Mercator Reports Third Quarter Results and Provides Operations Update
(Stated in US Dollars unless otherwise indicated)
TRADING SYMBOL: TSX - ML
Excluding non-cash items for accretion, amortization and stock based compensation, the Company recorded adjusted earnings* of
"During the third quarter we made major modifications to the crushing and milling circuits. Changes included testing of column flotation in the moly circuit. Results in concentrate grades and productivity have been impressive," said Michael L. Surratt, President and CEO. "The entire secondary cleaning circuit is being converted to column flotation and will be complete by the end of the year. In October a copper column was tested with similar results and the copper cleaner circuit is also being changed out. The conversion is being done at minimal cost with no shut down of the system. The stacker belt had to be replaced during August as well as the bearings in the crusher. Both were the result of inferior products and resulted in 10 days of down time. Mill availability increased from 90% in the third quarter to 94% in October as a result of the modification throughout the plant",
"The
Subsequent to
Financial Highlights for the Three Months ended September 30, 2009
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
("EBITDA")* for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 was
$6.82 million, surpassing the requirements under the applicable
covenant under the Note Indenture;
- Net loss for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 of
$0.69 million ($0.01 per share) compared to a net loss of
$5.64 million ($0.08 loss per share) for the corresponding period
in 2008.
- Excluding non-cash items for accretion, amortization and stock based
compensation, the Company recorded adjusted earnings* of
$3.58 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared
to an adjusted loss* of $3.14 million during the corresponding
period in 2008;
- Revenues from cathode copper and copper concentrate, sales molybdenum
and silver for the three month period ended September 30, 2009 of
$26.21 million compared to $8.89 million for the corresponding period
in 2008;
- Sales from production of 7,273,077 pounds of copper (comprised of
6,153,449 pounds of copper in concentrates and 1,119,628 pounds of
copper as cathode), 537,594 pounds of molybdenum and 34,069 ounces of
silver during quarter ended September 30, 2009. This compares to
copper production, all as cathodes, of 2,972,504 pounds in the
quarter ended September 30, 2008;
- Financing completed during the period raised gross proceeds of
$75.85 million. The Company ended the quarter with cash of
$64.84 million, a $61.83 million increase in cash on hand since
December 31, 2008, resulting in a positive working capital of
$71.68 million compared with $3.0 million in cash and cash
equivalents and a working capital deficiency of $25.35 million at
the end of fiscal 2008.
All financial information contained herein should be read in conjunction with the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis and unaudited financial statements for the period ended
Mercator Minerals Ltd.
Mercator Minerals Ltd. is a TSX listed mining company with an experienced management team that has brought the mill expansion at the Mineral Park Mine, one of the largest and most modern copper-moly mining-milling operations in
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
MERCATOR MINERALS LTD.
Per: "Michael L. Surratt"
Michael L. Surratt,
President
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which include estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, the size and quality of the Company's mineral reserves and mineral resources, future production, capital and mine production costs, demand and market outlook for commodities, and the financial results of the Company. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties and actual results may vary. Factors that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, certain transactions, certain approvals, changes in commodity and power prices, changes in interest and currency exchange rates, inaccurate geological and metallurgical assumptions (including with respect to the size, grade and recoverability of mineral reserves and resources), unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications, cost escalation, unavailability of materials and equipment, delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), political risk, social unrest, and changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets. These risks are described in more detail in the Annual Information Form of the Company. The Company does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date of this report or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. For a more complete discussion, please refer to the Company's audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended
The
* These are non-GAAP performance measures and readers should refer to
Non-GAAP Performance Measures in the Company's Interim Management
Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2009 as filed on SEDAR for further details.
For further information: Marc LeBlanc, VP Corporate Development and Corporate Secretary, Tel: (604) 981-9661, Fax: (604) 960-9661, Email: [email protected]
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