24 October 2017 Goldplat plc (`Goldplat` or `the Company`) Operational Update
Goldplat plc, the AIM quoted gold producer, with international gold recovery operations located in South Africa and Ghana and a gold mine in Kenya, is pleased to announce an operational update for the three months ended 30 September 2017 (the `Quarter`).
Overview
95% increase on the same period in 2016 in gold equivalent ounces sold and transferred during the Quarter to 14,374 (30 September 2016: 7,382 ounces)
All operations were profitable during the Quarter at an operational level
133% increase on the same period in 2016 in gold equivalent ounces produced at Kilimapesa Gold Mine to 1,449 (30 September 2016: 623 ounces) - on track to produce in excess of 5,800oz targeted during FY 2018
Good progress was made in areas of strategic focus including:
Sourcing sufficient suitable material for the carbon in leach (`CIL`) circuits at Goldplat Recovery (Pty) Ltd in South Africa (`GPL`)
Ensuring that sufficient ore is sourced from the underground mine for processing through Plant 2 at Kilimapesa
Sourcing sufficient by-product material to keep Gold Recovery Ghana Limited (`GRG`) operating to capacity.
The erection of an elution plant at GRG during the Quarter
Goldplat Plc Consolidated
1st Qtr
1st Qtr
1st Qtr
1st Qtr
Year ending
Year ending
Sep-17
Sep-17
Sep-16
Sep-16
Jun-17
Jun-17
Equivalent Gold
Equivalent Gold
Equivalent Gold
Equivalent Gold
Equivalent Gold
Equivalent Gold
Kg
Oz
kg
oz
kg
oz
Gold Equivalent Production
Goldplat Recovery
236
7,588
169
5,418
915
29,418
Gold Recovery Ghana
37
1,190
96
3,088
312
10,031
Kilimapesa Gold
45
1,449
19
623
106
3 408
Total
318
10,227
284
9,129
1,333
42,857
Gold Equivalent Sold
Goldplat Recovery
285
9,170
133
4,280
702
22,570
Gold Recovery Ghana
81
2,604
42
1,349
259
8,327
Kilimapesa Gold
38
1,224
18
574
100
3,215
Total
404
12,998
193
6,203
1,061
34,112
Gold Equivalent Transferred
Goldplat Recovery
43
1,376
37
1,179
192
6,173
Total
43
1,376
37
1,179
192
6,173
Gold Equivalent Sold and Transferred
Goldplat Recovery
328
10,546
170
5,459
894
28,743
Gold Recovery Ghana
81
2,604
42
1,349
259
8,327
Kilimapesa Gold
38
1,224
18
574
100
3,215
Total
447
14,374
230
7,382
1,253
40,285
Goldplat Recovery (Pty) Ltd (`GPL`), South Africa
40% increase year on year (`YoY`) of gold and gold equivalents produced during the Quarter to 7,588 ounces (Q1 2016: 5,418 ounces)
93% increase YoY of gold sold and transferred to 10,546 ounces during the Quarter (Q1 2016: 5,459 ounces)
Good progress has been made in sourcing material for processing through the CIL circuits with more than 12 months of material available - work continues to optimise recoveries from this material
Legal proceedings with regards to the Rand Refinery dispute continue
Good progress is being made in securing a pit for later tailings deposition; the Department of Mineral Resources has advised the best route and we are monitoring progress from all stakeholders
Gold Recovery Ghana Limited (`GRG`), Ghana
GRG produced 1,190 ounces of gold and gold equivalents, with 2,604 ounces of gold being sold on GRG`s own account during the Quarter
The erection of a 3-tonne elution plant is progressing well with commissioning scheduled to begin towards the end of December 2017
Discussions continue with the Ghanaian Government regarding a project to clean-up and process contaminated artisanal tailings and the construction of a mobile gold concentrator pilot plant in South Africa progressed well. The plant is expected to be commissioned in Ghana during November 2017
Good progress has been made during the Quarter to increase the operational footprint and sourcing of material from outside of Ghana - targeting shipments from elsewhere in Africa and South America, with regular and sustainable shipments now being received from both areas.
Approximately 80% of the on-site tailings material has now been removed from the Ghana plant site, freeing up significant land for expansion and significantly reducing environmental liabilities.
Kilimapesa Gold (`KPG`), Kenya
KPG produced 1,449 ounces of gold and gold equivalents, with 1,224 ounces of gold sold on KPG`s own account during the Quarter
Planned production rates at Plant 2 are now being achieved on a regular basis and plant optimisation and cost cutting is now in progress
Production build-up from Kilimapesa mine is progressing well to meet the requirements of Plant 2
Permission has been granted to export gravity concentrates quarterly (previously only authorised to export once per year), which should improve inventory turnaround
National elections caused modest production disruptions during the Quarter (with employees having to take time off to vote), and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding further presidential elections continues to impact the reliability of deliveries to the mine
All agreements with land owners and the local community have been successfully renegotiated in anticipation of the eventual closure of Plant 1.
We are pleased to note the appointment of a Kenyan national as Plant Manager at Plant 2, replacing the South African expatriate who has completed his contract at KPG
Anumso Gold Project (`Anumso`)
Shortly following the end of the Quarter, Ashanti Gold Corp announced encouraging progress on exploration work undertaken at Anumso
Gerard Kisbey-Green, CEO of Goldplat, commented:
"With operational profitability achieved at all operations and good progress being made on our strategic objectives, I am very pleased with the results for the Quarter. With production rates at Kilimapesa now sustainable at planned levels for Stage 2, focus will be on cost reduction. At GRG good progress is being made in our efforts to grow production through sourcing material from West Africa and South America, and we expect commissioning of the elution plant scheduled to begin towards the end of December 2017."
** ENDS **
For further information, visit www.goldplat.com, follow on Twitter @GoldPlatPlc or contact:
Gerard Kisbey-Green
CEO Goldplat plc
Tel: +27 (71) 8915775
Colin Aaronson / Jen Clarke/ Daniel Bush
Grant Thornton UK LLP (Nominated Adviser)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7383 5100
Andrew Raca / Justin McKeegan
VSA Capital Limited (Broker)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3005 5000
Charlotte Page / Susie Geliher
St Brides Partners Ltd (Financial PR)
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7236 1177
The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
About Goldplat Goldplat plc, is an AIM quoted gold recovery services company with two market leading operations in South Africa and Ghana. The Company`s strategy is focussed on utilising its cash flow generated from flagship gold recovery operations in Africa to self-fund sustainable growth and expansion of niche gold recovery business model. The Company also has a small gold mining and exploration portfolio in Kenya, Burkina Faso and Ghana and is evaluating various opportunities to create value or monetise these assets.
This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq Corporate Solutions on behalf of Nasdaq Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Goldplat plc via GlobeNewswire HUG#2143976
