🕐03.07.10 - 20:11 Uhr
Minera IRL Announces March Quarter 2010 Financial Results
Minera IRL Announces March Quarter 2010 Financial Results
London, 30 June 2010: Minera IRL Limited ("Minera IRL" or the
"Company"), (TSX:IRL) (AIM:MIRL) (BVL:MIRL) the Latin American focused
gold mining, development and exploration company, today announced its
unaudited interim results for the March 2010 quarter.
Highlights for the quarter ended 31 March 2010 included:
* Gold production above budget at 7,071 ounces
* Sales revenue of US$8.4 million; average sales price US$1,110
per ounce
* Corihuarmi cash operating cost of US$432 per ounce
* EBITDA of US$2.3 million (Q1 2009 US$2.4 million)
* Profit before tax of US$566,000 (Q1 2009 US$633,000)
* Profit after tax of US$242,000 (Q1 2009 US$293,000)
* Cash balance healthy at US$10.9 million at 31 March 2010
* In-fill drilling for Ollachea Project Pre-Feasibility Study
commenced; new discovery at Concurayoc
* Don Nicolas Feasibility Study begun and Patagonia regional
exploration has identified a large gold bearing breccia zone at
Escondido
* Acquisition of new exploration project, Quilavira, in Southern
Peru
* Listed on the TSX, Main Board
Courtney Chamberlain, Minera IRL Limited Executive Chairman stated "The
Companys financial performance for the three months to 31 March 2010
was in line with managements expectations, with our Corihuarmi Gold
Mine continuing to perform well.
Our diverse range of technical
programs are progressing very well with the commencement of the
Pre-feasibility Study at the Minapampa Zone, Ollachea Project in Peru
and a full Feasibility Study on the recently acquired Don Nicolas
Project in Argentina.
On the exploration front, we have announced an
exciting new discovery at Concurayoc, Ollachea, as well as the
identification of large gold bearing breccia zone at Escondido in
Patagonia."
The new Concurayoc discovery at Ollachea, located close towards the West
of the 1.3 million ounce Minapampa Zone gold resource currently in
prefeasibility study, has identified potentially economic grade gold
mineralization over a strike length of some 500 meters.
In Patagonia, a large breccia body named Escondido has been identified
immediately adjacent to the Dos Calandrias discovery announced by
Mariana Resources Ltd.
Surface sampling on Escondido has returned
anomalous gold values over a strike length of some 700 meters.
Infill
drilling with two rigs is well advanced at the Don Nicolas Gold Project
where a feasibility study is due for completion in 2011.
Minera IRL listed on the main board of the TSX on 29 April 2010 and has
taken advantage since the period end of a US$20 million debt finance
facility with Macquarie Bank in order to continue the aggressive
development and exploration push at its rapidly evolving Ollachea and
Don Nicolas Projects.
This announcement may be viewed at the Companys web site,
www.minera-irl.com .
For more information please contact:
Minera IRL Limited
Trish Kent, Vice President, Corporate Relations
+511 4181230
Arbuthnot Securities (Nominated Adviser & Broker, London)
+ 44 (0)20 7012 2000
Hugh Field/Richard Johnson
The Equicom Group Inc.
(Investor Relations, Canada)
James Kitchen, Account Executive
+1 416 815 0700
(ext 267)
Bankside Consultants (Financial PR, London)
+ 44 (0)20 7367 8888
Simon Rothschild
Louise Mason
Minera IRL Limited is the AIM, TSX and BVL listed holding company of
precious metals mining and exploration companies focused in Latin
America.
Minera IRL is led by an experienced senior management team
with extensive industry experience, particularly in operating in South
America.
The Group operates the Corihuarmi Gold Mine and the emerging
Ollachea Gold Project in Peru as well as the Don Nicolas Project in
Argentina.
This press release was reviewed by Donald McIver, VP Exploration of the
Company, MSc Exploration and Economic Geology, a Fellow of the
Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AUSIMM), who is the
designated Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument
43-101 and has approved the technical information in this press
release.
The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the
information contained in this News Release.
Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking
statements, such as estimates and statements that describe the Companys
future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that
the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur.
Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions,
by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which
they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment
regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost
always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions,
projections, assumptions or other future performance suggestions herein.
Except as required by applicable law, Minera IRL Limited does not intend
to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to
actual results.
Chairmans Statement
Activities within the Minera IRL Group advanced on many fronts during
the first quarter of 2010: the Pre-Feasibility Study at our Ollachea
Project was started; our Corihuarmi Gold Mine continued its good
performance; Hidefield Gold Plc was successfully integrated and lastly a
promising new exploration project Quilavira was acquired in Southern
Peru.
Profit after tax for the three months to 31 March 2010 was in line with
managements expectations and consistent with the first quarter of 2009.
Gold sales were a solid US$8.4 million on the back of a continued strong
commodity pricing, with spot sales averaging US$1,110 per ounce.
Gross
profit was US$2.6 million and EBITDA US$2.3 million.
Profit before tax
was US$566,000 giving a profit after tax of US$242,000.
The cash
balance at the end of the quarter was US$10.9 million.
Our Corihuarmi Gold Mine continues to perform well with gold production
of 7,071 ounces, above budget.
Mining activities were largely
concentrated on the Susan outcrop.
Cash costs averaged US$432 per ounce
for the quarter.
Following the positive Scoping Study released in November 2009, the
Ollachea Project has moved into the Pre-feasibility Study phase, which
is scheduled for completion during the first half of 2011.
At the
beginning of the year in-fill drilling commenced with the objective of
raising the resource confidence level to the Measured and Indicated
categories in the core Minapampa Zone before the end of 2010.
Good
progress was also made on other aspects of the Pre-Feasibility Study
including planning for an exploration tunnel into the deposit,
metallurgical test work and geotechnical evaluations.
A new discovery
to the west of Minapampa has also been announced at Concurayoc, where
mineralization has been identified over a strike length of some 500
meters.
Following the successful acquisition of AIM listed Hidefield Gold plc in
late 2009, we have worked to integrate the fine group of Hidefield
professionals into the Companys exploration team and step up activities
in Patagonia, Argentina.
A full Feasibility Study, due for completion
in 2011, has commenced at the Don Nicolas Project and in-fill and
extension drilling is well under way with two diamond rigs active.
Exploration is also ongoing on a number of exciting projects within the
very large tenement package.
Of particular interest is the
identification of a large breccia body at Escondido immediately adjacent
to the Dos Calandrias discovery announced by Mariana Resources.
Surface
sampling has returned anomalous gold values over a strike length of some
700 meters and the pace of exploration activities on this project is
rapidly increasing.
Drilling programs were in progress during the quarter on the Bethania
and La Falda gold porphyry projects.
In addition, a new exploration
project was acquired at Quilavira in southern Peru where a large
alteration zone with anomalous surface gold values offers a near term
drilling target.
Minera IRL successfully listed on the TSX, Main Board on 29 April 2010.
The intent was to follow this with an equity fund raising, but
deteriorating market conditions resulted in the withdrawal of this in
favour of a US$20 million debt facility provided by Macquarie Bank.
These funds will be used to continue to rapidly advance the projects at
Ollachea and in Patagonia toward development.
In closing, I would like to extend my appreciation to our outstanding
team and to our loyal shareholders.
Together we continue to build
toward a bright and prosperous future.
Courtney Chamberlain
Executive Chairman
Minera IRL Limited
29 June 2010
Minera IRL Limited
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
3 months ended
31 March 2010
(unaudited)
US$000
3 months ended
31 March 2009
(unaudited)
US$000
Year
ended
31 December 2009
(audited)
US$000
Revenue
8,356
6,708
31,856
Cost of sales
(5,756)
(4,348)
(18,804)
Gross profit
2,600
2,360
13,052
Administration expenses
(1,853)
(1,251)
(6,637)
Exploration costs
(153)
(162)
(1,739)
Excess of fair value of assets acquired over consideration
-
-
1,134
Operating profit
594
947
5,810
Finance income
37
16
36
Finance expenses
(65)
(330)
(402)
Net finance expense
(28)
(314)
(366)
Profit before tax
566
633
5,444
Income tax
(324)
(340)
(2,473)
Profit for the period attributable to the equity shareholders of the
parent
242
293
2,971
Earnings per ordinary share (US cents)
Basic
0.3
0.5
4.3
Diluted
0.3
0.5
4.3
Minera IRL Limited
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at
31 March
2010
(unaudited)
US$000
As at
31 March
2009
(unaudited)
US$000
As at
31 December
2009
(audited)
US$000
Assets
Property, plant and equipment
24,437
25,595
25,390
Intangible assets
38,386
12,773
34,197
Available for sale investments
1,171
-
1,567
Deferred tax asset
426
-
426
Other receivables
1,454
-
2,808
Total non-current assets
65,874
38,368
64,388
Inventory
1,075
608
1,526
Other receivables and prepayments
3,405
2,443
1,714
Cash and cash equivalents
10,911
8,284
14,218
15,391
11,335
17,458
Non-current assets held for sale
-
-
600
Total current assets
15,391
11,335
18,058
Total assets
81,265
49,703
82,446
Equity
Share capital
65,856
41,459
65,784
Foreign currency reserve
129
129
129
Share option reserve
1,476
1,216
1,363
Accumulated losses
(3,158)
(6,078)
(3,400)
Total equity attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent
64,303
36,726
63,876
Liabilities
Provisions
1,520
1,292
1,463
Other long term liabilities
1,882
3,156
1,843
Total non-current liabilities
3,402
4,448
3,306
Interest bearing loans
3,500
3,500
3,511
Current tax
464
340
951
Trade and other payables
9,596
4,689
10,802
Total current liabilities
13,560
8,529
15,264
Total liabilities
16,962
12,977
18,570
Total equity and liabilities
81,265
49,703
82,446
Minera IRL Limited
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Share capital
US$000
Foreign currency reserve
US$000
Share Option reserve
US$000
Profit and loss account
US$000
Total
US$000
Balance 1 January 2009
41,459
129
1,173
(6,371)
36,390
Profit for the period to 31 March 2009
-
-
-
293
293
New share capital subscribed
-
-
-
-
-
Cost of raising share capital
-
-
-
-
-
Reserve for share option costs
-
-
43
-
43
Balance 31 March 2009
41,459
129
1,216
(6,078)
36,726
Balance 1 April 2009
41,459
129
1,216
(6,078)
36,726
Profit for the period to 31 December 2009
-
-
-
2,678
2,678
New share capital subscribed
25,166
-
-
-
25,166
Cost of raising share capital
(841)
-
-
-
(841)
Reserve for share option costs
-
-
147
-
147
Balance 31 December 2009
65,784
129
1,363
(3,400)
63,876
Balance 1 January 2010
65,784
129
1,363
(3,400)
63,876
Profit for the period to 31 March 2010
-
-
-
242
242
Issue of share capital
72
-
-
-
72
Reserve for share option costs
-
-
113
-
113
Balance 31 March 2010
65,856
129
1,476
(3,158)
64,303
Minera IRL Limited
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
3 months
ended
31 March
2010
(unaudited)
US$000
3 months
ended
31 March
2009
(unaudited)
US$000
Year
ended
31 December 2009
(audited)
US$000
Cash flows from operating activities
Operating profit
594
947
5,810
Depreciation
1,686
1,423
5,509
Impairment of exploration assets
-
43
-
Share option costs
113
43
190
Provision for mine closure costs
57
57
228
Loss on disposal of assets
288
-
28
Excess of fair value of assets acquired over consideration
-
-
(1,134)
Foreign exchange losses relating to non-operating items
305
-
250
Decrease/(increase) in inventory
451
165
(753)
(Increase)/decrease in other receivables and prepayments
(337)
5,727
5,097
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables
(1,167)
(833)
709
Corporation tax paid
(811)
(2,385)
(4,473)
Net cash flow from operations
1,179
5,187
11,461
Interest received
37
16
36
Interest paid
(65)
(330)
(140)
Net cash flow from operating activities
1,151
4,873
11,357
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash received
-
-
(1,843)
Sale of investments
708
-
-
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
(733)
(769)
(3,581)
Acquisition of intangible assets (exploration expenditure)
(4,189)
(2,312)
(12,416)
Net cash outflow from investing activities
(4,214)
(3,081)
(17,840)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from the issue of ordinary share capital
72
-
15,300
Cost of raising share capital
-
-
(841)
Repayment of loans
(11)
(2,500)
(2,500)
Net cash inflow from financing activities
61
(2,500)
11,959
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
(3,002)
(708)
5,476
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period
14,218
8,992
8,992
Exchange rate movements
(305)
(250)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period
10,911
8,284
14,218
Minera IRL Limited
Notes to the Quarterly Report
The financial information contained in this Quarterly Report does not
constitute statutory accounts as defined by the Companies (Jersey) Law
1991.
No statutory accounts for the period have been delivered to the
Jersey Registrar of Companies.
The financial information contained in
this Quarterly Report has neither been audited nor reviewed by the
auditors.
The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2009 will be filed
with the Jersey Registrar of Companies.
The auditors report on these
accounts was unqualified.
The consolidated financial information
contained in this Quarterly Report has been presented and prepared in a
form consistent with the annual accounts and in accordance with
accounting policies and standards applicable to those annual accounts.
This Quarterly Report has been approved for issue by the Board of
Directors on 29 June 2010
Profit per share
The profit per share has been calculated using the profit attributable
to ordinary shareholders of US$242,000 (first quarter 2009: US$293,000)
and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the
three months to 31 March 2010 of 85,632,949 (first quarter 2009:
61,883,422).
Issue of shares
On 8 February 2010 the Company issued 100,000 ordinary shares at a price
of GBP0.45 per share as a result of the exercise of share options issued
to a director of the Company on 12 April 2007.
Transactions of an unusual nature
There were no transactions of an unusual nature during the three months
to 31 March 2010.
Seasonal Influences
The business of the Company is not generally subject to seasonal
influences.
Related parties
During the period the Company has received registrar services from
Computershare Investor Services (Jersey) Limited, a company related
through a common director.
The contract for these services provides for
a minimum annual charge of GBP3,000 to be paid by the Company.
In addition the Company has received consultancy services from Hamilton
Capital Partners Limited for whom a Director acts as a consultant
adviser.
The contract for these services provides for an annual charge
of GBP24,000.
The contract will end on 30 September 2010.
Subsequent events
On 27 April 2010 Minera IRL Limited was accepted onto the Main Board of
the TSX and began trading on 29 April 2010.
The Directors of Minera IRL are listed in the Groups Annual report for
the year ended 31 December 2009.
By order of the board
C Chamberlain
Executive Chairman
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