Endeavour Mining Reports 2011 Financial Results and Demonstrates Significant Growth
(All figures in US dollars unless otherwise indicated)
Toronto Stock Exchange: EDV Australian Securities Exchange: EVR
MONACO, March 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Endeavour Mining Corporation ('Endeavour' or the 'Corporation')
today announced its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. On December 5, 2011 the merger between Endeavour and Adamus Resources Limited ('Adamus'), which owns 90% of the Nzema Gold Mine in Ghana, became effective. Adamus' results are included in Endeavour's financial results for the 26 day period from December 6, 2011 to December 31, 2011 ('26 day period'), which limits the comparability of the audited figures. Endeavour is a growth focused West African gold producer with two operating mines and an EPCM contract being tendered for its third mine, Agbaou. In addition, significant exploration programs to extend mine lives are being conducted on the mine lease areas.2011 Financial and Corporate Highlights include:
-- A transformative transaction for two junior gold producers.
Endeavour and Adamus merged effective December 5, 2011 in a
market-based all-stock transaction creating a strengthened and
growth focused West African gold production and exploration
company. For 2012, Endeavour expects gold production to be in
the range of 170,000 to 190,000 ounces at a total cash cost
(excluding royalties) of $645 to $685 per ounce, with
additional near-term production growth of approximately 100,000
ounces per year from the Agbaou Gold Project. Based on the
production and cost guidance ranges and assuming $1,600 gold
price, the cash flow from mining operations during 2012 is
forecast at $150 million.
-- Increased financial flexibility from entering into a $200
million four year revolving corporate loan facility with
UniCredit Bank AG. On December 5, 2011 Endeavour drew down
$100 million to maintain a strong cash position through the
merger financial restructuring period and for general working
capital purposes.
-- Repayment of the $57 million Nzema Gold Mine project loan
facility and removal of the associated loan covenants and
conditions.
-- Increased leverage to gold by de-hedging. Endeavour closed out
162,532 ounces of the gold hedge book (100% or 23,532 ounces of
the Youga hedge book in November 2011 and 55% or 139,000 ounces
of the Nzema hedge book in December 2011). The remaining Nzema
hedge book of 116,161 ounces has a flat forward price of
$1,061.75 and represents approximately 8% of the current proven
and probable gold reserves at Nzema and Youga. The re-profiled
delivery of gold will be approximately 10,000 ounces during
each of 2012 and 2013 and 32,000 ounces during each of 2014,
2015 and 2016.
-- Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled
$132.5 million, as of December 31, 2011.
-- Focused on West African gold.During 2011, Endeavour completed
the sale of its diamond properties in South Africa, completed a
spin-out and IPO of its rare earth exploration properties in
Namibia, and sold its debt finance and related M&A advisory
business in order to focus on its core gold mining activities.
On March 6, 2012, Endeavour announced the conditional sale of
its 40% interest in the Finkolo JV in Mali for $20 million cash
to sharpen its focus on a growing number of wholly-owned
projects.
Neil Woodyer, CEO stated: 'We have completed a significant year of growth and are very pleased with the operating performance at our Nzema and Youga gold mines during 2011. At the end of 2011, we completed a significant financial restructuring and increased our exposure to gold through de-hedging and sale of non-core assets. We have successfully integrated our management teams and established a new operations centre in Accra, Ghana. The Nzema mine building team are advancing the Agbaou Project and they have commenced the EPCM tender process. Our growth profile also includes $24 million for 2012 near-mine exploration programs to extend mine lives and $6 million for regional programs. We will also be reviewing a number of acquisition opportunities.'
Operational Highlights (unaudited) for the year ended December 31, 2011, adjusted to include the full year for the Youga Gold Mine and the Nzema Gold Mine:
-- Gold production totaled 177,290 ounces, comprised of 90,026
ounces from the Nzema Gold Mine and 87,264 ounces from the
Youga Gold Mine.
-- Gold sales totaled 181,796 ounces, comprised of 91,108 ounces
from the Nzema Gold Mine and 90,688 ounces from the Youga Gold
Mine.
-- Total cash cost (excluding royalties) of $614 per ounce
produced, based on costs of $585 at the Nzema Gold Mine
(excluding pre-commercial production) and $644 at the Youga
Gold Mine.
-- Operating cash flow from mine operations of $91 million
including $36.9 million from the Nzema Gold Mine and $53.9
million from the Youga Gold Mine, after the realized losses of
the 2011 gold hedges. Endeavour closed out 100% of the Youga
hedge book in November 2011 and 55% of the Nzema hedge book in
December 2011.
-- Near-mine exploration programs yielded strong results with
total attributable measured and indicated resources increased
to 3.8 million ounces plus 1.4 million ounces inferred at a 0.5
g/t cut-off as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2010,
the combined attributablemeasured and indicated resources
totaled 3.5 million ounces plus 1.2 million ounces inferred.
Please refer to the mineral resource table at the end of this
news release for additional information.
Mark Connelly, COO stated 'Endeavour's 2011 operating results demonstrate our solid operating platform. Endeavour is producing gold at 180,000 ounces per year from two steady-state operations and expects to produce gold at a rate of 250,000+ ounces per year by the end of 2013 through the development of Agbaou. With the financial strength to fully fund the entire Agbaou capital cost, we are positioned to initiate a fast start to construction activities and reach our 2013 production target.'
Nzema Gold Mine, Ghana - Full Year 2011 Highlights and 2012 Production Guidance
_____________________________________________________________________
|NZEMA, Ghana| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | 2011 | 2011 | 2012 |
| | | | | |Total |Guidance| Guidance |
|____________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Ore Milled | n/a3| 488| 535| 533|1,5564| | |
|('000 t) | | | | | | | |
|____________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Milled Grade| n/a3| 1.89| 1.65| 1.64| 1.724| | |
|(g/t Au) | | | | | | | |
|____________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Gold |13,521|26,015|26,480|24,010|90,026| n/a2| 92,000 to|
|Production | | | | | | | 102,000|
|(ozs) | | | | | | | |
|____________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Cash Cost | n/a3| $544| $597| $617| $5854| n/a2|$630 to $670|
|per Ounce | | | | | | | |
|Produced | | | | | | | |
|(US$/oz)1 | | | | | | | |
|____________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
(1) Cash Cost per Ounce produced excluding royalties is a non-GAAP financial performance measure with no standard meaning under IFRS
(2) Production guidance provided by Adamus Resources Limited was on a June year-end basis and is not comparable to a December year-end basis
(3) Nzema declared commercial production on April 1, 2011
(4) For the nine month period from April 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011
-- Successful on time and on budget completion of plant
construction
-- First gold pour took place ahead of schedule on January 17,
2011
-- Commencement of commercial production was achieved on April 1,
2011
-- Plant and associated facilities have met design specifications
-- Successful implementation of the Salman Village resettlement
(completed March 2012), with full support from the local
government and community leaders
-- Successful 2011 near-mine exploration programs resulted in the
addition of 65,000 ounces of measured and indicated mineral
resources (including 2011 depletion, at a 0.5 g/t cut-off),
plus a 40% increase of inferred mineral resources of 186,000
ounces at a 0.5 g/t cut-off
Youga Gold Mine, Burkina Faso - Full Year 2011 Highlights and 2012 Production Guidance
____________________________________________________________________
|YOUGA, | | | | | 2011 | 2011 | 2012 |
|Burkina | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |Total |Guidance| Guidance |
|Faso | | | | | | | |
|___________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Ore Milled | 212| 234| 246| 248| 940| | |
|('000 t) | | | | | | | |
|___________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Milled | 3.29| 2.93| 3.09| 3.00| 3.08| | |
|Grade (g/t | | | | | | | |
|Au) | | | | | | | |
|___________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Gold |20,056|21,575|24,047|21,586|87,264| 84,000| 78,000 to|
|Production | | | | | | | 88,000|
|(ozs) | | | | | | | |
|___________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
|Cash Cost | $684| $705| $565| $623| $644| $610 to|$660 to $700|
|per Ounce | | | | | | $650| |
|Produced | | | | | | | |
|(US$/oz)1 | | | | | | | |
|___________|______|______|______|______|______|________|____________|
(1) Cash Cost per Ounce produced excluding royalties is a non-GAAP financial performance measure with no standard meaning under IFRS
-- Exceeded 2011 production guidance by over 3,000 ounces, and met
cost guidance
-- A record 5 million Lost-Time Injury free hours worked by
January 2012
-- Re-invigorated social projects at the village of Youga,
including building of a fully equipped maternity clinic,
renovation of existing medical facilities, and expansion of the
elementary school
-- Successful 2011 near-mine exploration programs resulted in 49%
increase in proven and probable reserves (a gain of 179,000
ounces; including 2011 depletion) and extension of mine life to
7.3 years
Operational Highlights, as presented in the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011 and related MD&A, include the full year for the Youga Gold Mine and the Nzema Gold Mine for the 26 day period:
-- Gold production totaled 92,309 ounces, an increase of 9,907
ounces over the same period in 2010. The 2011 gold production
is comprised of 87,264 ounces from the Youga Gold Mine and
5,045 ounces from the Nzema Gold Mine for the 26 day period.
-- Gold sales totaled 97,377 ounces, an increase of 15,949 ounces
over the same period in 2010. The 2011 gold sales amount is
comprised of 90,688 ounces from the Youga Gold Mine and 6,689
ounces from the Nzema Gold Mine for the 26 day period.
-- Total cash cost (excluding royalties) of $664 per ounce
produced compared to $582 for the same period of 2010. The
increase in costs is primarily due to increased fuel and labour
costs in Burkina Faso and the inclusion of the 26 day period
for the Nzema Gold Mine in December 2011.
-- Operating cash flow from mine operations of $60.5 million
compared to $35.6 million for the same period of 2010. The
2011 operating cash flow from mine operations is comprised of
$53.9 million from the Youga Gold Mine and $6.6 million from
the Nzema Gold Mine for the 26 day period.
2012 Exploration Program
Endeavour has approved an exploration budget of $30 million for 2012. Approximately $16 million is directed towards increasing resources and reserves to extend mine lives at the Nzema and Youga operations, $6 million towards increasing resources and reserves at Agbaou, and the balance of $8 million towards delineating resources and conducting further metallurgical testing of the Nzema Sulphides in Ghana and advancing the exploration programs on key properties in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, and Mali.
Conference Call Details
Management's discussion of the year end results will be webcast by V-Call on:
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 6:00 pm Toronto time or 3:00 pm
Vancouver time
Equivalent to Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 9:00 am Sydney time
or 6:00 am Perth time
The conference call will feature Neil Woodyer, Chief Executive Officer, Mark Connelly, Chief Operating Officer, and Christian Milau, Chief Financial Officer.
The conference call can be accessed from the Corporation's website at www.endeavourmining.com or by calling the operator prior to the scheduled start time at:
International +1 201 689 8565
North American toll-free +1 877 407 0778
Australian toll-free 0011 800 4626 6666
The call will be archived for later playback on Endeavour's website until March 14, 2013. Financial Statements and related MD&A will be available on SEDAR, the ASX, and in the Investor Relations section of Endeavour's website.
In order to access the Corporation's financial statements directly, please click the following URL: http://files.newswire.ca/910/EDVConsolidatedDec3111.pdf
Qualified Persons
Adriaan 'Attie' Roux, Pr. Sci.Nat, Endeavour's Senior Vice President - Operations, is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to mining operations in this news release.
K. Kirk Woodman, P.Geo., Endeavour's General Manager of Exploration, is the Qualified Person overseeing exploration projects in French West Africa and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to Mineral Resource Estimates at the Youga Mine contained in this news release.
Adrian de Freitas, MIMMM, C. Eng., Endeavour's General Manager, Youga Mine is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to mining operations at the Youga Mine contained in this news release.
About Endeavour Mining Corporation
Endeavour is a growth focused West African gold production and exploration company led by an accomplished management team. Endeavour is currently producing gold at a rate of 180,000 ounces per year from two operating mines (Nzema in Ghana and Youga in Burkina Faso) and has a near-term mine construction decision (Agbaou in Côte d'Ivoire) and an extensive 2012 exploration program underway. Endeavour's goal is to produce approximately 250,000 ounces of gold per year from the end of 2013 from existing properties. Endeavour also has an acquisition growth strategy focused on West Africa and is targeting the acquisition of additional gold production before the end of 2013.
Endeavour Mining Corporation is listed on the TSX (symbol EDV) and ASX (symbol EVR).
On behalf of Endeavour Mining Corporation
'Neil Woodyer'
Neil Woodyer
Chief Executive Officer
This news release contains 'forward-looking statements' including but not limited to, statements with respect to Endeavour's plans and operating performance, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of future production, future capital expenditures, and the success of exploration activities. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'expects', 'expected', 'budgeted', 'forecasts' and 'anticipates'. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions and credit availability, actual results of current exploration activities, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increases in market prices of mining consumables, possible variations in ore reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which Endeavour operates. Although Endeavour has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Please refer to Endeavour's most recent Annual Information Form filed under its profile at www.sedar.com for further information respecting the risks affecting Endeavour and its business.
Mineral Reserves as of 31 December 2011
Gold
Price
Deposit Proven Probable Total US$/oz
Au Au Au
kt (g/t) k Ozs kt (g/t) k Ozs kt (g/t) k Ozs
Nzema1,2,3,4,
- Total 11,938 2.0 770 2,664 2.3 193 14,603 2.0 964 900
Attributable
- 90% - - 693 - - 174 - - 867 -
Youga5 2,238 2.4 176 2,396 1.8 141 4,634 2.1 317 1,000
Attributable
- 90% - - 158 - - 127 - - 285 -
Youga
Satellites6 1,279 1.4 59 1,396 1.6 71 2,674 1.5 131 1,000
Attributable
- 90% - - 53 - - 64 - - 118 -
Agbaou8-
Total - - - 10,900 2.1 732 10,900 2.1 732 1,000
Attributable
- 85% - - - - - 622 - - 622 -
Finkolo9 -
Total 1,037 3.3 109 1,381 2.9 127 2,418 3.0 237 900
Attributable
- 40% - - 44 - - 51 - - 95 -
Total - - 1,114 - - 1,264 - - 2,378 -
Total -
Attributable - - 948 - - 1,038 - - 1,986 -
Totals may not add due to rounding errors.
Mineral Resources including Reserves, at a 0.5g/t cut-off as of 31 December 2011
Measured
Measured Indicated &Indicated Inferred
Au Au Au Au
Deposit kt (g/t) k Ozs kt (g/t) k Ozs kt (g/t) k Ozs kt (g/t) k Ozs
Nzema1,2,3,4,
- Total 31,658 1.4 1,409 16,671 1.2 656 48,329 1.3 2,064 17,725 1.1 652
Attributable
- 90% - - 1,268 - - 590 - - 1,858 - - 587
Youga5 3,526 2.3 266 7,897 1.6 398 11,422 1.8 664 3,462 1.2 138
Attributable
- 90% - - 239 - - 358 - - 598 - - 124
Youga
Satellites6 3,220 1.1 118 3,731 1.2 146 6,951 1.2 264 1,211 1.4 55
Attributable
- 90% - - 106 - - 131 - - 238 - - 50
Ouaré 7 -
Total - - - - - - - - - 4,738 2.1 323
Attributable
- 90% - - - - - - - - - - - 291
Agbaou8-
Total - - - 16,590 1.9 1,015 16,590 1.9 1,015 5,072 1.7 272
Attributable
- 85% - - - - - 863 - - 863 - - 231
Finkolo9 -
Total 3,290 2.3 242 6,820 2.0 445 10,110 2.1 687 6,730 1.4 301
Attributable
- 40% - - 97 - - 178 - - 275 - - 120
Total - - 2,036 - - 2,660 - - 4,694 - - 1,741
Total
Attributable - - 1,710 - - 2,120 - - 3,831 - - 1,403
Totals may not add due to rounding errors.
1 Technical Report Southern Ashanti Gold Project, Ghana, West
Africaeffective August 17, 2009, prepared by Ron Heeks (M.AusIMM),
Technical Manager Adamus Resources Limited. Qualified Persons not
independent of Endeavour Mining Corporation, Depleted as of December
31, 2011
2 2012 Mineral Resource update of the Salman Gold Deposit effective
February 16 2012, prepared by Nic Johnson (M.AIG), MPR Geological
Consultants.
3 2012 Mineral Resource update of the Aliva and Nfutu Gold Deposits
effective February 17, 2012, prepared by Nic Johnson (M.AIG), MPR
Geological Consultants.
4 Mineral Resource for the Akropon Gold Deposit, Internal Resource
Estimate effective February 20, 2012, prepared by William Yeo,
Qualified Persons not independent of Endeavour Mining Corporation.
5 Technical Report and Update of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
for the Youga Gold Mine, Burkina Faso, West Africa, effective December
31, 2010 and dated March 15, 2011, prepared by A. de Freitas and K.
Woodman, Qualified Persons not independent of Endeavour Mining
Corporation, Depleted as of December 31, 2011
6 Youga Satellite Deposits, Internal Resource Estimates, prepared by
AMEC under supervision of K. Woodman Internal Reserve Estimates,
prepared by SEMS under supervision of A. de Freitas Qualified Persons
not independent of Endeavour Mining Corporation
7 Ouaré Deposit, Internal Resource Estimate, dated June 16 2009
prepared by A. Mouton under supervision of K. Woodman Qualified Persons
not independent of Endeavour Mining Corporation
8 Feasibility Update Study Report on the Agbaou Gold Project, Cote
d'Ivoire, West Africa for Etruscan Resources Inc, dated September 2009,
prepared by MDM Engineering International Ltd. and Coffey Mining Pty
Ltd.
9Tabakoroni Feasibility Study Report, Tabakoroni Gold Deposit, Mali,
West Africa, dated June 10, 2010, prepared by S. Stein and K. Woodman,
Qualified Persons not independent of Endeavour Mining Corporation
Endeavour Mining Corporation
CONTACT: Stephen Roberts, Vice President - Investor Relations, +1 604 609
6130, sroberts@endeavourmining.com
David Ikin, Professional Public Relations, +61 8 9388
0944, david.ikin@ppr.com.au
Florence Liberski, Renmark Financial Communications, +1 514 939 3989 or
+1 416 644 2020, fliberski@renmarkfinancial.com
