TRX Gold Corporation (TSX:TNX) (NYSE American:TRX) (the “Company”
or “TRX Gold”) today reported its results for the first quarter of
2023 (“Q1 2023”) for the three months ended November 30, 2022.
Financial results will be available on the Company’s website on
January 16, 2023.
Key highlights for Q1 2023
include:
-
Delivering on commitments: In September 2022, TRX
Gold announced successful commissioning of the expanded 1,000+
tonne per day (“tpd”) processing plant at Buckreef Gold, which was
completed on time and on budget at a capital cost of $4.0 million.
The plant ramped up throughput and reached nameplate capacity of
1,000+ tpd at the end of October 2022. Commercial production of the
1,000+ tpd processing plant was declared effective November
2022.
- A third
consecutive record-breaking quarter: During Q1 2023, the
Company recorded its highest quarterly: (i) production, (ii) sales,
(iii) gross profit, (iv) net income, (v) operating cash flow, and
(vi) Adjusted EBITDA, at a low cash cost1 of $732 per gold ounce,
below previously announced guidance of $750 - $850 per ounce.
-
Production keeps growing: Buckreef Gold poured
5,395 ounces of gold and sold 5,754 ounces of gold, both quarterly
records for the Company. The 49% increase in gold production in Q1
2023 compared to Q4 2022 is mainly attributable to an increase in
ore tonnes milled following commissioning of the expanded 1,000+
tpd processing plant in Q1 2023.
- Strong
results contribute to a strong balance sheet: TRX Gold
recorded revenue of $9.7 million in Q1 2023 and cost of sales of
$4.4 million, generating gross profit of $5.3 million and a gross
profit margin of 55%. Furthermore, the Company recorded quarterly
net income of $5.2 million, operating cash flow of $6.6 million and
adjusted EBITDA1 of $4.4 million. At November 30, 2022, the Company
had no debt, a cash position of $8.9 million and adjusted working
capital of $4.8 million.
- Cash
flow supports value-accretive activities: The Company
continues to reinvest cash flow into the drill bit and into
advancement of a larger project. From an exploration standpoint,
TRX drilled 21 holes representing 4,665 meters at Buckreef Gold,
including infill drilling at the Buckreef Main Zone and exploration
drilling at Anfield and Eastern Porphyry. Assay results from the
latter two programs are pending. Since drilling recommenced in
2021, an additional 500 meters of gold mineralization has been
added along strike, representing approximately a 30% increase in
deposit strike length at Buckreef Gold. Subsequent to Q1 2023, TRX
Gold announced progress towards a larger project by way of positive
assay results from its 19-hole metallurgical variability sampling
program on the Buckreef Gold Main Zone. Results were positive and
significant as they continued to demonstrate: (i) continuity of
mineralization down dip and along strike of the deposit; and (ii)
excellent width and grade of mineralization. Using the core from
the 19 drill holes, the Company will assess the amenability of the
sulphide material to be processed through the existing processing
plant and simple flowsheet, which may have positive implications
for potential near- to mid-term plant expansions.
- Health
& Safety always a top priority: The Company achieved
zero lost time injuries (LTI) and had no confirmed COVID-19 cases
at site. Furthermore, in Q1 2023, the Company achieved a
significant safety milestone of 1.0 million operating hours with no
LTI. There were also no reportable environmental or community
related incidents during the quarter.
TRX Gold’s CEO, Stephen Mullowney comments: “Our
fiscal year 2023 has started off at a great pace! After having
commissioned the expanded mill at the onset of Q1, we are very
pleased with the way in which the equipment is functioning and with
the way our processing and mining crews have been working
incredibly efficiently; allowing us to maintain great zone and
grade control, throughput, plant availability and recovery rates.
Through ongoing drilling, it becomes more evident with each batch
of results that the Buckreef Gold deposit has the potential for a
much larger footprint and therefore project. We expect the next
three quarters of 2023 to be exciting as we continue to increase
gold production, generate cash flow and invest in exploration and
the larger project, ultimately creating shareholder value. Growth,
growth and growth, in production, cash flow and resources,
respectively, is our mantra.”
Figure 1. Buckreef Gold Expanded 1,000 tpd
Processing Plant in Q1 2023, showing installation of two new 360
tpd ball mills.
2023 Outlook and Priorities
-
Increasing gold production: Mining, crushing,
processing and gold production are all expected to operate at full
capacity during fiscal 2023 (“F2023”) following initial ramp-up and
commissioning of the 1,000+ tpd processing plant during Q1. Higher
gold production is expected in Q2 2023 and for the second half (H2)
of the year as the processing plant achieved steady state operation
at nameplate capacity of 1,000+ tpd at the end of October 2022. For
fiscal 2023, gold production is expected to be between 20,000 -
25,000 ounces at total average cash costs2 of $750 - $850 per
ounce.
-
Increasing gold production, again: The Company
will continue to advance a project aimed at increasing the average
annual throughput by 75-100% through the addition of a new ball
mill. Detailed engineering and procurement of equipment has
commenced. Construction is expected to start in F2023 and
potentially benefit production in late calendar H2 2023.
- More
self-funded drilling: TRX Gold has a property wide
drilling program consisting of 9,000 meters of diamond drilling,
13,000 meters of grade control drilling and 10,000 meters of
reverse circulation ‘sterilization’ drilling for fiscal 2023, and
will cover brownfields drilling at the Buckreef Main Zone (NE and
SW), Buckreef West, Eastern Porphyry and greenfield drilling at
Anfield. Sterilization drilling will commence at site expansion
facilities, including tailings storage and waste rock
facilities.
- ESG
framework and reporting: TRX Gold is committed to working
toward the highest ESG standards and is implementing several
programs, while continuing to develop a broader framework and
policies. At the corporate level, TRX Gold intends to begin
reporting on ESG metrics aligned with definitions from the World
Economic Forum (WEF) and to identify its contributions to the UN
Sustainable Development Goals over the course of fiscal 2023. At
the project level, Buckreef Gold will continue to partner with the
Geita District and District Commissioners on school, water and
health projects. Buckreef will also work with local wards to
collaboratively identify key programs that focus on short to long
term educational needs, which in turn is aligned with Buckreef
Gold’s local hiring practices and includes Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and gender goals.
Q1 2023 Webcast Details
When: Thursday, January 19 at 11:00 AM
ESTWebcast URL:
https://www.c-meeting.com/web3/joinTo/MP9MKT3Z8WQC2Z/duIYEXovQg8YkYxgeHWqbg
A replay will be made available for 30 days
following the call on the Company’s website.
Qualified Person
Mr. Andrew Mark Cheatle, P.Geo., MBA, ARSM, is
the Company’s Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101
“Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects” (“NI 43-101”) and
has reviewed and assumes responsibility for the scientific and
technical content in this press release.
Non-IFRS Performance
Measures
The company has included certain non-IFRS
measures in this news release. The following non-IFRS measures
should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements for the three months ended
November 30, 2022, as well as the Company’s audited consolidated
financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 40-F and Annual Information Form for the year ended August 31,
2022. The financial statements and related notes of TRX Gold have
been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”). Additional information has been filed
electronically on SEDAR and is available online under the Company’s
profile at www.sedar.com and on our website at www.TRXGold.com.
Average realized price per ounce of gold
sold
Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is
a non-IFRS measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by
IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS.
Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is calculated by
dividing revenue by ounces of gold sold. It may not be comparable
to information in other gold producers’ reports and filings.
Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of US
dollars.
|
Three Months Ended November 30, 2022 |
Revenue per financial statementsOunces of gold sold |
$ |
9,718
5,754 |
Average realized price gold sold |
$ |
1,689 |
Cash costs per ounce of gold sold
Cash cost per ounce of gold sold is a non-IFRS
performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by
IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Cash
cost per ounce may not be comparable to information in other gold
producers’ reports and filings. Upon declaration of commercial
production of the 1,000+ tpd processing plant in Q1 2023,
capitalization of mine development costs ceased, and depreciation
of capitalized mine development costs commenced. As the Company
uses this measure to monitor the performance of our gold mining
operations and its ability to generate positive cash flow,
beginning in Q1 2023, total cash costs per ounce of gold sold
starts with cost of sales related to gold production and removes
depreciation. The following table provides a reconciliation of
total cash costs per ounce of gold sold to cost of goods sold per
the financial statements for the three months ended November 30,
2022.
Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of US
dollars.
|
Three Months Ended November 30, 2022 |
Cost of sales per financial statements |
$ |
4,408 |
Less: Depreciation |
$ |
(193) |
Total cash costs |
$ |
4,215 |
Ounces of gold sold |
|
5,754 |
Cash costs per ounce of gold sold |
$ |
732 |
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS performance
measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and
does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Adjusted
EBITDA may not be comparable to information in other gold
producers’ reports and filings. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a
supplemental measure of the Company’s performance and ability to
service its obligations. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by
securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the
evaluation of companies in the industry, many of which present
Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Issuers present
Adjusted EBITDA because investors, analysts and rating agencies
consider it useful in measuring the ability of those issuers to
meet their obligations. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income
(loss) before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and also
eliminates the impact of a number of items that are not considered
indicative of ongoing operating performance.
Certain items of expense are added, and certain
items of income are deducted from net income that are not likely to
recur or are not indicative of the Company’s underlying operating
results for the reporting periods presented or for future operating
performance and consist of:
- Unrealized gain/loss on derivative warrant liabilities;
- Accretion related to the provision for reclamation; and
- Amortization of share-based compensation expense.
The following table provides a reconciliation of
net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) to Adjusted
EBITDA per the financial statements for the three months ended
November 30, 2022.
Dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of US
dollars.
|
Three Months Ended November 30, 2022 |
Three Months Ended November 30, 2021 |
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) per financial
statementsAdd:DepreciationInterest and other expensesIncome tax
expenseGain on derivative warrant liabilitiesShare-based
compensation expense |
$5,160 193 185 1,486 (3,365) 753 |
($2,158) - 39 - (208) 980 |
Adjusted EBITDA |
$4,412 |
($ 1,347) |
The Company has included “average realized price
per ounce of gold sold”, “cash costs per ounce of gold sold” and
“Adjusted EBITDA” as non-IFRS performance measures throughout this
news release as TRX Gold believes that these generally accepted
industry performance measures provide a useful indication of the
Company’s operational performance. The Company believes that
certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s
performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, they
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.
About TRX Gold Corporation
TRX Gold is rapidly advancing the Buckreef Gold
Project. Anchored by a Mineral Resource published in May 2020, the
project currently hosts an NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Mineral
Resource of 35.88 MT at 1.77 g/t gold containing 2,036,280 ounces
of gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 17.8 MT at 1.11 g/t
gold for 635,540 ounces of gold. The leadership team is focused on
creating both near-term and long-term shareholder value by
increasing gold production to generate positive cash flow. The
positive cash flow will be utilized for exploratory drilling with
the goal of increasing the current gold Resource base and advancing
the Sulphide Ore Project which represents 90% of current gold
Resources. TRX Gold’s actions are led by the highest ESG standards,
evidenced by the relationships and programs that the Company has
developed during its nearly two decades of presence in Geita
Region, Tanzania.
For investor or shareholder inquiries,
please contact:
Investors Christina Lalli Vice
President, Investor RelationsTRX Gold Corporation+1-438-399-8665
c.lalli@TRXgold.comwww.TRXgold.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements as defined in the applicable securities
laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”,
“anticipates”, “believes”, “hopes”, “intends”, “estimated”,
“potential”, “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that
events, conditions or results “will”, “may”, “could” or “should”
occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements relate to future
events or future performance and reflect TRX Gold management’s
expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to continued operating
cash flow, expansion of its process plant, estimation of mineral
resources, ability to develop value creating activities,
recoveries, subsequent project testing, success, scope and
viability of mining operations, the timing and amount of estimated
future production, and capital expenditure.
Although TRX Gold believes the expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of
future performance. The actual achievements of TRX Gold or other
future events or conditions may differ materially from those
reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of
risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties
and factors include general business, legal, economic, competitive,
political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of
exploration activities and economic evaluations; fluctuations in
currency exchange rates; changes in costs; future prices of gold
and other minerals; mining method, production profile and mine
plan; delays in exploration, development and construction
activities; changes in government legislation and regulation; the
ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and in a timely
manner or at all; contests over title to properties; employee
relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the
speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the exploration,
development and mining business. These risks are set forth in
reports that TRX Gold files with the SEC and the various Canadian
securities authorities. You can review and obtain copies of these
filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
and the Company’s profile on the System for Electronic Document
Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) at www.sedar.com.
The information contained in this press release
is as of the date of the press release and TRX Gold assumes no duty
to update such information.
The TSX and NYSE America have not reviewed and
do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the
contents of this press release, which has been prepared by the
management of TRX Gold.
1 Refer to “Non-IFRS Performance Measures” section.2 Refer to
“Non-IFRS Performance Measures” section.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/afc8c431-03e3-4097-8c50-f7528c0ac459
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