Great Panther Silver Reports Record Quarterly Net Income of $7 Million
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 06/14/11 -- GREAT PANTHER SILVER LIMITED (TSX: GPR)(NYSE Amex: GPL) (the 'Company') is pleased to announce the financial results for the Company's quarter ending March 31, 2011. This is the first period where the Company has prepared its consolidated interim unaudited financial statements using IFRS. The full version of the financial statements and the management discussion and analysis can be viewed on the Company's web site at www.greatpanther.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
'We are pleased to report that Great Panther continued to achieve record revenue, earnings from mining operations, and net income in our first quarter this year,' said Kaare Foy, Executive Chairman. 'We have also made some changes to strengthen both our board and management team which we believe will position us to continue to grow our business profitably in the future.'
Change from
First Quarter First Quarter
Highlights 2011 2010
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Revenue 15.5 million UP 95%
Earnings from mining operations 8.6 million UP 242%
Net income 7 million UP 617%
Earnings per share - basic $ 0.06 UP 500%
Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.05 UP 400%
Silver ounces produced (excluding
equivalent ounces of gold, zinc and lead) 410,640 UP 15%
Silver equivalent produced (1) 607,225 UP 15%
Silver payable ounces 348,439 UP 9%
Total cash cost per silver ounce (2) $ 10.05 UP 50%
Average revenue per silver ounce sold $ 32.18 UP 79%
2011 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS
-- 95% increase in revenue to $15.5 million for the quarter ended March 31,
2011 from $7.9 million for the same period in 2010.
-- 242% increase in gross profit (earnings from mining operations) to $8.6
million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from $2.5 million for
the same period in 2010.
-- $4.8 million increase in cash flows from operating activities to $2.8
million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 from $2.0 million used in
operating activities for the same period in 2010.
-- $6.0 million increase in net income to $7.0 million for the quarter
ended March 31, 2011 from $1.0 million for the same period in 2010.
-- 165% increase in Adjusted EBITDA(3) to $8.4 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2011 from $3.2 million for the three months ended March
31, 2010.
-- On February 8, 2011, the Company's shares were listed on NYSE Amex stock
exchange in the United States under the trading symbol 'GPL'.
-- On March 8, 2011, the Company paid off $4.05 million in two outstanding
8% unsecured convertible loan notes due on July 14, 2011 by the issuance
of 1,800,000 fully paid common shares of the Company at the originally
agreed upon conversion price of $2.25 per common share.
-- Closed equity offering for gross proceeds of $24.2 million on April 12,
2011.
-- 15% increase in total metal production to 607,225 silver equivalent
ounces ('Ag eq oz') in the first quarter 2011 from 526,949 Ag eq oz in
the first quarter 2010, including 410,640 silver ounces, 2,310 gold
ounces, 241 tonnes of lead and 345 tonnes of zinc.
-- 29% increase in metal production to 406,419 Ag eq oz at Guanajuato
compared to the first quarter 2010.
-- Record silver production of 137,219 oz Ag at Topia, a 4% increase from
the first quarter 2010.
-- Increase in cash cost per silver ounce, net of by-products, for the
first quarter of 2011 to US$10.05 from US$6.72 for the first quarter of
2010. This was principally due to higher smelter charges arising from
new smelter contracts at our Topia mine. Site costs were also higher at
Topia because of higher tonnes mined and milled at a lower grade.
-- Issued an update on March 7, 2011 to the ongoing mineral resource
development at the Topia mine. The 2011 mineral resource estimate
increased Measured and Indicated mineral resources to 7.44 million
silver equivalent ounces, a 36.3% increase over the 2009 resource
estimate, and Inferred resources to 11.91 million silver equivalent
ounces, a 109.3% increase over the previous estimate.
-- Exploration drilling confirms silver-gold zones extending to depth at
Guanajuatito.
-- On February 16, 2011, Minera Mexicana El Rosario S.A. de C.V., Great
Panther's Mexican subsidiary, was awarded its first distinction as a
'Socially Responsible Company' for the year 2010 by CEMEFI, Centro
Mexicano para la Filantropia (Mexican Centre for Philanthropy). This
annual award is a milestone for us and has been awarded for our
commitment to sustainable environmental, social and economic
development.
2011 OUTLOOK
As we approach the mid-point of the three-year growth strategy (2010 - 2012), production from both operations is growing and plant capacity is being increased to accommodate future growth, mineral resources are being updated and increased, exploration drilling is being increased and the permitting process has been initiated for the San Ignacio Property, near Guanajuato. The anticipated development of the new San Ignacio Property combined with the improved mineral resources at Guanajuato and Topia support ongoing growth and increased throughput. Operating efficiencies will allow for further increases such that production upside will remain at both mines. The 2012 mine plans will be confirmed once the drill results for the current programs have been interpreted, and mineral resources are updated.
'Following the strong financial performance Great Panther delivered in fiscal 2010, we are off to a stronger start this year, again setting several new records,' said Robert Archer, President & CEO.
ABOUT GREAT PANTHER
Great Panther Silver Limited is one of the fastest growing primary silver producers in Mexico with strong leverage to future rises in the price of silver. The Company owns a 100% interest in two operating mines in Mexico. The Company's mission is to become a leading primary silver producer by acquiring, developing and profitably mining precious metals.
All shareholders have the ability to receive a hard copy of the Company's complete audited financial statements free of charge upon request. Should you wish to receive Great Panther Silver's Financial Statements or the Annual Report on Form 20-F in hard copy, please contact us at the Company toll free at 1-888-355-1766 or 604-608-1766, or e-mail info@greatpanther.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Robert A. Archer, President & CEO
Kaare G. Foy, Executive Chairman
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and forward-looking information within the meaning of the Securities Act (Ontario) (together, 'forward-looking statements'). Such forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to the Company's plans for production at its Guanajuato and Topia Mines in Mexico, exploring its other properties in Mexico, the overall economic potential of its properties, the availability of adequate financing and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different. Such factors include, among others, risks and uncertainties relating to potential political risks involving the Company's operations in a foreign jurisdiction, uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, physical risks inherent in mining operations, currency fluctuations, fluctuations in the price of silver, gold and base metals, completion of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, the inability or failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis, and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010 and reports on Form 6-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov and Material Change Reports filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available at www.sedar.com.
(1) Silver equivalent ounces in 2011 were established using prices of US$1,200 per oz of gold, US$20 per oz of silver, US$0.90 per lb of lead, and US$0.90 per lb of zinc.
(2) 'Cash cost per ounce' is a non-IFRS measure and is used by the Company to manage and evaluate operating performance at each of the Company's mines and is widely reported in the silver mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but does not have a standardized meaning.
(3) 'Adjusted EBITDA' is a non-IFRS measure in which standard EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, and depreciation and amortization) is adjusted for stock-based compensation expense and non-recurring items. Refer to the 'Non-IFRS Measures' section for a reconciliation of standardized and adjusted EBITDA to the financial statements.
The Company's financial statements are now reported under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') and the 2010 comparative results have been restated to IFRS in the current period financial statements. Refer to Note 2 in the unaudited March 31, 2011 financial statements for a detailed description of our accounting policies under IFRS and Note 14 for disclosures and reconciliation of the impact of IFRS on previously reported results.
Great Panther Silver Limited
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited - Prepared by Management)
(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except shares data)
For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
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2011 2010
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Revenue $ 15,460 $ 7,915
Cost of sales:
Cost of sales 5,831 4,405
Amortization and depletion of mineral
properties, plant and equipment 1,016 994
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6,847 5,399
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Gross profit 8,613 2,516
General and administrative expenses 1,796 1,337
Income (expenses):
Interest income 54 21
Finance costs (267) (249)
Foreign exchange gain 469 974
Other income 15 -
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271 746
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Income before income taxes 7,088 1,925
Income tax recovery (expense):
Current income tax recovery (expense) (79) (23)
Deferred income tax recovery (expense) - (925)
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(79) (948)
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Income for the period 7,009 977
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment 300 (4,005)
Net change in fair value of available-for-
sale financial assets (78) 2
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222 (4,003)
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Comprehensive income (loss) for the period $ 7,231 $ (3,026)
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Earnings per share
Basic $ 0.06 $ 0.01
Diluted $ 0.05 $ 0.01
Weighted average number of common shares
Basic 122,089,270 113,350,512
Diluted 129,208,193 115,836,965
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Great Panther Silver Limited
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Unaudited - Prepared by Management)
(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except shares data)
March 31, 2011, December 31, 2010 and January 1, 2010
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March 31, December 31, January 1,
2011 2010 2010
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Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 15,166 $ 13,967 $ 13,312
Restricted cash 97 151 -
Investments 123 200 23
Trade and other receivables 14,158 9,635 5,539
Income taxes recoverable 257 239 342
Inventories 3,365 2,615 1,438
Prepaid expenses, deposits and
advances 2,225 1,240 1,585
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35,391 28,047 22,239
Non-current assets:
Mineral properties, plant and
equipment 30,591 27,277 19,212
Intangible assets 172 127 102
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30,763 27,404 19,314
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$ 66,154 $ 55,451 $ 41,553
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Liabilities and Shareholders'
Equity
Current liabilities:
Trade and other payables,
including derivatives $ 5,398 $ 4,758 $ 2,631
Capital lease obligations 299 369 801
Promissory notes 335 373 122
Convertible loan notes - 3,716 -
Current tax liability 68 19 27
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6,100 9,235 3,581
Non-current liabilities:
Capital lease obligations 50 128 63
Promissory notes 20 77 118
Convertible loan notes - - 3,103
Reclamation and remediation
provision 1,831 1,955 2,086
Deferred tax liability - - 2,162
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1,901 2,160 7,532
Shareholders' equity:
Share capital 91,382 83,470 75,910
Reserves 6,783 7,607 12,211
Deficit (40,012) (47,021) (57,681)
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58,153 44,056 30,440
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$ 66,154 $ 55,451 $ 41,553
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Great Panther Silver Limited
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited - Prepared by Management)
(Expressed in Thousands of Canadian Dollars, except shares data)
For the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
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2011 2010
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Cash flows provided by (used in) operating
activities:
Income for the period $ 7,009 $ 977
Items not involving cash:
Amortization and depletion of mineral
properties, plant and equipment 1,042 1,005
Foreign exchange losses 53 36
Deferred tax liability - 925
Accretion on reclamation and remediation
provision 10 10
Interest accretion on convertible loan
notes 239 215
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8,353 3,168
Changes in non-cash operating working
capital:
Trade and other receivables (4,523) (4,318)
Income taxes recoverable (18) (26)
Inventories (750) (877)
Prepaid expenses, deposits and advances (985) (129)
Trade and other payables, including
derivatives 640 215
Current tax liability 49 5
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Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities 2,766 (1,962)
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Intangible assets (45) (1)
Mineral properties and capital expenditures (4,193) (2,675)
Restricted cash 54 -
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Net cash used in investing activities (4,184) (2,676)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt - (19)
Repayment of capital lease obligations (139) (186)
Repayment of promissory notes (94) -
Repayment of convertible loan notes (61) (81)
Proceeds from exercise of warrants 1,603 472
Proceeds from exercise of options 1,370 381
Issuance of shares for cash, net of issue
costs - (32)
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Net cash from financing activities 2,679 535
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1,261 (4,103)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
cash equivalents (62) 41
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 1,199 (4,062)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period 13,967 13,312
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 15,166 $ 9,250
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Contacts:
B&D Capital
604 685 6465
604 899 4303 (FAX)
info@greatpanther.com
www.greatpanther.com