EX-99.1 2 d877189dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

LOGO

 

 

ALAMOS GOLD INC.

130 Adelaide Street West, Suite 2200

Toronto, Ontario M5H 3P5

Telephone: (416) 368-9932 or 1 (866) 788-8801

 

 

  All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.

 

LOGO

Alamos Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2014 Results

 

Toronto, Ontario (February 19, 2015) – Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: AGI; NYSE:AGI) (“Alamos” or the “Company”) today reported its financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2014 and reviewed its operating, exploration and development activities.

 

“We produced 140,500 ounces of gold in 2014 at total cash costs of $703 per ounce. Despite lower production from the mill in 2014, our operating costs remained at the low end of our full year guidance, driven by another strong performance from our open pit, heap leach operation,” said John A. McCluskey, President and Chief Executive Officer.

 

“We are working through a lower grade, higher strip sequence of the open pit in 2015, though we expect higher grades and a lower strip ratio in 2016 to drive costs lower. Further, we expect our strong development pipeline to start delivering low cost production growth in the latter part of 2016. With approximately $360 million in cash and no debt, our development pipeline remains fully funded,” Mr. McCluskey added.

 

Fourth Quarter 2014 Highlights

 

Financial Performance

 

•    Sold 38,400 ounces of gold at an average realized gold price of $1,200 per ounce for quarterly revenues of $46.1 million

 

•    Reported strong operating cash flow, with cash from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital of $11.8 million ($0.09 per share), and $15.8 million ($0.12 per share) after changes in non-cash working capital.

 

•    Realized a quarterly loss of $3.4 million ($0.03 per share) compared to loss of $5.3 million ($0.04 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2013. The loss was driven by a $2.7 million non-cash charge related to available-for-sale securities, and a $2.7 million unrealized foreign exchange loss

 

•    Reported cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $358.1 million as at December 31, 2014

 

Operational Performance

 

•    Produced 42,500 ounces of gold at a total cash cost of $748 per ounce of gold sold, and at an all-in sustaining cost of $996 per ounce of gold sold, in line with the Company’s annual guidance

 

•    Achieved record average quarterly crusher throughput of 18,300 tonnes per day (“tpd”) in the fourth quarter, above the annual budgeted rate of 17,700 tpd

 

•    Mined and stacked ore on the leach pad grading 0.90 g/t Au, 6% above annual budgeted grades, resulting in 47,700 contained ounces stacked on the leach pad in the fourth quarter


TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

    Continued development and mining activities at San Carlos and commenced processing of high grade ore through the modified mill circuit. Grades milled averaged 8.02 g/t Au during the quarter, above the average reserve grade for the underground San Carlos deposit

Full Year 2014 Highlights

Financial Performance

 

    Sold 134,600 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,263 per ounce for revenues of $169.9 million

 

    Realized a loss of $2.1 million ($0.02 per share) compared to earnings of $38.8 million ($0.30 per share) in 2013. Full-year earnings were impacted by a $4.7 million ($0.04 per share) foreign exchange loss, in addition to a $2.7 million ($0.02 per share) non-cash charge related to available-for-sale securities

 

    Generated cash from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital of $50.9 million ($0.40 per basic share) compared to $113.3 million ($0.89 per basic share) in 2013

 

    Paid a total of $25.5 million in dividends to shareholders ($0.20 per basic share) and $3.2 million to buy back 351,502 shares pursuant to a normal course issuer bid. The Company has returned a total of $102 million in dividends and share buybacks to shareholders over the past four years

Operational Performance

 

    Produced 140,500 ounces of gold at total cash costs (including royalties) of $703 per ounce of gold sold, at the low end of the Company’s full year guidance range of $700 to $740 per ounce

 

    Achieved average crusher throughput of 17,200 tpd, below the Company’s annual guidance of 17,700 tpd, due to lower mill throughput in 2014

 

    Mined and stacked ore on the leach pad grading 0.98 g/t Au for the year, 15% above annual budgeted grades

 

    Commenced underground development and mining at San Carlos, and completed upgrades to the mill circuit

 

    Commenced development of the El Victor and San Carlos open pits which are expected to provide approximately 25% of open pit material in 2015

 

    Executed agreements to acquire the surface rights to the La Yaqui and Cerro Pelon satellite deposits

 

    Entered into agreements to acquire water concessions sufficient for all future mining activities at the Esperanza Gold Project, representing a significant milestone towards preparation of the project permit applications

Subsequent to year-end

 

    Released 2015 production guidance of 150,000 to 170,000 ounces of gold at total cash costs of $865 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of $1,100 per ounce

 

    Commenced exploration drilling at the La Yaqui satellite deposit

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

    

Q4

2014

    

Q4

2013

     YTD 2014      YTD 2013  

Ounces produced

     42,500         39,000         140,500         190,000   

Ounces sold

     38,400         42,198         134,600         198,198   

Operating Revenues (000)

   $ 46,062       $ 53,831       $ 169,938       $ 282,187   

(Loss) Earnings before income taxes (000)

   ($ 3,203    $ 6,627       $ 2,339       $ 79,504   

(Loss) Earnings (000)

   ($ 3,367    ($ 5,274    ($ 2,126    $ 38,792   

(Loss) Earnings per share (basic)

   ($ 0.03    ($ 0.04    ($ 0.02    $ 0.30   

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital (000)

   $ 11,820       $ 12,737       $ 50,876       $ 113,279   

Cash flow from operating activities (000)

   $ 15,820       $ 15,086       $ 32,757       $ 86,627   

Cash and short-term investments (000) (2)

         $ 358,085       $ 417,455   

Realized gold price per ounce

   $ 1,200       $ 1,276       $ 1,263       $ 1,424   

Average London PM Fix gold price per ounce

   $ 1,201       $ 1,276       $ 1,266       $ 1,411   

Total cash cost per ounce (1)

   $ 748       $ 624       $ 703       $ 496   

All-in sustaining cost per ounce (1)

   $ 996       $ 921       $ 1,022       $ 772   

All-in cost per ounce (1)

   $ 1,309       $ 1,215       $ 1,311       $ 967   

 

(1)  “Total cash cost per ounce”, “All-in sustaining cost per ounce” and “All-in cost per ounce” are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the “Cautionary non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures” disclosure at the end of this press release for a description and calculation of these measures.
(2)  Cash and short-term investments are shown as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Financial Results

The Company’s operating margins in the fourth quarter of 2014 were negatively impacted by a weaker gold price. The Company generated $11.8 million ($0.09 per share) cash from operating activities (before changes in non-cash working capital). Cash provided by operating activities of $15.8 million in the fourth quarter increased slightly relative to the same period of 2013 as a result of lower corporate administration and exploration costs, offset by lower gold prices. For the full year 2014, cash provided by operating activities decreased significantly due to lower production and a weaker gold price environment.

Earnings before income taxes of $2.3 million or $0.02 per share for the year compared to earnings of $79.5 million or $0.62 per basic share in 2013. On an after-tax basis, the Company recorded a loss in 2014 of $2.1 million or $0.02 per share compared to earnings of $38.8 million in 2013 as a result of lower gold sales and higher cash operating costs.

Capital expenditures in 2014 totaled $58.1 million. Sustaining capital spending in Mexico totaled $17.1 million in 2014, including $7.2 million on leach pad interlift liners and expansion of the ponds, $3.3 million of construction spending, $2.5 million for component changes, and $1.5 million on replacing the agglomerators. Sustaining capital of $17.1 million for the year was higher than the Company’s guidance of $13.2 million as a result of additional spending on the leach pad and agglomerators designed to benefit future mine operations. The Company expects 2015 sustaining capital to decrease to approximately $12.5 million.

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

In addition, development spending in Mexico totaled $38.9 million in 2014. This included $34.8 million at Mulatos focused on focused on underground development of the San Carlos deposit, waste removal at El Victor, and modifications to the mill circuit. In addition, construction of the bridge over the Mulatos River was completed before the onset of the rainy season in July, allowing for year-round access to San Carlos. The Company also invested $4.1 million at the Esperanza Gold Project advancing the EIA baseline study work. Capital expenditures in Turkey and Toronto were minimal in 2014.

Key financial highlights for the three months and years ended 2014 and 2013 are presented at the end of this release in Table 1. The unaudited interim consolidated statements of financial position, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the three months and years ended 2014 and 2013 are presented at the end of this release in Table 2.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Operating Results

In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Mulatos mine (“Mulatos”) produced 42,500 ounces of gold, bringing full year production to 140,500 ounces. Open pit, heap leach operations at Mulatos continue to meet expectations and remain the driver of the operation contributing strong production in the fourth quarter, and over 90% of production in 2014. Grades stacked were above budget for both the quarter and full year and helped offset lower than planned mill production.

Gold production for the 2014 year declined 26% from 2013 levels primarily due to lower mill throughput as the Company transitioned through three distinct sources of high grade mill feed. In the first quarter of 2014, the Company experienced a negative grade reconciliation from the Escondida high grade open pit. In the second and third quarters of the year, the Company mined the underground Escondida Deep deposit and processed less tonnes at lower grades than budgeted. In the fourth quarter of the year, mill throughput was lower than anticipated as mill upgrades were undertaken. The components required to upgrade the mill were received and installed in mid-November and the mill operated at targeted throughput rates through the end of December; however, recoveries were below expectations of 75%. Two factors have contributed to the lower recoveries: the current grind size of the San Carlos ore is larger than required to achieve design recoveries, and concentrate processing has been limited by capacity constraints at the intensive leach reactor (“ILR”). To address grind size, the Company will install a vertical grinding mill to complement the existing circuit. The Company expects that the new grinding mill will be installed and operational by the end of the second quarter, at a capital cost of approximately $1 million. Additionally, a second ILR is expected to be installed and operational by the end of March to alleviate the bottleneck in concentrate processing capacity. The current mill configuration is achieving recoveries of approximately 60%, with recoveries expected to improve to 75% with the installation of the vertical grinding mill.

Development of the San Carlos high grade underground deposit continued to be a primary focus during the fourth quarter. The Company advanced approximately 267 metres during the fourth quarter, with total development to date of 950 metres. The Company has developed three primary headings and commenced mining the first stope in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Total crusher throughput in the fourth quarter of 2014 averaged a record for Mulatos of 18,300 tpd, above the annual budgeted rate of 17,700 tpd. For the full year 2014, crusher throughput averaged 17,200 tpd. During the fourth quarter of 2014, mill throughput averaged 430 tpd. Mill

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

throughput was below expectations in the fourth quarter reflecting the above mentioned delays in the receipt of certain critical components and slower than anticipated commissioning.

The recovery ratio in the fourth quarter was 74% and averaged 65% for 2014. This was below the Company’s annual budget of 75% reflecting a lower than budgeted contribution of higher recovery mill production and lower than expected recoveries from the mill and leach pad in the fourth quarter. While the recovery ratio from the leach pad rebounded in the fourth quarter, it was lower than anticipated as the Company was unable to recover all of the deferred production from the third quarter by the end of 2014. As a result, some of the deferred production will be recovered in the first quarter of 2015 as solution inventory is drawn down to normal levels.

Cash operating costs of $639 per ounce of gold sold in 2014 were at the low end of the Company’s annual guidance range of $630 to $670 per ounce, and 50% higher than $426 per ounce reported in 2013. This increase is attributable to lower grades stacked on the leach pad, a higher cost per tonne of ore mined, as well as a lower proportion of high grade mill production which has a lower cost profile than open pit heap leach production. Including royalties, total cash costs were $703 per ounce of gold sold in 2014.

Key operational metrics and production statistics for the fourth quarter and full year 2014 compared to the same periods of 2013 are presented in Table 3 at the end of this press release.

Turkey Developments

The Company is awaiting a ruling from the Turkish High Administrative Court on the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization (the “Ministry”) and the Company’s appeal of the Çanakkale Administrative Court’s cancellation of the Ministry’s EIA approval in relation to the KirazlI main project due to the lack of cumulative impact assessment (“CIA”). The appeal decision remains pending, but is expected to be finalized within two to three months. In order to address the CIA requirements and concerns of the Court, the Company has prepared and submitted a CIA assessment for the KirazlI project, which has been approved by the Ministry and submitted to the High Court.

In January 2015, the Çanakkale Administrative Court in Turkey granted an injunction order against the Ministry’s approval of the EIA for the Company’s AğI DağI project. Similar to KirazlI, the basis for the injunction related to a lack of a CIA. The Ministry is expected to defend any challenges against its approval of the EIA. In parallel, the Company has completed a CIA for AğI DağI which has been submitted to the Ministry. With development of KirazlI planned first, the Company does not expect the injunction to impact the development timeline for AğI DağI.

Obtaining forestry and operating permits are the next steps in the permitting process. The Company remains confident that these permits will be granted. However, legal challenges have increased uncertainty of the expected timing for receipt of these permits. The Company expects first gold production from KirazlI within 18 months of receipt of the outstanding permits.

In 2014, total development expenditures in Turkey were $1.7 million, which was capitalized. Given the delay in receipt of key permits, the Company reduced its headcount early in 2014

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

and curtailed spending in Turkey. A full development budget for KirazlI and AğI DağI will be re-initiated once the required permits are received.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2014 Exploration Update

Total exploration expenditures in 2014 were $21.2 million primarily focused at Mulatos where exploration spending totaled $15.7 million. This included $10.9 million of drilling at San Carlos and Puerta del Aire which was capitalized. An additional $4.9 million spent at East Estrella, Escondida Deep, Realito and administration costs were expensed.

Mulatos

In 2014, exploration focused mainly on areas immediately adjacent to active mining. Three types of drilling were undertaken; tightly-spaced infill drilling to support underground mining, mineral reserve and resource drilling, and exploration drilling. Up to nine drill rigs, including two underground drill rigs were active at Mulatos during the year.

San Carlos remained the highest priority for exploration with approximately 16,484 metres (“m”) drilled during the fourth quarter and a total of 48,956m drilled during 2014. Approximately 40% of this meterage was tight-infill drilling to support underground mining operations and planning. The remainder was drilled as part of the ongoing exploration program to upgrade existing mineral resources and to extend the strike and dip of existing mineral resources.

During the year 5,457m of tight-infill drilling was undertaken at Escondida Deep to assist with underground mining operations. Approximately 7,300m of Exploration drilling was also undertaken in the Escondida Deep—Gap zone with the objective of defining additional high-grade mineralization.

Drilling at Puerto del Aire was designed to upgrade inferred mineral resources immediately adjacent to the pit and to test the presence of a high-grade zone of mineralization in the north-eastern section of the deposit. A total of 9,977m was drilled during 2014. Logging, sampling and analysis has indicated the presence of at least one high-grade breccia unit in this section of the deposit. Further analysis and modelling of the zone is underway and a follow-up drill program is planned for 2015.

A total of 4,454m was drilled at East Estrella during the year with the objective of extending and upgrading existing mineral resources.

Esperanza

The Company capitalized $4.1 million at the Esperanza Gold Project in 2014. These development costs were primarily related to the collection of baseline study data to support resubmission of the EIA. The Company is currently completing preparatory work for a planned geotechnical and exploration drill program in the first half of 2015.

In addition, the Company has now acquired water concessions sufficient for all future mining activities at the Esperanza Gold Project.

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

Quartz Mountain

In 2014, the Company invested $1.1 million at the Quartz Mountain project, which was expensed. The expanded 8,000m drill program commenced in the fourth quarter of 2014 and is expected to continue to mid-year 2015. Drilling has the dual objective of validating the existing resource and testing the new geological model.

Outlook

The Company anticipates producing between 150,000 and 170,000 ounces of gold in 2015 at cash operating costs of approximately $800 per ounce of gold sold, excluding royalties. Including royalties, and assuming a $1,200 gold price, total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are expected to be approximately $865 and $1,100 per ounce of gold sold, respectively.

The Company is expecting higher production in 2015 relative to 2014 primarily reflecting a full year of high grade mill production from the San Carlos underground deposit. Underground mining at San Carlos will be conducted in a higher grade portion of the ore body providing high grade mill feed of 9.5 g/t Au in 2015, above the current mineral reserve grade of 7.0 g/t Au. Combined with mill throughput in 2015 of 550 tpd being more than double the 2014 rate, the Company expects stronger high grade mill production. While the Company is in the process of optimizing the high grade mill, including installation of a vertical grinding mill and second ILR, both throughput and recoveries are expected to be below budgeted levels.

Higher mill production in 2015 is expected to be offset by lower grades stacked on the heap leach pad of 0.80 g/t Au. This is slightly below the 0.85 g/t Au budgeted in 2014 and well below the realized grade of 0.98 g/t Au as the Company once again benefited from a positive grade reconciliation compared to the block model.

Higher cash operating cost guidance for 2015 compared to 2014 is attributable to three factors: lower grade for the ore stacked on the leach pad of 0.80 g/t Au in 2015; a higher waste-to-ore ratio; and increased haul distances as the El Victor and San Carlos pits become meaningful contributors of open pit, heap leach production.

As part of the long term mine plan, the Company will be working through a higher waste-to-ore ratio and lower open pit grade portion of the deposit in 2015. The 2015 waste-to-ore ratio of 1.27:1 is up significantly from 2014 but is expected to decrease to the current remaining life-of-mine waste-to-ore ratio 1.04:1 in 2016. The heap leach grade of 0.80 g/t Au is also down from 2014 but is expected to improve in 2016 to approach the current mineral reserve grade of 0.93 g/t Au.

The Company expects to continue generating sufficient cash flow to fund its sustaining and development capital spending and exploration budget at Mulatos in 2015 at a $1,200 per ounce gold price. The Company continues to operate Mulatos in a manner designed to optimize long-term economics. Costs will rise in the near term though are expected to improve as grades increase and the waste-to-ore ratio normalizes to life-of-mine levels beyond 2015.

Development spending at Mulatos in 2015 will be focused on further underground development of San Carlos, pre-stripping of the El Victor and San Carlos open pits and exploration and development of Cerro Pelon and La Yaqui. Mulatos will be further bolstered by the development of the Cerro Pelon and La Yaqui satellite deposits, the latter of which is

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

expected to start contributing low cost production growth in the fourth quarter of 2016. With Cerro Pelon and La Yaqui averaging double the 2015 budgeted grade, these deposits are expected to both increase production and drive costs substantially lower.

The Company’s mineral reserve and resource update will be released at the end of the first quarter of 2015. The current focus of exploration at Mulatos is on continuing to delineate high-grade mineral reserves to provide mill feed beyond the current life of the San Carlos high-grade deposit.

Gold production from the first of the Company’s Turkish projects, KirazlI, is expected within 18 months of receipt of the outstanding forestry and operating permits. The Company continues to await a ruling from the Turkish High Administrative Court on the Ministry’s and the Company’s appeal of the Çanakkale Administrative Court’s cancellation of the Ministry’s EIA approval in relation to the KirazlI main project due to the lack of CIA. The appeal decision remains pending, but is expected to be finalized within two to three months. The Company remains confident that these permits will be granted. However, legal challenges have increased uncertainty of the expected timing for receipt of these permits.

Work in support of an EIA submission for the Esperanza Gold Project in 2015 is underway as well as completion of an internal feasibility study to further support development of the project. Drilling at the Quartz Mountain Property, focused on validating the existing mineral resources, commenced in the fourth quarter of 2014 and is expected to continue to the second quarter of 2015.

The Company’s financial position remains strong, with approximately $411.5 million in working capital and no debt. The Company is well positioned to pursue accretive opportunities and to deliver on its development project pipeline. However, the lower gold price environment further emphasizes the strategic importance of financial strength and flexibility and the Company is evaluating its capital allocation decisions accordingly.

Associated Documents

This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and associated Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), which are available from the Company’s website, www.alamosgold.com, in the “Investors” section under “Reports and Financials”, and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov).

Reminder of Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2014 Results Conference Call

The Company’s senior management will host a conference call on Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 12:00 pm ET to discuss the fourth quarter and year-end 2014 financial results and update operating, exploration, and development activities.

Participants may join the conference call by dialling (416) 340-8527 or (877) 677-0837 for calls within Canada and the United States, or via webcast at www.alamosgold.com.

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

A playback will be available until March 5, 2015 by dialling (905) 694-9451 or (800) 408-3053 within Canada and the United States. The pass code is 2544182. The webcast will be archived at www.alamosgold.com.

About Alamos

Alamos is an established Canadian-based gold producer that owns and operates the Mulatos Mine in Mexico, and has exploration and development activities in Mexico, Turkey and the United States. The Company employs more than 500 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. Alamos has approximately $360 million in cash and cash equivalents, is debt-free, and unhedged to the price of gold. As of February 17, 2015, Alamos had 127,357,486 common shares outstanding (139,266,652 shares fully diluted), which are traded on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol “AGI”.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

 

Scott K. Parsons

Director, Investor Relations

(416) 368-9932 x 439

 

 

The TSX and NYSE have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note

No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. This News Release includes certain “forward-looking statements”. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including without limitation statements regarding forecast gold production, gold grades, recoveries, waste-to-ore ratios, total cash costs, potential mineralization and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Alamos, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to mining and processing of mined ore, achieving projected recovery rates, anticipated production rates and mine life, operating efficiencies, costs and expenditures, changes in mineral resources and conversion of mineral resources to proven and probable reserves, and other information that is based on forecasts of future operational or financial results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

Exploration results that include geophysics, sampling, and drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit. Such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. A mineral resource that is classified as “inferred” or “indicated” has a great amount of uncertainty as to its existence and economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that any or part of an “indicated mineral resource” or “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded to a higher category of resource. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into proven and probable reserves.

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “estimates” or “intends”, or stating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

 

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There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Alamos’ expectations include, among others, risks related to international operations, the actual results of current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as future prices of gold and silver, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Alamos’ Annual Information Form. Although Alamos has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Note to U.S. Investors

Alamos prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Terms relating to mineral resources in this presentation are defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Alamos may use certain terms, such as “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources”, “inferred mineral resources” and “probable mineral reserves” that the SEC does not recognize (these terms may be used in this presentation and are included in the public filings of Alamos, which have been filed with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada).

Cautionary non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures

Note that for purposes of this section, GAAP refers to IFRS. The Company believes that investors use certain non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures as indicators to assess gold mining companies. They are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared with GAAP. Non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.

(i) Cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital

“Cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital” is a non-GAAP performance measure that could provide an indication of the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from operations, and is calculated by adding back the change in non-cash working capital to “Cash provided by (used in) operating activities” as presented on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.

The following table reconciles the non-GAAP measure to the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

     Q4
2014
     Q4
2013
     YTD
2014
     YTD
2013
 

Cash flow from operating activities – IFRS (000)

   $ 15,820       $ 15,087       $ 32,757       $ 86,627   

Changes in non-cash working capital (000)

     4,000         2,350         (18,119      (26,652
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital (000)

$ 11,820    $ 12,737    $ 50,876    $ 113,279   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(ii) Mining cost per tonne of ore

“Mining cost per tonne of ore” and “Cost per tonne of ore” are non-GAAP performance measures that could provide an indication of the mining and processing efficiency and effectiveness of the mine. These measures are calculated by dividing the relevant mining and processing costs and total costs by the tonnes of ore processed in the period. “Cost per tonne of ore” is usually affected by operating efficiencies and waste-to-ore ratios in the period. The following table reconciles the non-GAAP measure to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

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TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

     Q4
2014
     Q4
2013
     YTD
2014
     YTD
2013
 

Mining and processing costs – IFRS (000)

   $ 26,575       $ 23,903       $ 85,942       $ 84,521   

Inventory adjustments and period costs (000)

     3,763         (2,725      15,399         (1,804
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost (000)

$ 30,338    $ 21,178    $ 101,340    $ 82,717   

Tonnes Ore stacked / milled (000)

  1,686.4      1,649.4      6,294.4      6,518.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost per tonne of ore

$ 17.99    $ 12.84    $ 16.10    $ 12.69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(iii) Cash operating costs per ounce and total cash costs per ounce

“Cash operating costs per ounce” and “total cash costs per ounce” as used in this analysis are non-GAAP terms typically used by gold mining companies to assess the level of gross margin available to the Company by subtracting these costs from the unit price realized during the period. These non-GAAP terms are also used to assess the ability of a mining company to generate cash flow from operations. There may be some variation in the method of computation of “cash operating costs per ounce” as determined by the Company compared with other mining companies. In this context, “cash operating costs per ounce” reflects the cash operating costs allocated from in-process and dore inventory associated with ounces of gold sold in the period. “Cash operating costs per ounce” may vary from one period to another due to operating efficiencies, waste-to-ore ratios, grade of ore processed and gold recovery rates in the period. “Total cash costs per ounce” includes “cash operating costs per ounce” plus applicable royalties. Cash operating costs per ounce and total cash costs per ounce are exclusive of exploration costs.

The following table reconciles these non-GAAP measure to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

     Q4
2014
     Q4
2013
     YTD
2014
     YTD
2013
 

Mining and processing costs – IFRS (000)

   $ 26,575       $ 23,903       $ 85,942       $ 84,521   

Divided by: Gold ounces sold

     38,400         42,198         134,600         198,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Cash operating costs per ounce

$ 692    $ 566    $ 639    $ 426   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Mining and processing costs – IFRS (000)

$ 26,575    $ 23,903    $ 85,942    $ 84,521   

Royalties – IFRS (000)

  2,166      2,459      8,744      13,829   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Cash costs (000)

$ 28,741    $ 26,362    $ 94,686    $ 98,350   

Divided by: Gold ounces sold

  38,400      42,198      134,600      198,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Cash costs per ounce

$ 748    $ 624    $ 703    $ 496   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(iv) All-in sustaining cost per ounce

Effective 2013, in conjunction with a non-GAAP initiative being undertaken by the gold mining industry, the Company is adopting an “all-in sustaining cost per ounce” non-GAAP performance measure. The Company believes the measure more fully defines the total costs associated with producing gold; however, this performance measure has no standardized meaning. Accordingly, there may be some variation in the method of computation of “all-in sustaining cost per ounce” as determined by the Company compared with other mining companies. In this context, “all-in sustaining cost per ounce” reflects total mining and processing costs, corporate and administrative costs, exploration costs, sustaining capital, and other operating costs. Sustaining capital expenditures are expenditures that do not increase annual gold ounce production at a mine site and excludes all expenditures at the Company’s development projects as well as certain expenditures at the Company’s operating sites that are deemed expansionary in nature.

 

11 | ALAMOS GOLD INC


TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

The following table reconciles these non-GAAP measures to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

     Q4
2014
     Q4
2013
     YTD
2014
     YTD
2013
 

Mining and processing costs (000)

   $ 26,575       $ 23,903       $ 85,942       $ 84,521   

Royalties (000)

     2,166         2,459         8,744         13,829   

Corporate and administration (000) (1)

     2,240         4,060         12,977         19,964   

Share-based compensation (000)

     117         (740      1,136         3,204   

Exploration costs (000) (2)

     929         3,849         10,272         11,379   

Reclamation cost accretion (000)

     346         214         1,387         902   

Sustaining capital expenditures (000)

     5,865         5,106         17,080         19,118   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 38,238    $ 38,851    $ 137,538    $ 152,917   

Divided by: Gold ounces sold

  38,400      42,198      134,600      198,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

All-in sustaining cost per ounce

$ 996    $ 921    $ 1,022    $ 772   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Excludes corporate and administration costs incurred at the Company’s development projects
(2)  Excludes exploration associated with the Company’s development projects

(v) All-in cost

Effective 2013, in conjunction with a non-GAAP initiative being undertaken by the gold mining industry, the Company is adopting an “all-in cost per ounce” non-GAAP performance measure; however, this performance measure has no standardized meaning. Accordingly, there may be some variation in the method of computation of “all-in cost per ounce” as determined by the Company compared with other mining companies. In this context, “all-in cost per ounce” reflects total all-in sustaining cash costs, plus capital, operating, and exploration costs associated with the Company’s development projects.

 

     Q4
2014
     Q4
2013
     YTD
2014
     YTD
2013
 

All-in sustaining cost (above)

   $ 38,238       $ 38,851       $ 137,538       $ 152,917   

Add: Development and expansion capital (000)

     9,278         10,782         30,252         33,025   

Add: Other development and exploration (000)

     2,067         1,030         6,389         3,758   

Add: Development project corporate and administration (000)

     695         590         2,264         1,975   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  50,278      51,253      176,443      191,675   

Divided by: Gold ounces sold

  38,400      42,198      134,600      198,198   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

All-in cost per ounce

$ 1,309    $ 1,215    $ 1,311    $ 967   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(vi) Other additional GAAP measures

Additional GAAP measures that are presented on the face of the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and are not meant to be a substitute for other subtotals or totals presented in accordance with IFRS, but rather should be evaluated in conjunction with such IFRS measures. The following additional GAAP measures are used and are intended to provide an indication of the Company’s mine and operating performance:

 

    Mine operating costs – represents the total of mining and processing, royalties, and amortization expense

 

    Earnings from mine operations – represents the amount of revenues in excess of mining and processing, royalties, and amortization expense.

 

    Earnings from operations – represents the amount of earnings before net finance income/expense, foreign exchange gain/loss, other income/loss, and income tax expense

 

12 | ALAMOS GOLD INC


TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

Table 1: Financial Highlights

 

     Q4 2014     Q4 2013     YTD 2014     YTD 2013     YTD 2012  

Cash provided by operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital (000)(1) (2)

   $ 11,820      $ 12,730      $ 50,876      $ 113,279      $ 178,534   

Changes in non-cash working capital

   $ 4,000      $ 2,357        ($18,119     ($26,652   $ 4,890   

Cash provided by operating activities (000)

   $ 15,820      $ 15,087      $ 32,757      $ 86,627      $ 183,424   

(Loss) Earnings before income taxes (000)

     ($3,203   $ 6,627      $ 2,339      $ 79,504      $ 166,925   

(Loss) Earnings (000)

     ($3,367     ($5,274     ($2,126   $ 38,792      $ 117,956   

(Loss) Earnings per share

          

- basic

     ($0.03     ($0.04     ($0.02   $ 0.30      $ 0.98   

- diluted

     ($0.03     ($0.04     ($0.02   $ 0.30      $ 0.98   

Comprehensive income (000)

     ($1,909     ($6,078     ($1,874   $ 38,763      $ 117,972   

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

          

- basic

     127,357,000        127,709,000        127,388,000        127,340,000        119,861,000   

- diluted

     127,357,000        127,757,000        127,389,000        127,480,000        120,904,000   

Assets (000) (3)

       $ 879,511      $ 898,028      $ 753,856   

 

(1)  A non-GAAP measure calculated as cash provided by operating activities as presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows and adding back changes in non-cash working capital.
(2)  Refer to “Cautionary non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures” disclosure in this press release for a description and calculation of this measure.
(3)  Assets are shown as at December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

13 | ALAMOS GOLD INC


TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

Table 2: Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, Comprehensive Income, and Cash Flows

ALAMOS GOLD INC.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(Unaudited - stated in thousands of United States dollars)

 

     December 31,     December 31,  
     2014     2013  

A S S E T S

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 353,293      $ 409,663   

Short-term investments

     4,792        7,792   

Available-for-sale securities

     2,201        1,896   

Other financial assets

     —          442   

Amounts receivable

     8,950        11,200   

Income taxes receivable

     15,534        —     

Advances and prepaid expenses

     4,750        9,068   

Inventory

     55,358        37,972   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

  444,878      478,033   

Non-Current Assets

Other non-current assets

  5,861      2,696   

Exploration and evaluation assets

  220,132      214,387   

Mineral property, plant and equipment

  208,640      202,912   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

$ 879,511    $ 898,028   

L I A B I L I T I E S

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$ 33,389    $ 23,487   

Income taxes payable

  —        1,783   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

  33,389      25,270   

Non-Current Liabilities

Deferred income taxes

  39,815      38,715   

Decommissioning liability

  22,302      21,406   

Other liabilities

  671      690   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

  96,177      86,081   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

E Q U I T Y

Share capital

$ 509,068    $ 510,473   

Warrants

  21,667      21,667   

Contributed surplus

  26,202      24,236   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (841   (1,093

Retained earnings

  227,238      256,664   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equity

  783,334      811,947   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

$ 879,511    $ 898,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

14 | ALAMOS GOLD INC


TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

ALAMOS GOLD INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited - stated in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)

 

     For the three-month
periods ended
    For the year ended  
     December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
    December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

OPERATING REVENUES

   $ 46,062      $ 53,831      $ 169,938      $ 282,187   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

MINE OPERATING COSTS

Mining and processing

  26,575      23,903      85,942      84,521   

Royalties

  2,166      2,459      8,744      13,829   

Amortization

  11,139      11,247      42,970      56,488   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  39,880      37,609      137,656      154,838   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS FROM MINE OPERATIONS

  6,182      16,222      32,282      127,349   

EXPENSES

Exploration

  1,277      3,282      6,158      7,559   

Corporate and administrative

  2,935      4,650      15,241      21,939   

Share-based compensation

  117      (740   1,136      3,204   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  4,329      7,192      22,535      32,702   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EARNINGS FROM OPERATIONS

  1,853      9,030      9,747      94,647   

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

Finance income

  550      797      2,839      3,131   

Financing expense

  (346   (224   (1,393   (912

Foreign exchange loss

  (2,661   (917   (4,700   (8,312

Other loss

  (2,599   (2,059   (4,154   (9,050
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(LOSS) EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES FOR THE PERIOD

  (3,203   6,627      2,339      79,504   

INCOME TAXES

Current tax expense

  (1,494   (5,751   (3,365   (40,362

Deferred tax recovery (expense)

  1,330      (6,150   (1,100   (350
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(LOSS) EARNINGS FOR THE PERIOD

$ (3,367 $ (5,274 $ (2,126 $ 38,792   

Other comprehensive income (loss) to be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent periods:

- Unrealized loss on securities

  (1,002   (804   (2,208   (2,697

- Unrealized loss on derivative contracts

  (225   —        (225   —     

- Impairment of available-for-sale securities

  2,661      —        2,661      —     

- Reclassification of realized losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities included in earnings

  24      —        24      2,668   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD

$ (1,909 $ (6,078 $ (1,874 $ 38,763   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE

– basic

$ (0.03 $ (0.04 $ (0.02 $ 0.30   

– diluted

$ (0.03 $ (0.04 $ (0.02 $ 0.30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

- basic

  127,357,000      127,709,000      127,388,000      127,340,000   

- diluted

  127,357,000      127,757,000      127,389,000      127,480,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

15 | ALAMOS GOLD INC


TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

ALAMOS GOLD INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - stated in thousands of United States dollars)

 

    

For the three-month

periods ended

    For the years ended  
     December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
    December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN):

        

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

(Loss) Earnings for the period

   $ (3,367   $ (5,274   $ (2,126   $ 38,792   

Adjustments for items not involving cash:

        

Amortization

     11,139        11,247        42,970        56,488   

Financing expense

     346        224        1,393        912   

Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain)

     2,047        900        3,244        5,938   

Deferred tax (recovery) expense

     (1,330     6,150        1,100        350   

Share-based compensation

     117        (740     1,136        3,204   

Loss on sale of securities

     —          —          —          6,840   

Impairment of securities

     2,661        —          2,661        —     

Other

     207        230        498        755   

Changes in non-cash working capital:

        

Fair value of forward contracts

     225        —          225        —     

Amounts receivable

     (3,923     (5,855     (27,508     (21,356

Inventory

     (1,093     1,928        (17,758     (2,797

Advances and prepaid expenses

     2,385        4,770        5,368        (4,311

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and income taxes payable

     6,406        1,507        21,554        1,812   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  15,820      15,087      32,757      86,627   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

(Purchases) sales of securities

  (1,578   —        (1,754   111,116   

Short-term investments (net)

  (4,792   (4,104   3,000      39,862   

Contractor advances

  50      (385   (1,050   (1,440

Proceeds on sale of equipment

  577      —        843      —     

Acquisition of Esperanza

  —        —        —        (44,663

Acquisition of Orsa

  —        —        —        (3,403

Exploration and evaluation assets

  (1,545   (5,920   (5,745   (21,437

Mineral property, plant and equipment

  (15,494   (11,575   (52,341   (38,295
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (22,782   (21,984   (57,047   41,740   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Common shares issued

  —        —        —        4,883   

Shares repurchased and cancelled

  —        —        (3,234   (2,624

Dividends paid

  (12,736   (12,770   (25,471   (25,519
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  (12,736   (12,770   (28,705   (23,260
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

  (2,176   (640   (3,375   (1,500
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  (21,874   (20,307   (56,370   103,607   

Cash and cash equivalents—beginning of the period

  375,167      429,970      409,663      306,056   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—END OF PERIOD

$ 353,293    $ 409,663    $ 353,293    $ 409,663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

16 | ALAMOS GOLD INC


TRADING SYMBOL:   TSX:AGI      NYSE:AGI

 

Table 3: Production Summary & Statistics (1)

 

Production summary  

Q1

2014

   

Q2

2014

   

Q3

2014

   

Q4

2014

   

YTD

2014

   

YTD

2013

 

Ounces produced (1)

    37,000        33,000        28,000        42,500        140,500        190,000   

Crushed ore stacked on leach pad (tonnes) (2)

    1,483,500        1,580,200        1,495,000        1,647,000        6,205,700        6,329,000   

Grade (g/t Au)

    1.03        0.93        1.08        0.90        0.98        1.07   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contained ounces stacked

  49,100      47,300      51,900      47,700      196,000      218,500   

Crushed ore milled (tonnes)

  30,100      6,800      12,500      39,300      88,700      189,300   

Grade (g/t Au)

  3.28      8.65      8.47      8.02      6.52      6.84   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contained ounces milled

  3,200      1,900      3,400      10,100      18,600      41,600   

Ratio of total ounces produced to contained ounces stacked and milled

  71   67   51   74   65   73

Total ore mined (tonnes) (3)

  1,748,000      2,105,000      1,713,000      1,730,000      7,296,000      7,029,000   

Waste mined (tonnes)

  950,000      1,580,000      1,004,000      1,054,000      4,588,000      3,385,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mined (tonnes)

  2,698,000      3,685,000      2,717,000      2,784,000      11,884,000      10,414,000   

Waste-to-ore ratio

  0.54      0.75      0.59      0.61      0.63      0.48   

Ore crushed per day (tonnes) – combined

  16,800      17,400      16,400      18,300      17,200      17,900   

 

(1)  Reported gold production for Q4 2014 and YTD 2014 is subject to final refinery settlement and may be adjusted.
(2)  Excludes mill tailings stacked on the heap leach pad during the period.
(3)  Includes ore stockpiled during the period.

 

17 | ALAMOS GOLD INC