NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN
THE UNITED STATES
Sherritt International Corporation ("Sherritt" or the "Corporation") (TSX:S)
today announced first-quarter 2009 results.
- Net loss of $42.9 million, or $0.15 per share, compared with net income of
$89.0 million, or $0.38 per share, for first-quarter 2008. After adjusting for
the loss on the disposal of certain Oil and Gas assets of $57.4 million
(after-tax), or $0.20 per share, first-quarter 2009 adjusted net income totaled
$14.5 million, or $0.05 per share.
- A loss on disposal of $79.5 million ($57.4 million after-tax) was recognized
in respect of the sale of certain Oil and Gas assets during the quarter,
following the termination of the Block 7 production-sharing contract in February
2009.
- Consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $789.6
million at March 31, 2009, of which $23.9 million was held in the Moa Joint
Venture and $68.1 million was held in the Ambatovy Project. The $182.3 million
increase in the balance from December 31, 2008 was partially attributable to the
receipt of funds relating to the termination of the Block 7 production-sharing
contract in Oil and Gas.
- Operating cash flows totaled $95.3 million for first-quarter 2009, net of a
working capital decrease of $9.3 million.
- Collections with respect to receivables due in 2009 relating to the Oil and
Gas and Power businesses in Cuba totaled $84.3 million, comprised of $62.8
million received during the first quarter and $21.5 million received subsequent
to March 31, 2009. At March 31, 2009, $49.0 million of Oil and Gas and $0.6
million of Power receivables were overdue.
- Capital expenditures totaled $416.9 million for first-quarter 2009, including
$376.9 million in capital expenditures on the Ambatovy Project (100% basis).
Sherritt's investment of $91.8 million was funded largely through borrowings
from credit facilities available from the Ambatovy Joint Venture partners.
Sustaining capital expenditures were $24.9 million for the quarter.
- Approximately $1.6 billion remains available under various credit facilities,
including approximately $1.2 billion (US$1.0 billion, 100% basis) available
under the Ambatovy senior project financing.
- At March 31, 2009, the Corporation was in compliance with all covenants
relating to its short-term credit facilities. Lenders have provided their
commitment to amend and extend the Corporation's $140.0 million revolving credit
facility. The proposed amendment provides for less restrictive financial
covenants, revises the applicable interest rates to current market benchmarks
and is expected to be effective by May 11, 2009. Lenders have also agreed that,
following the amendment, two additional short-term facilities totaling $60.0
million will be amended to track the changes on the revolving facility.
- Discussions continue to advance with the Ambatovy Joint Venture partners on a
mechanism to fund the remaining share of the capital cost in order to maintain
Sherritt's balance sheet strength and liquidity. The Corporation expects that
these revised financing agreements will be finalized in second-quarter 2009.
- Construction at Ambatovy continued, with no material disruptions due to the
political unrest in Madagascar.
Summary Financial and Sales Data (unaudited)
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Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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Financial Data (millions of dollars, except per share
amounts and ratios)
Revenue $ 349.0 $ 314.2
EBITDA(1) 97.2 175.7
Operating earnings 28.6 136.0
Net earnings (loss) (42.9) 89.0
Basic earnings (loss) per share (0.15) 0.38
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (0.15) 0.38
Net working capital(2) 643.2 686.1
Capital expenditures 416.9 462.2
Total assets 10,091.4 6,418.9
Shareholders' equity 3,816.6 3,243.0
Long-term debt to capitalization 32% 16%
Weighted average number of shares (millions)
Basic 293.1 232.1
Diluted 293.1 236.7
Sales Volumes (units as noted)
Nickel (thousands of pounds, 50% basis) 8,736 8,362
Cobalt (thousands of pounds, 50% basis) 998 920
Thermal coal - Prairie Operations (millions of
tonnes)(3) 8.5 9.1
Thermal coal - Mountain Operations (millions of
tonnes, 50% basis) 0.4 0.4
Oil (bpd, net production) 14,339 18,365
Electricity (GWh, 100% basis) 541 597
Average Realized Prices (units as noted)
Nickel ($/lb) $ 5.68 $ 12.93
Cobalt ($/lb) $ 16.22 $ 46.13
Thermal coal - Prairie Operations ($/tonne) $ 14.99 $ 13.66
Thermal coal - Mountain Operations ($/tonne) $ 98.76 $ 68.67
Oil ($/boe) $ 35.73 $ 51.62
Electricity ($/MWh) $ 50.46 $ 40.62
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(1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section at the
end of this release.
(2) Net working capital is calculated as total current assets less total
current liabilities.
(3) Prairie Operations volumes presented on a 100% basis for each period.
Review of Operations
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Metals
Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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Production (tonnes, 50% basis)
Nickel 4,073 3,749
Cobalt 469 407
Sales (thousands of pounds, 50% basis)
Nickel 8,736 8,362
Cobalt 998 920
Reference prices (US$/lb)
Nickel $ 4.74 $ 13.09
Cobalt(1) 13.37 46.19
Realized prices ($/lb)
Nickel $ 5.68 $ 12.93
Cobalt 16.22 46.13
Unit operating costs (US$/lb)
Mining, processing and refining costs $ 5.00 $ 5.63
Third-party feed costs 0.35 1.32
Cobalt by-product credits (1.48) (5.06)
Other 0.25 0.06
-------- ---------
Net direct cash costs of nickel(2) $ 4.12 $ 1.95
-------- ---------
Revenue ($ millions)
Nickel $ 49.7 $ 108.1
Cobalt 16.2 42.5
Fertilizer and other 13.8 11.7
-------- ---------
$ 79.7 $ 162.3
EBITDA ($ millions)(3) $ (1.4) $ 89.2
Operating earnings (loss) ($ millions) $ (8.8) $ 84.3
Capital expenditures ($millions)
Moa Joint Venture (50% basis) $ 5.5 $ 50.3
Ambatovy Joint Venture (100% basis) 376.9 382.9
-------- ---------
$ 382.4 $ 433.2
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(1) Average Metal Bulletin: Low Grade cobalt published price.
(2) Net direct cash cost of nickel after cobalt and by-product credits.
(3) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section at
the end of this release.
Mixed-sulphide production for the first quarter was 9,372 tonnes (100% basis),
up 8% (724 tonnes) from the prior-year quarter and reflected the increased
capacity from the Phase 1 Expansion which was commissioned in the second quarter
of 2008.
Finished metal production in the first quarter was up from the prior-year period
reflecting the impact of additional capacity from the Phase 1 Expansion and
higher feed availability. Finished nickel production of 8,146 tonnes (100%
basis) and finished cobalt production of 937 tonnes (100% basis) represented a
9% (649 tonne) and 15% (123 tonne) increase over the prior-year period.
Nickel sales of 8.7 million pounds (50% basis) increased by 4% (0.4 million
pounds) from the first quarter of 2008, but did not match the increase in
finished metals production as the overall weakness in global nickel demand
limited sales. First-quarter cobalt sales of 1.0 million pounds (50% basis) were
an 8% (0.1 million pound) increase over the same period in 2008 and largely
matched production.
Average nickel reference prices declined 64% (US$8.35/lb) and average cobalt
reference prices declined 71% (US$32.82/lb) compared to the prior-year period
due to the rapid deceleration in global industrial production that negatively
impacted base metals markets.
The deterioration in cobalt prices contributed to the 111% (US$2.17/lb) increase
in net direct cash costs of nickel for the quarter, as the price decline
resulted in a 71% (US$3.58/lb) reduction in the cobalt by-product credit. The
influence of weaker cobalt prices was partially offset by lower input commodity
costs and third-party feed costs.
Sustaining capital expenditures for first-quarter 2009 were 71% ($7.2 million)
lower than the prior-year period, commensurate with lower metal prices and the
objective of remaining cash flow positive. Expansion expenditures incurred in
the Moa Joint Venture during the quarter totaled $2.6 million and reflected the
construction of certain Phase 2 Expansion assets at Fort Saskatchewan and the
ongoing capitalization of interest related to the financing of the Phase 2
Expansion and the Moa acid plant which were suspended in late October 2008.
The Ambatovy Project
In the 60,000 tonne nickel (100% basis) Ambatovy Project in Madagascar,
engineering was 95% complete and construction was 48% complete at March 31,
2009. In the first quarter of 2009, Project expenditures were $376.9 million
(100% basis), relatively unchanged from the prior-year period. As at March 31,
2009, Project expenditures totaled US$2.6 billion (100% basis).
There were no borrowings against the senior project loans during first-quarter
2009. Sherritt's share of the project capital expenditures were largely funded
by partner advances pending the finalization of arrangements with the partners
on a mechanism to fund Sherritt's remaining equity requirements for the Project.
Mechanical completion of the Ambatovy Project is on schedule for the latter part
of 2010.
Coal
Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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Production (millions of tonnes)
Prairie Operations(1) 8.5 8.8
Mountain Operations(2) (50% basis) 0.5 0.4
Sales (millions of tonnes)
Prairie Operations(1) 8.5 9.1
Mountain Operations(2) (50% basis) 0.4 0.4
Realized prices, excluding royalties ($/tonne)
Prairie Operations(1) $ 14.99 $ 13.66
Mountain Operations(2) 98.76 68.67
Unit operating costs ($/tonne)
Prairie Operations(1) $ 11.62 $ 10.25
Mountain Operations(2) 59.11 55.90
Revenue ($ millions)
Prairie Operations(1)
Mining revenue $ 127.9 $ 123.8
Coal royalties 12.9 8.5
Potash royalties 4.3 3.5
Mountain Operations and Other
Assets(2),(3)(50% basis) 43.8 30.9
---------- ----------
188.9 166.7
Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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EBITDA ($millions)(4)
Prairie Operations(1) $ 44.3 $ 40.8
Mountain Operations and Other Assets(2)(3)
(50% basis) 15.7 5.3
-------- ----------
60.0 46.1
Operating earnings ($ millions) $ 34.8 $ 18.8
Capital expenditures ($millions)
Prairie Operations(1) $ 8.6 $ 4.0
Mountain Operations(2) (50% basis) 1.2 0.6
Activated Carbon Project (50% basis) 1.8 -
Obed mine (50% basis) 1.2 -
-------- ----------
12.8 4.6
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(1) Prairie Operations are presented on a 100% basis. Sherritt equity-
accounted for these operations up to the date of the acquisition of Royal
Utilities Income Fund in May 2008.
(2) Mountain Operations include the results of the Coal Valley mine, which
is primarily involved in the export of thermal coal and are presented on
a 50% basis.
(3) Other Assets include certain undeveloped reserves that produce coal-bed
methane and technologies under development, including the Dodds-Roundhill
Coal Gasification Project and are presented on a 50% basis.
(4) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section at
the end of this release.
Production and sales volumes at the Prairie Operations mines for the first
quarter were down slightly from the prior-year period due to the timing of unit
outages at the generating stations supplied by the contract mines. A 25% (0.1
million tonne) volume increase in production at the Mountain Operations,
relative to the first quarter of 2008, was achieved through improved equipment
availability.
Realized prices improved at both the Prairie and Mountain Operations when
compared to the prior-year period. At the Prairie Operations, the pricing
increase was attributable to both positive index adjustments at owned mines and
higher unit costs and corresponding cost recoveries at the contract and Genesee
mines. The 44% ($30.09/tonne) increase in realized prices at the Mountain
Operations was the result of stronger contract pricing for the April 2008 to
March 2009 coal year and the impact of a weaker Canadian dollar.
Relative to first-quarter 2008, unit costs were higher for all Coal operations
in first-quarter 2009. Unit costs at the Prairie Operations were most affected
by the need for higher cost mining techniques due to unseasonably cold weather
in Saskatchewan and unplanned dragline outages at the Boundary Dam mine. Unit
costs at the Mountain Operations were impacted by higher labour and contractor
costs required to maintain the larger equipment fleet.
Coal royalties increased by 52% ($4.4 million) and potash royalties by 23% ($0.8
million) compared to first-quarter 2008 due to the timing of mining in coal
royalty areas and higher relative market prices for potash.
Total sustaining capital expenditures for the first quarter in the Coal Division
were 113% ($5.2 million) higher than the prior-year period largely due to the
impact of a reduction in lease capacity that resulted in a requirement for cash
payments for equipment that would have otherwise been lease-financed. For the
last five years, Prairie Operations have leased the majority of their mobile
equipment fleet. As such, these payments have historically been presented as
lease payments, not capital expenditures. With the decline in global economic
conditions, the availability of lease financing on acceptable terms has been
significantly reduced. As a result, approximately $6.6 million of the capital
expenditures in the Prairie Operations for the first quarter of 2009 represents
equipment that in the past would have been lease-financed.
Oil and Gas
Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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Production (boepd)(1),(2)
Gross working interest - Cuba(3),(5) 21,687 31,005
Net working interest(4)
Cuba - cost recovery(5) 8,180 8,045
Cuba - profit oil(5) 5,486 9,427
--------- ---------
Cuba - total 13,666 17,472
Spain(4) 303 495
Pakistan(4) 370 398
--------- ---------
Total net working-interest production 14,339 18,365
Reference prices (US$/bbl)
US Gulf Coast Fuel Oil No. 6 $ 38.86 $ 69.59
Brent crude 44.60 97.35
Realized prices
Cuba ($/bbl) $ 36.01 $ 51.34
Spain ($/bbl) 55.69 97.32
Pakistan ($/boe) 8.94 7.07
Unit operating costs
Cuba ($/bbl) $ 9.03 $ 6.12
Spain ($/bbl) 55.55 30.37
Pakistan ($/boe) 1.32 0.94
Revenue ($ millions) $ 46.6 $ 87.5
EBITDA ($ millions)(6) $ 27.2 $ 68.0
Operating earnings ($ millions) $ - $ 44.3
Capital expenditures ($ millions) $ 12.1 $ 24.3
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(1) Production figures exclude production from wells for which commerciality
has not been established.
(2) Oil production is stated in barrels per day ("bpd"). Natural gas
production is stated in barrels of oil equivalent per day ("boepd"), which
is converted at 6,000 cubic feet per barrel.
(3) In Cuba, Oil and Gas delivers all of its gross working-interest oil
production to CUPET at the time of production. Gross working-interest oil
production excludes (i) production from wells for which commerciality has
not been established in accordance with production-sharing contracts; and
(ii) working interests of other participants in the production-sharing
contracts.
(4) Net production (equivalent to net sales volume) represents the
Corporation's share of gross working-interest production. In Spain and
Pakistan, net oil production volumes equal 100% of gross working-interest
production volumes.
(5) Gross working-interest oil production is allocated between Oil and Gas
and CUPET in accordance with production-sharing contracts. The Corporation's
share, referred to as 'net oil production', includes (i) cost recovery oil
(based upon the recoverable capital and operating costs incurred by Oil and
Gas under each production-sharing contract) and (ii) a percentage of profit
oil (gross working-interest production remaining after cost recovery oil is
allocated to Oil and Gas). Cost recovery pools for each production-sharing
contract include cumulative recoverable costs, subject to certification by
CUPET, less cumulative proceeds from cost recovery oil allocated to Oil and
Gas. Cost recovery revenue equals capital and operating costs eligible for
recovery under the production- sharing contracts. Therefore, cost recovery
oil volumes increase as a result of higher capital expenditures and decrease
when selling prices increase. When oil prices increase, the resulting
reduction in cost recovery oil volumes is partially offset by an increase
in profit oil barrels.
(6) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section at the
end of this release.
During first-quarter 2009, Sherritt's joint venture partner in Block 7 in Cuba
entered into an agreement with an agency of the Cuban government which resulted
in the termination of the production-sharing contract related to Block 7. As a
result, no Block 7 production was recorded in the first quarter. For comparison,
gross working-interest production in Cuba, excluding Block 7, for first-quarter
2008 was 22,300 bpd and net working-interest production was 13,131 bpd.
The 3% (613 bpd) decline in gross working-interest production compared to the
prior-year period, excluding Block 7, resulted from the suspension of
development drilling in late 2008 and early 2009 due to cash flow restrictions
in the Division. The increase in net production in Cuba for first-quarter 2009,
excluding Block 7, of 11% (1,250 bpd) over the prior-year period was due mainly
to the effect of the significant decline in oil prices. Total net production for
Sherritt was also affected by reservoir declines in Spain and Pakistan.
Declines in realized prices reflected the weaker market pricing environment that
was only partially offset by a weaker Canadian dollar. Unit operating costs in
Cuba were 48% ($2.91/bbl) higher than in the prior-year period due to a
retroactive adjustment to 2008 treatment and transportation rates, the
re-categorization of certain administrative expenses as operating expenses, and
the weaker Canadian dollar. Excluding these items, first-quarter 2009 unit
operating costs are consistent with the 2008 full-year operating costs of
$7.28/bbl.
Following the termination of the Block 7 production-sharing contract in February
2009, a loss on disposal of $79.5 million ($57.4 million after-tax) was
recognized in respect of the Block 7 assets.
Capital expenditures were 50% ($12.2 million) lower than the prior-year period,
a consequence of both the Division's objective to restrict its capital
expenditures to its available cash flow and the timing of the receipt of payment
of receivables. As a result, there were no new wells initiated or completed
during first-quarter 2009.
Power
Q1 2009 Q1 2008
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Electricity sold (GWh, 100% basis) 541 597
Realized price ($/MWh) $ 50.46 $ 40.62
Unit cash operating cost ($/MWh) $ 17.78 $ 8.55
Net capacity factor 75% 79%
Revenue ($ millions) $ 30.4 $ 29.8
EBITDA ($ millions)(1) $ 19.7 $ 23.8
Operating earnings ($ millions) $ 12.1 $ 16.3
Capital expenditures ($ millions)
Cuba $ 5.6 $ 3.8
Madagascar 3.4 -
---------- ----------
$ 9.0 $ 3.8
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(1) EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See the "Non-GAAP Measures" section at
the end of this release.
Electricity production for the first quarter of 2009 was 9.4% (56 GWh) lower
than the prior-year period due to scheduled maintenance and the failure of two
turbines. Unit cash operating costs doubled over the same period due to the same
factors. The net capacity factor reflected the lower availability due to
downtime resulting from the scheduled maintenance and the turbine failures.
The majority of the capital spending increase in Cuba during the first quarter
was for infrastructure and engineering related to the Phase 8 Expansion that is
currently under review. In addition to capital expenditures, progress payments
on major components amounted to $10.3 million for the first quarter. The
progress payments and engineering were necessary to maintain the Project option
value while the Project is under review. Capital spending in Madagascar was
directed to the construction of the 25 MW Project in Antananarivo, which is
expected to be operational in June 2009. Progress payments on major components
for the Madagascar Project were $6.6 million in first-quarter 2009.
Cash, Debt and Financing
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $789.6 million at March
31, 2009. Of that amount 3% ($23.9 million) was held by the Moa Joint Venture
and 9% ($68.1 million) was held by the Ambatovy Project. These funds are for the
use of each joint venture, respectively.
At March 31, 2009, the amount of credit available under various credit
facilities, inclusive of approximately US$1.0 billion (100% basis) under the
Ambatovy project financing, remained relatively unchanged from December 31, 2008
at $1.6 billion. Of the US$1.1 billion Ambatovy financing drawn, approximately
US$0.4 billion could be considered Sherritt's proportionate share.
Sherritt and its affiliates were in compliance with their financial covenants as
at March 31, 2009. Lenders have provided their commitment to amend and extend
the Corporation's $140.0 million revolving credit facility. The proposed
amendment provides for less restrictive financial covenants, revises the
applicable interest rates to market benchmarks and is expected to be effective
by May 11, 2009. Lenders have also agreed that, following the amendment, two
additional short-term facilities totaling $60.0 million will be amended to track
the changes on the revolving facility.
A new $38.0 million demand non-revolving credit facility was established during
the quarter between a subsidiary of the Coal Valley Partnership (50% Sherritt
interest) and a Canadian financial institution for the purpose of financing
certain equipment and to provide working capital in relation to the start-up of
the Obed mine.
Outlook
Sherritt's actual and projected production volumes, royalties and capital
expenditures for first-quarter 2009 and the year 2009 are shown below:
Projected
Actual for the year
for the three ending
months ended December 31,
March 31, 2009 2009
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Production
Mixed sulphides (tonnes, 100% basis) 9,372 37,000
Nickel (tonnes, 100% basis) 8,146 33,500
Cobalt (tonnes, 100% basis) 937 3,500
Coal - Prairie Operations (millions of tonnes,
100% basis) 8.5 36
Coal - Mountain Operations (millions of tonnes,
100% basis) 0.5 4.4
Oil - Gross working interest (Cuba) (bpd) 21,687 22,150
Oil - Net production, all operations (bpd)(1) 14,339 15,690
Power - Electricity (GWh) 541 1,959
Royalties
Coal ($ millions) $ 12.9 $ 41
Potash ($ millions) 4.3 15
Capital Expenditures ($ millions, unless
otherwise noted)
Metals - Moa Joint Venture (50% basis) $ 5.5 $ 36
Coal - Prairie Operations 8.6 35
Coal - Mountain Operations (50% basis) 1.2 9
Coal - Activated Carbon Project (50% basis) 1.8 27
Coal - Obed mine (50% basis) 1.2 8
Oil and Gas - Cuba 9.7 122
Oil and Gas - Other 2.4 13
Power - Cuba 5.6 10
Power - Madagascar 3.4 19
-------------- ------------
$ 39.4 $ 279
-------------- ------------
Metals - Ambatovy (100% basis, US$ millions) $ 303.3 $ 1,800
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(1) Net oil production is predicated on the WTI/Fuel Oil No.6 price
differential remaining consistent with historical levels.
The Corporation's results in 2009 may continue to be negatively impacted by low
nickel, cobalt and oil prices. Accordingly, the Corporation intends to remain
focused on maintaining a strong liquid balance sheet, controlling capital and
operating costs and improving cash flows from the current asset base while
preserving growth opportunities. The objective of all Divisions is to be cash
flow positive in 2009. This mandate may impact the production levels and capital
expenditures at all Sherritt operations, and so all estimates for the year are
expected to vary to a certain degree with market pricing and general global
economic conditions. Further issues impacting the 2009 estimates are presented
below.
- In Metals, the realization of lower commodity input costs is expected to
result in lower unit production costs over the balance of 2009 and, in
conjunction with higher expected cobalt prices, lower net direct cash costs
throughout the year. The 2009 annual maintenance shutdown plan at the Fort
Saskatchewan refinery has been modified in favour of maintenance windows in May,
June and September, which are expected to be less disruptive and more cost
effective than a single shutdown. Refining costs, production and sales volumes
are expected to be negatively impacted in the months in which these maintenance
opportunities are undertaken. No major elements of the Phase 2 Moa Joint Venture
Expansion are expected to begin construction in 2009.
- In the Ambatovy Project, it is expected that approximately US$0.6 billion of
the estimated US$1.8 billion in 2009 capital expenditures will be funded by
Project financing drawdowns.
- In Coal, annual production levels are expected to be consistent with prior
years and all production has been contracted. Price settlement for the majority
of the Mountain Operations contracts occurred in late March and early April
2009. As expected, settlement prices will be down significantly from the record
prices of 2008 due to market conditions. Approximately 50% of the Coal Valley
mine's 2009 contract-year production will be linked to the Newcastle FOB
settlement price which is expected to settle at approximately US$70.00/tonne,
down over 40% from last year. This will reduce the average realized price per
tonne at Mountain Operations for 2009, although the impact will be somewhat
offset if the Canadian dollar remains weaker than last year. Additional
production from the Obed mine (scheduled to reopen in the third quarter) is
estimated to be approximately 0.4 million tonnes for the year. Sustaining
capital expenditures for Prairie Operations are expected to increase as working
capital or other credit facilities are used to fund capital purchases that
otherwise would have been leased. Due to weather-related construction delays,
the commissioning of the activated carbon plant is now expected to occur in
early 2010 compared to the prior estimate of November 2009.
- In Oil and Gas, the extent of the drilling program in 2009 will be dictated
largely by the receipt of payments in Cuba. The controllable operating costs are
targeted to be 15% lower than the prior year. Activity in Cuba includes
approximately $14.4 million in expenditures for the enhanced oil recovery pilot
project that is expected to be operational in early 2010. The Corporation will
participate in an exploratory well in Turkey beginning in the second quarter of
2009 in partnership with partners including a Turkish conglomerate and an
international oil and gas company with experience in Turkey.
- In Power, production for 2009 will be impacted by planned maintenance activity
and the two unplanned turbine outages that occurred in the first quarter. As a
result of these events, unit operating costs for 2009 are expected to be higher
than in 2008, but lower than the first quarter of 2009. The 150 MW Boca de
Jaruco Combined Cycle Project in Cuba continues to be reviewed in light of
current economic conditions. Sherritt will continue with engineering and
progress payments to maintain the Project option value while it is under review.
Construction on the 25 MW Madagascar Thermal Power Project is nearing
completion, and is expected to be operational in June 2009.
Non-GAAP Measures
The Corporation discloses EBITDA in order to provide an indication of revenue
less cash operating expenses. Operating earnings is a measure used by Sherritt
to evaluate the operating performance of its businesses as it excludes interest
charges, which are a function of the particular financing structure for the
business, and certain other charges. EBITDA and operating earnings do not have
any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian generally accepted accounting
principles and, therefore, they may or may not be comparable with similar
measures presented by other issuers.
About Sherritt
Sherritt is a diversified natural resource company that produces nickel, cobalt,
thermal coal, oil, gas and electricity. It also licenses its proprietary
technologies to other metals companies. Sherritt's common shares are listed on
the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "S".
Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements generally can be identified by the use of statements that include
words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "forecast",
"likely", "may", "will", "could", "should", "suspect", "outlook", "projected",
"continue" or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements with respect
to expectations concerning assets, prices, costs, dividends, foreign-exchange
rates, earnings, production, market conditions, capital expenditures, commodity
demand, risks, availability of regulatory approvals, the impact of investments
in Master Asset Vehicles, corporate objectives and plans or goals, are or may be
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not based on
historic facts, but rather on current expectations, assumptions and projections
about future events. There is significant risk that predictions, forecasts,
conclusions or projections will not prove to be accurate, that those assumptions
may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such
predictions, forecasts, conclusions or projections. Sherritt cautions readers of
this press release not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements
as a number of factors could cause actual future results, conditions, actions or
events to differ materially from the targets, expectations, estimates or
intentions expressed in the forward-looking statements. By their nature,
forward-looking statements require Sherritt to make assumptions and are subject
to inherent risks and uncertainties. Key factors that may result in material
differences between actual results and developments and those contemplated by
this press release include business and economic conditions in Canada, Cuba,
Madagascar, and the principal markets for Sherritt's products.
Other such factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties in the
development and construction of large mining projects; risks related to the
availability of capital to develop the Ambatovy Project; risks associated with
Sherritt's joint venture partners; potential interruptions in transportation;
Sherritt's reliance on key personnel and skilled workers; the possibility of
equipment and other unexpected failures; the potential for shortages of
equipment and supplies; risks associated with mining, processing and refining
activities; uncertainties in oil and gas exploration; risks related to
collecting accounts receivable and repatriating profits and dividends from Cuba;
risks related to foreign-exchange controls on Cuban government enterprises to
transact in foreign currency; risks associated with the United States embargo on
Cuba and the Helms-Burton legislation; development programs; uncertainties in
reserve estimates; uncertainties in asset retirement and reclamation cost
estimates; Sherritt's reliance on significant customers; foreign exchange and
pricing risks; uncertainties in commodity pricing; credit risks; competition in
product markets; Sherritt's ability to access markets; risks in obtaining
insurance; uncertainties in labour relations; uncertainties in pension
liabilities; the ability of Sherritt to enforce legal rights in foreign
jurisdictions; the ability of Sherritt to obtain government permits; risks
associated with government regulations and environmental health and safety
matters; and other factors listed from time to time in Sherritt's continuous
disclosure documents.
Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such
statement is made, and except as required by law, Sherritt undertakes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
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