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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):
MAY 27, 1999
SUNSHINE MINING AND REFINING COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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STATE OF DELAWARE 1-10012 75-2231378
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File No.) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
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877 W. MAIN STREET, SUITE 600, BOISE, IDAHO 83702
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (208) 345-0660
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ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
On May 27, 1999, Ernst & Young LLP resigned as auditors of the Company.
The reports of Ernst & Young LLP on the Company's financial statements
for the past two fiscal years did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer
of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to audit scope or accounting
principles. The reports of Ernst & Young LLP for each of the last two years were
not modified as to uncertainty regarding the ability of the Company to continue
as a going concern.
In connection with the audits of the Company's financial statements for
each of the two fiscal years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 and in the
subsequent interim periods, there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP
on any matters of accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which if not resolved to the
satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP would have caused Ernst & Young LLP to make
reference to the matter in their report. The Company has requested Ernst & Young
LLP to furnish it a letter addressed to the Commission stating whether it agrees
with the above statements. A copy of that letter, dated June 4, 1999 is filed as
Exhibit 16.1 to this Form 8-K.
The Company is currently in the process of selecting a new independent public
accountanting firm.
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
Exhibits
16.1 Letter regarding change in certifying accountant.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, hereunder duly authorized.
SUNSHINE MINING AND REFINING COMPANY
Dated: June 4, 1999 By: /s/ WILLIAM W. DAVIS
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William W. Davis
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Exhibit Description
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16.1 Letter regarding change in certifying accountant
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EXHIBIT 16.1
June 4, 1999
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
Gentlemen:
We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated June 4, 1999 of Sunshine Mining and
Refining Company and are in agreement with the statements contained in the first
three paragraphs therein. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other
statements of the registrant contained therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
