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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold" or the "Company") announces its operational and financial results for the second quarter of 2024. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.
2024 Second Quarter Highlights
Second Quarter 2024 Results
| Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Gold revenue ($ in thousands) | 492,569 | 470,854 | 954,013 | 944,410 | |
| Net (loss) income ($ in thousands) | (34,777 ) | 91,850 | 13,704 | 193,754 | |
| (Loss) earnings per share – basic (1) ($/ share) | (0.02 ) | 0.06 | 0.01 | 0.14 | |
| (Loss) earnings per share – diluted (1) ($/ share) | (0.02 ) | 0.06 | 0.01 | 0.14 | |
| Cash provided by operating activities ($ thousands) | 62,432 | 194,983 | 773,159 | 398,806 | |
| Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) | 2,343 | 1,969 | 2,202 | 1,934 | |
| Adjusted net income (1)(2) ($ in thousands) | 78,449 | 85,804 | 159,952 | 191,666 | |
| Adjusted earnings per share (1)(2) – basic ($) | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.16 | |
| Consolidated operations results: | |||||
| Gold sold (ounces) | 210,228 | 239,100 | 433,206 | 488,250 | |
| Gold produced (ounces) | 204,241 | 245,961 | 418,580 | 496,680 | |
| Production costs ($ in thousands) | 151,299 | 152,762 | 308,044 | 280,366 | |
| Cash operating costs (2) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 720 | 639 | 711 | 574 | |
| Cash operating costs (2) ($/ gold ounce produced) | 808 | 607 | 762 | 591 | |
| Total cash costs (2) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 877 | 777 | 857 | 714 | |
| All-in sustaining costs (2) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,244 | 1,210 | 1,296 | 1,128 | |
| Operations results including equity investment in Calibre: | |||||
| Gold sold (ounces) | 218,495 | 255,897 | 452,850 | 521,189 | |
| Gold produced (ounces) | 212,508 | 262,701 | 438,224 | 529,557 | |
| Production costs ($ in thousands) | 164,520 | 170,577 | 333,170 | 313,946 | |
| Cash operating costs (2) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 753 | 667 | 736 | 602 | |
| Cash operating costs (2) ($/ gold ounce produced) | 839 | 636 | 785 | 618 | |
| Total cash costs (2) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 908 | 800 | 879 | 738 | |
| All-in sustaining costs (2) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,267 | 1,214 | 1,308 | 1,135 | |
(1) Attributable to the shareholders of the Company.
(2) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures".
Liquidity and Capital Resources
B2Gold continues to maintain a strong financial position and liquidity. At June 30, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $467 million (December 31, 2023 - $307 million) and working capital (defined as current assets less assets classified as held for sale and current liabilities) of $600 million (December 31, 2023 - $397 million). At June 30, 2024, the full amount of the Company's $700 million revolving credit facility was undrawn and available.
Third Quarter 2024 Dividend
On August 8, 2024, B2Gold's Board of Directors (the "Board") declared a cash dividend for the third quarter of 2024 (the "Q3 2024 Dividend") of $0.04 per common share (or an expected $0.16 per share on an annualized basis), payable on September 23, 2024, to shareholders of record as of September 10, 2024.
In 2023, the Company implemented a Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"). For the purposes of the Q3 2024 Dividend, the Company is pleased to announce that a discount of 3% will be applied to calculate the Average Market Price (as defined in the DRIP) of its common shares issued from treasury. However, the Company may, from time to time, in its discretion, change or eliminate any applicable discount, which would be publicly announced, all in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DRIP. Participation in the DRIP is optional. In order to participate in the DRIP in time for the Q3 2024 Dividend, registered shareholders must deliver a properly completed enrollment form to Computershare Trust Company of Canada by no later than 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on September 16, 2024. Beneficial shareholders who wish to participate in the DRIP should contact their financial advisor, broker, investment dealer, bank, financial institution, or other intermediary through which they hold common shares well in advance of the above date for instructions on how to enroll in the DRIP.
This dividend is designated as an "eligible dividend" for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Dividends paid by B2Gold to shareholders outside Canada (non-resident investors) will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding taxes.
The declaration and payment of future dividends and the amount of any such dividends will be subject to the determination of the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, taking into account, among other things, economic conditions, business performance, financial condition, growth plans, expected capital requirements, compliance with B2Gold's constating documents, all applicable laws, including the rules and policies of any applicable stock exchange, as well as any contractual restrictions on such dividends, including any agreements entered into with lenders to the Company, and any other factors that the Board deems appropriate at the relevant time. There can be no assurance that any dividends will be paid at the intended rate or at all in the future.
For more information regarding the DRIP and enrollment in the DRIP, please refer to the Company's website at https://www.b2gold.com/investors/stock_info/ .
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction nor will there be any sale of these securities in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, state or jurisdiction.
The Company has filed a registration statement relating to the DRIP with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that may be obtained under the Company's profile on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov/EDGAR or by contacting the Company using the contact information at the end of this news release.
Operations
Fekola Complex - Mali
| Three months ended | Six months ended | |||
| June 30, | June 30, | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Gold revenue ($ in thousands) | 270,592 | 281,672 | 526,910 | 595,897 |
| Gold sold (ounces) | 115,288 | 142,850 | 239,116 | 307,900 |
| Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) | 2,347 | 1,972 | 2,204 | 1,935 |
| Tonnes of ore milled | 2,520,377 | 2,324,043 | 4,983,240 | 4,595,934 |
| Grade (grams/ tonne) | 1.51 | 2.24 | 1.57 | 2.36 |
| Recovery (%) | 92.8 | 91.8 | 92.7 | 91.9 |
| Gold production (ounces) | 111,583 | 152,427 | 230,724 | 318,291 |
| Production costs ($ in thousands) | 81,481 | 79,245 | 166,586 | 156,906 |
| Cash operating costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 707 | 555 | 697 | 510 |
| Cash operating costs (1) ($/ gold ounce produced) | 839 | 538 | 766 | 509 |
| Total cash costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 895 | 721 | 873 | 673 |
| All-in sustaining costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,258 | 1,165 | 1,351 | 1,057 |
| Capital expenditures ($ in thousands) | 53,179 | 74,151 | 133,741 | 127,946 |
| Exploration ($ in thousands) | 838 | — | 2,140 | 1,706 |
(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures".
The Fekola Mine in Mali (owned 80% by the Company and 20% by the State of Mali) produced 111,583 ounces of gold in the second quarter of 2024, slightly below expectations due to the delayed timing of mining of high-grade ore as compared to expectations, resulting in less high-grade ore processed during the second quarter of 2024. For the second quarter of 2024, mill feed grade was 1.51 grams per tonne ("g/t"), mill throughput was 2.52 million tonnes, and gold recovery averaged 92.8%. Damage to an excavator and the subsequent need for replacement equipment impacted equipment availability for the second quarter of 2024, reducing tonnes mined. These equipment availability issues are being addressed through the delivery of a new excavator, and mining rates are expected to improve by the end of the third quarter of 2024. The reduction in mining rate capacity experienced in 2024 is anticipated to impact the availability of higher-grade ore from Phase 7 of the Fekola pit during the second half of 2024 resulting in an expected decrease of approximately 50,000 ounces in Fekola production for full year 2024. Mining and processing of these ounces is now expected in the first half of 2025. Ore volumes and grades continue to reconcile well with modeled values.
The Fekola Mine's cash operating costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures" ) for the second quarter of 2024 were $839 per gold ounce produced ($707 per gold ounce sold). Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced for the second quarter of 2024 were lower than expected as a result of lower fuel costs, higher mill throughput, higher gold recovery and lower mining costs as a result of lower than anticipated mined tonnage due to equipment availability.
All-in sustaining costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures" ) for the second quarter of 2024 were $1,258 per gold ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs were lower than expected as a result of lower than anticipated production costs per gold ounce sold and lower than expected sustaining capital expenditures partially offset by higher gold royalties resulting from a higher than anticipated average realized gold price. The lower sustaining capital expenditures were mainly due to timing of expenditures and are expected to be incurred later in 2024.
Capital expenditures in the second quarter of 2024 totalled $53 million primarily consisting of $13 million for deferred stripping, $9 million for mobile equipment purchases and rebuilds, $9 million for the construction of a new tailings storage facility, $15 million for Fekola underground development, $4 million for solar plant expansion and $2 million for power generation.
As a result of the delay in accessing higher-grade ounces from Phase 7 of the Fekola pit, the Fekola Mine is now expected to produce between 420,000 and 450,000 ounces of gold in 2024 (original guidance of between 470,000 and 500,000 ounces) at cash operating costs of between $870 and $930 per ounce (original guidance of between $835 and $895 per ounce) and all-in sustaining costs of between $1,510 and $1,570 per ounce (original guidance of between $1,420 and $1,480 per ounce).
Fekola Regional Development
The Fekola Complex is comprised of the Fekola Mine (Medinandi permit hosting the Fekola and Cardinal pits and Fekola underground) and Fekola Regional (Anaconda Area (Bantako, Menankoto, and Bakolobi permits) and the Dandoko permit).
The development of Fekola Regional is expected to demonstrate positive economics through the enhancement of the overall production profile and the extension of mine life of the Fekola Complex. Based on B2Gold's preliminary planning, Fekola Regional could provide selective higher-grade saprolite material (average annual grade of up to 2.2 g/t gold) to be trucked approximately 20 km and fed into the Fekola mill at a rate of up to 1.5 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa"). Trucking of selective higher grade saprolite material from the Anaconda Area to the Fekola mill will increase the ore processed and has the potential to generate approximately 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of additional gold production per year from Fekola Regional sources.
Receipt of a mining permit for the Fekola Regional licenses remains outstanding. The Company expects to apply for such a permit in the third quarter of 2024 following the finalization of the implementation decree for the new 2023 Mining Code by the State of Mali in July 2024. Throughout the first half of 2024, B2Gold has continued to hold meetings with the representatives of the Government of Mali regarding the 2023 Mining Code and the parties are close to finalizing an agreement that will cover the future operation of the Fekola Complex. The Government of Mali has expressed their desire for B2Gold to rapidly progress the development of Fekola Regional and committed to assisting the Company in such development. Importantly, the haul road from Fekola Regional to the Fekola Mine is operational as construction of the haul roads and mining infrastructure (warehouse, workshop, fuel depot and offices) was completed on schedule in 2023.
The known and estimated changes to the financial framework of the Fekola Complex as impacted by the 2023 Mining Code and the ongoing discussions with the State of Mali as to its application are considered to be updated indicators of impairment for the Fekola Complex assets. The Company's analysis concluded that the Fekola Complex was impaired resulting in a non-cash net impairment charge of $194 million in Q2 2024 and a corresponding reduction in the carrying value of the Fekola Complex assets at the balance sheet date. As of June 30, 2024, the carrying value of the Fekola Complex's mining interests was $985 million. Significant exploration potential remains across the Fekola Complex to further extend the mine life. It is anticipated that exploration drilling will recommence in Mali in the second half of 2024.
Masbate Mine – The Philippines
| Three months ended | Six months ended | |||
| June 30, | June 30, | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Gold revenue ($ in thousands) | 109,083 | 111,291 | 208,050 | 168,283 |
| Gold sold (ounces) | 46,600 | 56,700 | 94,300 | 86,350 |
| Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) | 2,341 | 1,963 | 2,206 | 1,949 |
| Tonnes of ore milled | 2,043,057 | 2,000,360 | 4,212,519 | 4,069,402 |
| Grade (grams/ tonne) | 0.94 | 1.03 | 0.96 | 0.99 |
| Recovery (%) | 72.4 | 74.3 | 72.4 | 73.9 |
| Gold production (ounces) | 44,515 | 49,478 | 94,297 | 95,842 |
| Production costs ($ in thousands) | 37,602 | 48,170 | 80,373 | 73,163 |
| Cash operating costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 807 | 850 | 852 | 847 |
| Cash operating costs (1) ($/ gold ounce produced) | 876 | 817 | 854 | 849 |
| Total cash costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 955 | 960 | 983 | 971 |
| All-in sustaining costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,135 | 1,091 | 1,177 | 1,169 |
| Capital expenditures ($ in thousands) | 6,507 | 6,098 | 15,037 | 15,051 |
| Exploration ($ in thousands) | 928 | 1,008 | 1,749 | 1,967 |
(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures".
The Masbate Mine in the Philippines continued its strong performance with second quarter of 2024 gold production of 44,515 ounces, slightly above expectations. For the second quarter of 2024, mill feed grade was 0.94 g/t, mill throughput was 2.04 million tonnes, and gold recovery averaged 72.4%, lower than expected. Lower gold recovery was a result of mining additional lower recovery high-grade sulphide ore during the second quarter of 2024. Actual gold recovery for the second quarter of 2024 remained in line with modeled recovery values for the ore mined.
The Masbate Mine's cash operating costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures" ) for the second quarter of 2024 were $876 per gold ounce produced ($807 per gold ounce sold). Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced for the second quarter of 2024 were lower than expected as a result of higher gold production and lower than anticipated mining and processing costs due to higher productivity and lower diesel and heavy fuel oil costs.
All-in sustaining costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures" ) for the second quarter of 2024 were $1,135 per ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs for the second quarter of 2024 were lower than expected as a result of lower than anticipated production costs per gold ounce sold.
Capital expenditures in the second quarter of 2024 totalled $7 million, primarily consisting of $2 million for mobile equipment purchases and rebuilds, $2 million for process plant maintenance, $1 million for expansion of the existing tailings storage facility and $1 million for deferred stripping.
The Masbate Mine is now expected to produce between 175,000 and 195,000 ounces of gold in 2024 (original guidance of between 170,000 and 190,000 ounces) at cash operating costs of between $910 and $970 per ounce (original guidance of between $945 and $1,005 per ounce) and all-in sustaining costs of between $1,260 and $1,320 per ounce (original guidance of between $1,300 and $1,360 per ounce). Gold production is scheduled to be relatively consistent throughout 2024. For 2024, Masbate is expected to process 7.9 million tonnes of ore at an average grade of 0.93 g/t with a process gold recovery of 76.0%. Mill feed will be a blend of mined fresh ore and low-grade ore stockpiles.
Otjikoto Mine - Namibia
| Three months ended | Six months ended | |||
| June 30, | June 30, | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Gold revenue ($ in thousands) | 112,894 | 77,891 | 219,053 | 180,230 |
| Gold sold (ounces) | 48,340 | 39,550 | 99,790 | 94,000 |
| Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) | 2,335 | 1,969 | 2,195 | 1,917 |
| Tonnes of ore milled | 850,649 | 875,055 | 1,677,126 | 1,699,007 |
| Grade (grams/ tonne) | 1.79 | 1.59 | 1.76 | 1.53 |
| Recovery (%) | 98.6 | 98.7 | 98.5 | 98.7 |
| Gold production (ounces) | 48,143 | 44,056 | 93,559 | 82,547 |
| Production costs ($ in thousands) | 32,216 | 25,347 | 61,085 | 50,297 |
| Cash operating costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 666 | 641 | 612 | 535 |
| Cash operating costs (1) ($/ gold ounce produced) | 673 | 611 | 658 | 609 |
| Total cash costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 760 | 720 | 700 | 612 |
| All-in sustaining costs (1) ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,044 | 1,187 | 1,000 | 1,024 |
| Capital expenditures ($ in thousands) | 11,706 | 15,630 | 25,519 | 32,976 |
| Exploration ($ in thousands) | 1,514 | 996 | 3,303 | 1,490 |
(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures".
The Otjikoto Mine in Namibia, in which the Company holds a 90% interest, continued to outperform during the second quarter of 2024, producing 48,143 ounces of gold, above expectations as a result of higher than anticipated mill feed grade. For the second quarter of 2024, mill feed grade was 1.79 g/t, mill throughput was 0.85 million tonnes, and gold recovery averaged 98.6%.
Ore production from the Wolfshag underground mine for the second quarter of 2024 averaged over 1,500 tonnes per day at an average grade of 4.69 g/t gold. As of the beginning of 2024, the Probable Mineral Reserve estimate for the Wolfshag deposit included 100,000 ounces of gold in 0.6 million tonnes of ore at an average grade of 5.02 g/t gold. Open pit mining operations at the Otjikoto Mine will continue to ramp down in 2024 and conclude in 2025, while processing operations are expected to continue until economically viable stockpiles are exhausted in 2031. Underground operations are currently projected to continue until 2026 with potential to extend underground operations if the ongoing underground exploration program is successful in identifying more underground mineral deposits.
On January 31, 2024, the Company announced positive exploration drilling results from the Antelope deposit at the Otjikoto Mine. The Antelope deposit, which comprises the Springbok Zone, the Oryx Zone, and a possible third structure, Impala, subject to further confirmatory drilling, is located approximately three km south of the Otjikoto open pit. On June 20, 2024, the Company announced an initial Inferred Mineral Resource estimate for the Springbok Zone, the southernmost shoot of the recently discovered Antelope deposit. Over 36,000 meters have been drilled into the Springbok Zone to date, with 33 holes totaling 16,950 meters completed in 2024, to establish the 50 x 50 meter spacing that informs this initial Inferred Mineral Resource estimate. Recent drilling at the Springbok Zone remains open southward, indicating additional exploration potential beyond the currently defined resource. The Company determined that the initial Inferred Mineral Resource estimate of 1.75 million tonnes grading 6.91 g/t gold for a total of 390,000 ounces of gold was sufficient to initiate a PEA on development of the deposit by underground mining methods, similar to the Wolfshag deposit. Subject to receipt of a positive PEA and permit, mining of the Springbok Zone, coupled with the exploration potential of the greater Antelope deposit, could begin to contribute to gold production at Otjikoto in 2026. The Antelope deposit has the potential to be developed as an underground mining operation, which could complement the expected processing of low-grade stockpiles at the Otjikoto mill from 2026 to 2031. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no guarantee that all or any part of the Mineral Resource will be converted into a Mineral Reserve. Inferred Mineral Resources are considered too geologically speculative to have mining and economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves.
The Otjikoto Mine's cash operating costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures" ) for the second quarter of 2024 were $673 per gold ounce produced ($666 per ounce gold sold). Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced for the second quarter of 2024 were higher than anticipated due to lower than expected credits for deferred stripping resulting from more ore being mined than anticipated and lower capitalized underground development credits for the second quarter of 2024.
All-in sustaining costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures" ) for the second quarter of 2024 were $1,044 per gold ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs for the second quarter of 2024 were slightly higher than expected as a result of higher than expected cash operating costs and higher gold royalties due to a higher than anticipated average realized gold price, partially offset by lower than expected sustaining capital expenditures and higher than anticipated gold ounces sold.
Capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2024 totalled $12 million, consisting of $9 million for deferred stripping in the Otjikoto pit, $2 million for Wolfshag underground mine development and $1 million for mining equipment rebuilds.
The Otjikoto Mine is now expected to produce between 185,000 and 205,000 ounces of gold in 2024 (original guidance of between 180,000 and 200,000 ounces) at cash operating costs in the upper end of its guidance range of between $685 and $745 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of between $960 and $1,020 per ounce. Gold production at Otjikoto is expected to be relatively consistent throughout 2024. For 2024, Otjikoto is expected to process a total of 3.4 million tonnes of ore at an average grade of 1.77 g/t gold with a process gold recovery of 98.0%. Processed ore will be sourced from the Otjikoto pit and the Wolfshag underground mine, supplemented by existing medium and high-grade ore stockpiles.
Goose Project Development
The Back River Gold District consists of five mineral claims blocks along an 80 km belt. Construction is underway at the most advanced project in the district, the Goose Project, and has been de-risked with significant infrastructure currently in place.
B2Gold recognizes that respect and collaboration with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association ("KIA") is central to the license to operate in the Back River Gold District and will continue to prioritize developing the project in a manner that recognizes Inuit priorities, addresses concerns, and brings long-term socio-economic benefits to the Kitikmeot Region. B2Gold looks forward to continuing to build on its strong collaboration with the KIA and Kitikmeot Communities.
As announced in May 2024, development of the open pit and underground was slightly behind schedule due to equipment availability (commissioning and availability of the open pit equipment), adverse weather conditions and the prioritization of critical path construction activities. An additional three months of mining was added to the schedule to ensure that the Umwelt open pit, underground development and crown pillar activities align and that there is significant tailings storage capacity in the Echo open pit. With the schedule change, the mill is expected to start wet commissioning in the second quarter of 2025 with ramp up to full production in the third quarter of 2025. This does not impact the other facets of the project and staffing tables have been adjusted to ensure that capital is conserved. The Company continues to estimate that gold production in calendar year 2025 will be between 120,000 ounces and 150,000 ounces (previously estimated to be between 220,000 ounces and 260,000 ounces). Importantly, the updated mining schedule does not impact the total number of gold ounces the Company expects to produce over the life of mine of the Goose Project. The updated production profile has resulted in the Company estimating that average annual gold production from 2026 to 2030 will increase to be in excess of 310,000 ounces per year (previously estimated at 300,000 ounces per year).
B2Gold successfully completed the 2024 WIR campaign in the second quarter of 2024 and has delivered all necessary materials from the MLA to complete the construction of the Goose Project. All planned construction for the first half of 2024 that is necessary to produce gold by the end of the second quarter of 2025 has been completed and project development remains on schedule. The key construction items that were completed in the second quarter included the installation of Phase 2 of the Goose Project accommodation complex, which expanded camp capacity to more than 600 beds; the construction of three additional fuel storage tanks at the MLA to increase fuel storage capacity to more than 80 million liters of fuel, which are anticipated to begin to receive fuel in August 2024; the construction of three additional fuel storage tanks at the Goose Project site to increase fuel storage capacity to more than 80 million liters of fuel, of which two of the three tanks have been completed with the third tank expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024; the purchase of materials necessary to complete construction and the staging of those materials for shipment to the MLA, with ten ships and one barge having been scheduled (seven ships with dry cargo of more than 120,000m 3 and three ships with more than 80 million liters of fuel) and prepared to depart for the MLA during the 2024 sealift in August and September; the purchase of additional trucks for the 2025 WIR campaign, with a total of 105 trucks now available; the placement of more than 75% of the concrete, with more than 90% of the concrete expected to be placed by the end of the third quarter of 2024; the placement of all E-houses on the mill pad with electricians now working on connecting power to various components; piping work focused on the fuel storage tanks and the final Heavy Mechanical Equipment workshop; and the development of access for placement of piping and barge for fresh water system, with installation expected in the third quarter of 2024.
Development of the open pit and underground remain on the critical path to ensure that adequate material is available for start up and that the Echo pit is available for tailings placement. The open pit started slowly, but showed good progress in the second quarter of 2024, meeting production targets, and is anticipated to be ready to receive tailings when the mill starts. The underground mine remains on schedule for commencement of production by the end of the second quarter of 2025. B2Gold is currently reviewing final options for mining of the crown pillar and maximizing volumes of the Echo pit.
After completing a detailed design review of the Goose Project, B2Gold announced in January 2024 a revised construction capital estimate to C$1,050 million. In addition, before wet commissioning the Company estimated it will spend an additional C$200 million on underground development, deferred stripping and sustaining capital, as well as an additional C$205 million for fuels, reagents, and other working capital items necessary to build up site inventory levels due to the seasonality of the project logistics. In the second quarter of 2024, the Company incurred cash expenditures of $128 million (C$175 million) for the Goose Project on construction and mine development activities and $43 million (C$58 million) on supplies inventory. After successful completion of the 2024 WIR, it is anticipated that cash expenditures on construction and mine development activities will be lower in the second half of 2024 compared to the cash expenditures incurred in the first half of 2024.
B2Gold is currently updating the total construction capital estimate to incorporate the (previously announced) three month delay in commencement of operations and additional costs associated with logistics of shipping materials to the Goose Project site via air transport. A final updated budget is expected to be released in early September 2024.
Gramalote Project Development
On June 18, 2024, the Company announced positive PEA results on its 100% owned Gramalote Project located in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia. Based on the preliminary results completed in 2022, the contemplated larger-scale project with AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. did not meet the combined investment return thresholds for development. In 2023, B2Gold completed a detailed review of the Gramalote Project with the goal of identifying a higher-return project than the previously contemplated joint venture development plan. The results of the review allowed the Company to determine the optimal parameters and assumptions for the PEA.
The PEA, with an effective date of April 1, 2024, was prepared by B2Gold and evaluates recovery of gold from an open pit mining operation that will move up to approximately 97,000 tonnes per day ("tpd") (35.3 Mtpa) with an approximately 16,500 tpd (6.0 Mtpa) processing plant that includes crushing, grinding, flotation, with fine grinding of the flotation concentrate and agitated leaching of the flotation concentrate followed by a carbon-in-pulp recovery process to process doré bullion. The Mineral Resource estimate for the Gramalote Project that formed the basis for the PEA includes Indicated Mineral Resources of 192.2 million tonnes grading 0.68 g/t gold for a total of 4,210,000 ounces of gold and Inferred Mineral Resources of 85.4 million tonnes grading 0.54 g/t gold for a total of 1,480,000 ounces of gold.
The PEA outlines a significant production profile with average annual gold production of 185,000 ounces over a 12.5 year project life with a low-cost structure and favorable metallurgical characteristics. Additionally, the PEA outlines strong project economics with an after-tax NPV 5% of $778 million and an after-tax IRR of 20.6%, with a project payback on pre-production capital of 3.1 years, and an estimated pre-production capital cost for the project of $807 million (including approximately $93 million for mining equipment and $63 million for contingency). A robust amount of historical drilling and engineering studies have been completed on the Gramalote Project, which significantly de-risks future project development. Based on the positive results from the PEA, B2Gold believes that the Gramalote Project has the potential to become a medium-scale, low-cost open pit gold mine.
The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes a small amount of Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA based on these Mineral Resources will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
B2Gold has commenced feasibility work with the goal of completing a feasibility study by mid-2025 and a $10 million budget has been approved by the Board. Due to the work completed for previous studies, the work remaining to finalize a feasibility study for the updated medium-scale project is not extensive. The main work programs for the feasibility study include geotechnical and environmental site investigations for the processing plant and waste dump footprints, as well as capital and operating cost estimates.
The Gramalote Project will continue to advance resettlement programs, establish coexistence programs for small miners, work on health, safety and environmental projects and continue to work with the government and local communities on social programs.
Due to the desired modifications to the processing plant and infrastructure locations, a Modified Environment Impact Study is required. B2Gold has commenced work on the modifications to the Environment Impact Study and expect it to be completed and submitted shortly following the completion of the feasibility study. If the final economics of the feasibility study are positive and B2Gold makes the decision to develop the Gramalote Project as an open pit gold mine, B2Gold would utilize its proven internal mine construction team to build the mine and mill facilities.
Outlook
Total gold production for 2024 is forecast to be between 800,000 and 870,000 ounces, including 20,000 ounces of attributable gold production from Calibre.
Based on current estimates, consolidated gold production in 2025 is expected to materially improve, driven by a significant increase in gold production from the Fekola Complex, relative to 2024, as a result of the scheduled mining and processing of higher-grade ore from the Fekola and Cardinal pits made accessible by the meaningful stripping campaign that will be undertaken throughout 2024, the expected full year contribution of higher-grade ore from Fekola Regional which is anticipated to contribute between 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of additional production, and commencement of mining the higher-grade Fekola underground (subject to receipt of necessary permits for Fekola Regional and Fekola underground).
Upon completion of construction activities at the Goose Project, the mine is expected to commence gold production in the second quarter of 2025 and contribute between 120,000 and 150,000 ounces of gold production in calendar year 2025. Over the first five full calendar years of operation from 2026 to 2030, the average annual gold production for the Goose Project is estimated to be in excess of 310,000 ounces of gold per year.
The positive PEA results on the Company's 100% owned Gramalote Project, located in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia, outlines a significant production profile with average annual gold production of 234,000 ounces per year for the first five years of production, and strong project economics with an after-tax NPV 5% of $778 million and an after-tax IRR of 20.6% over a 12.5 year project life. As a result, B2Gold has commenced feasibility work with the goal of completing a feasibility study by mid-2025 and a $10 million budget has been approved by the Board.
Following the release of an initial Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate for the Springbok Zone, the southernmost shoot of the recently discovered Antelope deposit, in the second quarter of 2024, the Company has commenced a PEA which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. Subject to receipt of a positive PEA and permit, mining of the Springbok Zone, coupled with the exploration potential of the greater Antelope deposit, could begin to contribute to gold production at Otjikoto in 2026. The Antelope deposit has the potential to supplement the processing of low-grade stockpiles at the Otjikoto Mine through 2031, with the goal of increasing gold production levels to over 100,000 ounces per year from 2026 through 2031.
The Company's ongoing strategy is to continue to maximize profitable production from its existing mines, maintain a strong financial position, realize the significant potential increase in gold production from the Company's existing development projects, continue exploration programs across the Company's robust land packages, evaluate new exploration, development and production opportunities, and continue to return capital to shareholders.
Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results - Conference Call Details
B2Gold executives will host a conference call to discuss the results on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 8:00 am PT / 11:00 am ET.
Participants may register for the conference call here: registration link . Upon registering, participants will receive a calendar invitation by email with dial in details and a unique PIN. This will allow participants to bypass the operator queue and connect directly to the conference. Registration will remain open until the end of the conference call. Participants may also dial in using the numbers below:
The conference call will be available for playback for two weeks by dialing toll-free in the U.S. and Canada: +1 (855) 669-9658, replay access code 5652344. All other callers: +1 (412) 317-0088, replay access code 5652344.
About B2Gold
B2Gold is a low-cost international senior gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2007, today, B2Gold has operating gold mines in Mali, Namibia and the Philippines, the Goose Project under construction in northern Canada and numerous development and exploration projects in various countries including Mali, Colombia and Finland. B2Gold forecasts total consolidated gold production of between 800,000 and 870,000 ounces in 2024.
Qualified Persons
Bill Lytle, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information related to operations matters contained in this news release.
Andrew Brown, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information related to exploration and mineral resource matters contained in this news release.
ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.
"Clive T. Johnson"
President and Chief Executive Officer
Source: B2Gold Corp.
The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.
Production results and production guidance presented in this news release reflect total production at the mines B2Gold operates on a 100% project basis. Please see our Annual Information Form dated March 14, 2024 for a discussion of our ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.
This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, revenues and cash flows, and capital costs (sustaining and non-sustaining) and operating costs, including projected cash operating costs and AISC, and budgets on a consolidated and mine by mine basis; future or estimated mine life, metal price assumptions, ore grades or sources, gold recovery rates, stripping ratios, throughput, ore processing; statements regarding anticipated exploration, drilling, development, construction, permitting and other activities or achievements of B2Gold; and including, without limitation: remaining well positioned for continued strong operational and financial performance in 2024; projected gold production, cash operating costs and AISC on a consolidated and mine by mine basis in 2024; total consolidated gold production of between 800,000 and 870,000 ounces (including 20,000 attributable ounces from Calibre) in 2024, with cash operating costs of between $835 and $895 per ounce and AISC of between $1,420 and $1,480 per ounce; B2Gold's continued prioritization of developing the Goose Project in a manner that recognizes Indigenous input and concerns and brings long-term socio-economic benefits to the area; the Goose Project capital cost being approximately C$1,050 million and the net cost of open pit and underground development, deferred stripping, and sustaining capital expenditures to be incurred prior to first gold production being approximately C$200 million and the cost for reagents and other working capital items being C$205 million; the Goose Project producing approximately 310,000 ounces of gold per year for the first five years; the potential for first gold production in the second quarter of 2025 from the Goose Project; the Company's consolidated gold production to be relatively consistent throughout 2024; Fekola Regional production now expected to commence at the beginning of 2025; the potential receipt of a mining permit for Fekola Regional licenses later in 2024; the impact of the 2023 Mining Code in Mali; the status of the negotiations with the Government of Mali and the results thereof; the potential for the Antelope deposit to be developed as an underground operation and contribute gold during the low-grade stockpile processing in 2026 through 2031; the timing and results of the PEA on the Antelope deposit and the potential for the Antelope Zone to contribute to the Otjikoto production profile; the results and estimates in the Gramalote PEA, including the project life, average annual gold production, processing rate, capital cost, net present value, after-tax net cash flow and payback; the timing and results of a feasibility study on the Gramalote Project; and the potential to develop the Gramalote Project as an open pit gold mine. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.
Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to: the volatility of metal prices and B2Gold's common shares; changes in tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates; actual production, development plans and costs differing materially from the estimates in B2Gold's feasibility and other studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; climate change and climate change regulations; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential restrictions imposed on B2Gold's operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia, the Philippines and Colombia and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally; remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure; fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; the lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; the dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; community support for B2Gold's operations, including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information systems or information security threats; the ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with anti-corruption laws, and sanctions or other similar measures; social media and B2Gold's reputation; risks affecting Calibre having an impact on the value of the Company's investment in Calibre, and potential dilution of our equity interest in Calibre; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form, B2Gold's current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect B2Gold's forward-looking statements.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to B2Gold's ability to carry on current and future operations, including: development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry.
B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
Non-IFRS Measures
This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including "cash operating costs" and "all-in sustaining costs" (or "AISC"). Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with B2Gold's consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to B2Gold's Management Discussion and Analysis, available on the Websites, under the heading "Non-IFRS Measures" for a more detailed discussion of how B2Gold calculates certain of such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to IFRS terms.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates
The disclosure in this news release was prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101, which differs significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and resource and reserve information contained or referenced in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by public companies subject to the technical disclosure requirements of the SEC. Historical results or feasibility models presented herein are not guarantees or expectations of future performance.
| B2GOLD CORP. CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended June 30, 2024 | For the three months ended June 30, 2023 | For the six months ended June 30, 2024 | For the six months ended June 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Gold revenue | $ | 492,569 | $ | 470,854 | $ | 954,013 | $ | 944,410 | ||||||||
| Cost of sales | ||||||||||||||||
| Production costs | (151,299 | ) | (152,762 | ) | (308,044 | ) | (280,366 | ) | ||||||||
| Depreciation and depletion | (95,008 | ) | (94,662 | ) | (185,454 | ) | (191,820 | ) | ||||||||
| Royalties and production taxes | (33,089 | ) | (33,111 | ) | (63,116 | ) | (68,272 | ) | ||||||||
| Total cost of sales | (279,396 | ) | (280,535 | ) | (556,614 | ) | (540,458 | ) | ||||||||
| Gross profit | 213,173 | 190,319 | 397,399 | 403,952 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative | (12,968 | ) | (13,921 | ) | (27,106 | ) | (28,106 | ) | ||||||||
| Share-based payments | (4,792 | ) | (4,591 | ) | (9,746 | ) | (11,445 | ) | ||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets | (215,216 | ) | (4,885 | ) | (215,216 | ) | (4,885 | ) | ||||||||
| Gain on sale of mining interests | 48,662 | — | 48,662 | — | ||||||||||||
| Gain on sale of shares in associate | 16,822 | — | 16,822 | — | ||||||||||||
| Non-recoverable input taxes | (2,695 | ) | (1,139 | ) | (6,999 | ) | (3,046 | ) | ||||||||
| Share of net income of associates | 2,582 | 7,009 | 4,679 | 11,988 | ||||||||||||
| Foreign exchange losses | (11,356 | ) | (2,253 | ) | (13,735 | ) | (2,849 | ) | ||||||||
| Community relations | (442 | ) | (1,722 | ) | (931 | ) | (2,725 | ) | ||||||||
| Write-down of mining interests | (636 | ) | — | (636 | ) | (16,457 | ) | |||||||||
| Restructuring charges | — | (7,080 | ) | — | (7,080 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other expense | (2,322 | ) | (2,598 | ) | (7,754 | ) | (4,289 | ) | ||||||||
| Operating income | 30,812 | 159,139 | 185,439 | 335,058 | ||||||||||||
| Interest and financing expense | (7,465 | ) | (2,916 | ) | (17,036 | ) | (5,842 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest income | 7,671 | 6,035 | 13,126 | 11,854 | ||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of gold stream | (8,387 | ) | (1,100 | ) | (19,239 | ) | (1,100 | ) | ||||||||
| Gains (losses) on dilution of associate | 998 | — | (8,984 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Gains on derivative instruments | 429 | 782 | 704 | 425 | ||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) | 12 | (2,518 | ) | 155 | (4,118 | ) | ||||||||||
| Income from operations before taxes | 24,070 | 159,422 | 154,165 | 336,277 | ||||||||||||
| Current income tax, withholding and other taxes | (96,697 | ) | (71,205 | ) | (158,281 | ) | (147,945 | ) | ||||||||
| Deferred income tax recovery | 37,850 | 3,633 | 17,820 | 5,422 | ||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income for the period | $ | (34,777 | ) | $ | 91,850 | $ | 13,704 | $ | 193,754 | |||||||
| Attributable to: | ||||||||||||||||
| Shareholders of the Company | $ | (24,004 | ) | $ | 80,418 | $ | 15,747 | $ | 166,391 | |||||||
| Non-controlling interests | (10,773 | ) | 11,432 | (2,043 | ) | 27,363 | ||||||||||
| Net (loss) income for the period | $ | (34,777 | ) | $ | 91,850 | $ | 13,704 | $ | 193,754 | |||||||
| (Loss) earnings per share (attributable to shareholders of the Company) | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.14 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.01 | $ | 0.14 | |||||||
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 1,307,176 | 1,251,832 | 1,305,183 | 1,164,104 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted | 1,307,176 | 1,257,804 | 1,308,746 | 1,169,853 | ||||||||||||
| B2GOLD CORP. CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30 (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars) (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
| For the three months ended June 30, 2024 | For the three months ended June 30, 2023 | For the six months ended June 30, 2024 | For the six months ended June 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income for the period | $ | (34,777 | ) | $ | 91,850 | $ | 13,704 | $ | 193,754 | |||||||
| Mine restoration provisions settled | (650 | ) | (579 | ) | (941 | ) | (579 | ) | ||||||||
| Non-cash charges, net | 227,042 | 107,409 | 378,364 | 228,941 | ||||||||||||
| Proceeds from prepaid sales | — | — | 500,023 | — | ||||||||||||
| Changes in non-cash working capital | (79,709 | ) | 15,052 | (57,724 | ) | 21,278 | ||||||||||
| Changes in long-term inventory | (13,298 | ) | — | (9,146 | ) | — | ||||||||||
| Changes in long-term value added tax receivables | (36,176 | ) | (18,749 | ) | (51,121 | ) | (44,588 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 62,432 | 194,983 | 773,159 | 398,806 | ||||||||||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||||||||||
| Repayment of revolving credit facility | — | — | (150,000 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Extinguishment of gold stream and construction financing obligations | — | (111,819 | ) | — | (111,819 | ) | ||||||||||
| Repayment of equipment loan facilities | (3,519 | ) | (2,887 | ) | (5,906 | ) | (6,465 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest and commitment fees paid | (1,090 | ) | (1,118 | ) | (4,669 | ) | (2,120 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash proceeds from stock option exercises | 1,357 | 3,464 | 2,445 | 5,908 | ||||||||||||
| Dividends paid | (45,869 | ) | (51,730 | ) | (91,858 | ) | (94,706 | ) | ||||||||
| Principal payments on lease arrangements | (1,140 | ) | (2,046 | ) | (2,588 | ) | (3,489 | ) | ||||||||
| Distributions to non-controlling interests | (2,708 | ) | (2,198 | ) | (7,288 | ) | (4,280 | ) | ||||||||
| Other | 691 | 770 | 962 | 1,587 | ||||||||||||
| Cash used by financing activities | (52,278 | ) | (167,564 | ) | (258,902 | ) | (215,384 | ) | ||||||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||||||||||
| Expenditures on mining interests: | ||||||||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | (53,179 | ) | (74,151 | ) | (133,741 | ) | (127,946 | ) | ||||||||
| Masbate Mine | (6,507 | ) | (6,098 | ) | (15,037 | ) | (15,051 | ) | ||||||||
| Otjikoto Mine | (11,706 | ) | (15,630 | ) | (25,519 | ) | (32,976 | ) | ||||||||
| Goose Project | (127,704 | ) | (68,612 | ) | (245,155 | ) | (68,612 | ) | ||||||||
| Fekola Regional Properties | (4,924 | ) | (15,035 | ) | (9,425 | ) | (29,810 | ) | ||||||||
| Gramalote Project | (3,560 | ) | (1,204 | ) | (6,870 | ) | (1,714 | ) | ||||||||
| Other exploration | (11,572 | ) | (24,552 | ) | (20,412 | ) | (40,543 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash proceeds on sale of investment in associate | 100,302 | — | 100,302 | — | ||||||||||||
| Cash proceeds on sale of long-term investment | 18,661 | — | 18,661 | — | ||||||||||||
| Purchase of long-term investment | (6,252 | ) | (16,764 | ) | (6,252 | ) | (31,880 | ) | ||||||||
| Funding of reclamation accounts | (1,676 | ) | (1,351 | ) | (2,705 | ) | (2,640 | ) | ||||||||
| Loan to associate | — | — | (1,496 | ) | — | |||||||||||
| Cash acquired on acquisition of Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. | — | 38,083 | — | 38,083 | ||||||||||||
| Transaction costs paid on acquisition of Sabina Gold & Silver Corp. | — | (6,672 | ) | — | (6,672 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other | (295 | ) | 101 | (340 | ) | (3,212 | ) | |||||||||
| Cash used by investing activities | (108,412 | ) | (191,885 | ) | (347,989 | ) | (322,973 | ) | ||||||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (98,258 | ) | (164,466 | ) | 166,268 | (139,551 | ) | |||||||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (2,716 | ) | (3,067 | ) | (6,323 | ) | (6,188 | ) | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 567,814 | 673,740 | 306,895 | 651,946 | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 466,840 | $ | 506,207 | $ | 466,840 | $ | 506,207 | ||||||||
| B2GOLD CORP. CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars) (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| As at June 30, 2024 | As at December 31, 2023 | |||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Current | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 466,840 | $ | 306,895 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, prepaids and other | 41,330 | 27,491 | ||||||
| Value-added and other tax receivables | 31,368 | 29,848 | ||||||
| Inventories | 376,822 | 346,495 | ||||||
| Assets classified as held for sale | 10,230 | — | ||||||
| 926,590 | 710,729 | |||||||
| Long-term investments | 123,764 | 86,007 | ||||||
| Value-added tax receivables | 250,171 | 199,671 | ||||||
| Mining interests | 3,616,534 | 3,563,490 | ||||||
| Investments in associates | 74,193 | 134,092 | ||||||
| Long-term inventories | 102,609 | 100,068 | ||||||
| Other assets | 72,346 | 63,635 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 16,645 | 16,927 | ||||||
| $ | 5,182,852 | $ | 4,874,619 | |||||
| Liabilities | ||||||||
| Current | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 178,528 | $ | 167,117 | ||||
| Current income and other taxes payable | 113,685 | 120,679 | ||||||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 14,857 | 16,256 | ||||||
| Current portion of mine restoration provisions | 2,109 | 3,050 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities | 7,155 | 6,369 | ||||||
| 316,334 | 313,471 | |||||||
| Long-term debt | 25,651 | 175,869 | ||||||
| Gold stream obligation | 158,839 | 139,600 | ||||||
| Prepaid gold sales | 517,723 | — | ||||||
| Mine restoration provisions | 104,798 | 104,607 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 170,004 | 188,106 | ||||||
| Employee benefits obligation | 21,135 | 19,171 | ||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | 23,777 | 23,820 | ||||||
| 1,338,261 | 964,644 | |||||||
| Equity | ||||||||
| Shareholders' equity | ||||||||
| Share capital | 3,485,034 | 3,454,811 | ||||||
| Contributed surplus | 79,721 | 84,970 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (118,447 | ) | (125,256 | ) | ||||
| Retained earnings | 309,332 | 395,854 | ||||||
| 3,755,640 | 3,810,379 | |||||||
| Non-controlling interests | 88,951 | 99,596 | ||||||
| 3,844,591 | 3,909,975 | |||||||
| $ | 5,182,852 | $ | 4,874,619 | |||||
NON-IFRS MEASURES
Cash operating costs per gold ounce sold and total cash costs per gold ounce sold
‘‘Cash operating costs per gold ounce'' and "total cash costs per gold ounce" are common financial performance measures in the gold mining industry but, as non-IFRS measures, they do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate our performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, these measures are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measures, along with sales, are considered to be a key indicator of the Company's ability to generate earnings and cash flow from its mining operations.
Cash cost figures are calculated on a sales basis in accordance with a standard developed by The Gold Institute, which was a worldwide association of suppliers of gold and gold products and included leading North American gold producers. The Gold Institute ceased operations in 2002, but the standard is the accepted standard of reporting cash cost of production in North America. Adoption of the standard is voluntary and the cost measures presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies may calculate these measures differently. Cash operating costs and total cash costs per gold ounce sold are derived from amounts included in the statement of operations and include mine site operating costs such as mining, processing, smelting, refining, transportation costs, royalties and production taxes, less silver by-product credits. The tables below show a reconciliation of cash operating costs per gold ounce sold and total cash costs per gold ounce sold to production costs as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements on a consolidated and a mine-by-mine basis (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Production costs | 81,481 | 37,602 | 32,216 | 151,299 | 13,221 | 164,520 |
| Royalties and production taxes | 21,655 | 6,910 | 4,524 | 33,089 | 711 | 33,800 |
| Total cash costs | 103,136 | 44,512 | 36,740 | 184,388 | 13,932 | 198,320 |
| Gold sold (ounces) | 115,288 | 46,600 | 48,340 | 210,228 | 8,267 | 218,495 |
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 707 | 807 | 666 | 720 | 1,599 | 753 |
| Total cash costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 895 | 955 | 760 | 877 | 1,685 | 908 |
| For the three months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Production costs | 79,245 | 48,170 | 25,347 | 152,762 | 17,815 | 170,577 |
| Royalties and production taxes | 23,686 | 6,285 | 3,140 | 33,111 | 1,078 | 34,189 |
| Total cash costs | 102,931 | 54,455 | 28,487 | 185,873 | 18,893 | 204,766 |
| Gold sold (ounces) | 142,850 | 56,700 | 39,550 | 239,100 | 16,797 | 255,897 |
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 555 | 850 | 641 | 639 | 1,061 | 667 |
| Total cash costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 721 | 960 | 720 | 777 | 1,125 | 800 |
| For the six months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Production costs | 166,586 | 80,373 | 61,085 | 308,044 | 25,126 | 333,170 |
| Royalties and production taxes | 42,050 | 12,300 | 8,766 | 63,116 | 1,565 | 64,681 |
| Total cash costs | 208,636 | 92,673 | 69,851 | 371,160 | 26,691 | 397,851 |
| Gold sold (ounces) | 239,116 | 94,300 | 99,790 | 433,206 | 19,644 | 452,850 |
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 697 | 852 | 612 | 711 | 1,279 | 736 |
| Total cash costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 873 | 983 | 700 | 857 | 1,359 | 879 |
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Production costs | 156,906 | 73,163 | 50,297 | 280,366 | 33,580 | 313,946 |
| Royalties and production taxes | 50,352 | 10,698 | 7,222 | 68,272 | 2,332 | 70,604 |
| Total cash costs | 207,258 | 83,861 | 57,519 | 348,638 | 35,912 | 384,550 |
| Gold sold (ounces) | 307,900 | 86,350 | 94,000 | 488,250 | 32,939 | 521,189 |
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 510 | 847 | 535 | 574 | 1,019 | 602 |
| Total cash costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 673 | 971 | 612 | 714 | 1,090 | 738 |
Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced
In addition to cash operating costs on a per gold ounce sold basis, the Company also presents cash operating costs on a per gold ounce produced basis. Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced is derived from amounts included in the statement of operations and include mine site operating costs such as mining, processing, smelting, refining, transportation costs, less silver by-product credits. The tables below show a reconciliation of cash operating costs per gold ounce produced to production costs as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements on a consolidated and a mine-by-mine basis (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Production costs | 81,481 | 37,602 | 32,216 | 151,299 | 13,221 | 164,520 |
| Inventory sales adjustment | 12,097 | 1,412 | 168 | 13,677 | — | 13,677 |
| Cash operating costs | 93,578 | 39,014 | 32,384 | 164,976 | 13,221 | 178,197 |
| Gold produced (ounces) | 111,583 | 44,515 | 48,143 | 204,241 | 8,267 | 212,508 |
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce produced) | 839 | 876 | 673 | 808 | 1,599 | 839 |
| For the three months ended June 30, 2023 | |||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||
| Production costs | 79,245 | 48,170 | 25,347 | 152,762 | 17,815 | 170,577 | |||
| Inventory sales adjustment | 2,698 | (7,757 | ) | 1,587 | (3,472 | ) | — | (3,472 | ) |
| Cash operating costs | 81,943 | 40,413 | 26,934 | 149,290 | 17,815 | 167,105 | |||
| Gold produced (ounces) | 152,427 | 49,478 | 44,056 | 245,961 | 16,740 | 262,701 | |||
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce produced) | 538 | 817 | 611 | 607 | 1,064 | 636 | |||
| For the six months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Production costs | 166,586 | 80,373 | 61,085 | 308,044 | 25,126 | 333,170 |
| Inventory sales adjustment | 10,175 | 188 | 440 | 10,803 | — | 10,803 |
| Cash operating costs | 176,761 | 80,561 | 61,525 | 318,847 | 25,126 | 343,973 |
| Gold produced (ounces) | 230,724 | 94,297 | 93,559 | 418,580 | 19,644 | 438,224 |
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce produced) | 766 | 854 | 658 | 762 | 1,279 | 785 |
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 | |||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||
| Production costs | 156,906 | 73,163 | 50,297 | 280,366 | 33,580 | 313,946 | |
| Inventory sales adjustment | 5,216 | 8,180 | (62 | ) | 13,334 | — | 13,334 |
| Cash operating costs | 162,122 | 81,343 | 50,235 | 293,700 | 33,580 | 327,280 | |
| Gold produced (ounces) | 318,291 | 95,842 | 82,547 | 496,680 | 32,877 | 529,557 | |
| Cash operating costs per ounce ($/ gold ounce produced) | 509 | 849 | 609 | 591 | 1,021 | 618 | |
All-in sustaining costs per gold ounce
In June 2013, the World Gold Council, a non-regulatory association of the world's leading gold mining companies established to promote the use of gold to industry, consumers and investors, provided guidance for the calculation of the measure "all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce", but as a non-IFRS measure, it does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The original World Gold Council standard became effective January 1, 2014 with further updates announced on November 16, 2018 which were effective starting January 1, 2019.
Management believes that the all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce measure provides additional insight into the costs of producing gold by capturing all of the expenditures required for the discovery, development and sustaining of gold production and allows the Company to assess its ability to support capital expenditures to sustain future production from the generation of operating cash flows. Management believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Adoption of the standard is voluntary and the cost measures presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company has applied the principles of the World Gold Council recommendations and has reported all-in sustaining costs on a sales basis. Other companies may calculate these measures differently.
B2Gold defines all-in sustaining costs per ounce as the sum of cash operating costs, royalties and production taxes, capital expenditures and exploration costs that are sustaining in nature, sustaining lease expenditures, corporate general and administrative costs, share-based payment expenses related to restricted share units/deferred share units/performance share units/restricted phantom units ("RSUs/DSUs/PSUs/RPUs"), community relations expenditures, reclamation liability accretion and realized (gains) losses on fuel derivative contracts, all divided by the total gold ounces sold to arrive at a per ounce figure.
The table below shows a reconciliation of all-in sustaining costs per ounce to production costs as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements on a consolidated and a mine-by-mine basis for the three months ended June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Corporate | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Production costs | 81,481 | 37,602 | 32,216 | — | 151,299 | 13,221 | 164,520 | |||||
| Royalties and production taxes | 21,655 | 6,910 | 4,524 | — | 33,089 | 711 | 33,800 | |||||
| Corporate administration | 2,548 | 548 | 1,406 | 8,466 | 12,968 | 902 | 13,870 | |||||
| Share-based payments – RSUs/DSUs/PSUs/RPUs (1) | 34 | — | — | 4,023 | 4,057 | — | 4,057 | |||||
| Community relations | 106 | 17 | 319 | — | 442 | — | 442 | |||||
| Reclamation liability accretion | 458 | 313 | 252 | — | 1,023 | — | 1,023 | |||||
| Realized gains on derivative contracts | (202 | ) | (108 | ) | — | — | (310 | ) | — | (310 | ) | |
| Sustaining lease expenditures | 83 | 309 | 236 | 512 | 1,140 | — | 1,140 | |||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures (2) | 38,065 | 6,428 | 11,605 | — | 56,098 | 637 | 56,735 | |||||
| Sustaining mine exploration (2) | 838 | 864 | (76 | ) | — | 1,626 | — | 1,626 | ||||
| Total all-in sustaining costs | 145,066 | 52,883 | 50,482 | 13,001 | 261,432 | 15,471 | 276,903 | |||||
| Gold sold (ounces) | 115,288 | 46,600 | 48,340 | — | 210,228 | 8,267 | 218,495 | |||||
| All-in sustaining cost per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,258 | 1,135 | 1,044 | — | 1,244 | 1,871 | 1,267 | |||||
1) Included as a component of Share-based payments on the Statement of operations.
(2) Refer to Sustaining capital expenditures and Sustaining mine exploration reconciliations below.
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining capital expenditures to operating mine capital expenditures as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Operating mine capital expenditures | 53,179 | 6,507 | 11,706 | 71,392 | 637 | 72,029 | |||||
| Fekola underground | (14,772 | ) | — | — | (14,772 | ) | — | (14,772 | ) | ||
| Road construction | (342 | ) | — | — | (342 | ) | — | (342 | ) | ||
| Land acquisitions | — | (49 | ) | — | (49 | ) | — | (49 | ) | ||
| Other | — | (30 | ) | (101 | ) | (131 | ) | — | (131 | ) | |
| Sustaining capital expenditures | 38,065 | 6,428 | 11,605 | 56,098 | 637 | 56,735 | |||||
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining mine exploration to operating mine exploration as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||
| Operating mine exploration | 838 | 928 | 1,514 | 3,280 | — | 3,280 | ||||
| Regional exploration | — | (64 | ) | (1,590 | ) | (1,654 | ) | — | (1,654 | ) |
| Sustaining mine exploration | 838 | 864 | (76 | ) | 1,626 | — | 1,626 | |||
The table below shows a reconciliation of all-in sustaining costs per ounce to production costs as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements on a consolidated and a mine-by-mine basis for the three months ended June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Corporate | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Production costs | 79,245 | 48,170 | 25,347 | — | 152,762 | 17,815 | 170,577 | |||||
| Royalties and production taxes | 23,686 | 6,285 | 3,140 | — | 33,111 | 1,078 | 34,189 | |||||
| Corporate administration | 2,403 | 640 | 1,176 | 9,836 | 14,055 | 574 | 14,629 | |||||
| Share-based payments – RSUs/DSUs/PSUs/RPUs (1) | — | — | — | 3,838 | 3,838 | — | 3,838 | |||||
| Community relations | 1,370 | 41 | 311 | — | 1,722 | — | 1,722 | |||||
| Reclamation liability accretion | 357 | 278 | 277 | — | 912 | — | 912 | |||||
| Realized gains on derivative contracts | (688 | ) | (642 | ) | (209 | ) | — | (1,539 | ) | — | (1,539 | ) |
| Sustaining lease expenditures | 981 | 303 | 297 | 465 | 2,046 | — | 2,046 | |||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures (2) | 59,032 | 5,752 | 15,630 | — | 80,414 | 1,933 | 82,347 | |||||
| Sustaining mine exploration (2) | — | 1,008 | 996 | — | 2,004 | — | 2,004 | |||||
| Total all-in sustaining costs | 166,386 | 61,835 | 46,965 | 14,139 | 289,325 | 21,400 | 310,725 | |||||
| Gold sold (ounces) | 142,850 | 56,700 | 39,550 | — | 239,100 | 16,797 | 255,897 | |||||
| All-in sustaining cost per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,165 | 1,091 | 1,187 | — | 1,210 | 1,274 | 1,214 | |||||
(1) Included as a component of Share-based payments on the Statement of operations.
(2) Refer to Sustaining capital expenditures and Sustaining mine exploration reconciliations below
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining capital expenditures to operating mine capital expenditures as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||
| Operating mine capital expenditures | 74,151 | 6,098 | 15,630 | 95,879 | 1,933 | 97,812 | ||||
| Road construction | (2,657 | ) | — | — | (2,657 | ) | — | (2,657 | ) | |
| Fekola underground | (12,462 | ) | — | — | (12,462 | ) | — | (12,462 | ) | |
| Other | — | (346 | ) | — | (346 | ) | — | (346 | ) | |
| Sustaining capital expenditures | 59,032 | 5,752 | 15,630 | 80,414 | 1,933 | 82,347 | ||||
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining mine exploration to operating mine exploration as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ended June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| For the three months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Operating mine exploration | — | 1,008 | 996 | 2,004 | — | 2,004 |
| Regional exploration | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sustaining mine exploration | — | 1,008 | 996 | 2,004 | — | 2,004 |
The table below shows a reconciliation of all-in sustaining costs per ounce to production costs as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements on a consolidated and a mine-by-mine basis for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Corporate | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Production costs | 166,586 | 80,373 | 61,085 | — | 308,044 | 25,126 | 333,170 | |||||
| Royalties and production taxes | 42,050 | 12,300 | 8,766 | — | 63,116 | 1,565 | 64,681 | |||||
| Corporate administration | 5,275 | 1,062 | 2,886 | 17,883 | 27,106 | 1,463 | 28,569 | |||||
| Share-based payments – RSUs/DSUs/PSUs/RPUs (1) | 67 | — | — | 8,996 | 9,063 | — | 9,063 | |||||
| Community relations | 251 | 30 | 650 | — | 931 | — | 931 | |||||
| Reclamation liability accretion | 893 | 614 | 490 | — | 1,997 | — | 1,997 | |||||
| Realized gains on derivative contracts | (420 | ) | (252 | ) | (31 | ) | — | (703 | ) | — | (703 | ) |
| Sustaining lease expenditures | 167 | 627 | 790 | 1,004 | 2,588 | — | 2,588 | |||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures (2) | 105,935 | 14,677 | 24,503 | — | 145,115 | 2,392 | 147,507 | |||||
| Sustaining mine exploration (2) | 2,140 | 1,598 | 626 | — | 4,364 | — | 4,364 | |||||
| Total all-in sustaining costs | 322,944 | 111,029 | 99,765 | 27,883 | 561,621 | 30,546 | 592,167 | |||||
| Gold sold (ounces) | 239,116 | 94,300 | 99,790 | — | 433,206 | 19,644 | 452,850 | |||||
| All-in sustaining cost per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,351 | 1,177 | 1,000 | — | 1,296 | 1,555 | 1,308 | |||||
(1) Included as a component of Share-based payments on the Statement of operations.
(2) Refer to Sustaining capital expenditures and Sustaining mine exploration reconciliations below.
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining capital expenditures to operating mine capital expenditures as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2024 | |||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Operating mine capital expenditures | 133,741 | 15,037 | 25,519 | 174,297 | 2,392 | 176,689 | |||||
| Fekola underground | (25,876 | ) | — | — | (25,876 | ) | — | (25,876 | ) | ||
| Road construction | (1,930 | ) | — | — | (1,930 | ) | — | (1,930 | ) | ||
| Land acquisitions | — | (120 | ) | — | (120 | ) | — | (120 | ) | ||
| Other | — | (240 | ) | (1,016 | ) | (1,256 | ) | — | (1,256 | ) | |
| Sustaining capital expenditures | 105,935 | 14,677 | 24,503 | 145,115 | 2,392 | 147,507 | |||||
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining mine exploration to operating mine exploration as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2024 (dollars in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2024 | ||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||
| Operating mine exploration | 2,140 | 1,749 | 3,303 | 7,192 | — | 7,192 | ||||
| Regional exploration | — | (151 | ) | (2,677 | ) | (2,828 | ) | — | (2,828 | ) |
| Sustaining mine exploration | 2,140 | 1,598 | 626 | 4,364 | — | 4,364 | ||||
The tables below show a reconciliation of all-in sustaining costs per ounce to production costs as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements on a consolidated and a mine-by-mine basis for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Corporate | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | ||||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||
| Production costs | 156,906 | 73,163 | 50,297 | — | 280,366 | 33,580 | 313,946 | |||||
| Royalties and production taxes | 50,352 | 10,698 | 7,222 | — | 68,272 | 2,332 | 70,604 | |||||
| Corporate administration | 5,364 | 1,139 | 2,880 | 18,857 | 28,240 | 1,323 | 29,563 | |||||
| Share-based payments – RSUs/DSUs/PSUs/RPUs (1) | — | — | — | 8,157 | 8,157 | — | 8,157 | |||||
| Community relations | 2,044 | 99 | 582 | — | 2,725 | — | 2,725 | |||||
| Reclamation liability accretion | 738 | 569 | 571 | — | 1,878 | — | 1,878 | |||||
| Realized gains on derivative contracts | (1,459 | ) | (1,814 | ) | (697 | ) | — | (3,970 | ) | — | (3,970 | ) |
| Sustaining lease expenditures | 1,045 | 610 | 920 | 914 | 3,489 | — | 3,489 | |||||
| Sustaining capital expenditures (2) | 108,808 | 14,528 | 32,976 | — | 156,312 | 3,939 | 160,251 | |||||
| Sustaining mine exploration (2) | 1,706 | 1,967 | 1,490 | — | 5,163 | — | 5,163 | |||||
| Total all-in sustaining costs | 325,504 | 100,959 | 96,241 | 27,928 | 550,632 | 41,174 | 591,806 | |||||
| Gold sold (ounces) | 307,900 | 86,350 | 94,000 | — | 488,250 | 32,939 | 521,189 | |||||
| All-in sustaining cost per ounce ($/ gold ounce sold) | 1,057 | 1,169 | 1,024 | — | 1,128 | 1,250 | 1,135 | |||||
(1) Included as a component of Share-based payments on the Statement of operations.
(2) Refer to Sustaining capital expenditures and Sustaining mine exploration reconciliations below
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining capital expenditures to operating mine capital expenditures as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||
| Operating mine capital expenditures | 127,946 | 15,051 | 32,976 | 175,973 | 3,939 | 179,912 | ||||
| Road construction | (5,067 | ) | — | — | (5,067 | ) | — | (5,067 | ) | |
| Fekola underground study | (14,071 | ) | — | — | (14,071 | ) | — | (14,071 | ) | |
| Other | — | (523 | ) | — | (523 | ) | — | (523 | ) | |
| Sustaining capital expenditures | 108,808 | 14,528 | 32,976 | 156,312 | 3,939 | 160,251 | ||||
The table below shows a reconciliation of sustaining mine exploration to operating mine exploration as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2023 (dollars in thousands):
| For the six months ended June 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Fekola Mine | Masbate Mine | Otjikoto Mine | Total | Calibre equity investment | Grand Total | |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |
| Operating mine exploration | 1,706 | 1,967 | 1,490 | 5,163 | — | 5,163 |
| Regional exploration | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sustaining mine exploration | 1,706 | 1,967 | 1,490 | 5,163 | — | 5,163 |
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share - basic
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share – basic are non-IFRS measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company defines adjusted net income as net income attributable to shareholders of the Company adjusted for non-recurring items and also significant recurring non-cash items. The Company defines adjusted earnings per share – basic as adjusted net income divided by the basic weighted number of common shares outstanding.
Management believes that the presentation of adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share - basic is appropriate to provide additional information to investors regarding items that we do not expect to continue at the same level in the future or that management does not believe to be a reflection of the Company's ongoing operating performance. Management further believes that its presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures provide information that is useful to investors because they are important indicators of the strength of our operations and the performance of our core business. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate this measure differently.
A reconciliation of net income to adjusted net income as extracted from the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements is set out in the table below:
| Three months ended | Six months ended | |||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||
| (000's) | (000's) | (000's) | (000's) | |||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders of the Company for the period: | (24,004 | ) | 80,418 | 15,747 | 166,391 | |||
| Adjustments for non-recurring and significant recurring non-cash items: | ||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets | 197,141 | 4,885 | 197,141 | 4,885 | ||||
| Write-down of mining interests | 636 | — | 636 | 16,419 | ||||
| Gain on sale of shares in associate | (16,822 | ) | — | (16,822 | ) | — | ||
| Gain on sale of mining interests | (48,662 | ) | — | (48,662 | ) | — | ||
| Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments | (119 | ) | 757 | (1 | ) | 3,545 | ||
| Office lease termination costs | — | — | — | 1,946 | ||||
| Loan receivable provision | — | 2,085 | — | 2,085 | ||||
| Change in fair value of gold stream | 8,387 | 1,100 | 19,239 | 1,100 | ||||
| (Gain) loss on dilution of associate | (998 | ) | — | 8,984 | — | |||
| Deferred income tax recovery | (37,110 | ) | (3,441 | ) | (16,310 | ) | (4,705 | ) |
| Adjusted net income attributable to shareholders of the Company for the period | 78,449 | 85,804 | 159,952 | 191,666 | ||||
| Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands) | 1,307,176 | 1,251,832 | 1,305,183 | 1,164,104 | ||||
| Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company per share–basic ($/share) | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.16 | ||||
For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact: Michael McDonald VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development +1 604-681-8371 investor@b2gold.com Cherry DeGeer Director, Corporate Communications +1 604-681-8371 investor@b2gold.com
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Ericsson's Next Generation Wireless connectivity enables safer mining
Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT, ASX: NEM, PNGX: NEM) announces it is expanding its use of next generation 5G wireless networks to improve safety in underground mining following trial results from its Cadia mine in New South Wales, Australia.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240808438668/en/
The Ericsson Private 5G solution is installed in spare rack space in enterprise communications rooms and connects to privately owned and operated 5G radios installed indoors and outdoors. (Photo: Business Wire)
In February last year Newmont announced a trial of 5G in partnership with Ericsson and Telstra Purple at its Cadia mine – one of the largest underground gold and copper mines in the world.
Before the trial, Cadia was limited to upload speeds of 20-30 megabits per second (Mbps) using wi-fi to operate autonomous equipment such as ore loaders and remote-controlled mining machines.
These wi-fi connections were unreliable and unpredictable when under load. There was insufficient capacity to operate the required number of machines in the one area at the same time, particularly with the amount of video upload involved, and automation safety stops were regularly falsely triggered due to network packet loss.
Using Ericsson Private 5G, Newmont was able to demonstrate the ability to achieve upload speeds of around 90Mbps along access drives and declines throughout the underground complex, and 150Mbps upload and 500Mbps download on all-important extraction drives.
The connections underground were found to be persistent and highly dependable, resolving historic limitations experienced with wi-fi and providing the consistent performance essential for remote control and autonomous mining systems.
Newmont Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer, Suzy Retallack said, "the trial results show the extraordinary potential of 5G to improve safety, increase the number of machines that can be operated on a single network and boost production efficiencies in underground mining."
"These trials are part of the new frontier of technology in mining – using innovation to make our people safer and our mines more productive," Retallack said.
Newmont will now use 5G to roll out more autonomous fleet like drill rigs, graders and auto haul trucks as part of future mining operations, relying on 5G's unique capacity and capability to facilitate and streamline operational capabilities while deploying additional safety systems like radars and collision avoidance to improve overall mine safety systems.
Head of Private Cellular Networks from Ericsson, Manish Tiwari said, "5G is enabling rapid global transformation of industry, supporting digitalisation and movement towards automated, more efficient, and safer operations across a number of sectors."
"Ericsson is proud to be partnering with Newmont on demonstrating the potential of 5G to the global mining sector," Tiwari said.
Trialling 5G New Radio (NR) technologies on the surface at Cadia as part of the same initiative also demonstrated that new 5G innovations such as 64T64R Massive MIMO, beamforming and beam-steering provided a leap forward in available throughputs at the extended distances found in surface operations.
As an innovative miner, Newmont uses technology to make workers safer while improving efficiency. On the basis of the trial, 5G now has a firm place in Newmont's communications strategies for Cadia and its other Tier One underground and surface mines across the world.
Following support for the Cadia 5G trial from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), Newmont has now applied to ACMA for Area Wide Licenses to extend and embed Newmont's use of 5G technology across its Australian operations.
Newmont is now planning to expand the use of 5G networks across its global network of Tier 1 underground gold-copper mines.
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 Australia, Africa, Latin America & 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 www.newmont.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240808438668/en/
Media Contact
Rosalie Cobai
australiacommunications@newmont.com
Investor Contact – Asia Pacific
Natalie Worley
apac.investor.relations@newmont.com
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Wheaton Precious Metals™ Corp. ("Wheaton" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has declared its third quarterly cash dividend payment for 2024 of US$0.155 per common share. The third quarterly cash dividend for 2024 will be paid to holders of record of Wheaton common shares as of the close of business on August 21, 2024 and will be distributed on or about September 4, 2024 . The ex-dividend trading date is August 21, 2024 .
The declaration, timing, amount and payment of future dividends remain at the discretion of the Board of Directors. This dividend qualifies as an 'eligible dividend' for Canadian income tax purposes.
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Company has previously implemented a Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"). Participation in the DRIP is optional. For the purposes of this quarterly dividend, the Company has elected to issue common shares under the DRIP through treasury at the Average Market Price, as defined in the DRIP, without a discount.
The Company may, from time to time, in its discretion, apply, change or eliminate any discount applicable to Treasury Acquisitions, as defined in the DRIP, or direct that such common shares be purchased in Market Acquisitions, as defined in the DRIP, at the prevailing market price, any of which would be publicly announced.
The DRIP and enrollment forms, including direct deposit, are available for download on the Company's website at www.wheatonpm.com , in the 'investors' section under the 'dividends' tab.
Registered shareholders may also enroll in the DRIP online through the plan agent's self-service web portal at: https://tsxtrust.com/DRIP
Beneficial shareholders should contact their financial intermediary to arrange enrollment. All shareholders considering enrollment in the DRIP should carefully review the terms of the DRIP and consult with their advisors as to the implications of enrollment in the DRIP.
This press release is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer of securities. A registration statement relating to the DRIP has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and may be obtained under the Company's profile on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov . A written copy of the prospectus included in the registration statement may be obtained by contacting the Corporate Secretary of the Company at 1021 West Hastings Street, Suite 3500, Vancouver, British Columbia , Canada V6E 0C3.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation concerning the business, operations and financial performance of Wheaton. Forward-looking statements, which are all statements other than statements of historical fact, include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future dividends. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Wheaton to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including risks discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business – Risk Factors" in Wheaton's Annual Information Form available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Wheaton's Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed March 28, 2024 on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR and the risks identified under "Risks and Uncertainties" in Wheaton's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 , available on SEDAR+ and in Wheaton's Form 6-K filed March 19, 2024 . Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management currently believes to be reasonable, including (without limitation) that there will be no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, that estimations of future production from the mining operations and mineral reserves and resources are accurate, that the mining operations from which Wheaton purchases precious metals will continue to operate, that each party will satisfy their obligations in accordance with the precious metals purchase agreements and royalty agreements, and that Wheaton's application of the CRA Settlement (including the Company's assessment that there will be no material change in the Company's facts or change in law or jurisprudence for years subsequent to 2010) and Wheaton's interpretation of, compliance with, and application of the 15% global minimum tax, are accurate and that expectations regarding the resolution of legal and tax matters will be achieved (including CRA audits involving the Company).
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SOURCE Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2024/07/c0207.html
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Horizon Minerals’ near-term cash-flow potential and its significant land package in the prolific Western Australian goldfields with considerable exploration upside position the company to positively leverage the current bull gold market opportunity.
Horizon Minerals (ASX:HRZ) is an ASX-listed emerging mid-tier gold mining company focusing on a portfolio of highly promising gold projects located in the world-class Western Australian goldfields. The recent merger with Greenstone has added nearly 0.5 million ounces (Moz) of high-grade resource to Horizon, taking its total tally to 1.8 Moz, and resulted in Horizon Minerals total land package of 939 sq km in the Kalgoorlie-Coolgardie district.
The merger brings near-term cash-generating opportunities and adds greater scale to its baseload assets (Boorara) with the high-grade Burbanks deposit. Horizon’s dual-track strategy involves generating immediate cash flows by leveraging a pipeline of development-ready production assets and concurrently advancing the cornerstone assets, Boorara and Burbanks, which have a combined resource inventory of 914 koz at 1.7 grams per ton (g/t) gold with potential to support a profitable, long-life operation.
The recent ore sale agreement with Paddington Gold is encouraging and increases confidence in the management’s ability to generate near-term cash flows. Under the agreement, 1.4 million (Mt) will be processed over a period of 22 months, commencing in September 2024 quarter. The agreement allows Horizon to capitalize on high gold prices to generate significant cash flows.
Horizon is also progressing with other projects, including the Cannon gold project and Penny’s Find underground mine, and actively exploring for new discoveries in the Western Australian Goldfields, targeting gold and other commodities such as nickel-cobalt, silver-zinc, PGEs and lithium across its extensive land holdings. Additionally, Horizon holds a significant stake in one of the world’s largest vanadium projects via its investment in Richmond Vanadium Technology, which is listed on the ASX.
The Boorara gold project is located 15 km east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in the Western Australian goldfields. Over the past decade, a substantial amount of reverse circulation and diamond drilling has been carried out at Boorara. The project includes a JORC 2012 mineral resource estimate (MRE) by Optiro (now Snowden Optiro), which reported a total of 11.03 Mt grading at 1.26 g/t gold, amounting to 448,000 ounces.
The company views Boorara as a substantial baseload feed source that could be enhanced by lower tonnage, higher-grade feed to sustain a standalone milling facility. This is where the recent acquisition of Greenstone becomes important. Boorara can be supplemented by higher-grade feed from Greenstone’s Burbanks deposit to support an integrated operation.
Boorara is fully environmentally permitted and ready for development, which is expected to commence within 2024. The results of the Boorara Ore Reserve Study (ORS). Independent JORC (2012) Ore Reserve for Boorara completed by AMC Consultants shows a financially viable project highlighted by the following:
The Burbanks gold project is situated 9 km southeast of Coolgardie, Western Australia. The project encompasses the Burbanks Mining Centre and more than 5 kilometers of the highly promising Burbanks Shear Zone, historically the most significant gold-producing structure within the Coolgardie Goldfield. Previous underground production at Burbanks has surpassed 420,000 oz to date.
Burbanks currently hosts a total resource of 6.1 Mt @ 2.4 g/t gold for 466 koz, including underground of 1.2 Mt @ 4.4 g/t gold for 168 koz. Burbanks is underexplored and remains open in all directions for future growth.
The Cannon gold project is located 30 km east-southeast of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. It is a fully permitted project with a pre-feasibility study completed in 2022, which shows strong project economics with a free cash flow of AU$10.1 million over the mine's life. The company has finished commissioning a dewatering pipeline and a pumping system, representing a major milestone in the advancement of its Cannon Underground project. Discussions with mining contractors and potential JV mining partners are underway. First ore production from the Cannon Project is expected to commence in Q4 2024.
Penny’s Find is about 50 km northeast of Kalgoorlie in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, near the company’s wholly-owned Kalpini gold project. It comprises a granted mining lease and other associated leases covering 91 hectares. The mineral resource estimate updated in December 2023 boasts 63,000 ounces of gold in the indicated and inferred category. A pre-feasibility study for exploitation using underground mining methods is currently underway. This study will include mine design and financial analysis.
Rose Hill is 0.5 km southeast of Coolgardie and 35 km west of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, on the western edge of the Archean Norseman-Menzies Greenstone Belt. The current JORC 2012 resource at Rose Hill contains 93,300 oz , comprising an open-pit mineral resource of 0.3 Mt grading 2.0 g/t gold for 18,400 oz, and an underground mineral resource of 0.5 Mt grading 4.6 g/t gold for 74,900 oz. Nearly 70 percent of the resource is in the measured and indicated JORC categories.
Horizon owns several promising tenements within the Kalgoorlie region. These project areas include the greater Boorara-Cannon project area, Lakewood, Binduli-Teal project area, Kalpini, Balagundi-Kanowna South and Black Flag.
Horizon manages several promising tenements within the Coolgardie region, including Rose Hill, Brilliant North and Yarmany.
Ashok Parekh has over 33 years of experience advising mining companies and service providers in the mining industry. He has spent many years negotiating mining deals with publicly listed companies and prospectors, leading to new IPOs and the initiation of new gold mining operations. Additionally, he has been involved in managing gold mining and milling companies in the Kalgoorlie region, where he has served as managing director for some of these firms. Parekh is well-known in the West Australian mining industry and has a highly successful background in owning numerous businesses in the Goldfields. He was the executive chairman of ASX-listed A1 Consolidated Gold (ASX:AYC) from 2011 to 2014. He is a chartered accountant.
Jon Price boasts over three decades of experience in the mining sector having served in Australia and abroad. During his roles, he has covered every facet of the industry, including exploration, development, construction, and mining operations. He has held roles in various gold and advanced mineral operations, notably serving as the general manager of the Paddington gold and St Ives gold operations in the Western Australian goldfields. He is a metallurgist and also holds a Masters in Mineral Economics from the Western Australian School of Mines.
Chris Hansen is a multidisciplinary metals and mining professional, combining core technical fundamentals with a strong finance and project development mind-set. Having initially focused on building a solid technical foundation with industry majors such as Fortescue Metals Group and Barrick Gold, Hansen later joined a pre-eminent London-based mining private equity fund developing robust investment skills, project development expertise, market knowledge and strong industry relations. Since returning to Australia, Hansen has leveraged his experience in both public and private markets, most recently having led mining business development activities for one of Australia’s largest private investment groups. He holds a BSc in geology from the University of Auckland, and an MSc in Mineral Economics from Curtin University.
Grant Haywood brings over three decades of experience in both underground and open-cut mining operations. During his career, he has served in senior leadership capacities in various mining companies, guiding them from feasibility through to development and operations. His experience spans various roles within junior and multinational gold mining companies, predominantly in the Western Australian goldfields, including positions at Phoenix Gold, Saracen Mineral Holdings, and Gold Fields. He is a graduate of the Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) and has also earned a Masters in Mineral Economics from the same institution.
Julian Tambyrajah is an accomplished global mining finance executive with more than 25 years of industry expertise. He is a certified public accountant and chartered company secretary. He has served as CFO of several listed companies including Central Petroleum (CTP), Crescent Gold (CRE), Rusina Mining NL, DRDGold, and Dome Resources NL. He has extensive experience in capital raising, some of which includes raising US$49 million for BMC UK, AU$122 million for Crescent Gold and AU$105 million for Central Petroleum.
Glenn Poole is a geologist with 15 years’ experience in exploration and production environments, having principally worked within orogenic gold systems for several major mining companies in Western Australia. Poole brings extensive experience in structurally controlled narrow vein gold and sulphide-associated gold deposits. He has previously held senior management roles with major Australian gold producer, Northern Star, during which time, he played a pivotal role in the identification and definition of new ore resources and mining fronts at both the Paulsens and Kundana operations. Most recently, Poole was the senior geologist at Firefly Resources (ASX:FFR), principally responsible for setting exploration strategy and leading the definition of the maiden JORC 2012 resource at Yalgoo. Poole holds a Bachelor of Science Geology & Geography from The University of Otago, and a Master of Business Administration from La Trobe University.