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Note 2 - Investments and Restricted Cash | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements |
Cash Restricted Cash And Investments [Text Block] | Note 2. Investments and Restricted Cash Investments Our current investments, which are classified as "available for sale" and consist of bonds having maturities of greater than 90 days, had a fair value and cost basis of $15.1 million at June 30, 2016. We held no such investments as of December 31, 2015. At June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the fair value of our non-current investments was $4.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Our non-current investments consist of marketable equity securities which are carried at fair value, and are primarily classified as “available-for-sale.” The cost basis of our non-current investments was approximately $3.2 million and $4.0 million at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. During the first quarters of 2016 and 2015, we recognized impairment charges against current earnings of $1.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively, as we determined the impairments to be other-than-temporary. Restricted Cash and Investments Various laws, permits, and covenants require that funds be in place for certain environmental and reclamation obligations and other potential liabilities. We had a current restricted cash balance of $3.9 million as of June 30, 2016 representing funds deposited in escrow to be applied towards a potential settlement of environmental matters for the South Dakota and Colorado Superfund sites related to CoCa Mines, Inc. (see Note 4 for more information). Our non-current restricted investments are used primarily for reclamation funding or for funding surety bonds, and were $1.0 million at each of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Non-current restricted investments primarily represent investments in money market funds and certificates of deposit.

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