I have received a response from Aurion in relation to questions that I raised about their hedge book. Can anybody clarify the following statement?
"If you refer to the hedging disclosure detailed in the June quarterly, we have 5,952,000 ounces hedged. 13% of these hedges are by way of forwards, with the balance representing purchased put options. This gives AurionGold the ability to participate in upward gold price movements."
Here is the remainder of their reply.
I am writing to you in reponse to your request regarding the AurionGold Limited groups' hedging position.
Firstly I'd like to thankyou for your continued support during the years you have been a shareholder with Ross/Delta/AurionGold.
You have requested the following: - Clarification on the increased level of hedging between our quarterly reports - Clarification on deliveriies into outstanding hedging contracts.
You are correct in your calculations that the level of hedging has in fact increased by 450,000 ounces from December 2001 to June 2002. The reason for this increase is due to the redesignation of the Solomon Islands gold hedging positions.
As a result of the deconsolidation of Solomon Islands Mining NL in 2001, related gold and currency positions had not been previously included in the hedge book. Given the longer production profile of the merged Group, part of these positions was redesignated as Group hedges in the March quarter with the balance being redesignated in the June quarter.
The Hedging Disclosure on page 10 of the December 2001 quarterly report does not include any of these Solomon Islands gold hedging positions of which were, at the time, not considered to be effective hedges. The same Hedging Disclosure on page 8 of the June quarterly report does include these positions.
The mark to market of the hedge book at 31 December 2001 was negative $287.5 million. This valuation was based off a US$ gold price of $276.50 and A$/US$ 0.5114 (A$ gold of $541).
The mark to market of the hedge book at 30 June 2002 was negative $437.8 million. This valuation was based off a higher US$ gold price of $318.50 and higher A$/US$ 0.5664 (A$ gold of $562). This increased US$ gold price was the major driver for the decline in mark to market.
If you refer to the hedging disclosure detailed in the June quarterly, we have 5,952,000 ounces hedged. 13% of these hedges are by way of forwards, with the balance representing purchased put options. This gives AurionGold the ability to participate in upward gold price movements. When gold hedging contracts mature over time, it is AurionGold's intention to deliver into these.
Should you have any further enquiries you can contact me directly by email or phone.
I hope this helps with your assessment of AurionGold Limited, a great Australian gold company.