Shore Gold Inc. Announces Second Quarter Results
August 10, 2017
Shore Gold Inc. (“Shore” or the “Company”) reports that the unaudited results of Shore’s operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 will be filed today on SEDAR and may be viewed at www.sedar.com once posted. A summary of key financial and operating results for the quarter is as follows:
Highlights
- Announced the consolidation of the Fort à la Corne mineral properties (including the Star – Orion South Diamond Project), resulting in Shore holding a 100% interest with Newmont Canada FN Holdings ULC (“Newmont”) increasing its interest to a 19.9% shareholder of the Company;
- Announced the concurrent Option to Joint Venture Agreement with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“RTEC”) for the Fort à la Corne mineral properties (including the Star – Orion South Diamond Project);
- Announced the related closing of a subscription by RTEC for 5.6 million Common Shares and 5.6 million Common Share purchase warrants for aggregate gross proceeds of $1.0 million;
- Working capital of $1.4 million at June 30, 2017;
- Issued and outstanding shares of 356,365,557 at June 30, 2017
Overview
Shore Gold Inc. is a Canadian natural resource company focused on exploring and developing Saskatchewan’s diamond resources. The Company, as a result of the recent mineral property consolidation and earn-in agreement (as discussed below), is now in an enhanced position to advance its 100% held Star – Orion South Diamond Project (“Project”), which is situated in the Fort à la Corne kimberlite field in central Saskatchewan. Indicated Mineral Resources for the Project are 55.4 million carats (see SGF News Release dated November 9, 2015 and Technical Report filed December 21, 2015). In addition to the Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate, the Star and Orion South Kimberlites include Inferred Resources containing 11.5 million carats.
Consolidation of the Fort à la Corne mineral properties and Option to Joint Venture
During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, Shore Gold announced that it has acquired (the “Newmont Acquisition”) all of Newmont’s participating interest in the Fort à la Corne joint venture (the “FalC JV”), resulting in Shore owning 100% of the of the Fort à la Corne mineral properties (including the Project), and has concurrently entered into an Option to Joint Venture Agreement (the “Option Agreement”) with RTEC pursuant to which the Company has granted RTEC an option to earn up to a 60% interest in the Fort à la Corne mineral properties (including the Project) on the terms and conditions contained in the Option Agreement (see SGF News Release dated June 23, 2017). Immediately after the closing of the Newmont Acquisition and issuance of common shares, Newmont held approximately 19.9% of the common shares issued and outstanding on a non-diluted basis.
Activities relating to the Star – Orion South Diamond Project
During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company performed geotechnical investigations, assessments and test work required for an updated feasibility study on the Project. The work completed included: X-ray Transmission (“XRT”) recovery of diamonds from Star pyroclastic kimberlite, ore processing data review, diamond parcel characterization, kimberlite particle size analysis and overburden removal investigations (See SGF News Release dated March 6, 2017). These programs investigate the use of new technology for the efficient excavation of the open pit and improvements to the flow-sheet of the diamond processing plant, while simultaneously reducing pre-production capital costs and the time to initial diamond production.
In January 2017, the Company was informed by the Saskatchewan Minister of Environment that additional consultation is required between the government and First Nation and Métis communities for the government to meet its legal obligation with respect to duty to consult and accommodate process (See SGF News Release dated January 26, 2017). Since that time, the government proceeded with a work plan that they anticipate will enable them to complete this required consultation process during the third quarter of 2017. The Ministry has indicated to Shore that once consultations with potentially impacted First Nation and Métis communities are completed, all pertinent information will be reviewed before a decision is made under The Environmental Assessment Act.
Quarterly Results
For the quarter ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded net income of $43.0 million or $0.14 per share compared to a net loss of $1.9 million or $0.01 per share for the same period in 2016. Net income during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 was due to the partial reversal of previously recorded impairments relating to exploration and evaluation assets ($44.5 million). As a result of the Newmont Acquisition, the Company performed an assessment of the carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets at June 30, 2017. Based on this assessment, the carrying value of exploration and evaluation assets (which includes the Fort à la Corne mineral properties) was determined to be $66.3 million, resulting in a partial reversal of previously recorded impairments. Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 were primarily related to work relating to geotechnical investigations and test work for the Project. The loss during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was due to operating costs and exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred by the Company exceeding interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Year to Date Results
For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded net income of $42.2 million or $0.14 per share compared to a net loss of $3.3 million or $0.01 per share for the same period in 2016. Net income during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 was due to the partial reversal of previously recorded impairments relating to exploration and evaluation assets ($44.5 million) . Exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2017 primarily related to work relating to geotechnical investigations and test work for the Project. The loss during the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was primarily due to ongoing operating costs and exploration and evaluation expenditures incurred by the Company exceeding interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
In connection with the Option Agreement, RTEC subscribed for 5.6 million units, for a gross subscription amount of $1.0 million, with each unit consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. In addition, options and broker warrants were also exercised during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 for total cash proceeds of $0.4 million. In connection to the Newmont Acquisition, 53.8 million common shares and 1.1 million common share purchase warrants were issued to Newmont. The Company also agreed that Newmont will receive a contingent payment in the aggregate amount of $3.2 million if a positive decision is made to develop a mine on the Project. Shore, in its sole discretion (subject to regulatory approvals), may satisfy the contingent payment due to Newmont through a cash payment or the issuance of common shares. The estimated discounted present value of this contingent consideration at June 30, 2017 was determined to be $0.7 million.
Selected financial highlights include:
As at | As at | |||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | June 30, | December 31, | ||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||
Current assets | $ | 3.2 M | $ | 1.7 M | ||||||||
Exploration and evaluation, capital and other assets | 67.5 | M | 1.6 | M | ||||||||
Current liabilities | 1.8 | M | 0.3 | M | ||||||||
Premium on flow-through shares | 0.1 | M | 0.2 M | |||||||||
Long-term liabilities | 1.3 | M | 0.6 | M | ||||||||
Shareholders’ equity | 67.5 | M | 2.2 M | |||||||||
Three Months | Three Months | Six Months | Six Months | |||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Loss and Comprehensive Loss | Ended June 30, | Ended June 30, | Ended June 30, | Ended June 30, | ||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
Interest and other income | $ 0.0 M | $ 0.0 M | $ | 0.0 M | $ | 0.0 | M | |||||
Expenses | 1.5 | M | 2.0 M | 2.4 M | 3.6 | M | ||||||
Flow-through premium recognized in income | 0.0 | M | 0.1 M | 0.1 M | 0.3 | M | ||||||
Reversal of prior impairments to exploration and evaluation assets | 44.5 | M | 0.0 M | 44.5 M | 0.0 | M | ||||||
Net and comprehensive income (loss) for the period | 43.0 | M | (1.9) M | 42.2 M | (3.3) M | |||||||
Net income (loss) per share for the period (basic and diluted) | 0.14 | (0.01) | 0.14 | (0.01) |
Six Months | Six Months | ||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | Ended June 30, | Ended June 30, | |||
2017 | 2016 | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities | $ (0.4) M | $ (2.7) M | |||
Cash flows from investing activities | (1.0) M | 0.0 | M | ||
Cash flows from financing activities | 1.3 | M | 0.0 | M | |
Net decrease in cash | (0.1) M | (2.7) M | |||
Cash – beginning of period | 2.8 | M | 4.0 | M | |
Cash – end of period | 2.7 | M | 1.3 | M |
Outlook
The successful completion of the recently announced consolidation of the Company’s Fort à la Corne mineral properties (including the Star – Orion South Project) and the concurrent earn-in arrangement with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada sets the stage for a new phase for the Company. It is the Company’s view that Rio Tinto is one of the few companies in the world with the resources and expertise to move forward with a project of the magnitude of the Star – Orion South Diamond Project. The Company is also very pleased to have acquired the remaining portion of the Project from Newmont and having Newmont as a significant shareholder.
As of August 10, 2017, the Company had approximately $2.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments (excluding $0.8 million in restricted cash). A portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments will be used to complete the 2017 programs as well as advance certain aspects of the Project, including the environmental assessment process and assessment and test work programs required for an updated feasibility study, as well as for general corporate matters.
For further information:
shoregold@shoregold.com or (306) 664-2202
www.shoregold.com
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NT4
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