Owner
Post by Franko10 ™ on Nov 9, 2005 17:21:51 GMT -5
Claude Resources Announces Third Quarter Results (cnw)
SASKATOON, Nov. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Gold bullion prices increased slightly in the third quarter of 2005, averaging $440 US dollars per ounce, up from $427 in the second quarter. The gold price began to increase in non US dollar terms, a significant change from past quarters.
Development and mining at Claude Resource's Seabee gold mine increased dramatically during the quarter. The mine broke 73,000 tonnes of ore grading greater than 8 grams per tonne, yielding 19,500 ounces of gold but due to Claude's underground mining method, only 8,900 ounces were milled during the third quarter.
The expansion of the Seabee milling capacity to 1,100 tonnes per day is well advanced and expected to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter. Bulk sampling of the nearby Porky Lake and Santoy Lake discoveries should be completed in the first half of 2006 with production from these satellite ore bodies expected to begin in the latter part of 2006.
The Company is optimistic that the mill expansion combined with successful bulk samples from the Porky Lake and Santoy Lake projects will lead to a major increase in production and improved financial performance in the quarters ahead.
Record high oil & gas prices continue to provide added cash flow and financial stability to the Company, as well as an increasingly important "natural hedge" against rising energy costs in the gold mining operation. Claude's oil & gas assets produced more than 550 barrels of oil equivalent per day during the quarter.
<<
Financial Highlights
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Three Nine Nine
Months Months Months Months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
September September September September
30, 2005 30, 2004 30, 2005 30, 2004
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue ($ millions) 7.4 7.6 22.9 23.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss)
($ millions) (2.9) 0.2 (4.5) (0.3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) per share ($) (0.04) 0.00 (0.07) (0.01)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from operations
($ millions)(x) .4 2.1 2.3 4.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from operations
per share ($)(x) 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average realized gold
price (US $/ounce) 451 421 439 407
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash operating
costs (US $/ounce) 393 250 361 292
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital ($ millions) 5.3 8.7 5.3 8.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) before net change in non-cash working capital
OPERATIONS
Gold
The Seabee mine increased tonnes mined by 36% over third quarter 2004 tonnage, a 67% increase for 2005 year to date. The grade of ore mined for the quarter improved to 8.30 grams per tonne (g/t), up from 7.91 g/t last year. As a result of the Company's underground mining method, shrinkage stoping, much of the 19,500 ounces broken in the third quarter was not available for milling immediately.
Third quarter gold production was hampered by mill expansion construction
(limiting tonnes) and a delay in free pulling the 3914 stope. This stoping
block was much larger than anticipated and was not ready for "free pull" until
the fourth quarter - one month later than expected. Most of the mill feed
during the quarter was "development muck" blended with surplus low-grade
stockpiled ore, leading to much lower grade milled ore (4.96 g/t) than mined
ore (8.30 g/t).
Operating Statistics Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
2005 2004 2005 2004
Tonnes mined 73,000 53,500 167,800 100,200
Mined grade (g/t) 8.30 7.91 6.75 8.94
Mined volume (ounces) 19,500 13,600 36,400 28,800
Tonnes milled 60,500 46,100 170,100 140,300
Grade processed (g/t) 4.96 6.60 5.82 7.04
Recovery (%) 91.88 95.48 92.78 95.21
Operating efficiency (%) 96.94 91.08 96.68 96.34
Sales volume (ounces) 8,900 9,200 28,300 29,900
Production volume
(ounces) 8,900 9,400 29,500 30,200
The mine operating plan for the fourth quarter will focus on completing the 395, 495 and 680 level shrinkage stopes, the 400 level long-hole stope and the development of new stopes on the 395, 630 and 750 metre levels. Mill throughput for the fourth quarter will originate primarily as free pull and swell from these stopes, as well as development ore from the new headings on the 395, 680 and 750 levels.
Mine development will continue on several fronts: a stoping block on the 750 level where silling is in progress, continuation of the ramp to the 800 level to access another stoping block and completion of an exploration drift on the 550 level to set-up a diamond drill station to drill under the old 5-1 mine workings.
The Company continues to aggressively pursue its underground diamond drilling programs. The fourth quarter will see additional drilling towards the 1,000 metre level (250 metres below existing workings), where structure and economic grades have already been intersected. A significant drill program from the 550 level diamond drill station is expected to begin early in the new year.
Mill expansion continued in the third quarter with increased capacity expected to be available by the end of the fourth quarter.
Exploration
Exploration activities for the third quarter of 2005 included excavation of a decline to conduct bulk sampling of the Porky West zone, drilling at Santoy 8 and 8 East zones, and prospecting in the immediate area of the Seabee mine.
Porky Lake
At the Porky West Zone, three kilometres north of the Seabee mine, the decline being excavated for a bulk sample advanced approximately 125 metres by the end of the third quarter. The underground bulk sampling program is underway to confirm grade, continuity and metallurgy of the gold mineralization. The Porky West sampling program will be completed in 2006.
Santoy Lake
Claude Resources has also completed a delineation drilling program at Santoy 7, Santoy 8 and 8 East zones (BQ size core), about 14 kilometres east of the Seabee mine. The summer 2005 program, including fifteen diamond drill holes totaling approximately 4,200 metres in Santoy 8 and 8 East structures, was carried out to test the north-northwest plunge and dip extensions of the mineralized shear structures outlined in previous drill campaigns.
Mineralization in both zones is hosted in siliceous shear zones with sulfide-chlorite-quartz veins and silicified granitoid sills. It has been confirmed that the Santoy 8 zone is 380 metres long and up to 350 metres wide. It remains open at depth to the east and is plunging to the northeast in the plane of the shear zone. Mineralized sections of this zone range in thickness from 1.5 to 30 metres. It is likely that the 8 zone and the adjacent 150 metre long, 100 metre wide 8 East zone are interconnected. Both zones are still open and more drilling will be conducted during the Winter to establish the dip and strike extents.
Inferred Mineral Resources amounting to 910,000 tonnes were outlined at Santoy Lake. The grade of this Inferred Resource is estimated at 6.1 grams per tonne with a top cut of 30 g/t or 8.7 g/t without cutting. The cut-off grade used was 3 g/t over 1.5 metres (approximately 1.2 metres true width). Resource tonnes were estimated using the Gemcom Software International Inc. mine modeling software. A specific gravity of 2.8 was used based on Seabee mine practice.
Claude is in the process of completing the requirements for full underground mining at the Santoy 7, 8 and 8 East zones. After a full year of study by Federal officials, the Company received a permit from the necessary regulatory agencies for a bulk sampling program at the Santoy 7 zone late in the quarter. Road construction to Santoy has commenced, including building a bridge to cross the 3 to 5 metre wide narrows at the Monro Lake crossing. The ramp and bulk sampling at the Santoy 7 zone is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2006.
Seabee mine
Prospecting and follow up trenching was conducted in the immediate area of the Seabee mine. Gold bearing shear zones were found near the air strip, at Herb Lake and at Afghan Lake. These showings were found by following structures into areas of thick overburden and bog, stripping the overburden and then blasting a trench in the rock to provide samples. All three areas will be further sampled by diamond drilling during 2006.
At Herb Lake, about 1.5 kilometres west of the head frame, a four metre wide shear zone in gabbro assayed 3.90 g/t over a 1 metre wide section. A mafic band off the main section of the shear returned spectacular assays of 129 g/t and 108g/t. At Afghan Lake, a 3 metre wide shear zone at the contact between gabbro and diorite contained a 0.5 metre wide zone grading 3.67 g/t. An 800 metre diamond drill program will test the down dip extension of both the Herb Lake and Afghan lake shears.
A new east-west, metasediment hosted shear zone, at least 200 metres long, was discovered in a valley just north of the mine's air strip. The shear zone is about 5 metres wide at surface, is composed of sulphides and tourmaline in quartz veins with gold. Samples from trenching indicate a grade of 4 g/t over the 5 metres of shearing. A minimum of 600 metres of drilling is planned for this showing.
Claude's joint venture work during the quarter included prospecting in the Nokomis area in Manitoba, a trip to the Madsen Mine near Red Lake, Ontario, and drilling at the Jojay property in the La Ronge gold belt of Northern Saskatchewan. The Nokomis Property is a 50% joint venture with Pioneer Metals Corporation; the Madsen property is under option to Placer Dome (CLA) Ltd. (Placer); and the Jojay property is a joint venture with Wescan Goldfields Inc. (75% Claude, 25% Wescan).
Madsen
During the third quarter, Placer did not conduct any exploration on the Madsen property located near Red Lake, Ontario. Placer has met the
$8.2 million exploration expenditure requirement of its option agreement with Claude Resources Inc. As per the agreement, Placer has until December of 2006 to deliver a positive bankable feasibility study to fulfill its obligations and vest in the Madsen Joint Venture with a 55% working interest.
Jojay
At the Jojay property (75% Claude, 25% Wescan), seven holes were drilled for a total of 1,219 metres to test the strike extension and continuity of previously indicated mineralization. The program was successful in adding to the confidence level of previously indicated zones as well as locating additional zones that warrant further investigation. The Red Zone, the most significant of the previously indicated zones, has a strike length of at least 250 metres and a down plunge extent of at least 300 metres. The deposit appears to be open at depth.
FINANCIAL
The Company recorded a net loss of $2.9 million, or $0.04 per share for the third quarter of 2005, compared to net earnings of $.2 million, or $0.00 per share, for the same period last year. The period over period net earnings decrease was due largely to higher mine operating costs and higher non-cash depreciation and depletion charges on the Company's gold assets.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.07 per share, after a $1.3 million non-cash recovery related to income tax benefits arising from the issuance of flow- through shares. This compares to a net loss of $.3 million, or $0.01 per share, for the same period last year. The year to date earnings decrease was again due largely to higher mine operating costs and non-cash depreciation and depletion charges, and was also impacted by reduced gold revenue in 2005.
Revenue
Total revenue generated for the third quarter of 2005 was $7.4 million, relatively unchanged from the $7.6 million reported for the same period in 2004. The Seabee mine contributed $4.8 million to revenue for the third quarter of 2005 compared to $5.0 million for the same period last year. Sales volume for the period fell slightly from 9,200 ounces in 2004 to 8,900 ounces this quarter. The average price realized for the period was CDN $542 (US $451) versus CDN $550 (US $421) for the same period in 2004. The 7% increase in the US dollar price of gold was eliminated by the appreciating Canadian versus US dollar exchange rate.
Oil and gas revenue for the quarter remained relatively unchanged. This was due to a combination of increased petroleum and gas prices offset by normal production declines.
Total revenue generated for the first nine months of 2005 was
$22.9 million, 2% lower than the $23.4 million reported for the same period in 2004. The Seabee mine contributed $15.2 million to revenue for 2005 year to date compared to $16.2 million for the same period last year. Gold sales volume at the Seabee mine was 28,300 ounces sold at an average dollar price realized of CDN $537 (US $439), versus 29,900 ounces sold at CDN $540 (US $407) for the same period last year. Despite the 8% increase in the US dollar price of gold, the appreciating US/Canadian dollar exchange rate led to an actual decline in Canadian dollar terms.
Gross oil, ngls (natural gas liquids) and gas revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 totaled $7.7 million, 7% higher than the $7.2 million generated for the same period in 2004. This was due to a combination of normal production declines offset by improved petroleum and gas prices realized.
2005 year to date oil and ngls sales volume of 64,200 was 9% lower than the 70,500 barrels sold for the same period in 2004. The average realized price per barrel was US $46.63 (CDN $57.01) versus US $32.70 (CDN $43.43) in 2004. Gas sales volume fell 14% from 594 MMCF in 2004 to 512 MMCF this period. The average realized gas price was US $6.10 (CDN $7.45) per MCF in 2005 compared to US $4.97 (CDN $6.61) in 2004.
Expenditures
For the three months ended September 30, 2005, total mine operating costs were $4.2 million, a 40% increase from the $3.0 million recorded for the comparable period last year. This result was due largely to the incremental costs required to mine 73,000 tonnes of ore this quarter - a 36% increase over the 53,500 tonnes mined in the same period in 2004 combined with the expensing of higher broken ore inventory costs. These operating costs combined with slightly lower sales volume and the appreciating Canadian versus US dollar resulted in a 57% increase in cash operating costs per ounce (Q32005 -
US $393; Q32004 - US $250).
Total mine operating costs for the first three quarters of 2005 were $12.5 million, an 8% increase from the $11.6 million reported for the comparable period in 2004. This was due to incremental costs on the 67% improvement in tonnes mined (2005 - 167,800; 2004 - 100,200) and 21% increase in tonnes milled (2005 - 170,100; 2004 - 140,300). A combination of lower sales volume, higher operating costs and the appreciating Canadian versus US dollar led to total operating costs per ounce increasing by 24% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, from US $292 in 2004 to US $361 in 2005.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, oil and gas operating costs rose 17% from $1.2 million in 2004 to $1.4 million. This was due to prior periods' treatment charges on certain of the Company's oil wells being charged in the third quarter.
Administrative Costs
General and administrative costs remain relatively unchanged in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. Year to date costs have increased slightly from $1.6 million in 2004 to $1.7 million this year, predominantly a result of increased interest expense on the Company's demand loan and line of credit.
Depreciation and Depletion
For the third quarter of 2005, depreciation and depletion of the Company's gold assets increased by 82% over the same period in 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, this increase was 88%, from $4.0 million in 2004 to $7.5 million this period. The increase was due to a combination of more tonnes mined and milled and the amortization of a larger asset base due to aggressive development programs.
Income Taxes
The income tax recovery of $1.3 million during the third quarter was the estimated income tax benefit arising from the issuance of flow-through shares in 2004 and the subsequent renouncement of those expenditures in 2005.
Liquidity & Financial Resources
Cash flow from operations before net changes in non-cash working capital for the quarter was $.4 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to $2.1 million, or $0.03 per share, in the same quarter of 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, cash flow from operations before net-changes in non-cash working capital was $2.3 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to $4.2 million, or $0.07 per share, in 2004. The respective decreases were a result of lower gold sales and increased Company operating costs.
Capital invested increased from $2.3 million during the third quarter of 2004 to $4.7 million this quarter. Mineral property expenditures of $4.2 million were comprised mostly of $1.3 million in mine development investment, $1.4 million in exploration expenditures (primarily the Porky Lake bulk sample), and $1.3 million in mill expansion and equipment costs. Investment in oil and gas properties for the period increased slightly to $.5 million, a result of continued infill drilling and infrastructure costs at the Nipisi Unit and Edson Gas Plant, respectively.
Capital invested during the first three quarters of 2005 was $14.8 million, an increase of $3.9 million or 36% from the same period in 2004. Mineral property expenditures for the year to date balance includes $5.6 million in Seabee mine development costs (2004 - $6.3 million); exploration expenditures, primarily the Porky and Santoy Lake bulk samples, of $3.2 million (2004 - $2.9 million) and $4.2 million in property, plant and equipment expenditures (2004 - $.8 million) largely related to mill expansion ($3.2 million) and the Triangle Lake tailings facility betterment ($.3 million). Capital investment relating to oil and gas properties of $1.4 million for the three quarters ended September 30, 2005 was primarily directed at infill drilling at the Nipisi Unit ($.8 million) and infrastructure costs at the Edson Gas Plant ($.6 million).
Financing activities during the period included the issue of 4,023,100 units, issued at a price of $1.00 per unit, and a total of 4,547,273 common shares, issued on a flow-through basis at a price of $1.10 per common share. Gross proceeds of approximately $9,025,000 will be used primarily to facilitate the completion of bulk sampling programs at Porky and Santoy Lakes.
To partially finance the mill expansion and related projects, the Company borrowed $5.0 million during the first quarter in the form of a five year demand loan. The loan bears interest at 5.99% and is repayable in monthly principal and interest payments of $96,514.
At September 30, 2005, the Company had $5.3 million in working capital, $4.0 million less than at the end of 2004. This was due largely to equity and debt issues during the period, offset by lower gold sales and capital investment at the Seabee mine.
Significant cash requirements expected over the next several months will be the winter road resupply, the completion of the Porky and Santoy Lake bulk samples and completion of the mill expansion. Management believes the Company may be able to fund the majority of these requirements out of operating cash flows. If necessary, the Company may consider the sale or partial sale of its investment portfolio which has a quoted market value of $7.1 million at September 30, 2005.
Outlook
SASKATOON, Nov. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Gold bullion prices increased slightly in the third quarter of 2005, averaging $440 US dollars per ounce, up from $427 in the second quarter. The gold price began to increase in non US dollar terms, a significant change from past quarters.
Development and mining at Claude Resource's Seabee gold mine increased dramatically during the quarter. The mine broke 73,000 tonnes of ore grading greater than 8 grams per tonne, yielding 19,500 ounces of gold but due to Claude's underground mining method, only 8,900 ounces were milled during the third quarter.
The expansion of the Seabee milling capacity to 1,100 tonnes per day is well advanced and expected to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter. Bulk sampling of the nearby Porky Lake and Santoy Lake discoveries should be completed in the first half of 2006 with production from these satellite ore bodies expected to begin in the latter part of 2006.
The Company is optimistic that the mill expansion combined with successful bulk samples from the Porky Lake and Santoy Lake projects will lead to a major increase in production and improved financial performance in the quarters ahead.
Record high oil & gas prices continue to provide added cash flow and financial stability to the Company, as well as an increasingly important "natural hedge" against rising energy costs in the gold mining operation. Claude's oil & gas assets produced more than 550 barrels of oil equivalent per day during the quarter.
<<
Financial Highlights
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Three Nine Nine
Months Months Months Months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
September September September September
30, 2005 30, 2004 30, 2005 30, 2004
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue ($ millions) 7.4 7.6 22.9 23.4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings (loss)
($ millions) (2.9) 0.2 (4.5) (0.3)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) per share ($) (0.04) 0.00 (0.07) (0.01)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from operations
($ millions)(x) .4 2.1 2.3 4.2
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash from operations
per share ($)(x) 0.01 0.03 0.04 0.07
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average realized gold
price (US $/ounce) 451 421 439 407
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cash operating
costs (US $/ounce) 393 250 361 292
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Working capital ($ millions) 5.3 8.7 5.3 8.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(x) before net change in non-cash working capital
OPERATIONS
Gold
The Seabee mine increased tonnes mined by 36% over third quarter 2004 tonnage, a 67% increase for 2005 year to date. The grade of ore mined for the quarter improved to 8.30 grams per tonne (g/t), up from 7.91 g/t last year. As a result of the Company's underground mining method, shrinkage stoping, much of the 19,500 ounces broken in the third quarter was not available for milling immediately.
Third quarter gold production was hampered by mill expansion construction
(limiting tonnes) and a delay in free pulling the 3914 stope. This stoping
block was much larger than anticipated and was not ready for "free pull" until
the fourth quarter - one month later than expected. Most of the mill feed
during the quarter was "development muck" blended with surplus low-grade
stockpiled ore, leading to much lower grade milled ore (4.96 g/t) than mined
ore (8.30 g/t).
Operating Statistics Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30 September 30
2005 2004 2005 2004
Tonnes mined 73,000 53,500 167,800 100,200
Mined grade (g/t) 8.30 7.91 6.75 8.94
Mined volume (ounces) 19,500 13,600 36,400 28,800
Tonnes milled 60,500 46,100 170,100 140,300
Grade processed (g/t) 4.96 6.60 5.82 7.04
Recovery (%) 91.88 95.48 92.78 95.21
Operating efficiency (%) 96.94 91.08 96.68 96.34
Sales volume (ounces) 8,900 9,200 28,300 29,900
Production volume
(ounces) 8,900 9,400 29,500 30,200
The mine operating plan for the fourth quarter will focus on completing the 395, 495 and 680 level shrinkage stopes, the 400 level long-hole stope and the development of new stopes on the 395, 630 and 750 metre levels. Mill throughput for the fourth quarter will originate primarily as free pull and swell from these stopes, as well as development ore from the new headings on the 395, 680 and 750 levels.
Mine development will continue on several fronts: a stoping block on the 750 level where silling is in progress, continuation of the ramp to the 800 level to access another stoping block and completion of an exploration drift on the 550 level to set-up a diamond drill station to drill under the old 5-1 mine workings.
The Company continues to aggressively pursue its underground diamond drilling programs. The fourth quarter will see additional drilling towards the 1,000 metre level (250 metres below existing workings), where structure and economic grades have already been intersected. A significant drill program from the 550 level diamond drill station is expected to begin early in the new year.
Mill expansion continued in the third quarter with increased capacity expected to be available by the end of the fourth quarter.
Exploration
Exploration activities for the third quarter of 2005 included excavation of a decline to conduct bulk sampling of the Porky West zone, drilling at Santoy 8 and 8 East zones, and prospecting in the immediate area of the Seabee mine.
Porky Lake
At the Porky West Zone, three kilometres north of the Seabee mine, the decline being excavated for a bulk sample advanced approximately 125 metres by the end of the third quarter. The underground bulk sampling program is underway to confirm grade, continuity and metallurgy of the gold mineralization. The Porky West sampling program will be completed in 2006.
Santoy Lake
Claude Resources has also completed a delineation drilling program at Santoy 7, Santoy 8 and 8 East zones (BQ size core), about 14 kilometres east of the Seabee mine. The summer 2005 program, including fifteen diamond drill holes totaling approximately 4,200 metres in Santoy 8 and 8 East structures, was carried out to test the north-northwest plunge and dip extensions of the mineralized shear structures outlined in previous drill campaigns.
Mineralization in both zones is hosted in siliceous shear zones with sulfide-chlorite-quartz veins and silicified granitoid sills. It has been confirmed that the Santoy 8 zone is 380 metres long and up to 350 metres wide. It remains open at depth to the east and is plunging to the northeast in the plane of the shear zone. Mineralized sections of this zone range in thickness from 1.5 to 30 metres. It is likely that the 8 zone and the adjacent 150 metre long, 100 metre wide 8 East zone are interconnected. Both zones are still open and more drilling will be conducted during the Winter to establish the dip and strike extents.
Inferred Mineral Resources amounting to 910,000 tonnes were outlined at Santoy Lake. The grade of this Inferred Resource is estimated at 6.1 grams per tonne with a top cut of 30 g/t or 8.7 g/t without cutting. The cut-off grade used was 3 g/t over 1.5 metres (approximately 1.2 metres true width). Resource tonnes were estimated using the Gemcom Software International Inc. mine modeling software. A specific gravity of 2.8 was used based on Seabee mine practice.
Claude is in the process of completing the requirements for full underground mining at the Santoy 7, 8 and 8 East zones. After a full year of study by Federal officials, the Company received a permit from the necessary regulatory agencies for a bulk sampling program at the Santoy 7 zone late in the quarter. Road construction to Santoy has commenced, including building a bridge to cross the 3 to 5 metre wide narrows at the Monro Lake crossing. The ramp and bulk sampling at the Santoy 7 zone is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2006.
Seabee mine
Prospecting and follow up trenching was conducted in the immediate area of the Seabee mine. Gold bearing shear zones were found near the air strip, at Herb Lake and at Afghan Lake. These showings were found by following structures into areas of thick overburden and bog, stripping the overburden and then blasting a trench in the rock to provide samples. All three areas will be further sampled by diamond drilling during 2006.
At Herb Lake, about 1.5 kilometres west of the head frame, a four metre wide shear zone in gabbro assayed 3.90 g/t over a 1 metre wide section. A mafic band off the main section of the shear returned spectacular assays of 129 g/t and 108g/t. At Afghan Lake, a 3 metre wide shear zone at the contact between gabbro and diorite contained a 0.5 metre wide zone grading 3.67 g/t. An 800 metre diamond drill program will test the down dip extension of both the Herb Lake and Afghan lake shears.
A new east-west, metasediment hosted shear zone, at least 200 metres long, was discovered in a valley just north of the mine's air strip. The shear zone is about 5 metres wide at surface, is composed of sulphides and tourmaline in quartz veins with gold. Samples from trenching indicate a grade of 4 g/t over the 5 metres of shearing. A minimum of 600 metres of drilling is planned for this showing.
Claude's joint venture work during the quarter included prospecting in the Nokomis area in Manitoba, a trip to the Madsen Mine near Red Lake, Ontario, and drilling at the Jojay property in the La Ronge gold belt of Northern Saskatchewan. The Nokomis Property is a 50% joint venture with Pioneer Metals Corporation; the Madsen property is under option to Placer Dome (CLA) Ltd. (Placer); and the Jojay property is a joint venture with Wescan Goldfields Inc. (75% Claude, 25% Wescan).
Madsen
During the third quarter, Placer did not conduct any exploration on the Madsen property located near Red Lake, Ontario. Placer has met the
$8.2 million exploration expenditure requirement of its option agreement with Claude Resources Inc. As per the agreement, Placer has until December of 2006 to deliver a positive bankable feasibility study to fulfill its obligations and vest in the Madsen Joint Venture with a 55% working interest.
Jojay
At the Jojay property (75% Claude, 25% Wescan), seven holes were drilled for a total of 1,219 metres to test the strike extension and continuity of previously indicated mineralization. The program was successful in adding to the confidence level of previously indicated zones as well as locating additional zones that warrant further investigation. The Red Zone, the most significant of the previously indicated zones, has a strike length of at least 250 metres and a down plunge extent of at least 300 metres. The deposit appears to be open at depth.
FINANCIAL
The Company recorded a net loss of $2.9 million, or $0.04 per share for the third quarter of 2005, compared to net earnings of $.2 million, or $0.00 per share, for the same period last year. The period over period net earnings decrease was due largely to higher mine operating costs and higher non-cash depreciation and depletion charges on the Company's gold assets.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded a net loss of $4.5 million, or $0.07 per share, after a $1.3 million non-cash recovery related to income tax benefits arising from the issuance of flow- through shares. This compares to a net loss of $.3 million, or $0.01 per share, for the same period last year. The year to date earnings decrease was again due largely to higher mine operating costs and non-cash depreciation and depletion charges, and was also impacted by reduced gold revenue in 2005.
Revenue
Total revenue generated for the third quarter of 2005 was $7.4 million, relatively unchanged from the $7.6 million reported for the same period in 2004. The Seabee mine contributed $4.8 million to revenue for the third quarter of 2005 compared to $5.0 million for the same period last year. Sales volume for the period fell slightly from 9,200 ounces in 2004 to 8,900 ounces this quarter. The average price realized for the period was CDN $542 (US $451) versus CDN $550 (US $421) for the same period in 2004. The 7% increase in the US dollar price of gold was eliminated by the appreciating Canadian versus US dollar exchange rate.
Oil and gas revenue for the quarter remained relatively unchanged. This was due to a combination of increased petroleum and gas prices offset by normal production declines.
Total revenue generated for the first nine months of 2005 was
$22.9 million, 2% lower than the $23.4 million reported for the same period in 2004. The Seabee mine contributed $15.2 million to revenue for 2005 year to date compared to $16.2 million for the same period last year. Gold sales volume at the Seabee mine was 28,300 ounces sold at an average dollar price realized of CDN $537 (US $439), versus 29,900 ounces sold at CDN $540 (US $407) for the same period last year. Despite the 8% increase in the US dollar price of gold, the appreciating US/Canadian dollar exchange rate led to an actual decline in Canadian dollar terms.
Gross oil, ngls (natural gas liquids) and gas revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 totaled $7.7 million, 7% higher than the $7.2 million generated for the same period in 2004. This was due to a combination of normal production declines offset by improved petroleum and gas prices realized.
2005 year to date oil and ngls sales volume of 64,200 was 9% lower than the 70,500 barrels sold for the same period in 2004. The average realized price per barrel was US $46.63 (CDN $57.01) versus US $32.70 (CDN $43.43) in 2004. Gas sales volume fell 14% from 594 MMCF in 2004 to 512 MMCF this period. The average realized gas price was US $6.10 (CDN $7.45) per MCF in 2005 compared to US $4.97 (CDN $6.61) in 2004.
Expenditures
For the three months ended September 30, 2005, total mine operating costs were $4.2 million, a 40% increase from the $3.0 million recorded for the comparable period last year. This result was due largely to the incremental costs required to mine 73,000 tonnes of ore this quarter - a 36% increase over the 53,500 tonnes mined in the same period in 2004 combined with the expensing of higher broken ore inventory costs. These operating costs combined with slightly lower sales volume and the appreciating Canadian versus US dollar resulted in a 57% increase in cash operating costs per ounce (Q32005 -
US $393; Q32004 - US $250).
Total mine operating costs for the first three quarters of 2005 were $12.5 million, an 8% increase from the $11.6 million reported for the comparable period in 2004. This was due to incremental costs on the 67% improvement in tonnes mined (2005 - 167,800; 2004 - 100,200) and 21% increase in tonnes milled (2005 - 170,100; 2004 - 140,300). A combination of lower sales volume, higher operating costs and the appreciating Canadian versus US dollar led to total operating costs per ounce increasing by 24% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, from US $292 in 2004 to US $361 in 2005.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, oil and gas operating costs rose 17% from $1.2 million in 2004 to $1.4 million. This was due to prior periods' treatment charges on certain of the Company's oil wells being charged in the third quarter.
Administrative Costs
General and administrative costs remain relatively unchanged in the third quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. Year to date costs have increased slightly from $1.6 million in 2004 to $1.7 million this year, predominantly a result of increased interest expense on the Company's demand loan and line of credit.
Depreciation and Depletion
For the third quarter of 2005, depreciation and depletion of the Company's gold assets increased by 82% over the same period in 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, this increase was 88%, from $4.0 million in 2004 to $7.5 million this period. The increase was due to a combination of more tonnes mined and milled and the amortization of a larger asset base due to aggressive development programs.
Income Taxes
The income tax recovery of $1.3 million during the third quarter was the estimated income tax benefit arising from the issuance of flow-through shares in 2004 and the subsequent renouncement of those expenditures in 2005.
Liquidity & Financial Resources
Cash flow from operations before net changes in non-cash working capital for the quarter was $.4 million, or $0.01 per share, compared to $2.1 million, or $0.03 per share, in the same quarter of 2004. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, cash flow from operations before net-changes in non-cash working capital was $2.3 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to $4.2 million, or $0.07 per share, in 2004. The respective decreases were a result of lower gold sales and increased Company operating costs.
Capital invested increased from $2.3 million during the third quarter of 2004 to $4.7 million this quarter. Mineral property expenditures of $4.2 million were comprised mostly of $1.3 million in mine development investment, $1.4 million in exploration expenditures (primarily the Porky Lake bulk sample), and $1.3 million in mill expansion and equipment costs. Investment in oil and gas properties for the period increased slightly to $.5 million, a result of continued infill drilling and infrastructure costs at the Nipisi Unit and Edson Gas Plant, respectively.
Capital invested during the first three quarters of 2005 was $14.8 million, an increase of $3.9 million or 36% from the same period in 2004. Mineral property expenditures for the year to date balance includes $5.6 million in Seabee mine development costs (2004 - $6.3 million); exploration expenditures, primarily the Porky and Santoy Lake bulk samples, of $3.2 million (2004 - $2.9 million) and $4.2 million in property, plant and equipment expenditures (2004 - $.8 million) largely related to mill expansion ($3.2 million) and the Triangle Lake tailings facility betterment ($.3 million). Capital investment relating to oil and gas properties of $1.4 million for the three quarters ended September 30, 2005 was primarily directed at infill drilling at the Nipisi Unit ($.8 million) and infrastructure costs at the Edson Gas Plant ($.6 million).
Financing activities during the period included the issue of 4,023,100 units, issued at a price of $1.00 per unit, and a total of 4,547,273 common shares, issued on a flow-through basis at a price of $1.10 per common share. Gross proceeds of approximately $9,025,000 will be used primarily to facilitate the completion of bulk sampling programs at Porky and Santoy Lakes.
To partially finance the mill expansion and related projects, the Company borrowed $5.0 million during the first quarter in the form of a five year demand loan. The loan bears interest at 5.99% and is repayable in monthly principal and interest payments of $96,514.
At September 30, 2005, the Company had $5.3 million in working capital, $4.0 million less than at the end of 2004. This was due largely to equity and debt issues during the period, offset by lower gold sales and capital investment at the Seabee mine.
Significant cash requirements expected over the next several months will be the winter road resupply, the completion of the Porky and Santoy Lake bulk samples and completion of the mill expansion. Management believes the Company may be able to fund the majority of these requirements out of operating cash flows. If necessary, the Company may consider the sale or partial sale of its investment portfolio which has a quoted market value of $7.1 million at September 30, 2005.
Outlook
