Erdene Announces Q1 2024 Results and Provides Bayan Khundii GOLD Project Update
TSX: ERD | MSE: ERDN
www.erdene.com 1 [email protected]
ERDENE ANNOUNCES Q1 2024 RESULTS AND
PROVIDES BAYAN KHUNDII GOLD PROJECT UPDATE
Press Release
Halifax, Nova Scotia
2025.05.13
Erdene Resource Development Corp. (TSX:ERD; MSE:ERDN) ("Erdene" or the
"Company") is pleased to announce operating and financial results for the three months
ended March 31, 2024, and to provide an update on progress at its Bayan Khundii Gold
Project (“BK” or “Project”), being developed with Mongolian Mining Corporation (“MMC”).
This release should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Q1-2024 Condensed
Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and MD&A, available on the Company’s
website and SEDAR+.
Peter Akerley, Erdene’s President and CEO stated, “During the first quarter, Erdene and
MMC closed their Strategic Alliance and formally launched construction of the Bayan
Khundii Gold Project, one of the highest grade, open pit gold mines under development
globally. Bayan Khundii will be Mongolia’s largest primary gold producer when it reaches
full production, providing new opportunities for the Mongolian mining sector, increasing
the industry’s contribution to the national economy and creat ing long-term value for
Erdene shareholders.”
He continued, “Construction at Bayan Khundii is proceeding to schedule and budget with
approximately 15% of works complete at the end of the first quarter. There are now over
400 personnel on-site working safely towards first gold in Q2 2025.”
Mr. Akerley concluded, “During the first quarter we also launched our 2024 exploration
program, as we look to expand mineralization in the Khundii Minerals District (“KMD”),
located in an under-explored, world-class gold and copper belt. Ground-truthing of high-
potential drill targets at Dark Horse and Ulaan commenced in Q2 along with surface
exploration of Zuun Mod gold and copper targets and other regional exploration work.”
TSX: ERD | MSE: ERDN
www.erdene.com 2 [email protected]
Q1-2024 Highlights and Significant Subsequent Events:
Images: Bayan Khundii Construction Site – May 2024
Bayan Khundii Gold Project
• Announced formal construction decision for Bayan Khundii on January 15, 2024
- Mobilized for full construction during Q1 2024 with over 400 personnel now on-site
- Project is proceeding to budget and schedule – construction expected to be
substantially complete by the end of 2024, commissioning in Q1 2025 and first gold
production in Q2 2025
• Reached 15% construction progress at Bayan Khundii by the end of Q1 2024
- Achieved 1,000,000 hours construction effort without a lost-time incident
- Finished detailed design work and completed procurement of critical long -lead
equipment
- Commenced Process Plant structural steel erection
• Advanced community development and local employment stakeholder programs
- Local Cooperation Agreement in place to support 2024 local development
programs
- Recruitment and training of Bayan Khundii mine workforce well advanced, with 100
local residents completing mining equipment operator training
Khundii Minerals District Exploration
• Completed 2024 exploration program planning for the Khundii Minerals District
- Near-term focus on mine geology for Bayan Khundii and near -pit expansion
opportunities
- Planning completed for follow-up drilling at Zuun Mod to confirm resources in
advance of planned Preliminary Economic Assessment
• Field program commenced in early Q2 on high priority targets within the KMD, including
mapping and surface sampling to ground-truth drill targets
TSX: ERD | MSE: ERDN
www.erdene.com 3 [email protected]
Corporate
• Closed Strategic Alliance on January 23, 2024 to advance construction of BK Project
- MMC invested US$40 million for a 50% equity interest in EM, the company holding
the BK Project
- Erdene retains a 50% equity interest in EM as well as a 5% NSR royalty on
production from the Khundii District after the first 400,000 ounces of gold
production and 100% interest in Zuun Mod
• Secured BK Finance from strategic partner MMC
- Up to US$80 million shareholder loan to EM, the entity co-owned by Erdene and
MMC
- Five-year bullet maturity, bearing interest at 13.8%, payable in arrears
- Secured by Erdene’s interests in EM and preferential rights over Erdene’s
properties
• Recorded a net loss of $2,678,373 for the three months ended March 31, 2024,
compared to a net income of $5,405,927 for the three months ended March 31, 2023
- Exploration and evaluation expenses totaled $783,156 for the three months ended
March 31, 2024, compared to $66,827 for the same quarter in 2023, with the
increase from the comparative prior year period primarily due to the timing of
annual staff performance bonuses and stock option grants, which were incurred in
the current quarter compared to the second quarter of 2023
- Corporate and administrative expenses totaled $2,777,588 for the three months
ended March 31, 2024, compared to $580,111 for three months ended March 31,
2023, with the change from the prior year comparative quarter resulting from the
recognition of financing costs following the close of the BK project loan in Q1 2024
as well as the timing of annual staff performance bonuses and stock option grants,
which were incurred in the current quarter versus Q2 2023
- Non-cash gain on dilution of investment in associate of $ 1,070,737 with the
issuance of equity in EM to MMC on January 23, 2024, compared to a gain of
$6,544,863 in the first quarter of 2023, following the loss of control of EM due to
the Strategic Alliance with MMC
- Loss from investment in associate of $257,016 for the three months ended March
31, 2024, compared to a loss from investment in associate of $564,206 for the
three months ended March 31, 2023, with the period over period change primarily
due to a 50% reduction in Erdene’s ownership of EM during the current period with
the close of the Strategic Alliance.
Qualified Person
Peter Dalton, P.Geo. (Nova Scotia), Senior Geologist for Erdene, is the Qualified Person
as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the
technical information contained in this news release.
TSX: ERD | MSE: ERDN
www.erdene.com 4 [email protected]
About Erdene
Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a Canada-based resource company focused on
the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and base metals in
underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company has interests in three
mining licenses and an exploration license in Southwest Mongolia, where exploration
success has led to the discovery and definition of the Khundii Gold District. Erdene
Resource Development Corp. is listed on the Toronto and the Mongolian stock exchanges.
Further information is available at www.erdene.com. Important information may be
disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this
information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information regarding Erdene contained herein may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements
may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance, or
other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Erdene believes that the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Erdene cautions that
actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its
control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene
currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
in forward-looking statements include the ability to obtain required third party approvals,
market prices, exploitation, and exploration results, continued availability of capital and
financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking
statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The
information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after
that date. The Company does not assume the o bligation to revise or update these
forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE
CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE
Erdene Contact Information
Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO, or
Robert Jenkins, CFO
Phone: (902) 423-6419
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErdeneRes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErdeneResource
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/erdene-resource-development-corp-/