|
|
| |
Dragon Capital (Arehada)
reports first quarter results |
|
|
|
|
TORONTO, May 29 - Dragon Capital Corporation
("Dragon Capital" or "the Company"), (TSX:
AHD),
a miner and producer of zinc, lead and silver
in China, today announced its financial
results for the first quarter ended March
31, 2007.
Dragon Capital completed the acquisition
of all the outstanding shares of Arehada
Mining Corporation ("Arehada") effective
March 14, 2007 through a reverse takeover
transaction. Dragon Capital's management
will propose that the corporation be renamed
to Arehada Mining Limited at the Company's
upcoming annual meeting, scheduled for June
27, 2007. The name change is intended to
reflect the Company's origins.
The Company earned $2,356,000 ($0.015
per share) on total revenue of $4,611,000
for the period ending March 31, 2007.
During the quarter, Arehada conducted mining
operations at approximately 1,500 tonnes
per day (tpd) and operated 70 days during
the period. This rate is in line with expectations
for the period based on a projected 300
day per annum operation. Head grades of
approximately 1.1% zinc and 1.0% lead resulted
in a 90% recovery factor for both. Silver
head grades of 57 grammes per tonne met
a 75% recovery factor into the lead concentrate.
These grades are below the overall head
grades for the resource cited in an independent
consultant's report on Arehada's mine located
in Inner Mongolia, China, but reflect the
mining of above normal amounts of waste
rock at the commencement of mining operations.
Additionally, a larger than normal amount
of lower grade material was mined to take
advantage of firm commodity prices. Grades
are expected to improve through the balance
of 2007 with production levels at or slightly
above the projected rate of 450,000 tonnes
per annum.
Exploration Activities
During the quarter, Arehada undertook
development drilling to outline further
mineral resources to support an increase
in underground mining capacity to 3,000
tpd. The Company's current milling operation
will also be upgraded to the 3,000 tpd level.
This drilling and ultimate expansion in
capacity will be financed through internal
cash flow.
Construction of Zinc Plant
Construction of the first phase of the
Company's new 50,000 tonnes per annum plant
to produce zinc oxide and sulphuric acid
from concentrate is now complete. The plant
is expected to be fully operational by the
end of 2007. This facility, the only one
in the region, will process ore from Arehada's
mine and several other local zinc mines.
To date, $17 million has been spent in
building the first phase, funded through
a five year term loan from a major Chinese
bank. Management plans to accelerate the
plant start up process, an initiative that
will require an increase of approximately
$6 million in working capital. Arehada is
currently examining a number of alternatives
for this funding.
About Dragon Capital
Through its 100% owned subsidiary Arehada
Mining Corporation, Dragon Capital is engaged
in the exploration, development, extraction
and refining of zinc, lead and silver in
Dongwuzhumuqinqi, located in Inner Mongolia,
China. Arehada produces zinc and lead concentrates,
which are then sold to smelters in China.
Arehada is currently constructing its own
zinc plant with a designed processing capacity
of 100,000 tons per annum. The first phase,
with a rated capacity of 50,000 tons per
annum, will produce zinc oxide and sulphuric
acid.
Forward Looking Statements
The above contains forward looking statements
that are subject to a number of known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated in our
forward looking statements. Factors that
could cause such differences include: changes
in world commodity markets, equity markets,
costs and supply of materials relevant to
the mining industry, extent of resources
actually contained in mineral deposits,
actual recoveries achieved in processing
ore, technological change, change to regulations
affecting the mining industry, risks associated
with mining operation in China, and environmental
and safety regulations and risks. Forward-looking
statements in this release include statements
regarding future programs, review completion
dates and opportunities. Although we believe
the expectations reflected in our forward
looking statements are reasonable, results
may vary, and we cannot guarantee future
results, levels of activity, performance
or achievements.
For further information:
Christopher Harrop
Chairman
Dragon Capital Corporation
Tel: (416) 350-5133
Email: porrah@gmail.com
|
Martti Kangas
Investor Relations
The Equicom Group
Tel: (416)815-0700 x 243
Email: mkangas@equicomgroup.com |
Neither the TSXV or the TSX has in any
way passed upon the merits of this press
release and has neither approved nor disapproved
the contents of this press release.
|