Centamin PLC Announces Quarterly Report
ACCESS Newswire · Centamin PLC

For the three months ended 30 June 2022

PERTH, AUSTRALIA / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2022 / (LSE:CEY)(TSX:CEE) MARTIN HORGAN, CEO, commented: "Sukari delivered the planned increase in production during Q2 2022 and we remain on track to meet full year production and cost guidance. Q2 2022 was the first full quarter of underground owner operations at Sukari following the transition from contractor operations during Q1 2022 and the Sukari team delivered significant improvements in both productivity and costs. Continued progress was made at our key projects and we remain focussed on cost control across all our operations with a number of initiatives targeting completion in H2 2022 that are expected to partially offset the current inflationary environment. We look forward to announcing our detailed half-year financials and declaring the interim dividend on 4 August 2022."

Q2 2022 HIGHLIGHTS

Quarterly operational performance in line with guidance

  • Ongoing safety performance: The Company recorded one lost time injury ("LTI") for the three months to 30 June 2022 ("Q2 2022"), with a lost time injury frequency rate ("LTIFR") of 0.32 per 1,000,000 hours worked which remains ahead of our target of 0.68 for the year

  • Production on track for 2022 guidance: Increased gold production of 110,788 ounces ("oz") for Q2 2022, an 11% increase YoY and 19% increase on Q1 2022, which reflects the benefits of the underground transition and improved open pit grade

  • Strong revenue generation: Revenue of US$207.2 million, generated from gold sales of 111,027 oz at an average realised gold price of US$1,863/oz sold

  • Costs: Cash costs of US$868/oz produced and all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") of US$1,357/oz sold were 2% lower and 5% higher than in Q1 2022, respectively. This reflects the improved production rate and an ongoing focus on cost control

  • Progressing capital projects: Capital expenditure ("capex") of US$67.3 million reflects the ongoing investment in establishing the long term foundation for the operation; which includes significant investment in the paste fill plant and solar power station

  • Robust balance sheet: Cash and liquid assets of US$176.4 million, as at 30 June 2022, with an update on the capital structure review due in Q3 2022

FULL YEAR 2022 OUTLOOK

Reaffirmed production and cost guidance for 2022 while investing for operational consistency and growth

  • Gold production of 430,000 to 460,000 oz for the year

  • Cash costs of US$900-1,000/oz produced

  • AISC of US$1,275-1,425/oz sold. Given the current inflationary operating environment we continue to monitor consumables pricing and review opportunities to offset price increases with cost savings initiatives such as the solar power plant

  • Acknowledging inflationary pressures continuing through H2 2022 we now anticipate cash costs and AISC for 2022 in the upper end of the guidance range

  • Capex budget of US$225.5 million

  • Exploration expenditure for the year is expected to total US$25 million