SALABERRY-DE-VALLEYFIELD, QUEBEC — (Marketwire) — 02/12/13 — Noranda Income Fund (the „Fund“) (TSX: NIF.UN) had a strong fourth quarter.
In addition, you can listen to the teleconference and view the slide presentation from the Noranda Income Fund website: or click on this link: http://events.digitalmedia.telus.com/noranda/021313/index.php
The pass code is 8788 350# and you will be prompted for your name and company. The recording will be available until midnight on February 27th, 2013.
Zinc Concentrate Supply
In 2012, the Fund advised that with the closure of Brunswick Mine, the Processing Facility may be required to treat concentrate with higher levels of impurities in the future. While the feed mix is expected to be within the specifications set out in the Supply and Processing Agreement, the Fund determined it was important to increase its silica removal capability. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Fund increased its 2013 capital investment program so that the Processing Facility could treat a more varied feed quality mix. Approximately $20 million will be invested in 2013 to do so.
Also in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Processing Facility received an increased supply of zinc concentrate. Over 2013, the increased concentrate availability will allow for flexibility in blending the new with the current feed mix and it will ensure a gradual transition. Going forward, the ability of the Processing Facility to treat a wide variety of zinc concentrate feeds is required so that it can continue to operate at full capacity.
Other Developments
In 2012, the Board, through its Independent Committee, felt it would be prudent, and has since retained the services of an industry consultant to assist in identifying possible alternative sources of zinc concentrate after the expiry of the Supply and Processing Agreement.
Financial and Operating Highlights (Fourth quarter 2012 compared to the fourth quarter 2011)
Earnings before finance costs and income taxes in the fourth quarter of 2012 were $24.3 million compared to $2.4 million in the same quarter a year ago. The $21.9 million increase was mainly due to higher zinc sales, premiums, processing fee and recoveries. In addition, the fourth quarter of 2012 also benefitted from the absence of a non-recurring $7.1 million cost increase for additional pension benefits and early retirement provisions for the collective agreement, which was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Cash provided from operating activities, before net changes in non-cash working capital items in the fourth quarter of 2012 was $17.4 million compared to $18.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. During the fourth quarter of 2012, non-cash working capital increased by $36.5 million. The increase in working capital resulted primarily from an increase in inventories and accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The increase in inventories in the fourth quarter was a result of additional deliveries of zinc concentrate that were received. The increased concentrate availability allows for more flexibility in blending the various feeds, ensuring a gradual transition to the new feed mix in 2013.
Financial and Operating Highlights (2012 compared to 2011)
Earnings before finance costs and income taxes in 2012 were $66.7 million compared to $59.9 million in 2011. The $6.8 million increase was mainly due to higher zinc premiums and processing fee, partially offset by lower zinc sales and by-product revenues.
Cash provided by operating activities in 2012, before net changes in non-cash working capital items, was $64.6 million compared to $71.5 million in 2011. During 2012, non- cash working capital increased by $39.3 million due to an increase in accounts receivable and inventories and a decrease in the income taxes payable. During 2011, non-cash working capital decreased by $55.3 million due to a decrease in accounts receivable and inventories and an increase in the income taxes payable.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Today, Bob Sippel resigned from the Fund-s Board of Trustees. Mr. Sippel has been a Board member since April of 2004. His expertise in both zinc markets and the zinc industry was invaluable to the Fund. John Swidler, on behalf of the Board would like to thank Mr. Sippel for his support and contribution.
Neil Wardle joined the Board of Trustees today. Mr. Wardle was appointed Chief Operating Officer of Xstrata Zinc Canada in July 2012. Prior to this, he was the Executive General Manager of Britannia Refined Metals Limited which is part of Xstrata plc. Mr. Wardle has also held various other mining and metallurgical roles in Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Metallurgy from the South Australian Institute of Technology.
A full version of the year-end 2012 Management-s Discussion and Analysis („MD&A“) and the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements will be posted on the Fund-s website, today, February 12, 2013 and they will be available on on February 13, 2013. Readers should be advised that the summarized communication presented in this press release is limited in its disclosure. It is not a suitable source of information for readers who are unfamiliar with the Fund, and it is not in any way a substitute for reading the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and MD&A because a reader relying on this summary alone might overlook decision critical information.
Noranda Income Fund is an income trust whose units trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol „NIF.UN“. The Noranda Income Fund owns the electrolytic zinc processing facility and ancillary assets (the „CEZinc processing facility“) located in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec. The CEZinc processing facility is the second-largest zinc processing facility in North America and the largest zinc processing facility in eastern North America, where the majority of zinc customers are located. It produces refined zinc metal and various by-products from zinc concentrates purchased from mining operations. The CEZinc processing facility is operated and managed by Canadian Electrolytic Zinc Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Xstrata Canada Corporation.
Except where otherwise indicated, all amounts in this press release are expressed in Canadian dollars.
Further information about the Noranda Income Fund can be found at .
Adjusted Earnings before Distributions to Unitholders, Finance Costs, Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization („Adjusted EBITDA“)
Adjusted EBITDA is used by the Fund as an indication of cash generated from operations. Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized measure under IFRS and therefore the Fund-s method of calculating Adjusted EBITDA is unlikely to be comparable to methods used by other entities.
The Fund-s Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adjusting earnings before finance costs and income taxes for all of the non-cash items such as depreciation, rehabilitation expense, net change in employee benefits, loss on the sale of assets, changes in fair value of embedded derivatives and non-cash gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments.
The Fund-s Adjusted EBITDA is currently supported by the stability provided in the Supply and Processing Agreement. It may be subject to more variability once this agreement expires in 2017.
A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarters and years of 2012 and 2011 is provided below:
Contacts: Financial information: Michael Boone, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Canadian Electrolytic Zinc Limited, Noranda Income Fund-s Manager 416 775-1561
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