All figures are in United States dollars. All production figures reflect payable metal quantities and are on a 100% basis, unless otherwise stated. For references denoted with NG, refer to the “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” disclosure at the end of this news release for a description of these measures.
TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Centerra Gold Inc. (“Centerra” or the “Company”) (TSX: CG and NYSE: CGAU) today reported its third quarter 2024 operating and financial results.
President and CEO, Paul Tomory, commented, “Centerra continues to deliver consistent operating performance and is on track to meet our consolidated production and cost guidance for the year. We have benefited from margin expansion driven by stable cost performance in an elevated metal price environment. As planned, we have returned to strong free cash flow generation in the third quarter. Even after spending approximately $32 million on the restart of operations at the Thompson Creek mine, we grew our cash and cash equivalents to $604 million at the end of the third quarter. We increased our share buybacks in the third quarter to $12 million, and declared a quarterly dividend, delivering on our disciplined approach of returning capital to shareholders.
“We continue to systematically execute on our strategic plan by working through the assets in our portfolio to unlock value. In February, we announced an additional agreement with Royal Gold, which allowed us to extend the mine life at Mount Milligan by two additional years and created the potential for future mine life extensions. In September, we announced the restart of operations at Thompson Creek and a progressive ramp-up of production at Langeloth, to realize value in our Molybdenum Business Unit. Looking ahead, we are progressing work at Mount Milligan on a preliminary economic assessment that is expected to illustrate the future potential at the mine and is on track to be completed towards the end of the first half of 2025. We also expect to publish an initial resource estimate at Goldfield in conjunction with our year-end reserve and resource update, expected in early 2025. By continuing to execute on our strategic plan, we expect to create value and growth for our shareholders and stakeholders,” concluded Mr. Tomory.
Third Quarter 2024 Highlights
Operations
Financial
Other
Table 1 – Overview of Consolidated Financial and Operating Highlights
2024 Outlook
The Company’s full year 2024 outlook, and comparative actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are set out in the following table:
Molybdenum Business Unit
Project Evaluation, Exploration, and Other Costs
Mount Milligan
Mount Milligan produced 42,993 ounces of gold and 13.7 million pounds of copper in the third quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of 2024, Mount Milligan produced 129,919 ounces of gold and 41.6 million pounds of copper. Mining activities were carried out in phases 5, 6, 7, and 9 with a total of 11.8 million tonnes mined in the third quarter of 2024. Process plant throughput for the third quarter of 2024 was 5.6 million tonnes, averaging 58,520 tonnes per day. Gold sales were 45,968 ounces and copper sales were 14.2 million pounds in the third quarter, up 46% and 21% respectively, compared to last quarter. The higher sales volumes were anticipated due to the timing of shipments. Metal production in the fourth quarter is expected to be slightly higher compared to the previous nine months of 2024 due to higher projected mill throughput and higher expected gold grades. The 2024 production guidance metrics at Mount Milligan remain unchanged at 180,000 to 200,000 ounces of gold and 55 to 65 million pounds of copper, with gold production trending towards the lower end of the range.
Gold production costs in the third quarter 2024 were $1,138 per ounce. AISC on a by-product basis NG was $1,318 per ounce, higher than last quarter due to increased sustaining capital expenditures. In the first nine months of 2024, gold production costs were $1,062 per ounce and AISC on a by-product basis NG was $1,064 per ounce. The Company expects AISC on a by-product basis NG to be lower in the fourth quarter, compared to the second and third quarters, driven by higher expected sales and lower expected sustaining capital expenditures. 2024 cost guidance metrics at Mount Milligan remain unchanged. Gold production costs are expected to be $950 to $1,050 per ounce, and AISC on a by-product basis NG is expected to be $1,075 to $1,175 per ounce. The Company expects AISC on a by-product basis NG at Mount Milligan to be at the lower end of the costs guidance range.
In the third quarter 2024, sustaining capital expenditures NG at Mount Milligan were $24.7 million, focused on the tailings storage facility dam construction and equipment rebuilds. Full year 2024 guidance for sustaining capital expenditures NG is unchanged at $55 to $65 million.
In the third quarter of 2024, Mount Milligan generated solid cash flow from operations of $40.2 million and $15.6 million of free cash flow NG .
The site-wide optimization program at Mount Milligan, initially launched in the fourth quarter 2023, continues to progress. This program covers all aspects of the operation to maximize the potential of the orebody, setting up Mount Milligan for long-term success to 2035 and beyond. Notable achievements in the first nine months of 2024 include an improved safety record, increased availability and utilization of the haul fleet and consistent ore supply which has led to increased mill throughput per operating day. As part of the optimization program, Mount Milligan is actively pursuing opportunities to reduce operating costs. The Company continues to see productivity improvements in the load-haul cycle at the mine, as well as in the unit processing costs. In the first nine months of 2024, milling costs were $5.56 per tonne processed, 12% lower than the first nine months of last year.
In February 2024, Centerra announced that the Company has entered into the Additional Royal Gold Agreement relating to Mount Milligan, which has resulted in a life of mine extension to 2035 and established favourable parameters for potential future mine life extensions. Work is progressing on a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) to evaluate the substantial mineral resources at the Mount Milligan mine with a goal to unlock additional value beyond its current 2035 mine life. The PEA is expected to be completed towards the end of the first half of 2025.
Öksüt
Öksüt produced 50,719 ounces of gold in the third quarter of 2024, consistent with last quarter, and produced 164,961 ounces of gold in the first nine months of 2024. Mining activities were focused on phase 5 and phase 4 of the Keltepe pit and in phase 2 of the Güneytepe pit. A total of 4.9 million tonnes were mined and 1.5 million tonnes were stacked at an average grade of 1.05 g/t. In the first nine months of 2024, Öksüt finished processing the excess gold inventory that it had accumulated in the previous year, leading to elevated gold production levels. In the fourth quarter, substantially all gold production is expected from lower grade areas of the mine. As a result, gold production in the fourth quarter is expected to contribute approximately 15% to 20% of the annual gold production. The 2024 production guidance at Öksüt is unchanged and is expected to be 190,000 to 210,000 ounces of gold.
Gold production costs and AISC on a by-product basis NG for the third quarter 2024 at Öksüt were $829 per ounce and $1,092 per ounce, respectively. These costs were impacted by higher royalty expense in the quarter due to elevated gold prices. In the first nine months of 2024, gold production costs were $710 per ounce and AISC on a by-product basis NG was $946 per ounce. The Company expects AISC on a by-product basis NG to be the highest in the fourth quarter, compared to the first nine months of 2024, driven by lower production due to lower expected grades. Öksüt’s gold production costs guidance and AISC on a by-product basis NG guidance for 2024 is unchanged and is expected to be $650 to $750 per ounce, and $900 to $1,000 per ounce, respectively. However, AISC on a by-product basis NG could slightly exceed the guidance range due to higher royalty costs driven by elevated gold prices. Centerra is seeing early indications of high inflation in Türkiye which is not being fully offset by devaluation of the lira, unlike in the past few years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact this could have on Öksüt’s cost structure moving forward.
In the third quarter 2024, sustaining capital expenditures at Öksüt were $10.5 million, focused on capitalized stripping, heap leach pad expansion and waste rock dump expansion.
As expected, in the third quarter of 2024, Öksüt returned to generating strong cash flow from operations and free cash flow NG , after making tax and annual royalty payments in the second quarter of 2024. In the third quarter, Öksüt generated $97.3 million of cash from mine operations and $86.8 million of free cash flow NG .
In the third quarter 2024, the MBU sold 2.4 million pounds of molybdenum, generating revenue of $60.4 million with an average realized price of $23.27 per pound.
On September 12, 2024, Centerra announced the results from its Thompson Creek feasibility study, including a strategic, integrated business plan for its MBU consisting of a restart of Thompson Creek and a commercially optimized plan for Langeloth, collectively US Moly. The Company believes the decision will unlock significant value through the restart of operations at Thompson Creek and a progressive ramp-up of production at Langeloth. When Thompson Creek begins production, currently targeted for the second half of 2027, it will provide additional high-grade, high-quality feed to Langeloth, enabling a ramp-up of production to more fully utilize Langeloth’s full annual capacity of 40 million pounds, while improving operational flexibility to meet market demand. For additional details, please refer to the announcement entitled “ Centerra Gold Announces Thompson Creek Feasibility Study Results and Strategic Plan for US Molybdenum Operations, Including a Restart of the Thompson Creek Mine and Ramp-up of Langeloth “ , issued on September 12, 2024.
The initial capital investment to restart Thompson Creek is approximately $397 million. The capital required is significantly de-risked due to an existing pit, significantly advanced rebuilds and purchases, and an existing process plant that requires minimal upgrades and refurbishments. A majority of the anticipated capital expenditures are focused on capitalized stripping, plant refurbishments and mine mobile fleet upgrades. At current metal prices, the capital investment to restart Thompson Creek is expected to be funded largely from Centerra’s cash flow from operations.
In the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, non-sustaining capital expenditures NG at Thompson Creek were $25.2 million and $25.8 million, respectively. Full year 2024 non-sustaining capital NG guidance at Thompson Creek is expected to be approximately $55 million to $65 million. Spending in the fourth quarter of 2024 is expected to include capitalized stripping, continued refurbishment of the existing mobile equipment fleet, acquisition of new mine mobile equipment, and initial engineering work on the mill refurbishment.
Intention to Renew NCIB
Subject to the approval of the approval of the TSX, Centerra intends to proceed with a renewal of a NCIB to purchase for cancellation a number of Common Shares representing the greater of 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares or 10% of the public float. As of October 31, 2024, Centerra had 211,337,985 issued and outstanding Common Shares.
Centerra believes that the Common Shares continue to be trading in a price range which does not adequately reflect the value of such shares in relation to Centerra’s assets and its future prospects. As a result, Centerra believes that the NCIB will provide the Company with a flexible tool to deploy a portion of its cash balance pursuant to its capital allocation framework to, depending upon future Common Share price movements and other factors, purchase Common Shares for cancellation while preserving its strong balance sheet position.
Centerra will file a notice of intention to renew a NCIB with the TSX and, subject to the approval of the TSX, Centerra may purchase Common Shares under the NCIB over a twelve-month period. Once the NCIB is commenced, the exact timing and amount of any purchases will depend on market conditions and other factors. Centerra will not be obligated to acquire any Common Shares and may suspend or discontinue purchases under the NCIB at any time. Any purchases made under the NCIB will be made at market price at the time of purchase through the facilities of the TSX and/or alternative Canadian trading systems in accordance with applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules. The Company’s previous NCIB authorized the purchase of up to 18,293,896 Common Shares and expires on November 6, 2024. During the period when that program operated through October 30, 2024, a total of 5,783,100 Common Shares of the Company were repurchased through the facilities of the TSX and alternative Canadian trading systems at a volume weighted average price of C$8.74 per Common Share. Centerra intends to establish an automatic share purchase plan in connection with its renewed NCIB to facilitate the purchase of Common Shares during times when Centerra would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase Common Shares due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed blackout periods. Before entering a black-out period, Centerra may, but is not required to, instruct its designated broker to make purchases under the NCIB based on parameters set by Centerra in accordance with the automatic share purchase plan, applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules.
Third Quarter 2024 Operating and Financial Results Webcast and Conference Call
Centerra invites you to join its 2024 third quarter conference call on Friday, November 1, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Details for the webcast and conference call are included below.
Webcast
Conference Call
For detailed information on the results contained within this release, please refer to the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) and financial statements for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, that are available on the Company’s website www.centerragold.com or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca .
About Centerra Centerra Gold Inc. is a Canadian-based mining company focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring gold and copper properties in North America, Türkiye, and other markets worldwide. Centerra operates two mines: the Mount Milligan Mine in British Columbia, Canada, and the Öksüt Mine in Türkiye. The Company also owns the Goldfield Project in Nevada, United States, the Kemess Project in British Columbia, Canada, and owns and operates the Molybdenum Business Unit in the United States and Canada. Centerra’s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol CG and on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol CGAU. The Company is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
For more information:
Lisa Wilkinson Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications (416) 204-3780 lisa.wilkinson@centerragold.com
Additional information on Centerra is available on the Company’s website at www.centerragold.com , on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar .
Qualified Person
All scientific and technical information presented in this document has been prepared in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument 43-101 and has been reviewed, verified, and compiled by Centerra’s geological and mining staff under the supervision of W. Paul Chawrun, Professional Engineer, member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and Centerra’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, the qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This document contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe”, “continue”, “expect”, “evaluate”, “finalizing”, “forecast”, “goal”, “intend”, “ongoing”, “on track”, “plan”, “potential”, “preliminary”, “project”, “pursuing”, “realize”, “restart”, “target” or “update”, or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of such terms.
Such statements include, but may not be limited to: statements regarding 2024 guidance, outlook and expectations, including production, cash flow, costs including care and maintenance and reclamation costs, capital expenditures, inflation, depreciation, depletion and amortization, taxes and cash flows; exploration potential, budgets, focuses, programs, targets and projected exploration results; gold and copper prices; the declaration, payment and sustainability of the Company’s dividends; the continuation of the Company’s NCIB and automatic share purchase plan including the intention to renew the NCIB and the timing, methods and quantity of any purchases of Common Shares under the NCIB; statements relating to the TSX’s approval of the NCIB; compliance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the NCIB; the availability of cash for repurchases of Common Shares under the NCIB; the timing and amount of future benefits and obligations in connection with the Additional Royal Gold Agreement; a Preliminary Economic Assessment at Mount Milligan Mine and any related evaluation of resources or a life of mine beyond 2035; the integrated business plan of the Molybdenum Business Unit including the restart of the Thompson Creek Mine and commercial optimization of the Langeloth Metallurgical Facility; an initial resource estimate at the Goldfield Project including the success of exploration programs or metallurgical testwork; the Company’s strategic plan; the optimization program at Mount Milligan including any further improvements to occupational health and safety, availability and utilization of the haul fleet, mill throughput and any potential costs savings resulting from the same; the expected gold production at Öksüt Mine in 2024; royalty rates and taxes, including withholding taxes related to repatriation of earnings from Türkiye; project development costs at the Goldfield Project; financial hedges; and other statements that express management’s expectations or estimates of future plans and performance, operational, geological or financial results, estimates or amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the time of making such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, technical, legal, political and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information.
Risk factors that may affect the Company’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to: (A) strategic, legal, planning and other risks, including: political risks associated with the Company’s operations in Türkiye, the USA and Canada; resource nationalism including the management of external stakeholder expectations; the impact of changes in, or to the more aggressive enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices, including unjustified civil or criminal action against the Company, its affiliates, or its current or former employees; risks that community activism may result in increased contributory demands or business interruptions; the risks related to outstanding litigation affecting the Company; the impact of any sanctions imposed by Canada, the United States or other jurisdictions; potential defects of title in the Company’s properties that are not known as of the date hereof; the inability of the Company and its subsidiaries to enforce their legal rights in certain circumstances; risks related to anti-corruption legislation; Centerra not being able to replace mineral reserves; Indigenous claims and consultative issues relating to the Company’s properties which are in proximity to Indigenous communities; and potential risks related to kidnapping or acts of terrorism; (B) risks relating to financial matters, including: sensitivity of the Company’s business to the volatility of gold, copper, molybdenum and other mineral prices; the use of provisionally-priced sales contracts for production at the Mount Milligan Mine; reliance on a few key customers for the gold-copper concentrate at the Mount Milligan Mine; use of commodity derivatives; the imprecision of the Company’s mineral reserves and resources estimates and the assumptions they rely on; the accuracy of the Company’s production and cost estimates; persistent inflationary pressures on key input prices; the impact of restrictive covenants in the Company’s credit facilities and in the Royal Gold Streaming Agreement which may, among other things, restrict the Company from pursuing certain business activities. including paying dividends or repurchasing shares under its normal course issuer bid, or making distributions from its subsidiaries; changes to tax regimes; the Company’s ability to obtain future financing; sensitivity to fuel price volatility; the impact of global financial conditions; the impact of currency fluctuations; the effect of market conditions on the Company’s short-term investments; the Company’s ability to make payments, including any payments of principal and interest on the Company’s debt facilities, which depends on the cash flow of its subsidiaries; the ability to obtain adequate insurance coverage; changes to taxation laws in the jurisdictions where the Company operates and (C) risks related to operational matters and geotechnical issues and the Company’s continued ability to successfully manage such matters, including: unanticipated ground and water conditions; the stability of the pit walls at the Company’s operations leading to structural cave-ins, wall failures or rock-slides; the integrity of tailings storage facilities and the management thereof, including as to stability, compliance with laws, regulations, licenses and permits, controlling seepages and storage of water, where applicable; periodic interruptions due to inclement or hazardous weather conditions or operating conditions and other force majeure events; the risk of having sufficient water to continue operations at the Mount Milligan Mine and achieve expected mill throughput; changes to, or delays in the Company’s supply chain and transportation routes, including cessation or disruption in rail and shipping networks, whether caused by decisions of third-party providers or force majeure events (including, but not limited to: labour action, flooding, landslides, seismic activity, wildfires, earthquakes, pandemics, or other global events such as wars); lower than expected ore grades or recovery rates; the success of the Company’s future exploration and development activities, including the financial and political risks inherent in carrying out exploration activities; inherent risks associated with the use of sodium cyanide in the mining operations; the adequacy of the Company’s insurance to mitigate operational and corporate risks; mechanical breakdowns; the occurrence of any labour unrest or disturbance and the ability of the Company to successfully renegotiate collective agreements when required; the risk that Centerra’s workforce and operations may be exposed to widespread epidemic or pandemic; seismic activity, including earthquakes; wildfires; long lead-times required for equipment and supplies given the remote location of some of the Company’s operating properties and disruptions caused by global events; reliance on a limited number of suppliers for certain consumables, equipment and components; the ability of the Company to address physical and transition risks from climate change and sufficiently manage stakeholder expectations on climate-related issues; regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; significant volatility of molybdenum prices resulting in material working capital changes and unfavourable pressure on viability of the molybdenum business; the Company’s ability to accurately predict decommissioning and reclamation costs and the assumptions they rely upon; the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; competition for mineral acquisition opportunities; risks associated with the conduct of joint ventures/partnerships; risk of cyber incidents such as cybercrime, malware or ransomware, data breaches, fines and penalties; and, the Company’s ability to manage its projects effectively and to mitigate the potential lack of availability of contractors, budget and timing overruns, and project resources.
Additional risk factors and details with respect to risk factors that may affect the Company’s ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this document are set out in the Company’s latest 40-F/Annual Information Form and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, each under the heading “Risk Factors”, which are available on SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ) or on EDGAR ( www.sec.gov/edgar ). The foregoing should be reviewed in conjunction with the information, risk factors and assumptions found in this document.
The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, or whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures
This document contains “specified financial measures” within the meaning of NI 52-112, specifically the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios and supplementary financial measures described below. Management believes that the use of these measures assists analysts, investors and other stakeholders of the Company in understanding the costs associated with producing gold and copper, understanding the economics of gold and copper mining, assessing operating performance, the Company’s ability to generate free cash flow from current operations and on an overall Company basis, and for planning and forecasting of future periods. However, the measures have limitations as analytical tools as they may be influenced by the point in the life cycle of a specific mine and the level of additional exploration or other expenditures a company has to make to fully develop its properties. The specified financial measures used in this document do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, even as compared to other issuers who may be applying the World Gold Council (“WGC”) guidelines. Accordingly, these specified financial measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, analysis of the Company’s recognized measures presented in accordance with IFRS.
Definitions
The following is a description of the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios and supplementary financial measures used in this document:
Certain unit costs, including all-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis (including and excluding revenue-based taxes) per ounce, are non-GAAP ratios which include as a component certain non-GAAP financial measures including all-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis which can be reconciled as follows:
Adjusted net earnings (loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure and can be reconciled as follows:
Free cash flow (deficit) is a non-GAAP financial measure and can be reconciled as follows:
Sustaining capital expenditures and non-sustaining capital expenditures are non-GAAP measures and can be reconciled as follows:
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