N.A. Tungsten earns $4.92-million in first quarterN.A. Tungsten earns $4.92-million in first quarter
2009-02-26 11:36 EST - News Release
Mr. Stephen Leahy reports
NORTH AMERICAN TUNGSTEN CORPORATION LTD. NET EARNINGS OF $4.92 MILLION (AFTER DILUTION GAIN) IN FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL 2009
North American Tungsten Corp. Ltd. has released its results for the three months ending Dec. 31, 2008, including the results of operations at its Cantung tungsten mine in the Northwest Territories and an important milestone in development of its Mactung project in the Yukon.
For the First Quarter, North American Tungsten had net earnings of $4.92 million, or 4 cents per share; by way of comparison, in the first three months of Fiscal 2008, the company registered a net loss of $4 million. Sales revenues in the First Quarter were $17.6 million - a 49.7% increase over the first three months of 2008. The gross operating margin increased from a loss of $2 million in Q1 2008 to earnings of $3.8 million in the First Quarter.
During the First Quarter, the Company generated revenues from sales of both tungsten concentrates and ammonium paratungstate ("APT") that was processed from concentrates. The net earnings comprised of $1.8 million before the dilution gain. The dilution gain of $3.1 million was realized from the Company's reorganization of its subsidiary Tungsten Diversified Industries, LLC (formerly Tungsten Joint Venture, LLC). The company retains a 43.2% participation in Tungsten Diversified Industries, LLC - a joint venture created to produce value-added tungsten products (see News Release December 23, 2008).
In the First Quarter, the Cantung mine produced 79,978 metric tonne units (MTUs) of tungsten concentrate - a 22% increase over Q1 of 2008. The mill processed 100,607 tons grading 1.17% WO3 compared with 94,916 tons grading 1.03% WO3 (tungsten trioxide) the previous year. Recovery for the period averaged 74.6%, compared to 73.6% in Q1 of 2008. "The increased production, higher recovery rates, and improved grades reflected the company's strong focus on grade control," the Company's Chairman and CEO, Stephen Leahy, explained.
"This was a busy and very positive quarter for us", Mr. Leahy added. "Our emphasis on quality control produced noticeable gains; in addition, favourable exchange rates, higher realized tungsten prices, and improved mill processing technology all contributed to our operating profitably during the quarter."
During the First Quarter, North American Tungsten released an NI 43-101 compliant report on updated reserves and resources for the Cantung mine. As of Sept. 30, 2008, probable reserves were estimated at 655,706 tons with an average grade of 1.1% WO3.
Indicated mineral resources at Cantung are estimated at 1.43 million tons grading 1.25% WO3. (See News Release dated January 29, 2009).
Subsequent to the first Quarter the Company also released its bankable feasibility study for the Mactung property - one of the world's largest known high grade undeveloped tungsten-skarn deposit. Indicated mineral resources at Mactung are estimated at 33 million tons grading .88% WO3. Underground indicated mineral reserves have been calculated at 8.2 million tons grading 1.09% WO3. (See News Release dated March 14, 2007). Wardrop Engineering Inc. estimated the project would generate a 23.5% pre-tax internal rate of return. Mactung's estimated pre-tax net present value is $277 million (discounted at 8%). An underground mine that would run at a 2,000 tonnes per day - would have an 11-year life, Wardrop estimated. This life of mine could be extended by an additional 17 years if lower-grade, near surface resources were exploited. Although the additional potential mine life would further enhance the Mactung project's economics, exploitation of the open-pit resources was not included among the considerations of the project's economic feasibility. The project will require a capital outlay of $356.5 million plus a contingency of $45.6 million; capital payback would occur in 2.9 years. North American Tungsten has initiated an application on the Mactung project to the environmental review process managed by the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board. (See News Release dated February 23, 2009).