Iamgold reports 2012 operating and financial results

TSX: IMG    NYSE: IAG

All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Refer to the annual Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and audited consolidated Financial Statements for more information.      

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2013 /CNW/ - IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") today reported consolidated financial and operating results for the year and fourth quarter ending December 31, 2012. Revenues of $1.7 billion for 2012 were virtually flat with the prior year, as margins rose slightly to $952 an ounce. Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity holders were $334.7 million ($0.89 per share) in 2012 compared to $391.3 million ($1.04 per share) in 2011. Excluding items not indicative of underlying operating performance, adjusted net earnings attributable to equity holders¹ were $316.9 million ($0.84 per share) compared to $405.7 million ($1.08 per share) in 2011. The year-over-year earnings decline is the result of lower gold production and higher operating costs and increased exploration expenses, partly offset by higher gold prices. Operating cash flow before changes in working capital¹ was $504.0 million ($1.34 per share) compared to $656.7 million ($1.75 per share) in the previous year.

For the fourth quarter 2012, adjusted net earnings¹, excluding items not indicative of underlying operating performance, were $90.3 million ($0.24 per share), down 16% from the fourth quarter 2011. Operating cash flow before changes in working capital¹ was $130.1 million ($0.35 per share) compared to $190.1 million ($0.51 per share) in the same prior year period.

"Operating performance was solid, but it needs to be better." said President and CEO, Steve Letwin. "Despite the lower grades at our core gold assets and the disappointing performance at our joint venture operations, we achieved a level of production that wasn't too far off the mark.  Cash costs were in line with our latest guidance for 2012, but the outlook for 2013 reflects the challenges of mining and processing an increasing proportion of hard rock, particularly on the power side. We have a lot of work to do. Our recent share price is not acceptable, and we are determined to improve performance.

"We have to be more innovative in our assault on costs. This requires day-to-day cost containment along with big steps, such as our landmark deal with the Government of Suriname to partner with them to target satellite resources beyond the current concession at a significantly reduced power rate. Beyond 2013, which I'd characterize as a transitional year, we should see an operational reset - including the ramp-up at Westwood, the winding down of Mouska and Yatela, and the throughput expansion for hard rock processing at Essakane which should improve economies of scale.

"Reducing the unit costs associated with mining an increasing proportion of hard rock requires an investment in capacity expansion," continued Mr. Letwin, "but we will not commit capital to projects, such as the throughput expansion at Rosebel, unless we're confident they can meet our targeted returns on investment. While we've moved the vast majority of the resource from inferred to indicated in only six months at Côté Gold, we won't need development capital there for another two years. Our financial position remains strong with $1 billion in cash and bullion and nearly $2 billion in liquidity."

FOURTH QUARTER 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

Financial Performance

• Revenues in the fourth quarter 2012 were $468.4 million, down 3% from the fourth quarter 2011. The decline was mainly due to a lower volume of gold sales.
• Cost of sales for the fourth quarter 2012 was $259.9 million, up 2% from the same prior year period due to the increasing cost of consumables and the impact of maturing ore deposits, partially offset by lower costs arising from lower production volumes.
• Net earnings attributable to equity holders were $84.6 million ($0.22 per share), down 37% from $133.6 million ($0.36 per share) in the same period 2011. Lower net earnings were mainly due to lower revenues, higher cost of sales, higher exploration costs and lower gains on sales of assets.
• Adjusting for items not indicative of underlying operating performance, adjusted net earnings¹ were $90.3 million ($0.24 per share) compared to $107.8 million ($0.29 per share) in the same prior year period.
• Operating cash flow for the fourth quarter 2012 was $118.9 million ($0.32 per share), down from $205.5 million ($0.55 per share) in the same prior year period mainly due to lower revenues, higher exploration expenses, higher taxes paid and changes in non-cash working capital.
• Operating cash flow¹ before changes in non-cash working capital items and long-term ore stockpiles, was $130.1 million ($0.35 per share) in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to $190.1 million ($0.51 per share) in the same quarter 2011.

Production, Cash Costs and Margins

Gold Operations

• Attributable gold production was 214,000 ounces in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to 253,000 ounces in the same period 2011. The decline was mainly due to lower grades at Essakane and the stockpiling of ore at Mouska for processing in 2013.

• Cash costs² for the fourth quarter 2012 were $731 an ounce, compared to $643 an ounce in the same prior year period. Cash costs for IAMGOLD operated mines were $665 an ounce in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to $562 an ounce in the same quarter 2011.

• The gold margin² in the fourth quarter 2012 was $973 per ounce, down marginally from the same period in 2011 as higher cash costs were partially offset by higher gold prices.

Niobium Operations

• Niobium production in the fourth quarter 2012 of 1.2 million kilograms was flat with the fourth quarter 2011.

• The operating margin² in the fourth quarter 2012 was $15 per kilogram, down from $16 per kilogram in the same period 2011 due to the impact of increasing costs and the strength of the Canadian dollar.

FULL YEAR 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

Financial Performance

• Revenues were $1.7 billion in 2012, virtually flat with the prior year as the impact of a lower volume of gold sales ($111.2 million) was offset by a higher realized gold price ($98.8 million) and higher niobium revenues ($12.7 million).
• Cost of sales for 2012 was $948.0 million, up $56.2 million or 6% from the prior year. The increase is mainly related to higher costs associated with mining and processing an increasing proportion of harder rock at Essakane and Rosebel, as well as a longer haul distance at Rosebel. Depreciation expense year-over-year was marginally higher.

Our mines have three types of ore: soft rock, transition rock and hard rock, with the transition rock and hard rock progressively more energy intensive to process than soft rock. The following table shows how the mix of these three ore types is changing at both Essakane and Rosebel:

As our mines move to a mix with a much higher proportion of hard rock, the demand for power per tonne of ore processed will increase significantly. At Essakane and Rosebel, we expect the proportion of hard rock to approach 100% somewhere in the 2015-2016 time frame, at which time the number of kilowatt hours per tonne of ore processed is expected to be approximately two times greater for both mines.

This ore mix reflects the resources under the current mine plan. However, the Company has a robust near-mine exploration program underway at both Rosebel and Essakane and is actively exploring for soft rock resources in potential satellite deposits.

• Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity holders for 2012 were $334.7 million ($0.89 per share), down $56.6 million or 14% from the prior year. The decrease was mainly due to the higher cost of sales ($56.2 million), as noted above, and higher exploration expenses ($39.4 million), partially offset by higher foreign exchange gains ($18.8 million) and lower income tax expense ($21.6 million).
• Adjusted net earnings¹ for 2012 were $316.9 million ($0.84 per share¹), down $88.8 million ($0.24 per share) or 22% from the prior year.
• Operating cash flow for 2012 was $441.0 million ($1.17 per share), down $151.8 million or 26% from $592.8 million ($1.58 per share) in the prior year. The decrease in operating cash flow is mainly due to higher cost of sales ($56.2 million) and exploration expenses ($39.4 million), as well as higher income taxes paid ($73.5 million).
• Operating cash flow before changes in working capital¹ for 2012 was $504.0 million ($1.34 per share¹), down $152.7 million ($0.41 per share) or 23% from the prior year.

Financial Position

• Cash, cash equivalents and gold bullion (at market value) was $1,036.8 million at December 31, 2012, down $225.7 million from December 31, 2011. The decline was mainly due to the acquisition of the Côté Gold project ($485.7 million), capital expenditures related to mining assets and exploration and evaluation assets ($700.5 million), the payment of dividends ($106.9 million) and acquisitions of investments ($49.7 million), offset partially by cash generated from the issuance of senior unsecured notes ($650.0 million), operating activities ($441.0 million) and sale of investments ($28.2 million).
• As at December 31, 2012, no funds were drawn against the Company's $750 million total unsecured revolving credit facilities.

Production, Cash Costs and Margins

Gold Operations

• Attributable gold production from continuing operations for 2012 was 830,000 ounces, down 66,000 ounces or 7% from the prior year. Gold production was lower, mainly the result of lower grades at Essakane (22,000 ounces) and Sadiola (21,000 ounces) as well as the stockpiling of ore at Mouska (20,000 ounces) for processing in 2013.

• Cash costs¹ for 2012 were $715 per ounce, up $79 per ounce or 12% from the prior year. Cash costs at IAMGOLD operated mines was $637 per ounce, compared with $573 per ounce in 2011.Cash costs increased mainly due to lower grades, the processing of an increasing proportion of hard rock and inflationary cost pressures across all sites.

Niobium Operations

• Niobium production for 2012 was 4.7 million kilograms, up 2% from the prior year.
• The operating margin per kilogram of niobium² for 2012 was $15 per kilogram, the same as the previous year.

All-in Sustaining Cost Metric

IAMGOLD is working with its fellow members of the World Gold Council in developing guidelines to better reflect the total cost of producing gold, including an all-in sustaining cost metric. As these guidelines have not been finalized, we have chosen not to present all-in sustaining costs as part of our 2013 guidance.  The Company intends to adopt these guidelines once approved. 

Reserves and Resources

Reserves and resources, excluding the discontinued operations of Mupane, Tarkwa and Damang in 2011, changed as follows:

• The Company is reporting total attributable proven and probable gold reserves of 11.3 million ounces at the end of 2012 compared to 13.3 million ounces at the end of 2011. Excluding the 2012 sale of Quimsacocha, which accounted for 1.7 million ounces, reserves are down slightly by 2% from 2011. In light of the feasibility study currently underway at Rosebel and due out shortly, it was appropriate for 2012 to reflect Rosebel's December 2011 reserves, net of the year's depletion. A positive reconciliation adjustment for actual production versus the 2011 resource model was observed in 2012. The reserves and resources for Rosebel will be reviewed and updated as part of the feasibility study.
  
• Total attributable measured and indicated gold resources (inclusive of reserves) increased by 24% or 4.4 million ounces to 22.6 million ounces at the end of 2012, mainly due to the acquisition and further infill and exploration drilling of Côté Gold.
• At the end of 2012, Niobium probable reserves were 1,768 million kilograms of contained niobium pentoxide (Nb₂O₅), up nominally from the prior year.
• In February 2012, the Company announced an inferred resource estimate of 466.8 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.65% Total Rare Earth Oxides ("TREO") on the rare earth elements ("REE") zone adjacent to its niobium mine. Subsequent to the Company's diamond drilling in 2012, total indicated resources are now estimated at 531 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.64% TREO representing 8.7 billion kilograms of contained TREO. An inferred resource of 527 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.83% TREO representing 9.7 billion kilograms of contained TREO was delineated.

Commitment to Zero Harm Continues

• The Company regrets the drowning of a gardener employed at our exploration office in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in November 2012.
• Regarding Health and Safety, the frequency of all types of serious injuries (measured as DART rate³) across IAMGOLD for 2012 was 1.08 compared to 1.12 for the prior year, representing a 4% improvement over 2011.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

Côté Gold

• On June 21, 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of all issued and outstanding common shares of Trelawney through a plan of arrangement (the "Transaction"). Under the terms of the Transaction, former shareholders of Trelawney received C$3.30 in cash for each common share of Trelawney held. The main asset acquired in this transaction is the Côté Gold project located adjacent to the Swayze Greenstone Belt in Northern Ontario, Canada.
  
  On October 4, 2012, IAMGOLD announced a mineral resource update for the Côté Gold project which included all validated drill results as at August 1, 2012. The results showed a 274% increase in indicated resources and a substantial increase in total ounces compared to the last release (pre-acquisition) by Trelawney Mining in February 2012. On January 22, the Company announced another resource update including all validated drill results as at December 31, 2012.  The result was a further increase in indicated resources, up 114% from the October 4, 2012 announcement. The indicated resource is now estimated at 269 million tonnes averaging 0.88 grams of gold per tonne for 7.61 million ounces. The inferred resource is estimated at 44 million tonnes, averaging 0.74 grams of gold per tonne. A positive attribute of the deposit is its accessibility for open-pit mining.  The deposit locally outcrops at surface and on average is covered with less than six metres of barren overburden.

Senior Notes Offering

• On September 21, 2012, the Company completed the issuance of $650.0 million of senior unsecured notes bearing interest at 6.75% due in 2020. The Company intends to use the proceeds for general corporate purposes, including the funding of capital expenditures and exploration.

Disposal of Quimsacocha

• On November 14, 2012, the Company disposed of its interest in the Quimsacocha project in Ecuador to INV Metals Inc. ("INV Metals") through the disposal of all shares of its wholly-owned subsidiary IAMGOLD Ecuador S.A., in exchange for 231.3 million common shares of INV Metals. The Company holds approximately 47% of the issued and outstanding INV Metals shares immediately after the closing of the transaction.

Westwood

• The Westwood project in Quebec remains on track for a production start by the end of the first quarter 2013. Total gold production from Westwood in 2013, including the processing of ore stockpiled at Mouska, is expected to range between 130,000-150,000 ounces. The gradual ramp-up typical during the startup of an underground mine will result in higher unit costs in the first year of production. Subsequent to year-end, the depth of the shaft reached its interim target of 1,958 metres. Commercial production is projected to begin by October 2013. In October 2012, the union membership ratified a six year contract effective from December 1, 2011.

Essakane

• At the Essakane mine in Burkina Faso, the completion of the plant expansion to accommodate an increasing proportion of hard rock is expected by the end of 2013. The Company successfully negotiated an agreement with the Government of Burkina Faso on fiscal terms related to mine expansions, including a reduction in the import duty on expansion related-materials from 7.5% to 2.5%.

• Gold production is expected to range between 255,000-275,000 ounces in 2013, down from 315,000 ounces in 2012.  Ore grades are expected to be 10-15% lower than the life of mine average, mainly due to the processing of lower-grade softer ore that had been stockpiled in the early years as the mine expansion gears up to process higher-grade ore. As we move into harder rock, the higher grades will help mitigate the impact of the higher energy consumption required to treat harder ore and improve grades in line with the life of mine average. The Company is also focused on bringing in softer ore from the Falagountou satellite resource, 8 kilometers east of the main pit.

• A contract was signed with employees allowing for a 5% increase over each of the next three years.

Rosebel

• At the Rosebel mine in Suriname, the Company completed the installation of a temporary pre-crusher, a larger pebble crusher, and an expanded gravity recovery circuit, all of which are having a positive impact on recoveries. Also, to address the transition to harder ore, a third ball mill is under construction and is expected to be brought into production at the end of the first quarter 2013. Further capacity expansion to address the increasing ore hardness will depend on the outcome of the feasibility study to be completed at the end of the first quarter 2013.Gold production in 2013 is expected to range between 365,000-385,000 ounces compared to 382,000 ounces in 2012, as grades are expected to remain fairly constant with some minor variation.

• On November 26, the President of Suriname announced that an agreement had been reached with IAMGOLD with respect to a joint venture that would target satellite resources beyond the current concession, with attractively priced power. Final approval by the National Assembly of the Republic of Suriname is expected in the near future.

Sadiola

• In Mali, the Company is reassessing its strategy with respect to its joint venture operations with AngloGold Ashanti. Until such time as an agreement is reached on how to proceed with the sulphide expansion project the Company is freezing capital expenditures related to the expansion. The expansion project is necessary to accommodate hard rock processing, as the existing mill was not designed to do so. While production at the joint venture operations was not disrupted by the conflict in Mali, the Company has reduced its exploration activity in more remote regions of the country.

Niobec

• The Company plans to complete the feasibility study for the Niobec expansion in the third quarter of 2013. The timing of capital spending related to the Niobec expansion project will depend on the outcome of the study and will be aligned with the advancement of the permitting process.  The permitting process should be finalized by 2014.

Rare Earth Elements

• IAMGOLD continues to evaluate options for exploiting the large Rare Earth Elements ("REE") resource near its Niobec mine operation.

SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL RESULTS

KEY OPERATING STATISTICS

ATTRIBUTABLE GOLD PRODUCTION AND CASH COSTS

The table below presents the gold production attributable to the Company along with the weighted average cash cost per ounce of production.

¹ Total cash cost is a non-GAAP measure.  Refer to the Supplemental Information section attached to the MD&A for reconciliation to GAAP measures.

² In 2012, the mine, as planned, did not produce gold other than marginal gold derived from the mill clean-up process.

³ Discontinued operations include Mupane, Tarkwa and Damang which were sold in 2011.

FOURTH QUARTER 2012 OPERATIONS REVIEW

ROSEBEL MINE, SURINAME

Operating Performance
Attributable gold production of 100,000 ounces for the fourth quarter 2012 was 4% lower than the same prior year period, primarily as a result of lower grades, partially offset by higher recoveries. Recoveries have improved as a result of completion of the gravity circuit.

Total cash costs per ounce in the fourth quarter were higher than the same period in 2011 mainly due to higher labour, fuel and power costs. Higher labour costs reflect inflation and fuel costs were mainly higher due to the longer haulage distance.

CAPEX
During the fourth quarter 2012, Rosebel's capital expenditures were $25.9 million and included advancing the third ball mill project ($11.7 million), resource development and near-mine exploration ($4.1 million) and other smaller projects ($10.1 million).

ESSAKANE MINE, BURKINA FASO

Operating Performance
Attributable gold production of 77,000 ounces was 18% lower than the same period in 2011, mainly due to processing of lower-grade ore partially offset by the increase in ore milled.

Total cash costs per ounce in the fourth quarter were higher than the same period in 2011 mainly due to the impact of lower grades on gold production, higher energy prices and upward pressure on the price of consumables.

CAPEX
During the fourth quarter 2012, Essakane's capital expenditures were $80.4 million and included the expansion project ($47.4 million), capitalized stripping costs on the push-back of the pit ($21.6 million) and other smaller projects ($11.4 million).

DOYON DIVISION, CANADA

During the fourth quarter 2012, the site continued to stockpile ore which will be processed in the refurbished mill in 2013.

SADIOLA MINE, MALI

Operating Performance
Attributable gold production of 27,000 ounces for the fourth quarter 2012 was 4% lower than the prior year period due to lower grades, partially offset by higher throughput.

Total cash costs per ounce were higher in the fourth quarter than in the same quarter 2011 due to lower production, higher energy and the higher cost of consumables.

CAPEX
The Company's attributable portion of capital expenditures during the fourth quarter 2012 was $14.5 million and included spending on the Sadiola sulphide project ($10.7 million) and various smaller sustaining capital projects ($3.8 million).

Sadiola did not distribute a dividend during the fourth quarter 2012.

YATELA MINE, MALI

Operating Performance
Attributable gold production of 10,000 ounces for the fourth quarter 2012 was 25% higher compared to the prior year period.

Total cash costs per ounce in the fourth quarter 2012 were lower compared to the fourth quarter 2011. As expected, the short-term non-capitalized waste stripping activities completed in the third quarter have improved the access to ore.

There were no significant capital expenditures year-to-date for both 2012 and 2011.

Yatela did not distribute a dividend during the fourth quarter 2012.

NIOBEC NIOBIUM MINE, CANADA

Operating Performance
Niobium production of 1.2 million kilograms in the fourth quarter 2012 was unchanged compared to the same period in 2011 as higher throughput and recovery was offset by lower Nb₂O₅ ore grades.

Niobium revenues decreased to $46.0 million in the fourth quarter 2012 compared to $47.7 million in the same period in 2011 due to lower sales volume partially offset by higher realized niobium prices. Operating margin during the fourth quarter 2012 was lower compared to the same prior year period due to the impact of increasing costs and the strength of the Canadian dollar.

CAPEX
In the fourth quarter 2012, capital expenditures were $24.1 million and included underground development ($4.0 million), process improvement ($4.7 million) and feasibility study ($5.3 million) and other smaller projects ($10.1 million).

ATTRIBUTABLE GOLD SALES VOLUME AND REALIZED GOLD PRICE

NIOBEC PRODUCTION, SALES AND OPERATING MARGIN

EXPLORATION

IAMGOLD was active on 20 initiatives at mine sites, near mine and greenfields exploration projects in eight countries of West Africa and North and South America for the year ended December 31, 2012. Exploration expenditures totaled $152.3 million, of which $112.7 million was expensed and $39.6 million capitalized. Exploration expenditures in 2012 were $43.7 million higher than in 2011 due to a larger exploration program and the drilling activity on the Côté Gold Project following its acquisition in June 2012. Drilling activities on all projects totaled approximately 681,500 metres for the year.

The Company plans to spend $142.2 million on exploration in 2013. The reduction from 2012 is due to reduced exploration activities in West Africa, relative to 2012, partially offset by increased programs in Brazil, Colombia and ongoing exploration and feasibility work at the Côté Gold project of $23.8 million. The Company also plans to carry out mine site resource development programs at Rosebel, Essakane, Niobec and Westwood. Approximately 458,000 metres of reverse circulation and diamond drilling is planned for 2013.

2013 OUTLOOK

The outlook is based on 2013 full year assumptions for average realized gold price of $1,700 per ounce, $C/$US exchange rate of 1.00, $US/€ exchange rate of 1.25 and average crude oil price of $95 per barrel.

Gold Production and Cash Costs
IAMGOLD expects 2013 gold production to be in the range of 875,000 to 950,000 ounces. The forecast reflects lower grades at Essakane and Rosebel, slower ramp up at Westwood and the expected lower performance at Sadiola.  Total cash costs, including royalties, for 2013 are expected to increase to a range of between $850 and $925 an ounce. Approximately one-third of the increase in cash costs per ounce is attributed to inflation while another third reflects the impact of lower ore grades on production costs. The balance of the expected year-over-year increase is due to both the transition to harder ore at the Company's mature mines and the higher unit costs at Westwood attributed to lower production in its first year of operation. The growing proportion of harder ore drives up stripping ratios and labour costs and exerts a greater demand on crushing and grinding capacity, which in turn increases energy consumption and the use of reagents.

With respect to the Doyon division, the Westwood processing facility is on track to begin gold production by the end of March 2013. The mine site is projected to be producing gold by October 2013 at levels which adhere to the Company's definition of commercial production. The contribution from the gold produced in the interim period will be applied as a credit against mining assets in the consolidated balance sheet. This will lower net cash from operating activities and lower net cash used in investing activities. The contribution from the gold produced from the stockpiled ore at Mouska will be reported on the consolidated income statement.

Niobium Production
The Company expects to produce between 4.7 and 5.1 million kilograms of niobium in 2013 at a margin of between $15 and $17 a kilogram.

Depreciation
Depreciation expense is expected to increase in 2013 compared to 2012 with the commencement of commercial production at the Westwood mine and higher depreciation of capitalized stripping at Essakane.

Capital Expenditures
The Company reduced its capital expenditure forecast for 2013 as set out below mainly due to the delayed approval of the Sadiola sulphide project and the deferral of capital spending at Niobec. For Niobec, the timing of capital spending will be aligned with the advancement of permitting and the completion of the feasibility study.

END NOTES (excluding tables)

CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call will be held on Thursday, February 21 at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) for a discussion with management regarding the Company's 2012 fourth quarter and full year operating performance and financial results.  A webcast of the conference call will be available through the Company's website - www.iamgold.com.

Conference Call Information: North America Toll-Free: 1-866-206-0240 or 1-646-216-7111, passcode: 57846322#

A replay of this conference call will be available from 5:00 p.m. February 21 to March 21, 2013. Access this replay by dialling: North America toll-free: 1-866-206-0173 or 1-646-216-7204, passcode: 278951#

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 expected, estimated or planned gold and niobium production, cash costs, margin expansion, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures and 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", "outlook", "guidance", "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: changes in the global prices for gold, niobium, copper, silver or certain other commodities (such as diesel, aluminum and electricity); changes in U.S. dollar and other currency exchange rates, interest rates or gold lease rates; risks arising from holding derivative instruments; the level of liquidity and capital resources; access to capital markets, financing and interest rates; mining tax regimes; ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; legislative, political or economic developments in the jurisdictions in which the Company carries on business; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment; employee relations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; adverse changes in the Company's credit rating; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; and the risks involved in the exploration, development and mining business.  With respect to development projects, IAMGOLD's ability to sustain or increase its present levels of gold production is dependent in part on the success of its projects.  Risks and unknowns inherent in all projects include the inaccuracy of estimated reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries, capital and operating costs of such projects, and the future prices for the relevant minerals.  Development projects have no operating history upon which to base estimates of future cash flows.  The capital expenditures and time required to develop new mines or other projects are considerable, and changes in costs or construction schedules can affect project economics.  Actual costs and economic returns may differ materially from IAMGOLD's estimates or IAMGOLD could fail to obtain the governmental approvals necessary for the operation of a project; in either case, the project may not proceed, either on its original timing or at all.

Notes to Investors Regarding the Use of Resources

Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured and Indicated Resources
This news release uses the terms "measured resources" and "indicated resources". We advise investors that while those terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") does not recognize them. Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.

Cautionary Note to Investors Concerning Estimates of Inferred Resources
This news release also uses the term "inferred resources". We advise investors that while this term is recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the SEC does not recognize it. "Inferred resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.

Scientific and Technical Disclosure
IAMGOLD is reporting mineral resource and reserve estimates in accordance with the CIM guidelines for the estimation, classification and reporting of resources and reserves.

 Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
The SEC 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 news 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 http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml or by contacting the Investor Relations department. The Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") requires mining companies to disclose reserves and resources using the subcategories of "proven" reserves, "probable" reserves, "measured" resources, "indicated" resources and "inferred" resources. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not demonstrate economic viability.

 A mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. This study must include adequate information on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can be justified. A mineral reserve includes diluting materials and allows for losses that may occur when the material is mined. A proven mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of a measured mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. A probable mineral reserve is the economically mineable part of an indicated, and in some circumstances, a measured mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility study. A mineral resource is a concentration or occurrence of natural, solid, inorganic material, or natural, solid fossilized organic material including base and precious metals in or on the Earth's crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and continuity of a mineral resource are known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. A measured mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics are so well established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough to confirm both geological and grade continuity. An indicated mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed. An inferred mineral resource is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified, geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of an inferred resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
A feasibility study is a comprehensive technical and economic study of the selected development option for a mineral project that includes appropriately detailed assessments of realistically assumed mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental considerations together with any other relevant operational factors and detailed financial analysis,  that are necessary to demonstrate at the time of reporting that extraction is reasonably justified (economically mineable).  The results of the study may reasonably serve as the basis for a final decision by a proponent or financial institution to proceed with, or finance, the development of the project.  The confidence level of the study will be higher than that of a pre-feasibility study.

A pre-feasibility study is a comprehensive study of a range of options for the technical and economic viability of a mineral project that has advanced to a stage where a preferred mining method, in the case of underground mining, or the pit configuration, in the case of an open pit, is established and an effective method of mineral processing is determined. It includes a financial analysis based on reasonable assumptions on mining, processing, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental considerations and the evaluation of any other relevant factors which are sufficient for a qualified person, acting reasonably, to determine if all or part of the Mineral Resource may be classified as a Mineral Reserve.

Gold, Niobium and TREO Technical Information and Qualified Person/Quality Control Notes
The  mineral  resource  estimates  contained in this news release have been prepared  in  accordance  with  National  Instrument  43-101  Standards  of Disclosure  for  Mineral  Projects  ("NI 43-101") and JORC.  The "Qualified  Person" responsible for the supervision of the preparation and review of all resource and reserve estimates for IAMGOLD Corporation is Réjean Sirois, Eng., Vice President, Geology & Resources for G Mining Services Inc. Réjean worked for 25 years with IAMGOLD Corporation and has an excellent knowledge of all the operations and projects. He is considered a  "Qualified Person" for the purposes of National  Instrument  43-101  with  respect  to  the  mineralization  being reported  on.  The  technical information has been included herein with the consent  and  prior  review  of  the  above  noted  Qualified  Person. The Qualified person has verified the data disclosed, and data underlying the information or opinions contained herein.

About IAMGOLD

IAMGOLD (www.iamgold.com) is a leading mid-tier gold producer with five operating gold mines (including current joint ventures) on three continents. In the Canadian province of Québec, the Company also operates Niobec Inc., one of the world's top three producers of niobium, and owns a rare earth element resource close to its niobium mine. IAMGOLD is well positioned for growth 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 certain regions in Canada, select countries in South America and Africa.

Please note:
This entire news release may be accessed via fax, e-mail, IAMGOLD's website at www.iamgold.com and through CNW Group's website at www.newswire.ca. All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov.

Si vous désirez obtenir la version française de ce communiqué, veuillez consulter le http://www.iamgold.com/French/Home/default.aspx.

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 changes in estimates of asset retirement obligations including unrecognized tax benefits, unrealized derivative gain or loss, gain/loss on sale of marketable securities and assets, foreign exchange gain or loss, executive severance costs, as well as the impact of significant 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.

The Company makes reference to a non-GAAP measure for operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital and operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital per share.  This measure is defined as cash generated from continuing operations excluding changes in working capital. Working capital can be volatile due to numerous factors including build-up of inventories.  Management believes that, by excluding these items 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 operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital:

This news release refers to gold margin per ounce of gold, a non-GAAP performance measure, in order to provide investors with information about the measure used by management to monitor the performance of its gold assets.  The information allows management to assess how well the gold mines are performing relative to the plan and to prior periods, as well as assess the overall effectiveness and efficiency of gold operations.

In periods of rising gold prices it becomes profitable to process lower-grade ore. Such a decision will typically result in an increase in cash costs per ounce, but it is equally important to recognize that margins also increase at an equal or even faster rate.  While mining lower grade ore results in less gold being processed in any given period, over the long-run it allows us to optimize the production of profitable gold, thereby maximizing our total financial returns over the life of the mine.   IAMGOLD's exploitation strategy, including managing cutoff grades, mine sequencing, and stockpiling practices, is designed to maximize the total value of the asset given conservatively derived assumptions for key economic parameters going forward.  At the same time, the site operating teams seek to achieve the best performance in terms of cost per tonne mined, cost per tonne processed and overheads.

The gold margin per ounce of gold does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, is 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.

The following table provides a reconciliation of gold margin per ounce of gold for the gold operating mine (continuing operations) to gold realized price less cash costs per ounce.

This news release often refers to cash costs per ounce, a non-GAAP performance measure in order to provide investors with information about the measure used by management to monitor performance.  This information is used to assess how well the producing gold mines are performing compared to plan and prior periods, and also to assess the overall effectiveness and efficiency of gold mining operations.  "Cash cost" figures are calculated in accordance with a standard developed by The Gold Institute, which was a worldwide association of suppliers of gold and gold products and included leading North American gold producers.  The Gold Institute ceased operations in 2002, but the standard is still an accepted standard of reporting cash costs of gold production in North America.  Adoption of the standard is voluntary and the cost measures presented herein may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.  Costs include mine site operating costs such as mining, processing, administration, royalties, production taxes, and attributable realized derivative gain or loss, but are exclusive of amortization, reclamation, capital, exploration and development costs.  These costs are then divided by the Company's attributable ounces of gold produced to arrive at the total cash costs per ounce.  The measure, along with sales, is considered a key indicator of a company's ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its mining operations.

These gold cash costs do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP and differ from measures determined in accordance with GAAP.  They are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.  These measures are not necessarily indicative of net earnings or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP.

The following tables provide a reconciliation of total cash costs per ounce produced for gold mines to the mining costs, excluding depreciation, depletion and amortization as per the unaudited interim consolidated statement of earnings.

The Company's News Release refers to operating margin per kilogram of niobium at the Niobec mine, a non-GAAP performance measure, in order to provide investors with information about the measure used by management to monitor the performance of its non-gold asset, the Niobec mine.  The information allows management to assess how well the Niobec mine is performing relative to the plan and to prior periods, as well as, assess the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the operations.  The operating margin per kilogram of niobium does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP, 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 GAAP.

The following table provides a reconciliation of operating margin per kilogram of niobium at the Niobec mine to revenues, and mining costs as per the unaudited consolidated interim statement of earnings.

SOURCE IAMGOLD Corporation