Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the “Company” or “Torex”) (TSX: TXG) has
released an updated technical report (“Technical Report”) for its
Morelos Complex, which includes an integrated life of mine plan and
economics for the producing El Limón Guajes (“ELG”) Mine Complex
(consisting of the ELG Open Pits and ELG Underground) and the
development stage Media Luna Project (“ML Project”). Based on the
results of the feasibility study included in the Technical Report,
and with approval from the Board of Directors on development of the
ML Project, the Company also announces 2022 capital expenditure
guidance specific to the ML Project as well as an updated
multi-year production outlook.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TECHNICAL REPORT
Key Economics – Base case metal
prices
- Morelos Complex:
Cumulative cash flow of $1,418M and after-tax NPV (5% discount
rate) of $1,040M
- ML Project:
After-tax NPV (5%) of $458M and after-tax IRR of 16.1%
- Long-term metal
prices: $1,600/oz Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb
Cu
Key Economics – Spot case metal
prices1
- Morelos Complex:
Cumulative cash flow of $2,322M and after-tax NPV (5%) of
$1,751M
- ML Project:
After-tax NPV (5%) of $949M and after-tax IRR of 24.9%
- Spot metal
prices: $1,950/oz Au, $25.50/oz Ag, and $4.70/lb Cu as of March 25,
2022
Morelos Complex Summary – Life of
Mine
- Life of mine of
11.75 years commencing April 1, 2022 and ending Q4 2033
- Annualized gold
equivalent (“AuEq”) sold of 374 koz2 including 280 koz of Au
- Increased
exposure to Cu and Ag with annual payable output of 34.8 Mlb Cu and
1,327 koz Ag
- Total cash cost3
of $809/oz AuEq sold and mine-site all-in sustaining cost3 of
$954/oz AuEq sold
- Annualized
revenue of $605M and mine-site EBITDA3 (excludes corporate items)
of $298M
Morelos Complex Summary – Process plant
operating at full capacity (through 2027)
- Annualized AuEq
sold of 450 koz through 2027 when the process plant is operating at
full capacity
- Total cash cost
of $779/oz AuEq sold and mine-site all-in sustaining cost of
$929/oz AuEq sold
- Annualized
revenue of $733M and mine-site EBITDA of $378M
Capital Expenditures
- $848M to develop
and bring the ML Project into commercial production
- Includes $85M of
underground development during pre-commercial period (Q4 2023 to Q4
2024)
- Total sustaining
capital expenditures3 of $545M over life of mine
_____________________1 See also Table 10 for
After-Tax Sensitivities to Key Factors for the Morelos Complex and
Media Luna Project.2 Gold equivalent (AuEq) sold includes Au and
AuEq values for Ag and Cu sold assuming long-term metal prices of
$1,600/oz Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu. A
summary of life of mine payable production values for Au, Ag and Cu
can be found in Table 1 including tonnes processed and average
processed grades. Expected recovery and payable factors for Au, Ag
and Cu can be found in Table 2.3 These measures, as well as TCC
margin, AISC margin, and sustaining and non-sustaining capital
expenditures, are forward looking Non-GAAP Financial Performance
Measures or Non-GAAP ratios (collectively, “Non-GAAP Measures”).
Please see Table 13 for the equivalent historical non-GAAP measure.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the following historic
Non-GAAP Measures were reported in the Company’s management’s
discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December
31, 2021, dated February 23, 2022, which is available on the
Company’s website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company’s SEDAR
profile (www.sedar.com): EBITDA - $461.6M; TCC - $674/oz Au; TCC
margin $1,120/oz Au; AISC – $928/oz; AISC margin - $865/oz Au;
sustaining capital costs - $85.3M; and non-sustaining costs -
$152.4M. Please note that the AISC and AISC margin do not include
corporate G&A and potential sustaining exploration costs, and
mine site EBITDA does not include corporate G&A. Please
also see the Cautionary Notes on Non-GAAP Measures below.
Total Mineral Reserves of 5,123 koz AuEq
at an average grade of 3.90 g/t AuEq4
- Initial Mineral
Reserves for Media Luna of 3,360 koz AuEq based on 23.0 Mt at 4.54
g/t AuEq
Initiatives underway to realize
available upside and build-on on solid base case production/cash
flow
-
Exploration/Drilling: Significant potential to expand Mineral
Reserves in the ELG Underground, within the broader Media Luna
area, and across the entire land package, which is 75%
unexplored
- Development of
EPO deposit: Potential to be a nearby source of incremental feed
over and above the levels anticipated from the ML Project
- ELG Underground:
Potential to increase throughput with the investment in Portal #3
and utilizing bulk mining in specific zones
Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex,
stated:
“Today we achieve a mission critical milestone
in our growth journey with the release of the updated Technical
Report for our Morelos Complex and approval from our Board of
Directors to proceed with the development of the ML Project. With
tremendous future exploration potential, advancing this project is
fundamental to setting up our wholly owned flagship Morelos Complex
for safe and reliable production, strong free cash flow post the
construction period, and lasting economic prosperity for all of
those who share stakes in Torex. With this investment, the
foundation for the future growth plans of Torex will be firmly
laid.
“We always knew that the Media Luna Project
would be challenging. The deposit is situated 7 km away from our
existing infrastructure, on the other side of a river, and hosts
challenging metallurgy. True to the Torex brand, the economics
shown in the Technical Report are grounded in operating costs,
capital costs, and ramp-up time frames that are both realistic and
achievable, accounting for the current inflationary environment,
quotes from vendors, and assumptions on sustaining capital
expenditures required to responsibly and sustainably operate a
7,500 tpd underground mine.
“Notwithstanding these challenges, it is clear
the upside economics of developing the ML Project are compelling.
We see significant opportunity to enhance the overall return of the
ML Project by filling the mill post 2027 and extending the overall
mine life beyond what is implied by reserves. The investment we are
making in exploration and drilling in 2022, and going forward,
reflects our determination to unlock the resource potential of our
entire Morelos Property, and deliver on our goal of developing a
multi-decade mining operation.
“Importantly, the ML Project opens up the
opportunity for Torex to diversify into becoming a meaningful
copper producer – an opportunity that could not have timed the
market better. In fact, 20% of revenue of the Morelos Complex is
forecast to be attributable to copper, with the percentage
increasing as the ML Project ramps up.
“Given the ongoing success of our strategy to
cash up ahead of the build, we expect to fund the development of
the ML Project using our robust balance sheet, strong forecasted
cash flow, and a prudent level of debt. With over $405M of
available liquidity at year-end (including $255M in cash), annual
projected cash flow from ELG Mine Complex of $190M through year-end
2024 (prior to capital expenditures on the ML Project), and a goal
of maintaining a minimum liquidity position of $100M, we are
evaluating debt financing in the order of $250M to $300M. Multiple
debt financing options are being considered, including a gold
prepay, high yield debt, and an expanded credit facility. This
financing decision will be made in the months to come.
“There is no doubt that we are well positioned
financially, socially, and technically to advance the development
of the ML Project while continuing to invest in value accretive
exploration – exploration that will both extend the life of mine
and continue to further enhance the overall return of the Morelos
Complex. The future is here and it’s clear – and in true Torex
form, we will now turn our focus onto delivering.”
_____________________4 Gold equivalent (AuEq)
Mineral Reserves account for underlying metal prices and
metallurgical recoveries. Breakdown of Mineral Reserves by metal is
outlined in Table 11 and a breakdown of Mineral Resources by metal
is outlined in Table 12.
SUMMARY OF TECHNICAL REPORT FOR MORELOS
COMPLEX
The Technical Report outlines the updated
economics of the Morelos Complex in Guerrero, Mexico. The Technical
Report includes an integrated mine plan for the ELG Mine Complex as
well as the ML Project. Operational and economic estimates are
based on a project period commencing April 1, 2022, unless
otherwise noted. References to production and metal sold are based
on payable levels unless otherwise stated. All values of economic
inputs are nominally based, and all amounts expressed in U.S.
dollars unless otherwise stated.
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Table 1: Summary of Technical Report |
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Metrics as of April 1, 2022 |
|
Morelos |
ELG |
ML |
|
|
Complex |
Standalone |
Incremental |
Total Processed |
|
|
|
|
Life of Mine |
years |
11.75 |
3.5 |
8.25 |
Total ore processed |
kt |
39,778 |
15,931 |
23,847 |
Gold (Au) grade processed |
g/t |
2.89 |
2.91 |
2.88 |
Silver (Ag) grade processed |
g/t |
16.7 |
4.3 |
25.0 |
Copper (Cu) grade processed |
% |
0.56 |
0.12 |
0.85 |
Total Payable Sold |
|
|
|
|
Gold (Au) |
koz |
3,294 |
1,330 |
1,964 |
Silver (Ag) |
koz |
15,587 |
661 |
14,926 |
Copper (Cu) |
Mlbs |
409 |
4 |
405 |
Gold equivalent (AuEq) |
koz |
4,392 |
1,347 |
3,045 |
Unit Operating Costs (including PTU) |
|
|
|
|
ELG Open Pit |
$/t mined |
$2.81 |
|
|
ELG Underground |
$/t ore mined |
$98.19 |
|
|
ML Underground |
$/t ore mined |
$34.04 |
|
|
Processing |
$/t ore milled |
$34.54 |
|
|
Site support |
$/t ore milled |
$13.47 |
|
|
Transport/Treatment/Refining |
$/t ore milled |
$5.67 |
|
|
Total operating cost |
$/t ore milled |
$84.15 |
|
|
Total operating cost with royalties |
$/t ore milled |
$89.08 |
|
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Operating Costs |
|
|
|
|
Total cash costs - gold equivalent |
$/oz AuEq |
$809 |
$831 |
|
Mine-site all-in sustaining costs - gold equivalent |
$/oz AuEq |
$954 |
$1,023 |
|
Total cash costs - by-product |
$/oz Au |
$545 |
$820 |
|
Mine-site all-in sustaining costs - by-product |
$/oz Au |
$739 |
$1,015 |
|
Total Capital Expenditures |
|
|
|
|
Non-sustaining |
$M |
$850 |
$2 |
$848 |
Sustaining |
$M |
$545 |
$184 |
$361 |
Reclamation and closure |
$M |
$93 |
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Economics |
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|
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|
Gross revenue |
$M |
$7,106 |
$2,234 |
$4,872 |
Mine-site EBITDA |
$M |
$3,503 |
$1,067 |
$2,436 |
Cumulative cash flow |
$M |
$1,418 |
$590 |
$828 |
After-tax NPV (5% discount rate) |
$M |
$1,040 |
$582 |
$458 |
After-tax IRR |
% |
|
|
16.1% |
Project payback period |
years |
|
|
5.8 |
Base Case Commodity/Currency |
|
|
|
|
Gold price |
$/oz |
$1,600 |
$1,600 |
$1,600 |
Silver price |
$/oz |
$21.00 |
$21.00 |
$21.00 |
Copper price |
$/lb |
$3.50 |
$3.50 |
$3.50 |
MXN/USD |
|
20.00 |
20.00 |
20.00 |
Notes to Table 1
- Total cash costs – gold equivalent,
mine-site all-in sustaining costs – gold equivalent, total cash
costs – by-product, mine-site all-in sustaining costs – by-product,
non-sustaining and sustaining capital costs and mine-site EBITDA
are Non-GAAP Measures. See footnote 3 above and Cautionary Note
below on Non-GAAP Measures.
- AuEq sold includes Au and AuEq
values for Ag and Cu assuming long-term metal prices of $1,600/oz
Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu.
- Estimates are based on the project
period commencing April 1, 2022. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
The updated mine plan and economics outlined for
the Morelos Complex in the Technical Report are based on Proven
& Probable Mineral Reserves for the ELG Mine Complex and the
Media Luna Project. Differences between Mineral Reserves (tonnes
and grade) compared to life of mine totals outlined in Table 1,
reflect a project period commencing April 1, 2022 compared with
Mineral Reserves which have an effective date of December 31, 2021
for the ELG Mine Complex and an effective date of October 31, 2021
for the ML Project. Details on the Company’s Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resources can be found in Table 11 and Table 12.
Metal SoldOver an estimated
life of mine of 11.75 years, based on Mineral Reserves, the Morelos
Complex is expected to deliver annualized payable sales of 280 koz
of gold (“Au”), 1,327 koz of silver (“Ag”), and 34.8 Mlb of copper
(“Cu”). On a AuEq basis2, annualized payable AuEq sold over the
life of the Morelos Complex is forecast to average 374 koz. AuEq
sold is calculated by applying the long-term metal prices of
$1,600/oz Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu
assumed within the base case economics set out in the Technical
Report. Metal sales are after metallurgical recoveries and payable
factors for Au, Ag, and Cu.
During the period in which the capacity of the
processing plant is fully utilized (April 2022 through December
2027), annualized AuEq sold is forecast to average 450 koz. Based
on current Mineral Reserves, annual sales are forecast to decline
post 2027 when the ML Project becomes the sole source of feed for
the processing plant. Initiatives to fill the mill beyond 2027 are
currently underway (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Annualized AuEq sold of 374 koz
estimated over the life of mine; Annual AuEq sold through 2027 is
expected to average 450 koz when the capacity of the processing
plant is to be fully utilizedFigure 1 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9618ccf0-797d-4a6f-b1f4-7259c710f3fa
Notes to Figure 1:
- AuEq sold includes Au and AuEq
values for Ag and Cu assuming long-term metal prices of $1,600/oz
Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu.
- A summary of life of mine payable
sold values for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 1 including
tonnes processed and average processed grades. Expected recovery
and payable factors for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 2.
- 2022 payable AuEq sold includes
Q1/22 versus the Technical Report which incorporates estimates over
the project period commencing April 1, 2022.
Over the life of the Morelos Complex,
approximately 75% of AuEq sold is attributable to Au, approximately
20% to Cu, and the remainder to Ag. The proportion of AuEq sold
attributable to Cu is expected to increase materially commencing
with start-up of the ML Project, with annual payable Cu of
approximately 45 Mlb forecast between 2025 and 2033, representing
close to 28% of AuEq sold over this period.
MiningOre for the Morelos
Complex will be sourced from the ELG Open Pit operation, ELG
Underground operation, and ML Project. Production during the
near-term will be predominantly supported by ELG Open Pit while
longer term production will be supported by the ML Project. Ongoing
Reserve growth could extend the current production profile of the
ELG Underground beyond 2027 (Figure 2).
Mining activities within the ELG Open Pit
operations are expected to decline over the coming years with
depletion of the Guajes and El Limón Sur pits in H1 2023 and the El
Limón open pit in H2 2024.
Mining activities within the ELG Underground are
forecast to run through Q3 2027 based on Mineral Reserves and
assume an average daily mining rate of 1,370 tpd between 2022 and
2026. The mining method considered in the ELG Underground is
cut-and-fill. Opportunities to transition to lower cost bulk mining
are currently being studied, which could result in potentially
higher output in the ELG Underground and lower unit costs. The
Company also sees significant potential to continue to grow the
Mineral Reserves of the ELG Underground, which increased 20% in
2021 following a 15% increase in 2020.
Figure 2: ML Project expected to be the
sole source of ore post 2027 based on current Mineral
ReservesFigure 2 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/27fc720f-9534-4bae-b5f6-111822bfde2d
Notes to Figure 2:
- Ore mined in 2022 includes Q1/22
versus the Technical Report which incorporates estimates over the
project period commencing April 1, 2022.
The ML Project is being developed with six
primary mining zones each with designated infrastructure. At
steady-state production, the underground mine is expected to
deliver an average rate of 7,500 tpd of ore to the upgraded
processing plant. The Technical Report assumes a credible ramp-up
to steady-state production with first development ore in Q4 2023.
Production stoping is expected to commence in Q2 2024 with the mine
achieving commercial production in Q1 2025. The ML Project is
expected to be operating at 7,500 tpd in Q1 2027, implying a 3-year
ramp-up from first production ore or 3.5 years from first
development ore (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Credible ramp-up period of 3
years assumed for the ML ProjectFigure 3 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ec08ebd-1faf-40cb-a575-23aaf01b3f7a
The predominant mining method at the ML Project
will be longhole stoping. Mined stopes will be filled using paste
backfill. The paste plant will be located on surface with access
from the south side of the Balsas River. Ore will be conveyed
through the 6.5-kilometre Guajes Tunnel, which optimizes the use of
existing infrastructure by connecting the processing plant on the
north side of the Balsas River to the ML Project on the south
side.
ProcessingOre mined from the
Morelos Complex (ELG Open Pit, ELG Underground and ML Project) as
well as surface stockpiles will be processed through the existing
facility located on the north side of the Balsas River. Upgrades to
the existing processing plant are required to deal with higher
levels of soluble iron and recover elevated levels of copper and
silver contained within the ML deposit relative to those found
within the ELG Mine Complex. Additions to the current processing
plant include a Cu flotation circuit, an FeS flotation circuit,
water treatment facility, regrind mill, and variable speed drives
on the ball mill.
The current processing facility is expected to
operate at 13,000 tpd through September 2024. The current plan is
to complete the required tie-ins to the processing plant over a
4-week period in October 2024, with wet commissioning to commence
in November 2024. The commissioning period for the flotation
circuits is expected to be relatively straight forward, and
steady-state throughput of 10,600 tpd is expected to be reached by
year-end 2024. Depending on the mix of ore types and sources, a
portion of feed will be blended, while other portions will be
batched processed over the life of mine.
A separate stockpile of ore mined from the ML
Project between Q4 2023 and Q4 2024 will be created to facilitate
the wet commissioning of the upgraded processing plant (Figure
4).
Figure 4: Exploration and drilling key to
ensuring full capacity utilization in the processing plant post
2027Figure 4 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9de482bb-2128-48f4-a8ec-ec48410cbf00
Notes to Figure 4:
- Ore processed in 2022 includes
Q1/22 versus the Technical Report which incorporates estimates over
the project period commencing April 1, 2022.
The Company sees significant potential to
bolster the long-term production profile of the Morelos Complex by
extending the life of the ELG Underground, potentially increasing
mining rates in the ELG Underground, potentially developing the
nearby EPO deposit, and identifying additional sources of
incremental feed across the broader Morelos Property. Incremental
sources of higher-grade feed would allow the Company to defer the
processing of lower grade stockpiles until later in the mine
life.
The upgraded processing plant is expected to
result in commercially meaningful recoveries for Cu and improved
recoveries for Ag, while maintaining Au recoveries at similar
levels to those currently being achieved. Metallurgical recoveries
over the life of the Morelos Complex are expected to average 89.8%
Au, 80.5% Ag, and 86.4% Cu. The life of mine recoveries, including
Media Luna, compare favourably to the current plant configuration
recoveries of 89.0% Au, 30.0% Ag and 10.0% Cu.
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Table 2: Upgraded processing plant
expected to deliver significantly higher recoveries for Cu and
Ag |
Morelos Complex |
Concentrate |
Doré/Other |
Total |
|
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
|
(koz) |
(koz) |
(Mlb) |
(koz) |
(koz) |
(Mlb) |
(koz) |
(koz) |
(Mlb) |
Life of Mine |
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Recovered to |
37.3% |
72.6% |
82.8% |
52.5% |
7.9% |
3.5% |
89.8% |
80.5% |
86.4% |
Recovered metal |
1,380 |
15,461 |
407.4 |
1,940 |
1,681 |
17.2 |
3,320 |
17,142 |
424.6 |
Payable factor |
98.25% |
90.00% |
96.50% |
99.96% |
99.50% |
96.50% |
99.25% |
90.93% |
96.50% |
Payable metal |
1,354 |
13,915 |
392.3 |
1,940 |
1,673 |
16.6 |
3,294 |
15,587 |
408.9 |
Notes to Table 2:
- Recoveries and payable factors are
based on the project period commencing April 1, 2022.
Recovered production is subject to payable
factors associated with metal contained in concentrate and to a
lesser extent doré. Over the life of mine, total payable factors
for metals contained in concentrate and doré/other are forecast to
average 99.3% Au, 90.9% Ag, and 96.5% Cu (Table 2).
Tailings ManagementTailings
from the current processing facility will continue to be deposited
in the existing Filtered Tailings Storage Facility. Upon
commissioning of the upgraded processing plant, the Company
envisions depositing tailings into the depleted Guajes open pit.
Over the life of the Morelos Complex, approximately 50% of tailings
generated will be deposited into one of the tailings facilities
with the remainder used underground as paste back-fill.
Key InfrastructureThe
development of the ML Project requires significant investment in
infrastructure to access the deposit as well as exploit the
deposit, including development of the Guajes Tunnel, South Portal
Upper, South Portal Lower and a surface paste plant.
The 6.5-kilometre Guajes Tunnel is a key
schedule item as the tunnel will be the primary conduit for moving
ore, material, supplies, and personnel between ML on the south side
of the Balsas River and the processing plant on the north side. The
$76M go forward investment in the Guajes Tunnel, although more
capital intensive than concepts outlined in the 2018 Preliminary
Economic Assessment (the “PEA”), was selected as the superior
option given that it provides unfettered access to the entire south
side of the Morelos Property, an area the Company believes offers
significant resource upside.
The development of South Portal Upper and South
Portal Lower will provide access for personnel, materials, and
supplies from the south side of the property. These access points
will also allow for the development of the upper, middle, and lower
portions of the Media Luna deposit in advance of the Guajes Tunnel
being completed. In addition, South Portal Lower will allow the
Company to commence development of the Guajes Tunnel from the south
side of the Balsas River, which will optimize the overall progress
of tunnelling. The Company has budgeted advance rates of 6-6.5
metres/day (“m/d”) from north to south and 4.5-5 m/d from south to
north. Development of the two southside portals is estimated at
$40M over the project period.
The construction of an appropriate surface paste
plant on the south side of the Balsas River is also an upgrade over
the PEA conceptual design which envisioned cemented rock fill.
Paste backfill is a more suitable option for mining the Media Luna
deposit given the predominant mining method will be longhole
stoping, average size of stopes, overall scale of the underground
operation, and more attractive operating cost profile. Construction
of the paste plant and associated tailings pipeline is estimated at
$78M.
The increase in power requirements associated
with the ML Project and upgraded processing facility will require
upgrades to the main power line, substation, and switching centre.
Overall power demand is expected to increase to a peak load of 60
MW in 2027 from 25 MW in 2022. Power upgrades are estimated at
$19M.
Capital
ExpendituresNon-sustaining capital expenditures3 over the
life of the Morelos Complex are estimated at $850M, including $848M
to bring the ML Project into commercial production. The upfront
capital investment in the ML Project includes $85M of underground
mine development during the pre-commercial mining period between Q4
2023 and Q4 2024 (Table 3).
The upfront capital required to develop the ML
Project excludes $124M of direct project expenditures incurred
prior to April 1, 2022, of which $37M is related to the Guajes
Tunnel and $28M to the development of South Portal Upper and Lower.
In addition to the ML Project, approximately $2M is estimated to
complete Portal #3 within the ELG Underground.
Of the upfront capital expenditure to develop
the ML Project, approximately 60% is related to direct project
expenditures and the remainder is associated with indirect
expenditures, including $62M related to freight and IMMEX. Of the
direct project expenditures, the largest capital outlays are
related to underground mine development ($173M), accessing the
deposit via the Guajes Tunnel ($76M) as well as South Portal Upper
and Lower ($40M), upgrades to the process plant ($98M), and
tailings/paste plant ($78M). Of the indirect expenditures, the
largest components are contingency ($100M) and EPCM costs
($82M).
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Table 3: The ML Project is expected to cost $848M to
develop |
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Metrics as of April 1, 2022 |
Total |
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($M) |
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Non-Sustaining - Media Luna Project |
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Directs |
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Guajes Portal & Tunnel |
$75.8 |
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South Portals & Tunnels |
$40.2 |
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Underground Mine |
$172.6 |
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Process Plant |
$98.3 |
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Tailings and Paste Plant |
$77.8 |
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On-Site Infrastructure |
$15.0 |
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Off-Site Infrastructure |
$25.9 |
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Total Directs |
$505.6 |
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Indirects |
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Freight and IMMEX |
$61.6 |
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Contractor Indirects |
$20.3 |
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Mobilization, Spares, Vendor Support |
$26.6 |
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EPCM |
$81.5 |
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Owners Cost |
$53.3 |
|
Contingency |
$99.5 |
|
Total Indirects |
$342.8 |
|
Total Non-Sustaining - Media Luna Project |
$848.4 |
|
Total Non-Sustaining - ELG |
$1.7 |
|
Total Non-Sustaining - Morelos Complex |
$850.1 |
|
Notes to Table 3:
- Non-sustaining capital expenditures is
a Non-GAAP Measure. See footnote 3 above and the Cautionary Note
below on Non-GAAP Measures.
- Estimates are based on the project period commencing April 1,
2022. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
Sustaining capital expenditures over the life of
the project are estimated at $545M, implying an average annual
spend of $46M. Sustaining capital expenditures include $94M of
capitalized stripping within the ELG Open Pit.
|
|
|
|
Table 4: Annual sustaining capital
expenditures expected to average $46M over life of the Morelos
Complex |
Metrics as of April 1, 2022 |
Total |
Total |
Total |
|
($M) |
($/t ore) |
($/oz AuEq) |
Total ore processed (kt) |
|
39,778 |
|
Total payable gold equivalent sold (koz AuEq) |
|
|
4,392 |
Sustaining |
|
|
|
ELG Open Pit - Capitalized Stripping |
$93.7 |
$2.4 |
$21 |
ELG Open Pit - Other |
$24.8 |
$0.6 |
$6 |
ELG Underground |
$33.8 |
$0.8 |
$8 |
Media Luna Underground |
$266.0 |
$6.7 |
$61 |
Process Plant |
$92.8 |
$2.3 |
$21 |
Support equipment leases |
$34.0 |
$0.9 |
$8 |
Total Sustaining - Morelos Complex |
$545.1 |
$13.7 |
$124 |
Notes to Table 4:
- Sustaining capital expenditure is a
Non-GAAP Measure. See footnote 3 above and Cautionary Note below on
Non-GAAP Measures.
- AuEq sold includes Au and AuEq values for Ag and Cu assuming
long-term metal prices of $1,600/oz Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz
Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu.
- A summary of life of mine payable
sold values for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 1 including
tonnes processed and average processed grades. Expected recovery
and payable factors for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 2.
- Estimates are based on the project period commencing April 1,
2022. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
Reclamation costs over the life of the project
are estimated at $93M.
Operating CostsTotal cash costs
(“TCC”)3 and mine-site all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”)3 are
expected to average $809/oz AuEq sold and $954/oz AuEq sold over
the life of mine. On a by-product basis (net of Cu and Ag credits),
TCC and mine-site AISC are expected to average $545/oz Au sold and
$739/oz Au sold, respectively.
|
|
|
|
Table 5: Attractive cost profile maintained
with the development of the ML
Project |
Metrics as of April 1, 2022 |
LOM |
AuEq |
Au |
|
($M) |
($/oz) |
($/oz) |
Metal Sold |
|
|
|
Total payable gold equivalent sold (AuEq) |
|
4,392 |
|
Total payable gold sold (Au) |
|
|
3,294 |
Operating Costs |
|
|
|
Operating expenses |
$3,122 |
$711 |
$947 |
Treatment/Refining/Transport |
$226 |
$51 |
$69 |
Royalties |
$206 |
$47 |
$63 |
Total cash costs - before adjustments |
$3,554 |
$809 |
$1,079 |
Silver revenue (by-product) |
($1,432) |
$0 |
($99) |
Copper revenue (by-product) |
($327) |
$0 |
($435) |
Total cash costs - after adjustments |
$1,795 |
$809 |
$545 |
Capitalized open pit waste mining |
$94 |
$21 |
$28 |
Sustaining capital expenditures |
$451 |
$103 |
$138 |
Reclamation |
$93 |
$21 |
$28 |
Mine-site all-in sustaining costs |
$2,433 |
$954 |
$739 |
Note to Table 5:
- Total cash costs and mine site
all-in sustaining costs are Non-GAAP Measures. See footnote 3 above
and Cautionary Note below on Non-GAAP Measures
- AuEq sold includes Au and AuEq values for Ag and Cu assuming
long-term metal prices of $1,600/oz Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz
Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu.
- A summary of life of mine payable
sold values for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 1 including
tonnes processed and average processed grades. Expected recovery
and payable factors for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 2.
- Estimates are based on the project period commencing April 1,
2022. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
At base case metal prices, the Morelos Complex
is expected to deliver a TCC margin3 of 50% over the project period
and a mine-site AISC margin3 of 41%. Mine-site AISC and margins
exclude corporate level costs.
Operating expenses include approximately $25/oz
AuEq sold of profit sharing (“PTU”) over the life of the Morelos
Complex. PTU has been allocated to mining costs, processing costs
and site administration costs. PTU is mandated by the Government of
Mexico and is based on taxable profits generated by the mine in
Mexico. The breakdown of key unit costs, with and without PTU, is
summarized in Table 9.
The Company sees opportunities to reduce unit
costs by filling the mill, as fixed costs associated with
processing and site general and administrative costs (“G&A”)
would clearly benefit from higher capacity utilization in the
processing plant post-2027.
EconomicsThe after-tax NPV (5%
discount rate) of the Morelos Complex is estimated at $1,040M
assuming long-term metal prices of $1,600/oz Au ($1,700/oz in
2022), $21/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu. The after-tax NPV (5%) of the ML
Project is estimated at $458M with a projected after-tax IRR of
16.1%.
At spot metal prices, the Morelos Complex has an
estimated after-tax NPV (5%) of $1,751M. The after-tax NPV (5%) of
the ML Project is estimated at $949M with an implied after-tax IRR
of 24.9%. Spot case economics (as of March 25, 2022) assume metal
prices of $1,950oz Au, $25.50/oz Ag, and $4.70/lb Cu.
The NPV and IRR estimates outlined in the March
2022 Technical Report are predicated on a project period commencing
April 1, 2022 (Table 6).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 6: NPV of Morelos Complex $1,040M at
base case prices; NPV rises to $1,751M at spot prices |
Metrics as of April 1, 2022 |
|
Morelos |
ELG |
ML |
Morelos |
ELG |
ML |
|
|
Complex |
Standalone |
Incremental |
Complex |
Standalone |
Incremental |
|
|
|
Base Case Metal Prices |
|
Spot Case Metal Prices |
Economics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross revenue |
$M |
$7,106 |
$2,234 |
$4,872 |
$8,738 |
$2,626 |
$6,112 |
EBITDA |
$M |
$3,503 |
$1,067 |
$2,436 |
$4,969 |
$1,428 |
$3,541 |
After-tax NPV (0%) |
$M |
$1,418 |
$590 |
$828 |
$2,322 |
$823 |
$1,499 |
After-tax NPV (5%) |
$M |
$1,040 |
$582 |
$458 |
$1,751 |
$802 |
$949 |
After-tax NPV (10%) |
$M |
$778 |
$572 |
$206 |
$1,355 |
$781 |
$575 |
After-tax IRR |
% |
|
|
16.1% |
|
|
24.9% |
Project payback period |
years |
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
5.3 |
Long-Term Metal Prices |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold price |
$/oz |
$1,600 |
$1,600 |
$1,600 |
$1,950 |
$1,950 |
$1,950 |
Silver price |
$/oz |
$21.00 |
$21.00 |
$21.00 |
$25.50 |
$25.50 |
$25.50 |
Copper price |
$/lb |
$3.50 |
$3.50 |
$3.50 |
$4.70 |
$4.70 |
$4.70 |
Notes to Table 6:
- EBITDA is a Non-GAAP Measure. See
footnote 3 above and the Cautionary Note below on Non-GAAP
Measures.
- Estimates are based on the project period commencing April 1,
2022. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
Owing to the intermingled nature of the ML
Project with the existing ELG Mining Complex (ELG standalone case),
the NPV and IRR had to be calculated with a view to fairly
illustrating the value of the ML Project. The after-tax NPV of the
ML Project was calculated as the difference between the NPV of the
Morelos Complex and the NPV of the ELG standalone case using
constant discount rates. The IRR and payback period for the ML
Project were calculated using the differential between the
after-tax cash flow of the Morelos Complex and the ELG standalone
case. The calculation of NPV and IRR under all cases include
reclamation/closure costs.
The ELG standalone case excludes a portion of
underground Mineral Reserves, which would be processed after Q3
2025. This is because, without the development of the ML Project,
it would not be economic to process the remaining Mineral Reserves,
as the ELG Underground would not be able to support the overhead of
operating the processing plant and site administration post
depletion of open pit reserves and surface stockpiles.
Given the underlying exploration potential of
the broader Morelos Property, including a number of well supported
targets, Torex expects to build on the point in time economics set
out in the Technical Report by extending Mineral Reserves within
the existing deposits, potentially bringing new deposits such as
the nearby EPO deposit into Reserves, and identifying new sources
of incremental feed beyond the ML Project. The focus on drilling is
not only to extend the current life of the Morelos Complex, but to
bolster medium-term production by filling the mill beyond 2027; on
the current reserve case, this is when the ML Project becomes the
sole source of feed, and the processing plant will be under
utilized.
The economics of the Morelos Complex and the ML
Project are highly sensitive to changes in metal prices as well as
estimated operating and capital costs (see Table 10 for a detailed
sensitivity analysis).
ESG & PermittingAs the
Morelos Complex evolves, Torex will continue to build on its
reputation as an industry leader in ESG. The health and safety of
the Company’s workforce and surrounding communities will be
attended to in all aspects of the design and construction of the ML
Project. The Company’s robust environmental and social management
systems will extend from the ELG Mine Complex to the ML Project,
with a commitment to meet or surpass environmental regulatory
requirements while doing zero harm to the natural environment. The
planned hybrid mining fleet (battery electric and diesel) at the ML
Project will also contribute to the Company’s ongoing efforts to
reduce its carbon footprint.
All required surface rights to land for ongoing
operations at the ELG Mine Complex and for the direct development
of the ML Project have been secured through long-term lease
agreements. Relationships with local communities remain positive
and productive on both the north and south sides of the Balsas
River, through the implementation of 11 unique community
development agreements (CODECOPs) that promote local community and
economic development.
The ELG Mine Complex has all necessary permits
allowing for operations. An environmental permit modification (“MIA
Modification”) was granted in March 2021 to allow for early works
outside of the existing permit boundary to access the Media Luna
deposit on the south side of the Balsas River. In July 2021, the
Company applied for a ‘MIA-Integral’ to allow for integrated
operations at the ELG Mine Complex and the ML Project. There are no
major technical or social risks that have been identified, and
approval is expected in the first half of 2022. In addition, the
Company will require authorization from utility authorities to
increase the power draw for the ML Project, through a connection to
the regional 230kV power line system for the higher electricity
loads for the ML Project. An environmental permit modification is
also planned for submission in the second half of 2022 for the
future in-pit tailings storage facility.
The Company will continue to achieve compliance
with voluntary ESG performance standards such as the World Gold
Council Responsible Gold Mining Principles, the International
Cyanide Management Code, and the Mexican federal environmental
agency’s “Industria Limpia” (Clean Industry) certification. In
addition, the future in-pit tailings storage facility is being
designed in accordance with the new Global Industry Standard on
Tailings Management.
FUNDING AND LIQUIDITYTorex
plans to fund the development of the ML Project through internal
cash flow as well as a prudent level of long-term debt. The Company
has also taken initiatives to reduce price uncertainty during the
development of the ML Project. At year-end, Torex had $256M of
cash, no long-term debt and total liquidity of $406M, including
$150M available on the Company’s undrawn credit facility.
Leveraging the base case economics outlined in
the Technical Report, the Company expects to generate average
annual cash flow of approximately $190M (approximately $290M at
spot case metal prices) prior to capital expenditures on the ML
Project between 2022 and 2024. The projected cash flow through 2026
includes annual corporate G&A of $20M and an assumed annual
exploration/drilling scenario of $35M, expenditures which were not
included in the asset level economics in the Technical Report.
Figure 5: Debt financing expected to
support strategic priorities during build-out of the ML
ProjectFigure 5 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bcf87ba7-c962-4a38-b6eb-b7878237e503
Notes to Figure 5:
- Projected year-end cash balances based
on cash flow profile outlined in March 2022 Technical Report using
base case metal prices of $1,600/oz Au ($1,700/oz in 2022), $21/oz
Ag and $3.50/lb Cu.
- Cash flows adjusted to reflect an
additional $20M annually of Corporate G&A and $35M annually of
exploration/drilling through 2026.
- Debt of $275MM assumed within funding
scenario and includes debt servicing costs (interest rate of 7%), a
four-year term, and a bullet repayment in 2026.
Based on the current projections, assumptions
noted previously and a desire to maintain $100M of liquidity
throughout the build, Torex plans to finance the remaining
expenditures through long-term debt. The Company plans to be in a
position to execute on a debt financing in H2 2022 assuming
favourable market conditions and pricing. Debt options currently
being investigated include a gold prepay, high yield debt, and/or
expanded credit facility. Depending on the debt vehicle chosen,
Torex anticipates debt financing in the range of $250M to
$300M.
The Company recently executed monthly forward
price contracts on future gold production to reduce downside price
risk during the build-out of the ML Project. The hedges represent
approximately 25% of forecast gold production between Q4 2022 and
Q4 2023. Details of the forward contracts are as follows:
- Q4 2022: 30 koz in total at an
average gold price of $1,910/oz
- FY 2023: 108 koz in total at an
average gold price of $1,924/oz
Management will continue to monitor market
conditions and may enter into additional contracts to minimize
downside price risk during the build-out of the ML Project.
2022 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE GUIDANCE FOR ML
With Board approval granted for the development
of the ML Project, the Company anticipates investing $220M to $270M
in the development of the ML Project with an additional $20M of
non-sustaining capital expenditures3 related to infill drilling at
the ML Project and other expenditures. Annual production and cost
guidance for 2022 remains unchanged from the levels outlined in
January 2022 (Table 7).
|
|
|
|
Table 7: Torex expects to invest $220 to
$270M towards the development of the ML Project in
2022 |
|
|
2022 Guidance |
2022 Guidance |
|
|
Updated |
Original |
Gold Production |
koz |
430 to 470 |
430 to 470 |
Total Cash Costs |
$/oz |
$695 to $735 |
$695 to $735 |
All-in Sustaining Costs |
$/oz |
$980 to $1,030 |
$980 to $1,030 |
Sustaining Capital Expenditures |
|
|
|
Capitalized Waste |
$M |
$50 to $60 |
$50 to $60 |
ELG Sustaining |
$M |
$35 to $45 |
$35 to $45 |
Total Sustaining |
$M |
$85 to $105 |
$85 to $105 |
Non-Sustaining Capital Expenditures |
|
|
|
ELG Non-Sustaining |
$M |
$15 to $20 |
$15 to $20 |
Media Luna Project |
$M |
$220 to $270 |
na |
Media Luna Infill Drilling/Other |
$M |
$20 |
na |
Non-Sustaining Capital Expenditures |
$M |
$255 to $310 |
Pending |
Notes to Table 7:
- Total cash costs, all-in sustaining
costs, sustaining capital expenditures and non-sustaining capital
expenditures are Non-GAAP Measures. See footnote 3 above and
Cautionary Note below on Non-GAAP Measures.
3-YEAR OUTLOOK
Based on the results of the updated Technical
Report, the Company has updated its 3-year production outlook to
incorporate AuEq payable production2 from the ML Project commencing
in 2024. The updated outlook forms the new base case for production
from the Company’s Morelos Complex. Initiatives to further improve
upon the mine plans are underway, including further potential
optimizations at the ELG Mine Complex (Table 8).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 8: Multi-year outlook bolstered by
production from the ML Project starting in 2024 |
Payable Production |
|
Guidance |
Multi-Year Outlook |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
Updated Outlook (Morelos Complex) |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold |
koz |
430 to 470 |
420 to 460 |
- |
- |
Gold equivalent |
koz |
- |
- |
385 to 425 |
415 to 455 |
Prior Outlook (ELG Complex standalone) |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold |
koz |
430 to 470 |
400 to 450 |
300 to 350 |
- |
Notes to Table 8:
- Gold equivalent (AuEq) payable production includes Au and AuEq
values for Ag and Cu assuming long-term metal prices of $1,600/oz
Au, $21/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu.
- A summary of life of mine payable
sold values for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 1 including
tonnes processed and average processed grades. Expected recovery
and payable factors for Au, Ag and Cu can be found in Table 2.
The increase in the Company’s production outlook
in 2023 reflects optimizations to the ELG Open Pit and ELG
Underground since Torex’s inaugural outlook was released in
September 2021. The forecast increase AuEq production in 2024
reflects the benefit of AuEq production from the ML Project versus
the prior estimate which only assumed Au production from the ELG
Mine Complex. Production in 2025 is expected to increase over 2024
given the benefit of higher proportion of feed as the ML Project
continues to ramp-up.
TECHNICAL SESSION TO BE HELD ON APRIL 1,
2022A technical session (“Technical Session”) to discuss
the results set out in the Technical Report will be held tomorrow
morning (Friday, April 1, 2022). The live webcast is scheduled to
start at 8:30 AM ET and will last approximately 3 hours. The
Technical Session will be hosted by the management team of
Torex.
In order to join the webcast, participants must
register in advance through the registration link. Once registered,
the live webcast can be accessed through the event portal link.
• Registration link: |
|
www.torexgoldtechnicalsession2022.com/register
orhttps://webinars.vantagevenues.com/torexgold-technical-session-2022-reg/ |
|
|
|
• Event portal
link: |
|
www.torexgoldtechnicalsession2022.com
orhttps://webinars.vantagevenues.com/torexgold-technical-session-2022/ |
Following the Technical Session, a link of the
webcast will be posted to the Company’s website
(www.torexgold.com).
TECHNICAL REPORT AND QUALIFIED
PERSONSThe Technical Report titled ELG Mine Complex Life
of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study with an effective
date of March 16, 2022, and a filing date of March 31, 2022,
prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 for the Morelos Complex, has
been filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Readers are encouraged to read
the Technical Report in its entirety, including all qualifications,
assumptions and exclusions that relate to the Mineral Resource,
Mineral Reserves and feasibility study related to the integrated
project. The Technical Report is intended to be read as a whole,
and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.
Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature
in this press release in respect of the Morelos Mineral Reserve
estimate and the Mineral Resource estimate has been approved by
Johannes (Gertjan) Bekkers P.Eng. the Director of Mine Technical
Services with Torex, and a "Qualified Person". Mr. Bekkers is a
registered member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario, has
worked the majority of his career in open pit and underground hard
rock mining in Canada and overseas in progressively senior
engineering roles with relevant experience in mine design and
planning, mining economic viability assessments, and mining
studies.
Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature
in this press release in respect of the “Highlights of the
Technical Report”, the “Summary of Technical Report for Morelos
Complex”, including the Tables and Figures referred to therein, but
excluding the section titled “Funding and Liquidity” other than
paragraph 2 of “Funding and Liquidity” has been approved by Robert
Davidson P.E., the Vice President of M3 Engineering &
Technology Corp, and a "Qualified Person". Mr. Davidson is a
Registered Professional Engineer in good standing in the State of
Arizona, has practiced his profession for 16 years and he has been
directly involved in the development of the infrastructure, capital
cost, operating cost, and financial modelling for the ML
Project.
All other disclosure of a scientific or
technical nature in this press release including the “2022 Capital
Expenditure Guidance for ML” and the “3-Year Outlook”, including
the Tables referred to therein, has been reviewed and approved by
David Stefanuto P.Eng. the Executive Vice President, Technical
Services and Capital Projects, and a "Qualified Person". Mr.
Stefanuto is a registered member of the Professional Engineers of
Ontario, with more than 25 years of experience working in both
surface and underground mining operations.
ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES
INC.Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in
Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of
its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the
highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres
southwest of Mexico City. The Company’s principal asset is the
Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limón Guajes (“ELG”) Mining
Complex, Media Luna Project, processing plant and related
infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex
commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the
Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torex’s key strategic
objectives are to extend and optimize production from the ELG
Mining Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial
production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing
exploration across the entire Morelos Property.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE
CONTACT:
TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC. |
Jody
Kuzenko |
|
Dan
Rollins |
President and CEO |
|
Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor
Relations |
Direct: (647) 725-9982 |
|
Direct: (647) 260-1503 |
jody.kuzenko@torexgold.com |
|
dan.rollins@torexgold.com |
CAUTIONARY NOTES
Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresThe
Company has presented certain future non-GAAP financial measures
(“Non-GAAP Measures”) in this presentation within the meaning of
National Instrument 52-112 – Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures.
Total cash costs per ounce of gold (Au) or gold equivalent (AuEq)
sold (“TCC”), total cash costs margin per ounce of gold or AuEq
sold, mine-site all-in sustaining costs per ounce of gold or AuEq
sold (“AISC”), mine site AISC margin, mine-site earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“mine-site
EBITDA”), sustaining capital expenditures and non-sustaining
capital expenditures included in this news release are Non-GAAP
Measures. Non-GAAP Measures have no standard meaning under
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), the financial
reporting framework used by the Company, and may not be comparable
to other issuers. The Company believes that these measures, while
not a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance
with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate
the underlying performance or financial position of the Company.
Please see Table 13 for the equivalent historical non-GAAP measure.
For a detailed reconciliation of each historical Non-GAAP Measure
to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, please
refer to the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis
(“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2021, dated February
23, 2022, which is available on the Company’s website
(www.torexgold.com) and under the Company’s SEDAR profile
(www.sedar.com). Please note that in this news release, the AISC,
AISC margin, potential sustaining exploration costs and mine-site
EBITDA do not include Torex corporate G&A.
Forward-looking StatementsThis
press release contains “forward-looking information” and
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information
includes, without limitation, information with respect to proposed
exploration, development, construction and production activities
and their timing, the results set out in the Technical Report
including the feasibility study of the ML Project, including, as
applicable; mineral resource estimates, reserve estimates and
potential mineralization; the estimates of capital and sustaining
costs; assumed metal payable factors; projected revenues and cash
flows; estimated net present values and anticipated internal rates
of return; estimated payback period; future production, operating
costs, total cash costs and mine-site sustaining costs and other
expenses and other economic parameters; expected mine life or
project life; expected mine, mill and metal production and
metallurgical recoveries; the initiatives underway to realize
available upside and build-on the solid base case production and
cash flow; the Company’s future exploration potential; expectation
that the ML Project will set up the Morelos Complex for safe and
reliable production, free cash flow post the construction period,
and lasting economic prosperity for all of those who share stakes
in the Company; with the investment in the ML Project, the
foundation for the future growth plans of the Company will be
firmly laid; the economics set out in the Technical Report are
grounded in operating costs, capital costs, and ramp-up time frames
being both realistic and achievable; the expected further
improvement in the ML Project’s economics due to the abundance of
prospectivity on the south side of the Morelos Property; the
opportunity for the Company to diversify into becoming a meaningful
copper producer; the ongoing success of the Company’s strategy to
cash up ahead of the build; the expected funding of the development
of ML using the Company’s robust balance sheet, strong forecasted
cash flow, and a prudent level of debt; liquidity at year-end
including the undrawn revolving debt facility; projected cash flow
from ELG through year-end 2024; goal of maintaining a minimum
liquidity position; the evaluation debt financing and expected
timing on a financing decision; expectation that the Company is
well positioned financially, socially, and technically to advance
the development of ML Project while continuing to invest in value
accretive exploration that will both extend the life of mine and
continue to further enhance the overall return of the Morelos
Complex; the 2022 expenditure guidance, including anticipated
non-sustaining capital expenditures; the updated 3 year production
outlook; plans to further optimize the ELG Mine Complex; the
expected increase in production in 2025; initiatives planned to
fill the mill beyond 2027; opportunities to transition to lower
cost long-hole stoping at ELG which could result in potentially
higher throughput in the ELG Underground and lower unit costs;
assumed ramp up period to commercial production for the ML Project;
the planned upgrades and additions to the process plant to process
the ore from ML; expected availability of stockpiles to wet
commission the upgraded process plant; tailings management plans;
belief that the southside of the Morelos Property offers
significate resource upside; the expected access that the South
Portals will provide in advance of the completion of the Guajes
Tunnel; the increased power demands of the ML Project. potential to
reduce unit costs by filling the mill; the estimated NPV and
implied IRR; the expected incremental benefit of ML to ELG; the
exploration potential of the broader Morelos Property; expectation
to build-on the point in time economics by extending reserves
within the existing deposits, potentially bringing new deposits
such as EPO into reserves, and identifying new sources of
incremental feed beyond ML; the focus on drilling to extend the
current life of the Morelos Complex and to bolster medium term
production by filling the mill beyond 2027, when the processing
plant will be under utilized with ML the sole source of feed;
intention to attend to the health and safety of the Company’s
workforce and the surrounding communities in the design and
construction of the ML Project; commitment to meet or surpass
environmental regulatory requirements while doing zero harm to the
natural environment; planned hybrid mining fleet; expected approval
of the permit authorizing the operations for the ML Project; plans
to continue to achieve compliance with ESG performance standards;
plans to fund the development of ML through internal cash flow as
well as a prudent level of long-term debt; expected cash flow
generation prior to the capital expenditures on the ML Project,
including expected corporate G&A and exploration/drilling
expenditures; and desire to maintain $100M of liquidity. Generally,
forward-looking information can be identified by the use of
terminology such as “plans”, “expect”, “outlook”, “forecast”
“estimate”, “near-term”, “long term”, “opportunity”, “potential”,
“plan”, “envision”, “beyond”, “commitment” and “ongoing” or
variations of such words, or statements that certain actions,
events or results “can”, “may”, “would”, “will”, occur, or “will
be” taken or achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may
cause the Company’s actual results, level of activity, performance
or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking information, including, without
limitation, forward-looking statements and assumptions pertaining
to the following: risk associated with skarn deposits including
grade variability; fluctuation in gold, copper and other metal
prices; commodity price risk; currency exchange rate fluctuations;
ability to realize the results of the feasibility study;
uncertainty regarding the inclusion of inferred mineral resources
in the mineral resource estimate and the ability to upgrade the
mineral resources to a higher category, uncertainty regarding the
ability to convert any part of the mineral resource into mineral
reserves, uncertainty involving resource estimates and the ability
to extract those resources economically, or at all; uncertainty
involving drilling programs and the ability to expand and upgrade
existing resource estimates; ability to obtain the timely supply of
services, equipment and materials for the operation of the ELG Mine
Complex and the design, development and construction of the ML
Project; the regulatory process and actions; ability to finance the
ML Project on reasonable terms, and those risk factors identified
in the Technical Report and the Company’s annual information form
and MD&A. Forward-looking information is based on the
assumptions discussed in the Technical Report and such other
reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of
management made in light of its experience and perception of
trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other
factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the
circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the
Company has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in
the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that
cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance
that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results
and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not
undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a
result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as
may be required by applicable securities laws.
|
|
|
|
|
Table 9: Summary of Unit Operating Costs |
|
|
|
|
Metrics as of April 1, 2022 |
|
Q2/22 to Q4/24 |
2025+ |
Life of Mine |
|
|
(Total) |
(Total) |
(Total) |
Physicals |
|
|
|
|
Total ore mined - ELG Open Pit |
kt |
9,528 |
0 |
9,528 |
Total waste mined - ELG Open Pit |
kt |
71,121 |
0 |
71,121 |
Total mined - ELG Open Pit |
kt |
80,649 |
0 |
80,649 |
Total ore mined - ELG Underground |
kt |
1,404 |
1,145 |
2,549 |
Total ore mined - ML Underground |
kt |
806 |
22,210 |
23,017 |
Net stockpile drawdowns |
kt |
887 |
3,798 |
4,685 |
Total ore processed |
kt |
12,624 |
27,154 |
39,778 |
Operating Unit Costs (with PTU) |
|
|
|
|
ELG Open Pit |
$/t mined |
$2.81 |
$0.00 |
$2.81 |
ELG Underground |
$/t ore mined |
$96.25 |
$100.56 |
$98.19 |
ML Underground |
$/t ore mined |
$44.77 |
$33.65 |
$34.04 |
Processing |
$/t ore milled |
$32.63 |
$35.43 |
$34.54 |
Site support |
$/t ore milled |
$11.49 |
$14.39 |
$13.47 |
Operating Unit Costs (without PTU) |
|
|
|
|
ELG Open Pit |
$/t mined |
$2.67 |
$0.00 |
$2.67 |
ELG Underground |
$/t ore mined |
$95.10 |
$99.12 |
$96.90 |
ML Underground |
$/t ore mined |
$44.77 |
$33.00 |
$33.42 |
Processing |
$/t ore milled |
$31.65 |
$34.78 |
$33.79 |
Site support |
$/t ore milled |
$10.85 |
$13.98 |
$12.99 |
Total Operating Cost |
|
|
|
|
ELG Open Pit |
$M |
$215.2 |
$10.9 |
$226.1 |
ELG Underground |
$M |
$133.7 |
$113.3 |
$247.0 |
ML Underground |
$M |
$36.8 |
$733.0 |
$769.8 |
Processing |
$M |
$399.6 |
$944.6 |
$1,344.2 |
Site support |
$M |
$137.0 |
$379.7 |
$516.7 |
Transport/Treatment/Refining |
$M |
$12.3 |
$213.4 |
$225.7 |
Employee profit sharing |
$M |
$56.7 |
$55.0 |
$111.7 |
Capitalized stripping |
$M |
($44.5) |
($49.2) |
($93.7) |
Total operating cost |
$M |
$946.8 |
$2,400.7 |
$3,347.5 |
Total operating cost |
$/t ore milled |
$75.00 |
$88.41 |
$84.15 |
Notes to Table 9:
- Operating unit costs (mining,
processing, site administration, and total) are Non-GAAP Measures.
See footnote 3 and Cautionary Note above on Non-GAAP Measures.
- Estimates are based on the project
period commencing April 1, 2022. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 10: After-tax Sensitivities to Key
Factors |
|
|
($400) |
($200) |
($100) |
Base Case |
$100 |
$200 |
$400 |
Gold Price - Long-term |
$/oz |
$1,200 |
$1,400 |
$1,500 |
$1,600 |
$1,700 |
$1,800 |
$2,000 |
Morelos Complex - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$378 |
$733 |
$890 |
$1,040 |
$1,186 |
$1,331 |
$1,617 |
ML Incremental - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$49 |
$277 |
$371 |
$458 |
$538 |
$616 |
$764 |
ML Incremental - IRR |
% |
6.4% |
12.2% |
14.3% |
16.1% |
17.7% |
19.1% |
21.8% |
|
|
($1.50) |
($1.00) |
($0.50) |
Base Case |
$0.50 |
$1.00 |
$1.50 |
Copper Price - Long-term |
$/lb |
$2.00 |
$2.50 |
$3.00 |
$3.50 |
$4.00 |
$4.50 |
$5.00 |
Morelos Complex - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$728 |
$839 |
$945 |
$1,040 |
$1,127 |
$1,210 |
$1,291 |
ML Incremental - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$149 |
$259 |
$364 |
$458 |
$544 |
$626 |
$705 |
ML Incremental - IRR |
% |
9.3% |
11.9% |
14.2% |
16.1% |
17.7% |
19.3% |
20.7% |
|
|
($6.00) |
($4.00) |
($2.00) |
Base Case |
$2.00 |
$4.00 |
$6.00 |
Silver Price - Long-term |
$/oz |
$15.00 |
$17.00 |
$19.00 |
$21.00 |
$23.00 |
$25.00 |
$27.00 |
Morelos Complex - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$998 |
$1,013 |
$1,027 |
$1,040 |
$1,054 |
$1,068 |
$1,081 |
ML Incremental - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$418 |
$432 |
$445 |
$458 |
$471 |
$484 |
$497 |
ML Incremental - IRR |
% |
15.3% |
15.6% |
15.8% |
16.1% |
16.3% |
16.6% |
16.8% |
|
|
(30%) |
(20%) |
(10%) |
Base Case |
10% |
20% |
30% |
Media Luna Project Capex |
$M |
$594 |
$678 |
$763 |
$848 |
$933 |
$1,018 |
$1,102 |
Morelos Complex - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$1,211 |
$1,155 |
$1,099 |
$1,040 |
$981 |
$919 |
$856 |
ML Incremental - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$629 |
$573 |
$517 |
$458 |
$399 |
$337 |
$274 |
ML Incremental - IRR |
% |
24.4% |
21.2% |
18.4% |
16.1% |
14.0% |
12.2% |
10.5% |
|
|
(30%) |
(20%) |
(10%) |
Base Case |
10% |
20% |
30% |
Sustaining Capex |
$M |
$316 |
$361 |
$406 |
$452 |
$497 |
$542 |
$587 |
Morelos Complex - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$1,121 |
$1,095 |
$1,068 |
$1,040 |
$1,013 |
$986 |
$958 |
ML Incremental - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$514 |
$496 |
$477 |
$458 |
$439 |
$420 |
$400 |
ML Incremental - IRR |
% |
17.3% |
16.9% |
16.5% |
16.1% |
15.7% |
15.3% |
14.9% |
|
|
(30%) |
(20%) |
(10%) |
Base Case |
10% |
20% |
30% |
Opex |
$M |
$2,330 |
$2,663 |
$2,996 |
$3,329 |
$3,662 |
$3,995 |
$4,328 |
Morelos Complex - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$1,490 |
$1,342 |
$1,193 |
$1,040 |
$876 |
$700 |
$512 |
ML Incremental - NPV (5%) |
$M |
$719 |
$636 |
$550 |
$458 |
$353 |
$237 |
$110 |
ML Incremental - IRR |
% |
20.7% |
19.3% |
17.8% |
16.1% |
14.0% |
11.5% |
8.3% |
|
|
(2.0%) |
(1.5%) |
(1.0%) |
Base Case |
1.0% |
1.5% |
2.0% |
Gold recovery |
% |
87.8% |
88.3% |
88.8% |
89.8% |
90.8% |
91.3% |
91.8% |
NPV (5%) |
$M |
$985 |
$999 |
$1,013 |
$1,040 |
$1,068 |
$1,082 |
$1,095 |
ML Incremental NPV (5%) |
$M |
$428 |
$436 |
$444 |
$458 |
$473 |
$480 |
$487 |
ML Incremental IRR |
% |
15.5% |
15.6% |
15.8% |
16.1% |
16.4% |
16.5% |
16.7% |
Notes to Table 10:
- Estimates are based on the project
period commencing April 1, 2022. All amounts in U.S. dollars.
- Sustaining capital expenditures
exclude $94M of capitalized stripping.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 11: Mineral Reserves for the Morelos
Complex |
|
Tonnes |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
AuEq |
AuEq |
|
(kt) |
(g/t) |
(g/t) |
(%) |
(koz) |
(koz) |
(Mlb) |
(g/t) |
(koz) |
El Limón Guajes Open Pit (ELG OP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
4,900 |
3.95 |
4.6 |
0.14 |
623 |
719 |
15 |
4.00 |
630 |
Probable |
5,471 |
2.35 |
4.5 |
0.12 |
414 |
784 |
15 |
2.39 |
421 |
Proven & Probable |
10,371 |
3.11 |
4.5 |
0.13 |
1,037 |
1,503 |
30 |
3.15 |
1,051 |
El Limón Guajes Underground (ELG UG) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
110 |
7.23 |
10.5 |
0.59 |
25 |
37 |
1 |
7.38 |
26 |
Probable |
2,566 |
5.68 |
5.7 |
0.22 |
469 |
474 |
13 |
5.74 |
474 |
Proven & Probable |
2,675 |
5.74 |
5.9 |
0.24 |
494 |
511 |
14 |
5.81 |
500 |
Media Luna Underground (ML UG) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Probable |
23,017 |
2.81 |
25.6 |
0.88 |
2,077 |
18,944 |
444 |
4.54 |
3,360 |
Proven & Probable |
23,017 |
2.81 |
25.6 |
0.88 |
2,077 |
18,944 |
444 |
4.54 |
3,360 |
Surface Stockpiles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
4,808 |
1.35 |
3.1 |
0.07 |
209 |
484 |
7 |
1.38 |
213 |
Probable |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Proven & Probable |
4,808 |
1.35 |
3.1 |
0.07 |
209 |
484 |
7 |
1.38 |
213 |
Total Morelos Complex |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
9,817 |
2.72 |
3.9 |
0.11 |
858 |
1,240 |
23 |
2.75 |
869 |
Probable |
31,054 |
2.96 |
20.2 |
0.69 |
2,959 |
20,202 |
472 |
4.26 |
4,254 |
Proven & Probable |
40,871 |
2.90 |
16.3 |
0.55 |
3,817 |
21,442 |
495 |
3.90 |
5,123 |
Notes to
accompany summary Mineral Reserve table:
- Mineral Reserves were developed in
accordance with CIM (2014) guidelines.
- Rounding may result in apparent
summation differences between tonnes, grade, and contained metal
content Surface Stockpile mineral reserves are estimated using
production and survey data and apply the same AuEq formula as ELG
Open Pits and ELG Underground.
- AuEq of Total Reserves is
established from combined contributions of the various
deposits.
- The qualified person for the
mineral reserve estimate is Johannes (Gertjan) Bekkers, P. Eng.,
Director of Mine Technical Services.
- The qualified person is not aware
of mining, metallurgical, infrastructure, permitting, or other
factors that materially affect the Mineral Reserve estimates.Notes
to accompany the ELG Open Pit Mineral Reserves:
- Mineral Reserves are founded on
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, with an effective date of
December 31, 2021, for ELG Open Pits (including El Limón, El Limón
Sur and Guajes deposits).
- ELG Open Pit Mineral Reserves are
reported above a diluted cut-off grade of 1.1 g/t Au.
- ELG Low Grade Mineral Reserves are
reported above a diluted cut-off grade of 1.0 g/t Au.
- It is planned that ELG Low Grade
Mineral Reserves within the designed pits will be stockpiled during
pit operation and processed during pit closure.
- Mineral Reserves within the
designed pits include assumed estimates for dilution and ore
losses.
- Cut-off grades and designed pits
are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,400/oz Au and
metal recovery of 89% Au.
- Mineral Reserves are reported using
a gold price of US$1,400/oz, silver price of US$17/oz, and copper
price of US$3.25/lb.
- Average metallurgical recoveries of
89% for gold and 30% for silver and 10% for copper.
- ELG AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) *
(0.0041) + Cu (%) * (0.1789), accounting for metal prices and
metallurgical recoveries.Notes to accompany the ELG Underground
Mineral Reserves:
- Mineral Reserves are founded on
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, with an effective date of
December 31, 2021, for ELG Underground (including Sub-Sill and ELD
deposits).
- Mineral Reserves were developed in
accordance with CIM guidelines.
- El Limón Underground mineral
reserves are reported above an in-situ ore cut-off grade of 3.58
g/t Au and an in-situ incremental cut-off grade of 1.04 g/t Au
- Cut-off grades and mining shapes
are considered appropriate for a metal price of $1,400/oz Au and
metal recovery of 89% Au.
- Mineral Reserves within designed
mine shapes assume mechanized cut and fill mining method and
include estimates for dilution and mining losses.
- Mineral Reserves are reported using
a gold price of US$1,400/oz, silver price of US$17/oz, and copper
price of US$3.25/lb
- Average metallurgical recoveries of
89% for gold and 30% for silver and 10% for copper
- ELG AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) *
(0.0041) + Cu (%) * (0.1789), accounting for metal prices and
metallurgical recoveries.Notes to accompany the ML Underground
Mineral Reserves:
- Mineral Reserves are based on Media
Luna Indicated Mineral Resources with an effective date of October
31st, 2021.
- Media Luna Underground Mineral
Reserves are reported above a diluted ore cut-off grade of 2.2 g/t
AuEq
- Media Luna Underground cut-off
grades and mining shapes are considered appropriate for a metal
price of $1,400/oz Au, $17/oz Ag and $3.25/lb Cu and metal
recoveries of 85% Au, 79% Ag, and 91% Cu.
- Mineral Reserves within designed
mine shapes assume long-hole open stoping, supplemented with
mechanized cut-and-fill mining and includes estimates for dilution
and mining losses.
- Media Luna AuEq = Au (g/t) + Ag
(g/t) * (0.011188) + Cu (%) * (1.694580), accounting for metal
prices and metallurgical recoveries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 12: Mineral Resources for the
Morelos Complex |
|
Tonnes |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
Au |
Ag |
Cu |
AuEq |
AuEq |
|
(kt) |
(g/t) |
(g/t) |
(%) |
(koz) |
(koz) |
(Mlb) |
(koz) |
(g/t) |
El Limón Guajes Open Pit (ELG OP) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
5,727 |
3.89 |
5.0 |
0.13 |
716 |
919 |
17 |
3.93 |
724 |
Indicated |
11,027 |
2.37 |
4.7 |
0.12 |
842 |
1,660 |
28 |
2.41 |
856 |
Measured & Indicated |
16,754 |
2.89 |
4.8 |
0.12 |
1,557 |
2,579 |
45 |
2.93 |
1,580 |
Inferred |
812 |
1.80 |
3.5 |
0.08 |
47 |
90 |
1 |
1.83 |
48 |
El Limón Guajes Underground (ELG UG) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
584 |
7.24 |
10.0 |
0.52 |
136 |
187 |
7 |
7.37 |
138 |
Indicated |
3,968 |
6.11 |
7.1 |
0.27 |
779 |
900 |
23 |
6.18 |
789 |
Measured & Indicated |
4,551 |
6.25 |
7.4 |
0.30 |
915 |
1,088 |
30 |
6.34 |
927 |
Inferred |
1,380 |
4.88 |
6.2 |
0.25 |
217 |
275 |
8 |
4.95 |
220 |
Media Luna Underground (ML UG) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Indicated |
25,380 |
3.24 |
31.5 |
1.08 |
2,642 |
25,706 |
602 |
5.38 |
4,394 |
Measured & Indicated |
25,380 |
3.24 |
31.5 |
1.08 |
2,642 |
25,706 |
602 |
5.38 |
4,394 |
Inferred |
5,991 |
2.47 |
20.8 |
0.81 |
476 |
3,998 |
106 |
4.05 |
780 |
EPO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Indicated |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Measured & Indicated |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Inferred |
8,019 |
1.52 |
34.6 |
1.27 |
391 |
8,908 |
225 |
3.97 |
1,024 |
Total Morelos Complex |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
6,311 |
4.20 |
5.5 |
0.17 |
852 |
1,106 |
24 |
4.25 |
862 |
Indicated |
40,375 |
3.28 |
21.8 |
0.73 |
4,263 |
28,266 |
653 |
4.65 |
6,039 |
Measured & Indicated |
46,685 |
3.41 |
19.6 |
0.66 |
5,114 |
29,373 |
677 |
4.60 |
6,901 |
Inferred |
16,202 |
2.17 |
25.5 |
0.95 |
1,131 |
13,271 |
340 |
3.98 |
2,071 |
Notes to
accompany summary Mineral Resource table:
- CIM (2014) definitions were
followed for Mineral Resources.
- Mineral Resources are depleted
above a mining surface or to the as-mined solids as of December 31,
2021.
- Mineral Resources are reported
using a gold price of US$1,550/oz, silver price of US$20/oz, and
copper price of US$3.50/lb.
- AuEq of total Mineral Resources is
established from combined contributions of the various
deposits.
- Mineral Resources are inclusive of
Mineral Reserves.
- Mineral Resources that are not
Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- Numbers may not add due to
rounding.
- The estimate was prepared by Mr.
John Makin, MAIG, a consultant with SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.
Mr. Makin is independent of the company and is a “Qualified Person”
under NI 43-101.Notes to accompany the ELG Mineral Resources:
- The effective date of the estimate
is December 31, 2021.
- Average metallurgical recoveries
are 89% for gold, 30% for silver and 10% for copper.
- ELG AuEq = Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) *
0.0043) + (Cu (%) * 0.1740). AuEq calculations consider both metal
prices and metallurgical recoveries.Notes to accompany the ELG Open
Pit Mineral Resources:
- Mineral resources are reported
above a cut-off grade of 0.9 g/t Au.
- Mineral Resources are reported
inside an optimized pit shell, underground mineral reserves at ELD
within the El Limón shell have been excluded from the open pit
Mineral Resources.Notes to accompany ELG Underground Mineral
Resources:
- Mineral Resources are reported
above a cut-off grade of 2.6 g/t Au.
- The assumed mining method is
underground cut and fill.
- Mineral Resources from ELD that are
contained within the El Limón pit optimization and that are not
underground Mineral Reserves have been excluded from the
underground Mineral Resources.Notes to accompany ML Mineral
Resources:
- The effective date of the estimate
is October 31, 2021.
- Mineral Resources are reported
above a 2.0 g/t AuEq cut-off grade.
- Metallurgical recoveries at Media
Luna (excluding EPO) average 85% for gold, 79% for silver, and 91%
for copper. Metallurgical recoveries at EPO average 85% for gold,
75% for silver, and 89% for copper.
- Media Luna (excluding EPO) AuEq =
Au (g/t) + (Ag (g/t) * 0.011889) + (Cu (%) * 1.648326). EPO AuEq =
Au (g/t) + Ag (g/t) * (0.011385) + Cu % * (1.621237). AuEq
calculations consider both metal prices and metallurgical
recoveries.
- The assumed mining method is from
underground methods, using a combination of long hole stoping and,
cut and fill.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 13: Operating and Financial
Results |
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Year Ended |
|
|
|
|
Dec
31, |
|
Sep
30, |
|
Dec
31, |
|
Dec
31, |
|
Dec
31, |
U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted |
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
2021 |
|
2020 |
|
2021 |
|
2020 |
Operating Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lost time injury frequency (12-month rolling) |
|
/million hoursworked |
0.14 |
|
|
0.26 |
|
0.15 |
|
0.14 |
|
0.15 |
Total recordable injury frequency (12-month rolling) |
|
/million hours worked |
2.32 |
|
|
2.44 |
|
2.52 |
|
2.32 |
|
2.52 |
Gold produced |
|
oz |
|
109,411 |
|
|
111,229 |
|
130,649 |
|
468,203 |
|
430,484 |
Gold sold |
|
oz |
|
109,391 |
|
|
118,989 |
|
133,063 |
|
468,823 |
|
437,310 |
Total cash costs 2 |
|
$/oz |
|
764 |
|
|
727 |
|
579 |
|
674 |
|
672 |
Total cash costs margin 2 |
|
$/oz |
|
1,034 |
|
|
1,059 |
|
1,268 |
|
1,120 |
|
1,099 |
All-in sustaining costs 2 |
|
$/oz |
|
1,079 |
|
|
900 |
|
886 |
|
928 |
|
924 |
All-in sustaining costs margin 2 |
|
$/oz |
|
719 |
|
|
886 |
|
961 |
|
865 |
|
847 |
Average realized gold price 2 |
|
$/oz |
|
1,798 |
|
|
1,786 |
|
1,847 |
|
1,794 |
|
1,771 |
Financial Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
$M |
|
202.0 |
|
|
216.7 |
|
251.6 |
|
855.8 |
|
789.2 |
Cost of sales |
|
$M |
|
135.1 |
|
|
142.6 |
|
143.0 |
|
529.3 |
|
532.0 |
Earnings from mine operations |
|
$M |
|
66.9 |
|
|
74.1 |
|
108.6 |
|
326.5 |
|
257.2 |
Impairment loss |
|
$M |
|
41.2 |
|
|
- |
|
- |
|
41.2 |
|
- |
Net income |
|
$M |
|
(0.5 |
) |
|
36.5 |
|
91.9 |
|
151.7 |
|
109.0 |
Per share - Basic |
|
$/share |
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
0.43 |
|
1.07 |
|
1.77 |
|
1.27 |
Per share - Diluted |
|
$/share |
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
0.41 |
|
1.05 |
|
1.71 |
|
1.25 |
Adjusted net earnings 2 |
|
$M |
|
32.4 |
|
|
42.9 |
|
60.9 |
|
180.0 |
|
135.7 |
Per share - Basic 2 |
|
$/share |
|
0.38 |
|
|
0.50 |
|
0.71 |
|
2.10 |
|
1.59 |
Per share - Diluted 2 |
|
$/share |
|
0.38 |
|
|
0.50 |
|
0.71 |
|
2.09 |
|
1.58 |
EBITDA 2 |
|
$M |
|
62.4 |
|
|
119.7 |
|
165.9 |
|
461.6 |
|
413.0 |
Adjusted EBITDA 2 |
|
$M |
|
104.6 |
|
|
119.3 |
|
158.5 |
|
490.8 |
|
431.4 |
Cost of sales |
|
$/oz |
|
1,235 |
|
|
1,198 |
|
1,075 |
|
1,129 |
|
1,217 |
Cash from operating activities |
|
$M |
|
94.6 |
|
|
87.8 |
|
137.1 |
|
330.0 |
|
342.1 |
Cash from operating activities before changes in non-cash operating
working capital |
|
$M |
|
87.4 |
|
|
100.2 |
|
140.8 |
|
365.2 |
|
328.8 |
Free cash flow 2 |
|
$M |
|
37.3 |
|
|
29.4 |
|
86.9 |
|
97.9 |
|
192.0 |
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments |
|
$M |
|
255.7 |
|
|
221.6 |
|
206.2 |
|
255.7 |
|
206.2 |
Net cash 2 |
|
$M |
|
252.4 |
|
|
217.8 |
|
161.6 |
|
252.4 |
|
161.6 |
Notes to Table 13:
- This is an
extract from the MD&A and should be read in conjunction with
the MD&A and the Company’s audited consolidated financial
statements and related notes for the year ended December 31,
2021.
- Adjusted net
earnings, total cash costs, total cash costs margin, all-in
sustaining costs, all-in sustaining costs margin, average realized
gold price, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and net cash
are non-GAAP financial measures with no standard meaning under
IFRS. Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures” for
further information and a detailed reconciliation to the comparable
IFRS measures in the Company’s MD&A for the year ended December
31, 2021, dated February 23, 2022, available on Torex Gold’s
website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company’s SEDAR profile
(www.sedar.com).
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