TSX:ORV
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES/
This news release does not constitute an offer
of securities for sale in the United
States. Securities may not be offered or sold in
the United States absent
registration with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission or an exemption from registration. There will be no
public offering of any of the securities mentioned in this news
release in the United
States.
TORONTO, Aug. 12,
2024 /CNW/ - Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX: ORV)
(the "Company" or "Orvana") reports consolidated financial
and operational results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 ("Q3 FY2024").
This news release contains only a summary of the Company's
financial and operations results for the third quarter of fiscal
2024, and readers should refer to the full set of unaudited
consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended
June 30, 2024 and 2023, and
accompanying management's discussion and analysis (MD&A),
available on www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at
www.orvana.com. All financial figures contained herein are
expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
Juan Gavidia, CEO of Orvana
Minerals Corp. stated: "Our financial performance improved
significantly in the third quarter generating $7.5 million cash provided by operating
activities as a result of the increased metal production coupled by
the positive metal prices, at the same time that we continue
optimizing our mining costs".
"At Bolivia, now that we
have reached the critical milestone of placing 80% of the bonds
program, we expect to announce the start date of the construction
in the coming weeks", he added.
Highlights
Orovalle - Spain
- Production of 13,078 gold equivalent
ounces(1) (10,832 gold ounces, 1.0 million copper
pounds and 30,872 silver ounces) was 29% higher when compared to
10,101 gold equivalent ounces1 ("GEO") in the previous
quarter, as a result of:
- Throughput of 150,843 tonnes, 11% above the previous
quarter.
- Gold grade of 2.37 g/t, 20% above the previous quarter.
- 94.1% gold recovery, 5% above the previous quarter.
- Copper production 10% lower than the prior quarter due to
lower grade and recovery, partially offset by higher tonnage
milled.
- Guidance for FY2024 is updated from that disclosed in the
Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and
six months ended March 31, 2024:
|
|
Revised
Guidance
|
Previous
Guidance
|
Metal
Production
|
|
|
|
Gold
(oz)
|
|
37,000 –
39,000
|
41,000 –
45,000
|
Copper (million
lbs)
|
|
3.7 – 3.9
|
3.3 – 3.7
|
Capital Expenditures
(USD thousands)
|
|
$8,000
-$9,500
|
$16,000
-$18,000
|
Cash operating costs
(by-product) ($/oz) gold (1)
(2)
|
|
$1,450 -
$1,550
|
$1,300 -
$1,400
|
All-in sustaining
costs (by-product) ($/oz) gold (1)
(2)
|
$1,700 -
$1,800
|
$1,700 -
$1,850
|
(1)
|
Gold Equivalent
Ounces (GEO), cash costs per ounce (COC) and all-in sustaining
costs (AISC) per ounce are Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures.
For further information and detailed reconciliations, please see
the "Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures" section of the
Company's Q3 FY2024 MD&A.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Fiscal 2024 previous
guidance assumptions for COC and AISC included by-product commodity
prices of $3.75 per pound of copper and an average Euro to US
Dollar exchange of 1.12. Fiscal 2024 revised guidance assumptions
for COC and AISC include by-product commodity prices of $4.02 per
pound of copper and an average Euro to US Dollar exchange of
1.08.
|
Don Mario - Bolivia
- The Company, focused on restarting production at Don Mario, has
been seeking financing for its Oxides Stockpile Project (the
"OSP"), consisting of a plant expansion to treat ore stockpiled in
the Don Mario Operation from previous years of mining
activity.
- Between July 1, 2024 and
August 12, 2024 EMIPA completed the
following:
- 80% placement of the Bond Program units, for a total nominal
amount of US $37.7 million.
- Issuance of 56,414 non-voting preferred shares, for a total
amount of approximately US $0.81
million. Preferred shares were issued by EMIPA as a
private placement in Bolivia,
Orvana has not offered any securities.
- Four promissory notes have been contracted, for a total amount
of approximately US $1.4 million,
with due date September 2024.
- Invested in several local short term financial instruments, all
of them sold as of July 30, incurring
in a net cost of US $2M.
- EMIPA intends to use the net proceeds of the Bond Program,
issuance of non-voting preferred shares and promissory notes to
partially finance its proposed Oxides Stockpile Project and for
general corporate purposes. As of the date hereof, EMIPA continues
to work on closing the remaining Bond Program in Bolivia and working on additional financing to
secure the funds required for the OSP construction and ramp-up
phases.
- The Company is updating the OSP financial model, including
costs estimates updates and required financing structure, and will
provide updates when further material information becomes
available.
- Upon closing of 80% of the bonds offering in Bolivia, EMIPA is making plans to prepare for
the Don Mario Plant expansion, expecting to start construction
before the end of 2024.
Taguas - Argentina
- Orvana is analyzing a strategic option to combine oxides and
sulphides in a larger undertaking strategy at Taguas. During Q3
FY2024 the Company continued working on enhancing the analytics of
the sulphides zone of the deposit, and a new geological modeling is
in progress. Next steps would include spectral analysis campaign to
improve alteration types definition, and geo-metallurgical tests
with oxide and sulphide ores. Once the oxides – sulphides combined
opportunity is understood, next steps for the project will be
determined.
Selected Financial Information
|
Quarters
ended
|
Variance
%
|
Nine Months
ended
|
Variance
%
|
June 30,
2024
|
June 30,
2023
|
June 30,
2024
|
June 30,
2023
|
GEO(3)
|
13,078
|
13,398
|
(2 %)
|
32,729
|
41,683
|
(21 %)
|
Consolidated
Financial Performance (in 000's)
|
Revenue
|
25,425
|
23,998
|
6 %
|
61,476
|
69,280
|
(11 %)
|
Mining costs
|
16,749
|
18,280
|
(8 %)
|
48,339
|
55,325
|
(13 %)
|
Comprehensive (loss)
income
|
2,935
|
(155)
|
(1,994) %
|
(2,124)
|
(29)
|
7,224 %
|
EBITDA(3)
|
8,910
|
5,164
|
73 %
|
10,846
|
11,650
|
(7 %)
|
Cash provided by
operating activities
|
7,484
|
8,676
|
(14 %)
|
8,556
|
13,625
|
(37 %)
|
Capital expenditures
(cash basis)
|
2,193
|
4,971
|
(56 %)
|
6,728
|
9,560
|
(30 %)
|
Cash (used in) provided
by financing activities
|
(3,123)
|
(1,516)
|
106 %
|
(4,459)
|
(5,314)
|
(16 %)
|
Total assets
|
115,696
|
130,208
|
(11 %)
|
115,696
|
130,208
|
(11 %)
|
Current
liabilities
|
36,797
|
44,611
|
(18 %)
|
36,797
|
44,611
|
(18 %)
|
Non-current
liabilities
|
24,464
|
31,444
|
(22 %)
|
24,464
|
31,444
|
(22 %)
|
Orovalle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COC(3)
($/oz)
|
1,352
|
1,392
|
(3 %)
|
1,576
|
1,378
|
14 %
|
AISC (3)
($/oz)
|
1,625
|
1,712
|
(5 %)
|
1,843
|
1,667
|
11 %
|
Consolidated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COC (3)
($/oz)
|
1,411
|
1,469
|
(4 %)
|
1,651
|
1,458
|
13 %
|
AISC(3)
($/oz)
|
1,688
|
1,802
|
(6 %)
|
1,979
|
1,825
|
8 %
|
(3)
|
Gold Equivalent
Ounces (GEO), EBITDA, cash costs per ounce (COC) and all-in
sustaining costs (AISC) per ounce are Non-GAAP Financial
Performance Measures. For further information and detailed
reconciliations, please see the "Non-GAAP Financial Performance
Measures" section of the Company's Q3 FY2024
MD&A.
|
ABOUT ORVANA – Orvana is a multi-mine gold-copper-silver
company. Orvana's assets consist of the producing El Valle and
Carlés gold-copper-silver mines in northern Spain, the Don Mario gold-silver property in
Bolivia, currently in care and
maintenance, and the Taguas property located in Argentina. Additional information is available
at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).
Cautionary Statements – Forward-Looking
Information
Certain statements in this presentation constitute
forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within
the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking
statements"). Any statements that express or involve discussions
with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans,
projections, objectives, assumptions, potentials, future events or
performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as
"believes", "expects", "plans", "estimates" or "intends" or stating
that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would",
"might", "will", "are projected to" or "confident of" be taken or
achieved) are not statements of historical fact, but are
forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements herein relate to, among other
things, Orvana's ability to achieve improvement in free cash flow;
the ability to maintain expected mining rates and expected
throughput rates at El Valle Plant; the potential to extend the
mine life of El Valle and Don Mario beyond their current
life-of-mine estimates including specifically, but not limited to,
Orvana's ability to optimize its assets to deliver shareholder
value; estimates of future production (including without
limitation, production guidance), operating costs and capital
expenditures; mineral resource and reserve estimates; statements
and information regarding future feasibility studies and their
results; future transactions; future metal prices; the ability to
achieve additional growth and geographic diversification; and
future financial performance, including the ability to increase
cash flow and profits; future financing requirements; mine
development plans; the possibility of the conversion of inferred
mineral resources to mineral reserves; and Orovalle's ability to
finalize the definitive Collective Bargain Agreement.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a
number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered
reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are
inherently subject to significant business, economic and
competitive uncertainties and contingencies, which includes,
without limitation, as particularly set out in the notes
accompanying the Company's most recently filed financial
statements. The estimates and assumptions of the Company contained
or incorporated by reference in this news release, which may prove
to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to the various
assumptions set forth herein and in Orvana's most recently filed
Management's Discussion & Analysis and Annual Information Form
in respect of the Company's most recently completed fiscal year
(the "Company Disclosures") or as otherwise expressly incorporated
herein by reference as well as: there being no significant
disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour
disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to
equipment or otherwise; permitting, development, operations,
expansion and acquisitions at El Valle, Don Mario and Taguas being
consistent with the Company's current expectations; political
developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates
being consistent with its current expectations; certain price
assumptions for gold, copper and silver; prices for key supplies
being approximately consistent with current levels; production and
cost of sales forecasts meeting expectations; the accuracy of the
Company's current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates;
labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with
Orvana's current expectations; and the availability of necessary
funds to execute the Company's plan. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, this news release also contains
certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation, including, without limitation,
references to the results of the Company's exploration activities,
including but not limited to, drilling results and analyses,
mineral resource estimation, conceptual mine plan and operations,
internal rate of return, sensitivities, taxes, net present value,
potential recoveries, design parameters, operating costs, capital
costs, production data and economic potential; the timing and costs
for production decisions; permitting timelines and requirements;
exploration and planned exploration programs; and the Company's
general objectives and strategies.
A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many
of which are beyond the Company's control, affect the operations,
performance and results of the Company and its business, and could
cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated
or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward
looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors
include: the potential impact of global health and global economic
conditions on the Company's business and operations, including: our
ability to continue operations; and our ability to manage
challenges presented by such conditions; the general economic,
political and social impacts of the continuing conflict
between Russia and Ukraine, our ability to support the
sustainability of our business including through the development of
crisis management plans, increasing stock levels for key supplies,
monitoring of guidance from the medical community, and engagement
with local communities and authorities; fluctuations in the price
of gold, silver and copper; the need to recalculate estimates of
resources based on actual production experience; the failure to
achieve production estimates; variations in the grade of ore mined;
variations in the cost of operations; the availability of qualified
personnel; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain all
necessary regulatory approvals and licenses; Orovalle's ability to
complete the permitting process of the El Valle Tailings Storage
Facility increasing the storage capacity; Orovalle's ability to
complete the stabilization project of the legacy open pit wall; the
Company's ability to use cyanide in its mining operations; risks
generally associated with mineral exploration and development,
including the Company's ability to continue to operate the El Valle
and/or ability to resume long-term operations at the Carlés Mine;
the Company's ability to successfully implement an acid leaching
circuit and ancillary facilities to process the current oxides
stockpiles at Don Mario; the Company's ability to successfully
carry out development plans at Taguas; sufficient funding to carry
out development plans at Taguas and to process the oxides
stockpiles at Don Mario; EMIPA's ability to complete the placement
of the Bonds Program at Bolivia
and any additional required financing to commence the OSP; the
Company's ability to acquire and develop mineral properties and to
successfully integrate such acquisitions; the Company's ability to
execute on its strategy; the Company's ability to obtain financing
when required on terms that are acceptable to the Company;
challenges to the Company's interests in its property and mineral
rights; current, pending and proposed legislative or regulatory
developments or changes in political, social or economic conditions
in the countries in which the Company operates; general economic
conditions worldwide; the challenges presented by global health
conditions; fluctuating operational costs such as, but not limited
to, power supply costs; current and future environmental matters;
and the risks identified in the Company's disclosures. This list is
not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's
forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the
Company's Disclosures for a description of additional risk
factors.
Any forward-looking statements made herein with respect to
the anticipated development and exploration of the Company's
mineral projects are intended to provide an overview of
management's expectations with respect to certain future activities
of the Company and may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans,
estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions and, except as
required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to
update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to
these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements made in this information
are intended to provide an overview of management's expectations
with respect to certain future operating activities of the Company
and may not be appropriate for other purposes.
SOURCE Orvana Minerals Corp.