It looks like AGO is the first to bite the red dust:
ASX Announcement 10th April 2015
Atlas suspends production in response to low iron ore price
Atlas Iron (ASX: AGO) advises that due to recent significant falls in the iron ore price, it will progressively suspend its mining operations over the month of April, with exports to cease shortly thereafter.
Despite an extensive cost-cutting program, to which staff and contractors have made significant contributions, the global supply-demand imbalance for iron ore has driven prices down to the point where it is no longer viable for Atlas to continue production.
Atlas has continued to reduce costs significantly and its break-even price on a benchmark 62Fe basis is currently below USD$60/t* at an EBITDA level. However, despite these substantial reductions, Atlas’ break- even price remains well above the current spot price.
In light of this, Atlas will cease mining and crushing at its Mt Webber project next week.
Mining and crushing at the Abydos project is scheduled to cease within 14 days and operations at the Wodgina mine are expected to be completed in late April.
All Atlas’ projects will be put on care and maintenance, pending future iron ore market conditions.
Atlas Managing Director Ken Brinsden said the decision to suspend production was taken after extensive consideration of the Company’s financial position, discussions with contractors and secured creditors.
“To suspend our operations, with the impact that will have on so many committed and talented people, is an extremely difficult decision,” Mr Brinsden said.
“I sincerely thank all those who have worked so hard to build Atlas’ production base and those who have worked furiously to maintain Atlas’ competitive position over the past 15 months, in the face of increasingly oppressive market conditions.”
Approximately 500 people are currently employed across Atlas’ production assets, including direct employees and those of the Company’s contractors. Atlas employs a further 75 people in its Perth office.
Based on the significant percentage of global iron ore production which is now cash flow negative, Atlas expects prices will ultimately increase. However, the timing of a recovery is unclear, leaving Atlas with little choice but to take decisive action to protect its balance sheet and resource position.
Atlas is now in discussions with its creditors concerning options which would enable the Company’s mines to re-start as efficiently as possible in a circumstance where an operating margin can be re-established, whether through further cost reduction where possible and/or improvements in the iron ore price.
Atlas will not be commenting further on these operational changes or financial discussions at this stage. However the Company will provide an update on these matters in due course.
Atlas Iron Limited ABN 63 110 396 168
Raine Square, Level 18 PO Box 7071 P: +61 8 6228 8000 E: [email protected] 300 Murray Street Perth WA 6000 Cloisters Square Perth WA 6850 F: +61 8 6228 8999 W: www.atlasiron.com.au
*Based on all-in cash costs below AUD$60/wmt CFR in unaudited March 2015 management accounts.
Atlas also advises that Moody’s have downgraded Atlas’ corporate senior secured ratings to Caa3 and announced that the ratings are on review for further downgrade. In addition, S&P have announced the downgrade of Atlas’ corporate family and senior secured ratings to CCC and placed all ratings on credit watch with negative implications. These rating updates do not impact existing terms under Atlas’ Term Loan B maturing in December 2017.
Investor Enquiries:
Atlas Iron
Ken Brinsden, Managing Director
Media Enquiries:
Read Corporate Paul Armstrong
+61 8 6228 8000
+61 8 9388 1474 +61 421 619 084
This has been caused by our big 3, RIO,BHP & FMG over producing.
The Iron ore belongs to the WA Crown and not these multinationals (at least 2 are and are mostly foreign owned)
The WA Government should simply step in and read the riot act and if they don't listen then crank up the royalty
thumbscrew until they do. Also the WA Government should send a signal to the market, particuluarly the Chinese, that small WA Iron Ore companies are not for sale to foreigners.
Irononically, Rio & BP are being audited by the ATO for suspected transfer pricing via offices Singapore
where they are suspected of channeling some product to China by paying 17% Singapore Tax and no
Australian tax on this portion of their respective businesses.BHP refused to answer questions on this matter
yesterday causing the Senate Inquiry chairman to issue the BHP executives with a warning.
Monday will be interesting.
The question is have either RIO or PHP made provisions already if in the event the ATO successfully a few billion tax?
If not an adverse ruling could impact negatively on their share values.
mm
