Dundee Precious Metals Announces 2013 Fourth Quarter and Annual
Results and 2014 Guidance
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb 13, 2014) - Dundee Precious
Metals Inc. (TSX:DPM)(TSX:DPM.WT.A) -
(All monetary
figures are expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise
stated)
Financial and Operating Highlights:
- Record ore and metals production - Mine production of
2.5 million tonnes in 2013 drove increases in gold and copper in
concentrate produced of 10% and 6% over 2012.
- Lower overall mine cash costs - Chelopech cash costs
in the fourth quarter and twelve months of 2013 decreased by 9% and
12% relative to 2012, driven by benefits realized from its
mine/mill expansion and other productivity improvements.
- Smelter curtailment lifted; throughput ramping-up -
Project commissioning issues constrained throughput during 2013.
Second oxygen plant now operational and first quarter 2014
production ramp-up underway. Physical construction of acid plant on
track.
- Near term growth opportunities progressing - Kapan
released its first NI 43-101 compliant underground Mineral Resource
estimate in August 2013. Conceptual study of underground expansion
to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. Krumovgrad local
permitting and approval process is progressing and is expected to
support moving project into construction. Updated project economics
to be released in February 2014.
- Financial results in line with consensus estimates -
Adjusted net earnings of $0.23 per share in 2013. Exited 2013 with
approximately $180 million of cash resources, including the
Company's long-term revolving credit facility.
Dundee Precious Metals Inc. ("DPM" or the "Company") today
reported fourth quarter 2013 net earnings attributable to common
shareholders of $19.2 million ($0.14 per share) compared to $14.7
million ($0.12 per share) for the same period in 2012. Net earnings
attributable to common shareholders for 2013 were $22.5 million
($0.17 per share) compared to $54.4 million ($0.43 per share) in
2012.
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders for the fourth
quarter and twelve months of 2013 were impacted by several items
not reflective of the Company's underlying operating performance,
including gains attributable to DPM's equity settled warrants,
unrealized gains and losses attributable to commodity contracts
related to future production, unrealized losses on Sabina warrants,
and impairment charges on a refurbished oxygen plant and equipment
related to a metals processing facility project no longer expected
to be used at Chelopech. Excluding these items, adjusted net
earnings during the fourth quarter and twelve months of 2013 were
$10.5 million ($0.08 per share) and $30.8 million ($0.23 per
share), respectively, compared to $21.5 million ($0.17 per share)
and $80.9 million ($0.65 per share) for the corresponding periods
in 2012. The year over year declines were driven primarily by lower
metal prices, higher depreciation, and higher operating costs and
lower volumes of concentrate smelted at Tsumeb, partially offset by
higher volumes of payable metals sold, a weaker ZAR relative to the
U.S. dollar and reduced exploration and administrative
expenses.
"In 2013, Chelopech, our flagship asset, achieved record
production and further reduced its cash cost per tonne of ore
processed. However, the sharp decline in metal prices and
production shortfalls at Tsumeb and Kapan offset this strong
performance," said Rick Howes, President and CEO. "We have reached
a major inflection point in the operation of the smelter with the
Namibian government lifting its curtailment on the smelter capacity
in December and the commissioning of the second oxygen plant in
January, allowing ramp up to the 240,000 tonnes per annum rate to
begin this month. We also made significant progress at Kapan in Q4
2013 by raising the production grades, offsetting most of the
shortfall in ore mined as result of the need to build up the
developed and drilled inventories to sustainable levels. This
higher grade trend is expected to continue in 2014 to offset lower
ore mined until we return to normal mine production. We remain
focused on optimizing operational performance, reducing costs at
each of our operations, and preparing for the anticipated
commencement of construction on our Krumovgrad Gold Project."
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA(1) during the fourth quarter and twelve months
of 2013 was $29.0 million and $102.8 million, respectively,
compared to $37.7 million and $124.6 million in the corresponding
periods in 2012, driven by the same factors affecting adjusted net
earnings(1), with the notable exception of depreciation.
Production and Deliveries
Concentrate production in the fourth quarter of 2013 of 39,233
tonnes was 21% higher than the corresponding period in 2012 due
primarily to higher copper grades at Chelopech and higher zinc
grades and recoveries at Kapan. Concentrate production in 2013 of
144,278 tonnes was 6% higher than the corresponding period in 2012
due primarily to higher volumes of ore mined and processed at
Chelopech, partially offset by lower copper grades at
Chelopech.
Concentrate smelted at Tsumeb during the fourth quarter and
twelve months of 2013 of 38,481 tonnes and 152,457 tonnes,
respectively, was 16% and 4% lower than the corresponding periods
in 2012. Concentrate smelted during the fourth quarter and twelve
months of 2013 was lower than anticipated due primarily to delays
associated with the construction and commissioning of a second
oxygen plant, which has delayed the smelter's increase in
throughput, and unplanned repairs and maintenance. Concentrate
smelted in 2013 was also negatively impacted by disruptions related
to the first quarter commissioning activities related to Project
2012.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Technical Committee
representing the Namibian government conducted initial testing to
verify that the modifications made to the off-gas and dust handling
systems were delivering the expected decrease in emissions. The
results of this testing were subsequently confirmed to be
satisfactory and in the latter part of December 2013 the government
formally advised the Company that the smelter could return to full
production, subject to regulatory reporting and emission
requirements, and including a further occupational health survey in
April 2014. The acid plant, which is targeted for completion during
the fourth quarter of 2014, will further reduce the plant's SO2
emissions and complete the Company's major capital programs
directed at modernizing the smelter.
Concentrate sales during the fourth quarter and twelve months of
2013 of 38,353 tonnes and 148,716 tonnes, respectively, were each
9% higher than the corresponding periods in 2012 due primarily to
increased production at Chelopech. Fourth quarter 2013 concentrate
deliveries at Kapan were lower than the comparable period in 2012
due to a significant portion of its copper concentrate deliveries
being deferred until the fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of its
lead content exceeding contractual specification.
Relative to the fourth quarter of 2012, payable gold sold in the
fourth quarter of 2013 increased by 3% to 36,870 ounces, payable
copper sold increased by 10% to 12.1 million pounds, payable silver
sold decreased by 18% to 147,731 ounces and payable zinc sold
decreased by 5% to 2.9 million pounds. Relative to 2012, payable
gold sold in 2013 increased by 14% to 153,274 ounces, payable
copper sold increased by 10% to 46.3 million pounds, payable silver
sold increased by 1% to 552,590 ounces and payable zinc sold
decreased by 5% to 13.5 million pounds. The year over year
increases in payable gold, copper and silver sold were due
primarily to the expansion and improved metal recoveries at
Chelopech, partially offset by lower grades at Chelopech. The
decrease in payable zinc in concentrate sold was due primarily to
lower zinc content in the concentrate delivered.
Cash cost of sales per ounce of gold sold
Consolidated cash cost of sales per ounce of gold sold, net of
by-product credits(1), during the fourth quarter and twelve months
of 2013 was $357 and $329, respectively, compared to $193 and $117
for the corresponding periods in 2012. These increases were due
primarily to lower realized copper and silver prices, partially
offset by higher volumes of payable metals.
Cash provided from operating activities
Cash provided from operating activities during the fourth
quarter and twelve months of 2013 was $40.3 million and $99.5
million, respectively, compared to $27.0 million and $78.3 million
in the corresponding periods in 2012 due primarily to lower working
capital requirements in 2013. Cash provided from operating
activities, before changes in non-cash working capital(1), during
the fourth quarter and twelve months of 2013 was $24.4 million and
$88.2 million, respectively, down $6.3 million and $32.9 million
from the corresponding prior year periods due primarily to the same
factors affecting adjusted EBITDA.
Capital expenditures
Cash outlays for capital expenditures during the fourth quarter
and twelve months of 2013 totalled $47.5 million and $213.0
million, respectively, compared to $51.0 million and $149.0 million
in the corresponding periods in 2012 due primarily to the
construction activity related to the new acid plant at Tsumeb
targeted for completion in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Financial position
As at December 31, 2013, DPM maintained a solid financial
position with minimal debt, representing 10% of total
capitalization, a consolidated cash position, including short-term
investments, of $49.8 million, an investment portfolio valued at
$17.8 million and $130 million of additional liquidity under the
Company's $150 million long-term committed revolving credit
facility. These cash resources, together with the cash flow
currently being generated, are expected to be sufficient to fund
all non-discretionary capital projects through to completion. The
Company's discretionary growth projects, which include the
Krumovgrad Gold Project, a Kapan underground mine expansion and a
holding furnace at Tsumeb, are expected to be staged over time
based on their expected returns, market conditions, and DPM having
sufficient capital resources in place to support any one or more of
these projects.
2014 Guidance
The Company's production and cash cost guidance for 2014 is set
out in the following table:
2014 Production & Cash Cost Guidance |
|
Chelopech |
|
Kapan |
|
Tsumeb |
|
Consolidated |
Ore mined/milled ('000 tonnes) |
1,900 - 2,050 |
|
475 - 525 |
|
- |
|
2,375 - 2,575 |
Concentrate smelted ('000 tonnes) |
- |
|
- |
|
190 - 220 |
|
190 - 220 |
Metals contained in concentrate produced(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold ('000 ounces) |
126.0 - 138.0 |
|
29.0 - 36.0 |
|
- |
|
155 - 174 |
|
Copper (million pounds) |
42.7 - 46.2 |
|
2.8 - 3.8 |
|
- |
|
45.5 - 50.0 |
|
Zinc (million pounds) |
- |
|
11.6 - 15.9 |
|
- |
|
11.6 - 15.9 |
|
Silver ('000 ounces) |
210 - 230 |
|
468 - 640 |
|
- |
|
678 - 870 |
Cash cost/tonne of ore processed ($)(2) |
43 - 47 |
|
81 - 91 |
|
- |
|
51 - 56 |
Cash cost/ounce of gold sold, net of by-product credits
($)(1), (2) |
285 - 430 |
|
485 - 855 |
|
- |
|
335 - 505 |
All-in-sustaining cost/ounce, net of by-product credits
($)(1), (2), (3) |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
710 - 815 |
Cash cost/tonne of concentrate smelted ($)(2) |
- |
|
- |
|
280 - 350 |
|
280 - 350 |
Payable gold in pyrite concentrate sold ('000
ounces) |
27 - 33 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
27 - 33 |
(1) |
Excludes metals in pyrite concentrate and, where applicable,
the treatment charges, transportation and other selling costs
related to the sale of pyrite concentrate, which is reported
separately. |
(2) |
Based on current exchange rates and, where applicable, a copper
price of $3.31 per pound, a silver price of $19.87 per ounce and a
zinc price of $0.90 per pound. |
(3) |
Effective 2014, the Company will report its all-in sustaining
cost per ounce of gold, a measure which was recently established by
the World Gold Council, and which attempts to represent the total
sustaining cost of producing gold ounces from current mining
operations. This measure is expected to be used by management and
investors as one of several costs metrics to measure cost
performance. All-in sustaining cost is a non-GAAP measure, has no
standardized meanings under IFRS and may not be comparable to
similar measures presented by other companies. For DPM, all-in
sustaining cost per ounce of gold, net of by-product credits,
represents cash operating costs at Chelopech and Kapan, treatment
charges, penalties, transportation and other selling costs,
sustaining capital expenditures, rehabilitation related accretion
expenses and an allocated portion of the Company's general and
administrative expenses, less by-product revenues in respect of
copper, silver and zinc, divided by the payable gold in copper and
zinc concentrate sold. It does not include depreciation,
exploration, growth capital expenditures, income tax payments and
finance costs. It also excludes the payable gold ounces contained
in the pyrite concentrate sold and the related treatment charges,
transportation and other selling costs. |
For 2014, the majority of Company's growth capital
expenditures(1) will be focused on the construction of an acid
plant at Tsumeb. Other growth capital expenditures include the
pyrite recovery circuit and margin improvement projects at
Chelopech, securing the remaining permits and planning for the
commencement of construction related to the Krumovgrad Gold
Project, and exploration and development work to enhance
underground operations and advance a potential expansion at Kapan.
In aggregate, these expenditures are expected to range between $160
million and $175 million. Sustaining capital expenditures(1) are
expected to range between $37 million and $45 million.
The 2014 guidance provided above may not occur evenly throughout
the year. The estimated metals contained in concentrate produced
and volumes of concentrate smelted may vary from quarter to quarter
depending on the areas being mined, the timing of concentrate
deliveries, planned outages, the timing of the annual maintenance
shutdown at Tsumeb, which is currently scheduled for the third
quarter of 2014, and Kapan returning to full production in the
second quarter of 2014. The production guidance for Tsumeb assumes
that the ramp-up to full production occurs in the first quarter of
2014. Also, the rate of capital expenditures may vary from quarter
to quarter based on the schedule for, and execution of, each
capital project and, where applicable, the receipt of necessary
permits and approvals. Further details can be found in the
Company's MD&A under the section "2014 Guidance".
(1) |
Adjusted net earnings, adjusted basic earnings per share,
adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization ("EBITDA"), cash from operating activities, before
changes in non-cash working capital, cash cost per tonne of ore
processed, cash cost per ounce of gold sold, net of by-product
credits, cash cost per tonne of concentrate smelted, and growth and
sustaining capital expenditures are not defined measures under
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Presenting
these measures from period to period helps management and investors
evaluate earnings and cash flow trends more readily in comparison
with results from prior periods. Refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial
Measures" section of the management's discussion and analysis for
the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013 (the
"MD&A") for further discussion of these items, including
reconciliations to net earnings attributable to common shareholders
and earnings before income taxes. |
Key Financial and Operational Highlights
$ millions, except where noted |
Three Months |
Twelve Months |
Ended December 31, |
2013 |
2012 |
2013 |
2012 |
Revenue |
84.4 |
103.1 |
344.6 |
384.7 |
Gross profit (1) |
20.0 |
39.2 |
89.8 |
157.0 |
Earnings before income taxes |
19.7 |
16.2 |
26.9 |
49.7 |
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders |
19.2 |
14.7 |
22.5 |
54.4 |
Basic earnings per share ($) |
0.14 |
0.12 |
0.17 |
0.43 |
Adjusted EBITDA (2) |
29.0 |
37.7 |
102.8 |
124.6 |
Adjusted net earnings (2) |
10.5 |
21.5 |
30.8 |
80.9 |
Adjusted basic earnings per share ($) (2) |
0.08 |
0.17 |
0.23 |
0.65 |
Cash provided from operating activities |
40.3 |
27.0 |
99.5 |
78.3 |
Cash provided from operating activities, before changes
in non-cash working capital (2) |
24.4 |
30.7 |
88.2 |
121.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Concentrate produced (mt) |
39,233 |
32,428 |
144,278 |
135,809 |
Metals in concentrate produced: |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold
(ounces) |
38,798 |
32,667 |
156,185 |
142,474 |
|
Copper ('000s pounds) |
13,056 |
10,884 |
47,939 |
45,171 |
|
Zinc
('000s pounds) |
3,673 |
2,880 |
15,294 |
15,425 |
|
Silver (ounces) |
174,046 |
143,501 |
671,639 |
665,857 |
Tsumeb - concentrate smelted (mt) |
38,481 |
45,823 |
152,457 |
159,356 |
Deliveries of concentrates (mt) |
38,353 |
35,261 |
148,716 |
136,948 |
Payable metals in concentrate sold: |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold
(ounces) |
36,870 |
35,815 |
153,274 |
134,848 |
|
Copper ('000s pounds) |
12,117 |
10,981 |
46,301 |
42,104 |
|
Zinc
('000s pounds) |
2,928 |
3,082 |
13,545 |
14,204 |
|
Silver (ounces) |
147,731 |
180,155 |
552,590 |
547,193 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash cost of sales per ounce of gold sold, net of
by-product credits ($) (2) |
357 |
193 |
329 |
117 |
Cash cost/tonne of concentrate smelted at Tsumeb($)
(2) |
401 |
347 |
433 |
374 |
|
|
(1) |
Gross profit is regarded as an additional GAAP measure and is
presented in the Company's audited consolidated statements of
earnings. Gross profit represents revenue less cost of sales and is
one of several measures used by management and investors to assess
the underlying operating profitability of a business. |
(2) |
Adjusted EBITDA; adjusted net earnings; adjusted basic earnings
per share; cash flow provided from operating activities, before
changes in non-cash working capital; cash cost of sales per ounce
of gold sold, net of by-product credits; and cash cost per tonne of
concentrate smelted, are not defined measures under IFRS. Refer to
the MD&A for reconciliations to IFRS measures. |
DPM's audited consolidated financial statements, and MD&A
for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013, are posted
on the Company's website at www.dundeeprecious.com and have been
filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
The Company will be holding a call to discuss its 2013 fourth
quarter and annual results on February 14, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.
(E.S.T.). Participants are invited to join the live webcast (audio
only) at: www.gowebcasting.com/5192. Alternatively, participants
can access a listen only telephone option at 416-340-2219 or North
America Toll Free at 1-866-226-1798. A
replay of the call will be available at 905-694-9451 or North
America Toll Free at 1-800-408-3053,
passcode 2723701. The audio webcast for this conference call will
also be archived and available on the Company's website at
www.dundeeprecious.com.
Dundee Precious Metals Inc. is a Canadian based, international
gold mining company engaged in the acquisition, exploration,
development, mining and processing of precious metals. The
Company's principal operating assets include the Chelopech
operation, which produces a copper concentrate containing gold and
silver, located east of Sofia, Bulgaria; the Kapan operation, which
produces a copper concentrate and a zinc concentrate, both
containing gold and silver, located in southern Armenia; and the
Tsumeb smelter, a concentrate processing facility located in
Namibia. DPM also holds interests in a number of developing gold
properties located in Bulgaria, Serbia, and northern Canada,
including interests held through its 53.1% owned subsidiary, Avala
Resources Ltd., its 45.5% interest in Dunav Resources Ltd. and its
12.1% interest in Sabina Gold & Silver Corp.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward looking statements" that
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect
to the future price of gold, copper, zinc and silver, the
estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of
such mineral estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future
production and output, costs of production, capital expenditures,
costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of
exploration activities, permitting time lines, currency
fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government
regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation
expenses, the potential or anticipated outcome of title disputes or
claims and timing and possible outcome of pending litigation.
Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified
by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", or "does not
expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or
"believes", or variations of such words and phrases or that state
that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would",
"might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward looking
statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as
of the date such statements are made and they involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any other future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking
statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results
of current exploration activities; actual results of current
reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations;
changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined;
future prices of gold, copper, zinc and silver; possible variations
in ore grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or
processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and
other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining
governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of
development or construction activities, uncertainties inherent with
conducting business in foreign jurisdictions where corruption,
civil unrest, political instability and uncertainties with the rule
of law may impact the Company's activities; fluctuations in metal
prices; unanticipated title disputes; claims or litigation;
limitation on insurance coverage; as well as those risk factors
discussed or referred to in the Company's MD&A under the
heading "Risks and Uncertainties" and under the heading "Cautionary
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" which include further
details on material assumptions used to develop such
forward-looking statements and material risk factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking
statements, and other documents (including without limitation the
Company's 2012 AIF) filed from time to time with the securities
regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of Canada
and available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance
that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Unless required by securities laws,
the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward looking
statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions
should change. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on forward looking statements.
Dundee Precious Metals Inc.Rick HowesPresident and Chief
Executive Officer(416) 365-2836rhowes@dundeeprecious.comDundee
Precious Metals Inc.Hume KyleExecutive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer(416) 365-5091hkyle@dundeeprecious.comDundee
Precious Metals Inc.Lori Beak, Senior Vice President,Investor &
Regulatory Affairs and Corporate Secretary(416)
365-5165lbeak@dundeeprecious.comwww.dundeeprecious.com
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