Photo credit: OceanaGold
Scott Sullivan, Acting CEO of OceanaGold said, “We finished the year with a strong fourth quarter of production, backed by solid operational performances from Haile, which delivered a record annual gold output and Didipio, where ramp-up is advancing ahead of schedule. We are delivering on our commitments by achieving our full year consolidated guidance and generating positive free cash flow for the first time in over two years.”
“OceanaGold is focused on delivering value to shareholders over the long term by consistently executing our business plans and making prudent investment decisions geared to maximise the value of our operations. Although we have made significant improvements to the business over the past several months, we have more work ahead of us to implement additional changes and regain our status as one of the premier gold miners in 2 the industry. I have full confidence that we will achieve this and regain our favoured market position over the short, medium and long term.”
For the full year, OceanaGold achieved its consolidated production and cost guidance. On a consolidated basis, the Company produced 362,807 ounces of gold and 2,323 tonnes of copper. Gold production was approximately 20% higher over 2020 due to significant year-on-year record gold output at Haile, the successful re-start and continued ramp-up of operations at Didipio and ramp-up of Martha Underground at Waihi, which was partially offset by lower head grades and mill feed from Macraes. Fourth quarter consolidated production was 106,591 ounces of gold, an approximate 35% quarter-on-quarter increase on the back of a greater output from the New Zealand operations and increasing production contribution from Didipio.
On a consolidated basis, the Company recorded an AISC of $1,247 per ounce on gold sales of 381,562 ounces and copper sales of 5,104 tonnes. Fourth quarter consolidated AISC was $1,326 per ounce on gold sales of 105,336 ounces and copper sales of 1,748 tonnes. AISC was similar year-on-year with higher sales offset by increased sustaining capital investments. The Company’s AISC increased 10% quarter-on-quarter on higher cash costs and sustaining capital, which was partially offset by higher gold sales.
Haile Gold Mine – United States
For the full year, Haile produced an annual record of 189,975 ounces of gold, exceeding its full year production guidance range of 175,000 to 180,000 ounces, a range that was lifted twice over the course of 2021. Haile’s year-on-year production increased nearly 40% as a result of higher grades mined and processed as well as operational and productivity improvements implemented throughout the year. Haile’s fourth quarter gold production was 42,484 ounces, slightly lower than the previous quarter as guided however, the result exceeded expectation due to continued mining and processing of higher grades. Full year AISC at Haile was $1,060 per gold ounce sold, well below its full year AISC guidance range, while fourth quarter AISC was $1,161 per ounce sold.
The Haile Technical Review is ongoing, and the Company now expects to release the preliminary results of the study in the first quarter. The Company continues to expect the SEIS Final Record of Decision in the first quarter and anticipates receipt of subsequent operating permits shortly thereafter. The permits are necessary to allow underground mine development, expansion of the operating footprint to accommodate the build-out of future waste storage facilities and increased water discharge rates. As previously guided, the ongoing delay in the finalisation of the SEIS is impacting productivity at Haile, where mining rates are limited by additional material and water re-handling, reducing output and increasing costs. Upon receipt of the necessary permits, the Company expects more efficient operations with fewer constraints and lower mining unit costs to be delivered progressively over a two-year period.
Didipio Gold-Copper Mine – Philippines
At Didipio, following the restart of processing in early November, the operation produced 14,863 ounces of gold and 2,323 tonnes of copper, exceeding the Company’s 2021 guidance range of 7,000 to 12,000 ounces of gold and 1,000 tonnes of copper. Didipio’s by-product AISC for the year was negative $25 per ounce on sales of 29,889 ounces of gold and 5,104 tonnes of copper. Fourth quarter AISC was $16 per ounce on gold sales of 10,738 ounces and copper sales of 1,748 tonnes. This included the sale of all remaining pre-existing coppergold concentrate inventory on hand. The ramp-up of operations to full production rates is advancing ahead of schedule.
Macraes Gold Mine – New Zealand
At Macraes, the operation produced 130,287 ounces of gold for the full year, including 37,385 ounces in the fourth quarter. Although the full year result is below the lower end of guidance, the quarter-on-quarter production increased 45% on the back of a higher head grade and increased mill feed. Full year production was impacted by inclement weather early in 2021 resulting in delayed access to higher grade zones, mill disruptions related to mill motor failures, geotechnical challenges at Coronation North and COVID-19 restrictions in the second and third quarters. In the fourth quarter, the operation delivered first production from Golden Point Underground as expected.
Full year AISC was $1,468 per ounce on 130,305 ounces of gold sold while fourth quarter AISC was $1,469 per ounce on gold sales of 36,615 ounces. The Company expects Macraes to deliver a stronger operational result in 2022 consistent with operational improvements implemented in the second half of 2021 and the continued ramp-up of the Golden Point Underground mine.
Waihi Gold Mine – New Zealand
The Waihi operation produced 27,682 ounces of gold for the full year, including 11,859 ounces in the fourth quarter, which was 57% higher than the previous quarter. The production increase was attributed to the continued ramp-up of mining rates from the Martha Underground leading to higher mill feed where continuous processing commenced at the end of the second quarter. Production was impacted by various local and regional COVID-19 restrictions and isolation requirements following the lifting of the Government mandated lockdowns and from negative reconciliation, which was previously flagged. The Company continues to increase drilling to assist mine planning efforts and does not expect long-term impacts related to the resource model.
For the full year, Waihi’s AISC was $1,701 per ounce on gold sales of 26,373 ounces, while fourth quarter AISC was $1,845 per ounce on 11,517 ounces of gold sold. Looking ahead to 2022, the Company expects the continued ramp-up of operations at the Martha Underground, with a significant increase to gold production and decrease in costs.
The numbers contained in this article are unaudited and subject to finalisation. The Company will release its complete 2021 audited financial and operational results after TSX market close on Wednesday February 23, 2022 (Toronto Eastern Standard Time). Article courtesy of Oceanagold
