Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: WDO) (“Wesdome” or the “Company”)
today announces its results for the fourth quarter (“Q4 2023”) and
year ended December 31, 2023. The Company is also providing its
updated Mineral Reserve and Resource statements. Preliminary
operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended 2023 as
well as multi-year production and operating guidance were disclosed
on January 15, 2024. Management will host a conference call
tomorrow, Wednesday March 13 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss
the results.
All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars
unless otherwise indicated.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023
Highlights
- Gold
production in the fourth quarter was 36,216 ounces at cash costs of
$1,451 per ounce1 (US$1,065) and all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”)
of $2,082 per ounce1 (US$1,529).
- For the
full year 2023, gold production was 123,336 ounces at cash costs of
$1,579 per ounce1 (US$1,170) and all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”)
of $2,231 per ounce1 (US$1,653). Production and costs both compare
favourably relative to 2023 guidance ranges.
- Cash
margins1 for the fourth quarter and full year 2023 was $47.6
million and $132.9 million respectively, representing a 80% and 39%
increase relative to corresponding periods in 2022 mainly due to a
higher Canadian dollar realized gold price and increase in ounces
sold.
- Net
income and adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 of
$2.4 million ($0.02 per share). The quarter included a non-cash
deferred tax impact of $8.6 million but was still $5.9 million
higher than the corresponding period in 2022.
-
Operating cash flow in the fourth quarter and full year 2023 of
$37.2 million ($0.25 per share) and $101.4 million ($0.69 per
share) was 262% and 55% higher than the corresponding periods in
2022 mainly due to the higher cash margin.
- Free
cash flow in the fourth quarter and full year 2023 was $39.4
million and $83.8 million higher than the corresponding periods in
2022 mainly due to the higher cash margin and overall decrease in
capital expenditures.
-
Available liquidity of $152.6 million, including $41.4 million in
cash and $111.0 million of undrawn availability under the Company’s
revolving credit facility. Cash net of the revolver increased by
$24.2 million in 2023.
Anthea Bath, President and CEO, commented, “We
closed 2023 with a stronger balance sheet and performed well
relative to our 2023 operating targets. With the release of our
multi-year guidance earlier this year, we are now focused on
delivering significantly higher production and free cash flow in
2024 and 2025. At Kiena, development continues to advance,
successfully addressing the challenges of mining in schist
material. Consequently, we look forward to accessing and processing
higher-grade material in the second quarter. At Eagle River, we are
evaluating potential initiatives to optimize the operation and
reduce costs while advancing development towards the 300 Zone at
depth.
Accompanying our results, we announced our
Mineral Reserves and Resources for year-ended 2023, including a 12%
increase in total gold Mineral Reserves as compared to year-end
2022. The additions were driven primarily by the initial Mineral
Reserve at Presqu'île Zone along with additions to Kiena Deep, and
Zone 6 Central at Eagle River. We have an ambitious exploration
program in 2024, which we expect to yield high quality resource
additions and new discoveries, evidenced most recently by the rapid
growth of the Falcon 311 Zone at Eagle River.
As we approach a free cash flow inflection point
this year, we remain dedicated to meeting our performance targets,
and pursuing strategic activities that drive high return growth in
the jurisdictions in which we operate.”
Financial and Operating
Highlights
A summary of the Company’s consolidated financial and operating
results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 are presented
below:
(in thousands of Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated) |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
Financial Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
102,221 |
|
75,035 |
|
333,173 |
|
265,483 |
|
Cost of sales |
78,506 |
|
61,997 |
|
295,422 |
|
214,371 |
|
Cash margin1 |
47,576 |
|
26,466 |
|
132,939 |
|
95,674 |
|
EBITDA1 |
38,256 |
|
21,309 |
|
99,333 |
|
55,617 |
|
Net loss attributable to shareholders |
2,420 |
|
(3,527) |
|
(6,187) |
|
(14,706) |
|
Net income ($/sh) |
0.02 |
|
(0.02) |
|
(0.04) |
|
(0.10) |
|
Adjusted attributable net loss1 |
2,420 |
|
(3,527) |
|
(1,910) |
|
(5,856) |
|
Adjusted attributable net loss1 ($/sh) |
0.02 |
|
(0.02) |
|
(0.01) |
|
(0.04) |
|
Operating cash flow |
37,176 |
|
10,267 |
|
101,351 |
|
65,206 |
|
Operating cash flow ($/sh) |
0.25 |
|
0.07 |
|
0.69 |
|
0.46 |
|
Cash flow from financing activities |
(1,946) |
|
37,307 |
|
5,421 |
|
57,435 |
|
Cash flow from investing activities |
(25,441) |
|
(39,130) |
|
(98,586) |
|
(146,220) |
|
Free cash flow1 |
7,799 |
|
(31,609) |
|
(6,405) |
|
(90,174) |
|
Free cash flow1 ($/sh) |
0.05 |
|
(0.22) |
|
(0.04) |
|
(0.63) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Results |
|
|
|
|
Gold produced (oz) |
36,216 |
|
35,116 |
|
123,336 |
|
110,850 |
|
Gold sold (oz) |
37,620 |
|
31,500 |
|
126,620 |
|
113,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average realized gold price1 ($/oz) |
2,715 |
|
2,380 |
|
2,629 |
|
2,347 |
|
Average realized gold price1 (US$/oz) |
1,994 |
|
1,753 |
|
1,948 |
|
1,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash costs1 ($/oz) |
1,451 |
|
1,540 |
|
1,579 |
|
1,500 |
|
All-in sustaining costs1 ($/oz) |
2,082 |
|
2,136 |
|
2,231 |
|
2,020 |
|
All-in sustaining costs1 (US$/oz) |
1,529 |
|
1,573 |
|
1,653 |
|
1,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Position |
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
41,371 |
|
33,185 |
|
41,371 |
|
33,185 |
|
Working capital |
(6,894) |
|
(38,044) |
|
(6,894) |
|
(38,044) |
|
Total assets |
618,956 |
|
619,127 |
|
618,956 |
|
619,127 |
|
Current liabilities |
89,115 |
|
115,591 |
|
89,115 |
|
115,591 |
|
Total liabilities |
191,656 |
|
220,608 |
|
191,656 |
|
220,608 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes:
- Refer to the section entitled “Non-IFRS Performance Measures”
for the reconciliation of these non-IFRS measurements to the
financial statements
Eagle River, Ontario
|
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore milled (tonnes) |
|
|
|
|
Eagle River |
54,669 |
58,306 |
222,627 |
223,734 |
Mishi |
- |
- |
6,150 |
23,153 |
Total Ore Milled |
54,669 |
58,306 |
228,777 |
246,887 |
|
|
|
|
|
Head grade (grams per tonne, “g/t”) |
|
|
|
|
Eagle River |
14.1 |
14.0 |
12.6 |
11.5 |
Mishi |
- |
- |
2.3 |
3.2 |
Total head grade |
14.1 |
14.0 |
12.4 |
10.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
Recoveries (%) |
|
|
|
|
Eagle River |
97.0 |
97.4 |
96.9 |
96.9 |
Mishi |
- |
- |
72.5 |
83.5 |
Total Gold recovery |
97.0 |
97.4 |
96.7 |
96.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold production (ounces) |
|
|
|
|
Eagle River |
24,072 |
25,502 |
87,467 |
79,997 |
Mishi |
0 |
0 |
332 |
2,005 |
Total Gold Production |
24,072 |
25,502 |
87,799 |
82,002 |
|
|
|
|
|
Production sold (ounces) |
25,600 |
21,650 |
91,700 |
79,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs per tonne milled1 |
526 |
515 |
502 |
436 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash margin1 ($/oz) |
1,462 |
1,083 |
1,275 |
998 |
Cash costs1 ($/oz) |
1,261 |
1,302 |
1,347 |
1,356 |
All-in sustaining costs1 ($/oz) |
1,902 |
2,039 |
2,001 |
2,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and
2022, Eagle River produced 24,072 ounces and 25,502 ounces,
respectively, which reflects a decrease of 6% due to a decrease in
throughput at Eagle River as Mishi stockpiles were depleted and all
ore was sourced from the Eagle River underground subsequent to the
first quarter of 2023. During the fourth quarter of 2023, cash
costs were $1,261 (US$926) per ounce of gold sold while all-in
sustaining costs were $1,902 (US$1,397) per ounce of gold sold.
For the full year 2023 and 2022, Eagle River
produced 87,799 ounces and 82,002 respectively, which reflects
increase in head grade, offset partly by lower throughput as Mishi
stockpiles were depleted. The 2023 Eagle River head grade of 12.4
g/t is in the higher range of guidance due to processing additional
high-grade ore from the Falcon Zone combined with positive
reconciliation from the 300 Zone. During the full year 2023, AISC
of $2,001 (US$1,483) per ounce of gold sold was comparable to
$2,003 (US$1,539) in 2022, reflecting higher operating costs and
sustaining capital expenditure offset by higher ounces sold.
In 2024, Eagle River is expected to produce
80,000 to 90,000 ounces at cash costs of $1,275 to $1,425 per ounce
and all-in sustaining costs of $2,050 to $2,250 (US$1,550 to
US$1,700) per ounce. While production levels are in-line with the
prior year, contribution of tonnes and ounces is expected to shift
away from 720F Falcon Zone and towards the higher grade 300 Zone at
depth.
Kiena, Quebec
|
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Ore milled (tonnes) |
49,649 |
51,419 |
191,148 |
115,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
Head grade (grams per tonne, “g/t”) |
7.7 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
7.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Recoveries (%) |
98.5 |
98.1 |
98.3 |
98.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold production (ounces) |
12,144 |
9,614 |
35,537 |
28,848 |
|
|
|
|
|
Production sold (ounces) |
12,020 |
9,850 |
34,920 |
33,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs per tonne milled1 |
417 |
352 |
405 |
518 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cash margin1 ($/oz) |
845 |
308 |
460 |
492 |
Cash costs1 ($/oz) |
1,854 |
2,063 |
2,189 |
1,839 |
All-in sustaining costs1 ($/oz) |
2,466 |
2,348 |
2,834 |
2,059 |
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended December 31, 2023 and
2022, Kiena produced 12,144 ounces and 9,614 ounces respectively,
reflecting higher grade processed. During the fourth quarter of
2023, cash costs were $1,854 (US$1,361) per ounce of gold sold
while all-in sustaining costs were $2,466 (US$1,811) per ounce.
For the full year 2023 and 2022, Kiena produced
35,537 ounces and 28,848 ounces respectively, reflecting more
tonnes processed, offset in part by lower grade. The 2023 Kiena
head grade of 5.9 g/t is above the 2023 Kiena guidance of 3.7 – 4.7
g/t, due to an overall positive reconciliation of recovered diluted
material from previous mining, and a higher proportion of ore
sourced from the higher grade Kiena Deep. During the full year
2023, AISC of $2,834 (US$2,100) per ounce of gold sold was higher
compared to $2,059 (US$1,582) in 2022, reflecting the inclusion of
capital expenditures previously classified as Growth capital after
the declaration of commercial production on December 1, 2022.
Please refer to the Company’s management’s discussion &
analysis dated March 12, 2024 for a detailed description of growth
capital and sustaining capital.
In 2024, Kiena is expected to produce 80,000 to
90,000 ounces at cash costs of $875 to $975 per ounce and all-in
sustaining costs of $1,475 to $1,625 (US$1,100 to US$1,225) per
ounce. Higher annual production levels reflect declining production
contribution from the Martin Zone relative to higher grade ore from
the Kiena Deep 129L horizon. Overall development performance
subsequent to quarter end has met internal expectations, with
higher grade ore expected to be processed in the second
quarter.
Updated Mineral Reserve and Resources for Year-End
2023
- At
December 31, 2023, Wesdome’s combined proven and probable mineral
reserves totalled 1.1 million ounces (2.8 million tonnes grading
12.7 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold); combined measured and indicated
mineral resources (exclusive of reserves) were 327 thousand ounces
(1.3 million tonnes grading 7.8 g/t gold); and combined inferred
mineral resources were 808 thousand ounces (3.8 million tonnes
grading 6.7 g/t gold).
- Cutoff
grade calculations for resources reflect an increase in the gold
price assumption to US$1,700 per ounce (from US$1,500 previously)
and a slightly weaker Canadian dollar assumption of 1.32 (from 1.30
previously). The gold price assumption used for reserve
calculations remains unchanged at US$1,400 per ounce. Changes to
the mineral resources and reserves methodology included applying
more conservative estimation parameters and optimized interpolation
techniques at both Eagle and Kiena.
-
Reserves and Resource estimates at both sites reflect reduced
exploration spend in 2023. Drilling was therefore focused on
improving geometric understanding of orebodies and conversion of
resources to Measured and Indicated categories at both
operations.
- The
drilling program in 2024 has been doubled compared to 2023 to
approximately $30 million, or 185,000m across underground
delineation and exploration, as well as surface drilling. The
program will aim to increase reserves and resources adjacent to
mine infrastructure and to test conceptual targets.
The Company’s gold mineral reserves effective
December 31, 2023 are set out in the table below, and are compared
with the gold mineral reserves for the prior corresponding
period.
|
2023 Reserves |
2022 Reserves |
|
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
|
(000) |
(g/t Au) |
(000) |
(000) |
(g/t Au) |
(000) |
Eagle River |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
247 |
20.43 |
162 |
139 |
14.10 |
63 |
Probable |
452 |
15.94 |
232 |
614 |
16.70 |
331 |
Stockpile & Inventory |
17 |
11.27 |
6 |
9 |
22.20 |
6 |
Total |
716 |
17.38 |
400 |
762 |
16.33 |
400 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kiena |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
62 |
9.57 |
19 |
53 |
8.49 |
14 |
Probable |
1,995 |
11.08 |
711 |
1,605 |
11.47 |
592 |
Stockpile & Inventory |
4 |
6.94 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
Total |
2,061 |
11.03 |
731 |
1,658 |
11.38 |
606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wesdome |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven |
309 |
18.25 |
182 |
192 |
12.59 |
78 |
Probable |
2,447 |
11.98 |
943 |
2,219 |
12.93 |
923 |
Stockpile & Inventory |
21 |
10.41 |
7 |
9 |
22.23 |
6 |
Total |
2,778 |
12.67 |
1,131 |
2,412 |
12.98 |
1,007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
- Mineral Reserves are reported above
4.01 g/t cut-off grade for Kiena Deep, 3.35g/t cut-off grade for
Presqu’île and 6.58 g/t for Eagle River.
- Mineral Reserves demonstrated
economic viability with the following parameters:
- A gold price of $1,848 (US$1,400)
per ounce for the Reserves, with a USD:CAD exchange rate of
1.32.
- The minimum mining width used at
Kiena is 2.1m and Eagle River is 1.5m.
- External dilution at Kiena varied
from 0.25m to 2.0m for stope walls depending on the host rock type.
At Eagle River, an additional 0.5m to 0.75m is external to the
footwall and hanging wall stopes.
- A dilution grade is used outside
the vein only at Eagle River at 0.16g/t.
- A mining recovery factor 90% is
applied at Kiena and 95% at Eagle River.
- The total cost per tonne at Kiena
is $234/t and $370/t at Eagle River.
- 97% Mill recovery for Martin Zone
is 97% and 98.3% for the Kiena Deep Zones. At Eagle River, mill
recovery is 97.0%.
- A bulk density factor of 2.8 tonnes
per cubic m (t/m3) at Kiena and 2.7 (t/m3) at Eagle River.
- The Kiena Deep Zone incorporates,
A, A1, A2, H1ZA, BZA1, BZA2 and Sneak lenses.
- At Kiena, stopes including 50% or
more of Measured Resources were classified as a Proven Reserves. At
Eagle River, Proven and Probable reserves are based on the block
model classification.
- Mineral Reserves are classified and
have been estimated in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the “CIM Definition
Standards”, adopted by CIM Council on May 10, 2014).
- Mineral Reserves have been depleted
for mining as of December 31, 2023.
- Rounding as required by reporting
guidelines may result in apparent summation differences between
tonnes, grade, and metal content.
The Company’s gold mineral resources effective
December 31, 2023 are set out in the table below, and are compared
with the gold mineral resources for the prior corresponding
period.
|
2023 Resources |
2022 Resources |
|
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
Tonnes |
Grade |
Ounces |
|
(000) |
(g/t Au) |
(000) |
(000) |
(g/t Au) |
(000) |
Eagle River |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
201 |
10.8 |
70 |
176 |
14.2 |
80 |
Indicated |
570 |
9.6 |
176 |
290 |
11.3 |
106 |
Total M&I |
771 |
9.9 |
246 |
466 |
12.4 |
186 |
Inferred |
2,858 |
3.8 |
349 |
2,883 |
4.4 |
402 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kiena |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
52 |
7.0 |
12 |
45 |
7.8 |
11 |
Indicated |
472 |
4.6 |
70 |
926 |
5.1 |
153 |
Total M&I |
525 |
4.8 |
81 |
971 |
5.3 |
164 |
Inferred |
3,213 |
5.6 |
579 |
3,498 |
5.9 |
668 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wesdome |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured |
253 |
10.1 |
82 |
221 |
12.8 |
91 |
Indicated |
1,042 |
7.3 |
246 |
1,216 |
6.6 |
259 |
Total M&I |
1,296 |
7.8 |
327 |
1,437 |
7.6 |
350 |
Inferred |
6,071 |
6.7 |
928 |
6,381 |
5.2 |
1,070 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note:
- Mineral resources are reported
exclusive of mineral reserves; mineral resources that are not
mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
- Mineral resources at Kiena and
Eagle River Mine are considered for underground extraction and
include ore grade and waste material within potentially mineable
volumes. Kiena's mineral resource is reported below the 100m crown
pillar.
- Eagle River Inferred Resources
include a Mishi open pit inventory of 120koz at 1.6 g/t constrained
within a conceptual pit design.
- A bulk density factor of 2.8 tonnes
per cubic m (t/m3) was applied at Kiena and 2.7 tonnes per cubic m
(t/m3) at Eagle River and Mishi
- Resources at Kiena Mine are
reported using a 2.97 g/t Au cut-off grade for Kiena Deep, S50,
Zone B and K109 zones; at Presqu’île, Dubuisson, Martin and Wish
Zones, a cut-off grade of 2.42g/t was applied with Northwest,
South, VC and Wesdome zones being reported at a cut-off grade of
3.2g/t.
- The cut-off grade for resources
reported at Eagle River mine was 4.38g/t and 0.52g/t at Mishi.
- Economic parameters for the
determination of the resource cut-off grade for Kiena include:
- Gold price of $2,244 (US$1,700) per
ounce, a USD/CAD exchange rate of 1.32.
- Cost per tonne of $172/t milled for
Presqu’île and $211/t milled for all other zones at Kiena.
- 98.5% mill recovery.
- Economic parameters for the
determination of the cut-off grade for Eagle River include:
- Gold price of $2,244 (US$1,700) per
ounce, a USD/CAD exchange rate of 1.32.
- Cost per tonne of $299/t
milled.
- 97% mill recovery.
- Royalty of 2%.
- Mishi resources remain unchanged
from December 31, 2022.
- Mineral resources are classified
and have been estimated in accordance with CIM Definition Standards
.
- As required by reporting
guidelines, rounding may result in apparent summation differences
between tonnes, grade, and metal content.
Exploration Updates
Eagle River
Ongoing underground drilling of the 300 East
Zone has continued to confirm the continuity of the geometry and
the consistency of the high-grade mineralization has now been
extended to the 1,600 m-level and remains open down plunge. Recent
drilling along the eastern margin of the 300 East Zone has returned
wider widths, including 77.6 g/t Au over 9.4 m core length and 42.6
g/t Au over 4.9 m core length.
In October 2023, the Company announced the
discovery of a second zone within the volcanic rocks west of the
mine diorite. This new Falcon 311 Zone has been delineated to
extend at least 200 meters along plunge and nearly 100 meters along
strike, and interpreted to extend 900 metres to surface, similar to
the neighbouring Falcon 7 Zone. Recent drilling returned 269.6 g/t
Au over 2.3 m core length (26.7 g/t Au capped,1.5 m true width),
including 1,261 g/t Au over 0.5 m and 53.0 g/t Au over 2.9 m core
length (28.6 g/t Au capped, 1.9 m true width).
Additionally, gold mineralization was identified
along the eastern margin of the mine diorite with limited drilling
near the historic 6 Zone, confirming our theory that volcanic rocks
along this trend are a host for gold mineralization, particularly
in proximity to the diorite contact. Recent drilling returned 22.5
g/t Au over 1.7 m core length (93.5 g/t Au capped, 1.5 m true
width).
Both new volcanic-hosted zones have the
potential to extend from surface and down plunge to depths equal to
that of the neighbouring 300E Zone that has been tested to 1,500
vertical metres below surface.
In 2024, the Company increased the exploration
program at Eagle River and set the following objectives:
- Deep drilling below 300E Zone with
large step-outs to provide initial indication of mineralization at
depth to optimize future drilling and development, as well as
convert the large Inferred Resource base at 300E Zone to the
Indicated category and subsequently into Reserves.
- Define and extend the recently
discovered Falcon 311 Zone.
- Test volcanic rocks east of the
mine diorite having similar potential to the Falcon zones
previously discovered west of the mine diorite proximal to the
historic 2 Zone.
- Test the depth potential of zones
adjacent to 300E, including 808, 811, 818, 711 and 7 East.
- Expand the recently drilled 6 Zone
in the eastern portion of the mine diorite.
- Test regional targets Fork and
Birch veins from surface. Year to date, warm weather conditions
have deferred this drilling, which may be reallocated to
exploration targets immediately east of the mine diorite.
Kiena
During 2023, exploration drilling was focused on
converting Inferred resources to the Indicated category at
Presqu’île and at Kiena Deep, and subsequently into the Reserve
category.
At Kiena Deep, drilling was focused on better
defining and extending the South Limb and has confirmed the
continuity and high grade of this zone. At Presqu’île, drilling has
confirmed not only the continuity of the gold mineralization and
the validity of the geologic model, but also the potential for down
plunge extensions towards the east. Highlights of recent in-fill
drilling include 32.5 g/t over 3.0 m core length. The development
of an exploration ramp from surface to access the shallow
Presqu’île Zone is underway now that the necessary permits have
been secured. The Presqu’île Zone is just one of several zones
having the potential to offer a supplementary source of mill feed
in the upper mine area for the underutilized Kiena mill. Previous
drilling results from the Shawkey and Dubuisson Zones, both
adjacent to the existing 33-level track drift development that
extends over three kilometres east of the Kiena mine shaft, further
reinforces the potential of this area.
Additionally, underground drills on the
rehabilitated portion of the 33 level continued to test historic
zones and anomalous drill results further to the east along strike
from the Kiena mine, particularly around the Martin and Wish Zones.
Rehabilitation work is progressing eastwards.
In 2024, the Company increased the exploration
program at Kiena and set the following objectives:
- Follow up on prospective areas
proximal to Martin, Wish and Shawkey zones from the 33-level track
drift where recent drilling results have intersected shearing and
quartz veining with visible gold.
- Define and extend Kiena Deep
Footwall and Hanging Wall Zones. Both zones have previously
returned high grade results and require further definition and
expansion. The amount of drilling in this area will increase
gradually over the medium term as more optimal drill platforms
become available.
- Drill test the depth potential of
the Presqu’île Zone from surface.
- Convert existing Inferred resources
at Dubuisson zone into the Indicated category. Additional
structural information will be collected to improve the 3D
model.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Conference Call and
Webcast
The financial statements and management
discussion and analysis will be available on the company’s website
at www.wesdome.com and on SEDAR+ www.sedarplus.ca. A conference
call and webcast to discuss these results will be held on Wednesday
March 13, 2024 at 10:00 am ET.
- Participants may
register for the call at the link below to obtain dial in details.
Pre-registration is required for this event. It is commended you
join 10 minutes prior to the start of the event.
- Participant
Registration Link:
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI363d9d4f4a4e4878a07a10bf04ac793a
- Webcast Link:
https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/exv3yx2x/
- The webcast can
also be accessed under the news and events section of the company’s
website
Technical DisclosureThe
technical and geoscientific content of this release including the
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates have been compiled,
reviewed, and approved by Michael Michaud, P.Geo, Vice President,
Exploration of the Company and Frédéric Langevin, Eng, Chief
Operating Officer of the Company, each a "Qualified Person" as
defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).
Cautionary Note to United States
Investors Concerning Estimates of Reserves and Resources
The mineral reserve and resource estimates reported in this news
release were prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101
– Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI
43-101”) as required by Canadian securities regulatory
authorities. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) applies different standards in order
to classify and report mineralization. This news release uses the
terms “measured”, “indicated” and “inferred” mineral resources, as
required by NI 43-101. Readers are advised that although such terms
are recognized and required by Canadian securities regulations, the
SEC does not recognize such terms. Canadian standards differ
significantly from the requirements of the SEC. Readers are
cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral
deposits in these categories constitute or will ever be converted
into mineral reserves. In addition, “inferred” mineral resources
have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great
uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot
be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource
exists, is economically or legally mineable or will ever be
upgraded to a higher category of mineral resource.
For the above reasons, information contained in
this news release containing descriptions of the Company’s mineral
deposits may not be comparable to similar information made public
by United States companies subject to the reporting and disclosure
requirements under the United States federal securities laws and
the rules and regulations thereunder.
About WesdomeWesdome is a
Canadian focused gold producer with two high grade underground
assets, the Eagle River mine in Ontario and the recently
commissioned Kiena mine in Quebec. The Company’s primary goal is to
responsibly leverage this operating platform and high-quality
brownfield and greenfield exploration pipeline to build Canada’s
next intermediate gold producer. Wesdome trades on the Toronto
Stock Exchange under the symbol “WDO,” with a secondary listing on
the OTCQX under the symbol “WDOFF.”
For further information, please
contact:
Raj Gill, SVP, Corporate Development &
Investor RelationsLindsay Dunlop, VP, Investor RelationsPhone: +1
(416) 360-3743E-Mail: invest@wesdome.com
To receive Wesdome’s news releases by email,
please register using the Wesdome website at www.wesdome.com
Forward Looking StatementsThis
news release contains “forward-looking information” which involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. Often, but not always,
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words
such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”,
“estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes”
or variations (including negative variations) of such words and
phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”,
“could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date
of this press release and the Company disclaims any obligation to
update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Forward-looking statements or information
contained in this press release include, but are not limited to,
statements or information with respect to: the estimation of
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and the realization of such
mineral estimates; our expectations around production, expenses,
processing, grade and recoveries; our expected free cash flow
generation in 2024 and 2025; the success and objectives of our
exploration programs’ and the price of gold, and other commodities.
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information by their
nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements or information.
We have made certain assumptions about the
forward-looking statements and information, including assumptions
around economic parameters relating to our Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resource estimated described herein. Even though our
management believes that the assumptions made and the expectations
represented by such statements or information are reasonable in the
circumstances, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking
statement or information will prove to be accurate. Many
assumptions may be difficult to predict and are beyond the
Company’s control.
Furthermore, should one or more of the risks,
uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially
from those described in forward-looking statements or information.
These risks, uncertainties and other factors including those risk
factors discussed in the sections titled “Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward Looking Information” and “Risks and Uncertainties” in the
Company’s most recent Annual Information Form. Readers are urged to
carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent
Annual Information Form which is available on SEDAR+ and on the
Company’s website.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking
statements or 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 statements if circumstances,
management’s estimates or opinions should change, except as
required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements.
Non-IFRS Performance
Measures
Certain non-IFRS financial measures, ratios and
supplementary measures are included in this news release, including
cash margin, EBITDA, adjusted attributable net loss, adjusted
attributable net loss per share, free cash flow, free cash flow per
share, cash costs per ounce, average realized gold price, average
realized gold price per share, all-in sustaining costs and all-in
sustaining costs per ounce, and production costs per tonne milled
as well as working capital.
Please see the Company’s management’s discussion
and analysis for the fiscal year end 2023 (the “Fiscal 2023
MD&A”) for explanations, definitions and
discussion of these non-IFRS financial measures and ratios. The
Company believes that these measures, in addition to conventional
measures prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), provide investors an
improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the
Company. The non-IFRS and other financial measures and ratios are
intended to provide additional information and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures or ratios
of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures and
ratios do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS,
and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. Certain
additional disclosures and reconciliations for these and other
financial measures and ratios can be found below and in the section
'Non-IFRS Performance Measures' in the Company’s Fiscal 2023
MD&A available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on
the Company's website under the 'Investors' section.
Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP
Financial Measures Average realized price per ounce of
gold soldAverage realized price per ounce of gold sold is a
non-IFRS measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by
IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS.
Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is calculated by
dividing gold sales proceeds received by the Company for the
relevant period by the ounces of gold sold. It may not be
comparable to information in other gold producers’ reports and
filings.
In 000s, except per unit amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues per financial statements |
102,221 |
|
75,035 |
|
333,173 |
|
265,483 |
|
Silver revenue from mining operations |
(73) |
|
(60) |
|
(306) |
|
(263) |
|
Gold revenue from mining operations (a) |
102,148 |
|
74,975 |
|
332,867 |
|
265,220 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces of gold sold (b) |
37,620 |
|
31,500 |
|
126,620 |
|
113,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average realized price gold sold CAD (c) = (a) ÷ (b) |
2,715 |
|
2,380 |
|
2,629 |
|
2,347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average 1 USD → CAD exchange rate (d) |
1.3619 |
|
1.3578 |
|
1.3495 |
|
1.3013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average realized price gold sold USD (c) ÷ (d) |
1,994 |
|
1,753 |
|
1,948 |
|
1,804 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash costs per ounce of gold soldCash cost per
ounce of gold sold is a non-IFRS performance measure and does not
constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and does not have a
standardized meaning defined by IFRS, as well it may not be
comparable to information in other gold producers’ reports and
filings. The Company has included this non-IFRS performance measure
throughout this document as Wesdome believes that this generally
accepted industry performance measure provides a useful indication
of the Company’s operational performance. The Company believes
that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance
with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the
Company’s performance and ability to generate cash flow.
Accordingly, it is 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. The
following table provides a reconciliation of total cash costs per
ounce of gold sold to cost of sales per the financial statements
for each of the last eight quarters:
In 000s, except per unit amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales per financial statements |
78,506 |
|
61,997 |
|
295,422 |
|
214,371 |
|
Depletion and depreciation |
(23,861) |
|
(13,428) |
|
(95,188) |
|
(44,562) |
|
Silver revenue from mining operations |
(73) |
|
(60) |
|
(306) |
|
(263) |
|
Cash costs (a) |
54,572 |
|
48,509 |
|
199,928 |
|
169,546 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces of gold sold (b) |
37,620 |
|
31,500 |
|
126,620 |
|
113,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash costs per ounce of gold sold (c) = (a) ÷ (b) |
1,451 |
|
1,540 |
|
1,579 |
|
1,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average 1 USD → CAD exchange rate (d) |
1.3619 |
|
1.3578 |
|
1.3495 |
|
1.3013 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash costs per ounce of gold sold USD (c) ÷ (d) |
1,065 |
|
1,134 |
|
1,170 |
|
1,153 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs per tonne milledMine-site cost
per tonne milled is a non-IFRS performance measure and does not
constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and does not have a
standardized meaning defined by IFRS, as well it may not be
comparable to information in other gold producers’ reports and
filings. As illustrated in the table below, this measure is
calculated by adjusting cost of sales, as shown in the statements
of income for non-cash depletion and depreciation, royalties and
inventory level changes and then dividing by tonnes processed
through the mill. Management believes that mine-site cost per tonne
milled provides additional information regarding the performance of
mining operations and allows Management to monitor operating costs
on a more consistent basis as the per tonne milled measure reduces
the cost variability associated with varying production levels.
Management also uses this measure to determine the economic
viability of mining blocks. As each mining block is evaluated based
on the net realizable value of each tonne mined, the estimated
revenue on a per tonne basis must be in excess of the production
cost per tonne milled in order to be economically viable.
Management is aware that this per tonne milled measure is impacted
by fluctuations in throughput and thus uses this evaluation tool in
conjunction with production costs prepared in accordance with IFRS.
This measure supplements production cost information prepared in
accordance with IFRS and allows investors to distinguish between
changes in production costs resulting from changes in production
versus changes in operating performance.
In 000s, except per unit amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales per financial statements |
78,506 |
|
61,997 |
|
295,422 |
|
214,371 |
|
Depletion and depreciation |
(23,861) |
|
(13,428) |
|
(95,188) |
|
(44,562) |
|
Royalties |
(1,267) |
|
(1,172) |
|
(4,466) |
|
(3,663) |
|
Inventory adjustments |
(3,908) |
|
1,288 |
|
(3,526) |
|
1,323 |
|
Mining and processing costs, before inventory adjustments (a) |
49,470 |
|
48,685 |
|
192,242 |
|
167,469 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ore milled (tonnes) (b) |
104,318 |
|
109,725 |
|
419,926 |
|
362,058 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production costs per tonne milled (a) ÷ (b) |
474 |
|
444 |
|
458 |
|
463 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash marginCash margin is a non-IFRS measure and
does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and does not have
a standardized meaning defined by IFRS, as well it may not be
comparable to information in other gold producers’ reports and
filings. It is calculated as the difference between gold sales
revenue from mining operations and cash mine site operating costs
(see Cash cost per ounce of gold sold under this Section above) per
the Company’s Financial Statements. The Company believes it
illustrates the performance of the Company’s operating mines and
enables investors to better understand the Company’s performance in
comparison to other gold producers who present results on a similar
basis.
In 000s, except per unit amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gold revenue from mining operations (per above) |
102,148 |
74,975 |
332,867 |
265,220 |
Cash costs (per above) |
54,572 |
48,509 |
199,928 |
169,546 |
Cash margin |
47,576 |
26,466 |
132,939 |
95,674 |
|
|
|
|
|
Per ounce of gold sold (Canadian dollar): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average realized price (a) |
2,715 |
2,380 |
2,629 |
2,347 |
Cash costs (b) |
1,451 |
1,540 |
1,579 |
1,500 |
Cash margin (a) – (b) |
1,264 |
840 |
1,050 |
847 |
|
|
|
|
|
All-in sustaining costsAll-in sustaining costs
(“AISC”) include mine site operating costs incurred at Wesdome
mining operations, sustaining mine capital and development
expenditures, mine site exploration expenditures and equipment
lease payments related to the mine operations and corporate
administration expenses. The Company believes that this measure
represents the total costs of producing gold from current
operations and provides Wesdome and other stakeholders with
additional information that illustrates the Company’s operational
performance and ability to generate cash flow. This cost measure
seeks to reflect the full cost of gold production from current
operations on a per-ounce of gold sold basis. New project and
growth capital are not included.
In 000s, except per unit amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales, per financial statements |
78,506 |
|
61,997 |
|
295,422 |
|
214,371 |
|
Depletion and depreciation |
(23,861) |
|
(13,428) |
|
(95,188) |
|
(44,562) |
|
Silver revenue from mining operations |
(73) |
|
(60) |
|
(306) |
|
(263) |
|
Cash costs |
54,572 |
|
48,509 |
|
199,928 |
|
169,546 |
|
Sustaining mine exploration and development |
10,190 |
|
7,179 |
|
37,381 |
|
22,865 |
|
Sustaining mine capital equipment |
6,779 |
|
5,585 |
|
21,937 |
|
9,883 |
|
Tailings management facility |
342 |
|
1,597 |
|
371 |
|
5,494 |
|
Corporate and general |
5,955 |
|
2,309 |
|
18,331 |
|
11,823 |
|
Less: Corporate development |
(276) |
|
(72) |
|
(678) |
|
(296) |
|
Payment of lease liabilities |
780 |
|
2,167 |
|
5,182 |
|
8,898 |
|
All-in Sustaining costs (AISC) (a) |
78,342 |
|
67,274 |
|
282,452 |
|
228,213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ounces of gold sold (b) |
37,620 |
|
31,500 |
|
126,620 |
|
113,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
AISC (c) = (a) ÷ (b) |
2,082 |
|
2,136 |
|
2,231 |
|
2,020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average 1 USD → CAD exchange rate (d) |
1.36 |
|
1.36 |
|
1.35 |
|
1.30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
AISC USD (c) ÷ (d) |
1,529 |
|
1,573 |
|
1,653 |
|
1,552 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free cash flow and operating and free cash flow
per shareFree cash flow is calculated by taking net cash provided
by operating activities less cash used in capital expenditures and
lease payments as reported in the Company’s financial statements.
Free cash flow per share is calculated by dividing free cash flow
by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the
period.
Operating cash flow per share is a non-IFRS
measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and
does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Operating
cash flow per share is calculated by dividing cash flow from
operating activities in the Company’s Financial Statements by the
weighted average number of shares outstanding for each year. It may
not be comparable to information in other gold producers’ reports
and filings.
In 000s, except per share amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities per financial statements
(c) |
37,176 |
|
10,267 |
|
101,351 |
|
65,206 |
|
Sustaining mine exploration and development |
(10,190) |
|
(7,179) |
|
(37,381) |
|
(22,865) |
|
Sustaining mine capital equipment |
(6,779) |
|
(5,585) |
|
(21,937) |
|
(9,883) |
|
Tailings management facility |
(342) |
|
(1,597) |
|
(371) |
|
(5,494) |
|
Ventilation project |
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
(499) |
|
Capitalized development, exploration and evaluation
expenditures |
0 |
|
(4,284) |
|
0 |
|
(25,928) |
|
Mines under development capital equipment |
0 |
|
(13,958) |
|
0 |
|
(74,707) |
|
Growth mine exploration and development |
(4,154) |
|
(919) |
|
(16,941) |
|
(919) |
|
Growth mine capital equipment |
(7,132) |
|
(5,668) |
|
(24,202) |
|
(5,668) |
|
Purchase of mineral properties |
0 |
|
0 |
|
(200) |
|
0 |
|
Surface exploration at Eagle River |
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
0 |
|
Funds held against standby letters of credit |
0 |
|
(519) |
|
(1,542) |
|
(519) |
|
Payment of lease liabilities |
(780) |
|
(2,167) |
|
(5,182) |
|
(8,898) |
|
Free cash flows (a) |
7,799 |
|
(31,609) |
|
(6,405) |
|
(90,174) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted number of shares (000s) (b) |
148,965 |
|
142,782 |
|
147,611 |
|
142,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share data |
|
|
|
|
Operating cash flow (c) ÷ (b) |
0.25 |
|
0.07 |
|
0.69 |
|
0.46 |
|
Free cash flow (a) ÷ (b) |
0.05 |
|
(0.22) |
|
(0.04) |
|
(0.63) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (adjusted) and Adjusted net income
per shareAdjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss)
per share are non-IFRS performance measures and do not constitute a
measure recognized by IFRS and do not have standardized meanings
defined by IFRS, as well both measures may not be comparable to
information in other gold producers’ reports and filings. Adjusted
net income (loss) is calculated by removing the one-time gains and
losses resulting from the disposition of non-core assets,
non-recurring expenses and significant tax adjustments (mining tax
recognition and exploration credit refunds) not related to current
period’s income, as detailed in the table below. Wesdome discloses
this measure, which is based on its financial statements, to assist
in the understanding of the Company’s operating results and
financial position.
In 000s, except per share amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income per financial statements |
2,420 |
(3,527) |
|
(6,187) |
|
(14,706) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
|
Impairment of investment in associate |
0 |
0 |
|
3,600 |
|
11,800 |
|
Retirement costs |
0 |
0 |
|
2,102 |
|
0 |
|
Total adjustments |
0 |
0 |
|
5,702 |
|
11,800 |
|
Related income tax effect |
0 |
0 |
|
(1,425) |
|
(2,950) |
|
|
0 |
0 |
|
4,277 |
|
8,850 |
|
Net (loss) income adjusted (a) |
2,420 |
(3,527) |
|
(1,910) |
|
(5,856) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted number of shares (000s) (b) |
148,965 |
142,782 |
|
147,611 |
|
142,391 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Share data |
|
|
|
|
Net adjusted (loss) income (a) ÷ (b) |
0.02 |
(0.02) |
|
(0.01) |
|
(0.04) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDAEarnings before interest, taxes and
depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) is a
non-IFRS financial measure which excludes the following items from
net income (loss): interest expense; mining and income taxes and
depletion and depreciation expenses. The Company believes that, in
addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS,
the Company and certain investors use EBITDA as an indicator of
Wesdome’s ability to generate liquidity by producing operating cash
flow to fund working capital needs, service debt obligations and
fund capital expenditures. EBITDA is intended to provide additional
information to investors and analysts and do not have any
standardized definition under IFRS and should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared
in accordance with IFRS. EBITDA excludes the impact of cash costs
of financing activities and taxes, and the effects of changes in
operating working capital balances, and therefore are not
necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from
operations as determined under IFRS. Other producers may calculate
EBITDA differently.
In 000s, except per share amounts |
Q4 2023 |
Q4 2022 |
FY 2023 |
FY 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per financial statements |
2,420 |
(3,527) |
|
(6,187) |
|
(14,706) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
|
Mining and income tax expense (recovery) |
10,761 |
10,129 |
|
(182) |
|
11,515 |
|
Depletion and depreciation |
23,861 |
13,428 |
|
95,188 |
|
44,562 |
|
Non-recurring expenses |
0 |
0 |
|
5,702 |
|
11,800 |
|
Interest expense |
1,214 |
1,279 |
|
4,812 |
|
2,446 |
|
EBITDA |
38,256 |
21,309 |
|
99,333 |
|
55,617 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PDF
available: http://ml.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/fc3507b2-9dc5-4d62-86f5-e6e1cd2b7349
Wesdome Gold Mines (TSX:WDO)
過去 株価チャート
から 12 2024 まで 1 2025
Wesdome Gold Mines (TSX:WDO)
過去 株価チャート
から 1 2024 まで 1 2025