McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE: MUX) (TSX: MUX) is
pleased to report full year and fourth quarter 2023 production
results that represent a significant improvement year-over-year and
compared to prior quarters. Consolidated production in Q4 2023 was
49,850 gold equivalent ounces (“GEOs”)(1),
and full year production for 2023 was
154,600
GEOs. These results were consistent with our latest
forecast (Q3 results press release dated Nov 8, 2023) and within
our guidance range for the year (press release dated Mar 14, 2023).
Gold Bar production accelerated during Q4 and
the month of December, making new records for the quarter and the
month, through the addition of mining crews and the completion of
the heap leach pad expansion. At Fox, production continued steady
above 10,000 GEOs. San José production continued to strengthen
throughout the year, past the operational challenges of the first
quarter.
Chart 1: 2023 Quarterly Production - Gold
Bar, Fox, San José and Consolidated (GEOs)
In 2023, Gold Bar produced
43,700 gold ounces, within guidance range, Fox
produced 44,450 gold ounces, also within guidance
range, and San José produced 65,650 GEOs, slightly
below guidance range (see Table 1).
Table 1:
Consolidated Production Summary |
|
|
Q42022 |
Q42023(3) |
Full Year2023(3) |
2023Guidance |
Consolidated Production |
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Gold (oz) |
28,970 |
42,400 |
128,650 |
123,000-139,000 |
Silver (oz) |
702,000 |
635,650 |
2,166,850 |
2.3M-2.6M |
GEOs(1) |
37,280 |
49,850 |
154,600 |
150,000-170,000 |
Gold Bar Mine, Nevada |
|
|
|
GEOs |
7,940 |
19,800 |
43,700 |
42,000-48,000 |
Fox Complex, Canada |
|
|
|
GEOs |
9,870 |
10,200 |
44,450 |
42,000-48,000 |
San José Mine, Argentina (49%)(2) |
|
|
|
Gold Production (oz) |
11,170 |
11,700 |
39,700 |
39,000-43,000 |
Silver Production (oz) |
700,850 |
635,650 |
2,166,850 |
2.3M-2.6M |
GEOs |
19,420 |
19,150 |
65,650 |
66,000-74,000 |
|
|
|
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Our consolidated production is recovering after
experiencing a challenging period from 2020. Looking ahead, while
we forecast lower production in 2024, the historic production trend
remains positive.
Chart 2: Historic Consolidated Annual
Production (Thousand GEOs)
2024 Production and Cost Guidance
For 2024, we expect to produce in the range of
130,000 to 145,000 GEOs attributable to MUX from
all operations (see Table 2). The reduction compared to 2024 is
primarily driven by lower output from our Fox operation and from
San José, which is operated by our partner Hochschild Mining. We
are currently evaluating potential areas for enhancing production
and profitability, and we will update our guidance accordingly once
any further improvements are implemented.
Table 3:
2024 Production & Costs per GEO Guidance |
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2024 Guidance |
100% Owned Mines (Gold Bar and Fox) |
|
GEOs |
80,000-85,000 |
Cash
Costs/GEO |
$1,350-1,450 |
AISC/GEO |
$1,550-1,650 |
Gold Bar Mine, Nevada |
|
GEOs |
40,000-43,000 |
Cash
Costs/GEO |
$1,450-1,550 |
AISC/GEO |
$1,650-1,750 |
Fox Complex, Canada |
|
GEOs |
40,000-42,000 |
Cash
Costs/GEO |
$1,225-1,325 |
AISC/GEO |
$1,450-1,550 |
49% Owned San José Mine |
|
GEOs |
50,000-60,000 |
Cash
Costs/GEO |
$1,300-1,500 |
AISC/GEO |
$1,500-1,700 |
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|
At Fox in 2024, we will be starting the
development of underground ramp access to the Stock orebodies,
particularly Stock West, which will become the primary source of
feed following the completion of mining the Froome deposit in 2026.
This capital investment is partially funded by the US$16.1 million
flow-through financing completed in December 2023.
At Gold Bar in 2024, the first half of the year
is expected to deliver higher production relative to the second
half, due to a scheduled waste stripping phase in the Pick pit, in
preparation for the 2025 mining program. The mining sequence
continues to be optimized.
McEwen Copper
Twenty drill rigs are currently on site at Los
Azules and over 36,000 meters (118,000 ft) of drilling have been
completed so far this season, to advance all areas that contribute
to the upcoming Feasibility Study (FS), which is expected to be
published in Q1 2025.
At the Los Azules Project, we've made
significant progress. Our drilling program is over halfway
complete, with 36,000 meters drilled out of the 55,000 planned for
our comprehensive feasibility study. The work necessary for the
completion of the feasibility study includes mineral resource
estimation, metallurgical testing, equipment selection, final
completion and cost estimation of design for the mine and our
facilities. Additionally, we will work to advance our power and
road infrastructure plans and establish preliminary site-wide water
balance including pit dewatering.
On the ground, we've made tangible progress with
the drilling program, construction of our winter camp and
improvements to the exploration road facilitating year-round
operations. We're also on track with environmental permitting,
reflecting our commitment to responsible development.
Financially, we've been diligent in protecting
our treasury. The majority of our funds have been invested in
depository receipts of foreign and major Argentinean corporations,
to shield us from devaluation. This strategic move ensures that the
Los Azules project's financial backbone stays robust in supporting
our project development.
“We are adapting to a changing
environment in Argentina, recognizing the importance of current
political and economic reforms for the future stability and growth
of the nation. Mining is a vital component of Argentina’s economy
and, under the right conditions, one that is poised to grow
significantly and support the country’s economic
recovery,” said Michael Meding, VP of McEwen Copper and
General Manager of the Los Azules Project.
Notes:(1) 'Gold Equivalent
Ounces' are calculated based on a gold-to-silver price ratio of
84:1 for Q1 2023, 83:1 for Q2, 2023, 82:1 for Q3 2023, 85:1 for Q4
2023. 2023 production guidance is calculated based on an 85:1
gold-to-silver price ratio.(2) The San José Mine
is 49% owned by McEwen Mining Inc. and 51% owned and operated by
Hochschild Mining plc. Production is shown on a 49%
basis.(3) El Gallo Mine (on care and maintenance)
produced 704 GEO and 797 GEO in Q4 and FY2023, respectively, from
plant and pond cleanout.
Technical InformationThe
technical content of this news release related to financial
results, mining and development projects has been reviewed and
approved by William (Bill) Shaver, P.Eng., COO of McEwen Mining and
a Qualified Person as defined by SEC S-K 1300 and the Canadian
Securities Administrators National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects."
Reliability of
Information Regarding San JoséMinera Santa Cruz S.A., the
owner of the San José Mine, is responsible for and has supplied the
Company with all reported results from the San José Mine. McEwen
Mining’s joint venture partner, a subsidiary of Hochschild Mining
plc, and its affiliates other than MSC do not accept responsibility
for the use of project data or the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
CAUTION
CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThis news release
contains certain forward-looking statements and information,
including "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
forward-looking statements and information expressed, as at the
date of this news release, McEwen Mining Inc.'s (the "Company")
estimates, forecasts, projections, expectations or beliefs as to
future events and results. Forward-looking statements and
information are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are
inherently subject to significant business, economic and
competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies, and there can
be no assurance that such statements and information will prove to
be accurate. Therefore, actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements and
information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause results or
future events to differ materially from current expectations
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements and
information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in the
market price of precious metals, mining industry risks, political,
economic, social and security risks associated with foreign
operations, the ability of the corporation to receive or receive in
a timely manner permits or other approvals required in connection
with operations, risks associated with the construction of mining
operations and commencement of production and the projected costs
thereof, risks related to litigation, the state of the capital
markets, environmental risks and hazards, uncertainty as to
calculation of mineral resources and reserves, and other risks.
Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements or information included herein, which speak only as of
the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to reissue or
update forward-looking statements or information as a result of new
information or events after the date hereof except as may be
required by law. See McEwen Mining's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the caption "Risk
Factors", for additional information on risks, uncertainties and
other factors relating to the forward-looking statements and
information regarding the Company. All forward-looking statements
and information made in this news release are qualified by this
cautionary statement.
The NYSE and TSX have
not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of the contents of this news release, which has been
prepared by management of McEwen Mining Inc.
ABOUT MCEWEN
MINING
McEwen Mining is a
gold and silver producer with operations in Nevada, Canada, Mexico
and Argentina. In addition, it owns 47.7% of McEwen Copper which
owns the large, advanced stage Los Azules copper project in
Argentina. The Company’s goal is to improve the productivity and
life of its assets with the objective of increasing its share price
and providing a yield. Rob McEwen, Chairman and Chief Owner, has
personally provided the company with $220 million and takes an
annual salary of $1.
WEB SITEwww.mcewenmining.com |
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McEwen Mining |
CONTACT
INFORMATION150 King Street West Suite 2800, PO Box
24 Toronto, ON, Canada M5H 1J9 |
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McEwen Copper |
Relationship with
Investors: (866)-441-0690 Toll
free (647)-258-0395 |
Facebook:LinkedIn:Twitter:Instagram: |
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Rob
McEwen |
Mihaela
Iancu ext. 320 info@mcewenmining.com |
Facebook:LinkedIn:Twitter: |
facebook.com/mcewenrob linkedin.com/in/robert-mcewen-646ab24twitter.com/robmcewenmux |
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