La Mancha Resources

Published : August 07th, 2009

Posts Record Quarterly Net Earnings As Gold Production Rises 47%

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All amounts are in CA dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Unaudited

La Mancha Posts Record Quarterly Net Earnings As Gold Production Rises 47%

SECOND QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Net earnings of $6.1 million 
  • Cash flow from operating activities of $6.6 million 
  • Corporate debt decreases to $12.2 million while cash and short term investments grow to $18.4 million
  • Record quarterly gold production of 27,755 ounces at an average cash cost of US $484 per ounce 
  • Gold production up 47% and cash costs per ounce down 21% year over year
  • Company reaffirms its 2009 gold production target of 100,000 ounces 
  • Michel Cuilh� to step down as CEO and Chairman of the Company

Montreal, QC - August 7, 2009 - La Mancha Resources Inc. (TSX: LMA, hereinafter �La Mancha� or the �Company�) is pleased to report that its second quarter production totalled 27,755 ounces of gold at an average cash cost of US $484 per ounce, compared to 18,915 ounces of gold at an average cash cost of US $612 per ounce for the same quarter last year. This represents a 47% increase in production which is mainly due to the start-up of the Australian Frog�s Leg mine, with the African mines continuing to operate in line with expectations.

Consolidated cash costs per ounce for the second quarter of 2009 were down 21% from the same quarter of 2008, at US $484 per ounce. This decrease reflects improved cash costs per ounce at both African mines and the positive influence of the lower cash costs at the Frog�s Leg mine.

The table below tracks La Mancha�s steady operational and financial improvement over the last twelve months.

 

Three-month

period ended

Sept. 30, 2008

Three-month

period ended

Dec. 31, 2008

Three-month

period ended

March 31, 2009

Three-month

period ended

June 30, 2009

Attributable production (in oz)

15,390

20,985

18,515

27,755

Revenues ($�000)

12,151

14,935

24,660

28,365

Operating margin ($�000)

(423)

1,293

6,229

8,449

Operating cash flow* ($�000)

1,613

2,989

7,706

7,948

Net earnings ($�000)

(1,638)

1,188

3,477

6,100

*Before changes in working capital

Michel Cuilh�, President and CEO of La Mancha, stated: �Within merely a year we have significantly improved the company�s operational and profitability indicators by quickly putting the Frog�s Leg mine into production, optimizing the African operations, increasing production, constantly improving operating margins, and by becoming increasingly profitable while keeping a focus on the Company�s huge exploration potential. Moreover, the fact that our Australian operation is increasing in importance as it is expected to represent approximately 45% of this year�s consolidated production and that it is responsible for most of the Company�s cash flow generation, should be positively acknowledged by the investment community. Equally exciting are the future prospects of our African properties, led by our rapidly evolving VMS story at Hassa?. Given the trend seen in the first half of the year, we are confident that we will meet our 2009 production target of up to 100,000 ounces while delivering profitability and further growth in 2010.�
  
La Mancha�s second quarter revenues rose to $28.4 million this year from $13.1 million last year, due mainly to significantly stronger production and, to a lesser degree, favourable changes in exchange rates.

La Mancha generated $6.6 million in cash flow from operating activities in the second quarter of 2009, while having used cash flow of $1.8 million in the same quarter of 2008. Due to its growing ability to generate cash, the Company�s cash and short-term investments remains strong at $18.4 million as of June 30, 2009, while corporate debt was down $2.7 million since March 31, 2009 to $12.2 million. While remaining on the lookout for potential new growth opportunities, La Mancha plans to repay a significant portion of its outstanding debt over the coming months.

La Mancha recorded net earnings of $6.1 million for the second quarter of 2009, as each mine continued to post positive results. This compares to a net loss of $2.6 million registered in the second quarter of 2008. This significant improvement is mostly due to the higher operating margin, but also to a $1.8 million non-cash adjustment related to the latest evaluation of the Company�s hedge positions and asset backed commercial paper holdings.

For the first half of 2009, La Mancha posted net earnings of $9.6 million while its attributable gold production totalled 46,451 ounces of gold. This compares to a net loss of $5.0 million and gold production of 35,175 ounces in the same period of 2008.

OPERATIONS    
Having celebrated the Frog�s Leg mine�s first gold pour just over a year ago in May 2008, La Mancha can boast having quickly achieved profitability with two consecutive profitable quarters. Our Australian operation generated its highest net earnings to date, $5.0 million, in the second quarter of 2009. The Frog�s Leg mine generated a record production of 15,933 ounces of gold net to La Mancha at an average cash cost of US $467 per ounce in the second quarter of 2009, compared to 6,275 ounces generated in the same quarter the previous year.

This increase in production was mainly due to the greater milling capacity available to La Mancha in the second quarter of the year. Despite an ore production of 72,840 tonnes in the first quarter, only 38,595 tonnes could be processed under the Company�s milling agreement, creating a large stockpile of ore by the end of the quarter. Milling capacity increased to 119,089 tonnes in the second quarter, allowing all of the ore mined during the quarter and a significant portion of the stockpile to be processed. At quarter end, 37,261 tonnes of ore attributable to La Mancha at 4.35 g/t Au (for 5,211 contained ounces) were still stockpiled and awaiting processing.

As shown in the following table, underground ore production continued to gain pace, with a steady increase in underground tonnage mined per quarter.

Data provided for 100% of the mine

Three-month

period ended

Sept. 30, 2008

Three-month

period ended

Dec. 31, 2008

Three-month

period ended

March 31, 2009

Three-month

period ended

June 30, 2009

Underground ore mined (t)

75,154

116,861

142,834

149,764

Apparent grade mined (g Au/t)

3.86

4.46

4.23

4.22

Apparent gold content of ore mined (oz)

9,325

16,753

19,403

20,348

On July 20, La Mancha announced that the Frog�s Leg proven and probable reserves had increased by 37% since the 2007 final feasibility study in light of an upgraded mine design incorporating the significant resource increase of May 2008. With the upgraded mine plan, gold output for the mine is expected to average 113,388 ounces of gold per annum (57,828 ounces attributable to La Mancha) from 2010 onwards, representing a 29% increase over the December 2007 feasibility study average annual gold production estimate. The mine life is also extended by 1.2 years.

The following table highlights the changes in the mine�s operational and economic profile from 2010 onward:

 (Attributable to La Mancha)

December 2007 Feasibility Study

July 2009

New Mine Plan*

Production:

 

 

Gold reserves (in situ) (oz)

232,503

366,244

Tonnes of ore mined

2,650,256

4,385,014

Average grade (g/t Au)

5.35

5.09

Gold contained mined (oz)

232,503

366,244

Gold recovered (oz)

293,772

402,467

Metallurgical recovery

94.9%

94.0%

Annual production rate (oz)

45,000

57,828

Mine life

5.2 years

6.3 years

Cash costs per ounce*

 

US $552/oz

*Excluding royalties

The project�s proven and probable reserves now stand at 789,504 ounces of gold (402,647 oz attributable to La Mancha), up 45% from the December 31, 2008, estimate of 582,918 ounces of gold (297,288 oz attributable to La Mancha). The 43-101 technical report describing this new reserve estimate should be issued within the coming weeks.

The Hassa� mine�s gold production remains in line with the 2009 forecast, as output totalled 16,280 ounces of gold (6,512 ounces attributable to La Mancha) at an average cash cost of US $593 per ounce for the second quarter of 2009. This compares to 18,650 ounces of gold (7,460 ounces attributable to La Mancha) produced in the second quarter of 2008 at a cash cost of US $705 per ounce. The decrease in gold output is essentially due to a change in the composition of the total ore milled, which resulted in lower gold grades and lower gold recovery rates.

In 2008, milling activities shifted towards prioritizing the quartz ore given the reduced availability of siliceous-baritic rock (SBR) reserves. In order to fill the availability of the SBR circuit, a total of 34,337 tonnes of tailings at a grade of 1.28 g/t Au were reprocessed during the second quarter of 2009, reducing the average total gold grade and recovery rates.

The quartz circuit continues to operate at an on-target pace, with more than 100,000 tonnes processed for the third consecutive quarter, despite minor breakdowns due to dust accumulation. At quarter-end, the quartz stockpile stood at 571,786 tonnes at 3.7 g/t Au for 67,963 contained ounces.

Cash costs per ounce during the second quarter of 2009 decreased 19% compared to the same period in 2008, with the significant reduction in milling costs per tonne and favourable changes in currency exchange rates more than compensating for the lower gold grades and recovery rate.

The Ity mine delivered another strong quarter as production increased and cash costs decreased relative to last year. Second quarter gold production totalled 11,568 ounces of gold (5,310 ounces attributable to La Mancha) at an average cash cost of US $398 per ounce. This compares to 11,285 ounces of gold (5,180 ounces attributable to La Mancha) produced in the second quarter of 2008 at a cash cost of US $477 per ounce.

In the second quarter of 2009, the cash cost decreased 17% compared to the same period of 2008 due to a reduction in mining and milling costs per tonne and favourable changes in currency exchange rates.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Due to advanced discussions with various mill operators, La Mancha is now confident of signing a satisfactory milling agreement before the end of August. This would quickly push the White Foil project into production, as it is already fully permitted and requires minimal development. On February 17, 2009, La Mancha announced its intention to put the first phase of the Australian White Foil project into production, which is expected to yield 69,160 ounces of gold production over a 27-month period.

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT
The board of directors of La Mancha, today, has formally accepted Mr. Michel Cuilh�s wishes to step down and retire from his position as Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of La Mancha, effective August 7, 2009, and has appointed Mr. Dominique Delorme to serve as interim President and CEO of La Mancha while the Company conducts an international search for Mr. Cuilh�s successor and Mr. William Hess to hold the position of Chairman of the Board. Bill Hess has been director of the board and lead director of La Mancha since February 2007. The board of directors of La Mancha would like to thank Mr. Cuilh� for his valuable contributions to the Company as his vision and leadership have permitted the Company to transform itself and prosper into what it has become today. Under Mr. Cuilh�s leadership, the Company has returned to profitability and positive cash flow.

Mr. Delorme, who will act as interim President and CEO of La Mancha, has extensive gold mining knowledge. Mr Delorme has worked in the mining industry for 34 years. He was graduated from the Ecole Nationale Sup�rieure de G�ologie (Nancy, France). He worked as an exploration and a mining geologist in Africa and France. He was then in charge of exploration for uranium and gold in AREVA and contributed largely to the development of the Company in new countries especially in Central Asia. He was then General Manager of worldwide AREVA gold assets. After that Mr Delorme was VP Technical and Projects and more recently VP Strategy for the Mining activity of the AREVA Group. He is a Director of La Mancha since 3 years and in charge of Resources Comitee.

Investor Relations Calendar
September: Denver Gold Forum

Consolidated Financial Statements
The management discussion and analysis and unaudited consolidated financial statements with explanatory notes for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, are available in PDF format on La Mancha�s website at www.lamancha.ca and through SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

ABOUT LA MANCHA RESOURCES INC.:
La Mancha Resources Inc. is an international gold producer based in Canada with operations, development projects and exploration activities in Africa, Australia and Argentina. La Mancha�s shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) under the symbol �LMA�. For more information on the Company, visit its website at http://www.lamancha.ca/.

THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.  CLICK HERE TO VIEW ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain �forward-looking statements�, including, but not limited to, the statements regarding the Company�s strategic plans, future commercial production, production targets and timetables, statements regarding the start of production of the White Foil mine and its expected production, as well as the Company�s ability to sign a milling agreement before the end of August. Forward-looking statements express, as at the date of this press release, the Company�s plans, estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs as to future events and results. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Risks and uncertainties that could cause re sults or future events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, factors associated with fluctuations in the market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, exploration risks, risks associated with foreign operations, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves, requirement of additional financing or additional permits, authorizations or licenses, risks of delays in construction and production and other risks referred to in La Mancha�s 2008 Annual Information Form filed with the Securities Commissions, as well as the Toronto Stock Exchange.

For additional information, please contact:

La Mancha Resources Inc.
Martin Amyot,
Vice President Corporate Development
Tel: (514) 987-5115
Email: info@lamancha.ca

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
John Boidman: jboidman@renmarkfinancial.com
Maurice Dagenais : mdagenais@renmarkfinancial.com
Media � Fran�ois Tr�panier : ftrepanier@renmarkfinancial.com or
Vanessa Napoli : vnapoli@renmarkfinancial.com
Tel. : 514 939-3989 or 416 644-2020
www.renmarkfinancial.com  

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La Mancha Resources

PRODUCER
CODE : LMA.TO
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La Mancha Res. is a gold producing company based in Canada.

La Mancha Res. holds various exploration projects in Argentina and in Australia.

Its main assets in production are WHITE FOIL, ITY, HASSAÏ and FROG'S LAKE in Australia, its main asset in development is FETEKRO in Australia and its main exploration properties are LA ORTIGUITA, BONDOUKOU, HUALILAN and ARIAB in Argentina and HASSAI VMS and PARK DAM in Australia.

La Mancha Res. is listed in Canada and in United States of America. Its market capitalisation is CA$ 499.5 millions as of today (US$ 500.2 millions, € 391.6 millions).

Its stock quote reached its lowest recent point on October 31, 2008 at CA$ 0.04, and its highest recent level on March 09, 2012 at CA$ 4.03.

La Mancha Res. has 142 716 000 shares outstanding.

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Annual reports of La Mancha Resources
Annual Report
Nominations of La Mancha Resources
4/2/2012ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
5/4/2011Appoints New COO and CFO
2/26/2007New Appointments to the Board of La Mancha
Financials of La Mancha Resources
3/28/2012POSTS RECORD NET EARNINGS OF $36.1 M AND RECORD OPERATING C...
8/8/2011POSTS RECORD NET EARNINGS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER
5/18/2011NET EARNINGS DOUBLE ON RECORD CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIV...
Project news of La Mancha Resources
2/11/2013Group implements its growth strategy in Australia: Gold prod...
11/13/2012ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF COMPULSORY ACQUISITION BY WEATHER I...
3/27/2012MEASURED AND INDICATED RESOURCES MORE THAN DOUBLE TO 4.8 MI...
1/19/2012MEETS ITS 2011 GOLD PRODUCTION FORECAST
5/16/2011(Ity)POSITIVE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE HASSA=C3=8F MINE: LA MANC...
5/9/2011(Ity)ITY MINE RESUMES OPERATION
3/29/2011(Frog's Lake)A Record Year for La Mancha in 2010 as Production Increases ...
2/24/2011(Ity)ITY Mine Update
8/23/2010(Fetekro)Intersects Grades of Up to 135 g/t Au at Its Fetekro Propert...
8/3/2010First Stages of Frog's Leg Drilling Extension Program Return...
7/29/2009(Hassaï)New Longhole Drilling Doubles the Length of La Mancha's Hass...
7/20/2009(Frog's Lake)Frog's Leg Mine to Boost its Average Annual Gold Production ...
5/26/2009(Hassaï)Confirms the Presence of a Second Enriched Zone at the Hassa...
2/17/2009(Frog's Lake)Plans to Increase Production to up to 100,000 oz of Gold in ...
1/22/2009(Frog's Lake)2008 Year End Production Increases 33% to 71,550 Ounces
1/7/2009(Hassaï)Hassai Mine Tailings Begin Adding to La Mancha's Gold Resour...
1/5/2009(Ity)Resource at La Mancha's Ity Mine Jumps 50% on Excellent Dril...
12/10/2008(Hassaï)Recent VMS Drilling Suggests the Presence of a Supergene Zon...
7/30/2008(Hassaï)Preliminary Drill Results at La Mancha's Hassai Mine Suggest...
8/8/2008(Frog's Lake)Posts its Highest Quarterly Gold Production to Date
5/13/2008(Frog's Lake)Obtains a First Gold Pour From New Australian Frog's Leg Min...
4/23/2008(Frog's Lake)Reports Wide High-Grade Intercepts 150 Meters Below Current ...
7/5/2007(Frog's Lake)Frog?s Leg?s Resource Nearly Doubles
Corporate news of La Mancha Resources
11/13/2012Offer Update
8/28/2012ACKNOWLEDGES WEATHER II TAKEOVER OFFER SUCCESSFUL AND DECLAR...
8/3/2012SECOND QUARTER GOLD PRODUCTION JUMPS 21% FROM THE PREVIOUS Q...
7/31/2012Offer Update - La Mancha TSX:LMA
7/20/2012Offer Document Posted - La Mancha TSX:LMA
7/13/2012REACHES DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO BE ACQUIRED BY WEATHER II AT...
6/21/2012DISCOVERS A SIGNIFICANT VMS LENS BELOW THE ODERU
6/15/2012(White Foil)WHITE FOIL PROPERTY SHOWS UNDERGROUND POTENTIAL WITH MINERA...
6/11/2012(Ity)New Drill Results at La Mancha's Ity Mine Indicate That Mine...
5/15/2012REPORTS Q1 NET EARNINGS OF $7.9 MILLION
4/9/2012ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3/22/2012Proven and Probable Reserves Grow by 36% at La Mancha's Frog...
3/14/2012ANNOUNCES AUCTION PROCESS
2/22/2012VMS Resource Increases to 81MT Indicated and 37MT Inferred
1/31/2012Discovers a Mineralized Structure Extending Over 800M at Sis...
9/12/2011HASSA=C3=8F VMS DRILLING UPDATE: INTERSECTS 3.30M @ 94 g/t G...
7/11/2011HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR SUDAN
6/27/2011Hassai Mine's Third Quarter Production Impacted
6/17/2011(Ity)Clarification on CIL Feasibility Study
5/3/2011NOMME UN NOUVEAU CHEF DES OPERATIONS ET UN NOUVEAU CHEF DES ...
1/14/2011RECORD GOLD PRODUCTION IN 2010
7/22/2010Confirms the Discovery of a New Gold Mineralised Zone at its...
5/12/2010Continues to Generate Profits Into 2010
11/11/2009Reports Another Strong Quarter
8/7/2009Posts Record Quarterly Net Earnings As Gold Production Rises...
2/4/2009Takes Advantage of Strong Gold Prices
2/5/2008 to Spend $10.6 Million on Exploration in 2008
5/28/2007Completes the Renewal of the Ity Mine's Mining Permit
5/16/2007Frog's Leg Results Exceed Expectations
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