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Aura Announces Q3 2024 Quarterly Financial and Operational Results

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Aura Announces Q3 2024 Quarterly Financial and Operational Results

 

 

 

 

 

Aura Minerals Inc. (TSX: ORA) (B3: AURA33) (OTCQX: ORAAF) announces that it has filed its unaudited consolidated financial statements and management discussion and analysis for the period ended September 30, 2024. The full version of the Financial and Operational Results can be viewed on the Company’s website at www.auraminerals.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. All amounts are in thousands of U.S. dollars unless stated otherwise.

 

Rodrigo Barbosa, President, and CEO of Aura, commented, “We are pleased to report that we entered the first nine months of 2024 on a robust growth trajectory, achieving our fifth consecutive increase in LTM production and reaching a record-high EBITDA of US$187 million. In Q3 2024, with an average gold price of US$2,507 / Oz, we achieved record-high Adjusted EBITDA for a single quarter, at $78.1 million, over 39% higher than Q2 2024. In addition to higher production and higher gold prices, we also managed to have a 3% reduction in our AISC per GEO, keeping us on track to achieve our production and cash cost Guidance for the year. Moreover, the construction of Borborema is now 54% complete and remains on schedule, with ramp-up start anticipated for Q1 2025, setting the stage for a strong year ahead.”

 

Q3 2024 Financial and Operational Highlights:

 

(US$ thousand):

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024   For the three months ended September 30, 2023   For the nine months ended September 30, 2024   For the nine months ended September 30, 2023
Total Production¹ (GEO)   68,246     64,875     200,758     166,662  
Sales² (GEO)   68,172     63,516     200,517     165,352  
Net Revenue   156,157     110,635     422,646     292,572  
Adjusted EBITDA   78,073     30,020     187,449     93,214  
AISC per GEO sold   1,292     1,436     1,302     1,329  
Ending Cash balance   195,979     178,989     195,979     178,989  
Net Debt   144,366     112,110     144,366     112,110  
Income/(Loss) for the period   (11,923 )   7,759     (46,915 )   37,788  
Adjusted Net Income   43,386     7,621     54,894     37,835  
(1) Considers capitalized production
(2) Does not consider capitalized production
 
  • In Q3 2024, production reached 68,246 gold equivalent ounces, 10% above Q2 2024 and 10% above the same period last year, at constant metal prices. The highlights of the quarter were the performance of Almas, where production stabilized at 15k GEO after the contractor replacement in Q2 2024, reaching what the Company considers a consistent level for the operation, and Minosa, which recorded another quarterly production growth. For the nine months of 2024, Aura’s total production was 200,758 GEO at current prices, 20% above the same period last year.
    • Aranzazu: Stable quarter with 24,486 GEO produced, up 8% from Q2 2024 and down 3% from Q3 2023. Improved recovery rates due to higher ore grades and mine sequencing. Cumulative production for 9M 2024 reached 70,492 GEO, steady compared to 9M 2023.
    • Minosa: Produced 20,750 GEO, an 8% increase from the previous quarter and 18% from Q3 2023, driven by higher ore stacking and grades. Rainy season impact was limited, boosting productivity. 9M 2024 cumulative production reached 59,078 GEO, a 23% rise over 9M 2023.
    • Almas: Production reached 14,975 GEO, up 42% from the previous quarter due to increased productivity and efficiency after transitioning to a new contractor. Monthly production stabilized at 5,000 GEO since June 2024. 9M 2024 production totaled 37,450 GEO, supporting confidence in meeting 2024 guidance.
    • Apoena: Produced 8,035 GEO, down 19% from Q2 2024 and 28% from Q3 2023, due to lower grades from delayed environmental permits. Lower mill throughput due to harder rock ore affected Q3 output. 9M 2024 production totaled 30,052 GEO, a 2% decrease from 9M 2023.
  • Sales volumes increased by 8% from Q2 2024 and 7% when compared to the same period of 2023, mainly driven by performance in Almas and Minosa during the quarter, although partially offset by Apoena´s lower production. In the 9M 2024, sales volume increased by 21%, also driven by the improvements in Minosa and achieving full operation in Almas, which commenced in August 2023.
  • Revenues reached US$156,157 in Q3 2024, representing an increase of 16% compared to Q2 2024 and 41% compared to the same period in 2023. In 9M 2024, revenues reached US$422,646, a 44% increase in comparison to 9M 2023.
    • Average gold sale prices increased 9% in Q3 2024 compared to Q2 2024, with an average of US$2,507/oz in the quarter. Compared to the same period in 2023, average gold sale prices increased 29% in Q3 2024. In 9M 2024, average gold sale prices reached US$2,289, a 19% increase when compared to 9M 2023.
    • Average copper sale prices decreased 7% when compared to Q2 2024, with an average of US$4.18/lb in the quarter. Compared to the same period in 2023, average copper prices increased by 7% in Q3 2024. In 9M 2024, average copper prices reached US$4.17/lb, a 5% increase when compared to 9M 2023.
  • Record-high Adjusted EBITDA of US$78,073 during Q3 2024, surpassing the second-best quarter ever by over 30%. This performance was driven by favorable metal prices, strong production, and reduced cash costs. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 39% compared to US$56,172 in Q2 2024. Compared to Q3 2023, cash costs per GEO decreased by 11%, and, combined with higher sales and rising gold prices, which led to a 160% improvement in Adjusted EBITDA. This growth was primarily attributed to higher gold and copper prices, increased sales volumes and costs reduction. For the first nine months of 2024, Adjusted EBITDA reached US$187,449, marking a 101% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
  • AISC¹ for Q3 2024 was US$1,292/GEO, reflecting a decrease of US$36/GEO from Q2 2024 (US$1,328/GEO), due to lower AISCs at Almas, Minosa, and Apoena. However, this improvement was partially offset by a rise in AISC at Aranzazu, mainly influenced by metal prices and the impact in GEO Conversion. For the first nine months of 2024, AISC averaged US$1,302/GEO, representing a reduction of US$28/GEO compared to 9M 2023 (US$1,330/GEO).
  • Despite all investments in expansion, including Borborema, by the end of Q3 2024, the Company’s Net Debt position was US$144,366, stable when compared to US$142,409 reported in the previous quarter with an LTM net debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 0.63x, a reduction from 0.79x recorded at the end of Q2 2024.
  • Recurring Free Cash Flow to Firm reached US$65 million in the quarter and US$115 million in 9M 2024, largely driven by the increase in EBITDA in the periods.
  • Net loss of US$11,923 in 3Q 2024, a decrease compared to a net income of US$7,759 in Q3 2023, mainly due to non-cash losses related to mark-to-market (MTM) gold hedges amounting to US$56,684. For 9M 2024, net loss reached US$46,915, also largely due to non-cash losses on gold hedges of US$89,532 during the period.
  • Adjusted income in Q3 2024 was positive at US$43,386, which excluded non-cash losses related to gold hedges in the period, due to the appreciation of gold prices, increase in production and reduction in cash costs. For the 9M 2024, the Adjusted Net income reached positive US$54,894, providing a measurement of profitability adjusted for the same factors in the year.

 

Guidance:

 

________________________________________
¹ AISC is a non-GAAP financial measure 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 Section 18 in the MD&A: Non-GAAP Performance Measures in this MD&A.

 

The Company is on track to meet its guidance for the current fiscal year, including production, cash cost, All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC), and capital expenditures, as demonstrated by the results of the first nine months.

 
 

Gold equivalent thousand ounces

(‘000 GEO) production – 2024
 
  Low – 2024 High – 2024 9M 2024 A %
Minosa (San Andrés) 60 75 59 79% – 98%
Apoena (EPP) 46 56 30 53% – 66%
Aranzazu 94 108 74 68% – 79%
Almas 45 53 37 71% – 84%
Total 244 292 201 69% – 82%

 

 

Cash Cost per equivalent ounce of

gold produced – 2024
 
  Low – 2024 High – 2024 9M 2024 A Δ Low Δ High
Minosa (San Andrés) 1,120 1,288 1,090 -3% -15%
Apoena (EPP) 1,182 1,300 983 -17% -24%
Aranzazu 826 1,009 960 16% -5%
Almas 932 1,025 1,065 14% 4%
Total 984 1,140 1,022 4% -10%

 

 

AISC per equivalent ounce of gold

produced – 2024
 
  Low – 2024 High – 2024 9M 2024 A Δ Low Δ High
Minosa (San Andrés) 1,216 1,398 1,176 -3% -16%
Apoena (EPP) 1,588 1,747 1,607 1% -8%
Aranzazu 1,089 1,331 1,269 17% -5%
Almas 1,179 1,297 1,330 13% 3%
Total 1,290 1,459 1,302 1% -11%

 

 

Capex (US$ million) – 2024

 
  Low – 2024 High – 2024 9M 2024 A %
Sustaining 37 43 28 65% – 75%
Exploration 7 8 7 90% – 105%
New projects + Expansion 144 169 79 47% – 55%
Total 188 219 114 52% – 60%
         

 

Key Factors

 

The Company’s future profitability, operating cash flows, and financial position will be closely related to the prevailing prices of gold and copper. Key factors influencing the price of gold and copper include, but are not limited to, the supply of and demand for gold and copper, the relative strength of currencies (particularly the United States dollar), and macroeconomic factors such as current and future expectations for inflation and interest rates. Management believes that the short-to-medium term economic environment is likely to remain relatively supportive for commodity prices but with continued volatility.

 

To decrease risks associated with commodity prices and currency volatility, the Company will continue to evaluate and implement available protection programs. For additional information on this, please refer to the AIF.

 

Other key factors influencing profitability and operating cash flows are production levels (impacted by grades, ore quantities, process recoveries, labor, country stability, plant, and equipment availabilities), production and processing costs (impacted by production levels, prices, and usage of key consumables, labor, inflation, and exchange rates), among other factors.

 

Non-GAAP Measures

 

In this press release, the Company has included Adjusted EBITDA, cash operating costs per gold equivalent ounce sold, AISC and net debt which are non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning within IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company believes that these measures provide investors with additional information which is useful in evaluating the Company’s performance and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The below tables provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures presented:

 

Reconciliation from Income for the Quarter for EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (US$ thousand):

 

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024   For the three months ended September 30, 2023   For the nine months ended September 30, 2024   For the nine months ended September 30, 2023
Profit (loss) from continued and discontinued operation   (11,923 )   7,759     (46,915 )   37,788  
Income tax (expense) recovery   11,833     6,758     36,588     17,200  
Deferred income tax (expense) recovery   (1,995 )   1,095     5,738     (6,323 )
Finance costs   62,691     5,477     141,888     12,505  
Other gains (losses)   359     (4,517 )   952     (5,736 )
Depreciation   17,108     13,449     49,198     37,781  
EBITDA   78,073     30,020     187,449     93,214  
Impairment                
ARO Change                
Adjusted EBITDA   78,073     30,020     187,449     93,214  
                         

 

Reconciliation from the consolidated financial statements to cash operating costs per gold equivalent ounce sold (US$ thousand):

 

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024   For the three months ended September 30, 2023   For the nine months ended September 30, 2024   For the nine months ended September 30, 2023
Cost of goods sold   (83,976 )   (84,097 )   (252,475 )   (206,691 )
Depreciation   16,686     13,408     47,577     37,242  
COGS w/o Depreciation   (67,290 )   (70,689 )   (204,898 )   (169,449 )
Gold Equivalent Ounces sold   68,172     63,516     200,517     165,352  
Cash costs per gold equivalent ounce sold   987     1,113     1,022     1,025  
                         

 

Reconciliation from the consolidated financial statements to all in sustaining costs per gold equivalent ounce sold (US$ thousand):

 

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024   For the three months ended September 30, 2023   For the nine months ended September 30, 2024   For the nine months ended September 30, 2023  
Cost of goods sold   (83,976 )   (84,097 )   (252,475 )   (206,691 )
Depreciation   16,686     13,408     47,577     37,242  
COGS w/o Depreciation   (67,290 )   (70,689 )   (204,898 )   (169,449 )
Capex w/o Expansion   13,535     13,734     34,725     34,082  
Site G&A   2,444     2,828     7,900     6,661  
Lease Payments   4,810     3,985     13,490     9,636  
Sub-Total          
Gold Equivalent Ounces sold   68,172     63,516     200,517     165,352  
All In Sustaining costs per ounce sold   1,292     1,436     1,302     1,329  
                         

 

Reconciliation Net Debt (US$ thousand):

 

    For the three months ended September 30, 2024   For the three months ended September 30, 2023
Short Term Loans   163,115     101,047  
Long-Term Loans   177,444     197,714  
Plus / (Less): Derivative Financial Instrument for Debentures   (214 )   (7,662 )
Less: Cash and Cash Equivalents   (195,979 )   (178,989 )
Less: Restricted cash        
Less: Short term investments        
Net Debt   144,366     112,110  
             

 

About Aura 360° Mining

 

Aura is focused on mining in complete terms – thinking holistically about how its business impacts and benefits every one of our stakeholders: our company, our shareholders, our employees, and the countries and communities we serve. We call this 360° Mining.

 

Aura is a mid-tier gold and copper production company focused on operating and developing gold and base metal projects in the Americas. The Company has 4 operating mines including the Aranzazu copper-gold-silver mine in Mexico, the Apoena (EPP) and Almas gold mines in Brazil, and the Minosa (San Andres) gold mine in Honduras. The Company’s development projects include Borborema and Matupá both in Brazil. Aura has unmatched exploration potential owning over 630,000 hectares of mineral rights and is currently advancing multiple near-mine and regional targets along with the Aura Carajas copper project in the prolific Carajás region of Brazil.

 

Posted November 5, 2024

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