MONTREAL, March 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SEMAFO Inc. (TSX:OMX) (TSX:SMF) today reported its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017. All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise stated.
2017 - The Year in Review
Fourth Quarter 2017 - in Review
1 Total cash cost and all-in sustaining cost are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. See the “Non-IFRS financial performance measures" defined at the end of this press release.
2 Cash flows from operating activities exclude changes in non-cash working capital items.
Mana, Burkina Faso | ||||
Mining Operations | ||||
2017 | 2016 | Variation | ||
Operating Data | ||||
Mining | ||||
Waste mined (tonnes) | 16,913,100 | 16,686,800 | 1 | % |
Ore mined (tonnes) | 2,268,100 | 2,175,700 | 4 | % |
Operational stripping ratio | 7.5 | 7.7 | (3 | %) |
Capitalized Stripping Activity | ||||
Waste material – Siou (tonnes) | 12,607,300 | 12,263,200 | 3 | % |
Waste material – Fofina (tonnes) | — | 2,820,300 | (100 | %) |
Waste material – Wona (tonnes) | 9,189,900 | 3,252,400 | 183 | % |
21,797,200 | 18,335,900 | 19 | % | |
Total strip ratio | 17.1 | 16.1 | 6 | % |
Processing | ||||
Ore processed (tonnes) | 2,136,100 | 2,329,500 | (8 | %) |
Low grade material (tonnes) | 603,800 | 423,800 | 42 | % |
Tonnes processed (tonnes) | 2,739,900 | 2,753,300 | — | % |
Head grade (g/t) | 2.46 | 2.88 | (15 | %) |
Recovery (%) | 95 | 94 | 1 | % |
Gold ounces produced | 206,400 | 240,200 | (14 | %) |
Gold ounces sold | 205,300 | 240,600 | (15 | %) |
Statistics (in dollars) | ||||
Average realized selling price (per ounce) | 1,261 | 1,249 | 1 | % |
Cash operating cost (per tonne processed)¹ | 46 | 43 | 7 | % |
Total cash cost (per ounce sold)¹ | 655 | 548 | 20 | % |
All-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold)¹ | 942 | 720 | 31 | % |
Depreciation (per ounce sold)² | 460 | 324 | 42 | % |
The total cash cost1 of $655 per ounce sold and all-in sustaining cost1 of $942 per ounce were anticipated and are both due to a lower head grade and higher cash operating cost per tonne1, the latter being mainly caused by negative foreign exchange fluctuations.
The year-over-year variation in head grade in 2017 resulted from geological issues in the upper portion of Zone 9 early in the year. In addition, the variation is due to the processing of 603,800 tonnes of low-grade material not included in our reserves. This results from the decision to take advantage of higher gold prices and available milling capacity in order to generate additional cash flow. Without this, the head grade would have been 2.96 g/t Au.
The 2017 increase in depreciation in property, plant and equipment and depreciation per ounce sold mainly reflects a higher capitalized stripping ratio from Siou at depth compared to the same period in 2016.
1 Cash operating cost, total cash cost and all-in sustaining cost are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. See the “Non-IFRS financial performance measures" defined at the end of this press release.
2 Depreciation per ounce sold is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS and represents the depreciation expense per ounce sold.
2017 Reserves and Resources
As at December 31, 2017, total proven and probable mineral reserves stood at 29.4 million tonnes averaging 3.37 g/t Au for 3.2 million ounces as compared to 28.2 million tonnes at 3.31 g/t Au for 3.0 million ounces at the end of 2016. The increase in reserves is due to additions at Boungou and Mana, with the latter offset by SEMAFO production of 206,400 ounces of gold in 2017.
Measured and indicated mineral resources remained constant at 48.4 million tonnes averaging 2.00 g/t Au for 3.1 million ounces.
Mana Pre-feasibility Study
In the first quarter of 2018, we announced a positive pre-feasibility study (PFS) for Mana that added 188,000 ounces of mineral reserves before depletion, primarily at Siou underground.
The Mana PFS, which investigated the potential for extracting the deeper zone of the Siou deposit through underground operations, envisages pre-production capital of $51.7 million and development start-up in the third quarter of 2018. With mineral reserves of 18.2 million tonnes at 2.92 g/t Au for 1.7 million ounces, Mana annual production should average over 200,000 ounces between 2019 and 2023 at an all-in sustaining cost of $810 per ounce at a gold price of $1,200 per ounce. Access to the 2,000-tpd contract mining operation will be through a single portal and a 5.5- by 5.5-meter ramp at a 14-gradient slope. Given our $222 million cash and restricted cash position at year-end 2017 and anticipated cash flow from operations, pre-production capital expenditure will be financed with existing cash.
2018 Milestones for Development of Siou Underground
Boungou
Total proven and probable reserves at Boungou Mine amounted to 11.2 million tonnes averaging 4.11 g/t Au for 1,5 million ounces of gold, an increase of 16% compared to year-end 2016. The increase in mineral reserves is mainly attributable to the expansion of probable reserves located on the West Flank Sector adjacent to known reserves. An internal trade-off study conducted on the West Flank Sector in 2017 concluded that open-pit mining was a mining approach superior to an underground operation as it provided better financial returns.
All mineral resources reported are exclusive of mineral reserves. Gold price assumptions for mineral reserves and resources at Mana and Tapoa (Boungou Mine) were $1,200 and $1,400 per ounce, respectively. For further details, refer to our press release of February 15, 2018.
2018 Exploration
Exploration expenditure for 2018 has been set at $26 million, $9 million of which will be spent at Tapoa (Boungou), $7 million at Mana, $4 million at Nabanga, $3 million at Bantou and the remaining $3 million at Korhogo.
The 2018 exploration at Mana includes 10,000 meters of core, 25,000 meters of reverse-circulation (“RC”) and 60,000 meters of auger drilling. The core drill program will primarily target the Siou area with the aim of assessing the north part of Siou at depth. The Bara Trend located some 20 kilometers from the Mana mill will see extensive drilling in the first quarter, including follow-up work on significant RC results and untested auger anomalies.
At Boungou, the 2018 exploration program comprises 42,000 meters of RC and 60,000 meters of auger drilling. The bulk of the RC drill work will test regional gold anomalies on the Boungou proximal, Dangou, Pambourou and 045 Trend Sectors.
The 2018 core drill program at the Nabanga deposit, which will be carried out in the first half of the year, will test lateral and at-depth extension of the mineralization. Furthermore, the Corporation will carry out core and RC drill programs on the Korhogo and Bantou areas following a series of prospective results in 2017.
Update on Boungou Mine Construction
Construction of the Boungou Mine continues to advance on time and on budget. As at January 31, 2018, the following achievements had been made:
SEMAFO’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis, Consolidated Financial Statements and related financial materials are available in the “Investor Relations” section of the Corporation's website at www.semafo.com. These and other corporate reports are also available on www.sedar.com.
Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2017 Conference Call
In view of the pre-announced 2017 results and the February 16, 2018 conference call on the Mana PFS and multi-plan targets, no conference call has been scheduled for tomorrow. Parties with questions are invited to call the IR department.
Annual General Meeting of Shareholders
SEMAFO's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 10:00 EDT at Club Saint-James, Salon Midway, 1145 avenue Union, in Montreal Quebec. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet the management team and members of the board of directors.
About SEMAFO
SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Corporation operates the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso, which includes the high-grade satellite deposit of Siou, and is targeting production start-up of the Boungou Mine in the third quarter of 2018. SEMAFO’s strategic focus is to maximize shareholder value by effectively managing its existing assets as well as pursuing organic and strategic growth opportunities.
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as “envisages”, “development start-up”, "will", “should”, “milestones”, “aim of”, “prospective”, “continues”, “pursuing”, “growth”, “opportunities” and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include the ability to develop the Siou underground operation with $51.7 million of pre-production capital, the ability to start the development of the Siou underground operation in the third quarter of 2018, the ability to meet our targets at Mana between 2019 and 2023 with respect to annual production and all-in sustaining cost, the ability meet the 2018 milestones for the development of the Siou underground, the accuracy of our assumptions, the ability to execute a $26 million exploration budget in 2018 at the contemplated properties, the ability to complete the construction of the Boungou mine on time and on budget, the ability to execute on our strategic focus, fluctuation in the price of currencies, gold or operating costs, mining industry risks, uncertainty as to calculation of mineral reserves and resources, delays, political and social stability in Africa (including our ability to maintain or renew licenses and permits) and other risks described in SEMAFO’s documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in SEMAFO’s 2017 Annual MD&A, and other filings made with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. These documents are also available on our website at www.semafo.com. SEMAFO disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.
The information in this release is subject to the disclosure requirements of SEMAFO under the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act. This information was publicly communicated on March 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.
For more information, contact
SEMAFO
John Jentz
Vice-President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
Email: John.Jentz@semafo.com
Ruth Hanna
Analyst, Investor Relations
Email: Ruth.Hanna@semafo.com
Tel. local & overseas: +1 (514) 744 4408
North America Toll-Free: 1 (888) 744 4408
Website: www.semafo.com
Financial and Operating Highlights | |||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
Gold ounces produced | 206,400 | 240,200 | 255,900 |
Gold ounces sold | 205,300 | 240,600 | 258,600 |
(in thousands of dollars, except amounts per ounce, per tonne and per share) | |||
Revenues – Gold sales | 258,993 | 300,483 | 300,129 |
Operating income | 11,494 | 60,086 | 66,066 |
Net income attributable to equity shareholders | 20,036 | 34,219 | 24,910 |
Basic earnings per share | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.09 |
Diluted earnings per share | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.09 |
Adjusted operating income¹ | 10,659 | 70,989 | 65,973 |
Adjusted net income attributable to equity shareholders¹ | 864 | 48,109 | 40,863 |
Per share¹ | — | 0.15 | 0.14 |
Cash flows from operating activities2 | 107,023 | 142,222 | 147,561 |
Per share1 | 0.33 | 0.45 | 0.51 |
Average realized selling price (per ounce) | 1,261 | 1,249 | 1,161 |
Cash operating cost (per tonne processed)¹ | 46 | 43 | 47 |
Total cash cost (per ounce sold)¹ | 655 | 548 | 493 |
All-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold)¹ | 942 | 720 | 645 |
Total assets | 1,028,363 | 895,276 | 781,513 |
Non-current liabilities | 180,595 | 102,091 | 103,023 |
1 | Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to equity shareholders, adjusted basic earnings per share, operating cash flows per share, cash operating cost, total cash cost and all-in sustaining cost are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. See the “Non-IFRS financial measures" defined at the end of this press release. |
2 | Cash flows from operating activities exclude changes in non-cash working capital items. |
Fourth Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights | |||||||
Three-month period | |||||||
ended December 31, | |||||||
2017 | 2016 | Variation | |||||
Gold ounces produced | 49,500 | 55,100 | (10 | %) | |||
Gold ounces sold | 49,200 | 57,100 | (14 | %) | |||
(in thousands of dollars, except amounts per ounce, per tonne and per share) | |||||||
Revenues – Gold sales | 62,960 | 69,137 | (9 | %) | |||
Operating income | 2,215 | 4,806 | (54 | %) | |||
Net income (loss) attributable to equity shareholders | 1,649 | (4,949 | ) | — | |||
Basic earnings (loss) per share | 0.01 | (0.02 | ) | — | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share3 | 0.01 | (0.02 | ) | — | |||
Adjusted operating income1 | 2,405 | 10,554 | (77 | %) | |||
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to equity shareholders1 | (315 | ) | 7,899 | — | |||
Per share1 | — | 0.02 | (100 | %) | |||
Cash flow from operating activities2 | 25,409 | 30,362 | (16 | %) | |||
Per share1 | 0.08 | 0.09 | (11 | %) | |||
Average realized selling price (per ounce) | 1,278 | 1,211 | 6 | % | |||
Cash operating cost (per tonne processed)¹ | 47 | 40 | 18 | % | |||
Total cash cost (per ounce sold)¹ | 667 | 571 | 17 | % | |||
All-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold)¹ | 982 | 694 | 41 | % | |||
1 | Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to equity shareholders, adjusted basic earnings per share, operating cash flows per share, cash operating cost, total cash cost and all-in sustaining cost are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. |
2 | Cash flows from operating activities exclude changes in non-cash working capital items. See the “Non-IFRS financial performance measures defined at the end of this press release. |
3 | When there is a net loss attributable to equity shareholders, diluted loss per share is calculated from the basic weighted average number of outstanding common shares because the effect of options is anti-dilutive. |
Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures
Some of the indicators used by us to analyze and evaluate our results represent non-IFRS financial measures. We provide non-IFRS financial performance measures as they may be used by some investors to evaluate our financial performance. Since the non-IFRS performance measures do not have any standardized definition prescribed by IFRS, they may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Accordingly, they are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. For the non-IFRS financial performance measures not already reconciled within the document, we have defined the IFRS financial performance measures below and reconciled them to reported IFRS measures.
Cash Operating Cost
A reconciliation of cash operating cost calculated in accordance with the Gold Institute Standard to the operating costs is included in the following table:
2017 | 2016 | |||
Per tonne processed | ||||
Tonnes of ore processed | 2,739,900 | 2,753,300 | ||
(in thousands of dollars except per tonne) | ||||
Mining operation expenses (relating to ounces sold) | 134,385 | 131,953 | ||
Government royalties and selling expenses | (11,364 | ) | (13,627 | ) |
Effects of inventory adjustments (doré bars and gold in circuit) | 3,184 | (67 | ) | |
Operating costs (relating to tonnes processed) | 126,205 | 118,259 | ||
Cash operating cost (per tonne processed) | 46 | 43 |
Total Cash Cost | ||||
2017 | 2016 | |||
Per ounce sold | | | ||
Gold ounce sold | 205,300 | 240,600 | ||
| | |||
(in thousands of dollars except per ounce) | ||||
Mining operation expenses | 134,385 | 131,953 | ||
Total cash cost (per ounce sold) | 655 | 548 |
All-in Sustaining Cost
All-in sustaining cost represents the total cash cost plus sustainable capital expenditures and stripping costs per ounce.
2017 | 2016 | |||
Per ounce sold | ||||
Gold ounce sold | 205,300 | 240,600 | ||
(in thousands of dollars except per ounce) | ||||
Sustaining capital expenditure | 58,907 | 41,462 | ||
Sustaining capital expenditure (per ounce sold) | 287 | 172 | ||
Total cash cost (per ounce sold) | 655 | 548 | ||
All-in sustaining cost (per ounce sold) | 942 | 720 |
Operating Cash Flows per Share | ||||
2017 | 2016 | |||
(in thousands except per share) | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities1 | 107,023 | 142,222 | ||
Weighted average number of outstanding common shares - basic | 324,894 | 315,290 | ||
Operating cash flows per share | 0.33 | 0.45 |
1 | Cash flows from operating activities exclude changes in non-cash working capital items. |
Adjusted Accounting Measures
2017 | 2016 | |||
(in thousands of dollars except per share) | ||||
Net income attributable to equity shareholders as per IFRS | 20,036 | 34,219 | ||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | (9,528 | ) | 1,144 | |
Tax effect of currency translation on tax base | (8,809 | ) | 1,843 | |
Share-based compensation (recovery) expense related to change in the fair value of the share price | (835 | ) | 1,990 | |
Impairment of property, plant and equipment | — | 8,913 | ||
Adjusted net income attributable to equity shareholders | 864 | 48,109 | ||
Weighted average number of outstanding shares | 324,894 | 315,290 | ||
Adjusted basic earnings per share | — | 0.15 |
2017 | 2016 | |||
(in thousands) | $ | $ | ||
Operating income as per IFRS | 11,494 | 60,086 | ||
Share-based compensation (recovery) expense related to change in the fair value of the share price | (835 | ) | 1,990 | |
Impairment of property, plant and equipment | — | 8,913 | ||
Adjusted operating income | 10,659 | 70,989 |
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | |||
(Expressed in thousands of US dollars) | |||
As at | As at | ||
December 31, | December 31, | ||
2017 | 2016 | ||
$ | $ | ||
Assets | |||
Current assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 198,950 | 273,772 | |
Trade and other receivables | 22,649 | 16,945 | |
Income tax receivable | 3,186 | — | |
Inventories | 66,409 | 51,391 | |
Other current assets | 4,094 | 2,513 | |
295,288 | 344,621 | ||
Non-current assets | |||
Advance receivable | 2,867 | 3,060 | |
Restricted cash | 23,237 | 5,689 | |
Property, plant and equipment | 703,341 | 536,237 | |
Intangible asset | 1,374 | 1,595 | |
Other non-current assets | 2,256 | 4,074 | |
733,075 | 550,655 | ||
Total assets | 1,028,363 | 895,276 | |
Liabilities | |||
Current liabilities | |||
Trade payables and accrued liabilities | 72,720 | 41,964 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | 310 | 310 | |
Current portion of finance lease | 4,703 | — | |
Share unit plans liabilities | 6,404 | 6,635 | |
Provisions | 3,069 | 3,271 | |
Income tax payable | — | 5,422 | |
87,206 | 57,602 | ||
Non-current liabilities | |||
Long-term debt | 115,247 | 56,726 | |
Finance Lease | 19,008 | — | |
Share unit plans liabilities | 3,138 | 4,899 | |
Provisions | 12,258 | 8,137 | |
Deferred income tax liabilities | 30,944 | 32,329 | |
180,595 | 102,091 | ||
Total liabilities | 267,801 | 159,693 | |
Equity | |||
Equity Shareholders | |||
Share capital | 622,294 | 621,902 | |
Contributed surplus | 7,220 | 7,357 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 2,256 | 1,095 | |
Retained earnings | 97,710 | 77,674 | |
729,480 | 708,028 | ||
Non-controlling interests | 31,082 | 27,555 | |
Total equity | 760,562 | 735,583 | |
Total liabilities and equity | 1,028,363 | 895,276 |
Consolidated Statements of Income | ||||
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 | ||||
(Expressed in thousands of US dollars, except per share amounts) | ||||
2017 | 2016 | |||
$ | $ | |||
Revenue – Gold sales | 258,993 | 300,483 | ||
Costs of operations | ||||
Mining operation expenses | 134,385 | 131,953 | ||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 94,722 | 78,323 | ||
General and administrative | 14,069 | 13,953 | ||
Corporate social responsibility expenses | 1,097 | 960 | ||
Share-based compensation | 3,226 | 6,295 | ||
Impairment of property, plant and equipment | — | 8,913 | ||
Operating income | 11,494 | 60,086 | ||
Other expenses (income) | ||||
Finance income | (3,294 | ) | (2,171 | ) |
Finance costs | 1,309 | 1,938 | ||
Foreign exchange (gain) loss | (9,528 | ) | 1,144 | |
Income before income taxes | 23,007 | 59,175 | ||
Income tax expense (recovery) | ||||
Current | 4,181 | 16,408 | ||
Deferred | (4,737 | ) | 1,500 | |
(556 | ) | 17,908 | ||
Net income for the year | 23,563 | 41,267 | ||
Attributable to: | ||||
Equity shareholders | 20,036 | 34,219 | ||
Non-controlling interests | 3,527 | 7,048 | ||
23,563 | 41,267 | |||
Earnings per share | ||||
Basic | 0.06 | 0.11 | ||
Diluted | 0.06 | 0.11 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | ||||
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 | ||||
(Expressed in thousands of US dollars) | ||||
2017 | 2016 | |||
$ | $ | |||
Cash flows from (used in): | ||||
Operating activities | ||||
Net income for the year | 23,563 | 41,267 | ||
Adjustments for: | ||||
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 94,722 | 78,323 | ||
Share-based compensation | 3,226 | 6,295 | ||
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) | (9,480 | ) | 358 | |
Impairment of property, plant and equipment | — | 8,913 | ||
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) | (4,737 | ) | 1,500 | |
Adjustment for withholding taxes | — | 5,827 | ||
Other | (271 | ) | (261 | ) |
107,023 | 142,222 | |||
Changes in non-cash working capital items | (30,115 | ) | 6,558 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 76,908 | 148,780 | ||
Financing activities | ||||
Drawdown (repayment) of long-term debt | 60,000 | (30,000 | ) | |
Long-term debt transaction costs | — | (259 | ) | |
Repayment of equipment financing | (310 | ) | (129 | ) |
Payments of finance lease | (5,128 | ) | — | |
Proceeds on issuance of share capital, net of expenses | 255 | 92,017 | ||
Dividend paid by a subsidiary to non-controlling interest | — | (10,359 | ) | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 54,817 | 51,270 | ||
Investing activities | ||||
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment | (201,346 | ) | (90,890 | ) |
Increase in restricted cash | (16,808 | ) | (1,390 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | (218,154 | ) | (92,280 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 11,607 | (1,164 | ) | |
Change in cash and cash equivalents during the year | (74,822 | ) | 106,606 | |
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year | 273,772 | 167,166 | ||
Cash and cash equivalents – end of year | 198,950 | 273,772 | ||
Interest paid | 6,576 | 4,150 | ||
Interest received | 3,360 | 1,608 | ||
Income tax paid | 12,109 | 10,816 |