IAMGOLD Reports 223% Increase in Second Quarter Net Earnings From Continuing Operations
(firmenpresse) - TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 08/10/11 -- All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Footnotes have been placed below the last table in the release.
IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or "the Company") (TSX: IMG)(NYSE: IAG)(BOTSWANA: IAMGOLD) today reported its unaudited consolidated financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.
Net earnings attributable to equity shareholders were $478.9 million ($1.28 per share) in the quarter, including the gain of $402.6 million from the sale of the Tarkwa and Damang mines. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders(1), which excludes the Tarkwa and Damang mines as well as the Mupane mine reclassified as a discontinued operation, were $69.7 million ($0.19 per share) compared to $19.3 million ($0.05 per share) in the second quarter of 2010.
"Overall, our second quarter results demonstrate solid progress in executing our strategy to maximize the value of the mines we own and operate", said Steve Letwin, IAMGOLD's President and CEO. "In January, we said our plan was to divest our minority interest in the Tarkwa and Damang mines for proceeds in excess of $600 million and by the end of June we had closed the sale for gross proceeds of $667 million. During that period, we also confirmed a near 700% increase in mineral resources at our niobium mine and increased our dividend by 150%."
Mr. Letwin further commented, "In a rising gold price environment we were able to achieve, on a year-to-date basis, a 34% expansion in our gold margins(2), despite a 16% year-over-year increase in cash costs. Operationally the quarter was a challenging one. Cash costs(2) increased from the first quarter mainly due to lower production at Essakane, the result of a short term water shortage that has been permanently rectified. We also had higher labour, energy and raw material costs, which are rising across the industry, and higher royalties commensurate with increasing gold prices. All eyes are on containing costs throughout our operations and we are working on several initiatives to drive them down in the ensuing quarters."
Second Quarter 2011 Highlights
Production, Cash Costs and Gold Margin
Gold Operations
Niobec Mine
Review of Second Quarter 2011 Results
Results from discontinued operations (Mupane, Tarkwa and Damang mines) and the gain on disposal of Tarkwa and Damang mines are presented separately as net earnings from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of earnings, and comparative periods have been adjusted accordingly.
Financial Performance
Revenues from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2011 was $345.7 million, a 75% increase from $198.1 million in the second quarter of 2010, primarily due to the addition of production from the Essakane mine and higher gold prices. For IAMGOLD's continuing operations and joint ventures, the number of ounces of gold sold increased by 47% while the average realized gold price rose by 26% compared to the second quarter of 2010.
In the second quarter of 2011, net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders increased by 223% to $74.5 million ($0.20 per share), compared to $23.1 million ($0.06 per share) in the second quarter of 2010.
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations(1) attributable to equity shareholders of $69.7 million ($0.19 per share) increased by 261% compared to $19.3 million ($0.05 per share) in the second quarter of 2010.
Adjusted operating cash flow from continuing operations(1) of $149.2 million ($0.40 per share(1)) increased by 81% compared to $82.6 million ($0.22 per share(1)) in the second quarter of 2010. The increase is mainly due to the impact of higher production from continuing operations and higher per ounce gold margin.
Financial Position
Cash, cash equivalents and gold bullion (at market value) has improved with $1.2 billion as at June 30, 2011, compared to $0.4 billion at the end of 2010. During the second quarter of 2011, cash and cash equivalents increased mainly due to the proceeds received from the sale of the Company's minority interest in the Tarkwa and Damang mines ($667.0 million). In the first quarter of 2011, the Company issued 1.7 million flow-through shares at a price of C$25.48 per share with gross proceeds of $43.3 million to fund prescribed resource expenditures on the Westwood project. The Company also received $48.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 for the disposal of the La Arena project in Peru.
The above proceeds were partially offset by capital expenditures in mining assets and exploration, resulting in a $776.7 million increase in cash and cash equivalents during the first six months of 2011.
As at June 30, 2011, $350.0 million of unused credit remained available under the Company's credit facility. In addition, the Company had used $18.8 million from the $50.0 million revolving facility for the issuance of letters of credit.
Rosebel Mine, Suriname
Attributable gold production at the Rosebel mine was 87,000 ounces, up 7% from the second quarter of 2010. This was mainly due to improved gold recoveries resulting from the leaching circuit expanded in late 2010. However, lesser access to high grade materials during the rainy season resulted in production being lower than the previous three quarters. Compared to the first quarter of 2011, production declined 13% due to a change in mining sequence.
The site faced cost pressures during the quarter as higher oil prices increased the cost of hauling and thermal power. Labour costs were higher year-over-year due to inflationary factors in the Surinamese economy and royalties increased with rising gold prices, partly offset by the devaluation of the Surinamese dollar.
Expansion
At Rosebel, expansion is focused on optimization of the open pit mine. The feasibility study to expand plant capacity is progressing as planned. Without expansion, mill throughput would decline going forward as the ore mix trends to higher proportions of hard rock. The cost of the staged expansion is expected to total an additional $185 million over the next seven years versus the no-expansion case with sustaining and replacement capital only. Additional grinding capacity will allow mill throughput to be maintained between 12 and 14 million tonnes per year, even with the increased hard rock volumes. Coupled with additional mining equipment, this will increase annual mining capacity to 70 million tonnes to optimize mill feed grades. The expansion essentially brings gold production forward in time and reduces long-term fixed costs by reducing the currently planned mine life.
In May 2011, the Company reached a framework agreement with the Government of Suriname to support a substantial capacity increase at the Rosebel gold mine. The Framework is centered on IAMGOLD's increased investment in brownfield and other near plant resource development, infrastructure and energy.
Essakane Mine, Burkina Faso
Attributable production during the second quarter of 2011 was 62,000 ounces, compared to 95,000 ounces during the first quarter of 2011 mostly due to the impact of an extended crusher repair and a brief water shortage before the beginning of the rainy season. The crusher repair has been completed and has now ramped up to normal production levels. The arrival of the rainy season has filled the water reservoirs and the site is well into a capital program to build an additional bulk water storage facility to add approximately 50% more storage capacity for the coming year as well as doubling the pumping capacity between the water capture point and the water storage reservoirs. This expansion is expected to be completed this year and in time to fill with 2011 rainfall.
Cash costs(2) in the second quarter were higher compared to the first quarter of 2011 mainly due to lower production. In addition, cash costs increased due to higher energy prices, upward pressure on consumable prices and higher royalties due to higher gold prices.
Expansion
A feasibility study to expand the mine is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2011. The current mine plan includes processing soft rock for the first three years at a rate of 9.0 million tonnes per year starting in 2011, followed by approximately nine years of processing hard rock. The study is expected to demonstrate that the hard rock capacity of the mine could be expanded to process approximately 10.8 million tonnes per year, compared to the current estimate of 5.4 million tonnes per year. The expectation is for life-of-mine average annual gold production of between 450,000 and 470,000 ounces (on a 100% basis), compared to the current estimate of 315,000 ounces. Assuming a positive outcome of the study, construction could commence in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Doyon Division, Canada
As a cost savings initiative, the ore mined from Mouska has been stockpiled and will be batch processed later in 2011.
Sadiola mine, Mali
Attributable gold production of 33,000 ounces for the second quarter of 2011 was 14% higher than the second quarter of 2010 as a result of higher throughput.
Cash costs(2) rose during the second quarter by 11% year-over-year primarily due to higher costs of energy and consumables and higher labour costs attributed to a revised mining contract finalized in the fourth quarter of 2010. Royalties were up 23% due to higher realized gold prices.
Sadiola distributed a $12 million dividend to IAMGOLD during the quarter (2010 IAMGOLD's share $25.0 million).
Expansion
The feasibility study on the sulphide project to expand the processing facility to process hard rock in conjunction with soft rock was completed in 2010 and a construction decision is expected during 2011.
IAMGOLD took the lead in this work with an innovative approach to reduce cost and re-engineer the construction schedule. The potential to add more resources and reserves to the sulphide deposit as well as to the other satellite deposits remains encouraging and will be pursued in 2011.
Yatela mine, Mali
Attributable gold production of 6,000 ounces during the second quarter of 2011 was down from 15,000 ounces in the second quarter of 2010 due to the mining of lower gold stacked in prior periods. After the completion of mining the bottom of the main pit in early 2010, mine production has shifted to a longer-haul satellite pit, which resulted in lower grades and higher waste stripping.
Cash costs(2) during the current quarter were significantly higher than the same period in 2010 due to production being less than half of what it was in the prior year. In addition, the site faced similar cost pressures as Sadiola.
Yatela did not distribute a dividend during the second quarter of 2011 (2010 - $64.8 million, IAMGOLD's share $25.9 million).
Mupane mine, Botswana
At the end of the second quarter of 2011, IAMGOLD confirmed its plans to divest from the Mupane mine, located in Botswana. An agreement has been signed in early August to divest from the mine. Accordingly, the Mupane mine is presented as an asset held for sale and Mupane's financial results are now reported under net earnings from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Attributable Gold Sales Volume and Realized Gold Price
The following table presents the total ounces of gold sold and the realized gold price per ounce.
Gold sales volumes from continuing operations increased in the second quarter of 2011 compared to the second quarter of 2010, mainly due to commencement of commercial production at Essakane partially offset by lower sales at Yatela. The average spot gold price on the London Bullion Market Association ("LBMA") for the second quarter of 2011 was $1,506 per ounce, versus $1,197 per ounce in the same period in 2010.
Niobium production during the current quarter was similar to the same quarter in the prior year as higher throughput offset the impact of lower grades.
Niobium revenues were $48.1 million in the second quarter of 2011 compared to $38.9 million in the same period in 2010, due to 18% increase in sales volume and higher realized niobium prices during the quarter.
The operating margin per kilogram of niobium(2) decreased by $5 per kilogram during the current quarter compared to the same period in the prior year. As expected, the inclusion of the paste backfill process lowered operating margin per kilogram of niobium as the process adds costs to mining the new reserves. In addition, the operating margin per kilogram of niobium was adversely impacted by the stronger Canadian dollar, and higher prices of aluminum used in processing compared to 2010.
Expansion
On June 20, 2011 the Company announced that it had filed an independently prepared NI 43-101 compliant preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") on the Niobec mine. The PEA reflect potential for a near 700% increase in measured and indicated mineral resource to over 1.9 billion kilograms of contained niobium pentoxide, and a potential threefold increase in niobium production to a level of 15 million kilograms per year.
Based on higher metal prices and lower operating costs, the operating margin is estimated to increase to $28 per kilogram of niobium. Under the above assumptions, the remaining mine life would exceed 40 years with an estimated after-tax net asset value of up to $2.0 billion.
The PEA examined the impact of changing the existing underground mine to either of two bulk mining methods, the open pit scenario or the block caving scenario. Planned for completion by the end of 2011, a pre-feasibility study is currently underway to determine which of the two methods will provide the best financial returns.
In addition, the Company has identified an underexplored Rare Earth Element (REE) zone at the Niobec site and exploration and metallurgical testwork has been initiated.
Development Projects
Canada - Westwood Project
Mining plan and resources
On December 21, 2009, IAMGOLD announced continued positive results from an updated preliminary assessment study (the "Study") on its 100% owned Westwood development project located two kilometres from the Company's Doyon gold mine in the Abitibi region of Northern Quebec. In addition, on February 15, 2011, the Company announced the indicated and inferred resources increased by 6% to 3.7 million ounces. The project remains on plan for completion by early 2013 with an estimated total cost of $500 million.
The Study is classified as preliminary as most of the resources delineated at Westwood are in the inferred category. The Study includes mine planning, capital and operating cost estimation, rock mechanics, metallurgical work, and overall economic studies that are advanced, due in part to the knowledge obtained from the Doyon mine.
Construction
The Westwood project expenditures, excluding exploration, in the second quarter of 2011 totaled $32.9 million (before tax credits) (first six months of 2011 - $53.5 million) with significant infrastructure preparation and construction, including the completion of a number of hoist elements, the fire detection system with the new pump house, the waste silo foundation, and the beginning of the ground support of the six-metre diameter ventilation shaft. During the second quarter of 2011, shaft sinking reached 1,322 metres, with the installation of a spill pocket and the safety bulkhead under the 104-0 level, and underground development work including 2,260 metres of lateral and vertical excavation achieved (first six months of 2011 - 4,366 metres).
Exploration
More than 22,500 metres of exploration drilling and valuation drilling were completed in the second quarter of 2011, totalling $2.8 million (before tax credits) (first six months of 2011 - $5.4 million). The exploration ramp and drift was extended by 1,350 metres in the second quarter of 2011 to provide better drilling access allowing definition drilling of the upper parts of the deposit which will be mined early in the production sequence as well as improve access to drill off extensions to the known ore lenses at depth.
Ongoing drilling programs for 82,000 metres are planned in 2011 and aimed at finding additional inferred resources and continued upgrading of existing inferred mineral resources to measured and indicated categories.
Outlook 2011
Evaluation activities planned in 2011 for a total of $128.9 million (net of tax credits of $14.9 million) are as follows:
South America - Ecuador - Quimsacocha
The Quimsacocha project has probable reserves of 8.1 million tonnes, at an average grade of 6.5 grams of gold per tonne of ore containing 1.7 million ounces of gold, within an indicated resource of 9.9 million tonnes, at an average grade of 6.6 grams of gold per tonne of ore containing 2.1 million ounces of gold.
The Company has obtained the requisite permits and authorization to advance feasibility work.
The Company maintains regular contact and dialogue with senior government officials in order to obtain needed clarity on fiscal and other matters, including the analysis of the model mining contracts recently released by the Ecuadorian government. The Company is also closely following the progress of mining contract negotiations involving three projects in Ecuador, which may serve to clarify certain key items.
Assessment of the project's financial viability continues as the Company works to clarify key fiscal and other applicable dimensions. Evaluation expenditures expected in 2011 of $3.1 million are based on continuing with the current level of activity. The Company plans to determine whether the new contract model and the government's position offer flexibilities that will allow advancement of the project.
Exploration
IAMGOLD's exploration efforts remain focused in West Africa, select countries of South America, and the province of Quebec in Canada. With a strategic mandate for organic growth, the Company has multiple projects underway and is pursuing advanced exploration joint venture or acquisition opportunities.
In the second quarter of 2011, IAMGOLD incurred $27.0 million on exploration projects compared to $26.2 million in the second quarter of 2010. The second quarter of 2011 expenditures included:
Commitment to Zero Harm Continues
2011 Outlook
IAMGOLD revised its guidance for production and cash costs for 2011 as follows:
Guidance for Gold Production
The continuing operations production guidance for 2011 was revised to reflect the sale of the 18.9% interest in the Tarkwa and Damang gold mines in Ghana, West Africa to Gold Fields Limited, and the commitment of the Company, in the second quarter of 2011, to a plan to divest from the Mupane mine located in Botswana.
Essakane's attributable production in 2011 is now expected to be between 340,000 and 360,000 ounces. The 30,000 ounce reduction from the original guidance reflects the lower production in the second quarter of 2011. The second quarter reduction was mainly due to an extended crusher repair and a brief water shortage before the beginning of the rainy season which commenced a few weeks later than normal. The crusher has now ramped up and the water reservoirs have filled with the arrival of the rainy season. The site is well into a capital program to build an additional bulk water storage facility to add approximately 50% more storage capacity for the coming year as well as doubling the pumping capacity between the water capture point and the water storage reservoirs.
Guidance for Cash Cost per Ounce(2)
The Company revised its guidance for its cash cost per ounce(2) of gold in 2011 to between $620 and $650 per ounce, $30 per ounce higher than the previous guidance issued in May 2011. This increase primarily reflects the update in production at Essakane, exclusion of Tarkwa, Damang and Mupane which are discontinued operations, and an update of business environment assumptions such as the price for gold, price of oil, and foreign exchange rates.
Niobec Guidance
The Niobec mine's production for 2011 is expected to be between 4.5 million and 5.0 million kilograms with an operating margin(2) of between $15 and $17 per kilogram.
Supplemental Information
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders and adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders per share are non- GAAP financial measures. Management believes that these measures better reflect the Company's performance for the current period and are a better indication of its expected performance in future periods. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders and adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders per share are intended to provide additional information, but do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, and should not be considered in isolation or a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders represent net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders excluding certain impacts, net of tax, such as impairment charge, changes in asset retirement obligations for closed properties, unrealized derivative gain or loss on warrants held as investments, gain/loss on sale of marketable securities and assets, foreign exchange gain or loss, and executive severance costs, as well as the impact of change in tax laws for mining taxes, and unrealized gain on foreign exchange translation of deferred income and mining tax liabilities. These measures are not necessarily indicative of net earnings or cash flows as determined under IFRS. The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders as per the unaudited condensed consolidated interim statement of earnings, to adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders.
Adjusted operating cash flows (continuing operations)
The Company makes reference to a non-GAAP measure for adjusted operating cash flow and adjusted operating cash flow per share from continuing operations. Adjusted operating cash flow is defined as cash generated from continuing operations excluding certain impacts which the Company believes are not reflective of the Company's regular operating cash flow, and excluding changes in working capital and long-term ore stockpiles. Working capital can be volatile due to numerous factors including build-up of inventories. Management believes that, by excluding these items from operating cash flow from continuing operations, this non-GAAP measure provides investors with the ability to better evaluate the cash flow performance of the Company.
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted operating cash flow from continuing operations:
Conference Call
A conference call will be held on August 11, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) for a discussion with management regarding the Company's operating performance and financial results for the second quarter. A webcast of the conference call will be available through the Company's website - .
Conference Call Information: North America Toll-Free: 1-866-551-1530 or 1-212-401-6700 passcode: 2070074#
A replay of this conference call will be available from 6:00 p.m. August 11th to September 11th, 2011. Access this replay by dialling: North America toll-free: 1-866-551-4520 or 1-212-401-6750, passcode:274408#
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this news release, such as "mineral resources", that the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit the Company from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the IAMGOLD Annual Report on Form 40-F. A copy of the 2010 Form 40-F is available to shareholders, free of charge, upon written request addressed to the Investor Relations Department.
Forward Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding the estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, potential mineralization, potential mineral resources and mineral reserves) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "may", "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLD's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
U.S. Investors Should Note
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. IAMGOLD uses certain terms in this new release, such as "measured," "indicated," or "inferred," which may not be consistent with the reserve definitions established by the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the IAMGOLD Annual Reports on Forms 40-F. You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at or by contacting the Investor Relations department.
About IAMGOLD
IAMGOLD () is a leading mid-tier gold mining company producing approximately one million ounces annually from five gold mines (including current joint ventures) on three continents. IAMGOLD is uniquely positioned with a strong financial position and extensive management and operational expertise. To grow from this strong base, IAMGOLD has a pipeline of development and exploration projects and continues to assess accretive acquisition opportunities. IAMGOLD's growth plans are strategically focused in West Africa, select countries in South America and regions of Canada. IAMGOLD also operates Niobec, a niobium mine in the Canadian province of Quebec.
Please note:
This entire news release may be accessed via fax, e-mail, IAMGOLD's website at and through Marketwire's website at . All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at or at .
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Contacts:
IAMGOLD Corporation
Bob Tait
VP Investor Relations
(416) 360-4743 or Mobile: (647) 403-5520
IAMGOLD Corporation
Laura Young
Director Investor Relations
(416) 933-4952 or Mobile: (416) 670-3815
IAMGOLD Corporation
Toll-free: 1 888 464-9999
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