TIDMCMCL
RNS Number : 8270N
Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC
14 August 2017
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
Results for the Second Quarter and First Half of 2017
(NYSE: CMCL, AIM: CMCL, TSX: CAL)
St Helier, 14 August 2017 - Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
("Caledonia" or the "Company") announces its operating and
financial results for the second quarter of 2017 ("Q2" or the
"Quarter").
Gold production in the Quarter was little changed when compared
to Q2 2016; adjusted earnings for the first half of 2017 were 45.7
cents, six per cent. higher than in the first half of 2016.
Q2 2016 Q2 2017 H1 2016 H1 2017 Comment
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
Gold production in the
Quarter was affected
by underground logistical
Gold produced constraints on materials
(oz) 12,510 12,521 23,332 25,315 handling
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
On-mine cost On-mine costs per ounce
per ounce were adversely affected
($/oz)([1]) 629 696 658 677 by lower grade
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
All-in sustaining costs
All-in Sustaining remain under control
Cost ($/oz) and within guidance
("AISC") 930 855 937 856 year to date
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
Gold prices for the
Average realised Quarter were stable
gold price and reflect the market
($/oz) 1,252 1,235 1,211 1,224 gold prices
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
Gross profit in the
Quarter was adversely
affected by higher production
Gross profit([2]) 5,936 5,035 9,824 10,861 costs
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
The Quarter was adversely
affected by share-based
payments and a higher
effective tax rate;
Q2 2016 benefited from
Net profit $2.4 million proceeds
attributable from sale of treasury
to shareholders 3,607 694 4,150 3,032 bills
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
Earnings declined 38
Adjusted basic per cent. for the Quarter;
earnings per six month earnings are
share ("EPS")([3]) 6 per cent. higher than
(cents) 30.5 18.9 43.0 45.7 H1 2016
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
Cash balances remain
Net cash and adequate and stable
cash equivalents 10,581 10,878 10,581 10,878 during the Quarter
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
Cash from Robust cash generation
operating to support continued
activities 7,215 4,701 8,964 6,480 investment
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------------------------------
Commenting on the results, Steve Curtis, Chief Executive
Officer, said:
"Production and financial performance at the Blanket Mine
("Blanket") was adversely affected in the Quarter by lower grades
and some logistical difficulties in underground material handling.
Adjusted EPS of 18.9 cents is 38 per cent. lower than in the
corresponding period in 2016; adjusted earnings for the first half
of the year were 45.7 cents - six per cent. higher than in the
first half of 2016. Notwithstanding the challenges during the
Quarter, Caledonia continues to deliver earnings in-line with the
previous period and we anticipate being in a position to grow from
this base as our investment to increase production bears fruit.
"Management have implemented several remedial measures in the
Quarter to improve our underground material handling capacity and
to address the logistical constraints. The benefit of these actions
was evident in July when we saw an improvement in ore tonnages,
grade and gold recoveries. I expect that further benefits will be
realised in the second half of 2017. We remain confident of
achieving our 2017 full year guidance of between 52,000 and 57,000
ounces.
"It is important for investors to note that we expect the
underground bottlenecks to be fully alleviated with the completion
of the new Central Shaft, which is expected to be in production in
the fourth quarter of 2018.
"Sadly, our safety performance suffered a serious setback with
Blanket experiencing two fatal accidents in recent months. I join
with my colleagues and fellow directors in expressing our sincere
condolences to the families and colleagues of the deceased and
assure all our stakeholders at Blanket of our continued and
unwavering commitment to safe and sustainable operations.
"We experienced a marginally weaker average realised gold price
for the Quarter of $1,235.Lower than expected grades contributed to
a 10.6 per cent. increase in on-mine costs from $629 per ounce to
$696 per ounce.
"All-in sustaining costs remain under control at $855 per ounce
for the Quarter, a decrease of eight per cent. on the corresponding
period in 2016. We remain confident of achieving our full year AISC
guidance of between $810 and $850 per ounce.
"Operating cash flow in the Quarter of $4.7 million contributed
to a strong balance sheet and supports the funding of the Central
Shaft project. The Company's gross cash position at the end of the
Quarter was $10.9 million, approximately flat on the previous
quarter and year. To keep cash balances flat during a quarter in
which we invested $4.2 million and paid a quarterly dividend of
$0.7 million is testament to the strong cash generation of the
mine.
"The Central Shaft project continues to progress well with
pleasing progress in shaft sinking during the Quarter. The shaft is
currently at a depth of 870m below surface. The Central Shaft is
expected to enable the mine to produce 80,000 ounces by 2021. We
are now in the third year of the project and are excited by the
significant potential that the Central Shaft has to improve the
efficiency, and extend the life of operations at Blanket. Once
complete, it is expected to enhance the operating efficiency
through reduced travel times for employees to get to mining areas,
shorter tramming distances and reduced time required to hoist ore
to surface. The Central Shaft will also allow us to increase the
pace of deep level exploration and development, securing the future
of the mine for many years to come.
"We are also pleased to have executed a successful one-for-five
share consolidation during the Quarter which was undertaken in
support of the migration of the company's trading from the OTCQX to
a listing on the NYSE American. Caledonia hopes that the NYSE
American listing will facilitate access to an enlarged pool of
potential investors in the United States which it is anticipated
will lead to increased liquidity in the Company's shares. We look
forward to engaging actively with existing and potential new
shareholders in the US market."
Strategy and Outlook
Caledonia remains on track to achieve the production target of
80,000 ounces by 2021 at its Zimbabwean subsidiary, Blanket Mine.
The Company's strategic focus continues to be the implementation of
the Investment Plan at Blanket, which was announced in November
2014 and is expected to extend the life of mine by providing access
to deeper levels for production and further exploration.
Implementation of the Investment Plan remains on target in terms of
timing and cost. Caledonia's board and management believe the
successful implementation of the fully funded Investment Plan is in
the best interests of all stakeholders because it is expected to
result in increased production, reduced operating costs and greater
flexibility to undertake further exploration and development,
thereby safeguarding and enhancing Blanket's long term future.
Caledonia continues to evaluate further investment
opportunities.
Dividend Policy
In July, 2016 Caledonia announced an increase in its quarterly
dividend to 1.375 cents per pre consolidation share, or 5.5 cents
per annum, an increase of 22 per cent. Following the Company's
one-for-five share consolidation in June 2017 the dividend was
increased by an amount commensurate to the consolidation (i.e.
fivefold) to 27.5 cents per share post consolidation. The dividend
of 27.5 cents per annum, payable quarterly at a rate of 6.875
cents, represents Caledonia's current dividend policy. It is
envisaged that the dividend of 27.5 cents per annum will be
maintained.
Following the implementation of indigenisation in September
2012, Caledonia owns 49 per cent. of the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe.
Caledonia continues to consolidate Blanket and the operational and
financial information set out below is on a 100 per cent. basis
unless otherwise indicated.
For further information please contact:
Shareholder Conference Call
A presentation of the results for the Quarter and the outlook
for Caledonia is available on Caledonia's website
(www.caledoniamining.com). Management will host a conference call
at 1500 UK Time on the 15(th) August 2017.
Details for the call are as follows:
Date: 15 August 2017
Time: 1500 London, 1600 Johannesburg, 1600 Zurich and Frankfurt,
1000 Toronto and New York
Password: Caledonia
UK Toll free 0808 109 0700
------------------------------- ---------------------
USA Toll free 1 866 966 5335
------------------------------- ---------------------
South Africa Toll free 0 800 980 512
------------------------------- ---------------------
Canada Toll free 1 800 608 0547
------------------------------- ---------------------
Other (standard International
access) +44 (0) 20 3003 2666
------------------------------- ---------------------
Caledonia Mining Corporation
Plc Tel: +44 1534 679 802
Mark Learmonth Tel: +44 759 078 1139
Maurice Mason
WH Ireland Tel: +44 20 7220 1751
Adrian Hadden/Ed Allsopp
Blytheweigh Tel: +44 207 138 3204
Tim Blythe/Camilla Horsfall/Megan
Ray
Note: This announcement includes inside information as defined
in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014 and is
disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under
Article 17 of those Regulations.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information
Information and statements contained in this news release that
are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" within
the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve risks
and uncertainties relating, but not limited to Caledonia's current
expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs. Forward-looking
information can often be identified by forward-looking words such
as "anticipate", "envisage", "believe", "expect", "goal", "plan",
"target", "intend", "estimate", "could", "should", "may" and "will"
or the negative of these terms or similar words suggesting future
outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives,
assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or
performance. Examples of forward-looking information in this news
release include: production guidance, estimates of future/targeted
production rates, and our plans and timing regarding further
exploration and drilling and development. This forward-looking
information is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may
change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results,
performance or achievements to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors
and assumptions include, but are not limited to: failure to
establish estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery
of ore which is mined varying from estimates, success of future
exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling,
sampling and assay data, assumptions regarding the
representativeness of mineralization being inaccurate, success of
planned metallurgical test-work, capital and operating costs
varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or
failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other
project approvals, inflation, changes in exchange rates,
fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of
projects and other factors.
Potential shareholders and prospective investors should be aware
that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks
relating to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources
proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price, risks and
hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration,
development and mining, risks relating to the credit worthiness or
financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with
whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability
to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, employee
relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and
indigenous populations; political risk; availability and increasing
costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative
nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks
of obtaining or maintaining necessary licenses and permits,
diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as mining
occurs; global financial condition, the actual results of current
exploration activities, changes to conclusions of economic
evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with
unanticipated economic or other factors, risks of increased capital
and operating costs, environmental, safety or regulatory risks,
expropriation, the Company's title to properties including
ownership thereof, increased competition in the mining industry for
properties, equipment, qualified personnel and their costs, risks
relating to the uncertainty of timing of events including targeted
production rate increase and currency fluctuations. Shareholders
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves
numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both
general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the
predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will
not occur. Caledonia undertakes no obligation to update publicly or
otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a
result of new information, future events or other such factors
which affect this information, except as required by law.
Condensed Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Profit
or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income ($'000's)
3 months ended 6 months ended
June 30 June 30
2016 2017 2016 2017
Revenue 15,681 15,484 29,104 31,933
Royalty (785) (776) (1,457) (1,599)
Production costs (8,081) (8,814) (16,123) (17,912)
Depreciation (879) (859) (1,700) (1,741)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 5,936 5,035 9,824 10,861
Other income 17 557 74 1,201
Administrative expenses (1,799) (1,493) (3,236) (2,934)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) (228) 83 (200) 19
Cash settled share based payment (159) (959) (250) (1,369)
Sale of Blanket Mine treasury
bills 3,203 - 3,203 -
Margin call on gold hedge - - (435) -
Operating profit 6,970 3,223 8,980 7,598
Net finance cost (53) (10) (89) (17)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit before tax 6,917 3,213 8,891 7,581
Tax expense (2,381) (2,090) (3,507) (3,550)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit for the period 4,536 1,123 5,384 4,031
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Items that are or may be reclassified
to profit or loss
Foreign currency translation
differences for foreign operations (131) 60 (27) 133
Total comprehensive income
for the period 4,405 1,183 5,357 4,164
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 3,607 694 4,150 3,032
Non-controlling interests 929 429 1,234 999
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit for the period 4,536 1,123 5,384 4,031
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income
attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 3,476 754 4,123 3,165
Non-controlling interests 929 429 1,234 999
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income
for the period 4,405 1,183 5,357 4,164
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Earnings per share (cents)
Basic 33.5 6.1 38.3 27.6
Diluted 33.3 6.1 38.1 27.5
Adjusted earnings per share
(cents) (i)
Basic 30.5 18.9 43 45.7
--------------------------------------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
($'000's)
3 months ended 6 months ended
June 30 June 30
2016 2017 2016 2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 7,902 5,459 9,835 7,874
Net interest paid (54) (4) (90) (5)
Tax paid (633) (754) (781) (1,389)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash from operating activities 7,215 4,701 8,964 6,480
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of Property, plant
and equipment (4,926) (4,223) (8,230) (7,519)
Proceeds from property, plant
and equipment 3 - 59 -
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing
activities (4,923) (4,223) (8,171) (7,519)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid (599) (727) (1,197) (1,452)
Repayment of term loan facility - (375) - (750)
Share repurchase - (146) - (146)
Share issued 47 - 105 -
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash used in financing
activities (552) (1,248) (1,092) (2,348)
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents 1,740 (770) (299) (3,387)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations
on cash held - (74) - (70)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the period 8,841 11,722 10,880 14,335
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of the period 10,581 10,878 10,581 10,878
-------------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(unaudited)
($'000's) As at Dec 31 June
30
2016 2017
Total non-current assets 64,917 71,021
Inventories 7,222 8,064
Prepayments 810 3,611
Trade and other receivables 3,425 4,720
Cash and cash equivalents 14,335 10,878
------- -------
Total assets 90,709 98,294
------- -------
Total non-current liabilities 21,560 22,587
Current portion of term loan
facility 1,410 1,545
Trade and other payables 8,077 10,141
Income taxes payable 345 1,303
------- -------
Total liabilities 31,392 35,576
Equity attributable to shareholders 55,609 57,881
Non-controlling interests 3,708 4,837
------- -------
Total equity and liabilities 90,709 98,294
------- -------
[1] Non-IFRS measures such as "On-mine cost per ounce", "AISC"
and "average realised gold price" are used throughout this
announcement.
[2] Gross profit is after deducting royalties, production costs
and depreciation but before administrative expenses, other income,
interest and finance charges and taxation.
[3] Adjusted EPS is a non-IFRS measure which aims to reflect
Caledonia's ordinary trading performance. Per share data has been
adjusted to reflect the effective 1-for-5 consolidation which took
place on June 26, 2017.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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