Quarterlytics / Basic Materials / Industrial Materials / Solitario Zinc Corp.

Solitario Zinc Corp.

xpl · AMEX Basic Materials
Claim this profile
Ticker xpl
Exchange AMEX
Sector Basic Materials
Industry Industrial Materials
Employees 4
← All annual reports
FY1999 Annual Report · Solitario Zinc Corp.
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
SOLITARIO RESOURCES

ANNUAL REPORT

“ A dramatic improvement in the gold 

market occurred at the end of the third 

quarter as a result of 15 European central

banks agreeing to a moratorium on any

additional future sales of their gold holdings

and a commitment to freeze gold lending.”

OUTLOOK 2000

A  dramatic  improvement  in  the  gold  market  occurred  at  the  end  of  the  third  quarter  as  a  result  of  15

European central banks agreeing to a moratorium on any additional future sales of their gold holdings and

a commitment to freeze gold lending.  In addition, although not signatories of the agreement, the United

States, Japan, the International Monetary Fund and the Bank for International Settlements agreed to abide

by this agreement.  In total, these actions lock up 85% of official-sector gold supplies from entering the

gold market for at least five years.  Most analysts believe this fundamentally alters the landscape of gold

pricing for years to come.

Gold rose explosively from $255 to $325 per ounce in less than two weeks.  It has more recently settled into

a range of $275 to $300 per ounce.  Significantly, central banks affirmed that, “Gold will remain an important

element of global monetary reserves” – a notion that we never doubted.

GOLD, PLATINUM & ZINC

Presented  below  are  27-month  price  charts  for  gold,  platinum  and  zinc.    These  are  the  three  metals  that

Solitario’s exploration programs are primarily focused upon.  Most commodity price analysts have positive opinions

regarding future demand and price performance for these three metals.

GOLD/OUNCE, PLATINUM/OUNCE & ZINC/TONNE IN US DOLLARS

$500

$400

$300

$350

$300

$250

$1,300

$1,100

$   900

PLATINUM/OZ.

GOLD/OZ.

$500

$400

$300

$350

$300

$250

$1,300

$1,100

ZINC/TONNE

1998

1999

$   900

2000

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  1

MESSAGE TO SHAREHOLDERS

Solitario Resources Corporation made significant strides in expanding its asset base and enhancing its financial position dur-

ing 1999 and the early part of 2000.  Developments included continued outstanding step-out drilling results on the Bongará

zinc project, signing an agreement that, when closed, will convert our interest in the Yanacocha gold property to a net smelter

return royalty including a cash payment of US$6.0 million and signing a joint venture on the Sapalache gold property.

Solitario has been built on effective early-stage mineral exploration.  The success of this strategy has been repeatedly

demonstrated  through  our  continued  ability  to  attract  quality  joint  venture  partners  and  conclude  favorable 

business transactions with each partner.

For 2000, Cominco will focus its energies on the Bongará project with a delineation drilling program at Florida

Canyon and AngloGold will initiate a drilling program at Sapalache.  Solitario will continue its successful exploration

efforts in Peru and will expand its recently initiated Brazilian platinum/palladium exploration program.

BONGARÁ ZINC PROJECT

Nine widely spaced step-out drill holes totaling 4,000 meters were completed by Cominco during the 1999

drilling program.  Two of these holes did not reach the target horizon due to technical drilling problems.  Significant

new mineralized intervals intersected in 1999 are listed below:

DRILL
HOLE NO.

FROM
(METERS)

TO
(METERS)

THICKNESS

(METERS)

(FEET)

ZN-%

PB-% 

FC-41

(Including) 

FC-48

FC-49

420.9

436.2

439.0

210.2

214.0

441.8

423.0

444.0

444.0

211.5

218.6

442.8

2.1

7.8

5.0

1.3

4.6

1.0

6.7

25.6

16.2

4.3

15.1

3.3

12.4

14.7

20.6

5.6

6.3

13.4

4.5

-

-

1.0

0.6

7.0

Drilling in 1999 demonstrated that the Milagros stratigraphic horizon is a significant high-grade zone of zinc min-

eralization with potential for expansion. Drill hole FC-41, which intersected 7.8 meters grading 14.7% zinc (includ-

ing 5.0 meters grading 20.6% zinc), is a 500-meter northeasterly step-out to drill hole FC-36, which intersected 5.1

meters containing 27.0% zinc.  It is important to note that 1998 drill hole FC-36 was also a 500 meter step-out to the

2  |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

“For 2000, Cominco will focus its 

energies on the Bongará project with 

a delineation drilling program at

Florida Canyon...”

Florida Canyon Drill Hole Map

Florida Canyon Cross Section

northeast from previous drilling.  Thus, strong high-grade zinc mineralization has now been intersected over a horizontal

distance of 1,200 meters trending northeasterly from the Sam fault zone.  Drill hole FC-49 also intersected high-grade

zinc mineralization, suggesting that the Milagros zone’s lateral width is in excess of 400 meters.

Drill hole FC-48, which intersected 4.6 meters grading 6.3% zinc, extended structurally controlled  mineraliza-

tion 200 meters further north along the Sam fault zone.  The north-south trending Sam fault zone has now been

traced over a horizontal distance of 1,500 meters.  This zone exhibits both near-vertical collapse breccia mineralization

and adjacent near-horizontal stratigraphically controlled mineralization.  The zone remains open to the north.

At Florida Canyon, Cominco has now completed 49 drill holes totaling approximately 14,400 meters during

the past three field seasons.  Additional surface work was conducted primarily in the southern portion of the joint

venture’s vast 325,000-acre property.  Two new prospects, Helen and Lajasbamba, display moderate to strong zinc

mineralization and dolomitic alteration at surface. 

YANACOCHA

Solitario  signed  an  agreement  with  Newmont  Peru,  Ltd.,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Newmont  Mining

Corporation, in early February 2000 on Solitario’s Yanacocha gold property in northern Peru.  Upon closing, Solitario will

receive a net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty and US $6.0 million in cash by transferring a 100% interest in approximately

150,000 acres of mineral rights to Newmont Peru.

The conversion to a NSR royalty allows Solitario to significantly participate in any discovery made on the property without

any capital or operational costs deductible from Solitario’s royalty.  The potential to advance this project through the discovery

stage and into production is greatly enhanced by utilizing the technical experience and existing infrastructure of Newmont in

this prolific gold-producing district.  Furthermore, this transaction will substantially enhance Solitario’s balance sheet. 

The retained NSR royalty is graduated based upon the price of gold as follows:

GOLD PRICE
PER OUNCE

Over $400

$360 to $400

$320 to $360

Under $320

Silver Royalty

Copper Royalty

NET SMELTER
RETURN ROYALTY

5%

4%

3%

2%

3%

2%

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  3

“Solitario has recently initiated a 

program to identify and acquire 

high-potential platinum/palladium 

properties in Brazil.”

Solitario’s land position is situated immediately north of the Buenaventura-Newmont owned Minera Yanacocha

mining operations.  Minera Yanacocha recently announced an increase in reserves on its property to 32.9 million

ounces of contained gold and an additional 10.2 million ounces of non-reserve mineralization.

SAPALACHE

An agreement to joint venture Solitario’s Sapalache gold property (formerly called “Shimbe”) in northern Peru

was signed with AngloGold Investments (Peru) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of AngloGold.  The agreement

allows AngloGold to earn a 51% interest in the property by spending US$6.0 million on exploration during the

next four years.

The  Sapalache  property  is  42,000  acres  in  size  and  is  situated  within  the  Tertiary-age  Calipuy 

volcanic rocks which host Newmont’s Yanacocha and Barrick Gold’s Pierina gold deposits.  Surface exploration

conducted by Solitario and AngloGold on the Sapalache property has defined two target areas displaying broad

areas of silicification and gold mineralization.

AngloGold has a firm commitment to drill a minimum of 2,000 meters by the end of 2000.  To earn its 51%

interest in the property, AngloGold is required to spend US$1.0 million within two years, US$2.0 million during

the third year and a further US$3.0 million during the fourth year for total exploration expenditures of US$6.0

million.  AngloGold field crews have recently initiated additional surface exploration.

PLATINUM/PALLADIUM PROGRAM IN BRAZIL

Solitario has recently initiated a program to identify and acquire high-potential platinum/palladium properties

in  Brazil.    Brazil  arguably  has  the  best  under-explored  geologic  terrain  for  these  very  rare  and  valuable  metal

deposits.  Although we are still early in our exploration efforts in Brazil, results to date have been very encouraging.

Over the remainder of the year we anticipate positive developments on this front.

Sincerely, 

Christopher E. Herald
Chief Executive Officer

Mark E. Jones, III
Chairman

4  |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS____________________________________10

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT__________________________________________13

COMMENTS BY INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR CANADIAN READERS ON U.S. – 

CANADA REPORTING CONFLICT __________________________________________13

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS __________________________________________14

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY ______________________16

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ________________________________17

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ____________________________18

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  5

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consol-
idated financial statements of Solitario Resources Corporation (“Solitario”
or  the  “Company”)  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  1999,  1998,  and
1997, included elsewhere in this report.  The Company’s financial condi-
tion and results of operations are not necessarily indicative of what may be
expected in future years.  Unless otherwise indicated, all references to dol-
lars are to U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

Solitario  was  formed  in  1984  as  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Crown
Resource Corp. of Colorado (“CRCC”), but until 1993 it had no assets and
conducted no operations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company had a net loss of $6,003,000 ($0.36 per share) in 1999
compared with a loss of $405,000 ($0.02 per share) in 1998 and a loss of
$5,172,000 ($0.33 per share) in 1997.  

Included  in  the  1999  loss  was  the  cumulative  effect  of  a  change  in
accounting  principle  for  exploration  costs  on  properties  without  proven
and  probable  reserves  from  capitalizing  all  expenditures  to  expensing  all
costs, other than acquisition costs, prior to the establishment of proven and
probable reserves.  The $5,094,000 cumulative effect of the change on prior
years  is  included  in  the  loss  for  1999.    As  a  result  of  the  change,  the
Company recorded $666,000 of exploration expense in the current year.

Included in the 1997 results were non-cash property abandonments of
$4,861,000 which include $3,822,000 related to the Company’s decision
to sell its operations in Argentina. 

Interest income was $144,000, $200,000 and $227,000 in 1999, 1998
and 1997, respectively.  The change in interest income was primarily the
result of larger cash balances in 1997 and 1998 compared to 1999.

During  the  year  ended  December  31,  1999,  the  Company  incurred
$75,000 of general and administrative expenses compared with $112,000 in
1998, and $363,000 in 1997.  General and administrative expenses consist
primarily of administrative, legal, accounting, and shareholder-related costs.
Reduced  exploration  programs  coupled  with  lower  administrative  costs,
related to Argentina, contributed to the decrease in costs during 1999.

CRCC  provides  management  and  technical  services  to  Solitario  under  a
management agreement originally signed in 1994 and modified in 1999.  The

management agreement provides for reimbursement to CRCC of direct out-
of-pocket costs; payment of one-half of executive and administrative salaries
and benefits, rent, insurance and investor relations costs; payment of certain
allocated indirect costs and expenses paid by CRCC on behalf of Solitario; and
payment of  a service fee equal to two percent of all expenditures made by or
on behalf of Solitario.  Management service fees paid to CRCC by Solitario in
1999, 1998 and 1997 amounted to $333,000, $89,000 and $207,000, respec-
tively.  The fees will generally fluctuate period to period based on the overall
level of exploration spending during the period.

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense was $35,000 in 1999
compared with $10,000 in 1997, and $40,000 in 1997, and relates prima-
rily to leasehold improvements and furniture and equipment.

The  Company  incurred  $73,000  of  interest  expense  in  1997  related
entirely to a note payable to CRCC.  See Liquidity and Capital Resources.  
The  Company  regularly  performs  evaluations  of  its  assets  to  assess  the
recoverability  of  its  investments  in  these  assets.    All  long-lived  assets  are
reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances change which
indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable utilizing
established  guidelines  based  upon  future  net  cash  flows  from  the  asset.
Write-downs  relating  to  exploration  properties  amounted  to  $63,000  in
1999, $403,000 in 1998 and $4,861,000 in 1997.  Included in the write-
down  for  1997  was  the  Company’s  decision  to  sell  its  operations  in
Argentina resulting in a $3,822,000 charge to operations. 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Due to the nature of the mining business, the acquisition, exploration,

and  development  of  mineral  properties  requires  significant  expenditures

prior to the commencement of production.  The Company has in the past

financed its activities through the sale of securities, joint venture arrange-

ments, and the sale of interests in its properties.  To the extent necessary, the

Company expects to continue to use similar financing techniques.

On February 3, 2000 the Company announced an agreement with an

affiliate of Newmont Mining Corporation (“Newmont”) to sell  its interest

in its Yanacocha property for $6 million and a sliding scale (depending on

the price of gold) net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty.  In order to effect the

6 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

transaction, the Company has agreed to transfer all of the operating assets

price of $350,000 was received in the form of 1,250,000 common shares of

and liabilities, excluding its interest in Yanacocha, of its Peru operating sub-

TNR and warrants to purchase an additional 625,000 common shares. TNR

sidiary,  Minera  Los  Tapados  (“MLT”),  to  a  new  operating  subsidiary,

reimbursed the Company $29,000 for costs incurred through a cash payment

Minera Solitario Peru.  Newmont will receive all of the outstanding shares

of $8,000 and delivery of 184,709 additional common shares of TNR.

of MLT for the cash consideration and subsequently deliver the NSR roy-

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  amounted  to  $2,386,000  at  December  31,

alty to the Company.  Closing of the transaction is expected during the sec-

1999.    These  funds  are  generally  invested  in  short-term  interest-bearing

ond quarter of 2000, pending the completion of due diligence and regula-

deposits and securities, pending investment in current and future projects.

tory approval.  The balance of the Company’s investment in the Yanacocha

Working capital at December 31, 1999 was $2,383,000.

property, $178,000 has been reclassified to assets held for sale.

The Company believes that its existing funds are sufficient to meet its

Subsequent to December 31, 1997, all of the Company’s acquisition and
exploration programs have been devoted to properties in Peru.  Total for-
eign assets, as reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31,
1998, amounted to $347,000.  The Company is exposed to risks normally
associated  with  foreign  investments,  including  political,  economic,  and
social instabilities, as well as foreign exchange controls and currency fluctu-
ations.  Foreign investments may also be subject to laws and policies of the
United States affecting foreign trade, investment, and taxation which could
affect the conduct or profitability of future operations.

During  1997,  the  Company  received  net  proceeds  of  $4.6  million
through  private  placements  by  CRCC.    Solitario  issued  1,500,000  units
priced at Cdn$4.20 per unit.  Each unit consisted of one share of common
stock plus one warrant, exercisable into one share of common stock.  Each
warrant  was  exercisable  until  February  1999  at  a  price  of  Cdn$4.83  per
share.  The warrants expired unexercised. 

Proceeds  from  option  exercises  during  1997  amounted  to  $415,000
from the exercise of options for 231,250 shares.  There were no option exer-
cises in 1999 and 1998. 

In August 1997, CRCC elected to convert its $1.5 million, 7.5 percent
convertible note into 1,254,180 shares of the Company’s common stock.
The conversion was in accordance with the terms of the note dated August
25,  1995.    Upon  completion  of  the  conversion  and  after  giving  effect  to
option  exercises  during  1997,  CRCC  held  9,633,585  shares  of  the
Company’s stock or 57.2%.

currently  planned  operating  activities  and  mandatory  property  payments

through 2000.  The Company will need substantial additional financing in

order to bring its properties into production.  There is no assurance that

such financing will be available when needed or that, if available, it can be

secured on favorable terms.

JOINT VENTURES

In December 1996, Solitario signed an agreement regarding the Bongará

project with a subsidiary of Cominco Ltd. (“Cominco”) of Vancouver, B.C.,

Canada.  The agreement was modified in January 1999, increasing the joint

venture’s current acreage to approximately 345,000 acres.  Cominco has the

right to earn a 65% interest in the Bongará project by spending a minimum

of $17,000,000 over a five year period from January 1999 forward on explo-

ration and development (in addition to the approximately $10 million spent

prior  to  January  1999)  and  by  making  annual  cash  payments  to  the

Company of between $100,000 and $500,000 (depending on the price of

zinc), as well as fully funding the project through a bankable feasibility study.

Cash  payments  of  $118,000,  $118,000,  and  $354,000,  including  value

added taxes of 18%, have been paid to the Company by Cominco in January

2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.  In addition to the cash payments and

work commitments, Cominco has agreed to finance Solitario’s share of proj-

ect development costs, subject to repayment, after a production decision is

made,  should  Solitario  not  secure  third-party  financing.    Through

December  31,  1999,  Cominco  has  spent  approximately  $13  million  on

During 1998, the Company completed the sale of its Argentina subsidiary

exploration on the Bongará project.

to TNR Resources, Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C. Canada (“TNR”).  The purchase

In  October  1998,  the  Company  signed  a  joint  venture  with  Billiton

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  7

Exploration and Mining Peru B.V. (“Billiton”) on its 9,700-acre Soloco zinc
property located in northern Peru, contiguous to the Bongará project.  During

no  additions  to  mineral  properties  for  additions  to  leasehold  acquisition
costs during 1999 compared to additions of $991,000 for leasehold acquisi-

1999,  Billiton  declined  to  continue  the  joint  venture  and  the  property  was

tion costs and exploration expenditures in 1998.  The Company’s decision

written off.  No further work will be performed by the Company at Soloco.

to change its method of accounting for exploration costs is responsible for

In  April  1997,  the  Company  entered  into  an  agreement  with  RTZ

the  difference  in  additions  to  mineral  properties  and  exploration  expense

Mining and Exploration (“RTZ”) granting Solitario the right to earn a 60%

between 1999 and 1998.  See Results of Operations.  These expenditures 

interest  in  the  Santa  Barbara  project.    During  1998,  Solitario  and  RTZ

are  exclusive  of  amounts  spent  on  its  properties  by  third  parties.    The

agreed  to  suspend  annual  work  requirements  due  to  low  metal  prices.

Company’s decision to sell its operations in Argentina and to focus explo-

During 1999, the Company withdrew from the joint venture and wrote off

ration efforts in Peru, coupled with a greater emphasis on utilizing joint ven-

its remaining investment in Santa Barbara.

tures  for  exploration  expenditures  resulted  in  the  decrease  in  additions  to

The  Company’s  exploration  and  development  activities  and  funding

mineral properties in 1998 from 1997.  See Joint Venture Activities.

opportunities, as well as those of its joint venture partners, may be materi-

Solitario  has  budgeted  $900,000  for  exploration  expenditures,  to  be

ally  affected  by  commodity  price  levels  and  changes  in  those  levels.

charged to operations, during 2000 which will be in addition to planned

Commodity market prices are determined in world markets and are affect-

expenditures by joint venture partners.

ed by numerous factors which are beyond the Company’s control.

EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In  June  of  1998,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  133,  “Accounting  for

A significant part of Solitario’s business involves the review of potential

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  The standard, which is effec-

property acquisitions and continuing review and analysis of properties in

tive  for  fiscal  years  beginning  after  June  15,  2000,  sets  forth  guidelines  for

which  it  has  an  interest,  to  determine  the  exploration  and  development

reporting certain derivative  instruments as assets and liabilities to be reported

potential of the properties.  In analyzing expected levels of expenditures for

in the financial statements and that the changes in the fair value of the instru-

work commitments and property payments, the Company’s obligations to

ments shall be recognized in the results of operations.  This standard, when

make such payments fluctuate greatly depending on whether, among other

adopted  by  the  Company,  is  not  expected  to  have  a  material  effect  on  the

things, the Company makes a decision to sell a property interest, convey a

Company’s reported financial position, results of operations and cash flows. 

property  interest  to  a  joint  venture,  or  allow  its  interest  in  a  property  to

lapse by not making the work commitment or payment required.

In acquiring its interests in mining claims and leases, the Company has

entered into agreements which generally may be canceled at its option.  The

Company  is  required  to  make  minimum  rental  and  option  payments  in

order to maintain its interests in certain claims and leases.  The Company

estimates  its  2000  mineral  property  rental  and  option  payments  to  be

approximately  $445,000.    Based  upon  existing  joint  venture  or  leasing

arrangements, the Company’s share of these costs is approximately $4,000.

For the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company charged operations

$666,000 for exploration expenditures on mineral properties.  There were

8 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF SOLITARIO RESOURCES CORPORATION, DENVER, COLORADO

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Solitario Resources Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company), a majority-owned subsidiary of Crown
Resources Corporation, as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999 which, as described in Note 1, have been prepared on the basis of accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.  Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and 
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Solitario Resources Corporation and sub-
sidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1999 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 1999 includes land and leasehold costs of
$53,000.  Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements emphasizes that the recovery of these costs is ultimately dependent upon the development of eco-
nomically recoverable ore reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and financing to successfully place the properties into production,
and upon future profitable operations.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for exploration costs on properties without

proven and probable reserves in 1999.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
March 28, 2000 

TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS OF SOLITARIO RESOURCES CORPORATION, DENVER, COLORADO

In Canada, reporting standards for auditors do not permit the addition of explanatory paragraphs in the auditors’ report to emphasize a matter when such
matter is adequately disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.  Our report to the Board of Directors and Stockholders dated March 28, 2000 is expressed
in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which permits the inclusion of an explanatory paragraph in the auditors’
report to emphasize a matter regarding the financial statements.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
March 28, 2000

See notes to consolidated financial statement.

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  9

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share amounts)

ASSETS
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Prepaid expenses and other
Total current assets
Mineral properties, net
Assets held for sale
Marketable equity securities, at fair value
Other assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable
Due to CRCC         

Total current liabilities     

Stockholders’ equity:         

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; none outstanding  
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares;

issued and outstanding 16,854,521 

Additional paid-in capital     
Accumulated deficit                         
Accumulated other comprehensive income        

Total stockholder’s equity 

On behalf of the Board:

Years Ended December 31, 

1999

1998

$

$

$

2,386
43
2,429
53
178
103
33
2,796  

7 
39    
46  

—

$

$

$

3,245
54 
3,299    
5,388   
—
229
9 
8,925

19
5
24      

—

169 
16,507  
(13,795)  
(131)  
2,750 
2,796

$

169    
16,507       
(7,792) 

17     

8,901 
8,925

$

Christopher E. Herald,

Director

Daniel Leonard,

Director 

See notes to consolidated financial statement.

10 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

1999

Years Ended December 31, 
1998

(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:

Mineral property option proceeds  
Interest income

Costs and expenses:

Exploration
Depreciation, depletion and amortization   
General and administrative 
Management fees - CRCC 
Interest - CRCC  
Asset write-downs
Other, net

Loss before income taxes and cumulative effect of change 

in accounting principle 

Income tax benefit
Net loss before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 
Net loss 
Per common share:

Basic and diluted loss before cumulative effect of 

change in accounting principle

Change in accounting principle
Basic and diluted loss

Weighted average number of common and common

equivalent shares outstanding 

Pro forma amounts assuming the method of expensing exploration 

costs as incurred is applied retroactively:
Net loss         
Basic and diluted loss per common share   

$

$

$

$

$
$

100
144
244  

666 
35  
75
333  
—
63
(19)  

1,153

(909)
—
(909)
(5,094)
(6,003)

(0.05)
(0.31)
(0.36)

16,855

(909)
(0.05)

$

$

$

$

—
200
200 

—
10 
112 
89 
—
403

(9)  

605

(405) 
—
(405)
—
(405)

(0.02)
—
(0.02)

16,855

$ 
$  

(923)
(0.05)

1997

—
227
227

—
40   
363   
207
73
4,861
(3)
5,541 

(5,314)
(142)
(5,172)
—
(5,172)

(0.33)
—
(0.33)

15,683 

(2,756)
(0.18)   

$

$

$

$

$
$

See notes to consolidated financial statement.

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  11

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share amounts)

Balance at January 1, 1997
Issuance of shares:

To CRCC, in private placement
Conversion of note payable 

to CRCC 

On exercise of stock options

Net loss

Balance at December 31, 1997
Comprehensive income (loss):

Net loss 
Net unrealized gain on

marketable equity securities

Comprehensive loss

Balance at December 31, 1998
Comprehensive income (loss):

Net loss 
Net unrealized loss on

marketable equity securities

Comprehensive loss

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Accumulated
Deficit

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

13,869,091

$

139

$ 10,012

$ (2,215)

$

1,500,000

1,254,180
231,250
—

16,854,521

—

—
—

16,854,521

—

—
—

15

13
2
—

169

—

—
—

169

—

—
—

4,595

1,487
413
—

16,507

—

—
—

16,507 

—

—
—

—

—
—
(5,172)

(7,387)

(405)

—
—

(7,792) 

(6,003)

—
—

—

—

—
—
—

—

—

17
—

17

—

Total

$

7,936

4,610

1,500
415
(5,172)  

9,289

(405)

17
(388)

8,901

(6,003)

(148)
—

(148)
(6,151)  

Balance at December 31, 1999

16,854,521

$

169

$ 16,507

$ (13,795)

$

(131)

$

2,750

See notes to consolidated financial statement.

12 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)
Operating activities:

Net loss
Adjustments:

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
Deferred income taxes
Asset write-downs
Gain on asset sales
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Accounts payable
Due to CRCC

Net cash used in operating activities

Investing activities:

Sale of short-term investments
Additions to mineral properties
Receipts on mineral property transactions
Proceeds from asset sales
Decrease (increase) in other assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Financing activities:

Issuance of common stock, net

Net cash provided by financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest

Noncash investing and financing activities:

Common stock issued to CRCC for conversion of note payable
Securities received for mineral property
transactions, sale of Argentina subsidiary
Increase in accounts receivable from sale 
of Argentina subsidiary

See notes to consolidated financial statement.

1999

Years Ended December 31,
1998

1997

$

(6,003)

$

(405)

$

(5,172)

35
—
63
(19)
5,094

(11)
(12)
34
(819)

—
—
—
19
(59)
(40)

—
—

(859)
3,245
$ 2,386

—

—

21

—

$

10
—
403
—
—

24
(61)
(8)
(37)

—
(991)
434

(11)
(568)

—
—

(605)
3,850
$ 3,245

—

—

212

29

40 
(142)
4,861
—
—

(12)
(63) 
(47)
(535)

9
(2,436)
300 

24 
(2,103)

5,025  
5,025

2,387  
1,463 
$ 3,850

106

1,500

—

—

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  13

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BUSINESS AND COMPANY FORMATION:

MINERAL PROPERTIES

Solitario Resources Corporation (the “Company” or “Solitario”) engages
principally  in  the  acquisition,  exploration,  and  development  of  mineral
properties.    Currently  all  of  its  mineral  properties  are  in  Peru.    The
Company  was  incorporated  in  the  state  of  Colorado  on  November  15,
1984 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crown Resource Corp. of Colorado
(“CRCC”).    CRCC  is  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Crown  Resources
Corporation (“Crown”).  Prior to 1993, the Company had no assets and
conducted no operations.

FINANCIAL REPORTING

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Solitario
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  All material intercompany accounts and
transactions  have  been  eliminated  in  consolidation.    The  consolidated
financial  statements  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles in the United States of America, and are expressed in
U.S. dollars.  See Note 9 for differences between Canadian and U.S. gen-
erally accepted accounting principles.

In performing its activities, the Company has incurred certain costs for
land and leasehold interests and exploration costs.  The recovery of these
costs is ultimately dependent upon the development of economically recov-
erable ore reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary per-
mits and financing to successfully place the properties into production, and
upon future profitable operations, none of which is assured.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and
disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash equivalents include investments in highly-liquid debt securities with

maturities of three months or less when purchased.  Investments with longer

maturities at the date of purchase are classified as short-term investments.

Land  and  leasehold  costs  are  capitalized  in  cost  centers  and  will  be
depleted  on  the  basis  of  economic  reserves  using  the  units-of-production
method.    If  there  are  insufficient  economic  reserves  to  use  as  a  basis  for
depleting such costs, a mineral property write-off will be made in the peri-
od in which the determination is made.

During 1999, the Company changed its method of accounting for explo-
ration costs on properties without proven and probable reserves from capital-
izing all expenditures to expensing all costs incurred, other than acquisition
costs, prior to the establishment of proven and probable reserves (See Note 2).
The Company records the proceeds from the sale of property interests to
joint ventures as a reduction of the related property’s capitalized cost.  Proceeds
which exceed the capitalized cost of property are recognized as revenue.

MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES

The  Company’s  equity  securities  are  classified  as  available-for-sale  and
are carried at fair value which is based upon market quotes of the underly-
ing securities. The cost of marketable equity securities sold is determined by
the specific identification method.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

The  United  States  dollar  is  the  functional  currency  for  all  of  the
Company’s  foreign  subsidiaries.    Although  the  Company’s  exploration
activities  have  been  conducted  primarily  in  Peru  and,  until  July  1998,
Argentina,  substantially  all  of  the  land,  leasehold,  and  exploration  agree-
ments  of  the  Company  are  denominated  in  United  States  dollars.    The
Company expects that a significant portion of its required and discretionary
expenditures in the foreseeable future will also be denominated in United
States dollars.  Foreign currency gains and losses are included in the results
of operations in the period in which they occur.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of comprehensive income include unrealized gains and
losses  on  marketable  equity  securities  and  included  in  the  statement  of
stockholders’  equity  and  comprehensive  income.   The  Company  had  no
items of other comprehensive income (loss) during 1997, and comprehen-
sive loss equaled net loss.

14 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

INCOME TAXES

“Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”  The stan-

Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in

dard,  which is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2000,  sets

the  financial  statements  and  consist  of  taxes  currently  due  plus  deferred

forth guidelines and requirements for measuring derivative  instruments at

taxes related to certain income and expenses recognized in different periods

fair value as assets and liabilities to be reported in the financial statements

for financial and income tax reporting purposes.  Deferred tax assets and

and that the changes in the fair value of the instruments shall be recognized

liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of those differences,

in the results of operations.  This standard, when adopted by the Company,

which will either be taxable or deductible when the assets and liabilities are

is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s reported finan-

recovered or settled.  Deferred taxes are also recognized for operating losses

cial position, results of operations and cash flows. 

and tax credits that are available to offset future taxable income and income

taxes, respectively.  A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than

not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

2. MINERAL PROPERTIES:

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE

LOSS PER SHARE

The calculation of basic and diluted loss per share, “Earnings Per Share,”

is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding

during the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997.  The effect of

common  stock  equivalents,  which  include  employee  stock  options,  war-

rants and convertible debt securities, is not included in the computation of

per share amounts as inclusion would be anti-dilutive.  

EMPLOYEE STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

During 1999, the Company changed its method of accounting for explo-
ration costs on properties without proven and probable reserves from capi-
talizing all expenditures to expensing all costs, other than acquisition costs,
prior to the establishment of proven and probable reserves.  This will bring
the  Company’s  accounting  method  in  accordance  with  the  predominant
practice in the U.S. mining industry.  The $5,094,000 cumulative effect of
the change on prior years is included in the loss for 1999.  The effect of the
change on 1999 was to increase the loss before cumulative effect of change
in accounting principle by $69,000 or $0.00 per share.

The Company follows Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APBO”)

PERU

No.  25,  “Accounting  for  Stock  Issued  to  Employees.”    Under  the

Company’s stock option plans, the exercise price of stock options issued to

employees equals the market price of the stock on the measurement date

and  therefore,  the  Company  does  not  record  compensation  expense  on

stock options granted to employees.

SEGMENT REPORTING

The Company operates in one segment, minerals exploration.  All of the

Company’s operations are located in South America as further described in

note 2.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In  June  1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (“FASB”)

issued  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standard  (“SFAS”)  No.  133,

The Company, holds exploration concessions or has filed applications for
concessions covering approximately 286,000 acres in Peru.  These applica-
tions are subject to normal administrative approvals and the properties are
subject to an annual rental of $2.00 per hectare (approximately 2.47 acres
per hectare) in June of each year.

Bongará

Since 1993, the Company acquired exploration concessions or has filed
claims  for  concessions  currently  covering  approximately  80,000  acres  in
northern Peru (the “Bongará project”).

In December 1996, Solitario signed an agreement regarding the Bongará
project with a subsidiary of Cominco Ltd. (“Cominco”) of Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada.  The agreement was modified in January 1999, increasing the joint
venture’s current acreage to approximately 345,000 acres.  Cominco has the

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  15

right to earn a 65% interest in the Bongará project by spending a minimum
of $17,000,000 over a five year period from January 1999 forward on explo-
ration and development (in addition to the approximately $10 million spent
prior to January 1999) and by making annual cash payments to the Company
of between $100,000 and $500,000 (depending on the price of zinc), as well
as fully funding the project through a bankable feasibility study.  Cash pay-
ments of $118,000, $118,000, and $354,000, including value added taxes of
18%, have been paid to the Company by Cominco in January 2000, 1999 and
1998, respectively.  In addition to the cash payments and work commitments,
Cominco has agreed to finance Solitario’s share of project development costs,
subject to repayment, after a production decision is made, should Solitario not
secure  third-party  financing.   Through  December  31,  1999,  Cominco  has
spent approximately $13 million on exploration on the Bongará project.

Yanacocha

On  February  3,  2000  the  Company  announced  an  agreement  with  an
affiliate of Newmont Mining Corporation (“Newmont”) to sell  its interest in
its Yanacocha property for $6 million and a sliding scale (depending on the
price of gold) net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty.  In order to effect the trans-
action, Solitario has agreed to transfer all of the operating assets and liabilities,
excluding its interest in Yanacocha, of its Peru operating subsidiary, Minera
Los Tapados (“MLT”), to a new operating subsidiary, Minera Solitario Peru.
Newmont  will  receive  all  of  the  outstanding  shares  of  MLT  for  the  cash
consideration  and  subsequently  deliver  the  NSR  royalty  to  the  Company.
Closing  of  the  transaction  is  expected  during  the  second  quarter  of  2000,
pending the completion of due diligence and regulatory approval.  The bal-
ance of the Company’s investment in the Yanacocha property, $178,000 has
been reclassified to assets held for sale.  Upon closing of the transaction, the
Company expects to recognize a gain of approximately $5.8 million.

ARGENTINA

LAND AND LEASEHOLD AND EXPLORATION COSTS

Mineral property costs for all the Company’s properties are composed of

the following:

(in thousands)
Land and leasehold costs
Exploration costs 

December 31,

1999
53

53

$

$

$

1998
324
5,064

$ 5,388

The  above  land  and  leasehold  costs  at  December  31,  1999  and  1998 

and  the  exploration  costs  at  December  31,  1998  are  related  to  mineral

properties  for  which  exploration  activities  had  not  yet  identified  the 

presence of economic reserves. The following items comprised the additions

to exploration costs:

(in thousands)
Geologic, drilling, and assay
Field expenses
Administrative
Total exploration costs

$

Expensed
1999
179
76
411
666

$

Capitalized

1998
$ 240
400
237
$ 877

$

1997
952
658
452
$ 2,062

Included  in  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  at  December  31,  1999  are

total  assets  of  the  Company’s  foreign  operations,  located  in  Peru,  in  the

amount of $347,000.

ASSET WRITE DOWNS

The  Company  regularly  performs  evaluations  of  its  assets  to  assess  the

recoverability of its investments in these assets.  Upon determining that cer-

tain properties did not have sufficient potential for economic mineralization

and  in  1997,  related  to  the  Company’s  decision  to  sell  its  operations  in

Argentina, the Company recorded write-downs to exploration properties of

$63,000, $403,000, and $4,861,000 in 1999, 1998, and 1997, respectively.

Through December 31, 1997 the Company had performed exploration

activities and held exploration rights or had filed applications for rights in

3. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

Argentina.    In  July  1998,  the  Company  completed  the  sale  of  its

During  the  three  years  ended  December  31,  1999,  1998,  and  1997,

Argentinian  subsidiary  to TNR  Resources,  Ltd.  (“TNR”)  of    Vancouver,

CRCC provided financial, management and technical assistance under an

B.C., Canada.  The Company no longer conducts exploration in Argentina.

arrangement  whereby  certain  advances  were  made  by  CRCC  to  the

16 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

Company.  These advances are non-interest bearing, unsecured, and are due

on  demand.    Net  advances  due  to  CRCC  as  of  December  31,  1999  and

1998 were $39,000 and $5,000, respectively.

CRCC  provides  management  and  technical  services  to  Solitario  under  a
management agreement originally signed in 1994 and modified in April 1999.
The  modified  agreement,  which  has  a  three  year  term,  provides  for  reim-
bursement  to  CRCC  of  direct  out-of-pocket  costs;  payment  of  one-half  of
executive and administrative salaries and benefits, rent, insurance and investor
relations costs; payment of certain allocated indirect costs and expenses paid
by CRCC on behalf of Solitario; and payment of a service fee equal to two 
percent of all expenditures made by or on behalf of Solitario. Prior to April
1999, the agreement reimbursed CRCC direct out-of-pocket costs; for certain
allocated indirect costs; and payment of a service fee equal to 7% of expendi-
tures.  Management service fees paid to CRCC by Solitario in 1999, 1998 and
1997 amounted to $333,000, $89,000 and $207,000, respectively. 

4. INCOME TAXES:

The Company’s income tax benefit consists of the following:

(in thousands)
Deferred
U.S.
Foreign

Operating loss and 
credit carryovers:
U.S.
Foreign

Income tax benefit

1999

1998

1997

$ —
1

$ 105
85

$ —
32

—
(1)
$ —

(105)
(85)
$ —

—
(174)
$ (142)

Consolidated loss before income taxes includes losses from foreign oper-
ations of $644,000, $441,000, and $5,016,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the timing of
income and expenses for financial and income tax reporting purposes.  The
primary  component  of  deferred  income  taxes  relates  to  exploration  and
development costs.

During  1997,  the  Company  recognized  income  tax  deductions  of
$421,000 from the exercise of non-qualified stock options.  The income tax

benefits of these income tax deductions have been fully offset by a valuation
allowance, resulting in no net impact to stockholders’ equity.

The net deferred tax assets/liabilities in the accompanying December 31,

1999 and 1998 balance sheets include the following components:

(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss (NOL) carryovers

Capital loss carryovers

Investment in Peru
Other
Valuation allowance
Deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:

Exploration and development costs

Other
Deferred tax liabilities

Net deferred tax assets/liabilities

1999

1998

$2,596
1,874
2,722
63
(7,255)
—

—
—
—
$ —

$ 2,345
1,857
—
—
(2,558)
1,644

1,638
6
1,644
$ —

The change in accounting principle discussed in Note 2 had the effect of
increasing  the  1999  valuation  allowance  offset  to  deferred  tax  assets  and
decreasing the exploration and development costs deferred tax liability by
$1,642,000.

A reconciliation of expected federal income tax benefit on loss from con-
tinuing  operations  at  U.S.  Federal  tax  rate  of  34%  with  the  benefit  for
income taxes is as follows:

(in thousands)
Expected income tax
Non-deductible foreign expenses
Disposition of investment
in Argentina subsidiary

Deconsolidation of 
Argentine NOL

Disposition of investment 

in Peru

Foreign mining incentives
Foreign tax rate differences
State income tax
Valuation allowance
Other
Income tax benefit

1999
$ (309)
32

1998
$ (138)
26

1997
$(1,807)
85

—

—

(2,373)
—
21
(363)
2,992
—
$ —

—

(1,683)

2,480

—

—
—
9
(4)
(2,374)
1
$ —

—
(201)
(17)
(267)
3,747
1 
$ (142)

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  17

At December 31, 1999, the Company has unused U.S. NOL and cap-

thereby increasing the authorized shares to 1,936,000.  In November 1999,

ital  loss  carryovers  of  $2,244,000  and  $4,806,000,  respectively,  which

the Board voted to amend the Plan, subject to shareholder approval at the

begin  to  expire  commencing  2008  and  2004,  respectively.    The

June 2000 shareholders annual meeting, to increase the number of shares

Company  also  has  Peru  Net  Operating  Loss  (“NOL”)  carryovers  at

under the Plan to 2,336,000.  

December 31, 1999 of $5,737,000 which begin to expire four years after

the first year in which taxable income arises.  The anticipated sale of the

Company’s shares of MLT and conversion of its investment in Yanacocha

to a NSR royalty during 2000 will result in the elimination of the Peru

NOL carryovers and the related valuation allowance (see Note 2).

5. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and

cash  equivalents,  accounts  payable,  and  due  to  CRCC,  the  carrying

amounts  approximate  fair  value  due  to  their  short  maturities.  The

Company’s  marketable  equity  securities  are  carried  at  their  estimated  fair

value based on quoted market prices.

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

In acquiring its interests in minerals claims and leases, the Company has

entered into lease agreements which generally may be canceled at its option.

The Company is required to make minimum rental and option payments

in order to maintain its interests in certain claims and leases.  See Note 2.

The  Company  estimates  its  2000  mineral  property  rental  and  option 

payments  to  be  approximately  $445,000.    Based  upon  existing  joint 

venture  or  leasing  arrangements,  the  Company’s  share  of  these  costs  is

approximately $4,000.

7. STOCK OPTION PLAN:

On  March  4,  1994,  the  Company’s  board  of  directors  (the  “Board”)

adopted the 1994 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”).  Up to 1,100,000 shares

of  the  Company’s  common  stock  were  authorized  for  issuance  under  the

Plan,  subject  to  certain  regulatory  limitations.    On  December  15,  1995, 

All options have been granted at exercise prices which are determined by

the Board to be the fair market value on the date of grant.  The options

expire five years from the date of grant, and are subject to certain vesting

provisions, as determined by the Board.

The activity in the Plan for the three years ended December 31, 1999 is

as follows:

1999

1998

1997

Weighted
Average
Price(1)
(Cdn$) Amount

Weighted
Weighted
Average
Average
Price
Price
(Cdn$) Amount (Cdn$)

Amount

1,263,750

1,162,000

2.51

1.19

(15,000)
(706,000)

2.25
2.41

1,203,750

2.49 1,385,000 2.42 

60,000
—
—
—

3.00

50,000 4.40
(231,250) 2.49

—
—

Outstanding, 
beginning
of year

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Expired
Outstanding,

end of year 1,704,750

1.22

1,263,750

2.51 1,203,750 2.49

Exercisable, 

end of year 1,231,750

1.23

1,181,250

2.48 1,051,250 2.36

(1) In March 1999, the shareholders of the Company approved a repric-

ing  of  existing  options  for  current  employees,  officers  and  directors  to

Cdn$1.16 per share, which was the market price of the Company’s stock.   

The options outstanding at December 31, 1999 have a range of exercise

prices of between Cdn$1.16 and Cdn$1.30 and a weighted average remaining

the Plan was amended, increasing the authorized shares to 1,170,000 and

contractual life of 3.7 years.

conforming the Plan to recently enacted regulatory requirements.  

Pro forma information has been computed as if the Company had account-

In December 1996, April 1997, and June 1999, the Plan was amended,

ed for its stock options under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123.  

18 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

The fair values of these options were estimated at the date of grant using a

9. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND U.S. GAAP:

Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model  with  the  following  assumptions  for

The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accor-

1999, 1998  and 1997, respectively: risk-free interest rate of 5.31%, 5.52%

dance  with  U.S.  Generally  Accepted  Accounting  Principles  (“GAAP”)

and 6.37%; dividend yield of 0 percent; volatility factor of the expected mar-

which differ in some respects from Canadian GAAP.  The material differ-

ket price of the Company’s common stock of 68%, 75% and 78%; and a

ences, in respect to these financial statements between U.S. and Canadian

weighted average expected life of the options of 3.6 years, 4.0 years and 4.0

GAAP, and their effect on the Company’s financial statements, are sum-

years.  The weighted average fair value of the options granted is estimated at

marized below:

$0.40, $1.36 and $1.82 per share in 1999,1998 and 1997, respectively.

Change  in  accounting  principle  -  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  the  change  in

Had  the  Company  accounted  for  its  stock  options  under  the  fair 

accounting principle, as described in Note 2, requires restatement of prior periods.

value method of SFAS No. 123, the following results would have been

Note  Payable,  CRCC  -  Under  Canadian  GAAP,  a  portion  of  the  pro-

reported:

(in thousands, except 
per share amounts)
Net loss

As reported
Pro forma
Net loss per share
As reported
Pro forma

1999

1998

1997

$(6,003)
(6,661)

$ (0.36)
(0.40)

$ (405)
(459)

$ (0.02)
(0.03)

$(5,172)
(5,232)

$ (0.33)
(0.33)

8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

In August 1997, CRCC elected to convert its $1.5 million, 7.5%  con-

vertible note into 1,254,180 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The

conversion was in accordance with the terms of the note dated August 25,

1995.  Upon completion of the conversion and after giving effect to option

exercises  during  1997,  CRCC  held  9,633,585  shares  of  the  Company’s

stock or 57.2% as of December 31, 1999 and 1998. 

In  February  1997,  CRCC  acquired,  by  way  of  private  placement,

1,500,000 Units of the Company at a price of Cdn$4.20 per Unit, for an

aggregate purchase price of $4,610,000.  Each Unit was comprised of one

share of Solitario common stock plus one share purchase warrant exercisable

into  one  common  share  at  a  price  of  Cdn$4.83  per  share.    The  warrants

expired unexercised in February 1999.

ceeds  of  a  convertible  debt  instrument  should  be  allocated  to  additional

paid-in  capital  at  the  time  of  issuance  rather  than  the  entire  proceeds

recorded as a liability.  The Company’s note was converted in 1997. 

The  effect  on  the  consolidated  statement  of  operations  of  these  items

would be as follows:
(in thousands, except 
per share amounts)

Net loss under U.S. GAAP
Effect of change in accounting

principle:
Mineral property option 

1999

1998

1997

$(6,003)

$ (405)

$(5,172)

proceeds
Exploration
Tax effect of additional 
exploration expense

—
Reduction in asset write-downs    — 
Cumulative effect of change 
in accounting principle

5,094

Additional interest expense

on note payable to CRCC

—

Net Loss under Canadian 

—
—

300
(896)

250
(2,312)

(142)
4,620

—

(155)

—
78

—

—

GAAP

$ (909)

$ (923)

$(2,911)

Basic and diluted loss per
share under Canadian 
GAAP

$ (0.05)

$ (0.05)

$ (0.17)

SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT |  19

Year 2000 - Canadian GAAP requires disclosure regarding the year  2000
issue.  Accordingly, the notes to the financial statements would include the
following:

UNCERTAINTY DUE TO THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE (UNAUDITED)

The year 2000 issue arises because many computer systems use two digits

rather than four to identify a year.  Date sensitive systems may recognize the

year 2000 as 1900 or some other year, resulting in errors when information

using  the  year  2000  date  is  processed.    Solitario  took  steps  to 

prepare for the year 2000 transition including the addition of new software

and computer hardware, reviews of existing systems and processes and testing

for the year 2000 transition.  Although there have been no adverse effects

to the Company from the transition to the year 2000, it is not possible to

conclude all aspects of the year 2000 issue that may effect Solitario, including

those  related  to  customers,  suppliers,  or  other  third  parties,  have  been 

fully resolved.

As a result of the above, under Canadian GAAP, the following line items

in the consolidated balance sheets would be presented as follows:

(in thousands)
Mineral properties, net
Total assets
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ equity 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

1999
$
53
$ 2,796
$ 16,972
$(14,260)
$ 2,750
$ 2,796

1998
$
294
$ 3,831
$ 16,972
$(13,351)
$ 3,870
$ 3,831

As a result of the above, under Canadian GAAP; the following line items
in the consolidated statements of cash flows would be presented as follows:

Operating Activities:

Net Loss
Deferred income taxes
Asset write-downs
Cumulative effect of 

change in accounting 
principle

Net cash used in 

1999
$ (909)
$ —
63
$

1998
$ (923)
$ —
$ 325

1997
$(2,911)
$ —
241
$

$ —

$ —

$ —

operating activities

$ (819)

$ (633)

$(2,894)

Investing Activities:

Additions to mineral 

properties

Receipts on mineral 

$ —

$

(95)

property transactions

$ —

$ 134

$

$

173

50

Net cash provided by 
(used in) investing 
activities

$

(40)

$

28

$

256

20 |  SOLITARIO RESOURCES | 1999 ANNUAL REPORT

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be at

8:00 a.m. (MDT) on Thursday, June 15, 2000 at 

the Company’s offices at 1675 Broadway, Suite 2400,

Denver, Colorado.

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
Toronto: SLR

COMMON STOCK DATA
The Company’s common stock has been listed and

traded in Canada on The Toronto Stock Exchange

since July 19, 1994 under the symbol SLR.

CORPORATE INFORMATION

LEGAL COUNSEL
Stoel Rives LLP

Seattle, Washington

Fogler, Rubinoff

Toronto, Ontario

AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP 

Denver, Colorado

TRANSFER AGENTS
Montreal Trust Company of Canada

Toronto, Ontario

800.663.9097

CORPORATE OFFICES
1675 Broadway, Suite 2400 

Denver, Colorado 80202

Phone: 303.534.1030

Fax: 303.534.1809

INVESTOR RELATIONS
Questions and requests for information 

should be directed to Debbie W. Mino, Vice

President-Investor Relations at 800.229.6827 

or via email at dwmino@solitarioresources.com

INTERNET
Visit our website at www.solitarioresources.com

or via e-mail at dwmino@solitarioresources.com

Designed and Produced by Carl Thompson Associates   www.annualreportsunlimited.com

Christopher E. Herald
Chief Executive Officer 

Walter H. Hunt
President – South American Operations

James R. Maronick
Chief Financial Officer

Debbie W. Mino
Vice President – Investor Relations

Mark E. Jones, III
Chairman

John Hainey
Director

Leonard Harris
Director

Dan Leonard
Director

SOLITARIO RESOURCES

1675 BROADWAY, SUITE 2400
DENVER, COLORADO 80202
TEL: 303.534.1030
FAX: 303.534.1809
www.solitarioresources.com

TORONTO: SLR