Attention Business/Financial Editors:
Northgate posts fourth quarter net income of $32 million
Completes acquisition of Australian-based gold miner
VANCOUVER, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - (All figures in US dollars except where noted)
- Northgate Minerals Corporation (TSX: NGX; AMEX: NXG) today reported cash
flow from operations of $32,914,000 or $0.13 per diluted common share and net
earnings of $32,020,000 or $0.13 per diluted common share for the fourth
quarter of 2007. Cash flow from operations for all of 2007 was $125,285,000 or
$0.49 per diluted common share and net earnings were $38,136,000 or $0.15 per
diluted common share.
Fourth Quarter Highlights
- On October 29, 2007, Northgate announced its proposal to acquire
Perseverance Corporation Ltd. ("Perseverance"), an Australian gold
producer with two fully-permitted gold mines. The deal was approved
by Perseverance securityholders and closed on February 18, 2008.
- Northgate closed out its gold hedge book and is now completely
exposed to future gold price changes.
- Production of 41,467 ounces of gold and 16.8 million pounds of copper
from the Kemess South mine.
- Quarterly gold net cash cost of $18 per ounce and an annual net cash
cost of negative $22 per ounce of gold for all of 2007.
Ken Stowe, President and CEO, stated, "All in all, 2007 was another solid
production year at Kemess despite a significant modification to the production
schedule in the fourth quarter, which was necessitated by the realignment of
the main haul road out of the pit. Strong cash flow from operations of
$125�million for the year continued to strengthen an already strong balance
sheet, thereby allowing us to complete the acquisition of Perseverance with no
shareholder dilution. With the closing of the Perseverance deal, we have now
achieved a key strategic objective and transformed Northgate into a multi-mine
400,000-ounce per year gold producer with all of our operations in stable
jurisdictions. With unhedged gold and copper production in 2008 and record or
near-record prices for both metals, we are well positioned for another strong
year of cash flows. This will give us the ability to make strategic
investments at our new Australian operations while continuing to aggressively
develop the Young-Davidson project and look for additional growth
opportunities."
Results of Operations
Northgate recorded net earnings of $32,020,000 or $0.13 per diluted share
in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with $19,790,000 or $0.09 per diluted
share during the corresponding quarter of 2006. For the full year 2007, net
earnings were $38,136,000 or $0.15 per diluted share compared with
$106,742,000 or $0.48 per diluted share in 2006. Earnings for the fourth
quarter and the full year of 2007 included non-cash future income tax
recoveries of $2,267,000 and $13,065,000, respectively. Cash flow from
operations, after changes in working capital and other items, was $32,914,000
or $0.13 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared with
$43,884,000 or $0.20 per diluted share during the same quarter last year. For
the full year 2007, cash flow from operations after changes in working capital
and other items was $125,285,000 or $0.49 per diluted share compared with
$146,612,000 or $0.66 per diluted share in 2006. Per share data is based on
the weighted average diluted number of shares outstanding of 255,065,987 and
255,257,756 in the fourth quarter and full year of 2007, respectively. The
weighted average diluted number of shares outstanding in the corresponding
periods of 2006 was 224,674,332 and 222,892,929, respectively.
Kemess South Mine Performance
The Kemess mine posted production of 41,467 ounces of gold and
16.8�million pounds of copper in the fourth quarter of 2007. Metal production
was significantly lower than forecast due to lower than expected mill
throughput and a 15% copper grade deficit compared to blast hole estimates for
the stockpiled, very unusual, high native copper ore that was milled from
stockpile in November and December. Milling of this ore and other lower grade
stockpiled hypogene ores during November and December was necessitated by the
realignment of the main haul road out of the pit due to a crack, which
developed in a section of the road. This realignment was completed on
January�10, 2008 at which time ore production from the west end of the pit
resumed. For all of 2007, Kemess posted gold and copper production of 245,631
ounces and 68.1 million pounds, respectively.
During the fourth quarter of 2007, approximately 8.0 million tonnes of
ore and waste were removed from the open pit compared to 11.0 million tonnes
during the corresponding quarter of 2006. As a result of the lower tonnes
mined, unit mining costs during the current quarter were unusually high at
Cdn$2.37 per tonne compared with Cdn$1.64 per tonne in the same period of
2006. For the full year 2007, mining costs averaged Cdn$1.76 per tonne mined
compared with Cdn$1.49 per tonne in 2006.
Mill availability during the fourth quarter of 2007 averaged 90% and
throughput averaged 46,072 tonnes per day (tpd), compared with 91%
availability and throughput of 49,645 tpd in the fourth quarter of 2006. Mill
throughput was lower in the most recent quarter than it was one year ago due
to a variety of operating problems related to processing higher moisture
supergene ore from stockpile during the colder winter months. For the full
year, Kemess milled approximately 17.8 million tonnes of ore grading
0.627�grams per metric tonne (gr/mt) gold and 0.214% copper, and mill
availability averaged 91%, which was the same as 2006.
Gold and copper recoveries averaged 66% and 75%, respectively, in the
fourth quarter of 2007 compared with 72% and 87% in the fourth quarter of
2006. Copper recoveries were significantly lower in the fourth quarter of 2007
than they were in the same quarter of 2006, due to the large quantity of very
unusual, high native copper supergene ore with inherently lower copper
recovery that was milled from the stockpile in November and December. For the
full year, gold and copper recoveries were 68% and 81%, respectively, compared
with 69% and 83% in 2006.
Metal concentrate inventory decreased by 1,000 wet metric tonnes (wmt) to
approximately 6,000 wmt during the fourth quarter of 2007. Concentrate
inventory is expected to decline through 2008.
The total unit cost per tonne milled during the fourth quarter of 2007
was Cdn$13.16 (2006 - Cdn$15.58), including Cdn$3.31 (2006 - Cdn$6.48) for
marketing costs, which was comprised mainly of treatment and refining costs
and transportation fees. The primary reason for the decline in unit cost is
the reduction in treatment and refining costs, which are remitted to Xstrata
Canada Corporation. Total site operating costs in the fourth quarter of 2007
were Cdn$41.9 million, consistent with costs of Cdn$41.6 million in the fourth
quarter of 2006. The net cash cost of production at Kemess in the fourth
quarter was $18 per ounce, bringing the average 2007 cash cost to negative�
$22 per ounce. The net cash cost of gold production for the full year is
negative due to the large by-product credit derived from copper production,
which is credited against site operating costs for purposes of calculating
cash costs.
The following table provides a summary of operations for the fourth
quarter and full year of 2007 and the comparable periods of 2006.
2007 Kemess Mine Production
(100% of
production basis) Q4 2007 Q4 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ore plus waste
mined (tonnes) 8,042,000 11,018,461 42,025,404 43,045,348
Ore mined (tonnes) 3,206,000 4,746,251 17,060,785 17,219,143
Stripping ratio
(waste/ore) 1.51 1.32 1.46 1.50
Ore milled (tonnes) 4,238,626 4,567,332 17,802,317 18,233,978
Ore milled per day
(tonnes) 46,072 49,645 48,773 49,956
Gold grade (gr/mt) 0.459 0.772 0.627 0.763
Copper grade (%) 0.238 0.243 0.214 0.244
Gold recovery (%) 66 72 68 69
Copper recovery (%) 75 87 81 83
Gold production
(ounces) 41,467 81,747 245,631 310,296
Copper production
(thousands pounds) 16,766 21,255 68,129 81,209
Tonnes mined per
shift worked 449 645 589 693
Tonnes milled per
shift worked 237 267 249 277
Net cash cost ($/ounce) 18 (90) (22) (56)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Safety
Safety at Kemess in the fourth quarter continued with solid performance,
although one lost time incident was recorded. On an annual basis, 2007 was an
excellent year for safety at Northgate's operations with only two lost time
incidents reported at Kemess and no lost time incidents reported at
Young-Davidson in Matachewan.
Financial Performance
Northgate's revenue in the fourth quarter of 2007 was $93,717,000
compared with $118,239,000 in the corresponding period of 2006. Revenue for
the fourth quarter of 2007 included a positive mark-to-market adjustment of
$29,631,000 on Northgate's hedge book (2006 - $17,975,000). Due to
mark-to-market requirements of Canadian generally accepted accounting
principles (Canadian GAAP) and the large size of the Corporation's copper
forward sales position relative to quarterly copper production, earnings in
future quarters may fluctuate significantly depending on future movements in
the price of copper. Metal sales in the fourth quarter of 2007 consisted of
48,937 ounces of gold and 16.8 million pounds of copper, compared with 77,443
ounces of gold and 20.4 million pounds of copper in the fourth quarter of
2006. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the price of gold on the London
Bullion Market (LBM) averaged $788 per ounce (2006 - $614) and the price of
copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) averaged $3.26 per pound (2006 -
$3.21). The net realized metal prices received on metal sales in the fourth
quarter of 2007 were approximately $561 per ounce of gold and $3.30 per pound
of copper, compared with $533 per ounce and $3.00 per pound in the fourth
quarter of 2006. A total of $7,523,000 in gold hedging losses were
reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when the related
sales occurred. The Corporation's gold hedging activities reduced the realized
price of gold sold during the most recent quarter by $204 per ounce, compared
with $82 per ounce in the corresponding quarter one year ago. At the end of
the fourth quarter, Northgate had settled all its gold forward contracts and
was completely unhedged.
The cost of sales in the fourth quarter of 2007 was $60,322,000, which
was consistent with the corresponding period of 2006 when the cost of sales
was $60,461,000. Cost of sales in the most recent quarter reflect the negative
impact of the strengthening Canadian dollar on the Corporation's mostly
Canadian dollar costs, which was offset by lower treatment and refining costs
for concentrate.
Administrative and general expenses totalled $3,689,000 in the fourth
quarter of 2007, higher than the $1,543,000 recorded in the corresponding
period of 2006 due to additional corporate office salaries in support of
organizational growth, increased administration and compliance spending, as
well as the cost of various business development initiatives.
Depreciation and depletion expenses in the fourth quarter were lower at
$6,131,000 compared to $10,122,000 during the corresponding period of 2006, as
a result of less ore being mined from the open pit in November and December
while the main haul road in the pit was being realigned.
Net interest income was significantly higher at $4,813,000 in the fourth
quarter of 2007 compared with $2,156,000 in the corresponding quarter of 2006,
as a result of substantial increases in the Corporation's cash position due to
continued strong operating cash flow.
Exploration costs in the fourth quarter were significantly higher at
$7,679,000 compared with $4,953,000 in the comparable period of 2006, due to
increased activity at Young-Davidson where the advanced underground
exploration program continues.
Other income recorded in the fourth quarter relates to the mark-to-market
gain of $10,646,000 on Northgate's option to acquire Perseverance's portfolio
of gold forward contracts from an Australian financial institution upon the
close of the transaction.
Capital expenditures totalled $2,565,000 in the fourth quarter of 2007,
substantially lower than the $6,115,000 recorded in the corresponding period
of 2006 when significant expenditures relating to the Kemess South tailings
dam and permitting activities for the Kemess North project were incurred. The
Kemess North project costs were written off in the third quarter of 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital: At December 31, 2007, Northgate had working capital of
$235,883,000 compared with working capital of $297,957,000 at December 31,
2006. The decrease in working capital was mainly the result of a short-term
loan ("the Loan") established with a major investment bank in the US. The
proceeds of the Loan have been invested in highly liquid investments, which
can be accessed if needed for working capital requirements. Cash and cash
equivalents at the end of 2007 amounted to $266,045,000 compared with
$262,199,000 at the end of 2006. All cash and cash equivalents are invested in
R1/P1/A1 rated investments including money market funds, direct obligation
commercial paper, bankers' acceptances and other highly rated short-term
investment instruments.
Investments: Northgate maintains a portion of its investments in Auction
Rate Securities ("ARS"), all of which were rated AAA at the time of purchase.
ARS are long-term, floating rate debt securities that are marketed by
financial institutions with auction reset dates at 7, 28, or 35 day intervals
to provide short-term liquidity. Beginning in August 2007, a number of
auctions began to fail and the Corporation is currently holding ARS with a par
value of $72,600,000, which currently lack liquidity. Northgate's ARS
investments were originally structured and marketed by a major US investment
bank.
The fair market value of Northgate's ARS holdings at December 31, 2007
was $69,397,000, which reflects a $3,203,000 adjustment to the original par
value of $72,600,000. This adjustment was recorded into other comprehensive
income as Northgate believes that the decline in value is temporary. All of
the Corporation's ARS investments continue to make regular cash interest
payments.
Historically, given the liquidity created by the auction process, ARS
were presented as current assets on Northgate's balance sheet. Given the
continued failure of these auctions and the uncertainty as to when liquidity
will return, ARS have been reclassified as non-current assets.
Certain rating agencies such as S&P, Moody's and Fitch monitor the credit
rating of bond insurer institutions (Monoline Insurers), some of which were
insurers of a portion of the ARS held by Northgate. In late January, a number
of bond insurers were downgraded by certain ratings agencies, which in all
cases resulted in corresponding downgrade of the AAA securities insured by
those institutions. Approximately 57% of Northgate's ARS holdings are insured.
All of the Corporation's uninsured ARS securities continue to be rated AAA and
Aaa, as applicable.
The Corporation has no investments in Asset Backed Commercial Paper
(ABCP), Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS) or Collateralized Debt Obligations
(CDO).
The balance of Northgate's long-term investments comprises of equity
investments in publicly-listed junior mining companies. These investments are
carried on the balance sheet at fair value based on quoted bid prices.
If uncertainties in the credit and capital markets persist or Northgate
experiences further downgrades on its ARS holdings, the Corporation may incur
additional impairments, which may be judged to be other than temporary.
Northgate believes that based on its cash and cash equivalents balance of
$266,045,000 at December 31, 2007 and expected operating cash flows, the
current liquidity issues concerning its ARS investments will not have a
material impact on Northgate's ability to carry on its business.
Acquisition of Perseverance: In connection with the acquisition of
Perseverance, Northgate agreed to acquire all of Perseverance's existing debt,
gold forward contracts and guarantees from a major financial institution in
Australia ("the Bank"). These arrangements were structured in such a way that
they would be executed regardless of the outcome of the acquisition
transaction.
On December 18, 2007, the Corporation, through an Australian subsidiary,
acquired the Bank's receivables for cash consideration (in Australian dollars
($A)) of A$29,637,000 (US$25,434,000) and comprised the following:
- Lease Receivables totalling A$1,012,000. All remaining lease and
residual payments are due in the first quarter of 2008 and are
included in accounts receivable.
- Bridge Facility of A$25,000,000 of which two tranches totalling
A$5,500,000 had been drawn. The tranches accrue interest daily at the
Bank Bid Swap Rate ("BBSY") published in the Australian Financial
Review plus a margin of 4.5% and is payable at the tranches' rollover
date, at which point the principal is rolled over and the interest
rate is reset. The facility has a maturity date of May 28, 2010.
- Cash Advance Facility of A$23,125,000, which has been fully drawn,
bearing interest daily at the BBSY Rate plus a margin of 1.40% and is
payable at the tranches' rollover date, at which point the principal
is rolled over and the interest rate is reset. The facility will be
reduced to A$15,000,000 on May 28, 2009 and the remaining balance
matures on May 28, 2010.
Both the Bridge Facility and the Cash Advance Facility are secured by a
fixed and floating charge over the assets of Perseverance's subsidiaries, a
mining tenement mortgage over tenements held by a subsidiary of Perseverance,
and guarantees by Perseverance and all its subsidiaries. As at December 31,
2007, other receivables included the lease receivables of US$888,000. The
amounts outstanding under the Bridge and Cash Advance Facilities total
US$25,117,000 and are included in long-term receivables.
In connection with the Merger Implementation Agreement, Northgate and the
Bank entered into an arrangement whereby Northgate will acquire Perseverance's
gold forward contracts for a fixed amount, based on the value of the
underlying forward contracts at October 30, 2007. The fair value of the
underlying forward contracts at December 31, 2007 resulted in a mark-to-market
gain of $10,646,000, which was recorded as other income in net earnings.
On February 18, 2008, the transaction closed and a total of A$230,200,000
(US$210,300,000) was paid to Perseverance securityholders.
Stand-By Letter of Credit ("SBLC"): In connection with the acquisition of
Perseverance, the Corporation was required to pledge a cash amount of
A$109,400,000 in a SBLC. A portion of the SBLC was released upon payment of
the consideration for the debt instruments noted above. As at December 31,
2007, the remaining SBLC of A$58,700,000 was held as a pledge against
Perseverance's forward gold sales contracts and certain bank guarantees.
Subsequent to year-end, the forward gold contracts were acquired for
A$49,307,000 (US$45,550,000). The funds remaining in the SBLC continue to
pledge the guarantees of A$8,020,000 (US$7,434,000).
Short-Term Loan: In December 2007, the Corporation secured the Loan in
the amount of $48,716,000 from the same US investment bank, which structured
and marketed Northgate's ARS investments. The Loan bears interest at LIBOR
plus 100 basis points and matures on June 6, 2008. At December 31, 2007, the
balance of the Loan including accrued interest was $44,835,000.
Non-GAAP Measure
The Corporation has included net cash costs of production per ounce of
gold in the discussion of its results from operations, because it believes
that these figures are a useful indicator to investors and management of a
mine's performance as they provide: (i) a measure of the mine's cash margin
per ounce, by comparison of the cash operating costs per ounce to the price of
gold; (ii) the trend in costs as the mine matures; and, (iii) an internal
benchmark of performance to allow for comparison against other mines. However,
cash costs of production should not be considered as an alternative to
operating profit or net profit attributable to shareholders, or as an
alternative to other Canadian GAAP measures and they may not be comparable to
other similarly titled measures of other companies.
A reconciliation of net cash costs per ounce of production to amounts
reported in the statement of operations is shown below.
(Expressed in thousands
of US$, except
ounce amounts) Q4 2007 Q4 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold production
(ounces) 41,467 81,746 245,631 310,296
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales $ 60,322 $ 60,461 $ 226,933 $ 224,584
Change in inventories
and other (4,124) 1,944 (8,616) 7,836
Gross copper and
silver revenue (55,467) (69,735) (223,721) (249,699)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash cost 731 (7,330) (5,404) (17,279)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash cost ($/ounce) $ 18 $ (89) $ (22) $ (56)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(Thousands of
US dollars, 2007 Quarter Ended
except per share, ----------------------------------------------------
per ounce and per
pound amounts) Dec 31 Sep 30 Jun 30 Mar 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 93,717 $ 86,756 $ 80,878 $ 74,313
Earnings (loss) for
the period 32,020 (11,937) 8,647 9,406
Earnings (loss)
per share
Basic $ 0.13 $ (0.05) $ 0.03 $ 0.04
Diluted $ 0.13 $ (0.05) $ 0.03 $ 0.04
Metal production
Gold (ounces) 41,467 70,055 65,999 68,110
Copper
(thousands pounds) 16,766 18,822 14,839 17,702
Metal Prices
Gold (LBM - $/ounce) 788 681 667 650
Copper (LME
Cash - $/pound 3.26 3.50 3.47 2.69
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of
US dollars, 2006 Quarter Ended
except per share, ----------------------------------------------------
per ounce and per
pound amounts) Dec 31 Sep 30 Jun 30 Mar 31
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 118,239 $ 102,667 $ 105,348 $ 85,059
Earnings (loss) for
the period (1) 19,790 14,902 50,315 21,735
Earnings (loss)
per share (1)
Basic $ 0.09 $ 0.07 $ 0.23 $ 0.10
Diluted $ 0.09 $ 0.07 $ 0.22 $ 0.10
Metal production
Gold (ounces) 81,746 74,789 76,127 77,634
Copper
(thousands pounds) 21,254 19,602 18,071 22,282
Metal Prices
Gold (LBM - $/ounce) 614 622 627 554
Copper (LME
Cash - $/pound 3.21 3.48 3.27 2.24
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operations and Exploration Update
Australian Mines
Northgate's acquisition of Perseverance was completed on February 18,
2008. From this date forward, gold production from the Fosterville and Stawell
mines will be attributed to the Corporation. Initial projections call for
these mines to produce between 190,000 - 200,000 ounces of gold during
calendar 2008, all of which will be sold at spot prices. Northgate will
include the results of its Australian operations from the date of acquisition
in its consolidated financial results for the period ending March 31, 2008. In
the second quarter of 2008, the Corporation plans to update its previously
released 2008 production guidance to include the Fosterville and Stawell mines
acquired in the transaction.
Young-Davidson Update
Drilling resumed at Young-Davidson in January 2008 with five drill rigs
in operation. One drill is underground and the other four surface drills are
testing underground targets at various levels in and around the known
underground resources with the objective of increasing the indicated resource
to a minimum of 2.0 million ounces. Diamond drilling completed in the fourth
quarter of 2007 expanded resources between the Lower Boundary and the Lower YD
zones and below the Lucky zone to a depth of 1,300 metres (m). On February 6,
2008 Northgate released a new mineral resource estimate based on drilling
conducted during 2007. Total underground resources at Young-Davidson now
include 1.42 million ounces of Measured and Indicated resources and an
additional 440,000 ounces of Inferred resources.
An update of the open pit resources at Young-Davidson is currently
underway and will incorporate new assay data generated by the 5,000m of infill
drilling completed in 2007.
The ramp that will provide underground access to the Young-Davidson
deposit advanced dramatically during 2007 and is now about 2,000m long,
reaching a vertical depth of approximately 500m. Underground definition
drilling has begun from the second leg of the ramp targeting the Upper
Boundary zone in order to move the resources from Inferred to Indicated
status. Dewatering of the existing No. 3 shaft down to the 360-m level is
complete and the underground infrastructure left by the previous operator
continues to be in excellent condition.
Notice of Conference Call and Webcast of Year-End Results
February 29 at 10:00 a.m. ET
You are invited to participate in the Northgate Minerals Corporation live
conference call and webcast discussing our year-end financial results. The
call and webcast will take place on Friday, February 29, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
ET.
Conference Call
Please call 416-644-3415 or toll free in North America at 1-800-732-9307.
To ensure your participation, please call five minutes prior to the scheduled
start of the call.
Webcast
The webcast package, including the webcast link and management
presentation, will be available on the morning of February 29 and posted on
Northgate's website at www.northgateminerals.com under the Calendar of Events
section. You may also access the webcast at
http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID!47860.
Replay
A replay of the conference call will be available beginning on
February�29 at 12:00 p.m. ET until March 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Replay Access No. 416-640-1917 or 1-877-289-8525
Passcode: 212 60 773 followed by the number sign.
NORTHGATE MINERALS CORPORATION is a mid-tier gold and copper producer
with mining operations, development projects and exploration properties in
Canada and Australia. The company is forecasting over 400,000 ounces of
unhedged gold production in 2008 and is targeting steady production growth
through further acquisition opportunities in stable mining jurisdictions
around the world. Northgate is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the
symbol NGX and on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol NXG.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and
"forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S.
securities laws. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the
use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend,"
"estimate," "anticipate," "believe," or "continue" or the negative thereof or
variations thereon or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements are
necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that are inherently
subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and
contingencies. Certain of the statements made herein by Northgate Minerals
Corporation ("Northgate") including those related to future financial and
operating performance and those related to Northgate's future exploration and
development activities, are forward-looking and subject to important risk
factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the corporations' ability
to control or predict. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such
factors include, among others: gold price volatility; fluctuations in foreign
exchange rates and interest rates, impact of any hedging activities;
discrepancies between actual and estimated production, between actual and
estimated reserves and resources and between actual and estimated
metallurgical recoveries; costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and
timing of construction and the development of new deposits, and success of
exploration activities and permitting time lines; In addition, the factors
described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Northgate's
Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2006 or under the
heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in Northgate's 2006 annual report, both of
which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and which should be reviewed in
conjunction with this document. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. Neither corporation undertakes any
obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document
or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except in each case as
required by law.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31 December 31
Thousands of US dollars 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Unaudited)
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 266,045 $ 262,199
Concentrate settlements and
other receivables 17,245 17,960
Inventories 35,234 26,208
Future income tax asset 1,194 7,469
Deferred hedging loss - 8,583
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
319,718 322,419
Other assets 80,181 27,622
Long-term receivables 25,117 -
Deferred acquisition costs 1,799 -
Future income tax asset 17,100 6,291
Mineral property, plant and equipment 121,337 159,299
Investments 70,074 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 635,326 $ 515,631
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 35,861 $ 22,023
Short-term loan 44,835 -
Current portion of capital lease obligations 2,267 -
Future income tax liability 872 2,439
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
83,835 24,462
Capital lease obligations 282 2,586
Other long-term liabilities 14,115 -
Provision for site closure and reclamation
obligations 49,120 28,197
Future income tax liability 2,487 12,638
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
149,839 67,883
Shareholders' equity
Common shares 309,455 307,914
Contributed surplus 3,940 2,596
Accumulated other comprehensive income (3,282) -
Retained earnings 175,374 137,238
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
485,487 447,748
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 635,326 $ 515,631
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thousands of US
dollars, except
share and per
share amounts, Three Months Ended Dec 31 Twelve Months Ended Dec 31
unaudited 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 93,717 $ 118,239 $ 335,664 $ 411,313
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales 60,322 60,461 226,933 224,584
Administrative
and general 3,689 1,543 10,461 8,209
Depreciation
and depletion 6,131 10,122 34,140 35,591
Net interest
income (4,813) (2,156) (17,124) (4,013)
Exploration 7,679 4,953 29,887 11,449
Currency
translation
loss (gain) 342 3,726 (6,704) 1,922
Accretion of
site closure
and recla-
mation costs 690 406 2,559 1,553
Writedown of
mineral property 382 - 31,815 -
Other expense (income) (10,646) - (7,820) 8,423
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
63,776 79,055 304,147 287,718
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before
income taxes 29,941 39,184 31,517 123,595
Income tax
recovery (expense)
Current (188) (951) (6,446) (5,406)
Future 2,267 (18,443) 13,065 (11,447)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
2,079 (19,394) 6,619 (16,853)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings for
the period $ 32,020 $ 19,790 $ 38,136 $ 106,742
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other
comprehensive
income
Reclassification
of net realized
gains on
available for
sale securities
to net earnings - - (315) -
Unrealized gain
(loss) on
available for
sale securities (3,486) - (3,296) -
Reclassification
of deferred
losses on gold
forward
contracts to
net earnings,
net of tax of
$2,567 Q4 and
$9,843 YTD 4,956 - 19,005 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,470 - 15,394 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comprehensive
income (loss) $ 33,490 $ 19,790 $ 53,530 $ 106,742
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings
(loss) per
share
Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.09 $ 0.15 $ 0.50
Diluted $ 0.13 $ 0.09 $ 0.15 $ 0.48
Weighted average
shares
outstanding
Basic 254,329,720 217,165,384 254,166,789 215,609,932
Diluted 255,065,987 224,674,332 255,257,756 222,892,929
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Thousands of
US dollars,
except common Number of Common Share
shares, Common Shares Purchase Contributed
unaudited Shares Amount Warrants Surplus
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December 31,
2006 253,700,033 $ 307,914 $ - $ 2,596
Transitional
adjustment on
adoption of
financial
instruments - - - -
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan 32,807 79 - -
Shares issued on
exercise of
options 413,420 519 - (153)
Stock-based
compensation - 39 - 759
Net income - - - -
Other
comprehensive
income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
March 31, 2007 254,146,260 $ 308,551 $ - $ 3,202
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan 41,860 107 - -
Shares issued
on exercise
of options 5,600 15 - (4)
Stock-based
compensation - 53 - 320
Net income - - - -
Other
comprehensive
income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
June 30, 2007 254,193,720 $ 308,726 $ - $ 3,518
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan 46,559 67 - -
Shares issued
on exercise
of options 5,200 14 - (3)
Stock-based
compensation - 34 - 279
Net loss - - - -
Other
comprehensive
income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
September
30, 2007 254,245,479 $ 308,841 $ - $ 3,794
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan 55,983 114 - -
Shares issued
on exercise
of options 151,400 443 - (142)
Stock-based
compensation - 57 - 288
Net loss - - - -
Other
comprehensive
income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December
31, 2007 254,452,862 $ 309,455 $ - $ 3,940
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Thousands of Accumulated
US dollars, Other
except common Compre-
shares, Retained hensive
unaudited Earnings Income Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December 31,
2006 $ 137,238 $ - $ 447,748
Transitional
adjustment on
adoption of
financial
instruments - (18,676) (18,676)
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan - - 79
Shares issued on
exercise of
options - - 366
Stock-based
compensation - - 798
Net income 9,406 - 9,406
Other
comprehensive
income - 4,125 4,125
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
March 31, 2007 $ 146,644 $ (14,551) $ 443,846
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan - - 107
Shares issued
on exercise
of options - - 11
Stock-based
compensation - - 373
Net income 8,647 - 8,647
Other
comprehensive
income - 5,174 5,174
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
June 30, 2007 $ 155,291 $ (9,377) $ 458,158
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan - - 67
Shares issued
on exercise
of options - - 11
Stock-based
compensation - - 313
Net loss (11,937) - (11,937)
Other
comprehensive
income - 4,624 4,624
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
September
30, 2007 $ 143,354 $ (4,753) $ 451,236
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan - - 114
Shares issued
on exercise
of options - - 301
Stock-based
compensation - - 345
Net loss 32,020 - 32,020
Other
comprehensive
income - 1,471 1,471
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December
31, 2007 $ 175,374 $ (3,282) $ 485,487
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Thousands of
US dollars, Number of Common Share
except common Common Shares Purchase Contributed
shares, unaudited Shares Amount Warrants Surplus
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December
31, 2005 214,011,246 $ 195,565 $ 8,715 $ 1,657
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan 45,027 68 - -
Shares issued
on exercise of
share purchase
warrants 314,523 480 (102) -
Shares issued on
exercise of
options 386,800 490 - (154)
Stock-based
compensation - 34 - 1,131
Net income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
March 31, 2006 214,757,596 $ 196,637 $ 8,613 $ 2,634
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan 30,269 76 - -
Shares issued on
exercise of
share purchase
warrant 10,202 27 - -
Shares issued on
exercise of
options 810,880 2,245 - (706)
Stock-based
compensation - 39 - 240
Net income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
June 30, 2006 215,608,947 $ 199,024 $ 8,613 $ 2,168
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan 30,955 73 - -
Shares issued on
exercise of
share purchase
warrant 2,778 8 - -
Shares issued on
exercise of
options 22,800 84 - (27)
Stock-based
compensation - 36 - 244
Net income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
September
30, 2006 215,665,480 $ 199,225 $ 8,613 $ 2,385
Shares
issued under
employee share
purchase plan 39,300 87 - -
Shares issued on
exercise of
share purchase
warrant 37,895,253 108,383 (8,613) 14
Shares issued on
exercise of
options 100,000 176 - (49)
Stock-based
compensation - 43 - 246
Net income - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December
31, 2006 253,700,033 $ 307,914 $ - $ 2,596
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accumulated
Thousands of Other
US dollars, Compre-
except common Retained hensive
shares, unaudited Earnings Income Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December
31, 2005 $ 30,496 $ - $ 236,433
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan - - 68
Shares issued
on exercise of
share purchase
warrants - - 378
Shares issued on
exercise of
options - - 336
Stock-based
compensation - - 1,165
Net income 21,735 - 21,735
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
March 31, 2006 $ 52,231 $ - $ 260,115
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan - - 76
Shares issued on
exercise of
share purchase
warrant - - 27
Shares issued on
exercise of
options - - 1,539
Stock-based
compensation - - 279
Net income 50,315 - 50,315
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
June 30, 2006 $ 102,546 $ - $ 312,351
Shares issued
under employee
share purchase
plan - - 73
Shares issued on
exercise of
share purchase
warrant - - 8
Shares issued on
exercise of
options - - 57
Stock-based
compensation - - 280
Net income 14,902 - 14,902
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
September
30, 2006 $ 117,448 $ - $ 327,671
Shares
issued under
employee share
purchase plan - - 87
Shares issued on
exercise of
share purchase
warrant - - 99,784
Shares issued on
exercise of
options - - 127
Stock-based
compensation - - 289
Net income 19,790 - 19,790
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
December
31, 2006 $ 137,238 $ - $ 447,748
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Thousands of
US dollars, Three Months Ended Dec 31 Twelve Months Ended Dec 31
unaudited 2007 2006 2007 2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating activities:
Net earnings
for the period $ 32,020 $ 19,790 $ 38,136 $ 106,742
Non-cash items:
Depreciation
and depletion 6,131 10,122 34,140 35,591
Unrealized
currency
translation
losses (gains) (1,379) 266 1,362 (22)
Unrealized gain
on hedge option (10,646) - (10,646) -
Accretion of
site closure
and reclamation
costs 690 406 2,559 1,553
Amortization of
hedging losses 7,523 6,348 28,848 21,375
Amortization of
deferred
charges (15) 73 214 562
Stock-based
compensation 345 290 1,829 2,014
Future income
tax expense
(recovery) (2,267) 18,443 (13,065) 11,447
Change in fair
value of
forward
contracts (29,631) (17,975) 24,628 (16,619)
Writedown of
mineral
property 382 - 31,815 -
Gain on sale of
investments - - (315) -
Changes in
operating working
capital and other:
Concentrate
settlements
and other
receivables 40,529 11,194 (3,099) 13,154
Inventories 1,655 (457) (1,860) (4,661)
Accounts payable
and accrued
liabilities (6,195) (2,930) 10,874 3,222
Settlement of
forward
contracts (5,677) (1,572) (19,584) (25,397)
Reclamation
costs paid (551) (114) (551) (2,349)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
32,914 43,884 125,285 146,612
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Purchase of
other assets (51,000) (1,714) (51,000) (1,845)
Purchase of mineral
property, plant
and equipment (2,565) (6,115) (13,825) (15,199)
Deferred costs paid (1,673) - (1,673) -
Acquisition of
receivables (25,434) - (25,434) -
Purchase of
investments - - (72,922) -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(80,672) (7,829) (164,854) (17,044)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing activities:
Repayment of capital
lease obligation (638) (708) (2,476) (6,870)
Financing from
credit facility 44,835 - 44,835 -
Repayment of
long-term debt - - - (13,700)
Issuance of
common shares 415 99,998 1,056 102,562
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
44,612 99,290 43,415 81,992
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase (decrease)
in cash and cash
equivalents (3,146) 135,345 3,846 211,560
Cash and cash
equivalents,
beginning of
period 269,191 126,854 262,199 50,639
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash
equivalents,
end of period $ 266,045 $ 262,199 $ 266,045 $ 262,199
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplementary
information
Cash paid during
the period for:
Interest $ 266 $ 111 $ 482 $ 1,006
Income taxes - 484 - 484
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
%CIK: 0000072931
For further information: Ms. Keren R. Yun, Investor Relations, (416) 216-2781,
Email: ngx@northgateminerals.com, Website: www.northgateminerals.com
