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NEWS RELEASE

ELD No. 06-05

TSX: ELD  AMEX: EGO

March 23, 2006



2005 Financial and Operational Results

(all figures in United States dollars)


VANCOUVER, BC - Paul N. Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eldorado Gold Corporation (“Eldorado” the “Company” or “we”)  provides  the Company’s financial and operational   results for the year ended December 31, 2005.


Highlights


·

Increased proven and probable mineral reserves by 15% to over seven million ounces of gold as a result of our 2005 acquisition of the Tanjianshan gold project and our subsequent exploration program at the project.

·

Recorded a net loss for the year of $49.1 million or ($0.17) per share, compared to $13.9 million or ($0.05) per share in 2004.

·

Produced 64,298 ounces of gold at a total cash cost of $416 per ounce

·

Held $33.8 million in cash and short-term deposits at year-end

·

Completed 90% of the construction required on the Kisladag mine in Turkey with planned production in the second quarter of 2006.

·

Continued construction at the Tanjianshan mine in China with planned production in the fourth quarter of 2006.

·

Invested $7.4 million in exploration over the year

·

Completed a net $155.0 million  financing first quarter of 2006


2005 Results


The consolidated net loss for 2005 was $49.1 million or ($0.17) per share, compared with a net loss of $13.9 million or ($0.05) per share in 2004 and a net loss of $45.0 million or ($0.20) per share in 2003.  Our loss in 2005 resulted from a write down of assets of $18.9 million, higher operating costs and depreciation at the Sao Bento mine.  Based on current cash flow analyses and reserve estimates the mine will enter its last full year of production in 2006 as we plan to cease mining operations in the first half of 2007.  Other contributing factors to the net loss for the year were increased general and administrative costs associated with the start-up of the Kisladag mine and higher exploration expenditures.


In 2005, we sold 66,804 ounces of gold for $29.7 million at an average realized selling price of $444 per ounce. This compares to 2004 gold sales of 81,913 ounces for $33.5 million at an average realized price of $409 per ounce.


Eldorado is in a strong financial position and at December 31, 2005, we held $33.8 million in cash and short-term deposits and $50.0 million in a reserve account, substantially offsetting our debt of $50.8 million. We remain hedge free. On February 7, 2006, we closed a financing that resulted in net proceeds of $155.0 million (CDN$178.9 million). This financing gives us sufficient funds to develop and explore our properties in Turkey, China and Brazil, acquire late-stage development gold properties in China, make other acquisitions and carry out general corporate activities.







2005 Reserves and Resource - As of December 31, 2005


Eldorado has 7.1 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves. We have 9.8 million ounces of measured and indicated gold resources and 1.7 million ounces of inferred gold resources.


Operating Performance


In 2005, São Bento produced 64,298 ounces of gold at cash cost of $407 per ounce. Production was down 21.6% from 2004 due to problems with ground stability, lower grade and interruptions during the completion of the shaft-deepening project.  Total cash costs increased 37.8% from 2004 because of lower gold production, increased costs for ground support and a 12.1% appreciation of the Brazilian Real against the US dollar.


Development


Construction will be complete and production will commence in the second quarter 2006 at the Kisladag mine. We are currently projecting production of 120,000 ounces of gold in 2006 at an operating cost of $215 per ounce. The projected capital costs for Phase 1 remain unchanged at $83.0 million.


In 2005, we received the Environmental Positive Certificate for Efemçukuru, successfully completing the first stage of the permitting process. In 2006, we will continue to advance this project through permitting and feasibility, with construction expected to begin in 2007 and production in 2008.


Approximately 60% of the construction required at the Tanjianshan mine in China is complete.  Start-up is on schedule for the fourth quarter of 2006.  Our estimated capital costs for this mine are now $63.4 million, based on revisions to the tailings dam design and increases in engineering, procurement and construction management costs. We expect that Tanjianshan will produce 40,000 ounces of gold in 2006 at a cash cost of $320 per ounce.


Exploration Outlook


In 2005, we spent $7.4 million on exploration programs in Turkey, Brazil and China. Our exploration budget for 2006 will increase to $14.0 million and we will continue to advance our pipeline of promising properties in these three countries.


Turkey


In 2005, our exploration activities in Turkey centered on the joint venture AS project, where our 2005 drilling results confirmed that the project is an extensive copper-gold porphyry system. In 2006, we’ll continue to outline the mineralization over the target areas and will begin preliminary metallurgical test work on core samples.



Other planned exploration work in 2006 includes conducting a magnetic survey and completing 4,500 meters of core and reverse circulation drilling at the Koyalhisar project; trenching and completing reverse circulation drilling at Mahmur Tepe; and conducting 1,500 meters of reverse circulation drilling at the Bayramic project.


Brazil


The results from our 2005 diamond drilling program at the Vila Nova gold project indicated that all holes intersected gold mineralization. In 2006, we’ll map and sample the on-strike extensions of the main gold trends, carry out a detailed ground geophysical survey, drill the down-plunge extensions of the main target areas and begin metallurgical test work on surface and core samples.


The 2005 drilling program at the Vila Nova iron ore project projected an 8 million tonne resource grading 61% iron.  In 2006 we plan a feasibility study, 1,500 meters of infill and extension drilling, metallurgical test work, and a preliminary site layout.





China


Our exploration work in 2005 at Tanjianshan consisted of a 52-hole drilling program, which increased the resource by 30 percent to a measured and indicated resource of 1.346 million ounces. We increased the proven and probable gold reserves to 1.115 million ounces.


Corporate


"This last year was one of intense activity,” said Paul Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We completed the majority of our construction at Kisladag; a project we advanced from a greenfield exploration discovery into what will soon be one of the largest gold mines in Europe. The year also saw us acquire Afcan Mining Corporation, which gave us a low-cost and low risk entry into China and the Tanjianshan gold project. When we finish construction at Tanjianshan later this year, we will be the first North American mining company producing gold in China.”


Eldorado is a gold producing and exploration company actively growing businesses in Brazil, Turkey and China. With our international expertise in mining, finance and project development, together with highly skilled and dedicated staff, we believe that Eldorado is well positioned to grow in value as we create and pursue new opportunities.



ON BEHALF OF

ELDORADO GOLD CORPORATION


“Paul N. Wright”


Paul N. Wright

President and Chief Executive Officer


Eldorado will host a conference call today to discuss the 2005 Financial Results at 11:00 a.m. EST (8:00 a.m. PST).  You may participate in the conference call by dialing 416-695-5261 in Toronto or 1-877-888-7019 toll free in North America and asking for the Eldorado Conference Call with Chairperson: Paul Wright, President and CEO of Eldorado Gold.  The call will be available on Eldorado’s website. www.eldoradogold.com.  A replay of the call will be available for one week by dialing 416-695-5275 in Toronto or 1-888-509-0081toll free in North America and entering the Pass code: 617033.


The terms “Mineral Reserve”, “Proven Mineral Reserve” and “Probable Mineral Reserve” used in this release are Canadian mining terms as 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 (the “CIM”) Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council on August 20, 2000 as may be amended from time to time by the CIM.  These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Guide 7.  In the United States, a mineral reserve is defined as a part of a mineral deposit which could be economically and legally extracted or produced at the time the mineral reserve determination is made.


The terms “Mineral Resource”, “Measured Mineral Resource”, “Indicated Mineral Resource”, “Inferred Mineral Resource” used in this release are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with National Instruction 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects under the guidelines set out in the CIM Standards. Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.


For a detailed discussion of resource and reserve estimates and related matters see the Company’s technical reports, including the Prospectus dated January 31, 2006 and other reports filed under the Company’s name at www.sedar.com.  A qualified person has verified the data contained in this release.


Note to U.S. Investors.  While the terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource,” “indicated mineral resource”, and “inferred mineral resource” are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they are not defined terms under standards in the United States and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC.  As such, information contained in this report concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S companies in SEC filings.  With respect to “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” there is a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and a great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility.  It can not be assumed that all or any part of an “indicated mineral resource” or “inferred mineral resource” will ever be upgraded to a higher category.  Investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into reserves.





Certain of the statements made herein may contain forward-looking statements or information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and forward looking statements or information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) .  Such forward looking statements or information include, but are not limited to statements or information with respect to  unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual events, or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward looking statements.  Specific reference is made to “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors” in the Company’s Prospectus dated January 31, 2006.  Forward-looking statements herein include statements regarding the expectations and beliefs of management.  Such factors included, amongst others the following:  gold price volatility; impact  of any hedging activities, including margin limits and margin calls; discrepancies between actual and estimated production, between actual and estimated reserves, and between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; mining operational risk; regulatory restrictions, including environmental regulatory restrictions and liability; risks of sovereign investment; speculative nature of gold exploration; dilution; competition; loss of key employees; additional funding requirements; and defective title to mineral claims or property, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Prospectus dated January 31, 2006.  We do not expect to update forward-looking statements continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company’s business contained in the Company’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the U.S.


Eldorado Gold Corporation’s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ELD) and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX: EGO). The TSX has neither approved nor disapproved the form or content of this release.


Contact:

Nancy E. Woo, Manager Investor Relations

Eldorado Gold Corporation

Phone: 604.601.6650 or 1.888.353.8166

1188, 550 Burrard Street

Fax: 604.687.4026

Vancouver, BC V6C 2B5

Email nancyw@eldoradogold.com

Web site: www.eldoradogold.com

Request for information packages: info@eldoradogold.com







PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS1




 

First

Quarter

2005

Second

Quarter

2005

Third

Quarter

2005

Fourth

Quarter

2005

Fourth

Quarter

2004

2005

2004


Gold Production

       

  Ounces produced

14,311

14,932

18,842

16,212

21,460

64,298

82,024

  Cash Operating Cost ($/oz)5

403

434

368

433

306

407

294

  Total Cash Cost ($/oz)2,5

413

440

377

442

313

416

302

  Total Production Cost ($/oz)3,5

589

579

494

610

367

564

358

  Realized Price ($/oz - sold) 4

428

425

435

486

430

444

409


São Bento Mine, Brazil

       

  Ounces produced

14,311

14,932

18,842

16,212

21,460

64,298

82,024

  Tonnes to Mill

67,328

80,244

90,074

73,057

90,845

310,703

366,729

  Grade (grams / tonne)

8.31

6.93

7.69

7.85

8.80

7.67

8.40

  Cash Operating Cost ($/oz)5

403

434

368

433

306

407

294

  Total Cash Cost ($/oz)2,5

413

440

377

442

313

416

302

  Total Production Cost ($/oz)3,5

589

579

494

610

367

564

358



1

Cost figures calculated in accordance with Gold Institute Standard

2

Cash Operating Costs plus royalties and the cost of off-site administration.

3

Total Cash Cost plus foreign exchange gain or loss, depreciation, amortization and reclamation expenses.  

4

Excludes amortization of deferred gain or loss.

5

Cash operating, total cash and total production costs are non-GAAP measures that do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities.  Please see section “Non-GAAP Measures” of the MD&A.









Eldorado Gold Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets

As At December 31

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

    

2005

 

2004

       

ASSETS

Current Assets

 Cash and cash equivalents

$

 33,826 

$

 135,390 

 Accounts receivable

 8,264 

 

 8,705 

 Prepaids

 2,024 

 

 -   

 Inventories  (Note 5)

 7,597 

 

 5,927 

    

 51,711 

 

 150,022 

       

Property, plant and equipment  (Note 6)

 186,610 

 

 52,337 

Other assets

 6,288 

 

 -   

Mineral properties and deferred development  (Note 6)

 23,326 

 

 22,676 

Investments and advances (Note 9)

 562 

 

 1,224 

Deposits (Note 4)

 50,000 

 

 -   

Goodwill (Note 3)

 2,238 

 

 -   

   

$

 320,735 

$

 226,259 

       

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

 19,730 

$

 6,005 

 Current portion of capital lease obligation

 37 

 

 -   

 Current portion of long term debt (Note 4)

 1,488 

 

 -   

    

 21,255 

 

 6,005 

       

 Asset retirement obligation (Note 7)

 11,143 

 

 8,059 

 Capital lease obligation

 90 

 

 -   

 Contractual severance obligation

 2,437 

 

 636 

 Future income taxes  (Note 10)

 10,051 

 

 4,598 

 Long term debt (Note 4)

 50,832 

 

 -   

    

 95,808 

 

 19,298 

       

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Share capital  (Note 8)

 573,721 

 

 508,373 

 Contributed surplus

 1,996 

 

 1,094 

 Stock based compensation (Note 8)

 5,980 

 

 5,138 

 Deficit

 (356,770)

 

 (307,644)

    

 224,927 

 

 206,961 

   

$

 320,735 

$

 226,259 

       

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11)

Subsequent event (Note 14)

 


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Eldorado Gold Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit

For The Years Ended December 31

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars except per share amounts)

2005

  2004 2003
       

Revenue

 Gold sales

$

 29,680 

$

 33,153 

$

 36,814 

 Interest and other income

 4,117 

 

 2,762 

 

 1,415 

  

 33,797 

 

 35,915 

 

 38,229 

Expenses

 Operating costs

 35,378 

 

 33,109 

 

 22,863 

 Depletion, depreciation and amortization

 9,798 

 

 4,431 

 

 10,321 

 General and administrative

 12,976 

 

 5,531 

 

 4,961 

 Exploration expense

 7,386 

 

 4,312 

 

 2,009 

 Interest and financing costs

 88 

 

 25 

 

 569 

 Loss on settlement of convertible debenture

 -   

 

 -   

 

 227 

 Stock based compensation expense

 1,961 

 

 2,894 

 

 1,106 

 Accretion of asset retirement obligation

 484 

 

 430 

 

 406 

 Writedown of assets

 19,537 

 

 -   

 

 44,645 

 Loss (gain) on disposals of property, plant & equipment

 (5,727)

 

 (30)

 

 186 

 Foreign exchange loss (gain)

 547 

 

 (196)

 

 (6,494)

  

 82,428 

 

 50,506 

 

 80,799 

       

Loss before income taxes

 (48,631)

 

 (14,591)

 

 (42,570)

       

 Tax recovery (expense)  (Note 10)

    Current  

 (152)

 

 1,406 

 

 1,107 

    Future  

 (343)

 

 (757)

 

 (3,570)

 Net loss for the year

$

 (49,126)

$

 (13,942)

$

 (45,033)

       

 Deficit at the beginning of the year:

 As previously reported

 (307,644)

 

 (293,702)

 

 (247,649)

 Change in accounting policy

 -   

 

 -   

 

 (1,020)

 As restated

$

 (307,644)

$

 (293,702)

$

 (248,669)

       

 Deficit at the end of the year

$

 (356,770)

$

 (307,644)

$

 (293,702)

       

 Weighted average number of shares outstanding

 284,004,311 

 

 257,643,212 

 

 221,770,349 

 Basic loss per share - U.S.$

$

 (0.17)

$

 (0.05)

$

 (0.20)

 Basic loss per share - CDN.$ - (yearly avg. rate)

$

 (0.19)

$

 (0.07)

$

 (0.28)

 Diluted loss per share - U.S.$

$

 (0.17)

$

 (0.05)

$

 (0.20)









Eldorado Gold Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For The Years Ended December 31

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

2005

  2004 2003
       

Cash flows from operating activities

Net loss for the year

$

 (49,126)

$

 (13,942)

$

 (45,033)

Items not affecting cash

  Depletion, depreciation and amortization

 9,798 

 

 4,431 

 

 10,321 

  Future income taxes

 343 

 

 757 

 

 3,570 

  Writedown of assets

 19,537 

 

 28 

 

 44,929 

  (Gain) loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment

 (227)

 

 8 

 

 -   

  Loss on settlement of convertible debenture

 -   

 

 -   

 

 227 

  Interest and financing costs

 -   

 

 -   

 

 127 

  Amortization of hedging gain

 -   

 

 329 

 

 (2,286)

  Stock based compensation expense

 2,426 

 

 3,720 

 

 1,418 

  Contractual severance expense

 1,801 

 

 318 

 

 318 

  Accretion of asset retirement obligation

 484 

 

 430 

 

 406 

  Foreign exchange (gain) loss

 (976)

 

 450 

 

 (6,850)

  Change in non-cash working capital

 2,006 

 

 (6,955)

 

 (3,501)

  

 (13,934)

 

 (10,426)

 

 3,646 

Cash flow from investing activities

  Acquisition of Afcan Mining Corporation - net cash acquired

 664 

 

 -   

 

 -   

  Property, plant and equipment

 (88,757)

 

 (22,772)

 

 (9,391)

  Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment

 227 

 

 357 

 

 -   

  Mineral properties and deferred development

 (650)

 

 (573)

 

 (3,604)

  Investments and advances

 -   

 

 -   

 

 (1,196)

  Proceeds from disposals of investments and advances

 -   

 

 70 

 

 -   

  

 (88,516)

 

 (22,918)

 

 (14,191)

Cash flow from financing activities

  Long-term debt

 50,000 

 

 -   

 

 -   

  Repayment of long-term debt

 (986)

 

 -   

 

 -   

  Repayment of convertible debentures

 -   

 

 -   

 

 (7,150)

  Deposits

 (50,000)

 

 -   

 

 -   

  Issue of common shares:

    Voting - for cash

 7,184 

 

 63,708 

 

 78,619 

  Other assets

 (6,288)

 

 -   

 

 -   

  

 (90)

 

 63,708 

 

 71,469 

  Foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash held in foreign currency

 976 

 

 (439)

 

 6,914 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 (101,564)

 

 29,925 

 

 67,838 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

 135,390 

 

 105,465 

 

 37,627 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

$

 33,826 

$

 135,390 

$

 105,465