TRX Gold Corporation (TSX:TNX) (NYSE American:TRX) (the “Company”
or “TRX Gold”) today reported its results for the year end August
31, 2023 and fourth quarter (“Q4 2023”). Financial results are
available on the Company’s website at www.TRXgold.com.
Highlights include:
- Record annual
gold production (20,759 ounces), revenue ($38.3 million), operating
cash flow ($17.3 million), adjusted EBITDA1 ($13.7 million), net
income ($7.0 million) and gross profit margin (47%).
- Successful and
safe completion of 1,000 tonnes per day (“tpd”) mill expansion for
$6.4M, on time and on budget.
- Continued growth
ahead through procurement of an additional 1,000 tpd mill for 2024
installation and expansion through to 2,000 tpd.
- Exploration
success extending known strike length mineralization on the Main
Zone by 500 meters and successfully intersecting high-grade gold
mineralization on the Anfield Zone.
TRX Gold’s CEO, Stephen Mullowney comments:
“2023 was an important year for TRX Gold as it was a year that we
transitioned into growth mode. This growth will continue in 2024
with yet another plant expansion, which is expected to come online
in the second half of the year. This expansion is expected to
provide the financial capital for a robust exploration program
aimed at increasing Mineral Resources over time. Importantly, we
have been able to enter a growth phase while properly managing
capital―and we will continue to do so ― in order to grow the
project and its value while minimizing shareholder dilution.”
Shubo Rakhit, Chairman of the Board, continues:
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to congratulate
management and the Buckreef Gold team on their dedication and
commitment towards achieving all of the Company’s ambitious
objectives. This includes a disciplined approach to allocating
capital and executing on time and on budget. We look forward to a
further expansion of our processing plant, increased gold
production and more exploration in 2024. Our objectives for the
next twelve months are clear, and we have a dedicated and focused
team to get the job done.”
Extended Highlights for Q4 and Year
Ended 2023 include:
- A year
of continued growth: TRX Gold delivered on all its
objectives for fiscal 2023, demonstrating an exceptional ability to
manage capital, minimize shareholder dilution and mitigate project
risk. The Company reinvested $17.8 million during the year to
successfully grow Buckreef Gold by expanding the processing plant
from 360 tpd to 1,000+ tonnes per day, procuring an additional
1,000 tpd ball mill to increase future annual throughput, advancing
construction of a significantly expanded tailings storage facility
to accommodate higher production volumes, and investing in further
infrastructure, capital assets and studies to support the long term
growth of Buckreef Gold.
-
Milestone financial metrics: For the year ended
August 31, 2023, the Company reported record annual production and
financial metrics. The Company recorded revenues of $38.3 million,
cost of sales of $20.1 million, gross profit of $18.2 million,
gross profit margin of 47%, net income of $7.0 million, and
Adjusted EBITDA2 of $13.7 million. On the production side, Buckreef
Gold poured 20,759 ounces of gold, in line with full year
production guidance, and sold 20,864 ounces of gold. Both are
annual operating records and resulted in positive operating cash
flow for the Company of $17.3 million. For the fourth quarter, the
Company recognized revenue of $9.2 million, cost of sales of $5.1
million, generating gross profit of $4.1 million, gross profit
margin of 44%, quarterly net income of $2.3 million and Adjusted
EBITDA2 of $2.8 million. Buckreef Gold poured 4,965 ounces of gold
and sold 4,796 ounces of gold, resulting in positive operating cash
flow for the Company of $2.7 million.
-
Successful advancement of the project’s
3rd mill expansion:
During the fiscal year, the Company used cash flow from operations
to order an additional 1,000 tpd ball mill to advance the
short-term objective of increasing Buckreef Gold’s current average
annual throughput by 75-100%. In October 2023, the ball mill
arrived on site and earthworks have since commenced. The expanded
plant has a targeted completion date in the second half (“H2”) of
fiscal 2024 (“F2024”) and is expected to benefit production in Q4
2024.
- A major
win for sulphide ore processing: During the year the
Company successfully processed a bulk sample of 6,500 tonnes of
sulphide ore through the existing milling facility, achieving an
indicative gold recovery of 88.7%. This is a significant
achievement, (approximately 90% of Buckreef Gold’s gold mineral
resource is held in sulphide / 'fresh' material), thus unlocking
significant economic potential for the project. This bulk sample
test indicates that the Company can likely process sulphide ore
through its existing processing plant, thus potentially minimizing
capex for future plant expansions.
-
Continued success at the drill bit: During the
year, the Company drilled 11,171 meters of exploration, infill and
sterilization drilling, excluding grade control drilling. Buckreef
Gold announced positive near surface drilling results from the
Anfield and Eastern Porphyry Zones which are in close proximity to
the Buckreef Main Zone and present an opportunity to host future
mineral resources outside of the Buckreef Main Zone. Buckreef Gold
also announced an extension of the Buckreef Main Zone South by an
additional 200 meters, increasing the strike length of the Buckreef
Main Zone deposit, or known gold mineralization, to over 2.0
kilometers.
Figure 1: Buckreef Gold Mine Main Pit Q4
2023
Figure 2: Buckreef Gold Mill Processing Facility
Q4 2023
Fiscal 2024 Outlook – Planning for More
Growth
- The Company
continues to advance a third mill expansion aimed at increasing the
current average annual throughput by 75-100%, with an addition to
the existing carbon-in-leach plant. As demonstrated with the first
plant upgrade, construction will seamlessly integrate into the
existing operating plant. This includes an expansion of the
crushing circuit and installation of a 1,000 tpd ball mill. The new
1,000 tpd ball mill arrived on site in early October 2023 and
earthworks have commenced for the ball mill plinth, tank line
foundation and bund wall, which will support the additional leach
tanks. All other significant long-lead items have been ordered,
including crushing equipment, interstage screens and agitators.
Buckreef Gold is targeting an expected completion date of the
expanded 2,000 tpd plant, in the second half of fiscal 2024.
- Annual gold
production at Buckreef Gold is projected to be between 25,000 -
30,000 ounces at total average cash cost3 of $800 - $900 per ounce.
Gold production is planned to be lower in the first half of F2024
due to the ramp-up and commissioning of the 2,000 tpd processing
plant during Q3/Q4 2024. Higher production and lower cash cost per
ounce are expected in H2 F2024 once the ramp-up is complete and the
processing plant achieves steady state operation at nameplate
capacity of 2,000+ tpd.
- Operating cash
flow from the 2,000+ tpd processing plant will be predominantly
reinvested in the Company with a focus on value enhancing
activities, including: (i) exploration and drilling with a focus on
potential mineral resource expansion at Buckreef Main (northeast
and south), Buckreef West, Anfield, Eastern Porphyry extension;
(ii) re-evaluation of Bingwa and Tembo; (iii) additional capital
programs focused on further plant expansions and production growth;
and (iv) enhanced CSR/ESG programs.
Qualified Person
Mr. Andrew Mark Cheatle, P.Geo., MBA, ARSM, is
the Company’s Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101
“Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects” (“NI 43-101”) and
has reviewed and assumes responsibility for the scientific and
technical content in this press release.
Q4 2023 and Full Year 2023 Results
Conference Call and Webcast Details
When: Monday, December 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM
ESTWebcast URL: https://shorturl.at/ijQ24Conference call
numbers:Canada/USA TF: 1-844-763-8274International Toll:
+1-647-484-8814A replay will be made available for 30 days
following the call on the Company’s website.
About TRX Gold Corporation
TRX Gold is rapidly advancing the Buckreef Gold
Project. Anchored by a Mineral Resource published in May 20204, the
project currently hosts an NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resource of 35.88 MT at 1.77 g/t gold containing 2,036,280 ounces
of gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 17.8 MT at 1.11 g/t
gold for 635,540 ounces of gold. The leadership team is focused on
creating both near-term and long-term shareholder value by
increasing gold production to generate positive cash flow. The
positive cash flow will be utilized for exploratory drilling with
the goal of increasing the current gold Resource base and advancing
the Sulphide Ore Project which represents 90% of current gold
Resources. TRX Gold’s actions are led by the highest ESG standards,
evidenced by the relationships and programs that the Company has
developed during its nearly two decades of presence in Geita
Region, Tanzania.
Non-IFRS Performance
Measures
The company has included certain non-IFRS
measures in this news release. The following non-IFRS measures
should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements for the three and twelve months
ended August 31, 2023 filed on SEDAR+ and with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as the Company’s audited
consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 40-F and Annual Information Form for the year ended
August 31, 2023. The financial statements and related notes of TRX
Gold have been prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Additional information has been filed
electronically on SEDAR+ and with the SEC and is available online
under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company’s
filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov and on our website at
www.TRXgold.com.
Cash cost per ounce of gold
sold
Cash cost per ounce of gold sold is a non-IFRS
performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by
IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Cash
cost per ounce may not be comparable to information in other gold
producers’ reports and filings. Upon declaration of commercial
production of the 1,000+ tpd processing plant in Q1 2023,
capitalization of mine development costs ceased, and depreciation
of capitalized mine development costs commenced. As the Company
uses this measure to monitor the performance of our gold mining
operations and its ability to generate positive cash flow,
beginning in Q1 2023, total cash cost per ounce of gold sold starts
with cost of sales related to gold production and removes
depreciation.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS performance
measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and
does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Adjusted
EBITDA may not be comparable to information in other gold
producers’ reports and filings. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a
supplemental measure of the Company’s performance and ability to
service its obligations. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by
securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the
evaluation of companies in the industry, many of which present
Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Issuers present
Adjusted EBITDA because investors, analysts and rating agencies
consider it useful in measuring the ability of those issuers to
meet their obligations. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income
(loss) before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and also
eliminates the impact of a number of items that are not considered
indicative of ongoing operating performance.
Certain items of expense are added, and certain
items of income are deducted from net income that are not likely to
recur or are not indicative of the Company’s underlying operating
results for the reporting periods presented or for future operating
performance and consist of:
- Change in fair value of derivative
financial instruments;
- Accretion related to the provision
for reclamation; and
- Share-based compensation expense;
and
- Tax adjustments
related to a prior period tax assessment (2012-2020).
The following table provides a reconciliation of
net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) to Adjusted
EBITDA per the financial statements for the three and twelve months
ended August 31, 2023.
|
Three Months Ended |
Three Months Ended |
Twelve Months Ended |
Twelve Months Ended |
|
August 31, 2023 |
August 31, 2022 |
August 31, 2023 |
August 31, 2022 |
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income per financial
statements |
2,309 |
|
(2,350) |
|
7,045 |
|
(2,322) |
|
Add: |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
396 |
|
(50) |
|
1,259 |
|
122 |
|
Interest
and other non-recurring expenses |
240 |
|
43 |
|
859 |
|
477 |
|
Income
tax expense |
948 |
|
177 |
|
5,331 |
|
436 |
|
Change in
fair value of derivative financial instruments |
(1,635) |
|
3,443 |
|
(3,305) |
|
2,035 |
|
Share-based payment expense |
562 |
|
988 |
|
2,501 |
|
3,113 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
2,820 |
|
2,251 |
|
13,690 |
|
3,861 |
|
The Company has included “average realized price
per ounce of gold sold”, “cash cost per ounce of gold sold” and
“Adjusted EBITDA” as non-IFRS performance measures throughout this
MD&A as TRX Gold believes that these generally accepted
industry performance measures provide a useful indication of the
Company’s operational performance. The Company believes that
certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s
performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, they
are 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.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements as defined in the applicable securities
laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”,
“anticipates”, “believes”, “hopes”, “intends”, “estimated”,
“potential”, “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that
events, conditions or results “will”, “may”, “could” or “should”
occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements relate to future
events or future performance and reflect TRX Gold management’s
expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to continued operating
cash flow, expansion of its process plant, estimation of mineral
resources, ability to develop value creating activities,
recoveries, subsequent project testing, success, scope and
viability of mining operations, the timing and amount of estimated
future production, and capital expenditure.
Although TRX Gold believes the expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of
future performance. The actual achievements of TRX Gold or other
future events or conditions may differ materially from those
reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of
risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties
and factors include general business, legal, economic, competitive,
political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of
exploration activities and economic evaluations; fluctuations in
currency exchange rates; changes in costs; future prices of gold
and other minerals; mining method, production profile and mine
plan; delays in exploration, development and construction
activities; changes in government legislation and regulation; the
ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and in a timely
manner or at all; contests over title to properties; employee
relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the
speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the exploration,
development and mining business. These risks are set forth in
reports that TRX Gold files with the SEC and the various Canadian
securities authorities. You can review and obtain copies of these
filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
and the Company’s profile on the System for Electronic Document
Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR+”) at www.sedarplus.ca.
The disclosure contained in this press release
of a scientific or technical nature relating to the Company’s
Buckreef Project has been summarized or extracted from the
technical report entitled “The National Instrument 43-101
Independent Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for
the Buckreef Gold Mine Project, Tanzania, East Africa For TRX Gold”
with an effective date (the “Effective Date”) of May 15, 2020 (the
“2020 Technical Report”). The 2020 Technical Report was prepared by
or under the supervision Mr. Wenceslaus Kutekwatekwa (Mining
Engineer, Mining and Project Management Consultant) BSc Hons
(Mining Eng.), MBA, FSAIMM, of Virimai Projects, and, Dr Frank
Crundwell, MBA, PhD, a Consulting Engineer, each of whom is an
independent Qualified Person as such term is defined in NI 43-101.
The information contained herein is subject to all of the
assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the 2020
Technical Report and reference should be made to the full details
of the 2020 Technical Report which has been filed with the
applicable regulatory authorities and is available on the Company’s
profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company did not complete any new
work that would warrant reporting material changes in the
previously reported Mineral Resource (“MRE”) and Mineral Reserve
statements during the year ended August 31, 2023. The Company has
engaged two globally recognized and respected mining consulting
groups to undertake a comprehensive review of the MRE, and economic
analysis which was previously conducted under the 2003 CIM code.
This in turn follows significant infill and exploration drilling,
plus other required technical work undertaken over the prior 18
months. This work is currently being undertaken to be compliant
with the November 2019 CIM Code for the Valuation of Mineral
Properties, which are different with respect to the 2003
guidelines. There can be no assurance that there will not be a
change in the MRE and Mineral Reserve as disclosed in the 2020
Technical Report after such work has been updated (in accordance
with the 2019 CIM code).
The information contained in this press release
is as of the date of the press release and TRX Gold assumes no duty
to update such information.
For investor or shareholder inquiries,
please contact:
Investors Christina Lalli Vice
President, Investor RelationsTRX Gold Corporation+1-438-399-8665
c.lalli@TRXgold.comwww.TRXgold.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/31677ddc-ecdb-40bb-ac18-446dee28f872
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f8f489cd-bf37-4ff5-a086-30a7482ecec0
1 Refer to “Non-IFRS Performance Measures” section.2 Refer to
“Non-IFRS Performance Measures” section.3 Refer to “Non-IFRS
Performance Measures” section.4 See Forward-Looking and Cautionary
Statements
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