Record Gold Production Delivered Gross Revenue of $19.6M, and EPS $0.06
VANCOUVER, March 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY and
FSE: D7Q1) ("Monument" or the "Company") today announced its second
quarter financial results for the three months ending December 31, 2012
and provided an update on its activities. All amounts are in United
States dollars unless otherwise indicated (refer to www.sedar.com for Q2 full financial results).
Second Quarter Highlights include:
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Record gold production of 15,902 ounces, 35% higher than the same
quarter last year;
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Gross revenue of $19.6 million generated from gold sales of 11,353
ounces at an average price of $1,730 per ounce;
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Net profit before other items and before taxes of $10.2 million;
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Net income attributable to shareholders of $12.5 million or $0.06 per
share;
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Commenced feasibility study on bio-oxidation mill plant expansion for
the Selinsing gold treatment plant (Phase IV); and
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Acquired remaining 30% interest in the Mengapur polymetalic project with
$16 million cash on hand, bringing the total ownership interest in this
project to 100%.
Second Quarter 2013 Production(1) and Financial Results
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Three months ended December 31
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Six months ended December 31
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2012
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2011
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2012
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2011
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Ore mined (tonnes)
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184,197
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128,557
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285,851
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253,293
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Ore processed (tonnes)
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209,626
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84,182
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434,268
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170,525
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Average mill feed grade (g/t)
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2.88
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5.25
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2.41
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4.89
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Processing recovery rate
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89.1%
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95.3%
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87.6%
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95.2%
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Gold recovery (oz)
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17,289
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13,544
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29,530
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25,500
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Gold produced (oz)
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15,902
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11,736
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26,808
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23,582
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Gold sold (oz)
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11,353
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12,765
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23,905
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21,137
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Average realized gold price/ounce sold ($/oz)
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1,730
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1,652
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1,692
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1,680
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2012
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2011
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2012
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2011
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$
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$
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$
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$
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Revenue (in 000's)
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19,640
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21,084
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40,445
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35,515
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Income before other items attributable to shareholders (in 000's)
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10,268
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14,780
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23,496
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24,705
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Earnings per Share (Basic) before other income
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0.05
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0.08
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0.11
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0.14
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Net income attributable to shareholders (in 000's)
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12,457
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26,709
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23,291
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37,885
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Earnings per Share (Basic)
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0.06
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0.15
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0.11
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0.21
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Cash flow from operations (in 000's)
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13,442
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16,601
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29,094
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27,729
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Working capital excluding derivative liabilities (in 000's)
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48,892
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80,909
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48,892
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80,909
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Cash cost ($/oz.) (2)
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Mining
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110
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51
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97
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52
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Processing
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197
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131
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187
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139
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Royalties
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120
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120
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95
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106
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Operations, net of silver recovery
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8
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5
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2
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5
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Total cash cost ($/oz)
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435
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307
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381
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302
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(1) This news release shall be read in conjunction with the news release
dated on January 11, 2013, where the full analysis of Q2 production
results was provided.
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(2) Total cash cost includes production costs such as mining,
processing, tailing facility maintenance and camp administration,
royalties, and operating costs such as storage, temporary mine
production closure, community development cost and property fees, net
of by-product credits. Cash cost excludes amortization, depletion,
accretion expenses, capital costs, exploration costs and corporate
administration costs.
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Gold production for three month period ended December 31, 2012 (defined
as good delivery gold bullion according to London Bullion Market
Association ("LBMA")), net of gold dore in transit and refinery
adjustment, was 15,902 ounces of gold, an increase of 35.5% compared to
11,736 ounces for the same period of fiscal 2012 (for six month period
it was increased by 14% to 26,808 ounces, compared to the same fiscal
2012 period). These increases are also due to the increased mill
throughput offset by lower feed grade and recovery rate. As a result,
even though revenue for Q2 2013 was $19,639,609 compared to $21,084,315
in Q2 2012 mainly due to timing of gold sold (11,353 ounces vs.12,765
ounces), partly offset by a higher average realized gold price quarter
over quarter ($1,730 per ounce vs. $1,652 per ounce), revenues for the
first six months of fiscal 2013 were 14% higher than the same period in
fiscal 2012, increased from $35,514,613 to $40445,006, reflecting both
higher volumes of gold sold (23,905 ounces vs. 21,137 ounces) and
higher average realized gold prices year over year ($1,692 per ounce
vs. $1,680 per ounce).
Cash costs per ounce sold for the three and six months periods ending
December 31, 2012 were $435 and $381 compared to $307 and $302 for the
same periods last year. The increased cash cost per ounce is mainly due
to the increased mining and processing costs, as well as the increased
depth of the open pit. The mining contract was renewed this fiscal year
for another two years with increased rate approximately 25% compared to
the last contract; however, the grade is lower in the mined ore
materials. Processing costs per ounce were also higher as the Company
processed an increased amount of lower grade and sulphidic ores,
requiring longer processing times and higher volumes of reagents.
Slightly lower gold recovery rates also contributed to the increased
cost per ounce.
Income before other items attributable to shareholders was $10,268,093
or $0.05 per share for Q2 2013 compared to $14,779,551 or $0.08 per
share for Q2 2012. For the six months ended December 31, 2012, income
before other items attributable to shareholders was $23,496,184 or
$0.11 per share compared to $24,704,654 or $0.14 per share for the same
period last year. Decrease were mainly due to increased production
costs as indicated above, as well as increased amortization expenses
associated to gold production and corporate expenses incurred during
the year for business expansion.
Net income attributable to shareholders for the three and six months
ending December 31, 2012 was $12,457,194 or $0.06 per share (basic) and
$23,290,876 or $0.11 per share (basic) compared to $26,708,718 or $0.15
per share (basic) and $37,884,791 or $0.21 per share (basic) for the
corresponding periods of fiscal 2012. This was primarily due to the
large decrease of changes in fair value of derivative liabilities in
fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012. The exercise and retirement of
warrants issued in July 21, 2008 significantly reduced warrants
derivative liabilities during the period.
Cash provided from operating activities before change in working capital
items was $13,442,390 and $29,094,187 the three and six months ending
December 31, 2012 compared to $16,601,283 and $27,729,154 for the same
periods last year. The differences were mainly due to production and
timing of gold sales. The decrease of working capital excluding
derivative liabilities was mainly resulted from using cash on hand to
complete the acquisitions of the Mengapur project in both Q3 2012 and
Q2 2013.
Exploration and Mine Development Update
In addition to ongoing gold production at Selinsing, the Company
continues active exploration activity at Selinsing at its other
prospective properties. During the second quarter ended December 31,
2012 a total of 9,499 meters of drilling in 92 holes was completed at
Selinsing and Buffalo Reef to find additional oxide and sulfide ores
adjacent to the existing pit development areas, extend known
mineralization north and south of the Selinsing open pit along strike,
and to test the down dip mineralization extensions within and adjacent
to the resource pit shells. At Mengapur a total of 6,289 meters in 27
holes were drilled to better define the historical copper and sulfur
oxide and sulfide resources and reserves, test the enrichment zone and
upgrade the historical resources and reserves to current NI 43-101
compliant standards. Three exploration drills are currently operating
at Selinsing/Buffalo Reef and three exploration drills are currently
operating at Mengapur.
In November 2012 pre-stripping of overburden at Buffalo Reef South began
in preparation for mining. Subsequent to the end of the second quarter
in February 2013 mining of oxide ores from Buffalo Reef South began for
processing at the Selinsing plant. Monument also commenced a
feasibility study for the Phase IV bio-oxidation mill plant expansion
for the Selinsing gold treatment plant. Updates to the Selinsing and
Buffalo Reef NI 43-101-compliant resource and reserve estimates are
currently in progress.
The Company also continues to advance the polymetallic Mengapur project,
which will be a key contributor to Monument's sustained value. In
December 2012 Monument acquired the remaining 30% interest in Mengapur
with $16 million cash on hand, bringing the total ownership interest in
this project to 100%. Ongoing development efforts at Mengapur during
the second quarter included definition drilling, construction of onsite
laboratories, assessment and overhaul of the existing onsite process
facilities and operation optimization studies.
About Monument
Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V:MMY, FSE:D7Q1) is an established Canadian
gold producer that owns and operates the Selinsing Gold Mine in
Malaysia, with production cash costs among the lowest in the world. Its
experienced management team is committed to growth and is advancing
several exploration and development projects in Malaysia, including the
feasibility stage, Mengapur Polymetalic Project. The Company employs
280 people in Malaysia and is committed to the highest standards of
environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety
for its employees and neighboring communities.
Robert F. Baldock, President and CEO
Monument Mining Limited
Suite 910- 688 West Hastings Street
Vancouver B.C. Canada V6B 1P1
"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements about Monument
Mining Limited ("Monument"), its business and future plans.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts
and include the timing of the proposed programs and events. The
forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various
risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results
or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors
include, without limitation, the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold
production and the estimated cash flows which may be generated from the
operations, general economic factors and other factors that may be
beyond the control of Monument; statements regarding the future price
of gold; the estimation of mineral resources; conclusions of economic
evaluation (including scoping studies); the realization of mineral
resource estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future
production, development and exploration; costs of future activities;
capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration activities;
mining or processing issues; currency exchange rates; government
regulation of mining operations; and environmental risks. Generally,
forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-
looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect",
"is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts",
"intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or
variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions,
events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken",
"occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of
the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied
by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to:
general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social
uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities;
foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry
and other risks described in the annual information form of the
Company, which is available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR
at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other
factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to
be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward- looking
information. The Company does not undertake to update any
forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable
securities laws.
SOURCE: Monument Mining Limited