Interim Results

RNS Number : 1215P
Ormonde Mining PLC
29 September 2011
 

29 September 2011

 

Ormonde Mining plc

 

Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2011

 

DUBLIN & LONDON: 29 September 2011 - Ormonde Mining plc, the exploration and development company operating in Spain, is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2011. 

Highlights:

 

Barruecopardo 

 

·     Drilling completed and feasibility study progressing very satisfactorily.

 

·     Responses received from regional authorities to initial permitting submissions and no unexpected matters have been raised.

 

·     Tungsten price remains strong, having traded in a relatively narrow range at around US$460 per metric tonne unit (mtu) over the past four months.

 

 

La Zarza

 

·     New permits awarded around La Zarza which have been incorporated into the Antofagasta Joint Venture, with an aggressive exploration programme wholly funded by Antofagasta now underway.

 

·     Preparation of permitting documentation for the transfer of the mining concessions over the La Zarza Mine well advanced.

 

 

Gold Exploration

 

·     Activities on gold properties being funded through a joint venture with Aurum Mining plc, with results awaited from an initial drilling programme.

 

 

Michael Donoghue, Chairman of the Company, commented today,

 

"I am pleased to report that we are making good progress on advancing the Barruecopardo Tungsten Project through the feasibility study and permitting process and into the capital funding and development stages. We expect to be in a position to issue a progress report shortly.

 

Progress on our La Zarza Copper Project is also very encouraging, with an aggressive exploration programme, funded by our JV partner Antofagasta, commencing on the recently awarded permits around the known copper resources.  In addition, we are well advanced with thepreparation of permitting documentation for the transfer of the mining concessions at La Zarza."

 

 

Enquiries to:

 

Ormonde Mining plc

Kerr Anderson, Managing Director  Tel: +353 (0)46 9073623

 

Bankside Consultants

Simon Rothschild  Tel: +44 (0)20 7367 8888   Mob: +44 (0)7703 167065

 

Murray Consultants

Ed Micheau  Tel: +353 (0)1 4980300  Mob: +353 (0)86 803 7155

 

Davy (Nomad / ESM Adviser)

Eugenée Mulhern / Fergal Meegan  Tel: +353 (0)1 6796363

 

Fairfax I.S. PLC (Joint Broker)

Ewan Leggat / Katy Birkin  Tel: +44 (0)207 598 5368



 

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

 

During the first half of the year your company made significant progress on each of its three projects and, while we are presently between milestone events, the next few months of 2011 should see the realisation of our endeavours in a number of areas.

 

Progress on the feasibility study on the Company's flagship project, Barruecopardo, which is being carried out by Jacobs Engineering Group, is on schedule for completion by the end of the year. We expect the feasibility study to meet or exceed target expectations.  The drilling programme has been completed with the results received to date being in line with previous interpretations. We expect assays from the remaining holes to be available shortly and this will lead on to a revised resource estimate. The final, definitive, metallurgical testwork, designed to optimise the process flow-sheet and facilitate the sizing and selection of plant, is nearing completion and has yielded significant improvements in the processing plant design and operating parameters. However, the major thrust in optimising the project is in the area of the mining plan and work in this area is progressing very well and has now reached a stage where the Company expects to  issue an interim report on progress on the feasibility study shortly.

 

Initial permitting documentation was submitted to the regional regulatory authorities in January. Formal responses were received within the statutory timeframe and no unexpected matters were raised in the responses from the various government departments and NGO's. The guidance provided is being incorporated into the final Project Environmental Impact Assessment.

 

The price of tungsten has risen from $245 per mtu of APT at the time of the Scott Wilson Study (September 2010), to a current price of $460/mtu, a level around which it has settled since May 2011. Despite the present volatile nature of the equity markets and economic uncertainty in many countries, the prognosis is still very much for growing demand for tungsten, a shortage of new viable fundable projects and a shortfall on the supply side, all of which point to strong tungsten prices over the coming years. In a report issued very recently, the British Geological Survey has placed tungsten in joint first position  in terms of metal supply risk (above the rare earths), following on from previous concerns expressed in an EU report in June 2010. Putting this into a commercial context, one very reputable global financial organisation, with a significant presence in China, is forecasting a growing shortage of tungsten and the likelihood that tungsten market dynamics will develop similar to that of the rare earths, with prices increasingly supply-driven rather than demand-driven.

 

At our La Zarza copper project, Ormonde was recently awarded four additional permits covering a total area of some 95 square kilometres along strike to the east and west of the known mineral resources. These permits have been incorporated into the Antofagasta Joint Venture and the relevant documentation approved. The agreed $1.3 million work programme being wholly funded by Antofagasta has now commenced. The ground gravity survey is well advanced and the airborne electro-magnetic survey is due to commence shortly. We await the results of this work, which will be followed up later this year with a diamond drilling programme on any targets identified. Preparation of permitting documentation for the transfer of the mining concessions over the La Zarza Mine is now well advanced and we are pursuing avenues to facilitate exploitation of these resources.

 

In March of this year, Ormonde put in place a structure to retain its gold-tungsten properties in Salamanca Province, as peripheral extensions to the Barruecopardo assets, whilst facilitating the advancement and independent funding of its other gold properties in both Salamanca and Zamora Provinces. This structure, a joint venture with Aurum Mining Plc, is working well.  Exploration activities have made good progress and we await the results of initial drilling on areas of known gold mineralisation.

 

Ormonde's operating loss for the period was €437k (€258k for the 6 months to June 2010), which reflects  an additional  administrative expense as both the operational and management team are strengthened to cope with the design and development stage of the Barruecopardo Tungsten Project and the increased corporate activity as funding and offtake options are evaluated.

 

Ormonde successfully raised £4 million (before expenses) through a placement, which was oversubscribed, at the beginning of May to fund the feasibility study and permitting activities for Barruecopardo, part of the consideration due in connection with the acquisition by Ormonde of the final 10% interest in Barruecopardo, work related to the transfer of title to the mining concessions at La Zarza, and for general working capital purposes.

 

We thank shareholders for their continued support and look forward to reporting on further progress in the development of Barruecopardo as a significant, strategic and secure European low cost tungsten producer.

 

Michael J. Donoghue

Chairman

29 September 2011



Ormonde Mining PLC

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Six months ended 30 June 2011

 

 

unaudited

unaudited

audited

 

6 months ended

6 months ended

Year ended

 

30-Jun-11

30-Jun-10

31-Dec-10

 

€000s

€000s

€000s

 

 

 

 

Turnover

0

0

0

 

 

 

 

Administration expenses

(436)

(256)

(1,061)

Exploration costs written off

0

0

(32)

 

________

________

________

Operating loss

(436)

(256)

(1,093)

 

 

 

 

Interest receivable

8

0

6

Other finance costs

(9)

(2)

(2)

 

______

______

______

Loss on Ordinary Activities

(437)

(258)

(1,089)

 

 

 

 

Minority Interest

0

0

0

 

______

______

______

Loss for the Period

(437)

(258)

(1,089)

 

 

 

 

Loss per share




Basic

-€0.0014

-€0.0011

-€0.0043

Diluted

-€0.0014

-€0.0011

-€0.0043

 



Ormonde Mining PLC

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2011

 

 

unaudited

unaudited

audited

 

30-Jun-11

30-Jun-10

31-Dec-10

 

€000s

€000s

€000s

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non current assets

 

 

 

Intangible assets - Exploration & Evaluation costs

14,195

11,885

12,443

Property, plant & equipment

18

6

22

 

_______

_______

_______

Total Non Current Assets

14,213

11,891

12,465

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Trade & other receivables

513

286

149

Cash & cash equivalents

3,885

895

1,944

 

_______

_______

_______

Total current assets

4,398

1,181

2,093

 

_______

_______

_______

Total assets

18,611

13,072

14,558

 

_______

_______

_______

Equity & liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Called up share capital

10,151

7,906

9,042

Share premium account

24,174

19,283

20,889

Other capital reserves

700

269

700

Retained losses

(16,783)

(15,516)

(16,346)

Minority interest

0

0

0

 

_______

_______

_______

Total equity - attributable to the owners of the Company

18,242

11,942

14,285

 

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade & other payables

0

300

0





Current liabilities

 

 

 

Trade & other payables

369

830

273

 

_______

_______

_______

Total liabilities

369

1,130

273

 

_______

_______

_______

Total equity & liabilities

18,611

13,072

14,558

 

_______

_______

_______

 



Ormonde Mining PLC

Consolidated Statement of Cashflows

Six months ended 30 June 2011

 

 

unaudited

unaudited

audited

 

6 months ended

6 months ended

Year ended

 

30-Jun-11

30-Jun-10

31-Dec-10

 

€000s

€000s

€000s

 

 

 

 

Cashflows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss before interest & tax

(436)

(256)

(1,087)

 

 

 

 

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

Depreciation

4

3

6

Exploration costs written off

0

0

32

Share based payment

0

0

432

Investment income recognised in P&L

(1)

0

(6)

(Increase)/Decrease in receivables

(363)

(177)

(41)

Increase/(decrease) in liabilities

96

356

(501)

Income taxes paid

0

0

(1)

 

________

________

________

Cash generated from operations

(700)

(74)

(1,166)

 

 

 

 

Cashflows from financing activities

 

 

 

Proceeds from issue of share capital

4,394

726

3,467

 

 

 

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

Purchase of plant & equipment

0

0

(19)

Expenditure on exploration activities

(1,752)

(253)

(842)

Interest received/(payable)

(1)

(2)

6

 

________

________

________

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,753)

(255)

(855)

 

________

________

________

Net (decrease)/increase in cash

1,941

397

1,446

 

 

 

 

Cash at beginning of period

1,944

498

498

 

______

______

______

Cash at end of period

3,885

895

1,944

 



 

Ormonde Mining PLC

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 

 

 



Share based payment reserve




 







Share Capital

Share Premium

Other Reserves

Retained Losses

Total

 

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

At 1 January 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,447

19,016

232

37

(15,258)

11,474

Proceeds of share issue

459

267

-

-

-

726

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(258)

(258)

 

______

______

______

______

______

______

At 30 June 2010

7,906

19,283

232

37

(15,516)

11,942

Proceeds of share issue

1,136

1,606

-

-

-

2,742

Recognition of share based payments

-

-

431

-

-

431

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(830)

(830)

 

______

______

______

______

______

______

At 31 December 2010

9,042

20,889

663

37

(16,346)

14,285

Proceeds of share issue

1,109

3,285

-

-

-

4,394

Loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(437)

(437)

 

______

______

______

______

______

______

At 30 June 2011

10,151

24,174

663

37

(16,783)

18,242

 

______

______

______

______

______

______

 

 

 



 

Notes to the Interim Financial Statements

 

1.   Segmental Analysis

The Group is engaged in one business segment only, exploration of mineral resource projects. Therefore only an analysis by geographical segment has been presented. The Group has geographic segments in Ireland and Spain.

 

The segment results for the period ended 30th June 2011 are as follows:

 

 

Ireland

Spain

Loss for period to 30 June 11

€000s

€000s

 

 

 

Segment loss for period

0

(437)


______

______


0

(437)


______

______

 

 

2.   Loss per share

The basic and weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share are as follows:

 

 

30-Jun-11

30-Jun-10

31-Dec-10


€000s

€000s

€000s





Loss for period

(437)

(258)

(1,089)

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

 

 

 

for the purpose of basic earnings per share

308,642,582

241,711,655

250,388,186

 

______

______

______

Basic loss per ordinary shares (in cent)

(0.14)

(0.11)

(0.43)

 

______

______

______

 

Diluted earnings per share

The weighted average number of ordinary shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share are as follows:

 

 

30-Jun-11

30-Jun-10

31-Dec-10


€000s

€000s

€000s





Loss for period

(437)

(258)

(1,089)

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

 

 

 

for the purpose of basic earnings per share

308,642,582

241,711,655

250,388,186

 

 

 

 

Shares deemed to be issued for no consideration

 

 

 

in respect of Employee Options

2,704,688

2,298,333

3,298,611

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

 

 

 

for the purpose of diluted earnings per share

311,347,270

244,009,988

253,686,797

 

 

 

 

 

______

______

______

Diluted loss per ordinary shares (in cent)

(0.14)

(0.11)

(0.43)

 

______

______

______

 



Notes to the Interim Financial Statements (continued)

 

 

3.   Intangible assets - Exploration costs

 

 

Exploration

 


& Evaluation

Total


Assets

 


€000s

€000s

Cost

 

 

At 1 January 2011

12,443

12,443

Additions

1,752

1,752

 

______

______

At 30 June 2011

14,195

14,195

 

______

______

 

 

 

4.   Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

Fixtures

Computer

Motor

Total


& Fittings

Equipment

Vehicles

 


€000s

€000s

€000s

€000s

Cost

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2011

22

45

37

104

Additions

0

0

0

0

 

______

______

______

______

At 30 June 2011

22

45

37

104

 

______

______

______

______

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Depreciation & Impairment

 

 

 

 

At 1 January 2011

(22)

(43)

(17)

(82)

Depreciation expense

0

(1)

(3)

(4)

 

______

______

______

______

At 30 June 2011

(22)

(44)

(20)

(86)

 

______

______

______

______

 

 

 

 

 

Net Book Value at 1 January 2011

0

2

20

22

 

______

______

______

______

Net Book Value at 30 June 2011

0

1

17

18

 

______

______

______

______

 



Notes to the Interim Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.   Share Capital

 

 

30-Jun-11

30-Jun-10

31-Dec-10


€000s

€000s

€000s





Authorised Equity




450,000,000 ordinary shares of 2.5c each

11,250

11,250

11,250

100,000,000 deferred shares of 3.809214 each

3,809

3,809

3,809

 

______

______

______

 

15,059

15,059

15,059

 

______

______

______





Issued Capital




Share Capital

10,151

7,906

9,042

Share Premium

24,174

19,283

20,889

 

______

______

______

 

34,325

27,189

29,931

 

______

______

______

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 4 May 2011, the Company placed 42,199,711 new ordinary shares of nominal value of €0.025 each in the capital of the Company at a price of Stg9.5p per share, raising Stg£4 million (approximately €4.4 million) before expenses.

 

On 11 May 2011, 2,150,000 new ordinary shares of nominal value of €0.025 each in the capital of the Company were issued in connection with the exercise of options at €0.041 each.

 

 

 

 

The financial information has been prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards using accounting policies consistent with those in the last Annual Report.

 

No dividends were paid or proposed in respect of the six months ended 30 June 2011.

 

ENDS


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