SGI Superior Gold Inc

ACHIEVES 2022 REVISED GUIDANCE

 (In US Dollars unless otherwise stated)

TORONTO, Jan. 25, 2023 /CNW/ - Superior Gold Inc. ("Superior Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: SGI) (OTCQX: SUPGF) announces detailed production results for the fourth quarter and full year 2022 and provides 2023 guidance for the Company's 100%-owned Plutonic Gold operations, located in Western Australia.      

Fourth Quarter Highlights:

• Production of 14,448 ounces of gold, with sales of 14,794 ounces of gold
• Open-pit mining was suspended in October 2022 due to operational underperformance, with the Company's focus reverting to the higher-grade underground mine
• Batch milling program commenced in November 2022 to reduce processing costs going forward
• Leading underground key performance indicators improving throughout the quarter:
• • Development rates increased 33% and 22% over Q2 and Q3 respectively, with December being the strongest month of the year at 714 metres advanced
  • Production drilling rates increased by 15% and 30% increases over Q2 and Q3 respectively, with December being the strongest month of the year with 20,000 metres
  • Stock inventories improved with developed stocks increasing 120% to 225 kt, drilled stocks increasing 150% to 20 kt and blasted stocks increasing 125% to 18.5 kt subsequent to the end of Q3
  • Stope grade of 2.4 g/t gold, 8% below the prior quarter as the Company rebuilt development, with the target of achieving 3.0 g/t in H2 2023
• Completed a A$10 million gold loan financing with Auramet International

Full Year Highlights:

• Safety performance improved substantially, and the total reportable injury frequency rate reduced by 63% from the beginning of 2022
• Achieved revised annual guidance with the production of 62,336 ounces and sales of 62,218 ounces.  Production was 19% below 2021 primarily as a result of labour shortages due to COVID-19 impacts in Western Australia causing lower development rates and impacting access to higher-grade stopes
• Positive exploration results in 2022 support the Company's strategy of opening new mining fronts at the Western Mining Front, the Baltic Gap and at Indian Access within the Plutonic underground, with access through our improved development program allowing access to these areas which has already commenced
• Financial position of $8.1 million in cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2022

Chris Jordaan, President and CEO of Superior Gold stated: "The Company faced a number of challenges during 2022. Performance in the second and third quarters was impacted by extended Western Australia border closures, due to Covid 19,  as well as a general shortage of skilled labour once borders opened up across Australia. During this period underground development averaged only 514 metres per month, which is inadequate to achieve planned production targets. In addition, operational underperformance of the open-pit led to production levels well below expectations. The open-pit underperformance necessitated significant focus from management and diluted management attention to the underground mine. In Q3, a detailed review of the open-pit performance was conducted and at the start of Q4, suspension activities commenced for the open-pit operations. In line with the detailed review and overall business performance, a restructuring program was completed and adjustments to the operating model were made. These included reducing operational headcount and transitioning in Q4 to batch milling. In addition, a comprehensive business improvement process was commenced, reducing monthly operating costs and improving underground productivity.

Productivity improvements specifically focussed on increasing development from 514 metres per month to a target of 730 metres per month and production drilling from 9,000 metres per month to more than 20,000 metres per month to increase, over time, developed, drilled and broken stock inventory. This is expected to provide the flexibility needed to target an increased stope grade towards 3.0 g/t and maintain consistent production from the underground of 80,000 tonnes per month. By the end of the fourth quarter, these leading indicators had improved significantly with the highest rates for the year being achieved in December including a development rate of 714 metres, production drilling of 20,155 metres and ore hauled from underground of 81,720 tonnes. As we continue to target these rates on a sustained basis, we expect a commensurate increase in available inventory and production performance from the underground.

During 2022 the Company provided a number of encouraging exploration updates that continue to point toward the identification of more productive mining fronts. Ongoing geological initiatives including the implementation of a new modelling technique have improved our understanding of the mineralization at Plutonic and specifically the northwest-trending faults that control the concentration of higher-grade gold mineralization. Finally, the Company successfully updated its Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource statement which incorporated a 66% increase in Mineral Reserves and a 29% increase in Inferred Mineral Resources.

Looking ahead, in 2023 the operating focus will be solely on the underground mine. Management will continue to focus on the key leading performance indicators of increasing development, production drilling rates and building inventory. This is expected to provide improved operational flexibility with higher and more consistent grades and tonnages being delivered to the mill. We understand our performance in 2022 was a disappointment and that we must improve our operating performance and reduce costs in 2023 in order to improve our financial position. We saw a marked improvement in our operating performance during the latter stages of the fourth quarter and expect to continue to build on those improvements as we move into 2023."

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate how management's focus on the key leading indicators are expected to improve operating performance in the underground. Based on past performance, it is clear that sustained higher development rates and stope production drilling leads to improved available stope inventory and operating performance in the underground. Going forward into 2023, management will be providing detail on these key operating metrics in its operating results to demonstrate our commitment to target improved performance."

The Company will be releasing its complete financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2022 in March 2023.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Production Details

Preliminary production details are summarized in the table below:

Cash Position

The Company concluded the year with a cash position of $8.1 million reflecting reduced ounce production, the suspension and demobilization of the open-pit operations and certain related AUD$ payables. With the suspension of open-pit operations, the refocus on the underground and driving development and production drilling, combined with strong gold prices, the Company is targeting reduced costs, improved performance and cash generation going forward.

2023 Guidance

Details of production, cost, and capital expenditure guidance for 2023 are summarized in the table below.

With production stabilizing and expected to improve, targeting gold production of close to 6,000 ounces in January from the underground, costs are expected to reduce in 2023. While capital spending is set to decrease relative to 2022, the Company expects to proceed with required investments in operations such as increasing development rates and production drilling to provide stope optionality and unlock additional value. 

2023 Operational Improvement Program

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company suspended open-pit mining operations and re-focused on the underground mine and the key leading performance indicators to target future improved operational results. A summary of the key performance drivers for 2023 are listed below and a detailed overview and progress update will be provided in Q1 2023:

1. Safety and Sustainability: safety performance improved by 63% for the reportable injury frequency rate. The Company remains committed to further improving its total reportable injury frequency rate in 2023.
   
   
2. Development Rates:  development rates increased 22% to 1,971 metres in Q4 2022 compared to 1,608 metres in Q3 2022 ramping up to a target of 2,250 metres per quarter later in 2023.
   
   
3. Production Drilling Rates:  production drilling rates increased 106% to 46,362 metres in Q4 2022 compared to 22,466 metres in Q3 2022 with a target of approximately 60,000 metres per quarter moving forward.
   
   
4. Developed Inventory: improved development rates and activity in line with our Life of Business plan is increasing developed inventory across 2023.
   
   
5. Improved Unit Cost –The restructuring of operations and a renewed focus on the underground provide for greater cost-saving measures through batch milling, reduction of warehouse inventory and processes and a reduced labour force. The Company continues to have a strong focus on unit costs and dedicated routines and programs in place to continuously improve its financial discipline. 

Update on Vango Litigation 2016 Right of First Refusal Case Appeal

The Company wishes to provide an update to the market on the status of the 2016 right of first refusal ("ROFR") claim as discussed in detail in the Superior Gold news release dated November 8, 2018, and again in a news release dated March 14, 2022.  The Company indicated in the news release dated March 14, 2022, that it was successful in the litigation with respect to the breach of the ROFR in respect of the 2017 transaction and that the Company had filed an appeal for the alleged breach of the 2016 transaction.  The appeal is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court of Western Australia Court of Appeal on February 15-16, 2023.

Update on Catalyst Metals Announcement 

In response to a news release issued by Catalyst Metals Ltd. ("Catalyst") on January 9, 2023, the Company indicated in a same-day news release that discussions with Catalyst were ongoing in respect of a potential transaction. There continues to be no assurance that any transaction or commercial agreement will materialize from these discussions, and even if agreed upon, it may not involve a fundamental change for the Company. The Company continues to evaluate all alternatives in order to utilize the significant infrastructure available at the Plutonic Gold Operations and continues to assess opportunities as they arise.

The Company does not intend to make any additional comments regarding these discussions or any potential transaction unless and until a formal agreement has been reached or as otherwise determined to be appropriate by the Company's board of directors.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ettienne Du Plessis, who is a "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Du Plessis is not independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101.

About Superior Gold

Superior Gold is a Canadian-based gold producer that owns 100% of the Plutonic Gold Operations located in Western Australia. The Plutonic Gold Operations include the Plutonic underground gold mine and central mill, numerous open-pit projects, and an interest in the Bryah Basin joint venture. Superior Gold is focused on expanding production at the Plutonic Gold Operations and building an intermediate gold producer with superior returns for shareholders.

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Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Forward-looking information includes information with respect to guidance as to projections, outlook, guidance, forecasts, estimates, and other statements regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, revenues and cash flows, and capital costs (sustaining and non-sustaining), including projected cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs) as well as statements with respect to the mine plan, exploration, drilling, operating, and organizational matters and activities relating to the Plutonic Gold Operations and the Company generally, including its liquidity and capital requirements, financial results, the Company's annual production guidance, the benefits of targeting sustained higher development rates and management's focus on underground mining. By identifying such information in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made, including but not limited to, assumptions about the Company's future business objectives, goals, and capabilities, the regulatory framework applicable to the Company and its operations, and the Company's financial resources. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to (i) the available funds of the Company and the anticipated use of such funds, (ii) the availability of financing opportunities, (iii) legal and regulatory risks, (iv) risks associated with economic conditions, (v) risks related to the Company's underground mining operations, (vi) risk of litigation, (vii) risks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on the Company's operations (viii) risks related to the resumption of operations at the Main Pit Deeps project, (ix) reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management, and ability to retain such senior management, * risks relating to the management of growth and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are encouraged to refer to the annual information form of the Company dated October 16, 2020, for a discussion of other risks including outbreaks or threats of outbreaks of viruses, other infectious diseases, or other similar health threats, such as the novel coronavirus outbreak, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company by causing operational and supply chain delays and disruptions, labour shortages, shutdowns, inflationary pressures on operating or capital costs, the inability to sell gold, capital markets volatility or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. The Company cannot accurately predict what effects these conditions will have on the Plutonic Gold Operations or the financial results of the Company, including uncertainties relating to travel restrictions to the Plutonic Gold Operations or otherwise and business closures that have been or may be imposed by governments. If an outbreak or threat of an outbreak of a virus or other infectious disease or other public health emergency occurs, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The Company cautions that 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. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information as no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, and if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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SOURCE Superior Gold