Centerra Gold First Quarter Results (This news release contains forward-looking informati on that is subject to the risk factors and assumptions set out on page 20 and in our Cautionary Note Regar ding Forward-looking Information on page 27. It
NEWS RELEASE
Centerra Gold First Quarter Results
(This news release contains forward-looking information that is subject to the risk factors and assumptions set out on page 20 and in our Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information on page 27. It should be read in conjunction with the Company’s interim consolidated financial statements for the three- month periods ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 and associated Management’s Discussion and Analysis. The condensed interim financial statements of Centerra are prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and the Company’s accounting policies as described in note 3 of its annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2011. All figures are in United States dollars.)
To view Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the Financial Statements and Notes for the three- months ended March 31, 2012, please visit the following link:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CG2012Q1FSMDA.pdf
Toronto, Canada, May 15, 2012: Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX: CG) today reported a net loss for the first quarter of 2012 of $14.7 million or $0.06 per share on revenues of $133.8 million. The first quarter loss includes $19.2 million of abnormal mining costs, $4.6 million of mine standby costs related to the work stoppage at Kumtor and a $1 million provision for the closure of the Company’s Reno exploration office. For the same period in 2011, the Company recorded net earnings of $136.6 million or $0.58 per common share based on revenues of $250.2 million in the same quarter last year reflecting significantly higher gold production and sales.
Consolidated gold production for the first quarter of 2012 totaled 72,555 ounces at a total cash cost of $985 per ounce, reflecting the original production schedule for the year in which gold production was weighted to the fourth quarter, as well as the impact of the increased ice movement in the southeast section of the pit at Kumtor. In the first quarter of 2012, mining of ore at Kumtor was delayed due to accelerated ice movement that made it unsafe to continue mining the cut-back to gain access to the SB Zone. In the corresponding quarter of 2011, gold production was 180,716 ounces at a total cash cost of $370 per ounce reflecting Kumtor’s production profile which was evenly distributed throughout the year. In addition, in the first quarter of 2011, Kumtor drew down excess in-process gold inventory and processed higher than expected gold grades resulting in significantly higher production. (Total cash cost is a non-GAAP measure and is discussed under “Non-GAAP Measures” in this news release.)
1 University Avenue, Suite 1500 Toronto, ON M5J 2P1 tel 416-204-1953 fax 416-204-1954 www.centerragold.com
Commentary
Steve Lang, President and CEO of Centerra Gold commented, “The lower first quarter gold production reflects the changes to our guidance for 2012, due to the accelerated ice movement above the SB Zone at Kumtor, as we previously announced. We are currently executing the mitigation plan. We are confirming our 2012-2014 production outlook at Kumtor of producing about 1.87 million ounces of gold over the three-year period. The ounces deferred from this year’s original mining plan will be produced by the end of 2014. Although approximately 50 million tonnes of additional ice and waste material was added to the life-of-mine plan, with the new three-year mining plan, we are moving about the same number of tonnes as outlined in the 2011 Kumtor technical report and getting about the same number of ounces of gold.”
“The decision to offload this high movement area in the upper portion of the southeast section of the pit wall provides an opportunity to examine the potential to expand the limits of the ultimate pit and the life-of-mine plan at Kumtor. We expect to complete and announce the results of this review before the end of the third quarter this year.”
“On another matter, I look forward to my new role as Chair of Centerra’s Board, which was announced on March 14, 2012, along with other changes in Centerra’s Board of Directors and management that will take effect on May 17, 2012 after our annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Patrick James, Director and Chair and Mr. Ian Austin, Director will both retire from the Board. I will replace Mr. James as the Chair of the Board and will concurrently step down as Centerra’s President and CEO. Mr. Ian Atkinson will become Centerra’s new President and CEO and Mr. David Groves will be promoted to the position of Vice President, Global Exploration.”
Financial and Operating Summary
Highlights
| Three Months Ended March 31 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial and Operating Summary | 2012 | 2011 | % Change |
| Revenue - $ millions | 133.8 | 250.2 | (47%) |
| Cost of sales - $ millions (1) | 84.7 | 61.8 | 37% |
| Abnormal mining costs - $ millions | 19.2 | - | 100% |
| Net earnings (loss) - $ millions | (14.7) | 136.6 | (111%) |
| Earnings per common share - $ basic and diluted | (0.06) | 0.58 | (110%) |
| Cash provided by operations - $ millions | 10.2 | 143.1 | 93% |
| Capital expenditures - $ millions | 128.9 | 72.1 | 79% |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (thousands) | 236,354 | 235,880 | 0% |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (thousands) | 236,354 | 236,314 | 0% |
| Average gold spot price - $/oz | 1,691 | 1,386 | 22% |
| Average realized gold price - $/oz | 1,721 | 1,385 | 24% |
| Gold sold – ounces | 77,720 | 180,628 | (57%) |
| Cost of sales - $/oz sold (1) | 1,090 | 342 | 219% |
| Gold produced – ounces | 72,555 | 180,716 | (60%) |
| Total cash cost - $/oz produced(2) | 985 | 370 | 166% |
| Total production cost - $/oz produced(2) | 1,179 | 468 | 152% |
(1) Cost of sales includes depreciation, depletion and amortization related to operations.
(2) Total cash cost and total production cost are non-GAAP measures and are discussed under “Non-GAAP Measures”.
Revenue in the first quarter of 2012 decreased to $133.8 million from $250.2 million in the same period last year reflecting lower ounces sold, partially offset by higher realized gold prices. First quarter 2012 revenue reflects a 24% increase in the Company’s average realized gold price ($1,721 per ounce in the first quarter of 2012 versus $1,385 per ounce in the first quarter of 2011) offset by a 57% reduction in ounces sold in the period.
Total gold production for the first quarter was 72,555 ounces compared to 180,716 ounces reported in the first quarter of 2011, a 60% reduction year-over-year. The decreased gold production in the current quarter of 2012 reflects the Company’s original production schedule for 2012 where gold production was weighted to the fourth quarter, as well as, the impact at Kumtor of the increased ice movement in the southeast section of the pit. In 2011, production was evenly distributed throughout the year and in the first quarter reflected the mining and processing at Kumtor of high grade material from the pit and from ore stockpiled in the fourth quarter of 2010.
The upper portion of the southeast section of the pit wall above the SB Zone at Kumtor consists primarily of re-handled waste and ice. This material is active with considerable seasonal fluctuations in the movement rates. The higher movement rates have been typically observed in the warmer summer months, but the rate of movement is not consistent and material may accelerate and decelerate on a daily basis. In the first quarter of 2012, higher than usual acceleration was experienced in the high movement area. The rapid movement of material, combined with the toppling-type failure of the ice, made it unsafe to continue mining the cut-back to gain access to the ore which was scheduled to provide ore from March 2012. Following a full technical analysis, the Company developed an alternate plan to access ore by accelerating mining in the southwest portion of the Kumtor pit which is not below the high movement area. This will allow access to part of the new ore reserves (reported in the February 9, 2012 reserve and resource update) in September 2012 and is expected to provide higher grade ore for the Kumtor mill. The decision to offload this high movement area in the southeast section of the pit provides an opportunity to expand the limits of the ultimate pit and the life-of-mine plan at Kumtor. The Company expects to complete and announce the results of this review before the end of the third quarter this year.
The Company has, in the past, successfully managed the flow of ice and waste into the pit, treating this as a normal cost of operation. However, the increased level of mining of ice and waste necessary to maintain safe access to the pit during most of the quarter, exacerbated by the ten day labour strike and the increased acceleration of this material resulted in a decision to stop mining cutback 12B where ore for the quarter was to be released and stripping of cutback 14A. The additional mining activity associated with the ice and waste during a period where little ore was mined resulted in an unusual amount of cost being added to existing stockpiled inventory. This further caused the inventory’s recorded value to exceed what the Company believes can be realized after further processing and subsequent sale of the gold by $18.7 million. Under the circumstances, the Company does not consider these costs to be a cost of sale and has recorded the excess inventory cost over its net realizable value as an abnormal cost for the period.
In addition, as a result of the decision announced on March 27, 2012 to address the acceleration of ice and waste material in the high movement area above the SB Zone, access to the ore in this section of the pit was delayed and the mine plan for the year was revised. The area of ice and waste which needs to be removed is primarily outside of the current pit limits and will require significant effort and cost over the balance of 2012 and part of 2013 to provide access to mine the southeast section of the pit. The cost of removal of this ice and waste material from the high movement area from the date of the announcement to the end of the first quarter of 2012 was $0.5 million.
At Boroo, mining operations resumed in the first quarter of 2012 with the pre-stripping of Pit 6. The Boroo mill continued to process stockpiled pit and heap leach material with lower head grades than material processed in the first quarter of 2011, partially offset by higher recoveries. Heap leach operations at Boroo remained idle during the first quarter of 2012 pending issuance of a final operating permit by the government authorities.
Centerra’s total cash cost per ounce of gold produced was $985 in the first quarter compared to $370 in the first quarter of 2011. The year-over-year increase in unit cash cost is primarily a result of 63% lower production at Kumtor due to the lower grades and recovery from processing stockpiled ore and the increase in operating costs mainly as a result of higher labour cost, diesel, other consumables and social fund contributions (see “Operations Update”). (Total cash cost per ounce produced is a non-GAAP measure and is discussed under “Non-GAAP Measures” in this news release.)
Other operating expenses for the first quarter of 2012 of $2.6 million included $1.2 million of operating costs incurred at Kumtor to remove the ice and waste material from the unload areas above the southeast wall of the SB Zone following the decision and announcement by the Company on March 27, 2012 that it would need to change its production plan for the year and address the accelerated ice and waste movement in order to gain access to the higher grade ore in the SB Zone. The amount also includes $1.4 million contributed by the Company to social development programs in the Kyrgyz Republic. There were no other operating expenses reported in the comparative quarter of 2011.
Exploration expenditures for the first quarter of 2012 increased to $7.8 million from $7.4 million in the same quarter of 2011.
Cash provided by operations was $10.2 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to $143.1 million for the prior year first quarter, primarily reflecting decreased earnings as a result of lower production and sales volumes and higher operating costs.
Capital expenditures spent and accrued in the first quarter of 2012 amounted to $128.9 million which included $6.1 million of sustaining capital and $122.8 million invested in growth capital. Growth capital at Kumtor totaled $119.5 million including spending on the purchase of new CAT 789 haul trucks ($72.0 million), pre-stripping capitalization ($30.2 million), underground development ($9.9 million), the purchase of larger Sandvik drills ($5.1 million), Stockwork Zone delineation drilling ($1.2 million) and numerous other projects ($1.1 million). At Boroo, $3.3 million was spent on the pre-stripping of Pit 6 and $0.4 million on equipment overhauls. Capital expenditures in the comparative quarter of 2011 totaled $72.1 million, consisting of $6.8 million of sustaining capital and $65.3 million of growth capital.
Centerra’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments at the end of March 2012 decreased to $445.7 million, compared to cash and short-term investments of $568.2 million at December 31, 2011. At March 31, 2012, the Company had no debt outstanding and had an undrawn revolving credit facility of $150 million. Centerra believes, based on its current forecast, that it has sufficient cash and investments to carry out its business plan in 2012 (see “Outlook for 2012”).
Operations Update
| Three Months Ended March 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumtor Operating Results | 2012 | 2011 | Change | % Change |
| Gold sold – ounces | 62,196 | 166,145 | (103,949) | (63%) |
| Revenue - $ millions | 107.7 | 229.9 | (122.2) | (53%) |
| Average realized gold price – $/oz | 1,732 | 1,384 | 348 | 25% |
| Cost of sales - $ millions (1) | 68.5 | 48.3 | 20.2 | 42% |
| Cost of sales - $/oz sold (1) | 1,101 | 291 | 810 | 278% |
| Abnormal mining costs - $ millions | 19.2 | - | 19 | 100% |
| Tonnes mined - 000s | 30,746 | 36,508 | (5,762) | (16%) |
| Tonnes ore mined – 000s | 63 | 588 | (525) | (89%) |
| Average mining grade - g/t (2) | 1.33 | 7.14 | (6) | (81%) |
| Tonnes milled - 000s | 1,252 | 1,391 | (139) | (10%) |
| Average mill head grade - g/t (2) | 1.98 | 4.12 | (2.14) | (52%) |
| Recovery - % | 72.6 | 82.6 | (10.0) | (12%) |
| Gold produced – ounces | 60,707 | 164,167 | (103,460) | (63%) |
| Total cash cost - $/oz produced (3) | 1,001 | 342 | 659 | 193% |
| Total production cost - $/oz produced (3) | 1,202 | 434 | 768 | 177% |
| Capital expenditures - $ millions | 125.0 | 71.9 | 53.1 | 74% |
| Boroo Operating Results | ||||
| Gold sold – ounces | 15,524 | 14,484 | 1,040 | 7% |
| Revenue - $ millions | 26.0 | 20.3 | 5.8 | 28% |
| Average realized gold price - $/oz | 1,676 | 1,399 | 277 | 20% |
| Cost of sales - $ millions (1) | 16.3 | 13.5 | 2.8 | 21% |
| Cost of sales - $/oz sold (1) | 1,050 | 933 | 116.7 | 13% |
| Total Tonnes mined - 000s | 1,920 | - | 1,920 | 100% |
| Average mining grade - g/t (2) | - | - | 0.00 | - |
| Tonnes ore mined direct mill feed -000’s | - | - | 0 | - |
| Tonnes ore milled - 000s | 587 | 596 | (9) | (2%) |
| Average mill head grade - g/t (2) | 0.77 | 1.35 | (0.58) | (43%) |
| Recovery - % | 79.2 | 61.3 | 17.9 | 29% |
| Gold produced – ounces | 11,848 | 16,549 | (4,701) | (28%) |
| Total cash cost - $/oz produced (3) | 905 | 643 | 262 | 41% |
| Total production cost - $/oz produced (3) | 1,059 | 805 | 254.2 | 32% |
| Capital expenditures - $ millions (Boroo) | 3.7 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 100% |
| Capital expenditures - $ millions (Gatsuurt) | 0.1 | 0.1 | (0.03) | (21%) |
(1) Cost of sales includes depreciation, depletion and amortization related to operations.
(2) g/t means grams of gold per tonne.
(3) Total cash cost and total production cost are non-GAAP Measures and are discussed under “Non-GAAP Measures”.
Kumtor
At the Kumtor mine in the Kyrgyz Republic, gold production in the first quarter of 2012 was 60,707 ounces of gold compared to 164,167 ounces of gold in the comparative quarter of 2011. Sequencing of ore in 2011 allowed for consistent quarterly production, as well as, excess in-process gold inventory was drawn down and higher than expected gold grades were processed in the quarter which contributed to the production. In 2012, the gold production was expected to be weighted to the fourth quarter. Therefore, as expected, the first quarter of 2012 ounces were significantly reduced from the first quarter in 2011 (approximately 72,000 ounces compared to actual 2011 first quarter production of 164,167 ounces). The reduction from planned production of 72,000 ounces resulted from lower ore mill head grades and recoveries, as the mill processed stockpiled material with lower grades compared to the higher grade material from cut-back 12B that was planned to be available during the quarter.
Mill head grades for the first quarter of 2012 were 1.98 g/t with a recovery of 72.6%, versus 4.12 g/t and a recovery of 82.6% for the same quarter in 2011. The mill processed 1.3 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2012, 10% lower than the same period in 2011 as a result of lower mill operating time due to the temporary suspension of operations resulting from a ten day illegal work stoppage. During the quarter, Kumtor recorded $4.6 million of mine standby costs as a result of the work stoppage.
Total cash cost per ounce produced, a non-GAAP measure of production efficiency, was $1,001 in the first quarter of 2012 up from $342 in the first quarter of 2011, primarily as a result of 63% lower gold production which increased cash costs by $587 per ounce and the increase in operating costs which increased cash costs by $72 per ounce. The quarter-over-quarter increase in unit cash costs was primarily due to the processing of higher cost ounces during the first quarter of 2012 due to the increasing depreciation costs from the augmented fleet and the higher unit costs associated with the increased removal of ice and waste in the first quarter of 2012. With very low amounts of ore being mined in the first quarter of 2012, the cost of ice and waste removal added a significant amount of abnormal costs to the existing inventory leading to an inventory impairment of $18.7 million of related costs which were charged directly to costs of sales. Total cash cost per ounce produced is a non-GAAP measure and is discussed under “Non-GAAP Measures”.
Kumtor recorded an amount of $19.2 million of abnormal mining costs in the first quarter of 2012. The unanticipated acceleration of ice and waste, in addition to the work stoppage in February, resulted in the loss of access in the southeast part of the pit and a delay in accessing the ore planned for the first quarter of 2012. The resulting unplanned removal of the new ice and waste material compounded by the low amount of ore being mined in the first quarter of 2012 added a significant amount of costs to the existing inventory leading to a charge of $18.7 million of abnormal mining costs expensed in the quarter.
In addition as a result of the decision announced on March 27, 2012 to address the acceleration of ice and waste material in the high movement area above the SB Zone, access to the ore in this section of the pit was delayed and the mine plan for the year was revised. The area of ice and waste which needs to be removed is primarily outside of the current pit limits and will require significant effort and cost over the balance of 2012 and part of 2013 to provide access to mine the southeast section of the pit. The cost of removal of this ice and waste from the high movement area from the date of the announcement to the end of the first quarter of 2012 was $0.5 million.
Exploration expenditures totaled $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $4.1 million reported in the first quarter 2011.
Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2012 totalled $125 million compared to $71.9 million in the prior year. Current year expenditures consisted of $5.5 million of sustaining capital, predominantly spent on the major overhaul program for heavy duty equipment ($3.4 million), the dewatering program ($1.1 million), the crusher plant replacement ($0.4 million) and numerous other projects ($0.6 million). Growth capital investment totaled $119.5 million which was spent to purchase new CAT 789 haul trucks ($72.0 million), pre-stripping capitalization ($30.2 million), the underground development ($9.9 million), purchase of larger Sandvik drills ($5.1 million), Stockwork Zone delineation drilling ($1.2 million) and numerous other projects ($1.1 million).
The underground development at Kumtor continued in the first quarter of 2012 with a total advance of 474 metres. Decline #1 (SB Zone decline) advanced 223 metres while Decline #2 advanced 251 metres in the first quarter towards the SB Zone. The underground development project is on track to achieve the connection of Decline #1 with Decline #2 early in the third quarter of 2012. Exploration drilling continued in the first quarter of 2012 along with the delineation drilling of the Stockwork Zone resource which will continue through 2012.
Boroo/Gatsuurt
At the Boroo mine in Mongolia, gold production was 11,848 ounces in the first quarter of 2012 compared to 16,549 ounces in the first quarter of 2011 due to processing lower grade stockpiled material. The ore grades averaged 0.77 g/t with a recovery of 79.2% in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 1.35 g/t with a recovery of 61.3% in the same quarter of 2011. The heap leach operation at Boroo remained idle during the first quarter 2012, pending issuance of the final permitting by the Mongolian government authorities.
Total cash cost per ounce produced, a non-GAAP measure of production efficiency, increased to $905 in the first quarter of 2012 from $643 in the first quarter of 2011 due to the lower gold production, which increased unit cash costs by approximately $259 per ounce. Operating cash costs at Boroo increased in the first quarter of 2012 by $2.9 million before the capitalization of $2.7 million for pre-stripping activities (net increase of $0.2 million) compared to the same quarter of 2011. Mining costs increased as a result of the resumption of Pit 6 mining operations from January 1, 2012 and milling costs were up $0.3 million due to higher electricity costs. Total cash cost per ounce produced is a non-GAAP measure and is discussed under “Non-GAAP Measures”.
During the first quarter of 2012, exploration expenditures in Mongolia increased to $2.1 million from $0.8 million in the same period of 2011, primarily due to cost incurred for the Altan Tsagaan Ovoo (ATO) project which amounted to $1.4 million.
Capital expenditures at Boroo in the first quarter of 2012 increased to $3.7 million compared to $14,000 in the same period of 2011. This is mainly due to capitalizing $3.3 million of Pit 6 pre-strip during the first quarter of 2012 (including the non-cash component), in addition to higher equipment component change-outs and replacement of a courier bus. No capital expenditures were incurred at Gatsuurt.
The Gatsuurt project remained under care and maintenance in the first quarter of 2012 due to delays in permitting. Further development of the project is subject to receiving all required approvals and regulatory commissioning from the Mongolian Government.
Exploration Update
To view the graphics, maps/drill sections and complete drill results discussed in this news release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CG2012Q1ExplorationAll.pdf or visit the Company’s web site at: www.centerragold.com.
Kyrgyz Republic
During the first quarter of 2012, exploration drilling programs continued in the Kumtor Central Pit and Sarytor areas and delineation drilling and exploration drilling from Declines 1 and 2. Regional exploration work resumed on the Koendy license.
For the discussion on the quality assurance program, please see “Qualified Person & QA/QC” elsewhere in this news release.
Kumtor Pit
In the Central Pit, six holes were completed during the quarter with two drill holes in progress at the end of the quarter. Drilling in the first quarter focused on testing for continuity and extensions within and below the KS12 pit design and to trace the extension of mineralization at lower elevations in the Saddle and SB Zones.
Five holes were drilled to test the SB Zone at or below the KS 12 pit design. All five holes intersected broad zones of mineralization at or below the KS12 pit design, and the results will have a positive impact on future resource estimates. Better results include:
D1592 3.3 g/t gold over 46.9 metres and 2.4 g/t gold over 10.1 metres D1602 4.4 g/t gold over 38.4 metres and 9.3 g/t gold over 3.6 metres D1603 6.5 g/t gold over 41.4 metres (including 17.8 g/t gold over 11.3 metres)
D1608 6.9 g/t gold over 39.9 metres (including 16.9 g/t over 4.3m and 13.6 g/t gold over 4.5 metres)
D1609 2.6 g/t gold over 40.3 metres , 2.4 g/t gold over 11.7 metres and 1.4 g/t gold over 17.9 metres
D1587А was drilled on Section 86 to test the down dip extension of the Saddle Zone mineralization at 3,250 metre elevation. Results include 3.5 g/t gold over 30.1 metres, 1.8 g/t gold over 3.4 metres and 1.0 g/t gold over 9.6 metres.
Drilling will continue in the second quarter to test the SB Zone within and below the KS 12 pit design.
True widths for the mineralized zones are typically from 70% to 95% of the stated intercept.
Decline Exploration
Four holes were drilled from Decline 1 and a single exploration hole was completed in Decline 2. Three of four holes drilled from Decline 1 were abandoned short of their target due to bad ground conditions, and the fourth hole was lost during the February work stoppage. Results included:
UD1601A 1.8 g/t gold over 5.0 metres
Exploration drilling will continue from both declines.
Resource Delineation Drilling
In the first quarter, five drill holes were completed on Sections 130, 138 and 142 as a part of the Stockwork Zone infill resource delineation program which began in 2011. Three drill holes are in progress and two were stopped due to technical reasons. Three of five infill holes in the Stockwork Zone returned high-grade intercepts within the limits of the inferred resource and a sixth hole constrained the limits of the Stockwork Zone at depth. Results include:
UD1595 10.0 g/t gold over 24.5 metres (including 26.4 g/t gold over 7.3 metres) UD1598 7.8 g/t gold over 35.5 metres (including 17.9 g/t gold over 11.8 metres) UD1600 5.3 g/t gold over 6.7 metres and 4.6 g/t gold over 11.0 metres UD1605 5.5 g/t gold over 2.0 metres, 4.4 g/t over 2.0 m, and 2.8 g/t over 10.4 metres UD1610 6.9 g/t gold over 7.0 metres and 13.5 g/t gold over 3.5 metres (in progress)
The resource infill drilling will continue in the second quarter of 2012.
True widths for the mineralized zones are typically from 40% to 95% of the stated intercept.
Sarytor Area
Drilling was started late in the quarter in the Sarytor area. A single hole was completed to test for zones of higher gold grades beyond planned pit limits. The drill hole returned substantially higher gold grades than the average resource grade at Sarytor, and the result may indicate improving grades at depth with hole SR-12-202 returning an intercept of 7.1 g/t gold over 28.3 metres.
Drilling will continue at Sarytor in the second quarter of 2012.
Regional Exploration
Exploration resumed on the Koendy license in anticipation of a planned trenching program in the second quarter of 2012.
A complete listing of the drill results and supporting maps for the Kumtor pit, Sarytor area and the underground have been filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (‘SEDAR’) at www.sedar.com and are available at the Company’s web site at: www.centerragold.com.
Mongolia ATO Project
The Mongolian Reserve and Resource Report containing updated block model, metallurgical tests, and environmental and social study sections was compiled and submitted to the Mineral Resource Authority of Mongolia (MRAM). MRAM, in turn, selected and appointed official reviewers of the report. The review is in progress.
Russia Kara Beldyr Joint Venture
During the first quarter of 2012, 14 diamond drill holes were completed at the Ezen and Baran Zones on the Kara Beldyr project. Drilling at the Ezen Zone tested almost 1,000 metres of the trend on 200-metre sections and at 50-metre spacing on the northeast end of the prospect. The following are the most significant intersections in the Ezen Zone in the first quarter of 2012:
KB-126: 44.9 g/t gold over 1.0 metre KB-128: 2.6 g/t gold over 4.2 metres KB-129: 15.2 g/t gold over 1.2 metres
Drilling also continued in the Baran Zone where five holes were completed during the quarter. Assay results received for one hole, KB-132, returned values of 2.2 g/t gold over 10.8 metres.
A complete listing of the drill results and supporting maps for the Kara Beldyr project have been filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (‘SEDAR’) at www.sedar.com and are available at the Company’s web site at: www.centerragold.com.
Turkey Stratex JV - Öksüt Project
Drilling with two drill rigs will resume at Ortaçam North in the second quarter of 2012. The drilling program will be complemented with an initial metallurgical program and environmental baseline study.
To view the graphics, maps/drill sections and complete drill results discussed in this news release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CG2012Q1ExplorationAll.pdf or visit the Company’s web site at: www.centerragold.com.
Other Corporate Developments
The following is a summary of corporate developments since the Company’s annual MD&A filed on February 23, 2012 with respect to matters affecting the Company and its subsidiaries in the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia and Canada. Except as expressed below, no material changes have occurred with respect to the matters discussed in the “Other Corporate Development” section of the Company’s annual MD&A published on February 23, 2012.
In particular, the following corporate matters remain outstanding:
- Heap Leach Permit: receipt of a permanent permit for the Boroo heap leach operation;
- Gatsuurt and the Impact of the Mongolian Water and Forest Law: the receipt of regulatory commissioning of the Gatsuurt development property, and determination of the impact of the Mongolian Law to Prohibit Mineral Exploration and Mining Operations at River Headwaters, Protected Zones of Water Reservoirs and Forested Areas (the “Water and Forest Law”) on the Company’s Mongolian operations. Centerra is reasonably confident that the economic and development benefits resulting from its exploration and development activities will ultimately result in the Water and Forest Law having a limited impact on the Company’s Mongolian activities. There can be no assurance, however, that this will be the case. Unless the Water and Forest Law is repealed or amended such that the law no longer applies to the Gatsuurt project or Gatsuurt is designated as a “mineral deposit of strategic importance” that is exempt from the Water and Forest Law, mineral reserves at Gatsuurt may have to be reclassified as mineral resources or eliminated entirely and the Company may be required to write-off the associated investment in Gatsuurt and Boroo. As at March 31, 2012, the Company had net assets recorded amounting to approximately $36 million related to the investment in Gatsuurt and approximately $25 million remaining capitalized for the Boroo mill facility and other surface structures which are expected to be utilized for the processing of ore from Gatsuurt. Although the Company expects to mine the Gatsuurt deposit, should this not be the case, the Company would be required to write-off these amounts. A revocation of the Company’s mineral licenses, including the Gatsuurt mineral license, or the reclassification of mineral reserves or the write-off of assets could have an adverse impact on the market price of Centerra’s shares, Centerra’s future cash flows, earnings, results of operations or financial condition;
- Impact of the Graduated Royalty Fee on Boroo: the possibility that the graduated royalty fee introduced by the Mongolian Parliament in November 2010 may apply to the Boroo project, despite the existence of a stability agreement which provides legislative stabilization for the property. The Company believes that the Boroo Stability Agreement provides, among other things, fiscal stabilization for its Boroo operations and accordingly the graduated royalty fee is not applicable to Boroo’s remaining operations. Despite this, the Company cannot provide any assurances that Boroo will not be made subject to the graduated royalty fee. If the graduated royalty fee does apply to Boroo, it may have an adverse impact on the market price of Centerra’s shares, Centerra’s future cash flows, earnings, results of operations or financial condition;