TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 25, 2010) - North American Palladium Ltd. ("NAP" or "the Company") (TSX:PDL)(NYSE Amex:PAL) today announced financial results and operational updates for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.
"Although 2009 was a challenging year with our Lac des Iles ("LDI") palladium mine on care and maintenance, I am pleased with the progress made in advancing our strategic initiatives during the year," said William J. Biggar, President & CEO. "We have successfully evolved NAP into a diversified precious metals company with the acquisition of the Sleeping Giant gold mine, which reduces operating risk and provides an additional source of cash flow. With LDI set to be fully operational again early in the second quarter, NAP is well positioned to benefit from the continuing upturn in the palladium price cycle as well as the positive outlook for the gold price."
2009 Highlights
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A recovering global economy and growing auto and investment demand contributed to a strong rebound in the price of palladium from US$183 per ounce at the start of the year to US$393 per ounce at year-end. Due to the recovery in the palladium price, in December NAP announced the restart of mining operations at LDI, which is expected to be fully operational in early Q2;
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Completed 42,000 metres of exploration drilling at LDI, which resulted in the discovery of two new zones – Cowboy and Outlaw – in close proximity to the Offset Zone;
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The discovery of the new zones, as well as the palladium grade improvement encountered during infill drilling in the Offset Zone, resulted in the decision to commence initial development of the Offset Zone by developing a 1,500 metre ramp over a depth of 200 metres. The ramp, which is scheduled for completion at the end of Q4 at a cost of approximately $16 million, will provide access for the installation of a shaft to surface to mine the Offset Zone, and facilitate additional underground exploration;
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Diversified operations by acquiring Cadiscor Resources Inc., the owner of the Sleeping Giant gold mine and extensive landholdings in the Abitibi region of Quebec;
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Poured first gold at Sleeping Giant in Q4 and declared commercial production effective January 1, 2010;
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Completed 10,500 metres of extensional drilling at Sleeping Giant which resulted in the decision to commence a 200 metre deepening of the mine shaft in 2010 at a cost of $6 million;
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Raised gross proceeds of $73 million from a public offering of $58 million of common shares plus warrants, and $15 million from a private placement of flow-through shares; and
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Ended the year in a strong financial position with $98 million in cash and no long-term debt.
Financial Results
Net working capital as at December 31, 2009 was $114.7 million compared to $86.1 million as at December 31, 2008.
Cash and cash equivalents were $98.3 million as at December 31, 2009 and during 2009 the Company repaid its senior credit facilities and has no long term debt remaining.
With LDI on care and maintenance in 2009, the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $30.0 million or $0.29 per share and the net loss for the fourth quarter was $14.4 million or $0.11 per share.
Revenue after pricing adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $3.8 million compared to $125.5 million in 2008. Revenue after pricing adjustments for the fourth quarter was $nil compared to $11.3 million in the fourth quarter in 2008.
Cash provided by operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $3.9 million reflecting the receipt of amounts due from concentrate awaiting settlement. Cash used in operations was $13.1 million for the fourth quarter.
"NAP's strong financial position of $98 million in cash and no long-term debt will allow us to move forward with our programs to expand the reserve and resource base at LDI and Sleeping Giant, while delivering on the various strategic initiatives that we have established for 2010," added Jeffrey A. Swinoga, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.
NAP's consolidated financial statements for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009 are available in the Appendix of this news release. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in 2009. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the notes and management's discussion and analysis available at www.nap.com, www.sedar.com, and www.sec.gov.
Outlook
The recovery in the global economy bodes well for a continuing rebound in the price of palladium, which is currently trading around US$420 per ounce. Two years ago, when global vehicle production (which consumes about one half of world palladium production) was running at 65 million units per year, the price of palladium was US$582 per ounce. Credible forecasters predict that global vehicle production will be in the range of 63 million units this year, rising to 69 million units in 2011 and 74 million units in 2012, which should underpin further strength in the price of palladium.
In 2010, management will focus on the following strategic initiatives:
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Resuming operations at LDI early in Q2 with a focus on streamlining processes and lowering operating costs;
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Completing an updated NI 43-101 mineral resource update by early Q2 for both LDI and Sleeping Giant that incorporates the 2009 drill results;
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Completing a $15 million, 68,000-metre drilling and exploration program at LDI to identify additional resources, upgrade resource classifications, and facilitate future mine development planning;
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Completing a $6 million, 53,000-metre drilling and exploration program in the gold division to expand reserves and resources at Sleeping Giant and identify new gold deposits on the Company's significant adjacent landholdings;
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Completing a scoping study for the Offset Zone by Q3 that will assess the optimal mining and milling configuration and economics of developing the Offset Zone; and
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Selectively pursuing palladium and gold acquisitions and/or joint venture opportunities to support the Company's vision of building a mid-tier precious metals company.
Conference Call and Webcast
NAP will host its fourth quarter and year end conference call on Friday, February 26, 2010. The details are as follows:
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) |
| Webcast: | www.nap.com |
| Dial in: | 416-340-2216 or 866-226-1792 |
| Replay: | 416-695-5800 or 800-408-3053 |
| Replay Passcode: | 8507426 |
The conference call replay will be available until March 19, 2010. An archived audio webcast of the call also will be posted to NAP's website.
About North American Palladium
NAP is a Canadian precious metals company focused on the production of palladium and gold in mining friendly jurisdictions. Lac des Iles, the Company's flagship mine, is one of North America's two primary palladium producers. Located approximately 85 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Lac des Iles has produced palladium since 1993. NAP also owns and operates the Sleeping Giant mine located in the prolific Abitibi region of Quebec. The Company has extensive landholdings adjacent to both the Lac des Iles and Sleeping Giant mines, and is pursuing an aggressive exploration program aimed at increasing its reserves and resources in those areas. NAP trades on the NYSE Amex under the symbol PAL and on the TSX under the symbol PDL.
Cautionary Statement on Forward Looking Information
Certain information included in this press release constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the 'safe harbor' provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws. The words 'expect', 'believe', 'will', 'intend', 'estimate', 'plan', 'goal', 'vision' and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. The Company cautions the reader that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual financial results, performance or achievements of North American Palladium to be materially different from the Company's estimated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements and that the forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are also based on certain factors and assumptions. For more details on these estimates, risks, assumptions and factors, see the Company's most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities. In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company's Lac des Iles or Sleeping Giant mines will operate as anticipated or that other properties can be successfully developed. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
APPENDIX TO NORTH AMERICAN PALLADIUM NEWS RELEASE ANNOUNCING 2009 FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR-END RESULTS
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | | |
| (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars) | | |
| (unaudited) | | |
| | | |
| December 31 | 2009 | 2008 |
| | ASSETS | | |
| Current Assets | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $98,255 | $43,068 |
| Concentrate awaiting settlement | – | 43,051 |
| Taxes receivable | 204 | 638 |
| Inventories | 25,306 | 16,590 |
| Other assets | 2,495 | 3,193 |
| | 126,260 | 106,540 |
| Mining interests | 82,448 | 31,640 |
| Reclamation deposits | 10,503 | 8,724 |
| Total Assets | $219,211 | $146,904 |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | | |
| Current Liabilities | | |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $11,195 | $13,996 |
| Current portion of obligations under capital leases | 558 | 1,992 |
| Senior credit facilities | – | 4,430 |
| | 11,753 | 20,418 |
| Taxes payable | 1,573 | – |
| Asset retirement obligations | 12,921 | 8,455 |
| Obligations under capital leases | 576 | 1,130 |
| Future mining tax liability | 127 | – |
| Total Liabilities | 26,950 | 30,003 |
| Shareholders' Equity | | |
| Common share capital and purchase warrants | 583,089 | 485,386 |
| Stock options | 2,704 | 2,305 |
| Contributed surplus | 19,608 | 12,336 |
| Deficit | (413,140) | (383,126) |
| Total shareholders' equity | 192,261 | 116,901 |
| | $219,211 | $146,904 |
| | |
| Consolidated Statements of Operations, | |
| Comprehensive Loss and Deficit | |
| (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except share and per share amounts) |
| (unaudited) | | |
| | | |
| | Three months ended | |
| | December 31 | Year ended December 31 |
| | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 |
| Revenue – before pricing adjustments | $– | $9,642 | $– | $148,428 |
| Pricing adjustments: | | | | |
| | Commodities | 2 | (7,189) | 4,384 | (38,633) |
| | Foreign exchange | (1) | 8,889 | (566) | 15,696 |
| Revenue – after pricing adjustments | 1 | 11,342 | 3,818 | 125,491 |
| Operating expenses | | | | |
| Care and maintenance costs | 4,188 | – | 12,987 | – |
| Production costs | – | 22,358 | – | 115,037 |
| Inventory pricing adjustment | – | (1,599) | (3,634) | 3,875 |
| Smelter treatment, refining and freight costs | 27 | 1,255 | 109 | 19,325 |
| Amortization | 72 | 3,154 | 269 | 36,026 |
| Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment | (15) | 893 | (36) | 2,466 |
| Asset retirement obligation accretion | 35 | (142) | 355 | 321 |
| Asset impairment charge | – | 90,000 | – | 90,000 |
| Insurance recovery | – | – | – | (13,800) |
| Total operating expenses | 4,307 | 115,919 | 10,050 | 253,250 |
| Loss from mining operations | (4,306) | (104,577) | (6,232) | (127,759) |
| Other expenses | | | | |
| General and administration | 2,962 | 1,829 | 9,021 | 7,666 |
| Exploration | 4,287 | 4,670 | 13,234 | 23,070 |
| Interest and other costs (income) | (411) | 463 | (1,957) | 3,443 |
| Foreign exchange loss (gain) | (20) | 1,438 | 247 | 971 |
| Total other expenses | 6,818 | 8,400 | 20,545 | 35,150 |
| Loss before taxes | (11,124) | (112,977) | (26,777) | (162,909) |
| Income and mining tax expense (recovery) | 3,237 | (558) | 3,237 | (2,230) |
| Net loss and comprehensive loss for the period | (14,361) | (112,419) | (30,014) | (160,679) |
| Deficit, beginning of period | (398,779) | (270,707) | (383,126) | (222,044) |
| Adoption of new accounting standards for inventory | – | – | – | (403) |
| Deficit, end of period | $(413,140) | $(383,126) | $(413,140) | $(283,126) |
| Net loss per share | | | | |
| | Basic and diluted | $(0.11) | $(1.31) | $(0.29) | $(1.94) |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding | | | | |
| | Basic and diluted | 126,483,431 | 85,628,711 | 102,630,908 | 82,839,706 |
| | | | | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | | | |
| (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars) | | | | |
| (unaudited) | | | | |
| | | Three months ended | Year ended |
| | December 31 | December 31 |
| | 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 |
| Cash provided by (used in) | | | | |
| Operations | | | | |
| Net loss for the period | $(14,361) | $(112,419) | $(30,014) | $(160,979) |
| Operating items not involving cash | | | | |
| Accretion expense relating to convertible notes payable | – | 87 | – | 3,372 |
| Amortization | 72 | 3,154 | 269 | 36,026 |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | – | 9 | 18 | 193 |
| Accrued interest and accretion on convertible debentures | – | – | (359) | – |
| Interest on convertible notes settled in shares | – | 50 | – | 732 |
| Accrued interest on reclamation deposits | (2) | (6) | (10) | (135) |
| Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) | 38 | 1,122 | (73) | 2,336 |
| Asset retirement obligation accretion | 35 | (142) | 355 | 321 |
| Future income tax recovery | 127 | – | 127 | (2,121) |
| Stock based compensation and employee benefits | 208 | 568 | 1,156 | 1,945 |
| Loss (gain) on disposal of equipment | (15) | 893 | (36) | 2,466 |
| Asset impairment charge | – | 90,000 | – | 90,000 |
| | (13,898) | (16,684) | (28,567) | (25,544) |
| Changes in non-cash working capital | 801 | 46 | 32,478 | 32,290 |
| | (13,097) | (16,638) | 3,911 | 6,746 |
| Financing Activities | | | | |
| Issuance of common shares and warrants, net of issue costs | 22,657 | – | 70,068 | 10,475 |
| Repayment of senior credit facilities | (522) | (1,716) | (4,448) | (6,291) |
| Repayment of obligations under capital leases | (387) | (469) | (1,951) | (1,762) |
| Reclamation deposit | – | – | – | (317) |
| | 21,748 | (2,185) | 41,966 | 2,105 |
| Investing Activities | | | | |
| Acquisition costs associated with Cadiscor Resources Inc. | – | – | (1,135) | – |
| Additions to mining interests | (3,539) | (4,544) | (11,294) | (40,691) |
| Proceeds on disposal of mining interests | 15 | 8 | 36 | 302 |
| | (3,524) | (4,536) | (12,393) | (40,389) |
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 5,127 | (23,359) | 55,187 | (31,538) |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 93,128 | 66,427 | 43,068 | 74,606 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $98,255 | $43,068 | $98,255 | $43,068 |
| Cash and cash equivalents consisting of: | | | | |
| Cash | $97,969 | $2,532 | $97,969 | $2,532 |
| Short-term investments | 286 | 40,536 | 286 | 40,536 |
| | $98,255 | $43,068 | $98,255 | $43,068 |