treated as these “old workings” are previously stopped out areas representing loss of ore. In comparison, during the First Three-Quarter 2006, higher grade sulphide ore was being mined from the Lily open pit. As a result,
119,654 tons of ore were milled during the First Three-Quarter 2007 as compared to 133,925 tons of ore during the First Three-Quarter 2006; a reduction in ore tons milled of approximately 11%.
Furthermore, cost of production during the First Three-Quarter 2007 was higher due to the high waste to ore strip ratio in both the Lily East and Rosie’s Fortune pits. Although, this strip ratio in the initial phases of an open pit is expected to be high, the overburden at the Lily East open pit was much greater than was originally estimated. Total waste tones mined during the First Three-Quarter 2007 was 119,167 tons at a strip ratio of 9.33:1 in comparison to the First Three-Quarter 2006 where a total of 322,886 waste tons were mined at a strip ratio 2.43:1.
Accordingly, during the First Three-Quarter 2007, we produced 7,257 ounces of gold for $4,172,701, whereas, during the First Three-Quarter 2006, we produced 10,389 ounces of gold for $3,794,538. This resulted in per ounce cost of production for the First Three-Quarter 2007 of $575 whereas per ounce cost of production for the First Three-Quarter 2006 was $365; an increase in the per ounce production of gold of approximately 58%.
Operating Expenses for the First Three-Quarter 2007: Our operating expenses increased by approximately 53%; from $1,272,000 in the First Three-Quarter 2006 to $1,949,000 in the First Three-Quarter 2007. The increase is mainly due to legal and audit fees relating to the periodic reporting requirements of the company, salaries and wages and travelling expenses.
Changes in Exchange Rates: Changes in exchange rates did not have a significant impact on the comparability of our results for the First Three-Quarter 2007 versus the First Three-Quarter 2006. The average rates of exchange for the interim periods ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006 were SAR 6.9664 to $1 and SAR 6.9995 to $1, respectively – approximately 0.47% strengthening of the South African Rand against the US Dollar. Had the exchange rate remained the same during the First Three-Quarter 2007 as that during the First Three-Quarter 2006, the results of our operations arising from South African Rand transactions would have been negligibly affected.
Changes in exchange rates had a significant impact on the comparability of our balance sheets as of September 30, 2007 versus September 30, 2006. The rates of exchange as at September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2007 were SAR 7.6540 to $1 and SAR 6.8840 to $1, respectively – approximately 11% strengthening of the South African Rand against the US Dollar. Had the exchange rate remained the same in 2007 as that of 2006, our total South African Rand based net assets would have been approximately $1,043,000 lower. This variation in the main relates to our property, plant and mine development costs.
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Development
In April 2006, we completed our pre-feasibility study for underground mining at the Lily Mine. The results, which have since been revised, currently suggests that a Life of Mine plan may show 1.25 million tons of ore that may be milled at a yield of 3.92 grams per ton to recover approximately 160,000 ounces of gold over a period of 8 years. The grade distribution of the orebody dictates that production in the first 2 years may be approximately 30,000 ounces per annum reducing to 18,000 ounces per annum in the remaining 5 to 6 years based on our current estimates. As a result, the mine may be highly profitable in the first two years and provides adequate returns in the subsequent years. The development of this underground mine commenced in July 2007. Capital expenditure to develop this underground mine is currently estimated at approximately $20 million and, to the extent that we are able, we plan to raise this amount through an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in London’s AIM market through a secondary listing in April 2008. We may incur additional capital expenditures or revise our estimates further as we evaluate our capital requirements in the future.
The inauguration ceremony for our Lily underground mine was held on February 15, 2007 with the first blast officially set off by the wife of Chief Dlamini, head of the Lomshiyo Tribal Community, the company’s Black Economic Empowerment partner. The occasion marked the mine’s transformation from a previously open-cast mine into an underground mine, the completion of the planning and preparation of the upper section of the Lily underground mine and the commencement of the development of the adit portal. Underground development commenced in July 2007 with the first production from the underground section expected mid-2007 and full production in 2008. Undoubtedly, this was a historic moment for us all. From our local social standpoint, we look forward to evidencing the benefits from the Lily underground mine, showing that EGI brings hope and opportunity to the overall area. We will focus on social responsibility programs, job creation and rural renewal, to the extent that we are able.
With the finalization of the last of three phases of diamond drilling at the Company’s Lily Mine, we announced a 76% increase in the Company’s mineral reserves to 366,100 ounces since March 31, 2006. This was based on our estimates and assessments at that time.
The following table summarises our estimated mineral reserves as at December 31, 2006:
Category | | Tons | | Grade | | Content |
| | (000) | | g/t | | Kg | | Oz |
| | | | | | | | |
Proved | | 93 | | 2.58 | | 240 | | 7,700 |
Probable | | 2,089 | | 5.34 | | 11,150 | | 358,400 |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | 2,182 | | 5.22 | | 11,390 | | 366,100 |
The success, to date, of the drilling programs in the Lily Project area is further reflected in the discovery of additional zones of gold mineralization over some 2.5 km of strike (horizontal
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continuation) of the Lily ore body. This has lead to the establishment of the new Lily East open pit and the identification of the economic potential of a more laterally extensive area for shallow underground mining than originally thought when the underground pre-feasibility study was completed a year ago. The estimates given above may be changed or revised as we continue to further review our mineral reserves in light of further studies in the future. As noted elsewhere in this Form 10-QSB, we have undertaken prudent efforts to calculate and estimate our mineral reserves for the purpose of accurately understanding and evaluating the mineral deposits that we seek to extract. Further, we are currently undertaking a formal feasibility study to fully understand and evaluate the full extent of our reserves and the mineral deposits on the properties wherein our mining operations are conducted. We can not assure you that we will not change or revise our estimates.
Furthermore, following the successful results of a Reverse Circulation drilling programme in the vicinity of the old Rosie's Fortune workings, situated at the eastern extremity of the Lily Fault within the Company's mining title, another open pit has been established. The drilling results indicated open pitable Mineral Reserves of approximately 100,000 tonnes at an average grade of 3.5 g/t, representing a gold content of 10,000 oz. Production commenced in July 2007 and is expected to continue until March 2008.
Exploration
The relatively limited amount of exploration drilling completed over the past year has not only added to our Mineral Reserve inventory, at a low cost of discovery, but it has also provided us with enhanced information on the geological controls and continuity of gold mineralization in the areas where we have concentrated our activities thus far.
During the last quarter of 2006 and into the first quarter of 2007, we also carried out a Phase 1 drilling program on our dormant Worcester Mine. This program comprised of 3,125 meters of core. This phase of drilling was planned to probe the immediate strike and depth extension of the known, previously mined ore body with the objective of gathering geological information on the complex structure and gold distribution trends in the Worcester Reef. The results confirmed that the Worcester Reef continues in depth, and that the well mineralized portions have been dislocated by faulting and shearing. We plan to carry out a next phase of drilling which will be designed to delineate the main zones of mineralization. While we remain optimistic that further exploration will confirm and possibly add to our Mineral Reserve inventory, we cannot assure you that further exploration will result in these outcomes. We may encounter additional difficulties and unexpected problems as we continue our exploration drilling activity. For these and other reasons, we can not assure you that we will not change or reduce our estimates in the future.
Further, analytical results of the first batch of geochemical soil samples and ground magnetometer surveys covering 3 of the Company's 18 currently identified prospects have been received. All 3 prospects are located on strike extensions of the Lily Fault, the main mineralizing structure within the Lily mining right area. The results indicate the presence of anomalous gold concentrations in the soil cover in proximity to the Lily Fault and associated structures. We will continue with the next phase of prospecting in these localities which will
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entail the digging of trenches to expose the sub-outcropping sources of the anomalies, followed by reverse circulation drilling, where applicable.
Requirement for Additional Capital
In general and in accordance with the Company’s current plans, the Company’s current capital requirements can be grouped into three areas:
| • | Development of the Lily underground mine and new processing plant; |
| • | Exploration of the Company’s minerals rights including extensions to Lily and Worcester project areas; |
| • | Partial financing of acquisitions. |
The development of the underground mine at Lily is of primary importance and the capital expenditure estimate for this project is $20 Million based solely upon our current estimates. If these estimates remain accurate, we believe that this may allow for the development of the underground workings and the mine infrastructure as well as the construction of a new processing plant at the Lily Mine site. However, the estimated cost for this project may change or increase if difficulties or problems arise.
Ongoing exploration is currently expected to continue at the Worcester Mine and the other target locations within the Company’s mineral rights. In most cases encouraging results have been obtained so far and a further amount of $3.5 Million is required for exploration purposes over the next 18 months if current estimates remain accurate
In line with our current growth strategy and if market conditions allow, we intend to make at least one acquisition in 2008 and will require funds in order to secure such acquisition or to provide initial support for the acquired operation.
Accordingly we seek to raise additional capital in April 2008 that may allow us to raise an additional $25 Million in new capital. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in raising any such additional new capital or, if we are successful, that the additional new capital can be raised on terms that are reasonable in light of our current circumstances. The use of funds, as currently estimated, is summarized below:
Lily underground mine | | $20.0 M |
Exploration | | $ 3.5 M |
Other | | $ 1.5 M |
Total | | $25.0 M |
To the extent that we are able, we plan to raise this amount via a secondary listing of our common stock in London’s AIM market in April 2008.
In the interim, the Company requires funding in order to implement its plans prior to the main funding discussed above. Accordingly, in May 2007, the Company raised US$3,000,000 via a private placement offering of 521,739 restricted common shares.
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More specifically, this Phase 3 interim funding is planned to meet the costs of the following activities:
| • | Additional drilling at the Lily Mine; |
| • | Initial stages of underground mining; |
| • | Ensuring the sufficiency of the Company’s tailings dam through the installation of a paste thickener; |
| • | Continuation of the regional exploration program; |
| • | Planned secondary listing program discussed below. |
Prospects for the Future
We are pursuing a strategy of growth in the development of our mineral reserves through optimization of our current operations, exploration and additional selective acquisitions. Furthermore, we believe that, if current market and competitive conditions allow, we are likely to have the personnel and properties necessary to successfully make the transition from our current production status as a small mining company to a “junior resource company”.
We hold mineral claims covering 14,000 hectares (approximately 34,600 acres) in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, which has been an active mining district for more than 100 years, yet is still largely under-explored. Our producing mine, the Lily Mine, has been operating since 2000 as an open pit with production of about 15,000 ounces of gold annually. However, production, from the Lily Mine open pit operation is presently anticipated to terminate in mid-2008.
Accordingly, we have planned to expand the life of the operations at the Lily Mine area by commencing underground operations in 2007. In September 2005, we were able to raise $2,750,000 via a Phase I private placement offering which was primarily utilized to conduct a drilling program which confirmed and enhanced the results of earlier preliminary studies with respect to our Mineral reserves located at the Lily Mine area. The results of this drilling program were incorporated in a Prefeasibility Study prepared by us to assess the future development of the Lily Mine. The international mining consultant firm of Behre Dolbear was engaged by us to provide an independent expert opinion on the Prefeasibility Study.
In line with this Prefeasibility study, and the recommendations of its consultants, we raised further funds of $2,000,000 in October 2006 and carried out the recommended additional drilling program thereby strengthening and confirming its mineral reserves. Our current plan has been revised to include the building of the new processing in 2008 which, if our plans can be undertaken, may become operational in 2009.
Prior to this planned new processing plant becoming operational, underground ore will be transported to the Makonjwaan processing plant where it will be treated in the same way as it has over the last 6 years of operations at the Lily Mine. The funding required to establish the new underground mine, is currently estimated at $20,000,000, and is subject to change as we revise our estimates based on further analysis. To the extent that we are able, we plan to raise this amount via a secondary listing of our common stock in London’s AIM market in April 2008.
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ITEM 3. CONROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in company reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (the “Certifying Officers”), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As required by Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act, the Certifying Officers carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2007. Their evaluation was carried out with the participation of other members of the Company’s management. Based upon their evaluation, the Certifying Officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Certifying Officers and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Company’s financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the Company’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of the Company’s Board of Directors and management; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the three-quarter period ended September 30, 2007, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings, and no such proceedings are known to be threatened or contemplated.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
None
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Securities |
None
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
None
None
Regulation
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer |
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
32.1 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Executive Officer |
32.2 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Chief Financial Officer |
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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 16, 2007 | BY:/s/ Michael McChesney |
Date: November 16, 2007 | BY:/s/ Tamer Muftizade |
Chief Financial Officer
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