Elgin Mining Reports First Quarter 2013 Results
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 05/13/13 -- Elgin Mining Inc. ("Elgin Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: ELG)(TSX: ELG.WT) reports its financial and operational results for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Elgin Mining owns and operates the Bjorkdal gold mine ("Bjorkdal") in Sweden, and is advancing the Lupin gold mine ("Lupin") in Nunavut, Canada towards a potential restart of operations. All figures are in Canadian dollars ($ or CAD) unless otherwise indicated.
A copy of the Company's financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis can be viewed on the Company's website at www.elginmining.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
First Quarter 2013 Highlights
-- Gold production of 10,034 gold ounces;
-- Cash cost per gold ounce(1) sold of US$1,246;
-- Cash cost per gold ounce produced of US$1,348;
-- Cash provided by operating activities before non-cash working capital
changes was $0.5 million;
-- Net loss of $3.6 million which included $2.5 million in Lupin pre-
development costs;
-- Basic and diluted loss per share of $0.02;
-- Activities to improve the long-term production and profits of the
Bjorkdal Mine are on-going. Initiatives in the areas of grade control
and mine planning in both the open pit and underground have shown some
initial benefits. However, other trial changes such as the use of new
drill and blast patterns in the open pit during March and the cable-
bolting of certain underground stopes prior to mining to reduce ore
dilution will require further tests and refinements; and
-- Finalized a Swedish krona 40 million equipment loan facility with a
Swedish bank at an attractive variable interest rate of under 3.5% per
annum to fund approximately $6.1 million of new mining equipment
budgeted for in 2013.
Patrick Downey, President and CEO, stated "Gold production was slightly behind plan for the first quarter with a corresponding increase in per ounce cash cost as the Company continues to work on several initiatives to improve the average ore grade mined. We are confident that the effects of these initiatives, along with the Company's transition to owner-operated mining in the underground area scheduled for the third quarter of this year, will take hold over the next several quarters. We had expected the first quarter to be the most challenging quarter for the year due to known events, such as the changeover to the new open pit contractor, and possible negative variances from trial testing new mining procedures, particularly in the open pit. Already to date for the second quarter, grade and mill throughput have increased, with the mine operating at or ahead of plan in the areas of gold production and per ounce cash cost."
(1) "Cash cost per gold ounce" is a non-IFRS measure. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for an explanation and reconciliation of this measure to the Company's financial statements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
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March 31, 2013 December 31, 2012
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Cash and cash equivalents $ 11.5 million $ 15.8 million
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Working capital $ 17.0 million $ 20.4 million
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Gold concentrate inventory 1,945 ounces 2,552 ounces
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Long-term debt, non-current portion $ 0.6 million $ 0.6 million
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As detailed in its April 29, 2013 news release, the Company has taken a number of cost reduction measures to manage its existing cash resources in the most effective manner. The measures will allow the Company to ensure that Bjorkdal is funded for 2013 to carry out its near-term operational improvements despite the recent decline in the price of gold.
To improve liquidity, the Company is currently in advanced discussions with a number of lenders in regards to a revolving credit facility. Management is optimistic that the closing and announcement of such a facility can be made before the end of the second quarter.
First Quarter 2013 Financial and Operational Summary
Due to the Company changing its fiscal year end from November 30 to December 31 in the previous fiscal year, the Company's results discussed below are for the three months ended March 31, 2013 with comparatives for the three months ended February 29, 2012.
For the three For the three
months ended months ended
March 31, 2013 February 29, 2012
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Gold ounces sold 10,644 10,750
Gold ounces produced 10,034 10,826
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Revenue $ 16,736,206 $ 17,936,648
Production costs, excluding depreciation
and depletion $ 13,302,557 $ 10,745,240
Income from mining operations $ 959,199 $ 5,361,905
Exploration expense $ 123,867 $ 104,305
Lupin pre-development $ 2,505,563 $ -
Net (loss) income $ (3,598,884) $ 529,725
Net (loss) earnings per share
- Basic $ (0.02) $ 0.01
- Diluted $ (0.02) $ 0.01
Cash flow (used in) provided by
operations $ (2,844,203) $ 2,269,473
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,509,958 $ 15,918,347
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Average realized gold price (USD per
ounce) $ 1,618 $ 1,700
Cash cost per gold ounce sold (USD per
ounce) $ 1,246 $ 1,033
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Bjorkdal Gold Mine - Skelleftea, Sweden
Four months
ended
Operating Data Q1-2013 Q4-2012 Q3-2012 June 30 2012 Q1-2012
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Open Pit (tonnes) 121,912 128,965 139,128 193,238 155,728
Open Pit (gpt) 0.97 1.12 1.15 0.87 0.86
Underground (tonnes) 140,569 139,002 131,712 215,004 141,525
Underground (gpt) 1.50 1.65 1.37 1.45 1.59
Stockpile (tonnes) 32,674 38,859 57,507 24,188 20,242
Stockpile (gpt) 0.61 0.77 0.55 0.86 1.08
Tonnes milled 295,155 306,826 328,347 432,430 317,495
Plant throughput
(tonnes per day) 3,280 3,335 3,569 3,545 3,489
Average plant head
grade (gpt) 1.18 1.32 1.13 1.16 1.20
Average plant recovery
rate 89.4% 87.8% 87.6% 87.6% 88.5%
Gold (ounces)
- Produced 10,034 11,401 10,460 14,121 10,826
- Sold 10,644 12,572 9,463 13,744 10,750
Average realized gold
price (USD/oz) $ 1,618 $ 1,608 $ 1,800 $ 1,571 $ 1,700
Cash cost per gold
ounce sold (USD/oz) $ 1,246 $ 938 $ 1,052 $ 1,071 $ 1,033
Cash operating margin
per ounce sold
(USD/oz) $ 372 $ 670 $ 748 $ 500 $ 667
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Four months
ended
Production Costs Data Q1-2013 Q4-2012 Q3-2012 June 30 2012 Q1-2012
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SEK SEK SEK SEK SEK
Ore tonnes milled 295,155 306,826 328,347 432,430 317,495
Mining costs per ore
tonne milled
Open Pit 153 107 106 93 91
Underground 255 241 192 215 251
Stockpile 8 15 9 8 8
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Average mining costs
per ore tonne milled 186 156 123 149 157
Processing costs per
ore tonne milled 64 63 47 52 56
G&A and other site
costs per ore tonne
milled 33 32 22 28 26
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Total production costs
per ore tonne milled 282 251 192 229 239
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Average SEK per USD
exchange rate 6.43 6.65 6.74 6.89 6.79
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USD USD USD USD USD
Mining costs per ore
tonne milled
Open Pit $ 23.74 $ 16.15 $ 15.76 $ 13.47 $ 13.43
Underground $ 39.69 $ 36.28 $ 28.40 $ 31.17 $ 37.03
Stockpile $ 1.27 $ 2.29 $ 1.29 $ 1.20 $ 1.21
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Average mining costs
per ore tonne milled $ 28.85 $ 23.51 $ 18.30 $ 21.59 $ 23.17
Processing costs per
ore tonne milled $ 9.88 $ 9.55 $ 6.90 $ 7.57 $ 8.18
G&A and other site
costs per ore tonne
milled $ 5.08 $ 4.76 $ 3.23 $ 4.07 $ 3.88
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Total production costs
per ore tonne milled $ 43.81 $ 37.82 $ 28.43 $ 33.23 $ 35.23
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Gold production for Q1-2013 was 10,034 ounces, which was 12% lower than Q4-2012 gold production due primarily to a 10% lower head grade coupled with a 4% drop in ore tonnes processed, offset in part by a 2% increase in the plant recovery. The drop in ore tonnes processed was due to plant throughput being negatively impacted by the commissioning of a new wetscreen in the grinding circuit which has now been rectified and by unscheduled maintenance made in the current quarter.
Open pit ore grades are expected to trend higher over the remainder of 2013 as higher grade blocks are expected to be mined and as grade control initiatives, including further refinements to patterns for drill and blast, take hold.
Underground ore grades are also expected to improve as we modify and improve the method of cable- bolting the underground stopes, the underground transition to owner-operated drift mining is made in Q3- 2013, and benefits of other on-going grade control initiatives are realized.
Cash cost per gold ounce sold for Q1-2013 was US$1,246 per ounce, which was 33%, or US$308 per ounce, higher than Q4-2012 cash cost per gold ounce sold of US$938, due mainly to higher per ounce cash cost from lower head grades, higher per tonne operating costs and a stronger SEK currency in the current quarter.
The higher per tonne open pit mining costs were unusual and reflected a higher-than-average strip ratio as part of mine sequencing, reduced ore tonnage from normal inefficiencies encountered on the changeover to the new open pit contractor in January, and higher costs associated with the transition to new drill and blast techniques and patterns. Open pit mining costs per tonne are expected to return to levels seen in previous quarters for the remainder of 2013.
Underground mining costs per ore tonne also increased in the current quarter due to the processing of a greater tonnage of higher-cost contractor cable-bolted stope ore and repair costs incurred for mechanical failures to the underground production drill and scooptram in February 2013, which also lowered the quantity of stope ore mined. Underground mining costs per ore tonne are expected to remain elevated until the changeover from contractor to owner-operated ore mining and the subsequent ramp-up are successfully completed.
Lupin
As a cash conservation measure, the Lupin camp and operations were shut down in late April 2013 and will remain closed indefinitely. No mobilization of mining equipment to site was made and no underground mining activity was conducted prior to closure of the camp. Only essential work will continue during this period of shutdown to ensure all key permits are kept in good standing.
The Lupin camp and surface infrastructure are in excellent condition and will allow Lupin to re-open expeditiously should market conditions and the price of gold, among other factors, improve to allow the Company to re-commence work.
Conference Call Details
Elgin Mining will host a conference call and a presentation/audio webcast on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 9:00 am (Eastern Time).
Live Dial-In Information
Toronto and International: 416-340-2216
North America (Toll Free): 866-226-1792
Participant Audio Webcast: www.elginmining.com
Replay Call Information
Toronto and International: 905-694-9451 passcode 8807287
North America (Toll Free): 800-408-3053 passcode 8807287
The conference call replay will be available from 2:00 pm (Eastern Time) on May 14, 2013, until 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on May 28, 2013.
Elgin Mining is a Canadian based company focused on production at the Bjorkdal gold mine in Sweden, and on advancing the Lupin gold mine, located in Nunavut, Canada, to a production decision. In addition, Elgin Mining's portfolio includes the Ulu gold project located approximately 155 kilometers north of the Lupin gold mine in Nunavut, Canada, a 29.5% interest in Auracle Resources Ltd., which is exploring the Mexican Hat property in Arizona, an exclusive right and option to earn a 60% interest in Lincoln Mining Corporation's Oro Cruz (California) and La Bufa (Mexico) gold projects and an option to earn a 60% interest in North Arrow Minerals Inc.'s Contwoyto gold project located adjacent to the Lupin gold mine in Nunavut, Canada. Elgin Mining also selectively reviews opportunities to add advanced stage development projects to its portfolio. The Company has a strong balance sheet, generates cash flow from gold sales, and remains un-hedged.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements, including any information as to the Company's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance. Forward-looking statements are characterized by words such as "plan," "expect", "budget", "target", "project", "intend," "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
These factors include risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the material identified as mineral reserves and mineral resources from that predicted, changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors, the impact of general business and economic conditions, global liquidity and credit availability on the timing of cash flows and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future conditions, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in accounting policies, changes in the Company's corporate resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, changes in project development and production time frames, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, higher prices for fuel, steel, power, labour and other consumables contributing to higher costs and general risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, unexpected changes in mine life, unanticipated results of future studies, seasonality and unanticipated weather changes, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, successful completion of proposed acquisitions, permitting time lines, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage and timing and possible outcome of pending litigation and labour disputes as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 22, 2013, a copy of which is filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates, assumptions or opinions should change, except as required by applicable law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the exploration and development plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Contacts:
Elgin Mining Inc.
Patrick Downey
President and Chief Executive Officer
(604) 682-3366
(604) 682-3363 (FAX)
info@elginmining.com
www.elginmining.com