TORONTO, Feb. 20,
2025 /CNW/ - Allied Gold Corporation (TSX: AAUC)
(OTCQX: AAUCF) ("Allied" or the "Company") herein provides its 2025
operating guidance and medium-term outlook, including updates to
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources.
Highlights
- The Company's producing mines are expected to produce between
375,000 and 400,000 gold ounces per year, as evidenced by the run
rate delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 of 99,632 gold ounces,
which is consistent with Allied's previously provided guidance and
outlook for production at its producing mines. Mine-site level
All-In Sustaining Costs(1) ("AISC") for 2025 are
expected to be between US$1,690 and
US$1,790 per ounce, reflecting
operational improvements and the implementation of the changes to
the mining code in Mali.
- At Kurmuk, earthworks and structural fills at the plant terrace
are near completion, while civil works and SMPP (structural,
mechanical, plate, and piping) contractor mobilizations are in
progress. Main camp construction, along with engineering and
procurement activities remain on track and on budget. Mining
activities are planned to start in the latter part of the first
quarter and continue through the year and into 2026 with the
objective of preparing the mine and building ore stockpiles to
support the start of operations. Capital expenditures of
US$280 million are anticipated for
Kurmuk in 2025, with the remaining capital to completion and the
first gold planned for the first half of 2026. Kurmuk is expected
to deliver 175,000 gold ounces for the partial year of production
in 2026, an average production level of approximately 290,000 gold
ounces per annum over the first four years and 240,000 gold ounces
per annum over the life of the mine at industry-leading All-In
Sustaining Costs(1) ("AISC") costs below US$950 per ounce.
- The first phase of expansion at Sadiola commenced in the fourth
quarter of 2024 and is advancing on schedule and on budget, with
earthworks and structural fill, along with engineering,
procurement, and mobilization for mechanical contractors
progressing well. Continued investment in the first phase
expansion, including planned plant modifications and infrastructure
upgrades, is consistent with prior estimates at US$70 million in 2025. The first phase plant
expansion involves installing additional crushing and grinding
capacity in one of the Sadiola's processing lines, which will be
dedicated to processing fresh ore. These modifications will allow
Sadiola to treat up to 60% of fresh rock at a rate of up to 5.7
Mt/y in the modified process plant starting the fourth quarter of
2025. With the completion of plant modifications in the first
phase, Sadiola is expected to produce between 200,000 and 230,000
ounces of gold per year in the medium term, ahead of the next phase
of expansion. This second phase expansion is expected to be
completed in late 2028 and will target a production level of
400,000 gold ounces per annum over the first four years and 300,000
gold ounces per annum over the life of the mine, with
AISC(1) expected to decrease to below US$1,200 per gold ounce.
2025 Guidance
In 2025, Allied anticipates producing 375,000 to 400,000 ounces
of gold, representing a meaningful increase in production
year-over-year. Achieving the higher end of this guided range
primarily hinges on capturing opportunities to increase oxide ore
feed in Agbaou from the Hire area, which are currently being
studied.
(000's
ounces)
|
2023
Actual
|
2024
Actual
|
Q4 2024
Actual
|
2025
Guidance
|
Sadiola
|
171,007
|
193,462
|
54,210
|
200,000 –
205,000
|
Bonikro
|
99,409
|
86,755
|
20,259
|
98,000 –
105,000
|
Agbaou
|
73,104
|
77,874
|
25,163
|
77,000 –
90,000
|
Total Gold
Production
|
343,817
|
358,090
|
99,632
|
375,000 –
400,000
|
Certain optimizations improved performance throughout 2024,
resulting in higher production in Q4 2024. Similarly, production in
2025 is expected to be back-half weighted, with a
first-half/second-half split of 45%/55%. Due to mine sequencing,
the first quarter of 2025 production is expected to be below the
levels of the first quarters of 2023 and 2024, while production in
Q4 2025 is expected to be meaningfully higher than the first three
quarters of the year. This is driven by improvements to feed grades
resulting from stripping and sequencing at Bonikro and the
completion of the first phase of expansion at Sadiola in the third
quarter. Production in the fourth quarter is expected to be 56%
higher than in the first quarter of 2025.
Regarding costs, the projected mine-site level
AISC(1) for 2025 is expected to be US$1,690-US$1,790
per ounce, reflecting operational improvements at Bonikro and
Sadiola. At Agbaou the Company is pursuing opportunities to
increase oxide feed from exploration targets located in the Hire
area mentioned above, providing an opportunity to reduce AISC. At
Sadiola, the cost guidance reflects the implementation of the
previously announced Protocol Agreement with Mali over the entire year of operations.
(US$/oz
Sold)
|
|
2025
Cash Costs(1)
|
2025 Mine-Site
AISC(1)
|
Sadiola
|
|
1,630-1,715
|
1,650-1,735
|
Bonikro
|
|
1,230-1,300
|
1,500-1,585
|
Agbaou
|
|
1,630-1,715
|
2,050-2,160
|
Total
|
|
1,540-1,620
|
1,690-1,790
|
Every US$100/oz increase in the
price of gold is expected to result in US$15/oz higher AISC(1) on a
consolidated basis, primarily due to certain royalties based on
gold price. Given the Ad-Valorem tax at Sadiola, the gold price
impact is proportionally higher. Guidance AISC(1)
is defined at a gold price of US$2,500 per ounce. Primarily due to certain
royalties based on gold price, every US$100/oz increase in the price of gold is
expected to result in US$15/oz higher
AISC(1) on a consolidated basis with most of that
attributable to Sadiola, at which the gold price impact to
AISC(1) is proportionally higher. Corporate items are
expected to add approximately US$100
per ounce sold to arrive at the corporate-level AISC(1),
with this impact decreasing in future periods as costs decline and
production rises.
The following table presents expansionary capital, sustaining
capital, and exploration spend expectations by mine and
company-level for 2025:
(US$
millions)
|
Expansionary
Capital
|
Sustaining
Capital
|
Total
Exploration
|
Sadiola
|
70
|
2
|
6
|
Bonikro
|
1
|
67
|
6
|
Agbaou
|
1
|
30
|
3
|
Kurmuk
|
280
|
-
|
5
|
Corporate
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
Total
|
352
|
100
|
20
|
Bonikro will incur an anticipated US$60
million of capital expenditures related to production
stripping during 2025, further exposing higher-grade ore and
leading to robust free cash flows in the years that follow when the
rock movement and stripping ratio meaningfully decreases. As the
waste stripping benefits not only 2025 but also the following two
years of production, the AISC per Ounce Sold figure accounts for
the allocation of the stripping spend over the ounces it benefits
through 2027. Waste stripping at Bonikro during 2026 and 2027 is
expected to be negligible.
Similarly, Agbaou will incur an anticipated US$25 million of capital expenditures related to
production stripping during 2025, which is expected to lead to
improved performance in future years.
Approximately 70% of the Company's expected exploration spend is
capital in nature.
The following table presents other expenditure expectations for
2025:
(US$
millions)
|
|
2025
Guidance
|
Total
DD&A
|
|
70
|
Cash-based
G&A
|
|
40
|
Cash income taxes paid
(assumes US$2,500/oz Au)
|
|
55
|
Outlook 2026-2027
In 2025, Allied is focused on delivering increased oxide feed at
Sadiola and completing the first phase expansion, advancing
construction activities at Kurmuk while also continuing its
exploration efforts to extend mine life, particularly in Côte
d'Ivoire. Alongside this, the Company is dedicated to finding
operational improvements to increase production and reduce
costs.
While not currently reflected in Allied's official one-year
guidance, the operating trends clearly support the Company's
strategic vision of achieving significant growth at substantially
lower costs and underpin the outlook for 2026 and 2027.
At Sadiola, gold production is anticipated to increase
sequentially in 2026 and 2027, with a goal of achieving between
200,000 and 230,000 ounces of production per annum. The improvement
over the previous year's production levels is expected to be driven
by the inclusion of additional oxide ores from targets such as
Sekekoto West, FE4, and FE2.5, and others, alongside the positive
impacts from treating higher-grade fresh rock as the result of the
implementation of the first phase expansion. These developments are
anticipated to offer further opportunities for production increases
and cost reductions.
Bonikro is expected to achieve stable gold production during the
outlook period, with a goal of averaging 100,000 ounces annually.
This projection does not account for the potential additional
benefits from mining sequence optimizations, ore feed from Oume,
and other exploration targets. As previously noted, the waste
stripping executed in 2024 and continuing in 2025 is expected to
expose higher-grade ore in 2025 and beyond, significantly reducing
the mine-site AISC(1) to below US$1,500 per ounce starting in 2026. At Oume,
exploration and infill drilling efforts continue, with the
potential for further extensions of the mineralization areas and
advanced resource drilling at Oume West and North. The program's
objective is to increase the mineral inventories by the end of the
year in connection to the advancement of the project.
For Agbaou, gold production is expected to remain consistent
each year throughout the outlook period, not falling below 87,000
ounces annually. The improvements are attributed to the mining
sequence improvement and the identification of additional Mineral
Reserves in Agbalé, as well as operational optimizations. These
enhancements enable the mill to handle relatively harder rock
blends more effectively while also offering the opportunity to
increase oxide feed from Agbalé and other targets.
Kurmuk is expected to start production by mid-2026, contributing
an estimated 175,000 ounces of gold to the latter half of the 2026
forecast. For 2027 and 2028, the mine is expected to increase
production sequentially year over year, with an average target
production of approximately 265,000 ounces over that period and
nearly 290,000 ounces per annum on average over the first four
years of production. Significant exploration potential at near-mine
locations around Dish Mountain and Ashashire, along with the
regional Tsenge prospect and other targets, supports a strategic
mine life of at least 15 years at a mine-site AISC(1)
below US$950 per ounce.
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Update
Allied's near-term guidance and longer-term outlook are
supported by its Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources, which
ensure the reliability and sustainability of the Company's
production platform while also providing the flexibility to
increase near-term production and cash flows from high-yield
near-mine targets. This year, Allied has conducted a thorough
review of its mining design parameters, leading to the adoption of
more conservative assumptions, especially regarding operational
factors such as mining selectivity and dilution. This strategic
adjustment aims to improve ore control procedures and the
short-term predictability of operations. It also serves to offset
the impact of increased Mineral Reserves together with the
depletion resulting from mining activities in 2024. The Company is
optimistic that its exploration efforts will continue to increase
mineral inventories, with a goal to achieve additional growth by
the end of 2025.
As of December 31, 2024, the
Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves were reported at 10.8 million
ounces of gold, contained within 237 million tonnes at a grade of
1.42 g/t. This figure remained relatively unchanged compared to the
previous year. The stable reserve balance reflects the addition of
new Mineral Reserves, the depletion of reserves due to production
in 2024, and adjustments to the economic and design parameters
outlined above. Similarly, the total Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resources stood at 15.7 million ounces of gold, contained within
327 million tonnes at a grade of 1.49 g/t. This is nearly the same
as the previous year's figure of 16.0 million ounces, with the
slight decrease attributed to the conversion of Inferred Mineral
Resources, which at year-end 2024 totaled 1.4 million ounces
contained within 33.7 million tonnes at a grade of 1.33 g/t.
At Sadiola, the Company updated its economic parameters to
reflect the new mining code in Mali, which introduced higher royalties and
operating costs. However, the impact of these increases was largely
offset by higher gold price assumptions. Notably, the partial
inclusion of the newly discovered oxide mineralization at Sekekoto
West has been incorporated into the 2025 mine plan, as part of it
was successfully converted into Mineral Reserves. Furthermore,
Sekekoto West remains open to the north and is currently being
drilled, testing for extensions of the mineralization to realize
further growth potential. Additionally, mineralization at FE2.5
remains open along strike, with sub-parallel structures identified
that could potentially reduce the stripping ratio, allowing access
to deeper mineralization. One of the key focuses for 2025 will be
further defining the FE2.5 zone along strike and converting the
Inferred Mineral Resources into Indicated Resources. To the
southwest of Sadiola Main, the Tambali South zone continues to show
significant potential at depth. An ongoing infill drilling program,
along with geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations, is
expected to convert Tambali South Mineral Resources into Mineral
Reserves during 2025 in order to integrate it into the mine new
life of mine plan.
At Bonikro, the net results remained in line with expectations.
Although slight reductions in Mineral Reserves resulted from
refinements to the mine design parameters, these were largely
offset by an increase in stockpiled material, which adds
flexibility to the operation. During 2024, exploration efforts at
Oume successfully converted a significant amount of Inferred
Mineral Resources into Indicated Resources, with a more refined
geological understanding of the mineralization and grade
distribution in support of advancing the project to its next phase
of development. Moreover, geotechnical and hydrogeological drilling
programs are planned for 2025 to support a Pre-Feasibility Study at
the site. The results of this study are expected by the end of
2025.
Similar to Bonikro, design parameters at Agbaou were adjusted to
improve operational efficiency and reduce dilution. The mining
sequence has been optimized to balance the intensity of
waste-stripping pushbacks. Ongoing infill drilling has confirmed
the geometry, width, and grade of the mineralized structures
currently being mined at Agbaou, significantly de-risking the mine
plan for 2026 and 2027.
At Kurmuk, work to refine the geological framework of the
mineralization in anticipation of the start of mining operations in
the next months is ongoing. A detailed litho-structural surface map
of Dish Mountain has been generated, utilizing numerous rock
exposures uncovered during construction. This information, along
with drilling being done to extend mineralization in Dish Mountain,
is currently being integrated into the three-dimensional
litho-structural model. Infill drilling is progressing well, and by
Q3 2025 Allied expects an updated Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves statement that will further define Proven and Probable
Mineral Reserves, Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources. This
update will be followed by a revised life of mine plan with a focus
on the start of operations and is targeted to de-risk the ramp-up
and further improve production levels at Kurmuk, particularly in
the first years of operations. Although not expected to be included
in the Q3 2025 update, drilling at Tsenqe continues to return
encouraging intersections, and the Company anticipates declaring an
initial Mineral Resource for this area in late 2025.
Upcoming Events
Allied's presentation discussing its 2025 guidance and near-term
outlook is available on the company website at: Allied Gold
Corporation - Investor - Events & Presentations.
The Company will release its fourth quarter and year-end 2024
operational and financial results after the market closes on
Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Allied
will then host a conference call and webcast to review the results
on Thursday, March 27, 2025, at
9:00 a.m. EST.
Fourth Quarter 2024 Conference Call
Toll-free dial-in
number (Canada/US):
|
1-800-806-5484
|
Local dial-in
number:
|
416-340-2217
|
Toll Free (UK):
|
00-80042228835
|
Participant
passcode:
|
1321581#
|
Webcast:
|
https://alliedgold.com/investors/presentations
|
Conference Call Replay
Toll-free dial-in
number (Canada/US):
|
1-800-408-3053
|
Local dial-in
number:
|
905-694-9451
|
Passcode:
|
4945783#
|
The conference call replay will be available from 12:00 p.m. EDT on March
27, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. EDT
on April 25, 2024.
Mineral Reserves at December 31,
2024
Mineral
Property
|
Proven Mineral
Reserves
|
Probable Mineral
Reserves
|
Total Mineral
Reserves
|
Tonnes
(kt)
|
Grade
(g/t)
|
Content
(koz)
|
Tonnes
(kt)
|
Grade
(g/t)
|
Content
(koz)
|
Tonnes
(kt)
|
Grade
(g/t)
|
Content
(koz)
|
Sadiola Mine
|
18,427
|
0.50
|
295
|
131,232
|
1.59
|
6,702
|
149,659
|
1.45
|
6,997
|
Korali Sud
Mine
|
1,151
|
0.70
|
26
|
4,188
|
1.23
|
166
|
5,340
|
1.12
|
192
|
Kurmuk
Project
|
21,864
|
1.51
|
1,063
|
38,670
|
1.35
|
1,678
|
60,534
|
1.41
|
2,742
|
Bonikro Mine
|
6,021
|
0.76
|
147
|
5,961
|
1.55
|
297
|
11,982
|
1.15
|
444
|
Agbaou Mine
|
2,241
|
1.59
|
115
|
7,250
|
1.47
|
343
|
9,491
|
1.50
|
458
|
Total Mineral
Reserves
|
49,704
|
1.03
|
1,645
|
187,302
|
1.53
|
9,187
|
237,006
|
1.42
|
10,832
|
Notes:
- Mineral Reserves are stated effective as of December 31, 2024 and estimated in accordance
with CIM Standards and NI 43-101
- Shown on a 100% basis.
- Reflects that portion of the Mineral Resource which can be
economically extracted by open pit methods.
- Considers the modifying factors and other parameters, including
but not limited to the mining, metallurgical, social,
environmental, statutory and financial aspects of the project.
Readers are referred to the Sadiola Mine technical report dated
June 12, 2023 , the Kurmuk Project
technical report dated June 9, 2023,
the Bonikro Mine technical report dated July
5, 2023 and the Agbaou Mine technical report dated
July 5, 2023, all available on SEDAR+
at www.sedarplus.ca.
Sadiola and Korali Sud Mines:
-
- Includes an allowance for mining dilution at 8% and ore loss at
3%
- A base gold price of US$1700/oz
was used for the pit optimization with US$1800/oz for Korali Sud.
- The cut-off grades used for Mineral Reserves reporting were
informed by a US$1700/oz gold price
and vary from 0.31 g/t to 0.78 g/t for different ore types due to
differences in recoveries, costs for ore processing and ore
haulage
Kurmuk Project:
-
- Includes an allowance for mining dilution at 18% and ore loss
at 2%
- A base gold price of US$1500/oz
was used for the pit optimization, with the selected pit shells
using values of US$1320/oz (revenue
factor 0.88) for Ashashire and US$1440/oz (revenue factor 0.96) for Dish
Mountain
- The cut-off grades used for Mineral Reserves reporting were
informed by a US$1500/oz gold price
and vary from 0.30 g/t to 0.45 g/t for different ore types due to
differences in recoveries, costs for ore processing and ore
haulage
Bonikro Mine:
-
- Includes an allowance for mining dilution of 1m on either side of the mineralized unit and ore
loss at 1%
- A base gold price of US$1800/oz
was used for the Mineral Reserves for the Bonikro pit:
- With the selected pit shell using a value of US$1800/oz (revenue factor 1.00)
- Cut-off grades vary from 0.57 to 0.63 g/t Au for different ore
types due to differences in recoveries, costs for ore processing
and ore haulage
- A base gold price of US$1800/oz
was used for the Mineral Reserves for the Agbalé pit:
- With the selected pit shell using a value of US$1800/oz (revenue factor 1.00)
- Cut-off grades vary from 0.67 to 0.78 g/t Au for different ore
types to the Agbaou processing plant due to differences in
recoveries, costs for ore processing and ore haulage
Agbaou Mine:
-
- Includes an allowance for mining dilution of 1m on either side of the mineralized unit and ore
loss at 1%
- A base gold price of US$1800/oz
was used for the Mineral Reserves for the:
- Pit designs (revenue factor 1.00)
- Cut-off grades which range from 0.41 to 0.63 g/t for different
ore types due to differences in recoveries, costs for ore
processing and ore haulage
Mineral Resources at December 31,
2024
Mineral
Property
|
Measured Mineral
Resources
|
Indicated Mineral
Resources
|
Total Measured and
Indicated Mineral Resources
|
Tonnes
(kt)
|
Grade
(g/t)
|
Content
(koz)
|
Tonnes
(kt)
|
Grade
(g/t)
|
Content
(koz)
|
Tonnes
(kt)
|
Grade
(g/t)
|
Content
(koz)
|
Sadiola Mine
|
19,833
|
0.55
|
349
|
192,248
|
1.55
|
9,610
|
212,081
|
1.46
|
9,958
|
Korali Sud
Mine
|
1,194
|
0.73
|
28
|
6,411
|
1.29
|
266
|
7,605
|
1.20
|
294
|
Kurmuk
Project
|
20,472
|
1.74
|
1,148
|
37,439
|
1.64
|
1,972
|
57,912
|
1.68
|
3,120
|
Bonikro Mine
|
9,649
|
1.08
|
336
|
30,565
|
1.37
|
1,345
|
40,214
|
1.30
|
1,681
|
Agbaou Mine
|
1,748
|
2.29
|
129
|
7,579
|
2.06
|
502
|
9,327
|
2.10
|
631
|
Total Mineral
Resources
|
52,896
|
1.17
|
1,990
|
274,242
|
1.55
|
13,694
|
327,137
|
1.49
|
15,684
|
Inferred Mineral Resources at December
31, 2024
Mineral
Property
|
Inferred Mineral
Resources
|
Tonnes
(kt)
|
Grade
(g/t)
|
Content
(koz)
|
Sadiola Mine
|
14,271
|
1.08
|
496
|
Korali Sud
Mine
|
316
|
0.73
|
7
|
Kurmuk
Project
|
5,980
|
1.62
|
311
|
Bonikro Mine
|
11,129
|
1.33
|
474
|
Agbaou Mine
|
1,986
|
2.35
|
150
|
Total Mineral
Resources
|
33,683
|
1.33
|
1,439
|
Notes:
- Mineral Resources are estimated in accordance with CIM
Standards and NI 43-101
- Shown on a 100% basis
- Are inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are
not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability
- The Sadiola, Korali Sud, Bonikro, and Agbaou Mineral Resource
Estimates are listed at 0.5 g/t Au cut-off grade, constrained
within an US$2000/oz pit shell and
depleted to 31 December 2024
- The Kurmuk Mineral Resource Estimate is listed at 0.5 g/t Au
cut-off grade, constrained within an US$1800/oz pit shell.
- Rounding of numbers may lead to discrepancies when summing
columns
- Considers the modifying factors and other parameters, including
but not limited to the mining, metallurgical, social,
environmental, statutory and financial aspects of the project.
Readers are referred to the Sadiola Mine technical report dated
June 12, 2023 , the Kurmuk Project
technical report dated June 9, 2023,
the Bonikro Mine technical report dated July
5, 2023 and the Agbaou Mine technical report dated
July 5, 2023, all available on SEDAR+
at www.sedarplus.ca.
Mineral
Property
|
Qualified
Person
|
Mineral
Resources
|
Mineral
Reserves
|
Sadiola Mine
|
Shane
Fieldgate
|
Steve Craig
|
Korali Sud
Mine
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Steve Craig
|
Kurmuk
Project
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Steve Craig
|
Bonikro Mine
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Esteban
Chacon
|
Agbaou Mine
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Esteban
Chacon
|
About Allied Gold Corporation
Allied Gold is a Canadian-based gold producer with a significant
growth profile and mineral endowment which operates a portfolio of
three producing assets and development projects located in Côte
d'Ivoire, Mali, and Ethiopia. Led by a team of mining executives
with operational and development experience and proven success in
creating value, Allied Gold aspires to become a mid-tier next
generation gold producer in Africa
and ultimately a leading senior global gold producer.
END NOTES
(1)
|
This is a non-GAAP
financial performance measure. Refer to the Non-GAAP Financial
Performance Measures section at the end of this news
release.
|
Qualified Persons
Except as otherwise disclosed, all scientific and technical
information contained in this press release has been reviewed and
approved by Sébastien Bernier, P.Geo (Vice President, Technical
Services). Mr. Bernier is an employee of Allied and a "Qualified
Person" as defined by Canadian Securities Administrators' National
Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
AND STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking information"
including "future oriented financial information" under applicable
Canadian securities legislation. Except for statements of
historical fact relating to the Company, information contained
herein constitutes forward-looking information, including, but not
limited to, any information as to the Company's strategy,
objectives, plans or future financial or operating performance.
Forward-looking statements are characterized by words such as
"plan", "expect", "budget", "target", "project", "intend",
"believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or
negative versions thereof, or statements that certain events or
conditions "may", "will", "should", "would" or "could" occur. In
particular, forward-looking information included in this press
release includes, without limitation, statements with respect
to:
- the Company's expectations in connection with the production
and exploration, development and expansion plans at the Company's
projects discussed herein being met;
- the Company's plans to continue building on its base of
significant gold production, development-stage properties,
exploration properties and land positions in Mali, Côte d'Ivoire and Ethiopia through optimization initiatives at
existing operating mines, development of new mines, the advancement
of its exploration properties and, at times, by targeting other
consolidation opportunities with a primary focus in Africa;
- the Company's expectations relating to the performance of its
mineral properties;
- the estimation of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources;
- the timing and amount of estimated future production;
- the estimation of the life of mine of the Company's
projects;
- the timing and amount of estimated future capital and operating
costs;
- the costs and timing of exploration and development
activities;
- the Company's expectations regarding the timing of feasibility
or pre-feasibility studies, conceptual studies or environmental
impact assessments;
- the effect of government regulations (or changes thereto) with
respect to restrictions on production, export controls, income
taxes, expropriation of property, repatriation of profits,
environmental legislation, land use, water use, land claims of
local people, mine safety and receipt of necessary permits;
- the Company's community relations in the locations where it
operates and the further development of the Company's social
responsibility programs;
- the Company's expectations regarding the payment of any future
dividends; and
- the Company's aspirations to become a mid-tier next generation
gold producer in Africa and
ultimately a leading senior global gold producer.
Forward-looking information is based on the opinions,
assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at
the date the statements are made, and is inherently subject to a
variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking information.
These factors include the Company's dependence on products produced
from its key mining assets; fluctuating price of gold; risks
relating to the exploration, development and operation of mineral
properties, including but not limited to adverse environmental and
climatic conditions, unusual and unexpected geologic conditions and
equipment failures; risks relating to operating in emerging
markets, particularly Africa,
including risk of government expropriation or nationalization of
mining operations; health, safety and environmental risks and
hazards to which the Company's operations are subject; the
Company's ability to maintain or increase present level of gold
production; nature and climatic condition risks; counterparty,
credit, liquidity and interest rate risks and access to financing;
cost and availability of commodities; increases in costs of
production, such as fuel, steel, power, labour and other
consumables; risks associated with infectious diseases; uncertainty
in the estimation of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources; the
Company's ability to replace and expand Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves, as applicable, at its mines; factors that may
affect the Company's future production estimates, including but not
limited to the quality of ore, production costs, infrastructure and
availability of workforce and equipment; risks relating to partial
ownerships and/or joint ventures at the Company's operations;
reliance on the Company's existing infrastructure and supply chains
at the Company's operating mines; risks relating to the
acquisition, holding and renewal of title to mining rights and
permits, and changes to the mining legislative and regulatory
regimes in the Company's operating jurisdictions; limitations on
insurance coverage; risks relating to illegal and artisanal mining;
the Company's compliance with anti-corruption laws; risks relating
to the development, construction and start-up of new mines,
including but not limited to the availability and performance of
contractors and suppliers, the receipt of required governmental
approvals and permits, and cost overruns; risks relating to
acquisitions and divestures; title disputes or claims; risks
relating to the termination of mining rights; risks relating to
security and human rights; risks associated with processing and
metallurgical recoveries; risks related to enforcing legal rights
in foreign jurisdictions; competition in the precious metals mining
industry; risks related to the Company's ability to service its
debt obligations; fluctuating currency exchange rates (including
the US Dollar, Euro, West African CFA Franc and Ethiopian Birr
exchange rates); the values of assets and liabilities based on
projected future conditions and potential impairment charges; risks
related to shareholder activism; timing and possible outcome of
pending and outstanding litigation and labour disputes; risks
related to the Company's investments and use of derivatives;
taxation risks; scrutiny from non-governmental organizations;
labour and employment relations; risks related to third-party
contractor arrangements; repatriation of funds from foreign
subsidiaries; community relations; risks related to relying on
local advisors and consultants in foreign jurisdictions; the impact
of global financial, economic and political conditions, global
liquidity, interest rates, inflation and other factors on the
Company's results of operations and market price of common shares;
risks associated with financial projections; force majeure events;
the Company's plans with respect to dividend payment; transactions
that may result in dilution to common shares; future sales of
common shares by existing shareholders; the Company's dependence on
key management personnel and executives; possible conflicts of
interest of directors and officers of the Company; the reliability
of the Company's disclosure and internal controls; compliance with
international ESG disclosure standards and best practices;
vulnerability of information systems including cyber attacks; as
well as those risk factors discussed or referred to herein.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors
that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ
materially from those described in forward-looking information,
there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or
results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can
be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if
circumstances or management's estimates, assumptions or opinions
should change, except as required by applicable law. The reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. The forward-looking information contained herein is
presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding
the Company's expected financial and operational performance and
results as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented in
the Company's plans and objectives and may not be appropriate for
other purposes.
CAUTIONARY NOTES TO INVESTORS – MINERAL RESERVE AND MINERAL
RESOURCE ESTIMATES
Mineral Resources are stated effective as at December 31, 2024, reported at a 0.5 g/t cut-off
grade. The Sadiola, Korali Sud, Bonikro, and Agbaou Mineral
Resource Estimates are constrained within a US$2,000/ounce pit shell and estimated in
accordance with the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy
and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and
Mineral Reserves ("CIM Standards") and NI 43-101. The Kurmuk
Mineral Resource Estimate is constrained within an US$1,800/oz pit shell. Where Mineral Resources
are stated alongside Mineral Reserves, those Mineral Resources are
inclusive of, and not in addition to, the stated Mineral Reserves.
Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have
demonstrated economic viability.
Mineral Reserves are stated effective as at December 31, 2024 and estimated in accordance
with CIM Standards and NI 43-101. The Mineral Reserves:
- are inclusive of the Mineral Resources which were converted in
line with the material classifications based on the level of
confidence within the Mineral Resource estimate;
- reflect that portion of the Mineral Resources which can be
economically extracted by open pit methods;
- consider the modifying factors and other parameters, including
but not limited to the mining, metallurgical, social,
environmental, statutory and financial aspects of the project;
- include an allowance for mining dilution and ore loss; and
- were reported using cut-off grades that vary by ore type due to
variations in recoveries and operating costs. The cut-off grades
and pit shells were based on gold prices as follows:
- US$1,700/oz for Sadiola
- US$1,800/oz for Korali Sud
- US$1,500 for Kurmuk for the pit
optimization, with the selected pit shells using value of
US$1,320/oz (revenue factor 0.88) for
Ashashire and US$1,440/oz (revenue
factor 0.96) for Dish Mountain
- US$1,800/oz for Bonikro and the
Agbalé pit
- US$1,800/oz for Agbaou
Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates are shown on a
100% basis. Designated government entities and national minority
shareholders hold the following interests in each of the mines: 20%
of Sadiola, 35% of Korali Sud, 10.11% of Bonikro and 15% of Agbaou.
Only a portion of the government interests are carried. The
Government of Ethiopia is entitled
to a 7% equity participation in Kurmuk once the mine enters into
commercial production.
The Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates for each of
the Company's mineral properties have been approved by the
qualified persons (within the meaning of NI 43-101) as set forth
below:
Mineral
Property
|
Qualified
Person
|
Mineral
Resources
|
Mineral
Reserves
|
Sadiola Mine
|
Shane
Fieldgate
|
Steve Craig
|
Korali Sud
Mine
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Steve Craig
|
Kurmuk
Project
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Steve Craig
|
Bonikro Mine
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Esteban
Chacon
|
Agbaou Mine
|
Phillip
Schiemer
|
Esteban
Chacon
|
Readers should also refer to the Sadiola Mine technical report
dated June 12, 2023, the Kurmuk
Project technical report dated June 9,
2023, the Bonikro Mine technical report dated July 5 2023 and the Agbaou Mine technical report
dated July 5, 2023, as well as the
Annual Information Form of the Company for the year ended
December 31, 2023 dated March 28, 2024, each available on SEDAR at
www.sedarplus.ca for further information on Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resources, which is subject to the qualifications and notes
set forth therein.a
CAUTIONARY NOTE TO U.S. INVESTORS REGARDING ESTIMATES OF
MEASURED, INDICATED AND INFERRED RESOURCES
This press release has been prepared in accordance with the
requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ in certain material
respects from the disclosure requirements promulgated by the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). For example, the
terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve", "probable
mineral reserve", "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource",
"indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are
Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with Canadian NI
43-101 and CIM Standards. These definitions differ from the
definitions in the disclosure requirements promulgated by the SEC.
Accordingly, information contained in this press release may not be
comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies
reporting pursuant to SEC disclosure requirements.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING NON-GAAP MEASURES
The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial performance
measures and ratios to supplement its Consolidated Financial
Statements, which are presented in accordance with IFRS, including
the following:
- Cash costs per gold ounce sold;
- AISC per gold ounce sold; and
The Company believes that these measures, together with measures
determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an
improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the
Company.
Non-GAAP financial performance measures do not have any
standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not
be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies.
Non-GAAP financial performance measures are intended to provide
additional information, and should not be considered in isolation
or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in
accordance with IFRS and are not necessarily indicative of
operating costs, operating earnings or cash flows presented under
IFRS.
Management's determination of the components of non-GAAP
financial performance measures and other financial measures are
evaluated on a periodic basis, influenced by new items and
transactions, a review of investor uses and new regulations as
applicable. Any changes to the measures are duly noted and
retrospectively applied, as applicable. Subtotals and per unit
measures may not calculate based on amounts presented in the
following tables due to rounding.
The measures of cash costs and AISC, along with revenue from
sales, are considered to be key indicators of a company's ability
to generate operating earnings and cash flows from its mining
operations.
CASH COSTS PER GOLD OUNCE SOLD
Cash costs include mine site operating costs such as mining,
processing, administration, production taxes and royalties which
are not based on sales or taxable income calculations. Cash costs
exclude DA, exploration costs, accretion and amortization of
reclamation and remediation, and capital, development and
exploration spend. Cash costs include only items directly related
to each mine site, and do not include any cost associated with the
general corporate overhead structure.
The Company discloses cash costs because it understands that
certain investors use this information to determine the Company's
ability to generate earnings and cash flows for use in investing
and other activities. The Company believes that conventional
measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS do not
fully illustrate the ability of its operating mines to generate
cash flows. The most directly comparable IFRS measure is cost of
sales, excluding DA. As aforementioned, this non-GAAP measure does
not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures employed by
other companies, should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with
IFRS, and is not necessarily indicative of operating costs,
operating earnings or cash flows presented under IFRS.
Cash costs are computed on a weighted average basis, with the
aforementioned costs, net of by-product revenue credits from sales
of silver, being the numerator in the calculation, divided by gold
ounces sold.
AISC PER GOLD OUNCE SOLD
AISC figures are calculated generally in accordance with a
standard developed by the World Gold Council ("WGC"), a
non-regulatory, market development organization for the gold
industry. Adoption of the standard is voluntary, and the standard
is an attempt to create uniformity and a standard amongst the
industry and those that adopt it. Nonetheless, the cost measures
presented herein may not be comparable to other similarly titled
measures of other companies. The Company is not a member of the WGC
at this time.
AISC include cash costs (as defined above), mine sustaining
capital expenditures (including stripping), sustaining mine-site
exploration and evaluation expensed and capitalized, and accretion
and amortization of reclamation and remediation. AISC exclude
capital expenditures attributable to projects or mine expansions,
exploration and evaluation costs attributable to growth projects,
DA, income tax payments, borrowing costs and dividend payments.
AISC include only items directly related to each mine site, and do
not include any cost associated with the general corporate overhead
structure. As a result, Total AISC represent the weighted average
of the three operating mines, and not a consolidated total for the
Company. Consequently, this measure is not representative of all of
the Company's cash expenditures.
Sustaining capital expenditures are expenditures that do not
increase annual gold ounce production at a mine site and exclude
all expenditures at the Company's development projects as well as
certain expenditures at the Company's operating sites that are
deemed expansionary in nature, such as the Sadiola Phased
Expansion, the construction and development of Kurmuk and the PB5
pushback at Bonikro. Exploration capital expenditures represent
exploration spend that has met criteria for capitalization under
IFRS.
The Company discloses AISC as it believes that the measure
provides useful information and assists investors in understanding
total sustaining expenditures of producing and selling gold from
current operations, and evaluating the Company's operating
performance and its ability to generate cash flow. The most
directly comparable IFRS measure is cost of sales, excluding DA. As
aforementioned, this non-GAAP measure does not have any
standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not
be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies,
should not be considered in isolation as a substitute for measures
of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS, and is not
necessarily indicative of operating costs, operating earnings or
cash flows presented under IFRS.
AISC are computed on a weighted average basis, with the
aforementioned costs, net of by-product revenue credits from sales
of silver, being the numerator in the calculation, divided by gold
ounces sold.
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SOURCE Allied Gold Corporation