
OPEN PIT MINING ACTIVITY TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED RESULTING IN REVISED GUIDANCE
Superior Gold Inc. (TSX-V: SGI) (OTCQX: SUPGF) announces detailed production results for the third quarter of 2022 for the Company’s 100%-owned Plutonic Gold operations, located in Western Australia. The Company also announces that it has temporarily suspended mining activity and further development in the Main Pit at the Plutonic Gold Mine and is demobilizing the mining contractor due to operational underperformance. As a result of this, the Company has reduced production guidance, and subsequent to the quarter end strengthened its balance sheet with an additional A$10 million of liquidity.
Third Quarter 2022 Highlights:
1 Refer to the Non-IFRS Performance Measures disclosure included in this MD&A for a description and calculation of these measures. |
Chris Jordaan, President, and CEO of Superior Gold stated: “The impacts of absenteeism due to COVID-19 during the first half of the year as well as wider labour and skilled contractor shortages affecting the Western Australian mining sector combined to continue to negatively impact our production during the third quarter. The labour shortages resulted in lower development inventory, causing increased reliance on remnant mining, which negatively impacted mined head grades resulting in lower gold production. Additionally, the short-term contract nature for an open pit mining service provider affected the Company’s ability to attract a major, mining-focused, cost-effective contractor which negatively impacted productivity levels and operating costs in the Main Pit.
After significant consideration and review, it has been decided to temporarily suspend mining activity in the Main Pit due to the lower-than-acceptable performance of the mining operations and the mining contractors. Productivity levels should be much higher than realized and this has negatively impacted the economic performance of the pit. As a result, the Company has given notice to the open pit mining contractor to demobilize their team from the mine site. Considering the decision to suspend mining in the Main Pit, the Company’s annual guidance has been adjusted and is now expected to range between 62,000 to 65,000 ounces in 2022.
Looking ahead, the focus for the remainder of this year and into 2023 will be on the underground mine. The goal is to accelerate development to unlock new areas of the mine as identified from our mineral exploration program successes. We will also be continuing with the modelling and prioritization of specific areas in the underground mine which could become part of the mine plan. The operation has been reconfigured with a target of lower costs and enabling a dedicated focus on the development of the underground based on the latest resource modelling information available.”
Third Quarter 2022 Production Details
Operating Parameters | Three Months Ended
Sep 30, 2022 |
Three Months Ended
Sep 30, 2021 |
Nine Months Ended
Sep 30, 2022 |
Nine Months Ended
Sep 30, 2021 |
Stope material mined (Tonnes) | 148,980 | 175,143 | 500,031 | 468,339 |
Stope grade mined (g/t Au) | 2.62 | 2.95 | 2.55 | 3.23 |
Development material mined (Tonnes) | 29,020 | 35,668 | 91,073 | 141,601 |
Development grade mined (g/t Au) | 0.82 | 1.15 | 0.91 | 1.39 |
Surface material milled (Tonnes) | 261,437 | 198,268 | 625,016 | 509,877 |
Surface material grade (g/t Au) | 0.65 | 0.75 | 0.63 | 0.58 |
Total material milled (Tonnes) | 438,987 | 403,415 | 1,205,454 | 1,120,396 |
Grade milled (g/t Au) | 1.32 | 1.72 | 1.455 | 1.80 |
Gold recovery (%) | 86 | 86 | 85 | 87 |
Gold Produced (ounces) | 15,946 | 19,379 | 47,888 | 56,338 |
Gold Sold (ounces) | 14,875 | 19,282 | 47,424 | 55,918 |
Cash and Cash Equivalents at period end ($ million) | 11.6 | 20.5 | 11.6 | 20.5 |
The Company will be releasing its complete financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2022 in November 2022.
Temporary Suspension of Mining Activity and Development in Main Pit at Plutonic Gold Mine
After much consideration, it has been decided to suspend mining activity in the Main Pit due to operational underperformance. Given the extremely tight labour environment in Western Australia, affecting all industries and service providers, and further compounded by the impact of COVID-19, it is clear, that a sustainable, cost-effective, short-life project as originally contemplated in the early entry option into the Main Pit was at risk. The inability of the mining contractor to meet the agreed mining schedule resulted in the Company giving them notice to demobilize from the site.
The Company will consider alternative exploitation options to recommence mining at the Main Pit in the future in conjunction with the Main Pit pushback project. This would provide for a longer-term sustainable mining production profile at what would be anticipated to be a more cost-effective mining rate.
While open pit mining is suspended, new and replacement equipment has arrived on site for the underground mine to allow for a progressive increase in development and mining rates through to the end of 2022 and into 2023. We continue to optimize our mining plan and will take advantage of improvement options as opportunities become available. A good example of this is the recent Indian Access zone exploration results which indicate the potential for mining to commence as early as the first quarter of 2023.
Revised Production and Cost Guidance
Considering the suspension of open pit mining, production guidance for 2022 has been revised. Gold ounces expected to be produced this year have been lowered from between 69,000 and 75,000 ounces and are now expected to range between 62,000 ounces and 65,000 ounces. A detailed review of all cost inputs across the operation has identified several opportunities that could positively impact our cash costs in the fourth quarter and into 2023.
Debt Finance Agreement
The Company has closed a senior secured A$10 million gold loan facility with Auramet International, the proceeds of which will be used for general working capital purposes and to execute on the recently complied Life of Mine Plan. The Facility will be repaid through the delivery of 4,140 ounces of gold over an 18-month period commencing on January 31, 2023. As part of the Facility, the Company granted call options to Auramet on 13,500 ounces with strike prices at A$2,900 per ounce.
Chris Jordaan, President and CEO further stated: “This Facility provides the Company with additional financial flexibility and is a key enabler to executing on the recently completed Life of Mine Plan. In addition, with the suspension in open pit mining, our primary focus for 2022 remains on targeting production in the underground mine to a sustainable annualized rate of 1 million tonnes of ore. The ounces to be delivered under the Facility represent less than one month’s production and has also allowed the Company to take advantage of near record high Australian dollar gold prices in what is a current volatile gold price environment.”
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ettienne Du Plessis, who is a “qualified person” as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Du Plessis is not independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101.
About Superior Gold
Superior Gold is a Canadian based gold producer that owns 100% of the Plutonic Gold Operations located in Western Australia. The Plutonic Gold Operations include the Plutonic underground gold mine and central mill, numerous open-pit projects, and an interest in the Bryah Basin joint venture. Superior Gold is focused on expanding production at the Plutonic Gold Operations and building an intermediate gold producer with superior returns for shareholders.
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