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Q3 2010 Results - Part 3

11th Nov 2010 07:00

RNS Number : 9942V
European Goldfields Ltd
11 November 2010
 



MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FOR THE THREE-AND NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2010

 

The following discussion and analysis, prepared as at 11 November 2010, is intended to assist in the understanding and assessment of the trends and significant changes in the results of operations and financial conditions of European Goldfields Limited (the "Company"). The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three- and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2010 and 2009 and accompanying notes (the "Consolidated Financial Statements").

 

Additional information relating to the Company, including the Company's Annual Information Form, is available on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com. Except as otherwise noted, all dollar amounts in the following discussion and analysis and the Consolidated Financial Statements are stated in thousands of United States dollars.

 

Overview

 

The Company, a company incorporated under the Yukon Business Corporations Act, is a resource company involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Greece, Romania and South-East Europe. The Company's Common Shares are listed on the AIM Market of London Stock Exchange plc and on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "EGU".

 

European Goldfields is a developer-producer with globally significant gold reserves located within the European Union. The Company generates cash flow from its 95% owned Stratoni operation, a high grade lead/zinc/silver mine in North-Eastern Greece. European Goldfields will evolve into a mid tier producer through responsible development of its project pipeline of gold and base metal deposits at Skouries and Olympias in Greece and Certej in Romania. The Company plans future growth through development of its highly prospective exploration portfolio in Greece, Romania and Turkey.

 

Cautionary statement on forward-looking information

 

Certain statements and information contained in this document, including any information as to the Company's future financial or operating performance and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance, constitute forward-looking information under provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. When used in this document, the words "anticipate", "expect", "will", "intend", "estimate", "forecast", "planned" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs and timing of development of new deposits, permitting time lines and expectations regarding metal recovery rates. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The Company cautions the reader that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from its estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to: changes in the price of gold, base metals or certain other commodities (such as fuel and electricity) and currencies; uncertainty of mineral reserves, mineral resources, grades and recovery estimates; uncertainty of future production, capital expenditures and other costs; currency fluctuations; financing and additional capital requirements; the successful and timely permitting of the Company's Skouries, Olympias and Certej projects; legislative, political, social or economic developments in the jurisdictions in which the Company carries on business; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; the speculative nature of gold and base metals exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves; the risks normally involved in the exploration, development and mining business; and risks associated with internal control over financial reporting. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and material factors or assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements, see information under the heading "Risk Factors". The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. 

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

The Company's results of operations for the three-and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2010 were comprised primarily of activities related to the results of operations of the Company's 95%-owned subsidiary Hellas Gold in Greece and the Company's exploration and development programmes in Romania and Turkey.

 

 

GREECE SUMMARY

 

Final EIS Submitted - The final Environmental Impact Study ("EIS") for the Company's Project in Halkidiki (the "Project") in North-Eastern Greece was submitted to the Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change ("MoE").

 

In late September 2009, the Greek authorities completed the Preliminary Environmental Assessment and Evaluation based on the Preliminary Environmental Impact Study ("PEIS") submitted by the Company's 95%-owned subsidiary Hellas Gold SA, and issued a pre-approval of the construction and operation of the Project.

 

The Project consists of:

·; The development of mining and processing at the Skouries project

·; The next stages of the Olympias project, namely the mining and processing of ore and metallurgical treatment of the concentrate, in accordance with the business plan as originally submitted

·; Continuation of operations at the Mavres Petres deposit of the Stratoni Mine

·; Development of the port facilities at Stratoni to service the above projects' operations

 

The completion and submission of the final EIS is another landmark in European Goldfields' development of the Project.

 

The EIS is subject to the final stages of a decision-making process that conforms to the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment. In summary, the EIS is being reviewed by the competent authorities and is subject to public consultation, the requirements for which are set out in this EU Directive and embodied in Greek law.

 

EIS Public Consultation Underway - As announced on 8 November 2010, the MOE has completed its review and delivered the EIS to the local authorities in Halkidiki and notices were issued in local newspapers thereby initiating the process of public consultation. The MOE acting through a Special Technical Committee has reviewed the EIS in detail and provided important guidance to Hellas Gold in concluding that the EIS conforms to relevant Greek and EU requirements.

 

Public Consultation will last for 35 days from 30th of October thereby both allowing local stakeholders and potentially affected communities to offer their comments and any further views to be communicated to the Special Technical Committee as part of the conclusion of the environmental permitting process for the Project.

 

Olympias project

 

Hellas Gold has fully depleted the surface stockpile of pyrite gold concentrate at Olympias. Sales of Olympias gold concentrate will resume once Hellas Gold receives the permits to process 2.4Mt of stockpiled tailings arising from the previous operations at Olympias and when plant rehabilitation is completed. The sales of pyrite concentrates over the past 8 quarters were as follows:

 

Sale of Gold-Bearing Concentrates from Existing Stockpile

2010

Q3

2010

Q2

2010

Q1

2009

Q4

2009

Q3

2009

Q2

2009

Q1

2008

Q4

Sales

Gold concentrate (dmt)

Nil

Nil

Nil

34,182

21,734

32,134

26,832

18,566

 

 

Olympias mine and plant rehabilitation in progress - The refurbishment and enlargement of the mine access decline progressed well during the quarter. Following a structural survey, repair work to the Concentrator building and plant is nearing completion in preparation for tailings reprocessing to produce pyrite gold concentrate. A mechanical and electrical audit has been carried out and the necessary purchase orders prepared.

 

The Company is currently working toward optimising and updating the resources and reserves for Olympias. The original resource model from 1999 rejected certain mineralised areas as uneconomic at the then prevailing metal prices. These are being reassessed in a more realistic metal price environment with the expectation of restoring these mineralised areas into the resource model and expanding the resource and reserve base. In parallel with this, the mine plan will be updated and revised.

 

Stratoni operations

 

The Company's cash flow positive mining operations at Stratoni continue to demonstrate European Goldfields' permitting and environmental capabilities and commitment to the highest levels of social responsibility.

 

Production - The Company's 95% owned subsidiary Hellas Gold mined a total of 54,093 wet tonnes in Q3 2010 (Q3 2009 - 57,235). Hellas Gold's results from its operations at Stratoni for the eight most recently completed quarters are summarised in the following table:

 

Operational results
 
2010
Q3
2010
Q2
2010
Q1
2009
Q4
2009
Q3
2009
Q2
2009
Q1
2008
Q4
Inventory (start of period)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore mined (wet tonnes)
16,392
 14,089
1
8,097
2,293
4,010
1,778
6,489
Zinc concentrate (tonnes)
2,663
 2,839
2,817
583
25
621
2,975
2,078
Lead/silver concentrate (tonnes)
902
 1,105
824
857
2,090
1,393
488
1,294
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore mined (wet tonnes)
54,093
 64,813
 63,294
57,247
57,235
60,023
56,892
70,468
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore milled (tonnes)
59,938
 60,663
 47,701
63,345
50,167
60,287
52,984
73,320
- Average grade: Zinc (%)
9.28
 8.91
 9.90
8.64
9.10
8.87
7.85
8.80
Lead (%)
6.00
 5.58
 6.24
5.40
5.18
5.56
6.42
6.54
Silver (g/t)
157
 145
 159
140
133
141
166
167
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Zinc concentrate (tonnes)
10,298
 10,103
 8,852
10,572
8,495
9,975
7,932
12,106
- Containing: Zinc (tonnes)
5,123
 4,942
 4,334
5,080
4,248
4,971
3,827
5,914
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lead concentrate (tonnes)
4,630
 4,479
 4,040
4,684
3,503
4,483
4,667
6,750
- Containing: Lead (tonnes)
3,307
 3,092
 2,727
3,143
2,376
3,060
3,129
4,434
Silver (oz)
249,717
 233,760
 203,914
236,621
177,650
230,106
240,366
336,336
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Zinc concentrate (tonnes)
8,818
 10,279
 8,830
8,338
7,937
10,571
10,286
11,210
- Containing payable: Zinc (tonnes)*
3,672
 4,159
 3,633
3,380
3,325
4,427
4,144
4,591
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lead concentrate (tonnes)
2,691
 4,682
 3,759
4,717
4,736
3,786
3,762
7,556
- Containing payable: Lead (tonnes)*
1,798
 3,071
 2,385
3,030
3,042
2,448
2,347
4,775
Silver (oz)*
135,361
 232,212
 178,184
227,661
228,574
183,452
183,504
363,205
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash operating cost per tonne milled ($)
153
141
151
173
165
144
156
145
Cash operating cost per tonne milled (€)
119
110
110
117
116
106
119
109
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inventory (end of period)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore mined (wet tonnes)
9,074
 16,392
14,089
1
8,097
2,293
4,010
1,778
Zinc concentrate (tonnes)
4,143
 2,663
2,839
2,817
583
25
621
2,975
Lead/silver concentrate (tonnes)
2,841
 902
1,105
824
857
2,090
1,393
488

 

* Net of smelter payable deductions

 

Production from the underground mine continued to be on schedule for the year. The processing plant performed well in terms of throughput, recovery and concentrate quality. Significant amounts of concentrate production remained unsold at quarter end, resulting in unusually high concentrate inventory levels. This inventory was shipped in October and will be reflected in Q4 results.

 

ROMANIA SUMMARY

 

Final EIS Submitted - The final EIS for the Company's Certej Project in Romania was submitted during the quarter. This follows the issue of the Zonal Urbanisation Plan ("PUZ") planning document by local authorities in May 2010, which included an environmental summary and public consultation, and the subsequent definitive confirmation of final guidelines for the EIS. The completion and submission of the final EIS report is another landmark in European Goldfields' development of the Certej Project.

 

The EIS is now subject to the final stages of a Romanian decision-making process that conforms to the EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment. In summary the EIS is being reviewed by the competent authorities and is subject to public consultation, the requirements for which are set out in this EU Directive and embodied in Romanian law.

 

Certej Implementation Strategy Underway - The Certej Project team have finalised the procurement and implementation strategy for the process plant, which divides the flow sheet into 3 discrete sections: Comminution and concentration, Albion oxidation and gold recovery. Invitations to bid have been prepared on this basis for the provision of the equipment and specialist engineering services to major international equipment companies who have already been engaged in a pre-qualification exercise and have confirmed their intention to bid on this basis.

 

It is also planned that the civil engineering and earth moving works will be awarded in no more than two major contracts to cover the initial construction of the tailings facilities and the preparation of the plant, dump and stockpile areas. Corresponding engineering design work is approximately 95% complete by our local contractor Cepromin who have been commissioned to prepare the Technical Project report which is required under Romanian legislation for the Construction Permit.

 

Final geotechnical drilling and associated engineering studies for the process plant, tailings management facilities and open pits have been completed by the Company in cooperation with Golder Associates UK.

 

 

GROUP EXPLORATION UPDATE

 

Greece - Work has focused on the Piavitsa prospect, which historic drilling has shown to be an Olympias look-alike target with high grade polymetallic mineralisation in massive sulphides. New sampling of previously drilled core is being carried out in order to confirm historic assays over previously identified massive sulphide mineralisation and to test new zones of previously unrecognised mineralisation and alteration. Soil geochemical samples have also been taken aimed at confirming extensions to the known Piavitsa mineralisation, indicated by conductive units which were revealed by an airborne geophysical survey. Results from the sampling are expected in the coming weeks.

 

Romania - Four exploration boreholes were drilled to test potential gold mineralisation that is close to, but currently outside the planned Certej open pit footprint. Significant assay results include 17 m grading 3.40 g/t gold and 3.76 g/t silver west of the open pit and 16m grading 2.24 g/t gold and 2.94 g/t silver northwest of the pit. Further drilling and trenching is planned in Q4 2010.

 

A new exploration survey located 12 km northwest of Certej, within the vicinity of an historic gold mining area, has identified a number of significant anomalies, supported by soil geochemistry and mapping. The anomalies potentially represent previously undiscovered extensions to zones of gold mineralisation. Preparations are currently being made to drill the most significant anomalies in late Q4 2010 and early 2011.

 

Turkey - Drill testing of the Ardala porphyry copper gold target and Salinbas epithermal gold zone, both held in joint venture with Ariana Resources plc, continued during the quarter. Results of the programme have confirmed mineralised targets and will be published during Q4 2010.

 

 

CORPORATE ACTIVITY

 

Financing - Work with the Certej project finance banks has progressed, with facility documentation in an advanced form and technical due diligence essentially complete. Following the submission of the final EIS in Greece, the Company has advanced the negotiation of a bank facility for the development of its Skouries project. It is anticipated that this facility will provide substantially all the anticipated US$300 million construction capital for the project. As with Certej, the Company will require that this facility also does not commit to any hedging of the gold price upside. A term sheet is in final draft form prior to agreeing mandate terms with the new bank group, and it is expected that commercial terms will be similar to those already negotiated for Certej. A further announcement on this is expected shortly.

 

Euromines Gold Group - We are pleased to announce that Mark Rachovides, Executive Vice President of the Company, has been appointed as Chairman of the Euromines Gold Group, a body to which we are pleased to give our full support.

 

New Appointments - Deborah Paxford has been appointed as Company Secretary. Before joining European Goldfields, Ms. Paxford was Company Secretary at ZincOx Resources plc where she was responsible for all company secretarial matters as well as providing legal advice to management. Ms. Paxford qualified as solicitor in 1995 and spent eight years working in private practice at two leading London law firms before moving in-house as legal adviser for an international software company, where she spent five years advising on corporate and commercial matters.

 

 

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS 

Stratoni operations

 

The Stratoni mine's financial results for the eight most recently completed quarters are summarised in the following table:

 

 

 

Financial performance
(in thousands of US dollars)
2010
Q3
2010
Q2
2010
Q1
2009
Q4
2009
Q3
2009
Q2
2009
Q1
2008
Q4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
9,204
12,017
11,134
13,656
11,500
9,472
4,935
8,465
EBITDA
1,766
2,290
3,018
2,601
1,315
305
(3,025)
(5,233)
Gross profit
336
320
1,378
1,196
(449)
(1,561)
(4,345)
(7,060)
Capital expenditure
1,417
1,336
287
2,053
596
2,793
4,214
3,543
Depreciation and depletion
1,430
1,970
1,640
1,405
1,764
1,866
1,320
1,827

 

 

Base metal prices saw a recovery during Q3 2010 after weakness in Q2 2010, recovering to levels last experienced at the end of 2009. Thus, base metal revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA") for the quarter ending 30 September 2010 increased compared to the same period in 2009 as the result of lower sale volumes.    

 

 

Reconciliation of Stratoni revenues – Q3 2010
(in thousands of US dollars unless stated otherwise)
 
 
Zinc
 
 
Lead
 
 
Silver
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payable metal
 
3,673 t
 
1,798 t
 
135,361 oz
 
n/a
Realised price
 
$1,943 t
 
$2,127 t
 
$ 8.11 oz
 
n/a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payable metal revenue
 
7,137
 
3,824
 
1,098
 
12,059
TC/RCs
 
(2,436)
 
(389)
 
(108)
 
(2,933)
Transport recoveries/(charges)
 
11
 
-
 
-
 
11
Net revenue
 
4,712
 
3,435
 
990
 
9,137
Prior quarter adjustments
 
55
 
23
 
(11)
 
67
Total revenue
 
4,767
 
3,458
 
979
 
9,204
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Reconciliation of Stratoni revenues – Q3 2009
(in thousands of US dollars unless stated otherwise)
 
 
Zinc
 
 
Lead
 
 
Silver
 
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payable metal
 
3,325 t
 
3,042 t
 
228,574 oz
 
n/a
Realised price
 
$1,795 t
 
$2,106 t
 
$8.12 oz
 
n/a
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Payable metal revenue
 
5,968
 
6,406
 
1,855
 
14,229
TC/RCs
 
(2,147)
 
(703)
 
(192)
 
(3,042)
Transport recoveries/(charges)
 
14
 
-
 
-
 
14
Net revenue
 
3,835
 
5,703
 
1,663
 
11,201
Prior quarter adjustments
 
(41)
 
354
 
(14)
 
299
Total revenue
 
3,794
 
6,057
 
1,649
 
11,500
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Total quarterly revenues from concentrate sales decreased year on year, primarily as a result of lower payable metal sales: payable zinc increased 10%, but payable lead and silver both decreased 41% compared to the prior year quarter; realised prices for zinc were $1,943 per tonne, up 8%, and for lead $2,127 per tonne, up 1% compared to Q3 2009. As base metal prices trended upwards during Q3 2010, prior quarter revenue adjustments yielded a small positive revenue impact for Q3 2010. Despite the higher realised prices, lower payable metal compared to the prior year quarter led to a decrease of 15% in payable base metal revenues.

 

 

Olympias project

 

Hellas Gold completed the final shipments of Olympias gold bearing concentrates from the surface concentrate stockpile in Q4 2009, thereby depleting the surface concentrate stockpile reserve. Therefore, no sales were made in Q3 2010, compared to positive revenues of $5.54 million for the same period in 2009.

 

Financial performance

(in thousands of US dollars)

2010

Q3

2010

Q2

2010

Q1

2009

Q4

2009

Q3

2009

Q2

2009

Q1

2008

Q4

Sales

Nil

(48)

(699)

5,073

5,537

6,732

5,807

4,309

Gross profit

Nil

(48)

(699)

4,067

4,012

4,747

4,003

2,995

Depreciation and depletion

Nil

Nil

Nil

196

124

184

153

106

 

 

 

Consolidated results

 

The Company's statements of profit and loss for the eight most recently completed quarters are summarised in the following table:

 

Financial performance
 
(in thousands of US dollars,
except per share amounts)
2010
Q3
$
2010
Q2
$
2010
Q1
$
2009
Q4
$
2009
Q3
$
2009
Q2
$
2009
Q1
$
2008
Q4
$
Statement of Profit and Loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
9,204
11,969
10,435
18,729
17,037
16,204
10,742
12,774
Cost of sales
8,868
11,697
9,756
13,466
13,474
13,018
11,084
16,839
Gross profit
336
272
679
5,263
3,563
3,186
(342)
(4,065)
Interest income
65
35
62
(163)
147
133
508
1,164
Foreign exchange gain/(loss)
6,930
(10,354)
1,563
88
(501)
1,719
(2,882)
(6,253)
Hedge contract profit
183
394
-
373
1,030
1,801
2,417
3,165
Share of profit/(loss) in associate
(9)
39
-
(3)
(187)
18
60
(3)
Expenses
10,251
10,941
8,128
11,251
5,384
4,204
3,740
5,253
Profit/(loss) before income taxes
(2,746)
(20,555)
(5,824)
(5,693)
(1,332)
2,653
(3,979)
(11,245)
Income taxes
960
1,941
(438)
(991)
(1,847)
(1,078)
540
17,067
Profit/(loss) after income taxes
(1,786)
(18,614)
(6,262)
(6,684)
(3,179)
1,575
(3,439)
5,822
Non-controlling interest
141
341
(77)
(159)
56
(136)
183
519
Profit/(loss) for the period
(1,645)
(18,273)
(6,339)
(6,843)
(3,123)
1,439
(3,256)
6,341
Earnings/(loss) per share
(0.01)
(0.10)
(0.03)
(0.04)
(0.02)
0.01
(0.02)
0.04

 

  

The Company recorded a loss before taxes of $29.13 million for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2010, compared to a loss before taxes of $2.66 million for the same period of 2009. The Company recorded a net loss (after taxes and non-controlling interest) of $26.26 million ($0.14 loss per share) for the nine-month period ended 30 September 2010, compared to a net loss of $4.94 million ($0.03 loss per share) for the same period of 2009.

 

The Company recorded a loss before taxes of $2.75 million for the three-month period ended 30 September 2010, compared to a loss before taxes of $1.33 million for the same period of 2009. The Company recorded a net loss (after taxes and non-controlling interest) of $1.65 million ($0.01 profit per share) for the three-month period ended 30 September 2010, compared to a net loss of $3.12 million ($0.02 loss per share) for the same period of 2009.

 

 

In more detail, the following factors have contributed to the above:

 

 
·; Most importantly, with the pyrite stockpile fully depleted, the Company’s gold concentrate business has been suspended until the retreatment of the tailings dump at Olympias can begin. The sale of gold concentrates has been a more significant profit driver for the Company than the base metals business for the past two years. Therefore, in the three and nine-month periods ended 30 September 2010, Hellas Gold sold a total of Nil tonnes of gold bearing pyrite concentrates from Olympias, compared to 21,734 tonnes and 80,700 tonnes respectively in the three and nine months to 30 September 2009.
 
·; There was a positive trend for base metal prices in the three-month period ended 30 September 2010, lead and zinc prices were both higher than lead and zinc price levels during Q3 2009. In the three-month period ended 30 September 2010, zinc averaged $2,043 per tonne and lead $2,065 per tonne compared to $1,780 per tonne and $1,942 per tonne respectively for the same period in 2009. The Stratoni mine was operating at slightly lower mining levels in the third quarter of 2010 than in the same period of 2009, with mine production decreasing 5%, although mill processing increased 19% respectively. Once again, Stratoni ended the quarter with a large ROM stockpile which will be processed next quarter. Sales of payable metal in Q3 2010 were lower than mill production for the quarter, with payable zinc of 3,672 tonnes, a 10% increase over the same period in 2009, and payable lead down by 41% to 1,798 tonnes. Following these changes in realized prices and sales volumes, revenues from payable zinc in Q3 2010 increased 26% compared to Q3 2009, and revenues from payable lead decreased 43% over the same period.
 
·; A more accentuated trend for base metal prices is seen during the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. In the nine months ended 30 September 2010, zinc averaged $2,134 per tonne and lead $2,092 per tonne compared to $1,502 per tonne and $1,549 per tonne respectively for the same period in 2009. The Stratoni mine was operating at higher mining levels for the first nine months of 2010 than in the same period of 2009, with mine production increasing 5%, although mill processing only increased 3%. However, concentrate stockpile increases meant that tonnes of payable zinc sold in the first nine months of 2010 fell 4% compared to the same period 2009, and tonnes of payable lead fell 7% over the same period. This price trend was a positive key driver for payable base metal revenues but overall revenues decreased 28% because of no gold concentrate sales in the first nine-months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. 
 
·; Cost of sales of $30.32 million in the first nine months of 2010 and $8.87 million in Q3 2010, compared to $37.58 million and $13.47 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2009, included $5.04 million in depreciation and depletion expenses in the first nine months of 2010 and $1.43 million in Q3 2010, compared to $5.41 million for the same period of 2009 and $1.89 million in Q3 2009. In the nine months to 30 September 2010, Stratoni costs of production fell by $0.29 million driven mainly by lower US dollar unit operating costs, and transport costs were $4.34 million lower, resulting primarily from no gold concentrate sales in 2010; amortization and depreciation were $0.37 million lower due to no gold concentrate sales in the first nine months of 2010 and increases to inventory decreased costs of sales by $2.26 million. For the quarter ended 30 September 2010 compared to the same period in 2009, the trends were: $0.89 million increase in cost of production driven mainly by higher production, $1.38 million lower transport costs, $0.46 million lower amortization and depreciation, and a higher transfer of cost to inventory of $3.77 million.
 
·; As a result, the Company recorded a gross profit of $1.29 million in the first nine months of 2010 and $0.34 million in Q3 2010, on revenues of $31.61 million and $9.20 million, respectively, compared to a gross profit of $6.41 million in the first nine months of 2009 and $3.56 million in Q3 2009 on revenues of $43.98 and $17.04 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2009.
 
·; The Company’s corporate administrative and overhead expenses have increased from $3.20 million in the first nine months of 2009 and $1.14 million in Q3 2009 to $9.40 million and $3.17 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2010. The main element of this increase relates to consulting and legal fees relating to the permitting processes in Greece and Romania.
 
·; The Company recorded a non-cash equity-based compensation expense of $8.33 million in the first nine months of 2010 and $3.56 million in Q3 2010, compared to $2.33 million and $1.37 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2009. The changes relate to equity compensation which vested in Q3 2010 as a result of strong share price appreciation, which also increased the amounts expensed relating to DPUs, increasing the 2010 charges compared to 2009. Equity-based compensation relates to options, restricted share units (“RSUs”) and deferred phantom units (“DPUs”). Both RSUs and DPUs are valued by direct reference to the Company’s share price, without the need for estimates to calculate the fair value of these instruments. RSUs are valued using the share price upon issuance, whilst DPUs are revalued to the Company’s closing share price at the end of each reporting period. Options are valued using option valuation methodologies which require estimates to determine fair value. The Company continued a practice of recharging some of its equity-based compensation expense to its operating subsidiaries, a portion of which is capitalised by such subsidiaries.
 
·; The Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $1.86 million in the first nine months of 2010 and a foreign exchange gain of $6.93 million in Q3 2010, compared to a foreign exchange loss of $1.66 million in the first nine months of 2009 and a foreign exchange loss of $0.50 million in Q3 2009. These exchange differences arise as a result of changes in the US dollar values of Euro cash and cash equivalents held by the Company, as well as Hellas Gold’s monetary assets or liabilities. Since Hellas Gold has large monetary asset positions, a strengthening US dollar tends to generate foreign exchange losses as the net Euro denominated assets are revalued downwards in US dollar terms; the reverse is true as US dollar weakens. In addition, as the Euro started to weaken at the beginning of 2010, the Company began a strategy of moving its cash holdings from the US dollar into the Euro, particularly with regards to its equity contribution for the Certej project financing. The Company now holds approximately €40 million compared to 2009 when all cash was held in US dollars, and as a result in Q3 2010 a strengthening Euro generated a significant foreign exchange gain. 
 
·; Hellas Gold’s administrative and overhead expenses amounted to $7.70 million in the first nine months of 2010 and $2.32 million in Q3 2010 compared to $4.67 million and $1.90 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2009, primarily as a result of once-off costs relating to the reparation of installations and dwellings, which were damaged due to an extreme rainfall event during the first nine months of the 2010. An insurance claim has been made and may allow these costs to be credited at a later date.
 
·; Hellas Gold incurred an expense of $2.89 million in the first nine months of 2010 and $0.86 million in Q3 2010, compared to $2.55 million and $0.78 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2009, for ongoing water pumping and treatment at its non-operating mines of Olympias and Madem Lakkos backfilling, in compliance with Hellas Gold’s commitment to the environment under its contract with the Greek State.
 
·; The Company recorded an income taxes credit of $2.46 million in the first nine months of 2010 and $0.96 million credit in Q3 2010, compared to a charge of $2.39 million and $1.85 million, respectively, for the same periods of 2009. The majority of the movements relate to changes in future tax provisions in the Company’s subsidiary Hellas Gold.
 
·; The Company recorded a credit of $0.41 million in the first nine months of 2010 and a credit of $0.14 million in Q3 2010 relating to the non-controlling shareholder’s interest in Hellas Gold’s profit (after tax), compared to a credit of $0.10 and a charge of $0.04, respectively, for the same periods of 2009.

 

 

 

Financial instruments

 

Hedging commitments - The Company enters into financial transactions in the normal course of business and in line with Board guidelines for the purpose of hedging and managing its expected exposure to commodity prices. There are a number of financial institutions which offer metal hedging services and the Company deals with highly rated banks and institutions who have demonstrated long term commitment to the mining industry. The Company has one counterparty in respect of its lead and zinc hedge contracts noted below. Market conditions and prices would affect the fair value of these hedge contracts and in certain market conditions, where the fair value of the hedge contract is positive to the Company and the counterparty were unable to honour its obligations under the hedge contract, the Company would be exposed to the value of the hedge, being the difference between the hedged price and the then current market price on the date of the settlement. The hedges below are treated as cash flow hedges in accordance with CICA 3865: Hedges.

 

Lead and Zinc hedging contracts - As at 30 September 2010, the Company had entered into hedging arrangements as illustrated below which, for the amount of production shown, protect the Company from decreasing prices below the floor price and limit participation in increasing prices above the cap price. The period of the hedge is from 1 October 2010 until 31 December 2010 and is cash settled on a monthly basis between the monthly average of the relevant commodity price and the cap and floor price, as applicable. As at 30 September 2010, these contracts had a fair value of $70 (31 December 2009 - ($1,064)), determined by a third party valuation using the appropriate Black-Scholes options valuation model, based on the then prevailing market prices including lead and zinc prices, interest rates and market volatility.

 

 

Period October 2010 - December 2010

 

Lead

 

Zinc

Total Volume

(tonnes)

1,500

1,950

Monthly Volume

(tonnes)

500

650

Floor Price

($/tonne)

2,000

2,000

Cap Price

($/tonne)

2,900

2,925

 

During the nine- and three-month period ended 30 September 2010, the Company recorded income relating to its hedging program of $577 (2009 - $5,248) and $183 (2009 - $1,030).

 

Given the current maturity profile of the hedge, market expectations and parameters, we expect that the fair value of the existing hedge contracts of $70 will be released to net income within the next 3 months.

 

Related parties

 

Aktor S.A ("Aktor") Greece's largest construction Company owns 5% of Hellas Gold the Company's 95% owned subsidiary. Aktor is a 100% subsidiary of Ellaktor S.A., which owns 19.4% of the Company's issued share capital. Aktor, which is deemed a related party, contracts management, technical and engineering services to Hellas Gold.

 

During the nine-month period ended 30 September 2010, Hellas Gold incurred costs of $27,080 (2009 - $24,768) and during the three-month period ended 30 September 2010 Hellas Gold incurred costs $9,753 (2009 - $6,945) which have been recognised as cost of sales in the statements of profit and loss and capitalised to property, plant and equipment, for services received from Aktor. As at 30 September 2010, Hellas Gold had accounts payable of $12,702 (2009 - $8,673) to Aktor. These expenditures were contracted in the normal course of operations and are recorded at the exchange amount agreed by the parties. The terms of the payable are 30 days (2009 - 30 days).

 

During the nine-month period ended 30 September 2010, the Company loaned three of its directors a total of $97 (£61), in relation to employee withholding taxes paid by the Company on behalf of the directors. These loans, which were taken out in the context of the Company's long term incentive plan to increase directors' equity investment in the Company, are interest free and repayable by mutual agreement.

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The Company's balance sheet and cash flows for the eight most recently completed quarters are summarised in the following table:

 

 

(in thousands of US dollars,

except per share amounts)

2010

Q3

$

2010

Q2

$

2010

Q1

$

2009

Q4

$

2009

Q3

$

2009

Q2

$

2009

Q1

$

2008

Q4

$

Balance sheet (end of period)

Cash

82,768

84,978

101,836

113,642

124,112

142,728

153,995

170,296

Working capital

97,359

105,796

129,143

144,899

146,158

171,185

176,319

192,675

Total assets

734,252

724,581

737,871

744,100

749,870

753,196

757,206

766,095

Non current liabilities

144,512

143,971

145,520

145,563

153,882

153,544

154,882

155,727

Statement of cash flows

Cash flows from operating activities

(941)

(4,320)

(4,275)

(4,589)

2,865

(7,733)

(2,923)

883

Investing activities

(7,329)

(7,737)

(4,251)

(6,851)

(22,793)

(6,167)

(10,674)

(11,672)

- Plant and equipment

(3,702)

(4,996)

(2,513)

(4,101)

(20,649)

(3,450)

(8,953)

(12,998)

- Deferred exploration and development costs

(2,783)

 

(2,741)

 

(1,738)

 

(2,440)

 

(2,137)

 

(2,600)

 

(1,481)

 

(2,837)

- Other

(844)

-

-

(310)

(7)

(117)

(240)

4,163

Financing activities

199

113

-

1,692

-

80

558

(10)

Effect of foreign exchange on cash

5,861

(4,914)

(3,280)

(722)

1,312

2,553

(3,262)

(6,229)

Total movement in cash

(2,210)

(16,858)

(11,806)

(10,470)

(18,616)

(11,267)

(16,301)

(17,028)

 

As at 30 September 2010, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $82.77 million, compared to$113.64 million as at 31 December 2009, and working capital of $97.36 million, compared to $144.90 million as at 31 December 2009. The Company has sufficient capital for its needs until all the permits to construct its new mines are received, at which point additional development capital will be required. The Company is confident that the bank debt and capital markets have sufficient liquidity to provide any additional capital it may require to bring its project portfolio into production.

 

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents as at 30 September 2010, compared to the balances as at31 December 2009, resulted primarily from changes in operating cash flow before net changes in non-cash working capital ($14.46 million), capital expenditure Greece ($9.90 million), deferred exploration and development costs in Romania ($4.25 million), the effect of foreign currency translation on cash ($2.33 million), capital land and equipment expenditure ($2.15 million), deferred exploration and development costs in Greece ($1.96 million and deferred exploration costs in Turkey ($1.05 million), offset by operating cash flow $4.92 million and proceeds from exercise of share options $0.31 million. 

 

The following table sets forth the Company's contractual obligations including payments due for each of the next five years and thereafter:

 

 
Payments due by period
 
(in thousands of US dollars)
Contractual obligations
 
Total
Less than 1 year
2 – 3 years
4 – 5 years
After 5 years
Operating lease (London office)
1,214
245
668
301
-
Operating lease (Athens office)
815
141
284
284
106
Outotec OT – Processing Plant
467
467
-
-
-
Total contractual obligations
2,496
853
952
585
106

 

 

The Company's contractual obligation with Outotec relates to the contract to supply the large technology services for its Skouries project.

 

In 2010, the Company expects to spend a total of $39 million in capital expenditures to fund the development of its project portfolio.  This amount comprises $4 million at its existing operation at Stratoni to upgrade the mill and mining equipment, $10 million at Olympias as part of the refurbishment of the mine and process plant, and $5 million at Skouries as the Company expects to continue to spend on engineering studies. At Certej, the Company expects to spend $20 million as it progresses through the final stages of environmental permitting, and advances through the basic and detailed engineering phases. In addition to its capital expenditure programme, the Company expects to spend $5 million in exploration over the wider licence areas in Greece, Romania and Turkey, $14 million on Hellas Gold administrative and overhead and water treatment expenses, and $14 million on corporate administrative and overhead expenses. The Company expects to fund all such costs from existing cash balances and operating cash flow generated from its Hellas Gold operations.

 

 

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA

 

The following represents all equity shares outstanding and the numbers of common shares into which all securities are convertible, exercisable or exchangeable:

 

Common shares: 183,142,301

Common share options: 4,573,665

Restricted share units: 1,695,102 Less: Issued to JOE plan (500,000)

Common shares (fully-diluted): 188,242,812

 

Preferred shares: Nil

 

NON GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES

 

The Company uses certain performance measures in its analysis. Some of these performance measures have no meaning within Canadian GAAP and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.

 

Cash operating cost per tonne milled is a Non-GAAP measure which the Company uses as a key performance indicator, which reflects the fact that it is a key performance measure that Stratoni mine management uses to monitor operating performance. The Stratoni ore body produces three saleable products, being zinc lead and silver. Using a measure which focuses on actual cost of the production process rather than a measurement of cost per product eliminates distortions resulting from grade mined or realised metal prices, and provides a real indication of cost management compared to tonnage processed. Management uses these statistics to assess how well the Company's producing mine is performing compared to plan and to assess overall efficiency and effectiveness of the mining operation.

 

The Company provides this cash cost information as it is a key performance indicator required by users of the Company's financial information in order to assess the Company's profit potential and performance relative to its peers. The cash cost figure represents the total of all cash costs directly attributable to the related mining and processing operations without the deduction of any credits in respect of by-product sales. Cash cost is not a GAAP measure and, although it is calculated according to accepted industry practice, the Company's disclosed cash costs may not be directly comparable to other base metal producers. Cash operating cost per tonne milled is a measure denominated in Euros, and therefore, when stated in US dollars, will be affected by changes in the Euro - US dollar exchange rate.

 

The following table reconciles cash operating cost per tonne to cost of sales as disclosed in our income statement for the most recent 8 quarters:

 

(in thousands of US dollars)

 

2010

Q3

$

2010

Q2

$

2010

Q1

$

2009

Q4

$

2009

Q3

$

2009

Q2

$

2009

Q1

$

2008

Q4

$

Milled production (dmt)

59,938

60,663

47,701

63,345

50,167

60,287

52,984

73,320

Cash operating cost per tonne milled (€)

119

110

110

117

116

106

119

109

Cash operating cost per tonne milled ($)

153

141

151

173

165

144

156

145

Cash cost of production

9,181

8,553

7,221

10,948

8,288

8,687

8,278

10,609

Movement in concentrate inventory

(2,692)

157

(109)

(916)

1,080

(175)

(1,300)

368

Cash cost of sales - Stratoni

6,489

8,710

7,112

10,032

9,368

8,512

6,978

10,977

Amortisation and depletion

1,429

1,970

1,640

1,601

1,888

2,050

1,473

1,933

Concentrate transport costs

840

1,126

1,004

1,833

2,218

2,666

2,423

2,977

Inventory write-down/adjustments

110

(109 )

-

-

-

(210)

210

952

Cost of sales

8,868

11,697

9,756

13,466

13,474

13,018

11,084

16,839

 

 

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation ("EBITDA") is a Non-GAAP measure which the Company uses as an indicator of the cash generation. For each operation, it is calculated as gross profit adjusted for all depreciation, depletion and amortisation charges as presented under Canadian GAAP.

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada ("Canadian GAAP"), which assumes the Company will be able to realise assets and discharge liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The consolidated financial statements do not include the adjustments that would be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern and reflect the following critical accounting estimates.

 

Deferred exploration and development costs - Acquisition costs of resource properties, together with direct exploration and development costs incurred thereon, are deferred and capitalised. Upon reaching commercial production, these capitalised costs are transferred from exploration properties to producing properties on the consolidated balance sheets and are amortised into operations using the unit-of-production method over the estimated useful life of the estimated related ore reserves.

 

The proven and probable reserves are determined based on a professional evaluation using accepted international standards for the assessment of mineral reserves. The assessment involved the study geological, geophysical and economic data and the reliance on a number of financial and technical assumptions. The estimates of the reserves may be subject to change based on new information gained subsequent to the initial assessment. This may include additional information available from continuing exploration, results from the reconciliation of actual mining and plant production data against the original reserve estimates, or the impact of economic factors such as changes in metal prices, exchange rates or the cost of components of production. A total of $1,569 for the period to 30 September 2010 (2009 - $2,431) and $415 Q3 2010 (2009 - $762) was charged to the income statement in relation to depletion of mineral properties, which were subject to these estimates. If actual reserves prove to be significantly different from current estimates, a material change to amounts charged to earnings could occur. A total of $488,295 (31 December 2009 - $480,995) mineral properties, was stated on the balance sheet that are subject to these estimates now and in the future.

 

Long-lived assets - All long-lived assets and intangibles held and used by the Company are reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset that an entity expects to hold and use may not be recoverable, future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its disposition must be estimated. If the undiscounted value of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, impairment is recognised based on the fair value of the assets. Under Canadian GAAP, a fall in metal prices is one of a number of factors in whether long-lived assets are subject to impairment. In such circumstances, management would prepare future cash flow forecasts to establish whether any actual impairment had occurred. These estimates are based on future expectations, and a number of assumptions and judgments made by management, the same as those required for the estimation of reserves. Current metal prices do not suggest there has been any impairment on any of the Company's long-lived assets. If such an impairment were to occur, this could result in a material charge to earnings. A total of $488,295, (31 December 2009 - $480,995) of mineral properties was stated on the balance sheet that are subject to this estimation process.

 

Long-lived assets are depreciated against operations using the unit-of-production method over the estimated useful life of the estimated related ore reserves. As stated above, the determination of reserves is dependent upon the reliance on a number of financial and technical assumptions, which may be subject to change. If actual reserves prove to be significantly different from current estimates, a material change to amounts charged to earnings could occur.

 

 

Asset retirement obligation - The fair value of the liability of an asset retirement obligation is recorded when it is legally incurred and the corresponding increase to the mineral property is depreciated over the life of the mineral property. The future costs of retirement obligations are estimated by management based upon knowledge of the cost of these activities and a number of assumptions and judgments are made by management in their determination. These estimates are regularly reviewed for reasonableness and any changes to the original cost estimate reflected in the asset retirement obligation liability. The liability is adjusted over time to reflect an accretion element considered in the initial measurement at fair value and revisions to the timing or amount of original estimates and drawdowns as asset retirement expenditures are incurred. As at 30 September 2010, the Company had an asset retirement obligation relating to its Stratoni property in Greece amounting to $7,163 (31 December 2009 - $7,068) subject to these estimates. A total of $95 for the period to 30 September 2010 (2009 - $96) and Q3 2010 $31 (2009 - $34) was charged to the income statement in relation to asset retirement obligation, which were subject to these estimates. A significant change to either the estimated future costs or to reserves could result in a material change to amounts charged to earnings.

 

Equity-based compensation - The Company operates a share option plan, an RSU plan and a DPU plan. The Company accounts for equity-based compensation granted under such plans using the fair value method of accounting. Under such method, the cost of equity-based compensation is estimated at fair value and is recognised in the profit and loss statement as an expense, or capitalised to deferred exploration and development costs when the compensation can be attributed to mineral properties. The Company uses the Black-Scholes and Parisian option pricing model to estimate fair values of share options granted, and uses the market price of common shares to determine fair value of RSUs granted and DPUs issued. This cost is recognised over the relevant vesting period for grants to directors, officers and employees, and measured in full at the earlier of performance completed or vesting for grants to non-employees. Any consideration received by the Company on exercise of share options is credited to share capital. In relation to DPUs, the trend of cost charged or credited to income statement relates directly to the fluctuation in the Company's share price. A total of $8,325 for the period to 30 September 2010 (2009 - $2,332) and Q3 2010 $3,562 (Q2 2009 - $1,371) was charged to the income statement in relation to equity-based compensation, which were subject to these estimates.

 

Future taxes - The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for future income taxes. Under this method, current income taxes are recognised for the estimated income taxes payable for the current year. Future income tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences between the tax and accounting bases of assets and liabilities, calculated using the currently enacted or substantively enacted tax rates anticipated to apply in the period that the temporary differences are expected to reverse. Future income tax inflows and outflows are subject to estimation in terms of both timing and amount of future taxable earnings, which are subject to assumptions on the future tax rates and recoverability of any tax losses. Should these estimates change, the carrying value of income tax assets or liabilities may change, and consequently the charge or credit to the income statement. A total credit of $2,463 for the period to 30 September 2010 (2009 - $1,554 charge) and Q3 2010 a credit of $960 (2009 - $1,110 charge) to the income statement in relation to future income taxes, which were subject to these estimates.

 

 

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") - In February 2008, the Canadian Accounting Standards Board ("AcSB") confirmed that IFRS will replace Canadian GAAP for publicly listed companies, for interim and annual financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after 1 January 2011, including comparative figures for the prior years.

 

The Company intends to transition to IFRS on 1 January 2011, and will file its first interim financials under IFRS for the quarter ended 31 March 2011. The IFRS compliant financial statements will include opening balance sheet and equity reconciliations for the quarter as well as reconciliations as at the 1 January 2010 transition date. The Company has identified four phases to its conversion process:

 

§ Design and planning

§ Detailed assessment and quantification of differences under IFRS

§ Implementation

§ Post implementation.

 

Design and planning

 

During the design and planning phase, the Company focused on ensuring that the correct skills were available and on the longer term planning to ensure the smooth transition to IFRS. This commenced in Q2 2008, when the Company established a project management team which included members of the finance function at the subsidiary level, who were already experienced in the preparation of IFRS accounts. Other team members were provided with IFRS training. In addition, the Company's finance function already had some IFRS experience from reporting under IFRS on a quarterly basis for its major shareholder. This reporting process included accounting adjustments for all material differences between IFRS and Canadian GAAP, with the exception of IFRS 1. During Q3 2008, the Company also undertook a preliminary IFRS diagnostic report which included an initial assessment of key accounting areas where IFRS differs to Canadian GAAP and which could possibly have a significant impact on the financial statements. The report also outlined the key systems and processes which would be affected by the conversion process, namely internal control over financial reporting as well as disclosure controls and procedures. Concluding the planning and design phase, the Company also established a preliminary timeline for key milestones and deliverables to be reported to the audit committee on an ongoing basis.

 

Detailed assessment and quantification of differences under IFRS

 

In Q4 2008, the Company moved to the next phase of its IFRS conversion process, by initiating an appropriate review and assessment of all accounting differences under IFRS standards, with particular focus on IFRS 1. This included a detailed assessment of all fixed assets throughout the Group to identify assets where a different treatment is required under IFRS. This assessment also identified the following areas where there are potential differences between IFRS and Canadian GAAP which may affect the Company, as described below:

 

 

§ Business combinations

 

Date of acquisition

 

Under IFRS, when shares of the acquirer are issued to the seller as payment of the purchase price, the fair value will be based on the share price on the date that control of the subsidiary was acquired. Canadian GAAP requires the fair value to be based on the announcement date share price.

 

Acquisition related costs

 

Under IFRS, transaction costs are fully expensed on acquisition whereas Canadian GAAP allows certain transaction costs to be recognised as part of the acquisition.

 

Minority Interest

 

Under IFRS, a non controlling interest may be recorded according to its share of the fair value of assets and liabilities of the acquired entity. Under Canadian GAAP, minority interest is recorded at the historical carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity.

 

§ Consolidations

 

Under IFRS, changes in ownership in interests, after control is obtained and do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions, while under Canadian GAAP these changes are accounted for as step acquisitions using purchase accounting.

 

 

§ Exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources

 

IFRS provides a specialised statement with regards to extractive industry in respect of the exploration for and evaluation of mineral resources, which separately identifies and accounts for pre-exploration, exploration and evaluation and development expenditure and are classified as either tangible or intangible assets according to their nature. Canadian GAAP does not have a single accounting standard for exploration and evaluation activities and there is no requirement either to separately identify and account for pre-exploration, exploration and evaluation and development expenditure, or to separate between tangible and intangible assets.

 

 

§ Property, plant and equipment

 

Under IFRS, where a component of property, plant and equipment has a significant cost in relation to the cost of the item as a whole, it must be separately depreciated. This policy applies in Canadian GAAP but in practice a higher threshold of materiality is applied.

 

§ Foreign currency translation

 

Under IFRS, the functional currency concept is used to determine the measurement of foreign currency translation. This is based on the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates. In determining foreign currency translations, Canadian GAAP makes use of self-sustaining and integrated operations with a different hierarchy of indicators.

 

§ Impairment of definite life long-lived assets

 

Under IFRS, a one-step approach for both testing and measuring impairment, in which the recoverable amount is compared to the carrying values of the assets. Canadian GAAP requires a two-step approach for impairment testing in which the Company must first compare undiscounted cash flows to the carrying value and determine whether an impairment exists. If the cash flows are below carrying values, the Company would be required to compare the fair value to the carrying value to determine the impairment.

 

§ Rehabilitation provisions

 

Under IFRS, rehabilitation provisions include both legal and constructive obligations. Canadian GAAP only requires recognition of the liability only once legally bound. The accretion expense under IFRS is presented as an interest expense, whereas Canadian GAAP does not prescribe any presentation for asset retirement obligation accretion. The discount rate under Canadian GAAP is based on the current credit-adjusted, risk free rate for any upward adjustments, and the original credit adjusted risk free rate for downward adjustments. IFRS requires the use of a current pre-tax discount rate which must be updated at the end of reporting period.

 

§ Share-Based payments

 

In certain circumstances, Canadian GAAP permits that the fair value of share-based awards with graded vesting be recognised on a straight-line basis over the entire vesting period. Under IFRS, each tranche of an award is considered a separate grant with separate vesting dates and each are accounted for separately.

 

§ Income taxes

 

Under IFRS, a deferred tax asset or liability is recognised for exchange loss or gains relating to foreign non-monetary assets and liabilities that are re-measured into functional currency using historical rates. There is no such requirement under Canadian GAAP.

 

This assessment took place during Q1 2009 and was further developed during the rest of 2009 along with additional in-depth training to members of the project management team as well as attendance of seminars relating to IFRS changeover. This process was extended to the finance departments of the group, in particular looking at the possibilities of converting local accounts and reporting to IFRS. The project team also identified and made an initial assessment of the various elections the Company is required to make with regards to IFRS 1 in Q3 2009 which was presented to the group auditors BDO Dunwoody LLP.

 

During Q4 2009, the Company changed its group auditors to Ernst & Young LLP ("E&Y"), and a new IFRS implementation plan was drawn up. This new plan was designed to allow the Company to finalise its required elections under FRS 1 after the 2009 audit under Canadian GAAP had been completed. In addition, E&Y would perform its own independent work to confirm the Company's assessment process.

 

During Q1 2010, the Company continued with its plan in order to meet the objective of establishing opening IFRS balances as at 1 January 2010, which would act as the opening position for the 2010 comparatives to the 2011 financial year for which IFRS reporting.

 

During Q2, the Company was involved in a roll forward and an impact assessment based on what had been carried out by the Company to date, with the aim of ensuring that all current IFRS updates would be included. This included the quantification of differences. The Company was further involved in training sessions with team members from its subsidiaries as well as meetings with its auditors to provide updates on issues relating to the impact assessment, IFRS 1 choices and exemptions and financial statement disclosures.

 

During Q3, the Company finalised its IFRS impact assessment exercise. The Company continued with its IFRS technical papers outlining the differences between GAAPs and the various elections to be made. The Company also updated skeleton IFRS financial statements in preparation for an audit of IFRS opening balances prior to the end of Q4 2010.

 

The following is a summary timetable with regards to the remainder of 2010:

 
·; Completion of all technical papers prepared by the Company as well as on IFRS 1 choices and exemptions, including additional financial statement disclosures, during Q4 2010.
·; Completion of skeleton IFRS financial statements during Q4 2010.
·; A special audit committee meeting is scheduled to be held in Q4 2010, to discuss and approve the impact of adopting IFRS and to approve the changes to the accounting policies. 
·; Completion of ongoing work relating to Group reporting pack modification, as well as IFRS implementation by subsidiaries that have elected to implement IFRS in their jurisdictions.
·; Completion of all IFRS work relating to IT and systems by the end of Q4 2010.

  

The audit committee will continue to be reported to on a timely basis on progress of the implementation process and achievement of the timetable as set out above.

 

 

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

 

Current Global Conditions - Current global financial conditions have been subject to increased volatility and numerous financial institutions have either gone into bankruptcy or have had to be rescued by governmental authorities. Access to public financing has been negatively impacted by both sub-prime mortgages and the liquidity crisis affecting the asset-backed commercial paper market. These factors may impact the ability of the Company to obtain equity or debt financing in the future and, if obtained, on terms favourable to the Company. If these increased levels of volatility and market turmoil continue, the Company's operations could be adversely impacted and the value and the price of the Company's Common Shares could be adversely affected.

Market price volatility - The trading price of the Common Shares may be subject to large fluctuations. The trading price of the Common Shares may increase or decrease in response to a number of events and factors, some of which are directly related to the Company's success and some of which are not directly related to the Company's success and are therefore not within the Company's control. Such events and factors include: the price of gold and other metals, the Company's operating performance and the performance of competitors and other similar companies, the public's reaction to the Company's press releases, other public announcements and the Company's filings with the various securities regulatory authorities, changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track the Common Shares or the shares of other companies in the mineral resource sector, changes in general economic conditions, the number of the Common Shares to be publicly traded after an offering, the breadth of the public market for the Common Shares, the arrival or departure of key personnel, acquisitions, strategic alliances or joint ventures involving the Company or its competitors, developments that affect the market for all mineral resource sector shares, and the attractiveness of alternative investments.

The effect of these and other factors on the market price of the Common Shares on the exchanges in which the Company trades has historically made the Company's share price volatile and suggests that the Company's share price will continue to be volatile in the future. A decline in the market prices of the Company's securities could also impair the Company's ability to raise additional capital.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, shareholders have often instituted class action securities litigation against those companies. Such litigation, if instituted against the Company, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management attention and resources, which could significantly harm the Company's profitability and reputation.

Dilution - The Company may require additional funds to fund exploration and development programs and potential acquisitions. The Company cannot predict the size of future issuances of Common Shares or the issuance of debt instruments or other securities convertible into shares or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of the Company's securities will have on the market price of the Common Shares. If it raises additional funding by issuing additional equity securities, such financing may substantially dilute the interests of existing shareholders. Sales of substantial amounts of Common Shares, or the availability of such Common Shares for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for the Company's securities.

No dividends - The Company has never paid cash dividends on the Common Shares. It currently intends to retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of its business, and may not pay any cash dividends on the Common Shares for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, the Company may in the future become subject to contractual restrictions on, or prohibitions against, the payment of dividends. As a result, investors will have to rely on capital appreciation, if any, to earn a return on their investment in Common Shares in the foreseeable future. The payment of future dividends, if any, will be reviewed periodically by the Company's board of directors and will depend upon, among other things, conditions then existing including earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business opportunities and conditions and other factors.

Foreign country risk - Any changes in regulations in Greece, Romania or Turkey, or shifts in political attitudes are beyond the Company's control and may adversely affect its business. Exploration and development of any one or more of the Company's mineral properties may be affected in varying degrees by government regulations or policies with respect to restrictions on future exploitation and production, labour, environmental protection, price controls, royalties, export controls, foreign exchange controls, income taxes, expropriation of property, environmental legislation and mine and/or site safety.

Currently there are no restrictions on the repatriation from Greece, Romania or Turkey of earnings to foreign entities. However, there can be no assurance that restrictions on repatriation of earnings from Romania, Greece or Turkey will not be imposed in the future.

Current economic and fiscal difficulties involving Greece could result in a sovereign debt default and could negatively impact economic, political and social stability. This situation is still uncertain but the IMF and Eurozone member states have finalised a financial support mechanism for Greece. The Company still believes this situation is not specifically or directly relevant to its assets in the country, however it may deteriorate and thus negatively impact the Company.

Exploration and mining risks - The business of exploring for minerals and mining involves a high degree of risk. Only a small proportion of the properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines. Although substantial benefits may be derived from the discovery of a major mineralised deposit, no assurance can be given that minerals will be discovered in sufficient quantities or having sufficient grade to justify commercial operations. The economics of developing gold and other mineral properties is affected by many factors including the cost of operations, variations of the grade of ore mined, fluctuations in the price of gold or other minerals produced, costs of processing equipment and such other factors as government regulations.

Unless otherwise indicated, mineral resource and mineral reserve figures presented herein are based upon estimates made by company personnel and independent geologists. These estimates are imprecise and depend upon geological interpretation and statistical inferences drawn from drilling and sampling analysis, which may prove to be inaccurate. There can be no assurance that: these estimates will be accurate, mineral reserves, mineral resources or other mineralisation figures will be accurate, or this mineralisation could be mined or processed profitably.

Mineralisation estimates for the Company's properties may require adjustments or downward revisions based upon further exploration or development work or actual production experience. In addition, the grade of ore ultimately mined, if any, may differ from that indicated by drilling results. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale.

The mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates contained herein have been determined and valued based on assumed future prices, cut-off grades and operating costs that may prove to be inaccurate. Extended declines in market prices for gold and silver may render portions of the Company's mineralisation uneconomic and result in reduced reported mineralisation. Any material reductions in estimates of mineralisation, or of the Company's ability to extract this mineralisation, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

The grade of mineralisation ultimately mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results and such differences could be material. There can be no assurance that minerals recovered in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large scale tests under on-site conditions or in production scale operations. Material changes in geological mineral resources, grades, stripping ratios or recovery rates may affect the economic viability of projects.

Mining involves various types of risks and hazards, including: environmental hazards, industrial accidents, metallurgical and other processing problems, unusual or unexpected rock formations, structural cave-ins or slides, seismic activity, flooding, fires, periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions, variations in grade, deposit size, density and other geological problems, mechanical equipment performance problems, unavailability of materials and equipment including fuel, labour force disruptions, unanticipated or significant changes in the costs of supplies including, but not limited to, petroleum, and unanticipated transportation costs.

These risks could result in damage to, or destruction of, mineral properties, production facilities or other properties, personal injury or death, loss of key employees, environmental damage, delays in mining, increased production costs, monetary losses and possible legal liability.

Where considered practical to do so, the Company maintains insurance against risks in the operation of its business in amounts which it believes to be reasonable. Such insurance, however, contains exclusions and limitations on coverage. There can be no assurance that such insurance will continue to be available, will be available at economically acceptable premiums or will be adequate to cover any resulting liability. Insurance against certain environmental risks, including potential liability for pollution or other hazards as a result of the disposal of waste products occurring from production, is not generally available to the Company or to other companies within the mining industry. The Company may suffer a material adverse effect on its business if it incurs losses related to any significant events that are not covered by its insurance policies. Payment of such liabilities would reduce funds available for acquisition of mineral prospects or exploration and development and would have a material adverse affect on the financial position of the Company.

Capital and Operating Cost risks - The Company's forecasts, feasibility studies and technical reports are based on a set of assumptions current as at the date of completion of these forecasts and studies. The realised operating and capital costs achieved by the Company may differ substantially owing to factors outside the control of the Company, including currency fluctuations, supply and demand factors for the equipment and supplies, global commodity prices, transport and logistics costs and competition for human resources. Though the Company incorporates a level of contingency in its assumptions, these may not be adequate depending on market conditions.

Financing risks - Exploration and development of one or more of the Company's properties will be dependent upon the Company's ability to obtain financing through joint ventures, equity or debt financing or other means, and although the Company has been successful in the past in obtaining financing through the sale of equity securities, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain adequate financing in the future or that the terms of such financing will be favourable. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration and development of the Company's projects with the possible loss of such properties.

Market Prices

·; Mineral and Commodity prices - The Company's profitability and long-term viability depend, in large part, upon the market price of gold and other metals and minerals produced from the Company's properties. The market price of gold and other metals is volatile and is impacted by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, including: expectations with respect to the rate of inflation, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar and certain other currencies, interest rates, global or regional political or economic conditions, supply and demand for jewellery and industrial products containing metals, costs of substitutes, changes in global or regional investment or consumption patterns, and sales by central banks and other holders, speculators and producers of gold and other metals in response to any of the above factors.

There can be no assurance that the market price of gold and other metals will remain at current levels or that such prices will improve. A decrease in the market price of gold, silver and other metals could adversely affect the profitability of the Company's existing mines, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. A decline in the market price of gold, silver, or other metals, may also require the Company to write-down its mineral reserves which would have a material and adverse affect on its earnings and profitability.

·; Currency fluctuations - Gold and other metals are sold throughout the world principally in United States dollars. Further, the capital markets in which the Company would have access to for financing (debt and equity), are predominantly denominated in United States Dollars. The Company's capital and operating costs for its European projects are incurred principally in Euros. As a result, any significant and sustained appreciation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar may materially increase the Company's costs and reduce revenues. The Company does not currently use any derivative products to manage or mitigate any foreign exchange exposure.

 

·; Interest Rate Fluctuations - The Company currently has no debt, but as part of its strategy going forward may incur project debt to complete the development of certain of the Company's assets. This would introduce interest rate risk to the Company as its borrowing cost will fluctuate with interest rates over which the Company has no control.

 

·; Counterparty Credit Risk - The Company's credit risk is primarily attributable to trade receivables from concentrate sales to our offtakers and on cash balances and short term investments with the Company's bankers. Though the Company is selects its offtakers considering their credit standing and diversifies this risk by selling to a number of different offtakers, however, there is a risk that should these offtakers not perform the Company will not realise its trade receivables. The majority of the Company's cash and cash equivalents are on deposit with banks or money market participants with a Standard and Poors rating of at least A.

Exploration, development, mining and other licences - The Company's current operations, including further exploration, development and mining activities, require certain licenses, concessions, leases, permits and regulatory consents (the "Authorisations") from various levels of governmental authorities. The Company may also be required to obtain certain property rights to access, or use, certain of its properties in order to proceed to development. There can be no assurance that all Authorisations which the Company requires for the conduct of mining operations will be obtainable on reasonable terms or in a timely manner, or at all, that such terms may not be adversely changed, that required extension will be granted, or that the issuance of such Authorisations will not be challenged by third parties. Delays in obtaining or a failure to obtain such Authorisations or extension thereto, challenges to the issuance of such Authorisations, whether successful or unsuccessful, changes to the terms of such Authorisations, or a failure to comply with the terms of any such Authorisations that the Company has obtained, could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

Title matters - While the Company has diligently investigated title to all mineral concessions and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, title to all of its properties are in good standing, this should not be construed as a guarantee of title. Title to the properties may be affected by undisclosed and undetected defects.

Environmental and other regulatory requirements - The Company's activities are subject to environmental regulations promulgated by government agencies from time to time. Environmental legislation generally provides for restrictions and prohibitions on spills, releases or emissions of various substances produced in association with certain mining industry operations, such as seepage from tailings disposal areas, which would result in environmental pollution. A breach of such legislation may result in imposition of fines and penalties. In addition, certain types of operations require the submission and approval of environmental impact assessments. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which means stricter standards, and enforcement, fines and penalties for non-compliance are more stringent. Environmental assessments of proposed projects carry a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their directors, officers and employees. The cost of compliance with changes in governmental regulations has a potential to reduce the profitability of operations.

The Company's current exploration and development activities require permits from various governmental authorities and such operations are and will be governed by laws and regulations governing prospecting, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, safety and other matters. Companies engaged in exploration and development activities generally experience increased costs and delays as a result of the need to comply with applicable laws, regulations and permits. There can be no assurance that all permits which the Company may require for exploration and development will be obtainable on reasonable terms or on a timely basis, or that such laws and regulations would not have an adverse effect on any project that the Company may undertake. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all material laws and regulations which currently apply to the Company's activities. However, there may be unforeseen environmental liabilities resulting from exploration, development and/or mining activities and these may be costly to remedy.

Amendments to current laws, regulations and permits governing operations and activities of exploration and development companies, or more stringent implementation thereof, could have a material adverse impact on the Company and cause increases in expenditures and costs, or require abandonment, or cause delays in developing new mining properties.

Tax matters - The Company believes that it is, and intends to take all necessary steps to remain, resident solely in Canada for income tax purposes. The Company's tax residency is, however, affected by a number of factors, some of which are outside of its control, including the application and interpretation of the relevant tax laws and treaties. If ever the Company were to cease to be tax resident in Canada, it would be liable to pay additional Canadian taxes, including, but not limited to, capital gains tax based on the difference between the fair market value and tax cost of its assets at the relevant time. If such taxes were to become payable, this could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the income tax consequences to holders of Common Shares would be different from those applicable if the Company were resident in Canada.

Dependence on management - The Company's development to date has largely depended and in the future will continue to depend on the efforts of key management. Loss of any of these people could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its business. The Company has not taken out and does not intend to take out key man insurance in respect of any directors, officer or other employees.

Joint ventures - The Company holds (and expects to hold in the future) interests in joint ventures. Joint ventures may involve special risks associated with the possibility that the joint venture partners may (i) have economic or business interests or targets that are inconsistent with ours; (ii) take action contrary to the Company's policies or objectives with respect to their investments, for instance by veto of proposals in respect of joint venture operations; (iii) be unable or unwilling to fulfil their obligations under the joint venture or other agreements; or (iv) experience financial or other difficulties. Any of the foregoing may have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. In addition, the termination of certain of these joint venture agreements, if not replaced on similar terms, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition.

Competition - The international mining industry is highly competitive. The Company's ability to acquire properties and add mineral reserves in the future will depend not only on its ability to develop its present properties, but also on its ability to select and acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration. The Company may be at a competitive disadvantage in acquiring additional mining properties because it must compete with other individuals and companies, many of which have greater financial resources, operational experience and technical capabilities than the Company. The Company may also encounter competition from other mining companies in its efforts to hire experienced mining professionals. Competition could adversely affect the Company's ability to attract necessary capital funding or acquire suitable producing properties or prospects for mineral exploration in the future. Competition for services and equipment could cause project costs to increase materially, resulting in delays if services or equipment cannot be obtained in a timely manner due to inadequate availability, and increase potential scheduling difficulties and cost increases due to the need to coordinate the availability of services or equipment, any of which could materially increase project exploration, development or construction costs, result in project delays or both.

Conflicts of Interest - Certain directors of the Company are, and may continue to be, involved in the mining and mineral exploration industry through their direct and indirect participation in corporations, partnership or joint ventures which are potential competitors of the Company. Situations may arise in connection with potential acquisitions in investments where the other interests of these directors may conflict with the interests of the Company. Directors of the Company with conflicts of interest will be subject to and will follow the procedures set out in applicable corporate and securities legislation, regulations, rules and policies.

Legal Proceedings - the Company is a party to the legal proceedings described under the heading "Legal Proceedings". If decided adversely to the Company, these legal proceedings, or others that could be brought against the Company in the future which are not now known, for example, litigation based on its business activities, environmental laws, volatility in its stock price or failure to comply with its disclosure obligations, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or operations.

 

 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS & PROCEDURES AND INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

The Executive Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (the "Certifying Officers") have established and maintained in the period ended 30 September 2010 disclosure controls and procedures ("DC&P") and internal control over financial reporting ("IFCR") for the Company.

 

The Certifying Officers have caused DC&P, as defined in National Instrument 52-109 ("NI 52-109"), to be designed under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the Certifying Officers by others within those entities, as appropriate, to allow decisions regarding required disclosure within the time periods specified by legislation, particularly during the period in which interim and annual filings are being prepared.

 

The Certifying Officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's DC&P as at 30 September 2010. Based upon that evaluation, the Certifying Officers have concluded that the DC&P are adequate and effective for the period ended 30 September 2010.

 

The Certifying Officers have caused internal control over financial reporting, as defined in NI 52-109, to be designed under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with Canadian GAAP.

 

As of 30 September 2010 the Certifying Officers assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Based upon that evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that the internal controls and procedures are adequate and effective for the period ended 30 September 2010.

 

During the period ended 30 September 2010, there has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

The Certifying Officers believe that disclosure controls and procedures and internal control systems can only provide reasonable assurance, and not absolute assurance, that such objectives are met.

 

 

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