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Arehada
Mining Reports First Quarter
Results |
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TORONTO, May 15- Arehada Mining Limited
(TSX:
AHD),
(the "Company") today announced financial
results and operational highlights for the
3 months ended March 31, 2008.
Revenue for the quarter was $5,259,000
from the mining of 101,845 tonnes of ore
compared to $4,611,000 from 105,000 tonnes
in the same quarter last year. Earnings
after tax of $1,959,000 or $0.011 per share
in Q1 2008 compares to $2,356,000 or $0.015
per share for the same quarter in 2007 when
there were fewer shares outstanding (172,073,557
vs. 155,153,197).
Cash flow for the three month period was
$2,402,000 or $0.014 per share versus $2,563,000
or $0.017 for the same period in 2007.
During the quarter, Arehada conducted mining
operations at a rate of approximately 1,434
tonnes per day and operated 71 days during
the period which compares favourably to
the average rate of 1,340 tonnes per day
during the 2007 fiscal year. Operating days
are in line with expectations but the daily
mining rate was below our forecast 1,500
tonnes per day.
Head grades of approximately 1.27% zinc
and 1.31% lead resulted in an average combined
recovery rate of 87%. Silver head grades
of 58 grammes per tonne met a 79% recovery
factor from the lead concentrate. These
grades are significantly improved over the
average grades for 2007 and we are confident
they will continue on this trend during
the balance of 2008.
Operating costs decreased slightly to US$18.08
per tonne however remain in line with the
RPA Report forecast of $18.65 per tonne.
It is expected that these costs will level
out from here as the mining operations progress.
Subsequent to receipt of our 43-101 report
we have conducted an extensive development
drilling programme utilizing six drills
to outline further mineral resources and
are expecting to update our 43-101 report
by the end of the second quarter.
The mineral resources are being developed
with a view to support a gradual expansion
of our underground mining capacity to 3,000
tonnes per day with a concurrent doubling
of capacity of our milling capacity. Arehada
funded this development drilling from internal
cash flow and will fund a gradual expansion
of our underground capacity in the same
manner.
As previously reported, construction of
the first phase of our 50,000 tonnes per
annum plant to produce zinc oxide and sulphuric
acid from concentrate has now been completed.
We had expected this to be operational by
the end of 2007 but have endured innumerable
delays in receiving bank funding for working
capital due to the tightening credit situation
in China. We remain cautiously optimistic
that we will be able to commence operations
in the near future.
Finally, with respect to the related party
loan receivable, we have increased the collateral
to secure these loans and are actively working
with the principals to find a way to substantially,
if not totally, reduce the amounts owing
prior to year end.
About Arehada Mining
Arehada Mining Limited is engaged in the
exploration, development, extraction and
production 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 has constructed a zinc plant with
a designed processing capacity of 50,000
tonnes per annum and startup is scheduled
for the second quarter of 2008 contingent
on receiving working capital funding from
a local bank.
For further information:
Christopher Harrop
Chairman
Arehada Mining Limited
Tel: (416) 362-5466
Email: porrah@gmail.com
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Graham Warren
Chief Financial Officer
Arehada Mining Limited
Tel:(416) 362-5466
Email: gwarren@arehadamining.com
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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, environmental
and safety regulations risks, and risk associated
with failure to obtain required regulatory
or third party consent. 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.
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.
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