Final Results
SERABI MINING plc ("Serabi" or "the Company")
Preliminary un-audited Results for the year ended 31 December 2006
Serabi Mining plc (AIM: SRB), the gold mining and exploration Company with its operations in Brazil, today announces preliminary un-audited results for the year ended 31 December 2006.
Highlights
* Commercial production at Palito gold mine announced from 1
October 2006
* 2006 production of 39,197 ounces gold equivalent represents a 127%
improvement over 2005
* Cash operating costs achieved of US$252 per ounce of gold
equivalent production for the final quarter of 2006
* Serabi reports a loss of US$2.2 million for 2006, with underlying
profit from operations from the Palito mine of US$2.4 million for the
fourth quarter
* Palito West to be first satellite ore source developed for Palito
* Improved geological and exploration facilities should allow
considerable progress in exploration in 2007; recent results from the
Jardim do Ouro district already encouraging
Chairman's Statement
Whilst 2005 was a period of discovery for the Company, 2006 has been
one of consolidation. Substantial strides were made during the year
culminating with the achievement of commercial production at the
Palito gold mine from 1 October, in addition to numerous underlying
improvements to operating, support and exploration facilities. As a
result production increased throughout the year, reaching another
record in the fourth quarter of 11,687 ounces of gold equivalent and
resulting in a 127% year-on-year increase to 39,197 ounces gold
equivalent. Furthermore, the average cash cost of US$252 per
equivalent ounce (US$328 per ounce of gold) over that last quarter
reflects very favourably on Serabi's progress.
As a result of these activities, Serabi reports a loss of US$2.2
million for 2006 but with underlying profit from operations from the
Palito mine of US$2.4 million for the fourth quarter since declaring
commercial production. In considering these results for the year two
important points need to be borne in mind. Firstly, that the revenue
and costs reported are only for the three months since the
declaration of commercial production, whilst other expenses are for
the full twelve month period. We would therefore expect to see
substantial improvement in 2008 over the 2007 figures. Secondly, the
comparative 2005 period was only for a three month period. Overall
these results and other operational and exploration developments
position the Company well for 2007, with targeted production of
approximately 50,000 ounces gold equivalent and cash costs of below
US$250 per ounce.
The Company continued to make substantial investments at Palito
during the year, not only in terms of plant, equipment and mine
infrastructure but also within the mine itself. The escalated
investment in mine development will eventually provide more working
areas, thus enabling an improved mix between ore produced from the
stopes and development. The switch to mechanised underground mining
has required us to spend much of the last nine months of 2006
undertaking such development in preparation for long-hole stope
production. This will continue into 2007 and will initially impact on
mining grades, before the full benefit of production from stoping
becomes apparent later in the year, and through 2008.
Development of our existing portfolio within the Tapajos remains at
the forefront of our plans for growing and developing Serabi. As
outlined in our September 2005 and March 2006 press releases, we are
encouraged by the early progress of our exploration programmes
undertaken throughout the year. The Company has a large portfolio of
projects where the level of existing data is often limited. It has
therefore sometimes been necessary to focus initially on preliminary
assessment programmes to improve our understanding of the geology and
potential opportunities, in order to provide information that will
allow us to concentrate future efforts on the most promising targets
identified. With much improved geological and exploration facilities
established last year, we expect considerable progress in this area
during 2007. In this regard, we recently reported good results from
a number of prospects in the Jardim do Ouro district, situated
immediately adjacent to Palito. This area will initially form an
important focus for evaluation during the early half of the year,
with advanced exploration and drilling planned at the Ruari's Ridge,
Chico do Santo and Palito Main Zone south projects. The objective of
this work is to expand the Palito resource and so extend the life of
the operation.
Notwithstanding, we also seek to expand our project portfolio and are
looking at other opportunities both in the Tapajos and in other
regions of Brazil. Management recognises that the long-term future of
the Company is in part dependent on expanding the resource base,
accompanied by continuing production growth. While the Tapajos is a
highly prospective area where the Company has a strong competitive
advantage, given our growing reputation and achievements to date, we
believe we should also now look at opportunities in other parts of
Brazil. The country has a diverse and attractive geology, which
remains relatively unexplored with the potential for significant size
deposits.
Further expansion of the Company is, we believe, fundamental to
obtaining more widespread recognition in the market of the Company's
already considerable achievements. Serabi remains one of only a few
producers in the London AIM mining sector and despite major
operational achievements and a robust gold price, up 50% since the
Company listed in 2005, there is limited evidence of an upward
re-rating of the shares to reflect this. We continue to make
considerable efforts to raise the profile of the Company but are
conscious that until we can further increase the asset base we may
continue to be 'below the radar' of some investors and industry
commentators.
Building on the strong foundation now established in Brazil, our
strategy for growing the Company centres on optimising a number of
key criteria:
* unexplored areas with excellent geological potential;
* strong land title;
* political and economic stability;
* projects with potential of more than 500,000 ounces and
operating costs of US$250 or less; and
* geographical focus.
The original decision to enter Brazil in 1999 was driven by the
country's ability to meet all of the above criteria and this remains
true today. These advantages are being increasingly recognised within
the mining industry as new opportunities are sought internationally.
Brazil is often grouped with other "developing" countries when
looking at such potential. These include South American peers such as
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru, the African nations of Ghana,
Tanzania, and the DRC, the Eastern European countries such as Russia
and Kazakhstan and in the Far East Indonesia, PNG and the
Philippines, amongst others. Recent studies* show that, with the
exception of Chile, Brazil is significantly ahead of all these
countries when judged by its mineral potential, combined with
favourable regulatory and land use policies. This reinforces the
Company's strategy in Brazil, which we believe with its well
established mining industry and security of title, provides one of
the best balances of risk and reward in today's world. Against this
background, combined with the improved operating and exploration
foundations now established, Serabi is exceptionally well positioned
to move forwards on all fronts in 2007 and achieve it's goal of
becoming a mid-tier producer with growing exploration potential by
the end of the decade.
For Serabi 2006 marked the end of the beginning, with profitable
production established, new operational developments taking place and
exploration set to expand.
Acknowledgements
Good mining projects are nothing without good people. In this respect
I would first like to thank all of Serabi's staff for their dedicated
efforts and contributions towards the considerable progress made by
the Company last year. I would also like to welcome Mike Hodgson to
the Board of the Company. His experience will strengthen the Board
and the executive management and provide key day-to-day guidance in
order to optimise and develop our operations further. Finally, thanks
to our shareholders for their continuing interest and support in
Serabi. I look forward to reporting the continuing success of your
Company at the end of 2007.
Graham Roberts
Chairman
10 April 2007
* The Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies, Vancouver,
Canada
Consolidated Income Statement
for the year ended 31 December 2006
(expressed in US$) Group
For the
period from
For the 1 October 2005 to
year ended 31 December 2005
31 December 2006 (restated)
Revenue (1) 7,256,136 -
Operating expenses (1) (4,846,122) -
Profit from operations 2,410,014 -
Administration expenses (2,860,522) (621,452)
Share based payments (331,338) (422,298)
Depreciation of plant and (1,426,004) (339,522)
equipment
Depreciation of Mine Asset (232,097) -
Loss on ordinary activities
before interest and other
income (2,439,947) (1,383,272)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) 449,857 (35,703)
Interest payable (339,328) (69,929)
Interest receivable 120,649 21,044
Loss on ordinary activities (2,208,769) (1,467,860)
before taxation
Taxation - -
Loss on ordinary activities (2,208,769) (1,467,860)
after taxation
Loss per ordinary share
(basic and diluted - note 3) (2.04c) (1.42c)
(1) Revenue and operating expenses are only for the 3 month period
commencing 1 October 2006 being the date from which mining operations
have been in commercial production.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
as at 31 December 2006
(expressed in US$) Group
2005
2006 (restated)
Non current assets
Goodwill 1,752,516 1,752,516
Development and deferred exploration costs 6,454,074 17,420,146
(note 5)
Property, plant and equipment (note 6) 22,203,706 5,763,233
Total non current assets 30,410,296 24,935,895
Current assets
Inventories (note 4) 2,441,783 1,825,479
Trade and other receivables 1,128,830 1,738,474
Prepayments and accrued income 1,521,347 1,080,077
Cash at bank and in hand 3,856,878 2,152,452
Total current assets 8,948,838 6,796,482
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 4,053,744 2,320,105
Accruals 176,252 131,432
Interest bearing liabilities 582,491 -
Total current liabilities 4,812,487 2,451,537
Net current assets 4,136,351 4,344,945
Total assets less current liabilities 34,546,647 29,280,840
Non current liabilities
Trade and other payables 180,314 244,724
Provisions for liabilities and charges 799,749 428,944
Interest bearing liabilities 368,778 -
Total non current liabilities 1,348,841 673,668
Net assets 33,197,806 28,607,172
Equity
Called up share capital 19,338,351 17,974,336
Share premium reserve 15,351,674 11,818,128
Option reserve 2,818,722 2,690,052
Translation reserve 382,502 (1,273,264)
Profit and loss account (4,693,443) (2,602,080)
Equity shareholders' funds 33,197,806 28,607,172
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2006
(expressed in US$)
Share Profit and
Share Share option Translation loss Total
capital premium reserve reserve account equity
Equity
shareholders
funds at 1 17,974,336 11,818,128 1,983,521 - (1,134,220) 30,641,765
October 2005
(restated)
Foreign
currency - - - (1,273,264) - (1,273,264)
adjustments
Loss for - - - - (1,467,860) (1,467,860)
period
Total
recognised - - - (1,273,264) (1,467,860) (2,741,124)
loss for the
period
Share option - - 706,531 - - 706,531
expense
Equity
shareholders
funds at 31 17,974,336 11,818,128 2,690,052 (1,273,264) (2,602,080) 28,607,172
December
2005
(restated)
Foreign
currency - - - 1,655,766 - 1,655,766
adjustments
Loss for - - - - (2,208,769) (2,208,769)
period
Total
recognised - - - 1,655,766 (2,208,769) (553,003)
loss for the
period
Share option - - 246,076 - - 246,076
expense
Issue of
ordinary 1,282,386 3,698,827 - - - 4,981,213
shares
Conversion 81,629 88,741 (117,406) - 117,406 170,370
of options
Share issue - (254,022) - - - (254,022)
expenses
Equity
shareholders
funds at 31 19,338,351 15,351,674 2,818,722 382,502 (4,693,443) 33,197,806
December
2006
Consolidated Cash flow Statement
(expressed in US$) Group
For the
For the period from
year ended 1
31 December October 2005 to
2006 31December 2005
Operating loss (2,439,947) (1,383,272)
Depreciation - plant and equipment and 1,658,101 339,522
mine asset
Option costs 142,443 422,298
Share based payments 188,895 -
Interest paid (339,328) (69,929)
Foreign exchange (281,231) (55,679)
Changes in working capital
(Increase) in inventories (443,136) (1,003,810)
Decrease/(increase) in
receivables, 399,765 (1,754,743)
prepayments and accrued income
Increase in payables, 1,314,609 709,714
accruals and provisions
Net cash flow from operations 200,171 (2,795,899)
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets (2,826,077) (1,627,113)
Exploration and development expenditure (373,568) (967,746)
(1)
Sale of tangible fixed assets 114,681 -
Interest received 120,649 21,044
Net cash outflow on investing activities (2,964,315) (2,573,815)
Financing activities
Issue of ordinary share capital 4,536,220 -
Conversion of options 170,370 -
Payment of share issue costs (254,022) -
Capital element of finance lease (327,406) -
payments
Net cash inflow from investing 4,125,162 -
activities
Increase/(decrease) in cash at bank and 1,361,018 (5,369,714)
in hand
Opening cash holdings 2,152,452 7,557,138
Exchange 277,732 (34,972)
Closing cash holdings (note 7) 3,791,202 2,152,452
(1) Exploration and development expenditure is stated net of
pre-operating income of US$2,839,018
Notes
1. General Information
The financial information set out above for the year ended 31
December 2006 and the 3 month period ended 31 December 2005 does not
constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the
Companies Act 1985, but is derived from those accounts. Whilst the
financial information included in this preliminary announcement has
been compiled in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS) this announcement itself does not contain sufficient
financial information to comply with IFRS. A copy of the statutory
accounts for 2005 has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies
and those for 2006 will be issued to shareholders prior to the
Company's Annual General Meeting. The Company expects to publish full
financial statements that comply with IFRS in its Annual Report and
Accounts 2006. This announcement has been agreed with the auditors
and was approved by the Board on 10 April 2007. Whilst the auditors
have not yet reported on the financial statements for the year ended
31 December 2006, they anticipate issuing an unqualified report which
will not contain statements under the Companies Act 1985, s237 (2) or
(3). The auditors issued an unqualified report in respect of the 2005
Financial Statements.
2. Basis of preparation
The financial information has been prepared in accordance with the
recognition and measurement criteria of International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) and with IFRSs adopted for use in the
European Union.
3. Earnings per share
The calculation of the basic loss per share of 2.04 cents per share
is based on the loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of
$2,208,769 and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares of
108,412,130 in issue during the period.
4. Inventories
31 December 31 December
2006 2005
$ $
Bullion and work in progress 918,269 424,950
Consumables 1,523,514 1,400,529
2,441,783 1,825,479
5. Development and Deferred Exploration costs
31 December 2006 31 December 2005
$ $
Cost
Opening balance (restated) 17,420,146 17,017,111
Exploration and development 733,298 1,221,970
expenditure (1)
Exchange 1,423,809 (818,935)
Transfer to tangible assets (13,123,179) -
(mine asset)
Total as at 31 December 2006 6,454,074 17,420,146
(1) Exploration and development expenditure is stated net of
pre-operating income of US$2,839,018
6. Property, plant and equipment
Plant
and
Land and equipment
buildings -
- at cost Mine Asset at cost Total
$ $ $ $
Cost
Balance at 31 December
2005 (restated) 1,237,818 - 5,293,766 6,531,584
Additions 829,625 500,000 3,209,451 4,539,076
Transfer from
intangible assets - 13,123,179 - 13,123,179
Exchange 133,996 - 508,616 642,612
Disposals - - (151,380) (151,380)
At 31 December 2006
2,201,439 13,623,179 8,860,453 24,685,071
Depreciation
Balance at 31 December
2005 (restated) (93,446) - (674,905) (768,351)
Charge for period
(416,956) (232,097) (1,009,048) (1,658,101)
Exchange (22,482) - (69,129) (91,611)
Eliminated on sale of
asset - - 36,698 36,698
At 31 December 2006 (532,884) (232,097) (1,716,384) (2,481,365)
Net book value at 31
December 2006 1,668,555 13,391,082 7,144,069 22,203,706
Net book value at 31
December 2005
(restated) 1,144,372 - 4,618,861 5,763,233
7. Cash Holdings
31 December 2006 31 December 2005
$ $
Cash at bank and in hand 3,856,878 2,152,452
Bank overdrafts (65,676) -
Net cash holdings 3,791,202 2,152,452
Annual Report
The Annual Report will be sent to shareholders on or around 2 May
2007. Additional copies will be available to the public, free of
charge, from the Company's offices at Cleary Court, 21-23 St Swithins
Lane, London, EC4N 8AD.
Enquiries
Serabi Mining
plc Numis
Securities Limited
Graham Roberts Tel: 020 7220 9550 John
Harrison Tel: 020 7260 1000
Chairman Mobile: 07768
902475 James Black Tel: 020 7260 1000
Clive Line Tel: 020 7220
9553 Parkgreen Communications
Finance Director Mobile: 07710
151692 Simon Robinson Tel: 020 7851
7480
E-mail:
contact@serabimining.com Clare Irvine Tel:
020 7851 7480
Website:
www.serabimining.com clare.irvine@parkgreenmedia.com
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