![](../style/all/img/drapeau/grand/Canada.gif) | | Published : July 13th, 2009 | Announces Second Quarter 2009 Production Results |
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Re: News Releases - Monday, July 13, 2009 Title: Quadra Announces Second Quarter 2009 Production Results
Vancouver, Canada -- July 13th, 2009...Quadra Mining Ltd. ("Quadra" or "the Company") (QUA:TSX) announces the production results for the second quarter of 2009 from its two 100% owned operating assets, the Robinson Mine ("Robinson") located in Ely, Nevada and the Carlota Mine ("Carlota") located in Globe-Miami, Arizona. Combined production was below expectation with 29.7 million pounds of copper and 18,031 ounces of gold produced for the three months ended June 30, 2009. As a result, 2009 production guidance for both Robinson and Carlota has been revised as per the discussion provided below.
Robinson
Robinson produced 22.9 million pounds of copper and 18,031 ounces of gold during the second quarter of 2009. Quarterly production results were lower than expected because of the inability to access hypogene ore in the Veteran pit which was required to blend with the supergene ore from the Wedge pit -- a strategy that has historically improved metallurgical performance. Access to the hypogene ore was limited throughout the quarter, due to concerns with the stability of the north pit wall in Veteran by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the Federal enforcement agency responsible for safety and health in US mines. The operations team has subsequently agreed upon a plan with MSHA to resolve these issues, taking measures that include some changes to the pit design and increasing monitoring and fence protection. While mining of the hypogene ore in Veteran will resume in the third quarter allowing continuation of the blending strategy, production guidance for copper has been reduced slightly with the mine now expected to produce approximately 130 million pounds of copper. Gold production guidance of 100,000 ounces remains unchanged for the year.
Copper sales from Robinson for the second quarter were 24.2 million pounds as a result of the lower concentrate production and the timing of shipments. The increasing copper price during the quarter will result in positive provisional pricing and mark to market adjustments to prior quarter sales.
Key operating and sales metrics are shown below:
Robinson Operation |
Q3 2008 |
Q4 2008 |
Q1 2009 |
Q2 2009 |
LTM* |
Operating Metrics: |
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Copper production (Million lbs) |
38.6 |
34.5 |
36.7 |
22.9 |
132.7 |
Gold production (ozs) |
30,629 |
26,913 |
34,649 |
18,031 |
110,222 |
Waste mined (Tonnes 000's) |
14,263 |
13,527 |
8,379 |
11,606 |
47,775 |
Ore milled (Tonnes 000's) |
3,489 |
3,358 |
3,407 |
3,165 |
13,505 |
Copper grade (%) |
0.64 |
0.69 |
0.65 |
0.58 |
0.64 |
Gold grade (g/t) |
0.42 |
0.48 |
0.42 |
0.25 |
0.39 |
Copper recovery (%) |
78.7 |
68.1 |
75.4 |
56.3 |
69.5 |
Gold recovery (%) |
65.8 |
52.2 |
75.4 |
70.4 |
64.4 |
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Sales Metrics: |
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Copper sales (Million lbs) |
40.4 |
29.2 |
34.5 |
24.2 |
128.3 |
Copper price at end of period ($US/lb) (2) |
$2.91 |
$1.33 |
$1.83 |
$2.32 |
$2.32 |
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Provisionally priced copper(1) -- beginning of period (Million lbs) |
51.8 |
51.0 |
43.2 |
27.7 |
51.8 |
Average settlement price for prior period sales subject to final pricing during period ($US/lb) |
$3.44 |
$1.83 |
$1.56 |
$2.14 |
$3.14 |
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Gold sales (ozs) |
35,151 |
22,844 |
30,258 |
23,152 |
111,405 |
Average gold price during period ($US/oz) (3) |
$869 |
$796 |
$908 |
$922 |
$874 | Notes:
- Copper that has been sold but has not been subject to final pricing. Under current sales contracts, final pricing for copper sales is generally set at least four months after the time of shipment
- The average price used to value provisionally priced copper
- Average daily price of the London am/pm fix
Carlota
Carlota produced 6.8 million pounds of copper during the second quarter. Production was below mine plan estimates in part because of lower than scheduled ore mined and in part because of lower than planned leaching rates. Ore mined was lower than scheduled as additional work required on the ultimate pit wall above the Pinto Creek Diversion delayed access to higher grade ore, requiring the reallocation of mining equipment to complete the diversion on schedule. The shortfall year to date is approximately 1 million tons of higher grade ore for the leach pad. Irrigation rates (flow of solution through the rock) have been 20 % lower than anticipated due to the segregation of fines during the stacking procedures. The operation has subsequently revised ore stacking procedures and is adding equipment to potentially improve flow rates through the upper leach pad surface. These changes, as well as access to the higher grade ore now scheduled for the third and fourth quarter, are expected to improve copper production going forward into 2010. However the expected production for 2009 has now been reduced from 50 million to approximately 35 million pounds.
Key operating and sales metrics are shown below.
Carlota Operation |
Q1 2009 |
Q2 2009 |
YTD |
Operating Metrics: |
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Copper production (Million lbs) |
6.6 |
6.8 |
13.4 |
Waste mined (Tonnes 000's) |
4,518 |
4,997 |
9,515 |
Ore placed (Tonnes 000's) |
1,732 |
1,325 |
3,057 |
Copper grade (%) |
0.25 |
0.29 |
0.27 |
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Sales Metrics: |
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Copper cathode sales (Million lbs) |
5.9 |
7.9 |
13.8 |
Average realized price for the period |
$1.49 |
$2.01 |
$1.79 | Franke
Although the development schedule for the Franke Project has been impacted by pond construction quality issues and a structural design issue with the primary crusher feed system, mining has commenced in the Franke pit, the operating team is in place and first cathode production is still expected in Q3 2009.
Paul Blythe, President & CEO of Quadra said, "Both of our operations have encountered some challenges this past quarter and while disappointing, they are not altogether atypical. Robinson's mineralogy has always resulted in variable quarterly results but in the past year we've successfully managed this variability with ore blending strategies. As we moved into a new pit -- and lost the ability to blend ore as planned from Veteran - recoveries subsequently suffered. This has had some impact on guidance, reducing our estimated production for the year by approximately 7%. Now that we have an agreed position with MSHA, and that the geotechnical issues have been resolved, we will revert to the blending strategy for the rest of the year. While progress is being made at Carlota, we have to be prepared for differences between testwork and commercial operation. Percolation challenges due to the segregation of fines are not unusual and can be resolved by developing different stacking procedures. The lower solution flow rates will increase leach times proportionally. On the positive side, evaluation work to date on material that has been leached continues to confirm that the recoveries used in the feasibility study are appropriate and should be achieved."
"At Franke we are pleased to announce that mining has commenced and that despite encountering some design and construction issues, we are on track to produce cathode copper in the third quarter. This will then be our third copper producing operation."
Paul Blythe concludes; "The copper price continued to strengthen during the quarter which will result in some positive mark-to-market adjustments when the quarterly earnings are announced, however this will be offset by the sales volume which was particularly low. Going forward we are confident in the strength of our teams at both operations who have typically shown an exceptional ability to mitigate complexities and to initiate and implement solutions."
The second quarter financial results will be announced on August 13th, 2009. Dial in details of the accompanying conference call will be issued under separate release.
About Quadra Mining Ltd. (TSX: QUA)
Quadra is a British Columbia corporation based in Vancouver and is a mining company whose principal assets are the Robinson Mine in Nevada, producing copper and gold, the Carlota Mine in Arizona, producing copper cathode, the mechanically complete Franke SX/EW heap leach project in northern Chile undergoing commissioning testing, the Sierra Gorda advanced exploration copper-molybdenum project in Chile and the Malmbjerg molybdenum development project in Greenland. The Company has the goal of becoming a mid-tier base metals development and operating company with interests in a number of advanced exploration, development and producing properties.
This Press Release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on Quadra's expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to Quadra's business strategy, plans, outlook, long-term growth in cash flow, earnings per share and shareholder value, projections, targets and expectations as to reserves, resources, results of exploration (including targets) and related expenses, property acquisitions, mine development, mine operations, mine production costs, drilling activity, sampling and other data, estimating grade levels, future recovery levels, future production levels, capital costs, costs savings, cash and total costs of production of copper, gold and other minerals, expenditures for environmental matters, projected life of Quadra's mines, reclamation and other post closure obligations and estimated future expenditures for those matters, completion dates for the various development and operational stages of Quadra's mines, availability of water for milling and mining, future copper, gold, molybdenum and other mineral prices (including the long-term estimated prices used in calculating Quadra's mineral reserves), end-use demand for copper, currency exchange rates, debt reductions, timing of expected sales and final pricing of concentrate sales, the percentage of anticipated production covered by option contracts or agreements, anticipated outcome of litigation and personnel issues. Generally, this forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "anticipate", "project", "target", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "should", "scheduled", "will", "plan" and similar expressions. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Quadra's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information and is developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to:
- uncertainties relating to fluctuations copper and other metal prices;
- uncertainties related to the possible recalculation or reduction in the Company's mineral reserves and resources;
- uncertainties related to actual capital costs, operating costs and expenditures, production schedules and economic returns from the Company's mining projects;
- uncertainties related to the current global financial conditions;
- uncertainties related to the availability of future financing necessary to undertake mining, processing, development and exploration activities on Quadra's properties;
- Quadra's substantial reliance on the Robinson Mine for revenues;
- uncertainties related to Quadra's ability to expand or replace depleted reserves;
- risks related to the integration of businesses and assets acquired by Quadra, including the recent acquisition of Centenario;
- inherent hazards and risks associated with mining operations;
- inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration;
- uncertainties related to the competitiveness of the mining industry;
- risks associated with Quadra being subject to government regulation, including changes in regulation;
- risks associated with Quadra being subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations, including achange in regulation;
- risks associated with Quadra's need for governmental license and permits;
- risks that Quadra's title to its property could be challenged;
- political and country risk;
- risk of water shortages and risks associated with competition for water;
- Quadra's need to attract and retain qualified personnel;
- risk of shortages of key supplies, including tires;
- increases in off-site transportation and concentrate processing costs;
- Quadra's dependence on one railroad and one port to ship copper from the Robinson Mine;
- risks associated with the mineralogy, and particularly complex mineralogy at the Robinson Mine;
- risks related to the stability of mine pit walls;
- risks related to the need for reclamation activities on Quadra's properties, including the nature of reclamation required and uncertainty of costs estimates related thereto;
- uncertainties related to the amount of funding required to achieve full production levels at the Franke Mine;
- uncertainties related to production ramp-up at the Carlota Mine;
- risks associated with costs of operating supplies, including sulphuric acid;
- inherent risks associated with existing and future litigation;
- risks associated with taxation;
- risks related to Quadra's shareholder rights plan;
- risks associated with potential conflicts of interest;
- risks in the nature of investments; and
- risk related to hedging contracts and exposure to the credit risk of counterparties.
A discussion of these and other factors that may affect Quadra's actual results, performance, achievements or financial position is contained in the filings by Quadra with the Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities, including Quadra's Annual Information Form. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. Quadra disclaims any intent or obligations to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, estimates or options, future events or results or otherwise, unless required to do so by law. The forward-looking information in this press release which relates directly or indirectly to the revision of prior forward looking information is subject to all of the material factors and assumptions disclosed at the time the Company stated the prior forward-looking information.
Media and Investor Relations Contact:
Sophie Taylor Manager, Investor Relations (604) 689-8550, ext. 310
Derek White Executive Vice President, Business Development (604) 689-8550, ext. 307
Copyright � 2009 QUADRA MINING LTD. (QUA) All rights reserved. For more information visit our website at http://www.quadramining.com/ or send email to ir2@quadramining.com ..
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QuadraFNX Mining
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PRODUCER |
CODE : QUX.TO |
ISIN : CA74733X1069 |
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ProfileMarket IndicatorsVALUE : Projects & res.Press releasesAnnual reportRISK : Asset profileContact Cpy |
QuadraFNX is a nickel and gold producing company based in Canada. QuadraFNX produces nickel, gold, copper, palladium, platinum and silver in Canada and in Chile, and holds various exploration projects in Canada and in Guinea. Its main assets in production are MCCREEDY WEST MINE, ROBINSON MINE, LEVACK MINE, PODOLSKY, VICTORIA - INCO, CARLOTA MINE, VICTORIA, LEVACK, FALCONBRIDGE MINE, MORRISON DEPOSIT (LFD) LEVACK FOOTWALL and KIRKWOOD in Canada and FRANKE MINE in Chile and its main exploration properties are TYRANITE, NORMAN, FAWCETT TWP and FOOTWALL in Canada. QuadraFNX is listed in Canada and in Germany. Its market capitalisation is CA$ 2.9 billions as of today (€ 2.2 billions). Its stock quote reached its lowest recent point on December 05, 2008 at CA$ 1.97, and its highest recent level on March 07, 2012 at CA$ 14.99. QuadraFNX has 191 502 000 shares outstanding. |
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