West African gold producer, Perseus Mining Limited (ASX/TSX:PRU),
has released its Interim Financial Report for the six months ending
31 December 2021 (“HY2021”) with significant improvement across key
metrics including revenue, EBITDA, profit after tax and operating
cash flow, allowing Perseus to declare an interim dividend of 0.81
cents Australian per share.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Revenue increased by 90% to A$545.7 million, on
previous corresponding Half Year period
- EBITDA up 101% to $252.4 million and Profit After Tax
up 159% period on period to $126.9 million
- Operating Cash Flow of A$245.9 million, up 137% on
prior half year
- Declared interim dividend of 0.81 Australian cents per
share
- Perseus has achieved targeted gold production rate of
500,000ozpa for the first time in FY22.
Perseus’s Managing Director and CEO Jeff Quartermaine
said:
“Our financial results for the December 2021 half year are
indicative of our strong operating performance at all levels of our
business during the period.
With three gold mines in operation, we are now producing gold at
our targeted rate of approximately 500,000 ounces of gold per year,
and with excellent drill results coming from our organic growth
programmes we are confident of at least maintaining this level of
production and associated profitability well into the future.
We have achieved these results in a West African setting with
the COVID pandemic providing a backdrop, which I believe speaks
volumes of the efforts of individuals in our teams at the mines, in
the field and in our offices across Africa and Australia. It also
underlines our collective commitment to our mission of creating
material benefits for all of our stakeholders, in fair and
equitable proportions.”
COMMENTARY
During the six months to 31 December 2021,
Perseus made significant progress towards becoming a multi-mine,
multi-jurisdictional producer of more than 500,000 ounces of gold
per annum, at a cash margin of not less than US$400/oz. Production
rates continued to improve at Perseus’s third gold mine, Yaouré,
making significant progress towards its nameplate capacity.
Consistent performance continued at Sissingué, while Edikan’s
performance saw improvement towards the end of the second
quarter.
Gold production for the Group during the six
months totalled 241,164 ounces at an all-in site cost (including
production costs, royalties and sustaining capital) (“AISC”) of
US$949/oz. This result included: 139,747 ounces produced at Yaouré
at an AISC of US$687/oz; 34,132 ounces produced at Sissingué at an
AISC of US$917/oz; and 67,285 ounces of gold produced at Edikan at
an AISC of US$1,509/oz.
Gold sales by the Group during the half-year
totalled 238,136 ounces of gold at an average sales price of
US$1,663/oz. This result included: 139,724 ounces sold by Yaouré at
a weighted average sales price of US$1,695/oz; 34,870 ounces sold
by Sissingué at a weighted average sales price of US$1,631/oz; and
63,541 ounces sold by Edikan at an average sales price of
US$1,608/oz. During the 6 months, the Group sold 87% more gold, at
a price that was approximately 1% higher than in the 2020
comparative period.
At 31 December 2021, the Company’s net tangible assets amounted
to $1,020.3 million, or $0.83 per share which is approximately
18.6% more than at the end of the HY2020.
The Group’s net profit after tax for the period
ended 31 December 2021, after bringing to account a foreign
exchange loss, was $126.9 million, up 159% on the comparative
period (31 December 2020: $49.1 million). Gross profit from
operations for the period ended 31 December 2021 was up 91% on
the comparative period to $153.4 million (31 December 2020: $80.5
million).
These significant increases are largely
attributable to:
- A 90% increase in revenue on the comparative period to $545.7
million (31 December 2020: $286.7 million) from the contribution
Yaouré has made to the Group since achieving commercial production.
This was supported by steady performance from Sissingué, while
Edikan underperformed during the period.
- Depreciation and amortisation expense of $99.0 million, a 118%
increase on HY2020 largely due to declaration of commercial
production of Yaouré on 1 April 2021, requiring the depreciation
and amortisation of the capitalised development costs to
commence.
- Finance costs increased to $5.4 million (HY2021) from $1.7
million (HY2020) as previously a portion of finance costs were
capitalised to the construction of the Yaouré Project which ended
upon declaring commercial production on 1 April 2021.
- Administration and other corporate expenses increased to $8.5
million (HY2021) from $6.3 million (HY2020) commensurate of the
increased support associated with commissioning the Yaouré Gold
Mine.
- The foreign exchange loss of $7.7 million in the current period
compares to a loss of $13.2 million in the comparative period. This
is a result of the Australian dollar weakening against the United
States dollar during the six months by approximately 3%.
- Income tax expense of $1.6 million, a reduction of $6.8 million
on HY2020.
The Group generated Net cash from operating
activities for the six months ended 31 December 2021 of $245.9
million, up 137% on the comparative period (31 December 2020:
$103.6 million).
As at 31 December 2021, Perseus had on-hand cash
of $268.2 million, and 9,342 oz of gold bullion valued at $23.4
million. During the period Perseus repaid in advance US$50 million
of the revolving corporate cash advance facility (Corporate
Facility), with a remaining balance on that facility of US$50
million at 31 December 2021.
FY22 OUTLOOK
Looking to the future, Perseus expects this
positive trend of improved earnings and cashflow to continue in
line with our corporate objective of producing more than 500,000
ounces of gold per year. Gold production and cost guidance for the
FY2022 is as follows:
PARAMETER |
UNITS |
DECEMBER
2021HALF YEAR(ACTUAL) |
JUNE 2022
HALF YEAR(FORECAST) |
2022 FINANCIAL YEAR
(FORECAST) |
Yaouré Gold Mine |
|
|
|
Production |
Ounces |
139,747 |
130,000 - 140,000 |
269,747 - 279,747 |
All-in Site Cost |
USD per ounce |
687 |
765 to 815 |
725 to 750 |
Sissingué Gold Mine |
|
|
|
Production |
Ounces |
34,132 |
25,000 to 35,000 |
59,132 – 69,132 |
All-in Site Cost |
USD per ounce |
917 |
810 to 1,280 |
872 to 1,100 |
Edikan Gold Mine |
|
|
|
Production |
Ounces |
67,285 |
75,000 to 90,000 |
142,285 – 157,285 |
All-in Site Cost |
USD per ounce |
1,509 |
1,210 to 1,430 |
1,350 to 1,465 |
PERSEUS GROUP |
|
|
|
|
Production |
Ounces |
241,164 |
230,000 to 265,000 |
471,164 – 506,164 |
All-in Site Cost |
USD per ounce |
949 |
915 to 1,085 |
932 to 1,020 |
This announcement was approved for
release by the Board.
ASX/TSX CODE: PRUREGISTERED
OFFICE:Level 2437 Roberts RoadSubiaco WA 6008Telephone:
+61 8 6144 1700Email:
IR@perseusmining.comWWW.PERSEUSMINING.COM |
CONTACTS:Jeff
QuartermaineManaging Director &
CEOjeff.quartermaine@perseusmining.comNathan
RyanMedia Relations+61 4 20 582
887nathan.ryan@nwrcommunications.com.au |
COMPETENT PERSON STATEMENT:
All production targets referred to in this report are
underpinned by estimated Ore Reserves which have been prepared by
competent persons in accordance with the requirements of the JORC
Code.
Edikan. The information in this report that relates to AF Gap
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserve estimate was first reported by
the Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining Updates
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 26 August
2020. The information in this report that relates to the
Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for the Fetish deposit
and the Heap Leach was first reported by the Company in a market
announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Edikan Gold Mine’s Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 20 February 2020. The
Mineral Reserve and Ore Reserve estimates for the abovementioned
deposits were updated for depletion as at 30 June 2021 in a market
announcement. “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves” released on 24 August 2021. The information in this
report that relates to Esuajah North Mineral Resources estimate was
first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus
Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 29
August 2018. The information in this report that relates to the
Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for Esuajah South
Underground deposit was first reported by the Company in a market
announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves” released on 24 August 2021. The Company confirms that it
is not aware of any new information or data that materially affect
the information in those market releases and that all material
assumptions underpinning those estimates and the production
targets, or the forecast financial information derived therefrom,
continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company
further confirms that material assumptions underpinning the
estimates of Ore Reserves described in “Technical Report — Central
Ashanti Gold Project, Ghana” dated 30 May 2011 continue to
apply.
Sissingué, Fimbiasso, Bagoé. The information in this report that
relates to Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates for the
Fimbiasso deposits was first reported by the Company in a market
announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves” released on 26 August 2020. The information in this
report that relates to Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimates
for the Sissingué and Bagoé deposits was first reported by the
Company in a market announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral
Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 24 August 2021. The
Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or
data that materially affect the information in these market
releases and that all material assumptions underpinning those
estimates and the production targets, or the forecast financial
information derived therefrom, continue to apply and have not
materially changed. The Company further confirms that material
assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in
“Technical Report — Sissingué Gold Project, Côte d’Ivoire” dated 29
May 2015 continue to apply.
Yaouré. The information in this report that relates to Open Pit
and Heap Leach Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves at Yaouré was
first reported by the Company in a market announcement “Perseus
Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 28
August 2019 and updated for mining depletion as at 30 June 2021 in
a market announcement released on 24 August 2021. The information
in this report that relates to Underground Mineral Resources at
Yaouré was first reported by the Company in a market announcement
“Perseus Mining Completes Scoping Study for Potential Underground
Mine at Yaouré” released on 5 November 2018 and adjusted to exclude
material lying within the US$1,800/oz pit shell that constrains the
Open Pit Mineral Resources in a market announcement “Perseus Mining
Updates Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves” released on 28 August
2019. The information in this report that relates to the Yaouré
near mine satellite deposit Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve
estimates was first reported by the Company in a market
announcement “Perseus Mining Updates Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves” released on 24 August 2021. The Company confirms that all
material assumptions underpinning those estimates and the
production targets, or the forecast financial information derived
therefrom, in that market release continue to apply and have not
materially changed. The Company further confirms that material
assumptions underpinning the estimates of Ore Reserves described in
“Technical Report — Yaouré Gold Project, Côte d’Ivoire” dated 18
December 2017 continue to apply.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING
INFORMATION:
This report contains forward-looking information
which is based on the assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions
of management made in light of its experience and its perception of
trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as
other factors that management of the Company believes to be
relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such
statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect.
Assumptions have been made by the Company regarding, among other
things: the price of gold, continuing commercial production at the
Yaouré Gold Mine, the Edikan Gold Mine and the Sissingué Gold Mine
without any major disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic or
otherwise, the receipt of required governmental approvals, the
accuracy of capital and operating cost estimates, the ability of
the Company to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner
and the ability of the Company to obtain financing as and when
required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the
foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions
which may have been used by the Company. Although management
believes that the assumptions made by the Company and the
expectations represented by such information are reasonable, there
can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove
to be accurate. Forward-looking information involves known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any anticipated future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others,
the actual market price of gold, the actual results of current
exploration, the actual results of future exploration, changes in
project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated, as well as
those factors disclosed in the Company's publicly filed documents.
The Company believes that the assumptions and expectations
reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable.
Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the
Company’s ability to carry on its exploration and development
activities, the timely receipt of required approvals, the price of
gold, the ability of the Company to operate in a safe, efficient
and effective manner and the ability of the Company to obtain
financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Perseus does not undertake to update any forward-looking
information, except in accordance with applicable securities
laws.
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