Q4-2024 Production Results and Operational
Highlights
Serabi Gold plc (“Serabi” or the
“Company”) (AIM:SRB, TSX:SBI, OTCQX:SRBIF), the Brazilian
focused gold mining and development company, is pleased to announce
the Company’s fourth quarter production results and operating
highlights for FY2024 (all financial amounts are expressed in U.S.
dollars unless otherwise indicated).
Q4-2024 QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS & 2025
GUIDANCE
- Q4-2024 gold
production of 10,022 ounces, the highest in the past 5 years.
- FY2024 gold
production of 37,520 ounces, a 13.2% increase on FY2023 gold
production.
- Commissioned
Coringa classification plant (crusher and ore sorter).
- Cash as at 31
December 2024 of $22.2 million vs $20.0 million as at 30 September
2024.
- Net cash at
quarter-end (after interest bearing loans and lease liabilities) of
$16.2 million vs $5.0 million as at 31 December 2023.
- 2025
consolidated production guidance of 44,000 – 47,000 ounces
gold.
Mike Hodgson, CEO of Serabi,
commented:
“2024 was a highly successful year for Serabi
with many milestones achieved. These include a 13% increase in
annual gold production, permitting progress at Coringa with the
renewal for three years of the trial mining permit, the successful
build and commissioning of the Coringa classification plant out of
cashflow, whilst ending the year with a healthy cash position.
The fourth quarter in particular was excellent
for Serabi, as gold production of 10,022 ounces was a five-year
high and resulted in a year-end total of 37,520 ounces. Throughout
2024, gold production improved and we expect this to continue into
2025.
Whilst our growth is clearly Coringa focused, it
has been very welcome news to see Palito grades improve
significantly during the fourth quarter, with mined and milled
grades exceeding 6.10 g/t gold. It is not a coincidence that this
grade improvement has occurred as we have been able to cease the
more dilutive mechanised mining in the Chico da Santa zone, and
returning to a selective mining method. Grade improvements are also
due to some exceptional grades coming out of the Barrichello zone
which is expected to be contributing significantly to 2025 gold
production.
The Coringa mine continued to perform
exceptionally well with ore being mined in the Serra zone at levels
260m and 225m, with development on levels 225m, 195m and 165m, and
the Serra ramp now approaching level 130m. The fourth quarter also
saw the Meio portal and ramp development commence with the
mineralisation at Meio intersected in December. Meio is expected to
contribute significantly to Coringa production in 2025.
Lastly, the Coringa classification plant was
commissioned in December and so far has been yielding formidable
results. As previously reported, Serabi is now pre-concentrating
mined ore at Coringa and trucking this preconcentrated product to
the Palito Complex for further processing, ~200km to the north by
road. The economic benefits of this option were formally documented
in the NI 43-101 compliant PEA Technical Report filed November
2024.”
OPERATIONAL RESULTS
SUMMARY PRODUCTION STATISTICS FOR 2024 AND
2023 |
|
|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Fiscal |
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
Fiscal |
|
2024 |
2024 |
2024 |
2024 |
2024 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
2023 |
|
Group |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold production (1)(2) |
Ounces |
9,007 |
9,003 |
9,489 |
10,022 |
37,520 |
8,005 |
8,518 |
8,738 |
7,891 |
33,153 |
|
Mined ore |
Tonnes |
56,296 |
59,564 |
58,682 |
50,327 |
225,049 |
41,546 |
41,022 |
44,744 |
49,541 |
176,853 |
|
|
Gold grade (g/t) |
5.31 |
5.06 |
5.48 |
6.19 |
5.49 |
6.49 |
6.94 |
6.64 |
5.22 |
6.28 |
|
Milled ore |
Tonnes |
54,521 |
55,192 |
54,579 |
52,363 |
216,655 |
39,004 |
41,116 |
43,092 |
48,988 |
172,201 |
|
|
Gold grade (g/t) |
5.38 |
5.31 |
5.59 |
6.21 |
5.61 |
6.75 |
6.84 |
6.72 |
5.31 |
6.35 |
|
Horizontal development |
Metres |
3,131 |
3,550 |
3,325 |
3,511 |
13,135 |
2,464 |
2,977 |
2,923 |
3,134 |
11,498 |
|
(1) The
table may not sum due to rounding.
(2) Production
numbers are subject to change pending final assay analysis from
refineries.
Total production for the fourth quarter was
10,022 ounces. Total ore mined during the quarter was 50,327 tonnes
at 6.19 g/t compared to 58,682 tonnes at 5.48 g/t for the third
quarter of 2024. The increase in grade is driven by the return to
selective mining methods from the bulk mining methods previously
utilised in the Chica da Santa sector, which removed dilution
associated with the bulk mining methods. Additionally, the higher
grades in the fourth quarter of 2024 are driven by the increased
grades mined in the Barrichello zone which is expected to
contribute significantly to 2025 production. The Palito Complex
process plant treated 52,363 tonnes of ROM ore during the quarter,
with an average grade of 6.21 g/t of gold, compared with 54,579
tonnes at 5.59 g/t gold in the third quarter of 2024.
A total of 3,511 metres of horizontal
development has been completed for the quarter of which 1,925
metres was ore development. The balance was the ramp, crosscuts and
stope preparation development.
The Coringa orebody continues to perform well.
Production was focused on the levels of 260m and 225m, with
development now complete or nearly complete on the levels of 225m,
195m, and 165m whilst the Serra ramp now approaching 130m. Coringa
has 2.5 fully developed levels ahead of stoping.
FINANCE UPDATE
Cash balances at the end of December 2024 were
$22.2 million, in comparison to the cash balances at the end of
December 2023 of $11.6 million. On 7 January 2024, the Group
completed a $5.0 million unsecured loan arrangement with Itau Bank
in Brazil which carried an interest coupon of 8.47 per cent. This
loan was fully repaid on 6 January 2025. The Company is in the
final stages of executing another loan facility with a more
favourable interest rate. The Company had a net cash balance at the
end of Q4-2024 (after interest bearing loans and lease liabilities)
of $16.2 million (31 December 2023: net cash $5.0 million).
FY2025 PRODUCTION GUIDANCE
The Company expects FY2025 consolidated gold
production of 44,000 – 47,000 ounces.
About Serabi Gold plcSerabi Gold plc is a gold
exploration, development and production company focused on the
prolific Tapajós region in Para State, northern Brazil. The Company
has consistently produced 30,000 to 40,000 ounces per year with the
Palito Complex and is planning to double production in the coming
years with the construction of the Coringa Gold project. Serabi
Gold plc recently made a copper-gold porphyry discovery on its
extensive exploration licence. The Company is headquartered in the
United Kingdom with a secondary office in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by
the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under
the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of
UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act
2018.
The person who arranged for the release of this
announcement on behalf of the Company was Andrew Khov, Vice
President, Investor Relations & Business Development.
Enquiries
SERABI GOLD plcMichael
Hodgson t
+44 (0)20 7246 6830Chief
Executive m
+44 (0)7799 473621
Andrew Khov
m
+1 647 885 4874Vice President, Investor Relations & Business
Development e
contact@serabigold.com
www.serabigold.com
BEAUMONT CORNISH LimitedNominated
Adviser & Financial AdviserRoland Cornish / Michael
Cornish t
+44 (0)20 7628 3396
PEEL HUNT LLPJoint UK
BrokerRoss
Allister t
+44 (0)20 7418 9000
TAMESIS PARTNERS LLPJoint UK
BrokerCharlie Bendon/ Richard
Greenfield t
+44 (0)20 3882 2868
CAMARCOFinancial PR -
EuropeGordon Poole / Emily
Hall t
+44 (0)20 3757 4980
HARBOR ACCESS Financial PR – North
AmericaJonathan Patterson / Lisa
Micali t
+1 475 477 9404
Copies of this announcement are available from
the Company's website at www.serabigold.com.
See
www.serabigold.com for more information
and follow us on twitter @Serabi_Gold
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The following is a glossary of technical
terms:
“actinolite” |
amphibole silicate mineral commonly found in metamorphic rocks,
including those surrounding cooled intrusive igneous rocks |
“Ag” |
means silver. |
“alkalic porphyry” |
A class of copper-porphyry mineral deposits characterised by
disseminated mineralisation within and immediately adjacent to
silica-saturated to silica-undersaturated alkalic intrusive centres
and being copper/gold/molybdenum-rich. |
“albite” |
is a plagioclase feldspar mineral |
“aplite” |
An intrusive igneous rock in which the mineral composition is the
same as granite, but in which the grains are much finer |
“argillic alteration” |
is hydrothermal alteration of wall rock which introduces clay
minerals including kaolinite, smectite and illite |
“AISC” |
means All-In Sustaining Cost – a non IFRS performance measurement
established by the World Gold Council |
“ANM” |
means the Agencia Nacional de Mineral. |
“Au” |
means gold. |
“assay” |
in economic geology, means to analyse the proportions of metal in a
rock or overburden sample; to test an ore or mineral for
composition, purity, weight or other properties of commercial
interest. |
“biotite” |
A phyllosilicate mineral composed of a silicate of iron,
magnesium, potassium, and aluminum found in crystalline rocks and
as an alteration mineral. |
“breccia” |
a rock composed of large angular broken fragments of minerals or
rocks cemented together by a fine-grained matrix |
“brecciation” |
Describes the process where large angular broken fragments of
minerals or rocks become cemented together by a fine-grained
matrix. |
“CIM” |
means the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and
Petroleum. |
“CIP” or “Carbon in Pulp” |
means a process used in gold extraction by addition of
cyanide. |
“chalcopyrite” |
is a sulphide of copper and iron. |
“copper porphyry” |
copper ore body formed from hydrothermal fluids. These fluids will
be predated by or associated with are vertical dykes of porphry
intrusive rocks |
“Cu” |
means copper. |
“cut-off grade” |
the lowest grade of mineralised material that qualifies as ore in a
given deposit; rock of the lowest assay included in an ore
estimate. |
“dacite porphyry intrusive” |
a silica-rich igneous rock with larger phenocrysts (crystals)
within a fine-grained matrix |
“deposit” |
is a mineralised body which has been physically delineated by
sufficient drilling, trenching, and/or underground work, and found
to contain a sufficient average grade of metal or metals to warrant
further exploration and/or development expenditures; such a deposit
does not qualify as a commercially mineable orebody or as
containing ore reserves, until final legal, technical, and economic
factors have been resolved. |
“electromagnetics” |
is a geophysical technique tool measuring the magnetic field
generated by subjecting the sub-surface to electrical
currents. |
“epidote” |
is a calcium aluminium iron sorosilicate mineral |
“garimpo” |
is a local artisanal mining operation |
“garimpeiro” |
is a local artisanal miner. |
“geochemical” |
refers to geological information using measurements derived from
chemical analysis. |
“geophysical” |
refers to geological information using measurements derived from
the use of magnetic and electrical readings. |
“geophysical techniques” |
include the exploration of an area by exploiting differences in
physical properties of different rock types. Geophysical methods
include seismic, magnetic, gravity, induced polarisation and other
techniques; geophysical surveys can be undertaken from the ground
or from the air. |
“gold equivalent” |
refers to quantities of materials other than gold stated in units
of gold by reference to relative product values at prevailing
market prices. |
“gossan” |
is an iron-bearing weathered product that overlies a sulphide
deposit. |
“grade” |
is the concentration of mineral within the host rock typically
quoted as grams per tonne (g/t), parts per million (ppm) or parts
per billion (ppb). |
“g/t” |
means grams per tonne. |
“granodiorite” |
is an igneous intrusive rock like granite. |
“hectare” or a “ha” |
is a unit of measurement equal to 10,000 square metres. |
“hematite” |
is a common iron oxide compound |
“igneous” |
is a rock that has solidified from molten material or magma. |
“indicated mineral resource” |
is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or
quality, densities, shape and physical characteristics can be
estimated with a level of confidence sufficient to allow the
appropriate application of technical and economic parameters, to
support mine planning and evaluation of the economic viability of
the deposit. The estimate is based on detailed and reliable
exploration and testing information gathered through appropriate
techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits,
workings and drill holes that are spaced closely enough for
geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed. |
“inferred mineral resource” |
is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or
quality can be estimated on the basis of geological evidence and
limited sampling and reasonably assumed, but not verified,
geological and grade continuity. The estimate is based on limited
information and sampling gathered through appropriate techniques
from locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill
holes. |
“IP” |
refers to induced polarisation, a geophysical technique whereby an
electric current is induced into the sub-surface and the
conductivity of the sub-surface is recorded. |
“intrusive” |
is a body of rock that invades older rocks. |
“lithocap” |
Lithocaps are subsurface, broadly stratabound alteration domains
that are laterally and vertically extensive. They form when acidic
magmatic-hydrothermal fluids react with wallrocks during ascent
towards the paleosurface. |
“measured mineral resource” |
is that part of a mineral resource for which quantity, grade or
quality, densities, shape, and physical characteristics are so well
established that they can be estimated with confidence sufficient
to allow the appropriate application of technical and economic
parameters, to support production planning and evaluation of the
economic viability of the deposit. The estimate is based on
detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and testing information
gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as
outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes that are spaced
closely enough to confirm both geological and grade
continuity. |
“mineralisation” |
the concentration of metals and their chemical compounds within a
body of rock. |
“mineralised” |
refers to rock which contains minerals e.g. iron, copper,
gold. |
“mineral reserve” |
is the economically mineable part of a measured or indicated
mineral resource demonstrated by at least a preliminary feasibility
study. This study must include adequate information on mining,
processing, metallurgical, economic and other relevant factors that
demonstrate, at the time of reporting, that economic extraction can
be justified. A mineral reserve includes diluting materials and
allowances for losses that may occur when the material is
mined. |
“mineral resource” |
is a concentration or occurrence of diamonds, natural solid
inorganic material or natural fossilised organic material including
base and precious metals, coal, and industrial minerals in or on
the Earth’s crust in such form and quantity and of such a grade or
quality that it has reasonable prospects for economic extraction.
The location, quantity, grade, geological characteristics and
continuity of a mineral resource are known, estimated or
interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge. |
“Mo-Bi-As-Te-W-Sn” |
Molybdenum-Bismuth-Arsenic-Tellurium-Tungsten-Tin |
“magnetite” |
Magnetic mineral composed of iron oxide found in intrusive rocks
and as an alteration mineral. |
“monzodiorite” |
Is an intrusive rock formed by slow cooling of underground
magma. |
“monzogranite” |
a biotite rich granite, often part of the later-stage emplacement
of a larger granite body. |
“mt” |
means million tonnes. |
“NI 43-101” |
means Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument
43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. |
“ore” |
means a metal or mineral or a combination of these of sufficient
value as to quality and quantity to enable it to be mined at a
profit. |
“oxides” |
are near surface bed-rock which has been weathered and oxidised by
long-term exposure to the effects of water and air. |
“paragenesis” |
Is a term used to describe the sequence on relative phases of
origination of igneous and metamorphic rocks and the deposition of
ore minerals and rock alteration. |
“phyllic alteration” |
is a hydrothermal alteration zone in a permeable rock that has been
affected by circulation of hydrothermal fluids |
“porphry” |
any of various granites or igneous rocks with coarse grained
crystals |
“ppm” |
means parts per million. |
“proterozoic” |
means the geological eon (period) 2.5 billion years ago to 541
million years ago |
“pyrite” |
an iron sulphide mineral |
“quartz-alunite ± kaolinite” |
Alunite is a hydroxylated aluminium potassium sulfate mineral. It
presence is typical in areas of advanced argillic alteration and
usually accompanied by the presence of quartz (a crystalline silica
mineral) and sometimes kaolinite.(a clay mineral). |
“saprolite” |
is a weathered or decomposed clay-rich rock. |
“scapolites” |
are a group of rock-forming silicate minerals composed of
aluminium, calcium, and sodium silicate with chlorine, carbonate
and sulfate |
“sulphide” |
refers to minerals consisting of a chemical combination of sulphur
with a metal. |
“tailings” |
are the residual waste material that it is produced by the
processing of mineralised rock. |
“tpd” |
means tonnes per day. |
“vein” |
is a generic term to describe an occurrence of mineralised rock
within an area of non-mineralised rock. |
“VTEM” |
refers to versa time domain electromagnetic, a particular variant
of time-domain electromagnetic geophysical survey to prospect for
conductive bodies below surface. |
“vuggy” |
a geological feature characterised by irregular cavities or holes
within a rock or mineral, often formed by the dissolution or
removal of minerals leaving behind empty spaces |
Assay ResultsAssay results reported within this
release include those provided by the Company's own on-site
laboratory facilities at Palito and have not yet been independently
verified. Serabi closely monitors the performance of its own
facility against results from independent laboratory analysis for
quality control purpose. As a matter of normal practice, the
Company sends duplicate samples derived from a variety of the
Company's activities to accredited laboratory facilities for
independent verification. Since mid-2019, over 10,000 exploration
drill core samples have been assayed at both the Palito laboratory
and certified external laboratory, in most cases the ALS laboratory
in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. When comparing significant assays with
grades exceeding 1 g/t gold, comparison between Palito versus
external results record an average over-estimation by the Palito
laboratory of 6.7% over this period. Based on the results of this
work, the Company's management are satisfied that the Company's own
facility shows sufficiently good correlation with independent
laboratory facilities for exploration drill samples. The Company
would expect that in the preparation of any future independent
Reserve/Resource statement undertaken in compliance with a
recognized standard, the independent authors of such a statement
would not use Palito assay results without sufficient duplicates
from an appropriately certificated laboratory.
Forward-looking statementsCertain statements in
this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking
statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use
of terms and phrases such as ‘‘believe’’, ‘‘could’’, “should”
‘‘envisage’’, ‘‘estimate’’, ‘‘intend’’, ‘‘may’’, ‘‘plan’’, ‘‘will’’
or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions,
including references to assumptions. These forward-looking
statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the
Directors’ current expectations and assumptions regarding the
Company’s future growth, results of operations, performance, future
capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and
sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business
prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect
the Directors’ current beliefs and assumptions and are based on
information currently available to the Directors. Several factors
could cause actual results to differ materially from the results
discussed in the forward-looking statements including risks
associated with vulnerability to general economic and business
conditions, competition, environmental and other regulatory
changes, actions by governmental authorities, the availability of
capital markets, reliance on key personnel, uninsured and
underinsured losses and other factors, many of which are beyond the
control of the Company. Although any forward-looking statements
contained in this announcement are based upon what the Directors
believe to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure
investors that actual results will be consistent with such forward
looking statements.
Qualified Persons StatementThe scientific and
technical information contained within this announcement has been
reviewed and approved by Michael Hodgson, a Director of the
Company. Mr Hodgson is an Economic Geologist by training with over
30 years' experience in the mining industry. He holds a BSc (Hons)
Geology, University of London, a MSc Mining Geology, University of
Leicester and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals
and Mining and a Chartered Engineer of the Engineering Council of
UK, recognizing him as both a Qualified Person for the purposes of
Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and by the AIM Guidance Note on
Mining and Oil & Gas Companies dated June 2009.
NoticeBeaumont Cornish Limited, which is
authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial
Conduct Authority, is acting as nominated adviser to the Company in
relation to the matters referred herein. Beaumont Cornish Limited
is acting exclusively for the Company and for no one else in
relation to the matters described in this announcement and is not
advising any other person and accordingly will not be responsible
to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections
afforded to clients of Beaumont Cornish Limited, or for providing
advice in relation to the contents of this announcement or any
matter referred to in it.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, nor any other securities
regulatory authority, has approved or disapproved of the contents
of this news release
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