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Claude Resources Inc. Reports 2010 Financial and
Operating Results
�Claude Resources records net earnings of $5.8
million in 2010�
Claude Resources Inc. (TSX: CRJ) (NYSE Amex: CGR) (�Claude� or the �Company�) today reported its
2010 financial and operating results.For the year
ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded net earnings of $5.8 million,
or $0.04 per share, after a gain of $1.1 million arising from the sale of
certain of the Company�s oil and natural gas assets. This compares to a net
loss of $6.3 million in 2009, or $0.06 per share.
Gold revenue from the Company�s Seabee Gold Operation for the year
ended December 31, 2010 increased 15 percent to $56.0 million from $48.5
million recorded last year. With relatively unchanged gold sales volume
(2010 � 44,003 ounces; 2009 � 43,631 ounces), the increase was a result of
a 14 percent improvement in Canadian dollar gold prices realized (2010 -
$1,273 (U.S. $1,236); 2009 - $1,112 (U.S. $975)).
For the year ended December 31, 2010, earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) (1)improved
64 percent to $19.2 million, or $0.15 per share, from $11.7 million, or
$0.11 per share, in 2009. Despite higher operating costs due to
increased spending on labour, safety and
environment, cash cost per ounce(1) of gold increased two
percent to CDN $713 (U.S. $692) per ounce this year from CDN $699 (U.S.
$613).
(1) For an explanation of non-GAAP performance measures refer to
�Non-GAAP Performance Measures�.
Quarterly Financial Highlights
For the quarter ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded net
earnings of $1.4 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to a net loss of
$0.9 million, or $0.01 per share, for the comparable period in
2009. For the quarter ended December 31, 2010, EBITDA was
$6.7 million, or $0.05 per share, compared to $3.1 million, or $0.03 per
share, for the comparable period last year.
During the fourth quarter, Claude produced 13,200 ounces of gold
from the Seabee Gold Mine, an eight percent decrease from 14,300 ounces of
gold produced in 2009. Gold revenue generated during the fourth quarter was
$14.9 million, a two percent decrease from the $15.2 million reported for
the same period in 2009. This was a result of lower gold sales volume
compared to 2009 (Q4 2010 � 10,844 ounces; Q4 2009 � 13,023 ounces) offset
by improved Canadian dollar gold prices realized (Q4 2010 - $1,378 (U.S.
$1,361); Q4 2009 - $1,167 (U.S. $1,105)).
For the quarter ended December 31, 2010, total mine operating costs
were $6.1 million, down 28 percent period over period. Fewer tonnes and ounces sold resulted in a 13 percent
decrease in Canadian dollar cash operating cost per ounce (Q4 2010 � CDN
$566 (U.S. $559); Q4 2009 � CDN $650 (U.S. $615)).
Speaking today in Saskatoon, President and Chief Executive Officer
Neil McMillan stated, �In 2010 we were very pleased with Claude�s
performance. The Company was able to deliver significant shareholder value
by achieving net earnings, improved margins and project advancement at the
Seabee, Madsen and Amisk Properties.�
Operations:
&
nbsp;
For the year ended December 31, 2010, Claude processed 203,958 tonnes of ore at the Seabee Operation�s central Milling
Facility with a grade of 7.55 grams of gold per tonne
(2009 - 247,641 tonnes at 6.17 grams of gold per tonne). Produced ounces for the year increased to
47,270 ounces from 46,827 ounces in 2009. Sales volume (1) for the
year was 44,003 ounces of gold compared to 43,631 ounces of gold in 2009,
representing a one percent increase year over year.
(1) Gold revenues and ounces, net of expenditures, from projects not
yet in commercial production have not been included in sales and earnings;
rather these amounts have been offset against the carrying value of the
assets.
Exploration:
Claude continued its aggressive exploration and development strategy
during 2010. Exploration at the Seabee Gold Operation during 2010
focused on the development of the Santoy 8
Project as well as continued drilling in the Santoy
and Seabee North regions. At the Amisk Gold
Property, exploration continued with sampling of more than 22,000 metres of historic core, drilling in excess of 5,600 metres and advancement towards a National Instrument
43-101 compliant resource which was released on February 17, 2011.
Surface drilling at Madsen
continued to yield encouraging results from the Austin East, Starratt Olsen and McVeigh targets while shaft
dewatering and rehabilitation continued towards a planned Phase II
underground drill program, anticipated to begin early in the second quarter
of 2011.
Outlook:
For 2011, the Company will continue to focus on
the following:
i)
Advancement of surface and underground exploration drill programs at the
Company�s 100 percent owned Madsen Exploration Project with commencement of
Phase II of underground drilling from the 16th level drill platform;
ii)
Further development of satellite deposits and improvement of operating
margins at the Seabee Gold Operation by moving Santoy
8 towards commercial production;
iii)
Continue exploration and development at the Seabee Gold Operation to
increase or sustain reserves and resources;
iv)
Investment in capital projects and equipment to increase both production
and productivity at the Seabee Gold Operation; and
v)
Expand the scope of the Amisk Gold Project and
evaluate the bulk mining potential of the system.
For 2011, forecasted gold production at the Seabee Gold Operation is
estimated to range from 54,000 to 58,000 ounces. Unit cash operating
costs for 2011 are estimated to be similar to 2010.
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December 31
2009
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Gold revenue ($ millions)
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Cash flow from mining operations ($ millions)
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Net earnings (loss) ($ millions)
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Net earnings (loss) per share ($)
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Average realized gold price (CDN$ per oz / U.S.$ per oz)
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Cash operating costs (CDN$ per oz / U.S.$ per oz)
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Working capital ($
millions)
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Operational Highlights:
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Dec 31
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Dec 31
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2010
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2009
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203,958
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247,641
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Head Grade (grams per tonne)
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7.55
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6.17
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95.5%
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95.3%
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Gold Produced (ounces) (1)
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47,270
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46,827
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44,003
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43,631
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Operating Expenses (CDN$
million)
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$31.4
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$30.5
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Cash Operating Costs (CDN$/oz)
(3)
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$713
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$699
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Cash Operating Costs (US$/oz) (3)
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$692
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$613
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(1) Includes ounces produced and tonnes milled from the Santoy
8 Project in 2010 and from the Porky Lake bulk sample in 2009.
(2) 2010 statistics exclude ounces sold from Santoy 8 as this project has not yet been declared in
commercial production; for the same
reason, 2009 statistics exclude 3,379 ounces from
the Porky Lake bulk sample.
(3) For an explanation of non-GAAP performance
measures refer, to �Non-GAAP Performance Measures�.
A copy of Claude�s Management�s Discussion and Analysis as well as
Claude�s 2010 Annual Financial Statements and Notes can be viewed on the
Company�s website at www.clauderesources.com. Further information relating to Claude
Resources Inc. will be filed on SEDAR and may be viewed at www.sedar.com.
Claude Resources Inc. is a gold producer with shares listed on both
the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX-CRJ) and the NYSE Amex (NYSE
Amex-CGR). The Company is also engaged in the exploration and
development of gold mineral reserves and mineral resources. The Company�s
entire asset base is located in Canada. Its main revenue generating
asset is the 100 percent owned Seabee gold operation, located in northern
Saskatchewan. Since 1991, Claude has produced over 930,000 ounces of gold
from its Seabee Operations. Claude also owns 100 percent of the 10,000 acre
Madsen Property in the prolific Red Lake gold camp of northwestern Ontario
and has a 65 percent working interest in the Amisk
Gold Property in northeastern Saskatchewan.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Press Release may contain statements which constitute
�forward-looking� statements, including statements regarding the plans,
intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors,
or its officers with respect to the future business activities and
operating performance of the Company. The words �may�, �would�,
�could�, �will�, �intend�, �plan�, �anticipate�, �believe�, �estimate�,
�expect� and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its
management, are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance
and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company�s future business
activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties
and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian
securities regulatory authorities, including the Company�s Annual
Information Form and quarterly and annual Management�s Discussion and
Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties
materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking
statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those
described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or
expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important
risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ
materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and
does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements,
except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures
The Company utilizes non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental
indicators of operating performance and financial position. These
non-GAAP financial measures are used internally by the Company for
comparing actual results from one period to another. The Company
believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance
with GAAP, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company�s
performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, such
information is intended to provide additional information and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
The Company uses EBITDA as a supplemental financial measure of its
operational performance. Management believes EBITDA to be an
important measure of its capacity to generate cash flow from operations as
it excludes the effects of items which primarily reflect the impact of
long-term investment decisions and finance strategies, rather than the
performance of the Company�s day-to-day operations. The Company measures
EBITDA as net earnings before operations held for sale, plus income taxes,
interest expense, and depreciation, depletion and accretion.
The Company reports its cash operating costs on a per-ounce basis,
based on uniform standards developed by the Gold Institute, an independent
researcher and evaluator of the gold market and gold industry. Management
uses this measure to analyze the profitability, compared to average
realized gold prices, of the Seabee Gold Operation. Investors are cautioned
that the above measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures
of other companies, should these companies not follow Gold Institute
standards.
For
further information please contact:
Neil McMillan, President and CEO
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