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Note 2. Investments and Restricted Cash | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2011
Investments And Restricted Cash | Note 2. Investments and Restricted Cash Investments No current investments were held at September 30, 2011. At December 31, 2010, the fair value of our current investments was $1.5 million, with a cost basis of approximately $0.8 million. This investment was sold in February 2011 for proceeds of $1.4 million, resulting in a pre-tax gain of approximately $0.6 million. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of our non-current investments was $3.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. Marketable equity securities are carried at fair value, as they are classified as “available-for-sale.” The cost basis of these non-current investments, representing equity securities, was approximately $3.7 million and $0.2 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, as we acquired additional mining-related investments in the second quarter of 2011. At September 30, 2011, total unrealized gains of $0.2 million for investments held having a net gain position and total unrealized losses of $0.6 million for investments held having a net loss position were included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Restricted Cash and Investments Various laws, permits, and covenants require that financial assurances be in place for certain environmental and reclamation obligations and other potential liabilities. Restricted investments primarily represent investments in money market funds and certificates of deposit. These restricted investments are to be used primarily for reclamation funding or for funding surety bonds and were $0.9 million at September 30, 2011 and $10.3 million at December 31, 2010. The reduction in restricted investments was due to the release of collateral on bonding requirements primarily related to future reclamation at the Greens Creek unit.

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- Definition The entire footnote disclosure for cash and cash equivalents and investments, including restricted amounts. Cash and equivalents include: (1) currency on hand (2) demand deposits with banks or financial institutions (3) other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits (4) short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments maturing within three months from the date of acquisition qualify. Investments include investments in Certain Debt and Equity Securities (and certain other trading assets) which include all debt and equity securities (other than those equity securities accounted for under the equity or cost methods of accounting) with readily determinable fair values. Other trading assets include assets that are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and held for trading purposes. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise that is in the form of a security. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities (and other trading assets). + Details
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