Asanko Gold Announces Q2 2018 Production Results Q2 2018 Highlights:
Asanko Gold Announces Q2 2018 Production Results
Q2 2018 Highlights:
• Quarterly gold production of 53,501 ounces and half year production of 101,731 ounces, exceeding upper end of H1
2018 guidance of 90,000 – 100,000 ounces
• Quarterly gold sales of 51,785 ounces, generating US$66.6 million in gold revenue at an average realized price of
US$1,286 per ounce
• Mining operations at Nkran returned to steady state levels in June, mining 178,000 tonnes at 1.9g/t
• Another record quarterly mill throughput achieved with 1.37 million tonnes of ore processed
• Zero lost time injuries during the quarter, maintaining industry-leading safety LTIFR record on a rolling 12 month basis of
0
• Receipt of amended Esaase Environmental Permit to include a trucking operation
• Approximately US$48.1 million in unaudited cash and immediately convertible working capital balances as at June 30,
2018
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 12, 2018 -- Asanko Gold Inc. (“Asanko” or the “Company”) (TSX:AKG) (NYSE
American:AKG) announces production results for the second quarter (“Q2”) of 2018 from the Asanko Gold Mine (“AGM”),
located in Ghana, West Africa.
Commenting on the quarter Peter Breese, President and CEO, said “The Asanko Gold Mine delivered another set of solid
production results this quarter, exceeding the top end of our H1 2018 guidance. Steady state levels of ore production at Nkran
resumed in June, a month ahead of schedule, and the processing facility achieved yet another quarterly milling record. We are
well positioned to meet our H2 2018 and full year guidance.”
Health and Safety
There were no lost time injuries (“LTI”) reported during the quarter. As at June 30, 2018, the mine achieved over fifteen months
without a Lost Time Injury with 7,700,352 million man hours worked.
Production
During the quarter, the AGM sourced ore from Nkran, Akwasiso, Dynamite Hill as well as on-surface stockpiles. Whilst mining
operations at Nkran continued to focus on waste removal as part of the ongoing larger Cut 2 push back, in June steady state
levels of ore production resumed, a month ahead of schedule. Mined gold grades for the quarter were in line with the plan and
increased slightly over Q1 2018 with the additional of ore from Nkran.
The processing plant achieved yet another quarterly record milling performance of 1.37 million tonnes, processing a monthly
record of 479,361 tonnes in June, which is well above the recently upgraded design of 5 million tonnes per annum. Feed
grades to the processing facility were lower than the grade of ore mined due lower grade stockpiles supplementing the ore feed
to meet the required volumes being processed by the mill, which were well above the plan. Metallurgical recovery was in line
with the plan despite significantly higher volume throughput at lower feed grade.
In H2 2018, gold grade and production is expected to be higher as Nkran continues to deliver steady state levels of ore
production, with the Company targeting production of 110,000 - 120,000 ounces.
AGM Key Production Statistics Units Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Q2 2018
Total Tonnes Mined 000 t 8,519 11,494 12,743 10,759
Waste Tonnes Mined 000 t 7,339 10,692 11,976 9,814
Ore Tonnes Mined 000 t 1,180 802 767 945
Strip Ratio W:O 6.2:1 13.3:1 15.7:1 10.4:1
Average Gold Grade Mined g/t 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.5
Ore Treated 000 t 862 1,087 1,269 1,374
Gold Feed Grade g/t 1.9 1.5 1.3 1.4
Gold Recovery % 94 94 93 94
Gold Produced oz 49,293 51,550 48,229 53,501
Esaase Permitting Update
Asanko recently received an amended Environmental Permit from the Ghanaian Environmental Protection Agency which
includes a trucking operation to haul ore from the large scale Esaase deposit to the central processing facility at the AGM.
With the receipt of the amended permit, the Esaase mine is now fully permitted. A decision to proceed with the initial
development of Esaase is expected in Q3 2018.
Sales and Liquidity
Gold production for the quarter was 53,501 ounces with gold sales of 51,785 ounces at an average realized price of US$1,286
per ounce, generating gold sales revenue of US$66.6 million. At June 30, 2018 the Company’s balance sheet held
approximately US$42.3 million in unaudited cash, US$0.7 million in gold receivables and US$5.1 million in dore (with a market
value of US$7.1 million).
Qualified Person Statement
Frederik Fourie, Asanko Senior Mining Engineer (Pr.Eng) is the Asanko Qualified Person, as defined by Canadian National
Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Mineral Disclosure), who has approved the preparation of the technical contents of this news
release.
Q2 2018 Operating & Financial Results Conference Call & Webcast at 9am ET on Thursday, August 2, 2018
US/Canada Toll Free: 800 954 0629
UK Toll Free: 0800 496 0445
International: +1 212 231 2933
Webcast:
Please click on the link: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/1l06ddgf0g2fx&eom
Replay:
A recorded playback will be available approximately two hours after the call until September 1, 2018:
US/Canada Toll Free: 800 558 5253
UK Toll Free: 0800 692 0831
International: +1 416 626 4100
Passcode: 21891372
Enquiries:
For further information please visit: www.asanko.com, email: [email protected] or contact:
Alex Buck - Manager, Investor and Media Relations
Toll-Free (N.America): 1-855-246-7341
Telephone: +44-7932-740-452
Email: [email protected]
Rob Slater – Executive, Corporate Development and Strategy
Telephone: +27-11-467-2758
Email: [email protected]
About Asanko Gold Inc.
Asanko’s vision is to become a mid-tier gold mining company that maximizes value for all its stakeholders. The Company’s
flagship project is the multi-million ounce Asanko Gold Mine located in Ghana, West Africa.
Asanko is managed by highly skilled and successful technical, operational and financial professionals. The Company is
strongly committed to the highest standards for environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its
employees and neighbouring communities.
Forward-Looking and other Cautionary Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release,
other than statements of historical facts, that address estimated resource quantities, grades and contained metals, possible
future mining, exploration and development activities, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the
forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as
guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include
market prices for metals, the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses, the timely renewal of key permits,
lower than expected grades and quantities of resources, mining rates and recovery rates and the lack of availability of
necessary capital, which may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to it or at all. The Company is subject to
the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. For more information
on the Company, Investors should review the Company's Annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities
Commission and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.
Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.