Lundin Gold Q2 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
August 9, 2024

There are 9 speakers on the call.

Operator

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Lundin Gold's Second Quarter of 2024 Results Conference Call. Also note that this call is being recorded on Friday, August 9, 2024. And I would like to turn the conference over to Ron Haukstein. Please go ahead, sir.

Speaker 1

Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. Thank you all for joining us on our conference call today We're Terry Smith, Chief Operating Officer Chester Sey, Chief Financial Officer and I are going to take you through our results for the Q2 of 2024. Please note funding goals disclaimers on this slide. This discussion includes forward looking information. Actual future results may differ from expected results for a variety of reasons described in the Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information and Statements section of our press release.

Speaker 1

Lending Gold is a U. S. Dollar reporting entity and all amounts in this presentation refer to U. S. Dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Speaker 1

Lending Gold achieved another strong quarter highlighted by record quarterly revenues of 301,000,000 dollars realized during the Q2 from the sale of 129,396 ounces at an average realized gold price of $2,379 per ounce. From this, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted earnings of $294,000,000 respectively were achieved, also a record. The company continued to generate significant cash flow with cash from operating activities of 144,000,000 and adjusted free cash flow of $112,000,000 which excludes the one time finance expense incurred upon buyout of the stream facility and offtake. The strong financial performance was underpinned by global production this quarter at just over 133,000 ounces, driven by recoveries of 89%, average mill throughput of 4,669 tons per day and average mill head grade of 11 grams per ton. This resulted in cash operating costs of $7.25 per ounce sold and all in sustaining costs of $8.75 per ounce sold.

Speaker 1

Having produced over 244,000 ounces in the first half of twenty twenty four, Lending Gold is firmly on track to meet its production guidance of 450,000 to 500,000 ounces. Cash operating costs and all in sustaining costs have trended toward the upper end of guidance due to the higher average realized gold price, resulting in higher royalties and profit sharing for which the portion attributable to employees is recorded in operating costs. That being said, we are confident that we will meet our cost guidance of $8.20 to $8.90 per ounce sold for the year. Exploration activities during the first half of twenty twenty four also continued to yield positive results. Over 13,700 meters of drilling across 38 holes were completed from surface and underground on the near mine program in the Q2.

Speaker 1

At Bonso Sur, gold mineralization now extends more than 1.6 kilometers along the north south strike and for at least 500 meters along the down dip. While at FDNS, significant results were highlighted by 1 of the highest grade intercepts achieved in this sector to date. Importantly, our exploration programs are illustrating the potential to increase our resources at FDN. Based on the positive results achieved in the first half of the year, we will be adding an additional 15,000 meters to what was already the largest drilling program ever conducted on the land package that hosts FDN. As you are all aware, a key priority starting in 2023 was to clean up our balance sheet.

Speaker 1

In Q1 2023, we elected to repay in full the 10 remaining quarterly installments of the gold prepay facility for 208,000,000 dollars And in Q4, we fully repaid the remaining balance under the senior debt facility of 72,000,000 dollars Continuing this trend, at the start of Q2 this year, Lending Gold announced that we had come to an agreement with Newmont to buy 100 percent of the remaining balance of the Stream credit facility and offtake agreement for 330,000,000 dollars As per the agreement, Lending Gold completed the buyout following the payment of the first tranche of the purchase price of $180,000,000 on June 27. The second and final tranche of $150,000,000 is due on September 30. The stream facility and offtake were the last two remaining facilities established as part of the project financing package to fund the development and construction of FDN. While this milestone is now complete, funding gold has repaid in full all of its project finance debt only 4 years after achieving commercial production at Fruta del Norte, a fantastic achievement. Today, funding gold is no longer bound by obligations to our previous debtors and 100% of our cash flow is attributable to shareholders.

Speaker 1

The company now has full exposure to rising gold prices resulting in increased amounts of free cash flow to support capital allocation initiatives, including growth and shareholder returns. With the buyout of the stream facility and offtake now complete, we are pleased to announce that starting in the Q3, we will be doubling our quarterly dividends from the current $0.10 per share to $0.20 per share, which is equivalent to approximately $200,000,000 annually. Even after the payment of dividends, we will still retain a healthy treasury for other value generating initiatives such as our exploration programs, future capital projects, as well as other growth initiatives. With that, I'd now like to turn the call over to Terry.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Ron, and hello all. We had a solid Q2 that was highlighted by quarterly gold production totaling approximately 133,000 ounces. In the same period last year, gold production totaled roughly 129,000 ounces. We had stronger production during the quarter due to higher mill throughput as well as stronger recoveries and improved grades compared to recent periods. Mine production was close to 419,000 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 10.5 grams per tonne.

Speaker 2

Grades during the Q2 were slightly higher than planned as we made some mine sequencing decisions with the benefit of our improved understanding of FTN's geometallurgy. Average grades in the second half of the year are planned to be slightly lower than the grade achieved in the first half. The mill processed about 425,000 tons of ore at an average throughput rate of 4,669 tons per day, another quarterly record, which was achieved from continued debottlenecking of our process fire process team and their focus on operational excellence. As we look ahead to the second half of the year, our plant expansion project will have numerous tie ins that will need to be completed. With the ability to run the mill harder, we bought ourselves some flexibility needed to complete the expansion.

Speaker 2

We anticipate more scheduled downtime and commissioning for new equipment than the first half of the

Speaker 1

year. As for

Speaker 2

the process plant expansion, it remains on track and we continue to expect operations to be positively impacted once completed at the end of this year. Detailed engineering reached 90% completion the end of Q2 and will be completed before the end of Q3. In addition, all major items required for the expansion have been awarded to vendors. Now we're squarely focused on completing construction safely and efficiently. Construction of the upgraded tailings and reclaim lines continued during the Q2.

Speaker 2

In addition, earthworks for the addition of 3 Jameson Cells as well as the expansion of the concentrate filter building commenced. Once we've completed the project, the process plan at FTN will be capable of consistent throughput of 5,000 tonnes per day with an improvement of at least 3% to recoveries. Ryker Gold prices have allowed Lundin Gold to realize significant revenues and adjusted earnings to date, But this is also to increase royalties and accrued profit sharing, as Ron mentioned earlier. These costs have an impact on our cash operating costs and all in sustaining costs per ounce, which have trended toward the upper end of cost guidance that were based on a gold price assumption of $1900 per ounce. Cash operating costs and all in sustaining costs in the 2nd quarter were $7.25 $8.75 per ounce of gold sold respectively.

Speaker 2

In the first half of twenty twenty four, cash operating costs and all in sustaining costs were $7.30 $8.72 per ounce of gold sold respectively. The same in capital expenditures accounted for $95 per ounce sold in the 2nd quarter with highlights being the significant progress made on the mine dispatch system implementation, upgrades to the main haul road connecting the mine to the primary crusher, construction of a coffer dam at the TSF and significant progress on a new tire shop for mobile maintenance. Other ongoing projects include the camp refurbishment, replacement of the concrete batch plant, as well as preliminary works for next year's TSF expansion. Due to the ongoing power crisis in Ecuador, we've elected to invest in additional power generation equipment, which will allow FTN to operate at reduced throughput rates independently of the grid. We expect to have additional generators installed and operational by early Q2 2025.

Speaker 2

In the interim, until the generators are installed, we are working with the Ecuadorian Power Authority to run our existing generators at periods to reduce our load and thus not be subject to blackouts. Some planned capital in the second half of the year was deferred to offset costs for this project. Our ability to maintain high production and low cost is illustrated in our previously announced 3 year outlook. Looking to the future, 2024 gold production at FTN is projected to be between 450,000 to 500,000 ounces based on an average throughput rate of 4,500 tonnes per day, average recoveries of 89% and average head grade of 9.9 grams per tonne. Cash operating costs are estimated to average between $6.80 $7.40 per ounce of gold sold in 2024 and all in sustaining costs is expected to average between $8.20 $8.90 per ounce of gold sold based on an assumed gold price of $1900 per ounce and silver price of $22.50 per ounce that factor into government royalties with all in sustaining costs.

Speaker 2

Sustaining capital will be lower this year because of construction of the 5th raise is not scheduled until 2025. Our conversion drilling program continues to be very successful. These costs are a component of our sustaining capital. The 2024 conversion drilling program continues converting inferred mineral resources to indicated in areas immediately beyond the current mineral reserve boundary and has been particularly successful along the northern sector of FTN. A total of 9,700 and 72 meters of underground drilling across 70 drill holes has been completed to date in 2024.

Speaker 2

2 rigs are currently turning onto the conversion program. And as Ram mentioned earlier, we have expanded the conversion program increasing from 9,815 meters to 14,000 meters in 2024. With that, I'll turn the call back to Ron now to discuss our exploration programs.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Terry. During the Q2, Lending Gold drilled 13,000 743 meters on its near mine exploration program across 38 holes from surface and underground. Drilling from underground focused on the southern limit of the IFDN deposit and tested the occurrence of a new high grade vein system. A total of 10 drill holes were completed with all drill holes confirming gold mineralization. The surface drilling program continued to test sectors located along the extensions of the controlling structures of the FDM deposit, where the Bonzos Sur discovery and other prospective sectors like FDM East and a new prospect, Aguas Mesas are located.

Speaker 1

Over recent months, extension of development levels 11,070,080 has enabled easier access and drilling has focused on FDNS. The drilling program at FDNS in the 2nd quarter returned significant results highlighted by one of the highest grade intercepts achieved in this sector to date. Results from the drilling and geological interpretation have confirmed the presence of a new high grade vein system represented by hydrothermal alteration zones containing a significant amount of visible gold. The delineation of this vein system suggests a new style of gold mineralization in this sector that redefines the geological model that was used in the past to define a portion of FDN's inferred resource. As the program continues, based on the new geological model, a new FDNS resource will be completed.

Speaker 1

The system remains open for expansion along strike to the south and at depth. One rig is currently turning at FDNS and the second will be shortly will be added shortly. At Bonso Sour, 13 surface drill holes were completed this quarter and continue to expand this new epithermal system along the North extension. Recent results continue to confirm wide mineralized zones at shallower depths. Gold mineralization has already been discovered for more than 1.6 kilometers along the North South strike and for at least 500 meters along the down dip and remains open in all directions.

Speaker 1

Given positive results to date, the company has initiated metallurgical test work programs on Bonso Sur and work is underway on a resource estimate. At FDN East, drilling continues in this recently discovered buried epithermal mineralized system. 7 drill holes were completed during the Q2 and results show low grade gold mineralization associated with narrow vein and or veinlet zones and sulfides. Some drill hole results remain pending. The near mine exploration program also advanced in unexplored areas close to FDM.

Speaker 1

During the Q2, the program completed 8 drill holes in new areas and identified additional potential targets. At Aguas Mesas located along the south extension of the East Fault, drilling intercepted gold mineralization associated hydrothermal alteration zones. In the north extension of the FDM deposit, exploratory holes also intercepted zones of hydrothermal alteration. I also want to quickly touch on a geophysical program, which we began during the Q2. This geophysical program survey is designed to provide high resolution resistivity and chargeability imaging of exploration targets and will benefit our exploration programs immensely.

Speaker 1

A total of 67 kilometers is expected to be surveyed, which covers the entire near mine area and parts of the regional district. Lunding Gold's largest ever exploration program is continuing to demonstrate the significant untapped exploration potential near, in and around FDM. 11 rigs are currently turning across the conversion near mine and regional programs. Based on the excellent results achieved so far this year, Lending Gold plans to increase the near mine drilling program by 10,000 meters to a minimum of 56,000 meters to accelerate the definition of near mine targets. As a result, a minimum of 80,000 meters of drilling are now planned across the conversion, near mine and regional drilling programs for 2024.

Speaker 1

This is expected to result in an estimated cost increase of $2,000,000 which results in an estimated program cost of 44,000,000 dollars on near mine and regional exploration for the year. Subsequent to quarter end, Lending Gold announced the departure of CFO, Christopher Kolodian. I'm pleased to welcome Chester See, formerly our Senior Vice President of Finance into his new role as CFO. Having worked with Chester since the acquisition of Fruta del Norte in 2014, he brings a wealth of experience to his position. We wish Christopher continued success with his future endeavors.

Speaker 1

With that said, I'm really pleased to now turn the call over to Chester to provide a more detailed look at the financial results.

Speaker 3

Thanks, Ron, and good morning, everyone. Having been with Fundine Gold since the beginning, I'm proud of what we have already accomplished and I'm excited to continue building on our achievements in the future. In the Q2 of 2024, Mondean Gold recognized record revenues of $301,000,000 from the sale of approximately 129,000 ounces of gold at an average realized gold price of $2,379 per ounce. Income from mining operations was $172,000,000 compared to $125,000,000 a year earlier, primarily a result of the higher gold price achieved during the quarter. From this Lundin Gold generated adjusted earnings, which exclude the one time finance expense relating to the buyout of the Stream facility and offtake, derivative gains and related taxes of $99,000,000 or $0.41 per share this quarter compared to $59,000,000 or $0.25 per share a year earlier.

Speaker 3

Adjusted EBITDA was a record $195,000,000 in the 2nd quarter. The Lundin Gold story is underpinned by sustained and continuing generation of substantial cash flow and the second quarter was no different. Lundin Gold generated net cash from operating activities of $144,000,000 in Q2 and adjusted free cash flow, which excludes the one time finance expense incurred upon buyout of the stream facility and offtake of $112,000,000 or $0.47 per share compared to adjusted free cash flow of $132,000,000 or $0.56 per share a year earlier. Notwithstanding the increase in gold prices, adjusted free cash flow decreased in Q2 this year compared to Q2 last year due to lower income taxes paid in 2023 following the full repayment of the gold prepaid facility. We expect to continue generating significant free cash flow in the future based on our production and ASIC guidance, especially given increased exposure to strong gold prices with the benefit of the full repayment of the gold prepay and senior debt and now the buyout of 100% of the stream.

Speaker 3

Lundin Gold is now debt free and we expect to generate increased free cash flow at these gold prices leaving scope for increased investment into growth, increased shareholder returns or both. As at June 30, the company had cash of 238,000,000 dollars and a working capital balance, which includes the remaining $150,000,000 due under the buyout of the stream and offtake of $254,000,000 compared to cash of $268,000,000 and a working capital balance of $347,000,000 at December 31, 2023. So what do we intend to do with all the cash we are generating? As we have mentioned before, we have doubled our dividends. On the growth front, we see tremendous opportunity organically with our successful near mine exploration program, which could lead to investments into new satellite deposits.

Speaker 3

And then as ever, we continue to assess the M and A landscape. The feature is very bright for Lundin Gold and we will remain patient and diligent with our capital allocation strategy. We are in a great position and will continue to assess all the options in front of us to maximize the use of our cash. Very exciting times ahead. For a more detailed discussion of our financial results, I encourage you to turn to the MD and A.

Speaker 3

Now, I'd like to turn the call back over to Ron for his concluding remarks.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Chester. Another strong operating and financial quarter for Lending Gold. Achievements during the first half of the year provide the company with a positive outlook for the remainder of the year and puts us firmly on track to meet our production guidance of 450,000 to 500,000 ounces. Record gold prices have also allowed the company to realize significant revenues and adjusted earnings to date, which in turn have increased royalties and accrued profit sharing. Notwithstanding successful operating cost reduction efforts, these costs have an impact on the company's cash operating costs and all in sustaining costs per ounce sold, which have trended toward the upper end of cost guidance that were set based on a gold price assumption of $1900 per ounce.

Speaker 1

Irrespective, we are still confident that we will meet cost guidance of $8.20 to $8.90 per ounce sold. The process plant expansion project to increase plant throughput to 5,000 ton per day and improved metallurgical recoveries with the addition of the Jameson cell technology remains on track for completion by the end of 2024. 11 rigs are currently turning across the conversion, near mine and regional programs. The company plans to increase the near mine drilling program by 10,000 meters to a minimum of 56,000 meters to accelerate the definition of near mine targets. As a result, a minimum of 80,000 meters of drilling are now planned across the conversion, near mine and regional drilling programs for 2024.

Speaker 1

Our financial performance this first half of the year has been strong, but we need to remain focused. Our safety performance has been disappointing when compared to our performance to date. The expansion project has created a number of new work fronts within the existing operations. Our team is focusing on bringing in additional resources for the expansion project and reviewing our current safety programs. Costs will always be a major focus for us moving into the second half.

Speaker 1

We know there are areas for improved productivity and cost reduction. We continue to generate significant cash, which supports the doubling of our dividends and we are now strongly focused on growth through our successful exploration and our targeted corporate development program. Thank you all once again for your continued support. And with that, I will now open the call to questions.

Operator

Thank you, And your first question will be from Bryce Adams at CIBC Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Speaker 4

Thank you, operator. Good morning, Ron, Terry, Chester. Thank you for the presentations and congratulations Chester on the new role. Under the forward looking cautionary statements, can you discuss future organic growth plans for FTN? The expansion to 5,000 tonnes a day, do you think there's a chance that you could squeeze more out of that?

Speaker 4

And then how do the recent drill results feed into your thinking for a longer term optionality? That's all for me. I'll jump back in the

Speaker 1

queue. Morning, Bryce. And that's a loaded question to start off with. And again, we're all really happy with Chester in his new role and thanks for recognizing that. Yes, the forward looking thing, Juan Carlos Contreras, our mill manager and the team at site continue to push and see what we can do with that mill.

Speaker 1

The expansions to 5,000, yes, I think we can maybe get a bit more out of it, but we are starting to run into the horsepower at the front end, so maybe 5,500. But we're looking at some expansion after that. But what the real future I think prices with Bonso Sur now and we're as you heard, we're starting metallurgical work, resource estimate. We're now looking at what's the next step for that. And so we have some sessions coming up later this year as what's Fritchard Del Norte going to look like in 5 years.

Speaker 1

And we're all very excited, extremely excited actually about our opportunities in front of us because of the success that Andre and his team are having with the drill bit.

Speaker 4

That's great. Thanks Ron.

Operator

Thank you. Next question will be from Wayne Lam at RBC. Please go ahead.

Speaker 5

Yes. Thanks, guys. Maybe following up kind of on Bryce's question, but more specifically, at Bonsusura, as you said, those intercepts look really good being high grade near surface close infrastructure. But just wondering, how you're thinking about it moving forward as it looks like perhaps more of a bulk tenant scenario with the plan there to be to help supplement feed as you expand the mill or there'd be a future scenario where you evaluate building additional infrastructure for that in the future if it develops to a certain size?

Speaker 1

Yes, Wayne, that's kind of what we're talking about. Those options things that we're looking at in our Blue Sky session coming up and we're doing we've already got the team's already done some work to say, okay, how we approach Bonso Sur as an underground operation. But with the drilling that we're doing and kind of relooking at at Bonzo Sure, we are looking at it more potentially as an open pit bulk tonnage. And the metallurgical work, real preliminary work is showing that the flow sheet may actually be simpler for bonds of sewer than FDM. So we may be looking at construction of another larger mill that would be able to handle bulk tonnage.

Speaker 1

And then you think about it, then we've got really great set of infrastructure to handle a lot of variability. So it's really it's a very exciting time for Lending Gold and the future is with what we've been able to do. And then even FDNS and FDN East are just showing the potential extensions for the underground as well. So there's just a lot of opportunity right now and I think it's very exciting time for shareholders.

Speaker 5

Okay, great. Yes, that sounds like a game changer scenario. I guess is that being as part of the near mine package, is that covered under the current operating permit or would that have to be I guess that would have to be separately permitted? Just curious like in terms of timeline, how quickly that could be accelerated, I guess?

Speaker 1

Yes. And I guess the other thing, Wayne, I'll answer. But the other thing too is with the cash we're generating, we can They're all covered by our existing agreements. So the fiscal and regulatory regime is already set. And in terms of permitting, Bonso Sur and FDNS are all within the operating area already defined, But would they they would need an amendment to our EIA, but not a totally new EIA or anything like that because they're already within the operating area that was defined early on.

Speaker 1

So and again, I think the way things are going in Ecuador right now, we've got the right government that's really supportive. And between Mirador and Fruta del Norte, we've shown the people of Ecuador and the government of Ecuador and our citizens, the citizens what mining can really do in terms of economic development. So I think it's a good time to be looking at some opportunities like

Speaker 5

that. Okay, great. Thanks. And then maybe just on the MA front, I mean, obviously, there's been a few transactions over the past few years that have kind of fallen into other hands. They would have otherwise fit within the ballpark of the quality profile of FBN.

Speaker 5

Given the dwindling number of high quality projects out there, do you see potential external opportunities as being less of a possibility? And is the increase in the dividend a potential signal of less of a desire to deploy that capital externally? Or is that to be taken as largely independent of any M and A and just reflective of the new debt free status?

Speaker 1

It's the latter, Wayne. We still think there's going to be opportunities out there. We've got the flexibility to be patient and with being a lending group company and strong shareholder base, we know we can move quickly. The increase in dividend is no indication at all of a reduction in that arena. It purely is we're generating the cash and with now one of our big stakeholders to start which were our debt holders gone.

Speaker 1

We feel that our shareholders have been supportive of us and it's time to increase their return.

Speaker 5

Okay, perfect. Thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Wayne.

Operator

Thank you. Next question will be from Don DeMarco at National Bank Financial. Please go ahead.

Speaker 6

Thank you, operator, and good morning, Ron. Congratulations, Chester. First question, so there's increased royalties and profit sharing at higher gold prices. Should we be looking at cost trending higher in H2 even if production is back end weighted?

Speaker 1

Chester, do you want to take that one?

Speaker 3

Sure. Thanks, Don. Yes, I mean, in general, there's while our operating costs continue to be lower than planned due to operational inefficiencies that we've successfully implemented, gold prices do impact our royalties and profit sharing. And therefore, there is an impact to the 3% of profit sharing associated to employees that's recorded within operating costs and as well as royalties paid to the government, the 5% NSR paid to the government. And then those 2 in particular are driving a higher sorry, an offsetting effect to the operating cost savings that we're achieving.

Speaker 6

Okay. Thank you. And Ron, going back to Wayne's question, maybe I could just follow-up to that and get a little bit more of your early development insights of the near mine targets. Can you talk about how the location of the different near mine targets factor into your development decisions? Like obviously, FDNS is closest to existing operations.

Speaker 6

So would that give it priority? I mean, I'm reading that the focus of the drilling is the emphasis is on Bon De Sertre and we're seeing great results there. But how does the overall location of these different targets weigh into things?

Speaker 1

Well, I think it's a great question, Don.

Speaker 7

And for

Speaker 1

us, it's a problem. It's a tough problem to have, but we just we have so many opportunities. And we do look at FDNS is, I would say, is probably another year of drilling until we truly fully understand that. I think in this call, you will have heard us talking about that that area, even though we call it near mine, was already there were some inferred resources that were part of FDM in that area. But with this more intense underground drilling, we've really developed a new model.

Speaker 1

And so we're really saying this is going to be a new resource. It's that one we look more at how it fits within the overall FDM mine plan. But Bonzo Sore is kind of like Don, I would say, is a bit of a step change. It gives us the opportunity to with FDNS, we may be able to get more throughput, maybe bring keep our grades higher as we get later in the mine life, sort of maintain our production. But Bonjour has this will give us the opportunity potentially to go from 500,000 ounce a year producer to 700,000 to 800,000 ounce a year producer.

Speaker 6

Right. Okay. Thanks for that. Well, I appreciate it seeing the geometry of bonds of SIR2 in the release yesterday. Certainly looks sizable.

Speaker 6

So we'll look for the main resource when it comes out. That's all from me. Thank you.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Don.

Speaker 5

Thank

Operator

you. And your next question will be from Kerry Smith at Haywood. Please go ahead.

Speaker 7

Thanks, operator, and congratulations on doubling the dividend. That's fantastic. My first question is on this power crisis in Ecuador. What is your existing installed generating capacity that you have today at the site? Like how many tons a day can you run with what you have installed?

Speaker 1

Thanks, Carey. Carey, our existing capacity today was really installed in our 2 and in the event we had a power disruption because we are connected to the grid that we could keep all of our major components turning. So the agitators and the CIL, some ventilation going, things like that in order to improve startup. So it's we can't really run per se with our existing generators that we have. What we've been able to do over the last 6 months to not have any blackouts due to the power crisis in Ecuador is we've agreed with the local utility to run our generators to reduce our load during critical periods like from 6 to 10 on a daily basis, which has helped a lot.

Speaker 1

And that's how we've been using that. But what we are trying to do now is to be able to if this power crisis continues because of the climate change and the low rainfalls we're seeing and as a result no reservoirs behind the dams, then we'll be able to run at a reduced throughput rate. So it really is we're really significantly increasing our power generation sort of strategy philosophy.

Speaker 7

Okay. And so when you add in the new generators in, I guess, it was first half of the next year, would that allow you to run the mill on standalone basis at some reduced throughput rate, I guess? And what would that rate be then?

Speaker 1

The answer is yes. And Terry, do we estimate that it's around 4,000 ton a day around there? Is that about right?

Speaker 2

That's right. Yes, that's right Ron. You got it.

Speaker 7

And the CapEx for doing that, Terry?

Speaker 2

Well, the project's around $20,000,000 Carrie.

Speaker 7

Okay. Okay. And so how are you thinking about your longer term, because if you wind up with a second mill at Bon Secours, let's say, your power requirements will be significantly higher again. And would you is there any way you could put in some sort of a system that would be that would allow you to run it at design capacity? Or is that always going to be kind of an issue for you?

Speaker 1

No, we see this as a temporary issue, Terry, with regards to the El Nino, the droughts and things like that. And there are a number of private power projects. The government has promoted the new government of Daniel Nabal has promoted new investment in private power projects, and we're already in discussions with some other run of river type power projects, some not too far from FDM. So we're not going to be putting in generators to be able to run-in the long term. There's a lot of other opportunities for us.

Speaker 7

Okay. Okay. Got you. Okay, great. And then just on the tie in of the mill, it sounds like Terry has been able to schedule a lot of the work that you've been doing on the 5,000 ton a day expansion within your regular maintenance downtime, let's say.

Speaker 7

So it hasn't really affected the mill throughput in any big way so far. And it sounds like you're going to have it all completely tied in by the end of Q3. So I guess the plan is that or the expectation is that you wouldn't really have much excess of downtime over and above your sort of normal scheduled downtime until you get it completed. Is that correct?

Speaker 1

Terry, do you want to handle that one?

Speaker 2

Yes. Terry, that's a good question. You're correct. We've been able to slot all of the tie ins that we need shutdown time for into our regular maintenance schedule. So the second half of the year, you can expect more tons than we had in the first half.

Speaker 7

Okay. Okay, great. That's helpful. Thank you. And just one last thing, if I could, on the grades.

Speaker 7

For the 6 months, it's been north of 10 grams, I think 10.2 or something. And the grade guidance for the year originally was 9.9 grams. So are you expecting the grade to be below sort of 9.9 grams for the second half? Or should we expect the grade in the second half to be more closer to 10 grams, let's say?

Speaker 1

Terry?

Speaker 2

Terry, I think we'll be spot on as far as our grade guidance is concerned with the second half coming in as we're seeing it at the moment.

Speaker 7

Okay. Okay. So second half will be a bit lower. Okay. That's great.

Speaker 7

Thank you, Terry. Thanks very much.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Terry.

Operator

Thank you. Next question will be from Jeremy Hoi at Canaccord. Please go ahead.

Speaker 8

Hi, Ron, Terry, Chester. Thanks for taking my questions. I think most of them have been touched on already, but just kind of following up on what Carey was getting at there in terms of grade and what the rest of the year is going to look like. Originally, we've been talking about an increase in grades in the second half, and now we're looking at what you just said slightly under what we saw in Q2. Can you just touch on the change in sequence and what led to that?

Speaker 8

And with the tie ins happening in the back half, you have said that throughput

Speaker 1

is going to increase a bit. Is that going

Speaker 8

to be more of a gradual ramp up? Or are we going to see a step change at some point?

Speaker 1

Go ahead, Terry.

Speaker 2

Okay. Thanks, Ron. Hi, Jeremy. Good question. The change in sequence that we described is really related to the progress we've made with our geometallurgy campaign.

Speaker 2

And we've talked about how gold is disseminated into fine sulfides and we're starting to understand where the lower recovery parts of the deposit sits. And when we saw that early in the year, we decided to change some of our sequence around to avoid some of those lower recovery areas until this expansion is completed. And with the Jameson cells, then we can take advantage of moving back into those areas with better recoveries. And so that's some color on the sequence changes that we're touching on in our script. In terms of throughput, was your question just sort of more around second half or are you thinking more 2025 beyond?

Speaker 8

Yes. I guess more for how it's going to ramp in the second half. I think the language isn't pretty clear and you'll be at the 5,000 tonnes per day for 2025. So just thinking about the back half of this year.

Speaker 2

Yes. As Ron was describing, our process team has done a wonderful job of debottlenecking the plant even without the expansion being completed. And so we have some flexibility to run at a stronger rate through the second half. And as we get pieces of the project tied in, mainly the new tailings line, we'll be able to run at a higher throughput rate over and above what we've been able to achieve so far. But we like that flexibility because construction is challenging and commissioning and including all of this new equipment will be a challenge.

Speaker 2

So we like the flexibility around that to be able to offset some of the unplanned downtime that we might experience as a result of the construction tie ins. So there's not really any kind of step change that we see. We're able to have that flexibility throughout the second half of the year and we'll play we'll push down on the gas pedal as we need to.

Speaker 8

Okay. That's helpful color. Thanks, Terry. Appreciate it.

Operator

Thank you. And at this time, gentlemen, we have no other questions registered. Proceed with any additional comments.

Speaker 1

Thanks, Zoe, and thanks everybody for your continued support. And we really appreciate the number of analysts that are following the story and the work you're doing. And thank you to those shareholders who are listening. And yes, as we've mentioned through some of your questions, it's some exciting times, opportunities to increase returns for shareholders, but not diminishing at all the future for Lending Gold in terms of M and A and internal growth given the continued effort to reduce our costs, increase our production and increase our cash flow. So thank you everybody and hope everyone has a great weekend.

Speaker 1

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, this does indeed conclude the conference call for today. Once again, thank you for attending. And at this time, we do ask that you please disconnect your lines.

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Earnings Conference Call
Lundin Gold Q2 2024
00:00 / 00:00