Mineros Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial and Operational Results

 

(all amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated)

MEDELLIN, Colombia, Aug. 3, 2022 /CNW/ -  Mineros S.A. (TSX: MSA) (CB: MINEROS) ("Mineros" or the "Company") today reported its financial and operational results for the three months ended June 30, 2022. For further information please see the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis filed under Mineros' profile on www.sedar.com.

Andrés Restrepo, President and CEO of Mineros, commented, "I am pleased to report that the Company has had another strong quarter with respect to financial and operational results and remains on-track to achieve its annual guidance. In the second quarter of 2022, Mineros produced 74,062 ounces of gold, a 10% increase from the same quarter in 2021. Along with increased production, the Company has seen reductions in both the all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold sold and the cash cost per ounce of gold sold compared to the same period in 2021. The Company has a long track record of paying a strong quarterly dividend with a very attractive yield."

• 74,062 ounces of gold produced.
• A 10% increase in gold production compared to the same period in 2021 (Q2/21: 67,403 ounces of gold produced).
• A steady increase in gold production over the last four quarters.

• Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold¹ of $1,131 (Q2/21: $1,163), representing a 3% decrease relative to the same period in 2021.
• AISC per ounce of gold sold¹ of $1,388 (Q2/21: $1,560), representing an 11% decrease in the AISC per ounce of gold sold relative to the same period in 2021.

• $7.9 million in dividends paid.
• An increase of 30% in dividends paid compared to the same period in 2021 (Q2/21: $6.1 million).

• Revenue of $137.3 million.
• An increase of 7% compared to the same period in 2021 (Q2/21: $128.4 million).
• A steady increase in revenue over the last four quarters.

• Net profit for the period up 10% to $11.4 million ($0.04/share) compared to the same period in 2021 (Q2/21: $10.4 million ($0.04/share)).
• Gross profit up 5% to $37.8 million compared to the same period in 2021 (Q2/21: $35.9 million).

• Net Debt to Adjusted EBIDTA ratio² of 0.11x as at June 30, 2022.
• The Company has continued to have a low Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio, with a 57% decrease compared to 0.26x as at June 30, 2021, following repayment of project acquisition loans.

• 140,071 ounces of gold produced.
• A 5% increase in gold production compared to the same period in 2021 (H1/21: 132,876 ounces of gold produced).
• On-track to achieve 2022 production guidance.

• Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold of $1,152 (H1/21: $1,127), representing a 2% increase in the Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold relative to the same period in 2021.
• AISC per ounce of gold sold of $1,383 (H1/21: $1,514), representing a 9% decrease in the AISC per ounce of gold sold relative to the same period in 2021.
• On-track to achieve 2022 cost guidance.

• $12.5 million in dividends paid.
• An increase of 30% in dividends paid compared to the same period in 2021 (H1/21: $9.6 million).

• Revenue of $261.9 million.
• An increase of 3% compared to the same period of 2021 (H1/21: $253.8 million).

(All numbers in $000's unless otherwise noted)

(All numbers in ounces unless otherwise noted)

 

By ANLA Resolution 812 of April 25, 2022, the Colombian National Authority of Environmental Licenses (Autoridad Nacional de Licencias Ambientales – ANLA) approved Mineros' application to amend the environmental management plan ("EMP") for the Nechí Alluvial Property, which was submitted on November 18, 2021. The ordinary course amendment to the EMP grants environmental permits sufficient to support planned operations for a four year period, which is consistent with Mineros' expectations. Due to the mobile nature of alluvial mining operations, Mineros must periodically apply to ANLA to amend the EMP to cover planned operations in new or expanded operating areas. Mineros makes such applications and expects to receive amendments to the EMP in the ordinary course of business.

On April 6, 2022, Mineros exercised its second option to acquire an additional 25% interest in the GNM Exploration Target from Royal Road Minerals Limited ("Royal Road") under the terms of the Mineros' alliance agreement with Royal Road, bringing its total interest in the GNM Exploration Target to 50%.

In the second quarter of 2022 the Company received ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management System) and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management) certification at its Hemco Property. These certifications are issued for an initial period of three years. Operations at all three of the Company's Material Properties are now ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 45001 certified. 

In the second quarter of 2022, the Company created the new executive role of Vice President, Legal and Sustainability to reflect the Company's commitment to sustainability at all of its operations and exploration projects. As a result, Ms. Ana Isabel Gaviria's title changed from General Counsel to Vice President, Legal and Sustainability. Ms. Gaviria continues as Corporate Secretary.

On July 7, 2022, the Company announced an initial mineral resource estimate for the Luna Roja Deposit, which included 1.164 million tonnes of indicated mineral resources averaging 2.46 grams of gold per tonne ("g/t Au"), for approximately 92,000 ounces of gold and 0.504 million tonnes of inferred mineral resources averaging 2.31 g/t Au, for approximately 37,000 ounces of gold. See the Company's July 7, 2022 press release entitled, "Mineros Announces Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Luna Roja Deposit, Nicaragua".

On July 11, 2022, Mineros announced the appointment of Mr. Luis Villa as Vice President, Nicaragua, effective October 1, 2022. Mr. Villa has been with the Company and its subsidiaries for sixteen years, most recently in the position of Manager of Projects and Supply Chain for Mineros Alluvial S.A.S. BIC.

Mr. Villa will replace Mr. Carlos Mario Gomez, who will be retiring later this year following 14 years of service with the Company.

Porvenir Project, Nicaragua: Ongoing studies are being completed to assess processing and mining scenarios for the Porvenir Project. Based on a project re-evaluation, which included a review of economic parameters and the timeline to complete environmental baseline studies, and building on the work completed to date, the Company now anticipates completing a pre-feasibility study in the second half of 2022 and not a feasibility study, as previously announced.

Luna Roja Deposit, Nicaragua: A 3,000 metre diamond drill campaign originally planned to commence in the second quarter of 2022 is currently planned for the second half of 2022. This campaign will include a series of short, near-surface drill holes into the deposit, designed to increase the confidence level in areas previously tested with channel samples, as well as an initial drill testing of three geophysical anomalies.

Gualcamayo Property Expansion, Argentina: In 2022, Mineros is planning to complete 17,000 metres of diamond and reverse circulation drilling in proximity to existing mining operations. The objective of this campaign is to upgrade mineral resources, provide material for metallurgical test work, resource expansion and evaluation of the remaining gold in the heap leach pads.

Deep Carbonates Project, Argentina: In the first quarter of 2022 Mineros announced plans to conduct a 7,750 metre diamond drill program with the objective of expanding the current mineral resources at the Rodado deposit. A total of 3,050 metres has been drilled in the first half of 2022 and the Company is re-evaluating plans for the next stage of drilling. Metallurgical test work to support advancement of the Deep Carbonates Project is underway. The Company expects to use the preliminary results from the test work to make a determination as to whether it will move forward with a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") in respect of the Deep Carbonates Project.

La Pepa Project, Chile: At the La Pepa Project, the Company is focused on developing and expanding the Cavancha deposit, a porphyry-style gold system. The progress and timeline for completion of a PEA at the La Pepa Project is still under review.

The Company will host a conference call on Thursday August 4, 2022, at 9:00 am ET (8:00 am COT) to discuss the results. The conference call will be in Spanish with simultaneous translation in English.

Participant conference call dial in:

 

The list of all local and international dial in numbers can be found at the end of this document.
A live webcast of the conference all will be available at:
https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowUUID=E47A39AB-2A3F-4268-9ECD-438B1ECE896D&LangLocaleID=1034

Live webcast requires previous registration, and interested parties are advised to access the webcast approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The webcast will be archived on the Company's website at www.mineros.com.co for approximately 30 days following the call.

Mineros is a gold mining company headquartered in Medellin, Colombia. The Company has a diversified asset base, with mines in Colombia, Nicaragua and Argentina and a pipeline of development and exploration projects throughout the region.

The board of directors and management of Mineros have extensive experience in mining, corporate development, finance and sustainability. Mineros has a long track record of maximizing shareholder value and delivering solid annual dividends. For almost 50 years Mineros has operated with a focus on safety and sustainability at all its operations.

Mineros' common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MSA", and on the Colombia Stock Exchange under the symbol "MINEROS".

The Company has been granted an exemption from the individual voting and majority voting requirements applicable to listed issuers under Toronto Stock Exchange policies, on grounds that compliance with such requirements would constitute a breach of Colombian laws and regulations which require the directors to be elected on the basis of a slate of nominees proposed for election pursuant to an electoral quotient system. For further information, please see the Company's most recent annual information form filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jorge Aceituno, a Registered Member of the Chilean Mining Commission and the Planning Manager, Resources and Reserves for Mineros and a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "could", "would", "will", "should", "intend", "target", "plan", "expect", "budget", "estimate", "forecast", "schedule", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential", "view" or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company's outlook for 2022; timing, completion and results of a pre-feasibility study on the Porvenir Project; timing for the completion of a PEA on the La Pepa Project; mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; the Company's planned exploration, development and production activities; statements regarding the projected exploration and development of the Company's growth projects, including the Porvenir Project, Deep Carbonates Project, and the La Pepa Project; timing, completion and results of mineral resource estimates and mining studies; estimates of future capital and operating costs; future financial or operating performance and condition of the Company and its business, operations and properties; expectations regarding future currency exchange rates; and any other statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future plans, intentions, levels of activity, results, performance or achievements.

Forward-looking information is based upon estimates and assumptions of management in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release including, without limitation, assumptions about: favourable equity and debt capital markets; the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms; future prices of gold and other metal prices; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs, and technical and economic studies; the accuracy of any mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; the geology of the Company's material properties being as described in the applicable NI 43-101 technical reports; production costs; the accuracy of budgeted exploration and development costs and expenditures; the price of other commodities such as fuel; future currency exchange rates and interest rates; operating conditions being favourable such that the Company is able to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third party approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; requirements under applicable laws; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital goods markets; availability of equipment; positive relations with local groups, including artisanal mining cooperatives in Nicaragua, and the Company's ability to meet its obligations under its agreements with such groups; and satisfying the terms and conditions of the Company's current loan arrangements. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, the assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking information. Many assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. For further information of these and other risk factors, please see the ''Risk Factors" section of the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2022, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

The Company cautions that the foregoing lists of important assumptions and factors are not exhaustive. Other events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information contained herein. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as and to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

The Company has included certain non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios in this news release. Management believes that non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios, when supplementing measures determined in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. Non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. This data 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. For a discussion of the use of non-IFRS financial measures and reconciliations thereof to the most directly comparable IFRS measures, see below.

The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), and adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), which excludes certain non-operating income and expenses, such as financial income or expenses, hedging operations, exploration expenses, impairment of assets, foreign currency exchange differences, and other expenses (principally, donations, corporate projects and taxes incurred). The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results because it is consistent with the indicators management uses internally to measure the Company's performance, and is an indicator of the performance of the Company's mining operations. 

The following table sets out the calculation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

The Company reports Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold which is calculated by deducting revenue from silver sales and depreciation and amortization from costs of sales, and dividing the difference by the number of gold ounces sold. Production Cash Cost includes mining, milling, mine site security, royalties, and mine site administration costs, and exclude non-cash operating expenses. Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold and AISC per ounce of gold sold are non-IFRS financial measures used to monitor the performance of our gold mining operations and their ability to generate profit.

The objective of AISC is to provide stakeholders with a key indicator that reflects as close as possible the full cost of producing and selling an ounce of gold.

The Company reports AISC per ounce of gold sold on a by-product basis. The methodology for calculating AISC per ounce of gold sold is set out below and is consistent with the guidance methodology set out by the World Gold Council. This non-IFRS ratio provides investors with transparency regarding the total costs of producing an ounce of gold in each period. 

The following table provides a reconciliation of Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold on a by-product basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of AISC per ounce of gold sold for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

The Company uses the financial measure "net free cash flow", which is a non-IFRS financial measure, to supplement information regarding cash flows from operating activities. The Company believes that in addition to IFRS financial measures, certain investors and analysts use this information to evaluate the Company's performance with respect to its operating cash flow capacity to meet recurring outflows of cash.

Net free cash flow is calculated as cash flows from operating activities less non-discretionary sustaining capital expenditures and interest and dividends paid related to the relevant period.

The following table sets out the calculation of the Company's net free cash flow for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:

 

Return on Capital Employed 

The Company uses ROCE as a measure of long-term operating performance to measure how effectively management utilizes the capital it has provided. This non-IFRS ratio 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. The calculation of ROCE, expressed as a percentage, is Adjusted EBIT (calculated in the manner set out in the table below) divided by the average of the opening and closing capital employed for the 12 months preceding the period end. Capital employed for a period is calculated as total assets at the beginning of that period less total current liabilities.

 

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is a non‐IFRS ratio that provides the liquidity position of the Company. The calculation of net debt shown below is calculated as nominal undiscounted debt including leases, less cash and cash equivalents. The following sets out the calculation of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio as at June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

The Company uses "average realized price per ounce of gold" and "average realized price per ounce of silver", which are non-IFRS financial measures. Average realized metal price represents the revenue from the sale of the underlying metal as per the Statement of Operations, adjusted to reflect the effect of trading at holding level (parent Company) on the sales of gold purchased from subsidiaries. Average realized prices are calculated as the revenue related to gold and silver sales divided by the number of ounces of metal sold. The following table sets out the reconciliation of average realized metal prices to sales of gold and sales of silver for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021: 

 

Participant conference call dial in

Pin for English:                       13926178 #
Pin for Spanish:                      11955143 #

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SOURCE Mineros S.A.

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