K92 Mining Inc. (“
K92” or the
“
Company”) (TSX
: KNT;
OTCQX
: KNTNF) is pleased to announce financial
results for the three months ended June 30, 2023.
Production
- Strong quarterly production of
30,794 ounces gold equivalent (“AuEq”) (1) (2) or
27,405 oz gold, 1,526,547 lbs copper and 34,001 oz silver,
representing an 18% increase from Q2 2022 and 43% increase from Q1
2023.
- Cash costs of US$597/oz gold (2)
and all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) of US$975/oz
gold (2), notably better than the annual guidance of US$620-680/oz
gold cash costs(2) and US$1,180 to US$1,300/oz gold AISC (2).
- Strong metallurgical recoveries of
92.4% for gold and 92.8% for copper, representing the highest
quarterly recoveries since Q4 2021 for both gold and copper,
following the successful completion of the final upgrade for the
Stage 2A Plant Expansion in May, the rougher flotation
expansion.
- Quarterly ore processed of 112,471
tonnes or 1,236 tonnes per day (“tpd”) at a grade
of 9.23 g/t AuEq or 8.20 g/t gold, 0.66% copper and 11.56 g/t
silver and ore tonnes mined of 109,155 tonnes or 1,200 tpd. Total
ore tonnes processed and total mined material (ore and waste)
increased 3% and 17% from Q2 2022, respectively.
Financials
- Cash position of US$95.6 million as
of June 30, 2023, increasing US$6.9 million quarter-over-quarter,
while remaining debt-free. During the quarter, $22.0 million was
spent on property, plant and equipment and a Company record, US$6.3
million in exploration and evaluation expenditures.
- Revenue of US$51.8 million,
increasing 39% from Q2 2022.
- Net earnings of US$8.8 million or
$0.04 per share, increasing 71% from Q2 2022.
- Sales of 28,141 oz gold, 1,657,115
lbs copper and 36,253 oz silver. Gold concentrate and doré
inventory of 2,398 oz as of June 30, 2023, a decrease of 895 oz
over the prior quarter.
- Operating cash flow (before working
capital adjustments) for the three months ended June 30, 2023, of
US$16.2 million or US$0.07 per share, and earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)
(2) of US$21.6 million or US$0.09 per share.
Growth
- A major milestone achieved in May
with the completion of the Stage 2A Plant Expansion to 500,000
tonnes per annum (“tpa”) following the
commissioning of the final upgrade, the rougher flotation
expansion. Post-commissioning, the process plant continues to
perform well, delivering a significant increase to metallurgical
recoveries. Recoveries for June were 93.0% for gold and 92.9% for
copper. As mentioned above, Q2 recoveries averaged 92.4% for gold
and 92.8% for copper, representing the highest quarterly recoveries
since Q4 2021 for both gold and copper, and significantly higher
than the 2022 average of 90.4% for gold and 90.5% for copper. The
performance of the process plant to date continues to demonstrate
the potential to ultimately exceed the Stage 2A Expansion
name-plate of 500,000 tpa.
- Strong results from 62 diamond
drill holes were reported from underground and surface at Kora,
Kora South, Judd, Judd South and Kora Northern Deeps. The results
demonstrated multiple high-grade results, including the discovery
of high-grade mineralization at the J2 Vein to the South. The J2
Vein is not part of the current resource. Highlights from the J2
Vein include:
- KUDD0040 recording 2.40 m at 345.36
g/t AuEq from the J2 Vein at Judd South,
- KUDD0045 recording 11.20 m at 12.69
g/t AuEq from the J2 Vein at Judd South, and
- KUDD0043 recording 3.80 m at 10.19
g/t AuEq from the J2 Vein at Judd South.Other highlights
include:
- KODD0036 recording 5.00 m at 161.57
g/t AuEq from the J1 Vein
- KUDD0043 recording 6.20 m at 26.52
g/t AuEq from the J1 Vein at Judd South,
- JDD0178 recording 6.36 m at 23.07
g/t AuEq from the J1 Vein, and
- KUDD0041 recording 3.20 m at 11.27
g/t AuEq from the K2 Vein and 1.80 m at 16.45 g/t AuEq from the J1
Vein.Drilling also intersected a dilatant zone:
- KUDD0040 recording 22.00 m at 5.14
g/t AuEq within a substantial 57.80 m at 2.73 g/t AuEq from the J1
Vein (see May 24, 2023 press release).
- Significant advance of the twin
incline in Q2 with incline #2 (6m x 6.5m) advanced to 2,447 metres
and #3 (5m x 5.5m) advanced to 2,506 metres as of June 30, 2023.
Overall mine development during the quarter of 2,173 metres. The
twin incline advance is ahead of schedule and as a result we expect
first ore to be mined at Kora at depth in Q4, establishing a major
new mining front at depth that will provide a significant boost to
operational flexibility as 2024 progresses. We note that this area
was not included in the 2023 budget and it is being mined earlier
as a result of strong development advance rates.
The Company’s interim consolidated financial
statements and associated management’s discussion and analysis for
the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 are available for
download on the Company’s website and under the Company’s profile
on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). All amounts are in U.S. dollars
unless otherwise indicated.
See Figure 1: Quarterly Production and AISC
ChartSee Figure 2: Quarterly Total Ore Processed, Development
Metres Advanced and Total Mined Material Chart
John Lewins, K92 Chief Executive Officer and
Director, stated, “During the second quarter, the Company achieved
a significant number of positives with production growing 43% from
Q1 2023 and 18% from Q2 2022; strong cash costs of $597/oz and AISC
of $975/oz, well below the annual guidance range of $620-$680/oz
for cash costs and $1,180-$1,300/oz for AISC; completion of the
Stage 2A Plant Expansion in May, which delivered an immediate and
notable boost to metallurgical recoveries; the discovery of a new
high-grade zone at the J2 Vein at Judd South; exploration expanding
multiple high-grade areas at Kora-Kora South and Judd-Judd South;
and the considerable strengthening of our financial position.
Financially, the cash balance grew by $6.9m,
even after a near-record $22.0m was spent on property, plant and
equipment plus a record $6.3 million on exploration and evaluation
expenditures during the quarter. The balance sheet is strong,
standing at $95.6m cash and no debt at quarter end. Subsequent to
quarter end, our financial outlook also strengthened significantly
upon the order of long-lead items and the award of the Lump Sum
Fixed Price engineering, procurement, construction and
commissioning (“EPC”) contract for the 1.2 mtpa Stage 3 Process
Plant. Combined with the long-lead items, K92 has awarded
approximately 94% of the process plant capital cost, our largest
growth capital item for the expansion, forecasted to represent over
half of the growth capital, on a fixed price basis, significantly
mitigating potential capital cost increases for the expansion.
Other packages for the Stage 3 Expansion are also substantially
progressing (see July 24, 2023 press release).
On the process plant, I would like to
acknowledge and congratulate the team on site for the completion of
the Stage 2A Plant Expansion. Since the end of 2019, the plant’s
quarterly throughput has more than tripled, with two expansions,
Stage 2 and Stage 2A, completed largely during the pandemic
environment. The plant, as noted above, has performed well – our
gold and copper recoveries in Q2 were the highest since Q4 2021. In
June, the first full month post-commissioning, gold recoveries
already achieved the Integrated Development Plan’s recovery
parameter of 93%. Optimization work on the plant is underway, and
we look forward to discovering its ultimate throughput and recovery
potential.
On exploration, we are progressing on multiple
fronts, with a total of 11 drills operating at the Kora-Kora South,
Judd-Judd South vein systems and the A1 porphyry. We expect to
provide another extensive exploration update shortly.”
Mine Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
Three months ended June 30, 2023 |
Three months endedJune 30, 2022 |
Operating data |
|
|
Head grade (Au g/t) |
8.2 |
7.2 |
Gold recovery (%)
|
92.4% |
91.0% |
Gold ounces produced |
27,405 |
22,934 |
Gold ounces equivalent produced (1) (2) |
30,794 |
26,085 |
Tonnes of copper produced |
692 |
558 |
Silver ounces produced |
34,001 |
25,224 |
|
|
|
Financial data (in thousands of dollars) |
|
|
Gold ounces sold |
28,141 |
23,674 |
Revenues from concentrate and doré sales |
US$51,759 |
US$37,356 |
Mine operating expenses |
US$9,782 |
US$9,310 |
Other mine expenses |
US$12,268 |
US$9,363 |
Depreciation and depletion |
US$7,148 |
US$4,496 |
|
|
|
Statistics (in dollars) |
|
|
Average selling price per ounce, net |
US$1,883 |
US$1,782 |
Cash cost per ounce (2) |
US$597 |
US$617 |
All-in sustaining cost per ounce (2) |
US$975 |
US$893 |
Notes:
|
(1) |
Gold equivalent in Q2 2023 is calculated based on: gold $1,976 per
ounce; silver $24.13 per ounce; and copper $3.85 per pound. Gold
equivalent in Q2 2022 is calculated based on: gold $1,870 per
ounce; silver $23 per ounce; and copper $4.32 per pound. |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
The
Company provides some non-international financial reporting
standard measures as supplementary information that management
believes may be useful to investors to explain the Company’s
financial results. Please refer to non-IFRS financial
performance measures on pages 12 and 13 of the Company’s
management’s discussion and analysis dated August 9, 2023,
available on SEDAR+ or the Company’s website, for reconciliation of
these measures. |
Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves
do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Conference Call and Webcast to Present
Results
K92 will host a conference call and webcast to
present the 2023 second quarter financial results at 8:30 am (EDT)
on Thursday, August 10, 2023.
- Listeners may access the conference
call by dialing toll-free to 1-800-319-4610 within North America or
+1-604-638-5340 from international locations.
The conference call will also be broadcast live (webcast) and
may be accessed via the following link:
https://services.choruscall.ca/links/k92mining2023q2.html
Qualified Person
K92 Mine Geology Manager and Mine Exploration
Manager, Mr. Andrew Kohler, PGeo, a qualified person under the
meaning of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and is responsible
for the technical content of this news release.
About K92
K92 Mining Inc. is engaged in the production of
gold, copper and silver at the Kainantu Gold Mine in the Eastern
Highlands province of Papua New Guinea, as well as exploration and
development of mineral deposits in the immediate vicinity of the
mine. The Company declared commercial production from Kainantu in
February 2018 and is in a strong financial position. A maiden
resource estimate on the Blue Lake copper-gold porphyry project was
completed in August 2022. K92 is operated by a team of mining
company professionals with extensive international mine-building
and operational experience.
On Behalf of the Company,
John Lewins, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
For further information, please contact David
Medilek, P.Eng., CFA, President at +1-604-416-4445
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
INFORMATION: This news release includes certain “forward-looking
statements” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such
forward-looking statements include, without limitation: (i) the
results of the Kainantu Project Definitive Feasibility Study, and
the Kainantu 2022 Preliminary Economic Assessment, including the
Stage 3 Expansion, a new standalone 1.2 mtpa process plant and
supporting infrastructure; (ii) statements regarding the expansion
of the mine and development of any of the deposits; and (iii) the
Kainantu Stage 4 Expansion, operating two standalone process
plants, larger surface infrastructure and mining throughputs.
All statements in this news release that address
events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
statements that are not historical facts and are generally,
although not always, identified by words such as “expect”, “plan”,
“anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “potential”, “schedule”,
“forecast”, “budget”, “estimate”, “intend” or “believe” and similar
expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or
conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could”, “should” or “might”
occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the
opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements
are made. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on
estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are
beyond our ability to control, that may cause our actual results,
level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
information. Such factors include, without limitation, Public
Health Crises, including the COVID-19 Pandemic; changes in the
price of gold, silver, copper and other metals in the world
markets; fluctuations in the price and availability of
infrastructure and energy and other commodities; fluctuations in
foreign currency exchange rates; volatility in price of our common
shares; inherent risks associated with the mining industry,
including problems related to weather and climate in remote areas
in which certain of the Company’s operations are located; failure
to achieve production, cost and other estimates; risks and
uncertainties associated with exploration and development;
uncertainties relating to estimates of mineral resources including
uncertainty that mineral resources may never be converted into
mineral reserves; the Company’s ability to carry on current and
future operations, including development and exploration
activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of
such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves
identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates,
projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; the Company’s
ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts;
the availability and cost of inputs; the availability and costs of
achieving the Stage 3 Expansion or the Stage 4 Expansion; the
ability of the Company to achieve the inputs the price and market
for outputs, including gold, silver and copper; inability of the
Company to identify appropriate acquisition targets or complete
desirable acquisitions; failures of information systems or
information security threats; political, economic and other risks
associated with the Company’s foreign operations; geopolitical
events and other uncertainties, such as the conflict in Ukraine;
compliance with various laws and regulatory requirements to which
the Company is subject to, including taxation; the ability to
obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the
current and future social, economic and political conditions,
including relationship with the communities in Papua New Guinea and
other jurisdictions it operates; other assumptions and factors
generally associated with the mining industry; and the risks,
uncertainties and other factors referred to in the Company’s Annual
Information Form under the heading “Risk Factors”.
Estimates of mineral resources are also
forward-looking statements because they constitute projections,
based on certain estimates and assumptions, regarding the amount of
minerals that may be encountered in the future and/or the
anticipated economics of production. The estimation of mineral
resources and mineral reserves is inherently uncertain and involves
subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Mineral resources
that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the
quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made
and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation,
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future
performance, and actual results and future events could materially
differ from those anticipated in such statements. Although we have
attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in the
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause
actual results to differ materially from those that are
anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as required by law.
Figure 1: Quarterly Production and AISC
Charthttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5966eb17-7df2-4779-aceb-0f7714cce4a9
Figure 2: Quarterly Total Ore Processed,
Development Metres Advanced and Total Mined Material
Charthttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1a07f918-0cae-478c-9fad-5e9b3951bd18
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