SAS reports 2013 third quarter results, with a sixth consecutive quarter of positive cash flow from operations

All dollar amounts are stated in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated

(1) See "non-GAAP Measures" for an explanation of non-GAAP

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - St Andrew Goldfields Ltd. (T-SAS) (OTCQX-STADF), ("SAS" or the "Company") reports a net loss attributable to shareholders for Q3 2013 of $0.6 million, or nil on a per share basis, compared to net income of $6.3 million, or $0.02 per share, for Q3 2012. For Q3 2013, adjusted net loss ⁽¹⁾ was $0.9 million, or nil on a per share basis, compared to adjusted net earnings of $5.0 million, or $0.01 per share, for Q3 2012.

Earnings continued to be impacted by the significant decrease in the gold price since the beginning of Q2 2013 and the increase in non-cash depreciation and depletion charges due to the depletion of the mineral reserves at the Holloway and Hislop mines.

Q3 2013 production of 25,434 ounces of gold was in line with the Company's expectation. With the cost reduction program implemented in Q2 2013 and a stronger US dollar, all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾ was US$1,086 per ounce during the quarter. Operations continued to perform well with a total cash cost per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾ in the quarter of US$832 per ounce (including royalty costs of US$112 per ounce). Mine cash costs of US$720 per ounce were below guidance and improved by 8% or US$60 per ounce over Q2 2013. SAS reiterates its 2013 production guidance of between 95,000 to 105,000 ounces of gold with mine cash costs between US$800 to US$850 per ounce.

SAS generated operating cash flow of $8.9 million, or $0.02 per share, and net cash flow ⁽¹⁾ of $3.0 million for Q3 2013 as compared to operating cash flow of $15.2 million or $0.04 per share and net cash flow ⁽¹⁾ of $6.8 million, in Q3 2012. Both operating cash flow and net cash flow for the quarter were negatively impacted by a 19% decrease in the average realized price per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾ when compared to the same period last year.

"We had another strong quarter with year-to-date production of 75,248 ounces of gold, and a significant improvement in mine cash costs," said Duncan Middlemiss, President & CEO of SAS. "We are pleased to see that we were able to reduce cash costs and return to a positive net cash flow state despite the current gold price. Holt continued to perform well, with a 13% increase in throughput in the quarter. Our team has worked hard to meet our stated objectives of generating net cash flow from our operations, and maintaining a strong financial position during these volatile markets. We have a relatively strong balance sheet, we will continue to operate well in the current gold price environment, and thrive in better ones."

Q3 2013 Highlights

On September 16, 2013, SAS announced the appointment of Duncan Middlemiss (the former Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President of Operations) as the new President, and Chief Executive Officer, and Director of SAS effective October 1, 2013.

Q3 2013 Conference Call Information
A conference call and webcast is scheduled for 10:00am EST, Thursday November 7, 2013 to discuss the Q3 2013 results. Participants are invited to join via webcast from the Company's website under the section titled "Events", at www.sasgoldmines.com. A recorded playback of the call will also be available via the website and will be posted within 24 hours of the call.

Financial Performance
Despite a US$311 per ounce or 19% decrease in the average realized price per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾, gold sales revenue saw a slight decrease over Q3 2012. Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾ decreased by US$63 per ounce when compared to Q3 2012 mainly due to an increase in commercial gold production sold and a reduction in royalty costs due to the decline in the gold price. The decrease in the average realized price per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾, partially offset by the increase in commercial gold production sold and lower royalty costs, resulted in a $4.9 million decrease in cash margin from mine operations ⁽¹⁾.

When compared to Q3 2012, depreciation and depletion expense increased by $3.3 million. The increase resulted from the depletion of mineral reserves at Holloway and Hislop.

Mark-to-market on derivative instruments in Q3 2013 resulted in a net gain of $0.4 million compared to a net gain of $1.2 million in Q3 2012, due to the significant decline in the gold price and the strengthening of the US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar.

Holt Mine, Operations and Financial Review (see "Operating and Financial Statistics")
During Q3 2013, the Holt Mine ("Holt") produced 16,807 ounces of gold, an increase of 28% over Q3 2012. When compared to Q3 2012, despite a 19% decline in the the average realized price per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾, gold sales revenue increased by 12% as a result of the increase in production.

Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾ decreased by US$183 per ounce or 21% from Q3 2012, mainly as a result of the increase in commercial gold production sold and the reduction in royalty costs due to the decline in the gold price.

Cash margin from mine operations ⁽¹⁾ increased by $1.4 million over Q3 2012 due to the increase in commercial gold production sold, offset partially by the decrease in the gold price during the quarter. Holt contributed 80% of the total cash margin from mine operations ⁽¹⁾ earned during the quarter.

Holt is expected to contribute approximately 59% of the Company's total gold production for 2013.

Holloway Mine, Operations and Financial Review (see "Operating and Financial Statistics")
The Holloway Mine ("Holloway") produced 4,662 ounces of gold for Q3 2013, a decrease over Q3 2012. For Q3 2013, head grades averaged 4.02 g/t Au, a decrease of 3% when compared to Q3 2012. Mill recoveries during the quarter were in line with expectations at approximately 90%.

Gold sales revenue for the quarter decreased by 15% when compared with Q3 2012, mainly due to the decrease in production and the decrease in the average realized price per ounce of gold sold⁽¹⁾ during the quarter.

Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾ during the quarter increased by US$102 per ounce when compared to Q3 2012, mainly due to the decrease in throughput. Cash margin from mine operations ⁽¹⁾ decreased by $2.3 million over Q3 2012 as a result of the decrease in the gold price and higher unit operating costs due to the reduction in throughput and increased ore development.

Holloway is expected to contribute approximately 22% of the Company's total gold production for 2013.

Hislop Mine, Operations and Financial Review (see "Operating and Financial Statistics")
The Hislop Mine ("Hislop") produced 3,965 ounces of gold during Q3 2013. The head grade averaged 2.27 g/t Au, with mill recoveries of 81%.

Commercial gold production sold during the quarter decreased by 37% when compared to Q3 2012 as a result of the reduced production.

Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold ⁽¹⁾ increased by US$181 per ounce over Q3 2012 mainly as a result of the reduction in throughput and slightly lower head grade.

Hislop is expected to contribute approximately 19% of the Company's total gold production for 2012.

Taylor Project Update ("Taylor")
During Q3 2013, the Company released results from 22 drill holes totalling 4,032 metres, collared from the ramp development on the 220m elevation, targeting the easterly strike extension of the 1004 lens (in the vicinity of the second proposed bulk sample) of the West Porphry Zone. SAS reported near surface intersections over significant widths in hole T220-020, which returned 14.12 g/t Au over 18.6 metres (21.67 g/t Au uncut), including 26.92 g/t Au over 4.6 metres (47.66 g/t Au uncut), and hole T220-003, which returned 11.56 g/t Au over 16.2 metres (13.14 g/t Au uncut), including 12.48 g/t Au over 14.7 metres (14.22 g/t Au uncut) (see press release dated August 27, 2013, available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.sasgoldmines.com).

This phase of drilling confirmed that: (i) wider, more continuous and higher grade mineralized zones are present along the eastern edge of the 1004 lens than were previously defined; and (ii) potential exists to expand mineralization on the 1004 lens both to the east and to depth. These findings support advancing the underground exploration program.

Exploration Projects
Exploration activities during Q3 2013 mainly focussed on the targets at Holloway and Hislop. Drilling during the quarter totalled approximately 12,900 metres with all programs now substantially complete.

Holloway Mine - Smoke Deep and Sediment Zones
A total of 15 holes and 4,300 metres were drilled from surface and from underground focussing on the down dip and down plunge extension of Smoke Deep to the east and up-dip, and also targeted the Sediment Zone. Underground drilling on the Smoke Deep target will continue into Q4 2013, with program results currently being assessed.

Hislop Mine - Hislop North Project ("Hislop North") and Hislop Pit Complex
As reported on October 31, 2013, drilling at Hislop North focussed on tightening the drill spacing on the 147 and Grey Fox zone extensions, from the claim boundary towards the West Pit. A total of 18 holes and 8,700 metres were drilled, using one drill from surface with Phase I of this drilling program now complete. SAS reported near surface intersections over significant widths intercepted in hole H13-014 which returned 8.08 g/t Au over 5.4 metres and H13-016 which returned 5.50 g/t Au over 2.7 metres and 8.43 g/t Au over 1.2 metres (see press release dated October 31, 2013, available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.sasgoldmines.com). Expansion of the mineralization remains open at depth and the Company expects to commence with a second phase of drilling on both target areas at Hislop North in early 2014.

During the quarter, one surface drill continued to test for the depth extension beneath the East and West pits with 11 holes and approximately 3,600 metres completed at the end of the quarter. Recently released drill results highlighted well mineralized intercepts being reported below both pits. Hole HP13-014 returned 3.40 g/t Au over 28.2 metres including 12.27 g/t Au over 2.5 metres which is situated approximately 350 metres below the bottom of the current West Pit. Drilling below the East Pit returned strong mineralization in Hole HP13-045 which assayed 6.34 g/t Au over 11.0 metres (8.62 g/t Au uncut), including a higher grade intercept of 16.55 g/t Au over 3.2 metres (24.38 g/t Au uncut), situated approximately 100 metres below the bottom of the current East Pit. The mineralized zones remain open at depth below both pits (see press release dated October 31, 2013, available under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com or on the Company's website at www.sasgoldmines.com).

Capital Resources
SAS generated cash flow from operations of $8.9 million in Q3 2013, a decrease of $6.3 million over Q3 2012. The decrease in cash flow from operations over Q3 2012, was mainly due to the decline in gold price during the quarter.

Working capital as at September 30, 2013, was $19.6 million compared to a working capital of $18.2 million as at December 31, 2012. The slight increase was primarily due to the change in mark-to-market positions of derivative instruments. At the end of Q3 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $31.6 million, in conjunction with an additional cash resource of US$10.0 million in an undrawn revolving credit facility. The Company's financial position remains strong at the end of the quarter despite the significant decline in the gold price since Q2 2013.

SAS expects to incur a total of $3.8 million in capital expenditures at the two underground mines, the Holt Mill, and at Taylor during Q4 2013.

Qualified Person
Production at the Holt, Holloway and Hislop mines, processing at the Holt Mill, and mine development and production activities at the operations were being conducted under the supervision of Duncan Middlemiss, P.Eng. Mr. Middlemiss was the Company's Chief Operating Officer and Vice-President of Operations during the third quarter, and was appointed as SAS' President & CEO on October 1, 2013. Exploration activities on the Company's various properties, including the drilling program at the Taylor Project is under the supervision of Mr. Doug Cater P. Geo, the Company's Vice-President of Exploration.

Messrs. Middlemiss and Cater are qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101, and have reviewed and approved this news release.

Non-GAAP Measures
The Company has included the following non‐GAAP performance measures: adjusted net earnings (loss); total cash cost per ounce of gold sold; all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold; mine‐site cost per tonne milled; cash margin from mine operations; average realized price per ounce of gold sold; cash margin per ounce of gold sold; net cash flow; and operating cash flow per share; throughout this news release, which do not have standardized meanings prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Company and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance. Refer to the "non-GAAP measures", section of this news release for a discussion and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP measurements to the Company's Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Report for Q3 2013.

The Unaudited Balance Sheets, Statements of Operations and Statements of Cash Flows for the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, can be found at the end of this news release.

To review the complete Unaudited Condensed Financial Report for Q3 2013, and the Interim Management's Discussion and Analysis for Q3 2013, please see SAS's SEDAR filings under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com or the Company's website at www.sasgoldmines.com.

About SAS
SAS (operating as "SAS Goldmines"), is a gold mining and exploration company with an extensive land package in the Timmins mining district, north-eastern Ontario, which lies within the Abitibi greenstone belt, the most important host of historical gold production in Canada.

SAS owns and operates the Holt, Holloway and Hislop mines, which contribute approximately 100,000 ounces of annual gold production. The Company is also advancing the Taylor Project and is conducting a number of exploration programs across 120km of land straddling the Porcupine-Destor Fault Zone.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking information") under applicable securities laws, concerning the Company's business, operations, financial performance, condition and prospects, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking information is frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results, including in respect of the 2013 targeted level of gold production and mine cash costs from Holt, Holloway and Hislop; the level of capital expenditures for the balance of 2013; the continuance of exploration drilling at Holloway and the commencement of the second phase of drilling at Hislop North and the timing thereof; and the sufficiency of the Company's cash flow and existing cash resources to finance its capital programs and the further development of its advanced stage exploration projects.

This forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in gold prices, unanticipated operational or technical difficulties which could increase the time necessary to complete the development initiatives, escalate operating and/or capital costs and reduce anticipated production levels; uncertainties relating to the interpretation of the geology, continuity, grade and size estimates of the mineral reserves and resources; the Company's dependence on key employees and changes in the availability of qualified personnel; fluctuations in exchange rates; operational hazards and risks, including the inability to insure against all risks; changes in laws and regulations; and changes in general economic conditions. Such forward looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including in respect of the ability to achieve operating cost estimates, the volatility and level of the price of gold including that the gold price will generally remain within a reasonable range of current levels, the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions on which such estimates are based, the sufficiency of the Company's cash flow and financial resources to carry out its planned programs, the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel to conduct its exploration programs and operate its mines and general business and economic conditions. Should one or more risks and uncertainties materialize or should any assumptions prove incorrect, then actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information. SAS does not assume the obligation to revise or update this forward-looking information after the date of this release or to revise such information to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. A further description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company may also be found in the Company's Annual Information Form available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Adjusted net earnings (loss)
Adjusted net earnings (loss) is a non-GAAP performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS, as well it may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings. Adjusted net earnings (loss) is calculated by removing the gains and losses, resulting from the mark-to-market revaluation of the Company's gold-linked liabilities and foreign currency derivative contracts, one-time gains or losses on the disposition of non-core assets, periodic adjustments to the Company's asset retirement obligations, and expenses, asset impairment gains or losses and significant tax adjustments not related to current period's earnings, as detailed in the table below. The Company discloses this measure, which is based on its Financial Reports, to assist in the understanding of the Company's operating results and financial position.

Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold
Total cash cost per ounce of gold sold is a non-GAAP performance measure and may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings. The Company has included this non-GAAP performance measure throughout this document as the Company believes that this generally accepted industry performance measure provides a useful indication of the Company's operational performance. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The following table provides a reconciliation of total cash costs per ounce of gold sold to production expenses per the Financial Report for Q3 2013:

All-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold
All-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold is a non-GAAP performance measure and may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings. The Company has included this non-GAAP performance measure throughout this document as the Company believes that this generally accepted industry performance measure provides a useful indication of the Company's operational performance. Effective September 30, 2013, the Company has adopted the all-in sustaining definition as set out in the guidance note released by the World Gold Council on June 27, 2013. All-in sustaining costs include mine-site operating costs and production royalties incurred at the Company's mining operations, sustaining capital expenditures, corporate administration expense, mine-site exploration costs, and reclamation cost accretion. The Company believes that this measure represents the total costs of producing gold from current operations, and provides the Company and other stakeholders with additional information that illustrates the Company's operational performance and ability to generate cash flow. This cost measure is reported on a consolidated level, and a per ounce of gold sold basis. As the measure seeks to reflect the full cost of gold production from current operations, new project capital is not included. Certain other cash expenditures, including tax payments and financing costs are also not included.

Mine-site cost per tonne milled
Mine-site cost per tonne milled is a non-GAAP performance measure and may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings. As illustrated in the table below, this measure is calculated by adjusting Production Costs, as shown in the statements of operations for inventory level changes and then dividing by tonnes processed through the mill. Since total cash cost per ounce of gold sold data can be affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, Management believes that mine-site cost per tonne milled provides additional information regarding the performance of mining operations and allows Management to monitor operating costs on a more consistent basis as the per tonne milled measure reduces the cost variability associated with varying production levels. Management also uses this measure to determine the economic viability of mining blocks. As each mining block is evaluated based on the net realizable value of each tonne mined, the estimated revenue on a per tonne basis must be in excess of the mine-site cost per tonne milled in order to be economically viable. Management is aware that this per tonne milled measure is impacted by fluctuations in throughput and thus uses this evaluation tool in conjunction with production costs prepared in accordance with IFRS. This measure supplements production cost information prepared in accordance with IFRS and allows investors to distinguish between changes in production costs resulting from changes in production versus changes in operating performance.

Cash margin from mine operations
Cash margin from mine operations is a non-GAAP measure which may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings. It is calculated as the difference between gold sales and production costs (comprised of mine-site operating costs and production royalties) per the Company's Financial Reports. The Company believes it illustrates the performance of the Company's operating mines and enables investors to better understand the Company's performance in comparison to other gold producers who present results on a similar basis.

Average realized price per ounce of gold sold
Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated by dividing gold sales proceeds received by the Company for the relevant period by the ounces of gold sold. It may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings.

Cash margin per ounce of gold sold
Cash margin per ounce of gold sold is a non-GAAP measure, and is calculated by subtracting the total cash cost per ounce of gold sold from the average realized price per ounce of gold sold. It may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings.

Net cash flow
Net cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated by taking cash flow from operating activities less cash used in investing activities as reported in the Company's Financial Reports. It may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings.

Operating cash flow per share
Operating cash flow per share is a non-GAAP measure and is calculated by dividing cash flow from operating activities in the Company's Financial Reports by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for each period. It may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings.

Operating and Financial Statistics - Holt Mine

Operating and Financial Statistics - Holloway Mine

Operating and Financial Statistics - Hislop Mine

Statements of Operations (unaudited)
St Andrew Goldfields Ltd.
Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars except per share information

Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
St Andrew Goldfields Ltd.
Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars