"Financial Results for the Year ended December 31, 2009
VANCOUVER, Apr 1, 2010 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- (Stated in US Dollars unless otherwise indicated)
TRADING SYMBOL: TSX - ML
VANCOUVER, April 1 /CNW/ - Mercator Minerals Ltd. has released its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009, which are available on SEDAR and the Company's website.
"2009 was a milestone year for Mercator," stated Michael L. Surratt, President and CEO. "We completed the construction and commenced operating Phase 1 at Mineral Park, acquired a major copper project with a full feasibility study that has increased our copper reserves by 113% with only 7% share dilution, completed phase 1.5, and ended a year that saw one of the worst economic down turns in history with over $62 million in the bank. Subsequent to year end we accepted commitments from 4 major international banks for $130 million to redeem the Companies outstanding 11.5% senior secured notes. Even though the mill commenced operations in April and had a challenging start up, Mineral Park sold more than 28.8 million pounds of copper, 1.6 million pounds of moly and 150,000 oz. of silver in 2009. With increasing production, growth from Phase 2 and the development of the El Pilar project, Mercator's future looks brighter than ever."
After interest payments of $14.12 million ($13.8 million in interest paid on the 11.5% senior secured notes (the "Notes") issued by the Company in 2007) and $16.44 million in non-cash items including accretion, amortization and stock based compensation (2008 $7.68 million), the Company recorded a net loss of $17.58 million or $0.13 per share, compared with a net loss of $28.33 million ($0.38 per share) for 2008. Mercator spent $39.2 million in capital in 2009, to substantially increase copper production and to start molybdenum production at its Mineral Park Mine.
Financial Highlights for the Year ended December 31, 2009
- Sold 24.1 million pounds of copper in concentrates, 4.4 million pounds of cathode copper, 1.6 million pounds of molybdenum in concentrates; 150,000 ounces of silver compared to 10.6 million pounds of cathode copper in 2008 (The Company did not produce any copper, molybdenum or silver in concentrates in 2008);
- Revenue of $88.697 million in 2009 compared with revenue of $29.178 million in 2008
- For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported a net loss of $17.58 million ($0.13 per share) compared with a net loss of $28.33 million ($0. 38 per share), for the corresponding period in 2008;
- Assets of $376.45 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 (2008 - $249.16 million);
- Cash and cash equivalents on hand at December 31, 2009 of $62.19 million as compared to $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, and working capital of $40.95 million at December 31, 2009 as compared to a working capital deficit of $25.35 million, for the corresponding period in 2008;
- Subsequent to December 31, 2009, the Company accepted commitments from a group of lenders for credit facilities totaling $130 million. The facilities are comprised of a $100 million term loan with a one year grace period and a five year amortization and a $30 million revolving credit facility repayable on the fourth anniversary, subject to an annual extension option at the lenders' discretion and will be secured by the assets of Mineral Park Inc., a guarantee provided by Mineral Park Holdings Ltd. and subject to completion of loan and security documentation and customary conditions precedent to closing. Upon closing, the proceeds will be used to redeem the outstanding Notes.
- Subsequent to December 31, 2009, in respect of the Notes, it was determined that the Company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), which included the non cash charges for stock based compensation as an expense, exceeded the interest expenses for the Notes for the quarter ended December 31, 2009. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified $30 million of the Notes as a current liability as at December 31, 2009, representing a pre-payment obligation to the Noteholders due in respect of that quarter. The Company intends to use the credit facilities, when closed, to fund the pre-payment obligation or replace any cash on hand used to fund the pre-payment obligation..."
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