Energold Drilling
Reports Second Quarter 2012 Results
Energold Drilling Corp. (EGD: TSX.V) ("Energold" or "the Company") is pleased to
announce year over year revenue growth for the second quarter of 2012 with
consolidated record revenue of $32.7 million, representing an increase of 14.9%
over the same period in 2011.
In the second quarter, the Mineral division drilled 114,900 meters while the
Energy division drilled 88,800 meters. Mineral drilling activity decreased 26%
as a result of a cautious drilling environment among junior miners which have
been negatively impacted by weak capital market conditions, affecting their
ability to raise capital to fund exploration programs. The Energy business
reported revenue of $4.4 million resulting from the ongoing evolution of
generating year round work compared with historically winter only programs.
Manufacturing revenue increased 152% to $5.9 million over the comparable
quarter in 2011 at $2.4 million. Energold recorded a
net loss of $2.0 million compared to net earnings of $3.7 million in the second
quarter of 2011.
"We are pleased to report our second quarter results as they are
testaments that Energold continues to focus on
delivering growth and generating shareholder value. Our recent acquisitions
were successful in diversifying our revenue base from the currently cautious
mineral sector and positioned the group for strong growth in the significantly
larger drilling markets in energy and manufacturing. Looking forward, the
demand for mineral drilling will persevere as senior producers continue to look
for ore to replenish their reserves, and Energold
remains their premier contractor with our advanced frontier drilling solutions.
Further, the Company is well positioned to weather the current market
environment and is in a strong position to take advantage of acquisition
opportunities with its strong balance sheet consisting of $36.5 million in cash
and over $93 million in working capital," said Fred Davidson, President
& CEO of Energold.
Energold also owns 6.98 million shares in IMPACT
Silver Corp.a TSX venture-listed Company under the
symbol "IPT". Based on closing market prices at August 24 2012, the
investment had a market value of $9.6 million, amounting to $2.7 million more
than our carrying value.
Second
Quarter Results Comparison ($CAD 000s except per-share amounts and meters
drilled)
|
Q2 2012
|
Q2 2011
|
% Change
|
Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
Mineral
|
22,273
|
26,059
|
(15%)
|
|
Energy
|
4,438
|
-
|
N/A
|
|
Manufacturing
|
5,939
|
2,358
|
+152%
|
Total
Revenue
|
$32,650
|
$28,417
|
+15%
|
Earnings
(Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
Mineral
|
919
|
3,857
|
(76%)
|
|
Energy
|
(3,486)
|
-
|
N/A
|
|
Manufacturing
|
528
|
(200)
|
+364%
|
Total
Earnings
|
$(2,039)
|
$3,657
|
(156%)
|
Earnings
Per Share
|
-
Basic
|
(0.04)
|
0.09
|
|
|
-
Diluted
|
(0.04)
|
0.09
|
|
Cash
|
36,465
|
16,841
|
+117%
|
Working
Capital
|
93,429
|
66,066
|
+41%
|
MINERAL DRILLING DIVISION
Meters drilled during the quarter decreased over the same comparable quarter in
2011 as a result of the cautious spending environment, especially in the junior
mining sector as exploration in that segment of the marketplace is dependent on
the ability to raise new capital. The division drilled 114,900 meters in the
period, a decrease of 26% from the 155,300 meters drilled in 2011. Division
revenue was $22.3 million, representing a 15% drop from the comparable period
in 2011 of $26.0 million. Average revenue per meter increased to $194 in the
second quarter 2012 compared to $168 in the same period last year. During the
period, the Company began to actively reallocate unused capacity from some
junior mining exploration clients over to major and intermediate producing
clients in underserved markets where demand is still robust as a result of
relatively strong commodity prices and their positive impact on cash flows.
Meters Drilled During
the Quarter
|
Q2 2012
|
Q2 2011
|
% Change
|
Meters
Drilled
|
114,900
|
155,300
|
(26.0%)
|
Drill
Rigs
|
128
|
115
|
11.3%
|
At the end of June 2012, the Company had 128 mineral exploration rigs, with an
additional five rigs on order, where two of which are track-mounted rigs for
the West African market being built by Energold
Manufacturing (Dando). This represents a fleet increase
of 11.3% over the comparable quarter in 2011. As some client requirements have
evolved into underground drilling exploration, Energold
has innovated its surface rigs for underground use
while keeping 90% of the same equipment and supplies which has contributed to
continued efficient management of crew and inventory costs.
Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America remain the strongest market for Energold with 45 rigs in the region and accounting for over
51% of the meters drilled for the second quarter of 2012. South America
continues to be a strong market for Energold with 42
rigs allocated in the region and representing over 20% of the meters drilled
during the quarter. This market is starting to grow again, although at a slow
pace as it remains impacted by ongoing local, political and social issues.
In Africa, the Company has 38 rigs and more are expected to be moved to the
area. The region accounted for 29% of the meters for Q2, representing an
increase of 12% over the first quarter. The Company is continuing to seek new
markets where infrastructure challenges, as well as social and environmental
issues continue to create new opportunities for the Company including
underserved regions of South East Asia, where the Company currently has two
rigs and clients are quickly finding that the highly mobile S-style frontier
rigs are very suitable.
ENERGY DRILLING DIVISION
Energold Energy, operating as Bertram, had a lower
activity level in the second quarter with $4.4 million revenue due to seasonal
factors in Alberta, in line with historical performance figures. The bulk of
activity in the area tends to occur in the winter months in Canada which
encompasses first and fourth quarter, offsetting the traditional peak quarters
of the mineral division. Year to date, Energold
Energy has generated revenue of $29.9 million with 74% of revenue coming from
Canada and the remainder from the U.S., specifically Pennsylvania and
Wisconsin.
Oil sands operations accounted for $0.8 million of the second quarter revenue
and $16.9 million of year to date revenue, generated from three programs
conducted on behalf of major operators. All work in the oil sands was completed
at the end of the quarter and mostly shut down for the traditional spring
break. A small amount of activity is expected to continue throughout the summer
and then increasing into year-end.
Meters Drilled During
the Quarter
Oil Sands coring
|
3,200
|
Geothermal & geotechnical
|
68,200
|
Seismic (Track and Heli-portable)
|
17,400
|
MANUFACTURING DIVISION
Energold Manufacturing, operating as Dando, continued to increase its business orders globally,
generating $5.9 million in revenue during the period with associated net
earnings of $0.5 million as rigs were completed and delivered to customers. The
Company is continuing its investments into sales and marketing efforts globally
with strong demand coming from Latin America and Asia. This effort has already
begun to positively impact the order book, currently totalling
over C$3.8 million (at the time of press GB�1 = C$1.57), with demand for rigs
and equipment remaining high at this time amidst and further inquiries of
C$11.0-15.7 million in new sales.
2012 AND BEYOND
Over the last 18 months, Energold has focused on
delivering growth within the mineral drilling division and balancing this
growth with diversification into new areas of business. In doing so, the
Company has been able to position itself for maximum leverage in stronger
market conditions while also insulating the overall business from weaker conditions
as they should arise.
MINERAL DIVISION
Certain markets have rebounded more quickly since 2008 and in the latter part
of 2010 and 2011; the Company saw an increasing level of interest for its
services in higher margin frontier drilling. As junior miners have typically
dominated that segment of the market, their ability to raise capital to fund
exploration programs has been difficult for most of 2012 due to challenging
capital market conditions and therefore, management has actively reallocated some
equipment to other customers and markets. We have more recently seen senior and
intermediate mining companies begin working on frontier regions as well and as
a result, we have started to re-allocate equipment from capital-constrained
juniors to better funded, more mature mining customers in more active markets.
This process however, does take time and should become more evident in our
financial results going forward. Overall, management expects the division stay
at levels experienced in 2011 until there is a positive direction in the market
as a whole.
ENERGY DIVISION
The Company, via its acquisition of Bertram Drilling, continues to penetrate
multi-billion dollar spending programs in the oil sands markets as was recently
evidenced by the awarding of multi-year contracts (up to five years) with three
major oil and gas companies in Western Canada worth at least $45 million
starting in 2013. On an ongoing basis, the award of year round work is expected
to substantially improve Bertram's ability to effectively manage the operations
and improve its gross margins. The Energy division which is most active in late
Q4 and especially in Q1 has helped lessen the impact of the mineral division
which is most active in Q2 and Q3. We expect this trend to continue heading
into 2013.
Bertram has also been active in pursuing both domestic and international
clients to leverage its significant fleet of seismic drilling equipment.
Management has begun to deploy equipment to more active and less competitive
markets in a similar strategy to the mineral division that operates in 22
countries on five continents. In doing so, the division can earn higher margins
and dramatically improve utilization rates. Currently, the Company has
submitted bids for a number of locations in North America and the Middle East.
MANUFACTURING
Energold's Manufacturing division continues to work
with both the Mineral and Energy divisions to develop and supply new,
innovative equipment for use with Energold. Dando's history as a water well drilling manufacturer and
operator uniquely allows management to develop a separate
water well drilling services division for the Company. As well, Dando continues to provide equipment to mineral and
geotechnical drilling companies throughout the world. The recent establishment
of representatives in Indonesia and Australia has resulted in a much increased
demand for large mineral exploration rigs for the coal mining sites in that
region. Demand for water well rigs in sub-Saharan Africa has remained strong
and the Company is responding to a number of tenders at this time, above and
beyond existing contracts. Management believes it can further leverage existing
relationships in Latin and North America to generate a good deal of interest
from previously untapped geographical markets.
The Company will be reviewing its 2012 Second Quarter results via Conference
Call at 1:30PM PST/ 4:30PM EST, Wednesday, August 29th. The dial-in numbers are
1-866-782-8903 (North American Toll-Free) and 647-426-1845
(Local/International). Management will be discussing the Company's financial
and operational results ending with a question-and-answer period. Investors are
encouraged to forward any questions they may have to info@energold.com prior to
the conference call. The recorded audio file can be accessed at our website: http://www.energold.com/s/ConferenceCalls.asp by the
following business day.
Energold Drilling Corp. is a leading global specialty
drilling company that services the mining and energy, and manufacturing sectors
in 22 countries globally. Specializing in a socially and environmentally
sensitive approach to drilling, Energold provides a
comprehensive range of drilling services from early stage exploration to mine
site operations for both metals and energy in addition to its established drill
rig manufacturer, Dando. Energold
also holds 6.98 million shares of IMPACT Silver Corp., a profitable silver
producer in Mexico.
On behalf of the Directors of Energold Drilling
Corp.,
"Frederick W. Davidson"
President, CEO