Mirabela Nickel First Quarter 2010 MD&A Highlights
ASX Code: MBN
TSX Code: MNB
Number of shares:
367,162,725
PERTH, Australia, May 13 /CNW/ - Mirabela Nickel Limited ("Mirabela" or the "Company") (TSX: MNB, ASX: MBN) is pleased to publish the highlights from its MD&A (Management Discussion and Analysis) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010.
The complete first quarter MD&A and financial statements are available on the Company's website: www.mirabela.com.au and under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. All amounts are expressed in Australian dollars, unless otherwise stated.
During the first quarter 2010, Mirabela transitioned from commissioning to operations. As a result, mining revenues and costs are no longer being capitalized but are being treated as operational costs through the profit and loss.
This is the first full quarter of financial reporting for the Company as a producer of nickel concentrate. However, as the Company's operations are in ramp up, management does not believe that these financial results will be indicative of the Company's financial performance in future periods when it is in full production. As Mirabela moves to full production, sales and production volumes are expected to increase and unit costs are expected to decrease.
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Key Financial Results Three months ended
31-Mar-10
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Gross sales $45.87m
Gross profit $5.26m
Net loss ($25.17m)
Net loss per share (6.93 cents)
Nickel in Concentrate Produced (dmt) 1,991
Unit Cash Cost (USD/lb) $8.12
Realised Nickel Price (USD/lb) $9.70
Cash & cash equivalents $55.20m
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Production Statistics Measure Three months ended
31-Mar-2010
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Mining
Total Material Mined Tonnes 5,456,000
Ore Mined Tonnes 653,000
Nickel Grade % 0.56
Processing
Total Ore Processed Tonnes 778,000
Nickel Grade % 0.51
Nickel Recovery % 48
Nickel in Concentrate Produced DMT 1,991
Sales
Nickel in Concentrate Sold DMT 1,987
The unit cash cost of production of US$8.12 per pound of nickel was lower than management's target for the quarter due to a stronger ramp up production result. Management does not believe that the unit cash cost for the first quarter will be reflective of the unit cash cost once the operation is at full capacity.
A program of cost optimisation is underway, although the move to the lower end of the industry's cost curve will start in earnest after the 6.4Mtpa expansion is achieved during 2011.
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Unit Cash Costs Measure Three months ended
31-Mar-2010
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Payable Nickel Production* lbs 3,906,565
Mining Cost USD/lb 3.45
Processing Costs USD/lb 2.84
Administration Cost USD/lb 1.06
Transport/Shipping Cost USD/lb 0.12
By-Product Credit** USD/lb (0.95)
Operating Unit Cash Cost USD/lb 6.52
Smelter Charges USD/lb 1.60
Unit Cash Cost*** USD/lb 8.12
Realised Nickel Price** USD/lb 9.70
* Average Payability of 89%
** Including prior period QP (quotation period) adjustments and
excluding hedging
*** Excludes royalty (5.5%)
**** Average exchange rates for the period USD/Real 1.80
Outlook
Production guidance for the full year 2010 is between 10,500 and 12,500 tonnes of nickel in concentrate.
Whilst excellent progress has been achieved in ramping up all aspects of the operation during the first quarter, the mining ramp up is currently four weeks behind schedule. The operations team continues working towards achieving a sustainable throughput rate of 4.6Mtpa, on an annualized basis, during the second quarter of 2010.
Forward-Looking Statement
Certain information in this news release, including all statements that are not historical facts, constitutes forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.
In making and providing the forward-looking information included in this news release, the Company has made numerous assumptions. These assumptions include among other things: (i) assumptions about the price of nickel and other base metals; (ii) that there are no material delays in the ramp up and optimisation of operations; (iii) anticipated costs and expenditures; (iv) future production and recovery; (v) that the supply and demand for nickel develops as expected. Management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable. By its nature, forward-looking information is based on assumptions and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or results, to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information including among other things the following: (i) the risk that production from the Santa Rita Project will not meet expectations; (ii) the risk that the Company will continue to have negative operating cash flow; (iii) the risk that additional financing will not be obtained as and when required; (iv) the risk that capital and operating costs will be higher than anticipated; (v) decreases in the price of nickel; (vi) adverse fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; (vii) adverse fluctuations in interest rates.
The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or update forward-looking information as a result of new information or events after the date of this news release except as may be required by law. All forward-looking information disclosed in this document is qualified by this cautionary statement.
For further information: Australia contact: David Griffiths, Director, Gryphon Management Australia, Telephone: +61 8 9 382 8300, [email protected]; North America, UK and Europe contact: Alex Buck, Director, Buckbias, Telephone: +44 7932 740 452, [email protected]
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