UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004
Or
o    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Commission File Number: 001-31593


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Yukon Territory, Canada
Not Applicable
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)


4601 DTC Blvd, Suite 750
Denver, Colorado 80237
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (720) 886-9656

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days
 
Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12-b2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes o No x

At November 1, 2004, there were 79,632,189 common shares of Apollo Gold Corporation outstanding.


 
     



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

   
Page
 
Part I - Financial Information
       
Item 1. Financial Statements
       
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited) -- As Of September 30, 2004
   
3
 
Consolidated Statement Of Operations and Deficit(Unaudited)
       
     For The Three and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
   
4
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
       
     For The Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
   
5
 
Notes To Financial Statements (Unaudited)
   
5
 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
   
26
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
   
36
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
   
37
 
Part II - Other Information
   
39
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
   
39
 
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
39
 
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
   
39
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to A Vote of Security Holders
   
39
 
Item 5. Other Information
   
39
 
Item 6. Exhibits
   
39
 
Signatures
   
40
 
Exhibits
   
41
 


STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
 
This report, including the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, production, costs, start-up of the Standard Mine, completing stripping at Montana Tunnels, feasibility studies at Black Fox, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, capital expenditure, and exploration and development efforts. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “continue”, “plans”, “intends”, or other similar terminology. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is anticipated or forecasted in these forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the outcome of assays and additional exploration sampling and drilling efforts, delay in permits or approvals, technical or permitting problems, unanticipated drilling problems or costs, variations in ore grade, the market price of gold and other minerals, unanticipated delays or costs for construction, or start-up at our mines, unanticipated reclamation liabilities, the availability and timing of external financing or acceptable terms and other factors disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Apollo Gold’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as well as our 10-Q filings for the periods ended March 31, 2004 and June 30, 2004 and elsewhere in Apollo Gold documents filed from time to time with the Toronto Stock Exchange, The American Stock Exchange, The United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, and general domestic and international economic conditions. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements.
 

 
     

 

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES, REPORTING CURRENCY AND OTHER INFORMATION
 
Apollo Gold Corporation prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada (“Cdn GAAP”) and publishes its financial statements in United States dollars. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 included in our Annual Report (the “Annual Report”) filed with the SEC. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform with the current period presentation.
 
Unless stated otherwise, all dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars.
 
References to “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” or “Apollo” mean Apollo Gold Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, or to any one or more of them, as the context requires.
 
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
The cash operating, total cash and total production costs are non - GAAP financial measures and are used by management to assess performance of individual operations as well as a comparison to other gold producers.
 
The terms “cash operating cost” and “total cash cost” are used on a per ounce of gold basis. Cash operating cost per ounce is equivalent to direct operating costs expense for the period as found on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, less mining taxes and by-product credits payable for silver, lead, and zinc divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period. The term “total cash cost” per ounce is equivalent to mining operations expense for the period, less by-product credits payable, plus royalty expenses for silver, lead and zinc, divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period. The term “total production costs” is total cash costs plus depreciation and amortization.
 
This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada and the United States and should not be considered in isolation or a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. See Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to our Statements of Operations.
 

  
     

 

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, accompanying notes and other relevant information included in the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. 

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements of

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION

September 30, 2004


 
     

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
   
(In thousands of United States dollars)
   

 
September 30,
2004
 
December 31,
2003
 
ASSETS  
 (Unaudited)
(Audited)
 
           
CURRENT
         
     Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,414
 
$
25,851
 
     Short-term investments
   
-
   
5,855
 
     Accounts receivable
   
1,543
   
4,647
 
     Prepaids
   
510
   
552
 
     Broken ore on leach pad
   
12,403
   
9,594
 
     Inventories (Note 4)
   
3,297
   
2,839
 
     
19,167
   
49,338
 
BROKEN ORE ON LEACH PAD
   
2,363
   
1,827
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Note 5)
   
52,659
   
38,519
 
DEFERRED STRIPPING COSTS
   
35,479
   
24,033
 
RESTRICTED CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT AND
             
     OTHER ASSETS
   
8,997
   
6,893
 
   
$
118,665
 
$
120,610
 
LIABILITIES
             
               
CURRENT
             
     Accounts payable
 
$
9,959
 
$
5,848
 
     Accrued liabilities
   
2,850
   
2,781
 
     Notes payable
   
2,992
   
4,117
 
     Property and mining taxes payable
   
1,081
   
1,080
 
     
16,882
   
13,826
 
NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM LIABILITY
   
1,525
   
3,275
 
ACCRUED SITE CLOSURE COSTS
   
22,947
   
21,619
 
     
41,354
   
38,720
 
               
CONTINUING OPERATIONS (Note 1)
             
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
             
               
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
               
Share capital (Note 6)
   
134,958
   
120,624
 
Issuable common shares
   
231
   
231
 
Contributed surplus (Note 6)
   
8,147
   
7,172
 
Deficit
   
(66,025
)
 
(46,137
)
     
77,311
   
81,890
 
   
$
118,665
 
$
120,610
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.

 
  

 
   

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Deficit
(In thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


   
Three months ended
 
 Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
 
 September 30,
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
 2004
 
 2003
 
REVENUE
                    
     Revenue from sale of minerals
 
$
12,720
 
$
20,098
 
$
45,904
 
$
46,025
 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                         
     Direct operating costs
   
14,489
   
16,293
   
47,887
   
36,965
 
     Depreciation and amortization
   
1,292
   
1,449
   
3,894
   
4,226
 
     General and administrative expenses
   
1,087
   
1,088
   
4,325
   
3,360
 
     Stock-based compensation
   
388
   
20
   
487
   
361
 
     Accretion expense
   
783
   
320
   
1,474
   
960
 
     Royalty expense
   
133
   
237
   
507
   
687
 
     Exploration and business development
   
515
   
52
   
774
   
2,052
 
     
18,687
   
19,459
   
59,348
   
48,611
 
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME
   
(5,967
)
 
639
   
(13,444
)
 
(2,586
)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)
                         
     Interest income
   
10
   
10
   
261
   
58
 
     Interest expense
   
(80
)
 
(127
)
 
(287
)
 
(444
)
     Foreign exchange (loss) gain and other
   
(79
)
 
(139
)
 
(567
)
 
516
 
NET (LOSS) INCOME FOR THE PERIOD
   
(6,116
)
 
383
   
(14,037
)
 
(2,456
)
DEFICIT, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
(59,909
)
 
(46,790
)
 
(46,137
)
 
(43,951
)
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
                         
     ACCOUNTING POLICY (Note 3 (a))
   
-
   
-
   
(5,851
)
 
-
 
ADJUSTED OPENING BALANCE
   
(59,909
)
 
(46,790
)
 
(51,988
)
 
(43,951
)
DEFICIT, END OF PERIOD
 
$
(66,025
)
$
(46,407
)
$
(66,025
)
$
(46,407
)
NET (LOSS) INCOME PER SHARE,
                         
     BASIC AND DILUTED
 
$
(0.08
)
$
0.01
 
$
(0.18
)
$
(0.05
)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER
                         
     OF SHARES OUTSTANDING
   
79,617,391
   
49,843,353
   
77,924,423
   
48,480,820
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.


 
   4  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
                    
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                    
(In thousands of United States dollars)
                    
(Unaudited)
                    
           
   
Three months ended
 Nine months ended
September 30,
 September 30,
2004
2003
 2004
2003
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                    
 Net (loss) income for the period
 
$
(6,116
)
$
383
 
$
(14,037
)
$
(2,456
)
     Items not affecting cash
                         
     Depreciation and amortization
   
1,292
   
1,449
   
3,894
   
4,226
 
     Stock-based compensation
   
388
   
20
   
487
   
361
 
     Accretion expense
   
783
   
320
   
1,474
   
960
 
     Other
   
(33
)
 
85
   
(146
)
 
(84
)
     Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment
   
-
   
(41
)
 
-
   
(41
)
     Net change in non-cash operating working
                         
     capital items
   
4,851
   
(630
)
 
3,524
   
(1,196
)
     
1,165
   
1,586
   
(4,804
)
 
1,770
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                         
     Property, plant and equipment expenditures
   
(6,680
)
 
(4,288
)
 
(17,587
)
 
(6,733
)
     Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment
   
-
   
172
   
-
   
172
 
     Deferred stripping costs
   
(4,097
)
 
(447
)
 
(11,446
)
 
(4,844
)
     Short-term investments
   
7,446
   
-
   
5,855
   
-
 
     Restricted Certificate of Deposit and other assets
   
(394
)
 
(214
)
 
(2,104
)
 
(1,097
)
     
(3,725
)
 
(4,777
)
 
(25,282
)
 
(12,502
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                         
     Proceeds from exercise of warrants and options
   
71
   
35,129
   
8,931
   
37,912
 
     Acquisition and cancellation of shares
   
-
   
-
   
(48
)
 
-
 
     Payments of notes payable
   
(1,150
)
 
(936
)
 
(3,234
)
 
(2,762
)
     
(1,079
)
 
34,193
   
5,649
   
35,150
 
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH
   
(3,639
)
 
31,002
   
(24,437
)
 
24,418
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
                         
     BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
5,053
   
1,842
   
25,851
   
8,426
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
                         
     END OF PERIOD
 
$
1,414
 
$
32,844
 
$
1,414
 
$
32,844
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                         
Interest paid
 
$
80
 
$
127
 
$
287
 
$
444
 
Income taxes paid
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
-
 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, property, plant and equipment of $19 was acquired under a capital lease obligation.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company issued 48,978 shares to meet the earn-in requirements of the Huizopa Joint Venture Agreement. Share capital and property, plant and equipment both increased by $88 as a result of this transaction. Property, plant and equipment totaling $340 was acquired under a non-cash financing arrangement.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company issued 61,500 shares to acquire certain parcels of land located in Nevada. Share capital and property, plant and equipment both increased by $134 as a result of this transaction. Property, plant and equipment totaling $1,587 was acquired under capital lease obligations.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these interim consolidated financial statements.


 

 
   

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


1.   CONTINUING OPERATIONS
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are prepared on the basis of a going concern which assumes that the Company will realize its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business for the foreseeable future. The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to successfully operate the Montana Tunnels Mine and Florida Canyon Mine (including Standard mine). The Company will not have sufficient resources from existing operations to finance the development of the Black Fox project. Subsequent to September 30, 2004, the Company completed new financing totaling $7.5 million to sustain current operations and exploration activities. The Company is actively seeking financing to develop the Black Fox project, however, the availability, amount and timing of this financing is not certain at this time. The Company is actively seeking financing for the Black Fox project feasibility and exploration activities; however, the availability, amount and timing of this financing is not certain at this time.
 
2.   NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Apollo Gold Corporation (“Apollo” or the “Company”) is engaged in gold mining including extraction, processing and refining and the production of other by-product metals, as well as related activities including exploration and development. The Company currently owns and has rights to operate the Florida Canyon Mine, an open pit heap leach operation located in the State of Nevada; the Montana Tunnels Mine, an open pit mine and mill, producing gold doré and lead- gold and zinc-gold concentrates located in the State of Montana; and the Diamond Hill Mine, currently under care and maintenance, also located in the State of Montana.

Apollo has two development properties, Black Fox, which is located in the Province of Ontario near the Township of Mattheson, and Standard Mine, which is located near the Florida Canyon Mine. Apollo has four exploration properties located near the Florida Canyon Mine.

Apollo has entered into an agreement to earn up to a 71% interest in the Huizopa project located in the Sierra Madre gold belt in Mexico.

3.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES
  These consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. The accounting policies followed in preparing these financial statements are those used by the Company as set out in the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003, except as described in Notes 3 (a) and 3 (b). Certain information and note disclosure normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted. These interim financial statements should be read together with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 
   6  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

3.   ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included in these financial statements. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the fiscal year.
Certain of the comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.
(a)   Stock- based compensation
Effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted the amended recommendations of the CICA Handbook Section 3870, Stock- based Compensation and Other Stock- based Payments. Under the amended standards of this Section, the fair value of all stock-based awards granted are estimated using the Black-Scholes model and are recorded in operations over their vesting periods. The compensation cost related to stock options granted to employees and directors after January 1, 2004 is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.
Previously, the Company provided note disclosure of pro forma net loss as if the fair value based method had been used on stock options granted to employees and directors after January 1, 2002. The amended recommendations have been applied using the retroactive method without restatement and had the effect of increasing share capital, contributed surplus and opening deficit as follows:

     
Increase as at
 
     
January 1,
 
     
2004
 
 
Share capital
$
257
 
 
Contributed surplus
 
5,594
 
 
Deficit
 
(5,851
)
 
(b)   Hedging relationships
  Effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted the CICA Accounting Guideline 13, Hedging Relationships (“AcG-13”). AcG-13 specifies the conditions under which hedge accounting is appropriate and includes requirements for the identification, documentation and designation of hedging relationships, sets standards for determining hedge effectiveness, and establishes criteria for the discontinuance of hedge accounting. The adoption of AcG-13 had no impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.


 
   7  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
4
.
INVENTORIES
                 
   
Inventories consist of:
                 
 
           
September 30,
   
December 31,
               
2004
   
2003
   
Concentrate inventory
       $
228
 
 $
98
   
Dore inventory
         
579
   
56
   
Materials and supplies
         
2,490
   
2,685
           
 
$ 
3,297
 
$
2,839
 
5
.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
         
   
The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
         
 
        
 
 
 
        
September 30,
2004
 
December 31,
2003
 
        
Accumulated
Net Book
Net Book
  
Cost
Depreciation
Value
Value
 
 Mine assets  
 
                     
     Building, plant and equipment
       
$
16,884
     
$
5,302
 
$
11,582
 
$
10,643
 
     Mining properties and
                                   
         development costs
         
40,617
       
7,007
   
33,610
   
20,412
 
           
57,501
       
12,309
   
45,192
   
31,055
 
 Mineral rights
         
7,467
       
-
   
7,467
   
7,464
 
 Total property, plant and equipment
       
$
64,968
     
$
12,309
 
$
52,659
 
$
38,519
 

 
 
If the Black Fox project is developed and reaches commercial production, an additional $2.4 million (Cdn.$3 million) is due to the vendors to purchase the property free and clear of all encumbrances.
   
 
                 
 
 

 
   8  

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


6.   SHARE CAPITAL
(a)   Authorized
Unlimited number of common shares with no par value.
(b)   Issued and outstanding

            
 Contributed
 
   
Shares
 
 Amount
 
 Surplus
 
Balance, December 31, 2003
               
     as previously reported
   
73,539,790
 
$
120,624
 
$
7,172
 
Cumulative effect of change in
                   
     accounting policy (Note 3 (a))
   
-
   
257
   
5,594
 
Adjusted balance, December 31, 2003
   
73,539,790
   
120,881
   
12,766
 
Warrants exercised
   
5,384,125
   
12,660
   
(4,075
)
Options exercised
   
399,054
   
966
   
(647
)
Options exercised by agents
   
15,723
   
35
   
(8
)
Shares reacquired and cancelled
   
(20,500
)
 
(48
)
 
-
 
Shares issued for 2003 share-based
                   
     compensation
   
265,000
   
376
   
(376
)
Shares issued for Huizopa interest
   
48,978
   
88
   
-
 
Stock-based compensation
   
-
   
-
   
487
 
Balance, September 30, 2004
   
79,632,170
 
$
134,958
 
$
8,147
 

(c)   Warrants
The following summarizes outstanding warrants as at September 30, 2004:

   
Number of
   
Exercise
 
Expiry
Warrants
 
Shares
   
Price
 
Date
653,277
 
653,277
 
$
1.67
 
September 26, 2005
63,969
 
63,969
   
1.67
 
October 26, 2005
3,000,000
 
3,000,000
   
2.10
 
December 23, 2006
3,717,246
 
3,717,246
         

 

 
   

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

  
6.   SHARE CAPITAL (Continued)
(d)   Share purchase options
(i)   A summary of information concerning outstanding stock options at September 30, 2004 is as follows:

              
Performance-based
 
Fixed Stock Options
Stock Options
 
         
 Weighted
     
 Weighted
 
     
Number of
 
 Average
 
Number of
 
 Average
 
     
Common
 
 Exercise
 
Common
 
 Exercise
 
     
Shares
 
 Price
 
Shares
 
 Price
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2003
   
1,887,300
 
$
2.20
   
2,500,154
 
$
0.80
 
 
     Options granted
   
680,500
   
1.87
   
-
   
-
 
 
     Options exercised
   
-
   
-
   
(399,054
)
 
0.80
 
 
     Options cancelled
   
(214,500
)
 
2.16
   
(196,344
)
 
0.80
 
 
Balances, September 30, 2004
   
2,353,300
 
$
2.11
   
1,904,756
 
$
0.80
 

(ii)   The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable fixed stock options at September 30, 2004:

Options Outstanding  
Options Exercisable
 
       
Weighted
     
 Weighted
 
       
Average
     
 Average
 
Number
 
Expiry
 
Exercise Price
 
Number
 
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding
 
Date
 
per Share
 
Exercisable
 
 per Share
 
1,531,000
   
February 18, 2013
     
$
2.24
   
765,500
       
$
2.24
 
2,600
   
March 28, 2013
       
2.34
   
1,300
         
2.34
 
70,000
   
May 21, 2013
       
2.27
   
35,000
         
2.27
 
110,000
   
August 22, 2013
       
2.12
   
55,000
         
2.12
 
100,000
   
November 13, 2013
       
1.67
   
-
         
-
 
367,000
   
March 10, 2014
       
2.05
   
-
         
-
 
129,900
   
May 19, 2014
       
1.44
   
-
         
-
 
42,800
   
August 10, 2014
       
0.95
   
-
         
-
 
2,353,300
           
$
2.11
   
856,800
       
$
2.23
 

(iii)   As at September 30, 2004, the 1,904,756 performance -based stock options were fully vested and have an expiry date of June 25, 2007.

 

 
   10  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


6.   SHARE CAPITAL (Continued)
(e)   Stock- based compensation
The fair value of each option granted is estimated at the time of grant using the Black- Scholes option pricing model with weighted average assumptions for grants as follows:

 
      Nine months ended September 30,   
      2004      2003   
    Risk free interest rate
   
3.1
%
 
3.5
%
    Dividend yield
   
0
%
 
0
%
    Volatility
   
56
%
 
52
%
    Expected life in years
   
5
   
5
 

As the Company has selected the retroactive without restatement method for reporting the change in accounting policy related to stock compensation expense (Note 3 (a)), the Company must disclose the
impact on net loss and net loss per share as if the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation had been applied in 2003.

     
Three months
 
 Nine months
 
     
ended
 
 ended
 
     
September 30,
 
 September 30,
 
     
2003
 
 2003
 
 
Net income (loss)
          
 
     As reported
 
$
383
 
$
(2,456
)
 
     Pro forma stock option expense
   
(599
)
 
(2,368
)
     
$
(216
)
$
(4,824
)
 
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share
             
 
     As reported
 
$
0.01
 
$
(0.05
)
 
     Pro forma
 
$
(0.00
)
$
(0.10
)

  7. INCOME TAXES

      The Company did not record a recovery for income taxes for the period ended September 30, 2004 as the net loss carry forwards are fully offset by a valuation allowance.

 

 
   11  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


  8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
    Gold hedges

The Company entered into hedging contracts with Standard Bank London Limited for gold in the aggregate amount of 100,000 ounces involving the use of combinations of put and call options. As of September 30, 2004 there are 28,000 ounces remaining on these contracts. The contracts give the holder the right to buy, and the Company the right to sell, stipulated amounts of gold at the upper and lower exercise prices, respectively. The contracts continue through April 25, 2005 with a put option strike price of $295 per ounce and a call option strike price of $345 per ounce. The Company has also completed certain spot deferred forward contracts for the delivery of gold. Gains or losses on these spot deferred forward contracts are recognized as an adjustment of revenue in the period when the originally designated production is sold. As at September 30, 2004, the fair value of the contracts is a loss of approximately $2.1 million (December 31, 2003 -$5.9 million).
     
The contracts mature as follows:
 
 
 
 
   
Ounces of
   
Gold
 
2004
12,000
 
2005
16,000
   
28,000

9.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a)   Environmental
The Company’s mining and exploration activities are subject to various federal, provincial and state laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment.
These laws and regulations are continually changing and generally becoming more restrictive. The Company conducts its operations so as to protect public health and the environment and believes its operations are materially in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The Company has made, and expects to make in the future, expenditures to comply with such laws and regulations.
(b)   Litigation and claims
The Company is from time to time involved in various claims, legal proceedings and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that adverse decisions in any pending or threatened proceedings related to any matter, or any amount which it may be required to pay by reason thereof, will have a material effect on the financial conditions or future results of operations of the Company.


 
   12  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


10.     SEGMENTED INFORMATION

Apollo operates the Montana Tunnels and Florida Canyon Mines in the United States and the Black Fox development project in Canada. As the products and services of the Company’s largest segments, Montana Tunnels and Florida Canyon, are essentially the same, the reportable segments have been determined at the level where decisions are made on the allocation of resources and capital and where performance is measured. The accounting policies for these segments are the same as those followed by the Company as a whole.

Amounts as at September 30, 2004 are as follows:
                 
   
Montana
Florida
Black
Corporate
Tunnels
Canyon
Fox
and Other
Total
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
39
 
$
29
 
$
21
 
$
1,325
 
$
1,414
 
Broken ore on leach pad - current
   
-
   
12,403
   
-
   
-
   
12,403
 
Other non-cash current assets
   
2,926
   
2,077
   
179
   
168
   
5,350
 
     
2,965
   
14,509
   
200
   
1,493
   
19,167
 
Broken ore on leach pad - long-term
   
-
   
2,363
   
-
   
-
   
2,363
 
Property, plant and equipment
   
15,907
   
17,783
   
18,215
   
754
   
52,659
 
Deferred stripping costs
   
35,479
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
35,479
 
Restricted certificate of deposit
                               
     and other assets
   
3,405
   
5,028
   
511
   
53
   
8,997
 
Total assets
 
$
57,756
 
$
39,683
 
$
18,926
 
$
2,300
 
$
118,665
 
Current liabilities
 
$
7,393
 
$
7,158
 
$
1,366
 
$
965
 
$
16,882
 
Notes payable and long-term
                               
     liability
   
625
   
900
   
-
   
-
   
1,525
 
Accrued site closure costs
   
9,709
   
13,238
   
-
   
-
   
22,947
 
Total liabilities
 
$
17,727
 
$
21,296
 
$
1,366
 
$
965
 
$
41,354
 

 

 
   13  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)



10
.
SEGMENTED INFORMATION (Continued)
                       
   
Amounts as at December 31, 2003 are as follows:
                       
     
Montana
   
Florida
   
Black
   
Corporate
     
     
Tunnels
   
Canyon
   
Fox
   
and Other
   
Total
   
Cash and cash equivalents
$
754
 
$
19
 
$
95
 
$
24,983
 
$
25,851
Short-term investments
-
 
-
 
-
 
5,855
 
5,855
Broken ore on leach pad - current
-
 
9,594
 
-
 
-
 
9,594
Other non-cash current assets
 
5,345
    
2,263
    
71
   
359
   
8,038
6,099
 
11,876
 
166
 
31,197
 
49,338
Broken ore on leach pad - long-term
-
 
1,827
 
-
 
-
 
1,827
Property, plant and equipment
15,559
 
13,529
 
8,914
 
517
 
38,519
Deferred stripping costs
24,033
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
24,033
Restricted certificate of deposit
       
and other assets
 
2,663
   
3,809
   
377
   
44
   
6,893
Total assets
$
48,354
 
$
31,041
 
$
9,457
 
$
31,758
 
$
120,610
Current liabilities
$
6,140
 
$
6,515
 
$
507
 
$
664
 
$
13,826
Notes payable and long-term
       
liability
980
 
2,295
 
-
 
-
 
3,275
Accrued site closure costs
 
9,148
    
12,471
    
-
     
-
    
21,619
Total liabilities
$
16,268
 
$
21,281
 
$
507
 
$
664
 
$
38,720
 

 

 
   14  

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


10
.
SEGMENTED INFORMATION (Continued)
 
   
Amounts for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively,
 
   
are as follows:
 
 
       
 Three months ended September 30, 2004
   
Montana
 
 Florida
 
Black
 
Corporate
     
   
Tunnels
 
 Canyon
 
Fox
 
and Other
 
Total
 
 Revenue from sale of minerals
 
$
7,393
 
$
5,327
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
$
12,720
 
 Direct operating costs
   
8,530
   
5,959
   
-
     
-
   
14,489
 
 Depreciation and amortization
   
646
   
618
   
-
     
28
   
1,292
 
 General and administrative expenses
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
1,087
   
1,087
 
 Stock-based compensation
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
388
   
388
 
 Accretion expense
   
479
   
304
   
-
     
-
   
783
 
 Royalty expense
   
-
   
133
   
-
     
-
   
133
 
 Exploration and business development
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
515
   
515
 
     
9,655
   
7,014
   
-
     
2,018
   
18,687
 
 Operating loss
   
(2,262
)
 
(1,687
)
 
-
     
(2,018
)
 
(5,967
)
 Interest income
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
10
   
10
 
 Interest expense
   
(30
)
 
(50
)
 
-
     
-
   
(80
)
 Foreign exchange (loss) gain and other
   
(108
)
 
-
   
-
     
29
   
(79
)
 Net loss
 
$
(2,400
)
$
(1,737
)
$
-
   
$
(1,979
)
$
(6,116
)
 Investing activities
                                 
 Property, plant and equipment
                                 
 expenditures
 
$
1,069
 
$
2,628
 
$
3,002
   
$
-
 
$
6,699
 
 Deferred stripping expenditures
   
4,097
   
-
   
-
     
-
    4,097  
 
   

 Nine months ended September 30, 2004

  
   
Montana
 Florida
Black
Corporate
  
Tunnels
 Canyon
Fox
and Other
 Total
 Revenue from sale of minerals
 
$
25,542
 
$
20,362
 
$
-
   
$
-
 
$
45,904
 
 Direct operating costs
   
28,369
   
19,518
   
-
     
-
   
47,887
 
 Depreciation and amortization
   
1,823
   
1,987
   
-
     
84
   
3,894
 
 General and administrative expenses
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
4,325
   
4,325
 
 Stock-based compensation
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
487
   
487
 
 Accretion expense
   
560
   
914
   
-
     
-
   
1,474
 
 Royalty expense
   
-
   
507
   
-
     
-
   
507
 
 Exploration and business development
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
774
   
774
 
     
30,752
   
22,926
   
-
     
5,670
   
59,348
 
 Operating loss
   
(5,210
)
 
(2,564
)
 
-
     
(5,670
)
 
(13,444
)
 Interest income
   
-
   
-
   
-
     
261
   
261
 
 Interest expense
   
(113
)
 
(174
)
 
-
     
-
   
(287
)
 Foreign exchange loss and other
   
(108
)
 
-
   
-
     
(459
)
 
(567
)
 Net loss
 
$
(5,431
)
$
(2,738
)
$
-
   
$
(5,868
)
$
(14,037
)
 Investing activities
                                 
 Property, plant and equipment
                                 
 expenditures
 
$
2,171
 
$
6,241
 
$
9,301
   
$
321
 
$
18,034
 
 Deferred stripping expenditures
   
11,446
   
-
   
-
     
-
   
11,446
 


 
   15  

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)

10.    SEGMENTED INFORMATION(Continued)

 
        
  Three months ended September 30, 2003  
 
      
Montana
 Florida
Black
Corporate
  
  
Tunnels
 Canyon
Fox
and Other
 Total
 
 Revenue from sale of minerals
       
$
10,819
 
$
9,279
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
20,098
 
 Direct operating costs
         
8,906
   
7,387
   
-
   
-
   
16,293
 
 Depreciation and amortization
         
543
   
872
   
-
   
34
   
1,449
 
 General and administrative expenses
         
-
   
-
   
-
   
1,088
   
1,088
 
 Stock-based compensation
         
-
   
-
   
-
   
20
   
20
 
 Accretion expense
         
79
   
241
   
-
   
-
   
320
 
 Royalty expense
         
-
   
237
   
-
   
-
   
237
 
 Exploration and business development
         
-
   
-
   
-
   
52
   
52
 
           
9,528
   
8,737
   
-
   
1,194
   
19,459
 
 Operating income (loss)
         
1,291
   
542
   
-
   
(1,194
)
 
639
 
 Interest income
         
3
   
-
   
-
   
7
   
10
 
 Interest expense
         
(35
)
 
(81
)
 
-
   
(11
)
 
(127
)
 Foreign exchange gain (loss) and other
         
-
   
-
   
-
   
(139
)
 
(139
)
 Net income (loss)
       
$
1,259
 
$
461
 
$
-
 
$
(1,337
)
$
383
 
 Investing activities
                                     
Property, plant and equipment
                                     
 expenditures
       
$
2,051
 
$
254
 
$
1,511
 
$
472
 
$
4,288
 
Deferred stripping expenditures
         
447
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
447
 
 
                     
 
           

Nine months ended September 30, 2003  

 
         
Montana 
Florida
Black
Corporate
 
Tunnels 
Canyon
Fox
and Other
Total
 Revenue from sale of minerals
       
$
18,666
 
$
27,359
 
$
-
 
$
-
 
$
46,025
 
 Direct operating costs
         
16,071
   
20,894
   
-
   
-
   
36,965
 
 Depreciation and amortization
         
1,488
   
2,655
   
-
   
83
   
4,226
 
 General and administrative expenses
         
47
   
-
   
-
   
3,313
   
3,360
 
 Stock-based compensation
         
-
   
-
   
-
   
361
   
361
 
 Accretion expense
         
236
   
724
   
-
   
-
   
960
 
 Royalty expense
         
-
   
687
   
-
   
-
   
687
 
 Exploration and business development
         
-
   
-
   
1,638
   
414
   
2,052
 
           
17,842
   
24,960
   
1,638
   
4,171
   
48,611
 
 Operating income (loss)
         
824
   
2,399
   
(1,638
)
 
(4,171
)
 
(2,586
)
 Interest income
         
3
   
-
   
-
   
55
   
58
 
 Interest expense
         
(115
)
 
(265
)
 
-
   
(64
)
 
(444
)
 Foreign exchange gain (loss) and other
         
-
   
-
   
363
   
153
   
516
 
 Net income (loss)
       
$
712
 
$
2,134
 
$
(1,275
)
$
(4,027
)
$
(2,456
)
 Investing activities
                                     
 Property, plant and equipment
                                     
 expenditures
       
$
2,947
 
$
3,227
 
$
1,651
 
$
629
 
$
8,454
 
 Deferred stripping expenditures
         
4,844
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
4,844
 


 
 
   16  

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


11.     DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED
     ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (“GAAP”)

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada. The following adjustments and/or additional disclosures would be required in order to present the financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and with practices prescribed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

Material variances between financial
statementitems under Canadian GAAP and the determined under U.S. GAAP are as follows:

Consolidated Balance Sheet
     
September 30, 2004
     

   
Property
Plant and,
Equipment
Deferred
Stripping
Costs
Accounts
Payable
 Other
Liabilities
Share
Capital
 Contributed
 Surplus
 Deficit
 
As at September 30, 2004
                                
     Canadian GAAP
 
$
52,659
 
$
35,479
 
$
9,959
 
$
-
 
$
134,958
 
$
8,147
 
$
(66,025
)
Convertible debenture (a)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
20,675
   
(20,675
)
Gold hedge loss (c)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
2,128
   
-
   
-
   
(2,128
)
Impairment of property, plant and
                                           
     equipment and capitalized
                                           
     deferred stripping costs and
                                           
     change in depreciation and
                                           
     amortization (d)
   
(5,062
)
 
(8,397
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(13,459
)
Flow-through common
                                           
     shares (e)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(238
)
 
-
   
238
 
Black Fox development
                                           
 costs (f)
   
(12,706
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(12,706
)
As at September 30, 2004
                                           
     U.S. GAAP
 
$
34,891
 
$
27,082
 
$
9,959
 
$
2,128
 
$
134,720
 
$
28,822
 
$
(114,755
)

 

 
  17   

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


11
.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIANANDUNITEDSTATESGENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (“GAAP”) (Continued) 
   
 
   
   
Consolidated Balance Sheet
   
   
December 31, 2003
   
   
 
   

     
 
Property
Plant and
Equipment
   
Deferred
Stripping
Costs
   
Accounts
Payable
   
Other
Liabilities
   
Share
Capital
   
Contributed
Surplus
   
Deficit
 
As at December 31, 2003,
                              
Canadian GAAP
 
$
38,519
 
$
24,033
 
$
5,848
 
$
-
 
$
120,624
 
$
7,172
 
$
(46,137
)
Convertible debenture (a)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
20,675
   
(20,675
)
Stock-based
                                           
compensation (b)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
4,343
   
(4,343
)
Gold hedge loss (c)
   
-
   
-
   
(551
)
 
5,911
   
-
   
-
   
(5,360
)

Impairment of property,
                                           
 plant and equipment,
                                           
     capitalized deferred
                                           
     stripping costs and
                                           
     change in depreciation
                                           
     and amortization (d)
   
(5,543
)
 
(8,740
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(14,283
)
Flow-through common
                                           
     shares (e)
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(238
)
 
-
   
238
 
Black Fox development
                                           
     costs (f)
   
(3,643
)
 
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(3,643
)
As at December 31, 2003,
                                           
     U.S. GAAP
 
$
29,333
 
$
15,293
 
$
5,297
 
$
5,911
 
$
120,386
 
$
32,190
 
$
(94,203
)


 

 
   18  

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


11.     DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY

    
ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (“GAAP”) (Continued)

Under U.S. GAAP, the net loss and net loss per share would be adjusted as follows:

 
 
2004
 
 2003
 
Net (loss) income for the three month period ended
          
 September 30, based on Canadian GAAP
 
$
(6,116
)
$
383
 
Stock-based compensation (b)
   
-
   
(46
)
Gold hedge gain (loss) (c)
   
916
   
(2,833
)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and
             
     change in depreciation (d)
   
184
   
-
 
Impairment of capitalized deferred stripping costs and
             
     change in amortization (d)
   
75
   
(829
)
Flow through shares premium paid in excess of market value
   
-
   
222
 
Black Fox development costs (f)
   
(2,813
)
 
(1,408
)
Net loss for the period based on U.S. GAAP
 
$
(7,754
)
$
(4,511
)
Other comprehensive gain (loss)
             
     Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges
 
$
(927
)
$
-
 
Comprehensive loss
 
$
(8,681
)
$
(4,511
)
Net loss per share - U.S. GAAP basic and diluted
 
$
(0.10
)
$
(0.09
)
 
             
     
2004
   
2003
 
Net loss for the nine month period ended September 30,
             
     based on Canadian GAAP
 
$
(14,037
)
$
(2,456
)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting policy (b)
   
(1,508
)
 
-
 
Stock-based compensation (b)
   
-
   
(814
)
Gold hedge gain (c)
   
3,166
   
(1,507
)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and
             
     change in depreciation (d)
   
481
   
-
 
Impairment of capitalized deferred stripping costs and
             
     change in amortization (d)
   
343
   
(829
)
Flow through shares premium paid in excess of market value
   
-
   
222
 
Black Fox development costs (f)
   
(9,063
)
 
(1,408
)
Net loss for the period based on U.S. GAAP
 
$
(20,618
)
$
(6,792
)
Other comprehensive gain (loss)
             
     Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges
 
$
66
 
$
-
 
Comprehensive loss
 
$
(20,552
)
$
(6,792
)
Net loss per share - U.S. GAAP basic and diluted
 
$
(0.26
)
$
(0.14
)

 

 
  19   

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


11.   DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (“GAAP”) (Continued)
(a)   Convertible debenture
Under Canadian GAAP, the convertible debenture was recorded as an equity instrument on issuance in March 2002. Under U.S. GAAP, on issuance, the convertible debenture would have been recorded as a liability and reclassified to equity only upon conversion.
Further, under U.S. GAAP, the beneficial conversion feature represented by the excess of the fair value of the shares and warrants issuable on conversion of the debenture, measured on the commitment date, over the amount of the proceeds to be allocated to the common shares and warrants upon conversion, would be allocated to contributed surplus.
This results in a discount on the debenture that is recognized as additional interest expense over the term of the debenture and any unamortized balance is expensed immediately upon conversion of the debenture. Accordingly, for U.S. GAAP purposes, the Company has recognized a beneficial conversion feature and debenture issuance costs of $20,675,000 for the year ended December 31, 2002. Canadian GAAP does not require the recognition of any beneficial conversion feature.
(b)   Stock- based compensation

Under Canadian GAAP, effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted the amended recommendations of CICA Handbook Section 3870 (Note 2 (a)). Under U.S. GAAP, effective January 1, 2004, the Company adopted the modified prospective method of accounting for stock-based compensation recommended in SFAS 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure (“SFAS 148”). Prior to January 1, 2004, the Company measured its employee stock-based awards using the intrinsic value method prescribed by APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. As required by SFAS 148, the Company must disclose the impact on net income and basic and diluted loss per share as if the fair value based method had been applied in the comparative period.

    

 
 2004
 2003
 
 
Net loss for the three month period ended
          
 
 September 30, as reported
 
$
(7,754
)
$
(4,511
)
 
Stock option expense as reported
   
388
   
46
 
 
Pro forma stock option expense
   
(388
)
 
(599
)
 
Net loss - pro forma
 
$
(7,754
)
$
(5,064
)
 
Net loss per share, basic - for the three month
             
 
 period ended September 30
 
$
(0.10
)
$
(0.09
)
 
Stock option expense as reported
   
0.00
   
0.00
 
 
Pro forma stock option expense
   
(0.00
)
 
(0.01
)
 
Net loss per share, basic - pro forma
 
$
(0.10
)
$
(0.10
)


 

 
  20   

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


11.   DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (“GAAP”) (Continued)
(b) Stock- based compensation (continued)

     
2004
2003
 
 
Net loss for the nine month period ended
         
 
     September 30, as reported
 
$
(20,618
)
$
(6,792
)
 
Stock option expense as reported
   
487
   
814
 
 
Pro forma stock option expense
   
(487
)
 
(2,368
)
 
Net loss - pro forma
 
$
(20,618
)
$
(8,346
)
 
Net loss per share, basic - for the nine month
             
 
     period ended September 30
 
$
(0.26
)
$
(0.14
)
 
Stock option expense as reported
   
0.00
   
0.02
 
 
Pro forma stock option expense
   
(0.00
)
 
(0.05
)
 
Net loss per share, basic - pro forma
 
$
(0.26
)
$
(0.17
)

(c)   Gold hedge gain (loss)
Under U.S. GAAP, the Company’s put and call option contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. To the extent they provide effective offset, changes in fair value arising from these derivative instruments are deferred in other comprehensive loss and recognized in the consolidated statement of operations when the hedged transaction has occurred. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the contracts is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. Prior to January 1, 2004, the Company had not designated these contracts as hedges and all changes in fair value during prior periods was recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.

(d)   Impairment of property, plant and equipment and capitalized deferred stripping costs
Under Canadian GAAP, write-downs for impairment of property, plant and equipment and capitalized deferred stripping costs are determined using current proven and probable reserves and mineral resources expected to be converted into mineral reserves. Under U.S. GAAP, write-downs are determined using current proven and probable reserves. Accordingly, for U.S. GAAP purposes, an impairment of property, plant and equipment and capitalized deferred stripping costs and an adjustment to the related depreciation and amortization expense has been recorded.
 


 

 
  21   

 

APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


11.   DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (“GAAP”) (Continued)
(e)   Flow-through common shares
Under Canadian income tax legislation, a company is permitted to issue shares whereby the company agrees to incur qualifying expenditures and renounce the related income tax deductions to the investors. The Company has accounted for the issue of flow-through shares using the deferral method in accordance with Canadian GAAP. At the time of issue, the funds received are recorded as share capital. For U.S. GAAP, the premium paid in excess of the market value of $238,000 is credited to other liabilities and included in income as the qualifying expenditures are made.

(f)   Black Fox Project
Under Canadian GAAP, mining development costs at the Black Fox Project have been capitalized. Under U.S. GAAP, these expenditures are expensed as incurred. Accordingly, for U.S. GAAP purposes, a reduction in property, plant and equipment of $12,706,000 has been recorded as at September 30, 2004.
 
(g)   Statement of cash flows
Under Canadian GAAP, expenditures incurred for deferred stripping costs are included in cash flows from investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Under U.S. GAAP, these expenditures are included in cash flows from operating activities. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, the consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 would reflect a reduction in cash utilized in investing activities of $11,446,000 and $ 5,499,000, respectively, and a corresponding increase in cash utilized in operating activities.
 
(h)   Comprehensive income
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (“SFAS 130”), establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general purpose financial statements. SFAS 130 requires that all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement. For the Company, the only components of comprehensive loss are the net loss for the period and the change in fair value of the effective portion of the cash flow hedges (Note 10 (c)).


 

 
  22   

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


11.   DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADIAN AND UNITED STATES GENERALLY ACCEPTED ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES (“GAAP”) (Continued)

(i)   Recently issued accounting pronouncements

In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF 04-2, Whether Mineral Rights are Tangible or Intangible Assets (“EITF 04-2”). The Task Force reached a consensus that mineral rights are tangible assets. In April 2004, the FASB issued proposed FASB Staff Positions (“FSPs”) FAS 141 -1 and FAS 142-1, Interaction of FASB Statements No. 141, Business Combinations (“SFAS 141”), and No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“SFAS 142”), and EITF Issue No. 04-2, Whether Mineral Rights are Tangible or Intangible Assets. The proposed FSPs amend SFAS 141 and 142 to conform them to the Task Force consensus. The FSPs are effective for the first reporting period beginning after April 29, 2004. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of EITF 04-2 and FSPs 141-1 and 142-1 will have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or disclosures.

In March 2004, the EITF issued EITF 04 -3, Mining Assets: Impairment and Business Combinations. EITF 04-3 requires mining companies to consider cash flows related to the economic value of mining assets (including mineral properties and rights) beyond those assets’ proven and probable reserves, as well as anticipated market price fluctuations, when assigning value in a business combination in accordance with SFAS 141 and when testing the mining assets for impairment in accordance with SFAS 144. The consensus is effective for fiscal periods beginning after March 31, 2004.

12.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent to September 30, 2004, the Company:

(a)   completed a bridge loan facility for $3.0 million; and

(b)   completed a $10.5 million secured debenture offering consisting of $8.76 million special notes (“Special Notes”) and $1.74 million special warrants (“Special Warrants”).

Each $1,000 principal amount of the Special Notes is convertible into:

(i)   $1,000 principal amount 12% secured convertible debenture, each debenture bears interest at 12% per annum payable quarterly in arrears with a term of three years and is convertible into one share of the Company at $0.75 per share; and

(ii)   600 share purchase warrants, each warrant entitling the purchase of one share of the Company for three years at a price of $0.80 per share.


 

 
  23   

 


APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Nine month period ended September 30, 2004
(Stated in United States dollars; tabular amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)


12.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Continued)
(b)   (continued)
(ii)   (continued)
Each Special Warrant is convertible at no additional cost, into one share and 0.6 share purchase warrant with each whole share purchase warrant entitling the purchase of one share of the Company for three years at a price of $0.80 per share.

In connection with this offering, the agent received commission of 6.5% of gross proceeds plus 1,400,166 compensation warrants, each warrant entitling the purchase of one share of the Company for two years at $0.80 per share.

The bridge loan facility of $3.0 million (Note 12 (a)) was repaid in full from the proceeds of this offering.

 



  
   24  

 

ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
All Dollar amounts are expressed in United States Dollars
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada (Canadian GAAP). For a reconciliation to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (US GAAP), see Note 11 to the attached consolidated financial statements.
 
In this Form 10-Q, the terms “cash operating cost” and “total cash cost” are used on a per ounce of gold basis. Cash operating cost per ounce is equivalent to direct operating costs expense for the period as found on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, less mining taxes and by-product credits payable for silver, lead, and zinc divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period. Total cash cost per ounce is equivalent to mining operations expense for the period, less by-product credits, plus royalty expenses payable for silver, lead and zinc, divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period. The term “total production costs” is total cash costs plus depreciation and amortization. 
 

Reconciliation of
                     
Cash Operating and Total Production Costs Per Ounce
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
($ in thousands)
     
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
       
2004
 
2003
 
2004
 
2003
 
                       
Gold Ounces Sold
     
19,787
 
42,695
 
77,302
 
107,604
 
                       
Direct Operating Costs
     
14,489
 
16,293
 
47,887
 
36,965
 
                       
Less:
 
Mining Taxes
 
315
 
351
 
979
 
670
 
   
By-Product Credits
 
5,429
 
4,723
 
17,238
 
8,087
 
                       
Cash Operating Cost
     
8,745
 
11,219
 
29,670
 
28,208
 
                       
   
Cash Operating Cost per Ounce
 
$442
 
$263
 
$383
 
$262
 
                       
Cash Operating Cost
     
8,745
 
11,219
 
29,670
 
28,208
 
                       
Add:
 
Mining Taxes
 
315
 
351
 
979
 
670
 
   
Royalty Expense
 
133
 
237
 
507
 
687
 
                       
Total Cash Costs
     
9,193
 
11,807
 
31,156
 
29,565
 
                       
   
Total Cash Cost per Ounce
 
$465
 
$277
 
$403
 
$275
 
                     
Total Cash Costs
     
9,193
 
11,807
 
31,156
 
29,565
 
                       
Add:
 
Depreciation & Amortization
 
1,264
 
1,415
 
3,810
 
4,143
 
   
(operations only)
                 
                       
Total Production Costs
     
10,457
 
13,222
 
34,966
 
33,708
 
                       
Total Production Cost per Ounce
       
$
528
 
$
310
 
$
452
 
$
314
 
 
 
We have included total cash cost and cash operating cost information to provide investors with information about the cost structure of our mining operations. We use this information for the same purpose and for monitoring the performance of our operations. This information differs from measures of performance determined in accordance with Canadian and US GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with Canadian and US GAAP. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
 
The following presents a discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.
 
BACKGROUND
 
We are principally engaged in the exploration, development and mining of gold. We have focused our efforts to date on our two principal operating properties: our Montana Tunnels and Florida Canyon Mines.
 

 
   25  

 

The Florida Canyon Mine is a low grade heap leach gold mine located approximately 42 miles southwest of Winnemucca, Nevada. On average, the Florida Canyon Mine has produced approximately 125,000 ounces of gold and approximately 80,000 ounces of silver annually since 1985.
 
The Montana Tunnels Mine, an open pit located near Helena, Montana. When in full production, over the last five years, the Montana Tunnels Mine has historically produced approximately 78,000 ounces of gold, 26,000 tons of zinc, 8,700 tons of lead and 1,200,000 ounces of silver annually. The Montana Tunnels Mine was idle for approximately three months in 2003, while we made preparations to begin the removal of waste rock at the Mine. Limited production resumed in April 2003. In October of 2003, a second waste stripping project (“Phase II”) known as the L-Pit project was initiated, and we are currently pre-stripping approximately 25 million tons of waste from the south and west high walls of the open pit after which the L-Pit should add an additional three to four years to the mine life.
 
Our mine development activities involve our Black Fox property, located east of Timmins, Ontario, Canada and our Standard Mine property located near the Florida Canyon Mine in Nevada. During 2003, we acquired and incorporated into the Standard Mine property additional adjacent land positions in Buffalo Canyon. Our exploration activities involve our Pirate Gold, Nugget Field and Diamond Hill properties along with our recently acquired claims staked and land acquired at the Willow Creek property (which is located in the vicinity of the Florida Canyon operation).
 
The Company purchased the “Huizopa” claim block on an earn in basis in April 2004. Apollo has the right to earn into an initial 51% of the project and up to 71% based on positive results and a decision to take the project into production. During the year, the Company set up the exploration camp and did the geochemical analysis as well as the geologic mapping. During the third quarter, the Company staked an additional 100 sq. km. of land which completely surrounds the original land position. The total land position is now 128 sq. km. The Company plans a 2005 drilling program.
 
OVERVIEW
 
Production was substantially reduced during the third quarter of 2004, resulting primarily from lower grade ore at Montana Tunnels and reduced mining at Florida Canyon.
 
At Montana Tunnels we are completing a 30 million ton stripping program, which we expect to finish late in the fourth quarter. As a result of this stripping program, we mined lower grade ores in the third quarter, from the outer limits of the pit wall, much of which was not included within our ore reserves. We expect to begin mining higher grade ore reserve material late in the fourth quarter.
 
At Florida Canyon, we reduced the mining activity to one crew, and delayed until mid-2005 a decision about building an additional leach pad so that the Company could conserve cash and concentrate on the Standard Mine development. This resulted in our mining just over 4.2 million tons instead of the 6.5 million tons planned in the third quarter. The slower mining sequence resulted in delivery of approximately 27,800 ounces to the leach pad.
 
During the third quarter, we continued the development and substantially completed the new Standard Mine which is now forecast to commence production late in the fourth quarter. Development drilling at the Black Fox project continued throughout the third quarter.
 
As a result of our lower production and continued development costs, our cash and short-term investments were reduced from approximately $12.5 million as at June 30, 2004, down to $1.4 million as at September 30, 2004.
 
We had previously announced that our available cash was not sufficient for the remainder of 2004, without curtailment of some of our capital activities, or the raising of additional financing. On October 19, 2004, the Company completed a bridge loan facility for $3.0 million which was followed by an additional private placement of $10.5 million in combined special notes and special warrants that closed on November 4, 2004. The $3.0 million bridge facility was repaid from the proceeds of the special notes and special warrants offering. The Company received approximately $8.6 million in net proceeds from the bridge financing and the private placement of special notes and special warrants.
 

 
   26  

 

During the quarter, the Company focused its resources on progressing the stripping project at Montana Tunnels, completing construction of the Standard Mine and advancing the Black Fox drilling program and ore reserve modeling. The funds from the recently completed private placements should now allow the Company to complete its capital expenditure programs for 2004 and commence a feasibility study for Black Fox scheduled for completion by mid-2005.
 
DEVELOPMENT PROPERTIES
 
Black Fox
 
In the first nine months of 2004, we focused our development efforts on our Black Fox and Standard Mine properties. The Black Fox Property was acquired in September 2002. We currently anticipate that the development and commercialization of our Black Fox Property will require three phases. The first phase commenced in early 2003, and involved a drilling program of 297 core holes from 100 to 500 meters in depth. As a result of this core drilling, we have reported proven and probable reserves for an open pit mine at the Black Fox Property.
 
The second phase started in February 2004 and consisted of the development of a 152 metre underground ramp, from the existing structures, plus a 920 meter drift to allow the commencement of an underground drilling program. The drift was completed in June 2004, and for the majority of the third quarter four underground electric drills working from this drift completed 39,000 meters of core drilling from 204 underground holes. In addition to the underground work mentioned above, an additional 105 surface holes were completed in 2004 with of 43,000 meters completed.
 
Phase three of this project is the permitting and feasibility study. The current plan is to commence a “bankable” feasibility study in late 2004 with a completion date of mid 2005. The permitting process began in 2004 and it is anticipated that this process will require approximately two years, based on a plan for a combined open pit and underground mine, with on-site milling, at a capacity of approximately 1,500 metric tons of ore per day.
 
Standard Mine
 
During the first nine months of 2004 progress with the development of the new Standard Mine has been satisfactory. Final construction permitting was received on May 5, 2004 and by the end of the third quarter, the solution and storm event ponds were complete, and the leach pad was 90% completed. There are 33,387 tons of liner material placed on the pad and 4,800 tons of run of mine ore ready to be placed on the crushed material. Exploration drilling has continued on the property with 237 holes being completed for over 63,000 meters.
 
The Buffalo Canyon portion of our Standard Mine property is located immediately south of and contiguous to the pre-existing Standard Mine property. We acquired Buffalo Canyon in 2003 and completed our Phase I drilling in December 2003. We believe that the northern portion of Buffalo Canyon has high potential, and included in the above drilling program were 32 holes and 11,000 meters intended to help determine the orientation and thickness of sporadic high-grade veins within the system trending in a southward direction.
 
During 2004 drilling has continued in the South Pit and Star deposits of the Standard Mine property and our drilling databases will be updated with reserve calculations in late 2004 and are expected to be reported in the first quarter of 2005.
 
Huizopa
 
In April of 2004, Apollo announced an earn-in joint venture agreement with Argonaut Mines LLC of Reno, Nevada. Under this agreement, we can earn an interest into the Huizopa exploration project, contained in an area of 22 square kilometers near the Chihuahua border with the state of Sonora, Mexico, approximately 146 miles due east of the city of Hermosillo and between the advanced stage multi-million ounce gold/silver deposits of Mulatos and Dolores.
 
Apollo’s initial earn-in cost was $125,000 plus 48,978 common shares of Apollo Gold Corporation stock. The agreement also includes a commitment to expend $3.0 million for exploration over a four year period and $2.2 million in land payments over this same time frame. Once complete, Apollo will own 51% of the project. During the third quarter, Apollo completed some initial geochemical and geophysical analysis as well as set up an exploration camp. We anticipate that our initial drilling program will begin in 2005.
 

 
   27  

 

PRODUCTION AND METAL PRICES
 
The table below summarizes our production for gold, silver and other metals, as well as average metals prices, for each period indicated:
 
Apollo Gold Corporation
             
Production & Metals Price Averages
         
                   
   
2004
 
2003
 
2002
 
2001
 
   
 Nine Months
             
Gold (Ounces)
   
77,302
   
145,935
   
148,173
   
192,887
 
Silver (Ounces)
   
818,388
   
471,241
   
275,925
   
963,050
 
Lead (Pounds)
   
6,978,014
   
10,843,184
   
5,481,230
   
13,759,579
 
Zinc (Pounds)
   
18,753,013
   
21,792,452
   
15,328,392
   
40,158,321
 
                           
Average Metal Prices:
                         
Gold - London Bullion
 
$
401
 
$
364
 
$
310
 
$
271
 
Mkt. ($/ounce)
                         
Silver - London Bullion
 
$
6.46
 
$
4.88
 
$
4.59
 
$
4.37
 
Mkt. ($/ounce)
                         
Lead - LME ($/pound)
 
$
0.37
 
$
0.23
 
$
0.20
 
$
0.22
 
Zinc - LME ($/pound)
 
$
0.47
 
$
0.38
 
$
0.35
 
$
0.40
 
 
Note: Includes the operations of Nevoro Gold Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary Apollo Gold Inc., prior to June 25, 2002.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2003
 
Our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004 were approximately $12.7 million derived primarily from the sale of 19,787 ounces of gold. This compares to approximately $20.1 million derived primarily from the sale of 42,695 ounces of gold for the same period in 2003.  The average price received for gold for the third quarter of 2004 and 2003 was $369 and $360 per ounce, respectively. Our revenues for silver, zinc and lead for the three months ended September 30, 2004 were $5.4 million compared to $4.7 million during the same period 2003. Gold revenues decreased as production ounces fell short of projections due primarily to the processing of lower grade ores at both operations and the reduction in the number of mining crews at Florida Canyon, more than offsetting higher prices received from base metal revenues which increased as a result of higher metal prices partly offset by lower production levels.
 
Sales of minerals from our Florida Canyon Mine accounted for 41.9% of our revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2004, with the remaining 58.1% of revenues derived from sales of minerals from our Montana Tunnels Mine. For comparative purposes, for the same period in 2003 sales from Florida Canyon were 46.2% of our total while Montana Tunnels accounted for 53.8%. In the three months ended September 30, 2004, we received approximately 57% of our revenue from sales of gold and 43% from sales of silver, zinc and lead compared to 77% from the sales of gold and 23% from the sales of silver, zinc and lead for the same period in 2003. This change is due primarily to higher base metal prices in the 2004 period and a reduction in our mining operations at Florida Canyon.
 

 
   28  

 

Total cash costs for the quarter were $465 per ounce compared to $277 for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. These higher costs are due to production shortfalls caused by processing low grade ores at Montana Tunnels and the reduced mining activity at Florida Canyon. During the third quarter of 2004, the Company concentrated on the development of Montana Tunnels. Due to cash constraints, production at Florida Canyon was curtailed and only one mining crew operated in September of this year. As a direct result of the continuation of the stripping program at Montana Tunnels, non-reserve grade materials were mined and processed. Revenues from the gold removed from the lower grade materials was sufficient to pay for the processing costs attributable to the non-reserve grade ores.
 
Montana Tunnels
 
During the three months ended September 30, 2004, total tonnage moved was 9.8 million tons of which 7.7 million tons was waste from the west side of the pit. Revenues for the quarter at Montana Tunnels were $7.4 million with gold production being 4,967 ounces, this production was lower than expected as a result of lower grades. The higher prevailing metal prices (gold, silver, lead and zinc) did not offset the shortfall in production. We believe the third quarter of 2004 is a “transition” period for Montana Tunnels with mining concentrating on the capitalized stripping program, meaning that mineralized materials not included in our ore reserves were processed through our mill. For the quarter the gold ore grades of these mineralized materials were less than expected but high enough to economically run the processing facility. Mill modifications were completed during the second and third quarter to add throughput capacity and for the third quarter over 1.5 million tons of material was processed through the mill compared to 1.1 million tons in the second quarter of 2004. This equates to over 16,400 tons per day or approximately 680 tons per hour, compared to the second quarter production rates of 12,700 tons per day or 530 tons per hour.
 
Following are the key statistics for the Montana Tunnels operation for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.
 
       
2004
 
2003
 
       
Three
Months
 
Three
Months
 
               
Tons Mined
 
9,789,823
   
4,350,860
 
Tons Milled
 
1,514,690
   
1,267,973
 
                     
Production:
           
Gold Ounces
 
4,967
   
16,537
 
Silver Ounces
 
425,351
   
146,978
 
Lead Pounds
 
2,110,786
   
3,455,020
 
Zinc Pounds
 
3,738,427
   
7,937,307
 
                 
 
Total Revenue     ($ millions)
$
7.4
 
$
10.8
 
Capital Expenditures    ($ millions)
   
 
 
$
5.2
 
$
5.8
 

Total cash costs for the quarter were $640 per ounce compared to $257 per ounce for the third quarter of 2003. Total production costs which include depreciation and amortization were $770 per ounce compared to $290 per ounce for the same period of 2003. As stated, the third quarter was a transition quarter for the mine as we worked through the mineralized material in the outer fringes of the reserve. We expect to reach the main reserve grade ore in the late part of the fourth quarter.
 
Florida Canyon
 
At Florida Canyon, we produced 14,820 ounces of gold for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to 26,158 ounces of gold for the same period in 2003. This lower production was a direct result of a longer recovery time, due to the leach pad reaching its maximum height of 300 feet, as well as a slow down in the mining activity by the reduction to one mining crew. The Company has delayed its decision on whether or not to enlarge the leach pad at Florida Canyon until next year. If built, the new leach pad would hold approximately 20 million tons and is expected to add two years of production to the Florida Canyon Mine.
 

 
   29  

 

The following are key operating statistics at Florida Canyon for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to the same period September 30, 2003:
 

 
   
2004
 
2003
 
   
 Three Months
 
Three Months
 
            
Tons Mined
   
4,235,978
   
4,881,817
 
Ore tons to Leach Pad
   
1,704,651
   
2,202,094
 
Gold Production
   
14,820
   
26,158
 
Silver Production
   
12,154
   
14,853
 
               
Total Revenue ($ millions)
 
$
5.3
 
$
9.3
 
               
Capital Expenditures ($ millions):
             
Florida Canyon
 
$
0.7
 
$
0.0
 
Standard Mine
 
$
1.9
 
$
0.3
 

Total cash costs for the quarter were $406 per ounce compared to $289 per ounce for the same period of 2003. Total production costs, which include depreciation and amortization, were $447 per ounce for the current quarter compared to $322 per ounce for the third quarter of 2003. The higher costs are a result of fewer gold ounces delivered to the leach pad, therefore increasing the average inventory costs at the Florida Canyon Mine.
 
We commenced construction at the Standard Mine in the second quarter 2004 shortly after the permits were received. Leach pad construction commenced in June and the liner is now 100% installed. The solution collection piping was finished in October and the lime silo is currently 90% complete. The fresh water system the carbon plant and the fuel farm were all completed in October 2004. Solutions will be sprayed on the pad and ounces put to carbon by late November 2004. The mine is expected to be fully completed during the fourth quarter and pour its first gold late in the fourth quarter of 2004. Construction costs are on schedule and within budget. Total expenditures are expected to be approximately $9.5 million. During the third quarter, $1.9 million was expended on construction bringing the total to date to $6.7 million. These costs will include all of the reclamation bonding, development drilling, construction costs and internal management allocations. We will operate this mine as a satellite of the Florida Canyon Mine. We currently project production rates of approximately 100,000 ounces of gold on an annual basis for the combined operation.

General
 
Our direct operating costs equaled approximately $14.5 million and $16.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. These amounts include mining and processing costs from both mines as Montana Tunnels commenced production in April 2003. We incurred depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $1.4 million for the same period 2003.
 
We incurred approximately $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 in general and administrative expenses. As of January 1, 2004, the Company has adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock options as set out in CICA Handbook section 3870, Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock-Based Payments. As a result, we incurred share-based compensation of approximately $0.4 million in the third quarter 2004 and nil in the corresponding quarter of 2003.
 

 
  30   

 

Our expenses for exploration and development, consisting of expenses at our Huizopa property and small administrative and holding fees at our other exploration properties, totaled approximately $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Currently, the Company accounts for Black Fox and Standard as development projects while Huizopa, and several inactive properties in Nevada are exploration projects are expensed as incurred.
 
As a result of these expense components, our operating expenses totaled approximately $18.7 million for the three months ended September 2004, as compared to approximately $19.5 million for the same period in 2003.
 
We incurred interest expense of approximately $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, primarily for equipment leases. Interest expense is being reduced due to the equipment lease accounts being paid down.
 
We recognized foreign exchange losses of approximately $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from cash balances held in Canadian dollars. We utilize United States dollars as our functional and reporting currency.
 
Based on these factors, we incurred a loss of approximately $6.1 million or $0.08 per share for the three months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to income of approximately $0.4 million or $0.01 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2003.
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
 
Our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were approximately $45.9 million derived primarily from the sale of 77,302 ounces of gold. This compares to approximately $46.0 million derived primarily from the sale of 107,604 ounces of gold for the same period in 2003.  The average price realized for gold for the first nine months of 2004 and 2003 was $371 and $353 per ounce, respectively. These amounts are lower than the spot price for both periods because the Company has been delivering gold ounces into the hedge book entered into in 2002 with Standard Bank London Limited (“Standard Bank”). The revenues from silver, zinc and lead, included in the above revenue numbers, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $17.2 million compared to $8.1 million during the same period 2003. The growth in revenue results primarily from nine months production from Montana Tunnels in 2004 compared to six months in 2003 as the mine did not begin commercial production until April 2003. Total cash costs for the period were $403 per ounce and total production costs were $452 per ounce. This compares with a total cash cost of $275 per ounce and a total production cost of $314 per ounce for the first nine months of 2003. A higher gold price in the 2004 period was offset by higher production costs and lower gold production for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The lower gold production and higher costs result primarily from processing lower ore grades and a reduction in the number of mining crews at Florida Canyon at both mines during the third quarter.
 
Sales of minerals from our Montana Tunnels Mine accounted for 55.6% of our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, with the remaining 44.4% of revenues derived from sales of minerals from our Florida Canyon Mine. In the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we received approximately 62% of our revenue from sales of gold and 38% from sales of silver, zinc and lead compared to 82% from the sales of gold and 18% from the sales of silver, zinc and lead for the same period in 2003. This change is due primarily to higher base metal production and prices in the 2004 period, a slow down in production at Florida Canyon in September 2004 and a curtailment of waste stripping efforts at Montana Tunnels in the third quarter.
 
Montana Tunnels
 
During the first nine months of 2004, 22.6 million tons of waste was removed at Montana Tunnels. This is in addition to the 6.5 million tons of waste removed in the fourth quarter of 2003, bringing the Phase II total to 29.1 million tons removed. Revenues at Montana Tunnels are behind our projections as the gold ore grades in the mineralized materials that we are milling are less than expected. In addition problems in the first half of the year with the coarse ore handling system led to lower mill throughputs. Following third quarter modifications to the mill, throughput improved and in October 2004 averaged 16,400 tons per day or about 680 tons per hour which is a large improvement over previous quarters (for comparison, during the second quarter of 2004, we averaged 12,700 tons per day milled which equates to 530 tons per hour) as modifications have been completed to the crushing circuit.
 

 
  31   

 

Following are the key statistics for the Montana Tunnels operation for the first nine months of 2004. Information for the first nine months of 2003 only includes production from April 2003 when commercial production commenced.
 
   
2004
 
2003
 
   
Nine Months
 
Nine Months
 
           
Tons Mined
   
27,578,156
   
15,166,342
 
Tons Milled
   
3,780,791
   
3,450,989
 
               
Production:
             
Gold Ounces
   
21,653
   
29,655
 
Silver Ounces
   
769,020
   
276,501
 
Lead Pounds
   
6,978,014
   
6,862,242
 
Zinc Pounds
   
18,753,013
   
13,500,582
 
               
Total Revenue ($ millions)
 
$
25.5
 
$
18.7
 
Capital Expenditures ($ millions)
 
$
13.6
 
$
11.1
 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, total cash costs at Montana Tunnels were $529 per ounce and total production costs were $613 per ounce. These costs compare to a total cash cost of $276 per ounce and a total production cost of $326 for the same period ended in 2003. However for the first three months of 2003, Montana Tunnels was in development and there were no commercial ounces produced. The higher cash costs are a direct reflection of the lower ore grades processed during the second and third quarters of 2004. These ores are low grade non-reserve grade materials but high enough to pay for the processing, transportation and smelting costs. We expect to move towards processing of the mineral reserves as the waste stripping project is completed, currently projected to occur late in the fourth quarter of 2004.
 
Florida Canyon
 
At Florida Canyon, we produced 55,649 ounces of gold for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to 77,948 ounces of gold for the same period in 2003. This lower production was a direct result of lower ore grades (due to a change in mining plans) and longer recovery time (the leach pad is reaching its maximum height of 300 feet). In August of 2004, the workforce at Florida Canyon was reduced. The mine crews were cut from three crews to one crew in order to recover inventoried gold ounces out of the leach pad and to conserve cash. Because of this the mining sequence will be slowed down and result in fewer ounces delivered to the leach pad. Mining should continue into the second quarter of 2005, when a decision will be made whether or not to enlarge the leach pad to handle the ores from the switchback pit. It is unknown at this time if we will go back to a full mining sequence with three crews.
 
Following are key operating statistics at Florida Canyon for the first nine months of 2004 compared to the same period of 2003:
 

 
   
2004
 
2003
 
   
 Nine Months
 
Nine Months
 
            
Total Tons Mined
   
17,102,792
   
15,201,145
 
 
Ore to Leach Pad
   
5,404,615
   
7,019,389
 
Gold Production
   
55,649
   
77,948
 
Silver Production
   
49,368
   
42,093
 
               
Total Revenue ($ millions)
 
$
20.4
 
$
27.4
 
               
Capital Expenditures ($ millions):
             
Florida Canyon
 
$
1.1
 
$
2.5
 
Standard Mine
 
$
5.1
 
$
0.7
 


 
   32  

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, total cash costs were $354 per ounce and total production costs were $390 per ounce. These costs compare to a total cash cost of $274 per ounce and a total production cost of $308 per ounce for the same period ending September 30, 2003. The higher per ounce costs are due to lower production rates experienced in the first nine months of 2004 due to the processing of lower grade ores and longer leach times. Our original mine plans for 2004 included the mining of the switchback pit. However, for safety reasons, the mine plan was changed. Our current thinking is to mine the switchback pit the upper switchback and lower switchback pits all together. This will require a decision to whether or not to enlarge the leach pad at Florida Canyon next year. The result of the mine plan change was to mine the lower grade ores in the main and central pits in 2004.
 
We commenced construction at the Standard Mine in the second quarter 2004. The mine is expected to be completed during the fourth quarter and pour its first gold in late November 2004. This mine will be operated in conjunction with the Florida Canyon Mine and projected production rates are approximately 100,000 ounces of gold on an annual basis for the combined operation.
 
Financial Performance
 
Based on gold grades currently being mined, we expect the Montana Tunnels Mine, the Florida Canyon Mine and the Standard Mine, collectively, to produce approximately 110,000 ounces of gold in 2004.
 
Our direct operating expense was $47.9 million and $37.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, including mining and processing costs. The lower direct operating costs in 2003 reflect the operating costs at the Florida Canyon Mine and six months at Montana Tunnels as it was in development for the first three months of 2003. We incurred depreciation and amortization expenses of approximately $3.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 as compared to $4.2 million for the 2003 period.
 
We incurred approximately $4.3 million and $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, in general and administrative expenses. As of January 2004, the Company has adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock options as set out in CICA Handbook section 3870, Stock-Based Compensation and Other Stock-Based Payments. As a result, we incurred stock-based compensation of approximately $0.5 million for the first nine months ended in September 30, 2004 compared to $0.4 million in the same period of 2003. We also show the cumulative effect on opening deficit of the change in accounting for stock based compensation of approximately $5.9 million. This cumulative effect of the change in stock-based compensation includes the original stock options issued upon the amalgamation of the Company with International Pursuit as well as our employee stock option incentive plan.
 
For the nine months of 2004 the Company has incurred $1.5 million in accretion expenses. This compares with $1.0 million expensed in the nine months of 2003.
 
Our expenses for exploration and development, consisting of drilling and related expenses at our exploration properties, totaled approximately $0.8 million and $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The reduction in expenditures is due to 2003 expenditures on the Black Fox and Standard Mines being expensed, whereas currently these projects are classified as development projects and therefore their expenditures are capitalized for accounting purposes.
 
As a result of these expense components, our operating expenses totaled approximately $59.3 million for the nine months ended September 2004, as compared to approximately $48.6 million for the same period in 2003. The difference is primarily attributable to the addition of Montana Tunnels operating expenses for the full nine months of 2004 compared to six months in the 2003 period.
 

 
   33  

 

We realized interest income of approximately $0.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. We incurred interest expense of approximately $0.3 million in the same period, primarily for equipment leases. We realized $0.1 million in interest income but incurred net interest expense of approximately $0.4 million during the comparable period in 2003. The interest income increase is due to the investment of the equity funds that were raised in the third quarter of 2003. Interest expense is reduced due to the equipment lease accounts being paid down.
 
We recognized foreign exchange losses of approximately $0.6 million and foreign exchange gains of approximately $0.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively, from cash balances held in Canadian dollars. We utilize United States dollars as our functional and reporting currency.
 
Based on these factors, we incurred a loss of approximately $14.0 million or $0.18 per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to a loss of approximately $2.5 million or $0.05 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003.
 
Financial Condition and Liquidity:
 
At September 30, 2004, we had cash and short-term investment balances of approximately $1.4 million as compared to approximately $31.7 million at December 31, 2003.
 
Operating activities used $4.8 million of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Net cash used by operating activities was impacted by higher operating and administrative charges during the first nine months of 2004 when compared to 2003. These charges included higher fixed costs at the mine sites and miscellaneous costs at the corporate office.
 
Investing activities used $25.3 million of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. The significant increase in the amount of cash used in investing activities was primarily due to increased spending on property, plant and equipment relating to the development at the Standard Mine and Black Fox Project and increased stripping at Montana Tunnels.
 
Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 included the exercise of warrants and options in the amount of $8.9 million. On March 21, 2004, the original Apollo Gold Corporation warrants issued upon amalgamation of the Company with International Pursuit expired.
 
We believe our cash requirements for the development of the Black Fox Mine will be approximately $70.0 million. These expenditures are for the construction of the processing facility and include the general site, tailings impoundment as well as the shaft development. These funds would be spent in 2006 and 2007. We expect these expenditures to be funded through a combination of cash on hand, short term investments, future cash flows from operations and debt or equity security issuances. The Company will not have sufficient resources from existing operations to finance the development of the Black Fox project. Our ability to raise capital is highly dependent upon the commercial viability of our projects and the associated prices of the metals we produce. Because of the impact that significant changes in the prices of silver, gold, lead and zinc have on our financial condition, declines in these metals prices may negatively impact our ability to raise additional funding for long-term projects.
 
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company entered into a $5 million Revolving Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement with Standard Bank. The Company had to satisfy certain requirements in order for Standard Bank to advance the maximum amount of the loan. This agreement was terminated by the Company in the second quarter of 2004. The “hedge position” of 28,000 ounces will remain and be delivered into at a rate of 4,000 ounces per month at a price of $345 per ounce until April of 2005 (assuming that the gold price stays above that price).
 
In June, the Company had previously announced that the $12.5 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2004, would not be sufficient, without curtailment of some of our capital and development activities. External financing would be needed to carry out the following plans: a). progressing Black Fox through Feasibility and continue to add reserves b). commence drilling at the Huizopa project c). finish the stripping at program at Montana Tunnels and bring this mine into a cash positive situation and d). complete the construction of the Standard mine.
 

 
  34   

 

In mid October 2004, the Company completed a financing by closing a privately placed $3.0 million bridge loan. On November 4, 2004, the Company closed the private placement of Special Notes for approximately $8.76 million and the private placement of Special Warrants for approximately $1.74 million. Each $1,000 principal amount of the Special Notes is convertible, into $1,000 principal amount of 12% Series 2004-B secured convertible debentures of Apollo and 600 common share purchase warrants. The 12% Series 2004-B secured convertible debentures are convertible into common shares of Apollo Gold Corporation at $0.75 per share. The warrants are convertible for a three year period from the date of issue at $0.80 per share. The Special Warrants are convertible into units consisting of one common share and a warrant exercisable for one common share for a three year period from the date of issue at $0.80 per share. The $3.0 million bridge loan was repaid with proceeds from the private placement of the Special Notes and Special Warrants. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $8.6 million from the bridge financing and the private placement of the Special Notes and Special Warrants.
 
We plan to use the proceeds from the above mentioned financings for capital and development programs. The proceeds will enable us to complete the development of Standard Mine and finish the waste stripping program at Montana Tunnels. In addition, the proceeds are expected to be used for the feasibility study at Black Fox project. We anticipate that additional external financing will be necessary to commence drilling at the Black Fox project and to continue the development of the Huizopa project and other exploration properties.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND POLICIES
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principals requires management to make a variety of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods covered by the financial statements.
 
Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
 
Except as described in Note 3 of our interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 our accounting policies did not differ from the policies used in the preparation of the financial statements at December 31, 2003.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
The Company has several outstanding equipment leases and financings. As of September 30, 2004, nothing material has changed since the details released in the Company’s 10-K Annual Report.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL
 
As of September 30, 2004, we have accrued $22.9 million related to reclamation, severance and other closure requirements, an increase from December 31, 2003 of $1.3 million. This liability is covered by a combination of surety bonds, totaling $38.5 million, and cash bonds totaling $8.9 million, for a total reclamation surety, at September 30, 2004 of $47.4 million. We have accrued what management believes is the present value of our best estimate of the liability as of September 30, 2004.
 
ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
In the past, we have not used hedging techniques to reduce our exposure to price volatility; however, we have entered into hedging contracts with Standard Bank for gold in the aggregate amount of 100,000 ounces involving the use of put and call options and forward contracts. The hedging contracts were a requirement of our working capital commitment facility. Beginning in April 2003, we were obligated to deliver 4,000 ounces of gold per month, for 25 months, under the following conditions: we purchased put options to cover the floor price of gold at $295 per ounce whereby if the price of gold decreases to a level below $295 per ounce, Standard Bank is obligated to purchase the 4,000 ounces for $295 per ounce. We also sold call options to Standard Bank whereby if the price of gold increases to over $345 per ounce, then we must sell 4,000 ounces to Standard Bank. We have the ability to roll forward the call options into forward sales contracts. At September 30, 2004, we have put and call options for 28,000 ounces of gold and no forward sales contracts.
 

 
   35  

 

Our senior management, with approval of our board of directors, makes all decisions regarding our hedging techniques. We have no current plans to use hedging techniques in the future.
 
The following table sets forth the average daily closing prices of the following metals for 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 1998 and each year thereafter through December 31, 2003.
 

 
1980
 
1985
 
1990
 
1995
 
1998
 
1999
 
2000
 
2001
 
2002
 
2003
                                       
Gold (1)
US$612.56
 
US$317.26
 
US$383.46
 
US$384.16
 
US$294.16
 
US$278.77
 
US$279.03
 
US$271.00
 
US$309.73
 
US363.58
(per ounces)
                                     
                                       
Silver (2)
US$20.63
 
US$6.14
 
US$4.82
 
US$5.19
 
US$5.53
 
US$5.25
 
US$5.00
 
US$4.39
 
US$4.60
 
US$4.88
(per ounces)
                                     
                                       
Lead (3)
US$0.41
 
US$0.18
 
US$0.37
 
US$0.29
 
US$0.24
 
US$0.23
 
US$0.21
 
US$0.22
 
US$0.21
 
US$0.26
(per lb.)
                                     
                                       
Zinc (4)
US$0.34
 
US$0.36
 
US$0.69
 
US$0.47
 
US$0.46
 
US$0.49
 
US$0.51
 
US$0.40
 
US$0.37
 
US$0.42
(per lb.)
                                     

(1) London Final
(2) Handy & Harman
(3) London Metals Exchange -- Cash
(4) London Metals Exchange -- Special High Grade - Cash

MARKET PRICE OF GOLD
 
The Company’s earnings and cash flow are significantly impacted by changes in the market price of gold. Gold prices can fluctuate widely and are affected by numerous factors, such as demand, production levels, and economic policies of central banks, producer hedging, and the strength of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. During the five year period ended December 31, 2003, the average annual market price has fluctuated between $271 per ounce and $364 per ounce. During the first nine months of 2004, the spot price for gold improved and experienced highs in excess of $420 per ounce.
 
There are certain market risks associated with the hedging contracts utilized by the Company. If the Company’s counterparties fail to honor their contractual obligation to purchase gold at agreed-upon prices, the Company may be exposed to market price risk by having to sell gold in the open market at prevailing prices pursuant to its put options. Similarly, if the Company fails to produce sufficient quantities of gold to meet its forward commitments under its call options, the Company would have to purchase the shortfall in the open market at prevailing prices. At September 30, 2004, the fair value of the contracts is a loss of $2,128,000 (December 31, 2003  - $5,911,000).
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY
 
The Company currently conducts development activities in Canada, while the price of gold is denominated in U.S. dollars, and the Company’s gold production operations are in the United States. Therefore, the Company has minimal, foreign currency exposure.
 
ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 
 
 
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d) - 15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this report. It should be noted that the design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of certain events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all future conditions, regardless of how remote. In addition, we reviewed our internal controls, and there have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls subsequent to the date of their last evaluation.
 

 
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Changes in Internal Controls
 
There has been no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 
We are currently undergoing a comprehensive effort in preparation for compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002. This effort includes the documentation, testing and review of our internal controls over financial reporting under the direction of senior management.

We recognize that our compliance plan contains several time-critical milestones and that our efforts during November and December 2004 will be critical to our success. If we do not achieve timely completion of certain milestones, our auditors may not have sufficient time to test our controls and procedures before we file our 2004 Form 10-K. If our internal controls over financial reporting are not adequate or in conformity with the requirements of Section 404, we may be required to disclose deficiencies and take other actions which could result in the use of significant financial and managerial resources, as well as be subject to penalties and other enforcement actions. While we plan to complete the work and to meet all of the Section 404 requirements by the end of 2004, we may not be successful in this effort.
 

  
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PART II: -- OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
None
 
ITEM 2: CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
 
None.
 
ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
 
None.

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION.
 
None.
 
ITEM 6: EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit No.                 Title of Exhibit

 
 
31.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
31.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act


  
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SIGNATURES
 
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
     
 APOLLO GOLD CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 15, 2004   /s/ R. David Russell
 
R. David Russell, President and
Chief Executive Officer
   

     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 15, 2004   /s/ R. Llee Chapman
 
R. Llee Chapman,
Chief Financial Officer
   


  
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
31.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
31.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32.1 - Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
32.2 - Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act




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