Thor Explorations Announces First Quarter 2023 Financial and Operating Results, for the Three Months Ending March 31, 2023

2023-05-30

TSXV - TSX Venture Exchange · Gold · Lithium · Canada

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 30, 2023) - Thor Explorations Ltd. (TSXV: THX) (AIM: THX) ("Thor Explorations", "Thor" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an operational and financial review for its Segilola Gold mine, located in Nigeria ("Segilola"), and for the Company's mineral exploration properties located in Nigeria and Senegal for the three months to March 31, 2023 ("Q1 2023" or the "Period").

The Company's Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements together with the notes related thereto, as well as the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2023, are available on Thor Explorations' website at https://thorexpl.com/investors/financials/.

All figures are in US dollars ("US$") unless otherwise stated.

Operational Highlights

Segilola Production

Gold production for the Period totaled 20,629 ounces ("oz") Mill feed grade was 2.95 grammes per tonne ("g/t") gold with recovery at 94.1% An increase in mining rates and the mining of higher grade ore zones is expected in Q2 2023

The main operating units of the process plant continue to perform better than expected, with the plant operating above nameplate capacity

Segilola Near-Mine Exploration

Identification of new high grade quartz vein system within 15 kilometers ("km") of Segilola, with multiple high grade drillhole intercepts including 1 meter ("m") at 310 g/t gold which equates to 10 oz of gold per tonne Ongoing drilling will test both the strike length and depth potential of this system with additional drill results expected in Q2 2023

Regional exploration is continuing with ongoing drilling programs, stream sediment sampling programs and soil/auger programs with drilling results also expected in Q2 2023.

Douta

Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") at Douta supported by a total of 64,567 meters of drilling updated to a global resource of approximately 1.78 million oz of gold, an increase of 144% from its maiden resource. Updated Douta Resource encompasses the Makosa, Makosa Tail and the recently discovered Sambara prospects, all of which remain open along strike and down dip

During the Period, workstreams designed to advance the project to the prefeasibility stage ("PFS") commenced including metallurgical and geotechnical drilling and also infill resource drilling. Drilling results from Douta are also expected in Q2 2023.

Financial Highlights

21,553 oz of gold sold with an average gold price of US$1,902 per oz Cash operating cost of US$899 per oz sold and all-in sustaining cost ("AISC") of US$1,346 per oz sold Q1 2023 revenue of US$40.3 million (Q1 2022: US$24.9 million) Q1 2023 EBITDA of US$16.1 million (Q1 2022: US$13.4 million) Q1 2023 net profit of US$4.3 million (Q1 2022: US$3.5 million) Cash and cash equivalents of US$4.5 million as at 31 March 2023 (Q1 2022: US$6.3 million) Senior debt facility with Africa Finance Corporation amended and restated to facilitate the Company's growth opportunities Senior debt facility reduced to US$27.9 million as at 31 March 2023

Repayment of all outstanding EPC invoices Net debt of US$25 million as at 31 March 2023

Environment, Social and Governance

The full operation of 6 MW compressed natural gas ("CNG") generators was achieved in January 2023 so as to reduce GHG generated by diesel In Q1 2023, the Company's GHG emissions were 5,303 tons. For the equivalent period in 2022, the GHG emissions were 8,392 tons, a reduction of 3,089 tons representing a drop of 36% in GHG emissions and a significant step in the reduction of its carbon footprint

Vegetable farm construction commenced in the Period, including the erection of a greenhouse. Construction of fish farming ponds and associated processing and administration structures also commenced using two contractors from the host communities

Outlook

Production guidance of 85,000 to 95,000 oz for 2023 maintained, weighted towards the second half of the year, with an AISC guidance of US$1,150 to US$1,350 per oz Advance exploration programs across the portfolio, including near mine and underground projects at Segilola, extension and infill programs at Douta and the assessment of potential targets in Nigeria Completion of the Douta preliminary feasibility study ("PFS") in Q4 2023 Applications for and acquisition of identified prospective exploration properties in Nigeria

Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated:

"This was envisaged to be a difficult quarter with a lower mined grade, difficult mining conditions in the Segilola Pit west wall and a higher utilization of heavy equipment. The Company's performance during the period demonstrates the amount of progress we have made at Segilola. The main operating units continue to perform better than expected and operate above capacity, so our production at the mine totaled 20,629 ounces. Our costs were at the higher end of our guidance, however we expect our costs to reduce materially in the second half of the year as we complete our mining in the current difficult areas. We have also had our first significant exploration success outside the Segilola Mine footprint, identifying a new high grade quartz vein system within 15 kilometres of mine and have already begun expanding exploration with multiple drillhole intercepts. We look forward to updating the market with drill results from this program and an additional two ongoing exploration drilling programs in Nigeria.

"We also continue to progress exploration at a fast pace at the Douta Project. Further to the significant growth in the MRE we are excited about the upcoming drilling results from the ongoing exploration program. We also look forward to completing the various PFS work streams in the coming months.

"As always, we have remained committed to our ESG goals, and this Period really reflects our ability to safeguard the environment and the local communities. The full operation of 6MW compressed natural gas generators was achieved in January and will greatly aid in our attempt to reduce GHG emissions. Elsewhere, we have been proudly progressing our livelihood restoration program and we look forward to offering further updates on all things ESG related throughout the year.

"When compared to the same operating period last year, we have significantly improved our numbers across the board, which is a testament to the hard work and efficiencies created in the Company.

"Our production guidance remains between 85,000 and 95,000 oz for 2023, one that is weighted towards the second half of the year, where we foresee less difficult operating conditions and correspondingly, a more efficient six months operationally."

About Thor Explorations

Thor Explorations Ltd. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Thor Explorations holds a 100% interest in the Segilola Gold Project located in Osun State, Nigeria and has a 70% economic interest in the Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal. Thor Explorations trades on AIM and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "THX".

THOR EXPLORATIONS LTD. Segun Lawson President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Thor Explorations Ltd Email: info@thorexpl.com

Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Adviser & Broker) Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio / Thomas Diehl

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8000

Hannam & Partners (Broker) Andrew Chubb / Matt Hasson / Jay Ashfield / Franck Nganou

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7907 8500

Fig House Communications (Investor Relations) Tel: +1 416 822 6483 Email: investor.relations@thorexpl.com

Ibu Lawson (Investor Relations) Tel: +447909825446 Email: ibu.lawson@thorexpl.com

BlytheRay (Financial PR) Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren Tel: +44 207 138 3203

Management Discussion & Analysis for Q1 2023

HIGHLIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES - FIRST QUARTER 2023

Operating results for the quarter were highlighted by the selling of 21,553 ounces ("oz") of gold during the year at a cash operating cost1of $899 per oz sold, with an AISC1of $1,346 per oz sold.

The Company maintains its production guidance at 85,000 to 95,000 oz for the year, while AISC1guidance for 2023 is also maintained at US$1,150 per ounce to US$1,350 per ounce.

During the Period, the international price of key consumables used by the Company, in particular ammonium nitrate and diesel have reduced significantly from the levels experienced in the second half of 2022. These reductions in price are expected to result in lower than forecast consumable costs at Segilola as the Company resupplies.

Table 1.1 Key Operating and Financial Statistics

| Operating | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2023 | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2022 | | | Gold Sold | Au | | 21,553 | | | 13,463 | | | Average realized gold price1 | $/oz | | 1,902 | | | 1,824 | | | Cash operating cost1 | $/oz | | 899 | | | 688 | | | AISC (all-in sustaining cost)1 | $/oz | | 1,346 | | | 1,108 | | | EBITDA1 | $/oz | | 745 | | | 996 | |

| Financial | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2023 | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2022 | | | Revenue | $ | | 40,287,830 | | | 24,865,482 | | | Net Income/(Loss) | $ | | 4,331,347 | | | 3,490,938 | | | EBITDA1 | $ | | 16,065,334 | | | 13,414,642 | |

| Financial | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2023 | | | Year ended December 31, 2022 | | | Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | 4,505,071 | | | 6,688,037 | | | Deferred Income | $ | | - | | | 6,581,743 | | | Net Debt1 | $ | | 24,940,762 | | | 31,650,722 | |

1 Refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" section.

Segilola Gold Mine, Nigeria

Mining

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, 4,194,689 tonnes of material was mined, equivalent to a mining rate of 46,608 tonnes of material per day. In this period, 198,425 tonnes of ore were mined, equivalent to mining rates of 2,205 tonnes of ore per day, at an average grade of 2.85g/t. Tonnes were affected by difficult mining conditions encountered in the West wall of the pit. Conditions are improving and an increase in mining rates is expected in the second quarter of 2023.

Grade was lower than planned due to geotechnical problems encountered in the North of the pit, delaying access to the higher-grade ore zones in this area. These zones will now be mined during the second quarter of 2023.

The stockpile balance at the end of the period was 270,215 tonnes of ore at an average of 1.14g/t. This comprised 2,130 tonnes (4.35g/t) at high grade, 4,327 tonnes (2.03g/t) at medium grade, 273,903 tonnes (1.04g/t) at low grade and 3,442 tonnes (2.65g/t) on the coarse ore stockpile.

Processing

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, a total of 231,001 tonnes of ore, equivalent to a throughput rate of 2,567 tonnes per day, was processed. Throughput was affected by an unplanned reline of the SAG mill.

The mill feed grade was 2.95g/t gold with recovery at 94.1% for a total of 20,629 ounces of gold produced. A delay in the commissioning of an additional crusher, specifically used to reduce mill rejected ore bearing material ("scats"), which was held for several weeks at the Nigerian border crossing, affected grade during the quarter. The scats will be processed during quarter 2.

All of the main operating units of the process plant continue to perform better than expected, with the plant operating above nameplate capacity. Several improvement projects are being undertaken through the remainder of 2023.

Table 1.2: Production Metrics

| | Units | | Q1 - 2023 | | | Q4 - 2022 | | | Q3 - 2022 | | | Q2 - 2022 | | | Q1 - 2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mining | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Total Mined | Tonnes | | 4,194,689 | | | 4,296,494 | | | 4,018,431 | | | 4,031,584 | | | 3,759,524 | | | Waste Mined | Tonnes | | 3,996,264 | | | 3,974,073 | | | 3,793,249 | | | 3,747,504 | | | 3,533,610 | | | Ore Mined | Tonnes | | 198,425 | | | 322,421 | | | 225,182 | | | 284,079 | | | 226,314 | | | Grade | g/t Au | | 2.85 | | | 3.51 | | | 4.43 | | | 3.63 | | | 2.68 | | | Daily Total Mining Rate | Tonnes/Day | | 46,608 | | | 46,701 | | | 43,679 | | | 44,303 | | | 41,772 | | | Daily Ore Mining Rate | Tonnes/Day | | 2,205 | | | 3,505 | | | 2,448 | | | 3,122 | | | 2,515 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Stockpile | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ore Stockpiled | Tonnes | | 270,215 | | | 300,531 | | | 229,909 | | | 249,281 | | | 179,758 | | | Ore Stockpiled | g/t Au | | 1.14 | | | 1.48 | | | 1.19 | | | 1.46 | | | 1.23 | | | Ore Stockpiled | oz | | 9,904 | | | 14,300 | | | 8,796 | | | 11,701 | | | 7,109 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Processing | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ore Processed | Tonnes | | 231,001 | | | 254,824 | | | 241,434 | | | 211,582 | | | 221,900 | | | Grade | g/t Au | | 2.95 | | | 3.38 | | | 3.58 | | | 3.66 | | | 3.18 | | | Recovery | % | | 94.1 | | | 95.0 | | | 95.5 | | | 95.5 | | | 94.1 | | | Gold Recovered | oz | | 20,629 | | | 26,331 | | | 26,523 | | | 23,785 | | | 21,343 | | | Milling Throughput | Tonnes/Day | | 2,567 | | | 2,770 | | | 2,624 | | | 2,325 | | | 2,466 | |

NON-IFRS MEASURES

This MD&A refers to certain financial measures, such as average realized gold price, cash operating costs, all-in sustaining costs , net debt and EBITDA which are not recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those made by other companies and accordingly may not be comparable to such measures as reported by other companies. These measures have been derived from the Company's financial statements because the Company believes that, with the achievement of gold production, they are of assistance in the understanding of the results of operations and its financial position.

Average realised gold price per ounce sold

The Group believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, the average realised gold price, which takes into account the impact of gain/losses on forward sale of commodity contracts, is a metric used to better understand the gold price realised during a period. Management believes that reflecting the impact of these contracts on the Group's realised gold price is a relevant measure and increases the consistency of this calculation with our peer companies.

In addition to the above, in calculating the realised gold price, management has adjusted the revenues as disclosed in the consolidated financial statement to exclude by product revenue, relating to silver revenue, and has reflected the by product revenue as a credit to cash operating costs. The revenues as disclosed in the interim financial statements have been reconciled to the gold revenue for all periods presented.

Table 2.1: Average annual realised price per ounce sold

| | Units | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2023 | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 20221 | | | Revenues | $ | | 40,287,830 | | | 24,865,482 | | | By product revenue | $ | | (43,773) | | | (15,520) | | | Gold Revenue | $ | | 40,244,057 | | | 24,849,962 | | | Gain/(Loss) on forward sale of commodity contracts | $ | | 750,482 | | | (294,922) | | | Gold Revenue | $ | | 40,994,539 | | | 24,555,040 | | | Gold ounces sold | oz Au | | 21,553 | | | 13,463 | | | Average realized price per ounce sold | $ | | 1,902 | | | 1,824 | |

Cash operating cost per ounce

Cash operating cost per oz sold, combined with revenues, can be used to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate operating income and cash flow from operating activities. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, certain investors may find this information useful to evaluate the costs of production per ounce.

By product revenues are included as a credit to cash operating costs.

Table 2.2: Average annual cash operating cost per ounce of gold

| | Units | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2023 | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 20221 | | | Production costs | $ | | 18,306,502 | | | 8,219,530 | | | Transportation and refining | $ | | 342,291 | | | 502,222 | | | Royalties | $ | | 768,282 | | | 550,765 | | | By product revenue | $ | | (43,773) | | | (15,520) | | | Cash Operating costs | $ | | 19,373,302 | | | 9,256,997 | | | | | | | | | | | | Gold ounces sold | Oz Au | | 21,553 | | | 13,463 | | | Cash operating cost per ounce sold | $/oz | | 899 | | | 688 | |

All-in sustaining cost per ounce

AISC provides information on the total cost associated with producing gold.

The Group calculates AISC as the sum of total cash operating costs (as described above), other administration expenses and sustaining capital, all divided by the gold ounces sold to arrive at a per oz amount.

Other administration expenses includes administration expenses directly attributable to the Segilola Gold Mine plus a percentage of corporate administration costs allocated to supporting the operations of the Segilola Gold Mine. For the Three Month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, this was deemed to be 50%.

Other companies may calculate this measure differently as a result of differences in underlying principles and policies applied.

Table 2.3: Average annual all-in sustaining cost per ounce of gold

| | Units | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2023 | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 20221 | | | Cash operating costs2 | $ | | 19,373,302 | | | 9,256,997 | | | Adjusted other administration expenses | $ | | 3,775,777 | | | 1,458,731 | | | Sustaining capital3 | $ | | 5,864,894 | | | 4,196,996 | | | Total all-in sustaining cost | $ | | 29,013,973 | | | 14,912,724 | | | | | | | | | | | | Gold ounces sold | Oz Au | | 21,553 | | | 13,463 | | | All-in sustaining cost per ounce sold | $/oz | | 1,346 | | | 1,108 | |

1 The figures for the Three Month period ended March 31, 2022 have been restated in connection with the restatement of the interim financial statements. Refer to note 22 of the interim financial statements for further details. 2 Refer to Table - 3.2 Cash operating costs. 3 Refer to Table - 3.3a Sustaining and Non-Sustaining Capital

The Group's all-in sustaining costs include sustaining capital expenditures which management has defined as those capital expenditures related to producing and selling gold from its on-going mine operations. Non-sustaining capital is capital expenditure related to major projects or expansions at existing operations where management believes that these projects will materially benefit the operations. The distinction between sustaining and non-sustaining capital is based on the Company's policies and refers to the definitions set out by the World Gold Council.

This non-GAAP measure provides investors with transparency regarding the capital costs required to support the on-going operations at its operating mine, relative to its total capital expenditures. Readers should be aware that these measures do not have a standardized meaning. 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.

Table 2.3a: Sustaining and Non-Sustaining Capital

| | Units | | Three Month period ended March 31, 2023 | | | Three Month period ended March 31, 20221 | | | Property, plant and equipment additions during the period | $ | | 5,719,158 | | | 8,484,914 | | | Non-sustaining capital expenditures2 | $ | | (1,109,993) | | | (5,501,596) | | | Payment for sustaining leases | $ | | 1,255,729 | | | 1,213,678 | | | Sustaining capital3 | $ | | 5,864,894 | | | 4,196,996 | |

1 The figures for the Three Month period ended March 31, 2022 have been restated in connection with the restatement of the interim financial statements. Refer to note 22 of the interim financial statements for further details. 2 Includes EPC and other construction costs for the Segilola Mine 3 Includes capitalized production stripping costs of $4,609,165 (March 31, 2022: $2,983,318)