Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Brigus Gold Reports High Grade Results at the Contact Zone on the Black Fox Complex

by Business Wire

Brigus Gold Corp. ("Brigus" or the "Company") (NYSE Amex: BRD; TSX: BRD) is pleased to announce that exploration drilling on the southern portion of the Black Fox Complex continues to return high-grade gold assays from the Contact Zone ("Contact Zone").

Highlights from drilling at the Contact Zone include (all uncut, average gold grades over core length widths):



 Hole Number   From      To     Core Width    Gold Assay
              ------   ------   ----------   -----------
                (m)      (m)        (m)       grams/tonne
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  GF11-373     89.00   100.00      11.00         5.44
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  including    89.00    92.00      3.00          17.94
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  GF12-442     60.20    65.24      5.04          5.41
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  including    61.00    62.00      1.00          15.39
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  GF12-444    100.80   107.00      6.20          5.61
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  including   104.00   105.00      1.00          12.34
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
     and      106.00   107.00      1.00          13.30
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  GF12-477     49.20    60.85      11.65         3.18
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  including    55.00    56.00      1.00          14.10
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  GF12-493     45.00    76.60      31.60         5.42
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  including    56.00    63.00      7.00          18.50
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
     and       62.00    63.00      1.00         102.00
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  GF12-548    184.90   195.05      10.15         25.72
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------
  including   184.90   185.75      0.85         281.76
-----------   ------   ------   ----------   -----------

"Targeted drilling within selected areas of the Contact Zone continues to return high grade results over much wider than expected widths," said Howard Bird, Brigus' Vice President of Exploration. "This is due to local dilation jogs in the Contact Zone and cross-cutting fault structures which can often result in the development of impressive plunging gold shoots."

The Black Fox Complex covers an area of approximately 18 square kilometres within the Timmins Mining District, Ontario. To date, the Company has systematically explored 25 percent of the property and significant upside potential remains on the rest of the property. The Contact Zone consists of a steeply dipping gold mineralized fault contact between the north-south trending metasediments and mafic volcanic rocks, and other parallel hanging wall and footwall gold mineralized zones. The general dip of the feature is 78 degrees to the east. Brigus has outlined an area of mineralization approximately 450 m in strike length at the Contact Zone that remains open along strike to the north and open at depth.

The initial resource estimate for the Contact and 147 zones, as released in December 2011, added more than 50 percent to the gold resource at the Black Fox Complex. Exploration drilling at the Black Fox Complex is progressing as planned with three drill rigs and an updated resource estimate on the Contact and 147 zones will be released in 2012.

Brigus has also commenced a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) on the 147 and Contact zones and is expected to release results during the third quarter. These zones have the potential for robust economics and near term production growth opportunities for the Company.

Details of the most recent analytical results over 1 gpt gold from the Contact Zone drill holes and a drill hole location map can be found on the Company's website at www.brigusgold.com.

Surface drilling was conducted by Norex Drilling and was supervised by the Brigus exploration team. All sample analyses reported herein were performed by Polymet Labs of Cobalt, Ontario, and SGS Laboratories of Sudbury, Ontario, which are ISO 9001:2000 certified in North America using standard fire assay procedures. Intercepts cited do not necessarily represent true widths, unless otherwise noted. Brigus Gold's quality control checks include insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates to ensure laboratory accuracy. Senior Exploration Project Manager John A. Dixon, P. Geo., reviewed the technical exploration information in this release as the Qualified Person for the Company.

About Brigus
Brigus is a growing gold producer committed to maximizing shareholder value through a strategy of efficient production, targeted exploration and select acquisitions. The Company operates the wholly owned Black Fox Mine and Mill in the Timmins Gold District of Ontario, Canada. The Black Fox Complex encompasses the Black Fox Mine and adjoining properties in the Township of Black River-Matheson, Ontario, Canada. Brigus is also advancing the Goldfields Project located near Uranium City, Saskatchewan, Canada, which hosts the Box and Athona gold deposits. In Mexico, Brigus has granted Cangold Limited the option to acquire a 75% interest in the Company's Ixhuatan Project located in the state of Chiapas. In the Dominican Republic, Brigus has signed an agreement to sell its remaining interests in three mineral exploration projects.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that involve risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements regarding the Company's ability to successfully expand the Black Fox Complex gold resource, add to Black Fox resources, advance new discoveries to production, convert resource estimates into near-term production, release of an updated mineral resource estimate in 2012 and the Black Fox underground mine exploration drilling program and continue to obtain positive down dip continuity of significant gold mineralization are forward-looking statements and estimates that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include environmental risks and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Brigus Gold's most recent Annual Information Form and Management Discussion and Analysis filed under the company's name at www.sedar.com and annual report on Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and elsewhere in Brigus Gold's documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE: Brigus Gold Corp.
Brigus Gold Corp. 
Jennifer Nicholson, CA, 902-442-7186 
Executive Vice President 
jnicholson@brigusgold.com 
or 
Katherine Burgess, 902-442-7184 
Manager, Stakeholder Relations 
kburgess@brigusgold.com
Enhanced by Zemanta

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Brigus Gold Reports Strong Q1 Financial Results (bwire)




HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (Business Wire) -- Brigus Gold Corp. (“Brigus” or the “Company”)(NYSE Amex: BRD; TSX: BRD) announces results for the first quarter of 2012 (“Q1-12”).

This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 and the December 31, 2011 consolidated financial statements and associated Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), which are available from the Company's website (www.brigusgold.com) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). All dollar amounts are expressed in US dollars unless otherwise specified. All financial results are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

Key milestones include producing 16,922 ounces of gold - hitting the top end of our production guidance and achieving average grades of 5.28 grams per tonne (gpt) from the underground mine, up 95% from Q4-11.
First Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights
  • Gold sales improved by 60% to 16,033 ounces compared to 10,003 in Q1-11.
  • Operating margin increased 191% to $753 per ounce in Q1-12 from $259 per ounce in the prior year.
  • Cash flow from operations, before working capital adjustments, was $9.9 million during Q1-12, compared to $0.7 million in Q1-11.
  • Cash costs decreased to $858 per ounce, a 22% reduction from Q1-11 and 11% lower than Q1-12 guidance of $962.
  • Capital expenditures at Black Fox totaled $17.8 million, consisting of $8.1 million for underground development, $4.3 million for property, plant and equipment, $2.3 million related to capital stripping and $3.1 million related to exploration expenditures.
  • Raised $15.0 million from the issuance of common shares.
  • Raised $15.0 million from the sale leaseback of certain Black Fox Mill assets.
  • Subsequent to the quarter, Brigus divested of the Calais Notes for proceeds of $6.0 million to be received in the second and third quarters.
 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
   
 
 
 
($ thousands, except per share and ounces)
       
For the three months ended
         
March 31, 2012
   
March 31, 2011
Revenue from the sale of gold         $ 25,823     $ 13,570
Direct operating costs         $ 14,032     $ 10,972
Income (loss) from operations         $ 3,480     $ (3,376)
Net income and comprehensive income         $ 5,520     $ 4,261
Basic earnings per share         $ 0.03     $ 0.02
Cash flows from operations, before working capital adjustments         $ 9,942     $ 741
Gold sales in ounces           16,033       10,003
Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold         $ 858     $ 1,097



 
First Quarter 2012 Operational Highlights
  • Gold production increased by 93% to 16,922 compared to 8,773 in Q1-11.
  • Underground production steadily improved during the quarter with average grade increased by 95% to 5.28 gpt compared to 2.71 gpt in Q4-11.
  • The open pit mined 220,580 ore tonnes at an average grade of 2.29 gpt, a 60% increase over the ore tonnes mined in Q4-11.
  • The Black Fox Mill processed 180,965 tonnes of ore, at a grade of 3.04 gpt and a recovery of 95.7%.
  • Continued positive drilling results from Grey Fox including 5.95 gpt over 56.7 m and 26.83 gpt over 15.50 m during the quarter.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
   

       
For the three months ended






March 31     March 31






2012     2011
Metal Sales








Gold (ounces)





16,033



10,003
Silver (ounces)





858



436
Average realized gold price – including Sandstorm




$ 1,611


$ 1,356
Average realized gold price – excluding Sandstorm




$ 1,687


$ 1,380
Production









Open pit ore tonnes mined





220,580



29,809
Open pit operating waste tonnes mined





1,327,362



91,067
Open pit capital stripping tonnes mined





753,360



1,890,451
Open pit overburden tonnes mined




          293,680  
Total open pit tonnes mined





2,301,302



2,305,007
Total underground ore tonnes mined




  35,147         8,816  
Total tonnes mined




  2,336,449         2,313,823  









 
Tonnes milled





180,965



179,229
Tonnes milled per day





1,989



1,991
Head grade of ore (gpt)





3.04



1.67
Recovery (%)





96 %


91 %
Gold ounces produced





16,922



8,773









 
Total cash costs ($/ounce):




$ 858


$ 1,097
Operating Margin ($/ounce):




$ 753


$ 259

 
“We are pleased with Brigus' progress so far this year,” said Wade Dawe, President and CEO of Brigus. “Gold production continues to increase and costs are lower than expected. Current production levels put us on track to meet our guidance for Q2 and we are confident the mine will reach a steady state production level of approximately 25,000 ounces per quarter by year-end”.
OUTLOOK
Operations at the Black Fox Mine continue to ramp up and will deliver increased gold production quarter over quarter in 2012. The Company is guiding between 77,000 and 85,000 ounces for 2012.

     
     
     
2012       Low       High       Actual
Q1       15,500       17,000       16,922
Q2       18,000       21,000        
Q3       21,500       23,000        
Q4       22,000       24,000        
Total       77,000       85,000        












 
High-grade tonnage from the underground continues to steadily increase and is expected to reach 800 tpd in the third quarter by adding 6-8 mining stopes to the 27 stopes that are now in place. The additional stopes will provide greater flexibility and enable Brigus to actively mine 10-12 stopes at all times.
Cash costs are expected to be $775 - $825 per ounce for the year, declining to approximately $700 per ounce by the end of 2012.
The mill optimization program commenced in July 2011 and is expected to be completed and in service during the second half of 2012. The optimization is expected to increase mill processing capacity by 5-10% through optimization of existing equipment, equipment additions and reduction of production losses.
Planning is underway to develop the Grey Fox Mine located on the southeast portion of the Black Fox Complex. The initial resource estimate from this area, announced in December 2011, added more than 50 percent to the gold resource at the Black Fox Complex. Brigus plans to expand the resource and convert Inferred ounces to Indicated ounces through systematic in‐fill drilling. An updated resource estimate will be released later in the year. Simultaneously, the Company recently commenced a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) and expects to release results during the third quarter.
The Black Fox underground ore body is open for expansion with grades that trend higher at depth. The Company is driving an exploration drift from the deepest portion of the east ramp. Exploration drilling will commence in June with the objectives to increase reserve ounces and extend the mine life.
To date, the Company has explored approximately 25 percent of the Black Fox Complex. Significant upside potential remains on the property, which covers an area of approximately 18 square kilometres within the Timmins Mining District of Ontario.
FIRST QUARTER WEBCAST AND CONFERENCE CALL
A webcast and conference call will be held today, Tuesday, May 15 at 12 noon Atlantic time (11:00 a.m. Eastern time).
To attend by webcast please visit http://www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=168323.
To attend by phone, dial toll free 1-877-407-8133 (international 201-689-8040) at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. No pass code is required.
About Brigus Gold
Brigus is a growing gold producer committed to maximizing shareholder value through a strategy of efficient production, targeted exploration and select acquisitions. The Company operates the wholly owned Black Fox Mine and Mill in the Timmins Gold District of Ontario, Canada. The Black Fox Complex encompasses the Black Fox Mine and adjoining properties in the Township of Black River-Matheson, Ontario, Canada. Brigus is also advancing the Goldfields Project located near Uranium City, Saskatchewan, Canada, which hosts the Box and Athona gold deposits. In Mexico, Brigus has granted Cangold Limited the option to acquire a 75% interest in the Company's Ixhuatan Project located in the state of Chiapas. In the Dominican Republic, Brigus has signed an agreement to sell its remaining interests in three mineral exploration projects.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources
This news release uses the term mineral “resources”. The Company advises U.S. investors that while these terms are defined in and required by Canadian regulations, these terms are not defined terms under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Industry Guide 7 and are generally not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. The SEC generally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute SEC Industry Guide 7 compliant “reserves” as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that involve risk, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements regarding the ability of the Company to achieve its production, total cash costs, steady state annual production and mining rate estimates; estimated average gold grades for the open pit and underground operations; increase in gold production; increase in profitability; exploration drill results and resource additions, are forward-looking statements and estimates that involve various risks and uncertainties. This forward-looking statements include, or may be based upon, estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the outcome of legal proceedings, the issue of permits, the size and quality of the Company's mineral resources, progress in development of mineral properties, future production and sales volumes, capital and mine production costs, demand and market outlook for metals, future metal prices and treatment and refining charges, and the financial results of the Company.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include environmental risks and other factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Brigus' most recent Annual Information Form and Management Discussion and Analysis filed under the Company's name at www.sedar.com and annual report on Form 40F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov as well as elsewhere in Brigus' documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex Equities, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. All forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Brigus Gold Corp.
Jennifer Nicholson, CA, 902-442-7186
Executive Vice President
jnicholson@brigusgold.com
or
Katherine Burgess, 902-442-7184
Manager, Stakeholder Relations
kburgess@brigusgold.com
Enhanced by Zemanta

Potash will be a valuable by-product of Rodinia Lithium's operation at Diabillos.

Rodinia Lithium Successfully Harvests Sylvinite On Site At Diablillos
  • SUCCESSFUL HARVESTING OF SYLVINITE DURING REGULAR OPERATION OF PILOT ENGINEERING PROGRAM
  • PILOT PROCESSING CONFIRMS EFFECTIVE REMOVAL OF SYLVINITE IN AN ISOLATED POND USING CONVENTIONAL EVAPORATION BASED PROCESSING
  • EVAPORATION CYCLE OF INITIAL PAN PILOT TEST SERIES COMPLETE CONFIRMING INITIAL PORTION OF THE METALLURGICAL PROCESS DESCRIBED IN PRELIMINARY ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT
Toronto, Canada, May 14, 2012: Rodinia Lithium Inc. (“Rodinia” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: RM; OTCQX: RDNAF) is pleased to report that sylvinite has been successfully produced and harvested at the Company’s 100% owned Diablillos lithium-potash brine project (“Project” or “Salar” or “Diablillos”) in Salta, Argentina.   Sylvinite, a potash and sodium chloride salt, has been harvested during operation of the pilot engineering program being conducted on site.  The results of the brine geochemical development during this pilot cycle was within the Company’s expectations and offers significant confirmation of the initial portion of the metallurgical process described in the Company’s Preliminary Economic Assessment conducted on Diablillos dated December 22, 2011 and filed on the SEDAR profile of the Company at www.sedar.com (the “PEA”).
William Randall, Rodinia’s President & CEO, commented, “Having harvested sylvinite during the regular operation of our pilot engineering program is a major milestone for the Company.  We remain confident that these results confirm our ability to produce potash from Diablillos using conventional methods employed by other major brine producers in South and North America.  This asset continues to meet our targeted milestones as we advance towards feasibility and production.”
This initial result from the pilot engineering program is from the first series of solar evaporation tests at ambient conditions of the Salar.  The evaporation was started May 2011 and concluded in April 2012.  The first series is one of five evaporation tests in progress.  Each test in pools and pans were started at different times of the year to see the effect of weather on the evaporation cycle chemistry.  The resultant brine from these evaporation tests will subsequently be processed for recovery of boron and lithium products.
The process engineering department continues to monitor the evolution of both the pools and pans installed on site at approximately 4050 metres above sea level.  As announced previously, a first stage of magnesium and sulphate removal has been completed, followed by successful removal of sylvinite in the ensuing step, confirming that potash is going to be a valuable by-product of an eventual lithium carbonate production facility.

Rodinia Lithium Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company with a primary focus on Lithium exploration and development in North and South America.  The Company is also actively exploring the commercialization of a significant Potash co-product that is expected to be recoverable through the lithium harvesting process.
Rodinia’s Salar de Diablillos lithium-brine project in Salta, Argentina, contains a recoverable resource of 2.82 million tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent and 11.27 million tonnes potassium chloride equivalent.  The project contains a recoverable inferred resource of 952,553,000 m3 grading 556 mg/L lithium and 6,206 mg/L potassium. Throughout 2011, Rodinia will focus on continuing to develop the Diablillos project by completing additional drilling and advancing through scoping study.
The Company also holds 100% mineral rights to approximately 70,000 acres in Nevada’s lithium-rich Clayton Valley in Esmeralda County, and is currently in the process of assessing the size, quality and processing alternatives of this deposit.  The Clayton Valley project is located in the only known lithium-brine bearing salt lake in North America, and looks to represent the only new source for domestic lithium carbonate supply.
The Projects are supervised by Ray Spanjers, Rodinia’s Manager of Exploration. Mr. Spanjers is considered a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43‐101 and has read and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this release.
Readers are cautioned that the PEA is preliminary in nature and is partly based on inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the PEA based on these mineral resources will be realized. The results depend on inputs that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those presented here.

Please visit the Company’s web site at www.rodinialithium.com or write us at info@rodinialithium.com
For further information please contact
Investor Cubed Inc.                                                                                       
Investor Relations                                                                                         
Tel: +1 (647) 258-3311                                                                                   
Aaron Wolfe
Vice-President, Corporate Development
Tel: +1 (416) 309-2696
Cautionary Notes
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this press release constitutes “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as “plans”, “proposes”, “estimates”, “intends”, “expects”, “believes”, “may”, “will” and include without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated timing with respect to the development of the property; the results of the pilot engineering program;  the potential of the Diablillos property; the potential results and timetable for further exploration with respect to the Clayton Valley project and the Diablillos property, the timetable with respect to future acquisitions and exploration developments at Clayton Valley and Diablillos, timetable for further exploration, analysis and development, title disputes or claims; and governmental approvals and regulation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, financing risks, acquisition risks, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Tnr Gold's interest in giant copper project draws third part interest!


TNR Gold Receives Third Party Proposal and Provides Los Azules Project Update
TNR Gold Corp. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: TNR) has received an unsolicited proposal from a third party to merge with TNR and to acquire TNR's wholly owned subsidiary Compania Minera Solitario Argentina S.A. ("Solitario"). The Company has called a meeting of the TNR Board of Directors to determine whether the proposal is sufficiently attractive to commence exclusive negotiations with the third party, and also to consider its other strategic alternatives.

TNR and Solitario are currently in litigation with Minera Andes Inc. (and indirect subsidiary of McEwen Mining Inc.) and MIM Argentina Exploraciones S.A. The litigation (the "Los Azules Litigation") involves a challenge to title to a substantial portion of the mineral properties constituting the Los Azules Project in San Juan Province of Argentina. Specifically, TNR is challenging the title of Minera Andes Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries to the mineral properties constituting the northern half of the Los Azules project (the "Solitario Properties"). TNR is seeking return to it of a 100% interest in the Solitario Properties or damages; and, effectively, in the alternative, recognition of TNR's right to back-in to a 25% interest in the properties; together with recognition of TNR's interest in the related Escorpio IV property. A trial in the Courts of British Columbia is set to commence in November, 2012 and last for approximately six weeks.

McEwen Mining is continuing a significant expansion drilling program at Los Azules, but has announced that it is focusing, and will continue to focus, its exploration efforts on the portion of the Los Azules mineral claims that are not subject to the ongoing litigation.
 

Kirill Klip, Chairman of TNR commented that: "The Los Azules project is considered to represent one of  the largest undeveloped copper projects in the world but the current legal uncertainty over its legal ownership is detracting from the value of the project for shareholders of both TNR and McEwen Mining. The third party proposal which we have received to purchase TNR, together with the fact that McEwen Mining has decided to limit its drilling activity to non-disputed mineral claims only are further validation of the value of TNR, its title claims and its prospects for success in the upcoming Los Azules litigation."
The Los Azules Project is located in western San Juan Province within a belt of porphyry copper deposits that straddles the Chilean/Argentine border. This belt contains some of the world's largest copper deposits, including Codelco's El Teniente and Andina mines, Anglo American's Los Bronces mine, Antofagasta PLC's Los Pelambres mine and Xstrata's El Pachon project, among others.

Shareholders and other interested parties are invited to review the Court filings relating to the Los Azules Litigation which are available from the BC Supreme Court registry database (BC Online) and are hosted on TNR's webpage at www.tnrgoldcorp.com/s/LosAzules.asp.

ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP.
Over the past twenty-one years TNR, through its lead generator business model, has been successful in generating high quality exploration projects around the globe. With the Company's expertise, resources and industry network, it is well positioned to aggressively identify, source, explore, partner and continue to expand its project portfolio. 


TNR's recently listed subsidiary, International Lithium Corp. (TSX VENTURE: ILC), demonstrated the successful application of TNR's business model in which TNR shareholders benefited from a unit distribution upon spin-out of TNR's lithium and rare metals projects. TNR remains a large shareholder in ILC at 25.5% of outstanding shares. 


At its core, TNR provides significant exposure to gold and copper through its holdings in Alaska and Argentina; and teamed with the recent acquisitions of rare-earth elements and iron ore projects in Canada confirm TNR's commitment to continued generation of in-demand projects, while diversifying its markets and building shareholder value. 


On behalf of the board,
Gary Schellenberg, President - TNR Gold Corp. 


Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, historical estimates should not be relied upon, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. News release contains certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including risks inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. In particular, there are no assurances that the third party proposal recently received by the Company will develop into a formal offer for the Company, or that any such formal offer would be attractive to, or result in the sae of, the Company. There are no assurances that the Company will decide to commence a formal sale process or that, if commenced, such sale process would result in an attractive offer and sale of the Company. There are no assurances that the Company will achieve a favourable outcome in the Los Azules litigation.
CUSIP: #87260X 109
SEC 12g3-2(b): Exemption #82-4434
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:
TNR Gold Corp.
Gary Schellenberg
President
(604) 687-7551 or 1-800-667-4470
(604) 687-4670 (FAX)
info@tnrgoldcorp.com
www.tnrgoldcorp.com


SOURCE: TNR Gold Corp.
mailto:info@tnrgoldcorp.com
http://www.tnrgoldcorp.com
Enhanced by Zemanta

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Talison Lithium profits soar in Q3

Talison Lithium LimitedTalison Lithium Limited
TSX : TLH

May 10, 2012 09:28 ET

Talison Lithium Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results



PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA--(Marketwire - May 10, 2012) - Talison Lithium Limited ("Talison" or the "Company") (TSX:TLH), (Nasdaq - TLTHF) today announced results for the third quarter of the 2012 fiscal year1.
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
  • Record revenue and EBITDA2 of A$37m and A$12m, an increase of 27% and 90% y/y respectively
  • Net profit of A$8.2m resulting in basic EPS of 7.6 cents per share, a 112% and 100% y/y increase respectively
  • Construction of the Stage 2 Expansion of the Greenbushes Lithium Operations (Expansion) remains on schedule and budget with commissioning expected to be completed by the end of June 2012
  • Cash and cash equivalents increased to A$85.1m at March 31, 2012 notwithstanding continued capital expenditure during the quarter for the Expansion
  • Outlook remains positive, with early indications that global supply may tighten in FY2013
THIRD QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS Three Months ended % Change Nine Months ended % Change
March 31 (unaudited) March 31 (unaudited)
(in thousands A$, unless noted otherwise) FY12 FY11 FY12 FY11
Sales Volume (tonnes lithium concentrate) 111,896 97,001 15 % 267,432 247,085 8 %
Sales Price (Average US$/tonne) US$340 US$303 12 % US$328 US$310 6 %
Revenue $ 36,965 $ 29,207 27 % $ 85,530 $ 83,089 3 %
Cash Operating COGS ($/tonne lithium concentrate) $ 195 $ 195 0 % $ 196 $ 208 (6 %)
EBITDA $ 11,964 $ 6,308 90 % $ 23,477 $ 18,311 28 %
EBITDA Margin 32 % 22 % +1,000bps 27 % 22 % +500bps
Net Profit $ 8,220 $ 3,874 112 % $ 15,469 $ 15,0453 3 %
Basic EPS (cents/share) 7.6 3.8 100 % 14.3 18.13 (21 %)

"Talison had an outstanding third quarter, with records achieved in sales volume, revenue and EBITDA." Peter Oliver, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director commented. "This exceptional performance, in conjunction with Talison's strong cash reserves, positions the Company well for the future development of the lithium carbonate plant."
Oliver continued, "Adding to our record quarter, I am pleased to report that the Expansion continues on-time and on budget as it nears completion. The increased capacity provided by the expansion will enable Talison to respond rapidly to changing conditions in the lithium market."
1 Information in this press release is in relation to the unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements of Talison as at and for the interim period ended March 31, 2012 (collectively, the "Financial Statements") and should be read in conjunction with Financial Statements. The financial information contained in this press release is derived from the Financial Statements, which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). All amounts in this press release are expressed in Australian dollars ("A$") unless otherwise identified. References to "C$" are to Canadian dollars and references to "US$" are to United States dollars.
2 The term "EBITDA" is a non-IFRS financial measure. For further information and a reconciliation of EBITDA to its IFRS-compliant income statement, refer to "Non-IFRS Performance Measures" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Talison Lithium Limited as at and for the interim period ended March 31, 2012 (which can be found on Talison's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com).
3 The net profit and basic EPS for the nine months ended March 31, 2011 include certain items which relate to the Re-Organization of Talison Minerals Pty Ltd before it was acquired by Talison and as such, do not provide a meaningful comparative to the results of Talison for the nine months ended March 31, 2012.
THIRD QUARTER-FINANCIAL RESULTS
Revenue of A$37.0 million was generated in the quarter, a 27% increase from the third quarter of fiscal 2011.
EBITDA of A$12.0 million represented a A$5.7 million, or 90% increase over the corresponding period in the prior year. EBITDA margin increased to 32%. Increases in revenue and EBITDA were primarily driven by higher sales volume and an increase in average sales price.
Net profit and earnings per share for the third quarter of A$8.2 million and A$0.076 were respectively a 112% and 100% increase on the corresponding period in fiscal 2011.
Cash inflow from operating activities for third quarter of A$16.3 million, was A$8.1 million higher than the corresponding period in the prior year due to increased sales revenue.
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2012 increased during the quarter to A$85.1 million notwithstanding the ongoing capital expenditure of the Expansion.
THIRD QUARTER-SALES & PRODUCTION RESULTS
Talison sold a record 111,896 tonnes of lithium concentrate (approximately 16,600 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE")) in the third quarter, representing a 15 per cent increase over the corresponding period of fiscal 2011. Sales included approximately 38,000 tonnes of Talison's lithium concentrate that were delayed from the second quarter.
Sales for the nine months ended March 31, 2012 of 267,432 tonnes of lithium concentrate (approximately 40,000 tonnes LCE) materially matches production for the nine months ended March 31, 2012 of 273,286 tonnes of lithium concentrate (approximately 40,500 tonnes LCE).
Production volume for the third quarter was a record 93,563 tonnes lithium concentrate (approximately 14,000 tonnes LCE), a 6% increase compared to the third quarter fiscal 2011.
The average sales price of lithium concentrates sold during the third quarter was US$340 per tonne, a 12% increase over the average sales price of US$303 per tonne during the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in average sales price demonstrated the initial impact from the price increase that applied from January 2012.
FISCAL 2012 OUTLOOK
Talison expects to sell approximately 350,000 to 360,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate for the full year ending June 30, 2012.
There are early indications of tightening in the global supply of lithium, which may result in price increases, for the year ending June 30, 2013. Following the completion of the Stage 2 Expansion of the Greenbushes Lithium Operation, Talison will be well positioned to adjust sales volumes in response to changing market conditions that confirm a tightening market.
EXPANSION UPDATE
The Stage 2 Expansion at the Greenbushes Lithium Operations continues to proceed on schedule and on budget. Commissioning of the Expansion has now commenced and is expected to be completed by the end of June 2012.
To view "Stage 2 Expansion at the Greenbushes Lithium Operations", please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Stage2.jpg.
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL
Talison will host a conference call to discuss the financial results on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 9.00 a.m. (EST). The call is being webcast by Thomson Reuters and can be accessed at www.earnings.com or at Talison's website, www.talisonlithium.com.
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Talison Lithium Limited as at and for the interim period ended March 31, 2012 are accessible at Talison's website, www.talisonlithium.com.
Teleconference call details are as follows:
North America: +1 (800) 706 7748
International: +1 (617) 614 3473
Participant Code: 33870090
Chairperson: Peter Oliver, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Replay
Available from: May 14, 2012, 11.00 a.m. (EST)
Available to: May 21, 2012
Dial In: +1 (888) 286-8010
International: +1 (617) 801-6888
Passcode: 19830888
ABOUT TALISON
Talison is a leading global producer of lithium and has been supplying a global customer network from the Greenbushes Lithium Operations in Western Australia for over 25 years. In anticipation of sustained growth in lithium consumption, driven primarily by the secondary lithium battery market, Talison is doubling its production capacity at the Greenbushes Operations and also developing several growth projects including a lithium carbonate plant in Western Australia.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Three Months Nine Months Nine Months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
INCOME STATEMENT March 31, 2012 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2012 March 31, 2011
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)(1)
A$'000 A$'000 A$'000 A$'000
Sales revenue 36,965 29,207 85,530 83,089
Operating costs (21,766 ) (18,962 ) (52,457 ) (53,639 )
Other income / (expenses) (3,235 ) (3,937 ) (9,596 ) (11,139 )
EBITDA(3) 11,964 6,308 23,477 18,311(2 )
Depreciation and amortization (625 ) (925 ) (2,038 ) (2,792 )
Net financing income / (costs) 574 298 2,020 (4,747 )
Net realized US$ hedging gain 301 869 3,324 1,506
Net realized foreign exchange gain / (loss) (805 ) (259 ) 207 8,936
Net fair value gain/(loss) on financial assets and liabilities 397 (113 ) (4,957 ) 2,861
Income tax (expense) / benefit (3,586 ) (2,304 ) (6,564 ) (9,030 )
Net profit/(loss) for the period 8,220 3,874 15,469 15,045
Basic earnings per share (cents/share)(4) 7.6 3.8 14.3 18.1
Diluted earnings per share (cents/share)(4) 7.6 3.7 14.3 17.5
Basic weighted average number of shares 107,899,247 101,668,000 107,799,832 83,076,000
Notes:
(1) The financial results for the nine months ended March 31, 2011 are comprised of the results of Talison for the period from August 12, 2010 to March 31, 2011 (i.e., post-Reorganization) and the carve-out results of the Greenbushes Lithium Operations for the period from July 1, 2010 to August 11, 2010 (i.e., pre-Reorganization). Readers are cautioned that the results for the period from July 1, 2010 to August 11, 2010 may not be reflective of the ongoing affairs of Talison.
(2) EBITDA for the nine months ended March 31, 2011 included A$1.6 million in non-recurring Reorganization costs.
(3) EBITDA is a non IFRS financial measure. For a reconciliation of EBITDA to its IFRS compliant income statement, see "Non-IFRS Performance Measures".
(4) Basic and diluted earnings per share have been calculated based on the weighted average number of shares on issue. For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2012, the weighted average number of shares includes both the outstanding ordinary shares of Talison adjusted to remove ordinary shares held by the Talison Long Term Incentive Plan Trust which is consolidated under IFRS, and the exchangeable shares of Talison Lithium Exchangeco Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Talison that are exchangeable (on a one-for-one basis) for ordinary shares of Talison. For the three and nine months ended March 31, 2011, the weighted average number of shares includes the outstanding ordinary shares of Talison, the exchangeable shares of Talison Lithium Exchangeco Limited that are exchangeable (on a one-for-one basis) for ordinary shares of Talison, and the ordinary shares of Talison Minerals adjusted for the Talison Minerals share consolidation which occurred as part of the Reorganization. See "Outstanding Share Data".
As at As at
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION March 31, 2012 June 30, 2011
(Unaudited) (Audited)
A$'000 A$'000
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents 85,057 102,605
Trade and other receivables 12,879 21,543
Inventories 17,808 11,182
Derivative financial instruments 3,891 10,205
Property, plant and equipment 142,314 95,215
Exploration and evaluation assets 62,982 61,714
Total assets 324,931 302,464
Liabilities
Trade and other payables 12,954 12,380
Interest-bearing liabilities 27,647 29,243
Tax payable 6,781 -
Provisions 15,182 14,668
Deferred tax liabilities 9,136 10,622
Total liabilities 71,700 66,913
Shareholders' equity 253,231 235,551
As at As at
March 31, 2012 June 30, 2011
(Unaudited ) (Audited )
A$'000 A$'000
Outstanding number of shares
Ordinary shares of Talison 112,003,670 110,527,347
Exchangeable shares of Talison Lithium
Exchangeco Limited(1) 337,666 1,494,239
Shares held in trust(2) (4,299,367 ) (4,299,367 )
Total outstanding number of shares 108,041,969 107,722,219
Notes:
(1) The exchangeable shares of Talison Lithium Exchangeco Limited are exchangeable (on a one-for-one basis) for ordinary shares of Talison. See "Outstanding Share Data".
(2) On June 7, 2011, Talison Lithium established the Incentive Plan Trust. Talison Lithium issued 3,862,767 ordinary shares to the Incentive Plan Trust and the Incentive Plan Trust purchased 436,600 ordinary shares of Talison Lithium on-market.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release, including any information as to Talison's mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, strategy, projects, plans, prospects, future outlook, anticipated events or results or future financial or operating performance, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can often, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "predicts", "potential", "continue" or "believes", or variations (including negative variations) of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might", "potential to", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The purpose of forward-looking information is to provide the reader with information about management's expectations and plans. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All forward-looking statements made or incorporated in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of factors, estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Talison, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors, estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to: anticipated financial and operating performance of Talison, its subsidiaries and their respective projects; Talison's market position; future prices of lithium or lithium concentrates; estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; realization of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; timing, amount and costs of estimated future production; grade, quality and content of concentrate produced; sale of production; capital, operating and exploration expenditures; costs and timing of the expansion of the Greenbushes Lithium Operations; exploration and development of the Salares 7 lithium project; costs and timing of future exploration; requirements for additional capital; government regulation of exploration, development and mining operations; environmental risks; reclamation and rehabilitation expenses; title disputes or claims; absence of significant risks relating to Talison's mining operations; the costs of Talison's hedging policy; sales risks related to China; currency; interest rates, and limitations of insurance coverage. While Talison considers these factors, estimates and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect and actual results may vary.
Readers are cautioned that forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Talison and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such risk factors include, amount others, those described in the Financial Statements and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the annual information form of Talison for the year ended June 30, 2011 dated September 23, 2011, each of which can be found on Talison's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. While Talison considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect and actual results may vary.
Although Talison has attempted to identify statements containing important factors that could cause actual actions, event or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this press release based on the opinions and estimates of management on the date statements containing such forward-looking information are made. Except as required by law, Talison disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Contact Information


Talison Lithium Limited
Gary Dvorchak
CFA
+1 (310) 954-1123
gary.dvorchak@icrinc.com