IAMGOLD REPORTS RECORD REVENUES, EARNINGS AND CASH FLOW FOR 2011 All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated Refer to the annual management discussion and analysis (MD&A) and audited consolidated financial statements for more information.
TSX: IMG NYSE: IAG
NEWS RELEASE
IAMGOLD REPORTS RECORD REVENUES, EARNINGS AND CASH FLOW FOR 2011
All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated Refer to the annual management discussion and analysis (MD&A) and audited consolidated financial statements for more information.
Toronto, Ontario, February 23, 2012 – IAMGOLD Corporation (“IAMGOLD” or the “Company”) today reported its consolidated financial results and operating information for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011. During 2011, the Company generated a record $1.7 billion in revenues from continuing operations supported by an average realized gold price of $1,555 per ounce. Net earnings attributable to equity shareholders, including the earnings from discontinued operations, were a record $806.7 million ($2.15 per share), an increase of 207% compared to 2010. Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders were $391.3 million ($1.04 per share), an increase of 81% over 2010.The Company had cash, cash equivalents and gold bullion at market price of $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2011, with operating cash flow from continuing operations of $589.9 million in 2011, an increase of 70% from $347.8 million in 2010.
For the fourth quarter of 2011, net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders were $133.6 million ($0.36 per share), an increase of 22% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010, and operating cash flow from continuing operations of $204.8 an increase of 2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.
“In 2011, realized gold prices reached new highs, which allowed us to post strong revenues, gold margins2 of over $900 per ounce, as well as significantly higher earnings and cash flows,” said Steve Letwin, President and CEO of IAMGOLD. “More importantly, 2011 was a successful year on many strategic fronts as we profitably divested of a number of non-core gold properties, moved forward on several brownfield expansion projects, uncovered the potential value of Niobec, and have identified what we believe to be the largest deposit of rare earth elements outside of China.”
Mr. Letwin continued, “In 2012, our gold business will be focused on growth through expansion of our existing projects, the most extensive exploration program in the Company’s history and potential accretive acquisitions. Of equal priority will be our initiatives to improve productivity, enabling us to maximize our margins in this high gold price environment. In addition, we will move ahead to expand Niobec and to find alternative ways to maximize the value of our REE resource, both with the ultimate goal of developing these businesses in a way that delivers the best shareholder returns.”
FOURTH QUARTER 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
- Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders of $133.6 million ($0.36 per share) increased by 22%, compared to $109.9 million ($0.29 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010.
- Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders1 of $108.5 million ($0.29 per share1) decreased by 9% from $119.2 million ($0.32 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010, mainly the result of fewer ounces of gold sold.
- Operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital1 was $189.4 million ($0.50 per share1) compared to $190.8 million ($0.51 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010.
- Gold production from continuing operations of 253,000 attributable ounces in the fourth quarter of 2011 was flat with the same quarter in 2010. Cash costs1 were $643 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to cash costs of $536 per ounce during the fourth quarter of 2010. At IAMGOLD operated sites, the average cash cost per ounce was $562 in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $469 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2010.
- With increases in dividends announced in June and December 2011, the Company’s annual dividend payment is $0.25 per share, representing a 317% increase over the payout rate at the beginning of 2010. Dividends of $47.0 million were paid in January 2012.
- IAMGOLD continued to deliver on its strategy to divest of non-core assets with the disposal of its investment in two royalties, including the Magistral gold royalty on properties in Mexico, for $15.0 million.
FULL YEAR 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
Financial Performance
- Net earnings attributable to equity shareholders were a record $806.7 million ($2.15 per share) during 2011, compared to $262.6 million ($0.71 per share) in 2010. The sale of the Tarkwa and Damang mines in Ghana and the Mupane mine in Botswana bolstered net earnings by $415.3 million.
- Record net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders were $391.3 million ($1.04 per share) an increase of 81% over 2010, and record operating cash flow from continuing operations of $589.9 million in 2011, an increase of 70% from prior year, both fuelled by record revenues of $1.7 billion, up 53% from $1.1 billion in 2010.
- Record adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders1 of $406.4 million ($1.08 per share1), increased by 82% from $223.2 million ($0.60 per share) in 2010. The increase was mainly the result of a record gold margin per ounce2 which increased from $726 to $919 as metal price increases more than offset the increases in costs. See the Adjusted Net Earnings reconciliation on page 18 for further details.
- Record operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital1 of $653.8 million ($1.74 per share1), increased by 66% compared to $393.4 million ($1.06 per share) in 2010. See the Operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital reconciliation on page 19 for further details.
- IAMGOLD delivered on its strategy to divest profitably of the following non-core assets which provided $737.4 million of cash in 2011:
- In December 2011, the Company disposed of its investment in two royalties, including the Magistral gold royalty on properties in Mexico, for proceeds of $15.0 million and a gain of $12.4 million net of tax.
- In August 2011, the Company completed the disposition of its Mupane gold mine in Botswana for total proceeds of $34.2 million, resulting in net cash proceeds of $6.6 million and a gain of $5.3 million, net of tax.
- In June 2011, the Company completed the sale of its 18.9% interests in the Tarkwa and Damang gold mines in Ghana, West Africa to Gold Fields Limited for cash proceeds of $667.0 million, resulting in a gain of $402.8 million, net of tax.
- In February 2011, the Company disposed of the La Arena project in Peru, for proceeds of $48.8 million resulting in a gain of $10.5 million, net of tax.
Financial Position
- Financial position with cash, cash equivalents and gold bullion (at market) was at its highest level during the year at $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2011 compared to $0.4 billion at December 31, 2010. Operating cash flow during 2011 funded investments at operating, exploration and development sites while proceeds from disposals on non-core assets strengthened the Company’s position for strategic growth initiatives in the gold space.
- In 2012, the Company plans to incur approximately $880 million in capital expenditures, which includes $38 million capitalized exploration. In addition, the Company is projecting $93 million in expensed exploration for 2012.
- In February 2012, the Company increased its $350.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility to a four-year, $500.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility. The Company also increased its revolving facility for the issuance of letters of credit to $75.0 million.
- In February 2012, Niobec Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a four-year $250.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility to be used for general corporate requirements including working capital requirements and expansion of existing facilities of Niobec.
Production, Cash Costs and Margins
Gold Operations
- Attributable gold production of 896,000 ounces from continuing operations in 2011 increased 23% compared to 728,000 attributable ounces in 2010. Total attributable gold production including discontinued operations was 972,000 ounces (967,000 ounces in 2010).
- Weighted average cash costs1 from continuing operations were $636 per ounce in 2011, compared to $534 per ounce in 2010. Cash costs at IAMGOLD-operated sites were $573 per ounce compared to $482 per ounce in 2010.
- Gold margin2 increased by 27% from $726 per ounce during 2010 to $919 per ounce during 2011 as price increases more than offset the increases in costs.
Niobec Mine
Niobium production of 4.6 million kilograms increased by 0.2 million kilograms in 2011 compared to 2010, at an operating margin3 of $15 per kilogram, compared to $18 per kilogram in 2010. Notwithstanding a higher average price sold, the lower operating margin was due to lower grades and higher costs resulting from mine resequencing to align to future plan changes in mining approach, higher prices of consumables and a stronger Canadian dollar.
Reserves and Resources
At the end of 2011, the Company is reporting a decrease in reserves of 0.7 million ounces, or 5%, to 13.3 million ounces. At the end of 2011, total attributable measured and indicated resources of 18.2 million ounces of gold (inclusive of reserves) were consistent with the prior year. The amounts exclude the discontinued operations of Mupane, Tarkwa and Damang. (The Company issued a separate news release on its Reserves and Resources on February 23, 2012).
At the end of 2011, Niobium probable reserves increased by 616% to 1,746 million kilograms of contained niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) compared to the prior year.
IAMGOLD announced on February 2nd, 2012 (see News Release) that an inferred resource of 466.8 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.65% Total Rare Earth Oxides (“TREO”) was estimated on the rare earth elements (“REE”) zone adjacent to its Niobec niobium mine as a result of its 2011 exploration drilling program.
Development and Expansion Projects
The Company issued a separate news release entitled IAMGOLD Releases Update on its Capital Development Projects on February 23, 2012 with updates on its development and expansion projects.
Outlook for Growth
As previously disclosed in January 2012, and in the Company’s annual MD&A, IAMGOLD expects:
- Attributable gold production for 2012 to be in the range of 840,000 to 910,000 ounces at a cash cost1 of between $670 and $695 per ounce.
- Annual attributable gold production for 2013 and 2014 to be in the range of 1.0 million to 1.1 million ounces, the increase coming primarily from the planned start-up of the Westwood mine in Canada in 2013;
- Annual niobium production of between 4.6 million and 5.1 million kilograms in 2012 at an operating margin3 of between $15 and $17 per kilogram. Production is planned to grow to between 4.8 million and 5.3 million kilograms by 2014;
- Capital expenditures for the Company’s gold assets of $790 million in 2012, $580 million in 2013, and $410 million in 2014, with a primary focus to advance and expand the Company's core long-life assets, including the following projects:
- the expansion of the Essakane gold mine in Burkina Faso;
- the continued development of the Westwood gold project in Canada for start-up in early 2013;
- the expansion of the Rosebel gold mine in Suriname; and
- the expansion of the Sadiola joint venture gold project in Mali to mine and process sulphide ore.
- Capital expenditures for Niobec are $90 million in 2012, $120 million in 2013 and $250 million in 2014. These amounts include pre-production capital for the Niobec mine expansion of $90 million and $220 million in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
For more detailed information on 2012 to 2014 assumptions used and sensitivity analysis, refer to the Company’s annual MD&A.
REVIEW OF FOURTH QUARTER 2011 RESULTS
Financial Performance
Revenues from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2011 were $481.6 million, a 9% increase from $440.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, primarily due to higher realized gold prices. Realized prices rose 19% to $1,638 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus $1,381 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders were $133.6 million ($0.36 per share) during the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $109.9 million ($0.29 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders1 were $108.5 million ($0.29 per share1), down 9% from $119.2 million ($0.32 per share) in the fourth quarter of 2010, mainly the result of lower ounces of gold sold.
Operating cash flow from continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2011 was $204.8 million compared to $201.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2010. Operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital1 in the fourth quarter of 2011 was $189.4 million ($0.50 per share1), in line with the fourth quarter of 2010.
Commitment to Zero Harm Continues
The importance of continually striving for Zero Harm is a core value for IAMGOLD. The Company strives to eliminate all injuries through a commitment to safety leadership at all levels, daily engagement of its employees in health and safety, and by fostering a culture of finding and eliminating hazards.
SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL RESULTS
| (in $millions) | December | Change | December 31, 2010 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31, 2011 | ||||||
| Financial Position Cash, cash equivalents and gold bullion at market value at cost Total assets Equity | $ | $ 411.3 311.2 3,431.1 2,758.1 | ||||
| 1,262.5 | 207% | |||||
| 1,148.4 | 269% | |||||
| 4,349.7 | 27% | |||||
| 3,528.9 | 28% | |||||
| (in $millions, except where noted) | Fourth | Fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 | Year ended December 31, 2010 | |||
| quarter | Year | |||||
| ended | ended | |||||
| December | December | |||||
| 31, 2011 | Change | 31, 2011 | Change | |||
| Results of Continuing Operations Revenues Mining costs including depreciation, depletion and amortisation | $ | $ 440.9 256.3 | $ | $ 1,097.1 649.4 | ||
| 481.6 | 9% | 1,673.2 | 53% | |||
| 264.6 | 3% | 914.8 | 41% | |||
| Earnings from mining operations | 217.0 | 18% | 184.6 | 758.4 | 69% | 447.7 |
| Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders Basic earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders per share ($/share) | 109.9 0.29 | 215.9 0.58 | ||||
| 133.6 | 22% | 391.3 | 81% | |||
| 0.36 | 24% | 1.04 | 79% | |||
| Net earnings attributable to equity shareholders Basic net earnings attributable to equity shareholders per share ($/share) | 124.1 0.33 | 262.6 0.71 | ||||
| 133.6 | 8% | 806.7 | 207% | |||
| 0.36 | 9% | 2.15 | 203% | |||
| Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders(a) Basic adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders per share ($/share)(a) | 119.2 0.32 | 223.2 0.60 | ||||
| 108.5 | (9%) | 406.4 | 82% | |||
| 0.29 | (9%) | 1.08 | 80% | |||
| Cash Flows Operating cash flow from continuing operations Operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital(a) Operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital per share ($/share)(a) | 201.1 190.8 0.51 | 347.8 393.4 1.06 | ||||
| 204.8 | 2% | 589.9 | 70% | |||
| 189.4 | (1%) | 653.8 | 66% | |||
| 0.50 | (2%) | 1.74 | 64% |
(a) Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders of the Company, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders per share, operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital and operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital per share are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the Supplemental Information attached to the end of this news release for reconciliation to GAAP measures.
| Fourth | Fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| quarter | Year | |||||
| ended | ended | |||||
| December | December | |||||
| 31, 2011 | Change | 31, 2011 | Change | |||
| 289 1,381 | ||||||
| 263 | (9%) | 953 | 29% | |||
| 1,638 | 19% | 1,555 | 23% | |||
| 255 60 | ||||||
| 253 | (1% | ) | 896 | 23% | ||
| - | (100% | ) | 76 | (68% | ) | |
| 253 | (20% | ) | 315 | 972 | 1% | |
| 536 | ||||||
| 643 | 20% | 636 | 19% | |||
| 845 | ||||||
| 995 | 18% | 919 | 27% | |||
| 1.0 1.0 17 | ||||||
| 1.3 | 30% | 4.6 | 7% | |||
| 1.2 | 20% | 4.6 | 5% | |||
| 16 | (6%) | 15 | (17% | ) |
Key Operating Statistics
Year ended December 31, 2010
Gold mines (Continuing operations)
Gold sales (000oz)(a) 738 Average realized gold price ($/oz) 1,260
Attributable gold production (000 oz)
Continuing operations 728 Discontinued operations 239 Total 967
Cash cost from continuing
operations ($/oz)(b) 534
Gold margin from continuing
operations ($/oz)(b) 726
Niobec mine – Operating results
Niobium sales (millions of kg Nb) 4.3 Niobium production (millions of kg Nb) 4.4 Operating margin ($/kg Nb)(b) 18
(a) Gold sales include 100% sales of Rosebel, Essakane and the Doyon division, 41% of sales from Sadiola, and 40% of sales from Yatela. Attributable sales for the fourth quarters of 2011 and 2010 were 248,000 ounces and 273,000 ounces, respectively, and for 2011 and 2010, 896,000 ounces and 706,000 ounces, respectively, after taking into account 95% of the Rosebel sales and 90% of the Essakane sales.
(b) Cash cost per ounce, gold margin per ounce, and operating margin per kilogram of niobium at the Niobec mine are non-GAAP measures. Refer to the Supplemental Information attached to the end of this news release for reconciliation to GAAP measures.
ATTRIBUTABLE GOLD PRODUCTION, CASH COST AND GOLD MARGIN PER OUNCE
The table below presents the gold production attributable to the Company along with the weighted average cash cost per ounce of production and the gold margin.
| Gold Total Cash Production Cost(a) | Gold Total Cash Production Cost(a) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth quarter ended December 31 2011 2010 2011 2010 | Year ended December 31 2011 2010 2011 2010 | |||||||
| 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | 2011 | |||||
| IAMGOLD Operator Rosebel (95%) Essakane (90%) Doyon division (100%)[3] | (000 oz) | (000 oz) 119 80 18 | $/oz | $/oz 449 414 843 | (000 oz) | (000 oz) 395 122 33 | $/oz | $/oz 484 429 655 |
| 104 | 598 | 385 | 616 | |||||
| 94 | 425 | 337 | 488 | |||||
| 19 | 1,044 | 24 | 1,076 | |||||
| 217 | 217 | 562 | 469 | 746 | 550 | 573 | 482 | |
| Joint Ventures Sadiola (41%) Yatela (40%) | 29 9 | 785 1,379 | 118 60 | 653 780 | ||||
| 28 | 1,023 | 121 | 816 | |||||
| 8 | 1,604 | 29 | 1,534 | |||||
| 36 | 38 | 1,146 | 924 | 150 | 178 | 954 | 696 | |
| Continuing operations Discontinued operations | 253 | 255 60 | 643 | 536 738 | 896 | 728 239 | 636 | 534 695 |
| - | - | 76 | 847 | |||||
| Total | 253 | 315 | 643 | 574 | 972 | 967 | 653 | 574 |
| Continuing operations Cash cost excluding royalties Royalties | 475 61 | 475 59 | ||||||
| 554 | 551 | |||||||
| 89 | 85 | |||||||
| Cash cost(a) | 643 | 536 | 636 | 534 | ||||
| Gold margin from continuing operations Realized gold prices Cash cost | 1,381 536 | 1,260 534 | ||||||
| 1,638 | 1,555 | |||||||
| 643 | 636 | |||||||
| Gold margin(a) | 995 | 845 | 919 | 726 |
(a) Cash cost per ounce and gold margin per ounce are a non-GAAP measures. Refer to the Supplemental Information attached to the end of this news release for reconciliation to GAAP measures.
OPERATIONS
ROSEBEL MINE, SURINAME
Attributable gold production during the fourth quarter of 2011 was 104,000 ounces, 13% lower than the same quarter in the prior year, primarily due to lower grades.
Cash costs per ounce1 in the fourth quarter of 2011 were 33% higher than the same quarter in 2010. Labour costs were higher due to inflationary factors in the Surinamese economy and higher global oil prices led to increased cost of hauling and thermal power. In addition, royalties increased with rising gold prices.
ESSAKANE MINE, BURKINA FASO
Attributable production during the fourth quarter of 2011 was 94,000 ounces, compared to 80,000 ounces during the fourth quarter of 2010. During the fourth quarter of 2011, the mine achieved record throughput which was above nameplate capacity.
Cash costs per ounce1 of $425 in the fourth quarter of 2011 were higher compared to the fourth quarter of 2010 mainly due to higher energy prices, upward pressure on consumable prices and higher royalties due to higher gold prices and an increased royalty rate. During the fourth quarter, the site capitalized 9.2 million tonnes of waste in relation to a capital stripping campaign which began in 2011.
DOYON DIVISION, CANADA
As a cost savings initiative, the ore mined from Mouska had been stockpiled and batch processing commenced in the third quarter and was completed in the fourth quarter of 2011. Ore will be stockpiled throughout 2012 for processing in 2013 as the mill is shut-down and refurbished in preparation for processing ore from the Westwood mine.
SADIOLA MINE, MALI
Attributable gold production of 28,000 ounces for the fourth quarter of 2011 was slightly lower than the prior year period as a result of lower grades.
Cash costs per ounce1 in the fourth quarter of 2011 were 30% higher than the fourth quarter in 2010 primarily as a result of higher energy costs, higher consumables costs, higher labour costs from a revised mining contract finalized in the fourth quarter of 2010, and increased royalties from higher realized gold prices. During the fourth quarter, the site capitalized 2.7 million attributable tonnes of waste in relation to a capital stripping campaign which began in 2011.
Sadiola distributed a dividend of $8.2 million to IAMGOLD during the fourth quarter of 2011.
YATELA MINE, MALI
Attributable gold production of 8,000 ounces was slightly lower than the same period in the prior year. After completing the mining of the bottom of the main pit in early 2010, mine production shifted to a longer-haul satellite pit, which resulted in lower grades and higher waste stripping.
Cash costs per ounce1 during the fourth quarter of 2011 were significantly higher than the same quarter in the prior year mainly the result of a high strip ratio.
GOLD SALES VOLUME AND REALIZED GOLD PRICE
The following table presents the total ounces of gold sold from continuing operations and the realized gold price per ounce.
| Fourth Quarter ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold sales (000 oz) | Realized gold price ($/oz) | Gold sales (000 oz) | Realized gold price ($/oz) | |||||||||
| 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||
| Operator | 225 | 250 | 1,631 | 1,383 | 803 | 562 | 1,553 | 1,275 | ||||
| Joint ventures | 38 | 39 | 1,677 | 1,367 | 150 | 176 | 1,566 | 1,211 | ||||
| Total sales from continuing operations(a)(b) | 289 | 1,381 | 738 | 1,260 | ||||||||
| 263 | 1,638 | 953 | 1,555 |
(a) Gold sales include 100% sales of Rosebel, Essakane and the Doyon division, 41% of sales from Sadiola, and 40% of sales from Yatela. Attributable sales for the fourth quarters of 2011 and 2010 were 248,000 ounces and 273,000 ounces, respectively, and for 2011 and 2010, 896,000 ounces and 706,000 ounces, respectively, after taking into account 95% of the Rosebel sales and 90% of the Essakane sales.
(b) Continuing operations exclude Mupane, Tarkwa and Damang which are discontinued operations. Gold sales from discontinued operations for 2011 and 2010 were 79,000 ounces and 181,000 ounces, respectively.
NIOBEC OPERATING RESULTS
| Fourth Quarter ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Change | 2010 | 2011 | Change | 2010 | |||
| Niobium production (millions of kg Nb) | 20% | 1.0 | 5% | 4.4 | ||||
| 1.2 | 4.6 | |||||||
| Niobium sales (millions of kg Nb) | 30% | 1.0 | 7% | 4.3 | ||||
| 1.3 | 4.6 | |||||||
| Operating margin ($/kg Nb)(a) | (6%) | 17 | (17%) | 18 | ||||
| 16 | 15 |
a) Operating margin per kilogram of niobium at the Niobec Mine is a non-GAAP measure. Refer to the Supplemental Information attached to the end of this news release for reconciliation to GAAP measures.
Niobium production and sales during the fourth quarter of 2011 were 20% and 30% higher respectively than the same period last year. Higher production resulted from increased mill throughput reflecting improved utilization of the mill expansion that was completed in late 2010. The operating margin per kilogram3 of niobium decreased by $1 per kilogram in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010. Notwithstanding the higher average price sold, the lower operating margin was due to lower grades and higher costs resulting from higher prices of consumables and a stronger Canadian dollar.
Niobium production during 2011 was 5% higher compared to the prior year. The operating margin per kilogram of niobium decreased by $3 per kilogram in 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.
EXPLORATION
Based on positive exploration results, the Company has confirmed its commitment to organic growth by approving an aggressive corporate exploration budget of $130.6 million in 2012, a 20% increase over the $108.6 million expended in 2011. The 2012 corporate exploration program is the most ambitious ever undertaken by IAMGOLD, and the Company plans to carry out approximately 670,000 metres of core and reverse circulation drilling across 20 early to late stage exploration projects and the Company’s four mines and development projects (nearly 495,000 metres completed in 2011). The drilling in 2012 includes a minimum of 2,750 metres on the Rare Earth Element (“REE”) Project in Quebec, prior to planning and commencement of more detailed resource evaluation work.
END NOTES
(1) Adjusted net earnings attributable to equity shareholders of the Company, adjusted net earnings attributable to equity shareholders per share, cash cost per ounce, operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital and operating cash flow from continuing operations before changes in working capital per share are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Supplemental information section attached to the end of this news release for reconciliation to GAAP measures.
(2) Gold margin per ounce is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the Supplemental Information section attached to the end of this news release for reconciliation to GAAP measures.
(3) Operating margin per kilogram of niobium at the Niobec mine is a non-GAAP measure. Please refer to the Supplemental information section attached to the end of this news release for reconciliation to GAAP measures.
CONFERENCE CALL
A conference call will be held on February 24, 2012 at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) for a discussion with management regarding the Company's operating performance and financial results for the fourth quarter and fullyear 2011. A webcast of the conference call will be available through the Company's website - www.iamgold.com.
Conference Call Information: North America Toll-Free: 1-866-551-1530 or 1-212-401-6700, passcode:
34138884#
A replay of this conference call will be available from 6:00 p.m. February 24th to March 24th, 2012. Access this replay by dialling: North America toll-free: 1-866-551-4520 or 1-212-401-6750, passcode: 279271#
Forward Looking Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding expected, estimated or planned gold and niobium production, cash costs, margin expansion, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures and statements regarding the estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, potential mineralization, potential mineral resources and mineral reserves) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words “may”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “believe”, “intend”, “plan” or “project” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, without limitation, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned gold and niobium production, cash costs, margin expansion, capital expenditures and exploration expenditures and failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, changes in world gold markets and other risks disclosed in IAMGOLD’s most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission limits disclosure for U.S. reporting purposes to mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. IAMGOLD uses certain terms in this presentation, such as "measured," "indicated," or "inferred," which may not be consistent with the reserve definitions established by the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in the IAMGOLD Annual Reports on Forms 40-F. You can review and obtain copies of these filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml or by contacting the Investor Relations department.