![](../style/all/img/drapeau/grand/Canada.gif) | | Published : January 11th, 2010 | Production Results For The 4Th Quarter 2009 Exceed Expectations At All Three Operations |
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Re: News Release - Monday, January 11, 2010 Title: Quadra Production Results For The 4Th Quarter 2009 Exceed Expectations At All Three Operations
Vancouver, Canada - January 11th, 2010...Quadra Mining Ltd. ("Quadra" or "the Company") (QUA:TSX) is pleased to announce the 2009 fourth quarter and annual production results from its three wholly owned mines, the Robinson Mine ("Robinson") located in Ely, Nevada, the Carlota Mine ("Carlota") located in Globe-Miami, Arizona and the Franke Mine ("Franke") located in Region II Chile. Combined production was 46.7 million pounds of copper and 25,148 ounces of gold produced for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and 164.0 million pounds of copper and 98,970 ounces of gold for the year. This compares to 159.7 million pounds of copper and 137,620 ounces of gold produced in 2008.
Robinson
In the fourth quarter of 2009, Robinson produced 29.3 million pounds of copper and 25,148 ounces of gold. Copper production for the year totalled 122.5 million pounds, in line with Quadra's revised 2009 guidance of 120-125 million pounds. Gold production for the year of 98,970 ounces was above Quadra's revised 2009 guidance of 90,000 ounces.
Sales in the fourth quarter included shipments that were delayed or deferred from previous quarters. The copper price was $2.79 at the start of the quarter and $3.34 at the end of the quarter. The strong sales volumes and the positive provisional pricing adjustments are expected to have a positive effect on earnings for the quarter.
Key operating and sales metrics are shown below:
Robinson Operation |
Q1 2009 |
Q2 2009 |
Q3 2009 |
Q4 2009 |
2009 |
Operating Metrics: |
|
|
|
|
|
Copper production (Million lbs) |
36.7 |
22.9 |
33.6 |
29.3 |
122.5 |
Gold production (ozs) |
34,649 |
18,031 |
21,142 |
25,148 |
98,970 |
Waste mined (Tonnes 000's) |
8,379 |
11,606 |
12,138 |
13,893 |
46,016 |
Ore milled (Tonnes 000's) |
3,407 |
3,165 |
3,555 |
3,422 |
13,549 |
Copper grade (%) |
0.65 |
0.58 |
0.75 |
0.59 |
0.64 |
Gold grade (g/t) |
0.42 |
0.25 |
0.26 |
0.31 |
0.31 |
Copper recovery (%) |
75.4 |
56.3 |
57.4 |
65.9 |
63.6 |
Gold recovery (%) |
75.4 |
70.4 |
71.4 |
73.1 |
73.0 |
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Sales Metrics: |
|
|
|
|
|
Copper sales (Million lbs) |
34.5 |
24.2 |
21.1 |
31.7 |
111.5 |
Copper price at end of period ($US/lb) (2) |
$1.83 |
$2.32 |
$2.79 |
$3.34 |
$3.34 |
|
Provisionally priced copper(1) -- beginning of period (Million lbs) |
43.2 |
27.7 |
18.6 |
16.6 |
43.2 |
Average settlement price for prior period sales subject to final pricing during period ($US/lb) |
$1.56 |
$2.14 |
$2.42 |
$3.02 |
$1.62 |
|
Gold sales (ozs) |
30,258 |
23,152 |
18,268 |
24,057 |
95,735 |
Average gold price during period ($US/oz) (3) |
$908 |
$922 |
$966 |
$1,102 |
$973 | Notes:
- Copper that has been sold but has not been subject to final pricing. Under current sales contracts, final pricing for copper sales is generally set at least four months after the time of shipment
- The average price used to value provisionally priced copper
- Average daily price of the London am/pm fix
Carlota
Carlota produced 8.0 million pounds of copper during the fourth quarter. Copper production for the year totalled 28 million pounds, slightly above Quadra's revised 2009 guidance of 26 million pounds. As the operation accessed coarser ore from lower elevations in the pit, percolation rates improved and allowed Carlota to deliver copper production more in line with expectations. Copper production rates increased steadily through the fourth quarter with 3.7 million pounds of cathode harvested in the month of December.
Key operating and sales metrics are shown below.
Carlota Operation |
Q1 2009 |
Q2 2009 |
Q3 2009 |
Q4 2009 |
2009 |
Operating Metrics: |
|
|
|
|
|
Copper production (Million lbs) |
6.6 |
6.8 |
6.6 |
8.0 |
28.0 |
Waste mined (Tonnes 000's) |
4,518 |
4,997 |
4,689 |
3,692 |
17,896 |
Ore placed (Tonnes 000's) |
1,732 |
1,325 |
1,427 |
2,619 |
7,103 |
Copper grade (%) |
0.30 |
0.29 |
0.35 |
0.37 |
0.32 |
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Sales Metrics: |
|
|
|
|
|
Copper cathode sales (Million lbs) |
5.9 |
7.9 |
6.5 |
6.4 |
26.3 |
Average realized price for the period(1) ($US/lb) |
$1.53 |
$2.10 |
$2.63 |
$3.01 |
$2.32 | Note: (1)Represents total revenues from sales of copper cathode divided by pounds sold.
Franke
Franke produced a total of 9.4 million pounds of copper cathode in the quarter. Copper production for the year totalled 13.5 million pounds, again above Quadra's revised 2009 guidance of 10 to 12 million pounds. The crusher feed system modifications, required to reach nameplate capacity, were completed in December. Sales for the quarter and the year were 6.9 million pounds of copper, which will be booked as revenue on the statement of earnings.
Key operating and sales metrics are shown below.
Franke Operation |
Q3 2009 |
Q4 2009 |
2009 |
Operating Metrics: |
|
|
|
Copper produced (Million lbs) |
4.1 |
9.4 |
13.5 |
Waste mined (Tonnes 000's) |
1,528 |
621 |
2,149 |
Ore placed (Tonnes 000's) |
552 |
826 |
1,378 |
Copper grade (%) |
0.80 |
0.85 |
0.83 |
|
Sales Metrics: |
|
|
|
Copper cathode sales (Million lbs) |
- |
6.9 |
6.9 |
Average realized price for the period(1) ($US/lb) |
- |
$3.03 |
$3.03 | Note: (1) Represents total revenues from sales of copper cathode divided by pounds sold.
Sierra Gorda
The Sierra Gorda next stage study continued through the quarter with a focus on metallurgical sampling and testing, preparation of the permit applications and discussions with infrastructure service suppliers. A letter of intent has been sent to SNC - Lavalin Group Inc. to lead the engineering work for the pre-feasibility study. The Company expects to spend $40 million on the study during 2010, and to fund these expenditures from internal sources. Discussions with potential partners are ongoing.
Paul Blythe, President & CEO comments, "All three operations were able to meet or exceed our revised guidance. Robinson saw the expected improvement in recoveries as we were able to benefit from our blending strategy across the quarter. Carlota was able to achieve higher percolation rates on a consistent basis and was also able to deliver higher grade ore to the heaps, resulting in steady improvements in cathode production through the quarter. Franke completed the planned modifications to the crushing system, and although more work will be required to improve availability, the plant has begun to deliver at design performance."
"As previously announced, 2010 production is estimated at 250 million pounds of copper from our three operations and 80,000 ounces of gold from Robinson."
The 2009 fourth quarter and year-end financial results will be announced on Monday, March 8th 2010. 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 Franke Mine in northern Chile, producing copper cathode, 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, projections, mine operations, future recovery levels and future production levels. 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, including but not limited to:
- uncertainties relating to fluctuations in 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;
- risks associated with the mineralogy at all mines and projects including in particular the complex mineralogy at the Robinson Mine;
- uncertainties related to the production ramp-up at the Carlota Mine, including in particular uncertainty relating to the leaching rate and the existence of fines;
- uncertainties relating to the production ramp-up at the Franke Mine;
- 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
- inherent hazards and risks associated with mining operations;
- 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 changes in regulation;
- risks associated with Quadra's need for governmental license and permits;
- risk that Quadra may not find a suitable partner or obtain project financing for Sierra Gorda
- political and country risk;
- risk of water shortages and risks associated with competition for water;
- Quadra's need to attract and retain qualified personnel;
- 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 related to the stability of mine pit walls;
- uncertainties related to the amount of funding required to achieve full production levels at the Franke Mine;
- uncertainties related to the construction quality and structural design at the Franke Mine;
- risks associated with costs of operating supplies, including sulphuric acid;
- risks in the nature of investments; and
- risks 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. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of Quadra's mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, that the mining operations will operate in accordance with Quadra's public statements and achieve its stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although Quadra has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. 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.
- 30 -Media and Investor Relations Contact:Sophie Taylor Manager, Investor Relations (604) 689-8550 Paul Blythe President& CEO (705) 444-1316
Copyright � 2010 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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