Tuesday, March 29, 2011

SanGold to increase production in 2011.

One ounce gold bar.Image via Wikipedia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2011


2011 Outlook:


- Gold production of 80,000 oz (2,488 kg), starting at 15,000 oz in Q1 and increasing to 25,000 oz in Q4


- Increase in production to an average of 1,200 tons per day, exiting the year at 1,400 tons per day and cash cost approaching $650 per ounce.


- Exploration expenditures in excess of $20 MM near surface along Shoreline Basalt and at depth along projections of existing zones.


- Significant Capital Development planned to access new faces at 007, 007 East, Cohiba, L10, and L13 zones

 
The Company recognized revenue of $58.0 MM for the year and experienced an operating loss from operations of $4.0 MM. The comprehensive loss from operations for the year was $22.2 MM. These figures compare to revenue in the prior year of $27.8 MM, an operating loss of $11.8 MM and a comprehensive loss of $29.5 MM.


In cash terms, the year was therefore close to breakeven from an operating perspective. Overall cash cost was $1,105 per ounce and $175 per ton. This compares to 2009 cash costs of $1,221 per ounce and $220 per ton. While this represents a 25% reduction in cash cost per ton in comparison to last year and a 12% reduction in the cash cost per ounce, management expects significant cost reductions in the coming year as operations get closer to efficient levels of production. Cash costs are budgeted to start the year at about $1,060 per ounce and end the year approaching $650 per ounce for an average cost of about $825 for the year. (Please see discussion on Non-GAAP financial measures for a detailed calculation and reconciliation of these figures to our GAAP financial statements).


In 2010, San Gold carried out 200,000 metres (657,000 feet) of diamond drilling from stations located at surface and underground. 91,000 metres (300,000 feet) of drilling occurred underground with another 109,000 metres (357,000 feet) carried out from surface. 56,000 metres (185,000 feet) of underground drilling occurred in the Rice Lake Mine, with the remainder carried out from surface. About one quarter of the 2010 drilling program was definition drilling with the remainder targeted for new exploration. While the rate of new discoveries in 2010 provided substantial optimism about the potential of the Rice Lake Project, 2011’s exploration program will shift closer to identified deposits to improve production planning.


San Gold capitalized expenditures associated with mining properties and related equipment during the year to date in the amount of $39.7 MM (2009 - $24.2 MM). This contributed to 18,638 feet (5,681 m) of Capital Development and $14.5 MM (2009 - $4.5 MM) of property, plant and equipment during the year. This Capital investment positions San Gold well going into 2011, providing many new faces with ore potential.
As at December 31, 2010, the Company had a working capital surplus of $59.0 MM compared to a working capital surplus of $25.5 MM at December 31, 2009. In the subsequent period, the Company has further enhanced its liquidity through a Flow-Through financing designed to fund exploration expenditure through 2011 and into 2012. Liquidity is currently very strong and the Company continues to have sufficient cash reserves to meet currently planned exploration and development activities and to fund operational activities in the short and medium term.


The information in this release may contain forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. This forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those implied in the forward-looking information. The TSX Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


For further information, contact:
Gestur Kristjansson Investor Relations
Chief Financial Officer 1-800-321-8564
San Gold Corporation
(204) 772-9149
Enhanced by Zemanta

No comments:

Post a Comment