Terra Nova Royalty Corporation Reports Second Quarter Results for 2010

NEW YORK, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Terra Nova Royalty Corporation ("Terra Nova") (NYSE: TTT) today announced results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010.  Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts are in United States dollars.

In 2010 we separated (the "Separation") into two distinct owned and operated businesses: a mineral royalty and natural resources business conducted by Terra Nova Royalty Corporation; and an industrial plant technology, equipment and service business (the "Industrial Business") conducted by our former subsidiary KHD Humboldt Wedag International AG and its affiliates ("KID"). As a result of the Separation, as of March 31, 2010, we no longer consolidate the results of the Industrial Business.

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, which was the first quarter that reflected the results of our mineral royalty and natural resources business, Terra Nova reported revenues from our resource property of $4.9 million, operating income of $0.8 million and a net loss to our shareholders of $0.3 million, or $0.01 per share on a fully diluted basis.  As at June 30, 2010, Terra Nova had cash and securities of $84.9 million and working capital was $98.3 million (excluding a dividend payable of $37.3 million).

The following table sets out a summarized income statement for just our resource property segment and directly attributable direct costs, expenses and taxes:

For the six months ended June 30, 2010 (which include revenue and expenses of the Industrial Business for the first quarter of 2010), Terra Nova reported revenues from our resource property of $8.8 million, revenues from our former industrial subsidiary of $101.6 million, operating income of $11.0 million, and a net loss to our shareholders of $18.8 million, or a net loss of $0.62 per share on a fully diluted basis.  

Chairman Michael Smith commented, "We have separated our company into two distinct owned and operated businesses. The Separation, among other things, lets both entities focus their management efforts and capital resources on their respective businesses and provided our shareholders with ownership stakes in each.

The Separation was and is being effected, in part by:

• distributing to our shareholders 8.6 million shares of KID (being about 26% of its issued shares and outstanding shares) on March 30, 2010, effectively tax free for shareholders;
• distributing to our shareholders 7.6 million shares of KID (being about 23% of its issued shares and outstanding shares) on July 1, 2010, for which there was Canadian withholding tax of 15% for U.S. residents;
• we currently expect to distribute an additional 9.4 million KID shares to shareholders (being about 29% of its outstanding KID shares) without withholding taxes in the third quarter of 2010; and
• retaining the balance of the KID shares at this time."

Mr. Smith continued, "Our disappointments for the first half of 2010 are:  

• our general and administrative expenses are still way too high;
• we have not completed any significant new acquisitions, but we are pleased that we controlled our risk appetite in assessing new opportunities;
• we have not cut off expenses related to the former Industrial Business quickly enough;        
• the dividend out of our interest in KID shares has taken longer than we had initially intended; and
• GAAP precludes us from applying discontinued operations accounting to KID, which makes the comparative figures in our financial statements confusing and incomparable.              

These will be key areas for management to improve upon."

Wabush Royalty - Recent Developments

There were three key developments relating to our royalty interest in the Wabush iron ore mine (the "Wabush Royalty"):

• we received a positive decision from the arbitration panel relating to our claims against the mine owners and received an award for damages for an aggregate royalty underpayment of approximately C$11 million and we are also seeking to recover interest and expenses of approximately C$4 million;
• a prospective increase in the published pellets pricing rate later this year; and
• we have given notice under the royalty agreement underlying the Wabush Royalty to renegotiate the base royalty rate.

Royalty Rate and Non-Published Price Effect

The Wabush Royalty is paid quarterly and is based on the tonnage of iron ore pellets shipped by the mine operator. One of the major components in the calculation of the Wabush Royalty rate payable is based on the most recently published prices of a basket of five particular iron ore pellets.

Historically, iron-ore benchmark prices were determined in the first quarter of the calendar year through negotiations between the major producers and their most significant customers.  These prices were then generally adopted by the other suppliers when published.

The significant increase in benchmark prices from 2007 to 2008 was resisted by the major Chinese steel mills in particular, who also refused to accept the lowered benchmark pricing offered in 2009. This led major iron ore suppliers to announce a move to quarterly benchmark pricing for 2010, and culminated in the negotiation of proprietary pricing agreements with specific customers that were not published.  As a result, the related royalty rate component for our Wabush Royalty payments for the first half of 2010 was based on 2009 prices.

Increased prices for two of the five component pellets in the pricing basket have been recently published.  If all five component pellets increase their prices to the 2008 levels, our royalty rate will be C$7.74 per ton.

Wabush Royalty Forecast for 2010

Based upon current markets, published pricing, historical production levels and publicly disclosed information of the mine owner, our current 2010 annual forecast for the Wabush Royalty revenues is set forth in the table below. Although management believes it is reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forecast will be achieved and actual results may be materially different than those set forth herein. See "Risk Factors" in our Form 6-K for June 30, 2010.

Both Scenarios are based on the assumption that, due to the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Wabush mine by the operator, as well as increases in price and demand for iron ore, production at the mine will return to 2007 to 2008 levels.

Scenario A follows an assumption that uses the actual royalty rates received for the first half of 2010, and assumes that the royalty rate for the balance of the year will be the current calculated rate based on published benchmark prices to date.

Scenario B adopts a slightly more optimistic view and assumes that benchmark prices for all iron ore pellets will be re-established at 2008 levels and prices published by the end of the third quarter of 2010. Therefore, this scenario projects the royalty rate will increase from the C$5.96 per ton received in the second quarter of 2010 to C$7.74 per ton for the third and fourth quarters of 2010.

International Financial Reporting Standards and the Fair Value of the Royalty Interest

As of January 1, 2011, we intend to change our financial reporting standards from Canadian GAAP to International Financial Reporting Standards.  Pursuant to IAS.16, Property, Plant and Equipment, we currently expect to increase the value of the Wabush Royalty asset to its fair value. If this were implemented as of December 31, 2009, based upon our current valuation including current royalty rates and forecasted demand, we currently estimate it would result in a value for the existing royalty of $200 million and we estimate the pro-forma effect on such an increase would be as follows:

The above-mentioned valuation does not take into consideration the current positive pricing development.

Rights Offering

On July 27, 2010, we announced a rights offering (the "Rights Offering"), pursuant to which, each holder of our common shares of record as of August 6, 2010, received one transferable right (a "Right") for every common share held as of such date.  Every four Rights entitle a holder to purchase one common share at a price of $6.60. The Rights will expire on September 2, 2010. The Rights are currently traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  A maximum of 7,571,227 common shares will be issued pursuant to the Rights Offering.

The Rights Offering makes us financially stronger and increases our shareholders' equity.

Book Value

We view our book value per share as a key indicator of our overall financial performance.  Our book value per share as at June 30, 2010 and pro forma to give effect to the next distribution of KID shares and the Rights Offering (assuming it is fully subscribed) is set forth below.

Mr. Smith concluded. "We are continuously reviewing potential new projects and opportunities to expand on our mineral and natural resources business, including working with a syndicate to purchase a resource company.  This project is still in the formation stage but has interesting possibilities.  During the current quarter, one project was consummated and subsequently resold. We believe that we are well positioned to grow Terra Nova, as we have a strong balance sheet, no debt and good cash flow.  We continually review the effectiveness of our strategy and are working on substantial opportunities, but are maintaining our financial discipline.  Our commitment is to enhance shareholder value."

Shareholders are encouraged to read the entire Form 6-K, which has been filed with the SEC, for a greater understanding of Terra Nova.

About Terra Nova Royalty Corporation

Terra Nova Royalty Corporation is active in the royalty and mineral industry.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, which reflect our management's expectations regarding our future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested herein. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits we will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain assumptions and speak only as of the date hereof. These assumptions, which include management's current expectations, estimates and assumptions about our business and the markets we operate in, the global economic environment, interest rates, exchange rates and our ability to manage our assets and operating costs, may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: (i) changes in iron ore and other commodities prices; (ii) the performance of the properties underlying our interests; (iii) decisions and activities of the operator of our royalty properties and other interests; (iv) unanticipated grade, geological, metallurgical, processing or other problems experienced by the operators of our royalty properties and other interests; (v) economic and market conditions; and (vi) the availability of royalties for acquisition or other acquisition opportunities and the availability of debt or equity financing necessary to complete such acquisitions. There is a significant risk that our forecasts and other forward-looking statements will not prove to be accurate. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future results. Except as required by law, we disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional information about these and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties are set out in our MD&A filed with Canadian securities regulators and filed on Form 6-K with the SEC and our Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009.

UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW –

SOURCE Terra Nova Royalty Corporation