Thanks in part to stronger bullion prices,
Net earnings rang in at just under US$14 million (or 8 per share) on revenue of US$47 million, compared with a profit of US$15 million (9 per share) on US$44 million in the corresponding period of 2001 (when provisions for income taxes were considerably less).
Cash flow from operations totalled US$21 million, down US$5.6 million from a year earlier. The reduction partly reflects Goldcorp’s decision to place 6,697 oz. of production in inventory.
Goldcorp has now hoarded 143,595 oz. of the yellow metal, more than half of which was bought on the open market at an average price of US$323 per oz. The company accounts for inventory at the lower of cost or net value and for investment bullion at net value so that any gains or losses show up in earnings.
Sales in the recent quarter totalled 142,300 oz., or 9% less than a year earlier. This was offset by a 17% increase in realized prices, to US$313 per oz.
The Red Lake mine in northern Ontario cranked out 130,491 oz. in the recent period at a total cash cost of US$60 per oz. Although fewer tonnes passed through the plant, output was down only slightly from a year ago, owing to a 12% increase in headgrades and record recovery rates.
Red Lake is now expected to produce 500,000 ounces in 2002 — 5% more than previously forecast. Total cash costs are expected to remain at US$60 per oz., which is US$10 less than expected.
Goldcorp has hired
Production at the Wharf open-pit mine in South Dakota rang in at 63% less than last year, with 18,524 oz. produced. Miners ran into adverse ground conditions as they expanded the area now being mined.
Total cash costs averaged US$281 per oz., up 43% from a year earlier. The increase is 59% when prestripping costs are included; that is, US$334 versus US$210 per oz.
Wharf is expected to pick up the pace in the remaining months so that production for the year comes in at 90,000 oz. Total costs are projected at US$250 per oz.
Goldcorp’s sodium sulphate operation in Saskatchewan cranked out 36,829 tonnes during the second quarter, or 14% more than last year. The higher output combined with better prices to push revenue up 37%, to US$2.6 million.
For the first six months of the year, Goldcorp showed a net profit of about US$30 million on revenue of US$85 million. Earnings were similar to those reported for the first half of last year, though revenue was down US$3 million, on account of lower production and weaker bullion prices in the first quarter.
Cash flow topped US$41 million in the first half, or 25% less than a year ago.
On June 30, Goldcorp had nearly US$293 million in current assets and US$35 million in current liabilities for a working capital of US$257 million. The company remains debt-free.
Goldcorp has more than 182 million shares outstanding, or 206 million on a fully diluted basis. The company recently obtained listings for its options on the Pacific and Montreal exchanges, adding to listings on the American Stock Exchange and the Chicago Board of Options.
Goldcorp’s shares are listed on the Toronto and New York exchanges.
Be the first to comment on "Goldcorp coasts at Red Lake mine"