Last checked at 26 Nov 2012 07:00
Anglesey Mining plc
Chairman's Statement and Management Report - November 2012
The half year to the end of September 2012 has been one of mixed fortunes for the company. Labrador Iron Mines (LIM) reported good operating results and a strong increase in iron ore production but has been impacted by a very significant fall in the price of iron ore during August and early September that severely restricted revenue for that period and resulted in a significant accounting loss for the September quarter.
At Parys Mountain we have continued to make progress with the completion of the 2012 drilling programme. The new resource estimate is almost ready to be released and the scoping study is making good progress. Largely as a result of the loss reported by LIM for its September quarter the group has recorded a loss of £7.4 million for the half year. Subsequent to the end of the reporting period LIM raised $C30 million through a share issue. Anglesey subscribed $C1.5 million (£0.9m) to this issue and now holds 19.7% of LIM.
Labrador Iron
The highlights at the Schefferville properties for the six month period to 30th September 2012 were:
* LIM demonstrated its operational ability to produce, rail and sell up to 250,000 tonnes of iron ore product per month from its James mine since the April start of the 2012 operating season. * LIM mined 1.6 million tonnes of ore at 61.5% iron. * LIM railed 1.2 million tonnes of ore to the Port of Sept-Žles. In October, LIM reached a major milestone, having railed over two million tonnes to the Port of Sept-Žles since commencing mining operations in June 2011. * LIM sold 1.1 million dry tonnes in seven shipments of iron ore. * LIM responded quickly to challenging market conditions and the sharp decline in iron ore spot prices in August 2012, focusing on cost reduction and cash conservation measures. * LIM enhanced long-term rail and port access securing 5 million tonnes of ship loading capacity at the new multi-user dock at the Port of Sept-Žles and participating with CN Rail in a feasibility study for the potential development of a new multi-user rail line and terminal handling facility. * LIM completed most of the work of a successful 2012 exploration season with approximately 13,500 metres of diamond and RC drilling forecast to be completed by the end of November.
Responding to challenging market conditions
Iron ore spot prices and transaction volumes suffered a sharp decline in August 2012, with spot prices dropping 33% to below US$90 per tonne on a 62% Fe CFR China basis in early September before recovering to over US$120 per tonne by late October. LIM undertook a critical review of its operating and capital spending for the balance of 2012 and implemented the following immediate and decisive measures:
* Focus on cost reduction and management of cash resources; * Utilization of the new dry classifying system to produce sinter and lump ore only; * All non-committed capital expenditures, mainly relating to the Silver Yards wet processing plant and the Houston deposits, were deferred to 2013; * The 2012 exploration programme was reduced to $5.3 million.
James Mine and Silver Yards
The James Mine re-commenced full-scale operations in April 2012 and consistently achieved its planned mining rate of 28,000 tonnes per day of ore and waste in the months of June through August until the cutbacks in September as part of the cost reduction programme. Complementing the ramp up in production, monthly railway volumes increased almost threefold from the beginning of the season with up to four train sets in operation.
The ore in the James deposits continues to be soft high grade and lends itself to simple processing. The higher grade ore encountered in the upper benches continues as the mine gets deeper and accesses the lower levels. To enhance productivity and reduce costs, beginning in late August and continuing for the remainder of 2012, a dry classifying system was utilised to produce lump and sinter products. The Silver Yards wet processing plant was winterized at the end of August and not used for the remainder of 2012.
Construction of the Phase 3 expansion of the wet processing plant, designed to increase plant throughput to 12,000 tonnes per day and to improve mass yield to above 75%, was substantially complete at the end of August. With the suspension of capital expenditure programmes relating to the Silver Yards processing plant, completion and commissioning of the Phase 3 plant expansion, originally anticipated to take place in August 2012, is now planned for the 2013 operating season.
Production for the Quarter and Six Months ended 30 September 2012 (all tonnes are dry metric Quarter ended Six Months ended 30 tonnes) 30 September 2012 September 2012 Tonnes Grade % Fe Tonnes Grade % Fe Total Ore Mined 961,737 60.8 1,629,930 61.5 Direct Rail Ore portion 569,789 62.4 1,053,233 62.5 Waste Mined 1,533,211 - 2,902,609 - Ore Processed 643,715 58.2 771,178 57.8 Lump Ore Produced 62,884 60.5 80,612 60.4 Sinter Fines Produced 508,773 61.1 543,484 61.4 Total Product Railed 706,495 62.2 1,238,824 62.4 Tonnes Product Sold 647,643 62.3 1,134,149 62.7 Port Product ending 282,344 62.1 282,344 62.1 inventory Site Product ending 89,917 60.2 89,917 60.2 inventory ROM Ore ending inventory 432,143 56.2 432,143 56.2 Exploration
As of the end of September 2012, approximately 9,400 metres of RC and core diamond drilling had been completed in the 2012 exploration programme. The 2012 budget was reduced to $5.3 million from the $8.6 million originally budgeted but the programme is still expected to achieve approximately 13,500 metres of drilling as a result of cost efficiencies and improved productivity.
The drill programmes have focused on Houston, Malcolm, James North, the James South extension and historic stockpiles near Silver Yards. The main purpose of this drilling is to generate further technical information for more detailed mine planning of these deposits. In addition to this drilling, a bulk sampling programme of some of the historic stockpiles has been initiated together with a further 1,500 metre diamond drilling programme on the Elizabeth Lake taconite target to evaluate this type of iron-bearing formation.
LIM outlook
Mining, processing and rail operations for the 2012 season are complete. The shipping season should shortly be concluded with a tenth shipment for total sales of 1.6 million dry tonnes, a significant increase from the 386,000 dry tonnes sold in 2011.
LIM took decisive action in September 2012 in response to dropping iron ore prices and believes that cost reductions in its operations combined with a scale-back in production, the deferral of capital expenditures and the completion of a C$30 million equity financing will ensure a sustainable position to resume operations in April 2013. Subject to market conditions LIM is targeting production of 2 million tonnes of iron ore in 2013.
Parys Mountain
The 2012 drilling programme at Parys Mountain which was commenced in January has been completed with 12 holes totalling in excess of 2,000 metres having been drilled. The results from all these holes have now been received and have added significantly to the data base and more importantly to the better understanding of the geology and the potential location of mineralisation. The last set of holes drilled about 1,200 metres to the east of the Morris Shaft have demonstrated the lateral extent of mineralisation. During the period the Intermine future royalty was bought out in its entirety for 2,000,000 shares and $C1 million (£0.63m).
Micon has completed a revised ore resource estimate for the entire site and this will be published shortly. Based on this new resource Micon is close to completing a scoping study for the development of the White Rock and Engine zones initially utilising decline access from a location close to the planned processing plant. On receipt of this study the directors will review all the options available to progress development of Parys Mountain as a mining operation.
Financial results
There was a net loss for the period of £7.4 million (2011 - profit - £16.7m) most of which was in respect of the holding in LIM, the group's associate. The group has no revenues from the operation of its properties. At the period end the cash resources of the group were £1.9 million (31 March 2012 - £3.2 million) and at 21 November 2012 they were £0.8 million.
Outlook
The medium term outlook for the group remains dependent upon commodity prices. The iron ore price fell heavily in August and September but has recovered somewhat since. It needs to remain close to current levels for LIM to be able to look forward to a positive restart of production activities in April 2013. LIM is heavily geared to the price of iron ore and any reasonable move upwards beyond the current price will have a very positive effect on LIM's profitability.
Base metal prices, particularly for copper, have been fairly robust recently and show no serious signs of retreating. Zinc, which would be the primary source of revenue from the initial White Rock production at Parys, is forecast to be in short supply as concentrate within the European market in the coming two to three years. Should this position develop then it will be opportune for the early development of Parys Mountain.
John F KearneyChairman23 November 2012Anglesey Mining plc - Group
Condensed consolidated income statement
Notes Unaudited Unaudited six months six months ended 30 ended 30 September September 2012 2011 All operations are continuing £ £ Revenue - - Expenses (201,885) (213,422) Share of loss of associate 11 (7,039,697) (2,635,673) (Losses)/gains on deemed 11 (133,913) 19,607,503 disposals in associate Investment income 27,075 20,566 Finance costs (57,456) (56,059) Foreign exchange profit/(loss) 8,887 (67,700) (Loss)/profit before tax (7,396,989) 16,655,215 Tax 9 - - (Loss)/profit for the period (7,396,989) 16,655,215 (Loss)/profit per share 7 Basic - pence per share (4.6)p 10.5 p Diluted - pence per share (4.6)p 9.9 p Condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (Loss)/profit for the period (7,396,989) 16,655,215 Other comprehensive income: Exchange difference on 42,465 (595,891) translation of foreign holding Total comprehensive (loss)/income (7,354,524) 16,059,324 for the period
All attributable to equity holders of the company
Condensed consolidated statement of financial position
Notes Unaudited 30 Audited 31 September March 2012 2012 £ £ Assets Non-current assets Mineral property development 10 14,626,441 14,255,818 Property, plant and equipment 204,687 204,687 Interest in associate 11 34,394,705 41,240,859 Deposit 121,935 121,685 49,347,768 55,823,049 Current assets Other receivables 62,771 64,991 Cash and cash equivalents 1,890,637 3,150,644 1,953,408 3,215,635 Total assets 51,301,176 59,038,684 Liabilities Current liabilities Trade and other payables (80,812) (1,040,961) (80,812) (1,040,961) Net current assets 1,872,596 2,174,674 Non-current liabilities Loan (2,248,716) (2,191,260) Long term provision (42,000) (42,000) (2,290,716) (2,233,260) Total liabilities (2,371,528) (3,274,221) Net assets 48,929,648 55,764,463 Equity Share capital 12 7,116,914 7,096,914 Share premium 9,848,949 9,634,231 Currency translation reserve 3,283,635 3,241,170 Retained earnings 28,680,150 35,792,148 Total shareholders' equity 48,929,648 55,764,463
All attributable to equity holders of the company
Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows
Notes Unaudited Unaudited six months six months ended 30 ended 30 September September 2012 2011 £ £ Operating activities (Loss)/profit for the period (7,396,989) 16,655,215 Adjustments for non-cash items: Investment revenue (27,075) (20,566) Finance costs 57,456 56,059 Share of loss of associate 11 7,039,697 2,635,673 Loss/(gain) on deemed disposal 11 133,913 (19,607,503) in associate Foreign exchange movement (8,887) 67,700 (201,885) (213,422) Movements in working capital Decrease in receivables 2,221 2,212 Decrease in payables (50,682) (18,286) Net cash used in operating (250,346) (229,496) activities Investing activities Investment revenue 26,825 20,306 Mineral property development (1,280,091) (42,757)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,253,266) (22,451)
Financing activities Net proceeds from issue of 234,718 9,290 shares Loan received - Net cash generated from financing activities 234,718 9,290 Net decrease in cash (1,268,894) (242,657) and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at start 3,150,644 3,671,247 of period Foreign exchange movement 8,887 (67,700)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of 1,890,637 3,360,890 period
Condensed consolidated statement of changes in group equity
Share Share Currency Retained Total capital premium translation earnings £ £ £ reserve £ £ Equity at 1 April 2012 - 7,096,914 9,634,231 3,241,170 35,792,148 55,764,463audited Total comprehensive income for the period: Loss for the period - - - (7,396,989) (7,396,989) Exchange difference on - - 42,465 - 42,465translation of foreign holdings Total comprehensive - - 42,465 (7,396,989) (7,354,524)income for the period: Shares issued 20,000 220,000 - - 240,000to discharge a liability Share issue costs - (5,282) - - (5,282) Equity-settled benefits - - - 284,991 284,991credit: - associate
Equity at 30 September 7,116,914 9,848,949 3,283,635 28,680,150 48,929,648 2012 - unaudited
Comparative period Equity at 1 April 2011 - 7,092,414 9,621,181 3,620,997 15,748,173 36,082,765audited Total comprehensive income for the period: Profit for the period - - - 16,655,215 16,655,215 Exchange difference on - - (595,891) - (595,891)translation of foreign holdings Total comprehensive - - (595,891) 16,655,215 16,059,324income for the period: Shares issued for cash 2,500 12,812 - - 15,312in respect of option exercises Share issue costs - (6,022) - - (6,022) Equity-settled benefits - - - 278,933 278,933credit: - associate
Equity at 30 September 7,094,914 9,627,971 3,025,106 32,682,321 52,430,312 2011 - unaudited
All attributable to equity holders of the company
Notes to the accounts1. Basis of preparation
This half-yearly financial report comprises the condensed consolidated financial statements of the group for the six months ended 30 September 2012. It has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Services Authority, the requirements of IAS 34 - Interim financial reporting (as adopted by the European Union) and using the going concern basis (and the directors are not aware of any events or circumstances which would make this inappropriate). It was approved by the board of directors on 23 November 2012. It does not constitute financial statements within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006 and does not include all of the information and disclosures required for annual financial statements. It should be read in conjunction with the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012 which is available on request from the company or may be viewed at www.angleseymining.co.uk.
The financial information contained in this report in respect of the year ended 31 March 2012 has been extracted from the report and financial statements for that year which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006 and was not qualified. The half-yearly results for the current and comparative periods are unaudited.
2. Significant accounting policies
The accounting policies applied in these condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those set out in the annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012. The following amendments to interpretations were effective in the current period and have been adopted:
IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Amendments enhancing disclosure about transfers of financial assets; Issued - October 2010; Effective - Annual period beginning on or after 1 July 2011
IAS 12 Income Taxes: Limited scope amendments (recovery of underlying assets); Issued - December 2010; Effective - Annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2012
The adoption of these amendments and new interpretations has not resulted in a change to the accounting policies nor had a material effect on the financial performance and position of the group. In preparing these financial statements any accounting assumptions and estimates made by management were consistent with those applied to the aforesaid annual report and financial statements.
3. Risks and uncertainties
The principal risks and uncertainties set out in the group's annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2012 remain the same for this half-yearly financial report and can be summarised as: development risks in respect of mineral properties, especially in respect of permitting and metal prices; liquidity risks during development; and foreign exchange risks. More information is to be found in the 2012 annual report - see note 1.
4. Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors confirm to the best of their knowledge that: (a) the condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with lAS 34 as adopted by the European Union; and (b) the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules (4.2.7 R and 4.2.8 R). This report and financial statements were approved by the board on 23 November 2012 and authorised for issue on behalf of the board by Bill Hooley, Chief Executive Officer and Ian Cuthbertson, Finance Director.
5. Activities
The group is engaged in mineral property development and currently has no turnover. There are no minority interests or exceptional items.
6. Results for the period
The interim results may be subject to seasonal effects in the Labrador operations.
7. Earnings per share
The loss per share is computed by dividing the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of £7.4 million (2011 profit £16.7m), by 159,328,270 (2011 - 158,401,220) - the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. Where there are losses the effect of outstanding share options is not dilutive.
8. Business and geographical segments
There are no revenues. The cost of all activities charged in the income statement relates to exploration and development of mining properties. The group's income statement and assets and liabilities are analysed as follows by geographical location, which is the basis of internal management reporting.
Unaudited six months ended 30 Unaudited six months September 2012 ended 30 September 2011 UK Canada - Total UK Canada - Total associate associate £ £ £ £ £ £ Expenses (201,885) - (201,885) (213,422) - (213,422) Share of loss - (7,039,697) (7,039,697) - (2,635,673) (2,635,673)in associate (Loss)/gain on - (133,913) (133,913) - 19,607,503 19,607,503deemed disposals Investment 27,075 - 27,075 20,566 - 20,566income Finance costs (57,456) - (57,456) (56,059) - (56,059) Exchange rate 8,887 - 8,887 (67,700) - (67,700)movements
Loss/profit (223,379) (7,173,610) (7,396,989) (316,615) 16,971,830 16,655,215 for the period
Unaudited 30 September 2012 Audited 31 March 2012 UK Canada - Total UK Canada - Total associate associate £ £ £ £ £ £ Assets 16,906,471 34,394,705 51,301,176 17,797,825 41,240,859 59,038,684
Liabilities (2,371,528) - (2,371,528) (3,274,221) - (3,274,221)
Net assets 14,534,943 34,394,705 48,929,648 14,523,604 41,240,859 55,764,463
9. Deferred tax
There is an unrecognised deferred tax asset of £1.2 million (31 March 2012 - £ 1.2m) which, in view of the group's trading results, is not considered to be recoverable in the short term. There are also capital allowances, including mineral extraction allowances, exceeding £11 million (unchanged from 31 March 2012) unclaimed and available. No deferred tax asset is recognised in the condensed financial statements.
10. Mineral property development
Mineral development costs incurred by the group are carried in the condensed consolidated financial statements at cost, less an impairment provision if appropriate. The recovery of mineral development costs is dependent upon the successful development and operation of the Parys Mountain project which is itself conditional on finance being available to fund such development. During the period expenditure of £370,623 was incurred (six months to 30 September 2011 - £42,757), a significant increase due to drilling and other activities in 2012 and the cost of buying out Intermine Limited's royalty. Intermine was paid C$1 million in cash (£630,000) and issued with 2,000,000 ordinary shares with a market value of 12 pence each in the company to discharge all amounts due and to cancel entirely its net profits royalty agreement. There have been no indicators of impairment during the period.
11. Interest in associate
At 30 September 2012 the group had a 26% (31 March 2012 - 26%) interest in Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited (LIM), a company registered in Ontario, Canada, which is independently managed and is accounted for in these financial statements as an associate company. LIM is the 100% owner and operator of a series of iron ore properties in Labrador and Quebec, some of which were formerly held and initially explored by the group. The fully diluted interest of the group in LIM was 25% (31 March 2012 - 25%). At 21 November 2012 the published fair value of the group's investment in LIM was £9.1 million based on a share price of C$0.75 per LIM common share at that date. The changes in the group's interest in LIM are:
Unaudited 30 Audited 31 September 2012 March 2012 Values in group financial statements: £ £
Value brought forward from previous period 41,240,859 21,073,132
Group's share of losses of associate (7,039,697) (3,484,140) Group's share of equity-settled benefits 284,991 657,420included in losses above and now added back (Loss)/profit on deemed disposals (133,913) 23,374,274following LIM share issues Exchange rate movement 42,465 (379,827) Amount carried in the group accounts - 34,394,705 41,240,859being the value of group's share of net assets of the associate without any fair value adjustment in respect of mineral properties 12. Share capital Ordinary shares of 1p Deferred shares of 4p Total Issued and Nominal Number Nominal Number Nominal fully paid value £ value £ value £ At 31 March 2011 1,581,581 158,158,051 5,510,833 137,770,835 7,092,414 Issued 5 April 2,500 250,000 - - 2,500 2011 Issued 22 March 2,000 200,000 - - 2,000 2012 At 31 March 2012 1,586,081 158,608,051 5,510,833 137,770,835 7,096,914 Issued 11 July 20,000 2,000,000 - - 20,000 2012 At 30 September 1,606,081 160,608,051 5,510,833 137,770,835 7,116,914 2012
On 11 July 2012, 2,000,000 shares were issued to Intermine Limited - see note 10.
13. Events after the reporting period
In November 2012 LIM issued 30 million shares in respect of a fund raising. The group contributed C$1.5 million to this financing resulting in an increase in its holding of LIM shares from 17,789,100 to 19,289,100. Following this issue the group's holding is 19.7%.
14. Related party transactions
None.
About Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited
Labrador Iron Mines (LIM) is Canada's newest iron ore producer with a portfolio of direct shipping (DSO) iron ore operations and projects located in the prolific Labrador Trough. Initial production commenced at the James Mine in June 2011. The first full production season commenced in April 2012, with nine cape-size shipments totalling approximately 1,456,000 dry tonnes of iron ore sold in the seven months ended October 31, 2012.
The James Mine is connected by a direct rail link to the Port of Sept-Iles, Qu©bec. The project also benefits from established infrastructure including the town, airport, hydro power and railway service. Starting with the James Mine and leading to the development of the expanding Houston flagship project, LIM's objective is to provide shareholders with long-term value with a plan to increase production towards 5 million tonnes per year from a portfolio of 20 iron ore deposits in Labrador and Quebec, all within 50 kilometres of the town of Schefferville.
LIM is currently the only independently-owned Canadian iron ore producer listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol LIM. For further information see www.labradorironmines.ca.
About Anglesey Mining plc
Anglesey now holds 19.7% of Toronto-listed Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited which is producing iron ore from its James deposit, one of LIM's twenty direct shipping iron ore deposits in western Labrador and north-eastern Quebec.
Anglesey is also carrying out development and exploration work at its 100% owned Parys Mountain zinc-copper-lead deposit in North Wales, UK.
For further information, please contact:
Bill Hooley, Chief Executive +44 (0)1492 541981;
Ian Cuthbertson, Finance Director +44 (0)1248 361333;
Samantha Harrison / Klara Kaczmarek: RFC Ambrian +44 (0)20 3440 6800;
Emily Fenton / Jos Simson: Tavistock Communications +44 (0)20 7920 3155
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