Pacific Rim Mining Corp. (TSX:PMU)(OTCQX:PFRMF) ("Pacific Rim" or "the Company")
reports its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended
January 31, 2012. Details of the Company's financial results are provided in its
interim consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and
Analysis ("MD&A") that will be publicly filed and made available to shareholders
shortly. All monetary amounts are expressed in United States ("US") dollars
unless otherwise stated.
Nature of Operations
Pacific Rim is an environmentally and socially responsible exploration company
whose business plans and management talent focus on high grade, environmentally
clean gold deposits in the Americas. Pacific Rim's most advanced asset is the
vein-hosted El Dorado gold project in El Salvador, where the Company also owns
several grassroots gold projects. The Company holds a joint venture option on
the Hog Ranch epithermal gold project in Nevada and is actively pursuing
additional exploration opportunities elsewhere in the Americas.
The El Dorado gold project in El Salvador was the focus of virtually all of the
Company's exploration work between 2002 and 2008, when efforts to advance its El
Salvador projects, including El Dorado, ceased as a result of the Government of
El Salvador's ("GOES") passive refusal to issue a decision on the Company's
application for environmental and mining permits for the El Dorado project. The
El Dorado project is now the subject of a legal dispute initiated by the
Company's subsidiary and owner of the El Dorado project, PacRim, under the
Dominican Republic-United States-Central America Free Trade Agreement ("CAFTA")
and the Investment Law of El Salvador (the "CAFTA/ILES" action). Notwithstanding
the ongoing CAFTA/ILES legal action, the Company continues to seek a negotiated
resolution to the El Dorado permitting impasse and to renewing its advancement
of the El Dorado project.
While the El Dorado project awaits resolution, Pacific Rim has renewed its focus
on exploration initiatives. In early fiscal 2012 the Company acquired an option
to earn a 65% interest in the Hog Ranch gold property in Nevada and commenced
field exploration of this project shortly thereafter. The Company also has the
opportunity (by virtue of a Letter of Intent signed during fiscal 2011) to
acquire a 100% interest in the Remance property in Panama. The Company's focus
is currently on evaluating the results of its recent field surveys at the Hog
Ranch project in preparation for a Phase 1 drill program, on continuing efforts
to secure the El Dorado mining permit while PacRim's CAFTA/ILES action proceeds,
and on the continued search for additional project acquisitions.
Pacific Rim's shares trade under the symbol PMU on the Toronto Stock Exchange
("TSX") and on the OTCQX market in the US under the symbol PFRMF. All references
to "Pacific Rim" or "the Company" encompass the Canadian corporation, Pacific
Rim Mining Corp, its U.S. subsidiaries (Pac Rim Cayman LLC ("PacRim"), Pacific
Rim Exploration Inc., and Dayton Mining (U.S.) Inc.), and Salvadoran
subsidiaries (Pacific Rim El Salvador, S.A. de C.V. ("PRES") and Dorado
Exploraciones, S.A. de C.V. ("DOREX"), inclusive.
Results of Operations
For the three month period ended January 31, 2012, Pacific Rim recorded a loss
of $0.9 million or $0.01 per share, compared to a loss of $1.3 million or $0.01
per share for the three month period ended January 31, 2011. The $0.4 million
reduction in loss period over period, despite increased exploration expenses and
increased general and administrative expenses, is primarily due to lower
CAFTA/ILES-related expenses as a result of a lower level CAFTA-related activity
during the current quarter compared to the same period a year earlier.
Furthermore, during Q3 2012 the Company booked a $0.1 million unrealized gain on
derivative liability related to warrants issued by the Company in contrast to an
unrealized loss of $0.1 million during Q3 2011.
For the nine months ended January 31, 2012, Pacific Rim recorded a loss of $1.5
million or $0.01 per share, compared to a loss of $3.5 million or $0.03 per
share, for the nine months ended January 31, 2011. The $2.0 million decrease in
net loss period over period is primarily attributable to significantly decreased
CAFTA-related costs ($0.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012,
compared to $1.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2011) and a $1.5
million unrealized gain on derivative liability recorded during the first nine
months of fiscal 2012 (as described above) compared to an unrealized loss of
$0.3 million for the same period a year earlier.
Expenses
Exploration expenses were $0.3 million higher in Q3 2012 than in Q3 2011 ($0.6
million and $0.3 million respectively), owing primarily to exploration
activities undertaken throughout the quarter at the Hog Ranch property. General
and administrative expenses were $0.3 million during Q3 2012 compared to $0.2
million during Q3 2011. CAFTA/ILES-related expenses totalled $0.1 million during
Q3 2012 compared to $0.6 million during Q3 2011 reflecting a lower level of
activity as the Company continues to await a decision on the Jurisdiction
Objection (see Section 2.1.4). During Q3 2012 the Company recorded an unrealized
gain on derivative liability of $0.1 million (compared to an unrealized loss of
$0.1 million during Q3 2011).
Unusual Items
There were no unusual items in either of Q3 2012 or Q3 2011.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
During the first nine months of fiscal 2012 the Company's cash and cash
equivalents increased by $0.7 million from $0.3 million at April 30, 2011 to
$1.0 million at January 31, 2012. Short-term investments also increased from
$0.8 million at April 30, 2011 to $1.0 million at January 31, 2012. As a result
of these increases in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments,
current assets increased by $1.0 million during the first nine months of fiscal
2012, from $1.2 million at April 30, 2011 to $2.2 million at January 31, 2012.
This increase reflects the cash proceeds of a private placement equity financing
undertaken by the Company that closed during Q1 2012 offset by cash spent on
exploration expenses and project generation efforts, general and administrative
costs associated with maintaining a public company, and expenditures related to
advancing the CAFTA/ILES action.
The Company's financial statements have been prepared on the basis that the
Company will continue as a going concern, which assumes that the Company will be
able to meet its commitments, continue operations, realize its assets and
discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable
future. There are events and conditions that cast substantial doubt on the
validity of that assumption. The Company will require additional financing in
the future to continue to conduct ongoing exploration programs and to meet
future property commitments, for administrative purposes and for legal expenses
related to the CAFTA/ILES arbitration action. The costs for this legal action
are substantial and are anticipated to increase should the case proceed to the
merits phase. Factors that could affect the availability of financing include
the outcome of any rulings pertaining to PacRim's CAFTA/ILES action, any
significant progress on the El Dorado project permitting application that may
develop, progress on any of the Company's exploration properties, the state of
international debt and equity markets, investor perceptions and expectations and
the global financial and metals markets. The Company believes it will be able to
obtain the necessary financing to meet its requirements on an ongoing basis;
however, there can be no assurance that the necessary financing will be
obtained. As it has in the past, the Company plans to obtain additional
financing through, but not limited to, the issuance of additional equity.
(The foregoing two paragraphs contain forward-looking statements regarding the
requirement for financing and the use of funds that may be raised. See
Forward-Looking Information.)
Working Capital
At January 31, 2012, the value of the Company's current assets was $2.2 million,
compared to $1.2 million at April 30, 2011, an increase of $1.0 million. The
increase in current assets from the end of fiscal 2011 to the end of Q3 2012 is
primarily a result of the addition of cash from the sale of securities under a
private placement financing as outlined in Section 5.3 above, offset by
expenditures of cash on exploration and general and administrative costs as well
as expenditures related to PacRim's CAFTA/ILES action. Resource property
balances at January 31, 2012 were negligibly higher than the April 30, 2011
balance ($5.49 million and $5.45 million respectively).
At January 31, 2012 the Company had current liabilities of $1.7 million,
marginally higher than the April 30, 2011 balance of $1.6 million due to a
slight increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Of the accounts
payable and accrued liability balances, $1.5 million at January 31, 2012 and
$1.4 million at April 30, 2011 is due to one vendor associated with PacRim's
arbitration action.
The $1.0 million increase in current assets combined with the marginal increase
in current liabilities, resulted in a $1.0 million increase in working capital
from $(0.4) million at the end of fiscal 2011 to $0.6 million at the end of Q3
2012.
Financial Condition
The Company does not intend to resume significant exploration programs in El
Salvador until such time as the El Dorado environmental permit and exploitation
concession are received. The Company cannot judge if or when the required
permits will be received and is not currently planning any exploration programs
for its El Dorado, Santa Rita and Zamora-Cerro Colorado properties for the
immediate future beyond what is necessary to keep all of its exploration
licences in good standing. Should the required permits be granted, the Company
will evaluate its options for resuming full scale exploration work designed to
advance its El Salvador projects.
The Company has completed an initial program of surface exploration at the Hog
Ranch property, including geological and structural mapping, soil sampling, and
data analysis and is currently interpreting the results of this work in
preparation for selection of drill targets. A Phase 1 drill program is
anticipated for Hog Ranch in mid- calendar 2012. As described in Section 2.3 and
elsewhere, acquisition of the Remance project is in doubt and therefore, no
exploration plans for Remance are being contemplated at this time. However, if a
final acquisition agreement on Remance is signed, as per the terms of the
Remance LOI the Company will be responsible for conducting a $1 million
exploration program in the first year of the option period. The Company intends
to continue its project generation initiatives with the aim of evaluating and
possibly acquiring new exploration properties of merit that fit its exploration
focus.
The Company anticipates that its planned exploration programs as outlined above
(including drilling at Hog Ranch), to be conducted through the remainder of
fiscal 2012 and into early fiscal 2013, will cost approximately $1.5 million,
with a further $1 million required in the event the Remance property is
acquired. The Company believes it has sufficient cash and short term investments
on hand to meet its immediate exploration, general and administrative and legal
obligations. However, the Company anticipates the requirement for additional
financing during or subsequent to fiscal 2012 in order to fund the Hog Ranch
drill program, ongoing general and administrative expenses and future CAFTA/ILES
expenditures.
(The foregoing two paragraphs contain forward-looking statements regarding the
scope and anticipated costs of exploration and generative work programs
management intends to undertake during the remainder of fiscal 2012. See
Forward-Looking Information.)
The Company's general and administrative costs are expected to remain stable
during the remainder of fiscal 2012 and beyond. Expenditures related to PacRim's
CAFTA/ILES arbitration claim are expected to continue at present or modestly
higher levels during the coming months, and are directly related to the level of
arbitration activity. The Company has currently accumulated a liability of
approximately $1.5 related to the CAFTA/ILES arbitration action and is currently
discussing vendor-specific alternative financing opportunities that will reduce
this accounts payable position. Although the Company believes it has sufficient
cash and short term investments to fund its immediate general and administrative
and legal obligations, future financing will be required to fund ongoing general
and administrative costs and expenses related to the CAFTA/ILES action.
(The foregoing paragraph contains forward-looking statements regarding
anticipated general and administrative expenses for the remainder of fiscal
2012, and the requirement for additional financing to fund legal costs and/or
future general working capital expenses. See Forward-Looking Information.)
The business of mining and exploration involves a high degree of risk and there
can be no assurance that any of the Company's current exploration projects will
result in profitable mining operations. The Company has no source of revenue,
and will require additional cash to continue fund legal, exploration and
administration expenses. As at January 31, 2012, the Company has working capital
of $0.6 million, has incurred losses since inception and has an accumulated
deficit of $89.5 million. The Company's ability to continue operations and
exploration activities as a going concern is dependent upon its ability to
obtain future funding. The Company will need to raise additional funds during or
subsequent to fiscal 2012 to support exploration and administration expenses as
well as its costs under PacRim's CAFTA/ILES arbitration action. While the
Company has been successful in obtaining its required funding in the past, there
is no assurance that sufficient funds will be available to the Company in the
future, or be available on favourable terms. Factors that could affect the
availability of financing include progress in obtaining the sought-after El
Dorado mining permits, progress on or resolution of the CAFTA/ILES claim
including the outcome of the Jurisdiction Objection, results from the Hog Ranch
Phase 1 exploration program, the completion of the Remance project acquisition
and/or the acquisition of other exploration projects, the state of international
debt and equity markets, investor perceptions and expectations and the global
financial and metals markets. Additional financing will require, but may not be
limited to, the issuance of additional equity.
Outlook
The Company has completed a review of past data and an initial surface
exploration program comprising geological mapping and sampling and geochemical
surveying at its Hog Ranch property in Nevada, and is in the process of
delineating drill targets for a planned Phase 1 drill program that will include
10-15 holes designed to test both the near surface and underground vein
potential of this known gold district. The planned Hog Ranch drilling program is
contingent on a number of factors including the requirement for additional
funding, receipt of a drill permit and sourcing of a drill contractor. As a
result of the Company's understanding of the timelines in obtaining these items,
the Hog Ranch drill program is not currently expected to commence until
mid-calendar 2012.
The Company's acquisition of the Remance property is on hold and highly
uncertain at this time, pending the vendor's legal appeal of the Government of
Panama's recent decision to deny extension of the Remance concession term. While
the Company is keeping the Remance LOI in effect during Minera Clifton's appeal,
it does not intend to sign a final agreement to acquire the Remance project
unless the term of the concession is extended.
The Company will continue to curtail its exploration programs and expenditures
in El Salvador until such time as PRES receives the El Dorado environmental
permit and exploitation concession. The Company remains hopeful that it will
either receive the El Dorado permit and mining concession or that it will be
appropriately compensated. The Company will continue to seek opportunities for
dialogue with the GOES aimed at resolving its permitting issues in El Salvador
including receipt of the environmental and mining permits for the El Dorado
project as well as re-establishing the exploration licence for Santa Rita.
The Company continues to seek new project opportunities in North and Central
America.
The Company believes its principal risks are its ability to fund ongoing and
future exploration programs and ongoing general and administrative expenses,
impending rulings pertaining to PacRim's CAFTA/ILES arbitration and the
Company's ability to fund the ongoing action to a just conclusion, its ability
to acquire new exploration projects of merit, and its ability to maintain its
TSX listing. The Phase 1 Hog Ranch exploration program will consume the bulk of
the Company's cash resources earmarked for exploration during the remainder of
fiscal 2012 and is expected to cost approximately $1.5 million through to
completion of the anticipated 10-15 hole Phase 1 drill program. If the Remance
project is acquired, the Company will require additional financing to undertake
an exploration program that is anticipated to cost approximately $1.0 million,
as per the terms of its Remance letter of intent. Additional exploration work
required to keep all of its El Salvador projects in good standing, and
exploration expenses related to the Company's generative programs, will continue
through the remainder of fiscal 2012 and for the foreseeable future. The Company
anticipates that it will require additional financing in late fiscal 2012 or
early fiscal 2013 in order to fund its planned exploration, administrative and
legal expenses.
(The foregoing paragraph contains forward-looking statements regarding the
Company's exploration plans and anticipated costs during the remainder of fiscal
2012 and beyond, its expectation of settling the El Dorado permit impasse, and
its anticipated requirements for additional funding. See Forward-Looking
Information.)
The Company's general and administrative costs are expected to remain stable
during the remainder of fiscal 2012. Expenditures related to PacRim's CAFTA/ILES
arbitration action are expected to continue at present or modestly higher levels
and are directly dependent on the level of arbitration activity. The Company is
currently discussing vendor-specific alternative financing opportunities that
will reduce its accounts payable and accrued liabilities, the majority of which
are payable to a single vendor involved in the arbitration and/or for general
working capital expenses and/or future expenses related to the CAFTA/ILES claim.
(The foregoing paragraph contains forward-looking statements regarding
anticipated general and administrative expenses during the remainder of fiscal
2012, and the potential requirement for additional financing for general working
capital purposes and/or legal fees related to the CAFTA/ILES action. See
Forward-Looking Information.)
The Company and its subsidiaries have a well-documented history of supporting
local inhabitants and building relationships with all stakeholders. This is a
key component of the Company's approach to exploration and development, and will
continue in all jurisdictions in which it and its subsidiaries operate.
PacRim's CAFTA/ILES arbitration action is expected to proceed during the
remainder of fiscal 2012 and beyond. The Company is currently awaiting a ruling
from the ICSID Tribunal Panel on the GOES's Jurisdiction Objection, the results
of which could impact the future of the action. The Company may seek traditional
or alternative financing arrangements during or subsequent to fiscal 2012
specifically ear-marked for legal expenses.
(The foregoing paragraph contains forward-looking statements regarding the
expectation of ongoing legal undertakings. See Forward-Looking Information)
On behalf of the board of directors,
Thomas C. Shrake, President and CEO
Forward-Looking Information
The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(as amended) and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking
statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts
of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of
management. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs,
plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are
not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."
Statements concerning reserves and mineral resource estimates may also be deemed
to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent that they involve
estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is
developed, and in the case of mineral reserves, such statements reflect the
conclusion based on certain assumptions that the mineral deposit can be
economically exploited.
This report contains forward-looking statements regarding:
-- the Company's requirement for financing and the use of funds that may be
raised. These assumptions are based on management's estimate of working
capital requirements and past expenditures. There are no guarantees that
future financing will be available to the Company under acceptable terms
and conditions. Readers are cautioned that without additional financing
the Company's ongoing exploration plans may not be carried out as
anticipated and its ability to continue its business may be at risk.
-- the scope of exploration and generative work programs management intends
to undertake during the remainder of fiscal 2012 and in the foreseeable
future. These expectations are based on various assumptions including
but not limited to: the Company's ability to secure financing, procure
contractors and obtain permits necessary to commence the proposed Hog
Ranch drill program; the Company and/or its subsidiary's signing of a
Formal Agreement to acquire the Remance project; the Company and/or its
subsidiaries' continued title and access to the El Dorado, Santa Rita
and Zamora-Cerro Colorado properties; the availability and accessibility
of projects the Company may be interested in acquiring; the availability
of sufficient working capital and access to financing; the ability to
procure adequate experienced staff; the availability of contractors; and
other risks and uncertainties. Should any of these assumptions prove
incorrect or requirements not be met, the Company's project generation
and exploration plans and for the remainder of fiscal 2012 and beyond
may not occur as planned.
-- the Company's intent to forego significant exploration work at the El
Salvador projects until certain permits are granted, the implication
being that if and when these permits are granted increased investments
in exploration will be made in El Salvador. Readers are cautioned that
this statement conveys management's intent but that resumption of a
large-scale exploration program at the El Salvador projects is dependent
on not only the PRES's receipt of the El Dorado permit but also the
availability of adequate financing, the ability to procure adequate
experienced staff, the availability of contractors, and other risks and
uncertainties. Should any of these assumptions prove incorrect or
requirements not be met, the Company's project generation and
exploration plans for the remainder of fiscal 2012 may not occur as
planned.
-- the Company's exploration plans and anticipated costs for the remainder
of fiscal 2012 and beyond. The anticipated exploration expenditures
reflect estimations made by management based on current levels of
expenditure and anticipated work programs as described previously.
Should unexpected costs arise, exploration expenditures may differ from
those currently anticipated.
-- anticipated general and administrative, and legal expenses and the
requirement for additional financing to fund these legal costs and
general working capital expenses. These statements are based on
management's assumption the CAFTA/ILES action will continue through
fiscal 2012 and beyond, and the expected costs of pursuing this action,
plus the Company's anticipated burn rate for general and administrative
costs. Should PRES receive the El Dorado permits at any time, the
necessity to continue the CAFTA action may be averted and the
anticipated impact on general and administrative costs may not
materialize.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties,
which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the
forward-looking statements, including the risks and uncertainties outlined above
and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties
and business detailed in its fiscal 2009 MD&A, in the Company's Annual
Information Form for the year ended April 30, 2010 and in the Company's Form 20F
filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of
these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions
prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in
forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue
certainty to forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to
update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein,
except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
Mr. William Gehlen, Vice President Exploration, supervises Pacific Rim's
exploration work on the El Dorado project. Mr. Gehlen is a Certified
Professional Geologist with the AIPG (No. 10626), an employee of the Company and
a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.
Mr. David Ernst, Chief Geologist, supervises the Company's project generation
initiatives and conducted due diligence geological investigations and
confirmatory sampling at the Remance Project. Mr. Ernst is geologist licensed by
the State of Washington, an employee of Pacific Rim and a Qualified Person as
defined in NI 43-101.
Pacific Rim's sampling procedures follow the Exploration Best Practices
Guidelines outlined by the Mining Standards Task Force and adopted by The
Toronto Stock Exchange. Samples are assayed using fire assay with a gravimetric
finish on a 30-gram split. Quality control measures, including check- and sample
standard-assaying, are being implemented. Samples are assayed by Inspectorate
America Corporation in Reno, Nevada USA, an ISO 9002 certified laboratory,
independent of Pacific Rim Mining Corp.
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