Centamin plc Results for the Third Quarter and Nine Months Ended 30 September 2013
HIGHLIGHTS IN Q3 2013 (1).(2) (3) (4) (5)
· Gold production 84,757 ounces, down 9% quarter-on-quarter and up 39% on the prior year period.
· Basic earnings per share 2.72 cents; down 43% on Q2 2013 and down 51% on the prior year period.
· EBITDA US$43.1 million; down 32% on Q2 2013 and down 36% on the prior year period.
· US$11.9 million write down in relation to the investment in Nyota Minerals Ltd.
· Cash cost of production of US$693 per ounce, in line with 2013 full year guidance of US$700 per ounce.
· Stage 4 plant expansion (to 10Mtpa) remains on track for the bulk of commissioning to commence, and be completed, in the fourth quarter of 2013. Expenditure to date is US$318.3 million of the total unchanged forecast of US$325 million, including contingency, with the remaining balance to continue to be funded from cost recoveries.
· Operations are well placed to exceed full year 2013 guidance, provided on 14 March 2013, of 320,000 ounces at a cash cost of production of US$700 per ounce inclusive of fuel prepayments.
· Centamin remains debt-free and un-hedged with cash, bullion on hand, gold sales receivables and available-for-sale financial assets of US$156.4 million as at 30 September 2013.
· An updated resource and reserve statement is planned during the fourth quarter of 2013.
· Exploration results at Sukari and in Ethiopia continue to justify further drilling.
· Entry into a joint venture with Alecto Minerals plc in relation to Alecto's exploration licences in Ethiopia.
· The Supreme Administrative Court appeal and Diesel Fuel Court Case are both ongoing. Operations continue as normal and any enforcement of the Administrative Court decision has been suspended pending the appeal ruling.