Cash flow from operations of US$8.1M in Q2-2008
Earnings of US$6.2M in Q2-2008
Dividend of Cdn6.5� per share declared
Environmental permits for power plant received, commissioning expected in Q4-2008
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA � July 28/Amerigo Resources Ltd. (TSX:ARG) (�Amerigo� or the �Company�) reported today results for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. Significant events are as follows:
- Net earnings after tax in Q2-2008 were $6,218,444 compared to $10,332,687 in Q2-2007. Earnings were affected by lower production mainly due to interruptions to the supply of fresh tailings and by high power costs.
- Net earnings in the six months ended June 30, 2008 were $12,601,456 , compared to $15,883,969 in the comparative period, notwithstanding unprecedented power costs in the current year.
- Earnings per share for the quarter were 7� , compared to earnings per share of 11� in Q2-2007.
- Cash flow from operating activities was $8,136,753 or 9� per share in Q2-2008, compared to $12,409,777 or 13� per share in Q2-2007.
- Production in Q2-2008 was 7.08 million pounds of copper and 147,508 pounds of molybdenum , a decrease of 24% in copper production and 28% in molybdenum production from Q2-2007 due mainly to interruptions to the supply of fresh tailings to MVC as a result of strike actions of workers of El Teniente subcontractors during the quarter.
- The Company�s copper selling price before smelter, refinery and other charges in Q2-2008 was $3.80/lb ; in addition, quarterly revenue included $1,945,866 of positive settlement adjustments to prior quarters� sales, mainly quantity adjustments.
- Power costs in Q2-2008 were $9,002,362 , compared to $7,821,020 in Q2-2007. Power costs represented 60% of cash costs in Q2-2008, a significantly higher percentage of total costs than for copper producers with traditional mine operating costs, including mining and other costs not related to power supply.
- Cash cost (the aggregate of smelter, refinery and other charges, production costs net of molybdenum-related net benefits, administration and transportation costs) before El Teniente royalty was $2.11/lb in Q2-2008, compared to $1.19/lb in Q2-2007. Power costs are the single most important component of the increase in cash cost.
- Total cost (the aggregate of cash cost, El Teniente royalty, MVC stock-based compensation, depreciation and accretion) for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 was $3.02/lb compared to $1.85/lb in Q2-2007. The increase in total cost was driven fundamentally by higher cash costs and affected to a lesser degree by higher royalties to El Teniente and higher amortization charges.
- In Q2-2008 the Company obtained environmental approvals in Chile to operate two 10 megawatt generators . The project�s estimated capital cost is $19 million; the units are expected to be operational in Q4-2008.
- Cash payments for capital expenditures in Q2-2008 were $5,672,077 , funded from operating cash flow.
- Cash balance was $11,192,995 at June 30, 2008 after $12,542,672 of cash payments for capital expenditures, $6,018,524 in dividend payments and further investment of $2,129,981 in a TSX issuer in the six months ended June 30, 2008.
- The Company recorded $ 875,419 as other comprehensive loss in Q2-2008 from the fair value adjustments of two strategic investments during the quarter. Other comprehensive loss is not a component of net earnings.
- Dividends � Subsequent to quarter end, the Company�s board of directors declared a dividend of Cdn 6.5� per share, payable on September 5, 2008 to shareholders of record as of August 22, 2008.
The information in this news release and the Selected Financial Information contained in the following page should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis for quarter ended June 30, 2008, which will be available at the Company�s website at www.amerigoresources.com and at www.sedar.com .
Amerigo Resources Ltd. is a Canadian junior company producing copper and molybdenum from its MVC operations near Santiago, Chile. Tel: (604) 681-2802; Fax: (604) 682-2802; Web: www.amerigoresources.com ; Listing: ARG:TSX
For further information, please contact : Dr. Klaus Zeitler, President (604) 681-2802 Amerigo Resources Ltd. (604) 218-7013
The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed nor accepted responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been prepared by management. Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from estimated results. Such risks and uncertainties are detailed in the Company�s filings with the TSX and on SEDAR. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company�s management on the date the statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management�s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
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