TIDMCMCL
RNS Number : 8660G
Caledonia Mining Corporation PLC
11 August 2016
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
Results for the Second Quarter and First Half of 2016
(TSX: CAL, OTCQX: CALVF, AIM: CMCL)
St Helier, August 11, 2016. Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
("Caledonia" or the "Company") announces its operating and
financial results for the first half of 2016 ("H1" or the "Half
Year") and the second quarter of 2016 ("Q2" or the "Quarter"). All
results are reported in United States dollars unless otherwise
indicated. Following the implementation of indigenisation in
September 2012, Caledonia owns 49% of the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe.
Caledonia continues to consolidate Blanket and the operational and
the financial information set out below is on a 100% basis unless
otherwise indicated.
Q2 Q2 H1 2015 H1 Comment
2015 2016 2016
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Higher gold production
due to increased tonnes
Gold produced mined and milled and
(oz) 10,401 12,510 20,360 23,332 higher grade
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Cost per ounce falls
as fixed costs are spread
On-mine cost across higher production
($/oz) 720 629 718 658 and sales ounces
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Lower cost per ounce
due to lower on-mine
cost per ounce, offset
All-in Sustaining by higher royalty cost
Cost ($/oz) due to the higher gold
("AISC") 1,030 936 1,007 943 price
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Average realised Higher realised price
gold price reflects the higher
($/oz) 1,173 1,252 1,186 1,211 prevailing gold price
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Higher gross profit
due to higher production
and sales, higher realised
Gross profit gold price and lower
($'000) 3,252 5,936 7,000 9,824 average costs per ounce
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Higher attributable
profit due to increased
Net profit gross profit and the
attributable profit arising on the
to shareholders sale of the treasury
($'000) 266 3,607 1,522 4,150 bills
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Adjusted basic Higher adjusted earnings
earnings per per share excludes the
share ("EPS") sale of the treasury
(cents) 1.5 6.1 4.1 8.6 bills and deferred tax
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Net cash increased in
the quarter, but is
Net cash and lower than June 30,
cash equivalents 2015 due to high levels
($'000) 19,170 10,581 19,170 10,581 of capital investment
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Increase in operating
Cash from cash flows reflects
operating the higher sales volumes
activities and gold price and lower
($'000) 1,853 7,215 3,186 8,964 average costs of production
------------------- ------- ------- -------- ------- -----------------------------
Commenting on the results for the quarter and half year to June
30, 2016, Steve Curtis, Caledonia's President and Chief Executive
Officer said:
"The results for the second quarter represent a substantial
improvement on previous quarters as we begin to see the benefits of
the continued investment at Blanket and as a result of the improved
gold price. Adjusted earnings per share in the second quarter were
144 per cent higher than quarter 1 of 2016 and over 300 per cent
higher than in the second quarter of 2015. Caledonia remains
confident of meeting market expectations for the remainder of
2016.
"A new production record was largely the result of improved
underground logistics and increased mine flexibility as a result of
the implementation of the Revised Investment Plan at Blanket Mine.
This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the management
and employees at Blanket Mine and the technical team at Caledonia
over the last 18 months.
"Gold production in the quarter was 15.6 per cent higher than
the first quarter of 2016 due to the increased tonnes mined and
milled and the improved grade. The average feed grade in the
quarter was 3.47 grammes per tonne compared to 3.16 grammes per
tonne in quarter 1 and 3.25 grammes per tonne in 2015. The higher
grade was as planned and reflects the commencement of production
from the AR South and Blanket ore bodies below 750 meters. In
future quarters I expect the grade will improve towards 4 grammes
per tonne as production from higher grade, deeper ore bodies
increases.
"Our increased confidence in the future financial performance of
the group is reflected in the increase in Caledonia's dividend.
With effect from the end of July 2016,Caledonia's dividend has
increased by 22 per cent from 1.125 cents per quarter to 1.375
cents per quarter. Caledonia's dividend remains sustainable with
dividend cover for the quarter of over 4 times earnings and 10
times operating cash flow.
"Higher production results in a lower average cost per ounce as
fixed costs are spread over more production ounces. The All-In
Sustaining cost for the quarter was $936 per ounce - 9.5 per cent
lower than the comparable quarter of 2015. Costs at Blanket and
Caledonia remain well-controlled and I expect to see further
reductions in the average cost per ounce as production increases in
terms of the production plan.
"Improved profitability was also reflected in Caledonia's
improved cash position. At June 30, 2016 Caledonia had cash of
$10.6 million and no debt, compared to net cash of $8.8 million at
March 31, 2016. In early August 2016, Blanket re-commenced dividend
payments after approximately 18 months during which dividends were
suspended so that it could re-invest its operating cash flows in
terms of the Revised Investment Plan. The resumption of dividend
payments by Blanket will further enhance Caledonia's cash position
and also means Blanket's indigenous shareholders will participate
in Blanket's improved financial performance.
"We have increased our focus on exploration and resource
development which has resulted in regular resource updates. I am
confident that the life of mine will be further supplemented by
resource additions and upgrades.
"A huge amount has been achieved at the Central Shaft since work
commenced in late 2014: the sinking head gear has been installed
and commissioned and the main sinking phase has commenced.
Completion of the Central Shaft remains on track for mid-2018 with
the shaft depth currently standing at 170m. The completed shaft
down to a level of 1,080m will establish Blanket as a large, low
cost operation with excellent prospects to extend the existing mine
life.
"2016 has been a transformational year for Caledonia and Blanket
to date and I look forward to providing further updates to the
market as the year progresses."
Strategy and Outlook
Caledonia's strategic focus continues to be the implementation
of the Revised 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 Revised Investment Plan remains
on target in terms of timing and cost. Caledonia's board and
management believe the successful implementation of the Revised
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's cash position is expected
to improve as a result of the implementation of the Revised
Investment Plan; Caledonia will continue to assess new
opportunities to invest surplus cash.
Dividend Policy
On November 25, 2013 Caledonia announced a dividend policy in
terms of which it paid a dividend of 6 Canadian cents per share in
2014, split into 4 equal quarterly payments of 1.5 Canadian cents
per share. The first quarterly dividend was paid on January 31,
2014 and subsequent quarterly dividends were paid thereafter.
Following the announcement on December 16, 2015 that henceforth
Caledonia will report its financial results in United States
Dollars, the quarterly dividends that were paid at the end of
January and April 2016 were declared and denominated in United
States Dollars as 1.125 United States cents.
On July 5, 2016 Caledonia announced a quarterly dividend of
1.375 United States cents per share, or 5.5 United States cents per
annum. The increased dividend represents Caledonia's revised
dividend policy following the success of the revised mine plan. It
is currently envisaged that the dividend of 5.5 United States cents
per annum will be maintained.
Hedging
In February 2016, the Company entered into a derivative contract
in respect of 15,000 ounces of gold over a period of 6 months and
accordingly, the contract expired in July 2016. The contract
protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,050 per ounce
but gave Caledonia full participation if the price of gold exceeded
$1,079 per ounce. The derivative contract was entered into by the
Company for economic hedging purposes and not as a speculative
investment.
The derivative financial liability was measured at fair value
and resulted in an expense of $435,000 (being the maximum economic
exposure arising from the contract) which was included in profit or
loss for Q1 2016. Of the $435,000 expense recognised in Q1 2016,
$145,000 was realised as at March 31, 2016 and $236,000 was
realised in Q2 2016. The Company settled the expense with the
$435,000 margin call deposited with the hedge counter-party.
Blanket continues to sell all of its gold production to Fidelity
Printers and Refiners Ltd ("Fidelity"), as required by Zimbabwean
legislation, and receives the spot price of gold less an early
settlement discount of 1.25%.
Exploration
There has been an increased focus on exploration and resource
development at Blanket Mine for several quarters which is now
beginning to bear fruit. As reported in the previous quarter, new
drilling machines have been acquired and commissioned as a result
of which the meters of diamond drilling has approximately doubled
to 6,100 per quarter. On July 27, 2016 Caledonia announced that
343,000 tonnes of ore at a grade of 5.19g/t had been upgraded from
inferred resource to indicated resource and 1.2 million tonnes of
new inferred resource at a grade of 5.00g/t had also been added to
inventory.
Director and Management Appointments
On July 26, 2016 Caledonia announced the appointment of John
McGloin as an independent non-executive director and Maurice Mason
as Vice President Investor Relations and Corporate Development.
In addition to his recent and relevant experience as an
executive in the mining industry, Mr McGloin's appointment will
support Caledonia's increased focus on exploration and resource
development and will enhance Caledonia's access to institutional
investors.
Mr Mason will take over the day-to-day responsibility for
Investor Relations and Corporate Development from Mr Learmonth,
who, since November 2014 had combined this role with that of Chief
Financial Officer.
Sale of Treasury Bills
On May 16, 2016 the Company announced that Blanket Mine had sold
treasury bills ("Bills") issued by the Government of Zimbabwe for a
gross value of approximately $3.2 million. The Bills were issued to
Blanket in 2015 and replaced the Special Tradeable Gold Bonds
("Bonds") which were issued to Blanket in 2009 as part
consideration for gold sales that were made by Blanket in 2008
under the terms of the sales mechanism that existed at that time
for Zimbabwean gold producers. The Bonds were fully written down in
a previous accounting period, and the impairment value was applied
as a deduction from Blanket's taxable income. The gross sales
proceeds are treated as income in the Quarter and the income was
subject to Zimbabwean income tax at 25.75%. The net proceeds are
deducted for the purposes of calculating adjusted earnings per
share
Conference Call
A presentation of the results for the Quarter and Half Year to
June 30 2016 and the outlook for Caledonia is available on
Caledonia's website (www.caledoniamining.com). Management will host
a "Question and Answer" call
at 5pm British Summer time on August 15, 2016. Details for the call are as follows:
Date: August 15, 2015
Time: 1700 London /1800 Johannesburg, Zurich, Frankfurt /Noon
Toronto, New York
Conference Details
Conference Name: Caledonia Mining Q2 Results
Conference Password: Caledonia
Dial in numbers:
Canada Toll Free 1 800 608 0547
Germany Toll Free 0800 673 7932
Standard International Access +44 (0) 20 3003 2666
Switzerland Toll Free 0800 800 038
UK Toll Free 0808 109 0700
USA Toll Free 1 866 966 5335
About Caledonia Mining
Following the implementation of indigenisation in Zimbabwe,
Caledonia's primary asset is a 49 per cent interest in an operating
gold mine in Zimbabwe ("Blanket"). Caledonia's shares are listed in
Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange as "CAL", on London's AIM as
"CMCL" and are also traded on the American OTCQX as "CALVF".
At 30 June, 2016, Caledonia had net cash of US $10.6 million.
Blanket plans to increase production from 42,800 ounces in 2015 to
approximately 80,000 ounces in 2021; Blanket's target production
for 2016 is approximately 50,000 ounces.
For further information please contact:
Caledonia Mining Corporation
Plc Tel: +44 1534 679 802 or
Mark Learmonth +27 11 447 2499
Maurice Mason Tel: +44 759 078 1139
WH Ireland Tel: +44 20 7220 1751
Adrian Hadden/Nick Prowting
Blytheweigh Tel: +44 207 138 3204
Tim Blythe/Camilla Horsfall/Megan
Ray
Note: This announcement contains inside information which is
disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation.
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", "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 Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
and Other Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
($'000's)
3 months ended 6 months ended
June 30 June 30
2015 2016 2015 2016
Revenue 12,212 15,681 25,128 29,104
Royalty (611) (785) (1,258) (1,457)
Production costs (7,515) (8,081) (15,198) (16,123)
Depreciation (834) (879) (1,672) (1,700)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 3,252 5,936 7,000 9,824
Other income 15 17 23 74
Administrative expenses (1,889) (1,799) (3,519) (3,236)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) 114 (228) 619 (200)
Share based payment expense - (159) - (250)
Sale of Blanket Mine treasury
bills - 3,203 - 3,203
Margin call on gold hedge - - - (435)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Operating profit 1,492 6,970 4,123 8,980
Net finance cost (34) (53) (70) (89)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit before tax 1,458 6,917 4,053 8,891
Tax expense (986) (2,381) (1,954) (3,507)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit for the period 472 4,536 2,099 5,384
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Items that are or may be
reclassified to profit
or loss
Foreign currency translation
differences for foreign
operations (218) (131) (548) (27)
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income
for the period 254 4,405 1,551 5,357
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 266 3,607 1,522 4,150
Non-controlling interests 206 929 577 1,234
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Profit for the period 472 4,536 2,099 5,384
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income
attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 48 3,476 974 4,123
Non-controlling interests 206 929 577 1,234
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Total comprehensive income
for the period 254 4,405 1,551 5,357
-------- -------- --------- ---------
Earnings per share (cents)
Basic 0.4 6.7 2.7 7.7
Diluted 0.4 6.7 2.7 7.7
Adjusted earnings per share
(cents)
Basic 1.5 6.1 4.1 8.6
------------------------------------ -------- -------- --------- ---------
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
($'000's)
For the 3 For the 6
months ended months ended
June 30 June 30
2015 2016 2015 2016
Cash flows from operating
activities
Cash generated by operating
activities 2,096 7,902 3,874 9,835
Net interest paid (24) (54) (49) (90)
Tax paid (219) (633) (639) (781)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash from operating
activities 1,853 7,215 3,186 8,964
-------- -------- -------- --------
Cash flows from investing
activities
Acquisition of Property,
plant and equipment (2,689) (4,926) (5,800) (8,230)
Proceeds from property,
plant and equipment - 3 - 59
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash used in investing
activities (2,689) (4,923) (5,800) (8,171)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Cash flows from financing
activities
Dividends paid (634) (599) (1,298) (1,197)
Share issues - 47 - 105
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net cash used in financing
activities (634) (552) (1,298) (1,092)
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net (decrease)/increase
in cash and cash equivalents (1,470) 1,740 (3,912) (299)
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of the period
(net of overdraft) 20,640 8,841 23,082 10,880
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of the period (net
of overdraft) 19,170 10,581 19,170 10,581
------------------------------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (unaudited)
($'000's)
As December June 30
at 31 2015
2016
Total non-current assets 49,276 55,817
Inventories 6,091 6,440
Prepayments 667 457
Income tax receivable 397 233
Trade and other receivables 3,839 5,134
Cash and cash equivalents 12,568 10,581
---------- ---------
Total assets 72,838 78,662
---------- ---------
Total non-current liabilities 14,080 16,899
Trade and other payables 6,656 7,035
Income taxes payable 53 102
Bank overdraft 1,688 -
---------- ---------
Total liabilities 22,477 24,036
Equity attributable
to shareholders 48,857 51,888
Non-controlling interests 1,504 2,738
---------- ---------
Total equity 50,361 54,626
---------- ---------
Total equity and liabilities 72,838 78,662
--------------------------------------------------- ---------- ---------
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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