Roca Mines Inc. Reports Year End Results
During the year ended August 31, 2011, the Company recorded production revenues of $1,773,845 and a net loss of $23,664,878 compared to revenues of $17,649,841 and a net loss of $14,239,676 for fiscal 2010. In the current year, the Company milled less than 15% of 2010 throughput and wrote off $1,515,643 (2010 - $11,584,037) in future income tax assets. Management considered the property, plant and equipment associated with the MAX Molybdenum mine to be impaired and wrote-off a total of $17,419,986 in associated costs down to the plant and equipment's estimated net recoverable amount as at August 31, 2011.
The Company had positive operating cash flow of $2,661,724 in 2010, while in 2011 the Company had negative operating cash flows of $5,383,421 because of the significant downtime at MAX, lower realized head grades and molybdenum prices. Proceeds from financing activities of $7,432,452 (2010 - $535,493) were invested in temporary shut down costs, mine development and significant underground maintenance and repairs. General and administrative expenses have decreased by approximately 20% over 2010, reflecting the Company's cost-cutting initiatives while the MAX Molybdenum mine's performance suffered from various events in 2010 and 2011.
The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, FortyTwo Metals Inc., received an amendment to its operating permit in April of 2010, approving an increase in production to phase II, 1,000-tonne-per-day throughput rate. Roca's management and consultants continue to evaluate various project alternatives towards reaching the Phase II expansion targets of the operation. The evaluation includes updating capital cost estimates for additional mining equipment, installation of a backfill system, additional underground development and completing expansion of the existing mill complex. A capital plan to resume production at higher throughput levels and lower unit costs is being refined as of the date of this report. Management believes this could allow for a sustainable operation at current grades and molybdenum oxide prices, while also preserving the opportunity to benefit from any increase in molybdenum prices in the future.
Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations and Loss
Year ended Year ended
August 31, 2011 August 31, 2010
Total Revenues 1,773,845 17,649,841
Cost of sales (2,849,298) (16,489,167)
Depletion, amortization, accretion (243,107) (1,651,096)
Mining Loss (1,318,560) (490,422)
Temporary shutdown costs (2,457,224) -
General & administrative, stock-based compensation,
exploration costs written-off (1,000,494) (2,280,131)
Loss from Operations (4,776,278) (2,770,553)
Write-down of plant & equipment and parts (17,557,960) -
Foreign Exchange gains (losses) and other 185,003 (75,943)
Income and mining tax recovery provision (1,515,643) (11,393,180)
Net Loss for the Year (23,664,878) (14,239,676)
Loss per Share - Basic and Diluted (0.21) (0.15)
ROCA MINES INC.
"David Skerlec"
David J. Skerlec - Chief Financial Officer
Neither the 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.
For further information:
Tel: 604-684-2900
Fax: 604-684-2902
Email: info@rocamines.com
Web: www.rocamines.com