also requires disclosure about how fair value is determined for assets and liabilities and establishes a hierarchy for which these assets and liabilities must be grouped, based on significant levels of inputs as follows:

 

·

Level 1: quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

·

Level 2: quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or

·

Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 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 September 30, 2013:

 

(in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Assets
Marketable equity securities		$	3,790			$	—			$	—			$	3,790
Liabilities
RMB warrants			—				185				—				185
Kinross calls			26				—				—				26

 

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, 2012:

 

(in thousands)		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
Assets
Marketable equity securities		$	7,093			$	—			$	—			$	7,093
Liabilities
RMB warrants			—				1,138				—				1,138

 

8.        Income Taxes

 

Solitario accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” 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.

 

Primarily as a result of the built-in-gain in the value of Solitario's holdings of Kinross common stock recognized as other comprehensive income, Solitario estimated that its deferred tax liabilities exceeded its realizable deferred tax assets by $963,000 at December 31, 2012. As of September 30, 2013, Solitario’s deferred tax assets exceed its built in gain associated with its investment in marketable equity securities and Solitario has provided a valuation allowance of $552,000, which has been recorded in other comprehensive income. Accordingly, Solitario has recorded no deferred tax liabilities as of September 30, 2013.

 

The following table summarizes the changes in deferred income taxes during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Income tax benefit		$	47			$	436			$	23			$	432
Deferred tax (expense) benefit on unrealized losses on marketable equity securities in other comprehensive income		$	(47	)		$	(576	)		$	928			$	964

 

9.        Shareholders’ Equity, comprehensive loss and noncontrolling interest

 

(in thousands, except																		Accumulated				Total
Share amounts)		Common				Common				Additional								Other				Solitario				Non-				Total
		Stock				Stock				Paid-in				Accumulated				Comprehensive				Shareholder				Controlling				Shareholders’
		Shares				Amount				Capital				Deficit				Income				Equity				Interest				Equity
Balance at December 31, 2012			34,479,958			$	345			$	47,107			$	(42,678	)		$	3,914			$	8,688			$	529			$	9,217
Exercise of stock options for cash			117,500				1				182												183								183
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in			50,000				—				77				—				—				77				(77	)			—
Issuance of cash to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in			—				—				—				—				—				—				(250	)			(250	)
Stock option expense			—				—				125				—				—				125				—				125
Net loss			—				—				—				(991	)			—				(991	)			(3	)			(994	)
Net unrealized loss on marketable   equity securities			—				—				—				—				(884	)			(884	)			—				(884	)
Balance at March 31, 2013			34,647,458				346				47,491				(43,669	)			3,030				7,198				199				7,397
Credit for payment to receive Ely shares as well as Augusta debt payment			—				—				500				—				—				500				250				750
Distribution to noncontrolling interest			—				—				—				—				—				—				(50	)			(50	)
Issuance of shares for mineral property			35,000				1				40				—				—				41				—				41
Stock option expense			—				—				68				—				—				68				—				68
Net loss			—				—				—				(438	)			—				(438	)			(4	)			(442	)
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities			—				—				—				—				(1,669	)			(1,669	)			—				(1,669	)
Balance at June 30, 2013			34,682,458				347				48,099				(44,107	)			1,361				5,700				395				6,095
Common stock issued for cash			2,451,892				25				2,035												2,060								2,060
Issuance of shares to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in			50,000				—				49				—				—				49				(49	)			—
Issuance of cash to noncontrolling shareholder for future earn-in			—				—				—				—				—				—				(250	)			(250	)
Stock option expense			—				—				13				—				—				13				—				13
Net loss			—				—				—				(202	)			—				(202	)			(5	)			(207	)
Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities			—				—				—				—				(272	)			(272	)			—				(272	)
Balance at September 30, 2013			37,184,350			$	372			$	50,196			$	(44,309	)		$	1,089			$	7,348			$	91			$	7,439

 

On July 26, 2013, Solitario closed a private placement of 2,451,892 shares of its common stock at a price of $0.84 per share for total proceeds of $2,060,000 (the “Offering”). The Offering was unanimously approved by our Board of Directors and, as part of the Offering, insiders subscribed for and acquired 606,665 shares (the “Insider Shares”) for a total purchase of $510,000. The offer and sale of the Insider Shares was unanimously approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. All shares in the Offering were offered and sold on the same terms and conditions.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, Solitario paid DHI Minerals (US), Ltd. (“DHI”) $250,000 and $500,000, respectively, in cash and delivered 50,000 and 100,000, respectively, shares of Solitario common stock to DHI, in accordance with the terms of the letter of intent between Solitario, DHI and Ely. See Note 10, “Ely Gold investment and the Mt. Hamilton joint venture” to the consolidated financial statements included in Solitario’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 MH-LLC made a $250,000 distribution to its members and Solitario received $200,000 and DHI received $50,000.

 

10.       Segment Reporting

 

Solitario operates in two segments, (i) mineral exploration and (ii) mining development and operations. Solitario is capitalizing Mt. Hamilton development costs subsequent to February 22, 2012, as detailed above in Note 2, “Mineral properties.” The following summarizes Solitario segment activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,
	Mt Hamilton		Exploration		Corporate and Other		Consolidated
	2013	2012	2013	2012	2013	2012	2013	2012
Property and joint venture revenue	$   -	$   -	$   -	$   -	$ 200	$ 200	$ 200	$ 200
Exploration expense	-	(6)	76	513	-	-	76	507
Interest expense (2)	-	41	-	-	-	64	-	105
Other loss (income) (1)(3)	7	16	(17)	(8)	388	1,394	378	1,402
Pre-tax loss (income)	$   7	$51	$ 59	$  505	$  188	$  1,258	$254	$1,814

(1)

Exploration expense other includes loss on unconsolidated subsidiary.

(2)

Interest cost and Mt. Hamilton depreciation have been capitalized to Mt. Hamilton mineral properties in 2013. See Note 2, “Mineral Property”.

(3)

Corporate and other include gain on warrant liability and gain on sale of marketable equity securities.

 

 

(in thousands)	Nine months ended September 30,
	Mt Hamilton		Exploration		Corporate and Other		Consolidated
	2013	2012	2013	2012	2013	2012	2013	2012
Property and joint venture revenue	$   -	$   -	$   -	$   -	$ 200	$ 200	$ 200	$ 200
Exploration expense	-	308	774	1,277	-	-	774	$  1,585
Interest expense (2)	-	143	-	-	-	103	-	246
Other loss (income) (1)(3)	22	43	771	692	299	766	1,092	1,501
Pre-tax loss	$   22	$     494	$1,545	$1,969	$  99	$   669	$  1,666	$  3,132
Total assets (4)(5)	$14,012	$14,216	$1,195	$1,768	$4,610	$8,415	$19,818	$24,399
Capital Expenditures (2)	$  2,124	$  2,589	$     4	$      3	$     5	$     51	$  2,133	$  2,643

(1)

Exploration expense other includes loss on unconsolidated subsidiary.

(2)

Interest cost and Mt. Hamilton depreciation have been capitalized to Mt. Hamilton in 2013. See Note 2, “Mineral properties.”

(3)

Corporate and other include gain on warrant liability and gain on sale of marketable equity securities.

(4)

Exploration total assets include investment in unconsolidated subsidiary.

(5)

Corporate and other total assets include investment in marketable equity securities.

 

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 our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our 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 a development stage company (prior to the completion of the Feasibility Study on February 22, 2012 we were an exploration stage company) with a focus on the acquisition of precious and base metal properties with exploration potential and the development or purchase of royalty interests. We have an 80% interest in the Mt. Hamilton project and intend to develop the Mt. Hamilton project, subject to a number of factors including obtaining necessary permits and availability of required capital, none of which is currently in place. In addition, we acquire and hold a portfolio of exploration properties 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 or through a joint venture, and we currently intend to develop the Mt. Hamilton project, we have never developed a mineral property. We may also evaluate mineral properties to potentially buy a royalty.

 

(b) Recent Developments

 

Equity offering

 

On July 26, 2013, we closed a private placement of 2,451,892 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.84 per share for total proceeds of $2,060,000 (the “Offering”). The Offering was unanimously approved by our Board of Directors and, as part of the Offering, insiders subscribed for and acquired 606,665 shares (the “Insider Shares”) for a total purchase of $510,000. The offer and sale of the Insider Shares was unanimously approved by our Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. All shares in the Offering were offered and sold on the same terms and conditions.

 

The Offering was made pursuant to the exemption from registration provided under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The shares are subject to a four-month holding period in Canada, The Offering was priced at $0.84 per share which represents the closing sale price of Solitario’s common stock on the NYSE MKT on July 15, 2013, the date of the subscriptions for the Insider Shares. The Offering was not underwritten by a broker and there were no underwriter discounts or commissions.

 

Payment of Augusta Loan, acquisition of additional shares of Ely

 

On April 22, 2013, we entered into an agreement, (the “Letter Agreement”) between ourselves, Ely and DHI Minerals (US), Ltd. (“DHI”). The Letter Agreement modified certain terms and conditions of the letter of intent dated August 26, 2010 between Solitario, Ely and DHI, as amended, in the MH-LLC OA Side Agreement between Solitario Ely, DHI, RMB Australia Ltd (“RMBAH) and RMB Resources, Ltd. (“RMBR”) dated August 10, 2012 (both agreements collectively the “LOI, as amended”). Under the Letter Agreement, Ely exercised its right to reduce our required subscription of $750,000 due on May 1, 2013 to $500,000, the proceeds of which Ely used to pay a portion of the $750,000 payment due on June 1, 2013 due to Augusta. Ely paid the remaining $250,000 of the payment due to Augusta from their funds. Concurrent with the Letter Agreement, we delivered a subscription agreement, (the “Subscription Agreement”) to Ely for the subscription of 5,131,150 shares of Ely common stock at a price of Cdn$0.10 as of April 22, 2013. We paid Ely $500,000 in cash and received the 5,131,150 shares of Ely common stock after Ely’s acceptance of the Subscription Agreement. The delivery and acceptance of the Subscription Agreement, and payment of the subscription price of $500,000, satisfied our obligations with respect to the June 1, 2013 payment due Augusta.

 

(c) Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to the quarter ended September 30, 2012

 

We had a net loss attributable to Solitario shareholders of $202,000, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to a net loss attributable to Solitario shareholders of $1,359,000 or $0.04 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2012. As explained in more detail below, the primary reason for the decrease in the loss in the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the loss during the same period of 2012

was; (i) a reduction in exploration expense to $76,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to exploration expense of $507,000 during the same period of 2012; (ii) a reduction in general and administrative costs to $413,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $571,000 in the same period of 2012; (iii) the gain on warrant liability recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2013 of $96,000 compared to a loss on warrant liability of $729,000 during the same period of 2012; and (iv) a gain on sale on marketable equity securities of $38,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to no gain during the same period of 2012 when no marketable equity securities were sold. These were partially offset by (i) an increase in the net loss of equity method investment to $158,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $93,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013; (ii) a reduction in income tax benefit to $47,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to an income tax benefit of $436,000 during the same period of 2012; and (iii) a reduction in the credit for the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest to $5,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $19,000 during the same period of 2012. Each of these items is discussed in more detail below.

 

Our net exploration expense decreased to $76,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to exploration expense of $507,000 during the same period of 2012. We began capitalizing development costs at Mt. Hamilton in the first quarter of 2012. We anticipate continuing to capitalize development costs at our Mt. Hamilton project including permitting-related costs. The remaining spending at our Brazil, Peru and Mexican exploration projects has been significantly reduced beginning in the second quarter of 2013, to allow us to focus our exploration and development activities at Mt. Hamilton. We have reduced personnel to one manager in each of Mexico and Peru and to no full-time employees in Brazil. We now use contract geologists as needed in Brazil, Peru and Mexico. Our non-Mt. Hamilton activities were primarily related to reconnaissance exploration during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. We anticipate our future exploration activities will be reduced during the remainder of 2013 compared to 2012 as a result of reduced activity in both Mexico and Peru. However, we anticipate continuing to acquire mineral properties, on a limited basis, either through staking, joint venture or lease, in Latin America during 2013. Our full year 2013 budget for the Mt. Hamilton project is approximately $2,043,000 in expenditures, all of which we anticipate we will capitalize. We also have budgeted approximately $1,675,000 for leasehold acquisition and earn-in payments for Mt. Hamilton during the full year of 2013, which will also be capitalized.

 

Exploration expense (in thousands) by project for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 consisted of the following:

 

	Three months ended		Nine months ended
	September 30,		September 30,
Project Name	2013	2012	2013	2012
Cerro Azul	$   -	$   70	$   70	$77
Pachuca	10	7	35	24
La Promesa	-	3	8	15
Pedra Branca, net	-	(5)	4	(27)
Norcan	-	-	2	2
Jaripo	-	151	1	188
Canta Colorado	-	7	1	8
Espanola	-	11	-	22
Mercurio	-	-	-	7
Atico	-	-	-	4
Triunfo	-	-	-	1
Mt. Hamilton	-	(6)	-	308
Reconnaissance	66	269	653	956
Total exploration expense	$76	$507	$774	$1,585

 

As a result of controlling MH-LLC, we consolidate MH-LLC in our financial statements, however because DHI currently owns a 20% interest in MH-LLC we recorded a noncontrolling interest credit of $5,000 and $12,000, respectively, for DHI’s share of the losses at MH-LLC during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded a noncontrolling interest credit of $19,000 and $286,000, respectively, for DHI’s share of the losses at MH-LLC during that period. However, because we capitalize our costs related to the Mt. Hamilton project, the losses at MH-LLC have been reduced to a minimal amount of certain administrative, non-development costs with a concurrent reduction in the noncontrolling interest credit. We do not anticipate recording any significant credits for losses attributable to noncontrolling interest for the remainder of 2013. Also see Note 9, “Shareholders’ Equity, comprehensive loss and noncontrolling interest” and Note 2, “Mineral Property,” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

General and administrative costs, excluding stock option compensation costs discussed below, were $400,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $397,000 in the same period of 2012. The major components of these costs were related to (i) salaries and benefit expense during the three months ending September 30, 2013 of $252,000 compared to salaries and benefit expense of $234,000 in the same period of 2012; (ii) legal and accounting expenditures of $57,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $56,000 in the same period of 2012; (iii) other expenses of $39,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $32,000 in the same period of 2012; and (iv) travel and shareholder relation costs of $51,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $75,000 in the same period of 2012, which decreased as a result of reduced travel and trade shows during 2013 compared to 2012. Solitario recorded stock option expense for the amortization of unvested grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in-capital of $13,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $174,000 for the same period of 2012, which decreased as a result of options previously granted becoming fully vested during the quarter ended March 31, 2013. We anticipate our full year general and administrative costs will be less during 2013 compared to 2012 primarily as a result of reductions in activities in our Latin American exploration and the capitalization of certain salary costs to Mt. Hamilton for the full year of 2013.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2013 we sold 10,000 shares of Kinross for net proceeds of $45,000 and a gain on sale of $38,000. During the three months ended September 30, 2012 we did not sell any shares of Kinross. We have estimated we will sell approximately 260,000 shares of Kinross over the next year, which are recorded as a current asset of $1,313,000 at September 30, 2013. See also "Liquidity and Capital Resources," below.

 

As a result of the classification of our RMB Warrants as a liability in accordance with ASC 815-40, “Derivatives and Hedging, Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity,” we adjust the fair value of the warrants at each balance sheet date, with changes in value recorded in other income/expense in the statement of operations. Solitario recorded a gain on the RMB Warrants of $96,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a loss on warrant liability of $729,000 during the same period of 2012, based upon a Black-Scholes model. The value of the RMB Warrants is influenced by fluctuations in the price of a share of our common stock, among other things that are beyond our control and may fluctuate significantly in the future.

 

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 early stage mineral property and its related value for future sale, joint venture or development by us or others. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded no property impairments. During the three months ended September 30 2012, we recorded $24,000 of property impairments related to our Triunfo and Espanola projects in Bolivia.

 

We recorded a deferred tax benefit of $47,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to deferred tax benefit of $436,000 during the same period of 2012. The reduced deferred tax benefit is primarily related to the reduced loss before income tax as a result of the reduction in exploration expense, and the recording of a $96,000 gain on the warrant liability during the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a loss on warrant liability of $729,000 during the same period of 2012. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, our net operating loss carry forwards exceeded our built-in gains associated with our holdings of marketable equity securities, and as a result, during the three months ended September 30, 2013 we recorded an increase in the valuation allowance against those net operating loss carry forwards of $211,000 to our deferred tax asset in other comprehensive income in the equity section of our balance sheet. As of September 30, 2013 the valuation allowance was $552,000. We will evaluate this deferred tax asset lodged in other comprehensive income during the remainder 2013, for potential change in circumstances, including: sales of Kinross or other marketable equity securities, changes in the value of our marketable equity securities and the amount and potential for recognition of our net operating loss carry forwards. As a result of utilizing short-term debt financing and the ability to reduce taxable income from the proceeds of sales of Kinross common stock with a portion of development costs at Mt. Hamilton and United States general and administrative costs, we anticipate we will not have currently payable income taxes during 2013. We provide a valuation allowance for our foreign net operating losses, which are primarily related to our exploration activities in Peru, Mexico and Brazil. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2013 to the nine months ended September 30, 2012

 

We had a net loss of $1,631,000 or $0.05 per basic and diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to net loss of $2,414,000 or $0.07 per basic and diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. As explained in more detail below, the primary reasons for the decrease in the net loss were (i) a decrease in exploration expense to $774,000 during the nine months ended September 30 2013 compared to exploration expense of $1,585,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012; (ii) a gain on warrant liability of $953,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to a loss on warrant liability of $729,000 during the same period of 2012; (iii) we recorded a net loss of our equity method investment of $896,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a net loss on our equity method investment of $339,000 in the same period of 2012; and (iv) a reduction in general and administration expense to $1,557,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $1,863,000 during the comparable period of 2012. These decreases were partially offset by a decrease in the gain on sale of marketable equity securities to $308,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from a gain of $1,464,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Each of these items is discussed in more detail below.

 

Our net exploration expense decreased to $774,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $1,585,000 in the comparable period of 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 we capitalized $1,949,000 of development, interest and depreciation costs at our Mt. Hamilton project. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we incurred $2,537,000 for exploration and development at our Mt. Hamilton project and we capitalized $2,229,000 of these costs. We anticipate continuing to capitalize development costs at our Mt. Hamilton project including permitting related costs. The remaining spending at our Brazil, Peru and Mexican exploration projects was decreased to $774,000 during the nine months ending September 30, 2013 compared to 1,585,000 in the nine months ending September 30, 2012 as a result of reducing our exploration activities in Mexico, Peru and Brazil as discussed above. Our other exploration activities were primarily related to reconnaissance exploration during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $653,000 compared to $956,000 during the first nine months of 2012.

 

As a result of controlling MH-LLC, we consolidate MH-LLC in our financial statements; however because DHI currently owns a 20% interest in MH-LLC as of the completion of the Feasibility Study, we recorded a noncontrolling interest credit of $12,000 for DHI’s share of the losses at MH-LLC during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to a noncontrolling interest credit of $286,000 during the same period of 2012. The reduction in the credit was a result of the capitalization of development costs after completion of the feasibility study in February 2012.

 

General and administrative costs, excluding stock option compensation costs discussed below, were $1,351,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $1,340,000 in the same period of 2012. The major components of the costs were (i) salaries and benefit expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $745,000 compared to salaries and benefit expense of $703,000 in the same period of 2012; (ii) legal and accounting expenditures of $190,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $182,000 in the same period of 2012; (iii) other costs of $127,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $112,000 in the same period of 2012; and (iv) travel and shareholder relation costs of $289,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $338,000 in the same period of 2012. Our general and administrative costs have been reduced as a result of reduced exploration activity in South America and Mexico, discussed above, and our focus on the Mt. Hamilton permitting activities, and management’s desire to reduce costs where possible. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Solitario recorded $206,000 and $523,000, respectively, of stock option expense for the amortization of unvested grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in capital, which decreased in 2013 as a result of certain options becoming fully vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 we recorded $13,000 in property impairments on our Cerro Azul, Jaripo and Atico projects. During the nine months ended September 30 2012, we recorded $24,000 of property impairments related to our Triunfo and Espanola projects in Bolivia.

 

We recorded a deferred tax benefit of $23,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to a deferred tax benefit of $432,000 during the same period of 2012. The reduced deferred tax benefit primarily relates to the reduction in taxable expenses including exploration, general and administrative costs, the warrant liability, and equity in loss of subsidiary, all discussed above, which was partially offset by the reduction in the gain on sale of marketable equity securities to $308,000 from the sale of 70,000 shares of Kinross during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the gain on sale of $1,464,000 from the sale of 180,000 shares of Kinross common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. Our United States taxable income from these sales is offset by our United States general and administrative expenses,

discussed above, and by the portion of Mt. Hamilton exploration and development expenses, including those capitalized, incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 that may be used to currently offset United States income. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 we recorded an increase in the valuation allowance against our net operating loss carry forwards of $552,000 to our deferred tax asset in other comprehensive income in the equity section of our balance sheet.

 

(d) Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Equity Offering

 

On July 26, 2013, we closed the Offering of 2,451,892 shares of our common stock at a price of $0.84 per share for total proceeds of $2,059,589. We repaid our UBS margin loan and will use the remaining proceeds from the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes. See “Recent Developments, above.

 

Short-term debt

 

See a summary of our short-term debt in Note 4, “Short-term debt” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

We have used our short-term debt as an alternative source of capital to selling our Kinross stock. We anticipate we will borrow money using short-term margin loans as necessary, using our Kinross common stock as collateral to defer potential current United States income taxes if we were to sell our Kinross common stock in excess of our anticipated United States tax deductible expenses for the entire year of 2013. Our United States tax deductible expenses consist primarily of United States general and administrative costs and a portion of our costs to develop the Mt. Hamilton project in Nevada. As of September 30, 2013 we anticipate the taxable portion of gain from the sale of Kinross common stock sold during 2013 will not exceed our anticipated United States tax deductible expenses, and our available net operating loss carry forwards for 2013, and accordingly, we do not anticipate having any currently payable United States income taxes for 2013.

 

As of September 30, 2013, we have no balance outstanding on our short-term margin loans with UBS Bank, USA ("UBS Bank") pursuant to a secured credit line agreement between us and UBS Bank. The UBS Bank credit line carries an interest rate which floats, based upon a base rate of 2.25% plus the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), which is 0.18% as of September 30, 2013. At December 31, 2012 we had borrowed $1,500,000 from UBS. We recorded $19,000 in capitalized interest cost related to the UBS credit line for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $29,000 recorded as interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. On July 26, 2013, we repaid our outstanding balance of $1,117,000 on our UBS credit line.

 

As of September 30, 2013, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 we did not utilize our margin loan at RBC Capital Markets, LLC ("RBC"). At December 31, 2012 we did not have any balance in short-term margin loans at RBC. Our investment in Kinross held at RBC is used as collateral for any short-term margin loans. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the loans carried interest at a margin loan rate of 4.25% per annum, which floats based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate. We recorded $22,000 of interest expense related to the short term-margin loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Our use of short-term borrowing is not considered critical to our liquidity, capital resources or credit risk strategies. We consider the use of short-term borrowing as a component of our overall strategy to potentially maximize our after-tax returns on the sale of our investment in Kinross stock. As discussed above and under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, any significant decline in the market value of Kinross common shares could have a material impact on our liquidity and capital resources. As of November 4, 2013 we have no outstanding short-term borrowing, however we will use such short term borrowing during the remainder of 2013 as needed. We have taken steps to significantly reduce our exploration expenditures in Mexico and Peru and to reduce certain administrative expenditures. When we utilize our short-term borrowing, utilizing our equity balance of Kinross as collateral, if the price of Kinross stock declines, we may be required to sell additional shares of Kinross, to reduce our existing short-term margin borrowing, as well as to further reduce our planned expenditures and/or obtain additional debt financing or issue equity to fund our operations. See a discussion of our planned 2013 expenditures below under “Investment in Marketable Equity Securities.” Our maximum amount of short-term borrowing was $1,903,000, including accrued interest, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Our average short-term borrowing during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $922,000.

 

We anticipate our existing cash balance, any additional proceeds from short-term borrowing, proceeds from the sale of Kinross and any additional proceeds from the RMB Loan, discussed below, will provide adequate funds for our operations for the next year.

 

Long-term debt

 

See a summary of our long-term debt in Note 5 “Long-term debt” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Augusta debt

As of September 30, 2013, we are obligated to make the remaining payments to Augusta totaling $1,750,000, including $750,000 during 2014, which are to be in the form of private placement investments in Ely common stock.

 

On April 22, 2013 Solitario entered into an agreement (the “Amended LOI”) with Ely, whereby Solitario paid Ely $500,000, and subscribed for 5,131,150 shares of Ely common stock. As part of the agreement, Ely agreed to reduce Solitario’s required subscription for Ely common stock, from $750,000 to $500,000, the proceeds of which Ely used along with $250,000 of Ely’s funds to satisfy the $750,000 payment due Augusta. As a result of receiving both Ely common stock worth $500,000 and reducing its obligation to Augusta by $500,000, Solitario recorded additional paid-in capital of $500,000 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Solitario also recorded a credit to noncontrolling interest for Ely’s $250,000 payment of the obligation under the Augusta note during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. See also Note 5, “Long-term debt” and Note 9, “Shareholders’ equity and noncontrolling interest” to the unaudited consolidated financial statements above.

 

As of November 4, 2013, we have a commitment to pay the remaining $1,750,000 Augusta debt in the form of private placements in Ely common stock, with $750,000 to be subscribed on or before May 1, 2014 and $1,000,000 required to be subscribed on or before May 1, 2015. However, Ely has the right to self-fund all, or a portion of, the Augusta debt payments which would reduce or eliminate our requirement to subscribe to these Ely private placements. We anticipate using funds from our existing cash, RMB loan, short-term margin loans or the sale of marketable equity securities, including our existing shares of Ely common stock or Ely common stock we would receive in the subscriptions, to make any required cash payments for the subscriptions of Ely common stock.

 

RMB Facility Agreement

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 we borrowed an additional $2,000,000 on the RMB Loan and as of September 30, 2013 we owe $3,500,000 on the RMB Loan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 we paid $118,000 in cash for interest on the RMB Loan. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 we incurred $147,000 in interest cost for the amortization of deferred offering costs related to the RMB Loan and we incurred $162,000 of interest cost related to the warrant discount associated with the RMB warrants issued in connection with the Facility Agreement. As of November 4, 2013 we have $1,500,000 of available borrowing under the Facility Agreement. The use of these proceeds are limited to development expenditures at Mt. Hamilton, earn-in payments for MH-LLC and approved budgeted general corporate purposes as further described in Note 5, “Long-term debt” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

RMB warrants

Pursuant to the Facility Agreement, we issued 1,624,748 warrants to RMBAH (the “RMB Warrants”) as partial consideration for financing services provided in connection with the Facility Agreement. Each RMB Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Solitario common stock at an exercise price of $1.5387, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the RMB Warrants. As of September 30, 2013 the RMB Warrants have an estimated fair value of approximately $185,000 and we recorded a gain of $953,000 on the fair value of the RMB Warrants during the nine months ended September 30, 2013; however we do not expect RMBAH to exercise any of these warrants during the next year. Any proceeds from the exercise of the RMB warrants are to be first used to reduce any outstanding principal and interest on the RMB Loan.

 

Investment in Marketable Equity Securities

 

Our marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, which is based upon market quotes of the underlying securities. We owned 600,000 shares of Kinross common stock at September 30, 2013 and 670,000 shares of Kinross at December 31, 2012. The Kinross shares are recorded at their fair value of $3,030,000 and

$6,512,000 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. We sold 70,000 shares of Kinross shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 for proceeds of $358,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we sold 180,000 shares of Kinross stock for proceeds of $1,591,000. As of November 4, 2013, the price of Kinross common stock was $5.01, which is below our assumed price for 2013 for budgeting purposes of $10 per share. We have taken steps to reduce our exploration expenditures in Mexico and Peru and to reduce certain administrative expenditures. Any significant decline in the market value of the shares of Kinross common stock could have a material impact on our liquidity and capital resources. The price of shares of Kinross common stock has varied from a high of $9.87 per share to a low of $4.53 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

We have budgeted the anticipated sale of 360,000 shares of Kinross stock during 2013 for assumed proceeds of $3,600,000. However, as a result of the recent reduction of the price of a share of Kinross common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we may either sell more shares of Kinross during 2013 than originally planned or sell some or all of our investments in other marketable equity securities, including Ely. In addition, we may use funds raised in the Offering instead of funds from the sale of Kinross for our working capital needs, or raise additional debt or equity or a combination of such factors. However, there can be no assurance that sources of additional debt or equity financing will be available on acceptable terms if at all. We have adequate working capital and cash to meet our planned 2013 expenditures including our planned 2013 Mt. Hamilton permitting and development expenditures.

 

In addition we own other marketable equity securities with a fair value of $760,000 and $581,000, respectively, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Included in these securities are 8,464,483 shares of Ely that are classified as marketable equity securities available for sale and are recorded at their fair value at September 30, 2013 of $739,000.

 

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have classified $1,313,000 and $3,110,000, respectively, of our marketable equity securities as a short-term asset. Changes in the fair value of marketable equity securities are recorded as gains and losses in other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded other comprehensive loss on marketable equity securities of $3,753,000 less a related deferred tax benefit of $928,000.

 

Working Capital

 

We had working capital of $3,581,000 at September 30, 2013 compared to working capital of $4,245,000 as of December 31, 2012. Our working capital at September 30, 2013 consists primarily of our cash and cash equivalents and the current portion of our investment in marketable equity securities of $1,313,000, less the current portion of long-term debt of $714,000 and accounts payable of $381,000. We will continue to monitor our exposure to a single asset, taking into consideration our cash and liquidity requirements, tax implications, the market price of gold and the market price of Kinross stock.

 

Cash and cash equivalents were $3,368,000 as of September 30, 2013 compared to $616,000 at December 31, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 MH-LLC received a $4,000,000 payment of a receivable related to the sale of a royalty interest on our Mt. Hamilton project during 2012 and we completed the Offering for proceeds of $2,060,000.

 

The nature of the mining business requires significant sources of capital to fund exploration, development and operation of mining projects. We will need additional resources to develop our Mt. Hamilton project or if we choose to develop any of our other mineral deposits on our own. We anticipate that we would finance these activities through the use of joint venture arrangements, the issuance of debt or equity, the sale of interests in our properties or the sale of our shares of Kinross common stock. There can be no assurance that such sources of funds will be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 112,500 options were exercised at a price of Cdn$1.55 per share for proceeds of $176,000 and 5,000 options were exercised at a price of Cdn$1.49 per share for proceeds $7,000. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 no options were exercised from the 2006 Plan. None of our outstanding options from the 2013 or 2006 Plan expires during 2013. We do not anticipate the exercise of options will be a material source of funds during the remainder of 2013.

 

(e) Cash Flows

 

Net cash used in operations during the first nine months of 2013 decreased to $1,811,000 compared to $2,135,000 for same period of 2012 primarily as a result of the capitalization of exploration and development expenditures at our Mt. Hamilton project and the capitalization of interest costs paid in cash during 2013, both of which reduced the costs included in the statement of operations loss during 2013. Based upon projected expenditures in our 2013 budget, we anticipate continued use of funds from operations through the remainder of 2013. See Results of Operations discussed above for further explanation of some of these variances.

 

We provided $2,870,000 in cash from investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $5,016,000 in cash from investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease in cash provided from investing activities is primarily related to (i) a reduction in the receipts during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 to $4,000,000 from $6,000,000 related to the sale of a royalty interest on our Mt. Hamilton project during 2012 and (ii) the reduction in proceeds from the sale of Kinross during the first nine months of 2013, when we sold 70,000 shares of Kinross for proceeds of $358,000 compared to the sale of 180,000 shares of Kinross for net proceeds of $1,591,000 during the same period of 2012. These reductions were partially offset by a reduction in the development work at Mt. Hamilton during 2013, when we have been concentrating our efforts on the various required permits to construct Mt. Hamilton compared to 2012 when we were completing the feasibility study and working on initial engineering and procurement studies. We anticipate the potential for continued sales of shares of Kinross during the remainder of 2013 as discussed above under “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

The net cash provided from financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $1,693,000 was primarily related to the (i) proceeds from the Offering of $2,060,000; (ii) $2,000,000 borrowing on long-term debt from RMB, which was partially offset by net repayment of short term borrowing of $1,500,000, (iii) the payment of $500,000 for the subscription for 5,131,150 shares of Ely common stock, used to repay the debt to Augusta of $750,000, the payment of which included the contribution from DHI of $250,000, shown as a contribution from noncontrolling interest and (iv) the payment of $500,000 to DHI, required as part of our earn-in to MH-LLC. This compares to the net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 when we repaid $1,606,000, net, in funds from short term borrowing and our proceeds from long-term debt was $1,500,000. We may obtain additional cash from financing activities during 2013 in the form of either debt or equity financing. There can be no assurance that such sources of funds will be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. See additional discussion of future financing needs above under “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

 

(f) Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 we have no off-balance sheet obligations.

 

(g) Development Activities, Exploration Activities, Environmental Compliance and Contractual Obligations

 

There have been no changes to our development activities, exploration activities, environmental compliance or 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, 2012, except as it relates to the reduction in the Augusta payment discussed above in Note 4, “Long-term debt” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and as it relates to the reduction in cash payments for the underlying lease to cash and common stock payments as described above in Note 2, “Mineral property” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements above.

 

(h) Joint Ventures, Royalty and the Strategic Alliance Properties

 

Bongará

 

The Bongará project is an advanced-stage project in which we are exploring for primarily zinc, with lesser amounts of lead and silver. Our joint venture partner, Votorantim Metais ("Votorantim"), is earning a 70% interest in the Bongará project by funding and managing all work conducted on the project and committing to place the project into production based upon a positive feasibility study. During 2013, Votorantim conducted road construction to the project area, completed underground drilling at the San Jorge zone and surface drilling at the Karen Milagros zone of the Florida Canyon deposit, performed metallurgical testing, and other pre-feasibility activities in preparation for completing a pre-feasibility report. Upon earning a 70% interest, Votorantim has agreed to finance our 30% participating interest for construction costs, which we will repay through one-half of our net cash flow distributions. We received $200,000 in delay rental payments on our Bongará property

during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Pre-feasibility, permitting and social development activities are expected to continue during 2014. See the discussion of the Bongará project in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

(i) Discontinued Projects

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded $13,000 of mineral property write-downs related to our Cerro Azul project in Peru and our Atico and Jaripo projects in Mexico. During the nine months ended September 30 2012, we recorded $24,000 of property impairments related to our Triunfo and Espanola projects in Bolivia.

 

(j) Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, 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. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we have not adopted any additional accounting policies.

 

(k) Related Party Transactions

 

As part of the Offering, insiders subscribed for 606,665 shares (the “Insider Shares”) for a total purchase of $509,599. The offer and sale of the Insider Shares was unanimously approved by Solitario’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. All shares in the Offering were offered and sold on the same terms and conditions.

 

(l) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

There are no recent accounting pronouncements, adopted in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or issued by the FASB during the first nine months of 2013 that would have a material impact upon Solitario.

 

(m) 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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, 2012 and the risks described in Item 1A of Part II in this report. 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 future exploration, development, general and administrative and other costs;

·

Our estimates of fair value of our investment in shares of Kinross and Ely;

·

Our expectations regarding development and exploration of our properties, including those 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.

 

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Smaller Reporting Companies are not required to provide the information required by this item.

 

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

 

The management of Solitario is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). During the fiscal period covered by this report, Solitario's management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of Solitario's internal control over financial reporting and the design and operation of Solitario's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act). This evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting was based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on such evaluation, Solitario's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2013, Solitario's internal control over financial reporting is effective and that its disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Solitario in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports is accumulated and communicated to Solitario's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There are no material changes to the Risk Factors associated with our business disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The Exhibits to this report are listed in the Exhibit Index

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

SOLITARIO EXPLORATION & ROYALTY CORP.

 

November 5, 2013 Date	By:	/s/ James R. Maronick James R. Maronick Chief Financial Officer

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

3.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp., as Amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Solitario’s Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2010)
3.2	Amended and Restated By-laws of Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Solitario’s Form 10-K filed on March 22, 2013)
4.1	Form of Common Stock Certificate of Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Solitario’s Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2008)
4.2	Form of Warrant Certificate of Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Solitario’s Form 8-K filed on August 16, 2012)
10.1	Subscription Agreement dated July 15, 2013 between Solitario and Mr. Christopher Herald. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Solitario’s Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2013)
10.2	Subscription Agreement dated July 15, 2013 between Solitario and Mr. Walt Hunt. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Solitario’s Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2013)
10.3	Subscription Agreement dated July 15, 2013 between Solitario and Mr. James Maronick. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Solitario’s Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2013)
10.4	Subscription Agreement dated July 15, 2013 between Solitario and Mr. Brian Labadie. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to Solitario’s Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2013)
10.5	Subscription Agreement dated July 15, 2013 between Solitario and Mr. Leonard Harris. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 to Solitario’s Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2013)
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101*	The following financial statements, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012; and (iv) Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
*	Filed herewith