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Half Yearly Report

16th Aug 2010 07:00

RNS Number : 0868R
Minera IRL Limited
16 August 2010
 

 

 

 

 

 

Minera IRL Announces Second Quarter Financial Results

 

 

London, 16 August 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, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the 3-month period ended June 30, 2010 and its interim results for the six months ended June 30, 2010. All amounts are reported in US dollars.

Highlights for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 included:

·; Gold production above budget at 8,098 ounces (15,169 ounces for 6 months to June 30, 2010)

·; Sales revenue of US$10.0 million (US$18.3 million for 6 months to June 30, 2010)

·; Average sales price US$1,201 per ounce in the second quarter

·; Corihuarmi cash operating cost of US$365 per ounce (US$396 for the 6 months to June 30, 2010)

·; EBITDA of US$3.9 million (Q2 2009 US$1.7 million)

·; Profit before tax of US$3.0 million (Q2 2009 US$557,000)

·; Profit after tax of US$1.6 million (Q2 2009 US$234,000)

·; Cash balance of US$6.6 million at June 30, 2010 (June 30, 2009: US$ 5.1 million)

·; Rapid advancement on Ollachea Project Pre-Feasibility Study

·; Don Nicolas Feasibility Study progressing well

·; Extensive airborne geophysical survey carried out over Patagonia exploration projects

·; Acquisition of new exploration project, Killincho, in southern Peru

·; $20 million debt facility put in place with Macquarie Bank

 

Summary table:

 

Quarter to 30 June 2010

Quarter to 30 June 2009

Six months to 30 June 2010

Six months to 30 June 2009

Gold production

8,098 ounces

7,753 ounces

15,169 ounces

14,903 ounces

Sales revenue

US$10.0 million

US$ 6.6 million

US$ 18.3million

US$ 13.3 million

Average sales price

US$ 1,201 per ounce

US$ 929 per ounce

US$ 1,157 per ounce

US$ 917 per ounce

Corihuami cash operating cost

US$ 365 per ounce

US$ 393 per ounce

US$ 396 per ounces

US$ 388 per ounce

EBITDA

US$ 3.9 million

US$ 1.7 million

US$ 6.2 million

US$ 4.1 million

Profit before tax

US$ 3.0 million

US$ 557,000

US$ 3.6 million

US$ 1.2 million

Profit after tax

US$ 1.6 million

US$ 234,000

US$ 1.8 million

US$ 527,000

 

 

 

"Financial performance for the three months to June 30, 2010 was above expectations. Driven by above budget gold production at our Corihuarmi Gold Mine and a continuing strong gold price." stated Courtney Chamberlain Minera IRL Limited Executive Chairman. "The Pre-Feasibility Study at the Minapampa Zone, Ollachea Project in Peru and Feasibility Study on the Don Nicolas Project in Argentina are progressing well with two drill rigs carrying out in-fill drilling on each project. On the exploration front, we have completed a large airborne geophysical survey in Patagonia to better define and prioritize exploration targets including the new zone in Escondido. In Peru, early stage exploration commenced on the new Killincho Project."

 

This announcement is available from the Company's 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 traded and 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 Company's 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 or regulation, Minera IRL Limited does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

A high level of activity continued within the Minera IRL Group during the June quarter of 2010. Excellent results were achieved from our Corihuarmi Gold Mine, good progress has been made on the Pre-Feasibility Study on the Ollachea Project and the Feasibility Study on the Don Nicolas Project and there have been encouraging results from exploration in Peru and Argentina.

The financial performance for the three months to 30 June 2010 was above expectations and an improvement on both the comparative second quarter of 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. Gold sales were a solid US$10.0 million on the back of a continuing strong gold price, with spot sales averaging US$1,201 per ounce. Gross profit was US$5.3 million and EBITDA US$3.9 million. Profit before tax was US$3.0 million and profit after tax was US$1.6 million. Each of these financial figures is significantly better than both the corresponding period in 2009 and the first quarter of 2010. The cash balance at the end of the quarter was US$6.6 million.

 

Our Corihuarmi Gold Mine continues to perform very well with gold production of 8,098 ounces, approximately 10% above budget, bringing production for the first six months to 15,169 ounces. Mining activities were largely concentrated on the Susan outcrop. Cash operating costs averaged US$365 per ounce for the quarter thus reducing the average cash operating costs for the first six months to US$396 per ounce.

 

At the Ollachea Project in southern Peru, the Pre-Feasibility Study has made excellent progress and remains on schedule for completion during the first half of 2011. Infill drilling in the core Minapampa Zone with 2 rigs continued throughout the period with 32 of the 40 holes completed to date. This drilling is required to raise the resource confidence level to Measured and Indicated categories compliant with NI43-101 standards. Progress was also made on other aspects of the Pre-Feasibility Study including planning for an exploration tunnel into the deposit, metallurgical test-work, geotechnical evaluations and information gathering for the environmental baseline report. Drilling will revert to the new Concurayoc discovery, approximately 500 meters west of the Minapampa Zone, when the infill program is completed.

 

In Patagonia, good progress has been made on the Don Nicolas Feasibility Study, due for completion in 2011. Two drill rigs completed the infill and stepout drilling in late July on the Sulfuro Vein, one of the two principal deposits at Don Nicolas. This is to be followed by infill drilling on the Martinetas deposit. Other aspects of the Study, such as more metallurgical testing, geotechnical studies and a hydrology program are in progress.

 

Exploration continued at a number of projects. In the large tenement package in the Deseado Massif in Patagonia, a 4,500 line kilometer helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric survey has been undertaken to fine tune existing exploration targets and locate new ones. Highly encouraging rock chip analysis and geophysical anomalies have identified drill targets on the 700 meter long outcropping breccia zone at Escondido, contiguous to Mariana Resources Las Calandrias discovery. Scout drilling commenced at the end of July. Good progress was also made in better understanding the undrilled 1.3 kilometer vein at Pan de Azucar with further confirmatory elevated gold outcrop samples obtained. In addition, a 300 meter long, gold anomalous, breccia envelope has been identified around the southern portion of the vein.

 

Results of a 12 hole, 4,856 meter reverse circulation drilling program were announced in July 2010 for the Bethania porphyry gold project, which is situated approximately 10 kilometers from Corihuarmi. Extensive intersections of low grade gold, copper and molybdenum mineralization were identified in six of the holes which provide substantial encouragement to continue exploring this large alteration zone. A new exploration project in southern Peru, known as Killincho, was acquired, and exploration commenced within a known gold producing area.

The planned drilling was completed at the La Falda Project in Chile and targeted geophysical IP anomalies and auriferous banded quartz veins considered to be associated with a gold porphyry system. Encouraging gold mineralization was encountered deeper in a number of holes which may link to a substantial, largely untested magnetic anomaly. However, further testing is beyond the current funding capacity of Minera IRL. As a result, the agreement with Catalina Resources was extended to 30 September 2010 to allow time to seek another party for the next phase of exploration.

 

Following the successful listing of Minera IRL on the Canadian TSX in April 2010, the Company sought to issue a tranche of equity to generate liquidity in the Canadian markets and to bolster working capital. However, deteriorating market conditions resulted in the suspension of this process in favour of a US$20 million debt facility provided by Macquarie Bank. These funds are to be used to advance rapidly the Ollachea and Don Nicolas projects toward development.

 

In closing, I would like to extend my appreciation to our outstanding team and to our loyal shareholders. Together, I believe we continue to build toward a bright and prosperous future.

 

 

 

 

Courtney Chamberlain

Executive Chairman

Minera IRL Limited 12 August 2010

 

Minera IRL Limited

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

3 months ended

30 June 2010

(unaudited)

US$'000

3 months ended

30 June

 2009

(unaudited)

US$'000

6 months ended

30 June 2010

(unaudited)

US$'000

6 months ended

30 June 2009

(unaudited)

US$'000

Year

ended

31December 2009

(audited)

US$'000

 

Revenue

9,963

6,610

18,319

13,318

31,856

Cost of sales

(4,636)

(4,722)

 (10,392)

(9,070)

(18,804)

Gross profit

5,327

1,888

7,927

4,248

13,052

Administration expenses

(1,965)

(996)

(3,818)

(2,247)

(6,637)

Exploration costs

(214)

(253)

(367)

(415)

(1,739)

Excess of fair value of assets acquired over consideration

-

-

-

-

1,134

Operating profit

3,148

639

3,742

1,586

5,810

Finance income

1

3

38

19

36

Finance expenses

(105)

(85)

(170)

(415)

(402)

Net finance expense

(104)

(82)

(132)

(396)

(366)

 

Profit before tax

 

3,044

 

557

 

3,610

 

1,190

 

5,444

Income tax

(1,473)

(323)

(1,797)

(663)

(2,473)

Profit for the period attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

 1,571

 

234

1,813

 

527

 

2,971

Earnings per ordinary share (US cents)

Basic

1.8

0.4

2.1

0.9

4.3

Diluted

1.8

0.4

2.1

0.9

4.3

 

 

 

Minera IRL Limited

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

As at

30 June

 2010

(unaudited)

US$'000

As at

30 June

 2009

(unaudited)

US$'000

As at

31 December

2009

(audited)

US$'000

Assets

Property, plant and equipment

23,996

24,720

25,390

Intangible assets

43,400

14,710

34,197

Available for sale investments

921

-

1,567

Deferred tax asset

504

-

426

Other receivables

3,648

-

2,808

Total non-current assets

72,469

39,430

64,388

Inventory

2,501

936

1,526

Other receivables and prepayments

4,075

4,965

1,714

Cash and cash equivalents

6,574

5,141

14,218

13,150

11,042

17,458

Non-current assets held for sale

600

-

600

Total current assets

13,750

11,042

18,058

Total assets

86,219

50,472

82,446

Equity

Share capital

66,856

41,459

65,784

Foreign currency reserve

129

129

129

Share option reserve

1,736

1,259

1,363

Accumulated losses

(1,587)

(5,844)

(3,400)

Total equity attributable to the equity shareholders of the parent

67,134

37,003

63,876

Liabilities

Provisions

1,577

1,349

1,463

Other long term liabilities

1,921

3,212

1,843

Total non-current liabilities

3,498

4,561

3,306

Interest bearing loans

2,500

3,500

3,511

Current tax

1,936

664

951

Trade and other payables

11,151

4,744

10,802

Total current liabilities

15,587

8,908

15,264

Total liabilities

19,085

13,469

18,570

Total equity and liabilities

86,219

50,472

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 30 June 2009

-

-

-

527

527

Reserve for share option costs

 

-

-

86

-

86

Balance 30 June 2009

41,459

129

1,259

(5,844)

37,003

Balance 1 July 2009

 

41,459

129

1,259

(5,844)

37,003

Profit for the period to 31 December 2009

-

-

-

2,444

2,444

New share capital subscribed

25,166

-

-

-

25,166

Cost of raising share capital

 

(841)

-

-

-

(841)

Reserve for share option costs

 

-

-

104

-

104

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 30 June 2010

 

-

-

-

1,813

1,813

Issue of share capital

 

1,072

-

-

-

1,072

Reserve for share option costs

 

-

-

373

-

373

Balance 30 June 2010

66,856

129

1,736

(1,587)

67,134

 

 

 

 

 

Minera IRL Limited

3months

ended

30 June

2010

(unaudited)

US$'000

3months

ended

30 June

2009

(unaudited)

US$'000

6months

ended

30 June

2010

(unaudited)

US$'000

6 months

ended

30 June

2009

(unaudited)

US$'000

Year

ended

31 December 2009

(audited)

US$'000

 

Cash flows from operating activities

Operating profit

3,148

639

3,742

1,586

5,810

Depreciation

735

1,081

2,421

2,504

5,509

Impairment of exploration assets

-

69

-

112

-

Share option costs

260

43

373

86

190

Provision for mine closure costs

57

57

114

114

228

(Gain)/loss on disposal of assets

(113)

-

175

-

28

Excess of fair value of assets acquired over consideration

-

-

-

-

(1,134)

Foreign exchange losses relating to non-operating items

-

-

305

-

250

Increase in inventory

(1,426)

(328)

(975)

(163)

(753)

(Increase)/decrease in other receivables and prepayments

(3,542)

(2,522)

(3,279)

3,205

5,097

Increase/(Decrease) in trade and other payables

1,593

112

426

(1,037)

709

Corporation tax paid

-

-

(811)

(2,200)

(4,473)

Net cash flow from operations

712

(849)

2,491

4,207

11,461

Interest received

1

3

38

19

36

Interest paid

(105)

(85)

(170)

(284)

(140)

Net cash flow from operating activities

608

(931)

2,359

3,942

11,357

Cash flows from investing activities

Acquisition of subsidiaries net of cash received

-

-

-

-

(1,843)

Sale of investments

363

-

471

-

-

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

(294)

(206)

(1,027)

(975)

(3,581)

Acquisition of intangible assets (exploration expenditure)

(5,014)

(2,006)

(9,203)

(4,318)

(12,416)

Net cash outflow from investing activities

(4,945)

(2,212)

(9,759)

(5,293)

(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

(4,337)

(3,143)

(7,339)

(3,851)

5,476

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

10,911

8,284

14,218

8,992

8,992

Exchange rate movements

-

-

(305)

-

(250)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

6,574

5,141

6,574

5,141

14,218

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 

 

Minera IRL Limited

 

Notes to the Interim Report

The financial information contained in this Interim 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 Interim 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 Interim Report has been presented and prepared in accordance with interim reporting standards, in a form consistent with the annual accounts and in accordance with accounting policies and standards applicable to those annual accounts. However, these interim accounts do not include all the disclosures required for those annual accounts. Both the annual accounts and these interim accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. There have been no changes in the company's accounting policies since 31 December 2009.

This Interim Report has been approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 12 August 2010.

Earnings per share

The earnings per share for the second quarter has been calculated using the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of US$1,571,000 (second quarter 2009: US$234,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the three months to 30 June of 85,760,642 (second quarter 2009: 61,883,422).

 

The earnings per share for the first half has been calculated using the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of US$1,813,000 (first half 2009: US$527,000) and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the six months to 30 June 2010 of 85,697,147 (first half 2009: 61,883,422).

 

Issue of shares

On 24 June 2010 the Company issued 1,111,111 ordinary shares at a price of US$0.90 per share as a result of the conversion of a US$1 million loan by Resource Capital Fund.

 

Transactions of an unusual nature

There were no transactions of an unusual nature during the six months to 30 June 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 7 July 2010 the Company entered into an agreement with Macquarie Bank Limited for a US$20 million loan facility. In July 2010, US$7.5 million of this facility was drawn with US$2.5 million being used to repay the existing loan from Macquarie Bank. In consideration for this drawdown and under the terms of the agreement, the Company issued to Macquarie Bank an option over 6,944,444 shares of Minera IRL Limited. This option is exercisable at a price of US$1.08 per share up to and including 28 June 2013. The previous options issued to Macquarie Bank over a total of 4,861,048 shares have been cancelled.

 

The Directors of Minera IRL are listed in the Group's Annual report for the year ended 31 December 2009.

 

By order of the Board

 

 

C Chamberlain

Executive Chairman

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
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