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FMC
FMC
FMC - Forbes & Manhattan Coal Corp - Forbes Coal delivers another strong
quarter
FORBES & MANHATTAN COAL CORP.
(Registration number: 002116278)
(External company registration number: 2011/011661/10)
Share code on the Toronto Stock Exchange: FMC
Share code on the JSE Limited: FMC
ISIN: CA3451171050
FORBES COAL DELIVERS ANOTHER STRONG QUARTER
Total Production Up 28% Sequentially
TORONTO, ONTARIO - June 14, 2012: Forbes & Manhattan Coal Corp. (TSX: FMC)
(JSE: FMC) ("Forbes Coal" or the "Company") is pleased to report production
and sales levels for its Magdalena bituminous and Aviemore anthracite
operations for the first quarter of 2013 (quarter ended May 31, 2012).
First quarter highlights include:
- Total run of mine ("ROM") production of 387,100 tonnes, an increase of 28%
sequentially
- Magdalena ROM production of 262,400 tonnes, an increase of 22% sequentially
- Aviemore ROM production of 124,700 tonnes, an increase of 41% sequentially
- Total saleable production of 245,700 tonnes, an increase of 20% sequentially
- Total sales of 235,000 tonnes, an increase of 6% sequentially
"Production at Magdalena and Aviemore continues to increase and Forbes Coal
production levels indicate record run of mine and saleable tons for Aviemore"
commented President and Chief Executive Officer Stephan Theron. "We are very
pleased with the expansion and growth at Aviemore. Domestic and export demand
for our anthracite product remains strong and with increased market
penetration we are seeing increased demand. Accordingly, we will continue to
evaluate the expansion potential of this mine. The production at the Magdalena
operation remained robust during the quarter."
Production
Total ROM production for the first quarter of 2013 was 387,100 tonnes, a 28%
increase compared to 303,000 tonnes produced in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Total saleable production for the first quarter of 2013 was 245,700 tonnes, a
20% increase compared to 204,300 saleable tonnes in the fourth quarter of
2012.
ROM production at Magdalena in the first quarter of 2013 was 262,400 tonnes, a
22% increase compared to 214,800 tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Saleable production at Magdalena was 167,300 tonnes, a 2% decrease compared to
171,300 tonnes in fourth quarter 2012.
ROM production at Aviemore in the first quarter of 2013 was 124,700 tonnes, an
increase of 41% compared to the 88,200 tonnes produced in the fourth quarter
of 2012. Saleable production at Aviemore was 78,300 tonnes, an increase of 49%
compared to the 52,600 tonnes produced in the fourth quarter of 2012.
A second shift in the new section at Aviemore was brought into production in
the first quarter of 2013, resulting in increases in ROM and saleable
production.
Sales
Total sales were 235,000 tonnes for the first quarter of 2013, representing a
6% sequential increase compared to the 221,600 tonnes sold in the fourth
quarter of 2012.
Domestic and export thermal sales increased marginally in the first quarter of
2013, while domestic anthracite sales increased significantly as a result of
increased production and strong demand for the product. The majority of the
coal sold to local and overseas markets continues to be thermal coal, with
domestic sales slightly higher than export sales for the quarter.
Domestic sales in the first quarter of 2013 were 138,400 tonnes, a 21%
increase compared to fourth quarter 2012 domestic sales of 114,200 tonnes.
Export sales in the first quarter of 2013 were 96,600 tonnes, a 10% decrease
compared to fourth quarter 2012 export sales of 107,300 tonnes.
About Forbes Coal
Forbes Coal is a growing coal producer in southern Africa. It holds a majority
interest in two operating mines through its 100% interest in Slater Coal (Pty)
Ltd., a South African company ("Slater Coal") which has a 70% interest in
Zinoju Coal (Pty) Ltd. ("Zinoju"). Zinoju holds a 100% interest in the
Magdalena bituminous mine and the Aviemore anthracite mine in South Africa
(collectively, "the Slater Properties"). The mines have a substantial resource
base and each mine has a projected life span in excess of 20 years. Forbes
Coal is in the process of increasing production at both mines and looks to
triple production from 2010 levels in the next three years using existing
infrastructure and capacity. The Company has in-place transportation
infrastructure allowing its coal to reach both export corridors and the
growing domestic coal market. Forbes Coal has a strong balance sheet and an
experienced coal-focused management team.
Please refer to the Company`s NI 43-101 compliant technical report on the
Slater Properties dated March 1, 2011 entitled "Technical Report on Slater
Coal and Subsidiaries, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa", available on the
SEDAR profile of the Company at www.sedar.com. Additional information is
available at www.forbescoal.com.
Cautionary Notes
Johan Odendaal, B.Sc.(Geol.), B.Sc.(Hons)(Min. Econ.), M.Sc. (Min. Eng.), a
director of Minxcon and an independent Qualified Person, as defined in
National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the scientific and
technical information contained in this release.
The ability of the Company to increase production amounts has not been the
subject of a feasibility study and there is no certainty that the proposed
expansion will be economically feasible.
This press release contains "forwardlooking information" within the meaning of
applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forwardlooking information
includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the anticipated
production results with respect to the Slater Properties, future financial or
operating performance of the Company and its projects, statements regarding
the anticipated improvements in logistical support and anticipated
improvements in sales, statements made with respect to prospects for the
business of the Company, requirements for additional capital, government
regulation of the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks,
acquisition of mining licences, title disputes or claims, limitations of
insurance coverage and the timing and possible outcome of pending litigation
and regulatory matters. Generally, forwardlooking information can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans",
"expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate",
or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain
actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be
taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the
actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company
to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-
looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic,
competitive, foreign operations, political and social uncertainties; a history
of operating losses; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory
approvals; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms;
not realizing on the potential benefits of the proposed transaction;
conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans
continue to be refined; future prices of mineral products; failure of plant,
equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes
and other risks of the mining industry; and, delays in obtaining governmental
approvals or required financing or in the completion of activities. Although
the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking
information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such
information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events
could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forwardlooking
information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking
information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Stephan Theron
President and Chief Executive Officer
+1 (416) 861-5912
Email: stheron@forbescoal.com
Colinda Parent
VP Corporate Development
+1 (416) 861-5811
Email: cparent@forbesmanhattan.com
Johannesburg
15 June 2012
Sponsor
Sasfin Capital (a division of Sasfin Bank Limited)
Date: 15/06/2012 09:08:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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