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| Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manitou Capital Corp | TSXV:MOU | TSX Venture | Common Stock |
| Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | 0.00% | 0 | - |
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Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX:CG) -
This news release contains forward-looking information that is subject to the
risk factors and assumptions set out on page 22 and in our Cautionary Note
Regarding Forward-looking Information on page 28. It should be read in
conjunction with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements and notes for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and
associated Management's Discussion and Analysis. The condensed interim financial
statements of Centerra are prepared in accordance with International Accounting
Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International
Accounting Standards Board and the Company's accounting policies as described in
note 3 of its annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2013. All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise
stated.
To view Management's Discussion and Analysis and the Financial Statements and
Notes for the three-months ended March 31, 2014, please visit the following
link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CG2014-Q1MDA.pdf.
Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX:CG) today reported net earnings for the first quarter of
2014 of $2.1 million or $0.01 per common share (basic), compared to $51.4
million or $0.22 per common share (basic) in the comparative quarter of 2013.
The decrease in earnings reflects lower average realized gold price(1),
increased depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) at Kumtor and lower
ounces sold in 2014.
2014 First Quarter Highlights
-- Announced positive Oksut Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA),
executive summary available on the Company's website.
-- Commenced Oksut feasibility study.
-- Produced 116,669 ounces of gold in the quarter, including 102,933 ounces
at Kumtor and 13,736 ounces at Boroo, compared to 115,220 ounces in the
same period in 2013.
-- Cash provided by operations increased to $101.6 million compared to
$92.0 million in the first quarter of 2013.
-- All-in sustaining costs per ounce sold(1) of $1,109, which excludes
revenue-based tax in the Kyrgyz Republic, compared to $1,068 in the same
period in 2013.
-- Reported all-in costs per ounce sold(1), which excludes revenue-based
tax in the Kyrgyz Republic and income taxes, for the quarter of $1,158
compared to $1,278 for the first quarter of 2013.
-- Kyrgyz Parliament adopted a resolution on the Kumtor restructuring as
described in the previously announced Heads of Agreement (HOA).
Commentary
Ian Atkinson, President and CEO of Centerra Gold commented, "Operationally we
are on track to achieve our gold production guidance for the year. Both
operations performed well during the quarter with Kumtor producing almost
103,000 ounces of gold and Boroo nearly 14,000 ounces. Financially, cash
provided by operations was $101.6 million for the first quarter and our cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investments grew to over $436 million net of
debt at March 31."
"During the quarter, the Kyrgyz Parliament adopted a resolution on the Kumtor
restructuring as described in the HOA but the resolution also contained a number
of recommendations that were materially inconsistent with the terms of the HOA.
In mid-March, the Kyrgyz parliamentary coalition was dissolved and a new
coalition and government were formed. The Company expects to continue its
discussions with the Government regarding the potential restructuring
transaction to resolve all outstanding concerns relating to the Kumtor Project.
However, the Company continues to maintain that any agreement to resolve matters
must be fair to all of Centerra's shareholders."
"At the Oksut Project, we are moving ahead with a feasibility study after
announcing the positive results of the PEA study. The Keltepe deposit is still
open to the south in the direction of the Guneytepe deposit and we have
additional exploration targets on our land package which we are going to
follow-up with additional exploration and exploration drilling this year. We are
targeting to achieve initial gold production in late 2016."
Kumtor Developments
In early February 2014, the south arm of the Davidov glacier, located at the
southernmost portion of the Kumtor Central Pit, advanced beyond anticipated
rates. In response to the increased movement, a buttress was constructed from
run of mine waste material beginning in late February. The buttress is located
at the bottom of the Davidov glacier on the edge of the ultimate pit design and
has, thus far, been effective to reduce the rate of movement to manageable
levels. While the Company believes that the buttress is working effectively,
further monitoring and study will be required and there can be no assurance that
the buttress will ultimately stop or sufficiently slow down the movement of the
Davidov glacier.
No additional cost was incurred to build the buttress, since run of mine waste
material was used and the waste hauls were shorter. If the buttress functions as
expected, it is anticipated that it will reduce the amount of ice to be mined in
the future.
On February 6, 2014, the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic considered the
non-binding Heads of Agreement between Centerra, the Government of the Kyrgyz
Republic and Kyrgyzaltyn JSC ("Kyrgyzaltyn") in connection with a potential
restructuring transaction under which Kyrgyzaltyn would exchange its 32.7%
equity interest in Centerra for a 50% interest in a joint venture company that
would own the Kumtor Project. Following its consideration, Parliament adopted a
resolution that appears to support the concept of the restructuring described in
the HOA but also contains a number of recommendations that are materially
inconsistent with the terms of the HOA. See "Other Corporate Developments -
Kyrgyz Republic" for details.
Kumtor continues to work with the relevant Kyrgyz governmental agencies to
obtain formal approval for its 2014 annual mine plan. Such agencies are required
to be reasonable in their consideration of mine plan approvals under the terms
of the agreements governing the Kumtor project. In addition, Kumtor has received
a letter from the State Inspectorate for Environmental and Technical Safety
(SIETS) which suggests that mine operations could be suspended, though no formal
order to suspend operations has been received at this time. In this regard, the
Company notes that successive Kyrgyz governments have emphasized the strategic
importance to the Kyrgyz Republic of the continued operation of the Kumtor mine.
See "Other Corporate Developments - Kyrgyz Republic" for details.
On April 23, 2014, the Company understands that the Parliament of the Kyrgyz
Republic passed a law prohibiting activities which affect glaciers in the Kyrgyz
Republic (the "Glacier Law"). Centerra has not yet received the official version
of the Glacier Law and notes that several of its provisions are unclear, though
it appears to contain provisions for the payment of compensation for damages to
glaciers, at rates to be determined by the Government. The Glacier Law must be
signed by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic before it will take effect.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see discussion under "Non-GAAP Measures".
Consolidated Financial and Operating Highlights
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended March 31 (5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Summary ($ millions, except
as noted) 2014 2013 % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 148.0 $ 192.3 (23%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales 109.1 91.1 20%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regional office administration 5.7 5.6 2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from mine operations 33.2 95.5 (65%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue-based taxes 18.4 20.8 (12%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating expenses 1.9 1.9 0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exploration and business development 2.6 7.2 (64%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate administration 6.5 6.7 (3%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from operations 3.8 58.9 (94%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other (income) and expenses (0.2) 1.3 (115%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finance costs 1.4 1.3 8%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes 2.6 56.3 (95%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income tax expense 0.6 4.9 (88%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings $ 2.1 $ 51.4 (96%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common share (basic) -
$/share $ 0.01 $ 0.22 (100%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per common share (diluted) -
$/share - $ 0.21 (100%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - basic (thousands) (1) 236,391 236,376 0%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average common shares
outstanding - diluted (thousands)(1) 236,649 236,964 (0%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operations 101.6 92.0 10%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures (2) 98.9 103.9 (5%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Summary
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold produced - ounces poured 116,669 115,220 1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold sold - ounces sold 114,493 118,745 (4%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average realized gold price - $/oz
(4) 1,293 1,619 (20%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average gold spot price - $/oz (3) 1,293 1,631 (21%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales - $/oz sold (4) 953 767 24%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted operating costs - $/oz sold
(4) 429 448 (4%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in sustaining costs - $/oz sold
(4) 1,109 1,068 4%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in costs - $/oz sold (4) 1,158 1,278 (9%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in costs (including taxes) - $/oz
sold (4) 1,319 1,497 (12%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) As at March 31, 2014, the Company had 236,392,976 common shares issued
and outstanding.
(2) Includes capitalized stripping of $88.1 million in first quarter of 2014
($74.3 million in first quarter of 2013).
(3) Average for the period as reported by the London Bullion Market
Association (US dollar Gold P.M. Fix Rate).
(4) Average realized gold price, cost of sales per ounce sold, adjusted
operating costs per ounce sold, all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold, all-
in costs per ounce sold and all-in costs (including taxes) per ounce sold
are non-GAAP measures and are discussed under "Non-GAAP Measures".
(5) Results may not add due to rounding.
First Quarter 2014 compared to First Quarter 2013
-- Gold production for the first quarter of 2014 totaled 116,669 ounces
compared to 115,220 ounces in the comparative quarter. The increase in
ounces poured reflects higher production at Kumtor due to drawing down
in-circuit inventory, partially offset by lower production at Boroo from
lower mill grades and fewer ounces under primary leach.
-- All-in sustaining costs per ounce sold(2), which excludes revenue-based
tax in the Kyrgyz Republic, were $1,109 in the first quarter of 2014
compared to $1,068 in the comparative quarter of 2013. The increase in
unit costs for the 2014 period reflects 4% lower ounces sold than the
comparative period.
-- All-in costs per ounce sold(1), which excludes revenue-based tax in the
Kyrgyz Republic and income taxes, for 2014 were $1,158 compared to
$1,278 in 2013. The decrease is mainly due to lower spending on
sustaining and growth capital(1) at Kumtor, lower operating costs at
Boroo and lower exploration spending, partially offset by lower ounces
sold and higher capitalized stripping costs at Kumtor. Excluding
capitalized stripping, the cash component of capital expenditures at
Kumtor decreased by $18.8 million in the first quarter of 2014 as the
mine completed its mining fleet expansion in 2013.
-- Revenue for the first quarter of 2014, decreased to $148.0 million from
$192.3 million in the comparative quarter of 2013, primarily from a 20%
lower average realized gold price in the first quarter of $1,293 per
ounce compared to $1,619 per ounce in the same quarter of 2013. Sales
volumes were also slightly lower (114,493 ounces in the first quarter of
2014 compared to 118,745 ounces in the first quarter of 2013).
-- Cost of sales increased to $109.1 million in the first quarter of 2014,
compared to $91.1 million in the comparative period of 2013, mainly as a
result of the higher DD&A at Kumtor. The DD&A associated with production
increased to $66.7 million in the first quarter of 2014 from $43.8
million in the comparative quarter of 2013. The increase in DD&A
resulted from processing higher cost ore from cut-back 15 compared to
ore from cut-back 14B which was processed in the first quarter of 2013.
Access to ore from cut-back 15 required more stripping of ice and waste
thereby resulting in increased amortization of capitalized stripping as
the ore was mined and stockpiled. Capitalized stripping for cut-back 15
totaled 142 million tonnes, whereas 61 million tonnes were stripped and
capitalized for cut-back 14B. In addition, the expanded mobile fleet at
Kumtor was fully commissioned in 2013 thereby attaching a higher
equipment cost to the ore from cut-back 15.
-- Exploration and business development expenditures in the first quarter
of 2014 totaled $2.6 million compared to $7.2 million in the same period
of 2013, representing mainly exploration spending in both years. The
decrease in exploration spending in the first quarter of 2014 reflects
that the Company's major drilling programs have not yet commenced this
year and because of the cessation of all exploration activities at
Kumtor in the fourth quarter of 2013. Drilling programs planned for 2014
at the Oksut property in Turkey and the ATO property in Mongolia are
expected to begin in the second quarter of 2014.
-- Cash provided by operations was $101.6 million in the first quarter of
2014 compared to $92.0 million in the same period of 2013 as a result of
lower working capital levels, partially offset by lower earnings in the
first quarter of 2014. Working capital decreased in the first quarter of
2014 by $22.3 million due to the timing of and payment for gold
shipments and a reduction of gold inventory.
-- Capital expenditures spent and accrued in the first quarter of 2014 were
$98.9 million, which included sustaining capital(1) of $8.6 million,
growth capital(1) of $2.2 million and $88.1 million of capitalized
stripping costs ($62.4 million cash). Capital expenditures in the same
quarter of 2013 were $103.9 million, which included $13.3 million for
sustaining capital(3) and $16.3 million for growth capital(1) and
capitalized stripping of $74.3 million ($53.4 million cash).
Centerra's cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments increased to $512.2
million at the end of March 2014 from $501.5 million at December 31, 2013. At
March 31, 2014, the Company had drawn $76 million on its $150 million revolving
credit facility with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(EBRD), leaving a balance of $74 million undrawn at March 31, 2014. The amount
drawn is due to be repaid on August 11, 2014 or, at the Company's discretion,
repayment of the loan may be further extended until February 2015. Centerra
believes, based on its current forecast, that it has sufficient cash and
investments to carry out its business plan in 2014 (see "2014 Outlook").
Consolidated Unit Operating Costs:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three months Ended March 31, (4)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited - $ millions, except as noted) 2014 2013 % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in Costs:
Operating costs (on a sales basis) (1) 42.4 47.3 (10%)
Regional office administration 5.7 5.6 2%
Community costs related to current
operations 1.0 0.4 150%
Refining fees 0.7 0.6 17%
By-product credits (0.7) (0.7) (10%)
----------------------------------
Adjusted operating costs(2) 49.1 53.2 (8%)
Corporate general and administrative costs 6.4 6.7 (4%)
Accretion expense 0.4 0.2 100%
Capitalized stripping and ice unload -
cash 62.4 53.4 17%
Capital expenditures (sustaining) (2) 8.6 13.3 (35%)
----------------------------------
All-in Sustaining Costs (2) 126.9 126.8 0%
Capital expenditures (growth) (2) 2.2 16.3 (87%)
Other costs (3) 3.5 8.6 (59%)
----------------------------------
All-in Costs (2) 132.6 151.8 (13%)
Revenue-based tax and income taxes 18.4 25.9 (29%)
----------------------------------
All-in Costs - including taxes (2) 151.0 177.7 (15%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ounces sold - oz 114,493 118,746 (4%)
Adjusted Operating Costs - $/oz sold (2) 429 448 (4%)
All-in Sustaining Costs - $/oz sold (2) 1,109 1,068 4%
All-in Costs - $/oz sold (2) 1,158 1,278 (9%)
All-in Costs - including taxes - $/oz sold
(2) 1,319 1,497 (12%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Operating costs (on a sales basis) is comprised of mine operating costs
such as mining, processing, regional office administration, royalties and
production taxes (except at Kumtor where revenue-based taxes are excluded),
but excludes reclamation costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization.
Operating costs (on a sales basis) is the same as the cash component of cost
of sales.
(2) Adjusted operating costs, all-in sustaining costs, all-in costs, all-in
costs - including taxes (in $millions and per ounce), as well as adjusted
operating costs per ounce sold and capital expenditures (sustaining) and
capital expenditures (growth) are non-GAAP Measures and are discussed under
"Non-GAAP Measures".
(3) Other costs include global exploration expenses, business development
expenses and project development costs not related to current operations.
(4) Results may not add due to rounding.
Operations Update - Summary of Key Operating Results
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended March 31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kumtor Operating Results 2014 2013 % Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue - $ millions 131.7 148.7 (11%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales - $ millions (1) 95.1 66.3 44%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales - $/oz sold (3) 933 723 29%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes mined - 000s 50,762 40,184 26%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes ore mined - 000s 143 209 (32%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes milled - 000s 1,482 1,473 1%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average mill head grade - g/t 2.65 2.69 (1%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recovery - % 76.2 74.1 3%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold produced - ounces 102,933 89,618 15%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold sold - ounces 101,915 91,617 11%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average realized gold price(3) - $/oz sold 1,292 1,623 (20%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted operating costs (3) - $/oz sold 361 398 (9%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in sustaining costs (3)-$/oz sold 1,058 1,111 (5%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in costs (3)-$/oz sold 1,077 1,329 (19%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in costs including taxes (3)-$/oz sold 1,257 1,556 (19%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures(sustaining)(3)-$
millions 8.3 11.7 (29%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures (growth)(2) (3) - $
millions 1.9 16.1 (88%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boroo Operating Results
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue - $ millions 16.4 43.6 (62%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales - $ millions (1) 14.0 24.9 (44%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost of sales - $/oz sold (3) 1,113 918 21%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes mined - 000s - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes mined heap leach - 000s - -
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes stacked heap leach - 000s - 268 (100%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes leached - 000s 613 1,803 (66%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonnes milled - 000s 581 572 2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average mill head grade - g/t 0.66 1.54 (57%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recovery - % 61.3 54.0 14%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold produced - mill - ounces 7,013 15,230 (54%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold produced - heap leach - ounces 6,723 10,372 (35%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold sold - ounces 12,578 27,129 (54%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average realized gold price(3) - $/oz sold 1,301 1,606 (19%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted operating costs (3) - $/oz sold 977 618 58%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in sustaining costs (3)-$/oz sold 1,001 665 51%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in costs (3)-$/oz sold 1,001 665 51%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in costs including taxes (3) -$/oz sold 1,001 854 17%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures (Boroo)(3)-$ millions 0.2 1.2 (86%)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures (Gatsuurt)(3)-$
millions 0.3 0.1 207%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Cost of sales excludes regional office administration.
(2) Excludes capitalized stripping.
(3) Adjusted operating costs per ounce sold, all-in sustaining costs per
ounce sold, all-in costs per ounce sold, all-in costs (including taxes) per
ounce sold, as well as average realized gold price per ounce sold and cost
of sales per ounce sold, are non-GAAP measures and are discussed under "Non-
GAAP Measures".
Kumtor
At the Kumtor mine in the Kyrgyz Republic, gold production in the first quarter
of 2014 was 102,933 ounces of gold compared to 89,618 ounces in the comparative
quarter of 2013 as Kumtor processed ore from cut-back 15 that was mined and
stockpiled during the fourth quarter of 2013. During the first quarter of 2014,
Kumtor's mill head grade averaged 2.65 g/t with a recovery of 76.2%, compared
with 2.69 g/t and a recovery of 74.1% for the same quarter in 2013. The increase
in gold production was primarily due to drawing down the gold in-circuit
inventory in the quarter.
During the first quarter of 2014, Kumtor's mining fleet focused on stripping
waste to establish access to the south portion of the Kumtor pit (cut-back 16)
that is expected to provide high-grade ore at the end of the third quarter of
2014. In addition, Kumtor accelerated its planned mining of waste material in
cut-back 17 which was used to construct the buttress discussed earlier. The
total waste and ore mined for the first quarter of 2014 was 50.8 million tonnes
compared to 40.2 million tonnes in the comparative period of 2013, representing
an increase of 26%. The significant increase reflects the increased mining fleet
capacity at Kumtor.
All-in sustaining costs per ounce sold(1), which excludes revenue-based tax,
were $1,058 in the first quarter of 2014 compared to $1,111 in the comparative
quarter of 2013. The decrease results from lower sustaining capital(1)
expenditures, higher production and sales partially offset by increased
capitalized stripping in the current period.
All-in costs per ounce sold(1), which excludes revenue-based tax and income tax,
for the first quarter of 2014 decreased 19% to $1,077 compared to $1,329 in the
comparative period of 2013. The decrease in all-in costs(1) is due to an 11%
increase in gold sold for the first quarter of 2014 and a $14.2 million, or $155
per ounce reduction in growth capital(1) expenditures (excluding capitalized
stripping) as the Company received the last of the mining equipment for the
expanded mining fleet at Kumtor in the comparative period of 2013.
Capital expenditures spent and accrued in the first quarter of 2014 were $98.4
million which includes $8.3 million of sustaining capital(1), $1.9 million
invested in growth capital(1) mainly for relocating infrastructure and $88.1
million for capitalized stripping ($62.4 million cash). Capital expenditures the
comparative quarter of 2013 totaled $102.2 million, consisting of $11.7 million
for sustaining capital(1) and $16.1 million for growth capital(1) excluding
$74.3 million of capitalized stripping ($53.4 million cash).
Boroo/Gatsuurt
At the Boroo mine in the first quarter of 2014, gold production was 13,736
ounces, compared to 25,602 ounces in the same period of 2013. The lower gold
production results mainly from processing lower grade ore through the mill and
having lower tonnage of ore under leach in the first quarter of 2014. The mill
head grade averaged 0.66 g/t with a recovery of 61.3% in the first quarter of
2014, compared to 1.54 g/t with a recovery of 54% in the same period of 2013.
Additionally, fewer ounces were poured from the heap leach operation (6,723
ounces vs. 10,372 ounces) due to having fewer tonnes placed under primary leach
in the first quarter of 2014.
All-in sustaining costs per ounce sold(1) were $1,001 in the first quarter of
2014 compared to $665 in the comparative quarter of 2013. The increase in all-in
sustaining costs(1) is primarily due to the 54% decrease in ounces sold at Boroo
year-over-year, partially offset by lower adjusted operating costs(1) and lower
sustaining capital(1) expenditures.
All-in costs per ounce sold(1), which excludes income taxes, were $1,001 in the
first quarter of 2014 compared to $665 in the same quarter of 2013 reflecting
the lower production and resulting reduction in gold sales which was partially
offset by lower adjusted operating costs(1) and lower sustaining capital(1)
expenditures.
During the first quarter of 2014 exploration expenditures in Mongolia decreased
to $0.4 million from $1.0 million in the same period in 2013. At the ATO
property in Mongolia the drilling program is expected to start in the second
quarter of 2014.
The Gatsuurt project remained under care and maintenance in the first quarter of
2014 due to continued delays in permitting resulting from the Water and Forest
Law which prohibits mining and exploration activities in water basin and
forested areas. The Company continued discussions with the Mongolian Government
regarding the Gatsuurt project during the first quarter. The Company expects
that the Mongolian Parliament will consider the designation of Gatsuurt as a
strategic deposit in the first half of 2014. If Parliament ultimately approves
this designation, it would have the effect of excluding Gatsuurt from the
application of the Mongolian Water and Forest Law and would allow Mongolia to
acquire up to a 34% interest in Gatsuurt. The terms of such participation would
be subject to further negotiations with the Government. See "Other Corporate
Developments- Mongolia".
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see discussion under "Non-GAAP Measures".
Non-GAAP Measures
This news release contains the following non-GAAP financial measures: all-in
sustaining costs per ounce sold, all-in costs per ounce sold, all-in costs
including taxes per ounce sold, adjusted operating costs per ounce sold, cost of
sales per ounce sold, capital expenditures (sustaining), capital expenditures
(growth) and average realized gold price. These financial measures do not have
any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be
comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, even as compared to
other issuers who may also be applying the World Gold Council (WGC) guidelines,
which can be found on the WGC website at http://www.gold.org.
Management believes that the use of these non-GAAP measures will assist
analysts, investors and other stakeholders of the Company in understanding the
costs associated with producing gold, understanding the economics of gold
mining, assessing our operating performance, our ability to generate free cash
flow from current operations and to generate free cash flow on an overall
Company basis, and for planning and forecasting of future periods. However, the
new measures do have limitations as analytical tools as they may be influenced
by the point in the life cycle of a specific mine, and the level of additional
exploration or expenditures a company has to make to fully develop its
properties. Accordingly, these non-GAAP measures should therefore not be
considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, analysis of our results as
reported under GAAP.
Definitions
The following is a description of the Non-GAAP measures used in this news
release. The definitions are consistent with the WGC's Guidance Note on these
non-GAAP measures:
-- Operating costs include mine operating costs such as mining, processing,
site support, royalties and operating taxes (except at Kumtor where
revenue-based taxes are excluded), but exclude depreciation, depletion
and amortization (DD&A), reclamation costs, financing costs, capital
development and exploration.
-- Adjusted operating costs per ounce sold include operating costs,
regional office administration, community costs related to current
operations, refining fees and by-product credits.
-- All-in sustaining costs per ounce sold include adjusted operating costs,
the cash component of capitalized stripping costs, regional office
administration costs, accretion expenses, and sustaining capital. The
measure incorporates costs related to sustaining production.
-- All-in costs per ounce sold include all-in sustaining costs and
additional costs for growth capital, corporate general and
administrative expenses, global exploration expenses and social
development costs not related to current operations.
-- All-in cost per ounce sold exclude the following:
-- Working capital (except for adjustments to inventory on a sales
basis).
-- All financing charges (including capitalized interest).
-- Costs related to business combinations, asset acquisitions and asset
disposals.
-- Other non-operating income and expenses including interest income,
bank charges, and foreign exchange gains and losses.
-- All-in costs including taxes per ounce sold measure includes revenue-
based taxes at Kumtor and income taxes at Boroo.
-- Capital expenditures (Sustaining) is a capital expenditure necessary to
maintain existing levels of production. The sustaining capital
expenditures maintain the existing mine fleet, mill and other facilities
so that they function at levels consistent from year to year.
-- Capital expenditures (Growth) is capital expended to expand the business
or operations by increasing productive capacity beyond current levels of
performance.
-- Average realized gold price is calculated by dividing revenue derived
from gold sales by the number of ounces sold.
Adjusted Operating Cost per Ounce Sold, All-in Sustaining Costs per Ounce Sold
and All-in Costs per Ounce Sold (including and excluding taxes) are non-GAAP
measures and can be reconciled as follows:
1) By operation
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited) Three months ended March 31,
($ millions, unless otherwise specified) 2014 2013
--------------------------------
Kumtor:
Cost of sales, as reported $ 95.1 $ 66.3
Less: Non-cash component 63.5 34.1
--------------------------------
Cost of sales, cash component $ 31.6 $ 32.1
Adjust for: Regional office administration 4.4 4.1
Refining fees 0.6 0.5
By-product credits (0.6) (0.6)
Community costs related to current
operations 0.8 0.4
--------------------------------
Adjusted Operating Costs $ 36.8 $ 36.5
Accretion expense 0.3 0.2
Capitalized stripping and ice unload 62.4 53.4
Capital expenditures (sustaining) 8.3 11.7
--------------------------------
All-in Sustaining Costs $ 107.8 $ 101.8
Capital expenditures (growth) 1.9 16.1
Exploration expense (0.0) 2.4
Other project costs not related to current
operations - 1.4
--------------------------------
All-in Costs $ 109.7 $ 121.7
Revenue-based taxes 18.4 20.8
--------------------------------
All-in Costs (including taxes) $ 128.1 $ 142.6
--------------------------------
Ounces sold (000) 101.9 91.6
Adjusted Operating Costs per ounce sold $ 361 $ 398
All-in Sustaining Costs per ounce sold $ 1,058 $ 1,111
All-in Costs per ounce sold $ 1,077 $ 1,329
All-in Costs (including taxes) per ounce
sold $ 1,257 $ 1,556
Boroo:
Cost of sales, as reported $ 14.0 $ 24.9
Less: Non-cash component 3.1 9.7
--------------------------------
Cost of sales, cash component $ 10.9 $ 15.2
Adjust for: Regional office administration 1.3 1.5
Refining fees 0.1 0.1
By-product credits (0.1) (0.1)
Community costs related to current
operations 0.1 0.0
--------------------------------
Adjusted Operating Costs $ 12.3 $ 16.8
Accretion expense 0.1 0.1
Capitalized stripping - -
Capital expenditures (sustaining) 0.2 1.2
--------------------------------
All-in Sustaining Costs $ 12.6 $ 18.0
Capital expenditures (growth) - -
Exploration expense - -
Other project costs not related to current
operations - -
--------------------------------
All-in Costs $ 12.6 $ 18.0
Income taxes 5.1
--------------------------------
All-in Costs (including taxes) $ 12.6 $ 23.2
--------------------------------
Ounces sold (000) 12.6 27.1
Adjusted Operating Costs per ounce sold $ 977 $ 617
All-in Sustaining Costs per ounce sold $ 1,001 $ 665
All-in Costs per ounce sold $ 1,001 $ 665
All-in Costs (including taxes) per ounce
sold $ 1,001 $ 854
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2) Consolidated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(unaudited) Three months ended March 31,
($ millions, unless otherwise specified) 2014 2013
--------------------------------
Centerra:
Cost of sales, as reported $ 109.1 $ 91.1
Less: Non-cash component 66.7 43.8
--------------------------------
Cost of sales, cash component $ 42.4 $ 47.3
Adjust for: Regional office administration 5.7 5.6
Mine stand-by costs - -
Refining fees 0.7 0.6
By-product credits (0.7) (0.7)
Community costs related to current
operations 1.0 0.4
--------------------------------
Adjusted Operating Costs $ 49.1 $ 53.2
Corporate general and administrative costs 6.4 6.7
Accretion expense 0.4 0.2
Capitalized stripping and ice unload 62.4 53.4
Capital expenditures (sustaining) 8.6 13.3
--------------------------------
All-in Sustaining Costs $ 126.9 $ 126.8
Capital expenditures (growth) 2.2 16.2
Exploration and business development 2.5 7.1
Other project costs not related to current
operations 0.9 1.6
--------------------------------
All-in Costs $ 132.6 $ 151.8
Revenue-based taxes and income taxes 18.4 25.9
--------------------------------
All-in Costs (including taxes) $ 151.0 $ 177.7
--------------------------------
Ounces sold (000) 114.5 118.7
Adjusted Operating Costs per ounce sold $ 429 $ 448
All-in Sustaining Costs per ounce sold $ 1,109 $ 1,068
All-in Costs per ounce sold $ 1,158 $ 1,278
All-in Costs (including taxes) per ounce
sold $ 1,319 $ 1,496
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sustaining capital, growth capital and capitalized stripping presented in the
all-in measures can be reconciled as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter - 2014
(Unaudited) Kumtor Boroo All other Consolidated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ millions)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized stripping - cash 62.4 - - 62.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sustaining capital - cash 8.3 0.2 0.1 8.6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth capital - cash 1.9 - 0.3 2.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in accruals
included in additions to PP&E (0.5) - - (0.5)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total - Additions to PP&E 72.1 0.2 0.4 72.7(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter - 2013
(Unaudited) Kumtor Boroo All other Consolidated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
($ millions)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized stripping - cash 53.4 - - 53.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sustaining capital - cash 11.7 1.2 0.4 13.3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth capital - cash 16.1 - 0.1 16.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in accruals
included in additions to PP&E (9.2) - - (9.2)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total - Additions to PP&E 72.0 1.2 0.5 73.7 (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) As reported in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as
"Investing Activities - Additions to property, plant & equipment".
Exploration Update
Turkey
Oksut Project
During the first quarter, the Company completed a PEA study on its 100% owned
Oksut project in south-central Turkey (previously announced on February 19,
2014). The executive summary of the PEA has been posted on the Company's
website. The PEA study envisions a conventional open pit and heap leach facility
with the mining of two open pits completed by a local mining contractor. The
heap leach pad design is based on an expected 34 million tonnes of material to
be stacked at a maximum rate of 11,000 tonnes per day. Using a gold price of
$1,300 per ounce and a discount rate of 8%, the Oksut open pit life-of-mine
outlined in the PEA has an estimated project NPV (after tax) of approximately
$117 million and a project internal rate of return of 19% after accounting for
all operating costs and capital expenditures related to the open pit operation
as well as required tax and royalty payments. Additional exploration costs going
forward have not been included in the analysis. The Company has commenced a
feasibility study for the Oksut project.
In the quarter, the Company received permits to enable it to commence additional
drilling on its land package. Drilling is expected to commence in the second
quarter. The Keltepe deposit is open to the south in the direction of the
Guneytepe deposit and additional exploration targets on the Company's land
package have been identified which are expected to be drilled in 2014.
Qualified Person & QA/QC
The scientific and technical information in this news release, including the
production estimates were prepared in accordance with the standards of the
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument
43-101 and were prepared, reviewed, verified and compiled by Centerra's
geological and mining staff under the supervision of Gordon Reid, Professional
Engineer and Centerra's Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, who is the
qualified person for the purpose of NI 43-101. Mr. Reid will supervise the
preparation, review, verification and compilation of such information as the
qualified person following the departure of Mr. Dan Redmond from the Company and
until Mr. Redmond's replacement develops sufficient knowledge and familiarity
with the Company's projects to take on such responsibility
Other Corporate Developments
The following is a summary of corporate developments with respect to matters
affecting the Company and its subsidiaries in the Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia.
For a more complete discussion of these matters impacting Kumtor, and for
outstanding matters in Mongolia and at the corporate level, see the Company's
2013 Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Readers are cautioned that there are a number of legal, regulatory and political
matters that are currently affecting the Company and that the following brief
description is only a summary of the current status of such matters. For more
complete background and information on these matters, including with respect to
the Kyrgyz Parliamentary and State Commissions and their reports, Kyrgyz
Parliamentary resolutions, discussions with the Government of the Kyrgyz
Republic in relation to the Memorandum of Understanding and the Heads of
Agreement relating to the proposed restructuring of the Kumtor Project, various
environmental and other claims made by Kyrgyz state agencies and the draft
Kyrgyz Law on Denunciation of the Agreement on New Terms for the Kumtor Project,
please refer to the description contained in the 2013 Annual Information Form.
Kyrgyz Republic
Negotiations between Kyrgyz Republic and Centerra
Following discussions with representatives of the Kyrgyz Government in the third
quarter of 2013, Centerra announced on September 9, 2013 that it had entered
into a non-binding memorandum of understanding ("MOU") with the Government of
the Kyrgyz Republic in connection with a potential restructuring transaction
under which Kyrgyzaltyn would exchange its 32.7% equity interest in Centerra for
an interest of equivalent value in a joint venture company that would own the
Kumtor Project. The Kyrgyz Parliament considered the MOU on October 23, 2013 and
passed a decree rejecting the MOU and ordering the Government to continue
negotiations with Centerra to improve the Kyrgyz Republic's position. After
further discussions with the Government, Centerra announced on December 23, 2013
that it had entered into a non-binding heads of agreement ("HOA") which
superseded the terms of the MOU but retained most of its material terms. After
making some non-material amendments, the parties re-signed the HOA on January
18, 2014.
On February 6, 2014, after their review of the HOA, the Kyrgyz Parliament
adopted a resolution which appears to support the concept of the restructuring
described in the HOA but also contains a number of recommendations that are
materially inconsistent with the terms of the HOA. Among other things, the
resolution calls for further audits of the Kumtor operation and for the
Government and the General Prosecutor's Office to continue pursuing claims for
environmental and economic damages, which the Company disputes.
On March 18, 2014, the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic resigned following
the collapse of Parliament's ruling coalition. Subsequently, new coalition has
been formed and the former First Vice Prime Minister Djoomart Otorbaev has been
appointed as Prime Minister.
Centerra expects to continue its discussions with the Government regarding a
potential restructuring transaction to resolve all outstanding concerns relating
to the Kumtor Project. However, it maintains that any agreement to resolve
matters must be fair to all of Centerra's shareholders. Any definitive agreement
for a potential restructuring remains subject to required approvals in the
Kyrgyz Republic, including the Government and Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic,
Centerra Special Committee and Board approval, as well as compliance with all
applicable legal and regulatory requirements and approvals, including an
independent formal valuation and shareholder approval.
While Centerra expects to continue discussions with the Government, there can be
no assurance that any transaction will be consummated or that Centerra will be
able to successfully resolve any of the matters currently affecting the Kumtor
Project. The inability to successfully resolve matters, including obtaining all
necessary approvals, and/or further actions of the Kyrgyz Republic Government
and/or Parliament, could have a material adverse impact on Centerra's future
cash flows, earnings, results of operations and financial conditions.
Kyrgyz Republic Glacier Law
Centerra understands that, on April 23, 2014 the Parliament of the Kyrgyz
Republic passed a law prohibiting activities which affect glaciers in the Kyrgyz
Republic (the "Glacier Law"). The Glacier Law must be signed by the President of
the Kyrgyz Republic before it will take effect.
Centerra has not yet received the official version of the Glacier Law and notes
that several of its provisions are unclear. The Glacier Law also contains
provisions for the payment of compensation for damages to glaciers, at rates to
be determined by the Kyrgyz Government. Nevertheless, Centerra believes that the
stabilization and non-discrimination provisions contained in the agreements
governing the Kumtor project (the "Kumtor Project Agreements") and the law of
the Kyrgyz Republic which implemented the Kumtor Project Agreements support the
view that the Glacier Law would not apply to Kumtor mining operations. In
addition, Centerra believes that any disagreement in relation to the application
of the Glacier Law to Kumtor would be subject to the dispute resolution
(international arbitration) provisions of the Kumtor Project Agreements.
Limited measures to manage glaciers and ice have been a feature of mining
operations at Kumtor from the beginning of the project in 1994 and have been the
subject of frequent Kyrgyz regulatory oversight and approval as well as review
by international technical and environmental experts, including experts retained
by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in connection with the
extension of a credit facility to Centerra. Such mining measures are necessary
to ensure that mine operations can be carried on safely in the open pit. The
continuation of mining at Kumtor depends on Centerra's ability to carry on such
activities throughout the life of the mine.
In view of the strategic importance of the Kumtor project to the Kyrgyz
Republic, Centerra believes that the Glacier Law is unlikely to be enforced in a
manner that would require the project to suspend mining activities. Centerra
also notes that in all its dealings with successive governments of the Kyrgyz
Republic, such governments have consistently and emphatically stressed the
strategic importance of Kumtor to the Kyrgyz Republic and that mining operations
at the project continue uninterrupted, notwithstanding any disagreements that
may arise between Centerra and the government regarding the project. Centerra
also notes that the President of the Kyrgyz Republic has the discretion to
reject the Glacier Law and return it to Parliament for further consideration.
Kyrgyz Permitting and Regulatory Matters
In the normal course of operations at Kumtor, KGC prepares annual mine plans for
the project which are considered and approved by, among others, the State Agency
for Environmental Protection and Forestry under the Government of the Kyrgyz
Republic ("SAEPF") and the State Agency for Geology and Mineral Resources. In
previous years, annual mine plans for the Kumtor project were approved by such
authorities in the first quarter of the year to which they related (for example,
the 2013 annual mine plan was approved in the first quarter of 2013).
This year, however, the Company has not yet received formal approval of the
proposed 2014 annual mine plan for the Kumtor project despite working with the
relevant authorities since the beginning of 2014 to satisfy their requests and
concerns. In this regard, Centerra has received communications from
representatives of the Kyrgyz Government, including the State Inspectorate
Office for Environmental and Technical Safety ("SIETS") expressing concern about
the status of such permits, the mining of ice and building of the buttress at
Kumtor. SEITS has also suggested that mine operations could be suspended though
no formal order or deadline to suspend mine operations has been communicated to
KGC.
Centerra has responded to such letters by urging the Government to provide KGC
with all approvals which are necessary for the operation of the Kumtor project,
including approval of the 2014 annual mine plan. The Company has also explained
that: (i) the 2009 Restated Investment Agreement requires the relevant
Government authorities to be reasonable in their consideration of such
approvals; (ii) the mining of ice has been a constant feature of the Kumtor
project since its inception; and (iii) that the continued mining of ice is
critical to ensuring efficient and stable mine operations.
Centerra has also indicated that KGC has not received notice from any
governmental authority ordering or threatening to order it to suspend
operations. Furthermore, successive Kyrgyz governments have consistently
emphasized the strategic importance to the Kyrgyz Republic of continued
operation of the Kumtor mine. The Restated Investment Agreement requires that
any order of suspension be stayed pending the outcome of the dispute resolution
provisions of the Restated Investment Agreement, unless necessary to prevent
imminent harm to human health and safety or imminent material harm to the
environment.
The Company understands that the Kyrgyz Republic General Prosecutor's Office
announced that it had begun an investigation into the declaration and payment of
an inter-corporate dividend by KGC to Centerra in December 2013. At the request
of the General Prosecutor's Office, Centerra provided a legal analysis,
including the opinion of local Kyrgyz counsel, confirming the legality of the
dividend. The Company also confirmed that the dividend would have no impact on
the valuation underlying the HOA.
While Centerra and KGC expect to continue discussions with the Government and
the relevant Kyrgyz authorities in relation to the approval of the 2014 annual
mine plan and other related permits, there can be no assurance that any such
approvals will be received or that the relevant Kyrgyz authorities will not
order a suspension of mining operations. The inability to successfully resolve
matters, including obtaining all necessary approvals, and/or further actions of
the Kyrgyz Republic Government and/or Parliament, could have a material adverse
impact on Centerra's future cash flows, earnings, results of operations and
financial conditions.
Environmental Claims
As previously disclosed, on June 7, 2013 Kumtor received four claims filed by
SIETS with the Bishkek Inter-district court. The SIETS environmental claims
sought to enforce the previously disclosed environmental claims issued by SIETS
in December 2012, seeking compensation in the aggregate amount of $150 million
in relation to (i) placement of waste rock on glaciers; (ii) unpaid use of water
from Petrov Lake; (iii) unaccounted industrial and household waste; and (iv)
damages caused to land resources (top soil). Each of these claims was dismissed
by the Bishkek Inter-District Court and, on appeal, by the Bishkek City Court,
on the basis that the arbitration clause in the Restated Investment Agreement
requires that all such disputes be resolved through international arbitration.
Each of these decisions has been appealed by SEITS to the Kyrgyz Republic
Supreme Court.
In addition to the original four claims of SIETS discussed above, SIETS has
filed the following additional claims against KOC: (i) on October 12, 2013, a
claim in the amount of approximately $485,000 for damages caused to land
resources due to disturbance of land at the Kumtor project (similar to the claim
in (iv) above but involving a different area of the Kumtor concession); and (ii)
on January 21, 2014, a claim for approximately $8.5 million for lost
agricultural production and lost profits from 1994 to 2042. Kumtor has responded
in writing to SIETS disputing both of these additional claims.
The previously disclosed claim commenced by SAEPF for the aggregate amount of
approximately $315 million is currently subject to appeal on a preliminary
motion in the Bishkek City Court.
On October 11, 2013, Centerra received a statement of claim from the Green Party
of Kyrgyzstan in the Bishkek Inter-District Court which seeks damages of
approximately $9 billion for alleged environmental damages arising from the
Kumtor operations since 1996. The claimant, Green Party, requests that the
damage be paid by Kumtor to the Issyk-Kul Nature Protection and Forestry
Development Fund, a Kyrgyz state fund. The claim by the Green Party relates to
allegations substantially similar to the claims raised by SIETS and SAEPF. On
February 14, 2014, the Green Party withdrew their claim from the Bishkek
Inter-District Court. However, the Green Party and/or certain individuals from
the village of Saruu have attempted to re-file the same claim in the Jety-Oguz
District Court though the court has returned their claim due to lack of
jurisdiction.
As previously disclosed, Kumtor believes the claims are exaggerated and without
merit. The Kumtor Project has been the subject of systematic audits and
investigations over the years by Kyrgyz and international experts, including by
an independent internationally recognized expert who carried out a due diligence
review of Kumtor's performance on environmental matters at the request of
Centerra's Safety, Health and Environmental Committee of the Board of Directors.
The report of this expert released in October 2012 can be found on the Kumtor
website at http://www.kumtor.kg/en/ under the "Environment" section.
Land Use Claim
On November 11, 2013, the Company received a claim from the Kyrgyz Republic
General Prosecutor's Office requesting the Inter-District Court of the Issyk-Kul
Province to invalidate the Company's land use certificate and seize certain
lands within Kumtor's concession area.
As previously noted, the Company believes that the invalidation of the land use
certificate and purported seizure of land is in violation of the Kyrgyz Republic
Land Code as well as the Restated Investment Agreement, which provides that the
Kumtor project is guaranteed all necessary access to the Kumtor concession area,
including all surface lands as are necessary or desirable for the operation of
the Kumtor project.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully resolve
any of the matters discussed above. The inability to successfully resolve
matters could have a material adverse impact on the Company's future cash flows,
earnings, results of operations and financial conditions.
Management Assessment
There are several important outstanding issues affecting the Kumtor Project,
which require consultation and co-operation between the Company and Kyrgyz
regulatory authorities. The Company has benefited from a close and constructive
dialogue with Kyrgyz authorities during project operations and remains committed
to working with them to resolve these issues in accordance with the agreements
governing the Kumtor project (the "Kumtor Project Agreements"), which provide
for all disputes to be resolved by international arbitration, if necessary.
However, there are no assurances that the Company will be able to successfully
resolve any or all of the outstanding matters affecting the Kumtor Project.
There are also no assurances that continued discussions between the Kyrgyz
Government and Centerra will result in a mutually acceptable solution regarding
the Kumtor project that any agreed upon proposal for restructuring would receive
the necessary legal and regulatory approvals under Kyrgyz law and/or Canadian
law and that the Kyrgyz Republic Government and/or Parliament will not take
actions that are inconsistent with the Government's obligations under the Kumtor
Project Agreements, including adopting a law "denouncing" or purporting to
cancel or invalidate the Kumtor Project Agreements or laws enacted in relation
thereto. The inability to successfully resolve all such matters would have a
material adverse impact on the Company's future cash flows, earnings, results of
operations and financial condition. See "Caution Regarding Forward-looking
Information".
Mongolia
Gatsuurt
Centerra continues to be in discussions with the Mongolian Government regarding
the development of the Gatsuurt property. Centerra remains reasonably confident
that the economic and development benefits resulting from its exploration and
development activities will ultimately result in the Mongolian Water and Forest
Law having a limited impact on the Gatsuurt project, in particular, and other of
the Company's Mongolian activities, including the ATO deposit. As previously
disclosed, the Mongolian Water and Forest Law prohibits mineral prospecting,
exploration and mining in water basins and forestry areas in Mongolia.
During meetings with representatives of the Mongolian Government, Centerra was
advised that the Mongolian Government is currently developing a list of
deposits, which will include Gatsuurt, to be submitted to the Mongolian
Parliament for consideration as "strategic deposits". Centerra expects that
Parliament and/or any relevant committees of Parliament will consider this
matter further in the first half of 2014. If the Mongolian Parliament ultimately
approves this designation, it would have the effect of excluding the Gatsuurt
deposit from the application of the Mongolian Water and Forest Law and would
allow the Government of Mongolia to acquire up to a 34% interest in Gatsuurt.
The terms of any such participation would be subject to negotiations with the
Mongolian Government.
There can be no assurance, however, that the Water and Forest Law will not have
a material impact on Centerra's Mongolian operations. Unless the Water and
Forest Law is repealed or amended such that the law no longer applies to the
Gatsuurt project or Gatsuurt is designated by the Parliament of Mongolia as a
"mineral deposit of strategic importance" that is exempt from the Water and
Forest Law, mineral reserves at Gatsuurt may have to be reclassified as mineral
resources or eliminated entirely and the Company may be required to write-off
approximately $37 million related to the investment in Gatsuurt and
approximately $39 million of costs that remain capitalized for the Boroo mill
facility and other surface structures. These amounts represent the capitalized
costs at March 31, 2014 associated with its investment in Gatsuurt and Boroo
(where Gatsuurt ore is planned to be milled).
Corporate
Enforcement Notice by Sistem
In March 2011, a Turkish company, Sistem Muhenkislik Insaat Sanayi Ticaret SA
("Sistem") initiated a claim in an Ontario court which alleged that the shares
in Centerra owned by Kyrgyzaltyn are, in fact, legally and beneficially owned by
the Kyrgyz Republic. On April 15, 2014, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice
found in favour of Sistem, ruling that the shares of Centerra owned by
Kyrgyzaltyn could be seized to satisfy an arbitration award against the Kyrgyz
Republic.
Pursuant to a separate court order issued by the Ontario Superior Court of
Justice (as amended from time to time, and most recently amended on June 5,
2013) (the "Court Order"), Centerra is holding in trust (for the credit of the
Sistem court proceedings) dividends otherwise payable to Kyrgyzaltyn. Effective
as of June 6, 2013, when a dividend was paid by Centerra, the maximum amount to
be held in trust, as set out in the Court Order (Cdn$11.3 million), has been
reached. As of March 31, 2014, Centerra holds in trust, for the benefit of the
Sistem court proceeding, approximately Cdn$11.4 million, including interest
earned.
2014 Outlook
Kumtor's forecasted 2014 production and costs discussed in this news release are
provided on a 100% basis and the forecast does not make any assumptions
regarding possible changes in the structure and management of the Kumtor
Project, including the level of ownership resulting from ongoing discussions
with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and Kyrgyzaltyn JSC, Centerra's
largest shareholder. See "Material Assumption and Risks" for other material
assumptions or factors used to forecast production and costs for 2014.
Centerra's 2014 production guidance, exploration expenditures, capital
expenditures, corporate administration and community costs and DD&A are
unchanged from the previous guidance disclosed in the Company's news release of
February 19, 2014, while unit costs have been revised from the previous guidance
to reflect the updated forecast for operating costs at Boroo:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014 Production 2014 Adjusted 2014 All-in
Forecast Operating Costs(1) Costs(1)
(ounces of gold) ($ per ounce sold) ($ per ounce sold)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kumtor 550,000 - 600,000 $373 - $407 $833 - $909
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boroo Approx. 45,000 $1,280 $1,308
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated 595,000 - 645,000 $434 - $471 $971 - $1,053
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Production
Centerra's 2014 consolidated gold production is expected to be 595,000 to
645,000 ounces, which is unchanged from the previous guidance disclosed in the
Company's news release of February 19, 2014. Over 50% of gold production at
Kumtor is expected during the fourth quarter when mining will reach the
high-grade section of the SB Zone.
The 2014 forecast assumes no mining activities at Boroo or Gatsuurt, and no gold
production from Gatsuurt.
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see discussion under "Non-GAAP Measures".
All-in Unit Costs:
Centerra's 2014 all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold(1), which excludes
revenue-based tax in the Kyrgyz Republic, and all-in costs per ounce sold(1),
which excludes revenue-based tax in the Kyrgyz Republic and income taxes, have
been revised to reflect updated estimates for operating costs at Boroo. Unit
operating costs for Kumtor have not been changed. The updated unit costs are
forecast as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kumtor Boroo Consolidated
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ounces sold forecast Approximately
550,000-600,000 45,000 595,000-645,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
US $ / gold ounces sold
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating costs(1) $358 - 390 $839 $389 - 422
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes in inventories (29) - (30) 298(4) (3) - (4)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Costs (on a sales
basis)(1) $329 - 360 $1,137 $386 - 418
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regional office
administration 32 - 35 131 37 - 40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community costs related to
current operations 13 - 13 13 12 - 14
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Refining costs and by-
product credits (1) - (1) (1) (1) - (1)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub-Total (Adjusted
Operating Costs)(1) $373 - 407 $1,280 $434 - 471
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate general &
administrative costs - - 57- 62
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accretion expense 1 - 1 11 3 - 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitalized stripping costs
- cash 319 - 348 - 296 - 321
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures
(sustaining)(1) 69 - 76 17 67 - 72
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in Sustaining Costs(1) $762 - 832 $1,308 $857 - 929
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures
(growth)(1) 71 - 77 - 66 - 72
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other costs(2) - - 48 - 52
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in Costs(1) $833 - 909 $1,308 $971 -1,053
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue-based tax and income
taxes(3) $175 - 191 - $163 - 176
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
All-in Costs including
Taxes(1,3) $1,008 - 1,100 $1,308 $1,134 - 1,229
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Non-GAAP measure, see discussion under "Non-GAAP Measures".
(2) Other costs per ounce sold include global exploration expenses, business
development expenses, and project development costs not related to current
operations.
(3) Includes revenue-based tax that reflects a forecast gold price
assumption of $1,285 per ounce sold ($1,250 per ounce sold assumed in the
previous forecast).
(4) The Boroo operation is nearing the end of its mine life. All forecast
production and sales are a result of drawing down the existing stockpiles
and assume no mining activities.
Changes to 2014 Unit Cost Guidance
The unit costs for Boroo have been revised mainly to reflect lower operating
costs and a lower adjustment for changes in inventory. The revised outlook of
$839 of operating cost per ounce sold(1) ($956 per ounce sold in the previous
guidance) reflects lower royalties, electricity, national labour, reagents and
consumables costs. The forecasted royalty expense has been decreased due to a
reduced royalty rate of 2.5% (9% rate assumed in the previous forecast) in
connection with commencing sales of gold to the Bank of Mongolia in 2014. The
lower electricity, national labour, reagents and consumables costs reflect a
depreciation of the Mongolian tugrik as well as lower consumption of
electricity, reagents and consumables. The revised adjustment for changes in
inventory of $298 per ounce sold ($438 per ounce sold in the previous guidance)
reflects the impact of the updated inventory balances and lower operating costs
charged to inventory.
Oksut Project
The Company completed a preliminary economic assessment in the first quarter of
2014 and has commenced a feasibility study for its Oksut property. The total
planned spending in 2014 of approximately $10 million includes work for
technical studies, environmental and social impact assessment and project
support (collectively, $6.4 million) and $3.5 million for exploration
activities.
Taxes
Since January 2014, Boroo has been paying a royalty rate of 2.5% for gold sold
to the Bank of Mongolia (reduced from 9% using current gold prices for gold not
sold to the Bank of Mongolia). Boroo does not expect to pay any income tax in
2014.
Production, cost and capital forecasts for 2014 are forward-looking information
and are based on key assumptions and subject to material risk factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially and which are discussed herein under
the headings "Material Assumptions & Risks" and "Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Information" and under the heading "Risk Factors" in the
Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Sensitivities:
Centerra's revenues, earnings and cash flows for the remaining nine month of
2014 are sensitive to changes in certain variables and the Company has estimated
the impact of any such changes on revenues, net earnings and cash from
operations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact on
($ millions)
----------------------------------------
Earnings before
Change Costs Revenues Cash flow income tax
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Price $50/oz 3.9 26.6 22.7 22.7
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diesel Fuel (1) 10% 7.8 - 7.8 7.8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kyrgyz som (2) 1 som 1.4 - 1.4 1.4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mongolian tugrik(2) 25 tugrik 0.2 - 0.2 0.2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canadian dollar (2) 10 cents 2.1 - 2.1 2.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) a 10% change in diesel fuel price equals $15/oz produced
(2) appreciation of currency against the US dollar will result in higher
costs and lower cash flow and earnings, depreciation of currency against the
US dollar results in decreased costs and increased cash flow and earnings
Material Assumptions and Risks:
Material assumptions or factors used to forecast production and costs for the
remaining nine months of 2014 include the following:
-- a gold price of $1,285 per ounce,
-- exchange rates:
-- $1USD:$1.08 CAD
-- $1USD:50.0 Kyrgyz som
-- $1USD:1,700 Mongolian tugriks
-- $1USD:0.75 Euro
-- diesel fuel price assumption:
-- $0.72/litre at Kumtor
-- $1.22/litre at Boroo
The assumed diesel price of $0.72/litre at Kumtor assumes that no Russian export
duty will be paid on the fuel exports from Russia to the Kyrgyz Republic. Diesel
fuel is sourced from separate Russian suppliers for both sites and only loosely
correlates with world oil prices. The diesel fuel price assumptions were made
when the price of oil was approximately $107 per barrel.
Other material assumptions were used in forecasting production and costs for
2014. The Company cannot give any assurances in this regard. These material
assumptions include the following:
-- That current discussions between the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic
and Centerra regarding a potential restructuring of the Kumtor Project
will result in a mutually satisfactory solution to the outstanding
matters affecting the Kumtor project, which is fair to all of Centerra's
shareholders, and that such proposal will receive all necessary legal
and regulatory approvals under Kyrgyz law and/or Canadian law.
-- All mine plans and related permits and authorizations at Kumtor receive
timely approval from all relevant governmental agencies.
-- The buttress constructed at the bottom of the Davidov glacier
successfully stops or slows the movement of the Davidov glacier.
-- The Glacier Law will not affect mining or other operations at the Kumtor
project.
-- Any recurrence of political or civil unrest in the Kyrgyz Republic will
not impact operations, including movement of people, supplies and gold
shipments to and from the Kumtor mine and/or power to the mine site.
-- The activities of the Kyrgyz Republic Parliament and Government,
referred to in the 2013 Annual Information Form do not have a material
impact on operations or financial results. This includes any action
being taken by the Parliament or Government to cancel the current
project agreements governing the Kumtor Project, or taking any actions
which would be inconsistent with the rights of Centerra, Kumtor Gold
Company and Kumtor Operating Company under the project agreements
governing the Kumtor project.
-- The previously disclosed environmental claims received from the Kyrgyz
regulatory authorities in the aggregate amount of approximately $476
million, the claim received from the Kyrgyz Green Party for $9 billion
and the claim of the Kyrgyz Republic's General Prosecutor's Office
purporting to invalidate land use rights and/or seize land at Kumtor,
and any further claims, whether alleging environmental allegations or
otherwise, are resolved without material impact on Centerra's operations
or financial results.
-- The movement in the Central Valley Waste Dump at Kumtor, referred to in
the 2013 Annual Information Form, does not accelerate and will be
managed to ensure continued safe operations, without impact to gold
production, including the successful demolition of buildings and
relocation of certain other infrastructure as planned.
-- Grades and recoveries at Kumtor will remain consistent with the 2014
production plan to achieve the forecast gold production.
-- The Company is able to manage the risks associated with the increased
height of the pit walls at Kumtor.
-- The dewatering program at Kumtor continues to produce the expected
results and the water management system works as planned.
-- The Kumtor ball mill and the rotated ring gear or replacement ring gear
continue to operate as expected.
-- The successful negotiation of new collective agreements at both Kumtor
which expires on December 31, 2014, and Boroo, which expires on June 30,
2014, without any labour actions/strikes and without significantly
increasing labour costs.
-- Prices of key consumables, costs of power and water usage fees are not
significantly higher than prices assumed in planning.
-- No unplanned delays in or interruption of scheduled production from our
mines, including due to civil unrest, natural phenomena, regulatory or
political disputes, equipment breakdown or other developmental and
operational risks.
-- All necessary permits, licenses and approvals are received in a timely
manner.
Production and cost forecasts and capital estimates are forward-looking
information and are based on key assumptions and subject to material risk
factors. If any event arising from these risks occurs, the Company's business,
prospects, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows could be
adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to
the Company, or that are currently deemed immaterial, may also materially and
adversely affect the Company's business operations, prospects, financial
condition, results of operations or cash flows and the market price of
Centerra's shares. See the section entitled "Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Information" in this news release and also the Risk Factors
listed in the Company's 2013 Annual Information Form, available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
Centerra Gold Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Financial Position
(Unaudited)
March 31, December 31,
2014 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Expressed in Thousands of United States Dollars)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 209,744 $ 343,108
Short-term investments 302,501 158,358
Amounts receivable 38,196 78,707
Inventories 310,871 373,289
Prepaid expenses 14,436 29,191
------------------------------
875,748 982,653
Property, plant and equipment 607,349 539,070
Goodwill 129,705 129,705
Restricted cash 10,342 10,731
Other assets 28,827 20,276
Long-term inventories 4,150 5,229
------------------------------
780,373 705,011
------------------------------
Total assets $ 1,656,121 $ 1,687,664
------------------------------
------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 27,530 $ 32,109
Short-term debt 75,855 75,582
Revenue-based taxes payable 8,123 30,742
Taxes payable 1,050 2,108
Current portion of provision for reclamation 1,909 1,194
------------------------------
114,467 141,735
Dividend payable 10,225 10,636
Provision for reclamation 60,017 58,826
Deferred income tax liability 2,821 2,157
------------------------------
73,063 71,619
------------------------------
Total liabilities 187,530 213,354
------------------------------
Shareholders' equity
Share capital 660,500 660,486
Contributed surplus 20,697 20,087
Retained earnings 787,394 793,737
------------------------------
1,468,591 1,474,310
------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,656,121 $ 1,687,664
------------------------------
------------------------------
Centerra Gold Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive
Income
(Unaudited)
Three Months ended March 31,
2014 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Expressed in Thousands of United States Dollars)
(except per share amounts)
Revenue from Gold Sales $ 148,021 $ 192,251
Cost of sales 109,114 91,149
Regional office administration 5,689 5,621
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from mine operations 33,218 95,481
Revenue-based taxes 18,432 20,818
Other operating expenses 1,895 1,946
Exploration and business development 2,572 7,170
Corporate administration 6,523 6,743
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings from operations 3,796 58,804
Other (income) and expenses (210) 1,280
Finance costs 1,393 1,256
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes 2,613 56,268
Income tax expense 552 4,916
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Earnings and comprehensive income $ 2,061 $ 51,352
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic earnings per common share $ 0.01 $ 0.22
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diluted earnings per common share $ - $ 0.21
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Centerra Gold Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Three Months ended March 31,
2014 2013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Expressed in Thousands of United States Dollars)
Operating activities
Net earnings $ 2,061 $ 51,352
Items not requiring (providing) cash:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 66,771 43,900
Finance costs 1,393 1,256
Loss on disposal of equipment 96 9
Share-based compensation expense 610 751
Change in long-term inventory 1,079 952
Change in provision - (67)
Income tax expense 552 4,916
Other operating items 484 (101)
--------------------------------
73,046 102,968
Change in operating working capital 22,315 (7,219)
Prepaid revenue-based taxes utilized 7,267 2,768
Income taxes paid (1,077) (6,479)
--------------------------------
Cash provided by operations 101,551 92,038
--------------------------------
Investing activities
Additions to property, plant and equipment (72,726) (73,673)
Net purchase of short-term investments (144,143) (68,343)
Purchase of interest in Oksut Gold
Project- net of cash acquired - (19,742)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash 389 (2,756)
Increase in long-term other assets (8,551) (217)
Proceeds from disposition of fixed assets 3 27
--------------------------------
Cash used in investing (225,028) (164,704)
--------------------------------
Financing activities
Dividends paid (8,404) (6,349)
Payment of interest and other borrowing
costs (1,483) (1,499)
--------------------------------
Cash used in financing (9,887) (7,848)
--------------------------------
Decrease in cash during the period (133,364) (80,514)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
the period 343,108 334,115
--------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the
period $ 209,744 $ 253,601
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents consist of:
Cash $ 66,660 $ 91,076
Cash equivalents 143,084 162,525
--------------------------------
$ 209,744 $ 253,601
--------------------------------
--------------------------------
Centerra Gold Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Expressed in Thousands of United States Dollars, except share information)
Number of Share
Common Capital Contributed Retained
Shares Amount Surplus Earnings Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
January 1, 2013 236,376,011 $ 660,420 $ 36,243 $ 672,430 $ 1,369,093
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share-based
compensation
expense - - 751 - 751
Adjustment for
acquisition of
30% minority
interest - - (18,986) (18,986)
Dividend declared - - - (9,218) (9,218)
Net earnings for
the period - - - 51,352 51,352
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March
31, 2013 236,376,011 $ 660,420 $ 18,008 $ 714,564 $ 1,392,992
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at
January 1, 2014 236,390,219 $ 660,486 $ 20,087 $ 793,737 $ 1,474,310
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Share-based
compensation
expense - - 610 - 610
Shares issued on
redemption of
restricted share
units 2,757 14 - - 14
Dividend declared - - - (8,404) (8,404)
Net earnings for
the period - - - 2,061 2,061
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at March
31, 2014 236,392,976 $ 660,500 $ 20,697 $ 787,394 $ 1,468,591
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information
Information contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by
reference herein, contain statements which are not current statements or
historical facts and may be "forward looking information" for the purposes of
Canadian securities laws. Such forward looking information involves risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance,
prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by such forward looking information. The words "believe", "expect",
"anticipate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget",
"estimate", "may", "will", "schedule" and similar expressions identify
forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements relate to, among
other things, general economic indicators affecting the price of gold and gold
production, interest rates, and exchange rates, the Company's plans for future
borrowing under its revolving credit facility the successful resolution of
outstanding matters in the Kyrgyz Republic to the benefit of all shareholders
including matters relating to the State Commission report, government
resolutions and decrees, discussions with the Kyrgyz Government on the Kumtor
Project Agreements and a possible restructuring of the Kumtor project into a
joint venture pursuant to the terms of the HOA, the resolution of environmental
claims received by Kumtor from SIETS and SAEPF in December 2012 and February
2013, the possible effect of the Glacier Law on mining or other operations at
the Kumtor project, the legal effect of the Glacier Law and the likelihood of
its enforcement by Kyrgyz authorities, the draft Kyrgyz law on denunciation, the
claim of the Kyrgyz General Prosecutor's Office's purporting to invalidate
Kumtor's land use certificate and to seize certain lands within the Kumtor
concession area, discussions with various Kyrgyz state agencies regarding the
approval for
Kumtor's 2014 annual mine plan and investigations of the Kyrgyz General
Prosecutor's Office into a an inter-corporate dividend declared and paid by KGC
to Centerra having no material impact on Kumtor operations, the Company's
ability to manage the increased rate of movement of the Davidov Waste-rock Dump
(Central Valley Waste Dump), the activities of a special commission formed to
inspect the increased movement of the Davidov Waste-rock Dump, statements
regarding the Company's ability to successfully the movement of the Davidov
Glacier, the construction of a buttress at the bottom of the Davidov Glacier and
the effectiveness of the buttress, and the Company's ability to successfully
demolish certain buildings and relocate other infrastructure at Kumtor, and to
maintain the availability of the Kumtor mobile fleet, the Company's ability to
mine high grade ore in the SB Zone at Kumtor, statements regarding the Company's
future production in 2013, including estimates of cash operating costs, all-in
sustaining costs per ounce sold all in costs per ounce sold, all in costs per
ounce sold (including taxes), capital expenditures (sustaining) and capital
expenditures (growth), exploration and drilling plans and expenditures and the
success thereof, capital expenditures, mining plans at Kumtor; and processing
activities at Boroo; statements regarding having sufficient cash and investments
to carry out the Company's business plans for 2014; the outcome of discussions
with the Mongolian government on the potential development of the Company's
Gatsuurt deposit, the impact of the Water and Forest Law on the Company's
Mongolian activities; the Company's ability to carry out a feasibility study on
the Oksut project; the Company's business and political environment and business
prospects; and the timing and development of new deposits.
Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Centerra, are inherently
subject to significant political, business, economic and competitive
uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected in the forward looking
information. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from current expectations include, among other things: (A) political
and regulatory risks, including the political risks associated with the
Company's principal operations in the Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia, resource
nationalism, the impact of changes in, or to the more aggressive enforcement of,
laws, regulations and government practices in the jurisdictions in which the
Company operates, the impact of any actions taken by the Government and
Parliament relating to the Kumtor Project Agreement, any impact on the purported
cancellation of Kumtor's land use rights at the Kumtor Project, the impact of
the failure of relevant Kyrgyz Government agencies to provide approvals of
annual mine plans and other required permits and authorizations, the effect of
the Water and Forest Law on the Company's operations in Mongolia, the impact of
continued scrutiny from Mongolian regulatory authorities on the Company's Boroo
project, the impact of changes to, or the increased enforcement of,
environmental laws and regulations relating to the Company's operations, the
Company's ability to successfully negotiate an investment agreement for the
Gatsuurt project to complete the development of the mine and the Company's
ability to obtain all necessary permits and commissions needed to commence
mining activity at the Gatsuurt project; the ability of the Company to obtain,
in a timely manner, all required permits and other authorizations to carry out
its feasibility and other studies at the Oksut project and related drilling and
operational activities;
(B) risks related to operational matters and geotechnical issues, including the
movement of the Davidov Glacier and the Davidov Waste-rock Dump (Central Valley
Waste Dump), the waste and ice movement at the Kumtor Project and the Company's
continued ability to successfully manage such matters, including by the building
of a buttress at the bottom of the Davidov Glacier, the occurrence of further
ground movements at the Kumtor Project, the timing of the infrastructure move
potentially impacting the maintenance of the mobile fleet and its availability,
the success of the Company's future exploration and development activities,
including the financial and political risks inherent in carrying out exploration
activities, the adequacy of the Company's insurance to mitigate operational
risks, mechanical breakdowns, the Company's ability to obtain the necessary
permits and authorizations to (among other things) raise the tailings dam at the
Kumtor Project to the required height, the Company's ability to replace its
mineral reserves, the occurrence of any labour unrest or disturbance and the
ability of the Company to successfully re-negotiate collective agreements when
required, seismic activity in the vicinity of the Company's operations in the
Kyrgyz Republic and Mongolia, long lead times required for equipment and
supplies given the remote location of the Company's properties, reliance on a
limited number of suppliers for certain consumables, equipment and components,
illegal mining on the Company's Mongolian properties, the Company's ability to
accurately predict decommissioning and reclamation costs, the Company's ability
to attract and retain qualified personnel, competition for mineral acquisition
opportunities, and risks associated with the conduct of joint ventures;
(C) risks relating to financial matters including the sensitivity of the
Company's business to the volatility of gold prices, the imprecision of the
Company's mineral reserves and resources estimates and the assumptions they rely
on, the accuracy of the Company's production and cost estimates, the impact of
restrictive covenants in the Company's revolving credit facility which may,
among other things, restrict the Company from pursuing certain business
activities, the Company's ability to obtain future financing, the impact of
global financial conditions, the impact of currency fluctuations, the effect of
market conditions on the Company's short-term investments, the Company's ability
to make payments including any payments of principal and interest on the
Company's debt facilities depends on the cash flow of its subsidiaries; and (D)
risks related to environmental and safety matters, including the ability to
continue obtaining necessary operating and environmental permits, licenses and
approvals, the impact of the significant environmental claims made in December
2012 and February 2013 relating to the Kumtor Project, inherent risks associated
with using sodium cyanide in the mining operations; legal and other factors such
as litigation, defects in title in connection with the Company's properties, the
Company's ability to enforce its legal rights, risks associated with having a
significant shareholder, and possible director conflicts of interest. There may
be other factors that cause results, assumptions, performance, achievements,
prospects or opportunities in future periods not to be as anticipated, estimated
or intended. See "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2013 Annual Information Form
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Furthermore, market price fluctuations in gold, as well as increased capital or
production costs or reduced recovery rates may render ore reserves containing
lower grades of mineralization uneconomic and may ultimately result in a
restatement of reserves. The extent to which resources may ultimately be
reclassified as proven or probable reserves is dependent upon the demonstration
of their profitable recovery. Economic and technological factors which may
change over time always influence the evaluation of reserves or resources.
Centerra has not adjusted mineral resource figures in consideration of these
risks and, therefore, Centerra can give no assurances that any mineral resource
estimate will ultimately be reclassified as proven and probable reserves.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves, and do not have demonstrated
economic viability, but do have reasonable prospects for economic extraction.
Measured and indicated resources are sufficiently well defined to allow
geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed and permit the
application of technical and economic parameters in assessing the economic
viability of the resource. Inferred resources are estimated on limited
information not sufficient to verify geological and grade continuity or to allow
technical and economic parameters to be applied. Inferred resources are too
speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to
enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that
mineral resources of any category can be upgraded to mineral reserves through
continued exploration.
There can be no assurances that forward-looking information and statements will
prove to be accurate, as many factors and future events, both known and unknown
could cause actual results, performance or achievements to vary or differ
materially, from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained herein or
incorporated by reference. Accordingly, all such factors should be considered
carefully when making decisions with respect to Centerra, and prospective
investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking information.
Forward-looking information is as of May 6, 2014. Centerra assumes no obligation
to update or revise forward looking information to reflect changes in
assumptions, changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such
forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.
About Centerra
Centerra Gold Inc. is a gold mining company focused on operating, developing,
exploring and acquiring gold properties primarily in Asia, the former Soviet
Union and other markets worldwide. Centerra is the largest Western-based gold
producer in Central Asia. Centerra's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange
(TSX) under the symbol CG. The Company is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Additional information on Centerra is available on the Company's website at
www.centerragold.com and at SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Conference Call
Centerra invites you to join its 2014 first quarter conference call on Wednesday
May 7, 2014 at 11:00AM Eastern Time. The call is open to all investors and the
media. To join the call, please dial toll-free in North America (800) 659-2953
or International participants dial +1 (303) 223-4360. Alternatively, an audio
feed of the conference call is being webcast by Thomson Reuters and can be
accessed live on the Company's website at: www.centerragold.com. An audio
recording of the call will be available on Centerra's website
www.centerragold.com shortly after the call and via telephone until midnight on
Wednesday May 14, 2013 by calling (416) 626-4100 or (800) 558-5253 and using
passcode 21712324.
Additional information on Centerra is available on the Company's web site at
www.centerragold.com and at SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
To view the Management's Discussion and Analysis and the Financial Statements
and Notes for the three months-ended March 31, 2014, please visit the following
link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CG2014-Q1MDA.pdf.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Centerra Gold Inc.
John W. Pearson
Vice President, Investor Relations
(416) 204-1241
john.pearson@centerragold.com
www.centerragold.com
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