Perseus June Quarter Report
Perth, July 26, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JUNE 2023 QUARTER REPORT
Perseus exceeds gold production and cost guidance for FY23 and H2 FY23; Cash and bullion increased to US$522M
PERTH, Western Australia/ July 26, 2023/Perseus Mining Limited (“Perseus” or the “Company”) (TSX & ASX: PRU) reports on its activities for the three months’ period ended June 30, 2023 (the “Quarter”).
- Key Operating highlights for the June 2023 quarter, the June 2023 Half Year and the full 2023 Financial Year include:
| PERFORMANCE INDICATOR | UNIT | MARCH 2023 QUARTER | JUNE 2023 QUARTER | JUNE 2023 HALF YEAR | 2023 FINANCIAL YEAR |
| Gold recovered | Ounces | 130,275 | 136,634 | 266,909 | 535,281 |
| Gold poured | Ounces | 130,512 | 137,586 | 268,098 | 538,642 |
| Production Cost | US$/ounce | 831 | 811 | 820 | 820 |
| All-In Site Cost (AISC) | US$/ounce | 971 | 1,007 | 989 | 959 |
| Gold sales | Ounces | 135,111 | 140,533 | 275,644 | 537,564 |
| Average sales price | US$/ounce | 1,821 | 1,933 | 1,878 | 1,803 |
| Cash margin | US$/ounce | 850 | 926 | 889 | 844 |
| Notional Cashflow | US$ million | 111 | 127 | 238 | 452 |
Quarterly gold production of 136,634 ounces at AISC of US$1,007 per ounce and cash margin of US$926 per ounce.
Gold production and AISC significantly outperformed market production and cost guidance for June 2023 Half Year and 2023 Financial Year.
Quarterly gold sales of 140,533 ounces, up 4% (+5,422 ounces) from the March 2023 quarter.
Average sale price of gold was US$1,933 per ounce, up 6% (+US$112 per ounce) from the March 2023 quarter.
Average cash margin of US$926 per ounce of gold sold up 9% (+US$76 per ounce) from the March 2023 quarter.
Notional cashflow of US$127 million during the quarter, up 14% (+US$16 million) from the March 2023 quarter.
Group rolling 12-month TRIFR remained stable at 1.20.
- Strong quarterly cashflows further strengthened Perseus’s financial position with available cash and bullion of US$522 million with zero debt.
- Net cash and bullion balance increased US$51 million from the March 2023 quarter.
- Organic growth activities including Mineral Resource drill outs and feasibility studies at Yaouré’s CMA Underground Project progressed on schedule. Results due in the September 2023 quarter.
- Perseus’s total economic contribution to its host countries of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Sudan was ~US$158 million (approximately 58% of revenue) during the quarter.
- Pre-development activities at Meyas Sand Gold Project (MSGP) in Sudan suspended due to security concerns, with FID originally planned for the December 2023 Half Year now deferred.
Group Gold Production and Cost Market Guidance
Group gold production and AISCs for the December 2023 Half Year and the 2023 Calendar Year are as shown below in Table 10.
Table 10: Production and Cost Guidance
| PARAMETER | UNITS | JUNE 2023 HALF YEAR (ACTUAL) | DECEMBER 2023 HALF YEAR (FORECAST) | 2023 CALENDAR YEAR (FORECAST) |
| Yaouré Gold Mine | ||||
| Production | Ounces | 137,120 | 125,000 to 140,000 | 262,100 to 277,120 |
| All-in Site Cost | USD per ounce | 786 | 850 to 950 | 818 to 864 |
| Sissingué Gold Mine | ||||
| Production | Ounces | 25,838 | 27,500 to 32,500 | 53,338 to 58,338 |
| All-in Site Cost | USD per ounce | 1,647 | 1,700 to 1,900 | 1,677 to 1,777 |
| Edikan Gold Mine | ||||
| Production | Ounces | 103,952 | 90,000 to 100,000 | 193,952 to 203,952 |
| All-in Site Cost | USD per ounce | 1,094 | 1,200 to 1,300 | 1146 to 1190 |
| PERSEUS GROUP | ||||
| Production | Ounces | 266,909 | 242,500 to 272,500 | 509,409 to 539,500 |
| All-in Site Cost | USD per ounce | 989 | 1,080 to 1,190 | 1,035 to 1,085 |
Competent Person Statement
All production targets referred to in this report are underpinned by estimated Ore Reserves which have been prepared by competent persons in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code.
Edikan
The information in this report that relates to the Esuajah South Underground Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve was first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves” released on 24 August 2021. The information in this report that relates to Esuajah North Mineral Resources estimate was first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Updates Resources & Reserves” released on 28 August 2018. The information in this report that relates to AF Gap Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve estimate was first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Updates Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves” released on 25 August 2020. The information in this report that relates to the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for the Fetish deposit and the Heap Leach was first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Updates Edikan Mineral Resource & Ore Reserves” released on 19 February 2020. The information in this report that relates to the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for the Nkosuo deposit was first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Increases Edikan’s Inventories of Mineral Resource & Ore Reserves” released on 19 July 2022. An update for mining depletion at Edikan as at 30 June 2022 was reported in a news release “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” dated 30 August 2022. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affect the information on those market releases and that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in “Technical Report — Edikan Gold Mine, Ghana” dated 7 April 2022 continue to apply.
Sissingué, Fimbiasso and Bagoé
The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve estimates for Sissingué was reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Life of Mine Plan for Sissingué Gold Mine & Satellite Deposits” released on 28 March 2022. An update for mining depletion at Sissingué as at 30 June 2022 was reported in a news release “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” dated 30 August 2022. The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for the Fimbiasso deposits was reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 26 August 2020. The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for the Bagoé deposits was reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 24 August 2021. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in “Technical Report — Sissingué Gold Project, Côte d’Ivoire” dated 28 March 2022 continue to apply.
Yaouré
The information in this report that relates to the Open Pit and Underground Mineral Resources and the Underground Ore Reserve at CMA was first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining announces maiden Underground Ore Reserve at Yaouré” released on 30 August 2022. The information in this report that relates to the other Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves (including the Heap Leach) for the Yaouré Deposit was reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves” released on 24 August 2021. An update for mining depletion at Yaouré as at 30 June 2022 was reported in a news release “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” dated 30 August 2022. The Company confirms that all material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in “Technical Report — Yaouré Gold Project, Côte d’Ivoire” dated 18 December 2017 continue to apply.
Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information:
This report contains forward-looking information which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management of the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the Yaouré Gold Mine, the Edikan Gold Mine and the Sissingué Gold Mine without any major disruption, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used by the Company. Although management believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents. The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the Company’s ability to carry on its exploration and development activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Perseus does not undertake to update forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
| ASX/TSX CODE: PRU CAPITAL STRUCTURE: Ordinary shares: 1,367,986,850 Performance rights: 11,901,091 REGISTERED OFFICE: Level 2 437 Roberts Road Subiaco WA 6008 Telephone: +61 8 6144 1700 Email: IR@perseusmining.com www.perseusmining.com | DIRECTORS: Mr Sean Harvey Non-Executive Chairman Mr Jeff Quartermaine Managing Director & CEO Ms Amber Banfield Non-Executive Director Ms Elissa Cornelius Non-Executive Director Mr Dan Lougher Non-Executive Director Mr John McGloin Non-Executive Director Mr David Ransom Non-Executive Director | CONTACTS: Jeff Quartermaine Managing Director & CEO jeff.quartermaine@perseusmining.com Nathan Ryan Corporate Relations +61 420 582 887 nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au |
Attachment
