Asante Gold Corporation (CSE:ASE | GSE:ASG |
FRANKFURT:1A9 | U.S.OTC:ASGOF) (“Asante” or the
“Company”) announces the filing of its financial statements and
management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for the three
months ended April 30, 2024 (“Q1 2025”).
Dave Anthony, President and CEO stated: “We are
pleased to report results of the first quarter of fiscal 2025, with
increased gold production at lower all-in-sustaining-costs compared
to the prior year period, along with the delivery of our second
consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA. Subject to the achievement
of our financing objectives, we are on track to deliver our plan to
unlock the untapped district scale potential of Bibiani-Chirano,
with annual production expected to grow to nearly 450,000 ounces of
gold in fiscal 2026 and more than 500,000 ounces of gold by fiscal
2029, at lower costs and higher margins, as outlined in the
recently updated technical reports for the Bibiani and Chirano
mines. In addition, the recently announced rerouting of the
Bibiani-Goaso highway and the advancement of the Sulphide Treatment
Plant project are both important catalysts for the delivery of our
growth plans and remain on track.
During the three months ended April 30, 2024,
the Company changed the presentation currency of its financial
statements from Canadian dollars to United States dollars. The
change in the financial statement presentation currency is
considered an accounting policy change and has been accounted for
retrospectively. As such, all dollar figures are in United States
dollars unless otherwise indicated. A summary of the
financial and operating results for fiscal Q1 2025 are presented in
this news release. For a detailed discussion of results for the
first quarter, please refer to the MD&A dated June 14, 2024,
filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Asante’s website at
www.asantegold.com.
First Quarter 2025 Summary Financial
Results
($000s USD) except as noted |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2024 |
Financial Results |
|
|
Revenue |
114,311 |
|
97,264 |
|
Net (loss) income1 |
(16,036) |
|
(46,629) |
|
Adjusted EBITDA2 |
13,026 |
|
(14,907) |
|
Total assets |
704,538 |
|
737,053 |
|
Non-current liabilities |
113,075 |
|
100,765 |
|
Operations Results |
|
|
Gold equivalent produced (oz) |
53,379 |
|
51,372 |
|
Gold sold (oz) |
53,600 |
|
51,811 |
|
Consolidated average gold price realized per ounce2 ($/oz) |
2,133 |
|
1,877 |
|
AISC2 ($/oz) |
1,879 |
|
2,202 |
|
Notes:(1) Attributable to
shareholders of the Company.(2) Non-IFRS measure. For a
description of how these measures are calculated and a
reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable
measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented
in the Company’s financial statements, refer to “Non-IFRS
Measures”.
Asante’s revenue for the three months ended
April 30, fiscal 2025 was $114 million, an 18% increase from $97
million in fiscal Q1 2024. This is attributable to an increase in
average gold price realized per ounce of $2,133 compared to $1,877
in fiscal Q1 2024 and an increase in ounces sold to 53,600 in
fiscal Q1 2025 compared to 51,811 in fiscal Q1 2024.
Adjusted EBITDA was $13.0 million compared to negative $14.9
million in the prior year comparable quarter. This reflects the
increase in gold price during the quarter and a reduction in mining
costs. In fiscal Q1 2025, the Company achieved positive adjusted
EBITDA for the second quarter in a row.
During fiscal Q1 2025, the Company produced
53,379 gold equivalent ounces, respectively, compared to 51,372
gold equivalent ounces in fiscal Q1 2024. The increase in gold
production was primarily the result of increased ore processed and
gold recovery at Chirano. Consolidated AISC in fiscal
Q1 2025 decreased by 14.7% compared to fiscal Q1 2024 primarily due
to lower mining costs at Bibiani due to a reduction in waste mining
requirements and an increase in gold equivalent ounces sold.
Bibiani Mine – Summary of Q1 2025
Results
Bibiani Gold Mine |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2024 |
Waste mined (kt) |
2,472 |
|
6,762 |
|
Ore mined (kt) |
587 |
|
575 |
|
Total material mined (kt) |
3,058 |
|
7,337 |
|
Strip ratio (waste:ore) |
4.21 |
|
11.77 |
|
|
|
|
Ore processed (kt) |
596 |
|
619 |
|
Grade (grams/tonne) |
1.65 |
|
1.46 |
|
Gold recovery (%) |
65% |
|
72% |
|
Gold equivalent produced (oz) |
19,183 |
|
20,001 |
|
|
|
|
Gold equivalent sold (oz) |
19,363 |
|
19,852 |
|
Revenue ($ in thousands) |
41,309 |
|
36,134 |
|
Average gold price realized per ounce1 ($/oz) |
2,133 |
|
1,820 |
|
|
|
|
AISC1 ($/oz) |
1,752 |
|
2,720 |
|
Note:(1) Non-IFRS measure. For
a description of how these measures are calculated and a
reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable
measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented
in the Company’s financial statements, refer to “Non-IFRS
Measures”.
Ore mined increased by 2.1% in fiscal Q1 2025
compared to fiscal Q1 2024 due to the planned mining sequence at
the main pit, which allowed access to areas with improved feed
grade and lower stripping ratio. Gold equivalent ounces produced
decreased to 19,183 in fiscal Q1 2025 from 20,001 in fiscal Q1
2024, impacted by a higher proportion of sulphide ore being
processed without the benefit of a sulphide treatment plant to
optimize gold recovery, and a 3.7% reduction in ore processed
impacted by temporary unplanned power outages. The decrease in AISC
from $2,720 per ounce in fiscal Q1 2024 to $1,752 per ounce in
fiscal Q1 2025 was primarily due to a significantly lower strip
ratio of 4.21 in fiscal Q1 2025 compared to 11.77 in fiscal Q1
2024, resulting in a lower proportion of waste mining and a
reduction in mining costs per ounce of gold. Total material mined
in fiscal Q1 2025 was 58% lower in fiscal Q1 2025 compared with
fiscal Q1 2024 due to lower mining equipment availability resulting
from liquidity constraints.
Subject to the availability of financing, the
Company’s near-term plans to increase production and decrease unit
costs include: (i) execution of the South cutback of the Bibiani
main pit as part of cut 1 and Russel satellite pit in fiscal Q2
2025, (ii) increase in mining fleet availability during fiscal Q2
2025, and (iii) increase of gold recovery through the construction
of the planned sulphide treatment plant in fiscal Q4 2025. This
strategy is articulated in the results of the Company’s National
Instrument 43-101 technical report “NI 43-101 Technical Report and
Updated Mineral Resource Estimate, Mensin Gold Bibiani Limited”
dated April 30, 2024 (with an effective date of December 31, 2023)
(the “2024 Bibiani Technical Report”) – see press release dated May
1, 2024.
Bibiani Outlook
On May 1, 2024, the Company announced the filing
of the 2024 Bibiani Technical Report for the Bibiani mine, with
highlights as follows:
- Gold production of 271koz in fiscal
2026 (a 254% increase over fiscal 2024), and 208koz on average for
remaining life of mine which is enabled by fiscal 2025 investments
in South extension of the pit during cut 1 phase and start of cut 2
phase to expand the main pit in fiscal 2025 and sulphide treatment
plant to increase gold recovery to 92%
- Commencement of underground mine
development in fiscal 202 with first underground ore processed in
fiscal 2027; a robust mine plan is underpinned by first-ever
underground reserves delineated by Asante
- Significant unit cost reduction by
fiscal 2026 reflecting reduced stripping requirements, increased
scale, and increased gold recovery; AISC of production projected to
average $1,216/oz over life of mine
- 2.49 million ounces of measured and
indicated mineral resources, a 9% increase compared to the previous
technical report, reflecting underground strategy with over 0.9
million ounces of underground reserves
- 1.15 million ounces of inferred
mineral resources, a 225% increase compared to the previous
technical report
The Bibiani mine plan as outlined in the 2024
Bibiani Technical Report for the Bibiani mine is based on proven
and probable reserves only, without inclusion of the significant
incremental resource base. The Company foresees the potential for
production increases and mine life extension based on continued
resource conversion and exploration success.
Consistent with the 2024 Bibiani Technical
Report and subject to availability of financing, the Company
expects production of 110,000 to 120,000 gold equivalent ounces in
fiscal 2025 based on successful execution of the following
initiatives:
- Execution of the south extension
cutback and start of the cut 2 phase of the main pit scheduled for
June 2024 and December 2024 respectively as envisaged in the 2024
Bibiani Technical Report
- Progression of community relocation
and road construction activities
- Construction and commissioning of
the sulphide treatment plant by fiscal Q4 2025
- Installation of an auxiliary
primary crushing circuit by fiscal Q3 2025
- Other plant upgrades including
installation of a pebble crusher by fiscal Q4 2025, completion of
the scalping screen supporting the gravity plant, and upgrades and
expansions of the CIL and elution facilities in fiscal 2025
- Development of a starter pit at the
South Russell project to supplement ore feed from the main pit by
fiscal Q2 2025
Consistent with the 2024 Bibiani Technical
Report, the Company expects that execution of these initiatives and
completion of financing will also result in a significant increase
in production and decrease in costs beyond fiscal 2025.
Chirano Mine – Summary of Q1 2025
Results
Chirano Gold Mine |
Q1 2025 |
Q1 2024 |
Open Pit Mining: |
|
|
Waste mined (kt) |
2,374 |
|
2,776 |
|
Ore mined (kt) |
612 |
|
821 |
|
Total material mined (kt) |
3,347 |
|
3,597 |
|
Strip ratio (waste:ore) |
4.46 |
|
3.38 |
|
|
|
|
Underground Mining: |
|
|
Waste mined (kt) |
210 |
|
201 |
|
Ore mined (kt) |
460 |
|
369 |
|
Total material mined (kt) |
670 |
|
569 |
|
|
|
|
Ore processed (kt) |
840 |
|
821 |
|
Grade (grams/tonne) |
1.47 |
|
1.46 |
|
Gold recovery (%) |
86% |
|
86% |
|
Gold equivalent produced (oz) |
34,196 |
|
31,371 |
|
|
|
|
Gold equivalent sold (oz) |
34,236 |
|
31,959 |
|
Revenue ($ in thousands) |
73,002 |
|
61,130 |
|
Average gold price realized per ounce1 ($/oz) |
2,132 |
|
1,913 |
|
|
|
|
AISC1 ($/oz) |
1,951 |
|
1,881 |
|
Note:(1) Non-IFRS measure. For
a description of how these measures are calculated and a
reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable
measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented
in the Company’s financial statements, refer to “Non-IFRS
Measures”.
In fiscal Q1 2025, gold equivalent ounces
produced increased to 34,196 compared to 31,371 in fiscal Q1 2024.
This was primarily due to a 2.4% increase in ore processed. Total
ore mined decreased by 9.8% in fiscal Q1 2025 compared to fiscal Q1
2024 primarily due to fewer tonnes mined from open pit, given a
focus during the period on removing overburden at surface
operations rather than extraction of ore. The increase in AISC to
$1,951 per ounce in fiscal Q1 2025 from $1,881 per ounce in fiscal
Q1 2024 primarily resulted from higher sustaining capital of $6,659
in the current quarter compared to $906 in fiscal Q1 2024.
Subject to the availability of financing, the
Company’s near-term plans to increase production and decrease unit
costs include (i) increase in mining fleet availability, (ii)
increase of gold recovery through the recent additions of the
gravity plant and oxygen plant, and (iii) underground development
at the Obra and Suraw mines. This strategy is articulated in the
results of the Company’s National Instrument 43-101 technical
report “NI 43-101 Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource
Estimate, Chirano Gold Mines Limited” dated April 30, 2024 (with an
effective date of December 31, 2023) (the “2024 Chirano Technical
Report”) – see press release dated May 1, 2024.
Chirano Outlook
On April 30, 2024, the Company filed the 2024
Chirano Technical Report with highlights as follows:
- Gold production of 165koz in fiscal
2025 (a 26% increase over 2023) and exceeding 200koz by fiscal
2028
- Plant throughput and recovery
increase to 4mt and more than 91% respectively
- Expansion of surface mining
operations to confirmed orebodies in the Chirano/Bibiani 53km gold
field corridor
- Underground mine plan focused on
expansion of the Obra and Suraw mines
- Establishment of an effective ore
transport system to improve productivity and mining costs
- Lower unit costs from increased
throughput, efficiencies, improved use of capital
- 2.1 million ounces of measured and
indicated mineral resources, an 84% increase compared to the
previous technical report
- 1.0 million ounces of inferred
mineral resources, a 177% increase compared to the previous
technical report
The Chirano mine plan as articulated in the 2024
Chirano Technical Report is based on proven and probable reserves
only, without inclusion of the significant incremental resource
base. The Company foresees the potential for production increases
and mine life extension based on continued resource conversion and
exploration success. Consistent with the 2024 Chirano Technical
Report and subject to the availability of financing, the Company
expects production of 160,000 to 170,000 gold equivalent ounces in
fiscal 2025.
Near-term initiatives in fiscal 2025
include:
- A pebble crusher has been procured
and installed on schedule, and throughput capacity has increased
from 3.4Mt/y to 3.7Mt/y. Further primary grinding upgrades, CIL
upgrades, pump upgrades and cyclone replacement are planned to be
operational from fiscal Q4 2025 with the aim of increasing process
plant throughput capacity from 3.7Mt/y to 4.0Mt/y in fiscal
2026
- Completion of the second cutback at
the Sariehu open pit
- Replacement of mining from the S
pits with Sariehu/Mamnao north gap and Obra pits in fiscal
2025
Management expects these initiatives will
provide access to incremental resources with the ultimate strategy
of efficient blend of open pit and underground ore to ensure
control of head grade.
Qualified Person Statement
The scientific and technical information
contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by
David Anthony, P.Eng., Mining and Mineral Processing, President and
CEO of Asante, who is a "qualified person" under NI 43-101.
Non-IFRS Measures
This news release includes certain terms or
performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are
not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards
(“IFRS”), including “all-in sustaining costs” (or “AISC”), average
gold price realized, adjusted EBITDA and working capital. Non-IFRS
measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under
IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures
employed by other companies. The data presented is 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 and should be read in conjunction with
Asante’s consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to
Asante's Management Discussion and Analysis under the heading
"Non-IFRS Measures" for a more detailed discussion of how Asante
calculates certain of such measures and a reconciliation of certain
measures to IFRS terms.
About Asante Gold
Corporation
Asante is a gold exploration, development and
operating company with a high-quality portfolio of projects and
mines in Ghana. Asante is currently operating the Bibiani and
Chirano Gold Mines and continues with detailed technical studies at
its Kubi Gold Project. All mines and exploration projects are
located on the prolific Bibiani and Ashanti Gold Belts. Asante has
an experienced and skilled team of mine finders, builders and
operators, with extensive experience in Ghana. The Company is
listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Ghana Stock
Exchange and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Asante is also exploring
its Keyhole, Fahiakoba and Betenase projects for new discoveries,
all adjoining or along strike of major gold mines near the centre
of Ghana’s Golden Triangle. Additional information is available on
the Company’s website at www.asantegold.com.
About the Bibiani Gold Mine
Bibiani is an operating open pit gold mine
situated in the Western North Region of Ghana, with previous gold
production of more than 4.5 million ounces. It is fully permitted
with available mining and processing infrastructure on-site
consisting of a refurbished 3 million tonne per annum process plant
and existing mining infrastructure. Asante commenced mining at
Bibiani in late February 2022 with the first gold pour announced on
July 7, 2022. Commercial production was announced November 10,
2022.
For additional information relating to the
mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for the Bibiani Gold
Mine, please refer to the 2024 Bibiani Technical Report filed on
the Company’s SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca).
About the Chirano Gold Mine
Chirano is an operating open pit and underground
mine located in the Western Region of Ghana, immediately south of
the Company’s Bibiani Gold Mine. Chirano was first explored and
developed in 1996 and began production in October 2005. The mine
comprises the Akwaaba, Suraw, Akoti South, Akoti North, Akoti
Extended, Paboase, Tano, Obra South, Obra, Sariehu and Mamnao open
pits and the Akwaaba and Paboase underground mines.
For additional information relating to the
mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates for the Chirano Gold
Mine, please refer to the 2024 Chirano Technical Report filed on
the Company’s SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca).
For further information please
contact:
Dave Anthony, President & CEOFrederick
Attakumah, Executive Vice President and Country Director
info@asantegold.com+1 604 661 9400 or +233 303
972 147
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain statements in this news release
constitute forward-looking statements, including but not limited
to, production and AISC forecasts for the Bibiani and Chirano Gold
Mines, estimated mineral resources, reserves, exploration results
and potential, development programs and increases in mine-life,
starter pit development and potential synergies between Chirano and
Bibiani. Forward-looking statements involve 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 statements. Factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from these
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to,
variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral
deposits that may be located, the Company’s inability to obtain any
necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its
planned activities, the Company’s inability to raise the necessary
capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies,
and the price of gold. The reader is referred to the Company’s
public disclosure record which is available on SEDAR+
(www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company believes that the
assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on
these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news
release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur
in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except as required by
securities laws and the policies of the securities exchanges on
which the Company is listed, the Company disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
LEI Number: 529900F9PV1G9S5YD446. Neither IIROC
nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
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