Form 10-Q

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-12284

 

 

GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Canada   98-0101955

(State or other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 300

Littleton, Colorado

  80127-6312
(Address of Principal Executive Office)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (303) 830-9000

 

 

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 (the “Act”) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer:    x            Accelerated filer:    ¨            Non-accelerated filer:    ¨            Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of Common Shares outstanding as at August 7, 2009: 236,480,561

 

 

 


REPORTING CURRENCY, FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

All amounts in this report are expressed in United States (“US”) dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Canadian currency is denoted as “Cdn$.”

Financial information is presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada (“Cdn GAAP” or “Canadian GAAP”). Differences between accounting principles generally accepted in the US (“US GAAP”) and Canadian GAAP, as applicable to Golden Star Resources Ltd., are explained in Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

References to “Golden Star,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” mean Golden Star Resources Ltd., its predecessors and consolidated subsidiaries, or any one or more of them, as the context requires.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In this Form 10-Q, we use the terms “total operating cost per ounce”, “total cash cost per ounce” and “cash operating cost per ounce” which are considered Non-GAAP financial measures as defined in SEC Regulation S-K Item 10 and applicable Canadian securities law and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with Cdn GAAP or US GAAP. See Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a definition of these measures as used in this Form 10-Q.

STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, business prospects, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, capital expenditures, and exploration and development efforts. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” and similar expressions (including negative and grammatical variations) tend to identify forward-looking statements.

Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot be certain that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q.

These statements include comments regarding: anticipated attainment of gold production rates; production and cash operating cost estimates for 2009; anticipated commencement dates of mining and production at Prestea South; estimated development costs for the Hwini-Butre property in 2009; anticipated ore delivery from Prestea South pits; production capacity, production rates, and production costs; cash operating costs generally; gold sales; mining operations and recovery rates; ore delivery; ore processing; permitting; establishment and estimates of Mineral Reserves and Resources; geological, environmental, community and engineering studies; receipt of environmental management plan approvals by the EPA; exploration efforts and activities; ore grades; our anticipated investing and exploration spending during 2009; identification of acquisition and growth opportunities; power costs, the ability to meet total power requirements, completion of construction of the Bogoso power plant; access to and usage of the power plant once completed; retention of earnings from our operations; our objectives for 2009; the progress of pending litigation; anticipated effects of proposed new Ghanaian tax levy, expected debt payments during 2009; usage of the funds borrowed under our credit facility; and sources of and adequacy of liquidity to meet capital and other needs in 2009 and beyond.

The following, in addition to the factors described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our December 31, 2008 Form 10-K, are among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements:

 

   

significant increases or decreases in gold prices;

 

   

losses or gains in Mineral Reserves from changes in operating costs and/or gold prices;

 

   

failure of exploration efforts to expand Mineral Reserves around our existing mines;

 

   

unexpected changes in business and economic conditions;

 

   

inaccuracies in Mineral Reserves and non-reserves estimates;

 

   

changes in interest and currency exchange rates;

 

   

timing and amount of gold production;

 

   

unanticipated variations in ore grade, tonnes mined and crushed or milled;

 

   

unanticipated recovery or production problems;

 

   

effects of illegal mining on our properties;

 

   

changes in mining and processing costs, including changes to costs of raw materials, supplies, services and personnel;

 

2


   

changes in metallurgy and processing;

 

   

availability of skilled personnel, contractors, materials, equipment, supplies, power and water;

 

   

changes in project parameters or mine plans;

 

   

costs and timing of development of new Mineral Reserves;

 

   

weather, including drought or excessive rainfall in West Africa;

 

   

changes in regulatory frameworks based upon perceived climate trends;

 

   

results of current and future exploration activities;

 

   

results of pending and future feasibility studies;

 

   

acquisitions and joint venture relationships;

 

   

political or economic instability, either globally or in the countries in which we operate;

 

   

changes in regulations affecting our operations, particularly in Ghana, where our principal producing properties are located;

 

   

local and community impacts and issues;

 

   

availability and cost of replacing Mineral Reserves;

 

   

timing of receipt and maintenance of government approvals and permits;

 

   

unanticipated transportation costs and shipping incidents and losses;

 

   

accidents, labor disputes and other operational hazards;

 

   

environmental costs and risks;

 

   

changes in tax laws;

 

   

unanticipated title issues;

 

   

competitive factors, including competition for property acquisitions;

 

   

possible litigation; and

 

   

availability of capital at reasonable rates or at all.

These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that could affect us. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as may be required by applicable laws.

 

3


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Stated in thousands of US dollars except shares issued and outstanding)

(unaudited)

 

      As of
June 30,
2009
    As of
December 31,
2008

restated (note 3)
 

ASSETS

    

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 43,173      $ 33,558   

Accounts receivable

     4,682        4,306   

Inventories (Note 5)

     47,101        49,134   

Deposits (Note 6)

     4,502        3,875   

Prepaids and other

     1,901        1,100   
                

Total Current Assets

     101,359        91,973   

RESTRICTED CASH (Note 15)

     3,804        4,249   

DEFERRED EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT COSTS (Note 8)

     13,104        13,713   

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Note 9)

     245,820        271,528   

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Note 7)

     10,534        —     

MINING PROPERTIES (Note 10)

     301,131        312,029   

OTHER ASSETS

     109        807   
                

Total Assets

   $ 675,861      $ 694,299   
                

LIABILITIES

    

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable

   $ 29,315      $ 43,355   

Accrued liabilities

     32,400        30,879   

Fair value of derivatives (Note 11)

     —          1,690   

Asset retirement obligations (Note 12)

     1,779        1,620   

Current debt (Note 13)

     10,504        12,778   
                

Total Current Liabilities

     73,998        90,322   

LONG TERM DEBT (Note 13)

     114,846        112,649   

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Note 12)

     30,222        30,036   

FUTURE TAX LIABILITY (Note 14)

     27,702        33,125   
                

Total Liabilities

     246,768        266,132   

MINORITY INTEREST

     —          —     

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 15)

    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

SHARE CAPITAL (Note 16)

    

First preferred shares, without par value, unlimited shares authorized. No shares issued and outstanding.

     —          —     

Common shares, without par value, unlimited shares authorized. Shares issued and outstanding: 236,428,061 at June 30, 2009, and 235,945,311 at December 31, 2008

     616,050        615,463   

CONTRIBUTED SURPLUS

     16,261        15,197   

EQUITY COMPONENT OF CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES

     34,542        34,542   

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     (47     (88

DEFICIT

     (237,713     (236,947
                

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     429,093        428,167   
                

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 675,861      $ 694,299   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

4


GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

(Stated in thousands of US dollars except shares and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008
restated (note 3)
    2009     2008
restated (note 3)
 

REVENUE

        

Gold revenues

   $ 91,868      $ 70,431      $ 179,513      $ 123,614   

Cost of sales (Note 17)

     (87,760     (71,422     (172,277     (120,324
                                

Mine operating margin

     4,108        (991     7,236        3,290   

OTHER EXPENSES, (GAINS) AND LOSSES

        

Exploration expense

     237        558        347        947   

General and administrative expense

     3,745        3,870        7,159        8,209   

Abandonment and impairment

     —          —          290        —     

Derivative mark-to-market (gain)/loss (Note 11)

     396        (199     84        243   

Property holding costs

     660        —          2,002        —     

Foreign exchange (gain)/loss

     (2,542     341        (4,213     (21

Interest expense

     3,824        3,719        7,534        7,412   

Interest and other income

     (43     (255     (83     (635

Loss on sale of assets

     125        —          304        —     

Gain on sale of investments

     —          (1,505     —          (1,505
                                

Loss before minority interest

     (2,294     (7,520     (6,188     (11,360

Minority interest

     —          866        —          1,014   
                                

Net loss before income tax

     (2,294     (6,654     (6,188     (10,346

Income tax benefit (Note 14)

     2,674        —          5,422        —     
                                

Net income/(loss)

   $ 380      $ (6,654   $ (766   $ (10,346
                                

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

        

Other comprehensive income - unrealized gain on investments

     14        31        41        2,605   
                                

Comprehensive income/(loss)

   $ 394      $ (6,623   $ (725   $ (7,741
                                

Deficit, beginning of period

     (238,093     (121,336     (236,947     (117,644
                                

Deficit, end of period

     (237,713     (127,990     (237,713     (127,990
                                

Net income/(loss) per common share - basic (Note 19)

   $ 0.002      $ (0.028   $ (0.003   $ (0.044

Net income/(loss) per common share - diluted

   $ 0.002      $ (0.028   $ (0.003   $ (0.044

Weighted average shares outstanding (millions)

     236.2        235.9        236.1        235.4   
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

5


GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Stated in thousands of US dollars)

(unaudited)

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008
restated (note 3)
    2009     2008
restated (note 3)
 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

        

Net income/(loss)

   $ 380      $ (6,654   $ (766   $ (10,346

Reconciliation of net income/(loss) to net cash used in operating activities:

        

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     28,371        11,870        52,692        22,620   

Amortization of loan acquisition cost

     161        110        327        275   

Abandonment and impairment

     —          —          290        —     

Gain on sale of equity investments

     —          (1,505     —          (1,505

Loss on sale of assets

     126        —          305        —     

Stock compensation

     455        450        1,065        1,139   

Income tax benefit

     (2,674     —          (5,422     —     

Reclamation expenditures

     (490     (259     (731     (322

Fair value of derivatives

     1,611        (129     (2,189     35   

Accretion of convertible debt

     1,642        1,540        3,257        3,047   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     539        146        1,077        363   

Minority interests

     —          (866     —          (1,014
                                
     30,121        4,703        49,905        14,292   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

     4,889        (4,162     (359     188   

Inventories

     (669     3,141        841        (12,344

Prepaids and other

     615        (791     (318     (1,004

Deposits

     (150     2,749        (1,101     315   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (5,526     4,051        (8,557     3,206   

Other

     —          —          (38     —     
                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     29,280        9,691        40,373        4,653   

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

        

Expenditures on deferred exploration and development

     (268     (1,970     (670     (3,922

Expenditures on mining properties

     (9,855     (13,231     (19,894     (20,946

Expenditures on property, plant and equipment

     (3,984     (3,164     (4,852     (5,417

Cash (used for)/refunded from secure letters of credit

     371        18        445        (3,642

Proceeds from sale of equity investment

     —          802        —          802   

Change in payable on capital expenditures

     (2,472     (6,314     (3,962     (8,346

Change in deposits on mine equipment and material

     —          —          474        —     
                                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (16,208     (23,859     (28,459     (41,471

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

        

Issuance of share capital, net of issue costs

     505        7        586        6,255   

Principal payments on debt

     (2,783     (4,542     (7,192     (8,885

Proceeds from debt agreements and equipment financing

     5,443        1,114        5,478        1,114   

Other

     (1,172     59        (1,171     (273
                                

Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities

     1,993        (3,362     (2,299     (1,789
                                

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     15,065        (17,530     9,615        (38,607

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     28,108        54,677        33,558        75,754   
                                

Cash and cash equivalents end of period

   $ 43,173      $ 37,147      $ 43,173      $ 37,147   
                                

(See Note 22 for supplemental cash flow information)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

 

6


GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(All amounts in tables are in thousands of US Dollars unless noted otherwise)

These interim consolidated financial statements of Golden Star Resources Ltd and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Golden Star”, “GSR”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of these interim financial statements have been included. The results reported in these interim statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be reported for the full year. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

1. Nature of operations

Through our subsidiaries, we own and operate the Bogoso/Prestea gold mining and processing operation (“Bogoso/Prestea”) located near the town of Bogoso, Ghana and the Wassa gold mine (“Wassa”), located approximately 35 kilometers east of Bogoso/Prestea. Wassa also processes ore mined at our Benso and Hwini-Butre mines. We hold interests in several gold exploration projects in Ghana and elsewhere in West Africa including Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire, and hold and manage exploration properties in Suriname, Brazil and French Guiana in South America.

2. Basis of presentation

These consolidated financial statements are prepared and reported in United States (“US”) dollars and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada (“Cdn GAAP”) which differ in some respects from GAAP in the United States (“US GAAP”). These differences in GAAP are quantified and explained in Note 23.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries, whether owned directly or indirectly. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. Subsidiaries are defined as entities in which the company holds a controlling interest, is the general partner or where it is subject to the majority of expected losses or gains. Our fiscal year-end is December 31.

3. Recent accounting pronouncements

The Canadian Accounting Standards Board (“AcSB”) has issued Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants: Handbook (“CICA”) Section 3064, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” which replaces CICA 3062 and establishes standards for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. CICA 3064 expands on the criteria for recognition of intangible assets that can be recognized and applies to internally-generated intangible assets as well as to purchased intangible assets. Section 3064 dictates that certain expenditures not meeting the recognition criteria of an intangible asset are expensed as incurred. Emerging issues committee decision (“EIC”)27 (Revenues and Expenditures in the pre-operation period) is no longer applicable for entities that have adopted CICA 3064. Section 3064 became effective January 1, 2009 and required that we retrospectively adjust our financial statements to reflect the impact of the changes to the accounting for intangible assets.

In response to this new standard, the accompanying June 30, 2009 financial statements and comparative period financials include the impact of the reclassification of certain 2005 plant start-up period costs to expense, such costs having been initially capitalized as Mining Property assets. The total of these costs was $4.7 million with a net book value of $1.9 million at December 31, 2008. The depreciation expense was decreased by $1.1 million and $0.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2008 and the six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.

In January 2009, the CICA issued Handbook Section 1582, “Business Combinations” (“Section 1582”), Section 1582 requires that all assets and liabilities of an acquired business will be recorded at fair value at acquisition. Obligations for contingent considerations and contingencies will also be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The standard also states that acquisition–related costs will be expensed as incurred and that restructuring charges will be expensed in the periods after the acquisition date. Section 1582 applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after January 1, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard on its financial statements.

In January 2009, the CICA issued Handbook Section 1601, “Consolidations” (“Section 1601”), and section 1602, “Non-controlling Interests” (“Section 1602”). Section 1601 establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. Section 1602 establishes standards for accounting for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary in consolidated financial statements subsequent to a business combination. These standards apply to interim and annual consolidated financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard on its financial statements.

 

7


4. Financial instruments

Financial Assets

The carrying amounts and fair values of our financial assets are as follows:

 

          June 30, 2009    December 31, 2008

Assets

   Category    Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Value
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Value

Cash and cash equivalents 1

   Held-for-trading    $ 43,173    $ 43,173    $ 33,558    $ 33,558

Restricted cash 1

   Held-for-trading      3,804      3,804      4,249      4,249

Accounts receivable 1

   Loans and receivables      4,682      4,682      4,306      4,306

Derivative Instrument- Riverstone Warrants 1

   Held-for-trading      43      43      11      11

Derivative Instrument- Gold Forward 1

   Held-for-trading      475      475      —        —  

Available for sale investments 1

   Available-for-sale      108      108      29      29
                              

Total financial assets

      $ 52,285    $ 52,285    $ 42,153    $ 42,153
                              
Financial Liabilities
The carrying amounts and fair values of financial liabilities are as follows:
           June 30, 2009    December 31, 2008

Liabilities

   Category    Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Value
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Value

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1

   Other financial liabilities    $ 61,715    $ 61,715    $ 74,234    $ 74,234

Derivative instruments – Gold Forward Contracts 4

   Held-for-trading      —        —        1,690      1,690

Convertible senior unsecured debentures 2, 3

   Other financial liabilities      110,117      97,328      108,436      93,738

Revolving credit facility 2

   Other financial liabilities      4,395      3,047      —        —  

Debt facility 1

   Other financial liabilities      —        —        625      625

Equipment financing loans 2

   Other financial liabilities      24,308      24,975      33,757      31,063
                              

Total financial liabilities

      $ 200,535    $ 187,065    $ 218,742    $ 201,350
                              

 

1

Carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value, all cash and liquid assets are deposited with reputable institutions, and all investments and derivatives are valued and carried at fair value.

 

2

The fair values of outstanding loans are determined by discounting the stream of future payments of interest and principal at the estimated prevailing market rates of comparable debt instruments.

 

3

The carrying value of the convertible senior unsecured debentures is being accreted to maturity value through charges to income over their term based on the effective yield method. Financing costs allocated to the issuance of debt are deferred, amortized over the term of the related debt using the effective yield method and presented as a reduction of the related debt.

 

4

The fair value represents quoted market prices in an active market.

 

8


The following table provides a maturity analysis of our debt as of June 30, 2009:

 

Liabilities

   6 months
2009
   2010    2011    2012    2013    Maturity

Equipment financing loans

                 

principal

   $ 5,482    $ 9,011    $ 5,848    $ 3,214    $ 1,420    2009 to 2013

interest

     905      766      698      244      50   

Revolving credit facility

                 

principal

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 5,000    $ —      Sep 30, 2012

interest

     168      336      336      252      —     

Convertible debentures

                 

principal

     —        —        —        125,000      —      Nov 30, 2012

interest

     2,500      5,000      5,000      5,000      —     
                                     

Total

   $ 9,055    $ 15,113    $ 11,882    $ 138,710    $ 1,470   
                                     

We manage the liquidity risk inherent in these financial liabilities by preparing a long-term budget each year which includes the scheduled liquidation of these liabilities.

5. Inventories

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Stockpiled ore

   $ 5,439    $ 6,497

In–process

     8,741      10,626

Materials and supplies

     32,921      32,011
             

Total

   $ 47,101    $ 49,134
             

There were approximately 28,500 and 45,000 recoverable ounces of gold in the ore stockpile inventories shown above at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Stockpile inventories are short-term surge piles expected to be processed within the next 12 months.

6. Deposits

Represents cash advances and payments for equipment and materials purchased by our mines which are not yet delivered on-site.

7. Intangible Assets

We, along with three other gold mining companies operating in Ghana, organized a consortium that purchased and constructed a nominal 80 megawatt power station in Ghana. Construction was completed in 2008 and the plant has since generated power adding its output to the Ghana national grid. Our share of the acquisition and construction costs totaled $12.4 million. At June 30, 2009, the four owners transferred ownership and operational responsibility of the plant to the Ghana power authority. In response, at the end of the second quarter of 2009, our 25% ownership share in the power plant, with a net book value of $10.5 million, was transferred from fixed assets to intangible assets in our balance sheet.

This intangible asset represents our right to receive from the Ghana national grid, an amount of the electric power equal to one fourth of the plant’s power output over and above any rationing limit that might be imposed in the future by the Ghana national power authority. The intangible asset is being amortized over five years from the transfer date.

 

9


8. Deferred exploration and development costs

Consolidated property expenditures on our exploration projects for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were as follows:

 

     Deferred
Exploration &
Development
Costs as of
December 31, 2008
   Capitalized
Exploration
Expenditures
   Transfer
to

Mining
Properties
    Impairments     Deferred
Exploration &
Development
Costs as of
June 30, 2009

AFRICAN PROJECTS

            

Akropong trend - Ghana

   $ 984    $ 146    $ (749   $ —        $ 381

Manso - Ghana

     3,453      321      (240     —          3,534

Mano River — Sierra Leone

     2,674      8      —          —          2,682

Other Africa

     1,295      13      —          (290     1,018

SOUTH AMERICAN PROJECTS

            

Saramacca – Suriname

     781      18      —          —          799

Paul Isnard – French Guiana

     4,526      164      —          —          4,690
                                    

Total

   $ 13,713    $ 670    $ (989   $ (290   $ 13,104
                                    

9. Property, plant and equipment

 

     June 30, 2009    December 31, 2008
     Property,
Plant and
Equipment
at Cost
   Accumulated
Depreciation
    Property,
Plant and
Equipment
Net Book
Value
   Property,
Plant and
Equipment
at Cost
   Accumulated
Depreciation
    Property,
Plant and
Equipment,
Net Book
Value

Bogoso/Prestea

   $ 62,112    $ (32,366   $ 29,746    $ 63,209    $ (29,956   $ 33,253

Bogoso sulfide plant

     186,680      (23,936     162,744      198,989      (15,498     183,491

Wassa/HBB

     80,838      (27,975     52,863      74,488      (22,720     51,768

Corporate & other

     1,072      (605     467      3,489      (473     3,016
                                           

Total

   $ 330,702    $ (84,882   $ 245,820    $ 340,175    $ (68,647   $ 271,528
                                           

 

10


10. Mining properties

 

     June 30, 2009    December 31, 2008
     Mining
Properties
At Cost
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Mining
Properties,
Net Book
Value
   Mining
Properties
At Cost
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Mining
Properties,
Net Book
Value

Bogoso/Prestea

   $ 61,554    $ (34,877   $ 26,677    $ 61,528    $ (34,071   $ 27,457

Bogoso Sulfide

     55,416      (9,648     45,768      53,452      (5,360     48,092

Mampon

     15,888      —          15,888      15,666      —          15,666

Wassa / HBB

     270,999      (71,890     199,109      252,713      (45,202     207,511

Other

     17,066      (3,377     13,689      16,680      (3,377     13,303
                                           

Total

   $ 420,923    $ (119,792   $ 301,131    $ 400,039    $ (88,010   $ 312,029
                                           

11. Derivatives

The derivative mark-to-market gains and losses recorded in the Statement of Operations are comprised of the following amounts:

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Riverstone Resources, Inc. – warrants

   $ (11   $ (55   $ (23   $ (55

Forward currency agreements

     —          (124     —          124   

EURO Ressources S.A. shares

     —          (20     —          174   

Gold forward price contracts

     407        —          107        —     
                                

Derivative (gain)/loss

   $ 396      $ (199   $ 84      $ 243   
                                
     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Realized (gain)/loss

   $ (1,216   $ (199   $ 2,273      $ 243   

Unrealized (gain)/loss

   $ 1,612        —          (2,189     —     
                                

Derivative (gain)/loss

   $ 396      $ (199   $ 84      $ 243   
                                

Riverstone Resources Inc. – Warrants

In the first quarter of 2008, we received 2 million warrants from Riverstone Resources Inc. (“Riverstone”) as partial payment for the right to earn an ownership interest in our exploration projects in Burkina Faso. These warrants are exercisable through January of 2012 at prices between Cdn $0.30 and Cdn $0.45, depending on the timing of exercise.

Forward Currency Agreements – South African Rand

In the fourth quarter of 2007, we entered into a series of forward currency agreements totaling $5.1 million for the purchase of South African Rand (“Rand”). These contracts were taken out to secure known US dollar costs of a purchase contract stated in Rand. These forward contracts matured ratably between October 28, 2007 and April 25, 2008 at rates between 6.994 and 7.184 Rand to the US dollar. At June 30, 2009, there are no forward currency agreements in place.

EURO Ressources S.A. Shares

In 2007, we renegotiated sections of certain agreements with EURO Ressources S.A. (“EURO”) including the timing and amounts of possible future royalty payments and certain commitments under exploration property earn-ins. In addition, and as part of these renegotiations, we agreed to make some of our remaining EURO shares available to EURO to deliver against certain options EURO granted to its directors. This, plus existing options granted to GSR directors, brought the number of our shares in EURO that were subject to option agreements to 530,000. As a result, we recorded a derivative liability to recognize the cost of the EURO shares that we may make available in the future to members of EURO’s management who hold the options. In December 2008, EURO was acquired by a Canadian gold mining company and all outstanding options were exercised.

 

11


Gold Forward Price Contracts

In response to a significant increase in gold price volatility in the fourth quarter of 2008, we entered into forward pricing contracts to sell 45,000 ounces of gold at an average price of $825 per ounce. These contracts matured during the first quarter of 2009 resulting in a realized loss of $3.5 million.

We entered into additional contracts in the first quarter of 2009 to sell 45,000 ounces at an average price of $950 per ounce, all of which expired ratably on a weekly basis during the second quarter of 2009. We realized a gain of $1.2 million on these contracts. Also in the first quarter of 2009, we entered into contracts to sell 22,500 ounces at an average price of $950 per ounce, which expire ratably on a weekly basis during the third quarter of 2009. At June 30, 2009 the fair value of the outstanding third quarter contracts was estimated to be $0.5 million resulting in an unrealized gain of $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2009. These contracts had unrealized gains of $2.1 million as of the end of the first quarter of 2009 and resulted in a recognized net loss on gold forward price contracts of $0.4 million in the second quarter of 2009.

12. Asset retirement obligations

At the end of each period, Asset Retirement Obligations (“ARO”) are equal to the present value of all estimated future costs required to remediate environmental disturbances that exist as of the end of the period, using discount rates applicable at the time of initial recognition of each component of the liability. Included in this liability are the costs of closure, reclamation, demolition and stabilization of the mines, processing plants, infrastructure, tailings disposal facilities, waste dumps and ongoing post-closure environmental monitoring and maintenance costs. While the majority of these costs will be incurred near the end of the mines’ lives, it is expected that certain on-going reclamation costs will be incurred prior to mine closure. These interim costs are recorded against the asset retirement obligation liability as incurred. At June 30, 2009, the total, undiscounted amount of the estimated future cash needs is estimated to be $42.7 million. The changes in the carrying amount of the ARO during the first six months of 2009 are as follows:

 

     Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008  

Balance at January 1

   $ 31,655      $ 18,919   

Accretion expense

     1,077        363   

Additions and change in estimates

     —          —     

Cost of reclamation work performed

     (731     (322
                

Balance at June 30

   $ 32,001      $ 18,960   
                

Current portion

   $ 1,779      $ 2,013   

Long term portion

     30,222        16,947   

13. Debt

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008

Current debt:

     

Debt facility

   $ —      $ 626

Equipment financing credit facility

     10,504      12,152
             

Total current debt

   $ 10,504    $ 12,778
             

Long term debt:

     

Revolving credit facility

   $ 3,047    $ —  

Equipment financing credit facility

     14,471      18,911

Convertible debentures

     97,328      93,738
             

Total long term debt

   $ 114,846    $ 112,649
             

Equipment financing credit facility

Our subsidiaries Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Ltd (“GSBPL”) and Golden Star (Wassa) Ltd (“GSWL”) maintain an equipment financing facility with Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, with Golden Star as the guarantor of all amounts borrowed. The facility provides credit for new and used mining equipment and is secured by the mobile equipment. Amounts drawn under this facility are repayable over five years for new equipment and over two years for used equipment. The interest rate for each draw-down is fixed at the date of the draw-down using the Federal Reserve Bank 2-year or 5-year swap rate or London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.38%. The facility has a $40 million maximum limit. At June 30, 2009, $15.0 million was available to draw down. The average interest rate on the outstanding loans is approximately 7.39%.

 

12


Revolving credit facility

On May 1, 2009, we entered into a $30.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) pursuant to an agreement (the “Facility Agreement”) with Standard Chartered Bank, and with certain of our subsidiaries, which together own the Bogoso/Prestea, Wassa and HBB properties, as guarantors. An initial amount of $15.0 million became available to us on May 1, 2009 and the balance became available July 30, 2009. The term of the Facility Agreement extends through September 30, 2012. The amount available under the Facility will be reduced by $3.0 million on December 31, 2010 and by an additional $6.0 million on December 31, 2011. As of June 30, 2009, we had drawn, and outstanding, a balance of $5.0 million under the Facility.

Loans made pursuant to the Facility Agreement bear interest at (i) the higher of the applicable LIBOR and an alternative base rate (based on a lender’s cost of funds and capped at 1.25% above LIBOR) plus (ii) a margin of 5% plus (iii) an additional interest rate (if applicable) to compensate the lender for certain bank or regulatory authority compliance costs. The commitment fee on undrawn amounts is 2.5% per annum. In addition, we paid approximately $1.9 million in fees and costs which have been capitalized as loan costs and which will be amortized over the life of the loan.

Amounts borrowed under the Facility Agreement can be used for working capital and general corporate purposes; provided, however, that we must obtain written consent of the lender if the loan proceeds are applied to an acquisitions, or to projects or other operations not located in Ghana, or if the total loan proceeds used for such purpose in any period of twelve consecutive months would be in excess of $25 million.

Obligations under the Facility are secured by, among other things, the Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa inventory and receivables and the common shares of certain material subsidiaries. The Facility Agreement contains certain standard continuing covenants and agreements and requires Golden Star to maintain certain financial ratios.

Convertible debentures

On November 8, 2007, we completed the sale of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 4.0% Convertible Senior Unsecured Debentures due November 30, 2012 (the “Debentures”). Interest on the Debentures is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 31 and November 30 of each year, beginning May 31, 2008. Each Debenture is, subject to certain limitations, convertible into common shares at a conversion rate of 200 shares per $1,000 principal amount of debentures (equal to an initial conversion price of $5.00 per share) subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The Debentures are not redeemable at our option.

We have accounted for the fair value of the conversion feature as equity. The issuance date fair value of the Company’s obligation to make principal and interest payments was estimated at $89.1 million and was recorded as convertible senior unsecured debentures. The issuance date fair value of the holder’s conversion option was estimated at $35.9 million and was recorded as the “equity component of convertible debentures”. Fees totaling $4.7 million relating to the issuance of these debentures were allocated pro-rata between deferred financing fees of $3.4 million and equity of $1.3 million.

Debt facility

On October 11, 2006, GSBPL entered into an agreement for a $15.0 million debt facility with two Ghana-based banks. The final payment on this loan was made in the first quarter of 2009.

 

13


14. Income taxes

The provision for income taxes includes the following components:

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Current benefit / (expense)

           

Canada

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —  

Foreign

     —        —        —        —  

Future benefit / (expense)

           

Canada

     —        —        —        —  

Foreign

     2,674      —        5,422      —  
                           

Total benefit / (expense)

   $ 2,674    $ —      $ 5,422    $ —  
                           

The tax benefit is related to the reduction of the temporary difference between book and tax basis related to the Hwini-Butre and Benso properties.

15. Commitments and contingencies

Our commitments and contingencies include the following items:

Environmental bonding in Ghana

In 2005, pursuant to a reclamation bonding agreement between the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and GSWL, we bonded $3.0 million to cover future reclamation obligations at Wassa. To meet the bonding requirements, we established a $2.85 million letter of credit and deposited $0.15 million of cash with the EPA. In addition, pursuant to a bonding agreement between the EPA and GSBPL, we bonded $9.5 million in early 2006 to cover our future obligations at Bogoso/Prestea. To meet these requirements, we deposited $0.9 million of cash with the EPA with the balance covered by a letter of credit. In 2008, the GSBPL letter of credit was increased to $9.1 million to cover new mining areas. The cash deposits are recorded as Restricted Cash in our balance sheet.

In 2008, the EPA required Bogoso/Prestea to resubmit their Environmental Management Plan (“EMP”) with an updated estimate of the reclamation and closure costs prepared by a third party consultant. A consultant was commissioned to prepare the cost estimate and the EMP was submitted to the EPA in February, 2009. The EPA approved the EMP and issued the Environmental Certificate, which is valid for three years. The Wassa EMP was submitted to the EPA for review and their comments are expected in the next quarter. We anticipate final approval by the EPA later in 2009.

Royalties

 

   

Dunkwa Properties: As part of the acquisition of the Dunkwa properties in August 2003, we agreed to pay the seller a net smelter return royalty on future gold production from the Mansiso and Asikuma properties. As per the acquisition agreement, there will be no royalty due on the first 200,000 ounces produced from Mampon which is located on the Asikuma property. The amount of the royalty is based on a sliding scale which ranges from 2% of net smelter return at gold prices at or below $300 per ounce and progressively increases to 3.5% for gold prices in excess of $400 per ounce.

 

   

Government of Ghana: Under the laws of Ghana, a holder of a mining lease is required to pay an annual royalty of not less than 3% and not more than 6% of the total revenues earned from the lease area. The royalty is payable on a quarterly basis. We currently pay a 3% annual royalty on gold production from Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa.

 

   

Benso: Benso is subject to a 1.5% net smelter return royalty and a $1.00 per ounce gold production royalty. In May 2009 GSWL bought the right to collect this 1.5% royalty which in effect ended the requirement to pay it.

 

   

Pampe: Portions of the Pampe deposit are subject to a 7.5% net smelter return royalty.

 

   

Prestea Underground – Areas of the Prestea Underground below a point 150 meters below sea level are subject to a 2.5% net profits interest on future income. Ownership of the 2.5% net profit interest is currently held by the bankruptcy trustee overseeing liquidation of our former joint venture partner in the Prestea Underground. While we believe that the joint venture agreement provides for the 2.5% net profit interest, confirmation of this position has not been received from the bankruptcy trustee.

 

14


Hwini-Butre – As part of the agreement for the purchase of the Hwini-Butre properties, we agreed to pay the seller an additional $1.0 million if at least one million ounces of gold are produced and recovered in the first five years of production from the area covered by the Hwini-Butre prospecting license. Hwini-Butre’s Probable Mineral reserves stood at 380,000 ounces at the end of 2008. While we continue to explore the Hwini-Butre property we can not predict if further discoveries will increase reserves to over 1.0 million ounces and trigger the contingent payment.

Goulagou and Rounga – In October 2007, we entered into an option agreement with Riverstone Resources Inc. (“Riverstone”) whereby Riverstone has the right to acquire our 90% interest in the Goulagou and Rounga properties in Burkina Faso. To exercise the option, Riverstone is required to spend Cdn$4 million on exploration programs on the Goulagou and Rounga properties over a four-year period, and may then purchase our interest for $18.6 million in cash or Riverstone common shares. We are entitled to receive up to 2 million shares of Riverstone over the term of the option, of which 0.7 million shares have been received as of June 30, 2009. In addition we received 2 million common share purchase warrants of Riverstone during 2008. The Riverstone purchase warrants have exercise prices that range from Cdn$0.30 to Cdn$0.45.

Paul Isnard – Golden Star has agreed to pay a royalty to EURO on all future gold production, if any, from the Paul Isnard property up to 5.0 million ounces. Gold production in excess of 5.0 million ounces will not be subject to the royalty. The royalty varies from 10% of the difference between the market price of gold per ounce and $400, for all gold sales up to 2.0 million ounces and 5% of the same for gold sales between 2.0 million and 5.0 million ounces. Furthermore, we have agreed, subject to completion of a positive feasibility study, to pay an annual $1.0 million advance royalty to EURO beginning September 2010 and continuing until such time as the Paul Isnard property begins mining and selling gold. The total advance royalty payments will be deducted from royalties payable during the production period on the first 2.0 million ounces.

In February 2008, EURO applied for renewal of its prospecting permits for portions of the Paul Isnard property. In connection with the permit renewal we guaranteed the French mining authorities that we would spend at least €0.6 million on the Paul Isnard property before 2010. At any time during the three years we can elect to drop the prospecting permits and forego the spending.

We reduced exploration activities at Paul Isnard following the French government’s announcement that it has suspended granting mining licenses pending the outcome of an environmental review of all French Guiana gold exploration areas.

See the “Litigation” section below for information about legal actions affecting Paul Isnard.

Bogoso Power Plant – Construction was initiated in the first quarter of 2008 by Genser Power Ghana Limited (“Genser”) on a nominal 20 megawatt stand-by power plant at Bogoso known as the Genser power plant. This plant is planned to be used in periods of power outages or shortages in Ghana. As collateral for a letter of credit issued in connection with the project, we restricted $3.7 million of cash in March of 2008 as required by the bank providing the letter of credit.

The initial amount of the letter of credit was $2.0 million, increasing each month after initiation of construction reaching a maximum of approximately $7.0 million in the seventh month. The letter of credit will progressively decrease over the subsequent months until it reaches nil at the end of the 30 months following the initiation of construction. At any point in the first 30 months we can terminate the contract by making a payment to Genser equal to the remaining balance on the letter of credit. If such payment is made, Genser will return the letter of credit and the title to the power plant will be transferred to us. If the contract is terminated after 30 months, title to the plant will transfer to us for no consideration.

Once the power plant is completed, we have agreed to purchase electric power from the Genser plant as needed and make payments in accordance with the following formulas: in months where our average monthly demand is equal to or less than 10 megawatts, we will pay Genser $295,200 per month plus the cost of fuel regardless of the amount of power used. In months where our average monthly demand exceeds 10 megawatts, we will pay Genser $0.030/kilowatt hour for amounts in excess of 10 megawatts plus fuel costs.

Litigation

EURO Resources S.A. Action - In September 2008, we issued a statement of claim in Ontario against EURO and its subsidiary Société de Travaux Publics et de Mines Aurifères en Guyane S.A.R.L. (“SOTRAPMAG”). The statement of claim seeks to have EURO transfer the Paul Isnard Permis Exclusif de Recherches (“PER”) and the shares of SOTRAPMAG (which holds eight mineral concessions in the Paul Isnard area of French Guiana (together with the PER, the “Paul Isnard Properties”)) to us in compliance with EURO’s obligations under certain agreements between the parties, as well as monetary damages.

In September 2008, EURO commenced litigation in British Columbia concerning our ownership of mineral rights at the Paul Isnard gold property in French Guiana. EURO asked the courts to “confirm our repudiation” of an option agreement on Paul Isnard, and EURO sought unspecified damages.

In December 2008, a Canadian gold mining entity acquired the controlling interest in EURO. We are pursuing discussions with the new owner of the controlling interest regarding settlement of the litigation.

 

15


B.D. Goldfields Action - On August 29, 2008 B.D. Goldfields, Ltd., a Ghanaian registered company, and a shareholder of B.D. Goldfields, Ltd. filed suit in the United States District Court of the District of Colorado (the “Court”) against Golden Star Resources Ltd. and our subsidiary St. Jude Resources Ltd. The plaintiffs challenged the validity of the various concession contracts and settlements related to the Hwini-Butre gold property in Ghana. We believe this action is frivolous and without merit, and we have defended and intend to continue to defend vigorously against this action on numerous grounds. Our initial motion to dismiss was presented to the Court on November 6, 2008 and the Court issued its Order of Dismissal on May 8, 2009, with judgment entered in favor of us on May 12, 2009. The Order of Dismissal and Judgment dismissed with prejudice all claims against Golden Star and St. Jude Resources Ltd. for lack of jurisdiction. In addition, the Court awarded us certain attorneys’ fees and costs. After entry of the Judgment, the plaintiffs filed a post-judgment motion to alter the Judgment. We have opposed the post-judgment motion and believe that such motion is without merit. On June 12, 2009, the plaintiffs also appealed the Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (the “Appeals Court”). On June 26, 2009, we filed a motion to dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction and on July 10th, 2009, the Appeals Court dismissed the appeal.

Ghana Crop Damage Action - In October 2008, a Ghanaian court awarded plaintiffs approximately $1.9 million in damages against GSBPL in a legal action filed against GSBPL in 2000 related to a 1991 crop damage claim. The plaintiffs claimed that emissions from a now defunct processing plant at Bogoso, which was operating in 1991, injured the plaintiffs cocoa trees and reduced their cocoa output. We appealed the judgment in late 2008. In July 2009, the Ghana Court of Appeals upheld the lower court’s ruling but reduced the award to the plaintiffs to approximately $930,000. We have initiated an appeal of the decision to the Ghana Supreme Court seeking to dismiss the suit.

16. Share Capital

Changes in share capital during the six months ended June 30, 2009 are as follows:

 

     Shares    Amount

Balance at December 31, 2008

   235,945,311    $ 615,463

Common shares issued:

     

Option exercises

   482,750      587
           

Balance at June 30, 2009

   236,428,061    $ 616,050
           

17. Cost of Sales

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009    2008    2009    2008  

Mining operations costs

   $ 57,542    $ 56,921    $ 116,412    $ 107,648   

Change in inventories (costs from / (to) metals inventory)

     1,327      2,324      1,752      (10,976

Mining related depreciation and amortization

     28,352      12,031      53,036      23,289   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     539      146      1,077      363   
                             

Total Cost of Sales

   $ 87,760    $ 71,422    $ 172,277    $ 120,324   
                             

18. Stock based compensation

Stock Options – We have one stock option plan, the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), under which options are granted from time to time at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Options granted are non-assignable and are exercisable for a period of ten years or such other period as stipulated in a stock option agreement between Golden Star and the optionee. Under the Plan, we may grant options to employees, consultants and directors of the Company or its subsidiaries for up to 15,000,000 shares, of which 1,630,637 are available for grant as of June 30, 2009. Options take the form of non-qualified stock options, and the exercise price of each option is not less than the closing price of our shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on the day prior to the date of grant. Options typically vest over periods ranging from immediately to four years from the date of grant. Vesting periods are determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

During the first half of 2009, the remaining 216,000 of our outstanding options issued to employees of St. Jude, in exchange for St. Jude options upon the St. Jude acquisition in 2005, were exercised. All figures shown below include the affects of the options issued to St. Jude employees.

 

16


Non-cash employee compensation expense recognized in the statements of operations with respect to the Plan are as follows:

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Total stock compensation expense during the period

   $ 455    $ 450    $ 1,065    $ 1,139

We granted 1.40 million options during the six months ended June 30, 2009.

The fair value of our options grants are estimated at the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Fair values of options granted in the first six months of 2009 were based on the assumptions noted in the following table:

 

     Six months ended June 30,
     2009   2008

Expected volatility

   68.39 to 73.28%   49.52 to 59.34%

Risk–free interest rate

   1.88 to 2.18%   2.89 to 3.32%

Expected lives

   4.25 to 6.5 years   4.0 to 6.5 years

Dividend yield

   0%   0%

Expected volatilities are based on the mean reversion tendency of the volatility of Golden Star’s shares and its peer group. Golden Star uses historical data to estimate share option exercise and employee departure behavior used in the Black–Scholes model; groups of employees that have dissimilar historical behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected term of the options granted represents the period of time that the options granted are expected to be outstanding; the range given above results from certain groups of employees exhibiting different post–vesting behaviors. The risk–free rate for periods within the contractual term of the option is based on the Canadian Chartered Bank administered interest rates in effect at the time of the grant.

A summary of option activity under the Plan as of June 30, 2009 and changes during the quarter then ended is presented below:

 

     Options
(‘000)
    Weighted–
Average
Exercise
price
(Cdn$)
   Weighted–
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)

Outstanding as of December 31, 2008

   7,478      3.23    5.9

Granted

   1,400      1.68    9.7

Exercised

   (483   1.42    —  

Forfeited, cancelled and expired

   (110   2.91    —  
               

Outstanding as of June 30, 2009

   8,285      3.08    6.5
               

Exercisable as of June 30, 2009

   4,944      3.41    6.5

Stock Bonus Plan—We have an Employees’ Stock Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”) for any full-time or part-time employee (whether or not a director) of the Company or any of our subsidiaries who has rendered meritorious services which contributed to the success of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Bonus Plan provides that a specifically designated committee of the Board of Directors may grant bonus common shares on terms that it might determine, within the limitations of the Bonus Plan and subject to the rules of applicable regulatory authorities. The Bonus Plan, as amended, provides for the issuance of 900,000 common shares of bonus stock, of which 545,845 common shares had been issued as of June 30, 2009. No common shares were issued under the Bonus Plan during the six months ended June 30, 2009.

 

17


19. Earnings per Common Share

The following table provides reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009    2008     2009     2008  

Net income/(loss)

   $ 380    $ (6,654   $ (766   $ (10,346

Weighted average number of common shares (millions)

     236.2      235.9        236.1        235.4   

Dilutive securities:

         

Options

     0.6      —          —          —     
                               

Weighted average number of diluted shares

     236.8      235.9        236.1        235.4   
                               

Basic earnings/(loss) per share

   $ 0.002    $ (0.028   $ (0.003   $ (0.044

Diluted earnings/(loss) per share

   $ 0.002    $ (0.028   $ (0.003   $ (0.044

20. Operations by segment and geographic area

The following segment and geographic data includes revenues based on product shipment origin and long-lived assets based on physical location.

 

     Africa                    

As of and for the Three months ended June 30,

   Bogoso/
Prestea
    Wassa/
HBB
   Other     South
America
    Corporate     Total  

2009

             

Revenues

   $ 42,494      $ 49,374    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 91,868   

Net income/(loss)

     2,862        4,984      (240     (166     (7,060     380   

Total assets

     358,648        281,865      8,071        11,874        15,403        675,861   

2008

             

Revenues

   $ 42,202      $ 28,229    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 70,431   

Net income/(loss)

     (6,075     3,859      (369     (326     (3,743     (6,654

Total assets

     443,686        156,923      141,666        12,084        30,795        785,154   
     Africa                    

As of and for the Six months ended June 30,

   Bogoso/
Prestea
    Wassa/
HBB
   Other     South
America
    Corporate     Total  

2009

             

Revenues

   $ 79,063      $ 100,450    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 179,513   

Net income/(loss)

     (4,885     18,763      (402     (610     (13,632     (766

Total assets

     358,648        281,865      8,071        11,874        15,403        675,861   

2008

             

Revenues

   $ 71,243      $ 52,371    $ —        $ —        $ —        $ 123,614   

Net income/(loss)

     (8,783     11,168      (541     (539     (11,651     (10,346

Total assets

     443,686        156,923      141,666        12,084        30,795        785,154   

21. Related parties

During the second quarter of 2009, we obtained legal services from a firm where our Chairman is of counsel. The cost of services incurred from this firm during the first six months of 2009 and 2008 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. Our Chairman did not personally perform any legal services to the Company during the six month period ended June 30, 2009, nor in any prior period, nor did he benefit directly or indirectly from payments for the services performed by the firm.

 

18


22. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The following is a summary of significant non-cash transactions:

 

     Six months ended
June 30,
     2009    2008

Available-for-sale investment acquired in exchange for property rights

   $ 38    $ 118

Warrants acquired in exchange for property rights

     —        233

Transfer of EURO shares

     —        89

The following is a summary of interest and income tax payments:

 

     Six months ended
June 30,
     2009    2008

Interest Paid

   $ 3,664    $ 4,200

Income taxes Paid

     —        —  

23. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada, which differ from US GAAP. The effect of applying US GAAP to our financial statements is shown below.

 

19


(a) Consolidated Balance Sheets in U.S. GAAP

 

     As of
June 30,
2009
    As of
December 31,
2008

(restated)
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 43,173      $ 33,558   

Accounts receivable

     4,682        4,306   

Inventories

     47,101        49,134   

Deposits

     4,502        3,875   

Other current assets

     1,901        1,100   
                

Total current assets

     101,359        91,973   

Restricted cash

     3,804        4,249   

Available-for-sale and long term investments

     108        29   

Deferred exploration and development costs (Note d1)

     —          —     

Property, plant and equipment (Note d3)

     245,106        270,814   

Intangible assets

     10,534        —     

Mining properties (Notes d2 and d3)

     283,035        291,823   

Future tax asset (Note d4)

     —          —     

Other assets

     5,124        4,456   
                

Total assets

   $ 649,070      $ 663,344   
                

LIABILITIES

    

Current liabilities (Note d5)

   $ 73,998      $ 90,322   

Long term debt (Note d6)

     147,076        131,876   

Asset retirement obligations

     30,222        30,036   

Future tax liability (Note d4)

     26,734        31,959   
                

Total liabilities

     278,030        284,193   

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Share capital (Note d7)

     615,684        615,097   

Contributed surplus (Note d6)

     15,269        14,205   

Accumulated comprehensive income

     1,269        1,228   

Deficit

     (262,138     (251,379
                

Total Golden Star Resources’ equity

     370,084        379,151   
                

Noncontrolling Interest

     956        —     

Total Equity

     371,040        379,151   
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 649,070      $ 663,344   
                

 

20


(b) Consolidated Statements of Operations under US GAAP

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008
(restated)
    2009     2008
(restated)
 

Net income/(loss) under Cdn GAAP

   $ 380      $ (6,654   $ (766   $ (10,346

Deferred exploration expenditures expensed under US GAAP (Note d1 and d2)

     (319     (2,006     (670     (6,214

Write-off of deferred exploration properties (Note d1)

     —          —          290        —     

Loan fee amortization

     (66     (73     (176     (148

Derivative gain on non-US$ warrants (Note d5)

     —          1,157        —          770   

Reverse depreciation on assets already written off for US GAAP

     1,009        1,369        3,099        (538

Fair value adjustment on debentures (Note d6)

     (9,237     17,695        (14,639     1,887   

Debt Accretion Reversal

     1,642        1,536        3,257        3,047   
                                

Net income/(loss) before income tax under US GAAP

     (6,591     13,024        (9,605     (11,542

Income tax benefit, as adjusted (Note d4)

     (102     —          (198     —     
                                

Net income/(loss) under US GAAP

   $ (6,693   $ 13,024      $ (9,803   $ (11,542
                                

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

   $ 692      $ 23      $ 956      $ 81   
                                

Net income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star Resources

   $ (7,385   $ 13,001      $ (10,759   $ (11,623
                                

Basic net income/(loss) per share under US GAAP

   $ (0.031   $ 0.055      $ (0.046   $ (0.050

Diluted net income/(loss) per share under US GAAP

   $ (0.031   $ 0.055      $ (0.046   $ (0.050

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Loss under US GAAP

        
                                

Net income/(loss) under US GAAP

   $ (6,693   $ 13,024      $ (9,803   $ (11,542
                                

Other comprehensive income – on marketable securities

     14        4,030        41        6,604   
                                

Comprehensive income/(loss) under US GAAP

   $ (6,679   $ 17,054      $ (9,762   $ (4,938
                                

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

   $ 692      $ 23      $ 956      $ 81   
                                

Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Golden Star Resources

   $ (7,371   $ 17,031      $ (10,718   $ (5,019
                                
(c) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under US GAAP   
     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Cash provided by (used in):

        

Operating activities (Note d8)

   $ 28,961      $ 7,685      $ 39,703      $ (1,561

Investing activities (Note d8)

     (15,889     (21,853     (27,789     (35,257

Financing activities

     1,993        (3,362     (2,299     (1,789
                                

Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     15,065        (17,530     9,615        (38,607

Cash and cash equivalent beginning of period

     28,108        54,677        33,558        75,754   
                                

Cash and cash equivalents end of period

   $ 43,173      $ 37,147      $ 43,173      $ 37,147   
                                

(d) Notes:

 

(1) Under US GAAP, exploration, acquisition (except for property purchase costs), and general and administrative costs related to exploration projects are charged to expense as incurred. Under Cdn GAAP, exploration, acquisition and direct general and administrative costs related to exploration projects are capitalized. In each subsequent period, the exploration, engineering, financial and market information for each exploration project is reviewed by management to determine if any of the capitalized costs are impaired. If found impaired, the asset’s cost basis is reduced in accordance with Cdn GAAP provisions. Amounts written off in the current year under Cdn GAAP, which have previously been expensed under US GAAP, result in an adjustment when reconciling net income for the year.

 

21


(2) Under US GAAP, the initial purchase cost of mining properties is capitalized. Pre-acquisition costs and subsequent development costs incurred, until a final feasibility study is completed, are expensed in the period incurred. Under Cdn GAAP, the purchase costs of new mining properties as well as all development costs incurred after acquisition are capitalized and subsequently reviewed each period for impairment. If found impaired, the asset’s cost basis is reduced in accordance with Cdn GAAP provisions. Amounts written off in the current year under Cdn GAAP, which have previously been expensed under US GAAP, result in an adjustment when reconciling net income for the year.

 

(3) Under US GAAP new production facilities are placed in service once the facility has been constructed and fully tested to the point where it is available for regular and sustained use. Under Cdn GAAP, new production facilities are placed in service when output reaches a significant portion of the facility’s design capacity. The difference in timing of placing assets in service, in addition to the difference in amounts capitalized in note d1 & d2, create depreciation differences between Cdn GAAP and US GAAP. When the company adopted CICA 3064 for Cdn GAAP, the difference related to start up costs between US GAAP and Cdn GAAP have been reduced. The remaining difference is related to stripping costs incurred between the US GAAP in-service date and the Cdn GAAP in-service date.

 

(4) While tax accounting rules are essentially the same under both US and Cdn GAAP, tax account differences can arise from differing treatment of various assets and liabilities. For example, most exploration expenditures and certain mine developments cost are capitalized under Cdn GAAP and expensed under US GAAP, as explained in notes 1 and 2 above. An analysis of these differences indicates that there are larger potential tax benefits under US GAAP than under Cdn GAAP in the GSBPL and GSWL tax jurisdiction, but a valuation allowance has been applied to all amounts as of June 30, 2009.

 

     On January 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FIN 48 for US GAAP purposes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that we recognize in our consolidated financial statements, only those tax positions that are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained as of the adoption date, based on the technical merits of the position. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, we performed a comprehensive review of our material tax positions in accordance with recognition and measurement standards established by FIN 48. Based on this review, the provisions of FIN 48 had no effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations at June 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.

 

     We and our subsidiaries are subject to the following material taxing jurisdictions: Ghana, Canada and Burkina Faso. The tax years that remain open to examination by the Ghana Internal Revenue Service are years 2001 through 2008. The tax years that remain open to examination by Revenue Canada are years 2003 through 2008. All tax years remain open to examination in Burkina Faso. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits in income tax expense. We have no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2009.

 

(5) Under US GAAP the fair value of warrants denominated in currencies other than the company’s functional currency are treated as a derivative liability. The derivative liability of such warrants is marked to market at the end of each period and the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations. Under Cdn GAAP the issue-date fair values of all warrants is treated as a component of shareholders’ equity and are recorded as contributed surplus and are not subsequently marked to their fair value.

 

(6) Under Cdn GAAP, the fair value of the conversion feature of convertible debt and the related loan fees allocated to the conversion feature are classified as equity and the balances are classified as a liability. The liability portion is accreted each period in amounts which will increase the liability to its full face amount of the convertible instrument as of the maturity date. Periodic accretion charges are recorded as interest expense. For US GAAP purposes, the entire amount of convertible debt is classified as a liability and recorded at fair value at the end of each period, with the change in fair value recorded in the statement of operations in accordance with FAS 155.

 

(7) Numerous transactions since the Company’s organization in 1992 have contributed to the difference in share capital versus the Cdn GAAP balance, including: (i) under US GAAP, compensation expense was recorded for the difference between quoted market prices and the strike price of options granted to employees and directors under stock option plans while under Cdn GAAP, recognition of compensation expense was not required; (ii) in May 1992 our accumulated deficit was eliminated through an amalgamation (defined as a quasi-reorganization under US GAAP)—under US GAAP the cumulative deficit was greater than the deficit under Cdn GAAP due to the past write-offs of certain deferred exploration costs; and (iii) gains recognized in Cdn GAAP upon issuances of subsidiaries’ shares are not allowed under US GAAP.

 

(8) Under US GAAP, exploration expenditures are treated as operating cash flows. Cdn GAAP treats certain exploration expenditures as investing cash flows (see note 1). This creates differences in the statement of cash flows.

 

(9) Impact of recently issued Accounting Standards

 

22


Recently Adopted Standards

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – An Amendment of SFAS No. 133” (SFAS 161). SFAS 161 seeks to improve financial reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosures regarding the impact on financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. To achieve this increased transparency, SFAS 161 requires (1) the disclosure of the fair value of derivative instruments and gains and losses in a tabular format; (2) the disclosure of derivative features that are credit risk-related; and (3) cross-referencing within footnote disclosures to enable financial statement users to locate important information about derivative instruments. This statement is effective for us on January 1, 2009 and did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (SFAS 160). SFAS 160 establishes new accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary (minority interest) is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the Consolidated Financial Statements and separate from the parent company’s equity. Among other requirements, this statement requires consolidated net income to be reported at amounts that include the amounts attributable to both the parent and the non-controlling interest. It also requires disclosure, on the face of the Consolidated Statement of Operations, of the amounts of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the non-controlling interest. This statement is effective for us on January 1, 2009.

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (“SFAS 162”). SFAS 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (the GAAP hierarchy). SFAS 162 will become effective 60 days following SEC approval of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The adoption of SFAS 162 will have no effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS 157), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 was effective for us on January 1, 2008 for all financial assets and liabilities and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in our Consolidated Financial Statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). For all other nonfinancial assets and liabilities, this statement is effective for us on January 1, 2009. Also on April 9, 2009, FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value when the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly. As it relates to our financial assets and liabilities and for nonfinancial assets and liabilities recognized or disclosed at fair value in our Consolidated Financial Statements on a recurring basis, the adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact.

In May 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. APB 14-1. FSP APB 14-1 applies to convertible debt instruments that, by their stated terms, may be settled in cash (or other assets) upon conversion, including partial cash settlement, unless the embedded conversion option is required to be separately accounted for as a derivative under FAS 133. The company elected FAS 155 for $125 million convertible debenture that is currently outstanding. APB 14-1 does not have an impact on the company’s financials.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165, Subsequent Events, (“SFAS 165”) is effective for financial statements ending after June 15, 2009. SFAS 165 establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of subsequent events that occur after the balance sheet date. Entities are also required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated and the basis for that date. We have evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance, August 7, 2009.

Codification of US GAAP – In July 2009 US GAAP switched to a completely new codification scheme aimed to make US GAAP accounting research easier. The old system was a compilation of several unrelated labeling systems and sub systems (FASB system, SEC system, etc.) that were poorly cross-referenced and as a result is was very difficult when doing research to know if all applicable GAAP had been found when researching a particular subject.

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. For a reconciliation to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”), see Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations include information available to August 7, 2009.

OVERVIEW OF GOLDEN STAR

We are a Canadian federally–incorporated, international gold mining and exploration company producing gold in Ghana, West Africa. We also conduct gold exploration in other countries in West Africa and in South America. Golden Star Resources Ltd. was established

 

23


under the Canada Business Corporations Act on May 15, 1992 as a result of the amalgamation of South American Goldfields Inc., a corporation incorporated under the federal laws of Canada, and Golden Star Resources Ltd., a corporation originally incorporated under the provisions of the Alberta Business Corporations Act on March 7, 1984 as Southern Star Resources Ltd. Our principal office is located at 10901 West Toller Drive, Suite 300, Littleton, Colorado 80127, and our registered and records offices are located at 66 Wellington St. W, 42nd floor, Box 20, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower—Toronto Dominion Centre, Toronto, ON M5K 1N6.

We own controlling interests in several gold properties in southwest Ghana:

 

   

Through a 90% owned subsidiary, Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited (“GSBPL”), we own and operate the Bogoso/Prestea gold mining and processing operations (“Bogoso/Prestea”) located near the town of Bogoso, Ghana. We have a nominal 3.5 million tonnes per year processing facility at Bogoso/Prestea that uses bio-oxidation technology to treat refractory sulfide ore. In addition, Bogoso/Prestea has a carbon-in-leach processing facility which we use to treat oxide ores as they are available. Bogoso/Prestea produced and sold 170,499 ounces of gold in 2008.

 

   

Through another 90% owned subsidiary, Golden Star (Wassa) Limited (“GSWL”), we own and operate the Wassa open-pit gold mine and carbon-in-leach processing plant (“Wassa”), located approximately 35 kilometers east of Bogoso/Prestea. The design capacity of the carbon-in-leach processing plant at Wassa is nominally 3.0 million tonnes per annum but varies depending on the ratio of hard to soft ore. Wassa produced and sold 125,427 ounces of gold in 2008. GSWL also owns the Hwini-Butre and Benso concessions (the “HBB properties”) in southwest Ghana. The Benso mine began shipping ore to Wassa late in 2008, and the Hwini-Butre mine began shipping ore to Wassa in April 2009. The Hwini-Butre and Benso concessions are located approximately 80 and 50 kilometers, respectively, by road south of Wassa.

We also hold interests in several gold exploration projects in Ghana and elsewhere in West Africa including Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire, and hold and manage exploration properties in Suriname, Brazil and French Guiana in South America.

All of our operations, with the exception of certain exploration projects, transact business in US dollars and keep financial records in US dollars. Our accounting records are kept in accordance with Canadian GAAP. We are a reporting issuer or the equivalent in all provinces of Canada, in Ghana and in the United States and file disclosure documents with securities regulatory authorities in Canada and Ghana and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In this Form 10-Q, we use the terms “total operating cost per ounce,” “total cash cost per ounce” and “cash operating cost per ounce.”

Total operating cost per ounce is equal to Cost of Sales for the period, as found in our statements of operations, divided by the ounces of gold sold in the period. Cost of Sales include all mine-site operating costs, including the costs of mining, processing, maintenance, work-in-process inventory changes including inventory write-offs and adjustments, mine-site overhead as well as production taxes, royalties, mine site depreciation, depletion, amortization, asset retirement obligation accretion and by-product credits, but does not include exploration costs, property holding costs, corporate office general and administrative expenses, impairment charges, corporate business development costs, gains and losses on asset sales, capital gains and losses on foreign currency conversions, interest expense, gains and losses on derivatives, gains and losses on investments and income tax expense/benefit.

Total cash cost per ounce for a period is equal to “Cost of Sales - GAAP” for the period, as found in the table below, less “mining related depreciation and amortization costs,” accretion of asset retirement obligation costs and operations-related foreign currency gains and losses for the period, divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period.

Cash operating cost per ounce for a period is equal to “Total cash costs” for the period less royalties and production taxes, divided by the number of ounces of gold sold during the period.

 

24


The following table shows the derivation of these measures:

 

     For the three months ended June 30, 2009  
     Wassa     Bogoso/Prestea     Combined  

Mining operations costs

   $ 25,978      $ 28,659      $ 54,637   

Royalties

     1,629        1,276        2,905   

Costs (to)/from metals inventory

     896        431        1,327   

Mining related depreciation and amortization

     17,801        10,551        28,352   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     202        337        539   
                        

Cost of sales – GAAP

   $ 46,506      $ 41,254      $ 87,760   

Plus operations-related foreign exchange (gains)/losses

     (163     (516     (679

Less mining related depreciation and amortization

     (17,801     (10,551     (28,352

Less accretion of asset retirement obligations

     (202     (337     (539
                        

Total cash cost

     28,340        29,850        58,190   
                        

Less royalties and production taxes

     (1,629     (1,276     (2,905
                        

Cash Operating Costs

     26,711        28,574        55,285   
                        

Ounces sold

     53,251        45,760        99,011   

Derivation of cost per ounce measures:

      
                        

Total cash cost per ounce

   $ 532      $ 652      $ 588   
                        

Cash operating cost per ounce

   $ 502      $ 624      $ 558   
                        
     For the three months ended June 30, 2008  
     Wassa     Bogoso/Prestea     Combined  

Mining operations costs

   $ 16,814      $ 37,994      $ 54,808   

Royalties

     849        1,266        2,115   

Costs (to)/from metals inventory

     742        1,581        2,324   

Mining related depreciation and amortization

     5,076        6,956        12,031   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     43        101        145   
                        

Cost of sales – GAAP

   $ 23,524      $ 47,898      $ 71,423   

Plus operations-related foreign exchange (gains)/losses

     (25     (82     (107

Less mining related depreciation and amortization

     (5,076     (6,956     (12,031

Less accretion of asset retirement obligations

     (43     (101     (145
                        

Total cash cost

     18,380        40,759        59,139   
                        

Less royalties and production taxes

     (849     (1,266     (2,115
                        

Cash Operating Costs

     17,531        39,493        57,024   
                        

Ounces sold

     31,379        46,934        78,313   

Derivation of cost per ounce measures:

      
                        

Total cash cost per ounce

   $ 586      $ 868      $ 755   
                        

Cash operating cost per ounce

   $ 559      $ 841      $ 728   
                        

 

25


     For the six months ended June 30, 2009  
     Wassa     Bogoso/Prestea     Combined  

Mining operations costs

   $ 48,720      $ 61,629      $ 110,349   

Royalties

     3,690        2,373        6,063   

Costs (to)/from metals inventory

     930        822        1,752   

Mining related depreciation and amortization

     33,745        19,291        53,036   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     403        674        1,077   
                        

Cost of sales – GAAP

   $ 87,488      $ 84,789      $ 172,277   

Plus operations-related foreign exchange (gains)/losses

     (564     (929     (1,493

Less mining related depreciation and amortization

     (33,745     (19,291     (53,036

Less accretion of asset retirement obligations

     (403     (674     (1,077
                        

Total cash cost

     52,776        63,895        116,671   
                        

Less royalties and production taxes

     (3,690     (2,373     (6,063
                        

Cash Operating Costs

     49,086        61,522        110,608   
                        

Ounces sold

     109,677        86,306        195,983   

Derivation of cost per ounce measures:

      
                        

Total cash cost per ounce

   $ 481      $ 740      $ 595   
                        

Cash operating cost per ounce

   $ 448      $ 713      $ 564   
                        
     For the six months ended June 30, 2008  
     Wassa     Bogoso/Prestea     Combined  

Mining operations costs

   $ 30,768      $ 73,169      $ 103,937   

Royalties

     1,574        2,138        3,712   

Costs (to)/from metals inventory

     (1,545     (9,431     (10,976

Mining related depreciation and amortization

     9,611        13,677        23,288   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

     157        206        363   
                        

Cost of sales – GAAP

   $ 40,565      $ 79,759      $ 120,324   

Plus operations-related foreign exchange (gains)/losses

     (15     (62     (77

Less mining related depreciation and amortization

     (9,611     (13,677     (23,288

Less accretion of asset retirement obligations

     (157     (206     (363
                        

Total cash cost

     30,782        65,814        96,596   
                        

Less royalties and production taxes

     (1,574     (2,138     (3,712
                        

Cash Operating Costs

     29,208        63,676        92,884   
                        

Ounces sold

     57,392        78,348        135,740   

Derivation of cost per ounce measures:

      
                        

Total cash cost per ounce

   $ 536      $ 840      $ 712   
                        

Cash operating cost per ounce

   $ 509      $ 813      $ 684   
                        

Total cash cost per ounce and cash operating cost per ounce should be considered as non-GAAP financial measures as defined in SEC Regulation S-K Item 10 and in applicable Canadian securities laws and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are material limitations associated with the use of such non-GAAP measures. Since these measures do not incorporate revenues, changes in working capital and non-operating cash costs, they are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under GAAP. Changes in numerous factors including, but not limited to, mining rates, milling rates, gold grade, gold recovery, costs of labor, consumables and mine site general

 

26


and administrative activities can cause these measures to increase or decrease. We believe that these measures are the same as, or similar to, the measures of other gold mining companies, but may not be comparable to similarly titled measures in every instance.

BUSINESS STRATEGY AND DEVELOPMENT

Our business and development strategy has been focused primarily on the acquisition of producing and development-stage gold properties in Ghana and on the exploration, development and operation of these properties. We have also pursued exploration activities in South America.

We acquired Bogoso in 1999 and have operated a nominal 1.5 million tonne per annum carbon-in-leach (“CIL”) processing plant most of the time since then to process oxide and other non-refractory ores (“Bogoso oxide plant”). In 2001, we acquired Prestea and mined surface deposits at Prestea from late 2001 to late 2006. In late 2002, we acquired Wassa, and constructed a new nominal 3.0 million tonne per annum CIL processing plant at Wassa, which began commercial operation in April 2005. In July 2007, we completed construction and development of a new nominal 3.5 million tonnes per annum processing facility at Bogoso/Prestea that uses bio-oxidation technology to treat refractory sulfide ore (“Bogoso sulfide plant”).

In late 2005, we acquired the HBB properties consisting of the Benso and Hwini-Butre properties. Development activities started in late 2007 at Benso, and in the third quarter of 2008 Benso began trucking ore to the Wassa plant for processing. Hwini-Butre development was initiated in the fourth quarter of 2008 and by April 2009 was sufficiently advanced to the point where Hwini-Butre also began shipping ore to Wassa.

Our overall objective is to grow our business to become a mid-tier gold producer with an annualized production rate in excess of 500,000 ounces. We continue to evaluate potential acquisition and merger opportunities that could further increase our annual gold production. However, we presently have no agreement or understanding with respect to any specific potential transaction.

In addition to our gold mining and development activities, we actively explore for gold in West Africa and South America, investing approximately $15.8 million on such activities during 2008 and $13.9 million in 2007. We are conducting regional reconnaissance projects in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone and have drilled more advanced targets in Ghana, Niger and Burkina Faso. We are also evaluating gold properties in Brazil and in French Guiana and are participating in a gold exploration joint venture in Suriname.

TRENDS AND EVENTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2009

Gold Prices

Gold prices have generally trended upward during the last eight years, from a low of $260 per ounce in 2001 to a high of $1,011 per ounce in March 2008. Since March 2008, gold price volatility has increased with prices fluctuating between $700 and $1,000 per ounce. The realized gold price for our shipments averaged $928 per ounce during the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared with $900 per ounce during the same period of 2008.

Hwini-Butre Development

Development work, which started at the Hwini-Butre mine in the fourth quarter of 2008, was mostly completed by mid-April 2009, and this new operation shipped 162,293 tonnes of ore to the Wassa plant at an average grade of 3.83 grams per tonne by June 30, 2009.

Benso Royalty Purchase

During the second quarter of 2009, we purchased, from an unrelated party, a 1.5% net smelter royalty payable on gold production from our Benso mine for $3.6 million. The royalty agreement provided us with the option to buy the royalty at any time prior to 18 months after gold production was initiated, regardless of the ownership at that date, for a specified price of Cdn$4.0 million.

Power Cost Reduction

In June 2009 the Volta River Authority (VRA), our grid power supplier in Ghana, informed us that our electric power tariff at both Wassa and Bogoso/Prestea had been adjusted to approximately $0.08 per kWh, down from approximately $0.14 per kWh and that the adjustment was retroactive to January 1, 2009. The $0.08 per kWh tariff is an interim rate which will be in effect until such time as a final tariff is formulated by the VRA. The retroactive power tariff adjustment resulted in an $8.7 million reduction in our cash operating costs for the first six months of 2009 which lowered our average cash operating cost per ounce by $45 per ounce in the first half of 2009. The full impact of the six month’s power cost adjustment was recognized in the second quarter of 2009.

Higher Gold Output and Lower Cost Per Ounce at Wassa

The Benso mine, which commenced mining operations late in 2008, sent 452,453 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 4.49 grams per tonne to the Wassa processing plant during the first half of 2009 and our new Hwini-Butre mine, which started mining operations in late April, shipped 162,293 tonnes of ore to Wassa in the second quarter at an average grade of 3.83 grams per tonne.

 

27


The higher grade ores from Benso and Hwini-Butre resulted in a marked increase in Wassa’s gold sales and revenues compared with the second quarter of 2008. Wassa’s second quarter 2009 sales totaled 53,251 ounces, up from a quarterly average of 26,492 ounces in the first three quarters of 2008 prior to start-up of the Benso and Hwini-Butre mines. The improved grade, lower power costs and resulting increase in ounces reduced Wassa’s cash operating costs per ounce to $502 in the second quarter of 2009, down from $559 in the second quarter of 2008 and down from an average of $550 in the full year 2008.

International Financial Reporting Standards

The Canadian Accounting Standards Board confirmed January 1, 2011 as the date International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) will replace current Canadian GAAP for publicly traded companies in Canada. In response we are currently developing an IFRS change-over plan. Towards this end, we have retained a qualified consulting team to oversee and effect the conversion process. It is expected that the plan will take into consideration, among other things:

 

   

Identification of differences in Canadian GAAP and IFRS accounting policies and their impact on our consolidated financial statements;

 

   

Selection of our continuing IFRS policies;

 

   

Changes in note disclosures;

 

   

Information technology and data system requirements;

 

   

Disclosure controls and procedures, including investor relations and external communications plans related to the IFRS conversion;

 

   

Identification of impacts of IFRS on internal controls over financial reporting;

 

   

Financial reporting expertise requirements, including training of personnel; and

 

   

Impacts on other business activities that may be influenced by GAAP measures, such as debt covenants;

It is not possible at this time to quantify the impact of these factors.

We have completed the planning phase of the project of the initial diagnostic between Canadian GAAP and IFRS. While the effects of IFRS have not yet been fully determined, we have identified a number of key areas where our financial statements and accounting processes will be affected by changes in accounting policy including:

 

   

Stock based compensation;

 

   

Property, plant and equipment;

 

   

Mine property and deferred exploration;

 

   

Impairment of assets; and

 

   

Presentation of financial statements, including presentation of minority interests.

No decisions have yet been made with regard to accounting policy choices. Our current implementation plan is based upon early adoption and we plan to adopt IFRS accounting effective January 1, 2010.

Revolving Credit Facility

On May 1, 2009, we finalized an agreement for a revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with Standard Chartered Bank. The Facility provides for a fully committed revolving credit line of $30 million, of which $15 million became immediately available and an additional $15 million became available on July 30, 2009. As of June 30, there was $5.0 million drawn on this new facility.

The Facility carries a term of three years from signing and bears interest at the higher of LIBOR or the applicable lenders’ cost of funds rate (which is capped at 1.25% per annum above LIBOR), plus a margin of 5% per annum. The Facility is secured by a pledge of shares in our significant subsidiaries and also provides for negative pledges on all other presently unsecured assets. Proceeds of the Facility will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The Facility is described in more detail in our Form 8-K filed May 5, 2009.

 

28


New Ghanaian National Stabilization Levy

At the end of July 2009, the Ghanaian government introduced a temporary levy on certain Ghanaian industries, including mining, brewing, banking, communications and insurance. The new law establishing the levy was made public in August 2009. The bill indicates that companies subject to the levy will pay an amount equal to 5% of “profits before tax” but no definition of profits before tax has been provided. The bill further indicates that the levy will be imposed only during 2009 and 2010, but the effective date within 2009 has not yet been specified. We are unable at this time to predict the final form of the levy or its impact on Golden Star.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 

SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

   2009    2008     2009     2008  

Gold sales (oz)

   99,011    78,313      195,983      135,740   

Average realized price ($/oz)

   928    900      916      911   

Revenues ($ in thousands)

   91,868    70,431      179,513      123,614   

Cash flow provided by operations ($ in thousands)

   29,280    9,691      40,373      4,653   

Net income/(loss) ($ in thousands)

   380    (6,654   (766   (10,346

Comprehensive income/(loss) (in $ thousands)

   394    (6,623   (725   (7,741

Net income/(loss) per share – basic ($)

   0.002    (0.028   (0.003   (0.044

Three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to three months ended June 30, 2008

Results for the three months ended June 30, 2009 included net income of $0.4 million or $0.002 per share, compared with a net loss of $6.7 million or $0.028 per share in the same period of 2008. Higher gold output and higher gold prices were the major factors contributing to the improvement in earnings over the second quarter of 2008. Consolidated mine operating margin totaled $4.1 million in the quarter, an improvement from a $1.0 million operating margin loss a year earlier.

Gold revenues were up 30% as compared to the second quarter of 2008, and gold sales of 99,011 ounces were up 26% from 78,313 ounces a year earlier. The increase in gold output at Wassa, coupled with a $28 per ounce increase in average gold prices, were responsible for the revenue increase.

While cost of sales was up from $71.4 million in the second quarter of 2008 to $87.8 million in the same period of 2009, cash operating costs of $55.3 million, were down $1.7 million from $57.0 million in the second quarter of 2008. The major factor causing the increase in cost of sales was higher depreciation and amortization, which was the result of higher gold output, especially at the new Benso and Hwini-Butre mines. The major factor contributing to the decrease in cash operating costs was a reduction in the amount of gold drawn from in-process inventories versus the second quarter of 2008. But the lower operating costs were partially offset by higher mining and hauling costs at Wassa’s new Benso and Hwini-Butre mines, neither of which were in service in the second quarter of 2008.

General and administrative costs totaled $3.7 million for the three months, down from $3.9 million in the second quarter 2008, reflecting lower tax audit and severance costs in 2008. Interest expense totaled $3.8 million in the second quarter of 2009, up slightly from $3.7 million in the same period of 2008.

Six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008

Results for the six months ended June 30, 2009 included a net loss of $0.8 million or $0.003 per share, compared with a net loss of $10.3 million or $0.044 per share in the same period of 2008. As with the quarter, higher revenue from increased gold shipments was the major factor responsible for the improved financial results as compared to the first six months of 2008. Increased gold shipments also contributed to better operating margins, which improved to $7.2 million for the first six months of 2009, up from $3.3 million in the same period of 2008.

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, gold revenues were up 45% as compared to the same period of 2008. Gold shipments for the first six months of 2009 increased 44% to 195,983 ounces, up from 135,740 ounces a year earlier. Higher gold sales and a marginal improvement in average realized gold prices, were responsible for the revenue increase. The average realized gold price was $916 per ounce during the six months ended June 30, 2009, up from $911 per ounce in the same period of 2008. Start-up of the Benso mine in 2008 and the Hwini-Butre mine, which haul their ore to Wassa for processing, was the major factor in the increased gold sales in 2009.

 

29


Cash operating costs totaled $110.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009, up from $92.9 million in the same period of 2008. Of the $17.7 million cost increase, $12.7 million of the change was related to changes in in-process and stockpile inventories. Specifically, $9.4 million of Bogoso/Prestea operating costs were temporarily added to inventory in the first half of 2008 which reduced cash operating costs in that period, while $0.8 million of operating costs came out of inventory in the first half of 2009 which increased cash operating costs. Much of the increase in inventoried costs at Bogoso/Prestea during the first half of 2008 was related to an increase in availability of bio-oxidation tanks.

First half 2009 cash operating costs were also impacted by higher mining and ore haulage costs at our new Benso and Hwini-Butre mines, which were not in–service in the first half of 2008. The $29.7 million increase in depreciation expense reflects the increases in gold output as compared to the first half of 2008.

General and administrative costs were down $1.0 million from $8.2 million in the first six months of 2008. In addition, general and administrative costs were unusually high in the first six months of 2008 due to tax planning, tax audit costs and charges for severance costs. Interest expense totaled $7.5 million in the six months ended June 30, 2009, up slightly from $7.4 million in the same period of 2008. We recognized a $4.2 million foreign exchange gain in the first six months of 2009, versus nil in the same period of 2008. The majority of the exchange gain was related to the impact of the decline in the value of the Ghanaian Cedi versus the US dollar during the first half of 2009, which reduced the amount of US dollars needed to pay invoices denominated in Ghanaian Cedis.

BOGOSO/PRESTEA OPERATIONS

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,

BOGOSO/PRESTEA OPERATING RESULTS

   2009    2008    2009    2008

Ore mined refractory (t)

   726,969    224,467    1,380,493    1,077,542

Ore mined non-refractory

   —      360,187    —      385,304
                   

Total ore mined (t)

   726,969    584,654    1,380,493    1,462,846

Waste mined (t)

   3,920,798    5,012,584    7,272,550    10,505,635

Refractory ore processed (t)

   714,538    438,487    1,341,433    1,022,795

Refractory ore grade (g/t)

   2.66    2.94    2.67    2.79

Gold recovery – refractory ore (%)

   72.2    69.7    71.9    63.5

Non-refractory ore processed (t)

   —      267,430    —      512,803

Non-refractory ore grade (g/t)

   —      2.85    —      2.76

Gold recovery – non-refractory ore (%)

   —      67    —      64

Gold sales (oz)

   45,760    46,934    86,306    78,348

Total cash cost ($/oz)

   652    868    740    840

Royalties ($/oz)

   28    27    27    27
                   

Cash operating cost ($/oz)

   624    841    713    813

Three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to three months ended June 30, 2008

Bogoso/Prestea second quarter revenues of $42.5 million were essentially unchanged from the second quarter of 2008, and gold shipments of 45,760 ounces were close to the 46,934 ounces shipped in the second quarter of 2008. However, the source of the ounces sold was significantly changed from the same quarter of 2008. All gold sold in the second quarter of 2009 was from the sulfide plant while approximately 60% of the ounces sold in the second quarter of 2008 was from the sulfide plant and approximately 40% came from the oxide plant. The increase in sulfide gold output in 2009 was the result of a 63% increase in sulfide tonnes processed versus the second quarter of 2008 and an increase in gold recovery from 69.7% to 72.2%. Higher sulfide plant throughput, as compared to the second quarter of 2008, reflects the improvements in plant availability achieved during the past year.

While revenues were essentially unchanged from a year earlier, Bogoso/Prestea generated $1.3 million of operating margin in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to a $5.7 million operating margin loss in the second quarter of 2008. The margin improvement was based on a $6.6 million reduction in cost of sales during the second quarter which was mostly related to the fact that both the oxide and sulfide plants were operating at Bogoso in the second quarter of 2008 while the sulfide plant was the only plant operating in the second quarter of 2009. Lower electric power costs also contributed to reduced costs in the second quarter of 2009. In June 2009, following several months of negotiation, Bogoso/Prestea’s electric power supplier adjusted its power tariff to

 

30


approximately $0.08 per kWh retroactive to January 1, 2009, down from approximately $0.10 per kWh in the first half of 2008. The $0.08 per kWh tariff is an interim rate which will be in effect until a final tariff is formulated by the VRA.

Lower costs also reflect the fact that both the oxide and sulfide processing plants were operating in the second quarter of 2008, while only the sulfide plant operated in the second quarter of 2009 even though, as noted above, the gold output was essentially the same in both periods. Higher depreciation and amortization costs was related to the increase in sulfide ounces as compared to the second quarter of 2008 and to lower reserve basis in 2009.

The Bogoso oxide plant remained on care and maintenance during most of the second quarter of 2009 awaiting oxide ores from Prestea South and Pampe. Subject to timely receipt of environmental permits, we expect to begin mining Prestea South oxide ores in 2010. The Prestea Underground mine remained on care and maintenance during the second quarter of 2009. We continue to dewater underground areas, and evaluate various underground mining scenarios.

Six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to six months ended June 30, 2008

Bogoso/Prestea revenues increased in the first half of 2009 to $79.1 million, up $7.9 million from $71.2 million in the same period of 2008, and gold shipments of 86,306 ounces were up 10% or 7,958 ounces from 78,348 in the first half of 2008. The source of the ounces sold was significantly changed from the same quarter of 2008. All of the gold sold in the first half of 2009 was from the sulfide plant while in the same period of 2008, approximately 70% of the gold sold was from the sulfide plant and 30% was from the oxide plant. The increase in sulfide gold output was the result of a 31% increase in sulfide tonnes processed and an increase in gold recovery from 63.5% to 71.9% as compared to the sulfide operations in the first half of 2008. Higher sulfide plant throughput, as compared to the first half of 2008, reflects the improvements in plant availability achieved during the past year.

Bogoso/Prestea generated $5.8 million of operating margin loss in the first half of 2009, as compared to an $8.5 million operating margin loss in the first half of 2008. The margin improvement was related to higher revenues as explained above and to lower operating costs which were down $2.2 million versus the first half of 2008. The major factor contributing to lower cash operating costs was the fact that Bogoso operated both the oxide and the sulfide plant in the first half of 2008 but operated only the sulfide plant in the first half of 2009. In addition in June 2009, following several months of negotiation, Bogoso/Prestea’s electric power supplier adjusted its power tariff to approximately $0.08 per kWh retroactive to January 1, 2009, down from approximately $0.10 per kWh in the first half of 2008. The $0.08 per kWh tariff is an interim rate which will be in effect until such time as a final tariff is formulated by the VRA.

Higher depreciation and amortization costs were related to the increase in sulfide ounces as compared to the second quarter of 2008 and to lower reserve basis in 2009.

The Bogoso oxide plant remained on care and maintenance during most of the first half of 2009 awaiting oxide ores from Prestea South and Pampe. Subject to receipt of environmental permits, we expect to begin mining Prestea South oxide ores in 2010.

 

31


WASSA OPERATIONS

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
   Six months ended
June 30,

WASSA/HBB OPERATING RESULTS

   2009    2008    2009    2008

Ore mined (t)

   529,670    688,537    1,186,382    1,706,885

Waste mined (t)

   4,396,164    1,309,242    7,965,381    2,565,772

Ore and heap leach materials processed (t)

   636,654    856,238    1,383,154    1,783,011

Grade processed (g/t)

   2.62    1.20    2.58    1.17

Recovery (%)

   94.9    92.9    95.3    93.1

Gold sales (oz)

   53,251    31,379    109,677    57,392

Total cash cost ($/oz)

   532    586    481    536

Royalties ($/oz)

   30    27    33    27
                   

Cash operating cost ($/oz)

   502    559    448    509

Three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to three months ended June 30, 2008

Wassa’s second quarter 2009 gold revenues totaled $49.4 million, up 75% from $28.2 million in the same quarter of 2008. A 70% increase in gold output and a $28 per ounce increase in gold prices were responsible for the improved revenues. Second quarter gold shipments increased 70% over the second quarter of 2008. While plant throughput was lower than in the second quarter of 2008, higher grades of the HBB ore, which was delivered to Wassa throughout the second quarter of 2009, more than offset the lower processing rate, resulting in a net increase in ounces sold.

Wassa generated a $2.8 million operating margin in the quarter as compared to a $4.6 million operating margin in the second quarter of 2008. Higher depreciation and increases in cash operating costs related to the HBB operations, were the major factors contributing to the lower operating margin. Cash operating costs increased to $26.7 million in the second quarter of 2009, up from $17.5 million in the same period in 2008. Most of the increase was related to the cost of operations at Wassa’s new HBB mines. The HBB mines have higher waste stripping ratios than the Wassa pits, which contributes to higher mining costs, and the extra haulage distances from the HBB deposits also contributed to higher overall cash operating costs as compared to the same period of 2008 when these two mines were not yet operating.

A $12.7 million increase in depreciation and amortization charges was mostly related to HBB purchase and development costs which we began amortizing at Benso in mid-2008 and at Hwini-Butre in the second quarter of 2009 when mining was initiated at these new mines.

Wassa’s plant feed grade averaged 2.62 grams per tonne in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to 1.20 grams per tonne in the same period of 2008. Ore processed at Wassa in the second quarter of 2009 included 330,445 tonnes at an average grade of 3.95 grams per tonne from HBB mines with the balance coming from pits at Wassa. Total tonnes processed in the second quarter of 2009 dropped to 636,653 tonnes, down from 856,238 tonnes in the second quarter of 2008, reflecting harder ore from Benso. In addition, Wassa cut back on the amount of low-grade heap leach material processed in the quarter to maximize ore residence time in the plant to achieve higher recovery from the higher grade HBB ores.

While cash operating costs were higher in the second quarter of 2009 versus the second quarter of 2008, cash operating costs per ounce fell to $502, down from $559 per ounce in the second quarter of 2008 due to higher gold output and to lower power costs.

Six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to six months ended June 30, 2008

Wassa’s gold shipments were 109,677 ounces in the six months ended June 30, 2009, a 91% increase from 57,392 ounces in the same period of 2008. While plant throughput was lower than in the first six months of 2008, higher grades of the HBB ore delivered to Wassa during the first half of 2009 more than offset the lower processing rate, resulting in a net increase in ounces sold. See the “Trends and Events” section above for additional discussion of the Hwini-Butre mine and its higher grade ore. The higher grade HBB ores were also responsible for the improved gold recoveries as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008.

During the six months ended June 30, 2009, Wassa’s operations generated a $13.0 million operating margin as compared to an $11.8 million operating margin in the same period of 2008. Revenues were significantly higher due to the increase in gold shipments, but cost of sales increased to $87.5 million, up from $40.6 million in the first half of 2008. Higher depreciation and higher cash operating costs were the major factors responsible for the increase in cost of sales. A $24.1 million increase in depreciation and amortization charges was mostly related to the impact of the HBB purchase and development costs which we began amortizing in mid-2008 at Benso and in the second quarter of 2009 for Hwini-Butre when mining was initiated at these two new mines.

 

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Higher cash operating costs in the first half of 2009 were also related to mining at the HBB mines. Cash cost increased to $49.1 million in the first half of 2009, up from $29.2 million in the first half of 2008 when the HBB mines were not yet in service. While start-up of the HBB mines resulted in an offsetting reduction in the cost of mining activities at Wassa, the longer haulage distances, higher stripping ratios and smaller pits at Benso and Hwini-Butre resulted in higher overall mining costs as compared to the first half of 2008 when all of the ore was coming from Wassa pits.

Higher grades of the HBB ores combined to double the head grade at Wassa as compared to the first half of 2008. Head grades averaged 2.58 grams per tonne in the six months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to 1.17 grams per tonne in the same period of 2008. Of the total ore processed in the first half of 2009, the HBB mines contributed 614,746 tonnes at an average grade of 4.32 grams per tonne, with the balance of the plant feed coming from pits at Wassa. Total tonnes processed in the first half of 2009 dropped to 1.38 million tonnes, down from 1.78 million tonnes in the same period of 2008, reflecting harder ore from Benso and also a reduction in the amount of heap leach material processed in the current period. In addition, Wassa cut back on the amount of low-grade heap leach material processed in the quarter to maximize ore residence time in the plant to achieve higher recovery from the higher grade HBB ores.

While cash operating costs were higher in the first half of 2009 versus the 2008 as noted above, cash operating costs per ounce fell to $448, down from $509 per ounce in the six months ended June 30, 2008 due to the higher gold output.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Prestea South Properties

Prestea South environmental permits are still pending. If the environmental permits are approved in a timely manner, Prestea South development is now expected to begin in 2010 with production anticipated later in the year. The Prestea South oxide ore will be transported to Bogoso and processed through the Bogoso oxide plant. The Prestea South sulfide ore will be processed through the Bogoso sulfide plant.

EXPLORATION

Our 2009 exploration budget has been increased from $7.5 million to approximately $9.8 million and will focus primarily on resource definition drilling in and around mining leases in Ghana and on evaluation of portions of the HBB properties outside of current mining areas.

Ghana

Second quarter 2009 exploration activities focused on development drilling at Wassa’s Main and SAK pits. Drill results confirmed the presence of higher grade ore pods at Wassa’s Main pits, but also the erratic nature of mineralization along strike. Resource and reserve estimates are now being updated with drilling results from the first half of 2009. Upon completion of the Wassa main pits drilling program which is expected in the third quarter, drilling will then focus on the Benso and Hwini Butre deposits and include additional drilling at Chichiwelli located between Wassa and Benso.

Suriname

Exploration work continued on the Saramacca joint venture in Suriname during the second quarter of 2009 focusing on further evaluation of the near-surface oxide and laterite gold targets using soil sampling programs. The joint venture continues to evaluate the laterite potential of the area as well as deeper mineralization, and drilling is expected to resume in the third quarter. In the second quarter of 2009 Newmont, our joint venture partner, met its $6.0 million spending requirement and thereupon vested in a 51% interest in Saramacca. All future Saramacca exploration costs will be shared by both partners with Newmont contributing 51% and Golden Star contributing 49%. Newmont has now assumed responsibility for project management.

French Guiana

The Paul Isnard project in French Guiana continues on a care and maintenance basis awaiting completion of the French government’s review of mining in French Guiana.

Brazil

Property evaluation and project generation continued in Brazil during the second quarter. Exploration activities for the quarter were limited to property visits and desk top reviews.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

At June 30, 2009, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $43.2 million, compared with $33.6 million at the end of 2008 and up from $28.1 million at the end of the first quarter. Operating activities provided $40.4 million of cash during the six months of 2009, compared to $4.7 million in the same period of 2008.

Debt repayments totaled $7.2 million in the first six months of 2009, of which $0.6 million was for the final installment payment of our $15.0 million short term Ghanaian bank loan and $6.6 million was paid on equipment financing loans. At June 30, 2009 our equipment financing services facility, which has a limit of $40 million, had a balance of $25.0 million leaving available credit of $15.0 million on the facility.

On May 1, 2009, we finalized an agreement for a revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with Standard Chartered Bank. The Facility provides for a fully committed revolving credit line of $30 million, of which $15 million was immediately available and an additional $15 million became available on July 30, 2009.

The Facility carries a term of three years from signing and bears interest at the higher of LIBOR or the applicable lenders’ cost of funds rate (capped at 1.25% per annum above LIBOR), plus a margin of 5% per annum. The Facility is secured by a pledge of shares in our significant subsidiaries and also provides for negative pledges on all other presently unsecured assets. Proceeds of the Facility will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of June 30, 2009 we had drawn down $5.0 million on the Facility.

During the first six months of 2009, all of our cash equivalents were invested in a fund that held only US treasury notes and bonds.

LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK

During 2008 and early 2009, world financial markets suffered a series of significant difficulties including financial institution failures, a decrease in liquidity, a decrease in world-wide economic activity and unprecedented volatility in the cost of operating consumables and commodity prices including gold. While gold prices declined for a brief period early in the fourth quarter of 2008, they have since risen to levels at or above those for the first nine months of 2008. In addition, in recent quarters, the costs of some of our operating consumables have trended lower, which has resulted in lower operating costs. In response to the lower gold prices early in the fourth quarter of 2008, we implemented a cost reduction program throughout the Company and also deferred or cancelled certain capital projects.

Based on the trends described above, continued operation of our new higher–grade Benso and Hwini-Butre mines and continuing improvements in gold output at the Bogoso sulfide plant, we expect that operational cash flows during 2009, along with the $43.2 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand at June 30, 2009, the new revolving credit facility and the equipment financing facility currently in place, will be sufficient to cover capital and operating needs during the next 12 months.

During the remainder of 2009, we expect that the higher grade ores hauled to Wassa from the HBB mines will continue to have a positive impact on Wassa’s operating cash flow which is expected to exceed prior year levels. If the Bogoso sulfide plant continues to respond to our efforts to increase gold output during the remainder of 2009, Bogoso’s contribution to operating cash flows should also increase.

Our original 2009 capital budget of $38 million has been expanded to approximately $47 million, down from $76.7 million spent in 2008. The 2009 budget includes approximately $18 million for Hwini-Butre development, $3 million for additional pit development at Bogoso, $9 million for deferred exploration and mine site drilling, and $17 million for sustaining capital at Bogoso and Wassa . During 2009, we expect to make payments of principal and interest of approximately $13.6 million on the equipment financing facility. We made the final $0.6 million installment payment on our short-term bank loan in January 2009. Interest payments on the convertible debentures are expected to total $5.0 million in 2009.

LOOKING AHEAD

Our objectives for the remainder of 2009 include:

 

   

Continued optimization of the Bogoso sulfide processing plant to improve recoveries, availability and reduce costs;

 

   

Permitting and subsequent development of Prestea South ore bodies in 2010 to provide oxide ore for the Bogoso oxide processing plant; and

 

   

Continued exploration drilling at Bogoso/Prestea, Wassa and the HBB properties to further evaluate their resource potential.

 

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We estimate 2009 Bogoso/Prestea gold production will total 190,000 ounces at an average cash operating cost of $650 per ounce. We expect Wassa to produce approximately 210,000 ounces during 2009 at an average cash operating cost of $450 per ounce, for total production of approximately 400,000 ounces at an average cash operating cost of approximately $545 per ounce.

As more fully disclosed in the Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, numerous factors could cause our estimates and expectations to be wrong or could lead to changes in our plans. Under any of these circumstances, the above estimates could change materially.

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS

All phases of our operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations in the various jurisdictions where we operate. These regulations may define, among other things, air and water discharge quality standards, waste management requirements, and mine closure and land rehabilitation obligations. In general, environmental legislation is evolving to require stricter operating standards, more detailed social and environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors, and employees for social responsibility, and health and safety. Though we currently seek to maintain high quality mine operating standards to meet best practice, world standards, future changes in environmental regulations could affect the way in which we operate, resulting in higher environmental and social operating costs that may affect the viability of our operations.

We use hazardous chemicals in our gold recovery activities, so generating environmental contaminants that may adversely affect air and water quality. To mitigate these effects, we have established objectives to achieve regulatory requirements in all of our exploration, development, operation, closure, and post-closure activities so that our employees, the local environment and our stakeholder communities are protected and that the post-closure land use contributes to the sustainability of the local economy. In order to meet our objectives, we have:

 

   

Educated our leaders and managers so that they are committed to creating a culture that makes social and environmental matters an integral part of the short- and long-term operations and performance management systems;

 

   

Worked with our employees so that they understand and accept environmental and social policies and procedures as a fundamental part of the business;

 

   

Signed the International Cyanide Management Code (“the Code”);

 

   

Implemented the Code aiming to ensure that our established policies and procedures adhere to the Code’s best practices;

 

   

Signed and publicly stated our support for the UN Global Compact and completed our communication on progress in accordance with the requirement;

 

   

Established, and continue to improve operating standards and procedures that aim to meet or exceed requirements in relevant laws and regulations, the commitments made in our environmental impact statements, environmental and socioeconomic management plans, rehabilitation and closure plans; and any international protocols to which we are a signatory;

 

   

Incorporated environmental performance requirements into all relevant contracts;

 

   

Provided training to employees and contractors in environmental matters;

 

   

Regularly prepared, reviewed, updated and implemented site-specific environmental management and closure plans;

 

   

Worked to progressively rehabilitate disturbed areas in conformance with the site-specific environmental management and rehabilitation and closure plans;

 

   

Consulted local communities and regulators to provide us with input to our social and environmental management policies and procedures;

 

   

Regularly reviewed our environmental performance; and

 

   

Publicly reported our social, health, safety, and environmental performance.

Governmental approvals and permits are currently required and will likely continue to be required in the future in connection with our operations. To the extent that such approvals are required and not obtained, we could be limited or prohibited from continuing our mining and processing operations or from proceeding with planned exploration or the development of mineral properties.

Our mining, processing, development and mineral exploration activities are subject to various laws governing prospecting, development, production, taxes, labor standards, occupational health and safety, land claims of local people and other matters. New rules and regulations may be enacted or existing rules and regulations may be modified or applied in a manner that could have an adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the second quarter of 2009, we obtained legal services from a legal firm to which our Chairman is of counsel. The total value of all services purchased from this law firm during the second quarter of 2009 was $0.1 million. Our Chairman did not personally perform any legal services for us during the period nor did he benefit directly or indirectly from payments for the services performed by the firm.

 

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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Section 3064 replaces CICA 3062 and establishes standards for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of goodwill and intangible assets. The provisions relating to the definition and initial recognition of intangible assets are equivalent to the corresponding provisions of IAS 38, Intangible Assets. CICA 1000—Financial Statement Concepts is amended to clarify criteria for recognition of an asset. CICA 3450 – Research and Development Costs is replaced by guidance in CICA 3064. EIC 27 is no longer applicable for entities that have adopted CICA 3064. A number of other EIC abstracts have consequential amendments. AcG 11 – Enterprises in the Development Stage is also amended to delete references to deferred costs and to provide guidance on development costs as intangible assets under CICA 3064. Section 3064 became effective on January 1, 2009 and required retrospective adjustments of our financial statements.

In January 2009, the CICA issued a Handbook Section 1582, “Business Combinations” (“Section 1582”), Section 1582 requires that all assets and liabilities of an acquired business will be recorded at fair value at acquisition. Obligations for contingent considerations and contingencies will also be recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. The standard also states that acquisition–related costs will be expensed as incurred and that restructuring charges will be expensed in the periods after the acquisition date. The Section applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period on or after January 1, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard on its financial statements.

In January 2009, the CICA issued Handbook Section 1601, “Consolidations” (“Section 1601”), and section 1602, “Non-controlling Interests” (“Section 1602”). Section 1601 establishes standards for the preparation of consolidated financial statements. Section 1602 establishes standards for accounting for a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary in consolidated financial statements subsequent to a business combination. These standards apply to interim and annual consolidated financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard on its financial statements.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have no off balance sheet arrangements.

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” includes information available to August 7, 2009. As of August 7, 2009 we had outstanding 236,480,561 common shares, options to acquire 8,194,528 common shares, and convertible notes which are currently convertible into 25,000,000 common shares.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market risk includes, but is not limited to, the following risks: changes in interest rates on our investment portfolio and debt, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity price fluctuations and equity price risk.

Interest Rate Risk

Our excess cash is typically invested in high quality short-term debt instruments. The interest rates received on such investments fluctuate with changes in economic conditions. As a result, our investment income may fall short of expectations during periods of lower interest rates. We estimate that, given the cash balances expected during 2009, a 1% change in interest rates would not materially impact our annual income. We do not utilize interest rate sensitive derivatives to mitigate interest rate risk. We have not entered into any agreements to hedge against unfavorable changes in interest rates, but may in the future actively manage our exposure to interest rate risk.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

While our major operating units transact most of their business in US dollars, certain purchases of labor, operating supplies and capital assets are denominated in Euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, South African rand and Ghanaian cedi. As a result, currency exchange fluctuations have in the past and may continue in the future to impact the costs of goods and services purchased in currencies other than the US dollar. The appreciation of non-US dollar currencies against the US dollar increases the costs of goods and services purchased in non-US dollar terms, which can adversely impact our net income and cash flows. Conversely, a depreciation of non-US dollar currencies against the US dollar usually decreases the costs of goods and services purchased in US dollar terms. During the first six months of 2009, exchange rate gains, mostly related to the devaluation of the Ghanaian Cedi, provided a $4.2 million benefit to us.

 

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In general, the value of cash and cash equivalent investments denominated in foreign currencies fluctuates with changes in currency exchange rates. Appreciation of non-US dollar currencies results in a foreign currency gain on such investments and a decrease in non-US dollar currencies results in a loss. We held minimal balances in foreign currency accounts during the first six months of 2009 and thus there were no material gains or losses from this source.

During the six months of 2009, we held no foreign currency purchase agreements and do not anticipate using foreign currency purchase agreements on a regular basis.

Commodity Price Risk

Gold is our primary product and, as a result, changes in the price of gold could significantly affect the results of operations and cash flows. According to current estimates, a $10 per ounce change in our average realized price of gold for 2009 would result in approximately $4.0 million change in pre-tax earnings and cash flows.

We have entered into a series of gold forward price contracts in response to a significant increase in recent gold price volatility. As of June 30, 2009 we had contracts to sell 22,500 ounces at an average price of $950 per ounce which expire ratably on a weekly basis during the third quarter of 2009.

Our operating costs are exposed to fluctuations in the price of crude oil in world markets. Prolonged increases in the price of crude oil will result in an increase in the cost of operating our equipment, an increase in the cost to import goods and services, and an increase in our power cost. Conversely a decrease in the price of crude oil will result in a decrease in the aforementioned costs.

Equity Price Risk

We have in the past and may in the future seek to acquire additional funding by sale of common shares. Movements in the price of our common shares have been volatile in the past and may be volatile in the future. As a result, there is a risk that we may not be able to sell new common shares at an acceptable price should the need for new equity funding arise.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

During the fiscal period covered by this report, the Company’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

B.D. Goldfields Action - On August 29, 2008 B.D. Goldfields, Ltd., a Ghanaian registered company, and a shareholder of B.D. Goldfields, Ltd. filed suit in the United States District Court of the District of Colorado (the “Court”) against Golden Star Resources Ltd. and our subsidiary St. Jude Resources Ltd. The plaintiffs challenged the validity of the various concession contracts and settlements related to the Hwini-Butre gold property in Ghana. We believe this action is frivolous and without merit, and we have defended and intend to continue to defend vigorously against this action on numerous grounds. Our initial motion to dismiss was presented to the Court on November 6, 2008 and the Court issued its Order of Dismissal on May 8, 2009, with judgment entered in favor of us on May 12, 2009. The Order of Dismissal and Judgment dismissed with prejudice all claims against Golden Star and St. Jude Resources Ltd. for lack of jurisdiction. In addition, the Court awarded us certain attorneys’ fees and costs. After entry of the Judgment, the plaintiffs filed a post-judgment motion to alter the Judgment. We have opposed the post-judgment motion and believe that such motion is without merit. On June 12, 2009, the plaintiffs also appealed the Judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (the “Appeals Court”). On June 26, 2009, we filed a motion to dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction and on July 10, 2009, the Appeals Court dismissed the appeal.

We are also engaged in other routine litigation incidental to our business, none of which is deemed to be material. No material legal proceedings, involving us or our business are pending, or, to our knowledge, contemplated, by any governmental authority.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following risk factor replaces the risk factor entitled “We may incur substantial losses in the future that could make financing our operations and business strategy more difficult.” in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Annual Report”). The other risk factors for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 are substantially the same as those disclosed and discussed in the 2008 Annual Report.

We have incurred and may continue to incur substantial losses that could make financing our operations and business strategy more difficult and that may affect our ability to service our debts as they become due.

We experienced a net loss of $120.1 million in 2008 and have experienced net losses in other prior fiscal years. In recent years, the start-up of the Bogoso sulfide plant, lower than expected ore grades or recoveries, higher than expected operating costs, and impairment write-offs of mine property and/or exploration property costs have been the primary factors contributing to such losses. In the future, these factors, as well as declining gold prices, could cause us to continue to be unprofitable in the future. Future operating losses could make financing our operations and our business strategy, including pursuit of the growth opportunities anticipated at the HBB properties, or raising additional capital, difficult or impossible and could materially and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. In addition, continuing operating losses could affect our ability to meet our debt payment obligations.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The 2008 Annual General and Special Meeting of Common Shareholders was held on May 7, 2008 where two matters were voted upon with the following results:

1. The following directors were elected to serve until the date of the 2010 annual meeting:

 

      Number of Common shares Voted

Director

   Affirmative    Withheld

James E. Askew

   144,418,547    13,283,423

Thomas Mair

   145,915,048    11,786,922

David K. Fagin

   124,560,412    33,141,558

Lars-Eric Johansson

   146,212,518    11,489,452

Ian MacGregor

   143,046,943    14,655,027

Michael P. Martineau

   146,199,843    11,502,127

Michael A. Terrell

   144,603,853    13,098,117

 

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  2. The resolution to appoint PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the auditors of the Company and to authorize the Board of Directors to fix the auditors’ remuneration was approved as follows:

For: 156,231,961                     Withheld: 2,165,541

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Effective August 5, 2009, Mr. Michael Terrell resigned as a director of the Company.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

31.1    Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2    Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1    Certificate of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
32.2    Certificate of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.

 

GOLDEN STAR RESOURCES LTD.

Registrant

By:    /s/    Thomas G. Mair        
  Thomas G. Mair
  President and Chief Executive Officer
  Date: August 10, 2009
By:    /s/    John A. Labate        
  John A. Labate
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  Date: August 10, 2009

 

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