News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350
Attention Business/Financial Editors:
Western Goldfields Announces Year-End 2006 Results
<<
- Company makes excellent progress toward bringing Mesquite Mine into
full production
- First ore to the pad expected by January 2008, with full production of
165,000 ounces per year expected April 2008
- Recent equity offering and new debt financing agreement expected to be
signed in first-quarter 2007 should provide all funds required to
proceed with Mesquite development plan
- New Reserve and Resource estimates will be released at the end of
first-quarter 2007
- Company views Mesquite as its platform for growth as it seeks other
similar development opportunities
TORONTO, March 5 /CNW/ - Western Goldfields, Inc. (TSX:WGI, OTC
BB:WGDF.OB) today announced financial results for the year ended December 31,
2006. The Company's financial statements conform to accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP). Currency amounts are
expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.
"Western Goldfields made exciting progress in 2006 toward bringing our
Mesquite Mine in California into full production," said Mr. Randall Oliphant,
Chairman. Since the new management team was put in place in February 2006, the
Company:
- injected new capital ($6 million) in February to move the Company
forward;
- completed a resource estimate in April that identified gold resources
of 3.61 million ounces;
- released the findings of a Feasibility Study in August that confirmed
gold reserves of 2.36 million ounces;
- initiated in September a 70,000-foot reverse-circulation drilling
program aimed at increasing the gold resources and reserves at
Mesquite; and
- placed $67.0 million of orders for its mining fleet with deliveries
expected in May 2007.
>>
"With the recent completion of an equity offering that raised net
proceeds of $59.3 million, as well as the signing in late November 2006 of a
mandate letter to arrange debt financing for up to $105 million, we should
have in place shortly all of the financing needed to bring Mesquite into full
production based on our development plan," continued Mr. Oliphant. "We expect
to sign the definitive debt-financing agreement within the next few weeks."
"We are continuing to target April 2008 for full production of 165,000
ounces annually at Mesquite," said Mr. Raymond Threlkeld, President and Chief
Executive Officer. "We are continuing our reverse circulation drilling program
that commenced in September 2006, and initial results show the potential for
higher-grade resource additions. We intend to release new Reserve and Resource
estimates at the end of first-quarter 2007."
"We regard the Mesquite Mine as the platform for growth on which we can
create increasing value for the shareholders of Western Goldfields," added Mr.
Oliphant. "Our strength as a management team is to successfully identify,
acquire and bring mineral resources into full production. Our strategy is to
pursue additional precious metals opportunities that we identify as having
similarly exciting potential as Mesquite, particularly in North America."
Financial Results
-----------------
Western Goldfields reports a net loss to common shareholders for the year
ended December 31, 2006 of $11.6 million, or $0.18 cents per basic and diluted
share from the sale of 13,210 ounces of gold, compared with a net loss of
$5.1 million, or $0.13 cents per basic and diluted share from the sale of
23,818 ounces of gold for the year ended December 31, 2005. Lower production
from the material placed in prior years on Mesquite Mine's heap leach pads was
substantially offset by a 45 percent increase in the average selling price per
ounce from $411 to $595, reflecting the continuation of relatively strong
pricing in world markets and the sale of the Company's entire output on the
spot market. Nevertheless, revenue for 2006 was $7.9 million, down from
$9.8 million in 2005. The Company incurred significantly higher expenses in
2006 mainly as the result of bringing in a new management team and proceeding
with the measures needed to bring the Mesquite Mine into full production in
2008.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
-------------------------------
With the increase in Western Goldfields' stock price subsequent to its
restructuring and re-financing in February 2006, the Company's liquidity has
been improved through the conversion of warrants and the exercise of stock
options. In 2006, the Company received cash of $11.5 million upon the exercise
of 11,671,310 warrants. In addition, 500,000 preferred share warrants were
exercised for proceeds of $300,000 and 1,135,000 options were exercised for
proceeds of $633,000.
At December 31, 2006, the Company's cash balance was $5.5 million and
working capital was $4.5 million. This represents a significant improvement in
the Company's financial position since December 31, 2005 when it reported cash
of $52,000 and a working capital deficit of $2.5 million.
The Company has issued purchase orders totaling $67.0 million for the
mining fleet and has incurred expenditures and other commitments of
approximately $3.8 million at February 28, 2007. To finance these capital
expenditure commitments and to proceed with the other aspects of the project,
the Company has pursued a range of options for equity and debt financing. The
closing of the public offering of shares in January and February 2007, and
signing of a debt financing mandate, as described below, once completed,
should effectively secure the capital required to carry out the Company's
development plans into 2008.
On November 30, 2006, Western Goldfields announced the signing of a
mandate letter to arrange and underwrite up to $105 million of project debt.
The Company is currently negotiating the terms of the credit agreement and
anticipates signing a definitive agreement before the end of the first quarter
of 2007.
On January 25, 2007 the Company announced that it had completed the
public offering of 31,115,000 shares of its common stock for gross proceeds of
approximately $59.4 million (net proceeds of approximately $55.3 million). In
connection with the issue, the Company granted the underwriters a 30-day
option to purchase up to 2,215,000 additional shares of common stock to cover
over-allotments. The underwriters exercised this option on February 1, 2007
for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $4.2 million (net proceeds
of approximately $4.0 million).
2007 Outlook
------------
In addition to the mining fleet purchase commitment of $67.0 million,
Western Goldfields is planning to spend approximately $30.9 million during
2007 on plant and infrastructure upgrades at Mesquite. All major environmental
permits are in place for resumption of mining operations and the Company
anticipates approval of local building permits in the near future to allow it
to commence construction of new leach pads, carbon columns, and pipelines.
The Company expects to sign a definitive agreement on the previously
announced project debt facility by the end of the first quarter 2007. Initial
deliveries of the mining fleet commenced in February, with the majority of the
fleet delivery scheduled for May 2007. Pre-production stripping operations
will commence in June 2007 and will continue through to January 2008, when the
Company expects to see the first ore to the pads. Full mining operations are
expected to be underway by April 2008.
Western Goldfields, Inc.
------------------------
Under a new, highly experienced, and dynamic management team, Western
Goldfields is a gold producer focused on completing the expansion of its
Mesquite Mine, located in Imperial County, California, and returning the mine
to full production. On August 9, 2006, Western Goldfields announced that the
Mesquite Mine's Proven and Probable reserves are estimated at 2.36 million
ounces of gold and Measured and Indicated resources exclusive of reserves are
estimated at 1.25 million ounces. The Company is estimating average annual
production of 165,000 ounces of gold from the mine at total cost of sales of
approximately $335 per ounce commencing in April 2008, with an initial project
life of 9-1/2 years. Following completion of a drilling program currently
underway, the Company expects to issue new Reserve and Resource estimates by
the end of March 2007.
Western Goldfields, Inc. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and
trades under the symbol WGI, and is quoted on the OTCBB under the symbol
WGDF.OB. For further details regarding the mineral reserves and mineral
resources at Mesquite, please visit www.westerngoldfields.com.
Forward-Looking Information
---------------------------
Certain statements contained in this news release and subsequent oral
statements made by and on behalf of the Company may contain forward-looking
information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities
Litigation reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian legislation. Such
forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "intends",
"anticipates", "believes", "expects", and "hopes" and include, without
limitation, statements regarding the Company's plan of business operations,
financing options and the consequences thereof, potential contractual
arrangements, receipt of working capital, anticipated revenues, and related
expenditures. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be
accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such
statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
include, among others, those set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, under the caption, "Risk Factors". Most of these factors
are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by
applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company disclaims any intent
or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
<<
WESTERN GOLDFIELDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, December 31,
2006 2005
------------- -------------
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash $ 5,502,535 $ 52,387
Receivables 223,507 10,179
Inventories 511,663 905,347
Prepaid expenses 841,636 308,363
------------- -------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 7,079,341 1,276,276
------------- -------------
Property, plant, and equipment, net of
accumulated depreciation 4,328,512 4,860,434
Construction in progress 2,880,775 10,853
Investments - remediation and reclamation 6,337,006 6,248,220
Long-term deposits 329,146 319,286
Long-term prepaid expenses 1,009,555 1,161,204
Deferred Stock Offering and Debt Issuance
Costs 250,000 -
------------- -------------
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 15,134,994 12,599,997
------------- -------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 22,214,335 $ 13,876,273
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable $ 1,663,080 $ 807,009
Accounts payable to related party 31,165 -
Accrued expenses 835,740 650,071
Dividends payable on preferred stock - 34,375
Accrued expenses - related party - 45,834
Loan payable - Romarco - 705,186
Accrued interest - 48,696
Loan payable, current portion - 1,500,000
------------- -------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 2,529,985 3,791,171
------------- -------------
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Reclamation and remediation liabilities 4,805,473 6,196,570
------------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 7,335,457 9,987,741
------------- -------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value,
25,000,000 shares authorized;
0 and 1,000,000 shares issued
and outstanding, respectively - 10,000
Common stock, $0.01 par value,
500,000,000 shares authorized;
78,452,876 and 39,468,051 shares
issued and outstanding, respectively 784,529 394,681
Additional paid-in capital 32,100,269 10,444,652
Additional paid-in capital preferred - 2,175,000
Stock options and warrants 7,674,270 4,942,188
Accumulated deficit (25,678,233) (14,077,989)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (1,958) -
------------- -------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 14,878,877 3,888,532
------------- -------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 22,214,335 $ 13,876,273
------------- -------------
------------- -------------
WESTERN GOLDFIELDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Year Ended December 31,
------------- ------------- -------------
2006 2005 2004
------------- ------------- -------------
REVENUES
Revenues from gold sales $ 7,859,214 $ 9,798,150 $ 10,867,235
------------- ------------- -------------
COST OF GOODS SOLD
Mine operating costs 7,192,596 6,550,537 7,036,396
Mine site administration 1,642,318 1,390,789 1,836,747
Selling, transportation,
and refining 32,001 36,158 87,471
Depreciation, amortization
and accretion 1,352,034 1,599,098 1,773,646
Royalties 302,693 774,065 1,071,802
Reclamation cost recovery (1,459,859) (543,964) -
Inventory adjustment 398,784 806,631 158,908
------------- ------------- -------------
9,460,567 10,613,314 11,964,970
------------- ------------- -------------
GROSS PROFIT (LOSS) (1,601,353) (815,164) (1,097,735)
------------- ------------- -------------
EXPENSES
General and administrative 4,261,067 1,653,268 1,174,272
Stock based compensation 3,209,285 518,316 1,157,821
Severance costs payable in
common shares 547,200 - -
Exploration - Mesquite 821,071 12,852 508,335
Exploration - Other 399,821 207,903 295,245
------------- ------------- -------------
9,238,444 2,392,339 3,135,673
------------- ------------- -------------
OPERATING LOSS (10,839,797) (3,207,503) (4,233,408)
------------- ------------- -------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Expenses of Romarco merger
termination (1,225,000) - -
Interest income 391,824 173,479 114,832
Interest expense (20,434) (348,959) (327,370)
Gain on extinguishment of debt 142,949 - -
Loss on foreign exchange (13,970) - -
(Loss) gain on sale of assets (18,837) 42,734 27,133
------------- ------------- -------------
(743,468) (132,746) (185,405)
------------- ------------- -------------
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES (11,583,265) (3,340,249) (4,418,813)
INCOME TAXES - - -
------------- ------------- -------------
NET LOSS (11,583,265) (3,340,249) (4,418,813)
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS AND
DEEMED DIVIDENDS (16,979) (1,734,375) -
------------- ------------- -------------
NET LOSS TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS (11,600,244) (5,074,624) (4,418,813)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Foreign currency translation
adjustment (1,958) - -
Change in market value of
securities - 8,600 (72,225)
Forward sales derivative
mark-to-market - 678,867 176,921
------------- ------------- -------------
NET COMPREHENSIVE LOSS $(11,585,223) $ (2,652,782) $ (4,314,117)
------------- ------------- -------------
------------- ------------- -------------
BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER
SHARE $ (0.18) $ (0.13) $ (0.12)
------------- ------------- -------------
------------- ------------- -------------
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 63,664,614 38,942,158 38,236,003
------------- ------------- -------------
------------- ------------- -------------
WESTERN GOLDFIELDS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31,
------------- ------------- -------------
2006 2005 2004
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES
Net loss $(11,583,265) $ (3,340,249) $ (4,418,813)
Adjustments to reconcile net
loss to net cash provided
(used) by operating
activities:
Depreciation 1,087,517 1,021,909 770,511
Amortization of loan fees - 208,501 620,540
Accretion expense (Note 9) 269,574 381,540 360,000
Reclamation cost recovery (1,459,860) (543,964) -
Reclamation costs incurred (200,811) - -
(Gain) loss on sale of
assets and investments 18,836 (42,734) (16,399)
Interest net of reimbursed
costs - reclamation and
remediation (88,786) (158,648) (90,578)
Common stock issued for
exploration assets and
services 136,500 166,462 87,200
Common stock issued in
respect of severance
agreements 547,200 - -
Stock based compensation 3,209,285 518,315 1,157,821
Warrants issued for
services of consultant 233,000 - -
Cost of extending expiry
date of warrants - 39,204 5,319
Changes in assets and
liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in:
Accounts receivable (213,327) 2,777 4,094
Inventories 393,684 668,902 283,044
Prepaid expenses (381,624) 247,386 300,408
Deposits - 4,050 580,950
Long term deposits (9,860) (9,612) (9,674)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable 854,115 147,922 (18,498)
Accounts payable -
related parties 31,165 - -
Accrued expenses (64,331) (53,339) 451,678
Accrued expenses -
related parties (45,835) 7,791 15,543
Accrued interest expense (48,695) 8,695 (25,920)
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash provided (used) by
operating activities (7,315,518) (725,092) 57,226
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property &
equipment, including
Construction in Progress (3,444,353) (10,853) (470,643)
Principal payments received
on loan receivable - - 40,000
Proceeds from sale of
investments - 47,734 1,503,594
Purchas of investments -
remediation and reclamation - - (1,509,443)
Purchase of assets - (24,366) (15,764)
Procceeds from sale of assets - 25,000 407,231
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash provided (used) by
investing activities (3,444,353) 37,515 (45,025)
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from loan payable
- Romarco - 705,186 -
Cash paid for 2% penalty - - (257,152)
Principal payments on loan (2,205,186) (1,500,000) (3,000,000)
Common stock issued for cash 4,012,000 - 9,000
Restricted cash from 2003
common stock issuance - - 3,897,229
Prefferd stock and warrants
issued for cash - - 500,000
Warrants issued for cash 1,988,000 - -
Exercise of options to
purchase common stock 632,750 - -
Exercise of warrants to
purchase common stock 11,833,809 - -
Preferred stock dividends (51,354) - -
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash provided (used) by
financing activities 16,210,019 (794,814) 1,149,077
------------- ------------- -------------
Change in cash 5,450,148 (1,482,391) 1,161,278
Cash, beginning of period 52,387 1,534,778 373,500
------------- ------------- -------------
Cash, end of period $ 5,502,535 $ 52,387 $ 1,534,778
------------- ------------- -------------
------------- ------------- -------------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW
DISCLOSURES:
Interest paid $ 69,130 $ 162,419 $ 359,225
------------- ------------- -------------
------------- ------------- -------------
NON-CASH FINANCING AND
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Stock and warrants issued
for services $ 916,700 $ 166,462 $ 87,200
Stock based compensation $ 3,209,285 $ 518,315 $ 1,157,821
Stock issued for 2% penalty $ - $ - $ 4,464
Prefered stock dividends $ - $ 34,375 $ -
Prefered stock deemed
dividends $ - $ 1,700,000 $ -
>>
%SEDAR: 00021587E %CIK: 0001208038
/For further information: please visit www.westerngoldfields.com, or
contact: Brian Penny, Chief Financial Officer, (416) 324-6002,
bpenny(at)westerngoldfields.com; Julie Taylor Pantziris, Director, Regulatory
Affairs and Investor Relations, (416) 324-6015, jtaylor(at)westerngoldfields.com;
Richard Wertheim, Investor and Media Relations, Wertheim + Company Inc., (416)
594-1600, wertheim(at)wertheim.ca/
(WGDF WGI.)
CO: Western Goldfields, Inc.
CNW 09:15e 05-MAR-07
