Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc ("Caledonia" or the
"Company") announces its operating and financial results for the
quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2022 (the
"Quarter" and "Nine Months" respectively). Further
information on the financial and operating results for the Quarter
and Nine Months can be found in the management discussion and
analysis ("MD&A") and the unaudited financial statements, which
are available on the Company's website and which have been filed on
SEDAR.
Financial Highlights
-
Gross revenues in the Nine Months of $107.9 million, a 21.0
per cent increase on the $89.2 million achieved in the
first nine months of 2021.
-
Gross profit in the Nine Months of $50.5 million, a 26.1 per
cent increase on the $40.0 million achieved in the first
nine months of 2021.
-
EBITDA in the Quarter (excluding asset impairments, depreciation,
and net foreign exchange gains) of $16.9 million,
an 11.8 per cent increase on the $15.1 million in
the third quarter of 2021 ("Q3 2021"). This represents EBITDA
(excluding asset impairments, depreciation, and net foreign
exchange gains) for the Nine Months of $52.9
million (nine months to September 30, 2021: $35.0
million).
-
On-mine cost per ounce for the Quarter of $734 (Q3
2021: $695 per ounce).
-
All-in sustaining cost ("AISC") per ounce for the Quarter of
$944 (Q3 2021: $870 per ounce). The 8.5 per cent increase
compared to Q3 2021 is due to higher on-mine cost per ounce and
higher administrative costs.
-
Basic IFRS earnings per share ("EPS") for the Quarter of 66.2
cents (Q3 2021: 57.1 cents).
-
Adjusted EPS for the Quarter of 60.7 cents (Q3
2021: 68.9 cents).
-
Net cash from operating activities in the Quarter of $8.9
million (Q3 2021: $7.1 million).
-
Net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the Quarter
of $6.2 million (Q3 2021: $13.0 million).
-
Total dividend paid in the Quarter of 14 cents per share
paid in July 2022; a further dividend at the same rate
of 14 cents per share was paid in October
2022.
Operating Highlights
-
21,120 ounces of gold were produced in the Quarter, 11.4 per cent
higher than the 18,965 ounces produced in Q3 2021 and a new
quarterly production record.
-
59,726 ounces were produced in the Nine Months, 22.2 per cent
higher than the 48,872 ounces produced in the first nine months of
2021.
Other highlights
Transaction to acquire the Bilboes gold
project
-
On July 21, 2022, Caledonia announced that it had signed
an agreement to purchase Bilboes Gold Limited, the parent
company which owns, through
its Zimbabwe subsidiary, the
Bilboes gold project in Zimbabwe ("Bilboes" or
the "Project"). Subject to satisfaction of the conditions to
completion and to customary adjustments to the purchase price to
account for any extraordinary liabilities incurred before
completion, the total consideration for the acquisition will be
5,123,044 Caledonia shares, representing approximately 28.5 per
cent of Caledonia's fully diluted equity, and a 1 per cent net
smelter royalty ("NSR") on the Project's revenues.
-
The Project has NI43-101 compliant measured and indicated mineral
resources of 2.56 million ounces of gold at a grade of 2.26 g/t and
inferred mineral resources of 576,672 ounces of gold at a grade of
1.89 g/t1. This includes proven and probable mineral reserves of
1.96 million ounces of gold at a grade of 2.29 g/t.
- The
feasibility study which has been prepared by the vendors indicates
the potential for an open-pit gold mine producing an average of
168,000 ounces per year over a 10-year life of mine. Caledonia
will prepare a feasibility study to identify the most
judicious way to commercialise the Project (with regard to the
availability of funding on acceptable terms).
-
Caledonia is making progress towards satisfying the outstanding
conditions to complete the transaction: it has received certain
approvals from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, and continues to
engage with the Competition and Tariff Commission, the Ministry of
Finance, the Ministry of Energy and Fidelity Printers and Refiners
(Private) Limited regarding further outstanding approvals.
Acquisition of the Motapa gold exploration
project in Zimbabwe
- On
November 2, 2022, Caledonia announced that it has
purchased Motapa Mining Company UK Limited, the parent company
of a Zimbabwe subsidiary which holds a registered mining
lease over the Motapa gold exploration property
in Southern Zimbabwe ("Motapa"). The Company made the
purchase from Bulawayo Mining Company Limited, a privately
owned UK company.
Updated Mineral Resources and Technical Report
for Maligreen
- On November 7, 2022, Caledonia
announced an update to the NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resources
statement at the Company’s 100% owned Maligreen project in the
Zimbabwe Midlands (“Maligreen”) and the publishing of an updated
technical report with an effective date of September 30, 2022 (the
“2022 Technical Report”)2. The 2022 Technical Report replaces the
previous technical report filed on SEDAR in November 2021 as the
current technical report for the Maligreen project. Since Caledonia
acquired the Maligreen claims in November 2021 it has been focused
on reviewing the geological work conducted at the property with a
view to upgrading the Mineral Resources in 2022. In summary, the
2022 Technical Report states Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resources of 442 thousand ounces of gold in 8.03 million tonnes at
a grade of 1.71 g/t and Inferred Mineral Resources of 420 thousand
ounces of gold in 6.17 million tonnes at a grade of 2.12 g/t.
Outlook
-
Increase production at Blanket Mine ("Blanket") to the
target of 80,000 ounces of gold per year3, reduce operating costs
and increase the flexibility to undertake further development and
exploration, thereby safeguarding and enhancing Blanket's long-term
future.
-
Satisfy the conditions to enable the completion of the acquisition
of Bilboes and, thereafter, prepare a feasibility study
to identify the most judicious way to commercialise the Project
with regard to the availability of funding on acceptable
terms.
-
Restart the oxides operation at Bilboes under the terms of a
tribute arrangement with a view to creating a cash-generative
operation within approximately six months of the re-commencement of
activities.
-
Commission the 12MWac solar plant, which is expected to provide 27
per cent of Blanket's total electricity demand.
Commenting on the announcement, Mark Learmonth,
Chief Executive Officer, said:
"This has been another terrific quarter:
production of just over 21,000 ounces set a new quarterly
production record. In both of the last two quarters we have
exceeded our quarterly production target of 20,000 ounces and we
are on-track to achieve the top end of our annual production target
of between 73,000 and 80,000 ounces of gold.
“The benefit of higher production was diluted by
a lower gold price and a modest increase in costs as, in common
with other mining companies, we experience inflation on consumables
and diesel. Costs were also adversely affected by the increased use
of diesel generators due to a further deterioration in the grid
supply. However, we are now within a few weeks of seeing the
benefit of the new solar plant which is currently being
commissioned. This, along with other initiatives to reduce our
diesel consumption, should curb the inflationary pressure on our
costs.
"We have made good progress on implementing our
strategy to acquire a portfolio of high-quality exploration and
development assets in the Zimbabwe gold sector.
“In July, Caledonia announced that it had signed
an agreement to purchase Bilboes Gold Limited, which is the
holding company for a large, high-grade, open-pitable gold
resource. Completion of the transaction is subject to several
conditions, and we are making progress towards satisfying them.
Once the transaction has completed, we intend to prepare a
feasibility study to identify the most judicious way to
commercialise the Project with regards to the availability of
funding on acceptable terms. Caledonia also intends to
re-start the oxides operation at Bilboes, under a tribute
arrangement before completion of the transaction, with a view to
creating a cash-generative operation within approximately six
months of the commencement of activity.
"The proposed acquisition of Bilboes also builds
on the acquisition of the Maligreen claims in November 2021. We
have evaluated the existing geological information which
allowed us to improve the geological confidence of approximately
half the Mineral Resources from Inferred to Measured and Indicated
Mineral Resources. This supports our confidence in the project and
its geological continuity.
“Last week we also announced the acquisition of
Motapa, a large exploration property which is contiguous to the
Bilboes gold project. Motapa was formerly owned and explored by
Anglo American Zimbabwe prior to its exit from the Zimbabwean gold
sector in the late 1990s. The project has a mining lease covering
approximately 2,200 hectares. Motapa has been mined throughout most
of the second half of the 20th century. Caledonia understands that
during this period the region produced as much as 300,000 ounces of
gold.
"2022 has been an outstanding year so far and I
would like to thank the team for their continued hard work."
Caledonia will host an online
presentation and Q&A session open to all investors on 11
November at 14.00 London TimeThe zoom details are
set out below
When: Nov 11, 2022 14.00 London TimeTopic: Q3 2022 Results
Shareholder CallRegister in advance for this
webinar:https://caledoniamining.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_odZTjNcNRyme5BI1HGiW7wAfter
registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing
information about joining the webinar.
Caledonia Mining Corporation PlcMark
LearmonthCamilla Horsfall |
Tel: +44 1534 679 802Tel: +44 7817 841793 |
|
|
Cenkos Securities plc (Nomad and Joint
Broker)Adrian HaddenNeil McDonaldPearl Kellie |
Tel: +44 207 397 1965Tel: +44 131
220 9771Tel: +44 131 220 9775 |
|
|
Liberum Capital Limited
(Joint Broker)Scott Mathieson/Kane Collings |
Tel: +44 20 3100 2000 |
|
|
BlytheRay Financial
PRTim Blythe/Megan Ray |
Tel: +44 207 138 3204 |
|
|
3PPBPatrick
ChidleyPaul Durham |
Tel: +1 917 991 7701Tel: +1 203
940 2538 |
|
|
Curate Public Relations
(Zimbabwe)Debra Tatenda |
Tel: +263 77802131 |
|
|
IH Securities (Private)
Limited (VFEX Sponsor - Zimbabwe)Dzika DhanaLloyd
Mlotshwa |
Tel: +263 (242) 745
119/33/39 |
|
|
Note: The information contained within
this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside
information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No.
596/2014 (“MAR”) as it forms part
of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act
2018 and is disclosed in accordance with the
Company's obligations under Article 17 of MAR.
Cautionary Note Concerning
Forward-Looking InformationInformation 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,
the satisfaction of all conditions precedent in connection with the
acquisition of Bilboes, the completion of the acquisition and the
issuance of the acquisition consideration, our plans regarding a
new feasibility study for Bilboes, the restarting of the Bilboes
oxides operation, our plans and timing regarding further
exploration and development and the commissioning of the solar
plant. The forward-looking information contained in this news
release 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: the establishment
of estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of
minerals which are mined varying from estimates, success of future
exploration and drilling programs, reliability of drilling,
sampling and assay data, the representativeness of mineralization
being accurate, success of planned metallurgical test-work, capital
availability and accuracy of estimated operating costs, obtaining
required governmental, environmental or other project approvals,
inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity
prices, delays in the development of projects and Caledonia’s
experience of project development in Zimbabwe and other
factors.
To the extent any forward-looking information
herein constitutes a financial outlook or future oriented financial
information,any such statement is made as of the date hereof and
included herein to provide prospective investors with an
understanding of the Company's plans and assumptions. Security
holders, potential security holders and other 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 the completion of the acquisition of
Bilboes, 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; risks
related to natural disasters, terrorism, civil unrest, public
health concerns (including health epidemics or outbreaks of
communicable diseases such as the coronavirus (COVID-19));
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. Security holders, potential security holders and
other prospective investors 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.
National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) is a rule of the
Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for
all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical
information concerning mineral projects. Unless otherwise
indicated, all reserves and resource estimates contained in this
press release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and
the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum
Classification System. These standards differ from the requirements
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and
reserve and resource information contained in this press release
may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S.
companies. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of
reserves and resources are also not the same as those of the SEC,
and any reserves or resources reported in compliance with NI 43-101
may not qualify as “reserves” or “resources” under SEC standards.
Accordingly, the mineral reserve and resource information set forth
herein may not be comparable to information made public by
companies that report in accordance with United States
standards.
This news release is not an offer of the shares
of Caledonia for sale in the United States or elsewhere. This news
release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation
of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of the shares of
Caledonia, in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such
offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration
or qualification under the securities laws of such province, state
or jurisdiction.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and
Other Comprehensive Income (unaudited) |
|
($’000’s) |
|
3 months ended |
9 months ended |
September 30 |
September 30 |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
|
Revenue |
|
33,496 |
|
35,840 |
|
89,193 |
|
107,904 |
|
|
Royalty |
|
(1,679 |
) |
(1,796 |
) |
(4,471 |
) |
(5,408 |
) |
|
Production costs |
|
(13,729 |
) |
(15,802 |
) |
(38,948 |
) |
(44,663 |
) |
|
Depreciation |
|
(2,351 |
) |
(2,670 |
) |
(5,743 |
) |
(7,372 |
) |
|
Gross profit |
|
15,737 |
|
15,572 |
|
40,031 |
|
50,461 |
|
|
Other income |
|
12 |
|
14 |
|
42 |
|
17 |
|
|
Other expenses |
|
(1,254 |
) |
(552 |
) |
(5,395 |
) |
(1,835 |
) |
|
Administrative expenses |
|
(1,906 |
) |
(2,789 |
) |
(5,261 |
) |
(8,068 |
) |
|
Net foreign exchange gain |
|
413 |
|
1,559 |
|
341 |
|
6,640 |
|
|
Cash-settled share-based
expense |
|
(243 |
) |
(25 |
) |
(426 |
) |
(335 |
) |
|
Equity-settled share-based
expense |
|
- |
|
(94 |
) |
- |
|
(176 |
) |
|
Derivative financial
instrument gains/(expenses) |
|
- |
|
537 |
|
(107 |
) |
(1,160 |
) |
|
Operating profit |
|
12,759 |
|
14,222 |
|
29,225 |
|
45,544 |
|
|
Net finance costs |
|
(13 |
) |
(9 |
) |
(354 |
) |
(300 |
) |
|
Profit before
tax |
|
12,746 |
|
14,213 |
|
28,871 |
|
45,244 |
|
|
Tax expense |
|
(4,423 |
) |
(4,018 |
) |
(11,318 |
) |
(14,051 |
) |
|
Profit for the
period |
|
8,323 |
|
10,195 |
|
17,553 |
|
31,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive
income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items that are or may
be reclassified to profit or loss |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange differences on
translation of foreign operations |
|
(330 |
) |
(699 |
) |
(149 |
) |
(858 |
) |
|
Total comprehensive
income for the period |
|
7,993 |
|
9,496 |
|
17,404 |
|
30,335 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit attributable
to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners of the Company |
|
6,939 |
|
8,614 |
|
14,183 |
|
25,932 |
|
|
Non-controlling interests |
|
1,384 |
|
1,581 |
|
3,370 |
|
5,261 |
|
|
Profit for the
period |
|
8,323 |
|
10,195 |
|
17,553 |
|
31,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total comprehensive
income attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Owners of the Company |
|
6,609 |
|
7,915 |
|
14,034 |
|
25,074 |
|
|
Non-controlling interests |
|
1,384 |
|
1,581 |
|
3,370 |
|
5,261 |
|
|
Total comprehensive
income for the period |
|
7,993 |
|
9,496 |
|
17,404 |
|
30,335 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings per share
(cents) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic IFRS |
|
56.8 |
|
66.2 |
|
115.3 |
|
197.7 |
|
|
Diluted IFRS |
|
56.7 |
|
64.4 |
|
115.1 |
|
197.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted earnings per share
(cents) |
|
68.9 |
|
60.7 |
|
183.2 |
|
178.8 |
|
|
Dividends declared per share (cents) |
|
13.0 |
|
14.0 |
|
36.0 |
|
42.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited) |
|
|
($’000’s) |
3 months ended |
9 months ended |
September 30 |
September 30 |
|
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
2021 |
|
2022 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
generated from operations |
|
9,338 |
|
11,717 |
|
26,875 |
|
41,901 |
|
Interest
paid |
|
(50 |
) |
(27 |
) |
(297 |
) |
(116 |
) |
Tax
paid |
|
(2,176 |
) |
(2,767 |
) |
(4,774 |
) |
(5,993 |
) |
Net cash from operating activities |
|
7,112 |
|
8,923 |
|
21,804 |
|
35,792 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows used in investing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment |
|
(8,564 |
) |
(10,840 |
) |
(22,332 |
) |
(33,585 |
) |
Acquisition of exploration and evaluation assets |
|
(449 |
) |
(311 |
) |
(1,423 |
) |
(947 |
) |
Realisation of gold ETF |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,082 |
|
- |
|
Proceeds
on disposal of assets held for sale |
|
500 |
|
- |
|
500 |
|
- |
|
Proceeds
from disposal of subsidiary |
|
- |
|
- |
|
340 |
|
- |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(8,513 |
) |
(11,151 |
) |
(21,833 |
) |
(34,532 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
paid |
|
(2,108 |
) |
(2,709 |
) |
(5,614 |
) |
(7,197 |
) |
Repayment
of gold loan |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(3,698 |
) |
Proceeds
from call options |
|
- |
|
415 |
|
- |
|
239 |
|
Term loan
repayments |
|
(100 |
) |
- |
|
(306 |
) |
- |
|
Payment
of lease liabilities |
|
(31 |
) |
(36 |
) |
(96 |
) |
(115 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
(2,239 |
) |
(2,330 |
) |
(6,016 |
) |
(10,771 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(3,640 |
) |
(4,558 |
) |
(6,045 |
) |
(9,511 |
) |
Effect of
exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents |
|
(19 |
) |
(137 |
) |
(37 |
) |
(588 |
) |
Net cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of the period |
|
16,669 |
|
10,862 |
|
19,092 |
|
16,265 |
|
Net cash and cash equivalents at end of the
period |
|
13,010 |
|
6,167 |
|
13,010 |
|
6,167 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summarised Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(unaudited) |
($’000’s) |
As at |
|
December 31 |
September 30 |
|
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
Total non-current assets |
|
|
157,944 |
187,980 |
Inventories |
|
|
20,812 |
19,675 |
Prepayments |
|
|
6,930 |
3,885 |
Trade and
other receivables |
|
|
7,938 |
8,815 |
Income
tax receivable |
|
|
101 |
38 |
Cash and
cash equivalents |
|
|
17,152 |
8,256 |
Total assets |
|
|
210,877 |
228,649 |
Total non-current liabilities |
|
|
12,633 |
6,725 |
Lease
liabilities – short term portion |
|
|
134 |
127 |
Trade and
other payables |
|
|
9,957 |
12,340 |
Derivative financial liabilities |
|
|
3,095 |
- |
Income
tax payable |
|
|
1,562 |
1,867 |
Overdraft |
|
|
887 |
2,089 |
Cash-settled share-based payments - short term portion |
|
|
2,053 |
827 |
Total liabilities |
|
|
30,321 |
23,975 |
Total equity |
|
|
180,556 |
204,674 |
Total equity and liabilities |
|
|
210,877 |
228,649 |
1 Refer to the technical report entitled
"BILBOES GOLD PROJECT FEASIBILITY STUDY" with effective date 15
December 2021 prepared by DRA Projects (Pty) Ltd filed by the
Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on 21 July 2022.2 Refer to
technical report entitled “Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc Updated
NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Report on the Maligreen Gold Project,
Zimbabwe dated November 3, 2022 prepared by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd and
filed on SEDAR on November 7, 2022.3 Refer to the technical report
entitled "Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc NI 43-101 Technical
Report on the Blanket Gold Mine, Zimbabwe" dated May 17, 2021
prepared by Minxcon (Pty) Ltd and filed by the Company on SEDAR on
May 26, 2021.
Caledonia Mining (AMEX:CMCL)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Mar 2024 à Avr 2024
Caledonia Mining (AMEX:CMCL)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Avr 2023 à Avr 2024