Interim Results

Glencar Mining PLC 31 October 2001 Glencar Mining plc ('Glencar' or 'the Company') Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June, 2001 Glencar is pleased to announce the interim results for the six month period ending 30 June, 2001. Since publication of our Annual Report and Accounts in June this year, we have been primarily engaged in the disposal of our interest in the Wassa Project in Ghana following the appointment of Warrior, a division of Standard Bank London Limited, to act as agent for the sale. The Directors are pleased to report that the sale of the Wassa Project is proceeding satisfactorily and we expect that the sale will be concluded around year-end. Upon the satisfactory completion of the sale in accordance with certain agreed criteria, the banks have agreed that it is their intention to limit and release the guarantee given by Glencar to them as part of the original debt financing. Following this release, and the agreed conversion into equity of the Convertible Loan Note held by Standard Bank London Limited, Glencar will then be debt-free. Other Exploration and Mining Assets Asheba, Ghana A limited exploration programme on the Asheba property during the review period focussed on infill geochemistry and geological mapping along the significant geochemically anomalous zone southwest of the Cheriaman mine prospect. The work confirmed good continuity of near surface mineralisation from the Cheriaman pits to beyond the old Atinasi workings towards the southwest, a strike length of more than 1,000m. The geochemical data is difficult to interpret because of the presence of extensive artisanal (galempsey) workings right along the trend. The prospect warrants a sizeable trenching and drilling programme. Uganda Budgetary constraints have meant that exploration on the Southeast Uganda project was not significantly advanced during the period. Trench locations have been selected on the Buinja geochemical anomaly, discovered and delineated during previous exploration phases on the project. We are in discussions with other parties in relation to our gold interests at Asheba and Uganda. Further significant expenditures would be required on both properties to advance them to the next stage. The current negative short-term outlook for gold and the limited financial resources currently available to us dictate that our gold properties in Ghana and Uganda should be advanced by way of a joint venture with Glencar retaining a carried interest with possible buy-back rights in the event of discovery. Kildare The zinc market at present is very depressed, with zinc prices in real terms at their lowest since the 1930s. Further drilling is required on both our Navan and Kildare zinc properties. In Kildare, the target depths are particularly deep and the drilling costs would be correspondingly higher. We are seeking a joint venture partner for our Kildare project and despite the poor zinc climate, we hope to be able to conclude an agreement which will advance the exploration on this attractive property. We are in discussions with a number of parties about ways in which the zinc/lead mineralisation on our Navan property may be best developed. An announcement will be made as soon as possible. Mayo Glencar's appeal against the decision of the High Court in the damages action taken against Mayo County Council was heard in the Supreme Court between 3 and 6 April 2001. The High Court had determined in 1999 that, although Mayo County Council had acted negligently and ultra vires in imposing a mining ban in 1992, we were not entitled to recover our exploration expenditures from the Council. The Supreme Court confirmed the view of the High Court in a judgement given on 19 July 2001. Financial Our unaudited Profit and Loss Account for the six months ended 30 June 2001 shows turnover for the period of US$11,349,000. In addition, the Company realised a gain of US$4,935,000 on the closing out of the Wassa hedge contracts and the conversion of the Wassa gold loan into dollars. The loss for the period was US$545,000. Prospects The Board has been reviewing the Company's strategy for the future and it is our belief that a repositioning of the Company is required to take account of the current malaise in the precious and base metals sector and the somewhat unexciting short / medium term forecast for those sectors. Plans are being prepared at present in relation to the Company's future strategy and an announcement will be made as soon as possible after the details have been put in place. Board Changes The Directors would like to record our thanks and appreciation of the services given to Glencar by Richard Hooper, Dick Mauro and Rob Weinberg, all of whom retired after the AGM held in July. Their contributions under very difficult circumstances were significant in helping to chart a course through the problems associated with the Wassa Project and our exposure to the associated bank debt. The Board wishes them all well in their continuing activities. Philip O'Quigley, our Finance Director will be leaving at the end of November to take up an executive position with another organisation. Philip will remain as a non-executive director and Company Secretary of Glencar. The Board would like to acknowledge Philip's contribution over his four years with Glencar and thank him for his advice and assistance during that period. Shareholders Meeting The rules of the Exploration Securities Market of the Irish Stock Exchange require that we hold a shareholders' meeting to approve the disposal of the Wassa Project. We informed shareholders last March that it was unlikely that Glencar would recover any of its investment in this project and consequently, the terms of the sale agreement will be irrelevant to the Glencar shareholder. We have explained fully in our Annual Report the circumstances which have given rise to the need to sell Wassa. The circular to shareholders will be dispatched in due course. Outlook Although the near / medium term future in the mining sector generally looks unfavourable, your Directors believe that the steps we are taking to secure our future will lead to enhanced prospects for our existing shareholders. Press queries to: Hugh McCullough (Chief Executive, Glencar Mining) Tel: +353 (0)1 661 9974 CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT (UNAUDITED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30 JUNE 2001 Unaudited Unaudited 6 months 6 months ended ended 30-Jun-01 30-Jun-00 US$ US$ TURNOVER - GOLD SALES 11,349,341 16,033,654 COST OF SALES Operating Costs (13,769,482) (11,965,641) Depreciation, amortisation and reclamation (369,060) (1,182,484) (14,138,542) (13,148,125) OPERATING (LOSS) PROFIT (2,789,201) 2,885,529 EXCEPTIONAL ITEM (159,489) 0 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (431,509) (441,715) OTHER INCOME 4,935,317 0 BANK INTEREST RECEIVABLE 38,628 19,727 BANK INTEREST PAYABLE (1,746,831) (1,726,410) (LOSS) PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE (153,085) 737,131 TAXATION TAXATION 0 (510) (LOSS) PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER TAXATION (153,085) 736,621 MINORITY INTEREST (392,246) (445,325) (LOSS) PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD (545,331) 291,296 PROFIT (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE (CENTS) (0.56) 0.45 ======= ======= DILUTED PROFIT (LOSS) PER SHARE (CENTS) (0.56) 0.45 ======= =======
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