2024 Tier 1 Portfolio Guidance Maintained, Non-Core Guidance Updated
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Quarterly Report For The Period Ended 31 December 2022
Challenger Exploration (ASX: CEL) (“CEL” the “Company”) is pleased to provide its Quarterly Activities Report for the period ended 31 December 2022 (“Quarterly”, “Reporting Period”).
Highlights
- Hualilan Gold Project - San Juan, Argentina
- Drilling post CEL's Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2.1 million ounces (AuEq)1 continues to significantly expand the mineralisation with results Including (Table 4);
- 50.0m at 3.4 g/t AuEq1 - 2.4 g/t Au, 16.8g/t Ag, 1.8% Zn from 441.0m including,
40.0m at 4.2 g/t AuEq1 - 2.9 g/t Au, 20.9 g/t Ag, 2.2% Zn from 441.0m including,
22.5m at 7.0 g/t AuEq1 - 4.8 g/t Au, 33.5 g/t Ag, 3.8% Zn from 456.5m (GNDD-316 ext) - 65.3m at 2.4 g/t AuEq1 - 2.3 g/t Au, 1.7 g/t Ag, 0.2% Zn from 209.0m and
12.2m at 11.0 g/t AuEq1 - 10.1 g/t Au, 11.7 g/t Ag, 1.5% Zn from 324.9m(GNDD-684) - 16.5m at 5.9 g/t AuEq1 - 4.1 g/t Au, 18.9 g/t Ag, 3.4% Zn from 53.0 including,
10.5m at 9.3 g/t AuEq1 - 6.5 g/t Au, 29.6 g/t Ag, 5.3% Zn from 59.1m (GNDD-670), - 94.0m at 0.7 g/t AuEq1 - 0.6 g/t Au, 1.2 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn from 17.0m including
2.0m at 8.8 g/t AuEq1 - 8.8 g/t Au, 0.2 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn from 109.0m and
45.0m at 0.7 g/t AuEq1 - 0.5 g/t Au, 6.3 g/t Ag, 0.2% Zn from 314.0m (GNDD-661);
- 50.0m at 3.4 g/t AuEq1 - 2.4 g/t Au, 16.8g/t Ag, 1.8% Zn from 441.0m including,
- Additional 50,000 metre drill program (to take total metres at Hualilan to 250,000 metres) more that 50% complete (assays pending)
- Work on an updated MRE based on approximately 200,000 metres of assays underway with a March completion date to be followed by a third update, based on 250,000 metres, in H2 23.
- Scoping Study commenced with Mining Plus appointed as managers for the Study.
- Drilling post CEL's Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2.1 million ounces (AuEq)1 continues to significantly expand the mineralisation with results Including (Table 4);
- El Guayabo/Colorado V Gold/Copper Projects - El Oro, Ecuador
- 11 hole exploration program targeting the next 8 regionally significant Au-soil anomalies in Ecuador completed with all holes intersecting mineralisation and discoveries on 4 of the 8 anomalies. Outstanding results from first Phase 2 drill holes on the GY-B anomaly (Table 5):
- 778.2 m at 0.3 g/t AuEq2- 0.2 g/t Au, 0.6 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 0.8 ppm Mo from 77.3m including;
171.3m at 0.5 g/t AuEq2 - 0.5 g/t Au, 0.9 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 2.1 ppm Mo from 328.1m including;
98.4m at 0.7 g/t AuEq2 - 0.6 g/t Au, 0.6 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, 2.3 ppm Mo from 328.1m and
150.8m at 0.5 g/t AuEq2 - 0.4 g/t Au, 0.6 g/t Ag, 0.02% Cu, 3.1 ppm Mo from 688.2m including;
42.5m at 1.4 g/t AuEq2 - 1.3 g/t Au, 1.2 g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 2.4 ppm Mo (GYDD-22-019)
(First hole CP-A Anomaly - new gold discovery) - 638.2m at 0.6 g/t AuEq2 - 0.3 g/t Au, 2.1 g/t Ag, 0.1 % Cu, 10.5 ppm Mo from 10.1m including;
304.3m at 1.0 g/t AuEq2 - 0.5 g/t Au, 3.4 g/t Ag, 0.3 % Cu, 14.5 ppm Mo from 344.0m including;
108.5m at 2.4 g/t AuEq2 - 1.3 g/t Au, 7.8 g/t Ag, 0.6% Cu, 20.0 ppm Mo from 344.0m including;
54.2 m at 4.0 g/t AuEq2-2.2 g/t Au, 12.9 g/t Ag, 1.0% Cu, 24.7 ppm Mo (GYDD-22-024)
(GY-B Phase 2 drilling - hole ending in mineralisation)
CORPORATE
The exploration expenditure for the quarter was $7.7 million including approximately $0.9m Argentinian VAT which will be recouped. Exploration spend was primarily drilling and assay expenditure which accounted for 70% of the total exploration spend and Scoping Study activities of
$150k.
A total of 11,745 metres were drilled during the December Quarter in Hualilan with 3-rigs utilised full time and rig production ahead of budgeted metres. With the drill out for the Hualilan Mineral Resource Update now completed the rig count has been reduced to 2-rigs with a second rig programmed to depart at the end of the quarter. Budgeted drill metres during the current quarter are approximately 7,500 metres, a 40% reduction.
Total drill metres during the quarter in Ecuador were 7,041 metres. Approximately 4,500 metres remain in the program designed to produce a maiden Mineral resource estimate, in accordance with the JORC Code, over the GY-A and GY-B anomalies. Consequently, the company will move from 2-rigs to 1-rig during February with this program expected to be completed around the end of the quarter.
In line with the current drill programs at both projects nearing completion, budgeted exploration spend is forecast to reduce significantly in the current quarter and again into the June quarter.
Net spend during the quarter was $9.1million which included the exploration spend of $7.7 million and Administration and Corporate costs of $1.2M including approximately $0.9m Argentinian VAT which will be recouped. The $1.2M administration and corporate costs included Interest associated with the Convertible Debenture with QRC of $400k. The balance was related to administration and other corporate costs. Amounts payable for staff costs of ($113k) and exploration staff costs ($91K) were to related parties and their associates. Cash at bank at the end of the quarter was $15.4 million.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Challenger Exploration, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Newmont Announces Agreement to Divest Telfer and Havieron for Up to $475M
Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT, ASX: NEM, PNGX: NEM) announces today, as part of its ongoing program to divest non-core assets, it has agreed to sell the Telfer operation, Newmont's 70% interest in the Havieron gold-copper project (Havieron), and other related interests in the Paterson region, all in Australia, to Greatland Gold plc (AIM:GGP) (Greatland). The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to certain conditions being satisfied. 1
Under the terms of the agreement, Newmont expects to receive gross proceeds of up to $475 million, which includes:
- Cash consideration of $207.5 million, due upon on closing 2
- Equity consideration of $167.5 million in the form of Greatland shares, to be issued upon closing
- Deferred contingent cash consideration of up to $100 million 3
"The transaction announced today represents the first asset sale in the divestiture program announced in February. I am pleased that Telfer and Havieron are being sold to Greatland, a company with a highly experienced management team and board of directors. I have full confidence that the Greatland team will be outstanding stewards of these assets", said Tom Palmer, Newmont's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Including the Telfer divestiture, we continue to expect to reach at least $2 billion in total proceeds from the sale of our high-quality, non-core assets, enabling us to focus attention on our suite of Tier 1 assets, further reduce debt, and return capital to shareholders."
Newmont remains firmly on track to deliver on our 2024 commitments 4 . With the expectation that the transaction will close in the fourth quarter of 2024, Newmont has made minor adjustments to its non-core gold and copper production guidance to reflect the Telfer divestiture, which was classified as ‘held for sale' in Newmont's financial statements.
For more detailed guidance, see the Company's 2024 Outlook included in the second quarter earnings release dated July 24, 2024, available on newmont.com . Please see the cautionary statement and footnotes for additional information.
Guidance Metric | 2024E |
Attributable Gold Production (Koz) a | |
Managed Tier 1 Portfolio | 4,100 |
Non-Managed Tier 1 Portfolio | 1,530 |
Total Tier 1 Portfolio | 5,630 (unchanged) |
Non-Core Assets | 1,120 |
Total Newmont Attributable Gold Production (Koz) | 6,750 |
Copper | |
Copper Production - Tier 1 Portfolio (ktonne) | 144 (unchanged) |
Copper Production - Non-Core Assets (ktonne) | 1 |
Total Newmont Copper Production (ktonne) | 145 |
a | Attributable gold production includes ounces from the Company's equity method investment in Pueblo Viejo (40%) and in Lundin Gold (32.0%). |
Advisers and Counsel
In connection with the transaction, Newmont engaged Macquarie Capital as its financial adviser, and Allens and Linklaters as its legal advisers.
About Newmont
Newmont is the world's leading gold company and a producer of copper, zinc, lead, and silver. The company's world-class portfolio of assets, prospects, and talent is anchored in favorable mining jurisdictions in Africa, Australia, Latin America & the Caribbean, North America, and Papua New Guinea. Newmont is the only gold producer listed in the S&P 500 Index and is widely recognized for its principled environmental, social, and governance practices. Newmont is an industry leader in value creation, supported by robust safety standards, superior execution, and technical expertise. Founded in 1921, the company has been publicly traded since 1925.
At Newmont, our purpose is to create value and improve lives through sustainable and responsible mining. To learn more about Newmont's sustainability strategy and initiatives, go to newmont.com .
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements, Including Outlook Assumptions:
This news release 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, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws. Where a forward-looking statement expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. However, such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition; and often contain words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "will," "would," "estimate," "expect," "believe," "pending" or "potential." Forward-looking statements in this news release may include, without limitation, (i) estimates of future production and sales, including production outlook; (ii) expectations regarding the sale of Telfer and Havieron, including, without limitation, expectations regarding timing and closing of the pending transaction, including receipt of required approvals and satisfaction of all closing conditions (including without limitation, the conditions set forth in footnotes contained on the prior page of this release), and expectations regarding receipt of cash and equity consideration upon closing and receipt of any deferred contingent cash consideration in the future; (iii) expectations regarding the progress of the divestiture program and the sale of assets which have been designated as assets held for sale; (iv) expectations regarding capital allocation priorities and return capital to shareholders; (v) statements regarding the future portfolio and financial or operating results. Estimates or expectations of future events or results are based upon certain assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions related to outlook, include, but are not limited to: (i) there being no significant change to current geotechnical, metallurgical, hydrological and other physical conditions; (ii) permitting, development, operations and expansion of operations and projects being consistent with current expectations and mine plans; (iii) political developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; (iv) certain exchange rate assumptions for the Australian dollar to U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar, as well as other exchange rates being approximately consistent with current levels; (v) certain price assumptions for gold, copper, silver, zinc, lead and oil; (vi) prices for key supplies; (vii) the accuracy of current mineral reserve, mineral resource and mineralized material estimates; (viii) other planning assumptions; and (ix) all closing conditions being satisfied as part of the sale of Telfer and Havieron. Uncertainties include those relating to general macroeconomic uncertainty and changing market conditions, changing restrictions on the mining industry in the jurisdictions in which we operate, impacts to supply chain, including price, availability of goods, ability to receive supplies and fuel, and impacts of changes in interest rates.
For a more detailed discussion of risks and other factors that might impact future looking statements, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 29, 2024, under the heading "Risk Factors", and other factors identified in the Company's reports filed with the SEC, available on the SEC website or at www.newmont.com . The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly revisions to any "forward-looking statement," including, without limitation, outlook, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued "forward-looking statement" constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement.
1 Closing of the transaction remains conditional on satisfaction of certain conditions including: (i) Newmont and Greatland receiving approval for the transaction from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB); (ii) transfer of key approvals and tenements; (iii) assignment of key contracts and leases; (iv) obtaining specific environmental licenses; (iv) restart of operations at Telfer following remediation of TSF8; and (v) other customary closing conditions. See cautionary statement at the end of this release regarding forward-looking statements.
2 Includes $155.1m of acquisition consideration (subject to certain adjustments) and a $52.4m repayment of the outstanding joint venture loan. The ratio of cash and equity consideration is subject to adjustment based on the outcome of the capital raising to be undertaken by Greatland in connection with this divestment.
3 Up to a maximum $100.0 million in deferred consideration may be payable to Newmont in cash through a gold price linked payment structure with a 50% price upside participation by Newmont in respect of gold produced from Havieron for 5 calendar years following the declaration of commercial production, subject to a hurdle price of $1,850/oz. Deferred consideration for the relevant year will be equal to 50% x (market price – hurdle price) x sum of total gold sold for the relevant year (inc. doré and concentrate), subject to the annual cap and the total cap. The applicable annual cap is $50 million and the total cap is $100 million.
4 Outlook and Guidance Metrics contained in the release are forward-looking statements. See cautionary statement at the end of this release.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240908941675/en/
Investor Contact - Global
Neil Backhouse
investor.relations@newmont.com
Investor Contact – Asia Pacific
Natalie Worley
apac.investor.relations@newmont.com
Media Contact - Global
Jennifer Pakradooni
globalcommunications@newmont.com
Media Contact – Asia Pacific
Rosalie Cobai
australiacommunications@newmont.com
News Provided by Business Wire via QuoteMedia
Kinross completes Great Bear Preliminary Economic Assessment
Annual production over 500,000 ounces 1
Impressive margins with low AISC 2 of ~$800/oz
Drilling beyond PEA inventory shows high-grade mineralization at depth
Kinross Gold Corporation (TSX: K, NYSE: KGC) ("Kinross" or the "Company") today is pleased to provide an update on the Great Bear project (the "Project"), located in Red Lake, Ontario, Canada.
This news release contains forward-looking information about expected future events and financial and operating performance of the Company. We refer to the risks and assumptions set out in our Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information located on page 13 of this release. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Kinross has completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Great Bear project which supports the Company's acquisition thesis of a top tier high-margin operation in a stable jurisdiction with strong infrastructure. Based on mineral resources drilled to date, the PEA outlines a high-grade combined open pit and underground mine with an initial planned mine life of approximately 12 years and production cost of sales 3 of $594 per ounce. The Project is expected to produce over 500,000 ounces per year at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) 1 of approximately $800 per ounce during the first 8 years through a conventional, modest capital 10,000 tonne per day (tpd) mill.
Kinross has also released an updated mineral resource estimate increasing the inferred resource estimate by 568koz. to 3.884 Moz. which is in addition to the existing M&I resource estimate of 2.738 Moz 4 . The mineral resource estimate and PEA for the Great Bear project are available here .
CEO Commentary:
"This PEA marks an important milestone for Great Bear and reaffirms our view of it as a high-quality asset with robust economics and a clear path to become a world class operating mine," said Paul Rollinson, Chief Executive Officer of Kinross Gold Corporation. "The Project represents a strong combination of high-margin production and modest capital requirements, with the opportunity for significant resource growth in the future.
"This PEA represents the first view of unlocking Great Bear's full potential. Based on surface drilling to date, the PEA provides an initial snapshot in time of the Project. The ongoing drilling to depth has already shown multiple wide, high-grade intercepts beyond the current resource used in the PEA. This deep drilling from surface demonstrates the continuation of mineralization at depth and the upside potential for further resource and mine life additions in the future as we progress exploration from depth.
"These positive results are underpinned by a strong mining jurisdiction with a skilled labour pool and solid regional infrastructure. We have both the financial and technical resources to advance the development of this exciting new Project in our portfolio."
________________________
1 Annual production over 500,000 ounces for the first 8 years .
2 AISC is a non-GAAP financial measure. T he definition and purpose of this non-GAAP financial measure is included on page 1 1 of this news release. Non-GAAP financial measures and ratios have no standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Please see average production cost of sales in the table entitled "PEA study financial highlights" for the related estimated GAAP financial measure .
3 " Production cost of sales per ounce " is defined as production cost of sales divided by total ounces sold . In the PEA, production costs of sales is referred to as production cash costs.
4 See the table below titled "Great Bear Summary of project mineral resources" for grade and quantity of mineral resource estimate.
Key PEA Highlights:
- The Great Bear PEA demonstrates a top-tier high margin operation in a stable jurisdiction in Ontario, Canada. The Project is located within the prolific Red Lake Greenstone Belt 24 kilometres from Red Lake, a town with a long history of mining, significant infrastructure including a paved highway and provincial power lines, and access to experienced, skilled labour.
- The results from the PEA affirm that Great Bear has the potential to be a cornerstone asset with a top tier production profile, low costs, and significant value.
- The PEA mine plan demonstrates an excellent estimated internal rate of return (IRR) and after-tax net present value (NPV) at a range of gold prices.
PEA study physical highlights 5 | |
Annual production (koz. / first 8 years) | 518 |
Annual production (koz. / life of mine average) | 431 |
Life of mine production (Moz. Au) | 5.3 |
Mill Processing rate (tpd) | 10,000 |
Underground peak mining rate (tpd) | 6,000 |
Life of mine tonnes processed (million tonnes) | 44.6 |
Average grade processed (g/t Au) | 3.87 |
Average recovery rate (% Au) | 95.7 |
PEA study financial highlights | ||
Average production cost of sales (per Au oz.) 3 , 6 | $594 | |
Average all-in sustaining costs (per Au oz.) 2 , 5 | $812 | |
Total initial construction capital cost (US$ millions) | $1,181 | |
Total capitalized mine development (US$ millions) | $248 | |
Total initial project capital (US$ millions) | $1,429 |
Great Bear IRR and NPV estimates based on gold price 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 | ||
$1,900/oz. | $2,500/oz. | |
IRR | 24.3% | 35.5% |
NPV | $1.9 billion | $3.3 billion |
Payback period (years) | 2.7 | 1.7 |
________________________
5 The PEA is preliminary in nature and is based, in part, on Inferred Mineral Resources. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too geologically speculative to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves. There is no certainty that the economic forecasts on which the PEA is based will be realized.
6 Average production cost of sales and average AISC represent costs for projected production for the life of mine .
7 The economic analysis of the project was carried out using a discounted cash flow approach on a pre-tax and after-tax basis, based on a long-term gold price of $1,900/oz in USD and cost estimates prepared in CAD.
8 An exchange rate of 0.74 USD per 1.00 CAD was assumed to convert CAD market price projections and particular components of the capital cost estimates into USD.
9 The IRR on total investment that is presented in the economic analysis was calculated assuming 100% equity financing except open pit fleet, though Kinross may decide in the future to finance part of the project with debt financing.
10 The NPV was calculated from the after-tax cash flow generated by the project, based on a discount rate of 5% and a valuation date of Jan uary 1, 2026.
Mine Plan
The initial mine plan outlines concurrent open pit and underground mining over the first 8 years followed by combined underground mining and stockpile processing in years 8 to 12. The decision to mine the open pit and underground concurrently from the start provides significant production flexibility and time to continue exploration drilling from underground to further expand the resource and mine life.
The PEA demonstrates an initial life-of-mine (LOM) of approximately 12 years with total production of approximately 5.3 Moz. of gold. However this represents a point in time estimate of the mine plan and is only a window into the long-term potential of the asset given the limitations of drilling at depth from surface. Exploration drilling at depths up to 1,600 metres has already demonstrated continuation of high-grade mineralization with strong widths well below the current PEA inventory, highlighting the upside potential of this asset.
The high-grade open pit will be mined with a dual fleet strategy to provide selective mining of the high-grade material and lower cost mining of the waste, mining a peak of 26 million tonnes of material, and providing a peak of 9,000 tpd of mineralized material.
Figure 1: Open Pit mining plan
A figure accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0000d00-833d-44c3-bb2b-c9f6256efdf9
For the underground, the primary mining method is long hole open stoping with paste backfill and cemented rock fill. First stope production is expected to begin in 2029, subject to permitting, and to continue for 12 years with a peak production rate of 6,000 tpd, with potential to expand beyond this run rate as extensions to the underground resource are targeted. At peak, the underground will have a mining rate of 6,000 tpd between 2035 and 2038, producing an average of 327koz. per annum.
Figure 2: Underground mining plan
A figure accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db93d57c-524e-4059-a891-d0e374224711
The combination of the open pit and underground production in the years 1 to 8 will allow for processing of higher-grade material and stockpiling of the remaining feed to supplement underground production in the latter years of the mine life. This strategy drives a milled grade of 4.6 g/t in years 1 to 8 and an average production of 518koz. per annum over these years.
Figure 3: Concurrent Open Pit and Underground Gold Production
A figure accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e007df4-b44f-49a2-86f8-dc548712d631
Figure 4: Mill Throughput
A figure accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0eaceeda-6b16-47d2-b979-b54899734d36
Open pit mining operations | |
LOM material mined | 187.9 Mt |
LOM plant feed mined | 24.3 Mt |
Average grade | 3.0 g/t Au |
Strip ratio | 6.7 (waste: plant feed) |
Peak mining rate (all materials) | 26.2 Mtpa |
Mining unit cost (including capitalized mining) | $3.59 ($/t mined) |
Underground mining operations | |
LOM plant feed mined | 20.3 Mt |
Average grade | 4.9 g/t Au |
Steady State Mining Rate (plant feed) | 6,000 tpd |
Mining unit cost (excluding capitalized mining) | $68.70 ($/t processed) |
Mill, Processing and Tailings Design
For the PEA, a conventional milling circuit for free milling mineralization was selected, targeting an average processing rate of 10,000 tpd. This scale of plant configuration simplifies construction, drives high margins and production scale in the early years with selective processing of higher-grade material when mining both open pit and underground, and avoids oversizing the mill for a potential underground only scenario in the latter years of the mine life at Great Bear.
Kinross has completed a comprehensive metallurgical test work program including detailed chemical head analysis, mineralogy, gold deportment, comminution, and leaching and gravity recovery testing across a selection of composite samples. The results of the test work program indicated clean metallurgy with no deleterious elements and very strong recoveries, with average LOM recovery of 95.7% projected in the PEA. The clean metallurgy and conventional circuit are expected to further de-risk project construction and execution.
Based on the metallurgical test results, Great Bear's processing plant has been designed as a conventional circuit with a proposed flowsheet including semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) and ball milling, pebble crushing, gravity concentration, leaching followed by carbon-in-pulp adsorption (CIP), elution, electrowinning, and smelting to produce gold doré.
Key Processing Data | |
Mill processing rate (tpd) | 10,000 |
Total plant feed (Mt) | 44.6 |
LOM avg. feed grade (g/t Au) | 3.87 |
LOM contained gold (Moz) | 5.5 |
LOM avg. recovery (% Au) | 95.7 |
LOM recovered gold (Moz) | 5.3 |
Kinross has invested substantial effort into early technical studies and design for tailings processing and management facilities at Great Bear leveraging the best available technologies to ensure the highest environmental standards.
As a result, the PEA design includes the addition of a desulphurization flotation circuit to remove sulphides and render the tailings non-acid generating, and a rigorous design criteria for all tailings storage facilities at the site.
As well, the LP Viggo Pit has been pulled forward to be mined during project construction in order to provide a robust in-pit tailings storage facility for the sulphide concentrate from the desulphurization flotation circuit, eliminating the need for a dam to impound the sulphide concentrate.
Capital Expenditure
The total initial construction capital is forecasted at $1.2 billion. Capitalized mine development prior to commercial production is expected to be approximately $250 million, comprised of $105 million related to open pit mining and $143 million related to underground capital development which will support higher production in the early years. The majority of the capitalized open pit mining is driven by the strategic decision to pull forward mining of the Viggo pit during construction to provide low-cost construction rock, early mill feed and a robust in-pit solution for the tailings concentrate.
Within the construction capital, the site development, water treatment and infrastructure area includes the truck shop, admin facilities, and camp. It also includes state of the art water treatment including ultra-filtration and a robust site-wide water management strategy to ensure the highest environmental standards.
Additionally, the capital estimate includes indirect and contingency costs, where indirect and owner costs are 40% of total direct costs and the contingency is 22%, providing further confidence in the PEA's total estimate.
The Project's capital requirements are expected to be manageable for Kinross and are forecasted within the Company's planned annual capex profile in the range of $1 billion. Kinross is confident it can continue to prioritize its investment grade balance sheet and comfortably fund Great Bear, along with other planned capital spending.
Great Bear capital cost estimates (US$ millions) | |||
Direct Capital Costs | |||
Mine equipment | $85 | ||
Site development, water treatment and infrastructure | $239 | ||
UG Infrastructure | $49 | ||
Processing | $217 | ||
Power | $47 | ||
Tailings management facility | $52 | ||
Total Direct Costs | $ 689 | ||
Indirect | $276 | ||
Contingency | $216 | ||
Total Initial Construction Capital Cost | $ 1,181 | ||
Capitalized open pit mining | $105 | ||
Capitalized underground development | $143 | ||
Total Capitalized Mine Development | $ 248 | ||
Total Initial Project Capital | $ 1,429 | ||
Life of Mine Sustaining Capital | $ 1,034 | ||
Total Growth Capital | $ 97 11 |
Next Steps and Permitting
Kinross is continuing to progress work in several areas across the Project, for both the advanced exploration program (AEX) and the Main Project. Both the AEX and Main Project remain subject to permitting, which continues to advance. The AEX permitting is a provincial process and Kinross is working closely with the authorities on finalizing the permits. The Main Project's permitting is mainly a federal permitting review process driven by the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), with some provincial permitting components. Kinross was pleased to recently receive the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines from IAAC, which will assist with completing the draft Impact Statement.
For the AEX, detailed engineering, execution planning, and procurement continues to progress well. The Company is targeting to commence surface works in 2024, subject to receiving provincial permits.
For the Main Project, Kinross expects to advance engineering definition and execution planning following the selection of design partners later this year. Work on permitting of the Main Project is ongoing and will require federal review under the Impact Assessment Act. An Impact Statement is currently in process and is expected to be submitted to the IAAC next year.
Kinross has actively engaged and consulted with Indigenous communities and organizations and has commenced negotiations of a Project Agreement with its First Nations partners, Lac Seul and Wabauskang, on whose traditional territories the Great Bear project is located.
________________________
11 The long-term power supply strategy for the Project is to obtain enough power supply from the Ontario power grid to avoid self-generation and the use of natural gas. To secure the necessary grid power supply, Kinross estimates it will need to make a capital contribution of approximately $97 million.
Resource update and exploration
The Mineral Resources 12 at the property have been estimated for three zones: LP, Hinge, and Limb. As of April 2, 2024, approximately 568,000 ounces of inferred resources have been added from the LP zone to the total resource compared to year end 2023, bringing the total inferred resource to 3.9 Moz., in addition to 2.7 Moz. of M&I resources.
Mineral resources have been calculated at a gold price of $1,700 and the open pit reflects a $1,400 pit shell. The open pit cutoff grade is 0.55 g/t and the underground cut off grade of is 2.3 g/t for the main LP zone. The $1,400 pit shell has been chosen as this represents the optimal trade-off point at which underground extraction below the pit shows higher potential margins then deepening the open pit.
Great Bear Summary of project mineral resources 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 (as at April 2, 2024) | |||||
Classification | Tonnes | Grade | Gold Ounces | ||
(000 ) | (g/t Au) | (000 ) | |||
Measured | 1,556 | 3.04 | 152 | ||
Indicated | 28,711 | 2.80 | 2,586 | ||
TOTAL M&I | 30,267 | 2.81 | 2,738 | ||
Inferred | 25,480 | 4.74 | 3,884 |
Given the Company's current understanding of the orogenic system, and the significant high-grade extensions realized at the main LP zone, Kinross expects the strong grades to continue as drilling extends deeper. To date, Kinross has completed more than 420 kilometres of drilling on the property and results have been very strong, supporting the Company's view that high-grade mineralization extends at depth and indicating the potential for resource growth over time.
Kinross' 2023 and 2024 exploration program resulted in the addition of significant ounces at improved grades compared with the initial project mineral resource declared at year end 2022, with the bulk of additions in the high-grade underground between 500 metres and 1 kilometre.
This recent drilling, highlighted by the deepest hole drilled on the property to date, which returned 3.8 metres at a grade of 9.5 g/t at nearly 1.6 kilometres vertical depth at the LP zone, demonstrates the impressive continuity of this system. Exploration drilling at Great Bear continues to see success beyond the PEA inventory. Drill holes BR-888 and BR-888C2 are the deepest drill holes on the property to date and have intersected high grade mineralization 1,600 metre vertically below surface.
Furthermore, exploration drilling at both the Discovery and Yauro zones have also intersected mineralization beyond the PEA inventory. Drill hole BR-770C3 intersected 22.7 metres at 6.51 g/t at Yauro and BR-896 intersected 5.4 metres at 7.82 g/t at Discovery. These drill holes demonstrate the successful expansion of mineralization through drilling, not just at depth, but along strike and linking zones.
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12 Mineral Resources are stated in accordance with CIM (2014) Definitions as incorporated by reference into NI 43-101. Mineral Resources are estimated for the LP z one and satellite Hinge and Limb z ones and have an effective date of April 2, 2024.
13 Mineral r esources estimated according to CIM (2014) Definitions.
14 Mineral r esources estimated at a gold price of $1 , 700 per ounce.
15 Open pit mineral resources are reported within optimized pit shells at a cut-off grade of 0.55 g/t Au.
16 Underground mineral resources are reported within underground reporting shapes at cut-off grades of 2.3 g/t Au for the LP z one, 2.5 g/t Au for the Limb z one, and 2.4 g/t for the Hinge z one. An incremental cut-off grade of 1.7 g/t Au was used at the LP z one for areas that do not require additional development.
17 Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
18 Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Figure 5: Resource Growth - continuing to see high-grade intercepts outside of the PEA inventory
A figure accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9aaeb87-b9e5-4fdd-989a-1c6282633600
The PEA represents a point in time estimate and is only a window into the long-term potential of the asset given the indications of continued mineralization at depth. As a result, the Company is focused on progressing the AEX to begin drilling underground to continue unlocking the full potential of the asset.
In 2024, the Company will continue to focus drilling to link zones at depth at LP and further directional work at Hinge and Limb. Exploration will also focus resources on brownfield exploration work on the newly expanded ~120 square kilometre land package to look for additional open pit and underground opportunities.
Great Bear Technical Presentation details
In connection with this news release, Kinross will hold a conference call and audio webcast on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. EDT, followed by a question-and-answer session. To access the call, please dial:
To access the call:
Webcast Link: https://meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-478-546-594
Canada & US toll-free: 1-866-613-0812
Outside of Canada & US: 647-694-2812
Replay (available 30 days after the call):
Canada & US toll-free: 1 (877) 454-9859
Outside of Canada & US: (647) 483-1416
Passcode : 4887947
You may also access the conference call on a listen-only basis via webcast at our website www.kinross.com. The audio webcast will be archived on www.kinross.com.
About Kinross Gold Corporation
Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile and Canada. Our focus is on delivering value based on the core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth, and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: KGC).
Media Contact
Victoria Barrington
Senior Director, Corporate Communications
phone: 647-788-4153
victoria.barrington@kinross.com
Investor Relations Contact
David Shaver
Senior Vice-President
phone: 416-365-2761
david.shaver@kinross.com
APPENDIX A
Non-GAAP financial measures
The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in this document. These financial measures are not defined under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation. The Company believes that these financial measures, together with financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The inclusion of these financial measures is meant to provide additional information and should not be used as a substitute for performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. These financial measures are not necessarily standard and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.
All-in sustaining cost
All in sustaining cost is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated based on guidance published by the World Gold Council ("WGC"). The WGC is a market development organization for the gold industry and is an association whose membership comprises leading gold mining companies including Kinross. Although the WGC is not a mining industry regulatory organization, it worked closely with its member companies to develop these metrics. Adoption of the all-in sustaining cost metric is voluntary and not necessarily standard, and therefore, this measure presented by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that the all-in sustaining cost measure complements existing measures and ratios reported by Kinross.
All-in sustaining cost includes both operating and capital costs required to sustain gold production on an ongoing basis. Sustaining operating costs represent expenditures expected to be incurred at Great Bear that are considered necessary to maintain production. Sustaining capital represents expected capital expenditures comprising mine development costs, including capitalized waste, and ongoing replacement of mine equipment and other capital facilities, and does not include expected capital expenditures for major growth projects or enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements.
APPENDIX B
Proposed Site Layout
A figure accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a13ccfc5-3edf-4be5-85ed-f1c17ae69f9c
APPENDIX C
Cautionary statement on forward-looking information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release including, but not limited to, any information as to the future financial or operating performance of Kinross, constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the provisions for "safe harbor" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include, without limitation, statements with respect to: the calculation of mineral resources at the project and the possibility of eventual economic extraction of minerals from the project; the identification of future mineral resources at the project; the Company's ability to convert existing mineral resources into categories of mineral resources or mineral reserves of increased geological confidence; the projected yearly gold production profile from both open pit and underground operations, all-in sustaining costs, mill throughput and average grades; future plans for exploration drilling; the projected economics of the project, including total gold sales, margins, taxes, average annual production, the net present value of the project, the internal rate of return on the project, project payback period, average yearly free cash flow, life of mine unit costs, projected mine life, the total initial capital and sustaining capital required; the project design, including the location of the tailings management facility, process plant, infrastructure area, stockpile areas, the anticipated advanced exploration site and the proposed open pit and underground mine plans; the project development timeline to production including the Company's work relating to its Impact Statement and permitting future phases of the project and development and construction of and production at the project, including the possibility of constructing either or both of an open pit and underground mines; the timing of and future prospects for exploration and any expansion of the project, including upside associated with the project's land package and via exploration at depth beneath the proposed underground mine; the potential for expanding the initial mineral resource and the potential for identifying additional mineralization in areas of intercepts and conceptual areas for extension and expansion; potential recovery rates or processing techniques; and the Company's plans to construct an exploration decline. The words "believe", "conceptual", "expect", "future", "plan", "potential", "progress", "prospective", "target", "view" and "upside" or variations of or similar such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "will" or "would" occur, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kinross as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates, models and assumptions of Kinross referenced, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in our Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2024 and our full-year 2023 Management's Discussion and Analysis as well as: (1) there being no significant disruptions affecting the activities of the Company whether due to extreme weather events and other or related natural disasters, labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; (2) permitting and development of the project being consistent with the Company's expectations; (3) political and legal developments in Ontario and Canada being consistent with its current expectations; (4) the accuracy of the current mineral resource estimates of the Company (including but not limited to ore tonnage and ore grade estimates); (5) certain price assumptions for gold and silver and foreign exchange rates; (6) Kinross' future relationship with the Wabauskang and Lac Seul First Nations and other Indigenous groups being consistent with the Company's expectations; and (7) inflation and prices for diesel, natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and other key supplies being approximately consistent with anticipated levels. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada and the United States including, but not limited to, the cautionary statements made in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2024, and the "Risk Analysis" section of our full year 2023 Management's Discussion & Analysis. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Kinross. Kinross disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.
Certain forward-looking statements in this press release may also constitute a "financial outlook" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. A financial outlook involves statements about the Company's prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows and is based on and subject to the assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action and the risk factors described above in respect of forward-looking information generally, as well as any other specific assumptions and risk factors in relation to such financial outlook noted in this press release. Such assumptions are based on management's assessment of the relevant information currently available, and any financial outlook included in this press release is provided for the purpose of helping viewers understand the Company's current expectations and plans for the future. Viewers are cautioned that reliance on any financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes or in other circumstances and that the risk factors described above, or other factors may cause actual results to differ materially from any financial outlook. The actual results of the Company's operations will likely vary from the amounts set forth in any financial outlook and such variances may be material.
Other information
Where we say "we", "us", "our", the "Company", or "Kinross" in this news release, we mean Kinross Gold Corporation and/or one or more or all of its subsidiaries, as may be applicable.
The technical information about the Company's mineral properties contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of Mr. Nicos Pfeiffer who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.
Source: Kinross Gold Corporation
News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia
TEM | Yalgoo Update - Commencement of Drilling at Remorse
Tempest Minerals Ltd (TEM) ("Tempest" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling operations at its highly prospective Remorse Copper Target within the Yalgoo Project, Western Australia.
Key Points
- Commencement of 5,000m of reverse circulation drilling at the Remorse Target
Don Smith, Managing Director of Tempest Minerals, commented: "Despite some challenges, we’ve commenced drilling at Remorse. Our methodical approach to exploration has led us to this point, and we are excited to be testing the potential of this promising copper target. We look forward to updating shareholders as results become available."
Yalgoo Project
Background
The current drilling program is designed to test the central area of the Remorse Target, which has demonstrated significant potential through previous geochemical and geophysical surveys. The program consists of approximately 5,000 metres of RC drilling.
The Remorse Target is part of Tempest's broader Yalgoo Project, which spans over 1,000 square kilometres of prospective terrain for base and precious metals. Several long-term exploration efforts, including ground truthing and detailed geological mapping led to the expansion of the current drilling program. Recent multi-data analyses have further reinforced the target's potential.
Next Steps
- Ongoing analysis of drill results as they become available
- Potential for further drilling based on initial results
- Continued exploration activities across multiple promising targets within the portfolio
Figure 01: Reverse Circulation Drilling commencing on WARDH160 at the Remorse Target
The Board of the Company has authorised the release of this announcement to the market.
About TEM
Tempest Minerals Ltd is an Australian-based mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Western Australia considered highly prospective for precious, base and energy metals. The Company has an experienced board and management team with a history of exploration, operational and corporate success.
Tempest leverages the team’s energy, technical and commercial acumen to execute the Company’s mission - to maximise shareholder value through focused, data-driven, risk-weighted exploration and development of our assets.
Investor Information
investorhub.tempestminerals.com
TEM welcomes direct engagement and encourages shareholders and interested parties to visit the TEM Investor hub which provides additional background information, videos and a forum for stakeholders to communicate with each other and with the company.
This article includes content from Tempest Minerals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Top 10 Biggest Gold Mines in Australia (Updated 2024)
Australia is currently tied with Russia for second place in global gold production.
With gold's price trading at historic highs, it's a good time for investors to find out more about gold mines in Australia.
Read on for a look at where gold is mined in Australia and how much gold is produced at the biggest Australian gold mines.
Where is gold mined in Australia?
One of the nation's more prolific gold-mining areas is Western Australia, which according to the Fraser Institute is one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. Unsurprisingly, the area has attracted major miners like Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,LSE:RIO,NYSE:RIO) and BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BLT).
In fact, gold was the second most valuable commodity in Western Australia by in 2023, only behind liquefied natural gas; gold sales came in a record AU$20 billion during that time.
Overall, according to statistical data provided by the government of Western Australia, the state alone produced 211.22 tonnes of gold in 2023 compared to just 80.73 tonnes of gold produced in the rest of the country.
Within Western Australia, the Pilbara region has renewed interest and helped increase the country’s consistent gold output. Covering more than half a million square kilometres, the Pilbara area is one of the most resource-rich regions in the state. And while the Pilbara area is better known as an iron ore hotspot, it's currently in the midst of a small gold rush thanks to a major discovery in 2017 by Novo Resources (TSXV:NVO,OTCQX:NSRPF) and Artemis Resources (ASX:ARV,OTCQB:ARTTF).
Some geologists have compared the geology of the Pilbara Craton with South Africa’s Witwatersrand Basin, which is home to the Earth’s largest known gold reserves and is responsible for over 40 percent of worldwide gold production.
Both the Pilbara and Witwatersrand are similar in age and composition, sitting on top of the Archean granite-greenstone basement. The Pilbara area hosts numerous small mesothermal gold deposits containing conglomerate gold — mineralisation known to hold large, high-grade gold nuggets.
What are the biggest Australian gold mines?
Below is a guided tour of the 10 largest gold mines in Australia in terms of gold output, as per Aurum Analytics' Q2 2024 report on Australian and New Zealand gold operations.
1. Boddington
Newmont (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM) became the sole owner of this open-pit gold and copper mine in 2009. The asset is located 16 kilometres from Boddington, Western Australia.
Iin calendar year 2023, Boddington produced 745,000 ounces of gold, a 7 percent drop from the 798,000 produced in 2022.
Newmont expects production at Boddington to decline significantly in 2024, setting guidance at only 575,000 ounces, which it attributes to lower-grade ore. However, the company expects production to increase in 2026 as it works to complete laybacks in the north and south pits.
The mine produced 147,000 ounces of gold in the second quarter of 2024.
2. Cadia Valley
Located in New South Wales, Cadia Valley is now owned and operated by Newmont following its acquisition of Newcrest Mining in November 2023. The mine is made up of the Cadia East underground panel cave mine and the Ridgeway underground mine (currently on care and maintenance), which produce gold doré bars from a gravity circuit and gold-rich copper concentrates from a flotation circuit.
Once the biggest gold mine in Australia, Cadia’s production numbers have been in decline in recent years, slipping from 843,000 in 2020 to 597,000 ounces in fiscal 2023. Output declines in 2023 were due to planned shutdowns as the company worked on development activities for the PC1-2 project and began cave ramp-up on PC2-3.
Newmont is forecasting further declines in production from Cadia in 2024. It set guidance at 370,000 ounces as it continues on underground development on block caves and tailings expansion and plans for the next decade of mine life.
Cadia produced 117,000 ounces of gold in the June quarter of 2024.
3. KCGM
Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST,OTC Pink:NESRF) owns Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), which includes the Fimiston open pit — also known as the Super Pit — the Mount Charlotte underground mine and the Fimiston and Gidji processing plants. The operations reached the milestone of 50 million ounces of gold production in 2019.
KCGM is located in the legendary Golden Mile, which was once reputed to be the richest square mile on Earth. In its fiscal 2024, KCGM produced 449,032 ounces of gold, and the operations sit on 13.3 million ounces of reserves.
In mid-2023, Northern Star launched a AU$1.5 billion expansion project at KCGM that is expected to increase production to 900,000 ounces per year by 2029. As the expansion enters its second year, the company reported major works would include the installation of grinding, crushing and flotation cells along with site infrastructure.
KGCM produced 116,690 ounces of gold during the second quarter of 2024.
4. Tropicana
Tropicana is co-owned by AngloGold Ashanti (ASX:AGG,NYSE:AU,OTC Pink:AULGF), which owns 70 percent, and Regis Resources (ASX:RRL,OTC Pink:RGRNF), which owns the remaining 30 percent.
The mine spans 3,600 square kilometres and stretches over close to 160 kilometres in strike length along the Yilgarn Craton and Fraser Range mobile belt collision zone. The regional geology is dominated by granitoid rocks, making it a rare example of a large gold deposit within high-grade metamorphic rocks that have undergone widespread recrystallisation and melting.
In calendar 2023, Tropicana produced 442,887 ounces of gold, with AngloGold Ashanti’s 70 percent accounting for 310,000 ounces and the rest attributed to Regis.
As part of AngloGold Ashanti's commitment to lowering its carbon footprint, a 62 megawatt wind and solar facility is currently under construction at Tropicana. The project is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2025 and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the site by an estimated 65,000 per year.
Tropicana produced 102,763 ounces of gold during the second quarter of 2024.
5. Tanami
Tanami has been fully owned and operated by Newmont since 2002 and is located in the Northern Territory's remote Tanami Desert. Both the mine and the plant are located on Aboriginal freehold land that is owned by the Warlpiri people and managed on their behalf by the Central Desert Aboriginal Lands Trust.
Tanami is a fly-in, fly-out operation in one of Australia’s most remote locations. The asset is 270 kilometres away from its closest neighbours, the remote Aboriginal community of Yuendumu.
In 2023, Tanami produced 448,000 ounces, 7 percent lower than the 484,000 ounces from the previous year. Newmont has projected that 2024 will see a further decrease to 400,000 ounces, attributing the reduced output to lower grades from deeper in the underground mine as it continues to develop the expansion.
In October 2023, Newmont announced the Tanami Expansion 2 project, which has an expected commercial production date of late 2025. Once complete, it is expected to extend the mine's life beyond 2040 and increase its annual gold production by approximately 150,000 to 200,000 ounces for the initial five years.
Tanami produced 99,000 ounces of gold in the June quarter of 2024.
6. Cowal
Owned by Evolution Mining, Cowal is the company's largest gold-producing asset. The mine is located near Bland Shire in New South Wales within the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people.
In 2023, Evolution marked important milestones in the mine’s development with the ramp-up in production of its newly cutback Stage H portion of its open pit mine and the early completion of its underground mine.
The new underground portion of Cowal helped to deliver a record production in its fiscal year 2024 of 312,644 ounces of gold versus 276,314 ounces during its fiscal 2023.
Due to high gold prices and strong production numbers, the company reported that it has been able to repay capital costs for the acquisition and expansion at Cowal. In total, the mine generated AU$604.9 million in fiscal 2024.
Cowal produced 94,826 ounces of gold in the quarter ending June 30.
7. Jundee
Jundee is located in the Northern Goldfields region of Western Australia and is owned by Northern Star after the miner purchased it from Newmont in 2014 for AU$82.5 million. The property is well known due to the fact that it solely uses underground mining. Along with Cadia Valley, Jundee is one of the lowest-cost gold producers on this list.
The asset produced 280,963 ounces of gold in the company’s fiscal 2024, lower than the 320,201 ounces produced the previous year. Production at Jundee was impacted by a fire in the processing plant in Q4 that resulted in 10 days of unplanned downtime.
In June of 2023, Northern Star announced it would be integrating 24 megawatts (MW) of wind and 16.9 MW of solar into its existing gas power station network and would be supplementing the entire system with 12 MW of battery energy storage. Once complete renewable generation is expected to account for 56 percent of the mine's power and will contribute to a 36 percent reduction in Northern Star’s carbon footprint.
In its 2024 report released in August, the company reported that three of the four planned wind turbines have been installed, with the fourth on track for commissioning later in 2024.
During the second quarter of 2024, Jundee produced 72,661 ounces of gold.
8. St. Ives
Owned and operated by Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI,JSE:GFI), St. Ives consists of multiple open-pit and underground mines near Kambalda in Western Australia.
In Gold Fields’ 2023 annual report, the company detailed that output from St. Ives came in at 371,800 ounces of gold during the calendar year, a slight decline from the 376,700 ounces achieved in 2022. The company set guidance at St. Ives for 2024 at approximately 355,000 ounces of gold.
In March 2024, Gold Fields announced the construction of a microgrid project at St. Ives that will add 42 MW of wind and 35 MW of solar, generating 73 percent of the operation’s electrical requirements. The company expects the microgrid to be operational toward the end of 2025. Overall, it is projected to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions at the mine by 50 percent in 2030.
St. Ives produced 70,147 ounces of gold in the second quarter of 2024.
9. Duketon South
Owned by Regis Resources, Duketon is located in the North Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The operation is composed of the Garden Well and Rosemont mines, with both hosting open pit and underground operations.
The primary processing facility at Garden Well has a 5 million tonne per annum throughput rate with a two-stage crushing circuit, scrubber and ball mill, as well as a 7.5 million tonne per annum carbon-in-leach circuit, which also handles slurry from Rosemont.
In the company’s fiscal 2024 report, it indicated production had decreased to 244,455 ounces of gold for the year ended June 30 from 252,672 ounces produced in 2023.
In May 2024, Regis announced it approved development for a new underground mining area at Garden Well and an extension to the Rosemont underground mine. Once these are complete, Regis is projecting annual production of 100,000 to 120,000 ounces of additional capacity by fiscal 2027.
During the quarter ending June 30, Duketon South produced 66,102 ounces of gold.
10. Fosterville
Fosterville, which is owned by Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM), is a high-grade, low-cost underground gold mine located in the state of Victoria.
The mine has been operational since 1989, with a lifetime production of over 16 million ounces of gold. The asset produced 277,694 ounces of gold in calendar 2023, a decrease from the 338,327 ounces produced in 2022. Agnico Eagle attributes the decrease to lower grades as it processes the remaining areas of the Swan zone.
The company has forecast continued declines from Fosterville putting the mid-point of guidance at 210,000 ounces in 2024, 150,000 ounces in 2025 and 150,000 ounces in 2026. The expectation is the Swan zone will be largely depleted by the end of 2024. Steeper declines will be offset by improved ventilation, increasing the mining rate at Robbins Hill by 10 percent.
Fosterville produced 65,963 ounces of gold during the second quarter of 2024.
How to invest in Australian gold stocks?
Investing in Australian gold stocks is similar to stocks in other sectors. Gold companies issue shares on stock exchanges that are available for investors to trade. When you purchase shares of a gold stock, you are essentially purchasing a stake in the company.
Many gold companies in Australia are listed on the ASX, making them easily accessible to Australian investors. To invest in the companies that are listed on international exchanges, Australian investors will have to use a broker that has access to that market.
For North American investors looking to invest in Australian gold companies, some are dual-listed on Canadian and US stock exchanges as well, making them more accessible.
As for deciding which type of gold company to invest in, whether you choose to invest in gold-mining stocks or gold companies at the development or exploration stage should be based on your risk tolerance. In general, established companies that are producing metal are more stable and less risky than smaller companies that are still exploring for gold or building a mine.
Although no investing strategy is 100 percent foolproof, experts often recommend gold stocks as a way to hedge exposure to general stock market. That's because they tend to move in tandem with the price of gold.
For more ideas in how to invest in Australian gold stocks, check out our articles on the biggest ASX-listed gold stocks and the top-gaining ASX gold stocks year-to-date.
This is an updated version of an article first published by the Investing News Network in 2019.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, currently hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Aurum Resources
Investor Insights
Aurum Resources offers a compelling value proposition through its highly prospective gold asset in Côte d'Ivoire, a fast-emerging gold region in West Africa. It's cost-effective exploration strategy of drill rig ownership, also sets it apart from its peers.
Overview
Aurum Resources (ASX:AUE) is a mineral exploration company primarily focused on gold through its flagship Boundiali gold project located in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa.
Côte d'Ivoire's gold mining sector is experiencing significant growth and development, with several key projects contributing to the country's economic expansion. The overall gold mining sector in Côte d'Ivoire is supported by substantial investments in infrastructure and exploration.
Geopolitically, Côte d'Ivoire outperforms most developing countries in the world in political, legal, tax and operational risk metrics. Additionally, Côte d'Ivoire continues to make notable strides in its political stability and Absence of Violence and Terrorism Index.
Aurum is led by a board and management team with considerable experience and a track record of success in the mining industry and a history of creating shareholder value.
Company Highlights
- Aurum Resources is a precious metals company with exploration prospects in the same greenstone belt as the Syama (11.5 Moz), Sissingué (1.0 Moz), Tongon (5.0 Moz) and Kone Gold (4.5 Moz) deposits of West Africa.
- Upcoming catalysts include a maiden mineral resource estimate expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The company believes mineralization is open at depth and along strike and highlights the existence of numerous gold mineralization targets within the large land holding of Aurum’s Boundiali Gold Project.
- Aurum operates its own drill rigs, allowing the company to significantly reduce its exploration costs relative to peers.
- Management has a track record of creating value for shareholders from exploration through to project development, mine construction and gold production.
- Strong leverage to increasing gold prices that will benefit from a declining interest rate environment and rising global geopolitical risk factors.
- Well-funded for greater than 12 months and over 100,000 metres diamond drilling programs and metallurgical study
Key Project: Boundali Gold Project
The Boundiali gold project in Cote d’Ivoire is located within the Boundiali Greenstone Belt, which hosts Resolute’s Syama gold operation (11.5 Moz) and the Tabakoroni deposit (1 Moz) in Mali. Neighbouring assets also include Barrick’s Tongon mine (5 Moz) and Montage Gold’s Kone project (4.5 Moz).
The Boundiali project area covers the underexplored southern extension of the Boundiali belt, where a highly deformed synclinal greenstone horizon traverses finer-grained basin sediments, and to the west, Tarkwaian clastic rocks lie in contact with a granitic margin. The project benefits from year-round road access and excellent infrastructure.
The first stage of drilling at Boundiali occurred in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the first quarter of 2024 for both the BM and BD tenements (BM1 and BM2; BD1, BD2 and BD3 targets) and was designed to test below-gold-in-soil anomalies oriented along NE trending structures. Having completed its initial exploration program, Aurum is now ramping up and undertaking a scout and step-back diamond drilling campaign with plans to increase its drilling fleet to include six rigs targeting a drilling rate of ~10,000 metres per month. The company expects to drill more than 45,000 metres of diamond core at Boundali to support an inaugural mineral resource estimate that is anticipated by the end of 2024.Drilling costs are estimated at US$45 per metre, as Aurum owns all of its drilling rigs and employs its operators, representing a significant value proposition relative to peers who use commercial drilling companies that charge upwards of $200 per meter. The company believes there is potential for multi-million ounce gold resources to be defined with hundreds thousands meters of drilling over years within the Boundiali Gold Project’s land holding areas.
The Boundiali gold project comprises four contiguous granted licenses: PR0808 (80 percent interest), PR0893 (80 to 88 percent interest), PR414 (100 percent interest), and PR283 (70 percent interest). Historic exploration at PR0893 includes 93 AC drill holes and four RC holes. Airborne geophysical surveying, geological mapping and extensive soil sampling have also been performed at PR0893, while PR0808 has had 91 RC holes drilled for 6,229 metres along with geochemical analysis and modeling. Detailed geochemical sampling and drilling at PR414 revealed three strong gold anomalies and returned impressive high-grade results.
Following the renewal of its Boundali South (BST) exploration licence in September 2024, drilling at the Nyangboue deposit is ramping up. Previous exploration at BST has returned impressive results, including 20 m at 10.45 g/t gold from 38 meters, and 30 m at 8.30 g/t gold from 39 m.
In May 2024, Aurum entered a strategic partnership agreement to earn up to a 70 percent interest in exploration tenement PR283, to be renamed Boundiali North (BN). Aurum, through subsidiary Plusor Global Pty Ltd, has partnered with Ivorian company Geb & Nut Resources Sarl and related party (GNRR) to explore and develop the Boundiali North (BN) tenement which covers 208.87sq km immediately north of Aurum’s BD tenement. Further to this agreement, Aurum announced it has earned 51 percent project interest after completing more than 8,000 m of diamond core drilling. Aurum is continuing diamond drilling on the BM tenement targeting an initial JORC resource by late 2024.
Management Team
Troy Flannery – Non-Executive Chairman
Troy Flannery has more than 25 years’ experience in the mining industry, including nine years in corporate and 17 years in senior mining engineering and project development roles. He has a degree in mining engineering, masters in finance, and first class mine managers certificate of competency. Flannery has performed non-executive director roles with numerous ASX listed companies and was the CEO of Abra Mining until October 2021. He has worked at numerous mining companies, mining consultancy and contractors, including BHP, Newcrest, Xstrata, St Barbara Mines and AMC Consultants.
Dr. Caigen Wang – Managing Director
Dr. Caigen Wang founded Tietto Minerals (ASX:TIE), where he led the company as managing director for 13 years through private exploration, ASX listing, gold resource definition, project study and mine building to become one of Africa’s newest gold producers at its Abujar gold mine in Côte d’Ivoire. He holds a bachelor, masters and PhD in mining engineering. He is a fellow of AusIMM and a chartered professional engineer of Institution of Engineer, Australia. Wang has 13 years of mining academic experience in China University of Mining and Technology, Western Australia School of Mine and University of Alberta, and over 20 years of practical experience in mining engineering and mineral exploration in Australia, China and Africa. Other professional experience includes senior technical and management roles in mining houses, including St. Barbara, Sons of Gwalia, BHP Billiton, China Goldmines PLC and others.
Mark Strizek – Executive Director
Mark Strizek has nearly 30 years’ experience in the resource industry, having worked as a geologist on various gold, base metal and technology metal projects. He brings invaluable geological, technical and development expertise to Aurum, most recently as an executive director at Tietto Minerals’, which progressed from an IPO to gold production at the Abujar gold project in West Africa. Strizek has worked as an executive with management and board responsibilities in exploration, feasibility, finance and development-ready assets across Australia, West Africa, Asia and Europe.
Havana Underground Gold Project Gets Green Light from Tropicana Joint Venture Partners
Regis Resources (ASX:RRL,OTC Pink:RGRNF) said on Monday (September 9) that development of the Havana underground gold project has been approved by the Tropicana joint venture.
The joint venture is a partnership between Regis and AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU), with the former owning 30 percent and the latter holding a 70 percent management stake in the initiative.
First gold was produced at Tropicana in 2013 after the site was discovered in 2005. The area currently contains four known mineralised zones: Tropicana, Boston Shaker, Havana and Havana South.
According to Regis, the underground Havana project will fall below the Havana open pit, which is now in production. Once it starts up, Havana will be the third underground mine at the Tropicana site.
The company said Havana will deliver "incremental gold production" above output already planned at Tropicana.
“Tropicana has consistently replaced underground Ore Reserves at levels beyond depletion, and the approval to develop the Havana Underground Project provides us with further confidence in the long-term future of Tropicana’s underground growth,” said Jim Beyer, managing director and CEO of Regis, in a press release.
Havana will be able to leverage existing infrastructure at Tropicana, including the workshop, camp and process plant. However, it will require additional minor power, communication, ventilation and dewatering infrastructure.
Mining costs for Havana are expected to be similar to those for Tropicana's existing underground mining areas.
Tropicana is located on the western edge of the Great Victoria Desert, and as mentioned was discovered in 2005. Over 3 million ounces of gold have reportedly been mined via open pit during its life.
Following Tropicana's discovery, the joint venture made a discovery at Havana in 2006.
Gold production from the first stope ore underground at Havana is anticipated to commence in Q3 of the 2027 fiscal year, and will continue over three years. Life-of-mine output from the asset is set at 55,000 ounces of gold.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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