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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
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3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2013
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| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] | |
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Guarantees –
South Hampton, in 1977, guaranteed a $160,000 note payable of a limited partnership in which it has a 19% interest. Included in Accrued Liabilities at March 31, 2013, and 2012, is $66,570 related to this guaranty.
On October 24, 2010, the Company executed a limited Guarantee in favor of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund ("SIDF") whereby the Company agreed to guaranty up to 41% of the SIDF loan to AMAK in the principal amount of 330,000,000 Saudi Riyals (US$88,000,000) (the "Loan"). The term of the loan is through June 2019. As a condition of the Loan, SIDF required all shareholders of AMAK to execute personal or corporate Guarantees; as a result, the Company's guarantee is for approximately 135,300,000 Saudi Riyals (US$36,080,000). The loan was necessary to complete construction of the AMAK facilities and to provide working capital needs. The Company received no consideration in connection with extending the guarantee and did so to maintain and enhance the value of its investment.
Litigation -
On May 9, 2010, after numerous attempts to resolve certain issues with Mr. Hatem El Khalidi, the Board of Directors terminated the retirement agreement, options, retirement bonuses, and all outstanding directors' fees due to Mr. El Khalidi, former CEO, President and Director of the Company. In June 2010 Mr. El Khalidi filed suit against the Company in the labor courts of Saudi Arabia alleging additional compensation owed to him for holidays and overtime. In September 2010 Mr. El Khalidi threatened suit against the Company in the U.S. alleging breach of contract under the above agreements and other claims. In late 2010 the Company filed suit against Mr. El Khalidi in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division, seeking a declaratory judgment that all monies allegedly owed to Mr. El Khalidi are terminated (the "Federal Court Case"). On March 21, 2011, Mr. El-Khalidi filed suit against the Company in the 14th Judicial District Court of Dallas County, Texas for breach of contract and defamation (the "State Court Case"). On July 1, 2011, the Company and Mr. El-Khalidi entered into an agreement to dismiss the Federal Court Case and transfer venue for the State Court Case from Dallas County, Texas to Hardin County, Texas. Pursuant to this agreement, the Federal Court Case was dismissed on July 13, 2011, and the State Court Case was transferred to Hardin County, Texas on July 15, 2011. There has been minimal activity in this matter since its transfer to Hardin County, Texas. The Company believes that the claims are unsubstantiated and intends to vigorously defend the cases. Liabilities of approximately $1.3 million remain recorded, and the options will continue to accrue in accordance with their own terms until the lawsuits are resolved.
The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to their business.
On September 14, 2010, South Hampton received notice of a lawsuit filed in the 58th Judicial District Court of Jefferson County, Texas which was subsequently transferred to the 11th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. The suit alleges that the plaintiff became ill from exposure to asbestos. There are approximately 44 defendants named in the suit. South Hampton has placed its insurers on notice of the claim and plans to vigorously defend the case.
On April 14, 2011, and April 27, 2011, South Hampton received notice of 3 lawsuits filed in Jefferson County, Texas. The suits allege that the plaintiffs became ill from benzene exposure during their employment with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, an alleged customer of South Hampton. There are numerous defendants named in the suits. On April 10, 2013, South Hampton entered into agreements with counsel for plaintiffs to settle the 3 lawsuits for an amount not significant to the financial statements.
No accruals have been recorded for these last four claims.
Environmental Remediation -
In 2008 the Company learned of a claim by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") against World Hydrocarbons, Inc. for contamination of real property owned by the BLM north of and immediately adjacent to the processing mill situated on property owned by Pioche. The BLM's claim alleged that mine tailings from the processing mill containing lead and arsenic migrated onto BLM property during the first half of the twentieth century. World Hydrocarbons, Inc. responded to the BLM by stating that it does not own the mill and that PEVM is the owner and responsible party. Pioche retained an environmental consultant to assist with this matter. Pioche recently reached tentative agreement with affected landowners to excavate and transport tailings from their properties to an impoundment area located on Pioche property. In addition, Pioche signed an agreement with a local contractor to perform excavation and transportation of the tailings. Work is scheduled to begin May 1, 2013. The Company will advance approximately $250,000 to Pioche for payment of the contractor and in return, Pioche will transfer interest in selected patented mining claims of equivalent value to the Company. An accrual for $350,000 was recorded by Pioche in 2010 and remained outstanding at March 31, 2013.
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