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
month and nine months ended October 31, 2024 (“Q3 2025”).
Dave Anthony, President and CEO stated, “We are
pleased to report another solid quarter with significant growth in
adjusted EBITDA, reflecting the positive impact of ongoing business
improvement initiatives at Bibiani and Chirano, combined with the
substitutional leverage our operations have to higher gold prices.
The relocation of the Bibiani-Goaso highway was a critical
milestone for unlocking further growth at Bibiani, and development
of the Russel Starter Pit underlines the district-scale
opportunities we have in front of us. Both of these developments
justify accelerated stripping in the near term, with a
corresponding increase in all-in-sustaining costs to unlock their
potential. Execution of the sulphide treatment plant project at
Bibiani, which is expected to increase gold recovery to 92%,
remains on track with commissioning planned for March 2025. And at
Chirano, metallurgical and throughput projects are starting to pay
off. We were also pleased to update the market on a comprehensive
package of non-dilutive finance initiatives to fund the organic
growth embedded in our operations, and we look forward to providing
further updates on our progress in the near term.”
All dollar figures are in United States dollars
unless otherwise indicated. A summary of the financial and
operating results for fiscal Q3 2025 are presented in this news
release. For a detailed discussion of results for the third quarter
please refer to the MD&A filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca
and Asante’s website at www.asantegold.com.
Quarter ended October 31, 2024 Summary
Financial Results
($000s USD) except as noted |
Three months ended October 31, |
Nine months ended October 31, |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Financial Results |
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
111,140 |
96,497 |
338,948 |
295,496 |
Total comprehensive loss1 |
(15,514) |
(28,255) |
(51,642) |
(126,921) |
Adjusted EBITDA2 |
17,553 |
1,968 |
50,423 |
(19,457) |
|
|
|
|
|
Operations Results |
|
|
|
|
Gold equivalent produced (oz) |
45,273 |
46,535 |
145,632 |
155,532 |
Gold sold (oz) |
43,551 |
50,573 |
145,778 |
154,995 |
Consolidated average gold price realized per ounce2 ($/oz) |
2,552 |
1,908 |
2,325 |
1,906 |
AISC2 (USD) |
2,347 |
1,859 |
2,032 |
2,131 |
Notes:(1) Total comprehensive loss 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
October 31, 2024 was $111 million, a 15% increase from $96 million
in the same period in 2023. The increase in revenue is attributable
to an increase in average gold price realized per ounce of $2,347
for the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,859 in
the same period in 2023. This was partially offset by a decrease in
ounces sold of 43,273 for the three months ended October 31, 2024
compared to 50,573 ounces sold in the same period in 2023. Asante’s
revenue for the nine months ended October 31, 2024, was $339
million, a 15% increase from $295 million for the same period in
2023.
Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months
ended October 31, 2024 was $17,552 and $50,423, respectively,
compared to $1,968 and negative $19,457 in the same periods of the
prior year. The positive adjusted EBITDA and increase in revenue
reflect the rise in gold prices to near all-time highs.
The Company produced 45,273 gold equivalent
ounces for the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to
46,525 gold equivalent ounces in the same period in 2023. The
decrease in gold production was primarily the result of lower feed
grades, and lower recovery at Bibiani. Asante produced 145,632 gold
equivalent ounces for the nine months ended October 31, 2024
compared to 155,532 in the same period in 2023.
Consolidated AISC increased by 26% for the three
months ended October 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023
primarily due to additional costs at Bibiani resulting from the
start of mining at the new Russell satellite pit, plus increased
stripping in the Main Pit, lower grade ore and reduced recovery.
Consolidated AISC decreased by 5% for the nine months ended October
31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease was
mainly attributed to lower sustaining capital and reduced mining
costs per ounce sold at Bibiani, as a result of decreased waste
mining earlier in the year.
Bibiani Mine – Summary of the quarter
ended October 31, 2024 Results
Bibiani Gold Mine |
Three months ended October 31, |
Nine months ended October 31, |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Waste mined (kt) |
3,872 |
4,291 |
9,558 |
17,702 |
Ore mined (kt) |
240 |
556 |
1,153 |
1,578 |
Total material mined (kt) |
4,112 |
4,847 |
10,711 |
19,281 |
Strip ratio (waste:ore) |
16.14 |
7.72 |
8.29 |
11.22 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore processed (kt) |
546 |
518 |
1,766 |
1,638 |
Grade (grams/tonne) |
1.08 |
1.46 |
1.33 |
1.48 |
Gold recovery (%) |
61% |
68% |
63% |
69% |
Gold equivalent produced (oz) |
12,309 |
16,459 |
47,945 |
53,811 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold equivalent sold (oz) |
12,695 |
16,574 |
48,399 |
53,124 |
Revenue ($ in thousands) |
32,401 |
32,068 |
115,068 |
99,442 |
Average gold price realized per ounce1 (USD) |
2,552 |
1,935 |
2,377 |
1,872 |
|
|
|
|
|
AISC1 (USD) |
3,115 |
1,884 |
2,286 |
2,588 |
Notes:(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 the three and nine months ended October 31,
2024, ore mined decreased 57% and 27% compared to the same periods
in 2023 primarily due to fleet availability issues caused by
funding constraints. Gold equivalent ounces produced was 12,309 in
the three months ended October 31, 2024, compared to 16,459 in the
same period of 2023, and decreased to 47,945 in the nine months
ended October 31, 2024, from 53,811 in the same period of 2023.
This decrease was mainly due to the lower feed grade of plant feed,
including the low-grade stockpile draw, and a higher proportion of
sulphide ore processed without the benefit of a sulphide treatment
plant, which continues to limit gold recovery. Construction of the
Company’s sulphide treatment plant is underway, and is scheduled
for completion in the first half of 2025, contingent on the
availability of sufficient funding.
AISC increased to $3,115 per ounce in the three
months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,884 per ounce in the
same period of 2023, primarily due to elevated stripping
requirements and lower grade ore processed. AISC decreased to
$2,286 per ounce in the nine months ended October 31, 2024,
compared to $2,588 per ounce in the same period of 2023, driven by
lower sustaining capital resulting from decreased waste mining
requirements earlier in the year.
Bibiani Outlook
For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025, the
Company expects production of 52,500 to 57,500 gold equivalent
ounces.
For fiscal year ending January 31, 2026, the
Company plans to execute on its growth strategy which includes:
- Expansion of the Bibiani main pit
through acceleration of its waste stripping program, which is
expected to significantly increase production through access to
higher grade ore
- Construction and commissioning of
the sulphide treatment plant which is planned to significantly
increase gold recovery
- Plant throughput expansions
including installation of a pebble crusher and secondary crusher
during 2025 to achieve throughput increase from 3.0 Mt/y to 4.0
Mt/y
- Plant upgrades to the
carbon-in-leach circuit
- Community relocation, to support
main pit expansion through 2030
- Road construction connecting
Bibiani to Chirano
- Emergency generator installation
during 2025 to function as a secondary power source, ensuring
uninterrupted operation and reduced plant downtime
- Commencement of underground mining.
The Underground Mining Feasibility Study was completed in September
2024 and this development program is planned to start for the
quarter ended January 31, 2026. Full production from the
underground mine is planned for 2028, with delivery of up to
2.6Mt/y at 3.0 g/t Au, through 2038.
External financing will be required in order to
execute this growth strategy. Subject to the availability of
sufficient financing in early calendar 2025, the Company expects to
successfully complete the above initiatives and produce between
175,000 and 205,000 gold ounces at Bibiani in the fiscal year
ending January 31, 2026, including a significant increase in
monthly production in the second half of the fiscal year post
advancement of the planned stripping program and completion of the
sulphide treatment plant. There can be no certainty that the
Company will be successful in securing sufficient financing on a
timely basis.
Chirano Mine – Summary of the quarter
ended October 31, 2024 Results
Chirano Gold Mine |
Three months ended October 31, |
Nine months ended October 31, |
2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
Open Pit Mining: |
Waste mined (kt) |
2,492 |
2,267 |
7,724 |
7,333 |
|
Ore mined (kt) |
424 |
170 |
1,597 |
1,399 |
|
Total material mined (kt) |
2,916 |
2,437 |
9,321 |
8,733 |
|
Strip ratio (waste:ore) |
5.88 |
13.36 |
4.84 |
5.24 |
Underground Mining: |
Waste mined (kt) |
220 |
222 |
624 |
632 |
|
Ore mined (kt) |
428 |
393 |
1,370 |
1,161 |
|
Total material mined (kt) |
647 |
615 |
1,994 |
1,794 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore processed (kt) |
801 |
782 |
2,550 |
2,458 |
Grade (grams/tonne) |
1.47 |
1.38 |
1.40 |
1.47 |
Gold recovery (%) |
87% |
86% |
86% |
88% |
Gold equivalent produced (oz) |
32,964 |
30,076 |
97,687 |
101,721 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold equivalent sold (oz) |
30,856 |
33,999 |
97,379 |
101,871 |
Revenue ($ in thousands) |
78,739 |
64,429 |
223,880 |
196,054 |
Average gold price realized per ounce1 (USD) |
2,552 |
1,895 |
2,299 |
1,925 |
|
|
|
|
|
AISC1 (USD) |
2,031 |
1,846 |
1,905 |
1,892 |
Notes:(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 51% in the three months
ended October 31, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, and by
16% in the nine months ended October 31, 2024, compared to the
corresponding period in 2023. Ore mined increased due to increased
mining activity at the Obra, Mamnao North, Mamnao Central, Sariehu
and Sariehu/Mamnao gap open pits, which were in the stripping stage
during the three months ended October 31, 2023, as well as
increased operations at the Suraw and Obra underground mines.
Higher ore grades and increased ore processed
contributed to increased gold equivalent ounces produced to 32,964
ounces in the three months ended October 31, 2024 from 30,076
ounces in the same period of 2023. Reduced grade during the nine
months ended October 31, 2024 resulted in a decline in gold
equivalent ounces produced to 97,687 ounces in the nine months
ended October 31, 2024 from 101,721 ounces in the same period of
2023.
AISC increased to $2,031 per ounce in the three
months ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,846 per ounce in the
same period of 2023, and to $1,905 per ounce in the nine months
ended October 31, 2024, compared to $1,892 per ounce in the same
period of 2023. This increase was primarily driven by lower gold
equivalent ounces sold, higher maintenance costs and higher
sustaining capital expenditures in the current reporting
period.
Chirano Outlook
For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025, the
Company expects production of 130,000 to 140,000 gold equivalent
ounces.
The Company plans to undertake the following
initiatives beyond January 31, 2025, which are expected to enhance
production and reduce costs in future years:
- Execution of process plant projects
to improve performance and increase the annual mine production rate
to 4Mt/annum. This includes CIL agitators and intertank screens
upgrade, cyclone system upgrade to improve grinding size control,
carbon regeneration system upgrade to improve carbon activity, mill
discharge pumps upgrade, gold room electrowinning cells and
rectifiers upgrade.
- Underground development of Obra to
the north and at depth (wide orebody) and Suraw underground mines
to ensure consistent ore delivery.
- Underground development of the
Akwaaba, Tano and Akoti far south mines to supplement flexibility
to ensure robust underground ore delivery.
- Development of the exploration
drifts towards the north to explore and reclassify the resource at
Sariehu and Mamnao underground mines as the future underground
mines at Chirano.
- Finalization of the feasibility and
bankable studies of the North mine with a conveyor system feeding
directly to the process plant Run-of-Mine (“ROM”) pad.
- Start of Aboduabo open pit oxide
mining.
- Ongoing underground exploration
projects at the Suraw, Obra and open pit mine life extension
projects at the Sariehu/Mamnao area are progressing as
planned.
- 3D litho-structural modelling at
the Obra mine is ongoing to support mine life extension.
Based on preliminary budgetary estimates, the
Company expects to produce between 155,000 and 175,000 gold ounces
at Chirano for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2026.
The Company requires external financing to
execute planned capital projects and production targets for fiscal
2026, and meet other short-term obligations. The Company continues
to pursue a number of financing initiatives, including those
outlined in the Company’s news release of October 30, 2024, which
it is seeking to conclude by early calendar 2025. There is no
assurance that the Company will be able to obtain adequate
financing in the future or that such financing will be on terms
acceptable to the Company.
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
Directorinfo@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, gold production and AISC forecasts for the Bibiani and Chirano
Gold Mines, financing initiatives, estimated mineral resources,
reserves, exploration results and potential, development programs,
including construction of the Company's sulphide treatment plant,
and the timing thereof, and increases in mine-life and gold
recoveries, 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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