What changed in this filing

/stocks — the workspaceLOADING

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis

2025-05-02 compared with 2024-11-05 · 102 added, 163 removed, 81 unchanged (77% of the section changed)

8 unchanged sentences

Although our mineral properties may be developed in the future by us, through a joint venture or by a third party, we have never developed a mineral property.

In addition to focusing on our current mineral exploration properties, we also from time-to-time evaluate potential strategic transactions for the acquisition of new precious and base metal properties and assets with exploration potential.

In addition to focusing on our current mineral exploration properties, from time-to-time we also evaluate potential strategic transactions for the acquisition of new precious and base metal properties and assets with exploration potential.

Our current geographic focus for the evaluation of potential mineral property assets is in North and South America;

however, we have conducted property evaluations for potential acquisition in other parts of the world.

At September 30, 2024, we consider our Golden Crest Project in South Dakota, our carried interest in the Florida Canyon Project in Peru, and our interest in the Lik Project in Alaska to be our core mineral property assets.

In addition, during 2024 we added the Cat Creek Project in Colorado, which has not been explored to the degree of any of our three core assets, described above.

At March 31, 2025, we consider our Golden Crest Project in South Dakota, our carried interest in the Florida Canyon Project in Peru, and our interest in the Lik Project in Alaska to be our core mineral property assets.

In addition, we own the Cat Creek Project in Colorado, which has not been explored to the degree of any of our three core assets, described above.

We are conducting exploration activities in the United States on our own at the Golden Crest and Cat Creek Projects and through joint ventures operated by our partners in Peru at the Florida Canyon Project and in Alaska at the Lik Project.

3 unchanged sentences

Although we anticipate that the use of joint ventures to fund some of our exploration activities will continue for the foreseeable future, we can provide no assurance that these or other sources of capital will be available in sufficient amounts to meet our needs, if at all.

As of September 30, 2024, we have balances of cash and short-term investments that we anticipate using, in part, to (i) fund costs and activities intended to further the exploration of our Lik, Florida Canyon, Golden Crest and Cat Creek Projects;

As of March 31, 2025, we have balances of cash and short-term investments that we anticipate using, in part, to (i) fund costs and activities intended to further the exploration of our Lik Project, Florida Canyon Project, Golden Crest Project and Cat Creek Project;

(ii) conduct reconnaissance exploration and (iii) potentially acquire additional mineral property assets.

3 unchanged sentences

(b) Results of Operations

Comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2024 to the three months ended September 30, 2023

We had a net loss of $2,276,000 or $0.03 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a net loss of $1,292,000 or $0.02 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

As explained in more detail below, the primary reasons for the increase in our net loss in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the net loss during the three months ended September 30, 2023 were (i) an increase in our exploration expense, primarily related to our drilling program at Golden Crest, to $2,067,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to exploration expense of $918,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023;

(ii) an increase in our general and administrative expense of $383,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to general and administrative expense of $282,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023;

(iii) the recording of a loss on derivative instruments of $22,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a gain on derivative instruments of $7,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023;

and (iv) the recording of an unrealized gain on short-term investments of $14,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023 with no similar item during the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Partially offsetting these increases in the net loss during the three months ended September 30, 2024 were (i) an increase in interest and dividend income to $94,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to interest and dividend income of $35,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023;

and (ii) the recording of an unrealized gain on marketable equity securities of $110,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an unrealized loss on marketable equity securities of $141,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Comparison of the quarter ended March 31, 2025 to the quarter ended March 31, 2024

We had a net loss of $511,000 or $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to a net loss of $730,000 or $0.01 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

As explained in more detail below, the primary reasons for the decrease in the net loss in the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to the loss in the three months ended March 31, 2024 were (i) a decrease in exploration expense to $239,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to exploration expense of $354,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024;

and (ii) an increase in unrealized gain on marketable equity securities to $385,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to an unrealized gain on marketable equity securities of $8,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Partially offsetting this decrease in the net loss were (i) an increase in general and administrative expense to $490,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to general and administrative expense of $472,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024;

(ii) an unrealized loss on derivative instruments of $206,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 with no similar item during the three months ended March 31, 2024;

and (iii) a decrease in interest and dividend income to $46,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to interest and dividend income of $95,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Each of the major components of these items is discussed in more detail below.

Our net exploration expense increased to $2,067,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to exploration expense of $918,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily as a result of the initiation of a drilling program at our Golden Crest Project, which increased the exploration expense at Golden Crest to $1,957,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to exploration expense at Golden Crest of $731,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

We anticipate the drilling to continue during the first part of the fourth quarter of 2024.

In addition, we incurred $19,000 of exploration expenses at our new Cat Creek Project during the three months ended September 30, 2024, with no similar exploration expense during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

As a result of the increase in our focus on the Golden Crest Project during 2024, the remaining projects showed a decrease in exploration expense during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, with (i) exploration expense of $81,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 at our Lik Project in Alaska compared to exploration expense of $139,000 at the Lik Project during the three months ended September 30, 2023;

and (ii) a decrease in our reconnaissance exploration expenditures decreased to $10,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $48,000 of reconnaissance exploration during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

We anticipate completing the drilling program at Golden Crest during the fourth quarter of 2024 and expect a significant increase in exploration expense for the full year of 2024 compared to the full-year exploration expense of 2023.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 we had four contract geologists working at our Golden Crest Project, as well as several part-time employees who assisted our contract geologists in monitoring the drilling project as well as collecting, organizing and testing soil and rock samples at Golden Crest.

In addition, certain of our Denver-based personnel spent a portion of their time on the Golden Crest Project and reconnaissance exploration activities described above and related matters.

We have budgeted approximately $3,900,000 for the full-year exploration expenditure for 2024, which includes approximately $1,700,000 for drilling at the Golden Crest Project.

We expect our full-year exploration expenditures for 2024 to exceed our exploration expenditures for 2023.

Exploration expense (in thousands) by project consisted of the following:

Three months ended

September 30,

Nine months ended

September 30,

Our exploration expense decreased to $239,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to exploration expense of $354,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The decrease was primarily a result of a decrease in expenses at our Golden Crest Project to $216,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to exploration expense of $335,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

In addition, we reduced our reconnaissance exploration expenditure to $7,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to reconnaissance exploration expenditures of $11,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

These costs were partially offset by an increase in our Lik Project and Cat Creek Project exploration expenses to $11,000 and $5,000, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to Lik Project and Cat Creek Project exploration expenditures of $8,000 at the Lik project during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Our exploration expenditure is normally lower during the first quarter of our fiscal year as a result of weather limitations.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we had three contract geologists at our Golden Crest Project along with several part-time employees.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, our Denver personnel spent a significant portion of their time on the Golden Crest Project and various reconnaissance exploration activities described above and related matters.

Our full-year 2025 total exploration and development budget is approximately $3,910,000, which reflects a potential drilling program at the Golden Crest Project during 2025 budgeted at $1,911,000 as well as a proposed limited exploration program at the Lik Project.

Nexa is responsible for all planned 2025 exploration expenditures at the Florida Canyon Project.

The proposed 2025 budget does not reflect any exploration costs for new projects or assets we may acquire during 2025.

Our planned exploration activities in 2025 may be modified, as necessary for any drilling programs we may undertake at the Golden Crest Project, Lik Project or other projects we may acquire.

Changes may occur to our planned 2025 exploration expenditures related to any number of factors including permitting delays, potential acquisition of new properties, joint venture funding, commodity prices and changes in the deployment of our capital.

We expect our full-year exploration expenditures for 2025 to be comparable to the exploration expenditures for full-year 2024.

Exploration expense by project for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 consisted of the following:

(in thousands)

Golden Crest Project

Cat Creek Project

Reconnaissance

Total exploration expense

General and administrative costs, excluding stock option compensation costs, discussed below, were $258,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $224,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

The major components of our general and administrative costs were (i) salaries and benefit expense of $79,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to salary and benefit costs of $108,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023 as a result of a reduction in administrative staff costs;

(ii) legal and accounting expenditures of $50,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $47,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2023;

(iii) office rent and expenses of $34,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $35,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023;

and (iv) travel and shareholder relation costs of $95,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $34,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

We anticipate the full-year general and administrative costs will be comparable for 2024 and 2023.

We recorded $125,000 of stock option compensation expense for the amortization of unvested grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in-capital during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $58,000 of stock option compensation expense during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

These non-cash charges related to the expense for vesting on stock options outstanding during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

The primary reason for the increase in stock option compensation expense during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 was as a result of the grant of an aggregate of 2,125,000 options in the second quarter of 2024, which included amortization of three months, out of the thirty-six-month amortization period of the total grant date fair value of $1,120,000.

The remaining expense related to the amortization of grant date fair values of outstanding unvested options for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was comparable.

General and administrative costs, excluding stock option compensation costs, discussed below, were $364,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $413,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The major components of these costs were related to (i) salaries and benefit expense of $118,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to salary and benefit costs of $131,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to reductions in staff during 2025 compared to 2024;

(ii) legal and professional expenditures of $54,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to legal and professional expenditures of $71,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024;

(iii) office rent and expenses of $29,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $25,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024;

and (iv) travel and shareholder relation costs of $163,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $186,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

We anticipate the full-year general and administrative costs will be comparable between 2025 and 2024.

We recorded $126,000 of stock option expense for the amortization of unvested grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in-capital during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to $59,000 of stock option compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The higher costs during the three months ended March 31, 2025 related to the grant date fair value of 2,125,000 options granted during 2024 which are being amortized over three years.

There were no significant option grants during the prior period of 2023, and accordingly, the stock option expense in the three months ended March 31, 2025 increased compared to the stock option expense in three months ended March 31, 2024.

These non-cash charges for the amortization of grant date fair values are related to vesting of stock options outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

See Note 10, “Employee Stock Compensation Plans,” above, for additional information on our stock option expense.

We recorded a non-cash unrealized gain on marketable equity securities of $110,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an unrealized loss on marketable equity securities of $141,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

The non-cash unrealized gain during the three months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily related to (i) an increase in the fair value of our 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock to $936,000 at September 30, 2024 from a fair value of $832,000 at June 30, 2024 or an increase of $104,000, based on quoted market prices;

and (ii) an increase in the fair value of our 134,055 shares of Vox Royalty Corp.

(“Vox”) common stock to $405,000 at September 30, 2024 from a fair value of $371,000 at June 30, 2024 or an increase of $34,000 based on quoted market prices.

These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the fair value of our 7,750,000 shares of Vendetta Mining Corp.

(“Vendetta”) common stock to $57,000 at September 30, 2024 compared to a fair value of $85,000 at June 30, 2024 or a decrease of $28,000 based on quoted market prices.

The non-cash unrealized loss during the three months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily related to (i) a decrease in the fair value of our 7,750,000 shares of Vendetta common stock, which decreased to a fair value of $172,000 at September 30, 2023 from a fair value of $234,000 at June 30, 2023 or a decrease of $62,000 based on quoted market prices;

(ii) a decrease in the fair value of our 134,055 shares of Vox common stock to $271,000 at September 30, 2023 compared to a fair value of $324,000 at June 30, 2023 or a decrease of $54,000 based on quoted market prices and (iii) a decrease in the fair value of our holdings of 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock to $456,000 at September 30, 2023 compared to a fair value of $477,000 at June 30, 2023 or a decrease of $21,000 based on quoted market prices.

We recorded interest and dividend income of $94,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to interest income of $35,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

This increase was primarily due to an increase in our funds held in our money market account during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the funds held in our money market account during the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Our dividend income in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 of $3,000 and $12,000 was comparable to the same periods of 2023.

We anticipate interest income will decrease during the remainder of 2024 from the amounts recorded through the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as we expect to utilize the funds in the money market account to fund our exploration and general and administrative expenditures.

We recorded a non-cash unrealized gain on our short-term investments of $14,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to the maturing of our USTS, which are marked-to-market and a reversal of prior reductions in the quoted fair value of our existing USTS that were purchased at lower yield-to-maturities than current market values, as the USTS matured and approached face value.

We held no USTS during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and accordingly there were no similar changes in the marked-to-market values during the three months ended September 30, 2024.

These changes in interest rates are a result of many factors that are not related to our business and do not affect the yield-to-maturity quoted for our investments in USTS at the time we acquire these short-term investments, to the extent we hold the investments to maturity.

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a non-cash loss on derivative instruments of $22,000 related to certain Kinross calls that expire in November 2024, which we held during the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared to a gain on derivative instruments of $7,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2023 related to our holdings of Kinross calls, which expired unexercised in August 2023.

See Note 6, “Derivative Instruments,” above for a discussion of our Kinross calls.

We recorded an unrealized gain on marketable equity securities of $385,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to an unrealized gain on marketable equity securities of $8,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The gain during the three months ended March 31, 2025 was primarily related to an increase in the value of our holdings of marketable equity securities discussed above in Note 3 “Marketable Equity Securities” to the condensed consolidated financial statements, of (i) 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock, which increased from a fair value of $927,000 at December 31, 2024 to a fair value of $1,261,000 at March 31, 2025;

and (ii) 134,055 shares of Vox Royalty (“Vox”) common stock, which increased from a fair value of $314,000 at December 31, 2024 to a fair value of $391,000 at March 31, 2025;

which were partially offset by our 7,750,000 shares of Vendetta Mining Corp.

(“Vendetta”) common stock, which decreased from a fair value of $81,000 at December 31, 2024 to a fair value of $54,000 at March 31, 2025.

The gain during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily related to an increase in the value of our holdings of marketable equity securities discussed above in Note 3 “Marketable Equity Securities” to the condensed consolidated financial statements, of (i) 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock, which increased from a fair value of $605,000 at December 31, 2023 to a fair value of $613,000 at March 31, 2024;

and (ii) 134,055 shares of Vox common stock, which increased from a fair value of $276,000 at December 31, 2023 to a fair value of $280,000 at March 31, 2024 which were partially offset by our (i) 7,750,000 shares of Vendetta common stock, which decreased from a fair value of $118,000 at December 31, 2023 to a fair value of $115,000 at March 31, 2024;

and (ii) a decrease in the fair value of our holdings of Highlander Silver Corp.

from $33,000 at December 31, 2023 to $32,000 at March 31, 2024.

We recorded interest and dividend income of $46,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2025 compared to interest income of $95,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

The decrease in interest income is related to a decrease in the balances of our short-term investments during 2024 and 2025 as a result of the cash used during 2024 and the first three months of 2025 for exploration and general and administrative expenditures.

We anticipate our interest income will be lower during 2025 compared to 2024 as we plan to use our short-term investments and our cash balances during the remainder of 2025 for ordinary overhead, operational costs, and the exploration, evaluation and / or acquisition of mineral properties discussed above.

See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for further discussion of our cash and cash equivalent balances.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, we recorded a non-cash loss on derivative instruments of $206,000 related to certain Kinross calls we sold during 2024 as a result of the increase in the underlying value of our holdings of Kinross common stock, discussed above.

These calls have a strike price of $10.00 per share and expire in May 2025.

At March 31, 2025 we have recorded a current liability of $273,000 for these call options, based upon a quoted market price for the options.

We do not currently anticipate rolling-over these call options and may deliver our 100,000 shares of Kinross for net proceeds to us of $1,000,000 to satisfy this liability.

We regularly perform evaluations of our mineral property assets to assess the recoverability of our investments in these assets.

All long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances change which indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable utilizing guidelines based upon future net cash flows from the asset as well as our estimates of the geological potential of an early-stage mineral property and its related value for future sale, joint venture or development by us or others.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recorded no property impairments.

We recorded no income tax expense or benefit during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023 as we provide a valuation allowance for the tax benefit arising out of our net operating losses for all periods presented.

As a result of our administrative expenses and exploration activities, we anticipate we will not have currently payable income taxes during 2024.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, we recorded no property impairments.

At March 31, 2025 and 2024, our net operating loss carry-forwards exceed our built-in gains on marketable equity securities resulting in a net tax asset position for which we provide a valuation allowance for all net deferred tax assets.

We recorded no income tax expense or benefit during the three months ended March 31, 2025 or 2024.

As a result of our exploration activities, we anticipate we will not have currently payable income taxes during 2025.

In addition to the valuation allowance discussed above, we provide a valuation allowance for our foreign net operating losses, which are primarily related to our exploration activities in Peru.

We anticipate we will continue to provide a valuation allowance for these net operating losses until we are in a net tax liability position with regard to those countries where we operate or until it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize those net operating losses in the future.

Comparison of the nine months ended September 30, 2024 to the nine months ended September 30, 2023

We had a net loss of $3,768,000 or $0.05 per basic and diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a net loss of $2,712,000 or $0.04 per basic and diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

As explained in more detail below, the primary reasons for the increase in our net loss were (i) an increase in exploration expense to $2,908,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to exploration expense of $1,748,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

(ii) an increase in general and administrative expense to $1,511,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to general and administrative expense of $1,073,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

and (iii) the recording of a loss on derivative instruments of $43,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a gain on derivative instruments of $30,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Partially offsetting these increases in the net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were (i) a realized gain of $54,000 on the sale of marketable equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, with no comparable sales of marketable equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

(ii) an unrealized gain of $366,000 on marketable equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an unrealized loss on marketable equity securities of $39,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

(iii) the recording of an unrealized gain on short-term investments of $49,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, with no similar item during the nine months ended September 30, 2024;

and (iv) an increase in interest and dividend income to $295,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to interest income of $88,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The significant changes for these items are discussed in more detail below.

Our net exploration expense increased to $2,908,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1,748,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The primary reasons for the increase were (i) the exploration expenditures at our Golden Crest Project increased to $2,742,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1,458,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily as a result of the drilling program discussed above;

and (ii) we initiated exploration activities at our new Cat Creek Project in Colorado with $32,000 in exploration expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, with no similar expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Partially offsetting these increases in exploration expenditures were (i) a reduction in the expenditures at our Lik Project in Alaska to $105,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to exploration expenditures of $172,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and (ii) a reduction in reconnaissance exploration expenditures to $29,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to reconnaissance exploration expenditures of $118,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

We anticipate continued exploration expenditures at our Golden Crest Project through the middle of the fourth quarter of 2024 from the on-going drilling program as discussed above.

General and administrative costs, excluding stock-based compensation expense discussed below, were $971,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $889,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The major components of the costs were (i) salary and benefit expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 of $292,000 compared to salary and benefit expense of $371,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as a result of salary reductions during 2024;

(ii) legal and accounting expenditures of $180,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $193,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

(iii) office and other costs of $104,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $108,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

and (iv) travel and shareholder relation costs of $395,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $217,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, Solitario recorded $540,000 and $184,000, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense for the amortization of unvested grant date fair value with a credit to additional paid-in capital.

The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily related to the grant of options for 2,125,000 shares of our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which resulted in the increased amortization of grant date fair value including the amortization of $280,000 for 25% of the grant date fair value on the date of grant during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, with no similar grant during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

We recorded an unrealized gain on marketable equity securities of $366,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an unrealized loss on marketable equity securities of $39,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The non-cash unrealized gain during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily related to (i) an increase in the fair value of our holdings of 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock at September 30, 2024 to $936,000 compared to a fair value of $605,000 at December 31, 2023, or an increase of $331,000 based on quoted market prices;

(ii) an increase in the fair value of our holdings of 134,055 shares of Vox common stock to $405,000 at September 30, 2024 compared to a fair value of $276,000 at December 31, 2023, or an increase of $129,000 based on quoted market prices;

and (iii) an increase of $22,000 in the fair value of our holdings of 100,000 shares of Highlander common stock from the fair value at December 31, 2023 to the date of the sale of our holdings.

These unrealized increases in the value of our marketable equity securities were partially offset by (i) a decrease in the value of our holdings of Vendetta common stock to $57,000 at September 30, 2024 compared to a fair value of $118,000 at December 31, 2023 or a decrease of $61,000 based on quoted market prices;

and (ii) the transfer of $54,000 of unrealized gain to realized gain on the sale of our 100,000 shares of Highlander common shares upon the sale of those shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The non-cash unrealized loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was primarily related to (i) a decrease in the fair value of our holdings of 7,750,000 shares of Vendetta common stock to $172,000 at September 30, 2023 compared to a fair value of $229,000 at December 31, 2022, based on quoted market prices;

and (ii) a decrease in the fair value of our holdings of 134,055 shares of Vox to $271,000 at September 30, 2023 compared to a fair value of $311,000 at December 31, 2022.

based on quoted market prices.

Partially offsetting these decreases in value during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was (i) an increase in the fair value of our holdings of 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock at September 30, 2023 to $456,000 compared to a fair value of $409,000 at December 31, 2022, based on quoted market prices;

and (ii) an increase in the fair value of our holdings of Highlander common stock to $11,000 at September 30, 2023.

We recorded interest and dividend income of $295,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to interest and dividend income of $88,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The increase in interest income was primarily related to an increase in our average outstanding balance of money market holdings during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as well as an increase in the average interest rate and income earned on our money market account during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the average interest rate and income earned during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

We anticipate our interest income will decrease during the remainder of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2024 as a result of the use of our short-term investments and our cash balances primarily for ordinary overhead, operational costs, and the drilling and exploration activities, discussed above.

See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for further discussion of our cash and cash equivalent balances.

We recorded a non-cash unrealized gain on our short-term investments of $49,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to certain of our USTS increasing in value as they approached maturity, which were previously recorded at a mark-to-market amount that was below their face value as a result of then-current interest rates being higher than the yield-to-maturity rates of our USTS at the time the USTS were acquired.

We did not hold significant investments of USTS during 2024 and did not have a non-cash unrealized gain or loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we sold 100,000 shares of our holdings of Highlander common stock for proceeds of $54,000 and recorded a gain on sale of marketable equity securities of $54,000.

We did not sell any marketable equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

See Note 3 “Marketable Equity Securities” to the condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the sale of marketable equity securities.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a non-cash loss on derivative instruments of $43,000 related to certain Kinross calls we sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as a result of the increase in the underlying value of our holdings of Kinross common stock, discussed above.

These calls have a strike price of $9.00 per share and expire in November 2024.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a non-cash gain on derivative instruments of $30,000 related to certain Kinross calls we sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Cash and Short-term Investments

As of September 30, 2024, we have $6,484,000 in cash and short-term investments.

The bulk of this, $6,398,000, is held in a money market account at a brokerage firm.

We anticipate we will continue to invest our cash and short-term investments in the money market account for that portion not used for exploration and drilling expenditures, and other operating costs during the remainder of 2024.

We intend to utilize a portion of our cash and short-term investments to fund our exploration activities and the potential acquisition of mineral assets over the next several years.

As of March 31, 2025, we have $4,162,000 in cash and short-term investments.

Our short-term investment is comprised of $3,973,000 invested in a money market account with a brokerage firm.

We anticipate we will roll over that portion of our short-term investments not used for exploration expenditures, operating costs or mineral property acquisitions as they become due during the remainder of 2025.

We intend to utilize a portion of our cash and short-term investments in our exploration activities and the potential acquisition of mineral assets over the next several years.

Investment in Marketable Equity Securities

Our marketable equity securities are carried at fair value, which is based upon market quotes of the underlying securities.

At September 30, 2024 we own 7,750,000 shares of Vendetta common stock, 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock, and 134,055 shares of Vox common stock.

At September 30, 2024, the Vendetta shares are recorded at their fair value of $57,000, the Kinross shares are recorded at their fair value of $936,000;

and the Vox shares are recorded at their fair value of $405,000.

We sold all of our holdings of Highlander common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 for proceeds of $54,000, as discussed above.

We did not sell any of our marketable equity securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

See Note 3 “Marketable Equity Securities” to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

At March 31, 2025, we owned 7,750,000 shares of Vendetta common stock, 100,000 shares of Kinross common stock and 134,055 shares of Vox common stock.

At March 31, 2025, the Vendetta shares are recorded at their fair value of $54,000, the Kinross shares were recorded at their fair value of $1,261,000 and the Vox shares are recorded at their fair value of $391,000.

We did not sell any of our marketable equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 or 2024.

We anticipate we may sell some portion of our holdings of marketable equity securities during the remainder of 2025 depending on cash needs and market conditions.

Working Capital

We had working capital of $7,222,000 at September 30, 2024 compared to working capital of $9,309,000 as of December 31, 2023.

Our working capital at September 30, 2024 consists primarily of our cash and short-term investments, discussed above, our investment in marketable equity securities of $1,398,000, and other current assets of $102,000, less our accounts payable of $638,000 and other current liabilities of $124,000.

As of September 30, 2024, our cash balances along with our short-term investments and marketable equity securities are adequate to fund our expected expenditures over the next year.

The nature of the mineral exploration business requires significant sources of capital to fund the exploration, development and operation of mining projects.

We had working capital of $5,404,000 at March 31, 2025 compared to working capital of $5,624,000 at December 31, 2024.

Our working capital at March 31, 2025 consists primarily of our cash and cash equivalents, our investment in short-term investments, discussed above, our investment in marketable equity securities of $1,706,000, and other current assets of $66,000, less our accounts payable of $217,000, our Kinross call option liability of $273,000 and other current liabilities of $40,000.

As of March 31, 2025, our cash balances along with our short-term investments and marketable equity securities are adequate to fund our expected expenditures over the next year.

The nature of the mineral exploration business requires significant sources of capital to fund exploration, development and operation of mining projects.

We will need additional capital if we decide to develop or operate any of our current exploration projects or any projects or assets we may acquire.

1 unchanged sentence

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were options outstanding to acquire 3,173,500 and 3,778,500 shares of our common stock under the 2013 Plan.

The outstanding options have exercise prices between $0.69 per share and $0.20 per share.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, options for 250,000 shares were exercised with exercise prices between $0.20 and $0.28 per share for proceeds of $54,000.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, options for 195,000 shares were exercised with exercise prices between $0.28 and $0.31 per share for proceeds of $59,000.

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, there were options outstanding to acquire 2,175,000 and 50,000 shares of our common stock under the 2023 Plan.

The outstanding options at September 30, 2024 have exercise prices between $0.85 per share and $0.51 per share.

No options were exercised under the 2023 Plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 or 2023.

We do not anticipate the exercise of options to be a significant source of cash flow during the remainder of 2024.

At the Market Offering Agreement

On February 2, 2021, we entered into the ATM Agreement with Wainwright, under which we may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of our common stock through Wainwright as sales manager in an at-the-market offering under a prospectus supplement for aggregate sales proceeds of up to $10.0 million.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we sold an aggregate of 1,802,060 shares of common stock under the ATM Agreement at an average price of $0.70 per share for net proceeds of $1,218,000, after commissions and sale expenses.

There were no sales of shares of common stock under the ATM Program during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

We may sell additional shares under the ATM Program during the remainder of 2024 if market conditions warrant such sales.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, there were options outstanding from the 2013 Plan to acquire an aggregate of 2,395,000 and 3,173,500 shares, respectively, of Solitario common stock, with exercise prices between $0.60 per share and $0.20 per share.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 there were options outstanding from the 2023 Plan to acquire 2,175,000 and 2,175,000 shares, respectively, of Solitario common stock with exercise prices between $0.51 per share and $0.85 per share.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, options for 778,500 shares of Solitario common stock were exercised from the 2013 Plan with an exercise price of $0.20 per share for proceeds of $156,000.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, options for 50,000 shares of Solitario common stock were exercised from the 2013 Plan with an exercise price of $0.28 per share for proceeds of $14,000.

There were no options exercised from the 2023 Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

We anticipate the exercise of certain additional options for proceeds of $50,000 during the remainder of 2025.

(d) Cash Flows

Net cash used in operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 increased to $3,350,000 compared to $2,684,000 of net cash used in operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily as a result of (i) an increase in exploration expense to $2,908,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to exploration expense of $1,748,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

(ii) an increase in our general and administration expense, excluding non-cash stock based compensation expense, of $971,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the general and administrative expense, excluding the non-cash stock-based compensation expense, of $889,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

and (iii) a smaller net increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities of $12,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities of $34,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Partially offsetting these increases in the use of cash in operations were (i) interest and dividend income of $295,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to interest and dividend income of $88,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023;

and (ii) a decrease in prepaid expense and other current assets of $171,000 during nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared an increase in prepaid expense and other current assets of $199,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Based upon projected expenditures in our 2024 budget, we anticipate continued use of funds from operations through the remainder of 2024, primarily for drilling expenditures and other exploration related to our Golden Crest and Lik Projects.

See “Results of Operations” discussed above for further explanation of some of these variances.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we provided $2,038,000 of cash from the sale of short-term investments compared to $36,000 of cash from the sales of short-term investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we purchased a certificate of deposit for $100,000 that is restricted for reclamation in the event of any un-reclaimed areas of our planned drilling at Golden Crest.

This certificate of deposit is shown separately on our balance sheet as restricted cash at September 30, 2024.

There was no similar restricted cash item at December 31, 2023.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we acquired equipment and other assets used in our exploration activities of $12,000 as well as $12,000 of equipment acquired during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

We received cash proceeds of $39,000 from the sale of Kinross calls during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to cash proceeds of $31,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we sold marketable equity securities for proceeds of $54,000, with no similar sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

We also used $43,000 of our cash to acquire additional mineral claims, at our Golden Crest Project, and $12,000 for initial acquisition costs of our new Cat Creek Project during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 with no similar mineral property additions during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

We may sell a portion of our marketable equity securities during the remainder of 2024;

however, we do not anticipate the sale of marketable equity securities will be a significant source of cash during the remainder of 2024.

We will continue to liquidate a portion of our short-term investments as needed during the remainder of 2024 to fund our operations and any exploration expenditures related to potential mineral property acquisitions .

Any potential mineral property acquisition or strategic corporate investment during the remainder of 2024, discussed above, could involve a significant change in our cash provided or used for investing activities, depending on the structure of any potential transaction.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we received net cash of $1,218,000 from the issuance of common stock under the ATM Program, discussed above.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 we received $54,000 and $59,000, respectively, from the issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options, discussed above in Note 10, “Employee Stock Compensation Plans” to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we received net proceeds of $2,422,000 as a result of a private placement for the purchase and sale of 4,166,667 shares of Solitario common stock discussed above in Note 11, “Shareholders’ Equity.”

Net cash used in operations during the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased to $598,000 compared to $991,000 of net cash used in operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily as a result of (i) decrease in exploration expense during the three months ended March 31, 2025 to $239,000 compared to $354,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024;

and (ii) a reduction in the use of cash for the increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 to $51,000 compared to a use of cash for an increase in accounts payable and other current liabilities of $396,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

There were additional accruals at the end of December 2023, including the 2023 bonus paid in 2024, and certain Golden Crest Project exploration expense accruals paid in the three months ended March 31, 2024, which accounted for the large use of funds in 2024 compared to 2025.

Partially offsetting this reduction in the use of cash was a decrease in the cash received for interest and dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2025 of $46,000 compared to cash received for interest and dividends of $95,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Based upon projected expenditures in our 2025 budget, we anticipate continued use of funds from operations through the remainder of 2025, primarily for exploration related to our Golden Crest Project and Lik Project and reconnaissance exploration.

See “Results of Operations” above for further explanation of some of these variances.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025, $550,000 was provided from the net sales of our short-term investments compared to $918,000 in cash provided from the sale of short-term investments during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

There were no other significant provisions or use of cash from investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2025 or 2024.

We anticipate we may sell a portion of our marketable equity securities during the remainder of 2025;

as we have sold a call against our holdings of Kinross at a valuation of $1,000,000, which may be exercised for our Kinross investment at that amount during the second quarter of 2025.

We will continue to liquidate a portion of our short-term investments as needed to fund our operations and any potential mineral property acquisitions during the remainder of 2025.

We are not currently planning any potential mineral property acquisition or strategic corporate investment during the remainder of 2025.

However, any such activity could involve a significant change in our cash provided or used for investing activities, depending on the structure of any potential transaction.

During the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 we received $156,000 and $14,000 from the issuance of common stock from the exercise of stock options, discussed above in Note 10, “Employee Stock Compensation Plans,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

(e) Mineral Resources

1 unchanged sentence

Mineral Reserves and Resources

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and applicable Canadian securities laws, and as a result we report our mineral resources according to two different standards.

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and applicable Canadian securities laws, and as a result we subject to reporting our mineral resources according to two different standards.

reporting requirements, are governed by Item 1300 of Regulation S-K (“S-K 1300”) issued by the SEC.

Canadian reporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties are governed by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) adopted from the definitions provided by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.

Canadian reporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties are governed by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects adopted from the definitions provided by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.

Both sets of reporting standards have similar goals in terms of conveying an appropriate level of confidence in the disclosures being reported, but the standards generally embody slightly different approaches and definitions.

5 unchanged sentences

(f) Off-balance sheet arrangements

As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had no off-balance sheet obligations.

As of March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, we had no off-balance sheet obligations.

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

We are not involved in any development activities, nor do we have any contractual obligations related to any potential development activities as of September 30, 2024.

As of September 30, 2024, there have been no material changes to our contractual obligations for exploration activities, environmental compliance or other obligations from those disclosed in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our 2023 Annual Report.

We are not involved in any development activities, nor do we have any contractual obligations related to any potential development activities as of March 31, 2025.

As of March 31, 2025, there have been no material changes to our contractual obligations for exploration activities, environmental compliance or other obligations from those disclosed in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our 2024 Annual Report.

(h) Discontinued Projects

We did not record any mineral property write-downs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.

We did not record any mineral property write-downs during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024.

(i) Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates

4 unchanged sentences

In such cases, a recoverability test may be necessary to determine if an impairment charge is required.

There has been no change to our assumptions, estimates or calculations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

There has been no change to our assumptions, estimates or calculations during the three months ended March 31, 2025.

(j) Related Party Transactions

As of September 30, 2024, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we have no related party transactions or balances.

As of March 31, 2025, and for the three months ended March 31, 2025, we have no related party transactions or balances.

(k) Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 1, “Business and Significant Accounting Policies,” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements under Recent Accounting Pronouncements” above for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

No recent accounting pronouncements are applicable to Solitario at this time.

(l) Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the 1934 Act, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, capital expenditures, and exploration and development efforts.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the 1934 Act , with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, capital expenditures, and exploration and development efforts.

Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

4 unchanged sentences

Our estimates of future exploration, development, general and administrative and other costs;

Our ability to realize a return on our investment in the Lik, Golden Crest and Cat Creek Projects;

Our ability to realize a return on our investment in the Lik Project and Golden Crest Pproject;

Our ability to successfully identify and execute on transactions to acquire new mineral exploration properties and other related assets;

4 unchanged sentences

The impact of technological changes, system failures, or breaches of our network security as well as other cyber security risks that could subject us to increased operating costs, litigation and other liabilities:

The effects of macro-economic and geo-political conditions, including financial market volatility, inflation, interest rate fluctuations, and labor and supply shortages;

The effects of macro-economic and geo-political conditions, including financial market volatility, inflation, rising interest rates, fluctuations and impacts of announced tariff and trade policies, and labor and supply shortages;

Our future financial condition or results of operations and our future revenues and expenses;

7 unchanged sentences

Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.

What changed 10-Q

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis