Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc has given DirectorsTalk its operating and financial results for the third quarter of 2016.
More gold has been produced than in the comparable period last year, at a lower cost, and adjusted earnings per share have been increased by 59 per cent to 4.6 cents per share.
|
3 months to 30 September |
9 months to 30 September |
||||
|
2015 |
2016 |
2015 |
2016 |
Comment |
|
|
Gold produced (oz) |
10,927 |
13,428 |
32,101 |
36,760 |
Increased gold production mainly due to increased tonnes mined and milled following the completion of infrastructure works |
|
On-mine cost (US$/oz)1 |
669 |
618 |
701 |
643 |
Lower costs as the fixed cost component is spread across higher production |
|
All-in Sustaining Cost (US$/oz) (“AISC”) |
1,005 |
969 |
1,006 |
952 |
Lower AISC due to lower on mine costs and lower sustaining capital investment which offset the higher royalty cost due to the higher gold price and higher administrative costs |
|
Average realised gold price ($/oz) |
1,106 |
1,312 |
1,158 |
1,247 |
Higher realised price per ounce reflects the higher price of gold in the Quarter |
|
Gross profit (US$’000)2 |
2,773 |
6,780 |
9,773 |
16,604 |
Higher gross profit due to increased revenues, due to higher sales and the higher gold price, and reduced on-mine costs per ounce |
|
Net profit attributable to shareholders (US$’000) |
1,317 |
1,118 |
2,839 |
5,268 |
Lower attributable profit in the Quarter than in Q3 of 2015 due to foreign exchange losses, share based payment expense, higher professional and legal fees and higher taxation and non-controlling interest charges |
|
Adjusted basic earnings per share (“EPS”) 3(UScents) |
2.9 |
4.4 |
7.2 |
13.0 |
Higher adjusted earnings per share after excluding foreign exchange losses and deferred tax. Adjusted eps for the 9 months excludes the non-recurring profit arising on the sale of Zimbabwean treasury bills. |
|
Net cash and cash equivalents (US$’000) |
14,653 |
12,390 |
14,653 |
12,390 |
Decreased cash due to continued capital investment |
|
Cash from operating activities ($’000) |
1,392 |
7,107 |
4,579 |
16,071 |
Increased cash generated from operating activities due to increased sales volumes and higher gold price |
Steve Curtis, Caledonia’s President and Chief Executive Officer said: “The results for the third quarter are another step in our journey of consistent growth in production, profitability and cash generation at Blanket mine. We continue to see the benefits of our investment in the mine over the past two years. As we approach the middle of the investment programme at Blanket, we are increasingly confident that the growth in production and declining cost trends will continue as we ramp up production to 80koz by 2021.
“Delivering increased ounces at a lower unit cost, into a stronger gold price, has resulted in adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter that are 59 per cent higher than quarter three of 2015. The underlying operating and financial performance of the Blanket mine remains very strong, and is on an upward trajectory. The quarter presented a number of indirect cost headwinds, which resulted in adjusted earnings being 25per cent lower than the second quarter of 2016. These costs include the costs associated with the evaluation of new investment opportunities and the share-based expense relating to the long term incentive plan (“LTIP”). The share based expense in the quarter arising from the LTIP is a non-cash charge and is largely due to the substantial increase in the Company’s share price and will not result in a cash payment until early 2019. Despite these headwinds, Caledonia still expects to deliver full year earnings substantially higher than 2015.
“The quarter saw yet another production record, following on from the record set in the second quarter, as the benefits of improved mine flexibility become increasingly apparent. The installation of a third mill at Blanket in the quarter will further improve plant capacity as we continue to mill increased tonnage as part of the production expansion. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the management and employees at Blanket Mine as well as the technical team at Caledonia over the last 18 months.
“Gold production in the quarter was 13,428 ounces, 23 per cent higher year on year, and 7 per cent higher than the previous quarter due to the increased tonnes mined and milled and despite marginally lower planned grade when compared to the second quarter. We expect that the lower grade is a temporary reduction and that mined grade will continue to trend upwards towards four grammes per tonne as production from higher grade, deeper ore bodies increases.
“Production guidance for 2017 is 60koz, a 20 per cent increase on 2016 production as the ramp-up of production at Blanket towards 80koz by 2021 continues. I am particularly proud of our ability to achieve this production and profitability growth whilst maintaining a dividend of 1.375 cents per quarter. Caledonia’s dividend remains sustainable with dividend cover for the quarter of 3.3 times earnings and almost eight times operating cash flow.
“All-In Sustaining cost for the quarter was $969 per ounce – 3.6 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 line with the production plan. Target on mine costs and All-In sustaining costs for 2017 are in the ranges of $600-$630 per ounce and $810-850 per ounce, respectively.
“Our cash position continues to grow with net cash of $12.39 million at the end of 30 September, 2016 compared to $10.6 million at 30 June, 2016.
“We are also pleased that our increased focus on exploration and resource development is now beginning to show results. The addition of over 200koz of gold at a grade of five grammes per tonne during the quarter is testament to the success of these efforts. I am confident that the life of mine will be further supplemented by further resource additions and upgrades.
“The transformational Central Shaft project continues to progress well with completion on track for mid-2018 with the shaft depth currently standing at 330m. 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.
“We remain positive about the future prospects for Caledonia and look forward to updating the market with our progress in the future.”
Strategy and Outlook
Caledonia’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 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 Investment Plan; Caledonia will continue to assess new opportunities to invest surplus cash.
Dividend Policy
On 5 July, 2016 Caledonia announced a decision to increase its quarterly dividend to 1.375 United States cents per share, or 5.5 United States cents per annum an increase of 22 per cent. 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.
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 27 July, 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.
Conference Call
A presentation of the results for the Quarter and nine months to 30 September 2016 and the outlook for Caledonia is available on Caledonia’s website (www.caledoniamining.com). Management will host a “Question and Answer” call at 1pm (UK Time) on 16 November, 2016. Details for the call are as follows:
