Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: WDO) announces its gold production results for the third quarter of 2021.
Mr. Duncan Middlemiss, President and CEO commented, “At the Eagle River Underground Mine, Q3 production of 23,621 ounces was 20% lower than Q2 (29,836 ounces), which was anticipated due to two weeks of scheduled downtime for the installation of a new cone crusher and the annual mill maintenance. No project maintenance downtime is planned in the fourth quarter. Year to date production at the Eagle River Complex of 76,773 ounces leaves us very well positioned to achieve the mid to high point of our guidance range of 92,000 – 105,000 ounces.
During the quarter, we commenced operations at the Kiena Mine, producing 5,511 ounces from the lower grade S-50 zone. Mill start-up in July went according to plan with no major issues. Mine operations were halted for 18 days in September for upgrading of the hoist system which has now been completed. Progress on the paste fill plant and tailings management area construction is on schedule. All key mobile has been ordered and we have already received four underground haulage trucks with the remainder of the equipment scheduled to arrive by Q2 of 2022. Late in Q3, first stope production began at the higher grade A Zone, and this is expected to increase significantly in the coming quarters. Kiena guidance for 2021 is 15,000 – 25,000 ounces, which we expect to achieve. We are extremely pleased that our second mining operation is successfully coming on line and is contributing to the greater gold production of the company.”
Amounts are denominated in Canadian dollars | Third Quarter | Year-to-Date | ||||||
2021 | 2020 | Variance | % +/(-) | 2021 | 2020 | Variance | % +/(-) | |
Ore milled (tonnes) | ||||||||
Eagle River | 56,003 | 44,667 | 11,336 | 25% | 172,600 | 142,890 | 29,710 | 21% |
Mishi | 3,727 | 11,533 | -7,806 | (68%) | 30,293 | 36,301 | -6,008 | (17%) |
Kiena | 30,470 | 0 | 30,470 | 100% | 30,470 | 0 | 30,470 | 100% |
90,200 | 56,200 | 34,000 | 60% | 233,363 | 179,191 | 54,172 | 30% | |
Head grade (grams per tonne, “g/t”) | ||||||||
Eagle River | 13.4 | 13.8 | (0.4) | (3%) | 13.8 | 15.1 | (1.3) | (9%) |
Mishi | 2.3 | 2.5 | (0.2) | (8%) | 2.4 | 2.7 | (0.3) | (11%) |
Kiena | 5.8 | 0.0 | 5.8 | 100% | 5.8 | 0.0 | 5.8 | 100% |
Gold production (ounces) | ||||||||
Eagle River | 23,621 | 19,319 | 4,302 | 22% | 74,853 | 67,893 | 6,960 | 10% |
Mishi | 212 | 689 | -477 | (69%) | 1,920 | 2,379 | -459 | (19%) |
Kiena | 5,511 | 0 | 5,511 | 100% | 5,511 | 0 | 5,511 | 100% |
Total Gold Production | 29,344 | 20,008 | 9,336 | 47% | 82,284 | 70,272 | 12,012 | 17% |
Production sold (ounces)3 | 30,000 | 21,700 | 8,300 | 38% | 80,957 | 71,340 | 9,617 | 13% |
Revenue from gold sales ($ millions)4 | $67.5 | $55.0 | $12.5 | 23% | $177.2 | $167.0 | $10.2 | 6% |
Average realized price per ounce2 | $2,249 | $2,532 | -283 | (11%) | $2,239 | $2,341 | -102 | (4%) |
Notes:
TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE
The technical content of this release has been compiled, reviewed and approved by Marc-Andre Pelletier, P. Eng, Chief Operating Officer, a “Qualified Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 –Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
COVID-19
The health and safety of our employees, contractors, vendors, and consultants is the Company’s top priority. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wesdome has adopted all public health guidelines at its mine operations and corporate offices. In addition, our internal COVID-19 Taskforce continues to monitor developments and implement policies and programs intended to protect those who are engaged in business with the Company.
Through care and planning, to date the Company has successfully maintained operations; however, there can be no assurance that this success will continue despite our best efforts. Future conditions may warrant reduced or suspended production activities which could negatively impact our ability to maintain projected timelines and objectives. Consequently, the Company’s actual future production and production guidance is subject to higher levels of risk than usual. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as they become available.
ABOUT WESDOME
Wesdome is Canadian focused with two producing underground gold mines. The Company’s strategy is to build Canada’s next intermediate gold producer, producing 200,000+ ounces from two mines in Ontario and Québec. The Eagle River Underground Mine in Wawa, Ontario is currently producing gold at a rate of 92,000 – 105,000 ounces per year. The Kiena Complex is a fully permitted mine with a 930-metre shaft and 2,000 tonne-per-day mill, and a restart of operations was announced on May 26, 2021. The Company has completed a PFS in support of the production restart decision. Wesdome is actively exploring both underground and on surface within the mine area and more regionally at both the Eagle River and Kiena Complex. The Company also retains meaningful exposure to the Moss Lake gold deposit, located 100 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, Ontario through its equity position in Goldshore Resources Inc. The Company has approximately 140.9 million shares issued and outstanding and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Sirios Resources Inc. (TSX-V: SOI) (OTCQB: SIREF) is pleased to p... READ MORE
New Found Gold Corp. (TSX-V: NFG) (NYSE-A: NFGC) is pleased to a... READ MORE
STLLR Gold Inc. (TSX: STLR) (OTCQX: STLRF) (FSE: O9D) announces the fin... READ MORE
Avanti Helium Corp. (TSX-V: AVN) (OTC: ARGYF) is pleased to anno... READ MORE
New drill results from Cañada Honda return best gold grade and t... READ MORE