Gran Colombia Gold 2018 results March 2019

Gran Colombia Gold, Continental Gold Post Net Losses for Full-Year 2018

Toronto-based Gran Colombia Gold (GCC) on March 27, 2019 posted a US$3.4 million net loss for full year 2018, down from a US$36.8 million profit in 2017.

“The net loss in 2018 includes $28.4 million of losses on financial instruments, primarily triggered by the extinguishment of the 2020 and 2024 debentures in the second quarter, and a $7.6 million charge for the costs associated with the offering completed in the second quarter of 2018,” according to GCC.

Net profits in 2017 included a reversal of a US$45.3 million impairment of its principal asset: the Segovia gold-mining operations in Antioquia.

For fourth quarter (4Q) 2018, adjusted net income rose to US$14.3 million, up from US$9.1 million in 4Q 2017.

The year-on-year improvement “reflected the favorable impact on income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2018 arising from the Colombian tax reform measures announced in December 2018 that will see a further reduction in future income tax rates,” according to GCC.

Commenting on the results, GCC executive chairman Serafino Iacono noted that “2018 was a watershed year “ with gold production surpassing 200,000 ounces for the first time, up 25% from 2017, “as our high-grade Segovia operations delivered another solid year with [gold yield per ton of rock mined] at over 17 grams per ton.”

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose 36% year-on-year, “surpassing the $100 million mark for the first time, and being a key catalyst in the 58% increase in our operating cash flow to almost $80 million and the 72% increase in our free cash flow to $44 million,” according to Iacono.

“Our debt refinancing earlier in 2018 did exactly what we hoped for, lifting the dilution overhang off of our stock — and we strengthened our balance sheet, increasing our cash and cash equivalents to $35.6 million, while reducing our debt by 37% to $88.3 million by the end of 2018,” he added.

Full-year 2018 revenues jumped 25% year-on-year, to US$268.5 million, “largely driven by the production growth and a modest improvement in realized gold prices to an average of $1,239 per ounce in 2018,” according to GCC.

“In 2019, revenue will benefit from lower charges in our new refining contract that the company entered into in January 2019 with an international refinery, saving as much as $20 per ounce sold. The company will also be paid faster under the new refining contract, a benefit to operating cash flow.”

Meanwhile, GCC expects its Segovia operations will produce between 186,000 to 199,000 ounces of gold this year, while its corporate-wide production should be in a range of 210,000 to 225,000 ounces, according to the company.

Continental Gold Results

As for Continental, this Toronto-based miner posted a US$31.6 million loss for 2018, more than the US$7.8 million loss in 2017.

The company’s main asset is its in-development Buritica, Antioquia gold mine, due for production start-up in 2021.

The bigger net losses in 2018 versus 2017 were the result of “increasing construction activities in each of the comparative years, net of financing proceeds received from the credit facility in 2018 and 2017; the issuance of shares in 2017 and 2016; and the transfer of collateral deposits to restricted cash in 2018,” according to Continental.

Exploration expenses hit US$2.5 million in 2018 versus US$300,000 in 2017, mainly because of “initiation of exploration activities at the Berlin [Antioquia], Dojura [Choco] and southern Colombia [mining] projects in late 2017,” according to Continental.