CHAMPION IRON REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS Strong profitability with Bloom Lake production continuing to track nameplate capacity while preparing for Phase II expansion project
CHAMPION IRON 24
PRESS RELEASE
CHAMPION IRON REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
Strong profitability with Bloom Lake production continuing to track nameplate capacity
while preparing for Phase II expansion project
Montreal, January 28, 2020 - Champion Iron Limited (TSX: CIA) (ASX: CIA) (“‘Champion’ or the “Company’) is pleased to announce strong operational
and financial results for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019 of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020.
For complete details of the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and associated Management's Discussion and Analysis, please
refer to the Company's filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or the Company's website (www.championiron.com). All amounts are in Canadian dollars
unless otherwise indicated.
Conference Call Details
Champion will host a conference call and webcast at 8:30 AM EST (Montreal Time), on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 to discuss the third quarter
results of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020. Call details are outlined at the end of this news release.
1. HIGHLIGHTS
Operations
Quarterly production of 1,832,800 wmt of high-grade 66.4% Fe iron ore concentrate, tracking favourably to the nameplate capacity of the
Bloom Lake mine during a planned semi-annual shutdown period, compared to 1,791,300 wmt during the same period of the prior year;
Quarterly recovery rate of 81.7% including a monthly recovery rate of 84.2% in December, which is close to the Company's all-time-high
monthly recovery rate of 84.6%, compared to a recovery rate of 80.7% during the same period of the prior year; and
Total cash cost! of $54.2/dmt (US$41.1/dmt) (Cl) and an AISC! of $62.2/dmt during the third quarter, compared to $49.4/dmt
(US$37.4/dmt) and $55.5/dmt, respectively, inthe same period of the prior year due to unscheduled downtimes, higher port charges and
investments in tailings.
Financial
Revenues of $171.1M, an increase of 6.7% from the previous quarterly results, compared to $147.5M in the same period of the prior
year;
EBITDA’ totalling $57.9M representing an EBITDA margin of 34%, compared to $65.4M representing an EBITDA margin of 44% in the same
period of the prior year;
Net income of $30.2M or $0.07 earnings per share, compared to net income of $31.2M or $0.05 earnings per share in the same period of the
prior year; and
Invested $50.9M at Bloom Lake mainly in connection with the Phase Il expansion project and prepaid $14.3M in municipal taxes to the city
of Fermont, resulting in cash on hand? of $187.6M as at December 31, 2019, compared to $185.4M as at December 31, 2018.
Recent Developments
On January 6, 2020, the Company announced a proposal to re-domicile from Australia to Canada which is expected to increase the
attractiveness of the Company to a more diverse financial market including additional eligibility to indices globally.
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Growth
Proceeding with the previously approved $68M work program on the Bloom Lake Phase II expansion project as detailed in the Phase I
feasibility study ("Feasibility Study") filed on August 2, 2019.
"With our high-quality product in rising demand, Bloom Lake continues to track its nameplate capacity, delivering strong profitability for our Company,’
commented David Cataford, Champion's CEO. "With this momentum, we continue to upgrade our processes to improve the reliability of our operations and
advance critical items for our Phase II expansion project. Together with our strong partnerships, we are well-positioned to consider the completion of
Phase II"
2. BLOOM LAKE MINE OPERATING ACTIVITIES®
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
2019 2018 2019 2018
Operating Data
Waste mined (wmt) 3,409,200 3,847,100 10,562,300 10,198,400
Ore mined (wmt] 4,905,300 4,883,400 15,404,300 14,736,200
Strip ratio 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.7
Ore milled (wmt) 4,639,000 4,531,400 14,869,800 13,739,600
Head grade Fe (%) 32.0 32.1 32.3 31.8
Recovery (%) 81.7 80.7 82.7 79.2
Product Fe (%) 66.4 66.4 66.3 66.5
Iron ore concentrate produced (wmt) 1,832,800 1,791,300 6,011,900 5,192,500
Iron ore concentrate sold (dmt) 1,922,100 1,711,500 5,689,200 5,383,600
Financial Data (in thousands of dollars)
Revenues 171,100 147,546 609,384 472,965
Cost of sales 104,119 84,482 297,647 267,515
Other expenses 9,071 (2,345 ) 24,316 13,778
Net finance cost 4,718 9,279 80,203 30,624
Net income 30,184 31,199 102,699 119,444
EBITDA! 57,910 65,409 287,421 191,672
Statistics (in dollars per dmt sold)
Average realized selling price’ 89.0 86.2 107.1 87.9
Total cash cost (C1 cash cost)! 54.2 49.4 52.3 49.7
All-in sustaining cost! 62.2 55.5 63.7 56.0
Cash operating margin! 26.8 30.7 43.4 31.9
Operational Performance
During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, 8.3 million tonnes of material was mined, a decrease of 5% compared to the same quarter
of the prior year. This decrease is mainly due to reduced in-pit crusher availability attributable to unusual wear of a critical component affecting
equipment uptime. While the in-pit crusher downtime increased the trucking cycle time, which contributed negatively to the volume mined, the
redundancy associated with the second crusher maintained a stable plant feed.
The plant processed 4,639,000 tonnes of ore during the third quarter, compared to 4,531,400 tonnes in the comparable prior year period. The stable
production, despite expected improvements of the operational innovations implemented during the previous two quarters, resulted from
unscheduled downtime totalling 5 production days. The first unscheduled downtime was caused by the premature wear of the discharge grates
stemming from the higher throughput achieved in the first six months of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020. The Company is currently improving
the design of the discharged grates to prevent this situation from reoccurring. The other unscheduled downtime was attributable to a failure
affecting the shaft of the conveyor belt and the unavailability of the required custom spare part. To limit the impact of future unscheduled downtime
related to the conveyor belt, a complete review of the criticality of this equipment's required spare parts was conducted. The procurement process
associated with the spare parts management has been revamped. Previously implemented action plans, such as the one used last year to prevent
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chute blockage, have provided positive results, and accordingly, the Company is confident that the improvements implemented in this quarter will
prevent similar unscheduled downtimes from reoccurring.
The Company achieved an average recovery of 81.7% during the third quarter, compared to 80.7% inthe same period of the prior year. The reduction in
recovery rate compared to the previous quarter average of 83.9% results from reduced throughput stability associated with the concentrator
downtimes.
Based on the foregoing, Bloom Lake produced 1,832,800 wmt of 66.4% Fe high-grade iron ore concentrate during the three-month period ended
December 31, 2019, compared to 1,791,300 wmt in the same period of the prior year.
The Company mined 25,966,600 tonnes of material during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, compared to 24,934,600 tonnes in the
same period in the prior year. The increase is attributable to the improvement in mining equipment reliability and increased productivity resulting
from the rebuilding program.
Despite the unscheduled downtimes affecting the third quarter, the decision to invest in operational improvements yielded positive results. The plant
processed 14,869,800 tonnes of ore during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, an increase of 8% over the same period of the prior
year, while the recovery rate improved from 79.2% to 82.7%, in line with the Company's target. Based on the foregoing, Bloom Lake produced a total
of 6,011,900 wmt of Fe 66.3% during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019.
3. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
A. Revenues
During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, a total of 1,922,100 tonnes of high-grade iron ore concentrate were sold at a CFR China
gross realized price of US$106.2/dmt, before provisional sales adjustments and shipping costs. The gross sales price of USS106.2/dmt represents a
premium of 20% over the Platts TSI IODEX 62% Fe CFR China Index ("P62") price, compared to a premium of 4% in the previous quarter. The increase
is primarily attributable to the rebound of some steel industry economical indicators as well as to the recovery of the historical relationship between
the high-grade premium, steel margins and the coke price. The increased sea freight costs during the quarter were affected by two factors: the
temporary lower ocean freight vessels inventory associated with the installation of scrubbers in advance of the new IMO rule in effect in 2020 and
demurrage costs resulting from unscheduled downtime affecting the Société Ferroviére du Port de Pointe-Noire (“SFPPN"), which reduced iron ore
concentrate loading efficiency. As a result of SFPPN’s inefficient operations, a vessel scheduled to leave before December 31, 2019, was delayed
until January 2, 2020, contributing to lower quarterly revenues than anticipated.
During the quarter, a final price was established for 0.6 million tonnes which were in transit at the end of the second quarter ended
September 30, 2019, and which were subject to provisional price adjustments. Based on the P62 forward selling price, a negative price adjustment of
US$8.1/dmt or US$15,645,000 was recorded for shipments in transit at the end of the quarter. It should be noted that as the provisional price
adjustment reflects the forward curve as of December 31, 2019, which has since improved by approximately US$4/dmt, the adjustment does not
reflect a final realized price reduction. Deducting sea freight costs of US$30.7/dmt together with the negative provisional sales adjustment of USS8.1,
the Company obtained an average net realized price of US$67.4 per tonne (CAS$89.0 per tonne) for its high-grade iron ore delivered to the end
customer, benefiting from an average foreign exchange rate of CAS1.32/USS. As a result, revenues totalled $171,100,000 for the period compared to
$147,546,000 in the same prior year period.
For the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, the Company sold over 5,689,200 tonnes of iron ore concentrate shipped in 36 vessels to end-
user customers located in China, Europe, Japan and the Middle East. While the Platts 10 Fines 65% Fe CFR China Index ("P65") indicative price of
high-grade iron ore fluctuated between US$88.4/dmt to a high of US$135.9/dmt during the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, the
Company sold its product at an average gross realized price of US$110.6/dmt, before shipping and adjustments related to provisional sales. The
gross sales price of US$110.6/dmt represents a premium of 14% over the benchmark P62 price. Deducting sea freight costs of US$25.6/dmt and the
negative provisional sales adjustment of US$4.1/dmt, the Company obtained an average realized price of US$80.9 per tonne (CA$107.1 per tonne) for
its high-grade iron ore delivered to the end-user customer. As a result, revenues totalled $609,384,000 year-to-date, compared to $472,965,000 for
the same period of the prior year. The sales increase is mainly attributable to the volume and selling price.
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B. Cost of Sales
Cost of sales represent mining, processing, and mine site-related general and administrative expenses.
During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, the total cash cost’ or Cl cash cost’ per tonne totalled $54.2/dmt, compared to $49.4/dmt
in the same period of the previous year. The C1 cash-cost' for the period was impacted by various factors including unscheduled downtimes (see
section 6, Operational Performance) which represent a non-recurring volume impact of approximately $2/dmt in the quarter, and higher costs from
SFPPN port operations. Since the beginning of the restart of the SFPPN’s operations in 2018, SFPPN costs have increased beyond the indexation rate
and faster than the improvement of the operational efficiency, leading to a negative impact of $2/dmt for this quarter compared to the same period
last year. The Board of Directors of SFPPN, on which the Company's operating subsidiary, Quebec Iron Ore Inc. ("QIO") has a representative, elected to
strengthen the leadership of SFPPN aiming to revamp operational processes, improve asset maintenance, overall availability and efficiency while
reducing operational costs. As the newly appointed CEO of SFPPN operations has many years of experience in managing a railroad and port facilities,
the Company and SFPPN's Board of Directors are confident that SFPPN's operational efficiency will improve rapidly. Consequently, the Company
should benefit from lower port operations costs going forward.
For the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, the Company produced high-grade iron ore at a total cash cost! of $52.3/dmt compared to
$49.7/dmt in the previous year. The Cl cash cost" for the period were impacted by the factors identified for the quarter ended December 31, 2019.
C. Gross Profit
The gross profit for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019 totalled $62,350,000 compared to $60,471,000 for the same period of the prior
year. The variation period over period is attributable to a higher gross realized price during the quarter ended December 31, 2019, combined with
higher volumes offset by a negative adjustment on provisional sales. Higher freight costs and production costs contributed to the remaining
variation.
The gross profit for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019 totalled $298,799,000, compared to $194,348,000 for the same prior year
period. The increase is largely driven by the 30% increase in the realized price together with the decision made by the Company earlier in the year to
invest in maintenance and plant reliability to maximize cash flows while the iron ore price is elevated. Accordingly, year-to-date, the Company is
benefiting from a 40% cash profit margin per tonne.
D. Other Expenses
Other expenses comprise share-based payments, corporate expenses ("GSA expenses"), as well as sustainability and other community expenses
(“CSR expenses”). CSR expenses are composed mainly of community taxes such as property and school taxes and expenditures related to the Impact
and Benefits Agreement with the First Nations (“IBA”).
The variation of the other expenses and income for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period the previous
year, is essentially due to the completion of the transition from a development cost structure to an operating organization. In addition, expenses were
incurred during the period to support the Company's re-domiciliation process. Higher CSR expenses reflect the Company's increased focus on
sustainability. This amount also includes the full impact of the agreement with the First Nations as these expenses were partially incurred in the prior
year.
The variation of the other expenses and income for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period the previous year,
is essentially due to restart costs incurred in the first quarter of the prior year, as well as Champion's transition from a development stage company to
an iron ore producer. The increase in share-based payments reflects the higher stock price period over period, combined with the issuance of annual
equity awards in relation to the performance achieved during the last fiscal year ended March 31, 2019.
E. Net Finance Costs
Net finance costs totalled $4,718,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, compared to $9,279,000 for the same period in the prior
year. The decrease is mainly attributable to the positive impact of the refinancing which closed on August 16, 2019. The new credit facilities bear
totalled interests of 4.75%, compared to a rate of 10% for the previous credit facilities. In addition, the previous credit facilities included embedded
derivative instruments which needed to be reevaluated on a quarterly basis, which following the refinancing, were no longer applicable during the
quarter.
The Company reports in Canadian dollars and benefits from a natural hedge between its revenues generated in U.S. dollars and its U.S. denominated
term facilities. Consequently, the unrealized foreign exchange loss included in net finance costs represents a non-cash expenditure associated with
the conversion of the term facilities in Canadian dollars. The Company maintains sufficient U.S. dollars on hand to prevent foreign exchange loss
upon interest. Unrealized loss on investments and accretion costs are non-cash items.
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The increase in net finance costs for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, when compared to the same period the year prior, is, in
addition to the impact of the refinancing closed on August 16, 2019, mainly due to the factors described above.
F. Income Taxes
The Company's subsidiaries are subject to tax in Australia and Canada. As a result of accumulated losses before tax, there are no current or deferred
income taxes related to the Australian activities. QlIO, Champion’s operating subsidiary, is subject to a Quebec mining tax at a progressive rate
ranging from 16% to 28% depending on the mining profit margin as defined by tax regulations. The mining profit margin represents the mining profit
divided by revenues and is taxable based on three segments as follow:
Mining profit margin range Tax rate
Mining profit between 0% to 35% 16%
Incremental mining profit over 35%, up to 50% 22%
Incremental mining profit over 50% 28%
In addition, QIO is subject to an income tax in Canada where the statutory rate is 26.68%.
During the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2019, current income and mining taxes amounted to $2,644,000 and $70,630,000
respectively compared to $8,227,000 and $25,731,000 respectively for the same periods of the prior year. The lower current income taxes figure is
due to accelerated tax amortization associated with capital expenditures. The current mining tax is associated with the mining profit.
Accordingly, during the three and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2019, deferred income and mining taxes amounted to $15,733,000 and
$20,951,000 respectively, compared to expenses of $14,111,000 and $4,771,000 respectively, for the same periods of the prior year. The higher
deferred income and mining tax expense during both periods is mainly associated with the accelerated tax depreciation, which results in a difference
between the net book value and tax value of the company's assets.
G. Net Income (Loss) & EBITDA!
For the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, the Company generated net income of $30,184,000, entirely attributable to the Company's
shareholders. The current net income reflects the impact of the negative provisional adjustment combined with higher cash costs and higher
deferred income taxes, compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. In the comparative prior year period, the Company reported net
income of $31,199,000, representing earnings per share of $0.05.
During the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, the Company generated an EBITDA’ of $57,910,000, representing an EBITDA’ margin of 34%,
compared to an EBITDA! of $65,409,000, representing an EBITDA! margin of 44% in the same period of the prior year.
For the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, the Company generated net income of $102,699,000, representing earnings per share of $0.16.
Net income of $119,444,000 representing $0.18 per share was realized in the nine-month period ended December 31, 2018. By excluding the non-
cash impact of the refinancing, the net income for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, would have been $154,340,000 representing
earnings per share of $0.27.
For the nine-month period ended December 31, 2019, the Company generated an EBITDA’ of $287,421,000 representing an EBITDA’ margin of 47%,
compared to an EBITDA’ of $191,672,000, representing an EBITDA! margin of 41% in the same period of the prior year. This increase is mainly
attributable to the increase in the realized price and the number of tonnes sold.
The refinancing of the credit facilities with Sprott Private Resources Lending (Collector) LP ("Sprott") and CDP Investissements Inc., a subsidiary of
Caisse de dépét et placement du Québec ("CDPI"), concluded in Q2 of the current fiscal year, resulted in non-cash financing costs associated with the
valuation of derivative instruments that were embedded in the previous credit facilities. Excluding the non-recurring non-cash transactions, the
Company would have generated an adjusted net income! of $154,340,000 and an adjusted EPS! of $0.27 for the nine-month period ended
December 31, 2019.
H. All-In Sustaining Cost and Cash Operating Margin’
The Company believes that the AISC! and cash operating margin! are measures reflecting the costs associated with producing iron ore and assessing
the Company's ability to operate without reliance on additional borrowing or usage of existing cash. The Company defines AISC' as the total costs
associated with producing iron ore concentrate. The Company’s AISC! represents the sum of cost of sales, corporate expenditures and sustaining
capital expenditures, including stripping activities, all divided by the iron ore concentrate per dmt sold to arrive at a per dmt figure.
During the three-month period ended December 31, 2019, the Company realized an AISC’ of $62.2/dmt compared to $55.5/dmt in the same period
last year. In addition to the Cl cash costs! increase, the Company made the decision at the beginning of the fiscal year to accelerate tailings
containment dam rising construction work this year, in order to ensure safe tailings deposition. The conservative decision made by the Company to
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