TORONTO, Feb. 22, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: WDO) (“Wesdome” or the “Company”) today announces fourth quarter (“Q4 2022”) and full year financial results. All figures are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.
Key Highlights:
Eagle River
Kiena
Other
Warwick Morley-Jepson, Interim CEO commented, “2022 was a challenging year for Wesdome, and we have leveraged our experiences to ensure better operational and financial performance going forward. Production misses at both mines resulted in a net loss of $14.7 million or ($0.10) per share.
Previously disclosed grade reconciliation issues at the Falcon zone that impacted 2022 production have been addressed through additional ore development and drilling. Eagle operations are recovering well, with 2023 grade so far reconciling higher than guidance.
At Kiena, despite the challenging backdrop of the fractured supply chains we are very pleased to have put a second mine into production, financed almost entirely from internally generated cash flow. The delays encountered in 2022 are behind us, and all required equipment is on site. The next milestone is the continued development of the ramp giving access to mining operations in the A zone. Ramp advancement will position us to mine in the areas where the ounces per vertical metre significantly increase, and grade is expected to improve. Year to date, this project is tracking slightly ahead of schedule. As well, 2022 saw the hiring of key technical personnel including a Director, Engineering and Operations who will support daily mine operations.
Production guidance for 2023 is expected to range between 110,000 – 130,000 ounces with production back end weighted through the year. Until the ramp reaches the 129 metre level at Kiena, lower processed grades are expected to continue into 2023. We will continue to supply the mill with lower grade ore from the Martin, S50, and VC zones to supplement the Kiena Deep material that will be available to mine, which is mostly lower grade fringe material and diluted ore from previously mined areas.
We consider this year to be a transition year as we get Kiena back on schedule, setting up 2024 to be a stronger year operationally, as well as financially. In this regard, an at-the-market equity program was established in December to accelerate balance sheet de-levering.”
Key operating and financial performance of the full year 2022 results include:
Key operating and financial performance of Q4 2022 results include:
Production Metrics and Exploration Updates | Performance |
Eagle River Complex |
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Kiena |
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Technical Disclosure
The technical content of this release has been compiled, reviewed and approved by Frédéric Langevin, Eng, Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Michael Michaud, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of the Company and each a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 -Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Reserves and Resources
The mineral reserve and resource estimates reported in this news release were prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applies different standards in order to classify and report mineralization. This news release uses the terms “measured”, “indicated” and “inferred” mineral resources, as required by NI 43-101. Readers are advised that although such terms are recognized and required by Canadian securities regulations, the SEC does not recognize such terms. Canadian standards differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories constitute or will ever be converted into mineral reserves. In addition, “inferred” mineral resources have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, is economically or legally mineable or will ever be upgraded to a higher category of mineral resource.
Wesdome Gold Mines 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results Conference Call
February 23, 2023 at 10:00 am ET
ABOUT WESDOME
Wesdome is a Canadian focused gold producer with two high grade underground assets, the Eagle River mine in Ontario and the recently commissioned Kiena mine in Quebec. The Company also retains meaningful exposure to the Moss Lake gold deposit in Ontario through its equity position in Goldshore Resources Inc. The Company’s primary goal is to responsibly leverage this operating platform and high-quality brownfield and greenfield exploration pipeline to build Canada’s next intermediate gold producer. Wesdome trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “WDO,” with a secondary listing on the OTCQX under the symbol “WDOFF.”
For further information, please contact:
Warwick Morley-Jepson | or | Lindsay Carpenter Dunlop |
Interim CEO | VP Investor Relations | |
416-360-3743 ext. 2029 | 416-360-3743 ext. 2025 | |
w.morley-jepson@wesdome.com | lindsay.dunlop@wesdome.com |
220 Bay St, Suite 1200
Toronto, ON, M5J 2W4
Toll Free: 1-866-4-WDO-TSX
Phone: 416-360-3743, Fax: 416-360-7620
Website: www.wesdome.com
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains “forward-looking information” which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the benefits of achieving commercial production at Kiena, the Company’s expected capital expenditure in 2023, the timing around reaching the Kiena Deep A Zone, the Company’s ability to be cash flow positive and its annual production run rate. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve 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 future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances, management’s estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.
Summarized Operating and Financial Data
(Unaudited, expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share and per unit amounts and otherwise indicated)
Three Months Ended | Years Ended | ||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
Operating data | |||||||||||||
Milling (tonnes) | |||||||||||||
Eagle River | 58,306 | 56,159 | 223,734 | 228,759 | |||||||||
Mishi | 0 | 6,215 | 23,153 | 36,508 | |||||||||
Kiena | 51,419 | 38,000 | 115,171 | 68,470 | |||||||||
Throughput 2 | 109,725 | 100,374 | 362,058 | 333,737 | |||||||||
Head grades (g/t) | |||||||||||||
Eagle River | 14.0 | 13.7 | 11.5 | 13.8 | |||||||||
Mishi | 0.0 | 2.1 | 3.2 | 2.4 | |||||||||
Kiena | 5.9 | 14.1 | 7.9 | 10.4 | |||||||||
Recovery (%) | |||||||||||||
Eagle River | 97.4 | 97.8 | 96.9 | 97.5 | |||||||||
Mishi | 0.0 | 88.1 | 83.5 | 82.4 | |||||||||
Kiena | 98.1 | 98.1 | 98.3 | 98.0 | |||||||||
Production (ounces) | |||||||||||||
Eagle River | 25,502 | 24,267 | 79,997 | 99,120 | |||||||||
Mishi | 0 | 363 | 2,005 | 2,283 | |||||||||
Kiena | 9,614 | 16,929 | 28,848 | 22,440 | |||||||||
Total gold produced 2 | 35,116 | 41,559 | 110,850 | 123,843 | |||||||||
Total gold sales (ounces) 4 | 31,500 | 37,544 | 113,000 | 118,501 | |||||||||
Eagle River Complex (per ounce of gold sold) 1 | |||||||||||||
Average realized price | $ | 2,384 | $ | 2,279 | $ | 2,354 | $ | 2,250 | |||||
Cash costs | 1,302 | 1,017 | 1,356 | 978 | |||||||||
Cash margin | $ | 1,082 | $ | 1,262 | $ | 998 | $ | 1,272 | |||||
All-in Sustaining Costs 1 | $ | 2,039 | $ | 1,608 | $ | 2,003 | $ | 1,456 | |||||
Mine operating costs/tonne milled 1 | $ | 515 | $ | 391 | $ | 436 | $ | 357 | |||||
Average 1 USD → CAD exchange rate | 1.3578 | 1.2603 | 1.3013 | 1.2535 | |||||||||
Cash costs per ounce of gold sold (US$) 1 | $ | 959 | $ | 807 | $ | 1,042 | $ | 780 | |||||
All-in Sustaining Costs (US$) 1 | $ | 1,502 | $ | 1,276 | $ | 1,539 | $ | 1,162 | |||||
Kiena Mine (per ounce of gold sold) 1 | |||||||||||||
Average realized price | $ | 2,371 | $ | 2,267 | $ | 2,331 | $ | 2,249 | |||||
Cash costs 3, 5 | 2,063 | 983 | 1,839 | 1,052 | |||||||||
Cash margin | $ | 308 | $ | 1,284 | $ | 492 | $ | 1,197 | |||||
All-in Sustaining Costs 1, 3, 5 | $ | 2,348 | $ | 1,051 | $ | 2,059 | $ | 1,138 | |||||
Mine operating costs/tonne milled 1 | $ | 352 | $ | 335 | $ | 518 | $ | 325 | |||||
Average 1 USD → CAD exchange rate | 1.3578 | 1.2603 | 1.3013 | 1.2535 | |||||||||
Cash costs per ounce of gold sold (US$) 1 | $ | 1,519 | $ | 780 | $ | 1,413 | $ | 839 | |||||
All-in Sustaining Costs (US$) 1 | $ | 1,729 | $ | 834 | $ | 1,582 | $ | 908 | |||||
Financial Data | |||||||||||||
Cash margin 1 | $ | 26,466 | $ | 47,681 | $ | 95,674 | $ | 145,354 | |||||
Net income | $ | (3,527 | ) | $ | 24,762 | $ | (14,706 | ) | $ | 131,288 | |||
Net income adjusted 1 | $ | (3,527 | ) | $ | 24,762 | $ | (5,856 | ) | $ | 69,903 | |||
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization 1 | $ | 21,309 | $ | 44,235 | $ | 55,617 | $ | 132,199 | |||||
Operating cash flow | $ | 10,267 | $ | 48,160 | $ | 65,206 | $ | 130,958 | |||||
Free cash flow | $ | (31,609 | ) | $ | (3,172 | ) | $ | (90,174 | ) | $ | (21,291 | ) | |
Per share data | |||||||||||||
Net income | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.18 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 0.94 | |||
Adjusted net income 1 | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.18 | $ | (0.04 | ) | $ | 0.50 | |||
Operating cash flow 1 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.34 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.93 | |||||
Free cash flow 1 | $ | (0.22 | ) | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | (0.63 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | |
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.
Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
As at December 31, 2022 | As at December 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Assets | |||||||||
Current | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 33,185 | $ | 56,764 | |||||
Receivables and prepaids | 12,755 | 13,793 | |||||||
Inventories | 22,119 | 17,918 | |||||||
Income and mining tax receivable | 6,494 | - | |||||||
Share consideration receivable | 2,994 | 4,560 | |||||||
Total current assets | 77,547 | 93,035 | |||||||
Restricted cash | 1,176 | 657 | |||||||
Deferred financing costs | 1,411 | 758 | |||||||
Mining properties, plant and equipment | 525,860 | 212,394 | |||||||
Mines under development | - | 214,089 | |||||||
Exploration properties | 1,139 | 1,139 | |||||||
Marketable securities | 960 | 1,860 | |||||||
Share consideration receivable | 2,576 | 10,729 | |||||||
Investment in associate | 8,458 | 19,058 | |||||||
Total assets | $ | 619,127 | $ | 553,719 | |||||
Liabilities | |||||||||
Current | |||||||||
Payables and accruals | $ | 54,734 | $ | 40,093 | |||||
Borrowings | 54,697 | - | |||||||
Income and mining tax payable | - | 5,490 | |||||||
Current portion of lease liabilities | 6,160 | 7,789 | |||||||
Total current liabilities | 115,591 | 53,372 | |||||||
Lease liabilities | 3,126 | 6,786 | |||||||
Deferred income and mining tax liabilities | 82,950 | 77,195 | |||||||
Decommissioning provisions | 18,941 | 21,191 | |||||||
Total liabilities | 220,608 | 158,544 | |||||||
Equity | |||||||||
Equity attributable to owners of the Company | |||||||||
Capital stock | 205,361 | 187,911 | |||||||
Contributed surplus | 7,359 | 5,859 | |||||||
Retained earnings | 186,939 | 201,645 | |||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,140 | ) | (240 | ) | |||||
Total equity attributable to owners of the Company | 398,519 | 395,175 | |||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 619,127 | $ | 553,719 | |||||
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.
Statements of Income (Loss) and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited, expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars except for per share amounts)
Three Months Ended | Years Ended | ||||||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 75,035 | $ | 85,505 | $ | 265,483 | $ | 262,907 | |||||||
Cost of sales | (61,997 | ) | (45,945 | ) | (214,371 | ) | (145,619 | ) | |||||||
Gross profit | 13,038 | 39,560 | 51,112 | 117,288 | |||||||||||
Other expenses | |||||||||||||||
Corporate and general | 2,309 | 2,817 | 11,823 | 10,614 | |||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 857 | 533 | 3,311 | 2,604 | |||||||||||
Exploration and evaluation | 1,926 | 471 | 14,369 | 471 | |||||||||||
Reversal of impairment charges | - | - | - | (58,563 | ) | ||||||||||
Impairment charge on exploration properties | - | - | - | 7,507 | |||||||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of mining equipment | 242 | - | 303 | (3 | ) | ||||||||||
Total other expenses (income) | 5,334 | 3,821 | 29,806 | (37,370 | ) | ||||||||||
Operating income | 7,704 | 35,739 | 21,306 | 154,658 | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of Moss Lake exploration properties | - | - | - | 34,330 | |||||||||||
Impairment of investment in associate | - | - | (11,800 | ) | - | ||||||||||
Fair value adjustment on share consideration receivable | 1,005 | 1,038 | (6,386 | ) | 1,947 | ||||||||||
Interest expense | (1,279 | ) | (339 | ) | (2,446 | ) | (1,194 | ) | |||||||
Accretion of decommissioning provisions | (242 | ) | (146 | ) | (860 | ) | (556 | ) | |||||||
Share of loss of associate | (1,264 | ) | (393 | ) | (1,652 | ) | (497 | ) | |||||||
Loss on dilution of ownership | 188 | - | (481 | ) | - | ||||||||||
Other income (expenses) | 490 | (124 | ) | (872 | ) | (363 | ) | ||||||||
Income (loss) before income and mining taxes | 6,602 | 35,775 | (3,191 | ) | 188,325 | ||||||||||
Income and mining tax expense | |||||||||||||||
Current | 999 | 4,720 | 5,600 | 13,375 | |||||||||||
Deferred | 9,130 | 6,293 | 5,915 | 43,662 | |||||||||||
Total income and mining tax expense | 10,129 | 11,013 | 11,515 | 57,037 | |||||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (3,527 | ) | $ | 24,762 | $ | (14,706 | ) | $ | 131,288 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) | |||||||||||||||
Change in fair value of marketable securities | 360 | (240 | ) | (900 | ) | (240 | ) | ||||||||
Total comprehensive (loss) income | $ | (3,167 | ) | $ | 24,522 | $ | (15,606 | ) | $ | 131,048 | |||||
(Loss) Earnings per share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.18 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 0.94 | |||||
Diluted | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.17 | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | 0.92 | |||||
Weighted average number of common | |||||||||||||||
shares (000s) | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 142,782 | 141,156 | 142,391 | 140,195 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 142,782 | 143,200 | 142,391 | 142,787 | |||||||||||
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.
Statements of Total Equity
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||
Other | |||||||||||||||||||
Capital | Contributed | Retained | Comprehensive | Total | |||||||||||||||
Stock | Surplus | Earnings | Loss | Equity | |||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | 179,540 | $ | 6,472 | $ | 70,357 | $ | - | $ | 256,369 | |||||||||
Net income for the year ended | - | - | 131,288 | - | 131,288 | ||||||||||||||
December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | - | - | - | (240 | ) | (240 | ) | ||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 5,154 | - | - | - | 5,154 | ||||||||||||||
Value attributed to options exercised | 2,431 | (2,431 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
Value attributed to RSUs exercised | 786 | (786 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | - | 2,604 | - | - | 2,604 | ||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 | $ | 187,911 | $ | 5,859 | $ | 201,645 | $ | (240 | ) | $ | 395,175 | ||||||||
Net loss for the year ended | $ | - | $ | - | $ | (14,706 | ) | $ | - | $ | (14,706 | ) | |||||||
December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | - | - | - | (900 | ) | (900 | ) | ||||||||||||
At-the-Market offering: | |||||||||||||||||||
Common shares issued for cash | 13,080 | - | - | - | 13,080 | ||||||||||||||
Agents' fees and issuance costs | (472 | ) | - | - | - | (472 | ) | ||||||||||||
Exercise of options | 3,031 | - | - | - | 3,031 | ||||||||||||||
Value attributed to options exercised | 1,173 | (1,173 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
Value attributed to RSUs exercised | 638 | (638 | ) | - | - | - | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | - | 3,311 | - | - | 3,311 | ||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 | $ | 205,361 | $ | 7,359 | $ | 186,939 | $ | (1,140 | ) | $ | 398,519 | ||||||||
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.
Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)
Three Months Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (3,527 | ) | $ | 24,762 | $ | (14,706 | ) | $ | 131,288 | ||||||
Depreciation and depletion | 13,428 | 8,121 | 44,562 | 28,066 | ||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 857 | 533 | 3,311 | 2,604 | ||||||||||||
Accretion of decommissioning provisions | 242 | 146 | 860 | 556 | ||||||||||||
Deferred income and mining tax expense | 9,130 | 6,293 | 5,915 | 43,662 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing cost | 133 | 84 | 401 | 412 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense | 1,279 | 339 | 2,446 | 1,194 | ||||||||||||
Reversal of impairment charges | - | - | - | (58,563 | ) | |||||||||||
Gain on sale of Moss Lake exploration properties | - | - | - | (34,330 | ) | |||||||||||
Impairment charge on exploration properties | - | - | - | 7,507 | ||||||||||||
Loss (gain) on disposal of mining equipment | 242 | - | 303 | (3 | ) | |||||||||||
Impairment of investment in associate | - | - | 11,800 | - | ||||||||||||
Fair value adjustment on share consideration receivable | (1,005 | ) | (1,038 | ) | 6,386 | (1,947 | ) | |||||||||
Share of loss of associate | 1,264 | 393 | 1,652 | 497 | ||||||||||||
Loss on dilution of ownership | (188 | ) | - | 481 | - | |||||||||||
Foreign exchange loss (gain) on borrowings | (1,009 | ) | (8 | ) | 451 | (23 | ) | |||||||||
Net changes in non-cash working capital | (6,956 | ) | 11,726 | 18,928 | 21,403 | |||||||||||
Mining and income tax paid | (3,623 | ) | (3,191 | ) | (17,584 | ) | (11,365 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash from operating activities | 10,267 | 48,160 | 65,206 | 130,958 | ||||||||||||
Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from At-the-Market offering | 13,080 | - | 13,080 | - | ||||||||||||
Agents' fees and issuance costs | (632 | ) | - | (632 | ) | - | ||||||||||
Proceeds from revolving credit facility | 28,279 | - | 69,163 | - | ||||||||||||
Repayment of revolving credit facility | - | - | (14,810 | ) | - | |||||||||||
Repayment of lease liabilities | (11,929 | ) | (11,823 | ) | (8,898 | ) | (8,778 | ) | ||||||||
Exercise of options | 4,110 | 5,493 | 3,031 | 5,154 | ||||||||||||
Deferred financing costs | 5,678 | 4,935 | (1,053 | ) | (342 | ) | ||||||||||
Interest paid | (1,279 | ) | (339 | ) | (2,446 | ) | (1,194 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash from (used in) financing activities | 37,307 | (1,734 | ) | 57,435 | (5,160 | ) | ||||||||||
Investing Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Additions to mining properties | (20,948 | ) | (12,375 | ) | (45,328 | ) | (42,867 | ) | ||||||||
Additions to mines under development | (18,242 | ) | (35,455 | ) | (100,635 | ) | (76,337 | ) | ||||||||
Additions to exploration properties | - | - | - | (23,267 | ) | |||||||||||
Purchase of exploration property | - | - | - | (1,000 | ) | |||||||||||
Cash proceeds on sale of Moss Lake, net of transaction costs | - | - | - | 11,762 | ||||||||||||
Investment in marketable securities | - | (2,100 | ) | - | (2,100 | ) | ||||||||||
Funds held against standby letter of credit | - | - | (519 | ) | - | |||||||||||
Proceeds on disposal of mining equipment | 60 | - | 262 | 73 | ||||||||||||
Net changes in non-cash working capital | - | (9,205 | ) | - | 1,222 | |||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (39,130 | ) | (59,135 | ) | (146,220 | ) | (132,514 | ) | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 8,444 | (12,709 | ) | (23,579 | ) | (6,716 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period | 24,741 | 69,473 | 56,764 | 63,480 | ||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year | $ | 33,185 | $ | 56,764 | $ | 33,185 | $ | 56,764 | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents consist of: | ||||||||||||||||
Cash | $ | 33,185 | $ | 56,764 | $ | 33,185 | $ | 56,764 | ||||||||
$ | 33,185 | $ | 56,764 | $ | 33,185 | $ | 56,764 | |||||||||
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