RANDGOLD RESOURCES LIMITED Incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands Reg. No. 62686 LSE Trading Symbol: RRS
RECORD PRODUCTION FROM LOULO BOOSTS Q2 GOLD SALES REVENUE
London, 2 August 2007 - The continuing increase in gold production at Randgold Resources' Loulo mine in Mali, together with the rolling out of hedges, boosted the company's gold sales revenue for the June quarter to US$66.2 million - up on the March quarter (US$63 million) and the comparable quarter in 2006 (US$63.4 million) - in spite of a lower contribution from its Morila joint venture.
Profit from mining of US$28.2 million was marginally up on the previous quarter but once-off costs related to the restructuring of the Loulo project finance facility, increased exploration expenses at the Tongon project, now at final feasibility stage, and non-cash hedge restructuring charges impacted the bottom line. Net profit was US$6.8 million against the previous quarter's US$12.7 million and Q2 2006's US$14.6 million.
Total cash costs rose to US$361 per ounce (Q1: US$321; Q2 2006: US$270) reflecting the weaker dollar, higher oil prices, lower production at Morila and the unscheduled utilisation of stockpiled ore at Loulo, necessitated by equipment breakdowns, which resulted in the reversing of previously deferred costs.
The company said production and net profit were expected to increase in the second half of the year when higher-grade ore will be accessed at Morila. In Q2 Loulo achieved record production of 70 660 ounces (Q1: 67 908oz; Q2 2006: 51 233oz) as a result of steady throughput at slightly higher grade and recovery rates. Mining tonnages were lower than planned owing to prolonged breakdowns of the mining contractor's excavators, requiring mill feed to be supplemented by stockpiled ore.
The CIL expansion project was completed and commissioned during the quarter, which should ensure sustained recovery rates. Work on the tailings thickener and clarifier project, due for completion by the end of this year, continued on schedule.
Meanwhile, development of the twin underground declines for the Yalea underground mine reached a distance of 400 metres from surface at a vertical depth of 75 metres. Yalea is scheduled to deliver its first ore from underground to the plant during the last quarter of this year. At Gara, the second underground mine due to be developed at Loulo, further drilling has outlined an additional inferred resource of 400 000 ounces at 4.9g/t. Following further infill drilling, the mine's design will be extended to exploit this additional ore, which represents an 18% increase in Gara's underground resource.
As anticipated, production at Morila was down to 86 832 ounces (Q1: 103 224oz; Q2 2006: 135 387oz) as a consequence of lower grade and recoveries. Mine management are confident that they will meet the planned production scheduled for the second half of the year and are pursuing strategies to make up the production shortfall incurred during the first half of the year.
At the Tongon project in the Cote d'Ivoire, the feasibility study drilling programme made good progress. The study is scheduled to be at bankable level by the end of next year and, if all goes according to plan, Tongon will pour its first gold two years later. The feasibility study includes a re-scoping study in the third quarter of this year which will review the capacity of the planned processing facility in the light of the promising results received to date from the ongoing drilling programme.
On the exploration front, the company had 10 drill rigs operating in five countries - Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
Chief executive Mark Bristow said the challenges of the past quarter had been dealt with effectively and, on balance, the company was satisfied with the results that had been achieved.
"Loulo is doing exceptionally well and production at Morila is scheduled to get back on track in the latter half of the year. The Yalea underground development is making rapid progress and Tongon is increasingly shaping up as our third new mine. Meanwhile the quality of the results we're getting from our exploration programmes continues to underline the value of our sustained and substantial investment in organic growth," Bristow said.
"The conversion of the Loulo project finance into a US$60 million corporate revolving credit facility involved an upfront cost but has significant benefits: a lower interest rate, saving in political risk insurance, flexibility in terms of using the funds and dealing with the hedge book, and longer-dated availability."
RANDGOLD RESOURCES ENQUIRIES: Chief Executive Dr Mark Bristow +44 779 775 2288 +44 788 071 1386 Financial Director Graham Shuttleworth +44 20 7557 7730 +44 779 614 4438 Investor & Media Relations Kathy du Plessis +44 20 7557 7738 Email: randgoldresources@dpapr.com Website: www.randgoldresources.com ------------------------------------------------------- REPORT FOR THE QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2007
* Loulo achieves record gold production
* Loulo increases underground resources by 18% at Gara
* Continued good drill results at Tongon enhance Randgold Resources' next development project
* New corporate facility reduces costs and increases financial flexibility
* Bambadji joint venture enlarges Randgold Resources' exploration footprint adjacent to Loulo infrastructure
* Exploration results from Senegal, Burkina Faso and Ghana reward ongoing investment in organic growth
Randgold Resources Limited had 68.9 million shares in issue as at 30 June 2007
SUMMARISED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
US$000 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
quarter quarter quarter
ended ended ended
30 Jun 31 Mar 30 Jun
2007 2007 2006
Gold sales# 66 220 63 065 63 441
Total cash costs* 38 029 35 007 28 448
Profit from mining 28 191 28 058 34 993
activity*
Exploration and 8 594 6 521 6 938
corporate
expenditure
Profit before 10 034 16 225 21 486
income tax
Net profit 6 848 12 748 14 573
Net profit 5 764 11 418 13 754
attributable to
equity
shareholders
Net cash generated 14 663 13 567 21 418
from operations
Cash and cash 137 313 139 407 151 531
equivalents
Attributable 105 393 109 198 105 388
production+
(ounces)
Group total cash 361 321 270
costs per ounce*+
(US$)
Group cash 321 284 231
operating costs
per ounce*+ (US$)
US$000 Unaudited Unaudited
6 months 6 months
ended ended
30 Jun 30 Jun
2007 2006
Gold sales# 129 285 130 682
Total cash costs* 73 036 61 911
Profit from mining 56 249 68 771
activity*
Exploration and 15 115 14 625
corporate expenditure
Profit before income 26 259 39 908
tax
Net profit 19 596 27 340
Net profit 17 182 25 299
attributable to
equity shareholders
Net cash generated 28 230 43 947
from operations
Cash and cash 137 313 151 531
equivalents
Attributable 214 591 224 377
production+ (ounces)
Group total cash 340 276
costs per ounce*+
(US$)
Group cash operating 302 238
costs per ounce*+
(US$)
# Gold sales does not include the non-cash profit/(loss) on the roll forward of hedges.
* Refer to explanation of non-GAAP measures provided.
+ Randgold Resources consolidates 100% of Loulo and 40% of Morila.
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