NovaGold Announces Second Quarter 2012 Results and Provides
Update on Donlin Gold
�
Donlin Gold Board Approved Updated
Feasibility Study; Permitting to Commence
�
Spin-out of NovaCopper
Completed for NovaGold to Focus on its Flagship Donlin Gold Project
NovaGold Resources Inc. (TSX, NYSE-MKT: NG)
("NovaGold" or "the Company")
today announced the results for the second quarter ended May 31, 2012 along
with an update on the advancement of its flagship 50%-owned Donlin
Gold project in Alaska. On July 11, 2012, the Donlin
Gold LLC Board of Directors ("Donlin Gold
Board") approved the Updated Feasibility Study of the Donlin
Gold Project ("Donlin Gold" or the
"Project") located in Alaska. Donlin Gold
is owned equally by a wholly-owned subsidiary of NovaGold
and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barrick Gold
Corporation ("Barrick"). Donlin Gold is one of the largest known and highest grade
undeveloped open-pit gold deposits in the world. The Donlin
Gold Board has also given authorization to file permit applications, which is
expected to be underway shortly. The Company also reported on the status of its
50%-owned Galore Creek Project in British Columbia and the divestiture of its
Rock Creek property in Alaska. Details of the Company's financial results are
described in the consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion
and Analysis ("MDA") which, together with further details on each of
the Company's projects, including resource and reserve estimates, will be available
on the Company's website at http://www.novagold.net/, on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com/, and on EDGAR at http://www.sec.gov/. All amounts are in
Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated and all resource and reserve estimates
are shown on a 100% project basis despite NovaGold's
interests in Donlin Gold and Galore Creek.
Other Significant
Highlights:
- Completed the spin-out of the
newly-formed public entity NovaCopper Inc.,
which owns the Upper Kobuk Mineral Project located in the Ambler district
in Alaska, one of the richest and most-prospective copper-dominant polymetallic districts in the world
- Implemented divestiture of the
Rock Creek project to further simplify NovaGold's
asset structure and focus on Donlin Gold
- Initiated the process of
divestiture of NovaGold's share of the Galore
Creek project where the exploration program is on track and on budget,
with an updated resource statement expected later in 2012
- Maintained strong cash balance
with approximately $300 million, sufficient to take Donlin
Gold through permitting and satisfy all pending financial obligations
President's Message
In the first six months of the 2012 fiscal year, NovaGold successfully achieved multiple significant
milestones.
The Company completed the spin-out to its shareholders
of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Project located in the highly prospective Ambler
district, as a distribution of shares of NovaCopper
Inc., a separate TSX and NYSE-MKT listed company (trading under the symbol NCQ)
led by Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, the Founder and former
Chief Executive Officer of NovaGold. Rick's team
discovered Donlin Gold and Galore Creek and we are
looking forward to another discovery in the Ambler district. NovaGold's shareholders are now well positioned to
crystallize value from their interest in this significant asset. NovaGold, on the other hand, can now focus most of its
attention on the advancement of its flagship Donlin
Gold project.
The recent announcement regarding the Donlin Gold Board's approval of the Donlin
Gold Updated Feasibility Study and its authorizing the
filing of permit applications represents a major step along the value chain.
We cannot but appreciate the uniqueness of Donlin Gold. With approximately 39 million ounces of gold
in the Measured and Indicated resource categories, Donlin
Gold is one of the world's largest known undeveloped gold deposits. Moreover,
with its footprint covering only approximately three kilometers of an
eight-kilometer strike length, Donlin Gold offers
significant exploration upside potential to substantially increase the
endowment. In addition to size, there is exceptional quality. With Donlin Gold having a Measured and Indicated Resource grade
of 2.2 grams per tonne, it is one of the highest
grade known open-pit gold deposits; once in operation, it is expected to
produce approximately 1,500,000 ounces of gold per year in the first five full
years of production and, assuming no expansion, is expected to average well
over 1,000,000 ounces per year over its present 27-year life. Donlin Gold is one of only seven of the world's gold mines
producing or which have the potential to produce in excess of a million gold
ounces per year and it is only one of three such mega-assets to be located in
North America, one of the safest geo-political jurisdictions. The last
attribute is particularly important as resource nationalism is becoming the
single most significant factor negatively affecting shareholder value among
natural resource companies.
During the second fiscal quarter of 2012, NovaGold also signed an important agreement to divest its
Rock Creek property, a non-core asset for the Company. This transaction
represents a major step toward streamlining NovaGold's
financial and management resources to focus on its flagship Donlin
Gold project. So does the proposed sale of NovaGold's
interest in the Galore Creek copper-gold-silver project in British Columbia.
During the second quarter, NovaGold continued to work
on investigating opportunities to sell all or part of its 50% interest in
Galore Creek, jointly and equally owned by NovaGold
and Teck Resources. The proposed sale of this
strategic asset should not only allow the Company to achieve the same
¡�streamlining' objectives as the sale of its other non-core assets, but it
would further strengthen an already strong balance sheet. At this point, even
without the cash that a transaction on Galore Creek would potentially generate,
NovaGold has approximately $300 million in cash and,
with significantly reduced expenditures going forward, the Company has
sufficient financial resources to advance Donlin Gold
through permitting, as well as meeting its other financial obligations.
NovaGold is not only strong financially; its senior management team is well
equipped to take Donlin Gold through permitting,
development and along the value chain. Our stakeholders, which
include the Alaska Native Corporations - Calista
Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation- who own the Donlin
Gold mineral and surface rights, are our strong supporters. At a recent
institutional investor tour of Donlin Gold, we were
particularly gratified to hear from important stakeholders that Donlin Gold was a model project for responsible development.
And we will strive to deliver no less than that. During the second quarter, the
Donlin Gold team completed preparation activities for
the permitting application process.
In the second quarter of 2012, we welcomed Sharon Dowdall to our Board. She has more than 30 years of
experience in the mining industry serving in key positions with major companies
such as Franco-Nevada Corporation and Newmont Mining Corporation.
Our mission is clear, and we have the right project in
the right location. In terms of asset quality, Donlin
Gold is simply difficult to beat. Indeed, in terms of size, grade, long mine
life, production projections, and location, there is no equal, particularly at
a time when jurisdictional risk is a rising and real concern in our industry
worldwide. That the project is located in Alaska, which has a vibrant and
growing mining industry, is a huge added plus. With seven major producing mines
and growing, Alaska is the second largest gold producing state in the U.S. We
feel very much at home there, with Donlin Gold
enjoying broad support from the Alaska Native Corporations who are important
stakeholders in our project.
In conclusion, I would like to thank our shareholders
for their support and trust; our Board of Directors for its shareholder
value-focused vision; our operating partners for their professionalism in
working with us to ensure the excellent technical integrity of our projects;
the Governments and Native Corporations of the jurisdictions where we operate,
who give us the foundation of support without which we could not develop our
projects; and finally, our employees whose dedication and hard work move us
forward.
Results of Operations
in thousands of Canadian dollars,
except for per share amounts
|
Three months ended
May 31, 2012
$
|
Three months ended
May 31, 2011
$
|
Six months ended
May 31, 2012
$
|
Six months ended
May 31, 2011
$
|
Decommissioning expense
|
2,203
|
-
|
3,854
|
-
|
Finance expense
|
3,815
|
3,575
|
7,620
|
7,284
|
Foreign exchange gain
|
(17,199)
|
(254)
|
(18,610)
|
(26,837)
|
Gain on derivative liability
|
(13,696)
|
(15,640)
|
(32,239)
|
(34,990)
|
Gain on embedded derivative liability
|
(17,421)
|
(16,191)
|
(45,199)
|
(23,105)
|
Gain on sale of land
|
-
|
(16,110)
|
-
|
(16,110)
|
Gain on distribution of assets to shareholders
|
(71,641)
|
-
|
(71,641)
|
-
|
Project
care and maintenance
|
2,340
|
2,300
|
4,914
|
4,883
|
Salaries, severance and payroll taxes
|
3,171
|
2,075
|
6,396
|
4,544
|
Share-based payments
|
2,469
|
1,702
|
12,557
|
5,539
|
Share of losses ¨C Donlin
Gold
|
4,676
|
5,561
|
8,299
|
10,183
|
Share of losses ¨C Galore Creek
|
4,287
|
5,076
|
8,352
|
22,620
|
Income for the period
|
94,238
|
24,596
|
111,007
|
45,440
|
Basic income per share
|
0.34
|
0.11
|
0.42
|
0.19
|
Diluted income (loss) per share
|
0.26
|
(0.01)
|
0.26
|
(0.13)
|
Financial
Results
For the three-month and six-month periods ended May
31,2012, the Company reported net income of $94.2million (or $0.34 basic profit
per share and $0.26 diluted income per share) and $111.0million (or $0.42 basic
profit per share and $0.26 diluted income per share), respectively, compared to
a net income of $24.6million (or $0.11 basic profit per share and $0.01 diluted
loss per share) and $45.4 million (or $0.19 basic profit per share and $0.13
diluted loss per share) for the corresponding periods in 2011. This variance
was primarily due to the gain of $71.6 million realized on the transfer of the
Upper Kobuk Mineral Project located in the Ambler district as a result of the NovaCopper spin-out. The non-cash gain was the differential
between the fair value and the book value of the Ambler assets and liabilities,
with no comparable gain during the same period in 2011. Further, share-based
payments increased during the year, as the Company recorded a$12.6 million
share-based compensation charge compared to $5.5 million in the same period in
2011, since the Company elected to focus its annual share-based compensation on
granting stock options to its employees instead of granting a combination of
stock options and performance share units, as per prior years. Accounting for
the two share-based compensation methods differs in that stock options result
in higher expenses during the early portion of the vesting periods, whereas
performance share units result in equally distributed expenses over the entire
vesting period.
The main expenses variances for the three-month period
ended May 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 are as follows: (a) $4.6
million share of losses from Donlin Gold for
permitting preparation expenditures, compared to $5.6 million in the same period
in 2011 for the completion of the gas pipeline studies; (b) $17.4 million gain
on embedded derivative liability in 2012 compared to $16.2 million in 2011, due
to a decrease in the Company's share price during the quarter ended May 31,
2012, which equates to a decrease in the fair value of the convertible feature
of the convertible debt resulting in a non-cash embedded derivative gain in
2012; (c) $13.7 million gain on derivative liability in 2012 compared to $15.6
million in 2011, due to the decrease in the Company's share price which
decreased the fair value of the Company's U.S. warrants; and (d) $17.2 million
foreign exchange gain in 2012 compared to $0.3 million in 2011, due to an
increase in the value of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, which
strengthened the value of the Company's U.S. dollar cash holdings.
The significant expenses variances for the six-month
period ended May 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 are as follows:
(a) $8.3 million share of losses from Donlin Gold for
permitting preparation expenditures, compared to $10.2 million for the same
period in 2011 for the completion of the gas pipeline studies; and (b) $8.4
million share of losses from the Galore Creek project compared to $22.6 million
in 2011, primarily due to a 2011 non�\cash asset impairment on the power
transmission rights. The impairment was as a result of the Canadian Federal and
British Columbia Provincial Governments approval of construction of its
high�\capacity 287�\kV transmission line in northwestern British Columbia that
would follow roughly the same route as Galore Creek's power transmission rights
thus eliminating the need for GCMC to construct its own transmission lines.
Liquidity and Capital Resource
At May 31,2012, the Company
had $301.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. During the three-month period
ended May 31, 2012, NovaGold expended $2.4 million on
operating activities, compared to expenditures of $10.8 million for operating
activities for the same period in 2011. The Company made cash funding of $6.6
million and $3.3 million for the operations at the Donlin
Gold and Galore Creek projects, respectively, for the quarter ended May 31,2012, compared to a $6.2 million in cash funding for the Donlin Gold project in the same period in 2011. The funding
was offset by the collection of a note receivable in the amount of $10.1
million relating to the last payment from an alluvial land sale in the prior
year. In addition, during the three-month period, the Company expended $38.5
million in net cash, respectively from financing activities compared to
generating $1.1 million for the same period in 2011. The decrease is mainly due
to a US$40.0 million cash transfer to NovaCopper as
part of the NovaCopper spin-out for the distribution
of assets to shareholders. During the quarter, the Company expended $0.6
million on investing activities compared with $7.6 million in 2011.
The Company expended $26.4 million on operating
activities during the six-month period ended May 31, 2012, compared with expenditures
of $32.0 million for operating activities for the same period in 2011. The
Company had contributed $10.0 million to the Donlin
Gold project for their pre-permitting preparation during the six months ended
May 31, 2012, compared with $11.7 million funding in the same period in 2011.
The Company also funded $4.9 million for the Galore Creek project during the
six month period for their 2012 drilling season, with no comparable amount in
the same period in 2011 as Teck was completing their
project earn-in in the first half of 2011. Also during the six-month period,
the Company generated net proceeds of $281.0 million in cash from financing
activities compared with $0.2 million for the same period in 2011. The Company
received net proceeds of $316.4 million from an equity financing in February
2012, $5.8 million from the exercise of warrants and contributed US$40.0
million to NovaCopper as part of the spin-out. During
the six months ended May 31, 2012, the Company expended $14.2 million on
investing activities compared with $7.6 million in 2011. The increase in 2012
is due to the Company funding an increase to its Rock Creek reclamation bond of
$13.6 million for a total reclamation bond of $20.9 million as required by
regulatory authorities for the closure activities, with no comparative amounts
for the same period in 2011.
Outlook
The Company is focused on advancing Donlin Gold. The total project budget for 2012 is US$37.2
million of which the Company's 50% share is approximately US$18.7 million and
includes expenditures for permitting activities and community development. On
July 11, 2012, NovaGold announced that the Donlin Gold Board had approved the Updated Feasibility
Study, which forms the basis of the Technical Report filed by the Company
earlier this year, and given authorization to file the Donlin
Gold permit applications. A project of this scale has a structured
environmental evaluation process through the National Environmental Policy Act
("NEPA") which requires the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement ("EIS"). Submission of permit applications will trigger the
start of the NEPA process. During this period, Donlin
Gold will be working to accentuate project returns by looking at various
avenues to reduce capital costs and further de-risk the Project. As the
anticipated operating margins of the Project are already robust, the emphasis
on reducing up-front capital costs could potentially have a significant impact
on Project returns. When the permitting process nears completion, the owners of
Donlin Gold will be in an optimal position to make
further decisions on the Project. NovaGold has a
strong balance sheet to support its share of activities through permitting and
a production decision.
At the Galore Creek project, GCMC has an approved 2012
budget of approximately $35.4 million, of which the Company's 50% share is
approximately $17.7 million, to fund the 2012 infill drilling program,
additional engineering studies, and site care and maintenance costs. The
portion of this budget funded by NovaGold is
contingent on the timing and success of its divestment process. To date, Galore
Creek has completed greater than one third of the 2012 exploration and
development program and remains on budget.
At Rock Creek, NovaGold had
a 2012 budget of approximately $30.0 million for completion of closure
activities at Rock Creek and an additional $7.0 million for site care and
maintenance. In the second quarter ended May 31, 2012, NovaGold
agreed to transfer the Rock Creek to Bearing Straits Native Corporation
("BSNC"), with completion expected by year-end, subject to certain
closing conditions set forth in the agreement. The Company anticipates that the
previously released 2012 closure costs will be reduced by approximately US$14.0
million, which is the minimum amount that is anticipated to be retained in the
reclamation bond for final closure activities.
Conference Call & Webcast Details
NovaGold will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, July 12, 2012 at
8:00 am PDT (11:00 am EDT). The webcast and conference call-in details are
provided below.
Webcast: http://www.novagold.net%20/or www.media-server.com/m/p/38aas266
North American callers:
1-866-804-6922 (Participant Passcode:87391819)
International callers: 1-857-350-1668 (Participant Passcode: 87391819)
The webcast will be archived on NovaGold's
website for one year and the conference call replay will be available for 14
days. To access the conference call replay please dial 1-888-286-8010 followed
by your Access PIN: 33931351. For a transcript of the call please email info@novagold.net.
About NovaGold
NovaGold is a well-financed precious metals company engaged in the exploration
and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company's flagship
asset is its 50%-owned Donlin Gold project in Alaska,
one of the safest jurisdictions in the world. With approximately 39 million
ounces of gold in the Measured and Indicated resource categories (541 million tonnes) at an average grade of approximately 2.2 grams per tonne, Donlin Gold is regarded to
be one of the largest and most prospective known gold deposits in the world.
According to the Updated Feasibility Study, once in production, Donlin Gold should average approximately 1.5 million ounces
of gold per year for the first five years, followed by decades of more than one
million ounces per year. The Donlin Gold project has
substantial exploration potential beyond the designed footprint which currently
covers only three kilometers of an approximately eight-kilometer strike length
of the property. Permitting is expected to be underway shortly for the Donlin Gold project. NovaGold
also owns 50% of the Galore Creek copper-gold-silver project located in
northern British Columbia. According to the 2011 Pre-Feasibility Study, Galore
Creek is expected to be the largest copper mine in Canada, a tier-one jurisdiction,
when it is put into production. NovaGold is currently
evaluating opportunities to sell all or a portion of its interest in Galore
Creek and will apply the proceeds toward the development of Donlin
Gold. NovaGold has a strong track record of forging
collaborative partnerships, both with local communities and with major mining
companies.
NovaGold Contact
M�lanie Hennessey
Vice President, Corporate
Communications