JAG Jaguar Mining Inc

TSX: JAG

TORONTO, Feb. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Jaguar Mining Inc. ("Jaguar" or the "Company") (TSX: JAG) today announced operating results for the fourth quarter ("Q4 2018") and financial year ("FY 2018") ended December 31, 2018. All figures are in US dollars, unless otherwise expressed. Financial results for Q4 2018 will be reported and filed on SEDAR on or before March 30, 2019.

Q4 2018 Operating Highlights  

• Gold production of 17,045 ounces (177,975 tonnes milled, average grade of 3.38 g/t) compared to 21,311 in Q4/17
• Pilar Gold Mine ("Pilar") production of 9,301 ounces, 12% above Q4 2017 (tonnes milled increased 21%, average grade decreased 9%, recovery decreased 3%)
• Turmalina Gold Mine ("Turmalina") production of 7,743 ounces 58% below Q4 2017 (tonnes milled decreased 26%; average grade decreased 24%)
• Preliminary consolidated cash operating costs of $795 per ounce sold, up 6% year-over-year
• Preliminary cash balance of $6.2 million at December 31, 2018, reflects approximately $4-5 million in operating cash flow, $5-6 million invested in growth activities during Q4 2018

FY 2018 Operating Highlights  

• Gold production of 75,048 ounces, a decline of 10.8% from FY17 production of 84,152 ounces
• Pilar production increased 20% to 40,918 compared with FY17 production of 34,017 ounces (tonnes milled increased 7%; average grades were up 12%)
• Turmalina production declined 37% to 33,261 compared with FY17 (tonnes milled decreased 33% and average grades decreased 3%)
• Total primary development increased 28% to 4,568 metres
• Consolidated cash operating costs of $732 per ounce, 14% lower than $837 per ounce in 2017 in line with FY 2018 guidance
• Pilar cash operating costs improved 34% to $702 per ounce sold

Ben Guenther, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer commented, "Production in the fourth quarter was disappointing and resulted in lower than anticipated gold production for 2018. Turmalina execution was below our expectations in Q4 and Pilar had lower grade and recoveries. At Turmalina, a new general manager and mine manager were appointed in October and technical staff were added during the quarter. The Turmalina mine lost 11 days of production from the higher grade production area to rehabilitate the mine ramp. Pilar is addressing the recent grade and recovery challenges."

Mr. Guenther concluded, "In 2018 we did see an improvement in our cost performance and Pilar delivered strong production of over 40,000 ounces. Consolidated cash costs improved 14% to approximately $732 per ounce, in line with cost guidance reflecting a 34% decrease in cash costs at Pilar to approximately $702 per ounce. The new Turmalina management team is in place and energized as it implements the turnaround plan. Management and the Board are focused on addressing the issues at Turmalina and Pilar to stabilize our production profile. We are also prioritizing cost containment and operational execution across the organization to ensure continued lower costs and operating cash flow generation. We have made good progress on exploration initiatives to ensure sustainable production and expect to update our Mineral Reserves and Resources by the end of the first quarter of 2019."

Fourth Quarter and FY 2018 Operating Results

Qualified Persons

Scientific and technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, BSc (Hons) (Economic Geology - UCT), Senior Expert Advisor Geology and Exploration to the Jaguar Mining Management Committee, who is also an employee of Jaguar Mining Inc., and is a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 –Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

The Iron Quadrangle

The Iron Quadrangle has been an area of mineral exploration dating back to the 16th century. The discovery in 1699–1701 of gold contaminated with iron and platinum-group metals in the southeastern corner of the Iron Quadrangle gave rise to the name of the town Ouro Preto (Black Gold). The Iron Quadrangle contains world-class multi-million-ounce gold deposits such as Morro Velho, Cuiabá, and São Bento. Jaguar holds the second largest gold land position in the Iron Quadrangle with just over 25,000 hectares.

About Jaguar Mining Inc.

Jaguar Mining Inc. is a Canadian-listed junior gold mining, development, and exploration company operating in Brazil with two gold mining complexes and a large land package with significant upside exploration potential from mineral claims covering an area of approximately 64,000 hectares. The Company's principal operating assets are located in the Iron Quadrangle, a prolific greenstone belt in the state of Minas Gerais and include the Turmalina Gold Mine Complex and Caeté Mining Complex (Pilar Mine and Caeté Plant). The Company also owns the Paciência Gold Mine Complex, which has been on care and maintenance since 2012. The Roça Grande Mine has been on care and maintenance since April 2018. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.jaguarmining.com.

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Notes

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking information made in this news release is qualified by the cautionary statements below and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators in Canada. Forward-looking information contained in forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "are expected," "is forecast," "is targeted," "approximately," "plans," "anticipates," "projects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "believe" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, may be considered to be or include forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, expected sales, production statistics, ore grades, tonnes milled, recovery rates, cash operating costs, definition/delineation drilling, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of projects and new deposits, success of exploration, development and mining activities, currency fluctuations, capital requirements, project studies, mine life extensions, restarting suspended or disrupted operations, continuous improvement initiatives, and resolution of pending litigation. The Company has made numerous assumptions with respect to forward-looking information contained herein, including, among other things, assumptions about the estimated timeline for the development of its mineral properties; the supply and demand for, and the level and volatility of the price of, gold; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions on which the reserve and resource estimates are based; the receipt of necessary permits; market competition; ongoing relations with employees and impacted communities; political and legal developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations including, without limitation, the impact of any potential power rationing, tailings facility regulation, exploration and mine operating licenses and permits being obtained an renewed and/or there being adverse amendments to mining or other laws in Brazil and any changes to general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking information involves a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including among others: the risk of Jaguar not meeting the forecast plans regarding its operations and financial performance; uncertainties with respect to the price of gold, labour disruptions, mechanical failures, increase in costs, environmental compliance and change in environmental legislation and regulation, weather delays and increased costs or production delays due to natural disasters, power disruptions, procurement and delivery of parts and supplies to the operations; uncertainties inherent to capital markets in general (including the sometimes volatile valuation of securities and an uncertain ability to raise new capital) and other risks inherent to the gold exploration, development and production industry, which, if incorrect, may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described herein. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development, mining and production, including environmental hazards, tailings dam failures, industrial accidents and workplace safety problems, unusual or unexpected geological formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding, chemical spills, procurement fraud and gold bullion thefts and losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). In addition, the Company's principal operations and mineral properties are located in Brazil and there are additional business and financial risks inherent in doing business in Brazil as compared to the United States or Canada. In Brazil, corruption represents a challenge requiring extra attention by those who conduct business there.  Corruption does not only occur with the misuse of public, government or regulatory powers, it also can occur in a business's supplies, inputs and procurement functions (such as illicit rebates, kickbacks and dubious vendor relationships) as well as the inventory and product sales functions (such as inventory shrinkage or skimming).  Employees as well as external parties (such as suppliers, distributors and contractors) have opportunities to commit theft, procurement fraud and other wrongs against the Company. While corruption, bribery and fraud and theft risks can never be fully eliminated, the Company reviews and implements controls to reduce the likelihood of these events occurring.  The Company's present and future business operations face these risks.  Accordingly, for all of the reasons above, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information made in this news release, see the Company's most recent Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion and Analysis, as well as other public disclosure documents that can be accessed under the issuer profile of "Jaguar Mining Inc." on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information set forth herein reflects the Company's reasonable expectations as at the date of this news release and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Non-IFRS Measures

This news release provides certain financial measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. Readers are cautioned to review the below stated footnotes where the Company expanded on its use of non-IFRS measures.

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SOURCE Jaguar Mining Inc.