UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the
quarterly period ended September 30, 2008
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF
1934
|
For
the
transition period from to
|
Commission
file number 000-51076
|
WESTERN
GOLDFIELDS INC.
(Exact
Name of Issuer as Specified in Its Charter)
Ontario
|
98
– 0544546
|
(State
of other jurisdiction of
|
(I.R.S.
Employer
|
incorporation
or organization)
|
Identification
No.)
|
Royal
Bank Plaza, South Tower, 200 Bay Street, Suite 3120, P.O. Box 167
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M5J 2J4
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices)
416
324
6000
(Issuer’s
Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
2
Bloor
Street West, Suite 2102
Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M4W3E2
(Former
Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Check
whether the issuer: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13
or
15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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
x
No
o
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See
the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer
|
o
|
Accelerated
filer
|
x
|
|
|
|
|
Non-accelerated
filer
|
o
|
Smaller
reporting company
|
o
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes
o
No
x
State
the
number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common equity
as
of the latest practicable date: Common Shares of no par value – 136,761,919
shares outstanding as of November 4, 2008.
INDEX
PART
I.
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
3
|
Item
1.
|
Financial
Statements (unaudited)
|
3
|
|
Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
|
3
|
|
Consolidated
Financial Statements: (unaudited)
|
4
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets
|
4
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
|
5
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
|
6
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
|
7
|
|
Notes
to the Consolidated Financial Statements
|
8
|
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
22
|
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
|
35
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
35
|
PART
II.
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
36
|
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
36
|
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
36
|
Item
3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
36
|
Item
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
36
|
Item
5.
|
Other
Information
|
36
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
36
|
PART
1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CAUTIONARY
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
We
have
included in this Form 10-Q filing, and from time to time may make in our public
filings, news releases or other public statements, certain statements that
may
include forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect
to future events and financial performance, including, without limitation,
those
under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations” in Part I, Item 2. In some cases these statements are
identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”,
“estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “target”, “can”, “could”,
“may”, “should”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions. You are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In addition, our
management may make forward-looking statements to analysts, investors,
representatives of the media and others. These forward-looking statements are
not historical facts and represent only our beliefs regarding future events
and,
by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond our control.
The
nature of our business makes predicting the future trends of our revenues,
expenses and net income difficult. The risks and uncertainties involved in
our
business could affect the matters referred to in such statements and it is
possible that our actual results may differ materially from the anticipated
results indicated in these forward-looking statements. Important factors that
could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking
statements include, without limitation:
|
·
|
the
effect of political, economic and market conditions and geopolitical
events;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
the
actions and initiatives of current and potential
competitors;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
our
reputation;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
investor
sentiment; and
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
other
risks and uncertainties detailed elsewhere throughout this
report.
|
Accordingly,
you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Additional information
regarding these factors and others that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from our expectations is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 28, 2008.
We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking
statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after
the
dates they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events
or
otherwise except as required by applicable law. You should, however, consult
further disclosures we may make in future filings of our Annual Reports on
Form
10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, any
amendments thereto, and in the corresponding documents filed in
Canada.
PART
I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1.
Financial
Statements (Interim)
WESTERN
GOLDFIELDS INC.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In
thousands U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
|
September 30,
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
37,914
|
|
$
|
43,870
|
|
Restricted
cash (Note 4)
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
364
|
|
|
298
|
|
Inventories
(Note 5)
|
|
|
30,305
|
|
|
11,201
|
|
Prepaid
expenses
|
|
|
1,165
|
|
|
887
|
|
Current
portion of deferred income tax asset (Note 11)
|
|
|
1,070
|
|
|
755
|
|
TOTAL
CURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
78,318
|
|
|
64,511
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant
and equipment, net of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
accumulated
amortization (Note 6)
|
|
|
106,757
|
|
|
77,951
|
|
Construction
in process (Note 7)
|
|
|
4,592
|
|
|
21,864
|
|
Investments
- reclamation and remediation (Note 8)
|
|
|
8,884
|
|
|
8,661
|
|
Long-term
deposits
|
|
|
362
|
|
|
348
|
|
Long-term
prepaid expenses (Note 9)
|
|
|
1,427
|
|
|
1,555
|
|
Deferred
debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization (Note
10)
|
|
|
2,881
|
|
|
3,227
|
|
Deferred
income tax asset (Note 11)
|
|
|
31,285
|
|
|
36,379
|
|
TOTAL
OTHER ASSETS
|
|
|
156,188
|
|
|
149,984
|
|
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
|
$
|
234,506
|
|
$
|
214,495
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
& STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
$
|
8,315
|
|
$
|
8,781
|
|
Current
portion of mark-to-market loss on gold hedging contracts (Note 12)
|
|
|
5,674
|
|
|
1,935
|
|
Current
portion of loan payable (Note 13)
|
|
|
15,109
|
|
|
6,882
|
|
TOTAL
CURRENT LIABILITIES
|
|
|
29,098
|
|
|
17,598
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark-to-market
loss on gold hedging contracts (Note 12)
|
|
|
54,633
|
|
|
56,966
|
|
Loan
payable (Note 13)
|
|
|
71,230
|
|
|
69,581
|
|
Reclamation
and remediation liabilities (Note 14)
|
|
|
5,323
|
|
|
5,061
|
|
TOTAL
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
160,284
|
|
|
149,206
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 19)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock, of no par value, unlimited shares authorized; 136,761,919
and
135,049,685 shares issued and outstanding, respectively (Note
15)
|
|
|
135,267
|
|
|
133,725
|
|
Stock
options and warrants (Note 16)
|
|
|
8,109
|
|
|
7,551
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(69,154
|
)
|
|
(75,987
|
)
|
TOTAL
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
74,222
|
|
|
65,289
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
$
|
234,506
|
|
$
|
214,495
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
WESTERN
GOLDFIELDS INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In
thousands U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
from gold sales
|
|
$
|
41,353
|
|
$
|
1,281
|
|
$
|
70,955
|
|
$
|
4,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine
operating costs
|
|
|
17,591
|
|
|
6,067
|
|
|
38,800
|
|
|
11,741
|
|
Royalties
|
|
|
928
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
1,533
|
|
|
154
|
|
Cost
of sales (excludes amortization and accretion)
|
|
|
18,519
|
|
|
6,117
|
|
|
40,333
|
|
|
11,895
|
|
Amortization
and accretion
|
|
|
2,564
|
|
|
1,609
|
|
|
6,948
|
|
|
2,362
|
|
|
|
|
21,083
|
|
|
7,726
|
|
|
47,281
|
|
|
14,257
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GROSS
PROFIT (LOSS)
|
|
|
20,270
|
|
|
(6,445
|
)
|
|
23,674
|
|
|
(10,197
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
1,525
|
|
|
1,620
|
|
|
4,491
|
|
|
5,131
|
|
Exploration
and business development
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
(273
|
)
|
|
936
|
|
|
759
|
|
|
|
|
1,646
|
|
|
1,347
|
|
|
5,427
|
|
|
5,890
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATING
INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
|
18,624
|
|
|
(7,792
|
)
|
|
18,247
|
|
|
(16,087
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
INCOME (EXPENSE)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
341
|
|
|
942
|
|
|
1,383
|
|
Interest
expense and commitment fees
|
|
|
(1,007
|
)
|
|
(606
|
)
|
|
(3,026
|
)
|
|
(848
|
)
|
Amortization
of deferred debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(115
|
)
|
|
(118
|
)
|
|
(346
|
)
|
|
(227
|
)
|
Realized
and unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market of gold forward sales
contracts (Note 12)
|
|
|
30,777
|
|
|
(28,331
|
)
|
|
(2,043
|
)
|
|
(27,573
|
)
|
Gain
on sale of assets
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
43
|
|
Gain
(loss) on foreign currency exchange
|
|
|
(826
|
)
|
|
89
|
|
|
(1,596
|
)
|
|
294
|
|
|
|
|
29,098
|
|
|
(28,582
|
)
|
|
(6,069
|
)
|
|
(26,928
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME
(LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
|
|
|
47,722
|
|
|
(36,374
|
)
|
|
12,178
|
|
|
(43,015
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME
TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
(17,206
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(5,345
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
|
30,516
|
|
|
(36,374
|
)
|
|
6,833
|
|
|
(43,015
|
)
|
OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
|
|
$
|
30,516
|
|
$
|
(36,366
|
)
|
$
|
6,833
|
|
$
|
(43,015
|
)
|
NET
INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE – BASIC
|
|
$
|
0.22
|
|
$
|
(0.31
|
)
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
(0.39
|
)
|
– DILUTED
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
WEIGHTED
AVERAGE NUMBER OF
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMMON
STOCK OUSTANDING – BASIC
|
|
|
136,739,854
|
|
|
118,281,240
|
|
|
136,272,266
|
|
|
111,628,367
|
|
–
DILUTED
|
|
|
147,861,514
|
|
|
118,281,240
|
|
|
149,303,191
|
|
|
111,628,367
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
WESTERN
GOLDFIELDS INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In
thousands U.S. dollars)
(Nine
months ended September 30, 2008 and year ended December 31,
2007)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
Stock Options
|
|
|
|
Accumulated Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
|
|
|
|
and
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
|
|
|
of Shares
|
|
Amount
|
|
Warrants
|
|
Deficit
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
78,452,876
|
|
|
32,885
|
|
|
7,674
|
|
|
(25,678
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
14,879
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock and warrants issued under prospectus supplement
|
|
|
44,646,000
|
|
|
92,608
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
92,608
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock issued on exercise of common stock warrants
|
|
|
10,248,052
|
|
|
4,508
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,508
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock issued on exercise of common stock options
|
|
|
1,702,757
|
|
|
1,040
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,040
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for directors' services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
482
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
482
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for officers' services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
998
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
998
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for employees' services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for consultants' services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
and expiration of warrants & options
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2,684
|
|
|
(2,684
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss for the year ended December 31, 2007
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(50,309
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(50,309
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
comprehensive income
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
135,049,685
|
|
$
|
133,725
|
|
$
|
7,551
|
|
$
|
(75,987
|
)
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
65,289
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock issued on exercise of common stock warrants
|
|
|
750,000
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock issued on exercise of common stock options
|
|
|
962,234
|
|
|
687
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
687
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for directors’ services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for officers’ services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
379
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
379
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for employees’ services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
520
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
520
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
issued for consultants’ services
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
and expiration of warrants & options
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
517
|
|
|
(517
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income for the period ended September 30, 2008
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
6,833
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
6,833
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
September 30, 2008
|
|
|
136,761,919
|
|
$
|
135,267
|
|
$
|
8,109
|
|
$
|
(69,154
|
)
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
74,222
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
WESTERN
GOLDFIELDS INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In
thousands U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
|
|
Three Months Ended September 30,
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
$
|
30,516
|
|
$
|
(36,374
|
)
|
$
|
6,833
|
|
$
|
(43,015
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items
not affecting cash:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization
of plant and equipment
|
|
|
3,710
|
|
|
1,531
|
|
|
6,740
|
|
|
2,123
|
|
Amortization
of deferred debt issuance costs
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
346
|
|
|
227
|
|
Accretion
expense (Note 14)
|
|
|
88
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
262
|
|
|
253
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
16,640
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
4,779
|
|
|
—
|
|
Gain
on sale of assets
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(43
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(43
|
)
|
Interest
net of reimbursed costs - reclamation and remediation
|
|
|
(81
|
)
|
|
(106
|
)
|
|
(223
|
)
|
|
(276
|
)
|
Stock
based compensation
|
|
|
417
|
|
|
662
|
|
|
1,075
|
|
|
1,950
|
|
Mark-to-market
loss (gain) on gold hedging contracts
|
|
|
(31,415
|
)
|
|
28,331
|
|
|
1,405
|
|
|
27,572
|
|
Changes
in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease
(increase) in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
576
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
(66
|
)
|
|
95
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(6,372
|
)
|
|
(1,827
|
)
|
|
(19,104
|
)
|
|
(1,867
|
)
|
Prepaid
expenses and deposits
|
|
|
(323
|
)
|
|
(1,019
|
)
|
|
(150
|
)
|
|
(1,566
|
)
|
Long
term deposits
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
Increase
(decrease) in:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
(724
|
)
|
|
1,286
|
|
|
(1,251
|
)
|
|
337
|
|
Payroll
and related taxes payable
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(1,562
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
3,409
|
|
|
(106
|
)
|
|
4,173
|
|
|
329
|
|
Accrued
interest expense
|
|
|
(26
|
)
|
|
292
|
|
|
(256
|
)
|
|
292
|
|
Net
cash provided (used) by operating activities
|
|
|
16,525
|
|
|
(7,158
|
)
|
|
2,987
|
|
|
(13,603
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted
cash (Note 20)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(7,500
|
)
|
Purchase
of plant and equipment, including construction in process
|
|
|
(5,175
|
)
|
|
(43,305
|
)
|
|
(19,844
|
)
|
|
(74,681
|
)
|
Increase
in reclamation and remediation investment
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2,090
|
)
|
Net
cash used by investing activities
|
|
|
(5,175
|
)
|
|
(43,305
|
)
|
|
(19,844
|
)
|
|
(84,271
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan
payable
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
51,108
|
|
|
9,876
|
|
|
51,108
|
|
Deferred
debt issuance costs
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
(2,470
|
)
|
|
—
|
|
|
(3,320
|
)
|
Common
stock issued for cash
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
59,191
|
|
Exercise
of options to purchase common stock
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
408
|
|
|
687
|
|
|
909
|
|
Exercise
of warrants to purchase common stock
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
705
|
|
|
338
|
|
|
2,521
|
|
Net
cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
49,751
|
|
|
10,901
|
|
|
110,409
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in cash
|
|
|
11,365
|
|
|
(712
|
)
|
|
(5,956
|
)
|
|
12,535
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, beginning of period
|
|
|
26,549
|
|
|
18,750
|
|
|
43,870
|
|
|
5,503
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents, end of period
|
|
$
|
37,914
|
|
$
|
18,038
|
|
$
|
37,914
|
|
$
|
18,038
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL
CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
paid
|
|
$
|
(693
|
)
|
$
|
(457
|
)
|
$
|
(2,982
|
)
|
$
|
(457
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NON-CASH
FINANCING AND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock,
options and warrants issued for services
|
|
$
|
417
|
|
$
|
662
|
|
$
|
1,075
|
|
$
|
1,950
|
|
Equipment
purchases included in accounts payable
|
|
$
|
(18
|
)
|
$
|
(9,094
|
)
|
$
|
316
|
|
$
|
2,738
|
|
Deferred
debt issuance costs included in accrued expenses
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
(2,329
|
)
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Non-cash
component of inventories
|
|
$
|
422
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
1,623
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
NOTES
TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(all
tabular data in US$ thousands unless otherwise stated)
1.
ORGANIZATION
AND DESCRIPTION OF
BUSINESS
Western
Goldfields Inc. (hereinafter “the Company” or “WGI Ontario”) and its wholly
owned subsidiaries are engaged in the exploration for, development and
extraction of precious metals, principally in North America. The Company’s four
wholly owned subsidiaries are: Western Goldfields USA Inc. (a holding company),
Western Goldfields (Canada) Inc. (a management company), Western Mesquite Mines,
Inc. (an operating company), and Calumet Mining Company (an exploration
company).
On
June
19, 2007 the shareholders of the Company’s predecessor, Western Goldfields,
Inc., an Idaho corporation (“WGI Idaho”), approved an agreement and plan of
merger effective June 29, 2007 whereby the Company’s place of incorporation was
changed from Idaho, USA to Ontario, Canada, and its name was changed from
Western Goldfields, Inc. to Western Goldfields Inc. (the “Reorganization”). For
accounting purposes, the Reorganization has been treated as a reorganization
of
entities under common control which has not resulted in any changes in the
consolidated carrying amounts of assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity.
As used herein, the term “the Company” refers to WGI Ontario and its predecessor
WGI Idaho.
The
Company was in the exploration stage until late 2003. With the acquisition
of
the Mesquite Mine in November 2003, the Company exited the exploration stage
and
became an operating mining company. Until June 2007, the Company’s operations
were restricted to the production of gold from material that was placed on
heap
leach pads by previous owners of the mine. In June 2007, the Company commenced
active mining operations and in December 2007 commenced leaching new
ore.
The
Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Mesquite Mines, Inc.
(“WMMI”), entered into a term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, dated
March 30, 2007 as amended and restated on May 31, 2007, under which facility
WMMI can borrow up to $105 million in connection with the development of the
Mesquite Mine. Of this amount, $87.3 million is available until completion
of
the project, as defined by the contract, and $17.7 million is available until
12
months after completion has been reached. The agreement, in conjunction with
the
equity financings of 2007, completed the financing requirements for Mesquite.
At
September 30, 2008, $86.3 million had been drawn under the
facility.
The
Company’s year-end for reporting purposes is December 31.
2.
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Western Goldfields
Inc. and its 100% owned subsidiaries: Western Goldfields USA Inc., Western
Goldfields (Canada) Inc., Western Mesquite Mines, Inc., and Calumet Mining
Company (collectively “Western Goldfields”). The consolidated financial
statements include the assets and liabilities of Western Goldfields as at
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and its results of operations and
its
cash flows for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and
2007. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been
eliminated on consolidation.
The
classification of certain items in these financial statements differs from
that
adopted in prior periods as a result of revised groupings or allocations.
Comparative figures have been reclassified in the financial statements of the
prior period to conform to the revised basis.
The
preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”)
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant areas requiring
the use of management estimates relate to the determination of mineral reserves,
reclamation and remediation obligations, impairment of assets, useful lives
for
depreciation and amortization, measurement of heap leach, metal-in-process
and
finished goods inventories, value of options and warrants, and valuation
allowances for future tax assets. Actual results could differ from these
estimates.
The
accounting policies followed in preparing these financial statements are those
used by Western Goldfields as set out in the audited financial statements for
the year ended December 31, 2007. These interim statements should be read
together with Western Goldfields’ audited financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 2007. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
considered necessary for fair and consistent presentation of interim statements
have been made. The financial statements and notes are representations of the
Company’s management which is responsible for their integrity and objectivity.
These accounting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted
in
the United States of America and have been consistently applied in the
preparation of the financial statements.
3.
RECENT
ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS
No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. The Statement defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted
accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
The Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. The provisions
of the Statement are effective for statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. In
February 2008, FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 157-2 which delays the effective
date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are not
required or permitted to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis to
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within
those
years. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 as it relates
to financial assets and liabilities. The new disclosures are included in Note
17.
In
February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an amendment of FASB Statement
No.
115”. The Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve
financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate
volatility in reporting earnings caused by measuring related assets and
liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting
provisions. The Company adopted SFAS No. 159 effective January 1, 2008 but
this
has had no impact on the Company’s financial position, financial performance and
cash flows.
In
December 2007, FASB issued FAS 141(R), “Business Combinations”, which will
replace FAS 141 prospectively for business combinations consummated after the
effective date of December 15, 2008. Under FAS 141(R), business combinations
will be accounted for under the “acquisition method”, compared to the “purchase
method” mandated by FAS 141. Significant changes will result from applying the
acquisition method, including: more acquisitions will be accounted for as
business combinations rather than as asset acquisitions; acquisition related
costs of the acquirer will be expensed as incurred, whereas under FAS 141 these
costs are capitalized as part of the business combination; and the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at 100% of fair value even if
less
than 100% is obtained, whereas under FAS 141 only the controlling interest’s
portion is recorded at fair value. In the event of the Company being involved
in
a future business combination, the Company will evaluate the application of
FAS
141(R).
In
December 2007, FASB issued FAS 160, “Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements” which is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008. Under FAS 160, non-controlling interests will be measured
at
100% of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Under current
standards, the non-controlling interest is measured at book value. For
presentation and disclosure purposes, non-controlling interests will be
classified as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. In addition, FAS 160
will change the manner in which increases and decreases in ownership percentages
are accounted for. The provisions of FAS 160 are to be applied prospectively
with the exception of the presentation and disclosure provisions, which are
to
be applied for all prior periods presented in the financial statements. In
the
event of the Company being required in the future to prepare consolidated
financial statements including a non-controlling interest in another entity,
the
Company will evaluate the application of FAS 160.
In
March
2008, FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”, which is effective
for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning
after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The statement
requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging
activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. The
statement changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and
hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about
(a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative
instruments and related hedging items are accounted for under Statement 133
and
its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related
hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and
cash flows. The Company is currently evaluating the implications of the enhanced
disclosure requirements in respect of its forward gold sales
contracts.
In
June
2008, FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, "Determining Whether Instruments Granted
in
Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities" which is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. The statement
addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are
participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included
in
the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class
method described in paragraphs 60 and 61 of FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings
per
Share
.
The
Company is currently evaluating the impact of FSP EITF 03-6-1 and does not
expect the adoption to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In
June
2008, FASB issued EITF No. 07-5, "Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded
Feature) is Indexed to an Entity's Own Stock" which is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of EITF No. 07-5 and does not expect the adoption to
have
an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
4.
RESTRICTED CASH
The
Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Mesquite Mines, Inc.
(“WMMI”), entered into a term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, dated
March 30, 2007 as amended and restated on May 31, 2007 (Note 13). Under the
terms of this facility the Company has set aside $7.5 million (2007 - $7.5
million) in a cost overrun account until completion of the Mesquite Mine
development project, which occurs on satisfaction of physical and economic
completion tests as set out in the credit agreement. At completion, unused
funds
will be applied to fund a debt service reserve account established to hold
an
amount equal to the debt service amounts payable on the next repayment date
as
set out in the credit agreement, and thereafter any surplus funds may be
returned to the Company. Interest earned on restricted cash is for the account
of the Company. Completion of Mesquite Mine development project, as defined
in
the credit agreement has not yet been reached (Note 21).
5.
INVENTORIES
Inventories
consist of the following:
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Ore
on leach pads
|
|
$
|
25,174
|
|
$
|
7,724
|
|
Metal-in-process
|
|
|
1,458
|
|
|
847
|
|
Bullion
|
|
|
99
|
|
|
994
|
|
Supplies
|
|
|
3,574
|
|
|
1,636
|
|
Total
inventories
|
|
$
|
30,305
|
|
$
|
11,201
|
|
Inventories
are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value (“NRV”).
Since
June 30, 2008, new ore placed on leach pads has been valued at cost, based
on
current mining costs, including depreciation, amortization and depletion, since
this is lower than NRV. At December 31, 2007, ore on leach pads was valued
at
NRV. The estimated 52,812 ounces (2007 – 12,080 ounces) of recoverable gold on
the leach pads is calculated from the quantities of ore placed (based on
measured tonnage), the grade of ore (based on assay results), and a recovery
percentage (based on ore type), less transfers into metal-in-process
inventory.
Since
June 30, 2008, metal-in-process inventory has been valued at cost, based on
the
average cost of gold-in-solution fed into the process from the leach pads plus
further processing costs, including depreciation relating to processing
facilities, since this is lower than NRV. At December 31, 2007, metal-in-process
inventory was valued at NRV. The estimated 2,855 ounces (2007 – 1,086 ounces) of
gold-in-solution and in carbon is based on assays and projected recoveries
from
the refining circuit.
Bullion
represents gold held for our account a refiner pending sale. Since June 30,
2008, bullion has been valued at cost, based on the average cost of the
in-process inventory plus refining costs, since this is lower than NRV. At
December 31, 2007, bullion was valued at NRV. At September 30, 2008, 192 gold
ounces were held at a refiner (2007 – 1,196 ounces).
6.
PLANT
AND EQUIPMENT
The
following is a summary of plant and equipment, and accumulated amortization
and
depreciation as at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Buildings
|
|
$
|
4,748
|
|
$
|
4,215
|
|
Equipment
|
|
|
81,704
|
|
|
74,633
|
|
Leach
pad expansion and other processing equipment
|
|
|
30,662
|
|
|
2,684
|
|
Mine
development
|
|
|
3,480
|
|
|
3,517
|
|
|
|
|
120,594
|
|
|
85,049
|
|
Less
accumulated amortization and depreciation
|
|
|
(13,837
|
)
|
|
(7,098
|
)
|
Net
plant and equipment
|
|
$
|
106,757
|
|
$
|
77,951
|
|
Capitalized
interest expense for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 was $0.2
million (September 30, 2007 - $0.1 million), respectively, based on the interest
attributable to borrowings incurred to finance the construction of assets
intended for the Company’s own use. For the year ended December 31, 2007
capitalized interest was $0.5 million. Capitalization of interest ceases when
an
asset is ready for its intended use.
Plant
and
equipment as at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 includes $1.4 million
in respect of fauna relocation costs and $2.3 million in respect of capitalized
development drilling costs.
Amortization
and depreciation expense for the three month and nine month periods ended
September 30, 2008 was $2.5 million and $6.7 million, respectively (2007 -
$1.5
million and $2.1 million).
7.
CONSTRUCTION
IN PROCESS
The
following is a summary of the major components of construction in process at
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Leach
pad expansion
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
12,837
|
|
Building
construction and site infrastructure
|
|
|
4,592
|
|
|
9,027
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,592
|
|
$
|
21,864
|
|
Construction
in process is accumulated and carried forward at cost until completion of
construction or until the equipment is substantially complete and ready for
productive use, at which time the cost is transferred to property, plant and
equipment and is amortized over the asset’s expected useful life.
Cumulative
spending on the two phases of the leach pad expansion have been capitalized
and
depreciated effective January 1, 2008 and May 1, 2008,
respectively.
8.
INVESTMENTS
– RECLAMATION AND REMEDIATION
The
Company has a bonding and insurance program, primarily with American
International Specialty Lines Insurance Company (“AIG”), in respect of the
operations and closure liabilities of the Mesquite Mine. Under the program,
the
Company initially paid $6.0 million into a reimbursement account with AIG,
representing the net present value of expected reclamation costs. As a result
of
increases in proven and probable reserves in August 2006 and March 2007, which
increased the estimated life of the mine by two years, the Company agreed with
AIG and the regulatory agencies to revisions in its reclamation cost estimates.
As a consequence, in May 2007 the bonding program was increased from
approximately $8.7 million to approximately $11.3 million and the Company was
required to place an additional $2.1 million in the reimbursement account with
AIG. In addition, changes were made to the insurance program as described in
Note 9.
During
the second half of 2006 and first quarter of 2007, the Company carried out
closure procedures in respect of the Vista heap leach pad. Related costs of
$0.3
million were reimbursed by AIG.
The
following is a summary of cumulative activity in the reimbursement account
as at
September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007:
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Original
deposit to reimbursement account
|
|
$
|
5,999
|
|
$
|
5,999
|
|
Additional
deposit to reimbursement account
|
|
|
2,091
|
|
|
2,091
|
|
Interest
earned from inception
|
|
|
1,143
|
|
|
920
|
|
|
|
|
9,233
|
|
|
9,010
|
|
Reclamation
costs reimbursed
|
|
|
(349
|
)
|
|
(349
|
)
|
Closing
balance
|
|
$
|
8,884
|
|
$
|
8,661
|
|
The
following bonds have been issued by AIG and approved by regulatory agencies
under the bonding component of the insurance program:
Bond
Number
|
|
|
Inception
Date
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Obligee(s)
|
ESD
7315360
|
|
|
11/7/2003
|
|
$
|
1,218
|
|
|
Imperial
County, California
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
California
Department of Conservation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
Bureau of Land Management
|
ESD
7315361
|
|
|
11/7/2003
|
|
$
|
1,468
|
|
|
Imperial
County, California
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
California
Department of Conservation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
Bureau of Land Management
|
ESD
7315362
|
|
|
11/7/2003
|
|
$
|
62
|
|
|
Imperial
County, California
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
California
Department of Conservation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
Bureau of Land Management
|
ESD
7315363
|
|
|
11/7/2003
|
|
$
|
550
|
|
|
California
Water Quality Control Board
|
ESD
7315358
|
|
|
11/7/2003
|
|
$
|
6,978
|
|
|
U.S.
Bureau of Land Management
|
ESD
7315359
|
|
|
11/7/2003
|
|
$
|
50
|
|
|
California
State Lands Commission
|
ESD
7315533
|
|
|
5/30/2007
|
|
$
|
977
|
|
|
Imperial
County, California
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
California
Department of Conservation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S.
Bureau of Land Management
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
California
State Lands Commission
|
9.
LONG-TERM
PREPAID EXPENSES
The
Company has paid advance premiums in respect of insurance policies to cover
environmental risks at the Mesquite Mine. In late 2007, the insurance program
was re-evaluated in light of the increase in reserves and forecast mine life
at
Mesquite.
The
insurance program covers closure and reclamation risk in excess of the amount
on
deposit in the Investment - Remediation and Reclamation account ($8.8 million
at
September 30, 2008), to an aggregate limit of $17.5 million (December 31, 2007
-
$17.5 million), and expires November 7, 2020.
The
program also covers pollution and remediation risk up to $10.0 million and
includes coverage for pre-existing conditions and new conditions. The terms
for
pre-existing conditions and new conditions coverage expire on November 7, 2013
and November 7, 2008, respectively.
The
premium cost is being amortized over the terms of the policies and is summarized
below.
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Original
Policy Premiums
|
|
$
|
1,643
|
|
$
|
1,643
|
|
Additional
Policy Premium
|
|
|
724
|
|
|
724
|
|
Amortization
to date
|
|
|
(769
|
)
|
|
(641
|
)
|
Unamortized
Premium Cost
|
|
|
1,598
|
|
|
1,726
|
|
Current
Portion
|
|
|
(171
|
)
|
|
(171
|
)
|
Long-Term
Prepaid Expenses
|
|
$
|
1,427
|
|
$
|
1,555
|
|
10.
DEFERRED
DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS
Debt
issuance costs, primarily bank fees and professional fees and costs associated
with the term loan facility (Note 13) incurred to September 30, 2008 and
December 31, 2007, were $3.6 million. These costs are being amortized on a
straight-line basis over the term of the facility to December 31, 2014.
Amortization for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30,
2008
was $0.1 million and $0.3 respectively (2007 – $0.1 and $0.2).
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Debt
issuance costs incurred
|
|
$
|
3,570
|
|
$
|
3,570
|
|
Cumulative
amortization
|
|
|
(689
|
)
|
|
(343
|
)
|
Closing
balance
|
|
$
|
2,881
|
|
$
|
3,227
|
|
11.
INCOME
TAXES
Income
Taxes Recoverable
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Current
|
|
$
|
1,070
|
|
$
|
755
|
|
Deferred
|
|
|
31,285
|
|
|
36,379
|
|
Income
taxes recoverable
|
|
$
|
32,355
|
|
$
|
37,134
|
|
Deferred
Taxes
The
Company records deferred income tax assets and liabilities where temporary
differences exist between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in
the
balance sheet and their tax bases.
The
significant components of the deferred tax asset at September 30, 2008 and
December 31, 2007 are as follows:
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Current
deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
1,070
|
|
$
|
755
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
deferred tax assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized
loss on mark-to-market of
gold
forward sales contracts
|
|
|
24,220
|
|
|
22,217
|
|
Net
operating losses
|
|
|
17,945
|
|
|
19,131
|
|
Mining
property
|
|
|
1,265
|
|
|
1,265
|
|
Reclamation
cost
|
|
|
1,811
|
|
|
1,948
|
|
Exploration
cost
|
|
|
553
|
|
|
453
|
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
1,507
|
|
|
1,335
|
|
Minimum
tax
|
|
|
380
|
|
|
-
|
|
Other
|
|
|
155
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total
long-term deferred tax assets
|
|
|
47,836
|
|
|
46,349
|
|
Long-term
deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed
assets
|
|
|
(9,048
|
)
|
|
(2,370
|
)
|
Total
long-term deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(9,048
|
)
|
|
(2,370
|
)
|
Net
long-term deferred tax asset
|
|
|
39,858
|
|
|
43,979
|
|
Valuation
allowance
|
|
|
(7,503
|
)
|
|
(7,600
|
)
|
Net
deferred tax assets
|
|
$
|
32,355
|
|
$
|
37,134
|
|
At
September 30, 2008 the Company had income tax loss carry-forwards of
approximately $47.5 million. These losses expire from 2022 to 2028. The ability
to utilize these loss carry-forwards is dependent upon a number of factors,
including the future profitability of operations and other tax limitations.
The
future tax benefit of $17.9 million less a valuation allowance of $5.7 million,
resulting in a future tax benefit of $12.2 million, has been recognized in
the
consolidated financial statements with respect to these income tax loss
carry-forwards.
12.
LOSSES
ON GOLD FORWARD SALES CONTRACTS
Under
the
terms of the term loan facility dated March 30, 2007 and amended and restated
on
May 31, 2007 (Note 13), Western Mesquite Mines, Inc. was required, as a
condition precedent to drawdown of the loan, to enter into a gold hedging
program acceptable to the banking syndicate. On June 14, 2007 the Company
announced that all requirements needed to make the facility available for
drawdown had been met and that it had executed flat forward sales contracts
for
429,000 ounces of gold at a price of $801 per ounce. The hedging contracts
represent a commitment of 5,500 ounces per month for 78 months commencing July
2008 with the last commitment deliverable in December 2014.
During
the third quarter of 2008, the Company began settling these contracts, at the
Company’s option, by physical delivery of gold or on a net financial settlement
basis. Realized losses of $0.6 million were recognized for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2008 ($nil – September 30, 2007). The remaining
contracts were marked-to-market as at September 30, 2008 using a spot price
of
gold of $885 per ounce. The cumulative unrealized pre-tax loss of $60.3 million
(2007 - $58.9 million) has been disclosed as a liability as at September 30,
2008 and the Company has recorded an unrealized gain of $31.4 million and an
unrealized loss of $1.4 million for the three month and nine month periods
ended
September 30, 2008, respectively (2007 unrealized loss – $28.3 million and $27.6
million, respectively).
The
Company has not designated these contracts as cash flow hedges. Accordingly,
the
hedge accounting rules of SFAS No. 133 are not being applied and the period-end
mark-to-market adjustment related to these contracts is immediately reflected
on
the income statement of the Company as unrealized losses on gold forward sales
contracts and the cumulative effect is reflected as an asset or liability on
the
balance sheet.
13.
LOAN
PAYABLE
Term
Loan Facility
The
Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Mesquite Mines, Inc.
(“WMMI”), entered into a term loan facility with a syndicate of banks, dated
March 30, 2007 as amended and restated on May 31, 2007, under which WMMI can
borrow up to $105 million in connection with the development of the Mesquite
Mine. The facility expires December 31, 2014 and comprises a multiple-draw
term
loan of which $87.3 million is available as required for the development of
the
Mesquite Mine; the remainder is available for up to 12 months after completion,
as defined within the contract, for corporate purposes. The facility is
secured by all of the assets of WMMI and a pledge of the shares of WMMI owned
by
the Company. In addition, until completion, the facility is guaranteed by the
Company. The date to reach completion has been extended to March 31, 2009 to
take into consideration the Company’s new life of mine plan (Note
21).
Interest
on the term loan is charged at U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 2.2% prior to completion
and U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 1.75% after completion. Completion occurs upon
the satisfaction of certain technical and financial criteria as defined in
the
credit agreement. As at September 30, 2008, WMMI had drawn $86.3 million under
the facility at a rate of approximately 4.7%, which includes the one-month
LIBOR
rate at time of loan renewal. As at December 31, 2007, WMMI had drawn
$76.5 million under the facility and incurred interest at a rate of
approximately 7.25%. Repayment of the project facility will be on a semi-annual
basis, commencing December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2014 according to
an
agreed schedule of percentages of the loan outstanding on the final day of
the
availability period. On the basis of the loan outstanding at September 30,
2008,
the initial repayment on December 31, 2008 would be $9.9 million or 11.5% of
the
loan, and the second repayment on June 30, 2009 would be $5.2 million or 6.0%
of
the loan, of which the combined amount has been recorded as a current
liability.
In
addition to the scheduled repayments, mandatory prepayments are required
semi-annually based on 50% of the excess cash flow from the Mesquite Mine.
An
estimate of the timing and amount of prepayments has not been included in these
financial statements, as these payments are based on the amount by which the
Mesquite Mine’s cash balance after repayments and interest payments, at the date
of repayment, exceeds $4.0 million.
14.
RECLAMATION
AND REMEDIATION LIABILITIES
Federal,
state and local laws and regulations concerning environmental protection affect
the Company’s operations. Under current regulations, the Company is required to
meet performance standards to minimize environmental impact from operations
and
to perform site reclamation and remediation activities. The Company’s provision
for reclamation and remediation liabilities is based on known requirements.
It
is not possible to estimate the impact on operating results, if any, of future
legislative or regulatory developments. The Company’s estimate of the net
present value of these obligations for the Mesquite mine is based upon existing
reclamation standards as at September 30, 2008 and is in conformity with SFAS
No. 143. The increase in the net present value of the liability is recognized
for accounting purposes as accretion expense during the period under
review.
In
May
2007, the Company announced an increase in its mineral reserves which is
reflected in an increase of $0.1 million in the provision for reclamation and
remediation as at December 31, 2007.
The
following table sets out the activity for the Company’s reclamation and
remediation liabilities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008
and
the year ended December 31, 2007:
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Opening
Balance
|
|
$
|
5,061
|
|
$
|
4,805
|
|
Accretion
|
|
|
262
|
|
|
337
|
|
Reclamation
costs incurred
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(148
|
)
|
Increase
(reduction) in the present value of obligations
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
67
|
|
Ending
Balance
|
|
$
|
5,323
|
|
$
|
5,061
|
|
The
estimated amount payable within the next 12 months included in the above balance
as at September 30, 2008 is $0.2 million (2007 - $0.1 million).
15.
COMMON
STOCK
Reclassification
of Additional Paid-In Capital
Following
the Reorganization, the Company’s authorized share capital, as an Ontario
corporation, comprises solely an unlimited number of common stock of no par
value. Prior to the Reorganization, the Company’s authorized common stock, as an
Idaho corporation, was 500 million common stock of $0.01 par value. The impact
of the conversion from stock of $0.01 stated value to stock of no par value
has
been reflected in the financial statements on a retroactive basis. Accordingly,
amounts recorded as credits in the Additional Paid-In Capital component of
Stockholders’ Equity as at June 29, 2007 and December 31, 2006 have been
reclassified as Common Stock.
Public
Offerings of Common Stock
In
January 2007, the Company issued 33,330,000 common stock at a price of $1.91
per
share (Cdn. $2.25 per share) under a prospectus supplement to the Company’s
shelf prospectus dated October 27, 2006. Net proceeds to the Company, after
expenses of $4.5 million, were $59.2 million.
In
October 2007, the Company issued 11,316,000 common stock at a price of $3.13
per
share (Cdn. $3.05 per share) under a Short Form Prospectus dated October 2,
2007. Net proceeds to the Company, after expenses of $2.0 million, were $33.4
million.
Other
Issuances of Common Stock
During
the nine month period ended September 30, 2008, 962,234 options were exercised
for cash consideration of $0.7 million.
During
the nine month period ended September 30, 2008, 750,000 shares of common stock
were issued for cash consideration of $0.3 million upon the exercise of 750,000
warrants to purchase common shares.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company issued 1,702,757 shares of common
stock for cash consideration of $1.0 million upon the exercise of options to
purchase common stock. Of the stock issued, 103,125 shares were issued under
the
cashless method under which option holders receive that number of stock
calculated by dividing the amount by which their options are “in the money” by
the stock price at date of exercise.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company issued 10,248,052 shares of common
stock for cash consideration of $4.5 million upon the exercise of 10,248,052
warrants to purchase common stock.
16.
STOCK
OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Options
The
Company has a stock incentive plan which is intended to provide an incentive
to
officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company. The option price
is determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at its
sole discretion but shall not be less than the closing price of the Company’s
common stock on The Toronto Stock Exchange two trading days after the date
of
the grant. The term of each option granted shall be for a period not exceeding
ten years from the date of the grant. Except as expressly provided for in the
option holder’s employment, consulting or termination contract, the option
holder may exercise the option to the extent exercisable on the date of such
termination at any time within three months after the date of
termination.
The
plan
is a non-qualifying stock option plan for U.S. income tax purposes. For awards
made before and after the reorganization of the Company effective June 29,
2007,
the price of options granted is expressed in terms of U.S. and Canadian dollars,
respectively. The aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock for
which option awards may be granted under the plan shall not exceed 5,000,000.
At
September 30, 2008, 2,245,000 option awards were available for issuance under
the plan.
Prior
to
inception of the Western Goldfields’ stock option plan, of the awards issued,
10,174,118 option awards remain outstanding as at September 30, 2008.
The
Company estimates the fair value of options and warrants using the Black-Scholes
Option Price Calculation. Some options and warrants may be exercised by means
of
a “cashless exercise” to receive a number of shares of common stock equal in
market value to the difference between the market value of the shares of common
stock issuable under the option or warrant and the total cash exercise price
of
the option or warrant being exercised.
During
the nine month period ended September 30, 2008, 962,234 options were exercised
for cash proceeds of $0.7 million and 36,666 options were
forfeited.
On
August
8, 2008, the Company issued 400,000 options to employees and an officer, and
100,000 options to a consultant for services rendered, with an exercise price
of
Cdn. $2.00 per share. The options vest in three equal annual installments
beginning on August 8, 2008, and were fair valued at $0.5 million.
During
the year ended December 31, 2007, 1,749,632 options were exercised for cash
proceeds of $1.0 million, and 10,000 options expired. Of the options exercised,
150,000 were exercised in exchange for 103,125 shares of common stock under
the
cashless method under which option holders receive that number of shares
calculated by dividing the amount by which their options are “in the money” by
the stock price at date of exercise.
On
December 10, 2007, the Company issued 300,000 options to an employee with an
exercise price of Cdn. $3.74 per share. The options vest in three equal annual
installments beginning on December 10, 2007, and were fair valued at $0.7
million.
On
August
2, 2007, the Company issued 395,000 options to employees and to a director
with
an exercise price of Cdn. $2.80 per share. The options vest in three equal
annual installments beginning on August 2, 2007, and were fair valued at $0.9
million.
On
June
29, 2007, the Company issued 50,000 options to an employee with an exercise
price of $2.46 per share. The options vest in three equal annual installments
beginning on June 29, 2007, and were fair valued at $0.1 million.
On
April
4, 2007, the Company issued 655,000 options to employees with an exercise price
of $1.96 per share. The options vest in three equal annual installments
beginning on April 4, 2007, and were fair valued at $1.1 million.
The
value
of each option award is estimated on the date of the grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The model requires the input of subjective
assumptions, including the weighted-average risk-free rate of return, expected
term of the option award, and stock price volatility. During 2007, these
assumptions were adjusted to reflect prevailing interest rates, plan experience
and stock market performance of the Company’s shares, respectively. These
estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management
judgment. In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture
rate
and only recognize expense for options expected to vest. As a result, if other
assumptions had been used, our recorded stock-based compensation expense may
have been different from that reported. The Black-Scholes option pricing model
used the following assumptions:
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
Weighted-average risk-free
rate of return (%)
|
3.0%
|
|
3.9%
- 5.0%
|
Dividend
yield
|
-%
|
|
-
%
|
Expected
life in years
|
4
|
|
4
and 7
|
Volatility
|
62%
|
|
91%
- 98%
|
The
following is a summary of stock option activity for the nine month period ended
September 30, 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2007:
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Exercise
Price
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Balance
January 1, 2007
(1)
|
|
|
13,661,250
|
|
$
|
0.61
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
1,400,000
|
|
|
2.60
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
/ Expired
|
|
|
(1,759,632
|
)
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
13,301,618
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable
at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
9,403,291
|
|
$
|
0.72
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair
value of options as at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
January 1, 2008
|
|
|
13,301,618
|
|
$
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
|
1.88
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(962,234
|
)
|
|
0.71
|
|
|
|
|
Expired
/ Forfeited
|
|
|
(36,666
|
)
|
|
1.96
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding
September 30, 2008
(1)
|
|
|
12,802,718
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable
at September 30, 2008
|
|
|
11,939,388
|
|
$
|
0.73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair
value of options as at September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
0.56
|
|
(1)
Includes options granted under predecessor plan.
The
following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding
at
September 30, 2008:
Awards
Outstanding by Range
|
|
Exercise
Price
$
|
|
Awards
Outstanding
|
|
Awards
Exercisable
|
|
Low
|
|
High
|
|
Quantity
|
|
Weighted
Average
Outstanding
Contractual
Life
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
|
|
Quantity
|
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
0.50
|
|
|
7,754,117
|
|
|
4.24
|
|
$
|
0.34
|
|
|
7,754,117
|
|
|
4.24
|
|
$
|
0.34
|
|
0.51
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
2,420,000
|
|
|
3.60
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
|
2,420,000
|
|
|
3.60
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
1.01
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
1.51
|
|
|
2.00
|
|
|
1,008,601
|
|
|
6.17
|
|
|
1.92
|
|
|
493,603
|
|
|
5.96
|
|
|
1.93
|
|
2.01
|
|
|
2.50
|
|
|
925,000
|
|
|
4.84
|
|
|
2.18
|
|
|
908,334
|
|
|
4.82
|
|
|
2.18
|
|
2.51
|
|
|
3.00
|
|
|
395,000
|
|
|
5.83
|
|
|
2.63
|
|
|
263,334
|
|
|
5.83
|
|
|
2.63
|
|
3.01
|
|
|
3.50
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
3.51
|
|
|
4.00
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
6.19
|
|
|
3.51
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
6.19
|
|
|
3.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,802,718
|
|
|
4.41
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
|
11,939,388
|
|
|
4.28
|
|
$
|
0.73
|
|
As
of
September 30, 2008, there was $1.0 million (2007 - $1.7 million) of total
unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock based compensation
arrangements granted under the plan. The cost is expected to be recognized
over
a weighted-average period of 1.0 year (2007 – 1.1 years).
Stock
based compensation expenses are included within general and administrative
expenses.
Warrants
The
following is a summary of warrant activity for the nine months ended September
30, 2008 and the year ended December 31, 2007:
|
|
Nine months ended
September 30,
2008
|
|
Year ended
December 31,
2007
|
|
Balance,
start of period
|
|
|
6,806,180
|
|
|
17,054,232
|
|
Issued
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Expired
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(750,000
|
)
|
|
(10,248,052
|
)
|
Balance,
end of period
|
|
|
6,056,180
|
|
|
6,806,180
|
|
Warrants
outstanding to acquire common shares of the Company at September 30, 2008 are
as
follows:
Warrants Outstanding
|
|
Exercise
Price
|
|
Expiry Date
|
|
6,056,180
|
|
$
|
0.76
|
|
|
Note
1
|
|
|
(1)
|
Newmont
Mining Corporation (“Newmont”) received warrants as part of the purchase
price for Mesquite in November 2003. Under the anti-dilution provisions
of
the warrant, the exercise price was reduced from $1.00 to $0.76 upon
the
issuance of common shares and warrants by way of private placement
on
February 13, 2006. The warrants expire between June 9, 2011 and June
9,
2012.
|
17.
FAIR
VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
As
discussed in Note 3, effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS 157
as
it relates to financial assets and liabilities that are being measured at fair
value on a recurring basis. Although the adoption of SFAS 157 did not materially
impact its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, the
Company is now required to provide additional disclosures as part of its
financial statements. In accordance with FSP 157-2, the Company deferred
adoption of SFAS 157 as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities
measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.
SFAS
157
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in
accordance with U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosure about fair value measurements.
The statement is intended to enable the reader of the financial statements
to
assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing the
hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to
determine fair values. The statement requires that assets and liabilities
carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in a three-tier fair value
hierarchy. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in
active markets for identical assets and liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs
other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such
as
quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that
are not active; model-based valuation techniques for which all significant
assumptions are observable in the market; or inputs that are observable or
can
be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of
the
assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are
not
corroborated by market data.
The
following table sets out the Company’s financial assets and liabilities at
September 30, 2008 at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy.
As
required by FAS 157, liabilities are classified in their entirety based on
the
lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value
measurement.
|
|
Fair
Value at September 30, 2008
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Level
1
|
|
Level
2
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
|
|
$
|
45,414
|
|
$
|
45,414
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank
debt
|
|
$
|
86,339
|
|
$
|
86,339
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Derivative instruments – forward gold sales
|
|
$
|
60,307
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
60,307
|
|
The
Company’s cash and restricted cash is represented by account balances and
short-term deposits with major Canadian and U.S. banks. Canadian account
balances and deposits are converted to U.S. dollars at the closing exchange
rate
on September 30, 2008 and accordingly are classified within Level 1 of the
fair
value hierarchy.
The
Company’s bank debt represents the current and long-term portions of advances
under the Company’s term-loan facility. This indebtedness is a financial
liability and as such its fair value equals its historic cost. Accordingly
it is
classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The
Company’s forward gold sales contracts are valued using pricing models which
require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms and yield curves,
and
correlation of such inputs. The Company utilizes the market approach to
measurement of fair value for these derivative instruments. This approach uses
prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving
comparable liabilities. Such derivative contracts trade in liquid markets and,
as such, model inputs can generally be verified and do not involve significant
management judgment. Such instruments are typically classified within Level
2 of
the fair value hierarchy.
18.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In
March
2006, the Company concluded a cost sharing agreement with Silver Bear Resources
Inc. (“Silver Bear”) under which half of certain of Silver Bear’s office
overhead costs is charged to the Company. The Company is related to Silver
Bear
because certain senior executives and a director of Silver Bear also serve
as
senior executives and as a director of the Company. During the three months
and
nine months ended September 30, 2008 overhead costs of $nil and $0.2 million,
respectively, were charged to the Company under this agreement (2007 - $nil
and
$0.2 million). At September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, $19,000 and $31,000,
respectively, was payable to Silver Bear. The Company anticipates renewing
the
agreement in November 2008 with the result that the Company will pay for costs,
including office rental, in the first instance and will then charge Silver
Bear
for its proportionate share.
19.
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
Mining
Industry
Although
the mineral exploration and mining industries are inherently speculative and
subject to complex environmental regulations, the Company is unaware of any
pending litigation or of any specific past or prospective matters which could
impair the value of its mining claims.
Contract
with the County Sanitation District of Los Angeles
During
its ownership of the Mesquite Mine, Hanson Natural Resource Company, a prior
operator of the mine, entered into an agreement with the County Sanitation
District of Los Angeles County, which then developed and permitted a plan to
create a 100-year landfill at the Mesquite Mine.
Under
the
agreement with the County Sanitation District of Los Angeles County, the Company
has the right to explore, mine, extract, process, market and sell ore, and
otherwise conduct mining and processing activities, anywhere on the property
for
an initial period through 2024 with automatic extensions until 2078. Much of
the
infrastructure at the property is likely to be retained by the landfill after
mining operations are completed and the Company has met certain reclamation
standards.
Mesquite
Expansion
The
Company is in the final stages of completion of the mine expansion program
at
Mesquite. As at September 30, 2008, planned and committed capital spending
on
the program is approximately $1.8 million.
Lease
Agreement
The
Company has entered into a lease for head office premises for the ten-year
period commencing June 1, 2008. Estimated rental and operating costs over the
first year of the lease are approximately $530,000 and over the ten-year term
are approximately $5.4 million. The Company anticipates that Silver Bear will
initially share 50% of these costs (see Note 18).
Congrove
Construction Matter
The
Company, through its subsidiary, Western Mesquite Mines, Inc. (“WMMI”), entered
into a Management Representative Agreement dated August 7, 2007 (the
“Agreement”) with Congrove Construction (“Congrove”) of Yuma, Arizona, in
respect of certain construction activities associated with the Mesquite
expansion project. WMMI terminated the Agreement on the grounds of bad faith
demonstrated by Congrove in the carrying out of its contractual duties. On
July
3, 2008, legal counsel acting for Congrove filed a complaint and demand for
jury
trial with the United States District Court, Southern District of California,
asserting that WMMI materially breached the Agreement by failing to provide
complete plans in a timely manner, by wrongfully terminating Congrove’s services
on the construction project, and by failing to pay monies owing to Congrove
under the Agreement. Congrove is seeking relief in the amount of $0.6 million
plus interest thereon. Congrove filed and recorded a notice of litigation in
September 2008.
The
Company believes these claims are without merit and will vigorously defend
against such claims.
20.
COMPARATIVE
INFORMATION
The
Company has reclassified the cash used by restricted cash of $7,500,000 from
the
initial classification as an operating activity to investing activity in these
financial statements to conform to the year-end December 31, 2007
classification.
21.
SUBSEQUENT
EVENT
On
October 6, 2008, the Company announced a revised mine plan which includes
sequential mining of the various pits at the site. As a result of this change,
it was agreed with the lenders to extend the date at which completion would
be
reached to March 31, 2009. The Company is currently in discussions with the
lenders to amend other terms of the loan facility.
Item
2.
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The
following discussion provides information that management believes is relevant
to an assessment and understanding of the consolidated financial condition
and
results of operations of Western Goldfields Inc. and its subsidiaries and
including its predecessor, Western Goldfields, Inc. (collectively “Western
Goldfields” or the “Company”).
This
item should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial
statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008 and
the
notes thereto. The information is presented as of November 4, 2008. All amounts
in this discussion are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise
specified.
The
following discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve numerous
risks and uncertainties. Actual results of the Company could differ materially
from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of these
risks and uncertainties, including those set forth in our Annual Report filed
with the SEC on March 28, 2008 under Item 1. Description of Business - “Risk
Factors.”
Overview
We
are an
independent precious metals production and exploration company with operations
focused in North America. Our principal asset is the Mesquite Mine (“Mesquite”
or “the Mine”) which we acquired from Newmont Mining Corporation (“Newmont”) in
November 2003. Until late 2007, Mesquite provided residual gold production
from
ore that was placed on the heap leach pads by Newmont and previous owners of
the
property. A positive feasibility study was completed in August 2006. Subsequent
equity and debt financings have enabled us to undertake a capital expansion
program and resume mining operations at Mesquite. We started to place new ore
on
the new heap leach pad during the second half of 2007 and this started to be
reflected in gold production and inventories by late 2007. We attained “steady
state” production from the new leach pad during the second quarter of 2008
(“Q2/08”). We have obtained all necessary permits and are sufficiently funded to
complete the capital expansion program. We have revised our expectations to
selling 117,000 ounces of gold in 2008. Western Goldfields Inc. is listed on
the
Toronto Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol WGI, and is listed on the
NYSE Alternext under the symbol WGW.
Overall
Performance
Our
first
gold pour from new production occurred on January 15, 2008. During the first
half of 2008, we were focused on achieving “steady state” production from the
new ore being placed on the leach pad that was constructed in the previous
fiscal year. By late May, solution flow to the leach pad had become saturated,
steady state pregnant solution flow had been achieved, and production rates
had
stabilized. During the third quarter of 2008, ounces produced and sold were
42,358 and 48,535, respectively. Production for the third quarter was lower
than
expectations and was mainly a result of a delay in the availability of
replacement parts for one shovel in the mining fleet. Year-to-date, we have
produced and sold 79,946 ounces and 80,255 ounces of gold, respectively. Of
the
ounces sold, 16,500 were delivered into a hedge program as a condition of the
debt facility, at a fixed price of $801 per ounce. During the year, the Mine
incurred escalating production costs, most notably for fuel and haulage truck
tires. The selling price for gold in world markets continued to be strong and
offsets the full impact of input cost increases.
Term
Loan Facility and Related Hedging
Our
wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Mesquite Mines, Inc., has a term loan facility
with a syndicate of banks for $105.0 million. The facility comprises
multiple-draw loans maturing December 31, 2012, of which $87.3 million is
available for the development of the Mesquite Mine, and the remainder is
available for up to 12 months after completion for other corporate purposes.
Achieving completion will require the satisfaction of financial, production
and
technical criteria, and based on the new mine plan, is now expected to occur
by
March 31, 2009. Repayment of the facility will be on a semi-annual basis
commencing December 31, 2008, with mandatory prepayments being made from 50%
of
excess cash flow. An estimate of the timing and amount of prepayments cannot
be
objectively determined, as these payments are based on the amount by which
the
Mesquite Mine’s cash balance after scheduled repayments and interest payments,
at the date of repayment, exceeds $4.0 million. Interest on each advance is
charged at U.S. dollar LIBOR plus 2.2% up to completion and at U.S. dollar
LIBOR
plus 1.75% after completion.
As
at
September 30, 2008 we had drawn approximately $86.3 million. Based on our
current plans, we do not anticipate making further draws.
On
June
7, 2007, we executed forward sales contracts for 429,000 ounces of gold (the
“Hedging Contracts”) at a price of $801 per ounce. These Hedging Contracts were
a requirement under the term loan facility. The Hedging Contracts represent
a
commitment of 5,500 ounces per month for 78 months commencing July 2008, with
the last commitment deliverable December 2014. We expect to produce on average
approximately 166,000 ounces annually during the term of the Hedging Contracts,
of which 66,000 annually will be covered by the Hedging Contracts, leaving
approximately 100,000 ounces leveraged to the price of gold. Since we have
not
designated these forward sales contracts as cash flow hedges, they are being
marked-to-market at the end of each quarterly period for financial reporting
purposes. We have recorded an unrealized pre-tax gain of $31.4 million and
loss
of $1.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2008,
respectively, and a pre-tax loss of $58.9 million for the year ended December
31, 2007. The cumulative unrealized pre-tax loss of $60.3 million has been
disclosed as a liability as at September 30, 2008. The first deliveries into
the
hedge occurred during the third quarter of 2008. As a result of gold prices
during the quarter being higher than the settled amount of $801, we realized
pre-tax losses of $0.6 million for the three and nine month period ended
September 30, 2008.
As
a
result of the change in life of mine plan, we have negotiated with the lenders
to extend the date by which completion would be reached to March 31,
2009.
Capital
Program - Construction Activity
During
the first three quarters of 2008, the remaining aspects of our capital program,
launched in late 2006, were substantially completed. In the first quarter of
2008, the expanded leach pad became operational and the retrofit of the process
plant was completed. During the second quarter, new carbon columns for the
processing circuit were brought on stream and construction of the new truck
repair shop, warehouse and mine administrative office was substantially
completed. Our latest forecast for spending on the expansion capital program
is
$110.0 million, of which $95.4 million was incurred in 2006 and 2007 and $14.6
million estimated for 2008. Spending on the expansion program in 2008
year-to-date was $13.0 million. The remaining planned expenditures of the
capital program in 2008 are to complete the truck repair shop.
Selected
Financial Information
(all
tabular data in US$ thousands unless otherwise stated)
Cash
flows provided (used) by:
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
|
16,525
|
|
|
(7,158
|
)
|
|
2,987
|
|
|
(13,603
|
)
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
(5,175
|
)
|
|
(43,305
|
)
|
|
(19,844
|
)
|
|
(84,271
|
)
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
49,751
|
|
|
10,901
|
|
|
110,409
|
|
Balance
sheet items:
|
|
September 30,
2008
|
|
December 31,
2007
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
|
37,914
|
|
|
43,870
|
|
Restricted
cash
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
Working
capital
|
|
|
49,220
|
|
|
46,913
|
|
Plant
and equipment, net of accumulated amortization
|
|
|
106,757
|
|
|
77,951
|
|
Construction
in process
|
|
|
4,592
|
|
|
21,864
|
|
Stockholders’
equity
|
|
|
74,222
|
|
|
65,289
|
|
Statement
of operations items:
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Revenues
from gold sales (i)
|
|
|
41,353
|
|
|
1,281
|
|
|
70,955
|
|
|
4,060
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross
profit (loss)
|
|
|
20,270
|
|
|
(6,445
|
)
|
|
23,674
|
|
|
(10,197
|
)
|
Realized
and unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market of gold forward sales
contracts
|
|
|
30,777
|
|
|
(28,331
|
)
|
|
(2,043
|
)
|
|
(27,573
|
)
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
|
30,516
|
|
|
(36,366
|
)
|
|
6,833
|
|
|
(43,015
|
)
|
Net
income (loss) per share - Basic
|
|
$
|
0.22
|
|
$
|
(0.31
|
)
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
(0.39
|
)
|
- Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.21
|
|
$
|
(0.31
|
)
|
$
|
0.05
|
|
$
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold
ounces produced
|
|
|
42,357
|
|
|
1,843
|
|
|
79,947
|
|
|
6,083
|
|
Gold
ounces sold
|
|
|
47,535
|
|
|
1,876
|
|
|
80,255
|
|
|
6,101
|
|
Average
revenue per ounce (i)
|
|
$
|
870
|
|
$
|
683
|
|
$
|
884
|
|
$
|
665
|
|
Cost
of sales per ounce (ii)
|
|
$
|
390
|
|
$
|
3,261
|
|
$
|
503
|
|
$
|
1,950
|
|
(i)
|
Excludes
$0.6 million in realized losses on gold forward contracts recognized
during the third quarter of 2008.
|
(ii)
|
Cost
of sales per ounce is defined as cost of sales per Western Goldfields’
financial statements divided by the number of ounces
sold.
|
Consolidated
Financial Results / Overall Performance
Western
Goldfields’ net income to common shareholders for the nine month period ended
September 30, 2008 (“2008 YTD”) was $6.8 million, or $0.05 per share (basic and
diluted), compared with a net loss of $43.0 million, or $0.39 per share, for
the
nine month period ended June 30, 2007 (“2007 YTD”).
The
net
income for 2008 YTD includes $1.4 million non-cash, unrealized pre-tax loss
arising from the mark-to-market of contracts for the forward sale of gold which
were taken out as a requirement of our term loan facility. The loss reflects
the
increase in spot gold price from $836 to $885, decreases in gold lease rates,
and decreases in interest rates during the nine month period ended September
30,
2008. During the third quarter of 2008 we settled, either financially or
physically into the first hedge contracts, a total of 16,500 ounces. These
ounces were each delivered at a time when gold prices were higher than the
forward price of $801. As a result, realized losses of $0.6 million were
recognized during the quarter and 2008 YTD for financially settled hedge
contracts. The remaining contracts consist of 412,500 ounces of gold to be
delivered in tranches of 5,500 ounces per month up to December
2014.
Results
for 2008 YTD reflect our first three quarters with Mesquite as a producing
mine,
and as such are not comparable with results for 2007 YTD when Mesquite was
leaching residual ounces from operations that ceased in previous years. Net
revenues for 2008 YTD have increased by $66.9 million over the previous year.
Of
this total, $49.3 million related to increased gold ounces sold and $17.5
million was a result of higher gold prices. Although ounces sold increased
from
6,101 in 2007 YTD to 80,255 in 2008 YTD, sales in the early months of 2008
were
below the range that was initially forecast. There are numerous variables and
unknowns in commissioning a new leach pad operation. It took us several weeks
longer than anticipated to reach “steady state” solution flow and planned
performance. Cost of sales per ounce for 2008 YTD, based on mine cost of sales
less non-cash depreciation, amortization and depletion, was $503 per ounce,
compared with $1,950 per ounce in the 2007 YTD period. Unit costs for 2008
YTD
were higher than the previously projected estimate of $470 - $490 per ounce
for
the full year, due partially to the preparation towards a new mine plan and
the
decline of shovel availability in the third quarter. Higher fuel prices have
also negatively affected mining costs. Higher fuel costs are also being
reflected in the cost of other items with high energy content, such as
explosives and chemicals. Tire costs also continue to run higher than originally
forecast. In common with many mining companies, the mining operations were
adversely affected by a world-wide shortage of radial-ply truck tires. We have
mitigated the impact of this shortage by sourcing improved quality bias-ply
tires, but usage is up and haulage trucks are operating at less than planned
speed. To compensate for this, during March 2008 an additional crew was hired
and mining operations were carried out on a 24/7 basis commencing in the second
quarter of 2008.
Other
operating expenses for 2008 YTD were $5.4 million compared with $5.9 million
in
2007 YTD. General and administrative expenses of $4.5 million were lower than
the $5.1 million of the previous year. Non-cash stock based compensation for
2008 YTD, included within general and administrative expenses, of $1.1 million
was significantly lower than the $2.0 million expense in the previous year.
The
higher expense in 2007 primarily reflects the amortizing of grants of options
to
Western Goldfields’ new management team in early 2006. Exploration and business
development expense in 2008 YTD of $0.9 million related to a drilling program
to
explore for oxide resources to the south of the Brownie Hill area at Mesquite
and costs of our continuing efforts in assessing complementary business
opportunities.
Other
expense for 2008 YTD was $6.1 million compared with $26.9 million in 2007 YTD.
The largest contributing factor was the realized loss from settlement of gold
forward sales contracts and non-cash unrealized losses relating to the
mark-to-market of the remaining contracts. The spot price of gold at the time
the hedging contracts were entered into was $660-675 per ounce, compared with
a
price of $885 at September 30, 2008 and $836 at December 31, 2007. An unrealized
loss of $1.4 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 and
$58.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 has been recognized. The
cumulative unrealized pre-tax loss of $60.3 million has been disclosed as a
liability as at September 30, 2008. Other expense for 2008 YTD also included
$0.9 million of interest income as compared with $1.4 million in 2007 YTD,
reflecting the higher cash balances in 2007 immediately after the January 2007
equity issue, which generated cash of $59.2 million. Interest expense and
commitment fees for 2008 YTD was $3.0 million reflecting advances under the
term
loan facility in the range of $76.5 - $86.3 million. The loss on foreign
currency exchange of $1.6 million for 2008 YTD relates to us holding Canadian
dollars during periods when that currency generally weakened in relation to
the
U.S. dollar.
Prior
to
2007, we did not recognize the recoverability of any part of the deferred tax
assets, including operating losses carried forward. At year-end 2007, it was
determined that it was more likely than not that we would realize the benefit
of
a substantial amount of the deferred tax asset that was accumulated.
Accordingly, at December 31, 2007 a tax recovery of $37.1 million was recorded,
principally arising from net operating loss carry forwards for income tax
purposes and timing differences arising from the recording of the accounting
loss in respect of the mark-to-market of gold forward sales contracts. For
the
period ended September 30, 2008, the deferred tax balance was reduced to $32.4
million as a result of mark-to-market gains and a reconciliation from the 2007
filed tax returns.
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Revenues
from gold sales
|
|
|
41,353
|
|
|
1,281
|
|
|
70,955
|
|
|
4,060
|
|
Average
revenue per ounce
|
|
$
|
870
|
|
$
|
683
|
|
$
|
884
|
|
$
|
665
|
|
Increase
(decrease) in revenues
|
|
|
40,072
|
|
|
(616
|
)
|
|
66,895
|
|
|
(2,716
|
)
|
Change
in revenues attributable to ounces sold
|
|
|
31,184
|
|
|
(738
|
)
|
|
49,348
|
|
|
(3,164
|
)
|
Change
attributable to average selling price
|
|
|
8,888
|
|
|
122
|
|
|
17,547
|
|
|
448
|
|
Revenues
from gold sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 have
increased by $40.1 million and $66.9 million, respectively, compared to the
same
period in 2007, reflecting attainment of steady state production from the new
leach pad during the second quarter of 2008 and higher average selling prices
per ounce sold. The revenue in the third quarter of 2008 does not include losses
of $0.6 million realized on the settlement of forward contracts at $801 per
ounce while the average market price for gold during the quarter was $870 per
ounce.
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Cost
of goods sold
|
|
|
21,083
|
|
|
7,726
|
|
|
47,281
|
|
|
14,257
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
13,357
|
|
|
6,532
|
|
|
33,024
|
|
|
7,356
|
|
Gross
profit %
|
|
|
49
|
%
|
|
(503)
|
%
|
|
33
|
%
|
|
(251)
|
%
|
Cost
of
goods sold for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased
by
$13.4 million and $33.0 million, respectively, compared to the same period
in
2007. Prior to the second quarter of 2008, cost of goods sold exceeded revenues.
Gross profit percentage for the third quarter of 2008 was 49%, reflecting the
ramp up of mining production, the attainment of steady state ounce flow from
the
leach pad and progression towards normal costs reflecting ongoing operations.
Gross profit percentage for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 33%,
reflecting the higher costs of the previous quarters when the new leach pad
was
in start-up mode and when a relatively high volume of waste material was moved
to access the ore body. The higher costs in 2008 as compared with 2007 also
reflect increases in several cost inputs, most notably fuel, tires, blasting
and
mining fleet maintenance. Mine site administration costs have also increased
as
the Mesquite Mine now has a full management and administration team in place.
Costs also reflect substantially higher amortization charges for the new plant
and equipment that was placed in service throughout 2007 and 2008
year-to-date.
A
comparison of the major components of cost of goods sold is as
follows:
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Mine
operating costs
|
|
|
17,591
|
|
|
6,067
|
|
|
38,800
|
|
|
11,741
|
|
Amortization
and accretion
|
|
|
2,564
|
|
|
1,609
|
|
|
6,948
|
|
|
2,362
|
|
Royalties
|
|
|
928
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
1,533
|
|
|
154
|
|
Other
operating expenses for Q3/08 were $1.6 million, compared with $1.3 million
in
Q3/07. Although general and administrative expenses overall were marginally
lower at $1.5 million in Q3/08, the components were different; audit fees were
higher, reflecting our engagement in late 2007 of a major international
accounting firm as auditors and recruitment fees were incurred to fill senior
management positions in head-office. This increase was offset by lower legal
and
regulatory filing fees, which were relatively high in Q3/07 as a result of
reorganization activities at that time. Stock based compensation in Q3/08 was
$0.2 million lower than the prior year primarily because of higher initial
amortization relating to options awarded to the new management team in 2006.
Other operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 were
$5.4
million, compared with $5.9 million for the same period in 2007. General and
administrative costs were $0.6 million lower, reflecting increased audit fees
offset by lower legal fees. In addition, salaries, travel and recruiting costs
were higher than in the previous year. Stock based compensation was $0.9 million
lower than the previous year because of the higher initial amortization of
options awarded to the new management team in the previous year.
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
|
1,525
|
|
|
1,620
|
|
|
4,491
|
|
|
5,131
|
|
Exploration
and business development
|
|
|
121
|
|
|
(273
|
)
|
|
936
|
|
|
759
|
|
Other
income for Q3/08 was $29.1 million compared with expense of $28.6 million in
the
previous year. The major contributor to this increase in income was the $31.4
million recognized in respect of the unrealized mark-to-market gain on gold
forward sales contracts. The gain reflects the fact that the spot price of
gold
decreased from $930 per ounce to $885 per ounce during Q3/08. In Q3/07 the
spot
price of gold increased from $651 per ounce to $743 per ounce resulting in
a
$28.3 million mark-to-market loss. Interest income was fairly consistent at
$0.3
million for the third quarter in both fiscal years. Although average cash and
cash equivalent balances were lower in Q3/07 compared to Q3/08, interest rates
were lower in Q3/08. Interest expense and commitment fees of $1.0 million in
Q3/08 reflect term loans outstanding of $86.3 million. In Q3/07, $51.1 million
in loans were outstanding resulting in interest and commitment fees of $0.6
million. The loss on foreign currency exchange of $0.8 million for Q3/08 relates
to us holding Canadian dollars during periods when that currency generally
weakened in relation to the U.S. dollar.
Other
expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $6.1 million compared
with $26.9 million in the previous year. The unrealized mark-to-market loss
on
gold forward sales contracts during the period was $1.4 million. The loss
reflects the fact that the spot price for gold increased from $836 to $885
during the period and there was a decrease in gold forward lease rates. Interest
income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $0.9 million compared
with $1.4 million the previous year. The decline was a result of cash balances
being relatively high during 2007 after the equity issue in January of that
year
and declining interest rates during 2008. Interest expense and commitment fees
of $3.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 reflects term
loan advances in the range of $76.5 - $86.3 million during the period. The
loss
on foreign currency exchange of $1.6 million for 2008 YTD relates to us holding
Canadian dollars during periods when that currency generally weakened in
relation to the U.S. dollar.
A
comparison of the major items included in other income (expense) is as
follows:
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
341
|
|
|
942
|
|
|
1,383
|
|
Interest
expense and commitment fees
|
|
|
(1,007
|
)
|
|
(606
|
)
|
|
(3,026
|
)
|
|
(848
|
)
|
Amortization
of deferred debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(115
|
)
|
|
(118
|
)
|
|
(346
|
)
|
|
(227
|
)
|
Realized
and unrealized gain (loss) on mark-to-market of gold forward sales
contracts
|
|
|
30,777
|
|
|
(28,331
|
)
|
|
(2,043
|
)
|
|
(27,573
|
)
|
Gain
(loss) on foreign exchange
|
|
|
(826
|
)
|
|
89
|
|
|
(1,596
|
)
|
|
294
|
|
Results
of Operations
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2008 (“2008 YTD”) compared to Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2007 (“2007 YTD”).
Gold
production for 2008 YTD was 79,947 ounces compared with 6,083 ounces for 2007
YTD. During 2007, production at Mesquite was derived from residual gold leaching
of ore placed on the leach pads several years previously. Mining of new ore
at
Mesquite started in July 2007 and the first pour of gold from new ore occurred
in January 2008. Ore production has been building up steadily since that time
but production during the third quarter fell below expectations as a result
of
production difficulties which included most significantly the decline in mine
equipment availability. Approximately 34.2 million tons of waste and 6.3 million
tons of ore were mined in 2008 YTD at an average grade of 0.026 ounces per
ton.
The low production in 2007 YTD reflects the nearly complete depletion of
recoverable gold ounces from ore placed on the leach pads prior to Western
Goldfields acquisition of the Mesquite Mine. Gold sales for 2008 YTD were 80,255
ounces at an average selling price of $884 for revenues of $71.0 million,
compared with 6,101 ounces at an average selling price of $665 for revenues
of
$4.1 million for 2007 YTD. The 2008 YTD figures exclude $0.6 million in realized
losses from the settlement of the first gold hedge contracts as per the
requirement of the loan advanced to us.
Mine
operating costs were $38.8 million in 2008 YTD, compared to $11.7 million in
2007 YTD. 2008 costs represented the first three quarters of full mining
operations. The most significant components of mine operating costs included:
labor, contracted services, fuel and tire costs. Mine site administration costs
for 2008 YTD were $3.9 million compared with $2.0 million in 2007 YTD,
reflecting the increase in staff and associated costs to support full mining
operations. Amortization and accretion expense for 2008 YTD was $6.9 million
compared with $2.4 million in 2007 YTD, reflecting mining fleet additions from
May 2007 onwards and the new leach pad addition in 2008.
During
2008 YTD we have increased our gold inventory in the leach pad and in-process
to
52,812 ounces to 2,855 ounces, respectively. Inventoried costs associated with
respect to the leach pad and metal-in-process build-up were $25.1 million and
$1.5 million, respectively, compared with $1.8 million and $0.2 million in
2007
YTD, respectively. In the first quarter of 2008, the new leach pad was in
start-up mode. The steady state of solution flow and planned gold production
was
not reached until late May 2008. As a result, unit production costs in the
first
half of the year were abnormally skewed and not representative of anticipated
future costs. The high costs resulted in gold inventories being initially
carried at realizable value. It was not until the second quarter of 2008 that
net realizable value exceeded the cost of the inventory. In the third quarter
of
2007, we had just resumed mining operations and began placing new ore on the
leach pads. Reflecting the start-up phase of the operation, production levels
in
the period ended September 30, 2007 were low relative to mining costs incurred.
Accordingly, the estimated 2,469 ounces contained in ore on leach pads at
September 30, 2007 was valued at net realizable value.
The
foregoing factors resulted in a gross profit of $23.7 million for 2008 YTD
compared with a gross loss of $10.2 million for 2007 YTD.
General
and administrative expense of $4.5 million for 2008 YTD decreased from the
2007
expense of $5.1 million. Listing expenses and legal fees were substantially
higher in 2007 as a result of corporate financing and reorganization activities.
In 2008 YTD, we incurred higher audit and taxation services fees, reflecting
the
engagement of a major accounting firm. This was also the first year that our
U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley program requires auditor attestation resulting in
incremental consulting fees. We have also incurred $0.2 million in recruitment
fees to fill senior management positions. Stock based compensation, included
within general and administrative expenses, represents the non-cash costs of
options, as calculated under the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and was
granted to directors, officers, employees and consultants. The lower cost of
$1.1 million in 2008 YTD reflects the fact that options granted to the new
management team in 2006 were fully expensed. There were 500,000 options granted
in 2008 YTD compared to 1,100,000 options granted in the same period in 2007.
Exploration
activities at Mesquite during 2008 YTD totaled $0.6 million and relate primarily
to a drilling program to explore for oxide resources south of the Brownie Hill
area at the mine site. Costs of $0.8 million in 2007 relate to a similar
drilling program. The 2007 program resulted in an increase in proven and
probable reserves resources of 0.4 million ounces and an increase in the mine
life of approximately two years. During 2008, we also incurred costs of $0.3
million in assessing complementary business opportunities.
Other
expense for 2008 YTD was $6.1 million compared to $26.9 million in 2007 YTD.
The
decrease in expenses primarily reflects the 2007 charge of $27.6 million in
respect of the unrealized mark-to-market loss on gold forward sales contracts
as
a result of the increasing spot price of gold during the period and the downward
movement in gold forward lease rates. In 2008, a mark-to-market unrealized
loss
of $1.4 million was recognized, reflecting an increase in the spot price of
gold
and decrease in gold forward lease rates. This was combined with a realized
loss
of $0.6 million on the settlement of the first hedge contracts. Interest income
for 2008 YTD was $0.9 million compared with $1.4 million in the previous year
as
a result of cash balances being relatively high during 2007 YTD after the equity
issue in January of that year and declining interest rates throughout 2008.
Interest expense and commitment fees of $3.0 million in 2008 YTD reflect the
term loan advances in the range of $76.5 - $86.3 million during the period.
At
September 30, 2007, only $51.1 million had been withdrawn under the loan
facility. In 2008 YTD, a foreign exchange loss of $1.6 million was recognized
due to holding Canadian dollar bank deposits at a time when that currency was
weakening in relation to the U.S. dollar.
At
year-end 2007, we determined that it was more likely than not that we would
realize the benefit of a substantial amount of the accumulated deferred tax
asset. Accordingly, at December 31, 2007 a tax recovery of $37.1 million was
recognized, principally arising from net operating loss carry forwards for
income tax purposes and timing differences arising from the recording of the
accounting loss in respect of the mark-to-market of gold forward sales
contracts. For 2008 YTD the deferred tax asset was adjusted down to $30.7
million reflecting the unrealized mark-to-market gain and a reconciliation
of
the 2007 filed corporate tax returns.
The
factors discussed above resulted in the net income to common stockholders for
2008 YTD of $6.8 million or $0.05 per share, compared with a net loss of $43.0
million or $0.39 per share in 2007 YTD.
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2008 (“Q3/08”) compared to Three Months Ended
September 30, 2007 (“Q3/07”).
Gold
production for Q3/08 was 42,357 ounces compared with 1,843 ounces in Q3/07.
Ore
production continues to build, but was negatively impacted during the third
quarter from lower than anticipated equipment availability. Approximately 11.3
million tons of waste and 3.0 million tons of ore were mined in Q3/08 at an
average grade of 0.023 ounces per ton. The achieved grade during the quarter
relates to the shift of mining activities to the Rainbow 1 pit from the Big
Chief pit as called for in the original mine plan. Gold sales for Q3/08 were
47,535 ounces at an average selling price of $870 for revenues of $41.4 million,
compared with 1,876 ounces at an average selling price of $683 for revenues
of
$1.3 million for Q3/07. The gold revenues in Q3/08 exclude 5,500 ounces
financially settled into gold hedging contracts for $801 per ounce, resulting
in
a realized loss of $0.6 million.
Mine
operating costs were $17.6 million in Q3/08, compared to $6.1 million in Q3/07.
The mining cost component continues to be adversely affected by escalating
fuel
costs and tire usage. Additionally, we experienced decreased availabilities
in
mine equipment which required repairs and maintenance. This increased costs
negatively while also decreasing ounces mined in the quarter. Mine site
administration costs for Q3/08 were $1.7 million compared with $0.9 million
in
Q3/07, reflecting the increase in staff and associated costs to support full
mining operations. Amortization and accretion expense for Q3/08 was $2.6 million
compared with $1.6 million in Q3/07, reflecting the substantial completion
of
the expansion program.
During
Q3/08 we increased gold inventory in the leach pad from 44,120 ounces to 52,812
ounces. Inventoried costs associated with this build up were $25.1 million
compared with $19.9 million in Q2/08 and $1.8 million in Q3/07. Mesquite
attained the steady state of solution flow and planned gold production rates
in
late May 2008 and continues to buildup leach pad gold ounces, which is inline
with projections based on leach curve modeling. As a result of equipment
availability problems, fewer ounces were mined and placed onto the leach pad
thereby affecting gold production in current and future periods. Inventories
are
valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with the cost basis of
accounting being applicable since June 30, 2008.
The
above
factors resulted in a gross profit of $20.3 million in Q3/08 compared with
a
gross loss of $6.4 million in Q3/07.
General
and administrative expenses decreased marginally from $1.6 million in Q3/07
to
$1.5 million in Q3/08. Increases in expenses were largely attributable to:
recruitment fees relating to senior management, salary and benefits from the
increased headcount, higher audit and tax services fees reflecting the
engagement of a major accounting firm, and the increasing complexity of our
activities. These costs were partially offset from decreases in legal fees
which
were substantially higher in 2007 as a result of the activities leading up
the
reorganization in late June 2007. Stock based compensation expense, included
within general and administrative expense, for Q3/08 was $0.4 million compared
with $0.7 million in Q3/07. The lower cost in Q3/08 reflects the fact that
amortization relating to the grant of options to the new management team in
2006
was substantially complete. We granted 500,000 stock options to employees,
an
officer and a consultant on August 8, 2008, of which, the majority of the
expense will be recognized in future periods. These variances resulted in the
overall decrease in general and administrative expenses.
In
Q3/08,
exploration and business development incurred expenses of $0.1 million and
consisted mainly of our ongoing evaluation of business opportunities. Recoveries
of $0.3 million in Q3/07 related to over-accruals in the drilling program at
the
Mesquite Mine site.
Other
income for Q3/08 was $29.1 million compared to expense of $28.6 million in
Q3/07. The increase was attributable to the $30.8 million in realized gain
and
unrealized loss on mark-to-market of gold forward sales contracts. The net
gain
was primarily a result of the decline in the spot price of gold from $930 to
$885 per ounce. The loss in mark-to-market adjustment in Q3/07 was from the
increase in the spot price of gold from $651 to $743 per ounce.
Interest
income for Q3/08 was relatively unchanged from the $0.3 million recognized
in
Q3/07. Although average cash balances were higher in Q3/08 than Q3/07, the
impact of lower interest rates decreased interest income for the quarter.
Interest expense and commitment fees of $1.0 million in Q3/08 reflect term
loan
advances of $86.3 million during the quarter. The expense of $0.6 million in
Q3/07 represents interest and commitment fees from initial draws totaling $51.1
million under the credit facility. The loss on foreign currency exchange of
$0.8
million for Q3/08 related to us holding Canadian dollars during periods when
that currency generally weakened in relation to the U.S. dollar.
During
Q3/08 a tax provision of $17.2 million was recognized, principally arising
from
the operating timing differences from the recording of the accounting gain
in
respect of the mark-to-market of gold forward sales contracts and differences
from the original 2007 tax provision and the corporate tax return filed.
The
above
factors resulted in net income to common stockholders for Q3/08 of $30.5 million
or $0.22 per share, compared with a net loss of $36.4 million or $0.31 per
share
in Q3/07.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
The
securing and subsequent draw-downs on the loan facility in 2007 and into 2008
enabled us to fund the completion of the expansion program at Mesquite and
the
inventory buildup associated with the ramp-up of production until the generation
of operating cash flow was achieved during the second quarter of 2008. We
started 2008 with available cash balances of $43.9 million, restricted cash
of
$7.5 million, and working capital of $46.2 million. In addition, we had
unutilized credit facilities of $28.6 million of which $10.9 million was
available for the Mesquite Expansion project and $17.7 million was available
for
general corporate purposes.
During
2008 YTD we were advanced a further $9.9 million under the term loan facility
and received $1.0 million through the exercise of warrants and stock options.
On
November 3, 2008, the lenders agreed with us to extend the date at which
completion would be reached to March 31, 2009 as a result of changes in our
life
of mine plan.
In
2008
YTD, operating activities generated cash of $3.0 million compared to using
$13.6
million in the comparative period in 2007. The net income for 2008 YTD was
$5.3
million, including the non-cash impact of the $1.4 million mark-to-market
unrealized loss on forward sales contracts and deferred income taxes of $6.4
million. Other non-cash expense items were: amortization and accretion expense
of $7.0 million, amortization of deferred debt issuance costs of $0.3 million,
and stock-based compensation of $1.1 million. Changes in the composition of
non-cash working capital items during 2008 YTD used $18.4 million. The largest
single item was the increase in inventories of $19.1 million, reflecting an
increase of approximately 40,732 ounces in recoverable gold on the leach pads
during the period. A reduction in accrued payroll of $1.6 million was also
a
contributing factor.
Cash
required for investing activities in 2008 YTD was $19.8 million compared with
$84.3 million in 2007 YTD. The spending in 2008 was on several process related
projects forming part of the Mesquite Expansion project, most notably being
the
new leach pad, new carbon columns, retrofit of the process plant, and a truck
repair facility. The project is now nearly complete and future capital
expenditures will be of a sustaining nature. We have reclassified the cash
used
by restricted cash of $7.5 million in the comparative 2007 YTD period from
the
original presentation as an operating activity to an investing activity to
conform to the year-end December 31, 2007 presentation.
The
above
factors resulted in a decrease in our cash position by $6.0 million in 2008
YTD.
At
September 30, 2008, we had available cash balances of $37.9 million, restricted
cash of $7.5 million, and working capital of $49.2 million. In addition, we
currently have unutilized credit facilities of $18.7 million of which $1.0
million is available for the Mesquite Expansion project and $17.7 million was
available for general corporate purposes. At present it is not anticipated
there
will be further draws under the credit facility. We expect to spend an
additional $1.8 million in completing the expansion related projects during
the
fourth quarter of 2008.
With
these moderate capital expenditures, and having reached steady state production
in Q2/08, we expect consistent generation of operating cash flows in coming
quarters.
We
are
sufficiently financed and earning free cash flows which we believe to be
sufficient to: fund ongoing operations, including discharging our current
obligations in the normal course of operations, repay our loan facility, and
realize potential business opportunities. Our most liquid investments are held
in the form of cash and short-term government treasury bills which management
believes have minimal exposure to the prevailing uncertain and volatile market
conditions.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Listed
below are the accounting policies that we believe are critical to our financial
statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or
assumptions involved and the magnitude of the asset, liability, revenue or
expense being reported.
Derivative
Instruments
We
account for our forward sales of gold in conformity with the following
statements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”):
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 133, “Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended by SFAS No. 137,
“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of
the
Effective Date of FASB No. 133,” SFAS No. 138, “Accounting for Certain
Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities,” and SFAS No. 149,
“Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”.
These standards establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative
instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other
contracts, and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize
all
derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure
those instruments at fair value.
A
derivative may be specifically designated as a hedge of financial risk exposures
of anticipated transactions if, both at the inception of the hedge and
throughout the hedge period, the changes in fair value of the contract
substantially offset the effect of commodity price changes on the anticipated
transactions and if it is probable that the transactions will occur. Pursuant
to
such a designation, the income effect of the change in derivative values may
be
accounted for in other comprehensive income based upon our valuation of the
associated financial gain or loss. Any change arising from the determination
of
the derivative's effectiveness is accounted for as a charge to current
operations.
In
applying SFAS No. 133, we have not designated contracts for the forward sales
of
gold as cash flow hedges. Accordingly the hedge accounting rules of SFAS No.
133
are not being applied and the period-end mark-to-market of these contracts
is
immediately reflected on Western Goldfields’ income statement.
Depreciation
and Amortization
Expenditures
for new facilities or equipment and expenditures that extend the useful lives
of
existing facilities or equipment are capitalized and depreciated using the
straight line method at rates sufficient to depreciate such costs over the
estimated useful lives of such facilities or equipment.
We
expensed all mine development costs prior to our establishing proven and
probable reserves upon completion of the feasibility study in August 2006.
Development costs incurred subsequent to that date are capitalized and deferred
and are amortized on a units-of-production basis. Development costs relating
to
the relocation of fauna, which bear no relation to mineral production are being
amortized on a straight line basis over the expected life of the mineral
property.
The
expected useful lives used in depreciation and amortization calculations are
based on applicable facts and circumstances, as described above. Significant
judgment is involved in the determination of useful lives, and no assurance
can
be given that actual useful lives will not differ significantly from the useful
lives assumed for purposes of depreciation and amortization.
Carrying
Value of Long-Lived Assets
We
review
and evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets for impairment when
events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying values may not be
recoverable. Our long-lived assets comprise the fair values allocated to the
plant and equipment acquired upon completion of the Mesquite acquisition and
subsequent additions. Annually, we review the present value of future cash
flows
to determine if the amounts carried under plant and equipment are
recoverable.
Material
changes to any of these factors or assumptions discussed above could result
in
future impairment charges.
Deferred
Taxes
We
account for income taxes using the liability method, recognizing certain
temporary differences between the financial reporting basis of our assets and
liabilities and the related income tax basis for such assets and liabilities.
This method generates either a net deferred income tax asset or liability for
Western Goldfields, as measured by the statutory tax rates in effect. We derive
our deferred income tax benefit or charge by recording the change in either
the
net deferred income tax asset or liability balance in the year.
Our
deferred income tax assets include certain future income tax benefits. A
valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets if management does
not believe the Company has met the “more likely than not” standard imposed by
SFAS No. 109 to allow recognition of such an asset.
Ore
on Heap Leach Pads and Metal-in-Process Inventories
Ore
on Heap Leach Pads
Prior
to
July 2007, we placed no value on the mineralized material that had been placed
on the leach pads at the Mesquite Mine prior to the acquisition of the property
by us on November 7, 2003. The reserve estimates reported by us in August 2006
and March 2007 support the recoverability of inventoried production costs.
Accordingly, since resumption of mining operations in July 2007, new ore placed
on the leach pads has been valued at the lower of average cost or net realizable
value. Costs are added to ore on leach pads based on current mining costs,
including applicable depreciation, amortization and depletion relating to mining
operations. Costs are removed from ore on leach pads as ounces are recovered
based on the average cost per estimated recoverable ounce of gold on the leach
pad. The estimates of recoverable gold on the leach pads are calculated from
the
quantities of ore placed on the leach pads (based on measured tonnage), the
grade of ore placed on the leach pads (based on assay results), and a recovery
percentage (based on ore type).
Metal-in-Process
Inventories
Under
the
heap leaching process, ore on leach pads is treated with a chemical solution
which dissolves the gold contained in the ore. The solution is further processed
in a plant where the gold is recovered. Metal-in-process inventories represent
metal in solution or in subsequent stages of the refining process. In-process
inventories are measured based on assays of the solution and projected
recoveries from the refining circuit and are valued at average production cost
or net realizable value. Average production cost is based on the average cost
of
material fed into the process from the leach pads plus the in-process conversion
costs, including applicable depreciation relating to the process
facilities.
Although
the amount of recoverable gold ounces placed on the leach pads, based on tonnage
and grade of ore, is reconciled to the gold ounces actually recovered, the
nature of the leaching process inherently limits the ability to precisely
monitor inventory levels. As a result, the metallurgical balancing process
is
constantly monitored and estimates are refined based on actual results over
time. The determination of both the ultimate recovery percentage and the
quantity of metal expected over time requires the use of estimates, which are
subject to revision since they are based upon metallurgical test work. We expect
to continue to process and recover metal from the leach pads until no longer
considered economically feasible.
Reclamation
and Remediation Liabilities
Our
mining and exploration activities are subject to various laws and regulations
governing the protection of the environment. In August 2001, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (“SFAS”) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” which
established a uniform methodology for accounting for estimated reclamation
and
remediation costs. The statement was adopted in July 2003 upon the acquisition
of Mesquite when we recorded the estimated present value of the reclamation
and
remediation liabilities. Our estimates of reclamation and remediation
liabilities are reviewed and adjusted from time to time to reflect changes
in
the estimated present value resulting from the passage of time and revisions
to
the estimates of either timing or amount of reclamation and abandonment
costs.
Accounting
for reclamation and remediation liabilities requires management to make
estimates at the end of each period of the undiscounted costs expected to be
incurred. Such cost estimates include ongoing care, maintenance and monitoring
costs. Changes in estimates are reflected in earnings in the period an estimate
is revised.
Accounting
for reclamation and remediation liabilities requires management to make
estimates of the future costs we will incur to complete the reclamation and
remediation work required to comply with existing laws and regulations. Actual
costs incurred in future periods could differ from amounts estimated.
Additionally, future changes to environmental laws and regulations could
increase the amount of reclamation and remediation work required. Any such
increases in future costs could materially impact the amounts charged to
earnings for reclamation and remediation.
Stock
Options and Warrants Granted to Employees and Non-employees
We
account for grants of stock options and warrants in terms of SFAS No. 123 (R),
“Share Based Payment”, which revises SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation”. Accordingly, we measure all employee stock-based compensation
awards and awards to non-employees in exchange for goods and services using
a
fair value method and records such expense in its financial statements over
the
service period. In its application of the Black-Scholes model for valuation
of
stock options and warrants, management is required to make estimates based
on
several assumptions, including: risk-free interest rate, volatility rate, and
the expected life of the options and warrants. Actual results could differ
from
these estimates.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS
No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. The Statement defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted
accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
The Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. The provisions
of the Statement are effective for statements issued for fiscal years beginning
after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. In
February 2008, FASB staff issued FSP No. FAS 157-2 which delays the effective
date of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets or liabilities that are not
required or permitted to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis to
fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within
those
years. Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157 as it relates to
financial assets and liabilities. The new disclosures are included in Note
17 to
the Company’s financial statements.
In
February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an amendment of FASB Statement
No.
115”. The Statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial
instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve
financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate
volatility in reporting earnings caused by measuring related assets and
liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting
provisions. We adopted SFAS No. 159 effective January 1, 2008 but this has
had
no impact the Company’s financial position, financial performance and cash
flows.
In
December 2007, FASB issued FAS 141(R), “Business Combinations”, which will
replace FAS 141 prospectively for business combinations consummated after the
effective date of December 15, 2008. Under FAS 141(R), business combinations
will be accounted for under the “acquisition method”, compared to the “purchase
method” mandated by FAS 141. Significant changes will result from applying the
acquisition method, including: more acquisitions will be accounted for as
business combinations rather than as asset acquisitions; acquisition related
costs of the acquirer will be expensed as incurred, whereas under FAS 141 these
costs are capitalized as part of the business combination; and the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at 100% of fair value even if
less
than 100% is obtained, whereas under FAS 141 only the controlling interest’s
portion is recorded at fair value. In the event of the Company being involved
in
a future business combination, we will evaluate the application of FAS
141(R).
In
December 2007, FASB issued FAS 160, “Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements” which is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008. Under FAS 160, non-controlling interests will be measured
at
100% of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Under current
standards, the non-controlling interest is measured at book value. For
presentation and disclosure purposes, non-controlling interests will be
classified as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. In addition, FAS 160
will change the manner in which increases/decreases in ownership percentages
are
accounted for. The provisions of FAS 160 are to be applied prospectively with
the exception of the presentation and disclosure provisions, which are to be
applied for all prior periods presented in the financial statements. In the
event of the Company being required in the future to prepare consolidated
financial statements including a non-controlling interest in another entity,
we
will evaluate the application of FAS 160.
In
March
2008, FASB issued FAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and
Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133”, which is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods
beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. The
statement requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging
activities and thereby improves the transparency of financial reporting. The
statement changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and
hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about
(a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative
instruments and related hedging items are accounted for under Statement 133
and
its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related
hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and
cash flows. We are currently evaluating the implications of the enhanced
disclosure requirements in respect of our forward gold sales
contracts.
In
June
2008, FASB issued FSP EITF 03-6-1, "Determining Whether Instruments Granted
in
Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities" which is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2008, and interim periods within those years. The statement
addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are
participating securities prior to vesting and, therefore, need to be included
in
the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class
method described in paragraphs 60 and 61 of FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings
per
Share
.
We
are
currently evaluating the impact of FSP EITF 03-6-1 and do not expect the
adoption to have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.
In
June
2008, FASB issued EITF No. 07-5, "Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded
Feature) is Indexed to an Entity's Own Stock" which is effective for financial
statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008, and
interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the
impact of EITF No. 07-5 and do not expect the adoption to have an impact on
the
Company's consolidated financial statements.
Contractual
Obligations
The
following table presents the contractual obligations outstanding as at September
30, 2008:
|
|
Total
|
|
Less than
1 Year
|
|
2- 3
Years
|
|
4- 5
Years
|
|
More than
5 Years
|
|
Loan
payable
1
|
|
$
|
86,340
|
|
$
|
15,109
|
|
$
|
25,254
|
|
$
|
20,722
|
|
$
|
25,254
|
|
Mesquite
expansion project
|
|
|
1,836
|
|
|
1,836
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
Reclamation
and remediation obligations
2
|
|
|
11,888
|
|
|
248
|
|
|
499
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
11,098
|
|
Share
of office lease
|
|
|
2,612
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
542
|
|
|
452
|
|
|
1,366
|
|
Total
3
|
|
$
|
102,676
|
|
$
|
17,445
|
|
$
|
26,295
|
|
$
|
21,217
|
|
$
|
37,718
|
|
|
(1)
|
In
addition to the scheduled repayments, mandatory prepayments are required
semi-annually based on excess cash flow from the Mesquite Mine. An
estimate of the timing and amount of prepayments has not been included
in
the chart above, as these payments are based on the amount by which
the
Mesquite Mine’s cash balance, at date of repayment, exceeds $4.0
million.
|
|
(2)
|
In
current dollars (undiscounted).
|
|
(3)
|
This
chart does not include obligations that can be settled by physical
delivery of gold.
|
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
had no
off-balance sheet arrangements at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007
or at
the date of this report.
Outlook
Balance
of 2008
The
Mesquite Mine is now expected to produce approximately 37,000 ounces of gold
during the fourth quarter of 2008 as we commence execution of the new mine
plan.
Cost of sales
(1)
is now
forecast at approximately $465 - $480 per ounce of gold for the fourth quarter
of 2008. The downward revision in fourth quarter estimates are a direct result
of shifting to the new mine plan as increased stripping activity at the Rainbow
pit is required to prepare for 2009 – 2012 mining activities contemplated in the
new mine plan. Total gold sales for 2008 is projected to be approximately
117,000 ounces of gold at an average cost of sales
(1)
of
approximately $500 per ounce of gold. This is in contrast to previous estimates
of 135,000 – 145,000 ounces of gold sold at cost of sales
(1)
of $470
- $490 per ounce. The unfavorable variance was a result of: higher costs with
respect to fuel and tires, a decline in shovel availability in the third
quarter, and a revision in planned activities for the fourth quarter of
2008.
New
Mine Plan
On
October 6, 2008, we announced details of our new mine plan for the Mesquite
Mine. The improved mine plan is expected to boost production to approximately
700,000 ounces of gold, at an average cost of sales
(1)
of $420
per ounce, over the four year period from 2009 – 2012. This compares to a
previously planned 635,000 ounces at an average cost of sales
(1)
of $425
- $435 per ounce during the period.
The
new
mine plan for Mesquite anticipates increased efficiencies while minimizing
haul
distances and thereby producing more ounces of gold and increasing annual cash
flow generation over the four-year period. The impact will also include reduced
gold production in the short term as we commence sequential mining of the pits.
We
will
focus on mining ore from the Rainbow pit starting in 2009. This compares to
the
previous plan in which mining moved between the Rainbow and Big Chief pits.
We
expect to achieve increased efficiency by consolidating equipment in one
location, including reduced mining costs due to short haulage distances, no
wasted time moving between pits, as well as operator efficiency. The estimated
mine life remains unchanged at 14 years and we plan to mine our three pits
sequentially through the duration of the mine life to continue to maximize
these
efficiencies.
Other
Activities
Beginning
in 2009, we expect to achieve higher production and cash flow under our new
mine
plan. Additionally, we continue to investigate the viability of other activities
which could be beneficial in adding value or decreasing costs. These
opportunities include:
1)
|
Sulfide
Resources: Mesquite contains meaningful sulfide resources and we
continue
to explore cost-effective alternatives to enhance recovery and
economically justify the mining of these sulfide ores.
|
2)
|
Continuous
Improvement: A continuous improvement program throughout the
Mesquite operation continues in an effort to further increase
productivity. One of the options considered was conveyor haulage,
however,
after completing a conveyor haulage study, we have determined that
the
option would not achieve sufficient annual cost efficiencies to warrant
the significant capital expenditure.
|
3)
|
Fleet
Enhancement: We are currently negotiating and anticipate deliveries
of
lower cost tires for its mining fleet in the early part of
2009.
|
4)
|
Increased
Mining Rate: Mesquite is continuing to negotiate with the local county
to
increase its mining permit above the current ceiling of 60 million
tons
per year.
|
We
are
well-positioned to utilize Mesquite’s cash flow as a strategic platform for
disciplined growth, through the acquisition of undervalued assets in politically
stable North America.
(1)
|
Cost
of sales per ounce is defined as cost of sales as per the Western
Goldfields’ financial statements divided by the number of ounces
sold.
|
Item
3.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In
the
normal course of business, we are exposed to market risk, including changes
in
interest rates and prices of certain commodities, notably gold and fuel. A
change in the market price of these commodities significantly affects our
profitability and cash flow.
Gold
prices can fluctuate widely due to numerous factors, such as: demand, forward
selling by producers, central bank activities, the strength of the U.S. dollar
and global mine production levels. We use forward gold sales contracts to manage
a portion of our exposure to risk arising through changes in the price of gold.
While we are exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by
counterparties to these agreements, in all cases the counterparties are highly
rated financial institutions and we do not anticipate non-performance. We do
not
hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading
purposes.
At
September 30, 2008, our forward gold sales contracts consisted of a series
of
contracts to sell 5,500 ounces per month at a price of $801 per ounce over
a
remaining 75-month period to December 2014. The fair value of the remaining
contracts as at September 30, 2008 was $(60.3) million and at December 31,
2007
was $(58.9) million.
We
monitor our hedge positions and perform sensitivity analyses on our forward
contracts to determine the mark-to-market gain/loss at current gold prices.
We
estimate that a 10% change in the spot price of gold from the level of $885
per
ounce at September 30, 2008 translates into a mark-to-market fluctuation of
approximately $35.1 million.
Gold
sales covered by the forward sales contracts represent approximately 45% and
44%
of our forecast annual shipments for the remainder of 2008 and 2009,
respectively. The balance of our shipments will be sold in the spot market.
We
estimate that a 10% change in the price of gold from the level of $885 per
ounce
at September 30, 2008 translates into a $1.8 million increase/decrease in
revenues from un-hedged, remaining production in 2008 and $7.3 million of full
production in 2009.
Fuel
costs are a significant cost element at Mesquite. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2008, fuel costs represented approximately 41% of our mine
operating costs. The market price of diesel and gasoline is unpredictable and
can fluctuate significantly. During the first nine months of 2009, world oil
prices were at very high levels and were being reflected in the price paid
for
fuel. We estimate that a 10% change in the price of diesel fuel from the level
of approximately $3.20 per gallon experienced during Q3/08 translates into
a
$1.6 million
increase/decrease
in mining costs.
At
September 30, 2008 we had $86.3 million of bank debt outstanding of which an
estimated $15.1 million is current. This debt currently bears interest based
on
short-term U.S. dollar LIBOR rates, generally for one-month periods, plus 2.2%.
A 1% fluctuation in U.S. dollar LIBOR rates at current levels of indebtedness
would translate into a $0.9 million change in reported pre-tax
income.
We
have a
bonding and insurance program, primarily with American International Specialty
Lines Insurance Company (“AIG Insurance”) in respect of the operations and
closure liabilities of the Mesquite Mine. At September 30, 2008, we had $8.9
million in the account. On September 16, 2008, AIG Insurance’s parent company,
American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), suffered a liquidity crisis
following the downgrade of its credit rating. The United States Federal Reserve
has since loaned money to AIG in order for the company to meet its obligations
to post additional collateral to trading partners. As a result of Federal and
State laws governing the operation of AIG Insurance, it is not believed that
our
funds are at risk.
Item
4.
Controls
and Procedures
As
of the
end of the period covered by this report, our management, with the participation
of our chief executive officer and of our chief financial officer, evaluated
the
effectiveness of our “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Based on that evaluation, these officers concluded that, as of the end of such
period, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. It should be
noted that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can
provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover
failures within our company to disclose material information otherwise required
to be set forth in our periodic reports.
During
the period covered by this report, there were no changes in our internal control
over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely
to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
Congrove
Construction Matter
The
Company, through its subsidiary, Western Mesquite Mines, Inc. (“WMMI”), entered
into a Management Representative Agreement dated August 7, 2007 (the
“Agreement”) with Congrove Construction (“Congrove”) of Yuma, Arizona, in
respect of certain construction activities associated with the Mesquite
expansion project. WMMI terminated the Agreement on the grounds of bad faith
demonstrated by Congrove in the carrying out of its contractual duties. On
July
3, 2008, legal counsel acting for Congrove filed a complaint and demand for
jury
trial with the United States District Court, Southern District of California,
asserting that WMMI materially breached the Agreement by failing to provide
complete plans in a timely manner, by wrongfully terminating Congrove’s services
on the construction project and, by failing to pay monies owing to Congrove
under the Agreement. Congrove is seeking relief in the amount of $0.6 million
plus interest thereon. Congrove filed and recorded a notice of litigation in
September 2008.
We
believe these claims are without merit and will vigorously defend against such
claims.
There
have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our 2007 Annual
Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March
28, 2008.
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Securities and Use of
Proceeds
|
None.
Item
3.
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
None.
Item
4.
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders
|
None.
Item
5.
|
Other
Information
|
None.
Item
6. Exhibits
31.1
Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification of Principal Executive
Officer*
31.2
Rule 13a - 14(a) Certification of Principal Financial
Officer*
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer*
32.2
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer*
*
Filed
herewith
SIGNATURES
In
accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused
this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
Date:
November 4, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WESTERN
GOLDFIELDS INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Raymond
Threlkeld
|
|
|
Raymond
Threlkeld
|
|
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Western Goldfields Inc. (AMEX:WGW)
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