LeadFX loses $2.7-million in Q2 2017
2017-07-25 17:16 ET - News Release
Ms. Jessica Helm reports
LEADFX REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2017 RESULTS
LeadFX Inc. has released its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. In the second quarter, we incurred a net loss of $2.7 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.5 million, or $0.06 per share, for the second quarter of 2016. (All dollar amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated
As the Paroo Station mine ("Paroo Station") was in care and maintenance in both periods, costs were broadly comparable in both periods except for lower management services fees and foreign exchange fluctuations, which resulted in a $0.1 million loss in the second quarter compared to a $0.2 million gain in the same period of 2016. Foreign exchange is principally incurred on accounts payable balances denominated in Canadian and Australian dollars. Prior to July 19, 2016, borrowings were also denominated in Canadian dollars. Refer to the Borrowings section of the corresponding Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 (the "MD&A") for further information.
SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
During the second quarter, Sentient Executive GP IV Limited (for Sentient Global Resources Fund IV, L.P.) ("Sentient IV") agreed to, among other things, forbear from demanding payment under the Bridging Facility and the Notes (defined below) to July 31, 2017. For further information on the Bridging Facility (defined below) and the Notes, please refer to the MD&A.
Paroo Station is on full care and maintenance and, as a result, additional financing will be required to meet our strategic growth plans, ongoing costs and loan commitments.
Operational
InCoR Transaction and the Paroo Station mine
As a result of efforts made during the quarter, on May 12, 2017, and subsequently updated on June 19, 2017, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of the Company ("the Board") approved entering into an arm's length transaction ("Transaction") with InCoR Technologies Limited and InCoR Energy Materials Limited (together "InCoR") related to the transfer of lead hydrometallurgical processing technologies to LeadFX for the initial development of a lead hydrometallurgical processing facility at Paroo Station pursuant to the terms and conditions of a definitive umbrella agreement dated June 20, 2017 between InCoR and Sentient Group of Global Resource Funds ("Sentient").
Lead Hydrometallurgical Technology:
InCoR holds (i) an exclusive license from BASF SE related to patented hydrometallurgical technology for 'recovering lead from a mixed oxide material' (the "Oxide Technology"), and (ii) an exclusive license from the University of British Columbia related to patented hydrometallurgical technology for 'recovering lead from a lead material including lead sulphide' (the "Sulphide Technology" and together with the Oxide Technology, the "Technology"), both of which utilize methane sulfonic acid as a leaching agent.
The Technology has the potential to transform Paroo Station from a relatively short-life, moderate-risk lead concentrate operation to a longer-life, lower-cost, lower-risk lead metal producer. This in turn will provide a significant production platform on which to build a world-class lead resources business through the application of InCoR's oxide and sulphide technology at other mining projects and further development for application for other purposes including lead recycling.
The Board-approved Transaction is subject to final TSX approval and the negotiation and approval of definitive documentation.
Potential cobalt joint venture
The Company terminated negotiations with Riva Resources Ltd. regarding a farm-in agreement for cobalt exploration on the Company's tenements.
Burgin mine
The Company secured a five-year extension to the mining permit at the Burgin mine. The Company owns approximately 83% of Chief Consolidated Mining Company which owns the historic Burgin lead-silver-zinc underground mine near Eureka, Utah. The Company considers the Burgin mine to be a potential brownfield development opportunity in the future.
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Operating activities
Cash used in operating activities in the current period was $0.4 million (33%) higher than in the second quarter of 2016, primarily due to an unfavourable foreign exchange rate and higher financing costs.
Investing activities
There have been no investing activities during the second quarter, apart from the release of funds from restricted cash balances upon the expiration of certain gas supply contracts and nominal interest income. There were no investing activities in the same period in 2016 as the Paroo Station Mine was in care and maintenance, other than nominal interest income.
Financing activities
Financing activities for the quarter decreased by $2.5 million when compared to the same period in 2016. The 2016 amount pertains to the $2.5 million unsecured promissory grid note dated April 22, 2016 issued by LeadFX to Sentient IV.
Borrowings
Bridging Facility
On January 29, 2013, the Company entered into a C$20 million secured loan facility (the "Sprott Facility") with Sprott Resources Lending Partnership ("Sprott") bearing interest at 12% per annum secured by the assets of the Paroo Station mine.
On December 18, 2015, Enirgi Group Corporation ("Enirgi Group"), Sprott and the Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which Enirgi Group paid Sprott the outstanding balance owed by the Company to Sprott under the Sprott Facility resulting in the Company owing Enirgi Group C$9.6 million ($7.0 million) (the "Bridging Facility"). Pursuant to the agreement, all of the Company's obligations to Sprott were extinguished and Enirgi Group assumed all of Sprott's rights including Sprott's security over the Paroo Station mine. Effective July 19, 2016, Enirgi Group assigned the Bridging Facility to Sentient Executive GP IV Limited (for Sentient Global Resources Fund IV, L.P.) ("Sentient IV"). The Bridging Facility was further amended on July 19, 2016 to convert the outstanding principal and accrued interest payable from CAD $10.3 million to USD $7.9 million.
As at June 30, 2017, the Company owed $8.5 million under the Bridging Facility to Sentient IV. The Bridging Facility, which is secured against the assets of the Paroo Station mine, bears interest at the rate of 10% with a maturity date of July 31, 2017.
As a result of the decision to place the Paroo Station mine on care and maintenance on January 16, 2015, events of default were triggered under the Bridging Facility. Sentient IV has agreed to forbear from enforcing its rights under the Bridging Facility until July 31, 2017. A copy of the Bridging Facility has been filed at SEDAR and available at www.sedar.com.
Sentient Promissory Notes
On April 22, 2016, the Company issued an unsecured promissory grid note with Sentient IV (the "Promissory Note") for $2.5 million, which at June 30, 2017 is fully drawn down. No interest is payable on the principal amount of the Promissory Note, which must be repaid on July 31, 2017. Sentient IV advanced an additional $1.0 million on August 25, 2016, $1.0 million on November 21, 2016 and $2.0 million on February 21, 2017 pursuant to additional unsecured promissory notes (together with the Promissory Note, the "Notes") with the same terms and maturity as the Promissory Note. Sentient IV has agreed to forbear from enforcing its rights under the the Promissory Note until July 31, 2017.
Capital Resources, Liquidity and Working Capital Requirements
As at June 30, 2017, the Company had a working capital deficit of $23.1 million, which included $15.2 million owing to Sentient IV under the Bridging Facility and Notes, all with a maturity date of July 31, 2017. Neither the Paroo Station mine, the Chief properties nor the North 67 properties are operational or generating revenue.
The Company's ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the Company's ability to either (i) refinance the Bridging Facility and Notes, (ii) raise additional funds to meet its debts and obligations as they fall due, or (iii) undertake further transactions which may realize the value of the Company and its assets. The Company will need to raise funds to pay for its ongoing costs of operations and undertake at least one of these aforementioned actions in order to service its working capital deficiency, meet its commitments to lenders, meet the costs of care and maintenance, meet the costs of any potential future restart of the Paroo Station mine and meet the costs of bringing the Company's mineral projects into production. The amount of any funding requirement will be dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, the nature of any refinancing of the Bridging Facility and Notes, the nature of any additional transactions undertaken by the Company, the outcome of further negotiations with the Company's lenders, the costs and duration of care and maintenance, the timing and cost of any potential future restart of operations at the Paroo Station mine and the cost of bringing the Company's mineral projects into production.
There is no guarantee or assurance that the Company will be able to (i) refinance the Bridging Facility and Notes, (ii) secure sufficient financing to fund its commitments to its lenders, the costs of ongoing care and maintenance, the costs of any potential future restart of operations or the costs of bringing its mineral projects into production or (iii) complete any further transactions. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient funds or repay debts from either one or more of these actions, it would affect its ability to continue as a going concern. A decision to restart the Paroo Station mine will be contingent on several factors including, but not limited to, a sustained recovery in the LME lead price, a reduction in treatment charges and a favorable USD:AUD foreign exchange rate. A decision to commence development of the Company's mineral projects will be contingent on several factors including, but not limited to, commodity prices, the estimated recoverable minerals on the projects, the projected cost to develop these projects and obtaining funding to finance these costs.
These material uncertainties create significant doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Second Quarter 2017 Financial Statements do not reflect any adjustments to carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported expenses and balance sheet classifications that would be necessary should the going concern assumption be inappropriate. Such adjustments could be material.
Shares issued and outstanding
As of the date hereof, there were approximately 38.3 million common shares of LeadFX issued and outstanding. In addition, options exercisable for a maximum aggregate of approximately 0.1 million common shares were outstanding.
Management's Discussion and Analysis and Consolidated Financial Statements
LeadFX's unaudited financial statements and MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 will be filed today and will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.leadfxinc.com.
About LeadFX
LeadFX is a Canadian-based mining company focused on the development of lead-silver projects located in stable jurisdictions. Our current portfolio includes a restart-ready lead operation in Western Australia and exploration and development projects in Alaska and Utah, USA. The Company continues to seek opportunities at its new properties in North America to underpin future cash flow and growth. LeadFX trades under the symbol "LFX" on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
We seek Safe Harbor.
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