Potential Production Increase at Island Gold
of up to 45% over 2015
TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Richmont Mines
Inc. (TSX: RIC) (NYSE MKT: RIC) ("Richmont" or the
"Corporation") announces a positive revision to its 2016
operational guidance estimates driven by significantly better than
expected performance from the Island Gold Mine. (All amounts are
in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated).
- Company-wide annual gold production guidance estimates have
increased to between 98,000 and 106,000 ounces, from 87,000 to
97,000 ounces, supported by a potential 45% annual production
increase at the Island Gold Mine.
- The Corporation is also revising the Canadian to US dollar
exchange rate assumptions to 1.33 Canadian
dollars to the US dollar for the period January to June and
1.30 Canadian dollars to the US
dollar for the balance of the year, due to the strengthening of the
Canadian dollar during the year. The original guidance estimates
issued on February 11, 2016 assumed
an exchange rate of 1.364.
- Company-wide annual cash cost1 guidance estimates
have decreased to between $885 and
$945 per ounce (US$675 and
US$720 per ounce), from $930 to
$1,000 per ounce (US$680 to
US$730 per ounce), supported by the increased contribution
of higher quality, lower cost ounces from the Island Gold
Mine.
- Company-wide annual All-in Sustaining Costs1
("AISC") guidance estimates have decreased to between $1,230 and $1,335 per ounce (US$935 and US$1,015 per ounce), from $1,275 to $1,390 per ounce (US$935 to US$1,015 per ounce), supported by the
strong AISC performance from the Island Gold Mine.
During the balance of the year, the Corporation will continue to
leverage the higher gold price and weak Canadian dollar and has
strategically increased and reallocated capital investment
initiatives, which will best position the Island Gold Mine, this
core asset for long-term success.
- Company-wide annual exploration expenditure guidance estimates
have increased to $17.1 million
(US$13.1 million), from $15.5 million (US$11.4
million), which includes an additional 22,000 metres
($1.65 million) of drilling at the
Island Gold Mine that will focus on defining potential new
resources in the fourth mining horizon located between the 860 and
1,000 metre levels, which could be incorporated into the short to
medium term mine plan.
- Company-wide annual sustaining capital investment guidance
estimates have increased to $25.9
million (US$19.7 million),
from $24.1 million (US$17.7 million), primarily related to advancing
development of the east ramp ($1.3
million) at the Island Gold Mine, which had previously been
allocated to project capital.
- Annual project capital investment guidance estimates for the
Island Gold Mine have increased to $46.1
million (US$35.2 million),
from $43.4 million (US$31.8 million), primarily related to
infrastructure improvements, including a new surface maintenance
and warehouse facility ($2.9 million)
and ventilation optimization ($1.5
million), partially offset by the $1.3 million related to development of the east
ramp, which has been reallocated to sustaining capital.
_________________________
1 Cash cost and AISC are Non-IFRS measures. Refer to the
Non-IFRS performance measures section in the second quarter
MD&A.
"These positive revisions to our annual guidance estimates are
supported by the strong performance from our cornerstone Island
Gold Mine to date, demonstrating the potential of this quality,
low-cost asset. We have also successfully completed the electrical
upgrade at Island Gold, which was a key initiative for Richmont as
it will support ongoing productivity improvements as well as
expansion opportunities." stated Renaud
Adams, CEO of Richmont Mines. He continued, "At the Beaufor
Mine, we are seeing improved production following the launch of
stope mining in the higher grade Q Zone in August and we expect to
report increased production and reduced costs over the balance of
the year."
2016 Company-Wide Operational Estimates
|
|
|
Revised 2016
Operational Estimates
|
Original 2016
Guidance
|
Revised 2016
Guidance
|
Gold Ounces
Produced(1)
|
87,000 –
97,000
|
98,000 –
106,000
|
Cash Costs per Ounce
(CAD$)(2)
|
$930 -
$1,000
|
$885 -
$945
|
Sustaining Capital
per Ounce (CAD$)
|
$250 -
$280
|
$250 -
$280
|
Corporate G&A per
Ounce (CAD$)
|
$95 - $110
|
$95 - $110
|
All-in Sustaining
Costs per Ounce (CAD$)(2)
|
$1,275 -
$1,390
|
$1,230 -
$1,335
|
|
|
|
Cash Costs per Ounce
(US$)(2)(3)
|
$680 -
$730
|
$675 -
$720
|
Sustaining Capital
per Ounce (US$)(3)
|
$185 -
$205
|
$185 -
$205
|
Corporate G&A per
Ounce (US$)(3)
|
$70 - $80
|
$75 - $90
|
All-in Sustaining
Costs per Ounce (US$)(2)(3)
|
$935 -
$1,015
|
$935 -
$1,015
|
Revised 2016
Capital and Exploration ($M)
|
Original 2016
Guidance
|
Revised 2016
Guidance
|
Sustaining Capital
(CAD$)
|
$24.1
|
$25.9
|
Project Capital
(CAD$)
|
$43.4
|
$46.1
|
Company-wide
Exploration (CAD$)
|
$15.5
|
$17.1
|
|
|
|
Sustaining Capital
(US$)(3)
|
$17.7
|
$19.7
|
Project Capital
(US$)(3)
|
$31.8
|
$35.2
|
Company-wide
Exploration (US$)(3)
|
$11.4
|
$13.1
|
(1) Revised guidance estimates
include 1,165 ounces produced from the Monique Mine in Q1 2016,
which were not included in original guidance.
(2) Cash cost and AISC are Non-IFRS
measures. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section in the
second quarter MD&A.
(3) An exchange rate of 1.36 Canadian
dollars to 1.00 US dollar was used for the original 2016 guidance
issued on Feb. 11, 2016. The revised guidance assumes an exchange
rate of 1.33 for January to June and 1.30 for July to
December.
|
Island Gold Mine: 2016 Guidance Update
Based on the strong performance during the first six months of
the year from the Island Gold Mine and following the completion of
a 25-day shutdown for an electrical upgrade in August 2016, operational guidance estimates have
been positively revised.
- Annual gold production guidance estimates have increased to
between 75,000 and 80,000 ounces, from 62,000 to 67,000 ounces, a
potential increase of up to 45% over 2015 production.
- Annual cash cost guidance estimates have decreased to between
$800 and $840 per ounce (US$610 and US$640 per ounce), from $900 to $960 per ounce (US$660 to US$705 per ounce), a potential decrease
of up to 23% over 2015 cash costs.
- Annual AISC guidance estimates have decreased to between
$1,040 and $1,110 per ounce
(US$795 and US$845 per ounce), from
$1,160 and $1,250 per ounce
(US$850 to US$920 per ounce), a
potential decrease of up to 29% over 2015 AISC.
- Exploration expenditure guidance estimates for 2016 have
increased to $16.0 million
(US$12.2 million), from $14.4 million (US$10.6
million), which includes an additional 22,000 metres of
drilling that will focus on defining new resources in the fourth
mining horizon located between the 860 and 1,000 metre levels,
which could be incorporated into the short to medium term mine
plan.
- Sustaining capital investment guidance estimates for 2016 have
increased to $18.9 million
(US$14.4 million), from $17.3 million (US$12.7
million), primarily related to advancing the development of
the east ramp ($1.3 million), which
had previously been allocated to project capital.
Annual project capital guidance estimates for 2016 have
increased to $46.1 million
(US$35.2 million), from $43.4 million (US$31.8
million), which includes a new surface maintenance and
warehouse facility ($2.9 million) and
ventilation optimization ($1.5
million), partially offset by the $1.3 million in development of the east ramp,
which has been reallocated to sustaining capital.
|
Island Gold
Revised 2016 Guidance Estimates
|
Revised 2016
Operational Estimates
|
Original 2016
Guidance
|
Revised 2016
Guidance
|
Gold Ounces
Produced
|
62,000 -
67,000
|
75,000 -
80,000
|
Cash Costs per Ounce
(CAD$)(1)
|
$900 -
$960
|
$800 -
$840
|
Sustaining Capital
per Ounce (CAD$)
|
$260 -
$290
|
$240 -
$270
|
All-in Sustaining
Costs per Ounce (CAD$)(1)
|
$1,160 -
$1,250
|
$1,040 -
$1,110
|
|
|
|
Cash Costs per Ounce
(US$)(1)(2)
|
$660 -
$705
|
$610 -
$640
|
Sustaining Capital
per Ounce (US$)(2)
|
$190 -
$215
|
$185 -
$205
|
All-in Sustaining
Costs per Ounce (US$)(1)(2)
|
$850 -
$920
|
$795 -
$845
|
Revised 2016
Capital and Exploration ($M)
|
Original 2016
Guidance
|
Revised 2016
Guidance
|
Sustaining Capital
(CAD$)
|
$17.3
|
$18.9
|
Project Capital
(CAD$)
|
$43.4
|
$46.1
|
Exploration
(CAD$)
|
$14.4
|
$16.0
|
|
|
|
Sustaining Capital
(US$)(2)
|
$12.7
|
$14.4
|
Project Capital
(US$)(2)
|
$31.8
|
$35.2
|
Exploration
(US$)(2)
|
$10.6
|
$12.2
|
(1) Cash cost and AISC are Non-IFRS
measures. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section in the
second quarter MD&A.
(2) An exchange rate of 1.36 Canadian
dollars to 1.00 US dollar was used for the original 2016 guidance
issued on Feb. 11, 2016. The revised guidance assumes an exchange
rate of 1.33 for January to June and 1.30 for July to
December.
|
Beaufor Mine and Quebec Division: 2016 Guidance
Update
Gold production in the first six months of the year was impacted
by lower grades mined in the upper zones and a delay in mining from
the higher grade Q Zone, however production is expected to increase
over the balance of the year as stope mining in the Q Zone began in
early August.
- Annual gold production guidance estimates for the Quebec
Division have reduced to between 23,000 and 26,000 ounces, which
includes 1,165 ounces produced from Monique Mine in the first
quarter. At the Beaufor Mine production is expected to
significantly increase over the balance of the year as stope mining
is focused in the higher grade Q Zone.
- Due to the lower than planned production levels from the
Beaufor Mine in the first six months of the year, annual cash cost
guidance estimates have increased to between $1,150 and $1,300 per ounce (US$875 and US$1,000 per ounce).
- Annual AISC guidance estimates have increased to between
$1,420 and $1,610 per ounce
(US$1,080 and US$1,235 per
ounce).
- As production from the Beaufor Mine is expected to increase
over the balance of the year, cash costs and AISC are expected to
decrease, which we anticipate will result in positive free cash
flow generation for the year.
|
Quebec Division
Revised 2016 Guidance Estimates
|
Revised 2016
Operational Estimates
|
Original 2016
Guidance
|
Revised 2016
Guidance
|
Gold Ounces
Produced(1)
|
25,000 -
30,000
|
23,000 -
26,000
|
Cash Costs per Ounce
(CAD$)(2)
|
$1,000 -
$1,060
|
$1,150 -
$1,300
|
Sustaining Capital
per Ounce (CAD$)
|
$230 -
$270
|
$270 -
$310
|
All-in Sustaining
Costs per Ounce (CAD$)(2)
|
$1,230 -
$1,330
|
$1,420 -
$1,610
|
|
|
|
Cash Costs per Ounce
(US$)(2)(3)
|
$735 -
$780
|
$875 -
$1,000
|
Sustaining Capital
per Ounce (US$)(3)
|
$170 -
$195
|
$205 -
$235
|
All-in Sustaining
Costs per Ounce (US$)(2)(3)
|
$905 -
$975
|
$1,080 -
$1,235
|
Revised 2016
Capital and Exploration ($M)
|
Original 2016
Guidance
|
Revised 2016
Guidance
|
Sustaining Capital
(CAD$)
|
$6.8
|
$7.0
|
Project Capital
(CAD$)
|
-
|
-
|
Exploration
(CAD$)
|
$1.1
|
$1.1
|
|
|
|
Sustaining Capital
(US$)(3)
|
$5.0
|
$5.3
|
Project Capital
(US$)(3)
|
-
|
-
|
Exploration
(US$)(3)
|
$0.8
|
$0.8
|
(1) Revised guidance estimates
include 1,165 ounces produced from the Monique Mine in Q1 2016,
which were not included in original guidance.
(2) Cash cost and AISC are Non-IFRS
measures. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section in the
second quarter MD&A.
(3) An exchange rate of 1.36 Canadian
dollars to 1.00 US dollar was used for the original 2016 guidance
issued on Feb. 11, 2016. The revised guidance assumes an exchange
rate of 1.33 for January to June and 1.30 for July to
December.
|
About Richmont Mines Inc.
Richmont Mines has produced
over 1.6 million ounces of gold from its operations in Quebec, Ontario and Newfoundland since beginning production. The
Corporation currently produces gold from the Island Gold Mine in
Ontario, and the Beaufor Mine in
Quebec. The Corporation is also
advancing development of the significant high-grade resource
extension at depth of the Island Gold Mine in Ontario. With 35 years of experience in gold
production, exploration and development, and prudent financial
management, the Corporation is well-positioned to cost-effectively
build its Canadian reserve base and to successfully enter its next
phase of growth.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains
forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties.
When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project",
"anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and
similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other
indications of future tense, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are
based on current expectations and apply only as of the date on
which they were made. Except as may be required by law or
regulation, the Corporation undertakes no obligation and disclaims
any responsibility to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements or information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include
changes in the prevailing price of gold, the Canadian-United States
exchange rate, grade of ore mined and unforeseen difficulties in
mining operations that could affect revenue and production costs.
Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government
regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set
out in Richmont Mines' Annual Information Form, Annual Reports and
periodic reports. The forward-looking information contained herein
is made as of the date of this news release.
Cautionary note to US investors concerning resource
estimates
Information in this press release is intended to
comply with the requirements of the Toronto Stock Exchange and
applicable Canadian securities legislation, which differ in certain
respects with the rules and regulations promulgated under the
United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
("Exchange Act"), as promulgated by the SEC. The Reserve and
Resource estimates in this press release were prepared in
accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101) adopted by
the Canadian Securities Administrators. The requirements of
NI 43-101 differ significantly from the requirements of the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
U.S. Investors are urged to consider the disclosure in our
annual report on Form 20-F, File No. 001-14598, as filed with the
SEC under the Exchange Act, which may be obtained from us (without
cost) or from the SEC's web site: http://sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
SOURCE Richmont Mines