Kouroussa - 2nd of 321 Jan 2022 18:24
Summary Highlights:
· Kouroussa is forecast to be a high-grade, low-cost mine which will produce an average of between 120,000 and 140,000 ounces ("oz") for the first three years of production and average 100,000 oz over the life of mine ("LOM")
· The LOM has increased to a minimum of seven years from the original five year estimate at purchase of the Project based on the optimised mine plan, and is forecast to produce at an average All In Sustaining Cost ("AISC") in the range of US$900-US$1,000 per oz throughout the LOM, with material upside potential through further exploration drilling which is currently being planned
· Industry leading project economics at today's gold price of $1,750 per oz*:
o IRR 71%
o NPV US$210 million
o Cumulative free cash of US$314 million
o Capex payback period of approximately two years post commencement of production
· Commencement of construction is to begin this quarter, Q4 2021, with first gold pour scheduled for the end of Q2 2023
· Total Project capex of US$97.5 million for a one million tonne per annum ("Mtpa") processing plant and establishment costs, with an additional budget of US$10 million for pre-production mining cost and US$7.5 million for contingencies
· The Project is fully funded through internal cash flows and a group financing facility from Coris Bank of US$100 million at a fixed interest rate of 8.5% over four years
· Key operational appointments and project construction contracts have been negotiated and are set to be awarded to internationally recognised partners
· 16,000 meters ("m") of a 24,000m 2021 infill drilling programme to upgrade confidence in the mineral resources at Kouroussa has been completed, with the remaining meters will be finalised on schedule in 2021
o Kouroussa's current mineral resources are 1.18 million ounces ("Moz") at >3 grams per tonne ("g/t") (625,600 oz indicated, and 552,700 oz inferred)
o The focus of the infill drill programme is to convert resources to reserves. A maiden Kouroussa reserve on one of the key deposits, Koekoe ('KK'), will be included in our updated Company reserve statement to be released this quarter followed by a subsequent Company resource and reserve update based on 2021 drilling due in H1 2022