Century Announces Second Fiscal Quarter 2014-15 Results and Provides Update on Strategic Direction
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TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov 13, 2014) - Century Iron Mines Corp. (TSX:FER) ("Century" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed its condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014 and the related management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") on SEDAR, which includes an update on the strategic direction of the Company.
The Company reported substantial corporate working capital of $45.1 million, comprised of $29.5 million in cash and bank deposits and $15.6 million in net receivables. In addition, the Company reported a cash and bank balance of $23.4 million at its Attikamagen joint venture ("JV"), a joint venture between Century (owning 60% in the JV) and WISCO International Resources Development & Investment Limited (owning 40% in the JV). The strong financial position of the JV provides sufficient funding to complete the planned bankable feasibility and environmental studies for the Joyce Lake direct shipping ore ("DSO") project, the Company's most advanced project, and brings it to the pre-construction stage without the need for any additional capital contribution.
With the JV being self-funded and a substantial amount of corporate working capital not tied to project development (with the minor exception of the Altius projects), the Company is in a rare and uniquely advantageous position at a time when asset values in the market are depressed and cash is scarce. This unique position allows the Company to evaluate additional strategic opportunities to create shareholder value through the efficient allocation of its capital resources.
Century reported that a special management task force has recently been formed to source, study and review various value creation options and opportunities in the best interest of its shareholders, including those opportunities that may exist beyond the iron ore sector. In evaluating these options and opportunities, the high level criteria that the Company will consider includes the following:
- Positive quality cash flow;
- Commodity cycle upside potential;
- Operating in a reasonable part of the cost curve;
- Self-funding potential of the project; and
- Potential to attract a strategic partner in the future.
Should the Company identify a strategic transaction outside of the iron ore sector, it may consider spinning out the acquired target or splitting the Company into separate public entities to allow Century to continue to focus on the iron ore sector.
Sandy Chim, President and Chief Executive Officer of Century commented: "We strongly believe that acquiring an asset that meets our investment criteria has the potential to create new shareholder value and to unlock significant existing value not captured in our current share price. With our strong international capital market experience and successful track record, we are confident we can successfully execute this new strategic initiative."
About Century
Century is an iron exploration and development company and has significant properties in the prolific Labrador Trough in Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the James Bay area of Québec. Century has two key strategic partners, WISCO International Resources Development & Investment Limited ("WISCO") and Minmetals Exploration & Development (Luxembourg) Limited S.àr.l., both Chinese state-owned enterprises. Each provides financial resources and technical expertise to assist the Company in advancing its projects.
Century's most advanced project is the Joyce Lake DSO project, a joint venture with WISCO located close to Schefferville, Québec. It is planned as a 2-million tonne per annum direct shipping iron ore project. A bankable feasibility study is expected to be completed early in 2015.
The Company's mission is to create shareholder value through the efficient allocation of capital resources. Century has a strategic joint venture with WISCO to develop its iron resources. In addition, the Company is also committed to exploring and evaluating strategic opportunities outside of the iron ore market to create additional shareholder value. Century's website is: www.centuryiron.com.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS "FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION" WITHIN THE MEANING OF CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF CENTURY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION INCLUDES INFORMATION THAT RELATES TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CENTURY'S INTENTION TO EVALUATE PROSPECTIVE TRANSACTIONS ARISING FROM THE REVIEW BY CENTURY OF ITS STRATEGIC OPTIONS AND ITS AVAILABLE WORKING CAPITAL. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION IS BASED ON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, OPINIONS, ASSUMPTIONS, ESTIMATES AND ANALYSES THAT, WHILE CONSIDERED REASONABLE BY CENTURY AT THE DATE THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED, ARE INHERENTLY SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS AND EVENTS TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION. THE RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES, CONTINGENCIES AND OTHER FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, RISKS GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH CENTURY'S BUSINESS, AS DESCRIBED IN CENTURY'S ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2014. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE CENTURY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.
Contact
Century Iron Mines Corp.
Bob Leshchyshen, MBA, CFA
Vice-President, Corporate Development
& Investor Relations
416-977-3188, ext. 109
bob.leshchyshen@centuryiron.com
CHF Investor Relations
Robin Cook
Senior Account Manager
416-868-1079, ext. 228
robin@chfir.com