TORONTO, August 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --
Richmont Mines Inc. (TSX: RIC) (NYSE:
RIC) ('Richmont' or the 'Corporation') announces operating and
financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, driven by solid results from the
Island Gold Mine. The Corporation will host a conference call and
webcast on Thursday, August 3, 2017,
beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time
(details below.) (All amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless
otherwise indicated.)
Second Quarter Highlights
- Company-wide production was 31,249 ounces of gold (35,040
ounces sold) for the quarter, primarily driven by solid production
from the Island Gold Mine of 26,110 ounces of gold (29,534 ounces
sold).
- Company-wide cash costs[1] for
the quarter were $725 (US$539) per ounce, positively impacted by record
low cash costs from the Island Gold Mine of $580 (US$431) per
ounce.
- Company-wide All-In-Sustaining
Costs[1] ("AISC") of $957 (US$711) per
ounce, positively impacted by record low AISC of $677 (US$503) per
ounce from the Island Gold Mine.
- The Island Gold Mine remains on-track to meet, or beat, annual
production and cost guidance.
- Second quarter revenues of $59.3
(US$44.1) million.
- Earnings of $10.5 (US$7.8) million, or $0.17 (US$0.12) per
share.
- Operating cash flow[1] (before
changes in non-cash working capital) was $24.9 (US$18.5)
million, or $0.39 (US$0.29) per share.
- Net free cash flow[1] was
$19.2 (US$14.3) million, or $0.30 (US$0.22) per
share.
- Cash balance at the end of the quarter increased to
$95.9 (US$73.9) million, an increase of $20.7 (US$15.4)
million over the first quarter; working capital increased to
$81.4 (US$62.7) million.
- The results of the Expansion Case Preliminary Economic
Assessment ("PEA") were released during the second quarter,
supporting strong production growth of 22% at low industry cash
costs and a robust cash flow stream over an initial eight-year
Phase 1 period. The ramp-up is currently advancing and the mill is
anticipated to achieve the target run rate of 1,100 tonnes per day
in the latter part of 2018 once the expansion is completed.
- On July 27, 2017 the Corporation
provided an update from its strategic exploration drilling program
currently underway at the Island Gold Mine. Recent exploration
drilling has intersected high-grade, wide mineralization in the
down plunge extension of the main Island Gold deposit with Hole
MH8-4 intersecting 19.85 g/t gold over 8.4 metres (true width and
assays capped at 70 g/t gold).
"The positive results for the quarter were supported by another
consecutive quarter of solid production and record low cash costs
reported from our cornerstone Island Gold Mine. This strong
operational and cost performance drove robust cash flow streams
even during a period of accelerated investment in our strategic
expansion and exploration programs at Island Gold," stated
Renaud Adams, CEO. He continued,
"Company-wide, our focus remains on creating sustainable
shareholder value by driving ongoing operational and cost
efficiencies throughout the organization and maintaining our
disciplined approach to capital allocation. Over the balance of the
year, we will continue to focus on further unlocking the potential
of the Island Gold Mine as we position the operation to be one of
the lowest cost producers in the Americas."
Financial Highlights
Quarter ended Quarter ended Six-Months ended Six-Months ended
(in thousands of $, except per share amounts) June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016
Revenue from mining operations 59,278 40,618 105,740 93,252
Net earnings per share, basic 0.17 0.04 0.25 0.19
Operating cash flow, per share[(1)] 0.48 0.25 0.68 0.54
Operating cash flow (before non-cash changes in working capital), per
share[(1)] 0.39 0.19 0.65 0.55
Net free cash flow, per share[(1)] 0.30 0.05 0.31 0.07
Revenue from mining operations (US$) 44,073 31,521 79,236 70,104
Net earnings per share, basic (US$) 0.12 0.03 0.19 0.14
Operating cash flow, per share[(1)] (US$) 0.36 0.19 0.51 0.41
Operating cash flow (before non-cash changes in working capital), per
share[(1)] (US$) 0.29 0.15 0.49 0.41
Net free cash flow, per share[(1)] (US$) 0.22 0.04 0.23 0.05
[(1)] Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the Q2 2017 Management's Discussion and
Analysis.
Operational Highlights
Quarter ended Quarter ended Six-Months ended Six-Months ended
June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016
Gold produced (oz) 31,249 23,320 60,650 55,689
Gold sold (oz) 35,040 24,888 63,568 57,127
Average cash costs per ounce ($)[(1)] 725 895 754 841
Average AISC per ounce ($)[(1)] 957 1,322 1,031 1,193
Average realized gold price per ounce ($) 1,688 1,628 1,659 1,629
Average cash costs per ounce (US$)[(1)] 539 695 565 632
Average AISC per ounce (US$)[(1)] 711 1,026 773 897
Average realized gold price per ounce (US$) 1,255 1,263 1,243 1,225
[(1)] Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the Q2
2017 Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Island Gold Mine Highlights
Quarter ended Quarter ended Six-Months ended Six-Months ended
ISLAND GOLD MINE June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016
Gold produced (oz) 26,110 18,617 49,882 45,206
Gold sold (oz) 29,534 20,147 52,183 46,178
Cash costs per ounce
($)[(1)] 580 757 618 706
AISC per ounce ($)[(1)] 677 1,029 751 927
Realized gold price per
ounce ($) 1,686 1,627 1,659 1,627
Cash costs per ounce
(US$)[(1)] 431 588 463 531
AISC per ounce
(US$)[(1)] 503 799 563 697
Realized gold price per
ounce (US$) 1,254 1,263 1,243 1,223
Underground tpd 1,148 911 1,084 882
Mill tonnes 85,578 79,924 168,943 155,830
Mill tpd 940 878 933 856
Head grade (g/t gold) 9.73 7.51 9.46 9.36
Recoveries (%) 97.6 96.5 97.1 96.4
Sustaining costs
($000's) 2,877 5,480 6,949 10,193
Project costs ($000's) 5,970 7,946 11,899 14,933
Non-sustaining
exploration ($000's) 4,889 3,624 8,651 7,394
Sustaining costs
(US$000's) 2,139 4,253 5,207 7,663
Project costs (US$000's) 4,439 6,166 8,916 11,226
Non-sustaining
exploration (US$000's) 3,635 2,812 6,483 5,559
[(1)] Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures
section contained in the Q2 2017 Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Island Gold Mine Highlights
- Production for the quarter was 26,110 ounces of gold (29,534
ounces sold). The mine is now well positioned to achieve, or
exceed, the high-end of annual production guidance for the
year.
- Record low cash costs for the quarter of $580 (US$431) per
ounce, significantly below annual cash cost guidance. The mine is
now well positioned to achieve, or beat, the low-end of annual cash
costs guidance for the year.
- AISC for the quarter were $677
(US$503) per ounce, significantly
below annual AISC guidance for the year.
- For the quarter, project capital, primarily related to the
expansion, was $6.0 (US$4.4) million and exploration expense was
$4.9 (US$3.6)
million.
- Mill head grade for the quarter was 9.73 g/t gold, partially
resulting from lower than planned dilution in development ore and
the impact of development in the high grade portions of the wider
sections of veins located on the 800 and 820 metre levels.
- Record underground mine and mill productivities for the
quarter, averaging 1,148 and 940 tonnes per day, respectively, with
lower-grade underground ore stockpiled for future processing, also
contributing to the improved overall mill head grade for the
quarter.
- During the quarter, long-hole stope mining continued in the
first and second mining horizons and development in ore was
advanced as planned in the higher-grade third mining horizon.
Stoping in the lower grade extensions of the third mining horizon
is expected to begin in the fourth quarter.
- The eastern portion of the main ramp system has achieved a
vertical depth of 860 metres as planned, allowing the
development of the western portion of the main ramp system to begin
during the second quarter.
- For the first six months, development of the 620 metre and 840
metre level exploration drifts advanced 250 metres and 80 metres,
respectively, supporting ongoing exploration and delineation
drilling both laterally to the east and at depth.
- During the quarter the transition from underground development
contractors to the internal workforce was initiated as planned,
this is expected to further reduce development costs over the
balance of the year.
- The results of the Expansion Case PEA were released during the
second quarter (see May 29, 2017
press release). The study represents another step in a multi-phased
approach to unlock the potential of the Island Gold Mine. The PEA
confirms the increase in underground mine and mill productivity to
1,100 tonnes per day supporting strong production growth of 22% at
low industry cash costs and a robust cash flow stream over an
eight-year Phase 1 period, for a low incremental capital cost of
$28.2 (US$20.9) million. The ramp-up to 1,100 tonnes
per day is currently advancing and the operation is anticipated to
achieve the target run rate in the latter part of 2018.
- On July 27, 2017 the Corporation
provided an update Island Gold Mine exploration drilling program
where recent exploration drilling intersected high-grade, wide
mineralization in the down plunge extension of the main Island Gold
deposit with Hole MH8-4 intersecting 19.85 g/t gold over 8.4 metres
(true width and assays capped at 70 g/t gold). Please refer to the
Corporation's July 27, 2017 press
release for additional information about the results from the
drilling program.
Beaufor Mine Highlights
Quarter ended Quarter ended Six-Months ended Six-Months ended
BEAUFOR MINE June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016 June 30, 2017 June 30, 2016
Gold produced (oz) 5,139 4,703 10,768 9,318
Gold sold (oz) 5,506 4,741 11,385 9,778
Cash costs per ounce
($)[(1)] 1,502 1,484 1,380 1,439
AISC per ounce ($)[(1)] 1,791 1,897 1,682 1,810
Realized gold price per
ounce ($) 1,697 1,635 1,660 1,642
Cash costs per ounce
(US$)[(1)] 1,117 1,152 1,034 1,082
AISC per ounce
(US$)[(1)] 1,332 1,473 1,260 1,361
Realized gold price per
ounce (US$) 1,262 1,269 1,244 1,234
Underground tpd 339 286 346 304
Mill tonnes 31,414 28,281 61,423 57,599
Head grade (g/t gold) 5.21 5.27 5.60 5.11
Recoveries (%) 97.7 98.1 97.4 98.4
Sustaining costs
($000's) 1,596 1,958 3,450 3,632
Non-sustaining
exploration costs
($000's) 214 - 354 -
Sustaining costs
(US$000's) 1,187 1,519 2,585 2,730
Non-sustaining
exploration costs
(US$000's) 158 - 265 -
[(1)] Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures
section contained in the Q2 2017 Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Beaufor Mine Highlights
- Production for the quarter was 5,139 ounces of gold (5,506
ounces sold). Production in the quarter was lower than anticipated,
primarily due to lower grades mined as higher than expected
dilution was reported from one stope located in the Q Zone.
- Cash costs of $1,502 (US$1,117) per ounce, higher than annual
guidance, are primarily related to lower production achieved for
the quarter.
- AISC for the quarter were $1,791
(US$1,332) per ounce.
- Exploration expense was $0.3
(US$0.2) million for the
quarter.
- Underground productivity was 339 tonnes per day. During the
quarter, the majority of mining activities were within the main Q
Zone, however beginning in Q3 mining flexibility is expected to
improve as additional ore will be sourced from new parallel
structures.
- During the quarter, the Corporation advanced the review of
strategic alternatives regarding the Beaufor Mine and Camflo
Mill.
Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and
Analysis
The financial statements and related Management's Discussion and
Analysis can be found on the Corporation's website at
http://www.richmont-mines.com or under the Corporation's profile on
http://www.sedar.com and with the Securities and Exchange
Commission at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
2017 Second Quarter Results Webcast and Conference
Call
Senior management will discuss second quarter financial results
during a conference call and webcast scheduled on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. E.T.
Webcast access
http://event.on24.com/r.htm?e=1464043&s=1&k=2332374CD8C93FEF484C8DE7AA03A11F
Telephone access
- Toll free (Canada & U.S.):
1-888-390-0546
- Toronto local &
International: +1-416-764-8688
A replay will be available until August
17, 2017 by dialling +1-416-764-8677 (Toronto local and international) or 1 888
390-0541 (toll free in Canada and
U.S.), using pass code 269710#. The webcast and presentation slides
will be archived on the Corporation's website at
http://www.richmont-mines.com.
Non-International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS")
Performance Measures
"Cash cost per ounce", "All-in Sustaining Costs", "net free
cash flow" and "operating cash flow" are non-IFRS performance
measures, and may not be comparable to similar measures presented
by other companies. The Corporation believes that, in addition to
conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the
Corporation and certain investors use this information to evaluate
the Corporation's performance. Accordingly, these 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. For full disclosure
and reconciliation of these measures, refer to the Non-IFRS
Performance Measures section contained in the Q2 2017 Management's
Discussion and Analysis.
About Richmont Mines Inc.
Richmont Mines 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 more than 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", "objective" 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 United States Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC"). The requirements of National Instrument 43-101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")
adopted by the Canadian Securities Administrators differ
significantly from the requirements of the SEC.
U.S. Investors are urged to consider the disclosure in our
annual report on Form 40-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.
National Instrument 43-101
The scientific or technical information in this news release has
been reviewed by Mr. Daniel Adam,
Geo., Ph.D., Vice-President, Exploration, an employee of Richmont
Mines Inc., and a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.
__________________________________
[1] Non-IFRS performance
measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS Performance Measures contained in
the Q2 2017 Management's Discussion and Analysis.
Media contacts:
Renaud Adams
President and CEO
Phone: 416-368-0291 ext. 101
Anne Day
Senior Vice-President, Investor Relations
Phone: 416-368-0291 ext. 105