Yahoo Finance Randgold Resources Limited announces 1st Quarter Results and updates
KIBALI SHINES AS RANDGOLD MAINTAINS ANNUAL PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
JERSEY, CHANNEL ISLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / May 10, 2018 / Randgold Resources (GOLD) said today its 2018 production guidance remained intact despite a softer first quarter in which it contended with multiple challenges.
Following the full commissioning of its underground mine, Kibali in the Democratic Republic of Congo increased quarterly production by 22% compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year and is on track to achieve its 2018 target of 730 000 ounces.
In Côte d'Ivoire, Tongon's production was impacted by a series of work stoppages. With operations now back at full capacity, the mine is committed to clawing back most of the lost production. Randgold's flagship operation, the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, made a strong start to the year although changes in the mining schedule affected the underground grade, impacting on production.
Results for the quarter, published today, show group production lower at 286 890 ounces (Q4 2017: 340 958 ounces) and total cash cost per ounce higher at $720/oz (Q4 2017: $627/oz). Profit was down at $66.5 million (Q4 2017: $87.1 million). Cash and cash equivalents grew by 3% to $739.5 million while the company remains debt-free. At the recently held AGM, shareholders approved the 2017 dividend of $2 per share, a 100% increase on the previous year.
Chief executive Mark Bristow said coming off a strong prior quarter and record performance in 2017 the company had anticipated a slower start to this year with a gradual build-up throughout the year. Despite the issues that arose, it was still confident of meeting its annual production guidance of 1.30 to 1.35 million ounces.
"It was a very active quarter, in which we ramped up the underground production at Kibali, advanced the Gounkoto super pit project and the development of the Baboto satellite pit at Loulo, and prepared the Ntiola satellite deposit at Morila for mining," Bristow said.
"At the same time we also successfully handled the difficult labour situation at Tongon, sorted out the sequencing at Loulo and continued negotiations relating to the new mining code with the DRC government. This demonstrates the depth and competence of our management team, and its ability to deal with complex operational and socio-political issues on multiple fronts."
During the quarter, exploration highlighted the potential to add ounces at Kibali, Loulo and Tongon as well as new reserve opportunities at the Massawa project in Senegal. Bristow said Randgold was also aggressively hunting for its next big project in the African gold belts as well as further afield.
RANDGOLD RESOURCES LIMITED
Incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands
Reg. No. 62686
LSE Trading Symbol: RRS
NASDAQ Trading Symbol: GOLD
RANDGOLD ENQUIRIES:
Chief Executive | Financial Director | Investor & Media Relations |
Website: www.randgoldresources.com
Click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view the associated PDF document.
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5690N_1-2018-5-9.pdf
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
SOURCE: Randgold Resources Ld. via RNS, the company news service from the London Stock Exchange
