Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX: CG) (NYSE: CGAU) reported its third quarter 2024 operating and financial results.

President and CEO, Paul Tomory, commented, “Centerra continues to deliver consistent operating performance and is on track to meet our consolidated production and cost guidance for the year. We have benefited from margin expansion driven by stable cost performance in an elevated metal price environment. As planned, we have returned to strong free cash flow generation in the third quarter. Even after spending approximately $32 million on the restart of operations at the Thompson Creek mine, we grew our cash and cash equivalents to $604 million at the end of the third quarter. We increased our share buybacks in the third quarter to $12 million, and declared a quarterly dividend, delivering on our disciplined approach of returning capital to shareholders.

“We continue to systematically execute on our strategic plan by working through the assets in our portfolio to unlock value. In February, we announced an additional agreement with Royal Gold, which allowed us to extend the mine life at Mount Milligan by two additional years and created the potential for future mine life extensions. In September, we announced the restart of operations at Thompson Creek and a progressive ramp-up of production at Langeloth, to realize value in our Molybdenum Business Unit. Looking ahead, we are progressing work at Mount Milligan on a preliminary economic assessment that is expected to illustrate the future potential at the mine and is on track to be completed towards the end of the first half of 2025. We also expect to publish an initial resource estimate at Goldfield in conjunction with our year-end reserve and resource update, expected in early 2025. By continuing to execute on our strategic plan, we expect to create value and growth for our shareholders and stakeholders,” concluded Mr. Tomory.

Third Quarter 2024 Highlights

Operations

• Production: Consolidated gold production of 93,712 ounces in the quarter, including 42,993 ounces from the Mount Milligan Mine and 50,719 ounces from the Öksüt Mine. Copper production in the quarter was 13.7 million pounds. Year-to-date, consolidated gold and copper production was 294,880 ounces of gold and 41.6 million pounds of copper. Consolidated full year 2024 production guidance is unchanged at 370,000 to 410,000 ounces of gold and 55 to 65 million pounds of copper.
• Sales: Third quarter 2024 gold sales were 96,736 ounces at an average realized gold price^NG of $2,206 per ounce and copper sales were 14.2 million pounds at an average realized copper price^NG of $3.37 per pound. The average realized gold and copper prices include the impact of the Mount Milligan streaming agreement with Royal Gold. Gold and copper sales were 16% and 21% higher, respectively, compared to last quarter, mainly driven by the timing of shipments at Mount Milligan.
• Costs: Consolidated gold production costs were $973 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis^NG were $1,302 per ounce for the quarter. Year-to-date, gold production costs were $860 per ounce and AISC on a by-product basis^NG were $1,103 per ounce. Consolidated full year 2024 cost guidance is unchanged. Consolidated gold production costs are expected to be $800 to $900 per ounce and AISC on a by-product basis^NG is expected to be $1,075 to $1,175 per ounce.
• Capital expenditures^NG: Additions to property, plant, and equipment (“PP&E”) and sustaining capital expenditures^NG in the quarter were $79.7 million and $35.3 million, respectively. Sustaining capital expenditures^NG in the third quarter 2024 included construction at the tailings storage facility and equipment rebuilds at Mount Milligan, as well as capitalized stripping and expansions at the heap leach pad and waste rock dump at Öksüt. Non-sustaining capital expenditures^NG in the third quarter were $25.2 million related mainly to the restart of operations at the Thompson Creek mine (“Thompson Creek”).

Financial

• Net earnings: Third quarter 2024 net earnings were $28.8 million, or $0.14 per share, and adjusted net earnings^NG were $38.6 million or $0.19 per share. Adjustments to net earnings included $6.6 million of reclamation provision revaluation recovery and $1.5 million of unrealized loss on the financial asset related to the additional agreement with Royal Gold. For additional adjustments refer to the “Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures” disclosure at the end of this news release.
• Cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow^NG: In the third quarter 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $103.6 million and free cash flow^NG was $37.4 million. This includes $97.3 million of cash provided by mine operations and $86.8 million of free cash flow^NG at Öksüt; and $40.2 million of cash provided by mine operations and $15.6 million of free cash flow^NG at Mount Milligan. This is offset by cash used in operating activities and a free cash flow deficit^NG from Thompson Creek expenditures.
• Cash and cash equivalents: Total liquidity of $1,004.3 million as at September 30, 2024, comprising a cash balance of $604.3 million and $400.0 million available under a corporate credit facility.
• Dividend: Quarterly dividend declared of C$0.07 per common share.

Other

• Share buybacks: Under Centerra’s normal course issuer bid program, the Company repurchased 1,741,800 common shares in the third quarter 2024, for the total consideration of $12.0 million. In the first nine months of 2024, Centerra has returned $65 million to shareholders, including $32 million in share buybacks and $33 million in dividends.
• Thompson Creek feasibility study results and strategic plan for US Molybdenum Operations: In September 2024, Centerra announced a strategic, integrated business plan for its Molybdenum Business Unit consisting of a restart of Thompson Creek and a commercially optimized ramp up plan for the Langeloth Metallurgical Facility, collectively the US Molybdenum Operations. The US Moly business is expected to produce an after-tax net present value (8%) of $472 million. A key contributor to this value is Langeloth, which at full capacity, integrated with Thompson Creek, has the potential to generate robust annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
• Intention to renew normal course issuer bid: Centerra believes its share price continues to be trading in a price range that does not adequately reflect the value of its assets and future prospects. As a result, subject to the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange, Centerra intends to renew its NCIB to purchase for cancellation a number of common shares in the capital of the Company (“Common Shares”), representing the greater of 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares or 10% of the public float. As of October 31, 2024, Centerra had 211,337,985 issued and outstanding Common Shares.

Table 1 – Overview of Consolidated Financial and Operating Highlights

2024 Outlook

The Company’s full year 2024 outlook, and comparative actual results for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are set out in the following table:

1. Consolidated Centerra figures.
2. The Mount Milligan Mine is subject to an arrangement with RGLD Gold AG and Royal Gold Inc. (together, “Royal Gold”) which entitles Royal Gold to purchase 35% and 18.75% of gold and copper produced, respectively, and requires Royal Gold to pay $435 per ounce of gold and 15% of the spot price per metric tonne of copper delivered (“Mount Milligan Mine Streaming Agreement”). Using an assumed market gold price of $2,500 per ounce and a blended copper price of $4.25 per pound for the fourth quarter of 2024, Mount Milligan Mine’s average realized gold and copper price for the remaining three months of 2024 would be $1,777 per ounce and $3.57 per pound, respectively, compared to average realized prices of $2,040 per ounce and $3.39 per pound in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, when factoring in the Mount Milligan Streaming Agreement and concentrate refining and treatment costs. The blended copper price of $4.25 per pound factors in copper hedges in place as of September 30, 2024.
3. Gold and copper production for the fourth quarter of the year at the Mount Milligan Mine assumes estimated recoveries of 63% to 65% for gold and 75% to 77% for copper compared to actual recoveries for gold of 63.8% and for copper of 75.6% achieved in the first nine months of 2024. The Company estimates full year recoveries of 65% for gold and 77% for copper.
4. Unit costs include a credit for forecasted copper sales treated as by-product for all-in sustaining costs^NG and all-in costs^NG. Production for copper and gold reflects estimated metallurgical losses resulting from handling of the concentrate and metal deductions levied by smelters.
5. Units noted as ($/oz) relate to gold ounces and ($/lb) relate to copper pounds.

Molybdenum Business Unit

1. Additions to PP&E calculations for calculating Free Cash Flow (Deficit) from Operations^NG include only cash expenditures for PP&E additions.
2. Reflects updated outlook range for the Thompson Creek Mine for the full year of 2024.
3. Project evaluation expenses are recognized as expense in the consolidated statements of earnings (loss).

Project Evaluation, Exploration, and Other Costs

1. Thompson Creek Mine’s project evaluation costs updated revised outlook for the full year of 2024.
2. Total exploration costs include capitalized exploration costs at the Mount Milligan Mine of $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024..

Mount Milligan

Mount Milligan produced 42,993 ounces of gold and 13.7 million pounds of copper in the third quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of 2024, Mount Milligan produced 129,919 ounces of gold and 41.6 million pounds of copper. Mining activities were carried out in phases 5, 6, 7, and 9 with a total of 11.8 million tonnes mined in the third quarter of 2024. Process plant throughput for the third quarter of 2024 was 5.6 million tonnes, averaging 58,520 tonnes per day. Gold sales were 45,968 ounces and copper sales were 14.2 million pounds in the third quarter, up 46% and 21% respectively, compared to last quarter. The higher sales volumes were anticipated due to the timing of shipments. Metal production in the fourth quarter is expected to be slightly higher compared to the previous nine months of 2024 due to higher projected mill throughput and higher expected gold grades. The 2024 production guidance metrics at Mount Milligan remain unchanged at 180,000 to 200,000 ounces of gold and 55 to 65 million pounds of copper, with gold production trending towards the lower end of the range.

Gold production costs in the third quarter 2024 were $1,138 per ounce. AISC on a by-product basis^NG was $1,318 per ounce, higher than last quarter due to increased sustaining capital expenditures. In the first nine months of 2024, gold production costs were $1,062 per ounce and AISC on a by-product basis^NG was $1,064 per ounce. The Company expects AISC on a by-product basis^NG to be lower in the fourth quarter, compared to the second and third quarters, driven by higher expected sales and lower expected sustaining capital expenditures. 2024 cost guidance metrics at Mount Milligan remain unchanged. Gold production costs are expected to be $950 to $1,050 per ounce, and AISC on a by-product basis^NG is expected to be $1,075 to $1,175 per ounce. The Company expects AISC on a by-product basis^NG at Mount Milligan to be at the lower end of the costs guidance range.

In the third quarter 2024, sustaining capital expenditures^NG at Mount Milligan were $24.7 million, focused on the tailings storage facility dam construction and equipment rebuilds. Full year 2024 guidance for sustaining capital expenditures^NG is unchanged at $55 to $65 million.

In the third quarter of 2024, Mount Milligan generated solid cash flow from operations of $40.2 million and $15.6 million of free cash flow^NG.

The site-wide optimization program at Mount Milligan, initially launched in the fourth quarter 2023, continues to progress. This program covers all aspects of the operation to maximize the potential of the orebody, setting up Mount Milligan for long-term success to 2035 and beyond. Notable achievements in the first nine months of 2024 include an improved safety record, increased availability and utilization of the haul fleet and consistent ore supply which has led to increased mill throughput per operating day. As part of the optimization program, Mount Milligan is actively pursuing opportunities to reduce operating costs. The Company continues to see productivity improvements in the load-haul cycle at the mine, as well as in the unit processing costs. In the first nine months of 2024, milling costs were $5.56 per tonne processed, 12% lower than the first nine months of last year.

In February 2024, Centerra announced that the Company has entered into the Additional Royal Gold Agreement relating to Mount Milligan, which has resulted in a life of mine extension to 2035 and established favourable parameters for potential future mine life extensions. Work is progressing on a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) to evaluate the substantial mineral resources at the Mount Milligan mine with a goal to unlock additional value beyond its current 2035 mine life. The PEA is expected to be completed towards the end of the first half of 2025.

Öksüt

Öksüt produced 50,719 ounces of gold in the third quarter of 2024, consistent with last quarter, and produced 164,961 ounces of gold in the first nine months of 2024. Mining activities were focused on phase 5 and phase 4 of the Keltepe pit and in phase 2 of the Güneytepe pit. A total of 4.9 million tonnes were mined and 1.5 million tonnes were stacked at an average grade of 1.05 g/t. In the first nine months of 2024, Öksüt finished processing the excess gold inventory that it had accumulated in the previous year, leading to elevated gold production levels. In the fourth quarter, substantially all gold production is expected from lower grade areas of the mine. As a result, gold production in the fourth quarter is expected to contribute approximately 15% to 20% of the annual gold production. The 2024 production guidance at Öksüt is unchanged and is expected to be 190,000 to 210,000 ounces of gold.

Gold production costs and AISC on a by-product basis^NG for the third quarter 2024 at Öksüt were $829 per ounce and $1,092 per ounce, respectively. These costs were impacted by higher royalty expense in the quarter due to elevated gold prices. In the first nine months of 2024, gold production costs were $710 per ounce and AISC on a by-product basis^NG was $946 per ounce. The Company expects AISC on a by-product basis^NG to be the highest in the fourth quarter, compared to the first nine months of 2024, driven by lower production due to lower expected grades. Öksüt’s gold production costs guidance and AISC on a by-product basis^NG guidance for 2024 is unchanged and is expected to be $650 to $750 per ounce, and $900 to $1,000 per ounce, respectively. However, AISC on a by-product basis^NG could slightly exceed the guidance range due to higher royalty costs driven by elevated gold prices. Centerra is seeing early indications of high inflation in Türkiye which is not being fully offset by devaluation of the lira, unlike in the past few years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact this could have on Öksüt’s cost structure moving forward.

In the third quarter 2024, sustaining capital expenditures at Öksüt were $10.5 million, focused on capitalized stripping, heap leach pad expansion and waste rock dump expansion.

As expected, in the third quarter of 2024, Öksüt returned to generating strong cash flow from operations and free cash flow^NG, after making tax and annual royalty payments in the second quarter of 2024. In the third quarter, Öksüt generated $97.3 million of cash from mine operations and $86.8 million of free cash flow^NG.

Molybdenum Business Unit

In the third quarter 2024, the MBU sold 2.4 million pounds of molybdenum, generating revenue of $60.4 million with an average realized price of $23.27 per pound.

On September 12, 2024, Centerra announced the results from its Thompson Creek feasibility study, including a strategic, integrated business plan for its MBU consisting of a restart of Thompson Creek and a commercially optimized plan for Langeloth, collectively US Moly. The Company believes the decision will unlock significant value through the restart of operations at Thompson Creek and a progressive ramp-up of production at Langeloth. When Thompson Creek begins production, currently targeted for the second half of 2027, it will provide additional high-grade, high-quality feed to Langeloth, enabling a ramp-up of production to more fully utilize Langeloth’s full annual capacity of 40 million pounds, while improving operational flexibility to meet market demand. For additional details, please refer to the announcement entitled “Centerra Gold Announces Thompson Creek Feasibility Study Results and Strategic Plan for US Molybdenum Operations, Including a Restart of the Thompson Creek Mine and Ramp-up of Langeloth“, issued on September 12, 2024.

The initial capital investment to restart Thompson Creek is approximately $397 million. The capital required is significantly de-risked due to an existing pit, significantly advanced rebuilds and purchases, and an existing process plant that requires minimal upgrades and refurbishments. A majority of the anticipated capital expenditures are focused on capitalized stripping, plant refurbishments and mine mobile fleet upgrades. At current metal prices, the capital investment to restart Thompson Creek is expected to be funded largely from Centerra’s cash flow from operations.

In the third quarter and first nine months of 2024, non-sustaining capital expenditures^NG at Thompson Creek were $25.2 million and $25.8 million, respectively. Full year 2024 non-sustaining capital^NG guidance at Thompson Creek is expected to be approximately $55 million to $65 million. Spending in the fourth quarter of 2024 is expected to include capitalized stripping, continued refurbishment of the existing mobile equipment fleet, acquisition of new mine mobile equipment, and initial engineering work on the mill refurbishment.

Intention to Renew NCIB

Subject to the approval of the approval of the TSX, Centerra intends to proceed with a renewal of a NCIB to purchase for cancellation a number of Common Shares representing the greater of 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares or 10% of the public float. As of October 31, 2024, Centerra had 211,337,985 issued and outstanding Common Shares.

Centerra believes that the Common Shares continue to be trading in a price range which does not adequately reflect the value of such shares in relation to Centerra’s assets and its future prospects. As a result, Centerra believes that the NCIB will provide the Company with a flexible tool to deploy a portion of its cash balance pursuant to its capital allocation framework to, depending upon future Common Share price movements and other factors, purchase Common Shares for cancellation while preserving its strong balance sheet position.

Centerra will file a notice of intention to renew a NCIB with the TSX and, subject to the approval of the TSX, Centerra may purchase Common Shares under the NCIB over a twelve-month period. Once the NCIB is commenced, the exact timing and amount of any purchases will depend on market conditions and other factors. Centerra will not be obligated to acquire any Common Shares and may suspend or discontinue purchases under the NCIB at any time. Any purchases made under the NCIB will be made at market price at the time of purchase through the facilities of the TSX and/or alternative Canadian trading systems in accordance with applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules. The Company’s previous NCIB authorized the purchase of up to 18,293,896 Common Shares and expires on November 6, 2024. During the period when that program operated through October 30, 2024, a total of 5,783,100 Common Shares of the Company were repurchased through the facilities of the TSX and alternative Canadian trading systems at a volume weighted average price of C$8.74 per Common Share. Centerra intends to establish an automatic share purchase plan in connection with its renewed NCIB to facilitate the purchase of Common Shares during times when Centerra would ordinarily not be permitted to purchase Common Shares due to regulatory restrictions or self-imposed blackout periods. Before entering a black-out period, Centerra may, but is not required to, instruct its designated broker to make purchases under the NCIB based on parameters set by Centerra in accordance with the automatic share purchase plan, applicable securities laws and stock exchange rules.

About Centerra

Centerra Gold Inc. is a Canadian-based mining company focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring gold and copper properties in North America, Türkiye, and other markets worldwide. Centerra operates two mines: the Mount Milligan Mine in British Columbia, Canada, and the Öksüt Mine in Türkiye. The Company also owns the Goldfield Project in Nevada, United States, the Kemess Project in British Columbia, Canada, and owns and operates the Molybdenum Business Unit in the United States and Canada.