UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 2, 2008

SOLITARIO EXPLORATION & ROYALTY CORP

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

0-05602
(Commission
File Number)

84-1285791
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

4251 Kipling Street, Suite 390
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
Registrant's facsimile number, including area code:

(303) 534-1030
(303) 534-1809

None
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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ITEM 8.01

OTHER EVENTS

Newmont elects to terminate its option to earn and interest in the Pachuca Project

On December 2, 2008, Solitario received notice that Newmont de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corporation, has elected to terminate its rights to earn an interest in the Pachuca Real silver-gold project in central Mexico.

ITEM 9.01

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Description

99.1

Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp. press release regarding our Pachuca Real silver-gold project in central Mexico dated December 2, 2008

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SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

December 5, 2008

 

 

 

Solitario Exploration & Royalty Corp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ James R. Maronick
 

 

James R. Maronick, CFO

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