Caledonia’s profits decrease by over 39 percent
Victoria Falls Stock Exchange listed gold-focused miner Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc’s gross profit decreased by approximately 39.1 per cent during the quarter ended 30 June 2023 compared to the same quarter the previous year due to costs of waste stripping at Bilboes Oxide operation.
Rudairo Mapuranga
The company’s gross revenue decreased by approximately 0.3 per cent to US$30 million compared to $37.09 million achieved in the second quarter of 2022.
According to Caledonia, the group’s profit was affected by costs of waste stripping at Bilboes oxide operation, the gross profit for the company was $10.9 million during the quarter, a 39 per cent decrease from $17.9 million achieved during the comparable quarter of 2022 with Blanket Mine contributing $13.1 million.
“Gross revenues of $37.0 million compared to $37.09 million achieved in the second quarter of 2022 (“Q2 2022”).
“Gross profit of $10.9 million (Q2 2022: $17.9 million). Whilst Blanket Mine (“Blanket”) contributed $13.1 million, the group’s gross profit was affected by the costs of waste-stripping at the Bilboes oxide operation, notwithstanding a small revenue contribution of $2.2 million in the Quarter. Bilboes will be returned to care and maintenance with effect from October 1, 2023, and, pending the completion of the feasibility study for the sulphide project, the remaining oxides will be mined as part of the larger project.
“EBITDA (excluding asset impairments, depreciation and net foreign exchange gains and losses) of $10.5 million in the Quarter and $11.2 million in the First Half (Q2 2022: $17.8 million; first half of 2022: $31.4 million).
“On-mine cost per ounce[1] for the Quarter of $1,084 included the costs of the Bilboes oxide operation. At Blanket the on-mine cost per ounce was $915 (Q2 2022: $692). This increase was in large part due to the disappointing production performance in the Quarter; the production challenges now appear to have been addressed and July 2023 showed a material improvement in production and costs.
” All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) of $1,357 per ounce (Q2 2022: $984 per ounce). The AISC per ounce in the Quarter increased due to the factors referenced above which led to the higher on-mine cost per ounce.
“The Company suffered a foreign exchange loss in the Quarter of $3.6 million (Q2 2022: $4.2 million gain) due to the significant devaluation of the RTGS Dollar to USD in June 2023. This affected operating profit and, accordingly, basic IFRS earnings per share (“EPS”) showed a 0.6 cent loss (Q2 2022: 87.7 cent profit). IFRS EPS reflects the movement in IFRS profit attributable to shareholders and the effect of new shares issued. Adjusted EPS of 10.0 cents (Q2 2022: 56.2 cents) is adjusted for realized and unrealized foreign exchange losses, impairments and fair value adjustments,” The Company said.
According to Caledonia, the Company conducted equity raises by way of placings in the previous quarter and this Quarter that targeted institutional investors in the UK, Europe, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The placings raised $16.6 million before expenses and it was encouraging to see demand from new and existing institutional investors whose support will help Caledonia achieve its growth plans in Zimbabwe.
“A dividend of 14 cents per share was paid in April 2023; a further dividend of 14 cents per share was paid in July 2023.
“Group net cash outflows from operating activities of $2.2 million in the Quarter (Q2 2022: $16.7 million inflow) included waste-stripping activities at Bilboes and the payment of legacy creditors at Bilboes. The waste-stripping activities will facilitate access to the sulphide mineralization when the sulphide project is in operation.
“Net cash and cash equivalents at the Quarter end were negative $2.9 million (Q2 2022: positive $10.9 million). However, the improved operating performance after the end of the Quarter led to cash inflow from operations before working capital changes (i.e. revenues less on-mine costs) of $7.7 million in July,” The Company said in part.
According to Caledonia CEO Mr Mark Learmonth after an encouraging start to the Quarter, continued operational challenges at Blanket meant that production was below expectations in May and the first half of June. These challenges have however been addressed and production improved substantially in the second half of June and in July. 7,829 ounces of gold were produced at Blanket in July at an on-mine cost of $715 per ounce: Caledonia, therefore, maintains its production guidance for 2023 of between 75,000 and 80,000 ounces and its on-mine cost guidance of between $770 and $850 per ounce.
“Mining is never without its difficulties, and the first half of this year has certainly not been without its challenges. However, Blanket is now running better than expected and I look forward to achieving production guidance of between 75,000 and 80,000 ounces of gold for 2023.
“Due to the lack of confidence that the Bilboes oxide mine can operate profitably, it will return to care and maintenance with effect from October 1, 2023. In due course, the remaining oxide material will be mined and processed alongside the sulphide ore. This outcome has no bearing on the viability of the much larger sulphide project which was the reason for acquiring Bilboes. The results of the feasibility study on the project will be published before year end after which we will be able to establish the best development approach.
“In May, Caledonia announced the retirement of Leigh Wilson as Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Company, a role that he had held for 10 years. I thank Leigh for his strong leadership; his strength, skills and experience have proved invaluable over this period. He is succeeded by John Kelly, who is a long-standing Non-Executive Director,” Learmonth said.