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Orbite Announces Fourth Quarter and Annual 2014 Results

2015-03-31 23:28 ET - News Release

MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 03/31/15

Orbite Aluminae Inc. (TSX: ORT)(OTCQX: EORBF) ("Orbite", or the "Company") announced today the filing of its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Company reported a net loss of $3.5 million (or $0.01 per share) and $12.4 million ($0.04 per share) for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2014, respectively, as compared to a net loss of $9.0 million ($0.05 per share) and $15.0 million ($0.08 per share) for the same periods in 2013, representing a decrease of $5.5 million, or 61.1% and $2.6 million, or 17.3%, for the quarter and full-year, respectively. All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise.

Full-Year Highlights:


--  Closed $16 million financing end of 2013, commenced HPA plant redesign
    and engineering subsequently, and ordered fluidized bed decomposer and
    calcinator from world leader Outotec.
--  HPA plant construction commenced towards the end of Q3:
    --  Completed structural modifications to the HPA plant related to the
        Calcination system.
    --  Installed Outotec decomposer and calciner vessels, as well as pre-
        fitted the auxiliary equipment of the calcination system prior to
        refractory lining.
--  Originally supplied decomposer and calciner refractory materials were
    deemed not suitable to ensure normal operating life.
    --  Alternative materials were identified, tested and ordered.
    --  The process to select alternative refractory materials to replace
        the non-conform materials, combined with later than originally
        anticipated delivery of certain components for these alternative
        materials, resulted in the Company's anticipated commencement date
        for commercial production being adjusted to Q3 2015.
--  In December 2014, Orbite announced it was increasing its project budget
    to approximately $42M (inclusive of a $3M contingency provision),
    representing an increase in total plant cost from $105.9M to $117M.
--  In the third quarter of 2014, a successful production campaign was
    completed at the Cap-Chat HPA facility, producing aluminium chloride
    hexahydrate crystals (ACH, precursor of HPA) at high purity, to confirm
    optimum design conditions at industrial scale.
--  Completed financings during the year totalling $24 million.
--  Appointed Glenn Kelly as CEO in February, 2014, Mr. Claude Lamoureux
    elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the June 2014 AGM.
    Glenn Kelly appointed to the Board at same date.
--  Reduced general and administration expenses by 20% compared to FY 2013.
--  Cash and Short-Term Investments of $3.4 million as at December 31, 2014.
    With subsequent $3 million funding from Investissement Quebec, pro-forma
    cash balance of $6.4 million.
--  Investment tax credits classified as current increased by $3.8 million
    during 2014, principally due to the recognition of the 2014 accrued
    investment tax credits
--  Investment tax credits classified as non-current reduced by $16.3
    million, as these funds were received and deposited in a segregated
    account. These funds serve as security for the 2012 convertible
    debentures.
--  Property, Plant and Equipment increased by $13.5 million to $78.4
    million.
--  Net loss and Comprehensive loss for FY 2014 of $12.4 million or $0.04
    per share, down from $15.0 for 2013.
--  Cash flows used in operating activities for FY 2014 up to $15.0 million,
    as compared to $10.8 million for FY 2013.
--  Adjusted for certain non-cash working capital items and net interest
    payments, cash flow used in operations down to $10.7 million from $12.3
    million for FY 2013.
--  Cash flows from financing activities of $24.3 million.
--  Cash flows used for investing activities of $16.2 million.
--  Shareholders' equity of $101.9 million, up 23.8% from December 31, 2013.

Material Subsequent Events


--  On January 14, 2015, Orbite announced it had received, from
    Investissement Quebec, a $3.0 million bridge loan, collateralized
    against the Company's investment tax credits receivable for the year
    2014, estimated at $4.0 million.
--  On January 30, 2015, the Company announced it had exercised the Series Y
    rights certificate, as amended, requiring the holder to purchase the
    corresponding number of units subject to applicable conditions and
    provisions. As shareholder approval is a condition of the aforementioned
    purchase requirement, Orbite convened a special meeting of shareholders
    to be held April 2, 2015. As circumstances have evolved since the
    calling of the special meeting of shareholders, the Company has
    postponed the date of the meeting to April 27, 2015.
--  On February 16, 2015, the Company announced it was selected to receive
    up to $4.5M in non-dilutive funding from Sustainable Development
    Technology Canada to be applied towards Orbite's red mud and waste
    monetization initiative.
--  On February 25, 2015, Orbite announced that the Europe-sourced
    components of the new castable material for the refractory system at the
    Company's HPA plant in Cap-Chat had arrived in the Port of Montreal.
--  Company announced two Notices of Allowance of Patents relative to Red
    Mod Monetization were received for Canada and the United States.
--  On March 12, RHI Canada was appointed for refractory installation, to
    commence March 30, 2015.
--  On March 20, announced filing of final Base Shelf Prospectus, allowing
    Company to raise up to $30 million over next 25 months.
--  On March 30, the Company received $4 million as the fourth installment
    related to its 2012 Quebec Investment Tax Credits. The funds were due to
    the Company in relation to equipment purchased for manufacturing and
    processing in the Gaspe region during the 2012 financial year. Funds
    received to date total $20.3 million dollars.
--  On March 30, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with
    Euro Pacific Canada Inc. (the "Underwriter") under which the Underwriter
    agreed to buy, on a bought deal basis, units of the Company for gross
    proceeds of $8,500,000 (the "Offering"). In addition, the Company also
    granted the Underwriter an option, exercisable at any time within 30
    days of the closing of the Offering, to purchase additional Units for
    additional gross proceeds of up to $6,500,000.

Summary of Q4 and FY 2014 Financial Results

Comprehensive loss

Net loss for Q4 2014 decreased by $5.5 million to $3.5 million, or from $0.05 per share to $0.01 per share. For the quarter ended December 31, 2014, the net loss increase compared to the third quarter of 2014 was attributable mainly to a $1.8 million write-off following the redesign of the plant, and a lower amount recognized in the change in fair value of the derivative financial instruments relating to the series X convertible debentures.

The net loss for FY2014 came in at $12.4 million, as compared to a $15.0 million net loss for FY 2013. The decrease was due predominantly to a $3.4 favourable difference in net finance income (expense) compared to FY2013, a $1.7 million reduction in general and administrative charges, offset partially by a $1.8 million write-off following the redesign of the plant, an increase of $0.8 million in HPA plant operations and a $0.3 million increase in R&D expenses.

Research and development charges increased by $0.2 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013. The increase was due to an increase in salaries, lab consumables, external lab analysis as well as an R&D tax credit provision adjustment, partially offset by a decrease in consulting fees and share-based payments.

For FY 2014, research and development charges increased by $0.3 million, as compared to the prior year, due to an increase in salaries, lab consumables as well as an R&D tax credit provision adjustment, partially offset by a decrease in consulting fees and share-based payments.

General and administration charges increased by $0.4 million for the fourth quarter, compared to the same period in 2013. General and administrative costs decreased by $1.7 million for FY2014, as compared to 2013. The increase during the quarter was due to share-based payments and a write-off of some claims in the Rimouski Cap-Chat region, partially offset by a decrease in salaries, professional fees, as well as a general reduction in expenses. The decrease during the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2013, was attributable mainly to a decrease in salaries, professional fees, as well as a general reduction in expenses resulting from the cost reduction program in place since mid-2013, partially offset by an increase in share-based payments and a write-off of some claims in the Rimouski Cap-Chat region.

HPA plant operation expenses decreased by $0.1 million during the fourth quarter, 2014, and increased by $0.8 million for FY 2014, as compared to the same prior year periods. The increase for the full year 2014, as compared to 2013, is due mainly to the costs associated with the incident at the Cap-Chat facility in Q1, 2014, and as HPA related costs in the first quarter of 2013 were mostly capitalized compared to 2014, partially offset by disassembly and handling costs of certain equipment incurred in 2013. Costs incurred at the HPA plant that directly relate to the installation of the equipment and the commissioning of the plant, and meet the IFRS criteria for capitalization, are capitalized in property, plant and equipment (PP&E).

Other expense decreased by $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the quarter and for the year, respectively, as compared to the same prior year periods, due mainly to a higher indemnity recognized in 2013 compared to 2014 to compensate purchasers of flow-through securities issued in December 2012 for adverse tax consequences incurred, as the Company did not meet the spending requirements related to qualifying Canadian mineral exploration expenses, partially offset by a flow-through tax provision.

Financial position

Cash and short-term investments

Cash and short-term investments decreased by $6.9 million, compared to December 31, 2013. The decrease was mainly due to the continued investment in the construction of the HPA plant, research and development, general administration and HPA plant operating expenses. The decrease was partially offset by the $10 million convertible debentures issued following exercise of the series X subscription rights, the $3.8 million financial contribution received from Canada Economic Development and the $10 million equity funding from Ressources Quebec, a subsidiary of Investissement Quebec.

Sales taxes and other receivables

Sales taxes and other receivables increased by $1.0 million during 2014, as compared to December 31, 2013. The increase of sales taxes (GST, QST and HST) receivable from the Federal and Provincial governments is primarily due to the increased level of activities of the Company in 2014 compared to 2013 and the construction of the HPA plant.

Investment tax credits

Investment tax credits classified as current increased by $3.8 million during 2014, compared to December 31, 2013. The increase is principally due to the recognition of the 2014 accrued investment tax credits receivable on the equipment purchased for manufacturing and processing in the Gaspe region, partially offset by research and development tax credits reimbursement relating to previously filed returns.

Investment tax credits classified as non-current decreased by $16.3 million during 2014, compared to December 31, 2013, due to payments received from tax authorities relating to the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years, which are pledged as security for the $25 million convertible debentures issued in December 2012.

Restricted cash

Restricted cash increased by $16.3 million during 2014, compared to December 31, 2013. These funds represent a portion of the refundable 2012 and 2013 investment tax credits, deposited in a segregated account, which serve as security for the 2012 convertible debentures. These funds will be released to the Company according to the terms of the trust indenture agreement.

Property, plant, and equipment

Property, plant, and equipment ("PP&E") increased by $13.5 million in 2014, as compared to December 31, 2013, resulting mainly from $22.1 million in investments in PP&E (which includes capitalized interest of $3.7 million), attributable to the HPA plant, partially offset by $6.4 million in government grants and refundable investment tax credits on equipment purchases for the HPA plant, and by a $1.8 million write-off to avoid duplication of capital costs following the engineering review and facility redesign conducted throughout 2014.

Patents and others

Patents increased by $0.6 million during 2014, compared to December 31, 2013, attributable principally to the costs related to 48 new patent filings, including national entry phases in various countries, as well as international, provisional and divisional patent filings.

Long-term debt and convertible debentures

Long-term debt (including short-term portion) and convertible debentures increased by $2.0 million, and decreased by $10.0, respectively during 2014, as compared to December 31, 2013. The decrease in convertible debentures is mainly due to the exercise of the conversion option of the 2013 convertible debentures. The increase in long term-debt is principally due to the receipt of the $3.8 million financial contribution by Canada Economic Development, recorded at amortized cost.

Share capital and warrants

Share capital and warrants increased by $31.0 million, mainly due to the issuance of common shares as a result of the conversion of the 2013 and Series X debentures during 2014, the $10 million equity funding from Ressources Quebec and the exercise of stock options, warrants and shares issued for interest.

Contributed surplus

Contributed surplus increased by $1.1 million during 2014, compared to December 31, 2013, due to the recognition of share-based payments and broker's warrants, partially offset by the exercise of stock options.

Cash Flow Statement

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash flows used in operating activities decreased by $0.3 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013. Cash flows used for operations decreased by $0.9 million during the fourth quarter, compared to the same quarter in 2013, while cash flows used for non-cash working capital items increased by $0.9 million during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the same period in the prior year.

Cash flows used in operating activities increased by $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013. Cash flows used for operations decreased by $1.6 million during 2014, compared to the same period in 2013. During 2014, cash flows used for non-cash working capital items amounted to $2.8 million, mainly due to accounts payable and sales tax receivables, whereas during 2013, the Company received cash from non-cash working capital items in the amount of $3.3 million, of which $3.7 million were sales taxes receivable.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash flows from financing activities decreased by $13.8 million and increased by $10.4 million during the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same periods in 2013. The increase during the year is mainly due to the financial contribution received from Canada Economic Development during the first quarter, the equity funding by Ressources Quebec during the second quarter, as well as from the issuance of the Series X convertible debentures issued during the third quarter ended September 30, 2014, partially offset by a lower amount of net proceeds from convertible debentures.

Cash Flows used in Investing Activities

Cash flows used in investing activities increased by $0.5 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013, and decreased by $17.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the same period in 2013. These changes are mainly due to investments in the HPA plant construction, restricted cash, non-current investment tax credits receivable and in exploration and evaluation assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company is a development stage company that has not generated any revenues or significant cash flows from its operations. The Company's source of funding has primarily been from the sale of equity and debt securities, and to a lesser extent, earning interest income, which is highly dependent on the cash balances and prevailing interest rates. The Company has limited financial resources, has no recurring revenues and continues to rely on the issuance of shares, debt or other sources of financing to fund its overhead, HPA plant construction, commissioning and ongoing operations and to advance its development-stage projects. As at December 31, 2014, the Company had aggregate cash and short-term investments balance of $3.4 million, and positive working capital (current assets less current liabilities) of $7.8 million. Following the bridge loan received from Investissement Quebec on January 14, 2015, the Company had, on a pro-forma basis, a cash and short-term investments balance of $6.4 million.

On March 30, 2015, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement with Euro Pacific Canada Inc. (the "Underwriter"), under which the Underwriter agreed to buy on a firm underwriting (bought deal) basis by way of prospectus supplement, 8,500 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $1,000 per Unit for gross proceeds of $8,500,000 (the "Offering"). In addition, the Company also granted the Underwriter an upsizing option to purchase up to an additional of 6,500 Units for additional gross proceeds of up to $6,500,000 (resulting in aggregate of gross proceeds of up to $15,000,000). Each Unit consists of $1,000 principal amount of convertible unsecured unsubordinated debentures (the "Debentures") and 1,077 share purchase warrants, each such warrant exercisable into one share for a period of 36 months at a price of $0.39 per share. The Debentures will mature 5 years from their issue date (the "Maturity Date") and will bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum. Each Debenture will be convertible at any time prior to the Maturity Date, into the number of shares computed on the basis of (i) the principal amount of the Debentures divided by the conversion price of $0.325 per share (the "Conversion Price"), and (ii) an amount equal to the additional interest amount that such holder would have received if it had held the Debenture until the Maturity Date (the "Make-Whole Amount") divided by the then 5 day volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the TSX (the "Current Market Price"). The Make-Whole Amount shall be reduced by 1% for each 1% that the Current Market Price at time of conversion exceeds the Conversion Price. The aggregate number of shares to be issued upon conversion of the Debentures and for any payment of the Make-Whole Amount in Common Shares shall not exceed the number of Common Shares equal to the principal amount of the Debentures divided by $0.325 less the 25% maximum discount allowable in accordance with the rules of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Orbite management will hold a conference call and provide a live audio webcast Wednesday, April 8th, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss the Company's financials and provide an update on the Company's HPA project.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS:

The call will be held in English. The Q&A session will be in English and French.


Date:             April 8, 2015

Time:             10:00 a.m. (ET)

Dial in number:   +1 888 231-8191
                  +1 647 427-7450

Webcast:          http://bit.ly/1ED3yhQ

Taped replay:     +1 855 859-2056
                  +1 514 807-9274
                  +1 416 849-0833

Encore password:  6252465

Available until:  12:00 midnight (ET), Wednesday, April 22, 2015

About Orbite

Orbite Aluminae Inc. is a Canadian clean technology based mineral-processing and resource development company whose innovative and proprietary processes are expected to produce alumina and other high-value products, such as rare earth and rare metal oxides, at one of the lowest costs in the industry, and in a sustainable fashion, using feedstocks that include aluminous clay, kaolin, nepheline, bauxite, red mud, fly ash as well as serpentine residues from chrysotile processing sites. Orbite is currently in the process of finalizing its first commercial high-purity alumina (HPA) production plant in Cap-Chat, Quebec and has completed the basic engineering for a proposed smelter-grade alumina (SGA) production plant, which would use clay mined from its Grande-Vallee deposit. The Company's portfolio contains 15 intellectual property families, including 15 patents and 98 pending patent applications in 11 different countries and regions. The first intellectual property family is patented in Canada, USA, Australia, China, Japan and Russia. The Company also operates a state of the art technology development center in Laval, Quebec, where its technologies are developed and validated.

Notice to Reader

The information provided in this press release is entirely qualified by the disclosures in the Company's Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are available at www.orbitealuminae.com and under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

Forward-looking statements

Certain information contained in this document may include "forward-looking information". Without limiting the foregoing, the information and any forward-looking information may include statements regarding projects, costs, objectives and future returns of the Company or hypotheses underlying these items. In this document, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Forward-looking statements and information are based on information available at the time and/or the Company management's good-faith beliefs with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. These risks uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described in the section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) entitled "Risk and Uncertainties" as filed on March 31, 2015 on SEDAR.

Contacts:
TMX EQUICOM
Marc Lakmaaker, External Investor Relations Consultant
1-800-385-5451 ext. 248
mlakmaaker@tmxequicom.com

For Media Inquiries:
TMX EQUICOM
Scott Anderson, External Media Relations Consultant
1-800-385-5451, ext. 252
sanderson@tmxequicom.com

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