Trading Symbol TSX - PDL AMEX - PAL TORONTO, Nov. 8
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Overview -------- - Realized a net loss
for the third quarter of $19.6 million or $0.38 per share and a net
loss for the first nine months of $42.6 million or $0.82 per share.
Unit costs to produce palladium increased in the third quarter to
US$493 per ounce. - The net loss and increased unit costs are
primarily due to; a decline in head grade which resulted in lower
metal production and recoveries; increased waste to ore strip
ratio; increased operating costs including power and diesel fuel
costs; and a strengthening Canadian dollar. - Revenues for the
third quarter of $17.2 million, and for the first nine months of
$67.0 million, were negatively impacted by the decline in metal
production and the continuing low palladium price. During the
quarter revenue on 34,331 ounces, which will be available for
physical delivery after September 30, 2005, was recorded at the
September 30, 2005 quoted market price of US$194 per ounce. - The
Company is optimistic that the fundamentals for palladium demand
will improve in the medium term and subsequent to the end of the
quarter, the price of palladium has increased to above US$220 per
ounce. - Implementation of the preventative maintenance program
continued and this resulted in improved mill availability and
throughput in the third quarter and will increase future mill
production and reduce operating costs. - Mining of lower grade ore,
as scheduled in the 2005 mine plan, has been completed and
recoveries are expected to improve with the processing of the
higher grade ore to be mined in the fourth quarter. - Operating
costs in the quarter decreased by $0.5 million compared to the
second quarter. Cost cutting initiatives continued in the fourth
quarter, including the reduction of 30 employees and 30
contractors, the elimination of excess ore and waste re-handling
and a scheduled decrease in the waste to ore strip ratio. -
Received positive results from the ongoing exploration program on
the Deep Offset High Grade Zone. - The Company signed an agreement
with URSA Major Minerals Incorporated to earn a 60% joint venture
interest in the Shakespeare property, a nickel, copper, PGM
property near Sudbury, Ontario. - Following the quarter end the
Company signed a letter of intent with Gold Fields Limited to earn
up to a 60% joint venture interest the Arctic Platinum Project
("APP"). APP includes several advanced stage PGM projects in
northern Finland. Results of Operations --------------------- The
Company realized a net loss for the three months ended September
30, 2005 of $19,610,000 or $0.38 per share on revenues of
$17,247,000 compared to a net income of $6,598,000 or $0.13 per
share on revenues of $45,154,000 for the corresponding period a
year earlier. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the
Company realized a net loss of $42,574,000 or $0.82 per share on
revenue of $66,997,000 compared to a net income of $15,553,000 or
$0.30 per share on revenue of $150,022,000 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004. In the third quarter of 2005, the
Company's palladium revenue was affected by a 50% decline in
palladium production compared to the year earlier period, together
with a continuing low palladium price. During the third quarter of
2005, revenue was recorded on 34,331 ounces of palladium at the
September 30, 2005 quoted market price of US$194 per ounce,
compared to a palladium price in the third quarter of 2004 of
US$325 per ounce, which was the floor price under the palladium
sales contract in that period. Variations from the provisionally
priced sales will be recognized as revenue adjustments as they
occur until the price is finalized. In addition, revenue from
by-product metal declined by 46% to $9,778,000 in the third quarter
of 2005 compared to $18,164,000 in the third quarter of 2004,
reflecting the decreased production of nickel, platinum, gold and
copper. Prices for these metals continued well above historical
levels for the third quarter. Partially offsetting the higher
by-product prices was a strengthening Canadian dollar which
averaged US$0.83 in the third quarter 2005, compared to US$0.76 in
the third quarter 2004. Production costs including overheads but
excluding non-cash amortization were $25,639,000 during the third
quarter of 2005 compared to $25,020,000 during the third quarter of
2004, while unit costs to produce palladium (production costs
including overhead and smelter treatment, refining and freight
costs), net of by-product metal revenues and royalties, increased
to US$493 per ounce in the third quarter of 2005 compared to US$135
per ounce in the third quarter of 2004. The increase in unit cash
costs was caused by a combination of lower ore grades and metal
recoveries, which led to a 50% decline in palladium production and
a 46% drop in revenue from by-product metals. In addition, during
the third quarter there was an increase in the waste strip ratio
and continuing pressure on operating costs, particularly power and
diesel fuel and ongoing mill repairs which resulted in
approximately $1.1 million of additional costs in the quarter.
During the third quarter of 2005, the mill processed 1,328,433
tonnes of ore, or an average of 14,439 tonnes per day, with a
palladium grade of 1.47 grams per tonne, producing 39,532 ounces of
palladium at a recovery rate of 62.9%. This compares with the third
quarter of 2004, when the mill processed 1,301,378 tonnes of ore,
or 14,145 tonnes per day, with a palladium grade of 2.53 grams per
tonne, producing 79,174 ounces of palladium at a recovery rate of
74.8%. Metal production during the third quarter of 2005 was
affected by lower recoveries. The lower palladium recovery was a
result of the lower head grade as well as a change of mineralogy of
the ore. Non-cash amortization expense decreased to $4,608,000 in
the third quarter of 2005 compared to $9,411,000 in the third
quarter of 2004. The reduced amortization expense in the current
quarter is attributable to the decrease in palladium production,
along with a lower unit of production amortization rate as a result
of the asset impairment charge recorded in 2004, which resulted in
an approximate 40% reduction in the unit amortization rate. With
the ramp-up in activity on the Company's exploration projects,
exploration expense increased to $1,721,000 in the third quarter of
2005 compared to $366,000 in the year-earlier period. The Company
incurred interest expense on long-term debt of $632,000 in the
third quarter of 2005 compared to $410,000 in the third quarter of
2004 reflecting higher interest rates on its US dollar denominated
debt. Cash Flow and Financial Position
-------------------------------- Cash used in operations (prior to
changes in non-cash working capital) was $17,463,000 for the third
quarter of 2005 compared to cash provided by operations of
$17,851,000 for the third quarter of 2004. The primary reason for
the decrease in operating cash flow was the significant decline in
revenue from metal sales. Changes in non-cash working capital
provided $5,885,000 in the third quarter compared to $11,932,000 in
the third quarter of 2004. The major item affecting the non-cash
working capital was a $5,431,000 reduction in concentrate inventory
awaiting settlement. The reduction was caused by a decrease in the
physical quantity of palladium in concentrate awaiting settlement,
which declined to 56,977 ounces at September 30, 2005 compared to
83,755 ounces at June 30, 2005. After allowing for working capital
changes, cash consumed by operations was $11,578,000 in the third
quarter of 2005 compared to cash provided by operations of
$29,783,000 in the third quarter of 2004. Investing activities
required $9,512,000 of cash in the third quarter of 2005 compared
to $8,392,000 in the third quarter of 2004. During the quarter, the
Company advanced the underground mine development with 207 metres
of main ramp development, the second stage of the ventilation raise
was collared and the set up completed. The vent bypass drift was
80% completed and the second leg of the manway raise was started.
The underground mine development continues progressing towards
stope production in the first quarter of 2006. During the nine
months ended September 30, 2005, the Company incurred $29,886,000
on capital expenditures, of which $6,583,000 were funded by means
of capital lease. The Company's long-term debt position was $48.4
million at September 30, 2005 compared to $50.2 million at December
31, 2004 reflecting scheduled repayments, and it had cash and cash
equivalents of $40.0 million at September 30, 2005. Production
Statistics --------------------- Third Quarter Nine Months
September 30 September 30
--------------------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2005
2004 --------------------------------------------------- Palladium
(oz) 39,532 79,174 140,334 246,405 Payable Palladium (oz) 36,028
72,221 127,911 224,987 Platinum (oz) 4,567 6,352 15,072 19,654 Gold
(oz) 3,428 6,745 11,393 20,749 Copper (lbs) 1,401,856 1,986,471
4,396,785 6,232,174 Nickel (lbs) 399,852 1,090,932 1,821,558
3,472,451
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Ore Tonnes Milled 1,328,433 1,301,378 3,680,059 4,095,602 Ore
Tonnes Mined 763,950 1,356,158 2,968,088 3,538,041 Waste Tonnes
Mined 2,704,627 2,842,785 9,010,660 8,694,031
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Waste to Ore Strip Ratio 3.54:1 2.10:1 3.04:1 2.46:1
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Exploration ----------- At Lac des Iles, the Company continues to
receive encouraging results from the Offset High Grade Zone
resource expansion program. One additional hole (05-016) has been
completed since the last reported results (see press release dated
September 26, 2005). Additional assays have also been received for
holes 05-003 and 014 previously reported in the September 26, 2005
press release. This quarter 7,840 metres have been drilled and four
holes are currently in progress. An additional 3 holes are being
proposed as part of the current $2.5 million exploration program.
The drilling is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter
after which an updated resource estimate for the Offset High Grade
Zone will be initiated and released.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(metres) (grams per tonne) %
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palla- Plati- Hole ID From To Interval dium num Gold Nickel Copper
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Updated Assay Results Reported on September 25, 2005
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
05-014 1169.00 1221.00 52.00 5.21 0.33 0.27 0.09 0.08
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incl 1169.00 1183.00 14.00 8.69 0.46 0.55 0.13 0.13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
incl 1176.00 1182.00 6.00 10.44 0.55 0.67 0.15 0.13
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Reported Today
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
05-003 1123.00 1140.00 17.00 8.00 0.48 0.36 0.05 0.07
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incl 1128.00 1134.00 6.00 14.27 0.75 0.80 0.09 0.10
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
05-016 1033.30 1170.00 136.70 5.56 0.37 0.34 0.12 0.09
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
incl 1034.10 1045.50 11.40 8.22 0.57 0.78 0.25 0.16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
and 1056.00 1084.40 28.40 7.62 0.49 0.24 0.09 0.06
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
incl 1071.00 1076.00 5.00 17.02 1.19 0.42 0.14 0.11
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
and 1107.00 1114.20 7.20 11.12 0.73 0.53 0.20 0.16
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
and 1119.00 1124.30 5.30 11.33 0.45 0.42 0.16 0.15
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Offset High Grade Zone has now been intersected over a 500
metre vertical height and approximately 550 metres along strike.
Mineralization to the south of the historic inferred resource of
1.05 million ounces (see Annual Report 2004) appears to be
expanding with recent drill results indicating widths in the 20 to
80+ metre range. Hole 05-016 reported above is the strongest
intercept drilled to date on either the High Grade or Offset High
Grade Zone. These types of widths are significant because they may
be amenable to future lower cost, large scale bulk mining
techniques. On October 18, 2005 the Company announced that it had
entered into a letter of intent to form a Joint Venture with Gold
Fields Limited (JSE:GFIJSE: NYSE:GFI) to further explore and
develop a mining operation at the Arctic Platinum Project ("APP")
located in Finland (see press release dated October 18 2005). The
APP includes several advanced stage PGM Projects. The Company has
been granted an option to earn a 60% interest in APP and become
project operator by spending US$12.5M, completing a feasibility
study and making a production decision as well as paying Gold
Fields up to US$45 million through the issuance of the Company's
common shares on or before June 30, 2008. Upon forming a Joint
Venture Gold Fields retains a back-in right to acquire an
additional 10% by reducing the number of the Company's common
shares issued to Gold Fields by 20%. The transaction is subject to
certain conditions including the executing of a formal agreement
and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The Company is
pleased to announce that on September 29, 2005, the shareholders of
URSA Major Minerals Incorporated (TSXV: UMJ) approved the option
and joint venture agreement on the Shakespeare nickel, copper, PGM
property located near Sudbury, Ontario. The property is proposed to
be a 60% North American Palladium, 40% URSA Joint Venture with the
Company becoming the operator upon successful completion of a
viable feasibility study and arranging financing for commercial
production. On the adjoining Agnew Lake Project (50/50 Option Joint
Venture) a fall exploration program has been initiated in advance
of a winter drill program. No field work was carried out on the
Company's Bird River Project, an Option Joint Venture with Gossan
Resources Limited (TSXV: GSS). Future work will include follow-up
diamond drilling of a previously reported intercept of 13.75m @
1.08% Ni, 0.50% Cu, 0.047% Co, 0.396gpt Pt, and 1.108gpt Pd
(including 4.75m @ 2.14% Ni and 0.44% Cu) from drill hole BR-05-02
drilled earlier this year. In follow up to a detailed airborne
survey, first pass mapping and prospecting was completed over the
Company's Lynn Lake Properties, an Option Joint Venture Agreement
with Rare Earth Metals Corp (TSXV:REM) located within the historic
Lynn Lake Mining camp in northern Manitoba. Ground geophysical
surveys and drill testing of selected targets is planned for the
early 2006. On the Company's Tyko and Bulldozer Lake Properties
located approximately 30 kilometres southeast of Manitouwadge,
field work carried out this summer has successfully advanced the
Tyko and "RJ" Ni, Cu and PGE occurrences to a drill stage. The
Company has terminated its option agreements on the Shebandowan
projects other than the option and joint venture with INCO on the
Haines-Conacher property which surrounds the past producing
Shebandowan mine. A second phase of diamond drilling on the
Haines-Conacher property is planned for this winter. Management's
Outlook -------------------- With operational improvement and cost
reduction efforts continuing in the fourth quarter, management
expects production costs, including overheads, but excluding
non-cash amortization, to be reduced compared to the third quarter.
Improved basket metal prices, particularly palladium and the
expected increase in the fourth quarter's metal production should
increase revenue to approximately $20 million, provided that metal
prices remain at their current values. These combined factors will
greatly improve the Company's cash margin position over the
previous two quarters and permit the Company to commence 2006 with
solid cash reserves. This will allow the Company to take advantage
of the much improved metal grades resulting from the underground
mine start-up in the first quarter of 2006 and continue our
expanded exploration and project development programs. Production
costs including overheads but excluding non-cash amortization
decreased from $26.2 million in the second quarter to $25.2 million
in the third quarter, primarily due to lower maintenance costs. In
the third quarter additional investment was made in the mill's
preventative maintenance program. Following the implementation of
the preventative maintenance program in the second quarter of this
year, the mill team began systematically examining every circuit in
the process, starting with the mills, the flotation circuit,
piping, and finally to the crushing and conveying circuit. The
majority of the improvements have been completed, including the
repair of a ball mill bearing problem, with only minor work
remaining to be done on several conveyor belts and the associated
transfer chutes. These belts and chutes caused some further
operational disruptions during early October; however, the mill is
expected to average close to the process plant's design throughput
rate of 15,000 tonnes per day for the fourth quarter. We are seeing
the benefit of the preventative maintenance program as both
availabilities and throughput have improved from the first quarter
and we expect to see continued improvement in the fourth quarter.
Availability in the third quarter was 91.7%, up from 86.3% in the
first quarter, and throughput was 14,439 tonnes per day in the
third quarter up from 12,848 tonnes per day in the first quarter.
In addition to milling improvements, other cost cutting measures
were put in place. We reduced the work force of both employees and
contractors in early October; flattening the management structure
in order to provide more direct responsibility. Mining operations
at Lac des Iles are expected to gain further efficiency through the
elimination of excess ore and waste re-handling, which will stem
from the combination of improvements in blasting techniques and
crusher operation. Other cost savings will come from the scheduled
decrease in the waste-to-ore strip ratio, as it moves from the year
to date 3:1 towards less than 2.5:1 in the following year. The
fourth quarter's mineable ore will be of the higher grade ore
typically mined and processed in past quarters. Mine operations are
currently through mining the low grade ore from the third quarter
that was the cause of the increase in mill tailings to the 0.06
grams of palladium per tonne range, as discussed in the third
quarter operating performance press release. It is expected that
with mining the currently available ore, recoveries and tailings
grades will realign to historical average numbers. The
underground's advancement will also produce high grade development
ore during this quarter, which will be blended with the lower grade
ore from the open pit. Management continues to be guardedly
optimistic that the palladium price will improve throughout the
fourth quarter and into 2006. Market fundamentals along with
general interest in the metal have significantly improved in the
last month and as a result the price for palladium has increased
from the range of US$185 per ounce up to above US$220 per ounce.
This trend supports the contention that palladium and platinum are
relative substitutes, and consumers, particularly those in the
jewellery and autocatalyst industries, will switch when the price
differential becomes excessive as is the current case with the
platinum price remaining above US$900 per ounce. Although demand
for palladium across its various uses is increasing, new mine
supply has not. Albeit, Norilsk Nickel is predicting a modest
increase in its palladium production, up approximately 100,000
ounces to 2.9 million ounces, production levels in South Africa and
North America are expected to remain flat. On balance, management
expects to see a further decline in the palladium market surplus
during the remainder of 2005 and into 2006, all of which supports
an upward trend in palladium price. All in all, the Company expects
to complete its 2005 initiatives and looks forward to 2006 as being
a very promising year. The underground development is progressing
on schedule and will be in full production during the first
quarter. Previous issues with the mining and milling processes at
Lac des Iles have been resolved and operations are poised to take
advantage of increased head grades as a result of the underground
high-grade ore. During the third quarter, the Company signed an
agreement with URSA Major Minerals Incorporated, to earn a 60%
joint venture interest in the Shakespeare Project. A final
feasibility study is underway to construct a mine and mill at
Shakespeare, which will produce a nickel, copper, PGM concentrate.
These study results are expected to be released in early 2006.
Management is very excited about its participation in the Arctic
Platinum Project with Gold Fields Limited and believes this project
holds significant potential. The Company expects to begin a
drilling program in early 2006 in an attempt to delineate a 5
million ounce resource with grades greater than 3 grams per tonne
of combined platinum, palladium, and gold. Finally, we are
encouraged that the palladium price appears to be moving in-line
with the rest of the metal markets, which will greatly enhance the
Company's financial strength and position moving forward.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company will host its third quarter conference call at 1 pm EST
on Wednesday, November 9, 2005. The toll-free conference call
dial-in number is 1-866-249-1964 and the local and overseas dial-in
number is 416-644-3426. The conference call will be simultaneously
web cast and archived at http://www.napalladium.com/ in the
Investor Centre under Conference Calls. A replay of the conference
call will be available until Wednesday, November 16, 2005;
toll-free at 1-877-289-8525, locally and overseas at 416-640-1917,
passcode 21159431. North American Palladium's Lac des Iles Mine is
Canada's only primary producer of platinum group metals and is one
of the largest open pit bulk mineable palladium reserves in the
world. The Company also earns substantial revenue from by-product
nickel, platinum, gold and copper. In addition to operating Lac des
Iles, the Company's mandate is to expand its production profile
through an aggressive exploration campaign, designed to increase
its exposure to base and precious metals. Palladium use in the auto
industry continues to be an important component in controlling
exhaust emissions as mandated by more stringent hydrocarbon
emissions standards for cars, particularly in the United States,
Europe and Japan. Palladium is also used in the dental,
electronics, jewellery and chemical sectors. Forward-Looking
Statements - Certain statements included in this news release are
forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the "safe
harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include estimates and
statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives and
goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management
expects a stated condition or result to occur. When used herein,
words such as "continue", "proposed", "appears", "indicating",
"predicting", "estimate", "expect", "plan", "should", "may", "will"
and other similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. In particular statements relating to
the estimated future metal prices, cash flows, expenses, capital
costs, ore production, mine life, financing, construction and
commissioning, and exploration prospects are forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks
and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are
beyond our control, that may cause actual results or performance to
differ materially from those currently anticipated in such
statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements include among others metal price
volatility, changes in the US/CDN dollar exchange rate, economic
and political events affecting metal supply and demand,
fluctuations in ore grade, ore tonnes milled, geological,
technical, mining or processing problems, recoverability of metals,
future profitability and production, availability of financing on
acceptable terms and unexpected problems during the development,
construction and start-up phases of the underground mine. For a
more comprehensive review of risk factors, please refer to the
Company's most recent Annual Report under "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Results" and Annual Information Form
under "Risk Factors" on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and Canada provincial securities regulatory authorities.
The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to put undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements. North American
Palladium Ltd. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Canadian funds in
thousands of dollars) September 30 December 31 2005 2004
------------ ------------ (unaudited) Assets Current Assets Cash
and cash equivalents $ 40,015 $ 65,755 Concentrate awaiting
settlement, net - Note 2 33,143 68,259 Inventories 8,894 8,954
Crushed and broken ore stockpiles 8,954 9,256 Accounts receivable
and other assets 2,196 1,615 ------------ ------------ 93,202
153,839 Mining interests, net 151,640 136,009 Mine restoration
deposit 6,873 5,973 Crushed and broken ore stockpiles 1,089 1,379
Deferred financing costs 665 697 ------------ ------------ $
253,469 $ 297,897 ------------ ------------ Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities $ 18,232 $ 20,231 Taxes payable 490 521 Current
portion of obligations under capital leases 2,326 1,481 Current
portion of long-term debt - Note 3 6,645 6,815 Kaiser-Francis
credit facility - Note 3 13,353 - ------------ ------------ 41,046
29,048 Mine restoration obligation 7,819 7,592 Obligations under
capital leases 6,762 3,182 Long-term debt - Note 3 19,273 24,851
Kaiser-Francis credit facility - Note 3 - 13,842 Future mining tax
liability 774 1,549 ------------ ------------ 75,674 80,064
Shareholders' Equity Capital stock - Note 5 324,932 322,904
Contributed surplus 1,081 573 Deficit (148,218) (105,644)
------------ ------------ Total shareholders' equity 177,795
217,833 ------------ ------------ $ 253,469 $ 297,897 ------------
------------ North American Palladium Ltd. Consolidated Statements
of Earnings (Loss) and Deficit (Canadian funds in thousands of
dollars, except share and per share amounts) (unaudited) Three
Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30
------------------------- ------------------------- 2005 2004 2005
2004 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Revenue
from metal sales - Note 6 $ 17,247 $ 45,154 $ 66,997 $ 150,022
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Operating
expenses Production costs, excluding amortization and asset
retirement costs 25,639 25,020 75,048 79,138 Smelter treatment,
refining and freight costs 3,791 4,493 12,788 15,514 Amortization
4,608 9,411 14,136 28,142 Insurance recovery - (7,148) - (7,148)
Administrative 1,508 1,500 4,895 3,789 Exploration expense 1,721
366 4,226 1,313 Asset retirement costs 119 236 365 702 Loss on
disposal of capital assets 6 - 6 623 ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ Total operating expenses 37,392 33,878
111,464 122,073 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Income (loss) from mining operations (20,145) 11,276 (44,467)
27,949 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Other
income (expenses) Interest on long-term debt (632) (410) (1,878)
(1,308) Foreign exchange gain (loss) 346 116 200 (930) Interest
income 408 156 1,336 259 Derivative income - - - 213 Write-off of
deferred financing costs - - - (788) ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ Total other income (expenses) 122 (138)
(342) (2,554) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (20,023) 11,138 (44,809) 25,395
Income tax expense (recovery) (413) 4,540 (2,235) 9,842
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income
(loss) for the period (19,610) 6,598 (42,574) 15,553 Deficit,
beginning of period (128,608) (4,579) (105,644) (13,534)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Retained
earnings, (deficit), end of period $ (148,218) $ 2,019 $ (148,218)
$ 2,019 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net
income (loss) per share Basic $ (0.38) $ 0.13 $ (0.82) $ 0.30
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Diluted $
(0.38) $ 0.13 $ (0.82) $ 0.30 ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ Weighted average number of shares
outstanding Basic 52,108,303 51,600,035 51,950,315 51,277,682
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Diluted
52,108,303 51,736,359 51,950,315 51,453,067 ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ North American Palladium
Ltd. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Canadian funds in
thousands of dollars) (unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months
Ended September 30 September 30 -------------------------
------------------------- 2005 2004 2005 2004 ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ Cash provided by (used in)
Operations Net income (loss) for the period $ (19,610) $ 6,598 $
(42,574) $ 15,553 Operating items not involving cash Future income
tax expense (recovery) (507) 3,845 (2,714) 7,106 Amortization 4,608
9,411 14,136 28,142 Unrealized foreign exchange gain (2,242)
(2,411) (1,589) (1,862) Provision for asset retirement costs 119
236 365 702 Stock based compensation 163 172 508 262 Loss on
disposal of capital assets 6 - 6 623 Write-off of deferred
financing costs - - - 788 Derivative income - - - (213) Changes in
non-cash working capital - Note 7 5,885 11,932 33,156 11,110
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ (11,578) 29,783
1,294 62,211 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Financing Activities Repayment of long-term debt (1,678) (1,264)
(5,133) (16,265) Issuance of common shares 392 4,091 3,967 8,768
Mine restoration deposit (300) (300) (900) (900) Repayment of
obligations under capital leases (567) (422) (1,673) (1,298)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ (2,153) 2,105
(3,739) (9,695) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Investing Activities Additions to mining interests (9,512) (8,392)
(23,303) (17,286) Restricted cash equivalents - - - 697 Proceeds on
disposal of mining interests 8 - 8 451 ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ (9,504) (8,392) (23,295) (16,138)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Increase
(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (23,235) 23,496 (25,740)
36,378 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 63,250 24,832
65,755 11,950 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 40,015 $ 48,328 $ 40,015
$ 48,328 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ North
American Palladium Ltd. Notes to the September 30, 2005
Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands of Canadian dollars
except per share and per ounce amounts) (Unaudited) 1. Basis of
Presentation These unaudited consolidated financial statements have
been prepared using disclosure standards appropriate for interim
financial statements and do not contain all the explanatory notes,
descriptions of accounting policies or other disclosures required
by Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for annual
financial statements. Such notes, descriptions of accounting
policies and other disclosures are included in the Company's
audited annual consolidated financial statements included in the
Company's annual report to shareholders for the year ended December
31, 2004. Accordingly, these consolidated financial statements
should be read in conjunction with the audited annual consolidated
financial statements for 2004. 2. Concentrate Awaiting Settlement
The gross value of concentrate awaiting settlement represents the
value of platinum group metals and base metals from production
shipped to and received by the third-party smelters between March
2005 and September 2005, which are in-process at the balance sheet
date. At September 30, 2005, concentrate awaiting settlement
included 56,977 ounces of palladium (December 31, 2004 - 114,186).
Concentrate awaiting settlement was entirely from two domestic
customers at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004. Revaluations
of the net realizable value of concentrate awaiting settlement are
included in revenue at each reporting period and are adjusted for
the effects of hedging instruments, sales contracts and foreign
exchange. 3. Long-Term Debt The Company's long-term debt, is
comprised of a senior credit facility with a leading equipment
finance company and the Kaiser-Francis credit facility. At
September 30, 2005, the outstanding long-term debt, including
current and long-term portions was $39,271 compared to $45,508 at
December 31, 2004 reflecting scheduled repayments. The interest
rate under both facilities is LIBOR plus 250 basis points, or 6.34%
at September 30, 2005. The senior credit facility is repayable in
equal quarterly installments over a five-year period with a final
maturity of November 24, 2009 and the Kaiser-Francis facility
matures on June 30, 2006. 4. Capital Stock Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2005 September 30, 2004 Shares Amount Shares Amount
--------------------------------------------------- Common shares
issued, beginning of period 51,709,075 $ 322,904 50,895,338 $
313,489 Common shares issued: Pursuant to stock options exercised
91,427 570 405,380 4,253 To group registered retirement savings
plan participants 116,174 894 58,399 694 Private placement of flow
through shares 213,000 2,503 270,000 3,821 Tax effect of flow-
through shares - (1,939) - -
--------------------------------------------------- Common shares
issued, end of period 52,129,676 $ 324,932 51,629,117 $ 322,257
--------------------------------------------------- At September
30, 2005, the Company had 651,037 stock options outstanding at a
weighted-average exercise price of $10.39, expiring at various
dates from December 14, 2005 to November 1, 2012. No stock options
were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The
Company recognized a stock based compensation expense of $163 for
the three months ended September 30, 2005 and $508 for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 (three months ended September 30,
2004 - $172; nine months ended September 30, 2004 - $262). The
Company finances a portion of its exploration activities through
the issue of flow through shares. Under the terms of these share
issues, the tax attributes of the related expenditures are
renounced to subscribers. At the time the Company renounces the tax
attributes of the expenditures to the subscribers, share capital is
reduced and future tax liabilities are increased by the estimated
income tax benefits renounced. 5. Revenue from Metal Sales Three
Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30
--------------------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2005
2004 --------------------------------------------------- Palladium
(a) $ 7,734 $ 27,388 $ 29,036 $ 90,534 Adjustments for
mark-to-market (265) (398) 419 2,700 Nickel 2,723 6,718 12,246
19,976 Platinum 3,569 5,622 13,170 17,383 Gold 1,313 2,761 5,004
8,465 Copper 2,005 2,598 6,154 8,614 Other metals 168 465 968 2,350
--------------------------------------------------- $ 17,247 $
45,154 $ 66,997 $ 150,022
--------------------------------------------------- (a) The Company
had a Palladium Sales Contract with a major automobile
manufacturer, which provided for a floor price of US$325 per ounce
on 100% of palladium production delivered by June 30, 2005. During
the nine months ended September 30, 2005, revenue on 6,403 ounces
of palladium production was recognized at the floor price of US$325
per ounce. For palladium delivered after June 30, 2005, the Company
entered into palladium sales contracts with a leading catalytic
converter manufacturer and a global commodity dealer that provides
for the delivery of palladium at a monthly average price based on
the London PM fix price or spot price on the day of delivery.
Revenues from physical deliveries in the third quarter were
realized from sales under these contracts. Revenue for the
palladium production, which will be available for physical delivery
after September 30, 2005, was recognized at the September 30, 2005
quoted market price of US$194 per ounce. For the previous nine
months ended September 30, 2004, revenue was recognized at the
floor price of US$325 per ounce for all of the palladium. 6.
Changes in Non-Cash Working Capital Three Months Ended Nine Months
Ended September 30 September 30
--------------------------------------------------- 2005 2004 2005
2004 --------------------------------------------------- Cash
provided by (used in): Concentrate awaiting settlement $ 5,431 $
12,880 $ 35,116 $ 10,368 Inventories and stockpiles 1,084 (546) 652
737 Accounts receivable and other assets (1,261) (516) (581) (684)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 117 (247) (2,000) (767)
Taxes payable 514 361 (31) 1,456
--------------------------------------------------- $ 5,885 $
11,932 $ 33,156 $ 11,110
--------------------------------------------------- During the nine
months ended September 30, 2005, mining interests were acquired at
an aggregate cost of $29,886 (nine months ended September 30, 2004
- $19,551) of which $6,583 (nine months ended September 30, 2004 -
$2,481) were acquired by means of capital lease. 7. Commitments The
Company enters into forward contracts from time to time to hedge
the effects of changes in the prices of metals it produces and
foreign exchange on the Company's revenues. Gains and losses
realized on derivative financial instruments used to mitigate metal
price risk are recognized in revenue from metal sales when the
hedge transaction occurs. (a) Platinum Forward Contracts At
September 30, 2005, the Company had forward sales contracts for
10,301 ounces of platinum at an average price of US$868 per ounce
maturing at various dates through June 2006. The fair value of
these forward sales contracts was below their carrying value by
$788 as at September 30, 2005. (b) Nickel Swap Contracts At
September 30, 2005, the Company had swap contracts for 1,785,000
lbs. of nickel at an average fixed price of US$6.68 per lb.
maturing at various dates through June 2006. The fair value of
these swap contracts was above their carrying value by $1,278 at
September 30, 2005. (c) Copper Swap Contracts At September 30,
2005, the Company had swap contracts for 661,000 lbs. of copper at
an average fixed price of US$1.27 per lb. maturing at various dates
through March 2006. The fair value of these swap contracts was
below their carrying value by $272 as at September 30, 2005. (d)
Gold Swap Contracts At September 30, 2005, the Company had swap
contracts for 7,500 ounces of gold at an average price of US$443
per ounce maturing at various dates through June 2006. The fair
value of these swap contracts was below their carrying value by
$269 as at September 30, 2005. 8. Subsequent Events (a) In October,
the Company made a decision to unwind various by-product metal
hedges namely, platinum, gold, nickel and copper through the
buy-back of forward sales or cash settled metal price swaps. This
decision was taken to reposition the Company's exposure to its
by-product metals in advance of the expected increase in metal
production at Lac des Iles in 2006. The buy-back of outstanding
hedges is continuing and is expected to be complete by year-end
2005. The combined liquidated and marked-to-market values of all
hedges are positive and the Company expects to realize a nominal
profit from the hedge liquidation. (b) On October 18, 2005 the
Company announced that it had entered into a letter of intent to
form a Joint Venture with Gold Fields Limited (JSE:GFIJSE:NYSE:GFI)
to further explore and develop a mining operation at the Arctic
Platinum Project ("APP") located in Finland (see press release
dated October 18 2005). The APP includes several advanced stage PGM
Projects. The Company has been granted an option to earn a 60%
interest in APP and become project operator by spending US$12.5M,
completing a feasibility study and making a production decision as
well as paying Gold Fields up to US$45 million through the issuance
of the Company's common shares on or before June 30, 2008. Upon
forming the Joint Venture Gold Fields retains a back-in right to
acquire an additional 10% by reducing the number of the Company's
common shares issued to Gold Fields by 20%. The transaction is
subject to certain conditions including the executing of a formal
agreement and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. 9.
Comparative Period Figures Certain prior period amounts have been
reclassified to conform to the classification adopted in the
current period. DATASOURCE: North American Palladium Ltd. CONTACT:
Andre Douchane - President & CEO, Tel: (416) 360-2656, email: ;
Mike C. Thompson - Administration Manager and Senior Controller,
Tel: (416) 360-2650, email: ; Douglas H. Bache - Treasurer, Tel:
(416) 360-2651, email:
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