Aura Minerals Inc. (TSX: ORA, B3: AURA33 and OTCQX: ORAAF)
(“Aura” or the “Company”) announces Q4 2024 preliminary
production results from the Company’s four operating mines:
Aranzazu, Apoena (EPP), Minosa (San Andres), and Almas. Total
production in Q4 2024 reached 66,473 gold equivalent ounces
(“
GEO”)1, 1% below the third quarter of 2024 and
stable when compared to the same period last year at constant metal
prices. The quarter’s highlights included Almas, which set another
production record, achieving an 11% increase over the previous
quarter and surpassing the annual guidance. Minosa also stood out
by exceeding its annual guidance.
Total production for 2024 reached 267,232 GEO at
current prices, a 13% increase when compared to 2023 at current
prices and 18% increase when compared at constant prices. At
guidance metal prices, production achieved 276,305 GEO, placing it
at the upper end of the consolidated production guidance
(“Guidance”) range of 244,000 to 292,000 GEO for
the year.
Q4 2024 Highlights:
-
At Aranzazu, production reached 23,379 GEO, once again stable, both
when compared to Q3 2024 and when compared to Q4 2023, at constant
prices, reflecting continued operational stability and adherence to
mine sequencing in the quarter. For the full year of 2024,
Aranzazu's production reached 97,558 GEO at current prices. During
2024, the variation in metal prices significantly influenced GEO
conversion, particularly due to an increase of approximately 34% in
gold price compared to the levels used to define the year’s
production guidance. For the guidance projection ending 2024, the
Company considered the following prices: Copper at $3.95/lb, Gold
at $1,988/oz, and Silver at $24.17/oz. When applying these same
price levels to the annual production at Aranzazu, the total
production for the year reached 106,631 GEO, aligning with the
upper range of the Guidance of 94,000 to 108,000 GEO.
-
At Minosa (San Andres), production totaled 19,294 GEO, reflecting a
7% decrease over the previous quarter, primarily caused by the
expected rainfall during the period, particularly in November and
December, but still consistently above 19,000 ounces as achieved
during all quarters during the year. When compared to the same
quarter last year, production increased by 8%, due to an increase
of 9% in grades between quarters. For the full year of 2024,
production reached 78,372 GEO, a 19% increase compared to 2023,
exceeding the 2024 Guidance range of 60,000 to 75,000 GEO.
-
At Almas, production reached 16,679 GEO, representing an increase
of 11% compared to the previous quarter, and 74% when compared to
the same period last year. This growth was primarily driven by an
increase in ore mined and stable grades during the period, both
aligned with the mine production plan, as well as an increase in
ore feed to the plant, consistent with the plant’s expansion plan.
This quarter, once again, reflects continuous improvements in
production and efficiency resulting from the contractor replacement
in Q2 2024. For the full year of 2024, despite the challenges of
replacing the contractor during the second quarter, production
totaled 54,129 GEO, exceeding the upper end of the 2024 guidance
range of 45,000 to 53,000 GEO.
-
At Apoena (EPP), production was 7,121 GEO, down 11% from Q3 2024
and 53% from Q4 2023. This drop was due to lower ore grades caused
by delays in getting permits for the Nosde pit expansion, which was
vital for accessing higher-grade ore. Aura expects these permits in
early 2025. The delay meant lower grades and that 2024's total
production was 37,173 GEO, a 19% decrease from 2023, below the
46,000 to 56,000 GEO guidance.
Rodrigo Barbosa, Aura’s President and CEO
commented, "We ended 2024 at the upper end of our production
guidance with 267,000 GEO at current prices, marking a 13% increase
from the previous year. The quick and effective contractor change
at Almas allowed us not only to recover from the Q2 production dip
but also to surpass our yearly targets. Alongside Almas,
improvements in Honduras exceeded expectations, and Aranzazu
maintained its consistent output. This robust performance ensured
we met our guidance, despite setbacks at Apoena due to delays in
obtaining environmental permits for accessing higher-grade ore,
which we plan to start mining in 2025. Also in 2024, we made
significant progress on the Borborema construction, staying on
schedule and aiming for ramp-up by the end of Q1 2025. We've also
acquired a new world class project for development in Guatemala.
Overall, in 2024 we not only increased our production in line with
our long-term strategy but also demonstrated that with our
expansion and upcoming operations, we'll experience less production
volatility. This lays the groundwork for executing our growth
strategy and significantly enhancing our valuation multiple.”
1 Gold equivalent ounces, or GEO, is calculated
by converting the production of silver, copper and gold into gold
using a ratio of the prices of these metals to that of gold. The
prices used to determine the gold equivalent ounces are based on
the weighted average price of gold, silver and copper realized from
sales at the Aranzazu Complex during the relevant period.
Production Results and Guidance 2024
Achievement
Preliminary GEO1,2,3 production volume for
the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 at both current
prices and constant prices, compared to the previous quarter and
the same period in the previous year is presented below:
|
Q4 2024 |
Q3 2024 |
Q4 2023 |
% change vs. Q3 2024 |
% change vs. Q4 2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
% change vs. 2023 |
Ounces produced
(GEO1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aranzazu |
23,379 |
24,486 |
26,532 |
-5% |
-12% |
97,558 |
106,120 |
-8% |
Minosa (San Andres) |
19,294 |
20,750 |
17,854 |
-7% |
8% |
78,372 |
65,927 |
19% |
Almas |
16,679 |
14,975 |
9,591 |
11% |
74% |
54,129 |
17,805 |
204% |
Apoena (EPP) Mines |
7,121 |
8,035 |
15,217 |
-11% |
-53% |
37,173 |
46,006 |
-19% |
Total GEO produced - current prices |
66,473 |
68,246 |
69,194 |
-3% |
-4% |
267,232 |
235,858 |
13% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total GEO produced - constant prices |
66,473 |
67,103 |
66,274 |
-1% |
0% |
267,232 |
226,840 |
18% |
[1] Includes ounces produced and which were capitalized for
projects at pre-commercial production stages. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The table below shows production by each type of
metal at Aranzazu. Production increased in Q4 2024 for Gold and
Silver, and decreased for Copper, and was in line with the
Company’s expectations.
|
Q4 2024 |
Q3 2024 |
Q4 2023 |
% change vs. Q3 2024 |
% change vs. Q4 2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
% change vs. 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold Production (oz) |
6,987 |
6,898 |
7,061 |
1% |
-1% |
26,578 |
27,549 |
-4% |
Silver Production (oz) |
146,187 |
137,414 |
130,370 |
6% |
12% |
539,532 |
507,144 |
6% |
Copper Production (klbs) |
9,413 |
9,511 |
9,606 |
-1% |
-2% |
36,988 |
36,684 |
1% |
Total GEO produced - current prices |
23,379 |
24,486 |
26,532 |
-5% |
-12% |
97,558 |
106,120 |
-8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total GEO produced - constant prices |
23,379 |
23,344 |
23,612 |
0% |
-1% |
97,558 |
97,102 |
0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 The total may not add due to rounding.2 For
quarterly constant prices, applies the metal sale prices in
Aranzazu realized during Q4 2024 to the previous quarters in all
operations, being: Copper price = US$4.15/lb; Gold Price =
US$2,663/oz; Silver Price = US$31.47/oz.3 For yearly constant
prices, applies the metal sale prices in Aranzazu realized during
2024 to the previous year, being: Copper price = US$4.17/lb; Gold
Price = US$2,406/oz; Silver Price = US$28,60/oz.
Preliminary GEO1,2 production volume for
the year ended December 31, 2024, at both current prices and
Guidance prices, along with the Guidance ranges, compared to the
previous quarter and the same period in the previous year is
presented below:
|
2024 |
Ounces produced
(GEO1) |
Current Prices |
Guidance Prices |
Guidance Range |
Aranzazu |
97,558 |
106,631 |
94,000 - 108,000 |
Minosa (San Andres) |
78,372 |
78,372 |
60,000 - 75,000 |
Almas |
54,129 |
54,129 |
45,000 - 53,000 |
Apoena (EPP) Mines |
37,173 |
37,173 |
46,000 - 56,000 |
|
267,232 |
276,305 |
244,000 - 292,000 |
|
|
|
|
The chart below displays the consolidated quarterly GEO
production measured at current and constant prices since Q4 2022,
as well as the last twelve months at the end of each reporting
period:
Consolidated GEO Production per Quarter
and LTM
(000’s GEO, current and constant prices as
reported)
1 The total may not add due to rounding.2 Applies
the metal sale prices in Aranzazu realized during Q4 2024 to the
previous quarters in all operations, being: Copper price =
US$4.15/lb; Gold Price = US$2,663/oz; Silver Price =
US$31.47/oz.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information
contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved
by Farshid Ghazanfari, P.Geo. Mineral resources and Geology
Director for Aura Minerals Inc. and serve as the Qualified Person
as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects.
About Aura 360° Mining
Aura is focused on mining in complete terms –
thinking holistically about how its business impacts and benefits
every one of our stakeholders: our company, our shareholders, our
employees, and the countries and communities we serve. We call this
360° Mining.
Aura is a mid-tier gold and copper production
company focused on operating and developing gold and base metal
projects in the Americas. The Company has 4 operating mines
including the Aranzazu copper-gold-silver mine in Mexico, the
Apoena (EPP) and Almas gold mines in Brazil, and the Minosa (San
Andres) mine in Honduras. The Company’s development projects
include Borborema and Matupá both in Brazil. Aura has unmatched
exploration potential owning over 630,000 hectares of mineral
rights and is currently advancing multiple near-mine and regional
targets along with the Carajas (Serra da Estrela) copper project in
the prolific Carajás region of Brazil.
Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains “forward-looking
information” and “forward-looking statements”, as defined in
applicable securities laws (collectively, “forward-looking
statements”) which may include, but is not limited to, statements
with respect to the activities, events or developments that the
Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future.
Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified
by the use of words and phrases such as “plans,” “expects,” “is
expected,” “budget,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “forecasts,”
“intends,” “anticipates,” or “believes” or variations (including
negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that
certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might”
or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved.
Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s ability to predict
or control, could cause actual results to differ materially from
those contained in the forward-looking statements. Specific
reference is made to the most recent Annual Information Form on
file with certain Canadian provincial securities regulatory
authorities for a discussion of some of the factors underlying
forward-looking statements, which include, without limitation,
volatility in the prices of gold, copper and certain other
commodities, changes in debt and equity markets, the uncertainties
involved in interpreting geological data, increases in costs,
environmental compliance and changes in environmental legislation
and regulation, interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations,
general economic conditions and other risks involved in the mineral
exploration and development industry. Readers are cautioned that
the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive of the factors that
may affect the forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements herein are
qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should
not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information
or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. If
the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no
inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with
respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
A graph accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f544b8ae-99b6-4b45-b39f-a6d96f154d90
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations
ri@auraminerals.com
www.auraminerals.com
Grafico Azioni Aura Minerals (TSX:ORA)
Storico
Da Dic 2024 a Gen 2025
Grafico Azioni Aura Minerals (TSX:ORA)
Storico
Da Gen 2024 a Gen 2025