Monument Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results Gross Revenue of $3.99 Million and Cash Cost of US$857/Oz
May 29, 2017 News Release Release #09 - 2017
Monument Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2017 Results
Gross Revenue of $3.99 Million and Cash Cost of US$857/Oz
Vancouver, B.C ., May 29, 201 7, Monument Mining Limited (TSX -V: MMY and FSE: D7Q1) “Monument” or the
“Company” today announced its production and financial results for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017. All
amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated (refer to www.sedar.com for full financial results).
President and CEO Robert Baldock commented on third quarter fiscal 2017 financial results: “The Company focused on
financing the Burnakura early stage gold production to generate cash flow and completion of Felda Land acquisition
commencing oxide productio n in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 , and fast tracking the Selinsing Sulphide Project with
producing an execution plan for construction.
At Selinsing, with the release of the pre-feasibility study by Snowden in December 2016 , and the recent commencement of
the Front End Engineering Design (the “FEED”) work, we are progressing towards an internal Definitive Feasibility Study
(the “DFS”) for the Sulphide pre-treatment plant. At Murchison, early stage production development activities continued with
completion of a third party technical report that found no major flaws. The Company is seeking disciplined funding for these
projects and gold project acquisition opportunities with a potential combination of equity and debt. ”
Third Quarter Highlights:
3,359oz of gold sold for gross revenue of $3.99 million (Q3 fiscal 2016: 3,850oz sold for $4.46 million);
3,442oz of gold produced (Q3 fiscal 2016: 3,875oz);
Cash cost per ounce (“oz”) of $857/oz (Q3 fiscal 2016: $665/oz);
Ore processed 0.21 million tonnes (Q3 fiscal 2016: 0.26 million tonnes);
A FEED study has been carried out on Selinsing after filing of the Pre-feasibility Study for the Sulphide Project; and
Operational readiness and due diligence concluded in an Independent Technical Report at th e Burnakura Gold Project.
Third Quarter Production and Financial Highlights
Three months ended March 31, Nine months ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 2016
Production
Ore mined (tonnes) 68,568 110,138 148,655 312,067
Ore processed (tonnes) 210,518 264,159 648,115 750,690
Average mill feed grade (g/t) 0.79 0.95 0.82 0.91
Processing recovery rate (%) 51.29% 69.1% 56.78% 69.9%
Gold recovery (oz) 2,755 5,588 9,642 15,440
Gold production(1) (oz) 3,442 3,875 9,621 13,988
Gold sold (oz) 3,359 3,850 9,550 18,950
Financial (in thousands of US dollars) $ $ $ $
Revenue 3,986 4,457 11,765 18,467
Net Income (Net loss) before other items (1,133) 371 (2,847) 2,584
Net Income (Net loss) (1,789) 2,500 (3,296) (1,968)
Cash flows from/(used in) operations (567) 757 (1,127) 836
Working capital 26,593 28,803 26,593 28,803
EPS (loss) before other items – basic (US$/share) (0.00) 0.00 (0.01) 0.01
EPS (loss) – basic (US$/share) (0.01) 0.01 (0.01) (0.01)
Three months ended March 31, Nine months ended March 31,
2017 2016 2017 2016
Other US$/oz US$/oz US$/oz US$/oz
Average realized gold price per ounce sold (2) 1,187 1,158 1,232 1,138
Cash cost per ounce (3)
Mining 147 115 158 96
Processing 635 476 651 410
Royalties 69 70 68 47
Operations, net of silver recovery 6 4 4 2
Total cash cost per ounce 857 665 881 555
(1) Defined as good delivery gold bullion according to London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”), net of gold doŕe in transit and refinery adjustment
(2) Monument realized US$/oz for the nine months ended March 31, 2017 excludes gold forward sales.
(3) Total cash cost includes production costs such as mining, processing, tailing facility maintenance and camp administration, r oyalties, and operating costs such as storage, temporary mine production
closure, community development cost and property fees, net of by-product credits. Cash cost excludes amortization, depletion, accretion expenses, idle production costs, capital costs, exploration costs
and corporate administration costs.
Production Results
During the third quarter, gold recovery decreased by 51% to 2,755oz from 5,588oz in the corresponding period last year and
average ore head grade decreased by 16% to 0.79g/t Au from 0.95g/t Au in the corresponding period last year. The decreased
gold recovery was mainly due to the lower grade mill feed from stockpiled oxide and leachable sulphide ore. The production
team at the Selinsing Mine has continued improvements to boost productivity, including the addition o f tailings material to
mill feed by dry mining and dredging.
Gold production for the third quarter, net of gold doré in transit and refinery adjustment, was 3,442oz (defined as good delivery
gold bullion according to the London Bullion Market Association), an 11% decrease compared to 3,875oz in the
corresponding period of the previous year.
Financial Results and Discussion
For the quarter ended March 31, 2017
Gold sales generated $3.99 million compared to $4.46 million in the third quarter last year. The revenue comprised of 3,359oz
of gold sold (2016: 3,850oz) from production at an average realized gold price of $1,187 per ounce (2016: $1,158 per ounce)
for the quarter. The weighted average London Fix PM gold price was $1,188 per ounce compared to $1,172 per ounce for the
corresponding period last year. Total production costs increased by 25% to $4.16 million, compared to $ 3.33 million in the
same period last year. The increase in cost was mainly attributed to depreciation that increased to $1.18 million for the third
quarter from $0.77 million in the same period last year, offset by the low er amount of gold sold. Mining operations incurred
a loss of $0.18 million compared to income of $1.13 million in the same period last year and corporate expenditure for the
quarter of $0.96 million (2016: $0.76 million) was 26% higher compared to the same period last year. Net loss for the quarter
was $1.79 million, or $(0.01) per share (basic) compared to net income of $2.50 million or $0.01 per share (basic) in the same
period last year.
The Company’s development focused on the Sulphide Project and Felda Land acquisition at Selinsing and completion of a
third party technical report with no major flaws at Murchison. For the quarter, a total of $1.05 million (2016: $2.81 million)
was spent on these programs, comprised of $0.58 million (2016: $1.79 million) at Selinsing; $0.39 million (2016: $0.87
million) at Murchison; and $0.08 million (2016: $0.15 million) was spent on care and maintenance at Mengapur.
For the nine months ended March 31, 2017
For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, gold sales generated $11.77 million compared to $18.47 million, of which $15.88
million from production and $2.59 million from the settlement of a gold forward sale, in the corresponding period last year.
The revenue comprised of 9,550oz of gold sold from production at an average realized gold price of $1,232 per ounce (2016:
18,950oz at an average realized gold price of $1,138 per ounce). The weighted average London Fix PM gold price was $1,231
per ounce compared to $1,143 per ounce for the corresponding period last year . Total production costs decreased by 11% to
$12.00 million, compared to $13.47 milli on in the same period last year, t he decrease in cost was mainly attributed to the
lower amount of gold sold. Loss from mining operations was $0.23 million compared to income of $5.00 million in the same
period last year and corporate expenditure of $2.61 million was 8% higher compared to $2.42 million in the same period last
year. Net loss for the nine months period was $3.30 million, or $(0.01) per share (basic) compared to $1.97 million or $(0.01)
per share (basic) in the same period last year.
For the nine months ended March 31, 2017, a total of $5.94 million (2016: $8.40 million) was spent on capital development,
comprised of $2.92 million (2016: $2.37 million) at Selinsing, $2.76 million (2016: $2.80 million) at Murchis on, and $0.26
million (2016: $0.56 million) was spent on care and maintenance at Mengapur.
Development
Selinsing Gold Mine
In Malaysia, the focus is on the preparation of Sulphide Gold Production (the “Sulphide Project”) at Selinsing. During the
third quarter, the Company has commenced additional testwork to further optimize bioleach sulphide treatment recoveries
through the BIOX® Process in parallel with completing Intec and acid leaching alternatives. The positive BIOX® Process
testwork results were received subsequent to the third quarter and showed on average 90% recovery of gold from Buffalo
Reef ore samples at Selinsing, which was the best overall performance. A Front End Engineering Design (“FEED”) study has
been designed and comm enced subsequent to the third quarter, leading to an internal Definitive Feasibility study (“DFS”),
which will further upgrade the existing 2016 PFS and enable the Company to make a construction decision. Upon success
completion, the upgraded plant can be expected to enable the Company to continue gold production at Selinsing for a further
estimated six years through to 2023 without further ore discovery.
The Company has progressed the Felda Land acquisition and mining lease registration with settlers, the Pahang State land
authorities and Felda Corporation. The underlying agreements have been reviewed and agreed by all parties.
Burnakura Project
In Western Austral ia, during the quarter, the internal economic study was completed including the optimized mine plan,
engineering works and economic analysis, it was reviewed and reported by SRK Consulting, an independent consulting firm
to a third party under the technical due diligence, and found no major flaws. The internal economic assessment shows that the
life of mine could be potentially extended. Metallurgical testwork and mine delivery schedules were completed to mitigate
the construction and operation risk s. During the quarter, the crushing circuit and heap leach plant equipment were unloaded
at Burnakura. Other mine development activities include : a power strategy assessment, building the site power model , pit
dewatering assessment, and preparation work for the construction of a new laboratory building.
The Amended Environmental Protection License for Crushing, Heap Leach and Dewatering was received during the quarter
with approval from the Department of Environmental Regulation (“DER”) for the operation of the proposed Heap Leach
Facility. In addition, the Mining Proposal and the Mine Closure Plan were submitted and approved during the quarter which
completes all DER licensing requirements for operational readiness.
Exploration
Malaysia
The third quarter exploration program focused on the oxide trenching and drilling program at the Peranggih deposit, and the
extension of the geo -metallurgical progra m to define leachable mining blocks for plant production within the life of mine
oxide pits at Buffalo Reef. At Peranggih a total of 12 trenches for 660m were completed, with a total of 454 horizontal and
vertical channel samples submitted during the quarter. Also 375 assay results were received for six trenches in the South with
the results indicating similar mineralisation as adjacent holes . In test-pitting at the old -tailings area in Peranggih North, 11
pits (shafts) comprising 34 samples had been collected at an average depth of 3m per pit. There were also 259 grid -grab
samples collected in two old stockpiles, out of which 70 were sent for assay analysis. Trenching was also completed at BRS
West Ridge and Selinsing West Bamboo Shoot areas.
Analysis results were received for 63 composited geo -metallurgical samples from the B uffalo Reef areas. The geo-
metallurgical modelling for B uffalo Reef South Stage 1 was completed. The delineation of four blocks with an estimated
4,000oz of leachable gold has led to confirmation work with the mining grade control and plant departments. There were 178
assay results received during the quarter from drilling completed in the previous quarter at Selinsing Pit I V. The drilling
generally confirmed the current Resource blocks’ locations and estimated high grade gold and may also upgrade the current
Resource blocks with the additional high grade gold infill data.
Western Australia
At Murchison, third quarter activities included discussions with Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (“YMAC”) for
Heritage Survey agreements; an external due diligence completed as verification on the Resource Models used for the life of
mine (“LOM”) production schedule, together with metallurgical testwork on the LOM representative samples and
interpretation of the results.
During the quarter, a preliminary review of underground potential at the NOA7_8 deposit was conducted which supports the
exploration strategy for designing a deeper drill program south of NOA7_8. The study o f the available information and
resource modeling update shows evidence of positive indications for the in crease of mineralized volume and gold
grade/ounces for a good part of NOA7_8, in particular coming from the significant intercepts observed. It has also enhanced
the strong potential for the continuity of deep mineralization in the central and north portio ns of NOA7_8 deposit. The deep
drill program was scheduled to start in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, however was postponed subject to funding.
Acquisitions
The Company, during the quarter, entered into an “ Exclusive Option Agreement” with Panex Resources Inc. ("Panex") to
acquire, at its discretion, Panex's 51% controlling interest in the Matala Gold Project in Democratic Republic of Congo
(“DRC”), subject to TSX Venture Exchange and regulatory approvals. Panex would carry out an exploration prog ram at
Matala. The Option arrangement will allow the Company to further evaluate the drilling and exploration results at Matala
without a large commitment. The Company has yet to receive the exploration update from Panex.
About Monument
Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V:MMY, FSE:D7Q1) is an established Canadian gold producer that owns and operates the
Selinsing Gold Mine in Malaysia. Its experienced management team is committed to growth and is advancing several
exploration and development projects includi ng the Mengapur Polymetallic Project, in Pahang State of Malaysia, and the
Murchison Gold Projects comprising Burnakura, Gabanintha and Tuckanarra in the Murchison area of Western Australia .
The Company employs approximately 190 people in both regions and is committed to the highest standards of environmental
management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighboring communities . The Company has
also been looking in other countries seeking potential opportunities for larger r esources, including the Democratic Republic
of the Congo (“DRC”).
Robert F. Baldock, President and CEO
Monument Mining Limited
Suite 1580 -1100 Melville Street
Vancouver, BC V6E 4A6
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION visit the company web site at www.monumentmining.com or contact:
Richard Cushing, MMY Vancouver T: +1-604-638-1661 x102 [email protected]
Wolfgang Seybold, Axino GmbH T: +49 711-82-09 -211 [email protected]
"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."
Forward-Looking Statement
This news release i ncludes statements containing forward -looking information about Monument, its business and future plans (“forward -looking
statements”). Forward-looking statements are statements that involve expectations, plans, objectives or future events that are not historical facts and include
the Company’s plans with respect to its mineral projects and the timing and results of proposed programs and events referred to in this news release.
Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward -looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is
expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and
phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The forward-looking
statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and certain other factors include, without limitation: risks related to general
business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; uncertainties regarding the results of current exploration activities; uncertainties in
the progress and timing of development activities; foreign operations risks; other risks inherent in the mining industry and other risks described in the
management discussion and analysis of the Company and the technical reports on the Company’s projects, all of which are avail able under the profile of
the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Material factors and assumptions used to develop forward -looking statements in this news release include:
expectations regarding the estimated cash cost per ounce of gold production and the estimated cash flows which may be generat ed from the operations,
general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond the control of Monument; assumptions and expectations regarding the results of exploration
on the Company’s projects; assumptions regarding the future price of gold of other minerals; the timing and amount of estimat ed future production; the
expected timing and results of development and exploration activities; costs of future activities; capital and operating expenditures; success of exploration
activities; mining or processing issues; exchange rates; and all of the factors and assumptions described in the management discussion and analysis of the
Company and the technical reports on the Company’s projects, all of which are available under the profile of the Company on S EDAR at www.sedar.com.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors th at could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward -
looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such
statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accord ingly,
readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except
in accordance with applicable securities laws.