Mineros Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial and Operating Results
MEDELLIN, Colombia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--November 13, 2024--Mineros S.A. (TSX:MSA, MINEROS:CB) (“Mineros” or the “Company”) today reported its financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. All dollar amounts - other than per share amounts - are expressed in thousands of US dollars unless otherwise stated. For further information, please see the Company’s unaudited condensed interim financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis posted on Mineros’ website https://mineros.com.co/en/investors/financial-reports and filed under its Mineros’ profile on www.sedarplus.com.
Andrés Restrepo, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mineros, commented: “We are pleased with our results for the third quarter. From a financial perspective, high and rising gold prices provided us with a margin of just over $800 per ounce of gold sold which led to $28.5 million in net profit or $0.10 per share from the production and sale of 53,612 ounces of gold at an average price $2,477. From an operational perspective our Hemco operation is running smoothly and our partnership with artisanal miners under the Bonanza model continues to deliver good results aligned with our vision of bringing benefit to all stakeholders. While our Nechí Alluvial operation was behind guidance for annual production, we have identified and are implementing efficient measures to improve production. We are proud of the work we do in the El Bagre area and continue our efforts to effect positive change in the lives of locals through participation in formalizing some informal miners working alongside us. Cash Cost and all-in sustaining costs remain at or above the higher end of guidance for our operations. Accordingly, we have refined both our cost guidance and production guidance for 2024.”
HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024:
- Net profit of $28,507;
- Earnings per share of $0.10;
- Average realized price per ounce of gold sold1 of $2,477;
- Cost of sales of $86,234;
- Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations1 of $1,235;
- All-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations1 of $1,481;
- Net cash flows generated by operating activities of $53,751;
- Net free cash flow1 of $38,816; and
- Dividends paid of $7,476.
- For the nine months ended September 30, 2024:
- Net profit of $63,357;
- Earnings per share of $0.21;
- Average realized price per ounce of gold sold of $2,293;
- Cost of sales of $258,903;
- Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $1,239;
- AISC per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $1,475;
- Net free cash flow of $30,101;
- Dividends paid of $20,188; and
- Return on capital employed1 (“ROCE”) of 37%.
- Guidance for consolidated annual gold production has been revised from 209,000 oz - 229,000 oz to 203,000 oz - 218,000 oz, primarily as a result of lower than expected production at the Nechi Alluvial property. Guidance for consolidated annual Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold has been revised from $1,180 - $1,270 to $1,250 - $1,330, and consolidated AISC per ounce of gold sold has been revised from $1,430 - $1,530 to $1,480 - $1,570. Cost guidance revisions primarily result from lower than expected production at the Nechi Alluvial Property, higher than expected gold prices, which increases the cost of artisanal production at the Hemco Property, and differences between actual and expected inflation and exchange rates. For details, including revised production and cost guidance on a per-property basis, see “Outlook” in this news release.
Dividends declared
On March 26, 2024, the General Shareholders Assembly approved the distribution of the Company’s profits by way of: (i) an annual ordinary dividend of $0.075 per share, payable quarterly, in four equal installments of $0.01875, and (ii) an extraordinary dividend of $0.025 per share, payable quarterly, in four equal installments of $0.00625, representing a total annual distribution of $0.10 per share, or approximately $29,974 in total for the year, calculated based on the number of shares issued and subscribed as at March 31, 2024. This represents a payout increase of 42.8% compared with last year’s dividend.
The future Canadian record dates and Canadian/Colombian payment dates for the ordinary and extraordinary dividends are set out in the table directly below:
| Amount per share | |||
| Record Date | Payment Date | ($) | (COP$) |
Ordinary Dividend January 9, 2025 January 16, 2025 0.01875 74.1 Extraordinary Dividend January 9, 2025 January 16, 2025 0.00625 24.7
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2024
The following table summarizes quarterly financial highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
| Three Months | Nine Months | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ended | Ended | ||||||
| Change | Change | ||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| ($) | ($)2 | ($) | (%) | ($) | ($)2 | ($) | % |
| Revenue | 140,876 101,371 39,505 | 39 388,408 316,863 71,545 | 23 |
| Cost of sales | (86,234) (75,658) (10,576) | 14 (258,903)(219,225) 39,678 | 18 |
| Gross Profit | 54,642 25,713 28,929 | 113 129,505 97,638 31,867 | 33 |
Profit for the period from continuing operations 28,507 13,284 15,223 115 63,357 51,730 11,627 22 Loss for the period from discontinued operations — (45,791) 45,791 (100) — (56,281) 56,281 (100) Net Profit for the period 28,507 (32,507) 61,014 188 63,357 (4,551) 67,908 1,492 Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations ($/share) 0.10 0.04 0.05 115 0.21 0.17 0.04 22 Basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations ($/share) 0.10 (0.11) 0.20 188 0.21 (0.02) 0.23 1,492 Average realized price per ounce of gold sold ($/oz) 1 2,477 1,923 554 29 2,293 1,925 368 19 Average realized price per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations ($/oz)1 2,477 1,921 555 29 2,293 1,922 371 19 Average realized price per ounce of gold sold from discontinued operations ($/oz)
- 1,928 (1,928) (100) — 1,938 (1,938) (100)
Adjusted EBITDA1 62,903 33,379 29,524 88 153,204 118,782 34,422 29 Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations ($/oz) 1 1,235 1,180 55 5 1,239 1,085 154 14 AISC per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations ($/oz) 1 1,481 1,407 74 5 1,475 1,292 183 14 Net cash flows generated by operating
| activities | 53,751 4,324 49,427 1,143 70,971 36,976 33,995 | 92 | |||||
| Net free cash flow1 | 38,816 | 911 | 37,905 4,161 30,101 12,441 17,660 | 142 | |||
| ROCE1 | 37% | 26% | 11% | 40% | 37% | 26% 11% | 40 % |
| Net Debt1 | (28,409) 759 (29,168) (3,843) (28,409) | 759 (29,168) (3,843) | |||||
| Dividends paid | 7,476 5,241 2,235 | 43 | 20,188 15,291 4,897 | 32 |
1. Average realized price per ounce of gold sold, average realized price per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations, average realized price per ounce of gold sold from discontinued operations, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations, AISC per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations, net free cash flow and Net Debt are non-IFRS financial measures, and ROCE is a non-IFRS ratio, with no standardized meaning under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. For further information and detailed reconciliations to the most directly comparable IFRS measures, see Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures in this news release.
Financial Highlights for the three months ended September 30, 2024
- Revenue increased by 39%: Revenue totaled $140,876 during the third quarter of 2024, compared with $101,371 in the third quarter of 2023, with sales of gold of $132,788 at an average realized price per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $2,477, during the third quarter of 2024 compared with sales of gold of $96,450 at an average realized price per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $1,921 in the same period in 2023. The increase in revenue in the third quarter of 2024 is mainly explained by a 29% increase in average realized price per ounce of gold sold from continuing
operations, a 7% increase in ounces of gold sold, and a 74% increase in sales of silver of $2,353;
- Cost of sales increased by 14% to $86,234 during the third quarter of 2024, compared with $75,658 in the third quarter of 2023. This increase was primarily due to: (i) the higher price of gold increasing the costs to purchase ore from artisanal miners by $6,291;
(ii) greater depreciation and amortization relating to our operations of $1,311; and (iii) higher operating expenses across the Company’s operations generally, driven by inflation which increased maintenance and materials cost of $372, and service and labour costs of $1,215 and $1,719 respectively;
- Gross Profit from continuing operations increased by 113% to $54,642 in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $25,713 in the third quarter of 2023, mainly due to higher revenue as noted above;
- Profit for the period from continuing operations up by 115%, to $28,507 or $0.10 per share during the third quarter of 2024 compared with $13,284 or $0.04 per share during the third quarter of 2023. The increase in profit is mainly explained by higher gold prices resulting in greater revenue and gross profit as explained above, partially offset by higher costs to purchase ore from artisanal miners. Profit for the period was also impacted by higher foreign exchange differences of $1,023;
- Adjusted EBITDA up 88%: Adjusted EBITDA was $62,903 during the third quarter of 2024 compared with $33,379 during the third quarter of 2023, mainly explained by the higher revenue;
- Net cash flows generated by operating activities were up 1,143%, totaling $53,751 in the third quarter of 2024, compared with $4,324 in the third quarter of 2023, The Company’s net free cash flow was positive for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and totaled $38,816, up from $911 in the same period of 2023, due to the timing issues of the payment of income tax of $19,766 in Colombia, lower payments to suppliers for goods and services of $17,778, due to the sale of the Gualcamayo Property which resulted in lower payments to suppliers and employees, and social security agencies, among others;
- Dividends Paid up 43%: Dividends paid during the third quarter of 2024 were $7,476, compared with $5,241 in the same period of 2023, explained by the extraordinary dividend approved at the ordinary meeting of the General Shareholders’ Assembly in March 2024;
- Capital investments2 up 21%: During the third quarter of 2024 capital investments of $17,578 were made into existing mines, and exploration & growth projects, compared with $14,542 in the third quarter of 2023; the increase is explained by the construction of a new tailings impoundment facility at the Hemco Property; and
- Cash Cost & AISC: Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2024 was $1,235 and AISC per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations was $1,481, compared with Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $1,180 and AISC per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $1,407 for the third quarter of 2023. The 5% increase in Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations is mainly explained by the 14% increase in the cost of sales, due to higher gold prices, partially offset by the 7% increase in ounces of gold sold. The increase in AISC per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations is explained by the increase in the Cash Costs per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations, along with a 13% increase in sustaining capital expenditures.3
Financial Highlights for nine months ended September 30, 2024
- Revenue increased by 23%: revenue totaled $388,408 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with $316,863 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, with sales of gold of $364,726 at an average realized price per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $2,293 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with sales of gold of $303,117 at an average realized price per ounce of gold sold from continuing operations of $1,922 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023;
- Cost of sales increased by 18%, to $258,903 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with $219,225 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023; The increase in costs is primarily due to higher cost of purchasing artisanal material of $19,085 due to higher gold prices, higher labour costs of $5,537, higher services of $5,021 and higher taxes and royalties of $419;
- Gross Profit from continuing operations increased by 33%, amounting to $129,505 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with $97,638 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023; mainly due to a 23% increase in revenue, due to higher gold prices, which was partially offset by a 18% increase in cost of sales as explained above;
- Profit for the period from continuing operations was up by 22% to $63,357 or $0.21 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared with $51,730 or $0.17 per share during the nine months ended September 30, 2023; the increase in profit is mainly explained by the increase in gross profit, partially offset by an increase in costs as mentioned earlier. Profit was negatively impacted by higher deferred taxes of $13,737 and higher current taxes of $7,436;
- Adjusted EBITDA up 29%: Adjusted EBITDA was $153,204 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared with $118,782 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to a 23% increase in revenue, offset by a 18% increase in cost of sales and a 14% increase in administrative expenses;
- Loss for the period from discontinued operations decreased by 100%, to $0 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with a loss of $56,281 during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to the sale of the Gualcamayo Property;
- ROCE was 37% as at September 30, 2024 compared with ROCE of 26% as at September 30, 2023; the increase is mainly explained by 30% higher Adjusted EBITDA for the last 12 months, along with a 3% decrease in average capital employed, mainly explained by lower gold inventories after the sale of the Gualcamayo Property, fewer exploration and evaluation projects and lower value attributable to property, plant and equipment;
- Net Debt was $(28,409) as at September 30, 2024, compared with $759 as at September 30, 2023; explained by 42% higher cash and cash equivalents, along with 17% lower loans and other borrowings;
- Dividends Paid up 32%: Dividends paid were $20,188 during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with $15,291 in the same period of 2023, explained by an extraordinary annual dividend approved at the ordinary meeting of the General Shareholders’ Assembly in March 2024;
- Net cash flows generated by operating activities were up 92% totaling $70,971 in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with $36,976 in the same period of 2023. The Company’s net free cash flow was positive for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and totaled $30,101, up from $12,441 in the same period of 2023, while the sale of the Gualcamayo Property resulted in lower receipts from the sale of goods, commissions and other revenue. In total, these decreases were more than offset by the reduction in payments to suppliers and employees, and social security agencies, among others, which totaled $30,835;
- Capital investments up 19% to $48,603: During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 capital investments of $48,603 were made into existing mines, and exploration and growth projects, compared with $40,963 in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase is explained by the construction of a new tailings impoundment facility at the Hemco Property; and
- Cash Cost & AISC: Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $1,239 and AISC per ounce of gold sold was $1,475, compared with Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold of $1,085 and AISC per ounce of gold sold of $1,292 for the same period in 2023. The 14% increase in Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold was mainly explained by 19% higher cost of sales, due to higher gold prices, the 11% devaluation of the US dollar against the Colombian peso and 1% more ounces of gold sold. The 14% increase in AISC per ounce of gold sold is explained by the increase in Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold and a 15% increase in sustaining capital expenditures.
Operational Highlights by Material Property
The following table sets forth the gold produced for the continuing and discontinued operations of the Company for the three and nine months periods ended September 30, with a discussion of the operational highlights for each of the three months ended September 30, 2024, following the table.
(All numbers in ounces unless otherwise noted)
| Three Months | Nine Months | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ended | Change | Ended | Change | ||||
| September 30, | September 30, | ||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | ounces | % | 2024 | 2023 | ounces | % |
| Nechí Alluvial Property (Colombia) | 19,686 23,201 (3,515) | (15) 59,489 65,837 (6,348) | (10) | |
| Hemco Property | 10,008 5,514 4,494 | 82 | 25,547 23,252 2,295 | 10 |
| Artisanal Mining | 23,918 21,481 2,437 | 11 | 74,020 68,580 5,440 | 8 |
| Nicaragua | 33,926 26,995 6,931 | 26 | 99,567 91,832 7,735 | 8 |
Total Gold Produced from Continuing Operations 53,612 50,196 3,416 7 159,056 157,669 1,387 1 Gualcamayo Property (Argentina) — 9,032 (9,032) (100) — 31,061 (31,061) (100)
Total Gold Produced from
| Discontinued Operations | — 9,032 (9,032) | (100) — 31,061 (31,061) | (100) |
| Total Gold Produced | 53,612 59,228 (5,616) | (9) 159,056 188,730 (29,674) | (16) |
| Total Silver Produced | 186,724 138,853 47,871 | 34 653,469 425,549227,920 | 54 |
Operational Highlights for the three months ended September 30, 2024
- Gold production increased by 7%: Excluding the results of the discontinued operations at the Gualcamayo Property (disposed of in 2023), 53,612 ounces of gold were produced during the third quarter of 2024, compared with 50,196 ounces in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in production is mainly a result of 26% higher production at the Hemco Property offset by 15% lower production at the Nechí Alluvial Property.
- Exploration and Evaluation Expenditures: for the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company incurred $2,724 in exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) expenditures, a decrease of 0.2% compared with the third quarter of 2023. Regional exploration in the Hemco Property was at similar levels in both periods. The following table summarizes E&E expenditures for the current and comparative periods. The very modest increase in exploration expenses is mainly due to regional exploration in the Hemco Property.
The following table summarizes E&E expenditures for the current and comparative periods.
| Three Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change | ||||
| September 30, | ||||
| 2024 | 2023 | $ | % |
| E&E expenditures capitalized1, 2 | $ | 975 $ | 1,803 | (828) | (46 )% |
| E&E expenditures expensed3 | 1,749 | 927 | 822 | 89 % | |
| Total | $ | 2,724 $ | 2,730 | (6) | —% |
1. Capitalized E&E expenditures are reflected in E&E projects in the consolidated statements of financial position.
2. Figures in the table reflect expenditures capitalized from continuing operations. E&E expenditures capitalized from discontinued operations are nil.
3. Expensed E&E expenditures are reported in the consolidated statement of profit or loss for the respective period under “Exploration expenses”.
GROWTH AND EXPLORATION PROJECT UPDATES
Near Mine Exploration, Hemco Property Expansion
Near mine exploration is focused on the current mining operations, the Panama Mine and the Pioneer Mine. Mineralization is related to an epithermal gold system associated with multiple quartz veins.
A total of 12,536 metres of diamond drilling in 46 holes was completed in the third quarter of 2024, achieving approximately 72% of the 2024 drilling plan. The objective of this campaign is to increase the Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves at the Panama Mine and the Pioneer Mine. A total of 4,236 metres were drilled at the Panama Mine and 8,300 metres at the Pioneer Mine.
The Company is back on schedule with its original drilling plan, having compensated for previous delays through an intensified drilling effort at the La Reforma Target, a newly discovered vein at the Pioneer mine.
Mineros is moving forward with the preparation of an initial Mineral Resource for the La Reforma target, expected in the fourth quarter of 2024, with publication scheduled for 2025.
Porvenir Project, Nicaragua: The Porvenir Project is a pre-development-stage project located 10.5 km southwest of the existing Hemco Property facilities. Mineralization consists of a volcanic hosted gold-zinc-silver deposit with epithermal quartz veins of intermediate sulphidation.
Mineros updated the mineral resource model by incorporating all drilling data collected from the 2023 drilling campaign. The completed model is under review by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., with ongoing updates to the geometallurgical assumptions.
The updates to the geometallurgical assumptions together with the analysis of the 2023 metallurgical testwork is underway, and the Company expects to receive the results in order to update the geometallurgical model in the fourth quarter of 2024.
In light of commodity market conditions management is proceeding logically and methodically to upgrade mineral resources and mineral reserves, and refine potential approaches to development described in the prefeasibility study completed on the Porvenir Project in 2023, with a view to maximizing the value of the asset and the projected returns. Accordingly, the Company has delayed preparation of the pre-feasibility study optimization to 2025.
Luna Roja Deposit, Nicaragua: The Luna Roja Deposit is a skarn gold system, located 24 km southeast from the existing Hemco facilities. The Company is focusing on expanding the current Mineral Resources and identifying new targets surrounding the main deposit.
The Company has finalized the model, which has been reviewed by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. Metallurgical testing samples were sent to the Hemco lab following the planned sample selection. The testing results are anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Mineros remains on track with completing the technical work and analysis necessary for an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the Luna Roja Deposit by the end of 2024, with plans for publication in 2025.
The Company plans to conduct fieldwork focused on geophysical anomalies starting in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Guillermina Target, Nicaragua: The Guillermina target is an epithermal gold-zinc-silver deposit, located 4 km west of the Pioneer deposit.
Delays in mobilizing contractors to site were resolved late in the second quarter. A total of 25 holes comprising 4,407 metres of diamond drilling was completed in the third quarter of 2024 which, together with the 2,091 metres drilled in the second quarter, completes the 2024 plan of 6,500 metres of drilling.
Mineros is progressing as scheduled to prepare an initial Mineral Resource estimate for the Guillermina target in the fourth quarter of 2024, expected to be published in 2025.
OUTLOOK
The following section of this news release represents forward-looking information, and readers are cautioned that actual results may vary. We refer readers to the risks and assumptions contained in “Forward-Looking Statements” below.
Gold production guidance
The following table presents the Company's original and revised gold production guidance for 2024 and actual production for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. The production guidance includes production from the Company’s Nechí Alluvial and Hemco Properties and from artisanal mining.
| Actual (oz) | Guidance (oz) | |
|---|---|---|
| Nine months ended | 2024 | |
| 2024 revised | ||
| September 30, 2024 |
Colombia (Nechí Alluvial) 59,489 86,000 - 96,000 77,000 - 85,000 Nicaragua (Hemco) 25,547 33,000 - 35,000 33,000 - 35,000
Total Company Mines 85,036 119,000 - 131,000 110,000 - 120,000 Nicaragua (Artisanal) 74,020 90,000 - 98,000 93,000 - 98,000
Total gold production (ounces) 159,056 209,000 - 229,000 203,000 - 218,000
Our Nechí Alluvial Property is behind guidance for annual production, and likely will remain short of production guidance given modestly lower grades and fewer formalized dredges working alongside Company owned dredges. Notwithstanding our goal is to have formalized dredges working along side our own, this production has lower margins. Additionally, we experienced delays in receiving and commissioning a new dredge, delaying the timing for expanding our production capacity. Accordingly, we are revising our guidance lower for Nechí Alluvial. At our Hemco Property production is tracking within the guidance range provided for both the Pioneer Mine and Panama Mine. Accordingly, we are maintaining our guidance for the Hemco Property. Regarding our production from our artisanal mining partners we are narrowing our range of guidance as production is tracking towards the top end of guidance. Given this combination of operating results for the period ended September 30, 2024, the Company refines overall production guidance for 2024 while continuing to work at improving output at the Nechí Alluvial Property.
Cost outlook
The following table outlines the Company’s Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold and AISC per ounce of gold sold for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and original and revised cost guidance for 2024. The cost guidance includes the Company’s two Material Properties, with production from artisanal mining included in Nicaragua (Hemco).
| Actual Cash | Actual AISC | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Cost Guidance ($/oz) | AISC Guidance ($/oz) | ||||||
| Cost ($/oz) | ($/oz) | ||||||
| Country (principal mine) | Nine months | 2024 | Nine months | 2024 | |||
| Country (principal | ended | ended | |||||
| 2024 revised | 2024 revised | ||||||
| mine) | September | September | |||||
| 30, 2024 | 30, 2024 | ||||||
| Colombia (Nechí Alluvial) | $1,262 | $1,090 - $1,190 | $1,250 - $1,350 | $1,477 | $1,280 - $1,390 | $1,450 - $1,550 | |
| Nicaragua (Hemco) | $1,340 | $1,240 - $1,320 | $1,340 - $1,420 | $1,512 | $1,450 - $1,520 | $1,500 - $1,580 | |
| Consolidated | $1,239 | $1,180 - $1,270 | $1,250 - $1,330 | $1,475 | $1,430 - $1,530 | $1,480 - $1,570 |
Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold and AISC per ounce of gold sold outlooks were prepared assuming an average selling price of gold of $1,980/oz and inflation of 10% in Colombia and 6% in Nicaragua. Year-to-date the average realized price per ounce of gold sold has been $2,477, $497 per ounce higher than the average gold price assumed when preparing guidance. Cash Cost per ounce of gold sold has been trending at or above the high end of our annual guidance, largely due to: i) lower than anticipated production at the Nechí Alluvial Property, ii) the strength of the Colombian peso, iii) inflation, and iv) at our Hemco Property, the 25% higher average gold price has directly increased our costs by increasing the cost of material purchased from artisanal miners. Given our revised production guidance for the Nechí Alluvial Property, inflation expectations and the broad market view that gold prices may continue to rise, we have revised our guidance on cash cost per ounce of gold and AISC per ounce of gold sold at both our operations and on a consolidated basis.
CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS
The Company will host a conference call on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 10:00 am EST (10:00 AM Colombian Standard Time) to discuss the results. The conference call will be in Spanish with simultaneous translation in English.
A live webcast of the conference all will be available at:
https://app.webinar.net/39yeGDm18qo
The live webcast requires previous registration, and interested parties are advised to access the webcast approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The webcast will be archived on the Company’s website at www.mineros.com.co for approximately 30 days following the call.
ABOUT MINEROS S.A.
Mineros is a gold mining company headquartered in Medellin, Colombia. The Company has a diversified asset base, with relatively low cost mines in Colombia and Nicaragua and a pipeline of development and exploration projects throughout the region.
The board of directors and management of Mineros have extensive experience in mining, corporate development, finance and sustainability. Mineros has a long track record of maximizing shareholder value and delivering solid annual dividends. For almost 50 years Mineros has operated with a focus on safety and sustainability at all its operations.
Mineros’ common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “MSA”, and on the Colombia Stock Exchange under the symbol “MINEROS”.
QUALIFIED PERSON
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Luis Fernando Ferreira de Oliveira, MAusIMM CP (Geo), Mineral Resources and Reserves Manager for Mineros S.A., who is a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains “forward looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes statements that use forward looking terminology such as “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “should”, “intend”, “target”, “plan”, “expect”, “budget”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “schedule”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “potential”, “view” or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s outlook for 2024; estimates for future mineral production and sales; the Company’s expectations, strategies and plans for the Material Properties; the Company’s planned exploration, development and production activities; statements regarding the projected exploration and development of the Company’s projects; adding or upgrading Mineral Resources and developing new mineral deposits; estimates of future capital and operating costs; the costs and timing of future exploration and development; estimates for future prices of gold and other minerals; expectations regarding the payment of dividends; and any other statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future plans, intentions, levels of activity, results, performance or achievements.
Forward looking information is based upon estimates and assumptions of management in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release including, without limitation, assumptions about: favourable equity and debt capital markets; the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to advance the production, development and exploration of the Company’s properties and assets; future prices of gold and other metal prices; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs, and technical and economic studies; the accuracy of any Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates; the geology of the Material Properties being as described in the applicable technical reports; production costs; the accuracy of budgeted exploration and development costs and expenditures; the price of other commodities such as fuel; future currency exchange rates and interest rates; operating conditions being favourable such that the Company is able to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third party approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals, licenses and permits on favourable terms; requirements under applicable laws; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital goods markets; inflation rates; availability of labour and equipment; positive relations with local groups, including artisanal mining cooperatives in Nicaragua, and the Company’s ability to meet its obligations under its agreements with such groups; and satisfying the terms and conditions of the Company’s current loan arrangements. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, the assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those projected in the forward looking information. Many assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.
For further information of these and other risk factors, please see the ‘”Risk Factors” section of the Company’s annual information form dated March 25, 2024, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.
The Company cautions that the foregoing lists of important assumptions and factors are not exhaustive. Other events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward looking information contained herein. There can be no assurance that forward looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such