CENTURY MINING REPORTS THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL
RESULTS
- Third quarter
results confirm decision to accelerate shift in production to underground at
the Sigma-Lamaque Complex -
Blaine, WA: November
30, 2007 - Century Mining Corporation (CMM: TSX-V) is pleased to announce
its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30,
2007.
(This news release
contains forward looking information that is subject to risk factors and
assumptions as set out in our Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
information located at the end of this news release.)
Conference call
Management
will host a conference call on Tuesday, December 4 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time
(2:00 p.m. Eastern time) to discuss 2007 third quarter results and future
developments at its operations in Qu�bec and Peru.� Mining analysts, investors
and the media are invited to phone 1-800-857-4849, or 1-210-839-8508
if
outside Canada and the U.S.A., followed by the pass code 1280262 approximately
5 minutes before the start of management’s presentation. �The
presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. �A replay of the
conference call can be heard through Tuesday, December 11 by dialing 1-866-499-4575,
or from outside North America 1-203-369-1809.
Summary of third
quarter operating results
Revenue in the third quarter ended September 30, 2007,
was $15.8 million, up 43% from $11.0 million in the same period a year ago.� Increased
revenue was mainly due to favorable trends in the price of gold and additional
production from Peru, which the company believes will continue for the
foreseeable future.
In the third quarter, the Company recorded an
operating profit from mining operations of $110,749, down from last
year’s third quarter total of $4.3 million.� The Company recorded a net
loss for the quarter of $3.8 million, or $0.03 per share.� This compares to net
income of $1.7 million, or $0.01 per share, in the comparable period a year
ago.�
The closure of operations at the Sigma open pit
requires that all stripping and capital expenses incurred during the quarter be
immediately expensed.� This is the largest contributing factor to the net loss
in the third quarter of 2007, versus net income in the third quarter of 2006.�
Other factors include operating profits of the San Juan operations; financing
costs incurred in 2006 but not in 2007; and a small increase in corporate
administration expenses, partially offset by higher depreciation, amortization
and accretion expenses.
The Company is currently assessing the impact of the
capitalized stripping on the balance sheet as it relates to the operating
savings to the Lamaque underground mine.� The ability to access the underground
from the lower levels of the open pit results in substantial cost savings to
the underground operation and defers the rehabilitation of the Sigma shaft for
more than two years.� The Company will assess if any or part of the deferred
stripping will be written down at year end.
Subsequent to the third quarter, the Company completed
its strategic shift to a full underground operation at the Lamaque Underground
Mine.� Specific issues considered in the decision to close the open pit mine
included deteriorating ore grades, difficulty predicting ore grades and higher
mining costs, due in part to rising fuel prices.
The Company commenced work at the Lamaque underground
mine in May of this year and is undertaking a substantial exploration and
development program.� In the third quarter a total of $1.3 million was
capitalized for construction of a major haulage drift from Lamaque into the
open pit and for other capital items needed for the restart of the mine.
It is expected that the Lamaque operation will cash
flow positive in the second quarter of 2008 and that ultimately the production
from the underground mine will more than replace the lost Sigma production
Regarding third quarter operating costs, approximately
$4 million of stripping costs for the Sigma open pit that would have been
deferred have been included in general mine operating expenses, increasing the
cost of production for Sigma to US$927 per ounce of gold.� The unusually high
operating cost per ounce is a result of low ore grades from the open pit.� The
table below summarizes operating results and financial position in the last
five quarters.
Canadian dollars
|
Q3-2007
|
Q2-2007
|
Q1-2007
|
Q4-2006
|
Q3-2006
|
Results
|
Mine revenues
|
15,774,184
|
14,656,374
|
13,124,871
|
11,059,159
|
11,045,950
|
Operating profit
from mining operations
|
110,749
|
4,770,312
|
5,379,146
|
5,080,956
|
4,260,413
|
Net income (loss)
|
(3,813,332)
|
4,037,376
|
1,979,815
|
2,554,626
|
1,696,299
|
Net income (loss)
per share
|
(0.03)
|
0.03
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.01
|
Financial position
|
Cash and cash
equivalents
|
362,377
|
8,273,362
|
276,111
|
802,132
|
3,436,073
|
Total assets
|
118,837,504
|
123,710,538
|
103,119,278
|
98,783,040
|
94,407,128
|
Long-term debt
|
14,313,518
|
12,059,576
|
12,081,246
|
11,921,972
|
11,921,972
|
Shareholders’
equity
|
79,050,242
|
81,730,940
|
64,549,544
|
60,129,560
|
56,937,514
|
Shares issued and
outstanding
|
139,696,935
|
137,825,915
|
123,147,019
|
117,859,689
|
115,762,884
|
The following table
presents production results for the last five quarters.
Period
|
Realized Gold
Price (US$/oz)
|
Ounces
Gold Produced
|
Cash Cost
(US$/oz)
|
Q3-07
|
671
|
17,877
|
���������� 802*
|
Q2-07
|
658
|
20,014
|
���������� 384
|
Q1-07
|
656
|
16,749
|
���������� 386
|
Q4-06
|
621
|
16,494
|
���������� 330
|
Q3-06
|
581
|
16,952
|
���������� 422
|
* The operating costs in
the third quarter for the Sigma open pit far exceeded the spot price of gold
and a suitable operating plan could not be established to ensure profitability
going forward.� As a result, approximately $4 million of stripping costs and
other capital for the Sigma open pit that would have been deferred or
capitalized have been included in general mine operating expenses, increasing
the cost of production
The following table
presents 2007 third quarter results by operation.
|
Sigma Mine
|
San Juan Mine
|
Tonnes ore milled
|
333,013
|
21,101
|
Head grade (g/t)
|
1.44
|
6.23
|
Recovery (%)
|
91.5%
|
84.8%
|
Recovered gold (oz.)
|
14,082
|
3,795
|
Cash costs (US$/oz.)
|
927
|
342
|
Century produced a total of 17,877 ounces of gold during
the period at a combined cash cost of US$802 per ounce. �The Company sold 20,290
ounces of gold in the third quarter at an average selling price of $671 per
ounce.
Cash costs at the Sigma Mine, as expressed in U.S.
Dollars, increased significantly due to the recognition of approximately $4
million in stripping costs and recent strengthening of the Canadian Dollar
against the U.S. Dollar.� The Company views third quarter cash costs as
unusually high, and expects the overall cash cost per ounce of production company-wide
to decrease significantly since there will be no future mining costs associated
with open pit operations past November 4, 2007.
In the period under review, corporate administration
expenses were $1,131,933 (2006 - $977,236).
In the third quarter
of 2007, before net changes to non-cash working capital balances, cash outflows
resulting from operating activities were $1,516,375 (2006 – $2,990,297).�
After the net change to non-cash working capital balances, cash flows used in
operating activities in the third quarter of 2007 were $6,262,752 (2006 –
cash flows provided by operating activities of $3,451,526).� Accounts payable
decreased from $10,544,655 at the end of 2006 to $7,723,608 at September 30,
2007, a decrease of $2,821,047.�
Major
Subsequent Events
On November 28, 2007 Century announced a public offer
for all of the outstanding shares of Sulliden Exploration Inc. on a share
exchange basis, providing for the exchange of one Sulliden share for 0.72 of a
common share of Century for each common share of Sulliden tendered pursuant to
the offer.� Successful completion of the Sulliden acquisition will enable resolution
of the litigation surrounding the Shahuindo property in Peru and will vest full
control over the Shahuindo property in Century.� The offering circular is
available on the Century web site at www.centurymining.com,
or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.�
Margaret Kent, President & CEO commenting on
Century’s third quarter results and future prospects said: “The
third quarter results were positive in Peru, and as expected declined at
Sigma-Lamaque.� The results confirm management’s decision to focus the
Company’s resources on underground operations at Lamaque.� The second
half of 2007 is a pivotal time for Century, as the Company continues to
implement strategies to enhance profitability and achieve growth.� During the
quarter we began preparations to close the Sigma open pit, where operations
ceased in early November.� More recently, we made a bid to acquire Sulliden
Exploration to bring an end to ongoing litigation and begin developing a mine
at Shahuindo.� These and other initiatives have had a negative impact on
short-term results, but are necessary steps to achieve Century’s vision
of becoming a formidable mid-tier gold producer.”
About Century Mining Corporation
Century Mining Corporation is an emerging mid-tier gold producer
that is aggressively acquiring producing mines and exploration properties in
Peru. The Company owns and produces gold at the Lamaque mine in Qu�bec that
historically has produced over 9.4 million ounces of gold. In Peru, Century
wholly-owned subsidiaries own an 82.6% interest in the San Juan Mine where the
Company accounts for 100% of gold production.� Century subsidiaries have also
recently acquired Rosario de Belen where it accounts for 100% of both gold and
silver production. Century’s growth strategy is to acquire gold producing
assets in South America that will substantially reduce the Company’s
consolidated total cash cost of production and where there is exceptional
exploration potential to expand production at these mines.
“Margaret M.
Kent”
Chairman, President
& CEO
For further
information, please contact:
Brent Jones, Manager
of Investor Relations
E-mail: bjones@centurymining.com
Phone: (877) 284-6535
or (360) 332-4653
Fax: (360) 332-4652
Website: www.centurymining.com
The
TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this press release.
Caution
Concerning Forward-Looking Information
This
press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of
applicable securities laws.� We use words such as “may”,
“will”, “should”, “anticipate”,
“plan”, “expect”, “believe”,
“estimate” and similar terminology to identify forward-looking
information.� It is based on assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made
by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its
expectations of future developments as well as other factors which it believes
to be reasonable and relevant.� Forward-looking information involves known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements and accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on those statements.� Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to vary include but are not limited to the speculative nature of
mineral exploration and development, including the uncertainty of reserve and
resource estimates; operational and technical difficulties; the availability to
the Company of suitable financing alternatives; fluctuations in gold and other
resource prices; changes to and compliance with applicable laws and
regulations, including environmental laws and obtaining requisite permits;
political, economic and other risks arising from our South American activities;
fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; as well as other risks and
uncertainties which are more fully described in our annual and quarterly
Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in other filings made by us with
Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com.
Century Mining Coroporation: 441 Peace Portal Drive / Blaine, WA 98230 / Phone: (360)
332-4653
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