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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Explanatory Note: As used in this report, the terms "we," "us" and "our" are used to refer to United States Antimony Corporation and, as the context requires, its management.
Some of the information in this Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate" and "continue," or similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they:
·
discuss our future expectations;
contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial condition; and
state other "forward-looking" information.
United States Antimony Corporation, or USAC, was incorporated in Montana in January 1970 to mine and produce antimony products. In December 1983, we suspended antimony mining operations but continued to produce antimony products from domestic and foreign sources. In April 1998, we formed United States Antimony SA de CV or USAMSA, to mine and smelt antimony in Mexico. Bear River Zeolite Company or BRZ, was incorporated in 2000, and it is mining and producing zeolite in southeastern Idaho. On August 19, 2005, USAC formed Antimonio de Mexico, S. A. de C. V. to explore and develop antimony and silver deposits in Mexico, which is presently being merged into USAMSA. Our principal business is the production and sale of antimony and zeolite products.
Antimony Sales
During 2011, sales of our antimony products increased approximately 66% from 2010. The profitability of the Antimony Division increased from $903,560 in 2010 to $1,556,013 in 2011.
Zeolite Sales
During 2010, sales of zeolite decreased 15% in 2011 from 2010 and the gross profit decreased from $470,172 in 2010 to $118,185 in 2011.
Other Sales
Precious Metal Sales & Average Prices
Year
Precious
Metal Sales
Au (Oz)
Contained
Ag (Oz)
2009
2010
2011
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Our antimony smelter and precious metals plant is located in the Burns Mining District of Sanders County, Montana, approximately 15 miles west of Thompson Falls, MT. We hold 2 patented mill sites where the plant is located. We have no "proven reserves" or "probable reserves" of antimony, as these terms are defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Environmental restrictions preclude mining at this site.
Prior to 1984, we mined antimony underground by driving drifts and using slushers in room and pillar type stopes. Mining was suspended in December 1983, because antimony could be purchased more economically from foreign sources.
Because we depend on foreign sources for raw materials, there are risks of interruption in procurement from these sources and/or volatile changes in world market prices for these materials that are not controllable by us. We are currently developing sources of antimony through our sites in Mexico and working with suppliers in Central America, Europe and South America.
We currently own 100% of the common stock, equipment, and the lease on real property of United States Antimony, Mexico S.A. de C.V. or USAMSA, which was formed in April 1998. We currently own 100% of the stock in Antimony de Mexico SA de CV (AM) which owns the San Miguel property. USAMSA has three divisions (1) the Madero smelter in Coahuila that started operations in 2011, (2) the Puerto Blanco flotation mill in Guanajuato that will start operating in 2012, and (3) the Los Juarez mineral deposit that includes concessions in Queretaro that will also begin operating in 2012.
In our existing operations in Montana, we produce antimony oxide, sodium antimonate, antimony metal, and precious metals. Antimony oxide is a fine, white powder that is used primarily in conjunction with a halogen to form a synergistic flame retardant system for plastics, rubber, fiberglass, textile goods, paints, coatings and paper. Antimony oxide is also used as a color fastener in paint, as a catalyst for production of polyester resins for fibers and film, as a phosphorescent agent in fluorescent light bulbs and as an opacifier for porcelains. Sodium antimonate is primarily used as a fining agent (degasser) for glass in cathode ray tubes used in television picture tubes and as a flame retardant. We also sell antimony metal for use in bearings, storage batteries and ordnance.
We estimate (but have not independently confirmed) that our present share of the domestic market for antimony oxide products is approximately 4%. We are the only significant U.S. producer of antimony products. China supplies 92% of the world antimony demand.
Schedule of Antimony Sales
Lbs of
Largest
2011
2010
2009
Concentration of Sales: During 2011, $7,544,305, or 72% of our sales, was made to three customers.
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Marketing: We employ full-time marketing personnel and have negotiated various commission-based sales agreements with other chemical distribution companies.
Antimony Price Fluctuations: Our operating results have been, and will continue to be, directly related to the market prices of antimony metal, which have fluctuated widely in recent years. The volatility of prices is illustrated by the following table, which sets forth the average prices of antimony metal per pound, as reported by sources deemed reliable by us.
Year
USA
USA
Rotterdam
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
The range of sales prices for antimony oxide and antimony metal per pound was as follows for the periods indicated:
Oxide
Average
Price/Lb
Metal
Antimony metal prices are determined by a number of variables over which we have no control. These include the availability and price of imported metals, the quantity of new metal supply, and industrial and commercial demand. If metal prices decline and remain depressed, our revenues and profitability may be adversely affected.
We use various antimony raw materials to produce our products. We currently obtain antimony raw material from sources in North America, Mexico, Europe, South America and Australia.
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We own 100% of Bear River Zeolite Company,or BRZ, an Idaho corporation incorporated on June 1, 2000. BRZ has a lease with Webster Farm, L.L.C. that entitles BRZ to surface mine and process zeolite on property located near Preston, Idaho, in exchange for a royalty payment. In 2010 the royalty was adjusted to $10 per ton sold. The current minimum annual royalty is $60,000. In addition, BRZ has more zeolite on U.S. Bureau of Land Management land. A company controlled by the estate of Al Dugan, a significant stockholder and, as such, an affiliate of USAC, receives a payment equal to 3% of net sales on zeolite products. William Raymond and Nancy Couse are paid a royalty that varies from $1 to $5 per ton. On a combined basis, royalties vary from 8%-13%. BRZ has constructed a processing plant on the property and it has improved its productive capacity. Through December 31, 2011, we had spent approximately $3,900,000 to purchase and construct the processing plant and develop sales.