18. | Other operating expenses |
| | For the year ended | | For the year ended | | For the year ended | | |||
| | December 31, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 | | December 31, 2015 | | |||
| | US$(000) | | US$(000) | | US$(000) | | |||
| | | | | | | | | | |
Royalties, net of asset tax (ITAN) and penalties (a) | | | 243,798 | | | - | | | - | |
Other expenses | | | 15,028 | | | 24,107 | | | 26,739 | |
| | | 258,826 | | | 24,107 | | | 26,739 | |
(a) | Represents disputed royalties for the period December 2006 through September 2011 of US$174.8 million, net asset tax (ITAN) for the years 2009 to 2013 of US$33.6 million, profit sharing adjustments related to mining royalties of US$29.2 and penalties on disputed royalties for the period December 2006 through the year 2008 of US$6.2 million. Disputed royalties and special mining taxes for the period October 2011 through the year 2013 are recognized in “income tax expense” in the statements of comprehensive income (see Note 14(b)). |