View News Release in PDF Format
  JUN 14, 2011 - 23:18 ET
High River Gold Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

 

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 14, 2011) -

(All currency figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted)

High River Gold Mines Ltd. ("High River" or the "Company") (TSX:HRG) today reported its financial results and operational highlights for the three month period ended March 31, 2011. The Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes along with the Management's Discussion and Analysis have been filed with SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and can be viewed on the Company's website at www.hrg.ca.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER 2011

Financial Results

  • Net gold revenue of $ 122.4 million, a decrease of 0.8% from $123.4 million in Q4 2010, an increase of 25.3% from $ 97.7 million in Q1 2010.
  • Net income of $ 37.3 million ($0.04 per share) compared to a net income of $22.3 million ($0.03 per share) in Q4 2010 and a net income of $30.4 million ($0.03 per share) in Q1 2010.
  • Cash flow from operations of $53.5 million, up from $40.0 million in Q4 2010, and up from $31.5 million in Q1 2010.
  • Cash and cash equivalents increased to $204.1 million from $154.0 million at the end of 2010, and up from $82.5 million at the end of Q1 2010.
  • Working capital increased to $287.0 million from $205.2 million at the end of 2010, up from $117.9 million at the end of Q1 2010.
  • Current and long term debt decreased to $ 23.5 million from $25.0 million at the end of 2010 and from $62.6million at the end of Q1 2010.
  • In January 2011, Royal Gold, Inc. ("RGI") agreed that the Completion Test, as such term is defined in the Amended and Restated Funding Agreement dated February 22, 2006 between RGI and Somita S.A. ("Somita") (the "Taparko Funding Agreement") had been satisfied and agreed to release its security interests in certain collateral (including certain equity investments in public companies) that it held pursuant to the "Taparko Funding Agreement".

Operations

  • Total gold production increased 18% to 91,756 (Q1 2010 – 77,762) ounces (100%). Total cash cost per ounce decreased 10% to US$ 560 (Q1 2010 – US$624 per ounce).
  • The Zun-Holba and Irokinda Gold Mines (including placer operations) produced 31,855 ounces (Q1 2010 – 33,732) (100%) at a total cash cost of US$ 579 per ounce.
  • The Taparko-Bouroum Gold Mine produced 36,456 ounces (Q1 2010 – 30,426) (100%) at a total cash cost of US$ 485 per ounce.
  • Gold production at Berezitovy was 23,445 ounces (Q1 2010 – 13,604 ounces) (100%) at a total cash cost of US$ 649 per ounce.
  • At the Bissa Gold Project, the tender procedures to engage EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management) contractor were continued in Q1 2011 and the tenders to engage the suppliers of mining equipment were commenced.

Subsequent Events

  • In June 2011, High River has agreed to settlement terms with its former contractor in respect of a previously disclosed action brought against Somita. As previously disclosed, a claim regarding services which were delivered to Somita was filed against Somita before the arbitrator in South Africa in 2009. The aggregate amount of the claim was US$ 3.7 million and High River filed a statement of defense and counterclaim for damages. The settlement agreement provides for full and final settlement of the contractor's claim against Somita for a settlement amount of US$1,350,000.

DISCUSSION OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

Selected Financial Results

The Company reported a net income of $ 37.3 million ($0.04 per share) in Q1 2011 compared to a net income of $ 30.4 million ($0.03 per share) during Q1 2010.

In thousands of Canadian dollars (except per share amounts) 2011 2010 2009
Three months ended on March 31      
Gold revenue $ 122,363 $ 97,656 $ 88,779
Net income (loss)   37,299   30,421   931
Net income (loss) per share (basic)   0.04   0.03   0.00
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities   53,519   31,499   29,672
Total Assets   889,601   688,102   706,962
Loans and interest payable   23,528   62,626   84,031
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (basic)   840,218,962   799,327,755   590,193,673

About High River

High River is an unhedged gold company with interests in producing mines and advanced exploration projects in Russia and Burkina Faso. Two underground mines, Zun-Holba and Irokinda, are situated in the Lake Baikal region of Russia. Two open pit gold mines, Berezitovy in Russia and Taparko-Bouroum in Burkina Faso, are also in production. Finally, High River has two advanced exploration projects with NI 43-101 compliant resource estimates, the Bissa gold project in Burkina Faso and 50% interest in the Prognoz silver project in Russia.

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

This release and subsequent oral statements made by and on behalf of the Company may contain forward-looking statements. Wherever possible, words such as "intends", "expects", "scheduled", "estimates", "anticipates", "believes", and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this release reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, High River cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause events and achievements to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve significant known and unknown risks, assumptions and uncertainties that may cause High River's actual results, events, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although High River has attempted to identify important risks and factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors and risks that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended, including those risk factors discussed in the Company's 2010 Annual Information Form. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and High River assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, unless otherwise required by law.

High River Gold Mines Ltd.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at March 31, 2011
(Unaudited, expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
 
   
  March 31, 2011   December 31, 2010   January 1, 2010  
ASSETS            
Current Assets            
  Cash & cash equivalents 204,084   153,964   82,061  
  Restricted cash 2,177   1,285   562  
  Inventories 121,735   97,663   81,090  
  Trade and other receivables 17,279   13,639   18,115  
  Other assets 15,417   15,589   12,382  
  360,692   282,140   194,210  
Non-Current Assets            
  Exploration and evaluation assets 112,753   119,847   105,061  
  Mine properties 28,147   67,436   72,241  
  Property, plant & equipment 238,121   190,256   224,331  
  Available for sale financial assets 111,940   109,633   64,810  
  Other assets 8,251   7,986   697  
  Deferred tax asset 7,369   1,596   1,578  
  506,581   496,753   468,718  
TOTAL ASSETS 867,273   778,893   662,928  
   
LIABILITIES            
Current Liabilities            
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 60,210   53,692   39,726  
  Loans and other borrowings 13,438   23,293   58,666  
  Income tax payable -   -   -  
  Provisions -   -   -  
  73,648   76,985   98,392  
Non-Current Liabilities            
  Other liabilities -   -   -  
  Derivative financial liabilities -   -   13,684  
  Loans and other borrowings 10,090   1,732   25,365  
  Provisions 19,683   19,067   15,385  
  Deferred tax liabilities 37,008   24,291   20,567  
  66,781   45,090   75,001  
TOTAL LIABILITIES 140,429   122,075   173,393  
   
EQUITY            
  Share Capital 640,157   640,157   610,770  
  Warrants -   -   13,265  
  Contributed surplus 24,538   24,538   15,991  
  Debenture conversion option 538   538   538  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income 28,148   3,023   (4,034 )
  Deficit (8,468 ) (45,768 ) (168,917 )
  Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 684,913   622,488   467,612  
  Non-controlling interest 41,932   34,330   21,922  
TOTAL EQUITY 726,845   656,818   489,534  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY 867,273   778,893   662,928  
 
 
High River Gold Mines Ltd.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
for the three months ended March 31, 2011
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
  Three months ended  
  March 31, 2011   March 31, 2010  
Revenue        
Gold 122,363   97,656  
Silver 2,000   823  
  124,363   98,479  
Cost of sales (54,505 ) (55,022 )
Gross Profit 69,858   43,457  
   
   
Exploration expenses (4,036 ) (1,260 )
General and administrative expenses (4,456 ) (3320 )
Other expenses (3,808 ) 235  
Interest income 1,771   230  
Finance costs (2,006 ) (4,086 )
Change in fair value of derivative -   3,829  
Profit before income taxes 57,324   39,085  
Income tax expense (12,423 ) (6,037 )
Profit for the period 44,901   33,048  
  -      
Attributable to: -      
Non-controlling interest 7,602   2,627  
Equity shareholders of the Company 37,299   30,421  
Profit for the period 44,901   33,048  
   
Other Comprehensive Income (loss)        
Net gains on available for sale financial assets 7,923   (147 )
Exchange differences on translation of foreign        
operations 17,202   (12,862 )
   
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 25,125   (13,009 )
   
Attributable to:        
Non-controlling interest 7,602   2,627  
Equity shareholders of the Company 62,425   17,412  
Comprehensive Income, net of tax 70,026   20,039  
 
 
High River Gold Mines Ltd.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian Dollars)
(Unaudited)
 
  For the three months ended  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES 31 March 2011   31 March 2010  
  Profit before income taxes 57,324   39,085  
  Adjustments to profit for non-cash items        
    Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 6,750   13,587  
    Accretion expense 534   328  
    Write-down of exploration 18,551   -  
    Loss/(gain) on disposal of investments (16,614 ) -  
    Non-cash mining costs (1,676 ) (7,545 )
    Fair value adjustment to financial instruments -   (3,829 )
    Share based payment expense -   68  
    Interest on capital lease -   16  
    Gain/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment (404 ) 31  
    Deferred tax expense 4,694   1,661  
    Other non-cash items (1,599 ) (4,548 )
  Working Capital Adjustments        
    Change in trade receivable and other assets (5,483 ) 2,909  
    Change in inventories (26,825 ) 1,450  
    Change in other assets 622   (3,488 )
    Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 20,545   (3,853 )
  Income Tax Paid (2,901 ) (4,375 )
NET OPERATING CASH FLOWS 53,518   31,497  
   
INVESTING ACTIVITIES        
  Investment in exploration and evaluation assets (5,577 ) (2,224 )
  Expenditure on property, plant and equipment (9,845 ) (4,119 )
  Allocation of restricted cash (1,539 )    
  Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment 583   4  
NET INVESTING CASH FLOWS (16,378 ) (6,339 )
   
FINANCING ACIVITIES        
  Payments of loans and borrowings (10,283 ) (22,324 )
  Joint venture repayment of Prognoz contribution 16,609   -  
  Other Financing activities 209   160  
  Proceeds from exercise of share options -   217  
NET FINANCING CASH FLOWS 6,535   (21,947 )
   
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 43,675   3,211  
Net foreign exchange difference 6,444   (2,735 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period 153,964   82,061  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period 204,083   82,537  


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

High River Gold Mines Ltd.
Konstantin Sobolevskiy
CEO
011 7 495 981 0910 ext. 6676
info@hrg.ca
www.hrg.ca
 
 

You can return to the Top of this page