SAINT HELIER, CHANNEL ISLANDS
-- (Marketwired)
-- 08/11/16
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc ("Caledonia" or the "Company") (TSX:CAL)(OTCQX:CALVF)(AIM:CMCL) announces its operating and financial results for the first half of 2016 ("H1" or the "Half Year") and the second quarter of 2016 ("Q2" or the "Quarter"). All results are reported in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated. Following the implementation of indigenisation in September 2012, Caledonia owns 49% of the Blanket Mine in Zimbabwe. Caledonia continues to consolidate Blanket and the operational and the financial information set out below is on a 100% basis unless otherwise indicated.
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Q2 Q2 H1
2015 2016 H1 2015 2016 Comment
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Higher gold
production due to
increased tonnes
mined and milled and
Gold produced (oz) 10,401 12,510 20,360 23,332 higher grade
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Cost per ounce falls
as fixed costs are
spread across higher
production and sales
On-mine cost ($/oz)(1) 720 629 718 658 ounces
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Lower cost per ounce
due to lower on-mine
cost per ounce,
offset by higher
royalty cost due to
All-in Sustaining Cost the higher gold
($/oz) ("AISC") 1,030 936 1,007 943 price
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Higher realised
price reflects the
Average realised gold higher prevailing
price ($/oz) 1,173 1,252 1,186 1,211 gold price
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Higher gross profit
due to higher
production and
sales, higher
realised gold price
Gross profit and lower average
($'000)(2) 3,252 5,936 7,000 9,824 costs per ounce
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Higher attributable
profit due to
increased gross
profit and the
Net profit profit arising on
attributable to the sale of the
shareholders ($'000) 266 3,607 1,522 4,150 treasury bills
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Higher adjusted
earnings per share
Adjusted basic excludes the sale of
earnings per share the treasury bills
("EPS")(3) (cents) 1.5 6.1 4.1 8.6 and deferred tax
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Net cash increased
in the quarter, but
is lower than June
30, 2015 due to high
Net cash and cash levels of capital
equivalents ($'000) 19,170 10,581 19,170 10,581 investment
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Increase in
operating cash flows
reflects the higher
sales volumes and
gold price and lower
Cash from operating average costs of
activities ($'000) 1,853 7,215 3,186 8,964 production
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(1) "On-Mine Cost per ounce", "AISC" and "average realised gold price" are non-IFRS measures and are explained in Section 10 of the MD&A
(2) Gross profit is after deducting royalties, production costs and depreciation but before administrative expenses.
(3) Adjusted EPS is a non-IFRS measure which aims to reflect Caledonia's ordinary trading performance and is discussed in Section 10 of the MD&A
Commenting on the results for the quarter and half year to June 30, 2016, Steve Curtis, Caledonia's President and Chief Executive Officer said:
"The results for the second quarter represent a substantial improvement on previous quarters as we begin to see the benefits of the continued investment at Blanket and as a result of the improved gold price. Adjusted earnings per share in the second quarter were 144 per cent higher than quarter 1 of 2016 and over 300 per cent higher than in the second quarter of 2015. Caledonia remains confident of meeting market expectations for the remainder of 2016.
"A new production record was largely the result of improved underground logistics and increased mine flexibility as a result of the implementation of the Revised Investment Plan at Blanket Mine. This achievement is a testament to the hard work of the management and employees at Blanket Mine and the technical team at Caledonia over the last 18 months.
"Gold production in the quarter was 15.6 per cent higher than the first quarter of 2016 due to the increased tonnes mined and milled and the improved grade. The average feed grade in the quarter was 3.47 grammes per tonne compared to 3.16 grammes per tonne in quarter 1 and 3.25 grammes per tonne in 2015. The higher grade was as planned and reflects the commencement of production from the AR South and Blanket ore bodies below 750 meters. In future quarters I expect the grade will improve towards 4 grammes per tonne as production from higher grade, deeper ore bodies increases.
"Our increased confidence in the future financial performance of the group is reflected in the increase in Caledonia's dividend. With effect from the end of July 2016,Caledonia's dividend has increased by 22 per cent from 1.125 cents per quarter to 1.375 cents per quarter. Caledonia's dividend remains sustainable with dividend cover for the quarter of over 4 times earnings and 10 times operating cash flow.
"Higher production results in a lower average cost per ounce as fixed costs are spread over more production ounces. The All-In Sustaining cost for the quarter was $936 per ounce - 9.5 per cent lower than the comparable quarter of 2015. Costs at Blanket and Caledonia remain well-controlled and I expect to see further reductions in the average cost per ounce as production increases in terms of the production plan.
"Improved profitability was also reflected in Caledonia's improved cash position. At June 30, 2016 Caledonia had cash of $10.6 million and no debt, compared to net cash of $8.8 million at March 31, 2016. In early August 2016, Blanket re-commenced dividend payments after approximately 18 months during which dividends were suspended so that it could re-invest its operating cash flows in terms of the Revised Investment Plan. The resumption of dividend payments by Blanket will further enhance Caledonia's cash position and also means Blanket's indigenous shareholders will participate in Blanket's improved financial performance.
"We have increased our focus on exploration and resource development which has resulted in regular resource updates. I am confident that the life of mine will be further supplemented by resource additions and upgrades.
"A huge amount has been achieved at the Central Shaft since work commenced in late 2014: the sinking head gear has been installed and commissioned and the main sinking phase has commenced. Completion of the Central Shaft remains on track for mid-2018 with the shaft depth currently standing at 170m. The completed shaft down to a level of 1,080m will establish Blanket as a large, low cost operation with excellent prospects to extend the existing mine life.
"2016 has been a transformational year for Caledonia and Blanket to date and I look forward to providing further updates to the market as the year progresses."
Strategy and Outlook
Caledonia's strategic focus continues to be the implementation of the Revised Investment Plan at Blanket, which was announced in November 2014 and is expected to extend the life of mine by providing access to deeper levels for production and further exploration. Implementation of the Revised Investment Plan remains on target in terms of timing and cost. Caledonia's board and management believe the successful implementation of the Revised Investment Plan is in the best interests of all stakeholders because it is expected to result in increased production, reduced operating costs and greater flexibility to undertake further exploration and development, thereby safeguarding and enhancing Blanket's long term future. Caledonia's cash position is expected to improve as a result of the implementation of the Revised Investment Plan; Caledonia will continue to assess new opportunities to invest surplus cash.
Dividend Policy
On November 25, 2013 Caledonia announced a dividend policy in terms of which it paid a dividend of 6 Canadian cents per share in 2014, split into 4 equal quarterly payments of 1.5 Canadian cents per share. The first quarterly dividend was paid on January 31, 2014 and subsequent quarterly dividends were paid thereafter.
Following the announcement on December 16, 2015 that henceforth Caledonia will report its financial results in United States Dollars, the quarterly dividends that were paid at the end of January and April 2016 were declared and denominated in United States Dollars as 1.125 United States cents.
On July 5, 2016 Caledonia announced a quarterly dividend of 1.375 United States cents per share, or 5.5 United States cents per annum. The increased dividend represents Caledonia's revised dividend policy following the success of the revised mine plan. It is currently envisaged that the dividend of 5.5 United States cents per annum will be maintained.
Hedging
In February 2016, the Company entered into a derivative contract in respect of 15,000 ounces of gold over a period of 6 months and accordingly, the contract expired in July 2016. The contract protected the Company if the gold price fell below $1,050 per ounce but gave Caledonia full participation if the price of gold exceeded $1,079 per ounce. The derivative contract was entered into by the Company for economic hedging purposes and not as a speculative investment.
The derivative financial liability was measured at fair value and resulted in an expense of $435,000 (being the maximum economic exposure arising from the contract) which was included in profit or loss for Q1 2016. Of the $435,000 expense recognised in Q1 2016, $145,000 was realised as at March 31, 2016 and $236,000 was realised in Q2 2016. The Company settled the expense with the $435,000 margin call deposited with the hedge counter-party. Blanket continues to sell all of its gold production to Fidelity Printers and Refiners Ltd ("Fidelity"), as required by Zimbabwean legislation, and receives the spot price of gold less an early settlement discount of 1.25%.
Exploration
There has been an increased focus on exploration and resource development at Blanket Mine for several quarters which is now beginning to bear fruit. As reported in the previous quarter, new drilling machines have been acquired and commissioned as a result of which the meters of diamond drilling has approximately doubled to 6,100 per quarter. On July 27, 2016 Caledonia announced that 343,000 tonnes of ore at a grade of 5.19g/t had been upgraded from inferred resource to indicated resource and 1.2 million tonnes of new inferred resource at a grade of 5.00g/t had also been added to inventory.
Director and Management Appointments
On July 26, 2016 Caledonia announced the appointment of John McGloin as an independent non-executive director and Maurice Mason as Vice President Investor Relations and Corporate Development.
In addition to his recent and relevant experience as an executive in the mining industry, Mr McGloin's appointment will support Caledonia's increased focus on exploration and resource development and will enhance Caledonia's access to institutional investors.
Mr Mason will take over the day-to-day responsibility for Investor Relations and Corporate Development from Mr Learmonth, who, since November 2014 had combined this role with that of Chief Financial Officer.
Sale of Treasury Bills
On May 16, 2016 the Company announced that Blanket Mine had sold treasury bills ("Bills") issued by the Government of Zimbabwe for a gross value of approximately $3.2 million. The Bills were issued to Blanket in 2015 and replaced the Special Tradeable Gold Bonds ("Bonds") which were issued to Blanket in 2009 as part consideration for gold sales that were made by Blanket in 2008 under the terms of the sales mechanism that existed at that time for Zimbabwean gold producers. The Bonds were fully written down in a previous accounting period, and the impairment value was applied as a deduction from Blanket's taxable income. The gross sales proceeds are treated as income in the Quarter and the income was subject to Zimbabwean income tax at 25.75%. The net proceeds are deducted for the purposes of calculating adjusted earnings per share(4)
Conference Call
A presentation of the results for the Quarter and Half Year to June 30 2016 and the outlook for Caledonia is available on Caledonia's website (www.caledoniamining.com). Management will host a "Question and Answer" call at 5pm British Summer time on August 15, 2016. Details for the call are as follows:
Date: August 15, 2015
Time: 1700 London /1800 Johannesburg, Zurich, Frankfurt /Noon Toronto, New
York
Conference Details
Conference Name: Caledonia Mining Q2 Results
Conference Password: Caledonia
Dial in numbers:
Canada Toll Free 1 800 608 0547
Germany Toll Free 0800 673 7932
Standard International Access +44 (0) 20 3003 2666
Switzerland Toll Free 0800 800 038
UK Toll Free 0808 109 0700
USA Toll Free 1 866 966 5335
(4) Adjusted earnings per share is a non-IFRS measure which aims to reflect Caledonia's ordinary trading performance. Refer to Section 10 of the MD&A for a discussion of non-IFRS measures
About Caledonia Mining
Following the implementation of indigenisation in Zimbabwe, Caledonia's primary asset is a 49 per cent interest in an operating gold mine in Zimbabwe ("Blanket"). Caledonia's shares are listed in Canada on the Toronto Stock Exchange as "CAL", on London's AIM as "CMCL" and are also traded on the American OTCQX as "CALVF".
At 30 June, 2016, Caledonia had net cash of US $10.6 million. Blanket plans to increase production from 42,800 ounces in 2015 to approximately 80,000 ounces in 2021; Blanket's target production for 2016 is approximately 50,000 ounces.
Note: This announcement contains inside information which is disclosed in accordance with the Market Abuse Regulation.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information
Information and statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation that involve risks and uncertainties relating, but not limited to Caledonia's current expectations, intentions, plans, and beliefs. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "goal", "plan", "target", "intend", "estimate", "could", "should", "may" and "will" or the negative of these terms or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include: production guidance, estimates of future/targeted production rates, and our plans and timing regarding further exploration and drilling and development. This forward-looking information is based, in part, on assumptions and factors that may change or prove to be incorrect, thus causing actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Such factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: failure to establish estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of ore which is mined varying from estimates, success of future exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling, sampling and assay data, assumptions regarding the representativeness of mineralization being inaccurate, success of planned metallurgical test-work, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and other factors.
Potential shareholders and prospective investors should be aware that these statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: risks relating to estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources proving to be inaccurate, fluctuations in gold price, risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards, employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; political risk; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining or maintaining necessary licenses and permits, diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as mining occurs; global financial condition, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes to conclusions of economic evaluations, and changes in project parameters to deal with unanticipated economic or other factors, risks of increased capital and operating costs, environmental, safety or regulatory risks, expropriation, the Company's title to properties including ownership thereof, increased competition in the mining industry for properties, equipment, qualified personnel and their costs, risks relating to the uncertainty of timing of events including targeted production rate increase and currency fluctuations. Shareholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. By its nature, forward-looking information involves numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and various future events will not occur. Caledonia undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.
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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive
Income (Unaudited)
($'000's)
3 months ended June 6 months ended June
30 30
2015 2016 2015 2016
Revenue 12,212 15,681 25,128 29,104
Royalty (611) (785) (1,258) (1,457)
Production costs (7,515) (8,081) (15,198) (16,123)
Depreciation (834) (879) (1,672) (1,700)
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Gross profit 3,252 5,936 7,000 9,824
Other income 15 17 23 74
Administrative expenses (1,889) (1,799) (3,519) (3,236)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) 114 (228) 619 (200)
Share based payment expense - (159) - (250)
Sale of Blanket Mine treasury bills - 3,203 - 3,203
Margin call on gold hedge - - - (435)
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Operating profit 1,492 6,970 4,123 8,980
Net finance cost (34) (53) (70) (89)
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Profit before tax 1,458 6,917 4,053 8,891
Tax expense (986) (2,381) (1,954) (3,507)
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Profit for the period 472 4,536 2,099 5,384
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Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Items that are or may be
reclassified to profit or loss
Foreign currency translation
differences for foreign operations (218) (131) (548) (27)
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Total comprehensive income for the
period 254 4,405 1,551 5,357
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Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 266 3,607 1,522 4,150
Non-controlling interests 206 929 577 1,234
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Profit for the period 472 4,536 2,099 5,384
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Total comprehensive income
attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 48 3,476 974 4,123
Non-controlling interests 206 929 577 1,234
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Total comprehensive income for the
period 254 4,405 1,551 5,357
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Earnings per share (cents)
Basic 0.4 6.7 2.7 7.7
Diluted 0.4 6.7 2.7 7.7
Adjusted earnings per share (cents)
Basic 1.5 6.1 4.1 8.6
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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
($'000's)
For the 3 months For the 6 months
ended June 30 ended June 30
2015 2016 2015 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated by operating
activities 2,096 7,902 3,874 9,835
Net interest paid (24) (54) (49) (90)
Tax paid (219) (633) (639) (781)
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Net cash from operating activities 1,853 7,215 3,186 8,964
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Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of Property, plant and
equipment (2,689) (4,926) (5,800) (8,230)
Proceeds from property, plant and
equipment - 3 59
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Net cash used in investing
activities (2,689) (4,923) (5,800) (8,171)
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Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid (634) (599) (1,298) (1,197)
Share issues - 47 105
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Net cash used in financing
activities (634) (552) (1,298) (1,092)
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Net (decrease)/increase in cash and
cash equivalents (1,470) 1,740 (3,912) (299)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of the period (net of
overdraft) 20,640 8,841 23,082 10,880
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
the period (net of overdraft) 19,170 10,581 19,170 10,581
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Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (unaudited)
($'000's)
December 31 June 30
As at 2015 2016
Total non-current assets 49,276 55,817
Inventories 6,091 6,440
Prepayments 667 457
Income tax receivable 397 233
Trade and other receivables 3,839 5,134
Cash and cash equivalents 12,568 10,581
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Total assets 72,838 78,662
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Total non-current liabilities 14,080 16,899
Trade and other payables 6,656 7,035
Income taxes payable 53 102
Bank overdraft 1,688 -
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Total liabilities 22,477 24,036
Equity attributable to shareholders 48,857 51,888
Non-controlling interests 1,504 2,738
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Total equity 50,361 54,626
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Total equity and liabilities 72,838 78,662
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Contacts:
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
Mark Learmonth
+44 1534 679 802 or +27 11 447 2499
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc
Maurice Mason
+44 759 078 1139
WH Ireland
Adrian Hadden/Nick Prowting
+44 20 7220 1751
Blytheweigh
Tim Blythe/Camilla Horsfall/Megan Ray
+44 207 138 3204
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