Karora Resources Inc. (TSX:KRR; OTCQX:KRRGF) ("Karora" or the “Corporation" – https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/karora-resources-inc/) is pleased to announce its financial results and review of activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. For additional information please refer to Karora’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A") and unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.
Highlights
- Record third quarter 2021 consolidated gold production of 30,365 ounces and production of 84,889 ounces for the first three quarters of 2021 was ahead of budget, positioning the Corporation to deliver on full year consolidated 2021 gold production guidance of 105,000 to 115,000 ounces (assumes no significant interruption to operations as a result of the COVID-19 virus). Third quarter gold sales were 28,935 ounces compared to 30,412 ounces sold in the second quarter of 2021.
- Third quarter 2021 consolidated all-in-sustaining-costs (“AISC”)1 of US$967 per ounce sold was a 7% reduction compared to third quarter 2020 AISC of US$1,044 per ounce sold (3% reduction compared to second quarter 2021 AISC of US$996 per ounce sold). For the first three quarters AISC was US$1,002 per ounce sold, in line with the full year 2021 guided range of US$985-$1,085 per ounce.
- Net earnings of $10.3 million, or $0.07 per share was down $24.6 million from $34.9 million compared to the third quarter of 2020. Net earnings during the third quarter of 2020 included an impairment reversal of mineral properties of $36.1 million.
- Adjusted earnings1 of $14.2 million, or $0.10 per share for the third quarter of 2021, up $0.5 million compared to the third quarter of 2020 and flat compared to the second quarter of 2021 ($14.3 million or $0.10 per share).
- Adjusted EBITDA1 was $28.5 million or $0.19 per share for the third quarter of 2021, up $3.9 million from $24.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 and slightly lower than adjusted EBITDA of $29.5 million in the second quarter of 2021, mainly due to lower gold ounces sold.
- Cash flow from operating activities of $27.9 million, is a $6.0 million, or 27%, increase compared to $21.9 million for the third quarter of 2020 and up $1.5 million, or 6%, compared to the second quarter of 2021.
- Karora increased its cash position to $86.7 million as at September 30, 2021, after increased capital deployment to prepare new mining areas at Higginsville, accelerated exploration programs, and the receipt $10.8 million from the exercise of warrants during the quarter.
- Karora became one of the world’s first carbon neutral gold producers for 2021 emissions from its own operations (Scope 1 emissions) and purchased electricity consumption (Scope 2 emissions) following the purchase and retirement of 80,000 tonnes of verified carbon offset credits. The offset projects include reforestation and conservation initiatives in Australia, among other projects.
- Follow-up drilling at the Beta Hunt 50C nickel discovery has to-date defined a mineralized zone over a 150 metre strike length and 80 metre width, which remains open along a potential strike length of 2.6 kilometres. Significant new intersections include intercepts of 4.0% Ni over 3.5 metres and 5.3% Ni over 2.2 metres.
- In September at Beta Hunt, Karora announced that infill and step out drilling has extended the Larkin Gold Zone strike length to over 1 kilometre and down dip to 150 metres below the ultramafic/basalt contact zone. The Larkin zone remains open at strike and depth. Significant results include intercepts of 9.4 g/t over 11.0 metres, 20.5 g/t over 3.5 metres and 15.2 g/t over 1.6 metres.
- New early stage exploration drilling at Higginsville’s Lake Cowan area returned strong initial results supporting the delineation of a 5 kilometre mineralized trend between the Monsoon prospect and the Baloo Mine. Significant drilling intersections include 21.1 g/t over 3 metres including 54.9 g/t over 1.0 metre (located 1 kilometre south along strike from previously announced aircore result of 1.35 g/t over 50 metres) and 9.0 g/t over 0.75 metres.
Paul Andre Huet, Chairman & CEO, commented: “During the third quarter we announced that Karora became one of the first junior gold producers to achieve carbon neutrality in 2021 for Scope 1 and 2 at its own operations. This is an achievement the entire Karora team is extremely proud of and is the starting point for our goal of developing a pathway to a long-term carbon emissions reduction strategy. We will include more information on our strategy in our inaugural ESG report expected in early 2022.
At our operations, we continued the trend of strong operational performance in the third quarter, setting a second straight quarterly gold production record. We produced 30,365 ounces which is an improvement of 534 ounces compared to the previous record set last quarter. Production costs improved quarter-over-quarter to a very impressive US$967 per ounce sold, US$29 per ounce lower than the prior quarter and below the lower end of our 2021 guided AISC range. For the first nine months of 2021 gold production was 84,889 ounces and AISC1 was US$1,002 per ounce sold, placing us on strong footing to achieve our full year 2021 guidance.
Once again, I am very impressed with the commitment of our operating team, having demonstrated time and time again an ability to adapt and deliver on our targets despite the many challenging situations we have faced over the last two years. During the third quarter, our operations delivered an outstanding mill throughput of 358,000 tonnes. This improvement over the second quarter was achieved despite difficult weather conditions during July and into August which saw record rainfalls in the Kalgoorlie area.
Karora delivered another solid financial performance in the third quarter of 2021 with Adjusted EBITDA1 of $28.5 million or $0.19 per share and operating cash flow of $27.9 million or $0.19 per share. Our Adjusted earnings1 were $14.2 million or $0.10 per share.
Karora ended the third quarter with a strong cash balance of $86.7 million. With a very healthy balance sheet, we are well positioned to deliver our fully funded organic growth plan to double production from approximately 100,000 gold ounces in 2020 to approximately 200,000 ounces in 2024 (see below table 3 for related assumptions). As with the prior two quarters, we continued to deploy capital into the preparatory work for an expanded production base during the third quarter with new equipment deliveries and earthworks across the mining operations."
- Non-IFRS: the definition and reconciliation of these measures are included in the Non-IFRS Measures section of Karora’s MD&A dated November 8, 2021.
COVID-19 Protocols
In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Karora’s protocols and contingency plans have mitigated impacts of the pandemic. Karora’s operations continued to be consistent with the Corporation’s full year 2021 guidance for the third quarter of 2021. Karora’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to prioritize the safety of its workforce and host communities while mitigating potential operational impacts.
Results of Operations
Consolidated Operations
For the third quarter of 2021, Karora’s gold operations milled 358,000 tonnes of material at an average grade of 2.81 g/t to produce 30,365 ounces of gold. Tonnes milled were 4% higher than the second quarter which had been impacted by a planned maintenance shut down and the impact of above average seasonal rains during the latter part of the second quarter.
The previously announced Phase I mill expansion of approximately 15%, or 550 tonnes per day, to 1.6 million tonnes per annum from the prior capacity is on track for completion during the fourth quarter of 2021. During the third quarter, the mill feed was made up of approximately 63% material from the Beta Hunt underground and 37% material from Higginsville Central open pit, in line with the feed ratios for the first two quarters of the year.
Beta Hunt
Production for the third quarter of 2021 was 224,000 tonnes milled at a grade of 3.22 g/t, a 1% increase and 4% decrease, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2021.
Beta Hunt continued to focus on equipment reliability and expanding capacity. Recent upgrades included the midlife rebuild of a CAT AD60 truck and the addition of a new CAT 2900 Bogger and CAT AD60 truck under the staged fleet replacement program to support increased production capacity.
The new stage 1 ventilation upgrade is now in service after completion of two underground raise bores and associated development and infrastructure. Increased ventilation capacity is a critical component for future higher mining rates as part of the Beta Hunt growth plan.
During the third quarter of 2021 by-product credits from nickel increased, although nickel production remains limited to remnant nickel Mineral Resources south of the Alpha Island Fault. In future nickel production is expected to increase as new nickel areas such as the 30C and 50C discoveries are developed for mining.
Higginsville (“HGO”) Central
HGO material milled during the third quarter of 2021 was 134,000 tonnes at a grade of 2.14 g/t, both 8% increases compared to the second quarter of 2021. The second quarter saw an increase in mined tonnes from Hidden Secret as two underground operations were prepared to come online in the second half of 2021.
At Hidden Secret, 139,573 tonnes were mined compared to 156,700 tonnes for the second quarter. Metallurgical recoveries were aligned with test work at 92-95%. At the nearby Mousehollow deposit, grade control work was completed and production is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2021
At the Aquarius underground mine, box cut and portal development work has been completed and decline development will continue through the fourth quarter. Initial level development material is expected to be mined in early 2022 with stope production starting shortly thereafter. The Aquarius deposit remains open along strike and at depth with follow up drilling to be carried out from lateral underground development which will provide optimal drill bay locations.
Mine development at Two Boys underground continued in the third quarter of 2021 with underground drilling set to commence before the end of the fourth quarter. Dewatering and rehabilitation of the lower levels remains a priority to enable access to the higher grade mineralized zones at depth. Drilling is also underway into surface mineralization adjacent to Two Boys which could extend into the upper levels of Two Boys.
Spargos Reward Gold Mine
At Spargos, mine production commenced early in the fourth quarter of 2021 having completed development works. Site infrastructure is now largely in place and equipment was successfully mobilized during the third quarter following awarding of the mining contract. The next stage of exploration drilling will focus on extending high grade gold mineralization outside the margins of the current Mineral Resource (see Karora news release dated June 28, 2021) and at depth to define the potential for a high grade underground operation at Spargos.
Cash Operating Costs and AISC1
For the third quarter, consolidated cash operating costs1 and AISC1 were US$887 and US$967 per ounce sold, an increase of 1% and decrease of 3%, respectively compared to the second quarter of 2021. The cost performance for the first three quarters of 2021, at an AISC1 of US$1,002 per ounce sold, is in line with full year 2021 AISC1 guidance range of US$985-$1,085 per ounce.
Outlook
Karora is maintaining its previously announced full year consolidated 2021 production guidance of between 105,000 – 115,000 ounces of gold at an AISC1 range of US$985 to US$1,085 per ounce.
On June 28, 2021, the Corporation announced three-year consolidated production guidance as part of a multi-year growth plan that is expected to see gold production double from 99,249 ounces in 2020 to a range of 185,000 – 205,000 ounces in 2024, at an AISC1 of US$885 to US$985 per ounce sold. Table 3 below outlines production, cost and capital investment guidance for 2021-2024.
The growth plan will be driven by an expansion of Beta Hunt underground mine production to 2.0 Mtpa by 2024, from 0.8 Mtpa recorded in 2020. Increased production from Beta Hunt will be complemented by ore from HGO Central and Spargos. The increased tonnage will be processed by the Higginsville mill, which will be expanded to a capacity of 2.5 Mtpa by 2024 (Phase II). This Phase II expansion will follow the current Phase I expansion to 1.6 Mtpa from 1.4 Mtpa. Advanced internal study work and detailed engineering is progressing ahead of a formal construction decision by the Board of Directors.
Further details on the growth plan can be found in Karora’s news release dated June 28, 2021, and the third quarter MD&A.
Exploration and Resource Definition Drilling
At Beta Hunt, 9,183 metres of drilling was completed during the third quarter. Drilling continued to focus on 1) upgrading and extending the existing Western Flanks and A Zone Mineral Resources; 2) defining a new Mineral Resource at the Larkin Zone gold discovery; and 3) defining a new nickel Mineral Resource at the 30C discovery and following up on the high grade 50C Gamma Zone nickel discovery.
At Higginsville, resource definition drilling during the third quarter was focused on supporting life of mine objectives for the three active mining operations. Drilling targeted extensions and upgrades to the Two Boys and Aquarius deposits, and tested extensions to the Hidden Secret open pit and Mousehollow Mineral Resource, with results expected before the end of the fourth quarter.
Exploration activities at Higginsville in the third quarter included significant new drill results and the completion of the CSA Global targeting study, focused on the Sleuth Trend, which extends over 25 kilometres and includes the Baloo open pit mine, Monsoon and Nanook prospects. The new drill results (see Karora release dated September 14, 2021) include RC drillhole KPBR0104 which intersected 21.2 g/t over 3 metres and diamond drillhole KPBD0364 which intersected primary mineralization of 9.0 g/t over 0.75 metres.
Financial Highlights
Revenue for the third quarter of 2021 was $68.4 million, a 15% increase over the comparable period in 2020. The increase in revenue in 2021 was the result of a higher gold ounces sold (26% increase), partially offset by lower realized prices which decreased by 7%.
Net earnings for the third quarter of 2021 were $10.3 million, or $0.07 per share compared to net earnings of $34.9 million, or $0.24 per share, for the comparable period in 2020. The year-over-year decrease is primarily due to the impairment reversal of property, plant and equipment of $36.1 million in 2020. Third quarter 2021 net earnings were negatively impacted by an unrealized non-cash foreign exchange loss of $2.4 million, or $0.02 per share, and a non-cash derivatives loss of $1.2 million, or $0.01 per share, primarily related to intercompany loans and derivatives, respectively, which are subject to valuation changes due to quarter over quarter currency fluctuations.
Adjusted net earnings1 for the third quarter were $14.2 million, or $0.10 per share, a $0.5 million improvement over the same period in 2020.
Adjusted EBITDA1 for the third quarter of 2021 was $28.5 million, or $0.19 per share, compared to $24.7 million, or $0.17 per share, in the third quarter of 2020.
Karora’s cash position increased to $86.7 million as at September 30, 2021, an increase $7.0 million compared to December 31, 2020. Karora had a working capital surplus of $72.8 million as of September 30, 2021.
For a complete discussion of financial results, refer to Karora’s MD&A and unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the three and six months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020.
Conference Call / Webcast
Karora will be hosting a conference call and webcast today beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time). A copy of the accompanying presentation can be found on Karora’s website at www.karoraresources.com.
Live Conference Call and Webcast Access Information:
North American callers please dial: 1-888-664-6392
Local and international callers please dial: 647-764-8659
A live webcast of the call will be available through Cision’s website at:
Webcast Link (https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1507453&tp_key=2fab18e1fd)
A recording of the conference call will be available for replay through the webcast link, or for a one-week period beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on November 8, 2021, through the following dial in numbers:
North American callers please dial: 1-888-390-0541; Pass Code: 940826 #
Local and international callers please dial: 416-764-8677; Pass Code: 940826 #
Compliance Statement (JORC 2012 and NI 43-101)
The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Devlin, FAusIMM, Group Geologist, Karora Resources Inc., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.
About Karora Resources
Karora is focused on doubling gold production to 200,000 ounces by 2024 compared to 2020 and reducing costs at its integrated Beta Hunt Gold Mine and Higginsville Gold Operations ("HGO") in Western Australia. The Higginsville treatment facility is a low-cost 1.6 Mtpa processing plant, expanding to a planned 2.5 Mtpa by 2024, which is fed at capacity from Karora’s underground Beta Hunt mine and Higginsville mines. At Beta Hunt, a robust gold Mineral Resource and Reserve is hosted in multiple gold shears, with gold intersections along a 4 km strike length remaining open in multiple directions. HGO has a substantial gold Mineral Resource and Reserve and prospective land package totaling approximately 1,900 square kilometers. The Company also owns the high grade Spargos Reward project which is anticipated to begin mining in 2021. Karora has a strong Board and management team focused on delivering shareholder value and responsible mining, as demonstrated by Karora’s commitment to reducing emissions across its operations. Karora’s common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol KRR and also trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol KRRGF.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the liquidity and capital resources of Karora, production guidance and the potential of the Beta Hunt Mine, Higginsville Gold Operation, the Aquarius Project and the Spargos Gold Project, the commencement of mining at the Spargos Gold Project and the completion of the resource estimate.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Karora to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Karora ’s filings with Canadian securities regulators, including the most recent Annual Information Form, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Although Karora has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Karora disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
For more information, please contact:
Rob Buchanan
Director, Investor Relations
T: (416) 363-0649
In Europe:
Swiss Resource Capital AG
Jochen Staiger
Swiss Resource Capital AG
Poststrasse 1
CH9100 Herisau
Telefon: +41 (71) 354-8501
Telefax: +41 (71) 560-4271
http://www.resource-capital.ch
CEO
Telefon: +41 (71) 3548501
E-Mail: js@resource-capital.ch
