CORRECTION - Gran Colombia Gold Reports Second Quarter and First Half 2020 Results; Announces Quarterly Dividend Program
14 August 2020 - 11:21AM
Gran Colombia Gold Corp. (TSX: GCM; OTCQX: TPRFF) announced today
the release of its unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements and accompanying management’s discussion and
analysis (MD&A) for the three and six months ended June 30,
2020. All financial figures contained herein are expressed in U.S.
dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise noted.
Gran Colombia also announced today that its
Board of Directors has approved the initiation of the Company’s
quarterly dividend program. The first quarterly dividend of
CA$0.015 per common share will be paid on October 15, 2020 to
shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 30,
2020.
Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman of Gran
Colombia, commenting on the Company’s latest results, said, “Our
management team has done a very commendable job, implementing the
protocols required to keep our workers safe during the COVID-19
crisis and to keep our mines in operation during a very challenging
situation. We are also pleased to announce the new quarterly
dividend program, something we started contemplating when we
retired 30% of the gold notes ahead of schedule at the end of
March. With our free cash flow strength, we saw an opportunity to
use a portion of the savings in debt service costs to begin paying
a dividend to our shareholders. However, with the onset of the
global pandemic, we waited to see the impact on our operations
before making the final decision. Our production level at Segovia
has steadied the last three months and with the stronger gold
prices so far in the third quarter, our earnings and free cash flow
in the second half of 2020 are shaping up nicely and we are
comfortable to proceed with the dividend program.”
Second Quarter and First Half 2020
Highlights
- Mining operations continued at both
Segovia and Marmato during the second quarter of 2020 despite the
challenges associated with the COVID-19 national quarantine
in Colombia. Gran Colombia also supported its local
communities in Antioquia and Caldas, providing medical equipment,
supplies and sanitation kits to the local hospitals and groceries
to families who have been economically affected by the COVID-19
crisis.
- Gran Colombia’s gold
production in the second quarter of 2020 of 48,228 ounces,
down from 57,882 ounces in the second quarter last year, reflected
the initial adverse impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on Segovia’s
workforce in the first half of April. Protocols implemented by the
Company facilitated increased availability of workers thereafter
and production at Segovia returned to about 95% of normal. Gold
production at Marmato in the second quarter of 2020 was only 62% of
the second quarter last year as the quarantine had a greater impact
on worker availability throughout the quarter. With a total of
104,475 ounces of gold produced in the first half of 2020, down
from 118,483 ounces in the first half of last year, and another
18,111 ounces in July, the Company has updated its 2020 annual
production guidance to a range between 218,000 and 226,000 ounces
of gold.
- Revenue amounted
to $77.1 million in the second quarter of 2020, almost on par with
the second quarter last year, as the 31% year-over-year improvement
in spot gold prices increased the Company’s realized gold price to
an average of $1,696 per ounce sold and compensated for the 24%
lower gold sales volumes attributable to the COVID-19 impact on
production. For the first half of 2020, revenue of $178.1 million
was up 15% over the first half last year.
- Total cash costs
(1) per ounce averaged $713 per ounce in the second
quarter of 2020 compared with $655 per ounce in the second quarter
last year, reflecting the COVID-19 impact on production which
increased fixed production costs on a “per ounce” basis. Higher
spot gold prices increased production taxes by approximately $19
per ounce in the second quarter of 2020 compared with the same
period last year and the Company incurred additional costs to
implement the COVID-19 protocols required to protect the health and
safety of its workers. For the first half of 2020, total cash costs
averaged $686 per ounce compared with $638 per ounce in the first
half last year.
- All-in sustaining
costs (“AISC”) (1) and All-in
costs (1) were $1,045 per ounce and $1,114 per ounce,
respectively, in the second quarter of 2020 compared with $878 per
ounce and $903 per ounce, respectively, in the second quarter last
year. The year-over year increase in these metrics can largely be
attributed to new spending on G&A and social contributions in
Caldas Gold and an increased level of non-sustaining capex for the
Marmato Project. Similar to total cash costs per ounce, the lower
production in the second quarter of 2020 also contributed to an
increase in these “per ounce” metrics. For the first half of 2020,
AISC and All-in costs averaged $954 and $1,034 per ounce,
respectively, compared with $855 and 873 per ounce, respectively,
in the first half last year.
- The Company reported
adjusted EBITDA (1) of $37.6 million for the
second quarter of 2020, up 13% over the second quarter last year.
For the first half of 2020, adjusted EBITDA totalled $88.0 million,
up 29% over the first half last year. The Company’s trailing
12-months’ adjusted EBITDA at the end of June 2020 was $166.2
million, up 13% over 2019.
- Net cash provided by
operating activities in the second quarter of 2020 of $6.4
million, down from $18.2 million in the second quarter last year,
reflected income tax payments in Colombia totalling $35.3 million
compared with only $14.1 million in the second quarter last year.
For the first half of 2020, net cash provided by operating
activities was $38.2 million, up from $38.0 million in the first
half last year.
- Free Cash Flow (1)
in the second quarter of 2020 was also impacted by the increased
level of income tax payments compared with the second quarter last
year. For the first half of 2020, Free Cash Flow amounted to $13.5
million, about $5.6 million lower than the first half last year due
to an increased level of non-sustaining capital and exploration
expenditures.
- The Company’s balance
sheet remained solid with total cash of $87.7 million at
the end of June 2020 and further reduction in the aggregate
principal amount of Gold Notes outstanding to $41.3
million.
- Non-cash fair value changes in
financial instruments totaling $35.4 million in the second quarter
of 2020, largely driven by the Company’s 70% share price
improvement, contributed to a net loss of $18.9
million ($0.27 per share) compared with net income of $0.8 million
($0.02 per share) in the second quarter last year. For the first
half of 2020, the Company reported net income of $5.7 million
($0.13 per share) compared with $8.7 million ($0.18 per share) in
the first half last year. The first half 2020 net income was net of
a $16.7 million charge related to the Caldas Gold RTO
Transaction.
- Adjusted net income
(1) for the second quarter of 2020 was $17.5 million
($0.29 per share), up from $14.2 million ($0.29 per share) in the
second quarter last year. For the first half of 2020, adjusted net
income improved to $38.7 million ($0.66 per share) compared with
$27.2 million ($0.56 per share) in the first half last year. The
year-over-year improvement in adjusted net income for the second
quarter and first half of 2020 largely reflects the positive impact
of higher gold prices in 2020, partially offset by the COVID-19
impact on gold sales volumes in the second quarter of 2020.
- In July 2020, the Company announced
high-grade intercepts from the latest 72 diamond drill holes
totaling 10,523 meters (approximately 33%) of the 2020 in-mine and
near-mine drilling programs at its Segovia
Operations. At Carla, the Company’s fourth mine which is
coming into production later this year, drilling intercepted
high-grade mineralization down-dip below the existing underground
mine development confirming a high-grade intercept from a prior
drilling program. Results at Sandra K and El Silencio continue to
increase the Company’s confidence in the potential to expand
mineral resources at Segovia and add to the mine life for this
project.
- Caldas Gold is making progress in
its action plans to build Colombia’s next major gold
mine. On July 6, 2020, Caldas Gold announced the results
of a Preliminary Feasibility Study (the “2020 PFS”) for its Marmato
Project. On July 29, 2020, Caldas Gold completed a CA$50 million
bought deal private placement of Special Warrants, of which Gran
Colombia acquired CA$20 million to maintain its equity ownership
above 50%. Caldas Gold is also finalizing a private placement
offering of senior secured gold-linked notes expected to raise
between $80 to $90 million and completing a $110 million stream
financing with Wheaton Precious Metals International Ltd., all of
which will fund the planned expansion of mining operations into the
Marmato Deep Zone (“MDZ”) commencing in the second half of this
year.
Selected Financial
Information
|
Second Quarter |
First Half |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
data |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold produced (ounces) |
|
48,228 |
|
|
57,882 |
|
|
104,475 |
|
|
118,483 |
|
Gold sold (ounces) |
|
45,078 |
|
|
59,368 |
|
|
108,779 |
|
|
118,413 |
|
Average realized gold price ($/oz sold) |
$ |
1,696 |
|
$ |
1,293 |
|
$ |
1,622 |
|
$ |
1,296 |
|
Total cash costs ($/oz sold) (1) |
|
713 |
|
|
655 |
|
|
686 |
|
|
638 |
|
AISC ($/oz sold) (1) |
|
1,045 |
|
|
878 |
|
|
954 |
|
|
855 |
|
All-in costs ($/oz sold) (1) |
|
1,114 |
|
|
903 |
|
|
1,034 |
|
|
873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial data ($000’s, except per share
amounts) |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
$ |
77,134 |
|
$ |
77,610 |
|
$ |
178,110 |
|
$ |
155,065 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA (1) |
|
37,563 |
|
|
33,198 |
|
|
88,000 |
|
|
68,473 |
|
Net (loss) income |
|
(18,578 |
) |
|
768 |
|
|
5,677 |
|
|
8,671 |
|
Per share - basic |
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
0.02 |
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
0.18 |
|
Per share - diluted |
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
0.02 |
|
|
0.13 |
|
|
0.18 |
|
Adjusted net income (1) |
|
17,504 |
|
|
14,164 |
|
|
38,736 |
|
|
27,179 |
|
Per share - basic |
|
0.29 |
|
|
0.29 |
|
|
0.66 |
|
|
0.56 |
|
Per share - diluted |
|
0.24 |
|
|
0.25 |
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
0.49 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities (4) |
|
6,431 |
|
|
18,217 |
|
|
38,242 |
|
|
38,035 |
|
Free cash flow (1) (4) |
|
(4,375 |
) |
|
7,751 |
|
|
13,456 |
|
|
19,028 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
sheet ($000’s): |
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
87,749 |
|
$ |
84,239 |
|
Gold Notes, including current portion – principal amount
outstanding (2) |
|
41,300 |
|
|
68,750 |
|
Convertible Debentures – principal amount outstanding (3) |
CA20,000 |
|
CA20,000 |
|
- Refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” in the
Company’s MD&A.
- The Gold Notes are recorded in the
Interim Financial Statements at fair value. At June 30, 2020 and
December 31, 2019, the carrying amounts of the Gold Notes
outstanding were $43.5 and $69.0 million, respectively.
- The Convertible Debentures are
recorded in the Interim Financial Statements at fair value. At June
30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the carrying amount of the
Convertible Debentures outstanding was $23.7 million and $21.1
million, respectively.
- Net of income taxes paid of $35.3
million in the second quarter of 2020 ($14.1 million in the second
quarter of 2019) and $42.6 million in the first half of 2020 ($30.4
million in the first half of 2019).
Second Quarter and First Half 2020
Results Webcast
As a reminder, Gran Colombia will host a
conference call and webcast on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 10:00
a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.
Webcast and call-in details are as follows:
|
Live Event link:International:North America Toll Free:Colombia Toll
Free:Conference ID:
|
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/oc7986ix1 (514) 841-21571 (866)
215-550801 800 9 156 92449825338 |
A replay of the webcast will be available at
www.grancolombiagold.com from Friday, August 14, 2020 until Friday,
September 18, 2020.
About Gran Colombia Gold
Corp.
Gran Colombia is a Canadian-based mid-tier gold
producer with its primary focus in Colombia where it is currently
the largest underground gold and silver producer with several mines
in operation at its high-grade Segovia Operations. Gran Colombia
owns approximately 57.5% of Caldas Gold Corp., a Canadian mining
company currently advancing a prefeasibility study for a major
expansion and modernization of its underground mining operations at
its Marmato Project in Colombia. Gran Colombia’s project pipeline
includes its Zancudo Project in Colombia together with an
approximately 20% equity interest in Gold X Mining Corp. (TSXV:
GLDX) (Guyana – Toroparu) and an approximately 26% equity interest
in Western Atlas Resources Inc. (“Western Atlas”) (TSX-V: WA)
(Nunavut – Meadowbank).
Additional information on Gran Colombia can be
found on its website at www.grancolombiagold.com and by reviewing
its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
Information:
This news release contains "forward-looking
information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements
with respect to the continuation of operations during the COVID-19
situation, production guidance and anticipated business plans or
strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can
be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is
expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts",
"intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including
negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that
certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might"
or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of Gran Colombia to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk
Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated as of March
30, 2020 which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date
of this press release and Gran Colombia disclaims, other than as
required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements whether as a result of new information, results, future
events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions
should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements.
For Further Information,
Contact:Mike DaviesChief Financial Officer(416)
360-4653investorrelations@grancolombiagold.com
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