Troilus Mining Corp press release
SSR Mining Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results
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VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 6, 2020
VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 6, 2020/CNW/ - SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) (TSX: SSRM) ("SSR Mining") reports consolidated financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.
Paul Benson, President and CEO said, "Each of our sites have responded admirably to this challenging environment, implementing new protocols to keep our employees safe when they come to work. Corporately, we reported positive income from mine operations totaling $34 millionduring the quarter and our cash balance was further strengthened, sitting at $462 millionas of June 30. We have been pleased with the safe ramp-ups at both Seabee and Puna, with both operations implementing phased restarts during the quarter. Importantly, we continued to advance our zero-premium merger with Alacer Gold and anticipate closing the transaction in the near-term."
Second Quarter 2020 Highlights: (All figures are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)
Financial performance: With Seabee Gold Operation and Puna Operations on COVID-19 related temporary care and maintenance for the quarter, reported positive income from mine operations totaling $34.2 million, a net loss of $6.3 million, or loss per share of $0.05, and adjusted attributable net loss of $2.1 million, or loss per share of $0.02.(1)
Announced a zero-premium merger with Alacer Gold: Completion of the transaction with Alacer Gold will create a leading intermediate precious metals producer with robust margins, strong free cash flow generation, and long mine lives led by a highly experienced management team with a track record of value creation.
Maintained strong balance sheet and liquidity: Cash balance at quarter end increased to $461.7 million.
Strong operational result at the Marigold mine: Produced 49,918 ounces of gold at cash costs of $864per payable ounce of gold sold.(1)Total material mined was over 22 million tonnes, a quarterly record in Marigold's 31 year history.
Continued exploration success: Drilling at Trenton Canyon yielded high-grade gold results from newly discovered sulphide mineralization in a geologic setting analogous to other high-grade underground gold mines in Nevada.
Safe restart of operation at Seabee Gold Operation and Puna Operations: At Seabee, a phased restart was implemented beginning with underground mine development in early June. At Puna Operations, transport of ore from Chinchillas to the plant began May 22, followed by concentrate production beginning June 12, and mining of ore at the Chinchillas mine on June 25.
Divested SilverCrest equity position: On May 14, 2020, sold entire SilverCrest Metals Inc. investment for a pre-tax gain of approximately C$55.3 million.
| (1) | We report the non-GAAP financial measures of cash costs per payable ounce of gold and silver sold, adjusted attributable net income (loss) and adjusted attributable net income (loss) per share to manage and evaluate operating performance. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures". |
Marigold mine, U.S.
| | Three months ended | | | | | | | | | | | Operating data | June 30 2020 | March 31 2020 | December 31 2019 | September 30 2019 | June 30 2019 | | | | | | | Total material mined (kt) | 22,054 | 20,259 | 18,457 | 19,033 | 19,254 | | | | | | | Waste removed (kt) | 16,947 | 15,255 | 11,736 | 12,676 | 12,185 | | | | | | | Total ore stacked (kt) | 5,107 | 5,004 | 6,721 | 6,357 | 7,070 | | | | | | | Gold stacked grade (g/t) | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.36 | 0.51 | 0.38 | | | | | | | Gold recovery (%) | 76.0 | 76.0 | 76.0 | 77.0 | 75.0 | | | | | | | Strip ratio | 3.3 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.7 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mining cost ($/t mined) | $ | 1.46 | $ | 1.64 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.73 | $ | 1.65 | | Processing cost ($/t processed) | $ | 1.18 | $ | 1.21 | $ | 1.03 | $ | 1.17 | $ | 1.01 | | General and administrative costs ($/t processed) | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.54 | $ | 0.47 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gold produced (oz) | 49,918 | 58,448 | 59,186 | 52,968 | 54,922 | | | | | | | Gold sold (oz) | 46,387 | 58,028 | 61,088 | 50,650 | 59,702 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Realized gold price ($/oz) (1) | $ | 1,722 | $ | 1,588 | $ | 1,478 | $ | 1,481 | $ | 1,309 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cash costs ($/oz) (1) | $ | 864 | $ | 824 | $ | 778 | $ | 822 | $ | 835 | | AISC ($/oz) (1) | $ | 1,373 | $ | 1,277 | $ | 1,117 | $ | 1,104 | $ | 986 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Financial data ($000s) | | | | | | | | | | | | Revenue | $ | 79,786 | $ | 92,081 | $ | 90,198 | $ | 74,820 | $ | 78,039 | | Income from mine operations | $ | 30,261 | $ | 32,457 | $ | 30,263 | $ | 22,064 | $ | 13,939 | | Capital expenditures (2) | $ | 13,348 | $ | 13,900 | $ | 17,768 | $ | 10,496 | $ | 6,924 | | Capitalized stripping | $ | 8,733 | $ | 10,927 | $ | 2,116 | $ | 2,031 | $ | 871 | | Exploration expenditures (3) | $ | 1,135 | $ | 1,102 | $ | 1,190 | $ | 1,990 | $ | 2,452 |
| | | | (1) | We report the non-GAAP financial measures of realized gold price, cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at the Marigold mine. For further information, please refer to "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures." | | (2) | Excludes capitalized exploration expenditures. | | (3) | Includes capitalized and expensed exploration expenditures. |
Mine production
In the second quarter of 2020, 22.1 million tonnes of material were mined, a 9% increase compared to the first quarter of 2020, reflecting the impact of shorter haul distances associated with increased waste movement and enhanced shovel and truck availability.
During the second quarter of 2020, we delivered approximately 5.1 million tonnes of ore to the heap leach pads at a gold grade of 0.30 g/t. This compares to 5.0 million tonnes of ore delivered to the heap leach pads at a gold grade of 0.30 g/t in the first quarter of 2020. The gold grade delivered to the leach pad was comparable to the prior quarter; however, the strip ratio increased by 10% to 3.3:1 in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the prior quarter. The consistency in gold grade from the previous quarter reflects the continued mining in similar areas as the prior quarter. The increase in strip ratio is due to further stripping of upper portions of the Mackay pit. During the second quarter, we continued construction on our new leach pad. Construction is progressing to plan and is on track to be completed late this year.
During the second quarter of 2020, the Marigold mine produced 49,918 ounces of gold, a decrease of 15% compared to the prior quarter due to lower ounces stacked through the first two quarters of 2020. The first quarter of 2020 benefited from a greater number of tonnes stacked at a higher grade during the fourth quarter of 2019.
Mine operating costs
Cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures".
In the second quarter of 2020, cash costs per payable ounce of gold sold were $864, a 5% increase compared to the prior quarter due to an increase in per unit royalty costs due to higher realized gold prices and lower costs capitalized to deferred stripping. Total unit mining costs of $1.46per tonne in the second quarter of 2020 were 11% lower than the previous quarter primarily due to a 9% increase in tonnes mined, lower diesel costs and lower maintenance costs due to component change-out timing. Processing unit costs were 2% lower than the previous quarter due to a 2% increase in ore tonnes stacked at similar total processing costs. General and administrative costs unit costs were 11% higher in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2020 due to a 13% increase in costs as a result of employee transportation and other costs relating to COVID-19 safety protocols.
In the second quarter of 2020, AISC per payable ounce of gold sold was $1,373, an 8% increase compared to the prior quarter due to higher cash costs and an increase in capital expenditures per payable gold ounce sold. Capital expenditures during the second quarter included the planned purchase of a new haul truck, construction of a new leach pad and capitalized maintenance components.
Mine sales
Average realized gold price is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures".
In the second quarter of 2020, we sold 46,387 ounces of gold, a 20% decrease compared to sales of 58,028 ounces of gold sold in the first quarter of 2020 due to lower production and a marginal build-up in finished goods inventories. We realized an average gold price of $1,722per ounce during the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 8% compared to an average realized gold price of $1,588per ounce during the first quarter of 2020.
Exploration
Our exploration plan for 2020 is focused on the discovery of additional Mineral Resources south of the currently producing Mackay Pit, including targets at Trenton Canyon, Valmy, East Basalt and Crossfire. During the second quarter of 2020, exploration drilling on extensions to oxide mineralization have demonstrated positive results at Trenton Canyon, Valmyand Crossfire.
During the second quarter of 2020, exploration drilling amounted to 19,400 meters in 61 holes, with the majority of the drilling completed at Trenton Canyon and Valmy. We have drilled over 39,870 meters in 118 drill holes during the six months ended June 30, 2020.
At Trenton Canyon, we continue to systematically explore extensions to existing near-surface oxide deposits similar to those mined at Marigold and higher-grade sulphide deposits associated with deep fault structures and favourable Comus Formation sedimentary rocks similar to those hosting the gold deposits at the Turquoise Ridge mine. Our exploration plan for 2020 now includes 6,300 meters of core drilling supported by seismic and gravity geophysical surveys for high-grade, sulphide gold mineralization, and 75,000 meters of reverse circulation drilling for oxide gold mineralization.
Seabee Gold Operation, Canada
| | Three months ended | | | | | | | | | | | Operating data | June 30 2020 | March 31 2020 | December 31 2019 | September 30 2019 | June 30 2019 | | | | | | | Total ore milled (t) | — | 89,282 | 87,394 | 77,465 | 88,424 | | | | | | | Ore milled per day (t/day) | — | 981 | 950 | 842 | 971 | | | | | | | Gold mill feed grade (g/t) | — | 10.34 | 7.89 | 12.39 | 9.83 | | | | | | | Gold recovery (%) | — | 98.1 | 97.9 | 98.8 | 98.4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mining costs ($/t mined) | $ | — | $ | 68 | $ | 59 | $ | 61 | $ | 53 | | Processing costs ($/t processed) | $ | — | $ | 31 | $ | 29 | $ | 28 | $ | 35 | | General and administrative costs ($/t processed) | $ | — | $ | 65 | $ | 59 | $ | 59 | $ | 50 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Gold produced (oz) | — | 29,521 | 22,069 | 32,345 | 26,539 | | | | | | | Gold sold (oz) | — | 27,714 | 24,362 | 28,278 | 24,276 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Realized gold price ($/oz) (1) | $ | — | $ | 1,615 | $ | 1,484 | $ | 1,480 | $ | 1,329 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cash costs ($/oz) (1) | $ | — | $ | 544 | $ | 505 | $ | 373 | $ | 526 | | AISC ($/oz) (1) | $ | — | $ | 982 | $ | 751 | $ | 715 | $ | 828 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Financial data ($000s) | | | | | | | | | | | | Revenue | $ | — | $ | 44,697 | $ | 36,142 | $ | 41,331 | $ | 32,237 | | Income from mine operations | $ | — | $ | 19,731 | $ | 13,735 | $ | 22,134 | $ | 11,762 | | Capital expenditures (2) | $ | 1,476 | $ | 9,027 | $ | 2,772 | $ | 5,406 | $ | 3,358 | | Capitalized development | $ | 1,538 | $ | 3,067 | $ | 3,312 | $ | 3,352 | $ | 3,345 | | Exploration expenditures (3) | $ | 475 | $ | 2,437 | $ | 1,210 | $ | 2,131 | $ | 2,257 |
| | | | (1) | We report the non-GAAP financial measures of realized gold price, cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at the Seabee Gold Operation. For further information, please refer to "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures." | | (2) | Excludes capitalized exploration expenditures. | | (3) | Includes capitalized and expensed exploration expenditures. |
Mine production
The Seabee Gold Operations did not mill any ore or produce any gold during the second quarter of 2020 as operations remained temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Seabee Gold Operation was voluntarily placed into temporary care and maintenance on March 25, 2020as a precautionary measure to protect our employees, their families and our communities. Through this period, employees maintained the mine in a state of operational readiness.
In June 2020, we commenced a phased restart of production. The first phase focused on underground ventilation raise and capital development within the mine while we assessed COVID-19-related protocols. Limited ore extraction was initiated at the end of June. In early July, we commenced the second phase, which involved increasing underground development rates and mine production while continuing to monitor COVID-19 related protocols. In August, we expect to commence the third and final phase, which involves a restart of milling operations and ramp up to full mine production with a complete workforce, while continuing to maintain effective COVID-19-related protocols.
Mine operating costs
Cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures".
Cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of gold sold were nil during the second quarter of 2020, as no production occurred. Expenditures incurred during the quarter were classified as care and maintenance expenses.
During the second quarter, we incurred $3 millionin capital expenditures, mainly related to mine development, the purchase of mining equipment and the tailings management project.
Mine sales
There were no gold sales during the second quarter of 2020 as a direct result of the temporary suspension of operations.
Exploration
Exploration plans, including geology drilling, at the Seabee Gold Operation for 2020 initially focused on Mineral Reserves definition and Mineral Resources addition at Gap Hanging Wall ("Gap HW") and increasing Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at Santoy 8A.
Due to the temporary suspension of operations prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to complete any exploration work at the site in the second quarter. For the remainder of 2020, we have reduced our underground drilling to 38,000 meters and surface drilling to 7,500 meters.
In the second quarter, development began on the access drift to the Gap HW of the Santoy mine. We expect to intersect the existing Gap HW Mineral Resources in the third quarter of 2020 and then develop the structure as we target establishing a new Mineral Reserve at Gap HW when estimated at year-end 2020.
Exploration at Seabee recommenced in July 2020. The focus for the remainder of 2020 is expected to be on infill drilling and extension to Gap HW. Additionally, a 3,000 meter surface drill program focused at the Fisher property is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2020.
Puna Operations, Argentina (amounts presented on 100% basis)
| | Three months ended | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Operating data | June 30 2020 | | March 31 2020 | | December 31 2019 | | September 30 2019 | | June 30 2019 | | | | | | | Total material mined (kt) | 91 | | 1,953 | | 3,244 | | 3,116 | | 3,304 | | | | | | | Waste removed (kt) | 43 | | 1,674 | | 2,725 | | 2,531 | | 3,114 | | | | | | | Strip ratio | 0.9 | | 6.0 | | 5.3 | | 4.3 | | 16.4 | | | | | | | Ore milled (kt) | 78 | | 340 | | 400 | | 336 | | 313 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Silver mill feed grade (g/t) | 159 | | 170 | | 174 | | 165 | | 160 | | | | | | | Lead mill feed grade (%) | 0.78 | | 0.81 | | 0.99 | | 0.81 | | 0.71 | | | | | | | Zinc mill feed grade (%) | 0.54 | | 0.44 | | 0.63 | | 0.60 | | 0.46 | | | | | | | Silver recovery (%) | 91.6 | | 95.3 | | 95.1 | | 93.5 | | 92.4 | | | | | | | Lead recovery (%) | 87.0 | | 91.4 | | 91.9 | | 88.1 | | 79.4 | | | | | | | Zinc recovery (%) | 38.5 | | 55.0 | | 54.3 | | 49.3 | | 48.1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Mining costs ($/t mined) | $ | 11.10 | | $ | 3.62 | | $ | 2.62 | | $ | 2.76 | | $ | 2.33 | | Processing costs ($/t milled) | $ | 46.07 | | $ | 29.98 | | $ | 29.53 | | $ | 36.34 | | $ | 32.57 | | General and administrative costs ($/t milled) | $ | 7.55 | | $ | 8.36 | | $ | 9.11 | | $ | 9.24 | | $ | 8.27 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Silver produced ('000 oz) | 366 | | 1,770 | | 2,132 | | 1,664 | | 1,486 | | | | | | | Silver sold ('000 oz) | 624 | | 1,834 | | 2,584 | | 1,505 | | 2,679 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Lead produced ('000 lb) (1) | 1,176 | | 5,536 | | 7,985 | | 5,304 | | 3,879 | | | | | | | Lead sold ('000 lb) (1) | 1,683 | | 6,407 | | 9,371 | | 4,119 | | 7,652 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zinc produced ('000 lb) (2) | 359 | | 1,821 | | 3,007 | | 2,206 | | 1,539 | | | | | | | Zinc sold ('000 lb) (2) | 418 | | 2,166 | | 3,067 | | 2,030 | | 5,757 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Realized silver price ($/oz) (3) | $ | 15.45 | | $ | 17.47 | | $ | 17.32 | | $ | 17.31 | | $ | 14.92 | | Realized lead price ($/lb) (3) | $ | 0.71 | | $ | 0.85 | | $ | 0.92 | | $ | 0.94 | | $ | 0.85 | | Realized zinc price ($/lb) (3) | $ | 0.86 | | $ | 0.88 | | $ | 1.11 | | $ | 1.03 | | $ | 1.28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cash costs ($/oz) (3,5) | $ | 13.51 | | $ | 13.49 | | $ | 8.90 | | $ | 14.22 | | $ | 9.80 | | AISC ($/oz) (3,5) | $ | 17.68 | | $ | 16.40 | | $ | 11.18 | | $ | 17.36 | | $ | 13.08 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Financial Data ($000s) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Revenue | $ | 12,699 | | $ | 27,685 | | $ | 51,263 | | $ | 31,697 | | $ | 44,873 | | Income (loss) from mine operations | $ | 3,916 | | $ | (7,405) | | $ | 14,915 | | $ | 7,708 | | $ | 4,126 | | Capital expenditures (4) | $ | 1,773 | | $ | 2,088 | | $ | 2,134 | | $ | 1,782 | | $ | 1,157 | | Capitalized stripping | $ | — | | $ | 2,192 | | $ | 2,565 | | $ | 1,385 | | $ | 6,273 | | Exploration expenditures | $ | 5 | | $ | 150 | | $ | 492 | | $ | 229 | | $ | 65 |
| | | | (1) | Data for lead production and sales relate only to lead in lead concentrate. | | (2) | Data for zinc production and sales relate only to zinc in zinc concentrate. | | (3) | We report the non-GAAP financial measures of realized silver, lead and zinc prices, cash costs and AISC per payable ounce of silver sold to manage and evaluate operating performance at Puna Operations. For further information, please refer to "Cautionary Note Regarding Non-GAAP Measures." | | (4) | Does not include capitalized exploration or development of the Chinchillas project. | | (5) | Puna Operations cash costs and AISC per payable silver ounce sold include a write-down of metal inventories to net realizable value of $0.1 million in the second quarter of 2020, $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2020, $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2019 and $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2019. |
Mine production
On March 20, 2020, we temporarily suspended operations at Puna Operations as a result of government-mandated restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government of Argentinahas since reinstated mining as an essential business activity.
During the second quarter, we implemented a phased restart while complying with government regulations and guidelines. In mid-May, we re-activated the transport of stockpiled ore from the Chinchillas mine to the Pirquitas plant, followed by the restart of ore processing in mid-June and mining activities in late-June.
Total material mined during the second quarter of 2020 was 0.1 million tonnes, while material milled was 0.1 million tonnes. Ore stockpiles exist at both the Chinchillas and Pirquitas sites.
Processed ore contained an average silver grade of 159 g/t, a 6% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2020. The average silver recovery in the second quarter of 2020 was 91.6%. Puna Operations produced 0.4 million ounces of silver, 1.2 million pounds of lead and 0.4 million pounds of zinc. Silver production decreased 79% compared to the first quarter of 2020 due to the temporary suspension of operations for most of the second quarter.