Sabodala’s head grade increases by 28% with inclusion of high-grade Massawa ore
Wahgnion's production was 30% higher than originally planned due to excellent plant performance
(All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated)
TORONTO, Nov. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teranga Gold Corporation (“Teranga” or the “Company”) (TSX:TGZ; OTCQX:TGCDF) today reported financial, operating and development results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
THIRD QUARTER 2020 HIGHLIGHTS Three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to three months ended September 30, 2019
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“The third quarter was record-breaking for Teranga as we started mining high-grade ore at Massawa, delivered solid results at Wahgnion and realized strong gross profit, earnings and cash flow,” said Richard Young, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We expect to complete our transformation into a low-cost mid-tier producer by year end and will continue to advance our organic growth pipeline in pursuit of our third mine.”
“Following a strong quarter, we are well on track to achieve our 2020 production and cost guidance,” noted Paul Chawrun, Chief Operating Officer. “The addition of Massawa’s high-grade ore is a game changer, transforming the Sabodala-Massawa complex into a top tier gold asset. Mining and processing of the high-grade ore commenced in the third quarter and we expect a record fourth quarter for Sabodala-Massawa.”
Mr. Chawrun added, “The Wahgnion plant continues to operate significantly above design and exploration drilling activities commenced at a variety of prospects throughout the mine license and regional properties during the quarter. There is also a considerable amount of exploration work underway at Afema in Côte d’Ivoire, where we have announced excellent initial drill results, and at Golden Hill, for which we recently announced an increase in the mineral resource.”
NEXT STEPS AND UPCOMING MILESTONES
• Sabodala-Massawa: Creating a Tier One Gold Complex
• Wahgnion: Extending Mine Life
• Golden Hill: Expanding Resources at Golden Hill
• Afema: Rapidly Advancing Exploration Project
THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL & OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to three and nine months ended September 30, 2019
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||
Financial Data | 2020 | 2019 | Change | 2020 | 2019 | Change | ||||||||
Revenue | ($000s) | 192,569 | 71,468 | 169 | % | 490,860 | 247,149 | 99 | % | |||||
Cost of sales | ($000s) | (115,545 | ) | (54,265 | ) | 113 | % | (317,996 | ) | (183,645 | ) | 73 | % | |
Gross profit | ($000s) | 77,024 | 17,203 | 348 | % | 172,864 | 63,504 | 172 | % | |||||
Net profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders of Teranga | ($000s) | 9,190 | (9,722 | ) | N/A | 27,744 | (20,022 | ) | N/A | |||||
Per share | ($) | 0.05 | (0.09 | ) | N/A | 0.18 | (0.19 | ) | N/A | |||||
Adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders of Teranga1 | ($000s) | 38,797 | 2,336 | 1,561 | % | 73,281 | 7,451 | 884 | % | |||||
Per share1 | ($) | 0.23 | 0.02 | 1,050 | % | 0.48 | 0.07 | 586 | % | |||||
EBITDA1 | ($000s) | 76,418 | 18,835 | 306 | % | 195,655 | 80,431 | 143 | % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA1 | ($000s) | 101,371 | 25,982 | 290 | % | 230,307 | 97,683 | 136 | % | |||||
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital excluding inventories | ($000s) | 74,422 | (4,174 | ) | N/A | 158,476 | 41,412 | 283 | % | |||||
Operating cash flow | ($000s) | 75,610 | 9,284 | 714 | % | 119,625 | 78,139 | 53 | % | |||||
Sustaining capital expenditures (excluding deferred stripping)2 | ($000s) | 14,235 | 2,720 | 423 | % | 39,316 | 6,658 | 491 | % | |||||
Capitalized deferred stripping - sustaining | ($000s) | 2,570 | 7,196 | (64 | %) | 9,731 | 26,966 | (64 | %) | |||||
Growth capital expenditures2 | ($000s) | 21,302 | 27,352 | (22 | %) | 32,715 | 119,760 | (73 | %) |
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||
Operating Data | 2020 | 2019 | Change | 2020 | 2019 | Change | ||||||||
Gold produced3 | (oz) | 104,773 | 61,975 | 69 | % | 285,096 | 197,357 | 44 | % | |||||
Gold sold4,5 | (oz) | 102,571 | 49,946 | 105 | % | 283,668 | 184,885 | 53 | % | |||||
Average realized price1 | ($/oz sold) | 1,893 | 1,421 | 33 | % | 1,726 | 1,335 | 29 | % | |||||
Cost of sales | ($/oz sold) | 1,126 | 1,086 | 4 | % | 1,121 | 993 | 13 | % | |||||
Total cash costs1 | ($/oz sold) | 736 | 746 | (1 | %) | 748 | 677 | 10 | % | |||||
All-in sustaining costs (excluding cash/(non-cash) inventory movements and amortized advanced royalty costs)1,2 | ($/oz sold) | 962 | 1,042 | (8 | %) | 1,012 | 853 | 19 | % | |||||
Consolidated Financial Performance
Consolidated Operating Highlights
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
Sabodala-Massawa Complex
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||
Operating Results | 2020 | 2019 | % Change | 2020 | 2019 | % Change | ||||||||
Ore mined | (‘000t) | 1,208 | 765 | 58 | % | 3,155 | 1,769 | 78 | % | |||||
Waste mined - operating | (‘000t) | 5,319 | 5,440 | (2 | %) | 16,980 | 15,615 | 9 | % | |||||
Waste mined - capitalized | (‘000t) | 586 | 2,269 | (74 | %) | 2,189 | 7,188 | (70 | %) | |||||
Total mined | (‘000t) | 7,113 | 8,474 | (16 | %) | 22,324 | 24,572 | (9 | %) | |||||
Grade mined | (g/t) | 2.20 | 2.20 | 0 | % | 1.84 | 2.39 | (23 | %) | |||||
Ounces mined | (oz) | 85,337 | 54,052 | 58 | % | 186,780 | 135,685 | 38 | % | |||||
Strip ratio | (waste/ore) | 4.9 | 10.1 | (51 | %) | 6.1 | 12.9 | (53 | %) | |||||
Ore milled | (‘000t) | 983 | 1,019 | (4 | %) | 3,022 | 3,146 | (4 | %) | |||||
Head grade | (g/t) | 2.23 | 1.74 | 28 | % | 1.73 | 2.03 | (15 | %) | |||||
Recovery rate | (%) | 91.1 | 90.3 | 1 | % | 89.1 | 91.1 | (2 | %) | |||||
Gold produced6 | (oz) | 64,128 | 51,355 | 25 | % | 149,960 | 186,737 | (20 | %) | |||||
Gold sold | (oz) | 60,214 | 49,946 | 21 | % | 146,933 | 184,885 | (21 | %) | |||||
Average realized price1 | ($/oz sold) | 1,885 | 1,421 | 33 | % | 1,730 | 1,335 | 30 | % | |||||
Cost of sales | ($/oz sold) | 1,152 | 1,086 | 6 | % | 1,208 | 993 | 22 | % | |||||
Total cash costs1 | ($/oz sold) | 742 | 746 | (1 | %) | 796 | 677 | 18 | % | |||||
All-in sustaining costs1,2 | ($/oz sold) | 889 | 944 | (6 | %) | 989 | 859 | 15 | % | |||||
All-in sustaining costs (excluding cash/(non-cash) inventory movements and amortized advanced royalty costs)1,2 | ($/oz sold) | 851 | 945 | (10 | %) | 1,025 | 772 | 33 | % | |||||
Mining | ($/t mined) | 2.73 | 2.84 | (4 | %) | 2.92 | 2.86 | 2 | % | |||||
Mining long haul | ($/t hauled) | 2.20 | 1.31 | 68 | % | 1.72 | 1.37 | 26 | % | |||||
Milling | ($/t milled) | 11.43 | 11.16 | 2 | % | 10.47 | 11.39 | (8 | %) | |||||
G&A | ($/t milled) | 8.55 | 4.68 | 83 | % | 6.81 | 4.71 | 45 | % | |||||
Mining
In the third quarter 2020, mining activities were focused primarily on Sofia Main, Golouma West, Kourouloulou (a small surface pit not included in reserves) and Goumbati. Mining activities commenced at Massawa's Sofia Main starter-pit in mid-July, with ore delivered to the process plant in August. Total tonnes mined in the third quarter were 16 percent lower than the prior year period due to reduced operating hours as a result of fatigue management protocols and the deployment of shovels and excavators used in the construction of the haul road to Sofia Main, the first of the Massawa deposits to be mined.
Ore tonnes mined were 58 percent higher in the third quarter 2020 compared with the prior year period primarily due to a concentration of mining activities at low strip ratio areas in Golouma West and high volumes of ore in oxide benches at Sofia Main pit. Mined ore grades were in line with the prior year period with Golouma West delivering higher grade from the lower benches and Sofia Main delivering reasonably high grade in the first oxide benches. Reverse circulation grade control drilling at the initial mining areas of Sofia Main has shown a positive reconciliation to the reserves model with both higher tonnes at higher ore grades, resulting in higher total ounces.
Processing
Ore tonnes milled in the third quarter 2020 decreased by 4 percent compared with the prior year period mainly due to mill relining and other scheduled maintenance work.
Head grade increased by 28 percent in the third quarter 2020 mainly due to the higher grade ore feed from the Golouma West and Sofia Main pits.
Gold production increased by 25 percent to 64,128 ounces in the third quarter 2020 compared to the prior year period mainly due to higher average head grades.
Wahgnion Gold Operations
Operating Results | Three months ended September 30, 2020 | Nine months ended September 30, 2020 | ||
Ore mined | (‘000t) | 1,062 | 2,565 | |
Waste mined - operating | (‘000t) | 5,073 | 15,061 | |
Waste mined - capitalized | (‘000t) | 381 | 855 | |
Total mined | (‘000t) | 6,516 | 18,481 | |
Grade mined | (g/t) | 1.38 | 1.66 | |
Ounces mined | (oz) | 47,054 | 136,829 | |
Strip ratio | (waste/ore) | 5.1 | 6.2 | |
Ore milled | (‘000t) | 833 | 2,639 | |
Head grade | (g/t) | 1.59 | 1.68 | |
Recovery rate | (%) | 95.5 | 94.9 | |
Gold produced6 | (oz) | 40,645 | 135,136 | |
Gold sold | (oz) | 42,357 | 136,735 | |
Average realized price1 | ($/oz sold) | 1,903 | 1,722 | |
Cost of sales | ($/oz sold) | 1,090 | 1,027 | |
Total cash costs1 | ($/oz sold) | 729 | 697 | |
All-in sustaining costs1 | ($/oz sold) | 916 | 848 | |
All-in sustaining costs (excluding cash/(non-cash) inventory movements)1 | ($/oz sold) | 969 | 830 | |
Mining | ($/t mined) | 2.56 | 2.40 | |
Milling | ($/t milled) | 11.06 | 9.86 | |
G&A | ($/t milled) | 7.08 | 6.01 | |
Mining
In the third quarter 2020, mining capacity consisted of an owner-operated fleet, supplemented by two mining contractor fleets. The first contractor fleet was dedicated to waste removal from Nogbele North and construction of a lift to the tailings storage facility, while the second contractor fleet has been assisting mining operations in maintaining an accelerated ore delivery schedule due to better than expected performance from the processing plant. To maintain mining production for a higher than planned plant throughput, both contractor fleets have been extended until the end of the year.
During the third quarter 2020, mining activities were focused primarily on the Nogbele North and South pits. Total tonnes mined were 53 percent higher than originally planned mainly due to the extension of contract mining activities. Ore tonnes were 69 percent higher than anticipated mainly due to increased mining volume at depth in Nogbele North and a positive tonnage reconciliation to reserve model in this area. Overall reconciliation to the reserves model remains positive year to date.
Processing
Ore tonnes milled in the third quarter 2020 were 0.8 million tonnes, approximately 43 percent higher than originally planned due to higher leach kinetics allowing for debottlenecking to realize higher mill throughput rates, higher mill operating time and less materials handling challenges due to the rainy season than anticipated. During the third quarter 2020, the crusher feed blend was comprised of 48 percent oxide ore and 52 percent fresh hard rock.
Wahgnion's gold production during the third quarter 2020 was 40,645 ounces, which was 30 percent higher than originally planned due to higher throughput rates and gold recoveries slightly offset by lower overall head grade.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A copy of Teranga’s consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion & analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are available on the Company’s website at www.terangagold.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the OTC Markets’ website at www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TGCDF.
Q3 2020 CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST
Teranga will host a conference call and audio webcast today at 8:30 a.m. ET, during which management will review the highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. Those wishing to listen can access the live conference call and webcast as follows:
Date & Time: | Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. ET | |
Telephone: | Toll-free +1-877-291-4570 Local or International +1-647-788-4919 Please allow 10 minutes to be connected to the conference call. | |
Webcast: | Available on Teranga’s website at www.terangagold.com/Q32020 | |
Replay: | The conference call replay will be accessible for two weeks after the call by dialling +1-416-621-4642 or toll-free at +1-800-585-8367 and entering the conference ID 3232019. | |
Note: | The slide presentation will be available for download at www.terangagold.com for simultaneous viewing during the call. | |
ENDNOTES
(1) This is a non-IFRS financial measure and does not have a standard meaning under IFRS. Please refer to the sections titled, “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” and “Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures” in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.
(2) Comparative amounts have been restated to present resettlement capital expenditures related to the Niakafiri deposit as growth capital expenditures.
(3) During the three months ended September 30, 2020, gold ounces produced from Sabodala-Massawa and Wahgnion were 64,128 ounces and 40,645 ounces, respectively (2019: 51,355 ounces and 10,620 pre-commercial production ounces, respectively). During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, gold ounces produced from Sabodala-Massawa and Wahgnion were 149,960 ounces and 135,136 ounces, respectively (2019: 186,737 ounces and 10,620 pre-commercial production ounces, respectively).
(4) During the three months ended September 30, 2020, gold ounces sold from Sabodala-Massawa and Wahgnion were 60,214 ounces and 42,357 ounces, respectively (2019: 49,946 ounces and nil, respectively). During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, gold ounces sold from Sabodala-Massawa and Wahgnion were 146,933 ounces and 136,735 ounces, respectively (2019: 184,885 ounces and nil, respectively).
(5) Excludes 2,589 gold ounces sold from Wahgnion's pre-commercial production phase for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
(6) Gold produced represents change in gold in circuit inventory plus gold recovered during the period.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), which reflects management's expectations regarding Teranga’s future growth opportunities, results of operations, performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects (including the timing and development of new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "does not expect", "scheduled", "trends", "indications", "potential", "estimates", "predicts", "anticipate", “to establish”, "does not anticipate", "believe", "intend", "ability to" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such forward looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, forecasting Company-wide gold production of between 375,000 and 400,000 ounces of gold in 2020, the timeline for completing a definitive feasibility study for Sabodala-Massawa, sustaining costs, net present value, process capacity, average annual gold production, average process recoveries, anticipated mining and processing methods, proposed pre-feasibility production schedule and gold production profile, anticipated construction, anticipated mine life, expected recoveries and grades, anticipated production rates, infrastructure, future financial or operating performance of the Company and its projects, estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, opportunities for exploration, development and expansion of the Massawa Project and its potential mineralization, the future price of gold, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, costs and timing of future exploration, and the timing of the development of new deposits. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Teranga cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the closing and timing of financing, the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, gold price, exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Teranga cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements.
The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of gold and other key inputs, changes in mine plans and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of Teranga, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in Teranga's 2019 Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2020, and in other filings of Teranga with securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Teranga does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Teranga securities. All references to Teranga include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.
ABOUT TERANGA
Teranga Gold is transitioning into a mid-tier gold producer operating long-life, low-cost mines and advancing prospective exploration properties across West Africa, one of the world’s fastest growing gold jurisdictions. The top-tier gold complex created by integrating the recently acquired high-grade Massawa project with the Company’s Sabodala mine, the successful commissioning of Wahgnion, Teranga’s second gold mine and a strong pipeline of early to advanced-stage exploration assets support the continued growth of Teranga’s reserves, production and cash flow. Through its continued success and commitment to responsible mining, Teranga creates sustainable value for all stakeholders and acts as a catalyst for social, economic, and environmental development. To learn more, visit www.terangagold.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Richard Young President & CEO T: +1 416-594-0000 | E: ryoung@terangagold.com | Trish Moran Vice President, IR & Corporate Communications T: +1 416-607-4507 | E: tmoran@terangagold.com | |