SUNSHINE MINING & REFINING CO
10-K405, 1999-03-12
MINING & QUARRYING OF NONMETALLIC MINERALS (NO FUELS)
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<PAGE>   1
                           ===========================
                                    FORM 10-K
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                           ---------------------------

[X]      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998

[ ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
         FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM            TO

                           ---------------------------

COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-10012

                      SUNSHINE MINING AND REFINING COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                DELAWARE                               75-2618333          
      (State or other jurisdiction            (IRS Employer Identification 
    of incorporation or organization)                    Number)           
                                                                           
      877 W. MAIN STREET, SUITE 600                       83702            
              BOISE, IDAHO                             (Zip Code)          
          (Address of principal             
           executive offices)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
                                 (208) 345-0660

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


                                              NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE        
          TITLE OF EACH CLASS                  ON WHICH REGISTERED         
          -------------------                  -------------------         
     Common Stock, $0.01 par value           New York Stock Exchange       
                                                  
           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:

 Warrants, expiring May 22, 2001, for the purchase of one share of Common Stock

 Warrants, expiring March 9, 1999, for the purchase of one share of Common Stock
                                (Title of Class)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K.                                               [X]

         The aggregate market value of the shares of common stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant at March 10, 1999 was $146,030,019. For
purposes of this computation, all officers, directors and beneficial owners of
10% or more of the common stock of the registrant are deemed to be affiliates.
Such determination should not be deemed an admission that such officers,
directors and beneficial owners are affiliates.

         Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the registrant's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

          TITLE OF EACH CLASS             NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING        
            OF COMMON STOCK                     AT MARCH 10, 1999             
            ---------------                     -----------------             

     Common Stock, $0.01 par value                 259,608,923                

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Sunshine Mining and Refining Company's Definitive Proxy Statement for
its Annual Meeting to be held May 24, 1999 (Part III).

                           ===========================

<PAGE>   2
                                     PART I

1.       BUSINESS.

GENERAL

         Sunshine Mining and Refining Company ("Sunshine" or the "Company") is
primarily engaged in mining silver. The Company owns the Sunshine Mine located
in the Coeur d'Alene Mining District near Kellogg, Idaho and the Pirquitas Mine
in the Ouray Province of northwest Argentina and leases the Revenue-Virginius
Mine in the Ouray District of southwest Colorado. The Sunshine Mine produced 5.8
million ounces of silver in 1998, and is forecast to produce approximately 5.5
million ounces of silver in 1999. Pirquitas is in the final stage of a bankable
feasibility study with proven and probable silver reserves presently estimated
at 101 million ounces. The Revenue-Virginius is undergoing an internal
feasibility study. Total proven and probable silver reserves at those three
properties were estimated to be 144.6 million ounces at December 31, 1998.

         The Sunshine Mine began operations in 1884 and has produced in excess
of 350 million ounces of silver since that time. The mine also produces
significant amounts of copper, lead and antimony as by-products. The Sunshine
Mine has substantially increased production in recent years, achieving full
production in the fourth quarter of 1997 for the first time since 1990. This has
resulted in a substantial reduction in unit costs as fixed costs have been
spread over a larger production figure. Recent production history of the mine is
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Sunshine Mine Production
                                           ---------------------------------
                                            1998     1997     1996    1995
                                           ------   ------   ------   ------
<S>                                        <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Ounces production (millions)                  5.8      4.3      2.6      1.7
Net cash cost per ounce                    $ 4.43   $ 4.50   $ 6.12   $ 6.61
</TABLE>

         The decrease in net cash costs per ounce from 1997 to 1998 does not
fully reflect the improvement in operating costs attained, due to significant
declines in prices received for copper, lead and antimony by-products, whose
sales are credited against production costs for purposes of calculating net cash
cost per ounce.

         At the end of the third quarter of 1998, the Company wrote off a
substantial amount of its investment ($50.4 million out of a total of $59.4
million) in the Sunshine Mine. The writedown was taken at that time due to
continued low silver prices and the decline in prices for the Company's
by-product metals, which effectively increased the net cash cost of production.
Additionally, at that time, the Company had just reduced its production forecast
for the years 1999 and 2000, due to limits on the updip extension of the West
Chance Vein, which limits had just been identified in exploration and
development work. Since that time, the Company's production forecast for those
periods has been revised significantly upwards, as downdip extensions of the
West Chance Vein have been identified as economic and other veins have been
identified as containing economic ore which can be accessed in 1999 and 2000.

         Sunshine's share of silver reserves at the Sunshine Mine as of December
31, 1998 were estimated to be 1.55 million tons of ore with an average grade of
23.6 ounces of silver per ton (after adjustment for mining dilution), containing
36.6 million ounces of silver. Metallurgical recoveries at the Sunshine Mine
typically approximate 97% of the contained silver. The proven and probable
reserves at the Sunshine Mine have historically totaled approximately 4 to 7
years of annual production. Over its history, exploration and development
activities have maintained reserves by finding new ore to replace that which was
produced each year. Management believes this will continue for the foreseeable
future, as studies have delineated several areas of favorable geologic
conditions that may host significant deposits. These areas are contiguous to
delineated mineralization, and the ore-bearing structures project into favorable
lithologic units. Further exploration is necessary to quantify the contained
ore, but the magnitude of the contained ore could approximate the historic
production from the major veins.

         The mine plan at the Sunshine Mine for 1999 forecasts production of
approximately 5.5 million ounces of silver, and a similar amount in 2000.

         The Company acquired the Pirquitas Mine in November 1995, and since
that time has conducted an active exploration and metallurgical testwork
program. The Company commissioned a bankable feasibility study of the property
in early 1998, which is nearing completion at this time. Preliminarily, the
study has estimated that the property can be developed for approximately $120
million, and would produce annually approximately 8.2 million ounces of silver
and 7.1 million pounds of tin. The estimated net cash cost of production of an
ounce of silver is projected to be approximately $2.00. Assuming a $5.50 silver
price and a tin price of $2.54 per pound, proven and probable reserves are
presently estimated to be 20 million tons of ore at an average grade of 5 ounces
per ton silver (18 million tonnes at an average grade of 172 grams per tonne
silver), 0.29% tin and 0.48% zinc. The Company estimates that contained metal in
the proven and probable reserves totals 101 million ounces of silver, 116
million pounds of tin and 194 million pounds of zinc. The Company expects future
development and exploration work at the site will expand these reserves.

         In January, 1999, the Company and its consultants began a process to
optimize the feasibility study which is expected to examine options to increase
production, reduce costs, and increase reserves. Upon completion of this work
the Company will evaluate its alternatives with respect to financing the
development of this property. Given current market conditions, including the
price of silver, and the Company's financial resources, no assurance as to the
availability of such financing can be given. As a result, the Company may
consider a merger with a company with greater financial resources to develop the
property, consider a sale of all or some portion of the property or defer
development until silver prices improve.

         At the Revenue-Virginius Mine, the Company estimates reserves of 260
thousand tons of ore containing 6.2 million ounces of silver at a grade of 23.9
ounces per ton. The ore is also estimated to contain .06 ounces per




                                       1
<PAGE>   3

ton gold and 5.89% combined lead, zinc and copper. The property was operated
from about 1880 until 1912, when it was closed due to a mill fire.

         Based on work to date, the Company believes that the property can be
reopened at a production rate of approximately 2.5-3 million ounces per year
following a $12-15 million capital investment. Net cash costs of production are
estimated to be approximately $4 per ounce. Several veins carry the mineralized
values, and many of the veins have been traced for long distances onto other
properties. Therefore, the Company believes it reasonable to assume that a
significant mineralized inventory in addition to the above reserves can be
inferred. A drilling program to identify additional reserves is pending.

         As more than 80% of the Company's operating revenues is derived from
the sale of silver, the Company's earnings are directly related to the price of
silver, which has been depressed since 1985. As a result, the Company has
reported operating losses and negative cash flow from operations since that
time. The Company's strategy is to add sufficient low cost silver production to
be profitable at prices for silver which have prevailed in recent years, while
also positioning the Company to benefit from an expected improvement in silver
prices. Should the Company not succeed in adding such low cost production and
there is no substantial improvement in the silver price, the Company will
continue to report operating losses and negative cash flow.

         The accuracy of any forward looking statements and other similar
statements contained herein regarding production, reserves, mineralized
materials and cash costs at the Pirquitas Mine, the Sunshine Mine and the
Revenue-Virginius Mine will depend upon the actual grade, quantity and other
qualities of recoverable reserves and resources, which may differ from current
estimates. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those
currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of factors including without
limitation, actual results of exploration, silver prices, by-product prices,
imprecision of reserve estimates, future economic conditions, regulations,
competition, and other circumstances affecting anticipated revenue and costs.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement
is made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking
statement.

         For information regarding Sunshine's business, certain classes of
products or services and sales to certain significant customers, see Notes 1, 11
and 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

         Sunshine was originally incorporated in 1918 and is currently
incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware. The Company maintains its
principal executive offices at 877 West Main Street, Suite 600, Boise, Idaho
83702.

SILVER SUPPLY, DEMAND, AND PRICES

         According to studies published by the Silver Institute in its World
Silver Survey (prepared by Gold Fields Mineral Services Ltd.) and by CPM Group
(precious metal industry consultants), new silver production since 1990 has been
far below total demand for silver. This gap between new supply and demand has
been bridged by the availability of a large surplus of silver inventories
generated in the aftermath of the major increase in silver prices in 1979-1983.
The availability of these inventories has kept silver prices at depressed
levels. According to these same studies, the silver inventories worldwide have
now been greatly diminished.

          In the first quarter of 1998, silver prices increased to their highest
levels in over 10 years in response to concerns about supply availability, as
Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated announced an investment in 129.7 million ounces
of silver bullion. However silver prices declined over the last three quarters
of 1998, averaging $4.92 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 1998. Based on the
above cited industry reports, the Company believes physical availability of
silver will continue to tighten as available inventories are consumed and this
will eventually have a major positive impact on the silver price.

OPERATIONS

THE SUNSHINE MINE AND REFINERY COMPLEX

         The Sunshine Mine and Refinery Complex, located in the Coeur d'Alene
Mining District near Kellogg, Idaho, is comprised of the Sunshine Mine, a
1,000-ton-per-day concentrator, an antimony refinery, a silver refinery and
associated facilities. The facility is an integrated operation which can produce
refined silver with 99.99% purity. The silver refinery has a capacity to recover
up to 8 million ounces of silver and 4 million pounds of copper annually.

         The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Sunshine Precious Metals, Inc.
("SPMI"), owns substantially all of the mining claims comprising the Sunshine
Mine. Electrical power is supplied by a public utility from two sources. The
facilities are in good and operable condition and access to the property is by
paved roads maintained by the county.

          The Sunshine Mine is a primary silver-producing underground mine which
began operations in 1884 and has produced over 350 million ounces of silver
since that time. The underground workings consist of multiple levels developed
off the Jewell shaft, the main production shaft. It extends from the surface to
a depth of over 4,000 feet and is complemented by other interior shafts which
develop levels as deep as 5600 feet. The mine covers over 10 square miles at the
surface, and contains more than 100 miles of underground workings. Mining
operations are currently focused in the western area of the mine, in a vein
called the West Chance, at depths from above the 2700-foot level (2700 feet
below the collar of the Jewell shaft) to below the 3700-foot level.

         The ore extracted from the Sunshine Mine is introduced to the
1,000-ton-per-day flotation concentrator, which produces two concentrates, a
high-grade silver concentrate which is transferred to the antimony refinery for
antimony removal, and a lead concentrate which is shipped directly to a smelter
for further processing.

         After antimony removal, the silver concentrate can be either
transferred to the Company's silver refinery for recovery of silver and copper,
or sold to a commercial smelter. Factors which influence Sunshine's decision to
refine its products internally or sell them to a smelter include levels of
production, costs of reagents and available 





                                       2
<PAGE>   4

smelter contract terms. The refinery was designed and built to recover up to 8.0
million ounces of silver from concentrates annually. Sunshine suspended
operations at the silver refinery in 1995 pending higher levels of available
feed, and began shipping its silver concentrate to a smelter at that time. Until
a decision is made to reopen the refinery, Sunshine will continue to sell its
silver-copper concentrates to a nearby smelter for processing. The Company's
sales to the third party smelters are under long-term contracts, generally for a
period of at least one year, cancelable by either party after one year upon
thirty days notice. The Company employs no sales force. Management believes that
suspension of refinery operations has not had a material impact on Sunshine's
results of operations or cash flows.

         Ore and metals produced at the Sunshine Mine during 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively, were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            1998            1997        1996
                                         ----------       ---------   ---------
<S>                                      <C>              <C>         <C>      
              Tons of Ore...............    247,866         183,404     120,910
              Metals Recovered:
                   Ounces of Silver.....  5,806,468       4,253,315   2,577,895
                   Pounds of Copper.....  1,273,318         884,124     671,701
                   Pounds of Antimony...  1,078,460         785,897     534,013
                   Pounds of Lead....... 12,001,080       9,203,907   2,546,852
</TABLE>

         These metals were recovered from ore containing an average of 24.17,
23.95 and 22.04 ounces of silver per ton, in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Metallurgical recoveries were 97% of the contained silver, 97% of the contained
copper and 92.5% of the contained lead.

         Production increased substantially in 1997 and again in 1998 as the
Company completed development of the West Chance ore body. By the end of 1997,
and substantially all of 1998, the mine was operating at or near its rated
capacity of approximately 1,000 tons of ore per day. It is expected that most of
the Company's production during 1999 and 2000 will be from the West Chance, with
production being supplemented from other systems to the east.

         The Sunshine Mine's proven and probable ore reserves were estimated by
the Company's technical personnel at January 1, 1999, to be 1.58 million tons of
ore containing 37.4 million ounces of silver and 14.2 million pounds of copper.
The weighted average ore grades, adjusted for mining dilution, but not adjusted
for metallurgical recoveries, are 23.6 ounces per ton silver and 0.45 percent
copper. Lead reserves are calculated only for the West Chance vein, and it
contains 23.3 million pounds of lead at a grade of 2.17 percent.

         During the three years ended December 31, 1998, the Sunshine Mine
accounted for all of the Company's silver production, and approximately 26% of
the Company's silver reserves at December 31, 1998. See Note 13 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

         Exploration activity in the future will focus on a number of vein
systems in the eastern area of the mine. In particular, a plan is being prepared
to test the deep extension of three systems, the 101 Vein, the Yankee Girl Vein
and the Chester Vein. The 1995 acquisition of the ConSil property, on the
eastern flank of the workings of the Sunshine Mine, was done to facilitate
evaluation and development of these and other veins. A shaft on the property
extends from the surface to a depth of 5400 feet and connects to the Sunshine's
eastern workings on the 3100 level serving as the Sunshine Mine's secondary
escapeway. Access from this shaft to these exploration areas will be important
in their future exploration and development

          The proven and probable reserves at the Sunshine Mine have
historically totaled approximately 4 to 7 years of annual production. Over the
mine's history, exploration and development activity have maintained reserves by
finding new ore to replace that which was produced each year. Management
believes this will continue for the foreseeable future as studies have
delineated several areas of favorable geologic conditions that may host
significant deposits. These areas are contiguous to delineated mineralization,
and the ore-bearing structures project into favorable lithologic units. Further
exploration is necessary to quantify the contained ore, but the magnitude of the
contained ore could approximate the historic production from the major veins.

         The hourly employees at the Sunshine Mine are represented by the United
Steelworkers of America (which represents the majority of the employees) and the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (the "Unions"). Effective
May 1, 1994, the Unions and SPMI entered into new six-year labor agreements. The
salient features of the agreements are (1) continuation of the flexible wage
scale making wages variable with silver prices, with some increase in direct
hourly wages; (2) the ability of either party to reopen negotiations on wages
and benefits at the end of the third year, subject to mandatory interest
arbitration if agreement is not reached; and (3) an increase in pension benefits
in exchange for the elimination of Company provided retiree medical benefits for
the current work force. In February 1997, the Unions notified SPMI that they
were exercising their option to reopen negotiations on wages and benefits. The
Company and the Unions arrived at an arbitrated agreement on wages and benefits,
retroactive to May 1, 1997, in May 1998. The contract will expire on May 1,
2000.

PIRQUITAS

         The Pirquitas property was acquired by the Company in November 1995.
Pirquitas is located in the Puna de Atacama of northwestern Argentina in the
province of Jujuy at an elevation of over 14,000 feet. The nearest major city is
the provincial capital, San Salvador de Jujuy, which is about 355 km southeast
of Pirquitas. The Chilean and Bolivian borders lie 50 km west and 60 km to the
north, respectively.

         The Company feels that recent political and economic changes in
Argentina, designed to incentivize foreign investment, particularly in the
mining industry, have made the country an extremely attractive target for mining





                                       3
<PAGE>   5

investment. The country has privatized many state-owned enterprises, and has
implemented reforms to many previously state-controlled activities, including
mineral exploration and development. A program of fiscal stability has brought
down inflation. Guarantees to foreign investors include parity of treatment with
Argentine nationals, a freely-exchangeable currency, tax-stabilization programs
and complete freedom to expatriate profits.

         Pirquitas is Argentina's largest historic producer of silver and tin,
with 27 million ounces of silver production and 20 thousand tonnes (metric tons)
of tin production from its underground workings between 1936 and 1990. Historic
production was confined to a system of closely-spaced sheeted veins. The Company
is developing the property to be a large, low-cost, open-pit silver, tin and
zinc producer. The Company has only recently recognized the zinc potential of
the property, and a zinc "halo" surrounding the core silver-tin minerals will be
one of the factors addressed in the optimization review of the feasibility study
currently underway.

         Pirquitas represents the southernmost known economic deposit associated
with the Bolivian tin belt which extends in an arc from Peru to Argentina. The
southernmost Bolivian tin deposits show an increase in silver content, whereas
silver is negligible in the tin occurrences of northern Bolivia. Tin belt
mineralization occurs in veins, stockworks, breccias, disseminations and mantos.
The majority of deposits are associated with small stocks 1-2 km in diameter,
exhibiting many characteristics of porphyry copper systems.

         The Company is currently finalizing a feasibility study regarding the
projected financial and operating results of the property for purposes of
financing its development. The feasibility study has estimated ore reserves at
the property to be 18 million metric tonnes (20.1 million short tons) containing
171.6 grams of silver per tonne (5.01 ounces per short ton) containing 101
million ounces of silver. In addition, the ore grades 0.29% tin and 0.48% zinc,
containing 116.4 million pounds of tin and 194 million pounds of zinc. The ore
body is open to the east, west and at depth, and numerous old workings visible
from the surface indicate other mineralized areas on the property may host
additional reserves.

         The reserves have been adjusted for anticipated mine dilution.
Metallurgical recoveries are estimated to be 80% for silver, 63% for tin and 45%
for zinc.

          The total investment at the property to date is approximately $17.1
million, of which the $1.7 million purchase price has been capitalized, $7.1
million has been charged to exploration expense and $8.3 million has been
capitalized as development costs. In addition, $1.7 million has been paid as
recoverable Value Added Taxes, which are carried as other assets. The property
has been considered in the development stage since January 1, 1998.

         The feasibility study is based on a mining rate of 5,000 metric tonnes
(5,500 short tons) per day. The estimated capital cost for the processing
facilities, pre-strip, haulage fleet, infrastructure and other capital items at
that rate of production is estimated to be approximately $120 million. At that
production rate, annual production over the mine life of the deposit to be
developed amounts to approximately 8.2 million ounces of silver, 7.1 million
pounds of tin and 8.5 million pounds of zinc. The net cash cost of producing an
ounce of silver is projected to average approximately $2.00 per ounce.

          The feasibility study is currently being optimized and a higher
production rate of 6,000 metric tonnes (6,600 short tons) per day is being
evaluated. Also being examined are opportunities for adding reserves in areas
previously considered to be waste, improving metallurgical recoveries and
concentrate grades for silver and reducing capital costs by contract mining.

         Upon completion of the optimization of the feasibility study, the
Company will review available options to finance development of the property. No
assurance can be given at this time with regard to the availability of such
financing. Therefore, the Company may consider other options including a merger
with a company with greater financial resources, a sale of a portion or all of
the property or a sale of a significant equity interest in the Company or the
subsidiary that holds Pirquitas. It may also defer development of the property
until silver prices improve.

         The availability of professional and skilled labor is limited in the
regional market surrounding Pirquitas. It will be necessary to recruit these
workers on a national and, in some cases, an international basis. The Company
anticipates that it can fill much of its other labor requirements from the local
workforce although a significant effort in training will be needed. Argentina
requires all mine labor (non-professional) to be represented by the Argentine
Mine Workers Association (a national union). Local labor agreements must meet
minimum guidelines established through negotiation between the union and mine
owners as represented by the Argentine Association of Mine Entrepreneurs and
Argentine Chamber of Mining and Metallurgy. Sunshine has held preliminary
discussions with the Argentine Association of Mine Workers (the National Union)
and they have expressed a willingness to accommodate the special requirements
imposed by a remote work location.

         There is good access to the Pirquitas mine site despite its relatively
isolated location. The project is reached via an 80 mile improved gravel road
from the town of Abra Pampa. This road is suitable for current activities but
will require some upgrading during the construction and operation phases.

         It is anticipated that the 5.1 megawatt power demand at Pirquitas will
be satisfied by six medium-speed diesel generating sets, with four of these
operating at any given time. Housing for the 400-500 employees on site will be
provided in dormitory type units, with a camp kitchen and dining room, clinic,
laundry and recreational facilities also included.

         The Company currently believes the operation will produce an annual
average of 17,000 tons of silver concentrate, 6,400 tons of tin concentrate and
8,000 tons of zinc concentrate over its 10-year mine life. A number of offshore
smelters have expressed an interest in the concentrates, and favorable terms
should be available.

         The preliminary capital cost estimate of $120 million to develop the
project includes $80 million in direct equipment, materials and construction
labor, $15 million in construction management and temporary facilities, $10
million in engineering, procurement, freight and insurance and $15 million in
pre-stripping and other owner's costs.

REVENUE-VIRGINIUS MINE

         The Revenue-Virginius Mine is an underground silver mine located eight
miles southwest of the town of Ouray in southwestern Colorado. It also contains
significant gold and base metals. The mine has been largely inactive since a
mill fire in 1912 resulted in the closure of the operation. Most production
records on the property are missing; however, records which remain indicate
production between 1895 and 1906 totaling 14.5 million 





                                       4
<PAGE>   6

ounces of silver, 123 thousand ounces of gold and 63 million pounds of lead from
one series of veins. Sunshine controls the property under a mining lease calling
for minimal property payments and work commitments. The property currently
contains reserves estimated to be approximately 6.2 million ounces of silver.

         Several veins carry the mineralized values, and many of the veins have
been traced for long distances onto other properties. Therefore, the Company
believes it reasonable to assume that a significant mineralized inventory in
addition to the above reserves can be inferred. Based on initial pre-feasibility
work, the Company believes the property could produce 2.5-3.0 million ounces of
silver annually at a net cash cost of approximately $4.00 per ounce, following a
capital investment of $12-15 million. Repair work to access the underground
veins for exploration and development was completed in 1998. A drilling program
designed to increase the proven and probable reserves to a level which would
justify the capital commitment is pending.

OTHER EXPLORATION

         The Company controls approximately 81 thousand acres of exploration
property in Argentina in addition to the above properties, and properties in the
states of Washington and Nevada which it believes are prospective for silver. As
budgets and personnel availability allow, the Company intends to do
reconnaissance work on these properties in 1999.

MARKETING

         The Company's primary product at the Sunshine Mine can be either
refined silver which is sold to industrial customers or precious metals dealers,
or silver-copper and lead-silver concentrates which are sold to smelters. Prices
received for refined silver are based on market prices at the time of shipment.
Prices received for the silver-copper concentrate are based on average prices
for silver and copper during a quotational period shortly after shipment. The
Company bases its decisions on whether to refine its silver-copper concentrates
internally or sell them to a smelter based on internal production costs versus
available smelter contract terms. All lead-silver concentrates are sold to
smelters, with prices for contained lead and silver based on a quotational
period shortly after shipment. The Company's refined silver, antimony and copper
products are generally marketed directly to metals dealers or industrial
customers. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included
elsewhere herein.

OTHER BUSINESS AND REGULATORY FACTORS

         The Company's precious metals operations are intensely competitive and
subject to risks and regulations inherent in and applicable to mining generally
and the precious metals industry specifically. Competition in the precious
metals mining industry, and particularly the silver mining industry, is very
volatile. The market for gold and silver is international and there is no
significant marketing advantage in domestic production versus international
production. No single source of silver is significant to the world market, and
many of the principal sources of silver as a primary metal have been forced to
close as a result of continued low silver prices over the past several years. As
a result, the largest sources of silver at the present time are gold, copper,
lead and zinc mines which produce silver as a by-product, and whose economics
are not significantly related to the price of silver.

         Competition among mining companies is primarily for mineral rich
properties which can be developed and produced economically; the technical
expertise to find, develop and produce such properties; labor to operate the
properties; and capital for the purpose of funding such operations. As the
principal product sold is a commodity with its price dictated by world markets
upon which any individual operator has very little influence, the competitive
factors cited above give the competitive advantage to the low cost operator.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY MATTERS

         In connection with its operations and properties, the Company is
subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local laws, regulations and
ordinances governing health and safety and the protection of the environment,
including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to air and water
quality, mine reclamation, waste handling and disposal, the protection of
certain species and the preservation of certain lands. These environmental laws
and regulations may require the acquisition of permits or other authorizations
for certain activities. These laws and regulations may also limit or prohibit
activities on certain lands lying within a wilderness area, wetland area, area
providing habitat for certain species or other protected area. The recent trend
in environmental legislation and regulation generally is toward stricter
standards, and this trend will likely continue in the future. The operations and
activities of the Company require compliance with such laws, regulations and
ordinances.

         The Company cannot predict what environmental legislation or
regulations will be enacted or adopted in the future or how future laws and
regulations will be administered or interpreted. Compliance with more stringent
laws and regulations, as well as potentially more vigorous enforcement policies
of regulatory agencies or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may
necessitate significant capital outlays, may materially affect the Company's
operations, or may cause material changes or delays in the Company's intended
activities. Currently, the Company does not expect to incur any material capital
expenditures associated with environmental regulations (such as expenditures for
relevant control facilities) during the fiscal year 1999. See Note 10 of Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein; and "LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS - ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS." The Company also does not anticipate any
material effect from compliance with environmental, health and safety laws,
regulations and ordinances.

EMPLOYEES

         At December 31, 1998, Sunshine and its subsidiaries, including SPMI,
employed approximately 335 persons; 306 of whom are located at the Kellogg
facilities. SEE "ITEM 1. BUSINESS. THE SUNSHINE MINE AND REFINERY COMPLEX."




                                       5
<PAGE>   7
GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN MINING TERMS

ASSAY - To analyze the proportions of metals in ore, to test an ore or mineral
for composition, purity, weight, or other properties of commercial interest. The
word "assay" also refers to the test or analysis itself.

CONCENTRATE - a product containing the valuable metal and from which most of the
waste material in the ore has been eliminated.

DILUTION - An estimate of the amount of waste or low-grade mineralized rock
which will be mined with the ore as part of normal mining practices in
extracting an ore body.

DRIFT - An underground horizontal passage which provides access to a mineralized
area.

DRILL INTERCEPT - The distance from the initial contact by a drill hole of a
mineralized zone or vein to the drill hole's exit from that zone or vein.

EXPLORATION - Work involved in searching for ore, usually by drilling or driving
a drift.

FAULT - A fracture or a zone of fractures along which there has been
displacement of the sides relative to one another parallel to the fracture.

FOOTWALL - The underlying side of a fault, ore body, or mine working; esp. the
wall rock beneath an inclined vein or fault.

GRADE - The metal content of ore and drill samples. With precious metals, grade
is expressed as troy ounces per ton of rock.

MILL - A processing plant that produces a concentrate of the valuable minerals
or metals contained in an ore. The concentrate must then be treated in some
other type of plant, such as a smelter, to effect recovery of the pure metal.

MINERALIZED MATERIAL/INVENTORY - A mineralized body which has been delineated by
appropriately spaced drilling and/or underground sampling to support reasonable
estimate of tonnage and average grade of metal(s). Such a deposit does not
qualify as a reserve until a comprehensive evaluation based upon unit cost,
grade, recoveries and other material factors conclude legal and economic
feasibility.

ORE BODY - An economically recoverable deposit of minerals, the extent and grade
of which has been defined through exploration and development work.

ORE RESERVE - That part of a mineral deposit which at the time of the reserve
determination could be economically and legally extracted or produced.

PROBABLE RESERVES - Resources for which tonnage and grade are computed primarily
from specific measurements, samples or production data, and partly from
projection for a reasonable distance on geologic evidence. The sites available
for inspection, measurement and sampling are too widely or otherwise
inappropriately spaced to permit the mineral bodies to be outlined completely,
or the grade established throughout.

PROVEN RESERVES - Resources for which tonnage is computed from dimensions
revealed in workings and drill holes and for which the grade is computed from
the results of detailed sampling. The sites for inspection, sampling and
measurement are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined
that size, shape and mineral content are all established. The computed tonnage
and grade are judged to be accurate, within limits which are stated, and no such
limit is judged to be different from the computed tonnage or grade by more than
20%.

STOPE - An opening or workplace in an underground mine excavated for the purpose
of extracting ore.

TON - A short ton of 2,000 pounds, dry weight basis.

TONNE - Metric ton, equal to 2,204.62 pounds.

TROY OUNCE - Unit of weight measurement used for all precious metals. The
familiar 16-ounce avoirdupois pound equals 14.583 troy ounces.

VEIN - An epigenetic mineral filling of a fault or other fracture in a host
rock, in tabular or sheetlike form, often with associated replacement of the
host rock; a mineral deposit of this form and origin.

2.       PROPERTIES

         The information regarding the properties of Sunshine is set forth under
ITEM 1. BUSINESS, above, and in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Part II hereof.

3.       LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

         The EPA has identified the Company and SPMI as Potentially Responsible
Parties ("PRPs") at one site and SPMI as a PRP at another site under the federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended ("CERCLA" or "Superfund"), alleging that the Company and SPMI at one
site and SPMI at the other site arranged for the disposal of hazardous
substances. One of the sites is located in Kellogg, Idaho (the "Bunker Hill
Superfund Site") and the other site is located in Spokane, Washington.

         At the Bunker Hill Superfund Site, the EPA, the State of Idaho and
several of the PRPs, including the Company and SPMI, have agreed to a site-wide
clean-up plan, separating the site into two distinct areas for remediation: the
Bunker Hill Smelter Complex (the "Smelter Area") and the residential and certain
commercial areas primarily in the cities of Kellogg, Smelterville and Pinehurst,
Idaho encompassed by the Site (the "Residential Areas"). Without admitting
liability, the Company and several PRPs have agreed to do the





                                       6
<PAGE>   8

remediation work in the Residential Areas pursuant to an EPA and State of Idaho
approved work plan. In exchange therefor, EPA and the State of Idaho released
the settling PRPs from all liability for cleanup of the Smelter Area, reduced
the EPA's claim for reimbursement of past costs from $17 million to $1 million
plus a percentage of proceeds received by the PRPs from insurance companies, if
any, and agreed that the work orders from 1990 through 1993 were deemed
satisfied and discharged. The remediation undertaken by the Company and the PRPs
is expected to continue for another three to four years. The Company currently
has accrued $2.4 million for its (including SPMI's) share (12.4%) of the
estimated remaining remediation costs at December 31, 1998.

         On November 17, 1994, the United States District Court for the District
of Idaho entered a Consent Decree containing the terms of this agreement. The
liability for remediation costs under the consent decree is joint and several.
Thus, if any other settling party (or parties) does not comply with the consent
decree, the exposure for the Company and SPMI could increase proportionately.
The parties have reserved their claims and defenses with respect to natural
resource damages, except for the State of Idaho which has agreed that its claim
has been settled.

         On July 31, 1991, the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe (the "Tribe") filed an
action in the United States District Court, District of Idaho against the
Company and seven other Bunker Hill Superfund Site PRPs seeking a declaratory
judgment that the Tribe has five years in which to file a natural resource
damage claim under CERCLA against the PRPs and others or, alternatively, for
damages in an unspecified amount resulting from the loss, destruction or injury
to natural resources allegedly caused by the defendants. The Company believes
that a settlement by SPMI of all natural resources claims with the State of
Idaho in May 1986 bars the Tribe's action.

         On March 22, 1996, a complaint was filed in the United States District
Court for the District of Idaho on behalf of the United States Department of the
Interior, United States Department of Agriculture and the Environmental
Protection Agency against Sunshine, SPMI and other identified PRPs for alleged
natural resource damages in the Coeur d'Alene Basin. The complaint seeks to
recover natural resource damages and response costs under CERCLA and the Clean
Water Act, and does not identify the amount of damages sought to be recovered.
The Company believes that the settlement by SPMI of all natural resource claims
with the State of Idaho in May, 1986, bars these claims, and that the complaint
is without merit.

         On September 30, 1998, the United States District Court for the
District of Idaho granted the Company's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment
limiting the United State's potential natural resource damage claims in the
Coeur d'Alene River Basin of Northern Idaho to the 21 square mile Bunker Hill
Superfund Site.

         The effect of the ruling substantially limits the government's claim
for damages from a 1500 square mile site to the 21 square mile Bunker Hill
Superfund Site, within which the Company has, pursuant to a Consent Decree with
other defendants, been engaged in clean-up operations.

         The United States has been granted an interlocutory appeal of the order
to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

         The second site where EPA has identified SPMI as a PRP under CERCLA is
the Spokane Junkyard Site near Spokane, Washington. In November 1988, the EPA
notified SPMI that it is a PRP at that site. The EPA has documented the
threatened release of hazardous substances at the site and has initiated
response actions under CERCLA.

         The Company does not believe that the designation of SPMI as a PRP at
the Spokane Junkyard Site will have a material impact on the Company's results
of operations and financial condition or on its liquidity or capital resources.
SPMI does not believe it will be required to pay any clean-up costs at the
Spokane Junkyard Site. No records of SPMI have been discovered by it or the EPA
showing SPMI ever sent any material to the site. To date, the EPA has not filed
any action against SPMI or the Company in relation to the Spokane Junkyard Site.

4.       SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

         No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the
fourth quarter of Sunshine's fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.




                                       7
<PAGE>   9

                                     PART II

5.       MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
         MATTERS.

         Sunshine's Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (symbol "SSC"). Sunshine currently does not pay cash dividends on its
Common Stock and has not paid any since the third quarter of 1981. At March 10,
1999, Sunshine had approximately 30,000 holders of record of its Common Stock.
On March 10, 1999, the closing price of the Common Stock price as reported on
the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") Composite Transactions was $0.5625.

         Presently, the Company does not intend to pay cash dividends. Also,
pursuant to restrictions imposed by the Company's outstanding debt securities at
December 31, 1998, the Company could not pay cash dividends on shares of its
Common Stock.

         The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices
for the Common Stock as reported on the NYSE composite tape for the periods
indicated. Such quotations represent inter-dealer prices without retail markup,
markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              1998 QUARTERS            1997 QUARTERS
                         -------------------------------------------------
                            HIGH         LOW         HIGH         LOW
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
1st Quarter                 1 11/16      7/8         1 1/4        3/4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
2nd Quarter                 1 7/16       7/8          15/16       5/8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
3rd Quarter                 1            5/8         1 1/8        5/8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
4th Quarter                 1            1/2         1 1/8       49/64
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

CONTINUED NYSE LISTING

         As a result of the impairment write down of the Sunshine Mine in the
third quarter (see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements), the
Company fell below the NYSE continued listing criteria. The NYSE has requested
advice from the Company as to what definitive action it plans to take in order
to bring the Company into compliance with original listing standards. The
Company will present an action plan in April 1999 to bring it into compliance
within eighteen months. The plan is subject to NYSE approval.

WARRANTS

         The Company's March 9, 1999 and May 22, 2001 common stock purchase
warrants are traded on the NASDAQ National Market System (symbols "SILVW"and
"SILVZ") with high and low sales prices as reported by NASDAQ during 1998 of
$0.75 and $0.016; and $0.8125 and $0.0625, respectively. The March 9, 1999
warrants have now expired.

RECENT FINANCING

         On January 28, 1999, the Company completed a private placement of $6.0
million initial principal amount of its 5% Convertible Notes due January 28,
2001. The notes were sold to Elliott Associates, L.P. and Westgate
International, L.P. in reliance upon Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, since the purchasers were sophisticated investors and there was no
public offering. For additional information regarding the terms of the notes,
see the discussion under "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES -- RECENT
FINANCINGS."

6.       SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

         The following table sets forth summary historical financial information
of Sunshine as of the dates and the periods indicated in the table below. All
amounts are in thousands, except price and production statistics and per share
amounts.




                                       8
<PAGE>   10

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1998(2)          1997         1996(3)        1995            1994(4)
                                                        -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>         
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:

Operating revenues ...................................  $     34,668   $     24,993   $     15,315   $     15,623    $     17,732
Mark to market gains (losses) ........................        (2,588)         1,859         (1,101)           911            (320)
                                                        ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------    ------------
    Total revenues ...................................        32,080         26,852         14,214         16,534          17,412

Net loss .............................................       (64,845)       (19,308)       (25,902)       (15,483)         (4,923)
Income (loss) applicable to common shares ............       (64,845)       (19,308)        11,600        (25,572)        (15,383)
Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share:
    Net income (loss) ................................          (.25)          (.08)           .05           (.13)           (.08)
Weighted average common shares .......................       256,871        255,137        222,584        193,044         185,634

PRICE AND PRODUCTION STATISTICS:

Average silver price received ........................  $       5.47   $       5.02   $       5.11   $       5.20    $       5.29
Tons .................................................       247,866        183,404        120,910        101,240         107,056
Silver grade (ounces per ton) ........................         24.17          23.95          22.04          17.66           20.08
Silver ounces ........................................     5,806,468      4,253,315      2,577,895      1,731,714       2,079,290
Cash cost per ounce(1) ...............................  $       4.43   $       4.50   $       6.12   $       6.61    $       5.83

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Cash and cash investments ............................  $      1,412   $     15,985   $     16,317   $     12,837    $     26,581
Working capital ......................................         9,716         26,959         25,559         23,550          38,537
Total assets .........................................        39,897        101,601        105,486        101,134         116,657
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations .........        42,597         42,265         25,780          1,519           1,519
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
    Preferred Stock ..................................            --             --             --         82,268          80,707
    Other ............................................       (17,466)        44,496         63,598          2,814          19,701
Book value per common share ..........................          (.07)           .17            .25           (.22)           (.10)
    Common shares outstanding ........................       259,408        255,232        254,981        193,096         192,995
</TABLE>

(1)      Cash cost per ounce includes all expenditures (other than exploration
         costs and capital expenditures) related to the operation of the
         Sunshine Mine and Refinery Complex, less any by-product revenues. Such
         costs include non-capital development costs, production and maintenance
         costs, ad valorem taxes, insurance, and postemployment benefit costs
         incurred on site.

(2)      During 1998 the Company recorded a $50.4 million impairment of mining
         properties expense to write down the value of the Company's investment
         in the Sunshine Mine.

(3)      During 1996 the Company recorded a gain applicable to common shares of
         $40 million due to the retirement of all of the Company's outstanding
         Preferred Stock. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
         Statements.

(4)      In 1994, the Company recorded gains totaling $6.9 million due to the
         curtailment of postretirement medical benefits for certain of its
         employees and retirees.

7.       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS.

         Certain matters discussed in this report are "forward-looking
statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established
by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact,
including without limitation those that are identified by the use of the words
"anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans,"
"predicts" and similar expressions. Such statements address future plans,
objectives, expectations and events or conditions concerning various matters
such as mining exploration, capital expenditures, earnings, litigation,
liquidity and capital resources and accounting matters. Actual results in each
case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such
statements, by reason of factors including without limitation, actual results of
exploration, silver prices, imprecision of reserve estimates, future economic
conditions, regulations, competition and other circumstances affecting
anticipated revenue and costs. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of
the date on which such statement is made, and the Company undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Readers should
carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Company files
from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         The Company's operations have generated losses in each of the last
three years, and a net use of cash from operations in the last three years. The
decline in silver and by-products prices during the last half of 1998 caused the
Company's operating cash flows to decline below the levels it had anticipated.
The Company ended 1998 with working capital of $9.7 million, including cash and
silver bullion held for investment of $6.6 million and a $17.5 million
stockholders' deficit.

         The Company has taken specific actions in attempts to ensure its
ability to continue operations. Specifically, the Company has reduced operations
in Argentina primarily to the level required to complete the feasibility study
for the Pirquitas Mine, implemented cost reduction and cash conservation plans
and initiatives to reduce its work-in-process inventory. Also, in January 1999,
the Company raised an additional $6 million in the form of 5% Convertible Notes,
due January 28, 2001. With these funds, the Company considers its cash and
working capital to be adequate for the foreseeable future.

         The Company's strategy to return to profitability is focused on finding
additional low-cost silver reserves which can be economically developed and
operated. During 1998, the Company invested a total of $12.8 million in
exploration and development projects, principally at Pirquitas.

         Future spending on exploration projects is contingent on future cash
flow from the Sunshine Mine and the Company's ability to raise new funding. The
Company believes its past success in finding and developing new properties will
assist it in raising the funds required to continue its exploration program as
well as in funding the development of the 




                                       9
<PAGE>   11

properties it has already identified. However, no assurance can be given that
the necessary exploration and development funds can be obtained.

          The West Chance ore body was discovered in 1992 in the previously
undeveloped western section of the Sunshine Mine. The Company has completed
development of the West Chance, producing approximately 5.8 million ounces of
silver from the area in 1998, a significant increase over prior years. The
Company's cash production cost per ounce has been substantially reduced as
production increased. The improvements did not restore the Company to
profitability at silver prices which prevailed in 1998, as the cash operating
margin from the Sunshine Mine does not exceed other expenses (depreciation,
depletion, exploration, general and administrative and interest expenses). The
Company expects production from the Sunshine Mine in 1999 and 2000 to continue
at approximately 5.5 million ounces per year, most of which is anticipated to be
from the West Chance area, but it will be supplemented by production from other
reserve areas which are to be developed as the focus of mining operations shifts
to the eastern portion of the Sunshine Mine. Absent an increase in silver or
by-product prices, the cash flow from these operations will not cover all
anticipated non-cash or administrative expenses.

         The Company is planning a major exploration and development project to
access reserves in the eastern area of the mine. This project will provide a
major exploration platform for evaluating a number of undeveloped areas in the
eastern portion of the mine which are considered highly prospective. If
successful in developing major new ore bodies, the total cost of the project is
expected to be between $2 million and $4 million over two years. In addition to
providing an exploration platform, the project will provide mechanized access to
existing reserves for development and production, while allowing the abandonment
of the internal 10-Shaft. The Company believes this project can be funded from
available working capital.

         If reserves in sufficient quantities are established in the target
areas, the Company will rehabilitate the ConSil Shaft, increasing production
capacity of the mine by approximately 50%. The cost of this rehabilitation is
estimated to be $2 million. Such an increase in capacity would be expected to
further reduce unit operating costs.

         The Company's next major project is the development of the Pirquitas
Mine in northwest Argentina. The Company invested $8.3 million at the property
in 1998, and has projected approximately $2.0 million for general exploration
and development in 1999 (prior to obtaining financing for mine construction).
The Company has invested a total of $17.1 million in the property since its
acquisition in November 1995, together with approximately $1.7 million in
recoverable Value Added Taxes. The Pirquitas investment has allowed the Company
to develop a major ore reserve, the economics of which are being confirmed by a
feasibility study commissioned in 1997.

         Preliminarily, the study has estimated the property can be developed
for approximately $120 million, and will produce annually approximately 8.2
million ounces of silver and 7.1 million pounds of tin. The estimated net cash
cost of production of an ounce of silver is projected to be approximately $2.00
net of tin by-product credits. Assuming a $5.50 silver price and a tin price of
$2.54 per pound, proven and probable reserves are presently estimated to be 20.1
million tons of ore at an average grade of 5.01 ounces per ton silver (18.3
million tonnes at an average grade of 171.6 grams per tonne silver), 0.29% tin,
and 0.48% zinc. Contained metal in the proven and probable reserves totals 101
million ounces of silver, 116.4 million pounds of tin and 194 million pounds of
zinc. The Company expects future development and exploration work at the site to
expand reserves.

         In January 1999, the Company and its consultants began a process
designed to optimize the feasibility study to examine options to increase
production, reduce costs and increase reserves. Upon completion of this work,
the Company will evaluate its alternatives with respect to financing the
development of the property. Given current market conditions, including the
price of silver and the Company's financial resources, no assurances can be
given regarding the availability of such financing. As a result, the Company may
consider other options, including a merger with a company with greater financial
resources, a sale of a portion or all of the property or a sale of a significant
equity interest in the Company or the subsidiary that holds Pirquitas. It may
also defer development until silver prices improve.

         The Company has performed certain evaluation work on its
Revenue-Virginius property which indicates it can be placed into production with
a capital investment of approximately $12-15 million. The Company believes that
the property could produce approximately 2.5 to 3 million ounces of silver
annually at a net cash cost of approximately $4.00 per ounce. A drilling program
to add sufficient proven and probable reserves to justify financing for the
development of the Revenue-Virginius Mine is pending. No assurance can be given
that adequate financing will be available to fund such development.

RECENT FINANCINGS

         On January 28, 1999, the Company completed a private placement of $6.0
million initial principal amount of its 5% Convertible Notes due January 28,
2001. The interest will be paid by adding the amount of interest to the
principal amount of the Notes. The Notes may generally be converted into common
stock at a per share price based on the average of the lowest average high and
low trading prices for five of the twenty consecutive trading days prior to
conversion. The conversion price for one-half of the Notes has been fixed at a
maximum of $0.6875. The funds were added to working capital.

         In November 1997, the Company completed a private placement of
five-year convertible promissory notes for $15 million ("10% Notes"). The 10%
Notes are convertible into 15.8 million shares of Common Stock at $.95 per
share, and bear a 10% coupon with principal and interest payable in either cash
or common stock at the Company's option. In certain events, the conversion price
of the 10% Notes can be reset to a lower level. The funds were used principally
to continue the Company's exploration and development program at the Pirquitas
Mine in northwest Argentina and its exploration program in southern Argentina
and for general corporate purposes.

         In March 1996, SPMI issued $30 million aggregate principal amount of
Senior Exchangeable Notes due 2000 (the "Eurobonds"), which were offered in
Europe only to non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended. The net proceeds, approximately $27 million, were used to
fund development and exploration 




                                       10
<PAGE>   12

opportunities and to fund general, administrative and other costs. During the
first half of 1998, $1.5 million principal amount of Eurobonds was exchanged for
1.5 million shares of stock.

         The Eurobonds bear interest at 8% per annum and mature March 21, 2000.
The remaining outstanding Eurobonds are exchangeable into an aggregate of 28.5
million common shares at an exercise price of $1.00 per share. The Eurobonds are
guaranteed by Sunshine. If during the period May 1, 1996 to March 21, 1999 the
Company's common stock does not trade at $1.33 or more (average of high and low
prices) for 45 consecutive stock exchange trading days, the Company will be
required to make a payment in cash or stock equal to 22.5% of the then
outstanding principal amount. The Company currently intends to make this payment
in stock. The Eurobonds are callable if the Company's average common stock high
and low sales prices exceed $1.50 over 30 consecutive stock exchange trading
days.

EVALUATION OF RECOVERABILITY OF INVESTMENT IN SUNSHINE MINE

         Whenever circumstances or events indicate, and at least annually, the
Company evaluates its mining properties for impairment, based on undiscounted
expected future cash flows. Such estimates are based on assumptions as to future
silver prices, mining costs, recoverable reserves and estimates of future
reserve potential which management believes are reasonable, based on historical
silver prices and production. If the sum of such cash flows was less than the
carrying amount of the asset, the Company would record an impairment loss
measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the
fair value of the asset.

         During the third quarter of 1998, drilling in the West Chance vein
indicated that the size of the vein might be smaller than what was previously
expected. Based on that information, the Company felt that production from the
West Chance could decline to 4 million ounces in 1999. As a result, combined
with low by-product prices and a decline in silver prices, the Company estimated
that future cash flows from the mine would not be sufficient to recover the
$59.4 million carrying amounts of the mine. The fair value of the mine as
determined by the discounted cash flow method was approximately $9 million and
an impairment charge of $50.4 million was taken at the end of the third quarter.

         Since that time, the Company's production forecast for those periods
has been revised significantly upwards, as downdip extensions of the West Chance
Vein have been identified as economic and other veins have been identified as
containing economic ore which can be accessed in 1999 and 2000.

         Future increases in the price of silver and the presence of additional
mineralized material and resources are forward-looking statements regarding
matters over which the Company has no control. Actual future silver prices and
the results of current exploration may differ from anticipated values.

OTHER

         The Company and SPMI have been identified by the EPA as a PRP at the
Bunker Hill Superfund Site and SPMI has been identified as a PRP at the Spokane
Junkyard Site. The Company believes that its status as a PRP will not have a
material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of
operations. See "LEGAL PROCEEDINGS - ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS" and Note 10 of Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.

OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES

         Cash used in operating activities was $9.5 million in 1998 compared
with $15.1 million in 1997 and $22.2 million in 1996. The 1998 $5.6 million
improvement was due to the $2.15 million decrease in cash operating loss and
changes in other working capital items. The cash operating loss decreased in
1998 compared to 1997 due to a $4.3 million improvement in cash operating income
at the Sunshine Mine (from $1.6 million in 1997 to $5.9 million in 1998), a $2.8
million decrease in exploration expense and $750 thousand of interest expense
being paid in common stock. These were partially offset by a $2.6 million mark
to market loss in 1998 compared to a $1.85 million gain in 1997 and a $1.3
million increase in interest costs in 1998 compared to 1997.

         Cash used by investing activities during 1998 was $5.8 million,
including $8.3 million for the development of the Pirquitas Mine in Argentina
and $1.8 million at the Sunshine Mine, partially offset by $4.5 million of cash
proceeds from the sale of certain investments and 300 thousand ounces of
investment silver bullion, and proceeds from settlement of certain litigation.

         In 1997, $2.2 million of proceeds from investments was partially offset
by $2.0 million of additions to property, plant and equipment resulting in $0.2
million of cash provided by investing activities. One million of cash was used
by investing activities during 1996, including $2.7 million for additions to
property, plant and equipment, partially offset by proceeds from investments of
$1.7 million.

         Cash provided by financing activities in 1998 includes $785 thousand
from the exercise of stock options and warrants. Cash provided by financing
activities was $14.6 million in 1997 resulting from the Company's issuance of
the 10% Notes. Cash provided by financing activities was $26.7 million in 1996
resulting from the Company's Notes Offering, partially offset by the cost
associated with the exchange of common stock for preferred stock.

IMPACT OF YEAR 2000

         The Company has completed its review of all hardware and software
systems operated or licensed in the Company's business. Only one computer
program was identified that would recognize a date using "00" as the year 2000,
but "01" as the year 1901 rather than 2001. The Company has reviewed its options
to remedy this problem and believes this can be accomplished timely and at a
cost that is not material.

         The Company has contacted its significant vendors, suppliers, customers
and other third parties as to their Year 2000 exposure and compliance. To date,
the Company is not aware of any third parties with a Year 2000 issue that would
materially affect the Company's results of operations, liquidity, or capital
resources. However, the Company has no means of ensuring that external agents
will be Year 2000 ready. The inability of third parties to complete their Year
2000




                                       11
<PAGE>   13

resolution process in a timely fashion could materially impact the Company. The
effect of non-compliance by third parties is not determinable.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1998 COMPARED TO 1997

         The Company's net loss increased $45.5 million to $64.8 million
compared to $19.3 million primarily due to the $50.4 million impairment
writedown of the Sunshine Mine.

         Consolidated operating revenues increased approximately $9.7 million
(38.7%) for 1998 compared to 1997 primarily due to an increase in sales volume
and average price received per ounce of silver sold (5.5 million ounces of
silver at an average of $5.47 per ounce in 1998 compared to 4.1 million ounces
of silver at an average of $5.02 in 1997). The increase in sales volumes
primarily resulted from a 1.6 million ounce (36.5%) increase in production in
1998 compared to 1997.

         Mark to market writedown of work-in-process silver inventories and
silver bullion held for investment amounted to $2.6 million in 1998 compared to
a $1.9 million gain in 1997. The writedown was due to declines in the per ounce
silver price from $5.945 to $4.988 between December 31, 1997 and December 31,
1998. The 1997 gain was due to the increase from $4.74 to $5.945 per ounce of
silver between December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997.

         Cost of revenues increased $5.4 million (23.4%) (from $23.0 million in
1997 to $28.4 million in 1998) primarily due to the 36.5 % increase in
production in 1998, partially offset by lower net unit operating costs. Net unit
operating costs decreased $.07 (1.8%) to $4.43 per ounce of silver primarily due
to the 36.5% increase in silver production (5.8 million ounces produced from
247,866 tons at 24.17 ounces per ton in 1998 versus 4.25 million ounces from
183,404 tons at 23.95 ounces per ton in 1997). Reduction in operating costs per
ounce of silver was actually $0.57 but was partially offset by $0.50 reduction
in by-product credits due to lower lead, copper and antimony prices during 1998.

         Depreciation, depletion and amortization decreased by approximately
$873 thousand as a result of the impairment writedown of the Sunshine Mine in
the third quarter which resulted in reduced depreciation, depletion and
amortization in the fourth quarter, partially offset by increased production in
the 1998 period.

         The 1998 period reflects a $50.4 million charge as an impairment
writedown of the Sunshine Mine. See "LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES--EVALUATION
OF RECOVERABILITY OF INVESTMENT IN SUNSHINE MINE."

         Exploration expense decreased $2.8 million in 1998 compared to 1997
primarily due to the fact that work carried out at the Pirquitas Mine in
Argentina is largely being capitalized as the property is now considered to be
in the development stage. As a result, approximately $8.3 million of development
expenditures for Pirquitas during 1998 were capitalized. This was partially
offset by increased exploration expenditures at the La Joya del Sol gold
property in Argentina, at the Sunshine Mine and other exploration projects.

         Interest and debt expense increased $1.4 million due to the debt issued
in November 1997.

         Other, net increased $2.65 million due to a $1.1 million net gain for
proceeds received from settlement of certain litigation and the $1.6 million
reduction of the valuation reserves previously recorded against certain
investments as a result of performance of certain investments.

1997 COMPARED TO 1996

         The Company's net loss decreased $6.6 million in 1997 to $19.3 million
compared to $25.9 million in 1996. This decreased loss resulted primarily from a
$4.8 million improvement in operating margin, a $2.9 million decrease in
exploration expense, a $3 million improvement in mark-to-market gain (loss) and
a $0.4 million decrease in general and administrative expense partially offset
by a $1.5 million increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization, a $1.3
million increase in interest expense, a $0.7 million reduction in interest
income and a $0.8 million reduction in other, net.

         Consolidated operating revenues increased approximately $9.7 million
(63.2%) for 1997 compared to 1996 primarily due to an increase in sales volume
(4.1 million ounces of silver in 1997 compared to 2.7 million ounces of silver
in 1996) and the associated $2.4 million increase in by-product revenue,
partially offset by lower average silver prices received ($5.02 in 1997 compared
to $5.11 in 1996). The increase in sales volumes primarily resulted from a 1.7
million ounce (65%) increase in production in 1997 compared to 1996, and a 65
thousand ounce increase in sales volume of finished silver. Mark to market gains
on work-in-process silver inventories and silver bullion held for investment
amounted to $1.9 million in 1997 compared to a loss of $1.1 million in 1996. The
gains in 1997 were due to increases in the per ounce silver price during the
period, from $4.74 to $5.95 between December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1997

         Cost of revenues increased $4.9 million (27.4%) (from $18.1 million in
1996 to $23.0 million in 1997) primarily due to the 65% increase in production
in 1997, partially offset by lower unit production costs. Unit production costs
decreased $1.62 (26%) to $4.50 per ounce of silver primarily due to the 65%
increase in silver production (4.3 million ounces produced from 183,404 tons at
23.95 ounces per ton in 1997 versus 2.6 million ounces from 120,910 tons at
22.04 ounces per ton in 1996).

         Depreciation, depletion and amortization increased by approximately
$1.5 million (35%) as a result of increased production figures in the 1997
period.

         Exploration expenditures declined $2.9 million primarily due to the
completion of the required drilling for the pre-feasibility analysis at the
Pirquitas mine in the second quarter of this year.

         Interest income decreased by $719 thousand due to lower average
invested cash balances.

         Interest and debt expense increased $1.3 million due to the debt issued
in March 1996.



                                       12
<PAGE>   14

7A.  QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE MARKET RISK DISCLOSURES.

COMMODITY PRICE RISK

         Substantially all of the Company's revenues are from sales of silver.
Volatility in the price of silver causes substantial fluctuations in the
Company's revenues and financial condition. There are many factors which
influence the volatility of silver prices. Changes in supply and demand,
worldwide economic and political conditions, expectations as to inflation and
speculative activity in the market all cause fluctuations in silver prices. As
previously discussed, the price of silver in recent years has been depressed,
averaging approximately $5.00 per ounce for the 11-year period ended in 1998.

         The Company maintains an investment inventory of silver bullion which
totaled approximately 1.0 million ounces at December 31, 1998. As a result, the
Company's financial results are affected by changes in the price of silver. When
silver prices decline, the decline in value of the investment bullion is
recorded as a mark to market loss on the Company's statement of operations.
Conversely, an increase in silver prices is recorded as a mark to market gain. A
10% decrease ($0.50) in the per ounce price of silver during 1999 would result
in a $500 thousand mark to market loss for the year.

         To earn current income on this investment and to mitigate a portion of
its exposure to a decline in silver prices, the Company from time to time will
sell covered calls against its silver bullion inventory. Total premiums earned
for the sale of covered calls aggregated $316,000, $116,000, and $165,000 in
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. At December 31, 1998, no covered call options
were outstanding. At December 31, 1997, the Company had covered call options
outstanding for 1.2 million ounces of silver with strike prices ranging from
$5.75 to $7.00 and expiration dates of February 26, 1998 (200,000 ounces), March
27, 1998 (900,000 ounces), and December 27, 1998 (100,000 ounces). The fair
value of the sold call options at December 31, 1997 would not materially exceed
the $202,000 of premiums received when they were sold. The Company's policy is
not to sell any uncovered calls. (See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for information related to accounting policies for covered calls.)

INTEREST RATE RISK

         The Company has outstanding debt with fixed interest rates. Therefore,
should market interest rates decline, the Company could make payments in excess
of what would be made under the reduced rates.

         The following table presents the principal cash payments and related
weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity date for its debt
obligations.

                            Interest Rate Sensitivity
                      Principal Amount by Expected Maturity
                              Average Interest Rate

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Fair
                                                                       There-           Value at
(dollars in millions)               1999    2000     2001     2002     after    Total   12/31/98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>    <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>  
Long-term Debt
    Fixed Rate                     $  0   $ 33.5    $  5      $  5     $1.5     $45.0    $45.0
    Avg. Interest Rate              8.7%     9.3%    9.8%      9.6%     9.0%
</TABLE>

FOREIGN CURRENCY RISK

         The Company is developing the Pirquitas Mine in Argentina. Therefore,
the Company could be at risk for fluctuations in the U.S. dollar/Argentine peso
exchange rate. However, Argentina maintains a 1:1 exchange ratio by limiting the
amount of pesos that are issued to the amount of U.S. dollars held by the
Argentine Central Bank. Also, it has been reported that Argentina is considering
replacing the peso with the U.S. dollar. Thus at this time, the Company does not
feel its foreign currency market risk is significant.

         At December 31, 1998, no debt was denominated in a foreign currency nor
are there any firm purchase commitments denominated in a foreign currency.

STOCK PRICE RISK

         The provisions of one of the Company's debt agreements includes a
requirement to pay additional interest if the Company's stock price does not
trade at more than $1.33 for a specified time. As the Company's stock has not
traded above $1.33 for the specified time, the Company intends to issue
additional shares of Common Stock to make the required payment. An increase of
10% from the year-end closing per share price of $0.50 would reduce the number
of shares to be issued by 1.2 million. A 10% decline would increase the number
of shares to be issued by 1.4 million.

8.       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

         The financial statements filed herewith begin on page F-1 hereof.

9.       CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

                                      None.


                                       13
<PAGE>   15
                                    PART III

10.      DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

         The information relating to the Company's directors and nominees for
election as directors and information relating to the executive officers of the
Company is incorporated herein by reference from the Company's Proxy Statement
for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 24, 1999 (the
"Proxy Statement").

11.      EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

         The discussion under "Management Remuneration and Transactions" in the
Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated
herein by reference.

12.      SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

         The discussion under "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
and Management" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

13.      CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

         The discussion under "Management Remuneration and Transactions -
Employment Contracts" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders is incorporated herein by reference.

                                     PART IV

14.      EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

         The following documents are filed as a part of this Annual Report on
         Form 10-K:

         1.       Consolidated Financial Statements. See Index to Financial
                  Statements and Financial Statements Schedules on page F-1
                  hereof.

         2.       Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules. All schedules for
                  which provision is made in the applicable accounting
                  regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not
                  required under the related instructions or are inapplicable
                  and therefore have been omitted.

         3.       Exhibits.

  EXHIBIT
     NO.                      EXHIBIT
  -------                     -------

    3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
              the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    3.2    Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine filed as
              Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May
              22, 1996 (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    *3.3   Bylaws of Sunshine.

    4.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
              the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.2    Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine, filed as
              Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May
              22, 1996 (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    4.3    Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1996, between Sunshine
              Merger Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
              Warrant Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration
              Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 33-98876, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.4    Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 3, 1994, between Sunshine
              and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent,
              filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form
              S-1, Registration No. 33-73608, as amended, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.5    Form of Supplemental Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 1,
              1996, between Sunshine Merger Company and American Stock Transfer
              & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the
              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.6    Warrant Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's
              Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 33-98876,
              which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

                                       14
<PAGE>   16

    4.7    Form of Warrant Certificate filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Sunshine's
              Registration Statement on Form S-1 Registration No. 33-73608, as
              amended, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.8    Specimen Stock Certificate of the Common Stock, $0.01 par value,
              of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Sunshine's Registration
              Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-63446 as amended, which
              exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.9    Form of Indenture, dated as of July 15, 1988, between Sunshine and
              MTrust Corp., National Association, with respect to Sunshine's
              Convertible Subordinated Debentures due July 15, 2008 filed as
              Exhibit 4.25 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
              Registration No. 33-21159, which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    4.10   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 8, 1988, Second
              Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 10, 1988, and Third
              Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 10, 1991, between the
              Company and Ameritrust Texas, N.A., the successor to MTrust Corp.,
              National Association relating to the issuance of the Convertible
              Subordinated Debentures filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Sunshine's Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990,
              which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.11   Form of Fourth Supplemental Indenture, between the Company and
              Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as successor to
              Ameritrust Texas, National Association, formerly known as MTrust
              Corp., National Association, filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the
              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.12   Trust Deed, dated as of March 21, 1996, between Sunshine, Sunshine
              Precious Metals, Inc. and Marine Midland Bank and Form of Note
              filed as Exhibits 4.5 and 4.6 to Sunshine's Registration Statement
              on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-06537, which exhibits are
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.13   Warrant Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996, between Sunshine,
              Rauscher, Pierce & Clark and HSBC Investment Banking Limited and
              Form of Warrant Certificate filed as Exhibits 4.7 and 4.8 to
              Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No.
              333-06537, which exhibits are incorporated herein by reference.

    4.14   Specimen form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.15   Specimen form of Senior Convertible Promissory Note issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    *4.16  Amendment, dated December 11, 1998, to Warrants to Purchase Common
              Stock issued on November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill
              Investment Corp.

    4.17   Specimen form of 5% Convertible Promissory Note, due January 28,
              2001, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on
              Form 8-K, dated January 28, 1999 (File No. 001-10012), which
              exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    *4.18  Bylaws of Sunshine, filed herein as Exhibit 3.3.

    o10.1  1987 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of Sunshine filed as
              Exhibit 10.9 to Sunshine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              fiscal year ended December 31, 1986, which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    o10.2  Amendment No. 1 to the 1987 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option
              Plan of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Sunshine's Registration
              Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-63446, as amended,
              which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    o10.3  Amendment No. 2 to the 1987 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option
              Plan of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Sunshine's Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1994, which
              exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    o10.4  1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Sunshine filed as Exhibit
              10.18 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-1,
              Registration No. 33-63446, as amended, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    o10.5  1995 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of Sunshine filed as
              Exhibit 10.5 to Sunshine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.


                                       15
<PAGE>   17

    o10.6  Form of Executive Employment Agreement entered into as of January
              1, 1994, between Sunshine and John S. Simko filed as Exhibit 10.8
              to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
              33-73608, as amended, which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    o10.7  Executive Employment Agreement entered into as of January 1, 1994,
              between Sunshine and William W. Davis filed as Exhibit 10.9 to
              Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
              33-73608, as amended, which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    o10.8  Form of Executive Employment Agreement entered into as of January
              1, 1994, between Sunshine and Harry F. Cougher filed as Exhibit
              No. 10.10 to Sunshine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1993, which exhibit is incorporated herein
              by reference.

    10.9   Mining Lease, dated as of March 15, 1994, between
              Revenue-Virginius Mines Corporation, a Colorado corporation, as
              lessor, and Sunshine, as lessee, filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to
              Sunshine's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
              March 31, 1994, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    10.10  Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1995 by and between Consolidated
              Silver Corporation and Sunshine Precious Metals, Inc., as
              purchaser, for the purchase of a certain mining property filed as
              Exhibit 10.1 to Sunshine's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
              period ended June 10, 1995, which exhibit is incorporated herein
              by reference.

    10.11  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 24, 1997,
              between the Company and Stonehill Partners, L.P., GRS Partners,
              Aurora Limited Partnership and Stonehill Offshore Partners Limited
              filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    10.12  Specimen form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    *10.13 Amendment, dated December 11, 1998, to Warrants to Purchase Common
              Stock issued on November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill
              Investment Corp., filed herewith as Exhibit 4.16

    10.14  Specimen form of Senior Convertible Promissory Note issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    10.15  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1999,
              between the Company, Westgate International, L.P. and Elliott
              Associates, L.P. filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Sunshine's Current Report
              on Form 8-K (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    10.16  Form of 5% Convertible Note due January 28, 2001 filed as Exhibit
              4.2 to Sunshine's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28,
              1999 (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    10.17  Convertible Note Investment Agreement, dated as of January 27,
              1999, between the Company, Westgate International, L.P. and
              Elliott Associates, L.P. filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Sunshine's
              Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    21.1   Subsidiaries of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 22.1 to Sunshine's
              Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
              1992, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    *23.1  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

    *24.1  Power of attorney of the officers and directors of the Company,
              included on the signature page hereof.

    *27.1  Financial Data Schedules

- ----------
*  Filed herewith

o  Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

       Schedules other than those included in the Consolidated Financial
Statements, if any, are omitted for the reason that they are either not
required, not applicable or the required information is included in the
Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.

       (a)    Reports on Form 8-K:

              On February 4, 1999, the Company filed a Form 8-K reporting the
              completion of a $6,000,000 private placement of 5% Convertible
              Notes due January 8, 2001.




                                       16
<PAGE>   18


                        Consolidated Financial Statements

                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

                     Years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
                       with Report of Independent Auditors



<PAGE>   19



                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

                        Consolidated Financial Statements


                     Years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997




                                    CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                        <C>
Report of Independent Auditors.........................................    1

Consolidated Financial Statements

Consolidated Balance Sheets............................................    2
Consolidated Statements of Operations..................................    3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)..............    4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows..................................    5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................    7
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   20




                         Report of Independent Auditors


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sunshine Mining
and Refining Company (the Company) as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity (deficit),
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Sunshine Mining and Refining Company at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.


                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Dallas, Texas
February 26, 1999


                                                                            F-1
<PAGE>   21

                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

                           Consolidated Balance Sheets

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        DECEMBER 31
                                                                                    1998            1997
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                                                                                       (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                             <C>             <C>         
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash investments                                                    $      1,412    $     15,985
   Silver bullion (Note 2)                                                             5,203           7,739
   Accounts receivable                                                                 2,801           2,801
   Inventories (Note 2)                                                                4,236           3,627
   Other current assets                                                                1,845           1,739
                                                                                ------------    ------------
Total current assets                                                                  15,497          31,891

Property, plant, and equipment, at cost (Note 3)                                      57,114         143,192
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization                           (36,700)        (77,727)
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                                                                                      20,414          65,465
Investments and other assets                                                           3,986           4,245
                                                                                ------------    ------------
Total assets                                                                    $     39,897    $    101,601
                                                                                ============    ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                                             $      1,413    $      1,351
   Accrued expenses (Note 4)                                                           4,368           3,581
                                                                                ------------    ------------
Total current liabilities                                                              5,781           4,932

Long term debt (Note 5)                                                               42,597          42,265
Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits (Note 9)                             5,498           5,672
Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits (Note 10)                             3,487           4,236

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 2, 10 and 11)                                        --              --

Stockholders' equity (deficit)(Notes 5 and 7): Common stock, $0.01 par value:
     Authorized shares - 600,000
     Issued shares - 263,971 in 1998; 259,818 in 1997                                  2,640           2,598
   Paid-in capital                                                                   714,004         711,192
   Deficit                                                                          (733,000)       (668,155)
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                                                                                     (16,356)         45,635
Less treasury stock: 4,563 in 1998; 4,586 shares
   in 1997, at cost                                                                   (1,110)         (1,139)
                                                                                ------------    ------------
                                                                                     (17,466)         44,496
                                                                                ------------    ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)                            $     39,897    $    101,601
                                                                                ============    ============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes.


F-2
<PAGE>   22

                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

                      Consolidated Statements of Operations

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                        1998            1997           1996
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                               (In Thousands, except
                                                                                 per share amounts)
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>         
Operating revenues (Note 12)                                        $     34,668    $     24,993    $     15,315
Mark to market gain (loss)                                                (2,588)          1,859          (1,101)
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                          32,080          26,852          14,214
Costs and expenses:
   Cost of revenues                                                      (28,365)        (22,989)        (18,041)
   Depreciation, depletion, and amortization                              (4,944)         (5,817)         (4,325)
   Impairment of mining properties (Note 3)                              (50,425)             --              --
   Exploration                                                            (4,512)         (7,352)        (10,240)
   Selling, general, and administrative
     expense                                                              (5,016)         (5,072)         (5,452)
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                         (93,262)        (41,230)        (38,058)
Other income (expense):
   Interest income                                                           567             594           1,313
   Interest and debt expense                                              (6,979)         (5,628)         (4,328)
   Other, net                                                              2,749             104             957
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                          (3,663)         (4,930)         (2,058)
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------

Net loss                                                                 (64,845)        (19,308)        (25,902)

Gain on retirement and exchange of preferred stock (Note 7)                   --              --          40,124
Preferred dividend requirements (Note 7)                                      --              --          (2,622)
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
Income (loss) applicable to common shares                           $    (64,845)   $    (19,308)   $     11,600
                                                                    ============    ============    ============

Basic and diluted income (loss)
   per common share (Note 8)                                        $      (0.25)   $      (0.08)   $       0.05
                                                                    ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes.


                                                                             F-3
<PAGE>   23
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

            Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE
                                                                 PREFERRED STOCK           COMMON STOCK                   
                                                         ---------------------------------------------------     PAID-IN  
                                                             SHARES        AMOUNT        SHARES       AMOUNT     CAPITAL  
                                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                (In Thousands)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>            <C>          <C>          <C>        
Balance at December 31, 1995                                  7,166    $   82,268       196,760   $    1,968   $  623,337 
   Net loss                                                      --            --            --           --           -- 
   Amortization of difference between carrying
     amount and redemption value of preferred stock              --           490            --           --           -- 
   Additional capital resulting from issuance of
     Senior Exchangeable Notes                                   --            --            --           --        6,750 
   Reversion of Old Silver Index Bond (SIB) shares               --            --            --           --           -- 
   Preferred stock exchange                                  (7,166)      (82,758)       62,847          628       80,790 
   Issuance of warrants                                          --            --            --           --          209 
   Other, net                                                    --            --            45            1            7 
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------   ----------   ---------- 
Balance at December 31, 1996                                     --            --       259,652        2,597      711,093 
   Net loss                                                      --            --            --           --           -- 
   Issuance of Warrants                                          --            --            --           --          100 
   Other, net                                                    --            --           166            1           (1)
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------   ----------   ---------- 
Balance at December 31, 1997                                     --            --       259,818        2,598      711,192 
   Net loss                                                                        
   Issuance of common stock upon conversion of  Senior
     Exchangeable Notes                                                                   1,525           15        1,304
   Issuance of common stock for interest on Senior
     Convertible Notes                                                                    1,076           11          739
   Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock
     options and warrants                                                                 1,552           16          769
   Other, net                                                                                --           --           --
                                                         ----------    ----------    ----------   ----------   ---------- 
Balance at December 31, 1998                                     --    $       --       263,971   $    2,640   $  714,004 
                                                         ==========    ==========    ==========   ==========   ========== 
<CAPTION>
                                                             
                                                                           TREASURY STOCK
                                                                        -------------------
                                                          DEFICIT        SHARES      AMOUNT       TOTAL
                                                        -----------------------------------------------------
                                                             (In Thousands)
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>       
Balance at December 31, 1995                            $ (622,454)        3,664    $      (37)   $   85,082
   Net loss                                                (25,903)           --            --       (25,903)
   Amortization of difference between carrying
     amount and redemption value of preferred stock           (490)           --            --            --
   Additional capital resulting from issuance of
     Senior Exchangeable Notes                                  --            --            --         6,750
   Reversion of Old Silver Index Bond (SIB) shares              --         1,007        (1,208)       (1,208)
   Preferred stock exchange                                     --            --            --        (1,340)
   Issuance of warrants                                         --            --            --           209
   Other, net                                                   --            --            --             8
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Balance at December 31, 1996                              (648,847)        4,671        (1,245)       63,598
   Net loss                                                (19,308)           --            --       (19,308)
   Issuance of Warrants                                         --            --            --           100
   Other, net                                                   --           (85)          106           106
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Balance at December 31, 1997                              (668,155)        4,586        (1,139)       44,496
   Net loss                                                (64,845)           --            --       (64,845)
   Issuance of common stock upon conversion of  Senior
     Exchangeable Notes                                         --            --            --         1,319
   Issuance of common stock for interest on Senior
     Convertible Notes                                          --            --            --           750
   Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock
     options and warrants                                       --            --            --           785
   Other, net                                                   --           (23)           29            29
                                                        ----------    ----------    ----------    ----------
Balance at December 31, 1998                            $ (733,000)        4,563    $   (1,110)   $  (17,466)
                                                        ==========    ==========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.



F-4
<PAGE>   24
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                                        1998            1997            1996
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                                   (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                 <C>             <C>             <C>          
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss                                                            $    (64,845)   $    (19,308)   $    (25,902)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
   used in operating activities:
     Depreciation, depletion, and amortization                             4,944           5,817           4,325
     Impairment of mining properties                                      50,425              --              --
     Amortization of debt issuance costs and accretion of
       debt discount                                                       2,480           2,300           1,692
     Gains on sales of investments                                        (2,795)             --             (60)
     Common Stock issued for interest on Senior Convertible
       Notes                                                                 750              --              --
     Net (increase) decrease in:
       Silver bullion                                                      1,097          (1,625)            987
       Accounts receivable                                                    --            (177)         (1,041)
       Inventories                                                          (609)         (1,104)         (1,046)
       Other assets                                                         (947)           (173)           (835)
     Net increase (decrease) in:
       Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                 855             260           1,505
       Accrued pension and other
         postretirement benefits                                            (174)           (401)           (313)
       Other liabilities and deferred credits                               (720)           (691)         (1,486)
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
Net cash used in operating activities                                     (9,539)        (15,102)        (22,174)
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to property, plant, and equipment                              (10,318)         (1,997)         (2,690)
Other, principally sale of investments                                     4,506           2,154           1,670
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
                                                                          (5,812)            157          (1,020)
                                                                    ------------    ------------    ------------
</TABLE>




                                                                             F-5
<PAGE>   25



                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                                               1998            1997            1996
                                                           ------------    ------------    ------------
                                                                          (In Thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>             <C>             <C>         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt,
   net of issuance costs                                   $         (7)   $     14,613    $     27,537
Costs associated with conversion of preferred stock into
   common stock                                                      --              --            (864)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of
   stock options and warrants                                       785              --               1
                                                           ------------    ------------    ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities                           778          14,613          26,674
                                                           ------------    ------------    ------------

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash investments                (14,573)           (332)          3,480
Cash and cash investments at beginning of year                   15,985          16,317          12,837
                                                           ------------    ------------    ------------
Cash and cash investments at end of year                   $      1,412    $     15,985    $     16,317
                                                           ============    ============    ============

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid in cash                                      $      3,367    $      2,817    $      2,283
                                                           ============    ============    ============
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes.



F-6
<PAGE>   26
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



1. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION AND STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Sunshine Mining and Refining Company (Sunshine or the Company) is a holding
company whose principal subsidiaries are Sunshine Precious Metals, Inc. (SPMI)
and Sunshine Argentina, Inc. SPMI mines, refines, and markets silver and certain
by-product metals to commercial customers. SPMI's principal operating property
is the Sunshine Mine, located near Kellogg, Idaho. The Sunshine Mine accounted
for all of the Company's operating revenues during 1998, 1997 and 1996. As a
result, the Company has only one operating segment. SPMI is also engaged in
exploration in other parts of the United States. Sunshine Argentina, Inc. owns
the Pirquitas Mine, which is currently in the development stage. (See Note 11.)
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sunshine and its
wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assessments that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Certain previously reported amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
1998 presentation.

OPERATIONS

The Company's operations have generated losses and a net use of cash from
operations in each of the last three years. The Company ended 1998 with working
capital of $9.7 million, including cash and silver bullion held for investment
of $6.6 million and a $17.5 million stockholders' deficit. These financial
results are primarily a result of continued depressed silver prices and lower
by-product prices resulting in margins that are insufficient to cover the
Company's other expenses.



                                                                             F-7
<PAGE>   27
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



1. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

The Company has taken specific actions in attempts to ensure its ability to
continue operations at least through December 31, 1999. Specifically, the
Company has reduced exploration and development expenditures at its Argentina
subsidiary primarily to the level required to complete the feasibility study for
the Pirquitas Mine (See Note 11), implemented cost reduction and cash
conservation plans and initiatives to reduce its work-in-process inventory.
Furthermore, in January 1999, the Company raised an additional $6 million in the
form of 5% Convertible Notes, due January 28, 2001 (See Note 5).

The Company expects that the above-described steps should be sufficient to fund
operations at least through December 31, 1999. However, the Company's inability
to successfully implement the above described actions or a further decrease in
the price of silver could materially adversely impact the Company's ability to
continue operating through December 31, 1999.

CASH AND CASH INVESTMENTS

Cash and cash investments include certificates of deposit and other highly
liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased.

INVENTORIES AND SILVER BULLION

Precious metals inventories and silver bullion are stated at estimated net
realizable prices. Materials and supplies are carried at the lower of cost
(principally average cost) or market.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company currently markets its concentrates to a commercial smelter in the
United States. Ninety percent of the estimated sales proceeds are due by the
15th of the month following shipment of the concentrates. Final payments are
received by the 10th business day of the fourth month following shipment. The
Company does not require collateral. Management periodically performs reviews as
to the creditworthiness of its customer(s). The Company has not sustained any
significant credit losses on sales of its products.



F-8
<PAGE>   28
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

SILVER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company sells covered call options on silver bullion held for investment.
The strike price of these agreements exceeds current market prices at the time
they are entered into. Option premiums received are deferred. If the applicable
market price exceeds the strike price and option premium, the differential is
accrued and recognized as a reduction of revenues. Any remaining deferred option
premiums are recognized as a component of revenues at the end of the option
period.

The fair values of the sold call options are not included in the financial
statements.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Sales of refined metals and concentrates are recognized as revenue at the time
of shipment to the customer. Adjustments to the carrying value of inventories
held for sale or investment are included in revenues.

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation on buildings,
leasehold improvements, and equipment is provided by straight-line or
declining-balance methods at rates based on the estimated lives of the
respective assets. The principal lives range from 12 to 30 years for buildings
and from 3 to 10 years for equipment (see Note 3).

Depletion of precious metal mineral interests is computed using the
unit-of-production method based on estimated ore reserves. Mine exploration
costs are charged to expense as incurred. Costs of major mine improvements,
including interest, are capitalized and amortized in relation to the production
of estimated ore reserves.

Whenever circumstances or events indicate, and at least annually, the Company
evaluates its mining properties for impairment, based on undiscounted expected
future cash flows. Such estimates are based on assumptions as to future silver
prices, mining costs, recoverable reserves, and estimates of future reserve
potential which management believes are reasonable, based on historical silver
prices and production. If the sum of such cash flows is less than the carrying
amount of the asset, the Company records an impairment loss measured as the
amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the
asset.


                                                                             F-9
<PAGE>   29
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

MINERAL EXPLORATION AND MINE DEVELOPMENT

Exploration costs and development costs for projects not yet determined by
management to be commercially feasible are charged to expense as incurred.
Expenditures for new mine development are capitalized when the properties are
determined to have development potential but are not yet producing. Development
costs incurred to access reserves on existing producing mines are expensed as
incurred.

INCOME TAXES

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes,
whereby, a deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for estimated future
tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. The
measurement of deferred income tax assets is adjusted by a valuation allowance,
if necessary, to recognize a future tax benefit only to the extent, based on
available evidence, it is more likely than not it will be realized. The effect
on deferred taxes of a change in income tax rates is recognized in the period
that includes the enactment date.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPENDITURES

Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are either expensed
or capitalized depending on the nature of the expenditure. Expenditures that
relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not
contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities
are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are
probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Generally, the timing of
these accruals will coincide with completion of a feasibility study or the
Company's commitment to a formal plan of action.


F-10
<PAGE>   30
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)


2. INVENTORIES, SILVER BULLION, AND SILVER CALL OPTIONS

Inventories consist of the following at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1998         1997
                                                          ----------   ----------
                                                              (In Thousands)
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>       
       Precious metals inventories:
         Work in process                                  $    2,831   $    2,171
         Finished goods                                           49          264
       Materials and supplies inventories                      1,356        1,192
                                                          ==========   ==========
                                                          $    4,236   $    3,627
                                                          ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

The Company held as an investment, $5.2 million and $7.7 million of silver
bullion, in excess of normal operating requirements at December 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively.

The Company sells covered call options on silver bullion held for investment.
Total premiums earned from the sale of covered calls aggregated $316,000,
$116,000, and $165,000 in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. At December 31,
1998, no sold covered call options were outstanding. At December 31, 1997, the
Company had covered call options outstanding for 1.2 million ounces of silver
with strike prices ranging from $5.75 to $7.00 and expiration dates of February
26, 1998 (200,000 ounces), March 27, 1998 (900,000 ounces), and December 27,
1998 (100,000 ounces). The fair value of the sold call options at December 31,
1997, would not exceed the $202,000 of premiums received when they were sold.
All of these sold call options either expired unexercised or were exchanged for
calls with a later expiration date that also expired unexercised. The Company
had no sold covered call options outstanding at December 31, 1996.


                                                                            F-11
<PAGE>   31
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)


3. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment consists of the following at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1998       1997
                                                           --------   --------
                                                              (In Thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>     
        Precious metals mineral interests                  $  2,394   $ 83,041
        Mine improvements                                    10,641     17,701
        Buildings, leasehold improvements, and equipment     43,300     41,390
        Land                                                    779      1,060
                                                           --------   --------
                                                             57,114    143,192

        Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, and
          amortization                                       36,700     77,727
                                                           ========   ========
                                                           $ 20,414   $ 65,465
                                                           ========   ========
</TABLE>


During the third quarter of 1998, drilling in the West Chance vein of the
Sunshine Mine indicated that the size of the vein might be smaller than what was
previously expected. Based on that information, the Company believed that
production from the West Chance could decline to 4 million ounces in 1999. As a
result, combined with low by-product prices and a decline in silver prices, the
Company estimated that future cash flows from the mine would not be sufficient
to recover the $59.4 million carrying amounts of the mine. The fair value of the
mine determined by the discounted cash flow method was approximately $9 million
and an impairment charge of $50.4 million was taken at the end of the third
quarter of 1998.


F-12
<PAGE>   32
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



4. ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1998         1997
                                                ----------   ----------
                                                     (In Thousands)
<S>                                             <C>          <C>       
        Compensation, vacation, and severance   $    1,163   $    1,404
        Interest                                     1,064          873
        Taxes, other than income taxes                 280            2
        Environmental remediation (Note 10)            700          496
        Insurance premiums                             346          401
        Other                                          815          405
                                                ----------   ----------
                                                $    4,368   $    3,581
                                                ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

5. LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1998         1997
                                                           ----------   ----------
                                                                (In Thousands)
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>       
8% Senior Exchangeable Notes due March 21, 2000            $   26,082   $   25,750
10% Senior Convertible Notes due November 24, 2002             15,000       15,000
9% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due July 15, 2008        1,515        1,515
                                                           ----------   ----------
                                                           $   42,597   $   42,265
                                                           ==========   ==========
</TABLE>

In March 1996, SPMI issued $30 million aggregate principal amount of Senior
Exchangeable Notes due 2000 (the "Eurobonds"). In 1998, $1.5 million of the
Eurobonds were exchanged and canceled for 1.5 million shares of common stock.

The Eurobonds bear interest at 8% per annum and mature March 21, 2000. The
Eurobonds are exchangeable into a specified number of shares of Common Stock of
the Company at an exchange price of $1.00 per share, subject to reset and
adjustment in certain events. The Eurobonds may be exchanged at the option of
the holder at any time prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed. At any
time after March 21, 1997, and prior to maturity, SPMI may force the exchange of
the Eurobonds, in whole or in part, subject to certain restrictions.



                                                                            F-13
<PAGE>   33
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



5. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

SPMI may redeem the Eurobonds at any time at the principal amount if United
States withholding taxes are imposed on payments in respect of the Eurobonds.
The Eurobonds are guaranteed by Sunshine and the guarantee ranks senior to all
of its unsecured and subordinated obligations.

If during the period between May 1, 1996 and March 21, 1999, the Company's
common stock does not trade at $1.33 or more for 45 consecutive stock exchange
trading days, the Company shall, at its option:

       (i)    pay each Eurobond holder a one-time additional payment equal to
              22.5% (the "Additional Amount") of the principal amount of the
              Eurobonds held by such Eurobond holder; or

       (ii)   Issue to such Eurobond holder a number of Shares at the average
              market price per share for the previous ten stock exchange days
              equal to the Additional Amount.

As the Company's Common Stock has not traded at more than $1.33 for 45
consecutive trading days, the Company intends to issue shares as provided for in
(ii) above.

Debt issuance costs are being amortized over the life of the Eurobonds.
Unamortized debt issuance costs of $0.9 and $1.8 million are included in
Investments and other assets at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

In November 1997, the Company completed a private placement of Senior
Convertible Promissory Notes totaling $15 million aggregate principal amount due
November 24, 2002 (Notes). The Notes are convertible into a specific number of
shares of Common Stock of the Company at $.95 per share, subject to adjustment
in certain events, and bear interest at 10% per annum. Principal and interest
are payable either in cash or common stock of Sunshine at the Company's option.

The purchaser of the Notes was issued 1.5 million warrants to purchase common
stock of Sunshine at 110% of the conversion price of the Notes. The exercise
price of these warrants was reduced to $0.49 in December 1998, at which time all
1.5 million warrants were exercised.



F-14
<PAGE>   34
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



5. LONG-TERM DEBT (CONTINUED)

The 9% Convertible Subordinated Reset Debentures due July 15, 2008 (the
Debentures), are convertible at any time prior to maturity or redemption into
shares of common stock of the Company (Common Stock) at a conversion price of
$1.66 per share, subject to adjustment.

The Debentures are currently redeemable, at the option of the Company, in whole
or in part, at 100% of the principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid
interest. The Debentures are unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to
senior indebtedness (as defined).

The indenture governing the Debentures contains certain covenants restricting
the ability of the Company to declare or pay cash dividends and make certain
distributions on its capital stock. Pursuant to these covenants, the Company is
prohibited from paying cash dividends on shares of its common stock.

Based on recent borrowings and negotiating terms of proposed financing, the
Company believes that the aggregate fair value of its debt approximates the
carrying value.

On January 28, 1999, the Company completed a private placement of $6.0 million
initial principal amount of its 5% Convertible Notes due January 28, 2001. The
interest will be added to the principal amount of the Notes. The Notes may
generally be converted into common stock at a per share price based on the
average of the lowest average high and low trading prices for five of the twenty
consecutive trading days prior to conversion. The conversion price for one-half
of the Notes has been fixed at a maximum of $0.6875. The funds were added to
working capital.


                                                                            F-15
<PAGE>   35
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




6. INCOME TAXES

The Company has incurred losses during each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1998, and accordingly, provisions for income taxes were not
required.

The computation of the net deferred tax asset (liability) at December 31 is as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 1998          1997
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                                   (In Thousands)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>        
        Deferred tax liabilities:
          Property, plant, and equipment                      $       --    $  (17,260)
        Deferred tax assets:
          Property, plant, and equipment                           1,414            --
          Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits
                                                                   1,924         1,985
          Net operating loss carryforward                         96,250        98,000
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                                  99,588        82,725
        Less valuation allowance                                 (99,588)      (82,725)
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                              $       --    $       --
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1998, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for
federal income tax purposes of approximately $275 million. The loss
carryforwards expire principally in the years 2000 through 2018.


F-16
<PAGE>   36
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



7. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)

The Company has authorized 20.0 million shares of preferred stock, of which no
shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 1998 or 1997.

Effective May 22, 1996, Common and Preferred stockholders of Sunshine approved
the merger (the Merger) of Sunshine with and into its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Sunshine Merger Company, pursuant to which Sunshine Merger Company was the
surviving entity and was renamed Sunshine Mining and Refining Company, resulting
in the retirement of all of Sunshine's outstanding Preferred Stock in exchange
for approximately 63 million shares of Common Stock and 7.3 million warrants to
purchase one share of Common Stock at $1.38 through May 22, 2001. As a result,
the Company recognized a $40 million gain applicable to Common Shares
representing the excess of the aggregate redemption value of the Preferred Stock
(approximately $130 million including cumulative dividends in arrears of $44.8
million) over the sum of the value of securities issued and related transaction
costs.

The difference between the carrying amount and the stated value of the Preferred
Stock was being accrued ratably over the period the Preferred Stock was expected
to be outstanding under the provisions of the mandatory redemption requirements.
Accordingly, $0.5 million was charged to the deficit for the year ended December
31, 1996 and added to the carrying amount of the Preferred Stock.

As part of the Eurobond issuance, 2.1 million warrants to purchase one share of
common stock at $2.875 were issued. These warrants expire on March 20, 2001.

The Company has 10.1 million warrants outstanding which were issued in a rights
offering to stockholders in July 1994. The exercise price of the warrants is
$2.12 per share subject to antidilution adjustments. The warrants expire on
March 9, 1999, and may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or in
part, at any time on or after March 9, 1996, at a redemption price of $0.50 per
warrant.

The Company has three stock option plans under which options may be or have been
granted to members of management. The stock option plans cover a total of 13.0
million shares with 7.2 million options being available for grant at December
31, 1998. The option price may not be less than the market price of the common
stock on the date granted. Payment of the exercise price may be made in cash or
by delivery of shares of common stock, having a market value equal to the
exercise price.


                                                                            F-17
<PAGE>   37
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



7. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (DEFICIT)(CONTINUED)

The 1995 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the 1995 Plan) provides for
the granting of options to key employees or potential key employees and, on
December 7 each year, automatic grants of 25,000 options to each non-employee
director. The total number of shares available for issuance under the 1995 Plan
is 10,000,000.

Under the 1995 Plan, vesting of options is determined by the directors when
granted. Options under the 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan vest one year
following date of grant. All options expire 10 years following date of grant.

The Company has elected to follow APB 25, and related Interpretations in
accounting for its employee stock options because, as discussed below, the
alternative fair value accounting provided for under FAS 123 requires use of
option valuation models that were not developed for use in valuing employee
stock options. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's
employee stock options equals or exceeds the market price of the underlying
stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized.

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by
FAS 123, and has been determined as if the Company had accounted for its
employee stock options under the fair value method of that Statement. The fair
value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 4.47%, 5.79% and 6.43%;
dividend yields of 0%; volatility factors of the expected market price of the
Company's common stock of .572, .438 and .366; and a weighted-average expected
life of the option of three years.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly
different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective
input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.


F-18
<PAGE>   38
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



7. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (CONTINUED)

For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's pro
forma information follows (in thousands except for earnings per share
information) for the year ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1998          1997           1996
                                                                --------      --------       -------
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>            <C>    
        Pro forma net income (loss) applicable to common
          shares                                                $(64,929)     $(19,412)      $10,667
        Pro forma basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share   $  (0.25)     $  (0.08)      $  0.05
</TABLE>


A summary of the Company's stock option activity and related information for the
years ended December 31 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                1998                        1997                       1996
                                      ------------------------   ------------------------   ------------------------
                                                    WEIGHTED-                   WEIGHTED-                  WEIGHTED-  
                                                     AVERAGE                    AVERAGE                    AVERAGE    
                                        OPTIONS     EXERCISE      OPTIONS       EXERCISE     OPTIONS       EXERCISE   
                                         (000)        PRICE        (000)         PRICE        (000)          PRICE     
                                      ----------    ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------    ----------
<S>                                   <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>       
Outstanding, beginning of
  year                                     4,854    $     1.49        4,972    $     1.52        2,445    $     1.58
Granted                                      150          0.63          442          1.13        3,390          1.47
Exercised                                    (50)         0.91           --            --           --            --
Forfeited                                   (115)         1.51         (560)         1.50         (863)         1.51
                                      ----------    ----------   ----------    ----------   ----------    ----------
Outstanding,
  end of year                              4,839          1.46        4,854    $     1.49        4,972    $     1.52
                                      ==========    ==========   ==========    ==========   ==========    ==========

Exercisable at end of
  year                                     4,839          1.46        4,697    $     1.50        4,892    $     1.52
Weighted-average fair
  value of options
  granted during the year
                                                    $     0.26                 $     0.28                 $     0.28
</TABLE>



                                                                            F-19
<PAGE>   39
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



7. STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY (CONTINUED)

Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 1998, ranged from
$0.625 to $2.875. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of those
options is approximately seven years.

8. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per
share:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     1998           1997           1996
                                                                   --------      ---------       --------- 
                                                                          (In thousands, except
                                                                            per share amounts)
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>             <C>       
Numerator:
   Net loss                                                        $(64,845)     $ (19,308)      $ (25,902)
   Gain on retirement and exchange of preferred stock
                                                                          -              -          40,124
   Preferred stock dividends                                              -              -          (2,622)
                                                                   --------      ---------       --------- 
   Numerator for basic earnings per share - income (loss)
     available to common shareholders
                                                                    (64,845)       (19,308)         11,600

Denominator:
   Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per share
     -weighted-average shares                                       256,871        255,137         222,584

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share                        $  (0.25)     $   (0.08)      $    0.05
                                                                   --------      ---------       --------- 
</TABLE>

All stock options and warrants were excluded from the calculation of diluted
earnings (loss) per share because including them would have been antidilutive.

9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The pension plan for hourly employees covered by a collective bargaining
agreement (the Negotiated Plan) is a trusteed defined benefit plan. Benefits
under the plan are based on years of service and includes provisions that would
apply in the event of the permanent shutdown of the Sunshine Mine for present
employees who were also covered by a predecessor plan terminated in 1986. The
Company's trusteed defined benefit pension plan for employees not covered by a
collective bargaining agreement (the Frozen Plan) was amended to freeze all
participant's benefits as of December 31, 1993.


F-20
<PAGE>   40
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

The following table sets forth the funded status of the Company's trusteed
defined benefit plans and the related amounts included in accrued pension and
other postretirement benefits at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             COMBINED
                                                    ------------------------
                                                       1998          1997
                                                    ----------    ----------
                                                          (In Thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>       
Change in benefit obligation:
   Benefit obligation at beginning of year          $    5,398    $    4,961
   Service cost                                            227           236
   Interest cost                                           380           358
   Amendments                                               86            --
   Actuarial (gains) losses                                256            72
   Benefit payments                                       (243)         (229)
                                                    ----------    ----------
Benefit obligation at end of year                        6,104         5,398

Change in plan assets:
   Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year        4,945         3,710
   Actual return on plan assets                            744           807
   Employer contributions                                  396           657
   Benefit payments                                       (243)         (229)
                                                    ----------    ----------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year                 5,842         4,945
                                                    ----------    ----------

Funded (underfunded) status                               (262)         (453)

Unrecognized prior service cost                            614           660
Unrecognized net (gains)/losses                           (387)         (402)
Unrecognized transition asset                              (57)          (85)
Additional minimum liability                              (477)         (367)
                                                    ----------    ----------

Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost                      $     (569)   $     (647)
                                                    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>


                                                                            F-21
<PAGE>   41
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

Net periodic pension costs relating to the Company's defined benefit plans
consist of the following for the year ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             1998          1997          1996
                                          ----------    ----------    ----------
                                                      (In thousands)
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>       
         Service cost                     $      227    $      236    $      214
         Interest cost                           380           358           334
         Actual return on plan assets           (743)         (807)         (427)
         Net amortization and deferrals          345           515           274
                                          ----------    ----------    ----------
         Net periodic pension cost        $      209    $      302    $      395
                                          ==========    ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

The benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets by plan at December 31,
1998 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NEGOTIABLE       FROZEN
                                                   PLAN           PLAN
                                               -----------     ----------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>       
         Benefit obligation                    $     4,931     $    1,173
         Fair value of plan assets             $     4,378     $    1,464
</TABLE>

The following weighted average assumptions were used in computing pension costs
for the Company's trusteed defined benefit plans for the year ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1998            1997           1996
                                                    ----            ----           ----
<S>                                                 <C>             <C>            <C>  
 Discount rate                                      7.00%           7.50%          7.00%
 Rate increase in compensation                         0%              0%             0%
 Expected long-term rate of return on assets        9.00%           9.00%          9.00%
</TABLE>

The Company's funding policy, with respect to trusteed defined benefit plans, is
to make contributions annually equal to, or in excess of, the minimum funding
requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Assets of
the plans consist of pooled fixed income securities, pooled equity securities,
and cash or cash equivalents.



F-22
<PAGE>   42
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

The Company also has a defined contribution plan for employees not covered by a
collective bargaining agreement. The Company's Board of Directors determines
annually if a contribution will be made, and if so, in what amount.
Contributions charged to operations during 1998, 1997, and 1996 were $151,000,
$176,000, and $183,000, respectively.

The Company also sponsors a plan under the provision of Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code (the 401(k) Plan) for all employees not covered by a
collective bargaining agreement. Company contributions may range from 0% to 100%
of employee contributions, up to a maximum 6% of eligible employee compensation,
as defined. Employees may elect to contribute up to 10% of their eligible
compensation on a pretax basis. Benefits under the 401(k) Plan are limited to
the assets of the 401(k) Plan. Company contributions charged to operations
during 1998, 1997, and 1996 were $115,000, $90,000, and $84,000, respectively.

Postretirement medical and dental benefits are currently provided only to
certain employees who retired before 1987. The Company's policy is to fund the
cost of these plans as claims are incurred.



                                                                            F-23
<PAGE>   43
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

The following table sets forth the computation of the accrued liability for
postretirement medical, dental, and life insurance benefits at December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          COMBINED
                                                                    -------------------
                                                                      1998        1997
                                                                    -------     -------
                                                                       (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>    
         Change in benefit obligation:
           Benefit obligation at beginning of year                  $ 4,626     $ 4,611
           Service cost                                                   7           6
           Interest cost                                                343         325
         Participants' contributions                                     11          --
         Amendments                                                    (862)         --
         Actuarial (gains) losses                                       430         193
         Benefit payments                                              (625)       (509)
                                                                    -------     -------
         Benefit obligation at end of year                          $ 3,930     $ 4,626

         Change in plan assets:
            Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year               --          --
            Employer contributions                                      614         509
            Participants' contributions                                  11          --
            Benefit payments                                           (625)       (509)
                                                                    -------     -------
         Fair value of plan assets at end of year                        --          --
                                                                    -------     -------

         Funded (underfunded) status                                 (3,930)     (4,626)

         Unrecognized prior service cost                             (1,259)       (429)
         Unrecognized net (gains)/losses                                499          94
                                                                    -------     -------
         Prepaid (accrued) benefit cost                             $(4,690)    $(4,961)
                                                                    =======     =======

         Weighted average assumptions for end of year disclosure:
         Discount rate                                                 7.00%       7.25%
         Initial trend rate                                            7.25%       7.75%
         Ultimate trend rate                                           5.00%       5.00%
         Number of years from initial to ultimate trend                   3           4
</TABLE>



F-24
<PAGE>   44
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)


9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (CONTINUED)

The health care cost trend rate assumption has a significant effect on the
amounts reported. For example, changing the assumed health care cost trend rates
by one percentage point each year would have the following effects on the latest
actuarial calculations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      1-Percentage        1-Percentage
                                                                      Point Increase      Point Decrease
                                                                      --------------      --------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                  <C>      
         Effect on total of service and interest cost components         $      21            $    (18)
         Effect on postretirement benefit obligation                     $     217            $   (192)
</TABLE>

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost for these plans includes the following
components for the year ended December 31:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1998        1997        1996
                                                --------    --------    --------
                                                        (In Thousands)
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>     
         Service cost                           $      7    $      6    $      7
         Interest cost                               343         325         340
         Net amortization                             (6)        (30)         --
                                                --------    --------    --------
         Net periodic cost                      $    344    $    301    $    347
                                                ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>

Interest costs on the projected benefit obligations and the actual returns on
plan assets of the postretirement benefit plans are included in interest expense
and other income, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations.

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The EPA has identified the Company and SPMI as Potentially Responsible Parties
(PRPs) at one site and SPMI as a PRP at another site under the federal
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended (CERCLA or Superfund), alleging that the Company and SPMI at one site
and SPMI at the other site arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances.
One of the sites is located in Kellogg, Idaho, and the other site is located in
Spokane, Washington.


                                                                            F-25
<PAGE>   45
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



10.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

At the first site, the EPA, the State of Idaho and several of the PRPs,
including the Company and SPMI, have agreed to a site-wide clean-up plan,
separating the site into two distinct areas for remediation: the Bunker Hill
Smelter Complex (the Smelter Area) and the residential and certain commercial
areas primarily in the cities of Kellogg, Smelterville, and Pinehurst, Idaho,
encompassed by the Site (the Residential Areas). Without admitting liability,
the Company and several PRPs have agreed to do the remediation work in the
Residential Areas pursuant to an EPA and State of Idaho approved work plan. In
exchange therefor, EPA and the State of Idaho released the settling PRPs from
all liability for cleanup of the Smelter Area, reduced the EPA's claim for
reimbursement of past costs from $17 million to $1 million plus a percentage of
proceeds received by the PRPs from insurance companies, if any, and agreed that
the work orders from 1990 through 1993 were deemed satisfied and discharged. The
remediation undertaken by the Company and the PRPs is expected to continue for
another three to four years, and the Company has accrued $2.4 million for its
(including SPMI's) share (12.4%) of the estimated remaining remediation costs at
December 31, 1998.

On November 17, 1994, the United States District Court for the District of Idaho
entered a Consent Decree containing the terms of this agreement. The liability
for remediation costs under the consent decree is joint and several. Thus, if
any other settling party or parties does not comply with the consent decree, the
exposure for the Company and SPMI could increase proportionately. The parties
have reserved their claims and defenses with respect to natural resource
damages, except for the State of Idaho which has agreed that its claim has been
settled.

On July 31, 1991, the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe (the Tribe) filed an action in
the United States District Court, District of Idaho against the Company and
seven other Bunker Hill Superfund Site PRPs seeking a declaratory judgment that
the Tribe has five years in which to file a natural resource damage claim under
CERCLA against the PRPs and others or, alternatively, for damages in an
unspecified amount resulting from the loss, destruction or injury to natural
resources allegedly caused by the defendants. The Company believes that a
settlement by SPMI of all natural resources claims with the State of Idaho in
May 1986 bars the Tribe's action.


F-26
<PAGE>   46
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED)

On March 22, 1996, a complaint was filed in the United States District Court for
the District of Idaho on behalf of the United States Department of the Interior,
United States Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency
against Sunshine, SPMI, and other identified PRPs for alleged natural resource
damages in the Coeur d'Alene Basin. The complaint seeks to recover natural
resource damages and response costs under CERCLA and the Clean Water Act, and
does not identify the amount of damages sought to be recovered. The Tribe's
action was consolidated with this proceeding. The Company believes that the
settlement by SPMI of all natural resource claims with the State of Idaho in May
1986 bars these claims, and that the complaints are without merit.

On September 30, 1998, the United States District Court for the District of
Idaho granted the Company's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment limiting the
United State's potential natural resource damage claims in the Coeur d'Alene
River Basin of Northern Idaho to the 21 square mile Bunker Hill Superfund Site.

The effect of the ruling substantially limits the government's claim for damages
from a 1500 square mile site to the 21 square mile Bunker Hill Superfund Site,
within which the Company has, pursuant to a Consent Decree with other
defendants, been engaged in clean-up operations.

The United States has been granted an interlocutory appeal of the order to the
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The second site where EPA has identified SPMI as a PRP under CERCLA is the
Spokane Junkyard Site near Spokane, Washington. No records of SPMI have been
discovered by it or the EPA showing SPMI ever sent any material to the site.
SPMI does not believe it will be required to pay any clean-up costs at the
Spokane Junkyard Site. The Company does not believe that the designation of SPMI
as a PRP at the Spokane Junkyard Site will have a material impact on the
Company's results of operations, financial condition or on its liquidity or
capital resources.

The Company is subject to certain other legal proceedings and claims that arise
in the conduct of its business. Although it is not possible to predict the
outcome of such matters, in the opinion of management, the ultimate outcomes of
these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.


                                                                            F-27
<PAGE>   47
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)




11. FOREIGN OPERATIONS

The Company has mining projects in Argentina, primarily the Pirquitas Mine which
is in the development stage. The Company began to capitalize development
expenditures at the Pirquitas Mine in 1998 after proven and probable reserves
were established at the end of 1997. Exploration expense for the Company's
Argentina operations totaled $1.6 million, $4.4 million and $5.3 million for
years ended December 31, 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively. At December 31,
1998, amounts capitalized as property, plant, and equipment totaled $10.4
million.

Approximately $2.1 million for Value Added Taxes paid in Argentina are included
in other assets. These taxes are recoverable from future exports of products
produced from Argentina.

The recoverability of these amounts is dependent upon the ability of the Company
to: (a) raise sufficient funding for development of the Pirquitas property, or
(b) sell all or a portion of the Company's interest in the property, or (c)
merge with or form a joint venture with a company with greater financial
resources to develop the properties.

The Company has engaged a professional engineering firm to conduct a bankable
feasibility study on the Pirquitas property. The firm is in the process of
completing a final optimization of the feasibility study, which will be used by
the Company to attempt to raise funds for development of the property. Should
the Company be unsuccessful in raising the necessary funds, it believes that
Pirquitas could be sold for an amount in excess of the carrying value of the
property and the tax receivable 

12. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER

In 1998, 1997, and 1996, one customer accounted for sales of concentrate
aggregating approximately $30.7 million, $24.2 million, and $13.8 million,
respectively. Management believes that the loss of this purchaser would not have
a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or
consolidated results of operations.



F-28
<PAGE>   48
                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



13. PRECIOUS METALS RESERVES (UNAUDITED)

The table below presents data on proven and probable ore reserves, production
and average prices for each of the years in the five-year period ended December
31, 1998 (in thousands, except average prices):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              1998         1997         1996         1995         1994
                           ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>   
SUNSHINE MINE
Reserves at December 31:
   Ounces of silver            37,383       39,808       36,241       30,810       27,908
Production:
   Tons of ore                    248          183          121          101          107
   Ounces of silver             5,806        4,253        2,578        1,731        2,079

PIRQUITAS MINE
Reserves at December 31       101,000       72,800           --           --           --

REVENUE - VIRGINIUS MINE
Reserves at December 31:
   Ounces of silver             6,208        6,208        6,208        5,098        5,098

AVERAGE PRICES:
   Ounce of silver         $     5.47   $     5.02   $     5.11   $     5.20   $     5.29
</TABLE>

The ore reserve estimates presented in the table are estimates of proven and
probable reserves by the Company's geologic personnel. No assurance can be given
that the indicated quantity of in situ silver will be realized. Reserve
estimates are expressions of judgment based largely on data from diamond drill
holes and underground openings, such as drifts or raises, which expose the
mineralization on one, two or three sides, sampling and similar examinations.
Reserve estimates may change as ore bodies are mined and additional data is
derived.


                                                                            F-29
<PAGE>   49

                      Sunshine Mining and Refining Company

             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)



14. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                    MARCH         JUNE          SEPTEMBER         DECEMBER
                                                     31            30               30               31
                                                 ----------    ----------       ----------       ----------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>              <C>              <C>       
1998:
   Operating revenues                            $    9,740    $    8,553       $    8,484       $    8,189
   Cost of revenues                                   6,950         7,455            7,130            6,830
   Income (loss) applicable to common shares             71        (6,612)         (54,494)(a)       (3,810)
   Basic income (loss) per common share          $     (.00)   $     (.03)      $     (.21)      $     (.01)
   Diluted income (loss) per common and
     common equivalent share                     $     (.00)   $     (.03)      $     (.21)      $     (.01)

1997:
   Operating revenues                            $    5,732    $    4,320       $    7,626       $    7,315
   Cost of revenues                                   5,756         5,101            6,663            5,469
   Loss applicable to common shares                  (5,933)       (6,980)          (3,328)          (3,067)
   Basic loss per common share                   $     (.02)   $     (.03)      $     (.01)      $     (.01)
   Diluted loss per common and
     common equivalent share                     $     (.02)   $     (.03)      $     (.01)      $     (.01)
</TABLE>


(a)  Includes an impairment charge of $50,425 



F-30
<PAGE>   50

                                   SIGNATURES

       Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, Sunshine Mining and Refining Company has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

       DATED this 12th day of March, 1999.

                                SUNSHINE MINING AND REFINING COMPANY


                                By /s/ WILLIAM W. DAVIS  
                                   ------------------------------------------
                                   William W. Davis, Executive Vice President
                                   and Chief Financial Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

       KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and
directors of Sunshine Mining and Refining Company (the "Company") hereby
constitutes and appoints John S. Simko, William W. Davis, and Robert H.
Peterson, or any of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his
true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for
him and on his behalf and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign, execute and file any and all documents relating to the
Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998, including and all
amendments and supplements hereto, with any regulatory authority granting said
attorneys, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises
in order to effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes as he
himself might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute
or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.






<PAGE>   51

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities indicated as of the 4th day of March, 1999.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                                 CAPACITIES
- ----                                                 ----------
<S>                                                  <C>
/s/ JOHN S. SIMKO                                    Director, Chairman of the Board, and
- ------------------------------------                 Chief Executive Officer
 John S. Simko                                       


/s/ G. CHRIS ANDERSEN                                Director
- ------------------------------------
 G. Chris Andersen


/s/ DANIEL D. JACKSON                                Director
- ------------------------------------
 Daniel D. Jackson


/s/ V. DALE BABBITT                                  Director
- ------------------------------------
 V. Dale Babbitt


/s/ WILLIAM W. DAVIS                                 Executive Vice President
- ------------------------------------                 and Chief Financial Officer
 William W. Davis                                    


/s/ ROBERT B. SMITH, JR.                             Director
- ------------------------------------
 Robert B. Smith, Jr.


/s/ OREN G. SHAFFER                                  Director
- ------------------------------------
Oren G. Shaffer


/s/ GEORGE M. ELVIN                                  Director
- ------------------------------------
George M. Elvin
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   52

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  EXHIBIT
     NO.                      EXHIBIT
  -------                     -------
<S>        <C> 
    3.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
              the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    3.2    Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine filed as
              Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated May
              22, 1996 (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    *3.3   Bylaws of Sunshine.

    4.1    Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
              the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.2    Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Sunshine, filed as
              Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated May
              22, 1996 (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    4.3    Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1996, between Sunshine
              Merger Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as
              Warrant Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Registration
              Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 33-98876, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.4    Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 3, 1994, between Sunshine
              and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent,
              filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form
              S-1, Registration No. 33-73608, as amended, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.5    Form of Supplemental Warrant Agreement, dated as of February 1,
              1996, between Sunshine Merger Company and American Stock Transfer
              & Trust Company, as Warrant Agent, filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the
              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.6    Warrant Certificate, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's
              Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No. 33-98876,
              which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.7    Form of Warrant Certificate filed as Exhibit 4.4 to Sunshine's
              Registration Statement on Form S-1 Registration No. 33-73608, as
              amended, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.8    Specimen Stock Certificate of the Common Stock, $0.01 par value,
              of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Sunshine's Registration
              Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-63446 as amended, which
              exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.9    Form of Indenture, dated as of July 15, 1988, between Sunshine and
              MTrust Corp., National Association, with respect to Sunshine's
              Convertible Subordinated Debentures due July 15, 2008 filed as
              Exhibit 4.25 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
              Registration No. 33-21159, which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    4.10   First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 8, 1988, Second
              Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 10, 1988, and Third
              Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 10, 1991, between the
              Company and Ameritrust Texas, N.A., the successor to MTrust Corp.,
              National Association relating to the issuance of the Convertible
              Subordinated Debentures filed as Exhibit 4.3 to Sunshine's Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990,
              which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.11   Form of Fourth Supplemental Indenture, between the Company and
              Texas Commerce Bank National Association, as successor to
              Ameritrust Texas, National Association, formerly known as MTrust
              Corp., National Association, filed as Exhibit 4.10 to the
              Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, Registration No.
              33-98876, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    4.12   Trust Deed, dated as of March 21, 1996, between Sunshine, Sunshine
              Precious Metals, Inc. and Marine Midland Bank and Form of Note
              filed as Exhibits 4.5 and 4.6 to Sunshine's Registration Statement
              on Form S-3, Registration No. 333-06537, which exhibits are
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.13   Warrant Agreement, dated as of June 21, 1996, between Sunshine,
              Rauscher, Pierce & Clark and HSBC Investment Banking Limited and
              Form of Warrant Certificate filed as Exhibits 4.7 and 4.8 to
              Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No.
              333-06537, which exhibits are incorporated herein by reference.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   53
<TABLE>

<S>        <C> 
    4.14   Specimen form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    4.15   Specimen form of Senior Convertible Promissory Note issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    *4.16  Amendment, dated December 11, 1998, to Warrants to Purchase Common
              Stock issued on November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill
              Investment Corp.

    4.17   Specimen form of 5% Convertible Promissory Note, due January 28,
              2001, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on
              Form 8-K, dated January 28, 1999 (File No. 001-10012), which
              exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

   *4.18   Bylaws of Sunshine, filed herein as Exhibit 3.3.


    o10.1  1987 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of Sunshine filed as
              Exhibit 10.9 to Sunshine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              fiscal year ended December 31, 1986, which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    o10.2  Amendment No. 1 to the 1987 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option
              Plan of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Sunshine's Registration
              Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-63446, as amended,
              which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    o10.3  Amendment No. 2 to the 1987 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option
              Plan of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Sunshine's Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1994, which
              exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    o10.4  1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan of Sunshine filed as Exhibit
              10.18 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-1,
              Registration No. 33-63446, as amended, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    o10.5  1995 Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of Sunshine filed as
              Exhibit 10.5 to Sunshine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    o10.6  Form of Executive Employment Agreement entered into as of January
              1, 1994, between Sunshine and John S. Simko filed as Exhibit 10.8
              to Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
              33-73608, as amended, which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    o10.7  Executive Employment Agreement entered into as of January 1, 1994,
              between Sunshine and William W. Davis filed as Exhibit 10.9 to
              Sunshine's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No.
              33-73608, as amended, which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    o10.8  Form of Executive Employment Agreement entered into as of January
              1, 1994, between Sunshine and Harry F. Cougher filed as Exhibit
              No. 10.10 to Sunshine's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1993, which exhibit is incorporated herein
              by reference.

    10.9   Mining Lease, dated as of March 15, 1994, between
              Revenue-Virginius Mines Corporation, a Colorado corporation, as
              lessor, and Sunshine, as lessee, filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to
              Sunshine's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
              March 31, 1994, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    10.10  Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1995 by and between Consolidated
              Silver Corporation and Sunshine Precious Metals, Inc., as
              purchaser, for the purchase of a certain mining property filed as
              Exhibit 10.1 to Sunshine's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
              period ended June 10, 1995, which exhibit is incorporated herein
              by reference.

    10.11  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 24, 1997,
              between the Company and Stonehill Partners, L.P., GRS Partners,
              Aurora Limited Partnership and Stonehill Offshore Partners Limited
              filed as Exhibit 10.11 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    10.12  Specimen form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    *10.13 Amendment, dated December 11, 1998, to Warrants to Purchase Common
              Stock issued on November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill
              Investment Corp., filed herewith as Exhibit 4.16
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   54


<TABLE>

<S>        <C> 
    10.14  Specimen form of Senior Convertible Promissory Note issued on
              November 24, 1997 to affiliates of Stonehill Investment Corp.
              filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Sunshine's Registration Statement on
              Form S-3, Registration No. 333-41641, which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    10.15  Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1999,
              between the Company, Westgate International, L.P. and Elliott
              Associates, L.P. filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Sunshine's Current Report
              on Form 8-K (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated
              herein by reference.

    10.16  Form of 5% Convertible Note due January 28, 2001 filed as Exhibit
              4.2 to Sunshine's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 28,
              1999 (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is incorporated herein by
              reference.

    10.17  Convertible Note Investment Agreement, dated as of January 27,
              1999, between the Company, Westgate International, L.P. and
              Elliott Associates, L.P. filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Sunshine's
              Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-10012), which exhibit is
              incorporated herein by reference.

    21.1   Subsidiaries of Sunshine filed as Exhibit 22.1 to Sunshine's
              Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
              1992, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

    *23.1  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

    *24.1  Power of attorney of the officers and directors of the Company,
              included on the signature page hereof.

    *27.1  Financial Data Schedules
</TABLE>
- ----------
*  Filed herewith

o  Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.



<PAGE>   1


                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.3

                                     BYLAWS
                                       OF
                      SUNSHINE MINING AND REFINING COMPANY

                                    ARTICLE I

                                     OFFICES

         Section 1.1 Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation
in the State of Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New
Castle, and the name of its registered agent shall be The Corporation Trust
Company.

         Section 1.2 Other offices. The corporation may also have offices at
such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of
Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may
require.

                                   ARTICLE II

                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

         Section 2.1 Place of Meeting. All meetings of stockholders for the
election of directors shall be held at such place, either within or without the
State of Delaware, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of
Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

         Section 2.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be
held at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board
of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting.

         Section 2.3 Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger
of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every
meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at
the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each
stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.
Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least
ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place within the city where the
meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the
meeting, or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.
The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting
during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is
present. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the
stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by this
Section 2.3 or the books of the corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at
any meeting of stockholders.

         Section 2.4 Special Meeting. Special meetings of the stockholders, for
any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the
Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the
President or by the Board of Directors or by written order of a majority of the
directors. The President or directors so calling any such meeting shall fix the
time and any place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place
for holding such meeting.

         Section 2.5 Notice of Meeting. Written notice of each meeting of
stockholders, stating the place, date and hour of the meeting, and in the case
of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called,
shall be given to each stockholder

BYLAWS - 1

<PAGE>   2


entitled to vote thereat not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days
before the meeting.

         Section 2.6 Quorum. The holders of a majority of the shares of capital
stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of stockholders
for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by statute or by
the Certificate of Incorporation. Notwithstanding the other provisions of these
bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock entitled to
vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, whether or not a quorum
is present, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present
or represented. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if
after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a
notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum
shall be present or represented any business may be transacted which might have
been transacted at the original meeting.

         Section 2.7 Voting. When a quorum is present at any meeting of the
stockholders, the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of capital
stock entitled to vote thereon, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon
which, by express provision of the statutes, of the Certificate of Incorporation
or of these bylaws, a different vote is required, in which case such express
provision shall govern and control the decision of such question. Every
stockholder having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in person, or by
proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder,
bearing a date not more than three years prior to voting, unless such instrument
provides for a longer period, and filed with the Secretary of the corporation
before, or at the time of, the meeting. If such instrument shall designate two
or more persons to act as proxies, unless such instrument shall provide to the
contrary, a majority of such persons present at any meeting at which their
powers thereunder are to be exercised shall have and may exercise all the powers
of voting or giving consents thereby conferred, or if only one be present, then
such powers may be exercised by that one, or, if an even number attend and a
majority do not agree on any particular issue, each proxy so attending shall be
entitled to exercise such powers in respect of the shares proportionately.

         Section 2.8 Consent of Stockholders. Any action required by statute to
be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, or any action which
may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders, may be taken
without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in
writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of
outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be
required by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws to
authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote
thereon were present and voted; provided, however, that prompt notice of the
taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written
consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing.

         Section 2.9 Voting of Stock of Certain Holders. Shares standing in the
name of another corporation, domestic or foreign, may be voted by such officer,
agent or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe, or in the
absence of such provision, as the Board of Directors or a duly authorized
managing director of such corporation may determine. Shares standing in the name
of a deceased person may be voted by the executor or administrator of such
deceased person, either in person or by proxy. Shares standing in the name of a
guardian, conservator or trustee may be voted by such fiduciary, either in
person or by proxy, but no such fiduciary shall be entitled to vote shares held
in such fiduciary capacity without a transfer of such shares into the name of
such fiduciary. Shares standing

BYLAWS - 2

<PAGE>   3


in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver. A stockholder whose
shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares, unless in the transfer
by the pledgor on the books of the corporation he has expressly empowered the
pledgee to vote thereon, in which case only the pledgee, or his proxy, may
represent the stock and vote thereon.

         Section 2.10 Treasury Stock. The corporation shall not vote, directly
or indirectly, shares of its own stock owned by it; and such shares shall not be
counted in determining the total number of issued and outstanding shares for the
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at any meeting of stockholders.

         Section 2.11 Fixing Record Date. In order that the corporation may
determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or
for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in
advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than
ten (10) days before the date of such meeting no more than sixty (60) days prior
to any other action, for the determination of the stockholders entitled to
notice of, and to vote at, any such meeting or any adjournment thereof, or to
express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to
receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any
rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion
or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action. If the Board
of Directors fix, in advance, a record date as herein provided, then, in such
case, such stockholders, and only such stockholders, as shall be stockholders of
record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such notice of, and to vote at,
any such meeting or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate
action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to
exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock,
or for the purpose of any other lawful action, as the case may be,
notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the corporation after
any such record date is fixed as aforesaid.

                                   ARTICLE III

                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         Section 3.1 Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall
be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors, which may
exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and
things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these
bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

         Section 3.2 Number, Selection and Term. The number of directors which
shall constitute the whole Board shall from time to time be fixed and determined
by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. The number to be elected at any
meeting of stockholders shall be set forth in the notice of any meeting of
stockholders held for such purpose. The directors shall be elected at the annual
meeting of stockholders, except as provided in Section 3.3, and each director
elected shall hold office until his successor shall be elected and shall
qualify, or until his earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification
or removal. Directors need not be residents of Delaware or stockholders of the
corporation.

         Section 3.3 Vacancies, Additional Directors and Removal From Office. If
any vacancy occurs in the Board of Directors caused by the death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification or removal from office of any director, or
otherwise, or if any new directorship is created by an increase in the
authorized number of directors, a majority of the

BYLAWS - 3

<PAGE>   4


directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or a sole remaining
director, may choose a successor to fill such vacancy or the newly created
directorship, and a director so chosen shall hold office for a term that shall
coincide with the term of the class, if any, to which such director shall have
been elected and until his successor is duly elected and qualified, or until his
earlier resignation or removal. Any director may be removed, with or without
cause, by the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an
election of directors at any special meeting of stockholders duly called and
held for such purpose.

         Section 3.4 Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by written
notice to the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of
receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein, and, unless
otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective. Any director who does not, for any reason
whatsoever, stand for election at any meeting of stockholders called for such
purpose shall be conclusively deemed to have resigned, effective as of the date
of such meeting, for the purposes of these bylaws, and the corporation need not
receive any written notice to evidence such resignation.

         Section 3.5 Regular Meeting. A regular meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be held each year, without other notice then this bylaw, at the
place of, and immediately following, the annual meeting of stockholders, and
other regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held each year, at
such time and place as the Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, either
within or without the State of Delaware, without other notice than such
resolution.

         Section 3.6 Special Meeting. A special meeting of the Board of
Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board or by the President. The
Chairman or President so calling any such meeting shall fix the time and any
place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the place for holding
such meeting.

         Section 3.7 Notice of Special Meeting. Written notice of special
meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director at least
forty-eight (48) hours prior to the time of such meeting. Any director may waive
notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at any meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a
meeting solely for the purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business
because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to
be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting of the Board of
Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting,
except that notice shall be given with respect to any matter to be acted upon at
such special meeting where notice is required by statute.

         Section 3.8 Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board
of Directors, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting
at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as
may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Certificate of
Incorporation or by these bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any
meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the directors present thereat,
though less than a quorum, may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without
notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

         Section 3.9 Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee
thereof as provided in Article IV of these bylaws, may be taken without a
meeting, if a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board or
of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with
the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

BYLAWS - 4

<PAGE>   5


         Section 3.10 Compensation. Directors, as such, shall not be entitled to
any stated salary for their services unless voted by the stockholders or the
Board of Directors; but by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and
expenses of attendance, if any, may be allowed for attendance at each regular or
special meeting of the Board of Directors or any meeting of a committee of
directors. No provision of these bylaws shall be construed to preclude any
director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving
compensation therefor.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                             COMMITTEE OF DIRECTORS

         Section 4.1 Designation, Powers and Name. The Board of Directors may,
by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more
committees, including, if they shall so determine, an Executive Committee, each
such committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the corporation.
The committee shall have and may exercise such of the powers of the Board of
Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation as
may be provided in such resolution, provided, however, that no such committee
shall have the power or authority in reference to amending the Certificate of
Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to
the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of the
corporation's property and assets, recommending to the stockholders a
dissolution of the corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the
bylaws of the corporation; and, provided further, that, unless the resolution
establishing the committee expressly so provides, no such committee shall have
the power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the issuance of
stock. The committee may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to
all papers which may require it. The Board of Directors may designate one or
more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent
or disqualified member at any meeting.

         Section 4.2 Minutes. Each committee of directors shall keep regular
minutes of its proceedings and report the same to the Board of Directors when
required.

         Section 4.3 Compensation. Members of special or standing committees may
be allowed compensation for attending committee meetings, if the Board of
Directors shall so determine.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                     NOTICE

         Section 5.1 Methods of Giving Notice. Whenever under the provisions of
any statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws notice is required
to be given to any director, member of any committee or stockholder, such notice
shall be in writing and delivered personally or mailed to such director, member
or stockholder; provided, however, that in the case of a director or a member of
any committee, such notice, unless required by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these bylaws to be in writing, may be given orally or by
telephone or telegram. If mailed, notice to a director, member of a committee or
stockholder shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail
first class in a sealed envelope, with postage thereon prepaid, addressed, in
the case of a stockholder,

BYLAWS - 5

<PAGE>   6


to the stockholder at the stockholder's address as it appears on the records of
the corporation or, in the case of a director or a member of a committee, to
such person at his business address. If sent by telegraph, notice to a director
or member of a committee shall be deemed to be given when the telegram, so
addressed, is delivered to the telegraph company.

         Section 5.2 Written Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given
under the provisions of any statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these
bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to
said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent thereto.
                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    OFFICERS

         Section 6.1 Officers. The officers of the corporation shall be a
Chairman of the Board (who may be designated the Chief Executive Officer or the
Chief Operating Officer) and a Vice Chairman of the Board (if such office be
created by resolution adopted by the Board), a President (who may also be
designated the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Operating Officer), one or
more Vice Presidents (any one or more of whom may be designated Executive Vice
President or the Senior Vice President and any one of whom may also be
designated as the Chief Operating Officer or the Chief Financial Officer), a
Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may by resolution create the
office of Vice Chairman of the Board and define the duties of such office. The
Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents, including
Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, as it
shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall
exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined by the
Board. Any two or more offices, other than the offices of President and
Secretary, may be held by the same person. No officer shall execute,
acknowledge, verify or countersign any instrument on behalf of the corporation
in more than one capacity, if such instrument is required by law, by these
bylaws or by any act of the corporation to be executed, acknowledged, verified
or countersigned by two or more officers. The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the
Board and the President shall be elected from among the directors. With the
foregoing exceptions, none of the other officers need be a director, and none of
the officers need be a stockholder of the corporation.

         Section 6.2 Election and Term of Office. The officers of the
corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first
regular meeting held after the annual meeting of stockholders or as soon
thereafter as conveniently practicable. Each officer shall hold office until his
successor shall have been elected or appointed and shall have qualified or until
his death or the effective date of his resignation or removal, or until he shall
cease to be a director in the case of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the
Board or the President.

         Section 6.3 Removal and Resignation. Any officer or agent elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed without cause by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors whenever, in its
judgment, the best interests of the corporation shall be served thereby, but
such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights, if any, of
the person so removed. Any officer may resign at any time by giving written
notice to the corporation. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of
the receipt of such notice or at any later time specified therein, and unless
otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be
necessary to make it effective.

         Section 6.4 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise, may be filled by the
Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

BYLAWS - 6

<PAGE>   7


         Section 6.5 Salaries. The salaries of all officers and agents of the
corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or pursuant to its
direction; and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by
reason of his also being a director.

         Section 6.6 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board (who may
also hold the office of President or other offices) shall preside at all
meetings of the Board of Directors or of the stockholders of the corporation. In
the Chairman's absence, such duties shall be attended to by the Vice Chairman of
the Board or the President. The Chairman shall formulate and submit to the Board
of Directors or the Executive Committee matters of general policy for the
corporation and shall perform such other duties as usually appertain to the
office and such other duties as may be prescribed by the stockholders, the Board
of Directors or the Executive Committee from time to time. If the Chairman be so
designated, he shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the
corporation and shall perform such other duties exercise such other powers as
usually appertain to such title, including, without limitation, the power to
appoint and remove subordinate officers, agents and employees, including
Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, except that the Chairman may not
remove those elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the
Board may sign, with the Secretary or any other officer of the corporation
thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the
corporation and any deed, bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks, notes, drafts or
other instruments the issue or execution of which shall have been authorized by
resolution of the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing and
execution thereof has been expressly delegated by these bylaws or by the Board
of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be
required by law to be otherwise executed.

         Section 6.7 President. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board or
the Vice Chairman of the Board (if such office be created by the Board), or in
the event of their inability or refusal to act, the President shall preside at
all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders. The President
may also preside at any such meeting attended by the Chairman or Vice Chairman
of the Board if so designated by the Chairman, or in the Chairman's absence, by
the Vice Chairman. If the President be designated as the Chief Executive Officer
of the corporation, the President shall perform such duties and exercise such
powers as usually appertain to such title and such other duties as may be
prescribed by the stockholders, the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee from time to time. The President, if designated as the Chief Executive
Officer of the corporation, shall have the power to appoint and remove
subordinate officers, agents and employees, including Assistant Secretaries and
Assistant Treasurers, except that the President may not remove those elected or
appointed by the Board of Directors. The President shall keep the Board of
Directors and the Executive Committee fully informed and shall consult them
concerning the business of the corporation. The President may sign, with the
Secretary or any other officer of the corporation thereunto authorized by the
Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the corporation and any deeds,
bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks, notes, drafts or other instruments the
issue or execution of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the
Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof has
been expressly delegated by these bylaws or by the Board of Directors to some
other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to be
otherwise executed. The President shall vote, or give a proxy to any other
officer of the corporation to vote, all shares of stock of any other corporation
standing in the name of the corporation. In general, the President shall perform
all other duties normally incident to or as usually appertain to the office of
the President and such other duties as may be prescribed by the stockholders,
the Board of Directors of the Executive Committee from time to time.

         Section 6.8 Vice Presidents. In the absence of the President, or in the
event of his inability or refusal to act, the Executive Vice President (or in
the event there shall be no Vice President designated Executive Vice President,
any Vice President designated by the Board)

BYLAWS - 7

<PAGE>   8

shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President. Any Vice
President may sign, with the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certificates for
shares of the corporation and any deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks,
notes, drafts or other instruments the issue or execution of which shall have
been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors, except in cases where
the signing and execution thereof has been expressly delegated by these bylaws
or by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation,
or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed. The Vice Presidents shall
perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to them by the
Chairman of the Board, the President, the Board of Directors or the Executive
Committee.

         Section 6.9 Secretary. The Secretary shall (a) record the proceedings
of the meetings of the stockholders, the Board of Directors and committees of
directors in the permanent minute books of the corporation kept for that
purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the
provisions of these bylaws and as required by law; (c) be custodian of the
corporate records and of the seal of the corporation, and see that the seal of
the corporation or a facsimile thereof is affixed to all certificates for shares
of the corporation prior to the issue thereof and to all documents, the
execution of which on behalf of the corporation under its seal is duly
authorized in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws; (d) keep or cause
to be kept a register of the post office address of each stockholder which shall
be furnished by such stockholder; (e) sign with the Chairman of the Board, the
President, or an Executive Vice President or Vice President, certificates for
shares of the corporation and any deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks,
notes, drafts or other instruments the issue or execution of which shall have
been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors, except in cases where
the signing and execution thereof has been expressly delegated by these bylaws
or by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation,
or shall be required by law to be otherwise executed; (f) have general charge of
the stock transfer books of the corporation; and (g) in general, perform all
duties normally incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as
from time to time may be assigned by the Chairman of the Board, the President,
the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

         Section 6.10 Treasurer. If required by the Board of Directors, the
Treasurer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in
such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors shall
determine. The Treasurer shall (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible
for all funds and securities of the corporation; receive and give receipts for
moneys due and payable to the corporation from any source whatsoever and deposit
all such moneys in the name of the corporation in such banks, trust companies or
other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7.3 of these bylaws; (b) prepare, or cause to be prepared, for
submission at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, at each annual
meeting of the stockholders, and at such other times as may be required by the
Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the Executive
Committee, a statement of financial condition of the corporation in such detail
as may be required; (c) sign with the Chairman of the Board, the President, or
an Executive Vice President or Vice President, certificates for shares of the
corporation and any deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks, notes, drafts or
other instruments the issue or execution of which shall have been authorized by
resolution of the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing and
execution thereof has been expressly delegated by these bylaws or by the Board
of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be
required by law to be otherwise executed, and (d) in general, perform all the
duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as from time to
time may be assigned by the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Board of
Directors or the Executive Committee.

BYLAWS - 8

<PAGE>   9


         Section 6.11 Assistant Secretary or Treasurer. The Assistant
Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall, in general, perform such duties as
shall be assigned to them by the Secretary or the Treasurer, respectively, or by
the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Board of Directors or the
Executive Committee. The Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers shall,
in the absence of the Secretary or Treasurer, respectively, or in their
respective inability or refusal to act, perform all functions and duties which
such absent officers may delegate, but such delegation shall not relieve the
absent officer from the responsibilities and liabilities of their office. The
Assistant Secretaries may sign, with the Chairman of the Board, the President or
Executive Vice President, certificates for shares of the corporation and any
deeds, bonds, mortgages, contracts, checks, notes, drafts or other instruments
the issue or execution of which shall have been authorized by a resolution of
the Board of Directors, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof
has been expressly delegated by these bylaws or by the Board of Directors to
some other officer or agent of the corporation, or shall be required by law to
be otherwise executed. The Assistant Treasurers shall respectively, if required
by the Board of Directors, give bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties
in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall determine.

         Section 6.12 General Counsel. The General Counsel shall be the chief
legal officer of the corporation; shall advise the Board of Directors and
officers on all legal matters, and shall perform such other additional duties as
may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, Chairman or Chief Executive
Officer.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                         CONTRACTS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

         Section 7.1 Contracts. Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the
Board of Directors may authorize any officer, officers, agent or agents, to
enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument for and in the
name of and on behalf of the corporation, and such authority may be general or
confined to specific instances.

         Section 7.2 Checks, etc. All checks, demands, drafts or other orders
for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the
name of the corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers or such
agent or agents of the corporation, and in such manner, as shall be determined
by the Board of Directors.

         Section 7.3 Deposits. All funds of the corporation not otherwise
employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation
in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors
may select.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                              CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

         Section 8.1 Insurance. Each stockholder of this corporation shall be
entitled to a certificate or certificates showing the number of shares of stock
registered in such stockholder's name on the books of the corporation. The
certificates shall be in such form as may be determined by the Board of
Directors, shall be issued in numerical order and shall be entered in the books
of the corporation as they are issued. They shall exhibit the holder's name and
number of shares and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President
or a Vice President and by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary. Any or all
the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. If the corporation shall
be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of
any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights of each class of stock

BYLAWS - 9

<PAGE>   10


or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such
preferences and rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or
back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such
class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided
by statute, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the
face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent
such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish
without charge to each stockholder who so requests a copy of the powers,
designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special
rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. All certificates
surrendered to the corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new
certificate shall be issued until the former certificate for a like number of
shares shall have been surrendered and canceled, except that in the case of a
lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate a new one may be issued
therefor upon such terms and with such indemnity, if any, to the corporation as
the Board of Directors may prescribe. Certificates shall not be issued
representing fractional shares of stock.

         Section 8.2 Lost Certificates. The corporation may issue a new
certificate or certificates in place of any certificate or certificates
theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming
the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. The corporation may in
its discretion and a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the
owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his
legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require
or to give the corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim
that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate or
certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or the issuance of
such new certificate.

         Section 8.3 Transfers. Upon surrender to the corporation or the
transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or
accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignment or authority to
transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to
the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the
transaction upon its books. Transfers of shares shall be made only on the books
of the corporation by the registered holder thereof, or by such holder's
attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney and filed with the Secretary
of the corporation or the transfer agent.

         Section 8.4 Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled
to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in
fact thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or
other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other
person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as
otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    DIVIDENDS

         Section 9.1 Declaration. Dividends upon the capital stock of the
corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, if
any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special
meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in
shares of capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation.

         Section 9.2 Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set
aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or
sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion,
think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies or for equalizing
dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any

BYLAWS - 10

<PAGE>   11


property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors
shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

                                    ARTICLE X

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         Section 10.1 Third Party Actions. The corporation shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person
in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contenders or its equivalent,
shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good
faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such
person's conduct was unlawful.

         Section 10.2 Derivative Actions. The corporation shall indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation to procure a judgment in the corporation's favor by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses
(including attorneys' fees) and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement
of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such
person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to amounts paid in settlement, the settlement of
the suit or action was in the best interests of the corporation, provided,
however, that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable for gross
negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of such person's duty to the
corporation unless and only to the extent that, the court in which such action
or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
adjudication of such liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the
case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses as such court shall deem proper. The termination of any action or suit
by judgment or settlement shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the
person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably
believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

         Section 10.3 Successful Defense. To the extent that a director,
trustee, officer, employee or agent of the corporation has been successful on
the merits or otherwise, in whole or in part, in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Sections (1) and (2) of this Article X, or in defense
of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against
expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such
person in connection therewith.

BYLAWS - 12

<PAGE>   12


         Section 10.4. Authorization. Any indemnification under Sections (1) and
(2) of this Article X (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the
corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, trustee, officer, employee or agent is proper
in the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth above in Sections (1) and (2) of this Article X. Such
determination shall be made (a) by the Board of Directors of the corporation by
a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such
action, suit or proceeding, or (b) if such a quorum is not obtainable, by a
majority vote of directors who were not parties to such action, suit or
proceeding, or (c) by independent legal counsel (selected by one or more of the
directors, whether or not a quorum and whether or not disinterested) in a
written opinion, or (d) by the shareholders. Anyone making such a determination
under this Section (4) may determine that a person has met the standard therein
set forth as to some claims, issues or matters but not as to others, and may
reasonably prorate amounts to be paid as indemnification.

         Section 10.5 Advances. Expenses incurred in defending a civil or
criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the corporation, at any
time or from time to time in advance of the final disposition of such action,
suit or proceeding as authorized in the manner provided in Section 10.4 of this
Article X upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director,
trustee, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount unless it shall
ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be indemnified by the
corporation as authorized in this Article X.

         Section 10.6 Non-Exclusivity. The indemnification provided by this
Article X shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those
indemnified may be entitled under any law, bylaw, agreement, vote of
shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such
person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding
such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director,
trustee, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors, and administrators of such a person.

         Section 10.7 Insurance. The corporation shall have the powers to
purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a
director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
serving at the request of the corporation as a director, trustee, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against any liability asserted against such person and
incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person's
status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify
such person against such liability.

         Section 10.8 "Corporation" Defined. For purposes of this Article X,
references to the "corporation" shall include, in addition to the corporation,
any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent)
absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had
continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors,
trustees, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a
director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation or
of any entity a majority of the voting stock of which is owned by such
constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent
corporation as a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand
in the same position under the provisions of this Article X with respect to the
resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to
such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

BYLAWS - 12

<PAGE>   13


                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         Section 11.1 Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the
name of the corporation, and the words "Corporate Seal, Delaware." The seal may
be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or
otherwise reproduced.

         Section 11.2 Books. The books of the corporation may be kept (subject
to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at the
offices of the corporation at Dallas, Texas, or at such other place or places as
may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                    AMENDMENT

         These, bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed at any regular or
special meeting of the Board of Directors, without prior notice, by resolution
adopted thereat.

BYLAWS - 13

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.16

December 11, 1998


Stonehill Partners, L.P.
Stonehill Offshore Partners Limited
Stonehill International Partners, L.P.
c/o Stonehill Investment Corp.
110 E. 59th Street, 30th Floor
New York, New York 10022


Re:      Warrants to Purchase Shares of Common Stock of Sunshine Mining and 
         Refining Company

Gentlemen:

Reference is made to (i) that certain warrant dated November 24, 1997, to
purchase 795,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (?Common
Stock?), of Sunshine Mining and Refining Company (the ?Company?), issued to
Neuberger & Berman, LLC (?N&B?), as nominee, (ii) that certain warrant dated
November 24, 1997, to purchase 480,000 shares of the Company?s Common Stock,
issued to N&B, as nominee; (iii) that certain warrant dated November 24, 1997,
to purchase 135,000 shares of the Company?s Common Stock, issued to N&B, as
nominee; and (iv) that certain warrant dated November 24, 1997, to purchase
90,000 shares of the Company?s Common Stock, issued to N&B, as nominee
(collectively, the ?Warrants?). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Warrants. Stonehill Partners,
L.P., Stonehill Offshore Partners Limited and Stonehill Institutional Partners,
L.P. (collectively, the ?Stonehill Parties?) collectively hold the Warrants.

For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, it is understood and agreed as follows:

         1. The Warrants are exercisable at any time or from time to time on or
after the date of this letter but not later than 5:00 p.m. (New York City time)
on January 31, 1999 (the ?Termination Date?).

         2. The Stock Purchase Price shall be equal to $0.49, and will not be
subject to adjustment based on any adjustment to the Conversion Price of the
Notes.

         3. The Stonehill Parties agree to exercise the Warrants in full and pay
to the Company in immediately available funds the aggregate Stock Purchase Price
in full prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Termination Date.

         4. At 5:01 p.m. (New York City time) on the Termination Date, the
Warrants will terminate and have no further force and effect, except for the
right to receive the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants;
provided that such exercise occurred prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on
the Termination Date.

         5. Except as modified by this letter, all other terms of the Warrants
shall remain in full force and effect.



<PAGE>   2
Stonehill Partners, L.P.
Stonehill Offshore Partners Limited
Stonehill International Partners, L.P
December 11, 1998
Page 2


         6. This letter shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and
the rights of the parties hereto shall be governed by, the laws of the State of
New York, without giving effect to rules governing conflicts of laws.

Please execute this letter in the spaces provided below to acknowledge your
agreement to and acceptance of the terms of this letter.

                                Very truly yours,

                                SUNSHINE MINING AND REFINING COMPANY


                                By:
                                   ---------------------------------
                                   Name:
                                        ----------------------------
                                   Title:
                                         ---------------------------

ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED:

STONEHILL PARTNERS, L.P.


By:
   ----------------------------
   John Motulsky
   General Partner

STONEHILL OFFSHORE PARTNERS LIMITED

   By: STONEHILL ADVISORS, LLC,
       Its General Partner


       By: 
          ---------------------------
          John Motulsky
          Managing Member

STONEHILL INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS, L.P.


By:
   ----------------------------
   John Motulsky
   General Partner


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements 
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-16342 and 33-18435; Form S-3 Nos. 333-06537, 33-98876 and 
333-41641 of Sunshine Mining and Refining Company and in the related 
Prospectuses of our report dated February 26, 1999, with respect to the 
consolidated financial statements of Sunshine Mining and Refining Company 
included in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998.



                                                    ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas
March 11, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AT DEC. 31, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 1998, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
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