Pretium Resources Inc. (TSX/NYSE:PVG) (“Pretivm” or the “Company”)
announces operating and financial results for the third quarter
2021 (see “Key Operating Metrics” and “Key Financial Metrics”
tables below).
All amounts are expressed in thousands of US
dollars unless otherwise noted. This release should be read in
conjunction with the Company’s Financial Statements and
Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, available on the
Company’s website and on SEDAR and EDGAR.
Third Quarter 2021
Highlights
- Our first
priority is the health and safety of our employees, contractors and
neighbouring communities in northwest
British Columbia (“BC”). As of September 19, 2021, direct Pretivm
employees achieved one year of work with no lost-time injuries,
which is equivalent to approximately 1.75 million hours. This is a
significant achievement in our commitment to Health and Safety.
Additionally, our employees and contractors worked over 780,000
hours with no lost-time injuries during the third quarter of
2021.
- Newcrest
Mining Limited (“Newcrest”) is to acquire Pretivm for C$18.50 in
cash or shares, subject to proration (see news release
dated November 8, 2021). The acquisition will require the approval
of Pretivm shareholders and is subject to regulatory approvals. The
acquisition is expected to be completed in the first quarter of
2022. Pretivm’s Board of Directors have determined the acquisition
is in the best interest of the Company and unanimously recommend
that shareholders vote in favour of the acquisition.
- Production
was 90,673 ounces of
gold in the third quarter of 2021, compared with 86,136
ounces in the third quarter of 2020. Higher production reflects the
increased tonnes milled in the period and the reduction in gold
remaining in-circuit from 7,718 ounces at June 30, 2021 to 1,677
ounces at September 30, 2021, partially offset by lower head
grade.
- Revenue of
$146.8 million from the sale of 81,626 ounces of gold.
Revenue in the third quarter 2021 represents a 5.2% decrease from
the third quarter of 2020 driven primarily by a 7.0% decrease in
the average realized price(1) of gold to $1,799 per ounce,
partially offset by a 0.7% increase in gold ounces sold. Gold sold
in the quarter was lower than production due to mining of higher
grade stopes at the end of the quarter and timing of gold
sales.
- Another
profitable quarter, with $0.12 in net earnings per share and $0.13
in adjusted earnings per
share(1,2).
Net earnings were $22.0 million and adjusted earnings(1,2) were
$24.3 million for the quarter, compared to net earnings of $31.2
million and adjusted earnings(1,2) of $32.0 million in the third
quarter of 2020. The decrease in net earnings was primarily due to
lower realized gold prices and higher production costs as well as
higher relative deferred income tax expenses, partially offset by
decreases in corporate and administrative, exploration and
evaluation and interest and finance expenses.
-
EBITDA(1) of $67.0
million and free cash flow(1) of
$23.6 million. EBITDA(1) and free cash flow(1) in the
third quarter 2021 decreased compared to the third quarter 2020
($77.9 million and $66.8 million, respectively) due to substantial
investment in expansion capital expenditures over the summer
construction period at the Brucejack Mine, lower revenues and
higher production costs reflecting higher levels of throughput and
increased drilling.
-
AISC(1) of $1,071 per
ounce of gold sold is within annual guidance. AISC(1) in
the third quarter 2021 was higher than AISC(1) of $1,016 per ounce
of gold sold in the third quarter of 2020 due to the strengthening
Canadian dollar and higher production costs.
- We remain on
track to achieve our 2021 guidance of 325,000 to
365,000 ounces of gold produced at an
AISC(1) between $1,060 and $1,190
per ounce of gold sold with $40.0 - $45.0 million of
sustaining capital expenditures and $65.0 - $75.0 million of
expansion capital expenditures.
- Cash and cash
equivalents increased to $213.4 million as at September 30,
2021 from $174.8 million as at December 31, 2020 and
included the repayment of $5.9 million in debt in the quarter. As
at September 30, 2021, we had long term debt of $189.8 million and
available liquidity of $461.8 million including cash and cash
equivalents and the undrawn revolving portion of our Amended Loan
Facility.
- On August 9,
2021, we completed a refinancing of our Loan Facility. The
amended Loan Facility (the “Amended Loan Facility”) consists of a
$100.0 million amortizing, non-revolving term credit facility, (the
“Term Facility”) and a $250.0 million revolving credit facility
(the “Revolving Facility”), further increasing our liquidity as
well as reducing our quarterly repayments under the Term
Facility.
- Underground
resource expansion drilling continues to confirm the opportunity to
add to the mine life at Brucejack, while a high-grade gold
exploration discovery affirms the district scale potential of
Brucejack. Resource expansion drilling intercepted
high-grade gold mineralization in the North Block, directly
adjacent to existing infrastructure, demonstrating the potential to
extend the Valley of the Kings deposit to the north. Near-mine
exploration has led to the discovery of a new mineralized zone at
Golden Marmot which demonstrates the district-scale potential of
Brucejack. Additional results from the resource expansion and
near-mine exploration drill programs are expected to continue to be
released through the fourth quarter of 2021 and the first quarter
of 2022.
- Our 2020
Sustainability Report highlighting our progress in health and
safety, contributions to the local communities and our
environmental management performance was released
in the third quarter. We strive to be a leader in
environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) performance and are
proud of the sustainable operations we have been able to achieve at
our Brucejack Mine.
1 Refer to the “Non-IFRS Financial Performance
Measures” section for a reconciliation of these amounts.2 Refer to
the revised definition of adjusted earnings in the “Non-IFRS
Financial Performance Measures” section.
Third Quarter 2021 Operations
Overview
Key Operating Metrics
|
3 months ended Sep. 30, |
9 months ended Sep. 30, |
|
2021 |
2020 |
|
2021 |
2020 |
|
Ore milled
(t) |
348,026 |
325,420 |
|
1,019,563 |
997,821 |
|
Mill throughput
(tpd) |
3,783 |
3,537 |
|
3,735 |
3,642 |
|
Head grade (g/t
gold) |
7.8 |
8.6 |
|
8.4 |
8.4 |
|
Gold recovery
(%) |
97.1 |
97.6 |
|
97.1 |
96.9 |
|
Gold produced
(oz) |
90,673 |
86,136 |
|
259,551 |
259,443 |
|
Abbreviations: t (tonnes), tpd (tonnes per day),
g/t (gram per tonne) and oz (ounces).
Mining, processing and
production
During the three months ended September 30,
2021, a total of 348,026 tonnes of ore, equivalent to a throughput
rate of 3,783 tonnes per day, were processed. This was a 6.9%
increase from the comparable period in 2020, in which a total of
325,420 tonnes of ore, equivalent to a throughput rate of 3,537
tonnes per day, were processed.
The mill feed grade averaged 7.8 grams per tonne
gold for the third quarter of 2021, which was 9.3% lower than the
8.6 grams per tonne in the comparable period in 2020. Gold recovery
for the third quarter of 2021 was 97.1% compared to 97.6% in the
comparable period in 2020.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 a
total of 1,019,563 tonnes of ore, equivalent to a throughput rate
of 3,735 tonnes per day, were processed at a mill feed grade of 8.4
grams per tonne. The tonnes processed were 2% higher for the first
nine months of 2021 compared to the prior year period, while mill
feed grade and gold recovery were consistent with the comparable
period in 2020.
We continued our lateral development at an
advanced rate during the three months ended September 30, 2021,
achieving approximately 1,140 meters per month (2020 – 1,029 meters
per month) for a total of 3,420 meters completed during the third
quarter 2021 (2020 – 3,086 meters).
Diamond drilling activity continued to progress
during the third quarter of 2021, with nine diamond drills on site
conducting infill and resource expansion drilling. Infill diamond
drilling targeted Mineral Reserves proximal to mine infrastructure
to build stope inventory and provide flexibility for near term
mining. A total of 53,193 meters of diamond drilling was completed
for the three months ended September 30, 2021.
We expect to continue to focus on advancing
underground development to expand mine access at depth and to the
west. The increased development should provide sufficient access to
build the stope inventory required to allow mining operations to
optimize gold production and additional platforms for resource
expansion drilling. As of September 30, 2021, we had 292,202
drilled tonnes of stope inventory.
During the three months ended September 30,
2021, the Brucejack Mine produced 90,673 ounces of gold and 112,051
ounces of silver. For the comparable period in 2020, we produced
86,136 ounces of gold and 130,975 ounces of silver. The increase in
gold production was primarily due to increased mill throughput and
the reduction in gold remaining in-circuit from 7,718 ounces at
June 30, 2021 to 1,677 ounces at September 30, 2021, partially
offset by lower head grade.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
the Brucejack Mine produced 259,551 ounces of gold and 347,956
ounces of silver compared to 259,443 ounces of gold and 364,223
ounces of silver in the comparable period of 2020.
Acquisition by Newcrest Mining
Limited
On November 8, 2021, the Company announced that
it had entered into a binding agreement (the “Arrangement
Agreement”) with Newcrest Mining Limited (“Newcrest”) under which
Newcrest agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Pretivm
that it does not already own (the “Transaction”). Pursuant to the
Transaction, Pretivm shareholders will have the option to elect to
receive C$18.50 per Pretivm share in cash or 0.8084 Newcrest shares
per Pretivm share, representing share consideration of C$18.50
based on the Canadian dollar equivalent of the 5 day
volume-weighted-average-price (“VWAP”) of Newcrest shares on the
Australian Securities Exchange (“ASX”) ending on November 8, 2021,
subject to proration to ensure aggregate cash and Newcrest share
consideration each represent 50% of total transaction consideration
(the “Transaction Price”). Pretivm shareholders who do not elect
cash or Newcrest shares (subject to proration) will receive default
consideration of C$9.25 per Pretivm share in cash and 0.4042
Newcrest shares per Pretivm share.
The Transaction, which is not subject to a
financing condition, will be implemented by way of a court-approved
plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British
Columbia) and will require the approval of 66 2/3% of the votes
cast by (i) the holders of Pretivm’s common shares and (ii) holders
of options to acquire shares of Pretivm, voting together as a
single class, at a special meeting of Pretivm securityholders to be
held to consider the Transaction (the “Special Meeting”). In
addition to approval by Pretivm shareholders and optionholders, the
Transaction is also subject to the receipt of court approval,
regulatory approvals, including approval under the Investment
Canada Act and competition clearances in Canada, and other
customary closing conditions for transactions of this nature. The
Transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of
2022.
The Arrangement Agreement provides for customary
deal-protection provisions, including a non-solicitation covenant
on the part of Pretivm and a right for Newcrest to match any
Superior Proposal (as defined in the Arrangement Agreement). The
Arrangement Agreement includes a termination fee of C$125 million,
payable by Pretivm, under certain circumstances (including if the
Arrangement Agreement is terminated in connection with Pretivm
pursuing a Superior Proposal).
A special committee comprised entirely of
independent directors of Pretivm (the “Special Committee”)
unanimously recommended the Transaction to the Board of Directors
of Pretivm. The Board of Directors has evaluated the Arrangement
Agreement with the Company’s management and legal and financial
advisors and, following the receipt and review of a unanimous
recommendation from the Special Committee, the Board of Directors
unanimously determined that the Arrangement Agreement is in the
best interest of the Company, and resolved to recommend that the
Company’s shareholders vote in favour of the Transaction, all
subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Arrangement
Agreement.
Resource expansion drilling
results
The 2021 resource expansion drill program was
designed to test for Valley of the Kings style mineralization to
the north and at depth adjacent to the defined Mineral Resource and
the potential extension of mineralization underground towards
Gossan Hill and the Bridge Zone.
On September 13, 2021 we announced Phase 3 drill
results from the North Block resource expansion drill program.
Phase 3 of the North Block resource expansion drill program was
initiated to follow-up on the high-grade gold intersected directly
to the north of the Valley of the Kings deposit during Phase 1 and
Phase 2 of the North Block drill program.
Phase 3 results include seven intersections
assaying above 1,000 grams per tonne gold. Drill hole VU-3255
assayed 493.2 grams per tonne gold over 15.0 meters, including
7,360 grams per tonne gold over 1.0 meter. Drill hole VU-3242
assayed 676.8 grams per tonne gold over 7.0 meters, including 3,150
grams per tonne gold over 1.5 meter. High-grade gold mineralization
was intercepted up to 450 meters from the current Valley of the
Kings resource shell and up to 300 meters from the West Zone
resource shell.
One drill hole from each drill fan was extended
to test the exploration potential to the north of the North Block
Zone. These extended holes intersected stockwork veining and
high-grade gold mineralization along trend from the West Zone. An
intersection from drill hole VU-3252 assayed 3,660.0 grams per
tonne gold over 1.0 meter at 330.5 meters down hole. See our news
release dated September 13, 2021 for more information, including
assay results and discussion of the process for the preparation and
analysis of samples .
To follow-up on the success of the first three
phases, Phase 4 of the North Block drilling program was completed
to test the potential to the west of the first three phases of
drilling, and assay results are pending.
Surface exploration drilling
results
On October 25, 2021 we announced a high-grade
gold exploration discovery at the Golden Marmot Zone, located 3.5
kilometers north of the Valley of Kings deposit and accessible via
an exploration trail from the Brucejack Mine. Assay results have
been received for the first nine drill holes, of which eight drill
holes intersected gold.
A highlight was drill hole SU-786, which
intersected 72.5 grams per tonne gold over 53.5 meters, including
6,700 grams per tonne gold and 3,990 grams per tonne silver over
0.5 meters. The 2021 drill program at Golden Marmot consisted of 26
drill holes totaling 8,466 meters. Assay results from the remaining
17 drill holes are expected to be released early next year. See our
news release dated October 25, 2021 for more information, including
assay results and discussion of the process for the preparation and
analysis of samples.
COVID-19 management
We established COVID-19 management plans and
implemented enhanced protocols and preventative measures to
mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at the onset of the pandemic in
2020.
We continue to follow our COVID-19 management
plans as well as directives of federal, provincial and regional
authorities. We also continue to enhance our commitment to
preventative measures for our workforce and local communities, and
under the guidance of the local health authority, a program to
administer COVID-19 vaccinations was initiated at the Brucejack
Mine.
While we manage active cases of COVID-19 at the
Brucejack Mine from time to time, there have been no outbreaks of
COVID-19 declared by the BC Northern Health Office at the Brucejack
mine during or since the end of the third quarter 2021.
Third Quarter 2021 Financial
Overview
Key Financial Metrics
|
3 months ended Sep. 30, |
9 months ended Sep. 30, |
|
In thousands of USD, except
for per oz data |
2021 |
2020 Restated (1) |
|
2021 |
2020 Restated (1) |
|
Gold sold
(oz) |
81,626 |
81,068 |
|
247,951 |
257,576 |
|
Average realized price
($/oz)2 |
1,799 |
1,935 |
|
1,802 |
1,759 |
|
Revenue
($) |
146,825 |
154,876 |
|
441,561 |
448,003 |
|
Cost of sales
($) |
96,252 |
86,710 |
|
287,892 |
270,746 |
|
EBITDA
($)2 |
67,011 |
77,929 |
|
207,820 |
220,326 |
|
Net earnings
($) |
22,046 |
31,215 |
|
79,366 |
76,092 |
|
Per share – basic & diluted ($/share) |
0.12 |
0.17 |
|
0.42 |
0.41 |
|
Adjusted earnings
($)2,3 |
24,328 |
31,985 |
|
78,150 |
80,152 |
|
Per share - basic
($/share)2,3 |
0.13 |
0.17 |
|
0.42 |
0.43 |
|
Production cost
($/milled tonne) |
201 |
192 |
|
204 |
189 |
|
Total cash cost
($/oz)2 |
862 |
755 |
|
849 |
764 |
|
AISC
($/oz)2 |
1,071 |
1,016 |
|
1,059 |
974 |
|
Abbreviations: t (tonnes), tpd (tonnes per day),
g/t (gram per tonne) and oz (ounces).
- Amounts included in the table above
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 have been
restated to account for the voluntary change in accounting policy
related to exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) expenditures.
Refer to the “Change in Accounting Policy” section at the end of
this news release.
- Refer to the “Non-IFRS Financial
Performance Measures” section at the end of this news release.
- In addition to the voluntary change
in accounting policy related to exploration and evaluation
expenditures, adjusted earnings has been restated to reflect
management’s new definition as described in the “Non-IFRS Financial
Performance Measures” section.
Gold sales and
revenue
The gold price rose over the course of 2020 amid
economic uncertainty that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic
starting in March 2020. The gold price declined in the first
quarter of 2021 before increasing during the second quarter of 2021
and then decreasing in the third quarter. The gold price in the
third quarter of 2021 was lower than in the comparative 2020 period
while the price for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was
higher than in the comparative period. The average London Bullion
Market Association AM and PM market price over the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2021 was $1,790 (2020 – $1,909) and
$1,800 (2020 - $1,736), respectively per ounce of gold.
For the three months ended September 30, 2021,
we sold 81,626 ounces of gold, a 0.7% increase from 81,068 ounces
of gold sold in the comparable period in 2020. The increase in gold
ounces sold was due to higher production mostly offset by changes
in inventory due to the timing of sales relative to production and
the processing of higher grade stopes late in the quarter. The
average realized gold price(1) was $1,799, a 7.0% decrease from the
average realized gold price(1) in the comparable period in
2020.
Revenue of $146,825 for the third quarter 2021
decreased by 5.2% from $154,876 in the third quarter 2020. The
decrease in revenue was primarily the result of a decrease in the
average realized gold price(1).
For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 we
sold 247,951 ounces of gold, a 3.7% decrease from 257,576 ounces of
gold sold in the comparable period in 2020. The reduction in gold
ounces sold was due to changes in inventory due to the timing of
sales relative to production, the processing of higher grade stopes
late in the quarter. The average realized gold price(1) was $1,802,
a 2.5% increase from the average realized gold price(1) in the
comparable period in 2020.
Revenue of $441,561 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2021 was 1.4% lower than the $448,003 in the
comparable period of 2020 as the increase in the average realized
gold price was more than offset by the impact of lower ounces of
gold sold.
Total cash
costs(1) and
AISC(1)
Total cash costs(1) for the three months ended
September 30, 2021 were $862 per ounce of gold sold compared to
$755 per ounce of gold sold in the comparable period in 2020. Total
cash costs(1) increased primarily due to higher production
costs.
AISC(1) for the three months ended September 30,
2021 totaled $1,071 per ounce of gold sold compared to $1,016 per
ounce of gold sold in the comparable period in 2020. AISC(1)
increased for the same reasons as total cash costs(1) as well as
higher levels of sustaining capital expenditures. Sustaining
capital expenditures increased for the three months ended September
30, 2021 due to comprehensive drill programs and
improvement‐oriented capital expenditures, partially offset by the
sale of a cable bolter in the quarter.
The impact of the strengthening CAD on total
production costs during the third quarter of 2021 increased total
cash costs(1) and AISC(1) by approximately $35 per ounce of gold
sold in the period compared to the comparable period in 2020.
Production costs associated with COVID-19 safety
protocols and the COVID-19 outbreak impacted total cash costs(1)
and AISC(1) by approximately $8 per ounce of gold sold in the
third quarter of 2021, compared to approximately $25 in the
comparable period of 2020.
Total cash costs(1) for the nine months ended
September 30, 2021 were $849 per ounce of gold sold compared to
$763 per ounce of gold sold in the comparable period in 2020. Total
cash costs(1) increased primarily due to higher production costs as
well as a lower amount of gold ounces sold in the period.
AISC(1) for the nine months ended September 30,
2021 totaled $1,059 per ounce of gold sold compared to $971 per
ounce of gold sold in the comparable period in 2020. AISC(1)
increased for the same reasons as total cash costs(1) as well as
due to higher levels of sustaining capital expenditures.
Sustaining capital expenditures increased for
the nine months ended September 30, 2021 due to comprehensive drill
programs, improvement‐oriented capital expenditures and the
purchase of an electric Z50 truck and deposits on the additional
six electric trucks in the fleet. This was partially offset by the
sale of a cable bolter in the third quarter of 2021.
The impact of the strengthening CAD on total
production costs during the first nine months of 2021 increased
total cash costs(1) and AISC(1) by approximately $62 per ounce of
gold sold in the period compared to the comparable period in
2020.
Production costs associated with COVID-19 safety
protocols and the COVID-19 outbreak impacted total cash costs(1)
and AISC(1) by approximately $13 per ounce of gold sold in the
first nine months of 2021, compared to approximately $27 in the
comparable period of 2020.
Net earnings,
EBITDA(1) and adjusted
earnings(1)
Net earnings and comprehensive earnings for the
three month and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were $22,046
and $79,366 respectively, compared to $31,215 and $76,092 for the
comparable periods in 2020. The decrease in net earnings in the
third quarter of 2021 was primarily attributed to lower revenues
and higher cost of sales, partially offset by decreases in interest
and finance expense on the Loan Facility, corporate administrative
costs and deferred income tax expenses. The increase in earnings
for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily due to
lower interest and finance expense, corporate administrative costs
and deferred income tax expenses, partially offset by lower
revenues and higher cost of sales.
EBITDA(1) of $67,011 and $207,820 in the third
quarter and first nine months of 2021, respectively, decreased from
$77,929 and $220,326 in the respective comparable periods of 2020
primarily due to decreased revenues and higher production
costs.
Adjusted earnings(1) for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2021 were $24,328 and $78,150,
respectively, compared to $31,985 and $80,152 for the respective
comparable periods in 2020. Adjusted earnings were impacted by the
same reasons as net earnings as well as fluctuations in foreign
exchange rates during the period.
Liquidity and Capital
Resources
Cash Flow
|
3 months ended Sep. 30, |
9 months ended Sep. 30, |
In thousands of USD |
2021 |
|
2020Restated(1) |
|
|
2021 |
|
2020 Restated(1) |
|
|
Cash generated by
operating activities ($) |
64,049 |
|
77,495 |
|
|
198,389 |
|
219,771 |
|
|
Cash used in financing
activities ($) |
(11,761 |
) |
(877 |
) |
|
(86,896 |
) |
(39,145 |
) |
|
Cash used in investing
activities ($) |
(40,462 |
) |
(10,686 |
) |
|
(73,093 |
) |
(28,412 |
) |
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents ($) |
(919 |
) |
343 |
|
|
297 |
|
(379 |
) |
|
Change in cash & cash equivalents ($) |
10,907 |
|
66,275 |
|
|
38,697 |
|
151,835 |
|
|
Free cash flow ($)2 |
23,587 |
|
66,809 |
|
|
125,296 |
|
191,359 |
|
|
- Amounts included in the table above
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 have been
restated to account for the voluntary change in accounting policy
related to E&E expenditures. Refer to the “Change in Accounting
Policy” section at the end of this news release.
- Refer to the
“Non-IFRS Financial Performance Measures” section at the end of
this news release.
During the three months ended September 30,
2021, we incurred $9,351 on sustaining capital expenditures
compared to $9,151 in the comparable period in 2020. Sustaining
capital expenditures during the period included resource drilling,
a down payment for the six electric haul trucks, underground
development, and purchase of surface operations trucks and
trailers. In the comparable period in 2020, sustaining capital
expenditures included underground development, resource drilling,
purchase of one reverse circulation drill, repair of mill building
exterior walls and construction costs of the bulk gravity lab.
During the three months ended September 30,
2021, we incurred $31,882 on expansion capital expenditures
compared to $3,552 in the comparable period in 2020. Significant
expansion capital expenditures incurred during the period included
construction costs for the new permanent camps at the Brucejack
Mine, the new assay lab and integrated core shack. In the
comparable period of 2020, expansion capital expenditures included
construction costs of the new mill dry.
Cash used in investing activities for the nine
months ended September 30, 2021 was $73,093 compared to $28,412 for
the comparable period in 2020. For the nine months ended September
30, 2021, cash used in investing activities related to
sustaining and expansion capital expenditures in the amount of
$77,229 (2020 – $29,016).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
we incurred $26,243 on sustaining capital expenditures compared to
$20,343 in the same period in 2020. Sustaining capital expenditures
incurred during the period included resource drilling, the purchase
of one electric haul truck and down payment for the remaining fleet
of six trucks, underground development and purchase of surface
operations trucks and trailers. In the comparable period in 2020,
sustaining capital expenditures included purchase of three reverse
circulation drills, underground development, resource drilling,
repair of mill building exterior walls and construction costs of
the bulk gravity lab.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021,
we incurred $60,480 on expansion capital expenditures compared to
$10,084 in the same period in 2020. Significant expansion capital
expenditures incurred during the period included construction costs
for the new permanent camps at the Brucejack Mine, the new assay
lab and integrated core shack. In the comparable period of 2020,
expansion capital expenditures included construction costs of the
new mill dry and apron feeder.
Free cash flow(1) for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2021 was $23,587 and $125,296, respectively,
compared to $66,809 and $191,359 for the respective comparable
periods in 2020.
Our cash and cash equivalents as at September
30, 2021 totaled $213,450, increasing by $38,697 from $174,753 as
at December 31, 2020. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was
primarily due to free cash flow(1) of $125,296 less cash used in
financing activities of $86,896 for the nine months ended September
30, 2021.
At September 30, 2021, the undrawn portion of
the Amended Loan Facility was $248,352 with $1,648 (C$2,100) used
for a letter of credit supporting a reclamation deposit
requirement.
On August 9, 2021, we refinanced the Loan
Facility with the Amended Loan Facility. The Amended Loan Facility
consists of a $100,000 Term Facility and a $250,000 Revolving
Facility. The Amended Loan Facility matures on August 8, 2025.
Qualified Persons
Patrick Godin, P.Eng., Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer, Pretium Resources Inc. is a Qualified Person
(“QP”) as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”), and has
reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information
contained in this news release, other than in respect of our
drilling programs.
Stephanie Wafforn, P.Geo., Pretivm’s Resource
Manager is the QP, as defined by NI 43-101, responsible for our
drilling programs and has reviewed and approved the scientific and
technical information in this news release related thereto.
Webcast and Conference Call
In light of the acquisition announcement,
Pretivm has cancelled its previously scheduled third quarter
conference call on November 12, 2021.
About Pretivm
Pretivm is a growing intermediate gold producer
with the 100%-owned, high-grade gold underground Brucejack Mine
located in northwestern BC. We strive for operating excellence and
our first priority is the health and safety of our employees,
contractors and neighbouring communities. We are committed to the
principles of sustainable development and conducting our activities
in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
For further information contact:Troy
ShultzManager, Investor Relations & Corporate
Communications
Pretium Resources Inc.Suite 2300, Four Bentall
Centre, 1055 Dunsmuir StreetPO Box 49334 Vancouver, BC V7X 1L4(604)
558-1784invest@pretivm.com(SEDAR filings: Pretium Resources
Inc.)
Change in Accounting Policy –
exploration and evaluation (“E&E”) expenditures
We adopted a voluntary change in our accounting
policy for E&E expenditures, effective January 1, 2021 applying
the change fully retrospectively. As a result, balances of
comparative periods have been restated. Under the new policy, we
recognize these expenditures as E&E costs in the statement of
earnings in the period incurred until management concludes the
technical feasibility and commercial viability of a mineral deposit
has been established. Costs that represent the acquisition of
rights to explore a mineral deposit continue to be capitalized.
Prior to January 1, 2021, our policy was to capitalize E&E
expenditures as E&E assets. Refer to Note 2B of the Company’s
Financial Statements for further details related to accounting
policy change.
Non-IFRS Financial Performance
Measures
The Company has included certain non-IFRS
measures in this new release. Refer to the Company’s MD&A for
an explanation, discussion and reconciliation of non-IFRS measures.
The Company believes that these measures, in addition to measures
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”), provide readers with an improved ability to
evaluate the underlying performance of the Company and to compare
it to information reported by other companies. The non-IFRS
measures are intended to provide additional information and should
not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures do not
have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore
may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other
issuers.
New definition of adjusted earnings and
adjusted basic earnings per share
We use adjusted earnings and adjusted basic
earnings per share to measure our underlying operating and
financial performance.
Effective January 1, 2021, we changed the
definition of adjusted earnings to better reflect what we consider
our underlying operations of the business. All prior periods have
been restated to reflect the new definition of adjusted
earnings.
Adjusted earnings is defined as net earnings
adjusted to exclude specific items that are significant, but not
reflective of our underlying operations, including: foreign
exchange (gain) loss; (gain) loss on financial instruments at fair
value; the impact of foreign exchange on Canadian denominated tax
attributes, (gain) loss on financial instruments at fair value and
non-recurring loss on sale of exploration and evaluation assets and
associated tax impacts. Adjusted basic earnings per share is
calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding
under the basic method of earnings per share as determined under
IFRS.
In prior periods, adjusted earnings was defined
as net earnings adjusted to exclude the following: accretion on
convertible notes, amortization of Loan Facility transaction costs,
deferred income tax expense, (gain) loss on financial instruments
at fair value and non-recurring loss on sale of exploration and
evaluation asset.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains “forward-looking
information”, “forward looking statements”, “future oriented
financial information” and “financial outlook” within the meaning
of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation
(collectively herein referred to as “forward-looking information”),
including the “safe harbour” provisions of Canadian provincial
securities legislation and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of
1933, as amended. The purpose of disclosing future oriented
financial information and financial outlook is to provide a general
overview of management’s expectations regarding the anticipated
results of operations including cash generated therefrom and costs
thereof and readers are cautioned that future oriented financial
information and financial outlook may not be appropriate for other
purposes.
Wherever possible, words such as “plans”,
“expects”, “guidance”, “projects”, “assumes”, “budget”, “strategy”,
“scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “anticipates”, “believes”,
“intends”, “modeled”, “targets” and similar expressions or
statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”,
“would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the
negative forms of any of these terms and similar expressions, have
been used to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking
information may include, but is not limited to, statements with
respect to: the consummation and timing of the Transaction; the
satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the Transaction; the
strengths, characteristics and potential of Newcrest
post-Transaction; the strategic vision of Newcrest and expectations
regarding the synergies between the Brucejack mine and Newcrest’s
nearby Red Chris mine; timing, receipt and anticipated effects of
court and regulatory approvals; the impact of the Transaction on
employees and local stakeholders; and discussion of future plans,
projects, objectives, estimates and forecasts and the timing
related thereto; the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak as a global
pandemic and the Brucejack Mine, including anticipated operational
and financial impacts (including, without limitation, impacts on
our capital projects and associated costs and schedules) and our
response and contingency plans; the effectiveness and costs of our
COVID-19 management plans, including related protocols and
procedures; business outlook and 2021 guidance, including
production, expenditure, exploration, free cash flow and financial
guidance, and our expectations around achieving such guidance; our
future operational and financial results, including estimated costs
and cash and the timing thereof; expectations around grade of gold
and silver production; the Brucejack Mine processing and production
rate and gold recovery rate; capital modifications and upgrades,
and estimated expenditures and timelines in connection therewith;
our Amended Loan Facility, including its terms, maturity and
repayment obligations; debt, operating, decommissioning,
restoration and other obligations and commitments including their
payment, timing and source of funds; our mining (including mining
methods), expansion, exploration and development activities,
including the reverse circulation drill program, our definition,
sustaining, expansion and underground exploration drill programs,
our follow up and near-mine exploration programs and our grassroots
exploration program, and the specifications, targets, results,
benefits, costs and timing thereof; the district-scale potential of
Brucejack and the affirmation of this potential by the discovery of
the Golden Marmot Zone; the potential for the Golden Marmot Zone to
be a new high-grade deposit; integration (and ease of integration)
of the Golden Marmot Zone into future mine plans as an independent
source of ore to supply the Brucejack mill; the potential size of
the Golden Marmot Zone including that it could be of similar size
to the Valley of the Kings deposit; the expected announcement of
assay results from the resource expansion and near-mine exploration
drill programs; our views that additional deposits and sources of
high-grade mineralization will be identified near the Valley of the
Kings deposit opening up the potential for a significantly longer
mine life and continued impressive cash flow generation; the drill
results from the Gossan Hill, Bridge Zone and Hanging Glacier
exploration programs; our operational grade control program,
including plans with respect to our infill drill program and our
local grade control model; grade reconciliation, updated geological
interpretation and mining initiatives with respect to the Brucejack
Mine; building stope inventory and providing flexibility in
near-term mining; our management, operational plans and strategy;
capital, sustaining and operating cost estimates and timing
thereof; the future price of gold and silver; our liquidity,
capital requirements and the adequacy of our financial resources
(including capital resources); our intentions with respect to our
capital resources and factors that could impact our liquidity; our
capital allocation plans; our financing activities, including plans
for the use of proceeds thereof; the estimation of Mineral Reserves
and Mineral Resources, including any updates thereto; parameters,
assumptions and interpretation models used to estimate Mineral
Reserves and Mineral Resources; realization of Mineral Reserve and
Mineral Resource estimates; our estimated life of mine and life of
mine plan for the Brucejack Mine; production and processing
estimates and estimated rates; estimated economic results of the
Brucejack Mine, including net cash flow and net present value;
predicted metallurgical recoveries for gold and silver; geological
and mineralization interpretations; development of our Brucejack
Mine and timing thereof; results, analyses and interpretations of
exploration and drilling programs; timelines and similar statements
relating to the economic viability of the Brucejack Mine, including
mine life, total tonnes mined and processed and mining operations;
updates to our Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and life of
mine plan for the Brucejack Mine, and the anticipated effects and
timing thereof; timing, receipt, and anticipated effects of, and
anticipated capital costs in connection with, approvals, consents
and permits under applicable legislation; our officer compensation
policy, approach and practice; our relationship with community
stakeholders; expected reduction in carbon emissions and expected
timelines for such reductions; litigation matters, including our
expectations with regards to the merits thereof and liability
resulting therefrom; environmental matters, including our ability
to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions; deferred income tax
expenses, payment of taxes, our tax rate and the timeline for
paying cash taxes based on expectations for existing tax pools;
changes in accounting policies and new accounting standards
applicable to the Company (including methods of adoption) and their
effects; and anticipated impacts; statements regarding United
States dollar cash flows, currency fluctuations and the recurrence
of foreign currency translation adjustments; and the impact of
financial instruments on our earnings. Any statements that express
or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations,
beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future
events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may
be forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is subject to a
variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could cause actual results, actions, events, conditions,
performance or achievements to materially differ from those
expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, including,
without limitation, those related to: failure to receive the
required court and regulatory approvals to effect the Transaction;
changes in laws, regulations and government practices; the
potential of a third party making a superior proposal to the
Transaction; uncertainty as to the outcome of legal proceedings;
the effect of indebtedness on cash flow and business operations;
the impact of a pandemic and particularly the COVID-19 outbreak as
a global pandemic and on our and Newcrest’s business, financial
condition and results of operations and the impact of the COVID-19
outbreak on our and Newcrest’s workforce, suppliers and other
essential resources and what effect those impacts, if they occur,
would have on our and Newcrest’s business, financial condition and
results of operations; the effectiveness of our COVID-19 management
plans, related protocols and preventative measures; the effect of
restrictive covenants pursuant to the Loan Facility (now Amended
Loan Facility); assumptions regarding expected capital costs,
operating costs and expenditures, production schedules, economic
returns and other projections and timelines; our production, gold
grade, milling recovery, cash flow and cost estimates, including
the accuracy thereof; commodity price fluctuations, including gold
and silver price volatility; the accuracy of our Mineral Resource
and Reserve estimates (including with respect to size, grade and
mining and milling recoverability) and the geological, operational
costs and price assumptions on which they are based; uncertainties
relating to inferred Mineral Resources being converted into
Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources; our ability to maintain or
increase our annual production of gold at the Brucejack Mine or
discover, develop or acquire Mineral Reserves for production;
dependency on the Brucejack Mine for our future operating revenue;
the development of our properties and expansion of our operations;
our need or ability to raise enough capital to mine, develop,
expand or complete further exploration programs on our mineral
properties; our ability to generate operating revenues and cash
flow in the future; failure of counterparties to perform their
contractual obligations; general economic conditions; the inherent
risks in the mining industry; the commercial viability of our
current and any acquired mineral rights; availability of suitable
infrastructure or damage to existing infrastructure;
transportation, processing and refining risks; maintaining
satisfactory labour relations with employees and contractors;
significant governmental regulations, including environmental
regulations; non-compliance with permits that are obtained or delay
in obtaining or renewing, failure to obtain or renew permits
required in the future; increased costs and restrictions on
operations due to compliance with health, safety and environmental
laws and regulations; compliance with emerging climate change
regulation and the detrimental effects of climate change; adequate
internal control over financial reporting; various tax-related
matters; potential opposition from non-governmental organizations;
uncertainty regarding unsettled First Nations rights and title in
British Columbia; maintaining our social license to operate;
uncertainties related to title to our mineral properties and
surface rights; land reclamation and mine closure requirements; our
ability to identify and successfully integrate any material
properties we acquire; currency exchange rate fluctuations;
competition in the mining industry for properties, qualified
personnel and management; our ability to attract and retain
qualified management and personnel; disruption from changes in
management team or failure to successfully transition new hires or
promoted employees into their roles; some of our directors’ and
officers’ involvement with other natural resource companies;
potential inability to attract development partners or our ability
to identify attractive acquisitions; compliance with foreign
corrupt practices regulations and anti-bribery and other laws and
regulations; changes to rules and regulations, including accounting
practices; limitations in our insurance coverage and the ability to
insure against certain risks; risks related to ensuring the
security and safety of information systems, including cyber
security risks; our anti-takeover provisions could discourage
potentially beneficial third-party takeover offers; significant
growth could place a strain on our management systems; share
ownership by our significant shareholders and their ability to
influence our operations and governance and, in case of sales of
our shares by such significant shareholders, our share price;
failure to comply with certain terms of the convertible notes;
reputational risks; the adequacy of our environmental, social and
governance practices and reporting, and their impact on our
reputation and our ability to obtain financing; future sales or
issuances of our debt or equity securities; the trading price of
our common shares is subject to volatility due to market conditions
and our operational and financial performance; our ability to pay
dividends in the foreseeable future; and certain actions under
United States federal securities laws may be unenforceable. This
list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our
forward-looking information. Although we have attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results, actions, events,
conditions, performance or achievements to differ materially from
those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other
factors that cause results, actions, events, conditions,
performance or achievements to differ from those anticipated,
estimated or intended.
Our forward-looking information is based on the
assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management on
the date the statements are made, many of which may be difficult to
predict and beyond our control. In connection with the
forward-looking information contained in this news release, we have
made certain assumptions about, among other things: our business
and operations and that no significant event will occur outside of
our normal course of business and operations (other than as
expressly set out herein); the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and
outbreak, including on our operations and workforce; our ability to
satisfy the terms and conditions precedent of the Arrangement
Agreement in order to consummate the Transaction; Newcrest’s
ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory
approvals in connection with the Transaction in a timely manner, if
at all; the adequacy of our and Newcrest’s financial resources;
planned exploration, development and production activities and the
results, costs and timing thereof; future price of gold and silver
and other metal prices; the accuracy of our Mineral Resource and
Mineral Reserve estimates and related information, analyses and
interpretations (including with respect to any updates or
anticipated updates); the geology and mineralization of the
Brucejack Mine; operating conditions; capital and operating cost
estimates; planned expenditures and the timelines and potential
impacts of such expenditures; production and processing estimates;
the results, costs and timing of future exploration and drilling;
timelines and similar statements relating to the economic viability
of the Brucejack Mine; timing and receipt of governmental,
regulatory and third party approvals, consents, licenses and
permits; obtaining required renewals for existing approvals,
consents, licenses and permits; the geopolitical, economic,
permitting and legal climate that we operate in; the adequacy of
our financial resources, and our ability to raise any necessary
additional capital on reasonable terms; our ability to satisfy the
terms and conditions of our debt obligations; commodity prices;
currency exchange rates and interest rates; political and
regulatory stability; requirements under applicable laws; market
competition; sustained labour stability and availability of
equipment; positive relations with local groups; favourable equity
and debt capital markets; stability in financial capital markets;
and the litigation we are currently involved in. Although we
believe that the assumptions inherent in forward-looking
information are reasonable as of the date of this news release,
these assumptions are subject to significant business, social,
economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and
uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause
actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from those projected in the
forward-looking information. The Company cautions that the
foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Other events or
circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from
those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the
forward-looking information contained in this news release.
Additional information about the risks and
uncertainties concerning forward-looking information and material
factors or assumptions on which such forward-looking information is
based is provided in our other disclosure documents filed in Canada
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the United States through EDGAR at
the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) website at
www.sec.gov (collectively, “the Pretivm Disclosure Documents”).
Forward-looking information is not a guarantee
of future performance. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such information. Forward-looking information
involves statements about the future and is inherently uncertain,
and our actual achievements or other future events or conditions
may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking
information due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other
factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in this
news release and the Pretivm Disclosure Documents. For the reasons
set forth above, readers and prospective investors should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking information.
We do not assume any obligation to update
forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by
applicable law. Neither the TSX nor the NYSE has approved or
disapproved of the information contained herein.
Cautionary Notes to United States
Investors
Disclosure regarding our mineral properties,
including with respect to Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
estimates, in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI
43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities
Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure
an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning
mineral projects. NI 43-101 differs significantly from the
disclosure requirements of the SEC generally applicable to United
States companies. Accordingly, information contained in this news
release will not be comparable to similar information made public
by United States companies reporting pursuant to SEC disclosure
requirements.
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