Alamos Gold Announces Phase 3+ Expansion of Island Gold to 2,400 tpd, Driving a Larger, More Profitable Operation with Average Annual Gold Production of 287k oz, Industry Low All-in Sustaining Costs of $576/oz, and a 31% Increase in Net Present Value (“NPV”) to $2.0 Billion at $1,850/oz Gold
Alamos Gold (AGI) announced the results of its Phase 3+ Expansion Study for the Island Gold mine, highlighting an expansion to 2,400 tonnes per day, increasing average annual gold production to 287,000 ounces starting 2026, a 22% increase from previous studies. The study projects $432 average cash costs per ounce, 30% lower than 2022 guidance. The mine life extends to 2039, supported by a 43% rise in mineable resources to 4.6 million ounces. The after-tax NPV reaches $1.6 billion with an IRR of 23%, boosted to $2 billion at higher gold prices. The project aims for significant free cash flow growth post-2025.
- Expansion to 2,400 tpd to increase production to 287,000 ounces annually, a 22% rise.
- Average total cash costs of $432 per ounce, 30% lower than previous guidance.
- 43% increase in mineable resources to 4.6 million ounces, extending mine life to 2039.
- After-tax NPV of $1.6 billion, a 25% increase from previous estimates.
- Higher growth capital expenditure of $756 million from previous studies.
- Delay in construction completion to Q1 2026 due to amended closure plan.
TORONTO, June 28, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX:AGI; NYSE:AGI) (“Alamos” or the “Company”) today reported results of the Phase 3+ Expansion Study (“P3+ Expansion Study”) conducted on its Island Gold mine, located in Ontario, Canada. The P3+ Expansion Study outlines a larger, more profitable, and valuable operation than outlined in the Phase III Expansion Study released in 2020 (“P3 2000 Study"). Based on the results of the P3+ Expansion Study, the Company is proceeding with an expansion of the operation to 2,400 tonnes per day (“tpd”).
The P3+ Expansion Study has been updated to reflect the current costing environment. All economics, costs and capital referenced in this release for the previous P3 2000 Study are based on estimates as of 2020 and do not reflect industry-wide cost and capital inflation since that time. All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.
Phase 3+ Expansion Study Highlights:
Higher production: average annual gold production of 287,000 ounces starting in 2026 upon completion of the shaft
- This represents a
22% increase from the P3 2000 Study and a121% increase from the mid-point of 2022 production guidance of 130,000 ounces
Industry low costs: consistent cost structure with the P3 2000 Study, with productivity gains and economies of scale offsetting inflation
- Average total cash costs of
$432 per ounce (average$425 per ounce from 2026), consistent with the P3 2000 Study and25% lower than the mid-point of 2022 guidance of$575 per ounce - Average mine-site all-in sustaining costs of
$610 per ounce (average$576 per ounce from 2026), a30% decrease from the mid-point of 2022 guidance of$875 per ounce
Larger, longer-life operation supported by significantly increased Mineral Reserve and Resource
43% increase in mineable resource to 4.6 million ounces of gold grading 10.59 grams per tonne (“g/t Au”)- 18 year mine life to 2039, a four year increase from the P3 2000 Study, while operating at
20% higher production rates of 2,400 tpd
Lower capital intensity: lower total capital per ounce over the life of mine
- Growth capital of
$756 million and sustaining capital of$777 million , both up from the P3 2000 Study reflecting the expansion, a larger mineable resource, and industry-wide inflation - Total capital intensity decreased
4% to$344 per ounce reflecting the larger mineable resource with increased ounces per vertical metre driving the lower capital intensity and contributing to the stronger economics $100 million of the increase in growth capital compared to the P3 2000 Study reflects sustaining capital that has been brought forward to the expansion period for accelerated underground development and infrastructure to support the higher mining rate- Expansion significantly de-risked given increased detailed engineering, capital committed and projects completed to date, including the majority of earthworks
Stronger economics with expansion and larger mineable resource more than offsetting inflation to create a more valuable operation
- After-tax net present value (“NPV”) (
5% ) of$1.6 billion , a25% increase from the P3 2000 Study (base case gold price assumption of$1,650 per ounce and USD/CAD foreign exchange rate of$0.78 :1) - After-tax internal rate of return (“IRR”) of
23% , up from20% in P3 2000 Study - After-tax NPV (
5% ) of$2.0 billion , a31% increase from the P3 2000 Study, and an after-tax IRR of25% , at current gold prices of$1,850 per ounce
Industry low Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) emission intensity
35% reduction in life of mine GHG emissions relative to the current operation, supporting the company-wide target of a30% reduction in GHG emissions by 203031% additional reduction in emissions per ounce of gold produced from industry low levels
Fully funded, balanced approach to growth: growing free cash flow expected starting in the second half of 2022
- With no significant capital expected to be spent on Lynn Lake until the P3+ Expansion is well underway; the Company is well positioned to fund the expansion internally while generating strong free cash flow over the next several years
- The Company expects significant free cash flow growth in 2025 and beyond as production rates ramp up at Island Gold
“Island Gold continues to grow in every sense with our planned Phase 3+ Expansion driving the value of Island Gold to
| Phase 3+ Expansion Study Highlights | Phase 3 Expansion4 (as of January 2020) | Phase 3+ Expansion (as of January 2022) |
| Production | ||
| Mine life (years) | 16 (to 2035) | 18 (to 2039) |
| Project/Expansion completion date | Q2 2025 | Q1 2026 |
| Total gold production (000 ounces) | 3,104 | 4,460 |
| Average annual gold production – life of mine (000 ounces) | 201 | 255 |
| Average annual gold production – post project (000 ounces) | 236 | 287 |
| Total mill feed (000 tonnes) | 9,572 | 13,550 |
| Average gold grade (grams per tonne) | 10.45 | 10.59 |
| Recovery (%) | ||
| Average mill throughput (tpd) | 2,000 | 2,400 |
| Operating Costs | ||
| Total cost per tonne of mill feed1 (C$) | ||
| Total cash cost – life of mine (per ounce sold)2,6 | ||
| Total cash cost – post project (per ounce sold)2,6 | ||
| Mine-site all-in sustaining cost – life of mine (per ounce sold)2,6 | ||
| Mine-site all-in sustaining cost – post project (per ounce sold)2,6 | ||
| Capital Costs (millions) | ||
| Growth (project) capital expenditure | ||
| Sustaining capital expenditure | ||
| Total capital expenditure – life of mine | ||
| Total capital expenditure (per ounce produced) – life of mine6 | ||
| Total all-in cost (per ounce produced) – life of mine5,6 | ||
| Base Case Economic Analysis: (USD/CAD foreign exchange rate of | ||
| IRR vs current 1,200 tpd operation (after-tax)3 | ||
| NPV @ | ||
| NPV @ | ||
| Economic Analysis at (USD/CAD foreign exchange rate of | ||
| IRR vs current 1,200 tpd operation (after-tax)3 | ||
| NPV @ | ||
| NPV @ | ||
1. Total unit cost per tonne (“t”) of ore includes royalties and silver as a by-product credit
2. Total cash costs and mine-site all-in sustaining costs include royalties and silver as a by-product credit
3. The IRR is calculated on the differential after-tax cash flow between the expansion scenarios and continuing to mine at 1,200 tpd with ramp access and with a paste fill plant
4. The 2020 P3 2000 Study has been normalized to the P3+ Expansion using a gold price of
5. Total all-in cost per ounce produced is calculated as total cash cost per ounce plus total capital per ounce produced over the life of mine
6. Please refer to the Cautionary Notes on non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures
Mineable Resource
A mineable resource totaling 13.6 million tonnes, grading 10.59 g/t Au containing 4.6 million ounces of gold has been included in the Phase 3+ Expansion Study. This represents a
Mineral Resources included in the P3+ Expansion Study had stoping outlines applied and then were assigned Island Gold’s standard zonal dilution and recovery rates. Stopes were evaluated against applicable cut-off grades and a mine design and sequence was generated. The inclusion of
Mineable Resource as of December 31, 2021
| December 31, 2021 | Undiluted Resource Used in Phase 3+ Study | Diluted & Recovered Resource Used in Phase 3+ Study | |||||||
| Tonnes (000) | Grade (g/t Au) | Ounces (000) | Tonnes (000) | Grade (g/t Au) | Ounces (000) | Tonnes (000) | Grade (g/t Au) | Ounces (000) | |
| Mineral Reserves | |||||||||
| Proven | 834 | 9.33 | 250 | 834 | 9.33 | 250 | |||
| Probable | 3,278 | 10.33 | 1,088 | 3,278 | 10.33 | 1,088 | |||
| Total Reserves | 4,112 | 10.12 | 1,338 | 4,112 | 10.12 | 1,338 | |||
| Mineral Resources | |||||||||
| Measured | 20 | 4.92 | 3 | 19 | 4.92 | 3 | 21 | 4.11 | 3 |
| Indicated | 1,076 | 8.18 | 283 | 991 | 8.18 | 261 | 1,128 | 6.83 | 248 |
| Total Measured & Indicated | 1,096 | 8.12 | 286 | 1,010 | 8.12 | 264 | 1,149 | 6.78 | 251 |
| Inferred | 7,906 | 13.59 | 3,454 | 7,283 | 13.59 | 3,182 | 8,289 | 11.34 | 3,023 |
| Phase 3+ Mill Feed | 13,550 | 10.59 | 4,612 | ||||||
Economic Analysis
The Phase 3+ Expansion has an estimated base case after-tax NPV (
Assuming an
Phase 3+ Expansion After-Tax NPV (
| -10% | -5% | Base Case | 5% | 10% | ||||||
| Gold Price | $1,632 | |||||||||
| Canadian Dollar | $1,632 | |||||||||
| Capital Costs | $1,632 | |||||||||
| Operating Costs | $1,632 | |||||||||
Phase 3+ Expansion After-Tax NPV (
| After tax NPV | IRR (%)2 | ||||||
| Gold price | P3+ 2400 | P3 20003 | P3+ 2400 | P3 20003 | |||
| $1,450 | $1,258 | 20% | |||||
| $1,550 | $1,446 | 22% | |||||
| $1,650 | $1,632 | 23% | |||||
| $1,750 | $1,818 | 24% | |||||
| $1,850 | $2,004 | 25% | |||||
| $1,950 | $2,189 | 26% | |||||
1 NPV and IRR are calculated for life of mine starting January 2022
2 IRR is calculated on the differential after-tax cash flow between the respective expansion scenarios and the base case of continuing to mine at 1,200 tpd with ramp only access
3 The 2020 Phase 3 Expansion Study (P3 2000) has been normalized to the P3+ Expansion using a gold price of
Phase 3+ Expansion Overview
The Phase 3+ Expansion to 2,400 tpd from the current rate of 1,200 tpd will involve various infrastructure investments. These include the installation of a shaft, paste plant, and an expansion of the mill. This infrastructure was all incorporated into the P3 2000 Study with several scope changes to accommodate the
Following the completion of the expansion in 2026, the operation will transition from trucking ore and waste to skipping ore and waste to surface through the new shaft infrastructure, driving production higher and costs significantly lower.
The completion of the shaft is expected in Q1 2026, compared to Q2 2025 in the P3 2000 Study which is attributable to a delay in the receipt of the Closure Plan Amendment (“CPA”). The CPA was received in March 2022 allowing for the ramp up of construction activities. This delay has been offset by an optimized mine plan which will access higher grades sooner such that total production between 2023 and 2025 is consistent under both plans.
A chart accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/42bbd1c7-44a3-4a17-a775-33d87a7f8ef3
Project Significantly De-Risked Given Level of Detailed Engineering & Progress to Date
Design engineering and costing for the majority of the Phase 3+ Expansion was completed to a feasibility level providing increased confidence in the estimates compared to the P3 2000 Study which was completed to a pre-feasibility level. Costing was based on first principles and with a high degree of confidence given existing operating experience. Since the completion of the P3 2000 Study, various projects have been completed including an expansion of the tailings facility and clearing of the shaft site area. With the mill expansion area located on bedrock, the bulk of the Phase 3+ earthworks have been completed. Combined with other projects completed and capital contracted to date, and with there being far less unknowns with a brownfield expansion of an operating mine, the project has been significantly de-risked.
Mining
Longitudinal long-hole open stoping will continue to be utilized as the primary mining method with both the addition of the shaft and paste plant key elements to supporting the increase in mining rates to 2,400 tpd. Relative to the P3 2000 Study, the paste plant has been sized with a
Shaft
The main components of the shaft infrastructure are unchanged from the P3 2000 Study with the exception of the addition of a bin house and hoist drive cooling building. The bin house will allow for a more efficient and lower cost transfer of ore and waste to haul trucks on surface.
A 5.0 metre diameter concrete lined shaft will be constructed with a steel head frame. The shaft will house two 12 tonne skips in dedicated compartments for ore and waste movement, and a double-deck service cage for the transport of personnel and materials. The shaft will be sunk to an initial depth of 1,373 metres. The hoisting plant is designed for an ultimate depth of 2,000 metres providing flexibility to accommodate future exploration success. At the initial depth of 1,373 metres, the shaft has a capacity of 4,500 tpd, more than sufficient to accommodate the peak mining rates of 3,600 tpd (ore & waste).
A conventional blind sink methodology will be utilized providing improved schedule reliability with minimal impact on existing operations. The underground ore and waste handling and loading pocket will be a conventional configuration similar to that of Young-Davidson. Once skipped to surface, ore will be trucked to the expanded mill circuit.
The total construction capital for the shaft installation including all supporting infrastructure is expected to be
Paste plant
As with the P3 2000 Expansion, a paste plant will be constructed; however, it will be sized
The total capital for the paste plant including the underground distribution system is expected to be
Mobile fleet
Mining rates are expected to begin ramping up from the current 1,200 tpd rate in 2025 and reach design rates of 2,400 tpd by the end of 2026. This will be supported by a significantly smaller mobile fleet than required under the current ramp operation. Post completion of the shaft, a total of five haul trucks will be required to support a mining rate of 2,400 tpd. This compares to a peak of 18 haul trucks required to sustain ramp haulage at 1,200 tpd. This contributes to the lower ventilation requirements, and significantly lower diesel usage.
The Phase 3+ Expansion is expected to reduce GHG emissions by
A chart accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6928601d-cf64-4148-a00a-1617304cbdd7
Processing and Infrastructure
The P3 2000 mill expansion included upgrading the crushing circuit, adding a second parallel ball mill, and a new elution and carbon in pulp (“CIP”) circuit with carbon screens. The P3+ mill expansion will increase the capacity to 2,400 tpd, double the current capacity of 1,200 tpd. The expanded circuit will be a conventional milling operation with additional scope changes to accommodate the higher throughput rates. These include a new crushing circuit, a covered stockpile, a larger ADR and the conversion of the existing CIP circuit to carbon in leach (“CIL”) while adding three new tanks. The total cost of the mill expansion is expected to be
Construction of a new mill was also evaluated; however, the capital cost was significantly higher in the current environment, which more than offset its lower operating costs. The configuration of the expanded circuit also provides greater operational flexibility with two parallel circuits.
The flow sheet of the new circuit includes upgrades and expansions for the following major process operations:
- New two-stage crushing plant
- New covered ore stockpile and feeders
- Additional ball mill and convert existing circuit to two trains
- Upgrade feed well on existing pre-leach thickener
- Convert existing five leach tanks to CIL and add three new larger CIL tanks
- New packaged 5t ADR plant
- New cyanide destruction circuit
Mill recoveries are expected to average
To accommodate the increased electricity requirements with the larger mill and higher mining rates, the power line will be upgraded to a peak capacity of 34 MW compared to 26 MW in the P3 2000 Study.
An expansion of the existing tailings impoundment area has already been completed with the current footprint containing sufficient capacity with future raises to accommodate existing Mineral Reserves and Resources. Given the
An effluent treatment plant has also been incorporated into the P3+ Expansion at a cost of
Operating Costs
Total cash costs are expected to average
Costs are consistent with the P3 2000 Study with the productivity improvements and higher grades offsetting inflation.
Total operating costs are expected to average C
The breakdown of unit costs is summarized as follows.
| (in C$/tonne) | P3 20001 | P3+ 2400 | ||
| Mining (less cap dev) | ||||
| Milling | ||||
| Admin | ||||
| Subtotal Operating Cost | ||||
| Silver Credit | - | - | ||
| Royalties | ||||
| Total Operating Cost (includes royalties) | $184 | $178 | ||
| Total Cash Cost (US$/oz) 2 - Average LOM | $443 | $432 | ||
| Total Cash Cost (US$/oz) 2 - Average Post Project Completion | $422 | $425 | ||
| Mine-site All-in Sustaining Costs (US$/oz) 2 - Average LOM | $627 | $610 | ||
| Mine-site All-in Sustaining Costs (US$/oz) 2 - Average Post Project Completion | $559 | $576 | ||
1 The 2020 Phase 3 Expansion Study (P3 2000) has been normalized to the P3+ Expansion using a gold price of
2 Please refer to Cautionary Notes on non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures.
Royalty
Production from Island Gold is subject to third party net smelter return (“NSR”) royalties. The total effective NSR royalty averages approximately
Capital Costs
The Phase 3+ Expansion has extended the mine life four years to 2039 for an 18 year mine life. Growth capital is expected to total
Approximately
Sustaining capital is expected to total
Combined growth and sustaining capital are expected to total
Including operating costs and total capital, the all-in cost is expected to total
A breakdown of the capital requirements for the Phase 3+ Expansion relative to P3 2000 is detailed as follows.
| Total capital (in US$ millions) | P3 20001 as of Jan 2020 | P3+ 2400 as of Jan 2022 |
| Growth capital | ||
| Sustaining capital | ||
| Total capital | $1,114 | $1,533 |
| Total production – life of mine (000 oz) | 3,104 | 4,460 |
| Total capital per ounce produced (US$/oz)1 | $359 | $344 |
1 Please refer to the Cautionary Notes on non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures
| Growth Capital (including indirects & contingency) (in US$ millions) | P3 20001 as of Jan 2020 | P3+ 2400 as of Jan 2022 |
| Shaft Surface Complex | 34 | 59 |
| Shaft | 184 | 170 |
| Mill | 34 | 76 |
| Paste Plant | 39 | 52 |
| Power Upgrade | 14 | 24 |
| Effluent Treatment Plant | - | 16 |
| General Indirect Costs | 5 | 64 |
| Contingency | 55 | 55 |
| Total Growth Capital | $366 | $516 |
| Underground Equipment & Infrastructure | 41 | 79 |
| Accelerated Capital Development | 131 | 162 |
| Total Growth Capital (including Accelerated Spend) | $538 | $756 |
| Total Growth Capital per ounce Produced (US$/oz)2 | $173 | $169 |
1 The 2020 P3 2000 Study has been normalized to the P3+ Expansion using a gold price of
2 Please refer to the Cautionary Notes on non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures
A chart accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/310eb2de-6c01-422b-a6f1-96a6e5a0d94f
| Sustaining Capital (in US$ millions) | P3 20001 as of Jan 2020 | P3+ 2400 as of Jan 2022 |
| Tailings Lifts | 17 | 32 |
| Underground Infrastructure | 130 | 154 |
| Mobile Equipment | 112 | 112 |
| Delineation Drilling | 20 | 32 |
| Capital Development | 292 | 436 |
| Total Sustaining Capital | $571 | $765 |
| Reclamation | 5 | 12 |
| Total (including Reclamation) | $576 | $777 |
| Total Sustaining Capital per ounce Produced (US$/oz) 2 | $186 | $174 |
1 The 2020 Phase 3 Expansion Study (P3 2000) has been normalized to the P3+ Expansion using a gold price of
2 Please refer to the Cautionary Notes on non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures
Updated Three Year Capital Outlook
The company-wide three year capital outlook is revised to reflect the increase in growth capital at Island Gold over the next three years as detailed in the Phase 3+ Expansion Study. While 2022 capital remains unchanged, 2023 is expected to increase by
There are no other significant changes to the Company’s three year production, total cash cost, or AISC guidance arising from the Phase 3+ Expansion Study.
Taxes
Given existing tax pools, Island Gold is not expected to pay any significant cash taxes until 2027 assuming a
Permitting
The approval of the CPA in March 2022 was a significant permitting milestone allowing for the ramp up of construction activities. This includes construction of the shaft and associated infrastructure which is currently underway. The majority of remaining permitting requirements fall within the provincial government jurisdiction. These include amendments to existing operational authorizations and new authorizations for construction related activities.
A subsequent CPA will need to be filed for additional scope changes related to the Phase 3+ Expansion that were not covered under the initial CPA. These include the effluent treatment plant, new paste plant location and other changes to the surface infrastructure. Amendments to current Environmental Compliance Approvals will also be required as the expansion moves forward.
Permitting activities fall within a well known jurisdiction where Alamos has successfully operated for years, achieving various permitting milestones at both of its Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines.
Consultant Contributions
The Phase 3+ Expansion Study was consolidated by Alamos Gold’s technical team in collaboration with the following third party consulting firms in their respective areas of expertise:
- Hatch: Overall Infrastructure Design/Engineering
- Redpath: Sinking Engineering & Design
- Paterson & Cook : Paste Fill Plant & UDS Design
- Airfinders: Ventilation Engineering
- Golder: Water Management & Tails Dam; and Environmental Baseline Monitoring & Permitting Support
- DRA/Halyard: Mill Expansion
Island Gold Phase 3+ Expansion Study Webcast
The Company will be hosting a technical session on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 8:30 am ET to discuss the results of the Phase 3+ Expansion Study. Participants may join the webcast at www.alamosgold.com.
Technical Disclosure
Chris Bostwick, FAusIMM, Alamos Gold’s Senior Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Bostwick is a Qualified Person within the meaning of Canadian Securities Administrator's National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").
The Company will file a technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 on SEDAR at www.sedar.com within 45 days of the date of this release.
About Alamos
Alamos is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with diversified production from three operating mines in North America. This includes the Young-Davidson and Island Gold mines in northern Ontario, Canada and the Mulatos mine in Sonora State, Mexico. Additionally, the Company has a significant portfolio of development stage projects in Canada, Mexico, Turkey, and the United States. Alamos employs more than 1,700 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. The Company’s shares are traded on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol “AGI”.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| Scott K. Parsons | |
| Vice President, Investor Relations | |
| (416) 368-9932 x 5439 | |
The TSX and NYSE have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
All amounts are in United States dollars, unless otherwise stated.
Cautionary Note
This news release contains or incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements and are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expect", “is expected”, “assume”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “inferred”, “potential”, "will", “plan”, “planned”, “outlook”, “estimates”, “estimated”, “continue”, “ongoing” “forecast”, “budget”, “target” or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may", “could”, “would”, "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of such terms. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but may not be limited to, information as to strategy, plans, expectations or future financial or operating performance, such as expectations and guidance regarding: costs; budgets; capital expenditures, growth capital, sustaining capital; production growth; returns to stakeholders; the effects of the Phase III expansion at Island Gold and timing of its progress and completion; anticipated gold production and production rates; mining processing and rates; mined and processed gold grades and weights; mine life; tax rates and timing of payment of certain taxes; GHG emission intensity; value of operation; effects on profitability; project-related risks as well as any other statements related to the Company's production forecasts and plans, expected sustaining costs, expected improvements in cash flows and margins, expectations of changes in capital expenditures, expansion plans, project timelines, and expected sustainable productivity increases, expected increases in mining activities and corresponding cost efficiencies, cost estimates, sufficiency of working capital for future commitments, Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates, and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance.
The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time of making such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, technical, legal, political and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information.
Such factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this news release, include, but are not limited to: changes to current estimates of Mineral Reserves and Resources; changes to production estimates (which assume accuracy of projected ore grade, mining rates, recovery timing and recovery rate estimates and may be impacted by unscheduled maintenance, weather issues, labour and contractor availability and other operating or technical difficulties); operations may be exposed to new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the continued and potential effects of COVID-19 and its impact on the broader market and the trading price of the Company’s shares; provincial, state and federal orders or mandates (including with respect to mining operations generally or auxiliary businesses or services required for the Company’s operations) in Canada, Mexico, the United States and Turkey; the duration of regulatory responses to COVID-19 and government and the Company’s attempts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 which may affect many aspects of the Company’s operations including the ability to transport personnel to and from site, contractor and supply availability and the ability to sell or deliver gold doré bars; fluctuations in the price of gold or certain other commodities such as, diesel fuel, natural gas and electricity; changes in foreign exchange rates (particularly the Canadian dollar, U.S. dollar, Mexican peso and Turkish Lira); the impact of inflation; changes in the Company’s credit rating; any decision to declare a dividend; employee and community relations; labour and contractor availability (and being able to secure the same on favourable terms); litigation and administrative proceedings; disruptions affecting operations; expansion or construction delays with the Phase III expansion project at the Island Gold mine availability of and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labour; inherent risks and hazards associated with mining and mineral processing including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures and cave-ins; the risk that the Company’s mines may not perform as planned; uncertainty with the Company's ability to secure additional capital to execute its business plans; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and authorizations, contests over title to properties; expropriation or nationalization of property; political or economic developments in Canada, Mexico, the United States, Turkey and other jurisdictions in which the Company may carry on business in the future; increased costs and risks related to the potential impact of climate change; changes in national and local government legislation, controls or regulations (including tax and employment legislation) in jurisdictions in which the Company does or may carry on business in the future; the costs and timing of construction and development of new deposits; risk of loss due to sabotage, protests and other civil disturbances; disruptions in the maintenance or provision of required infrastructure and information technology systems, the impact of global liquidity and credit availability and the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future cash flows; risks arising from holding derivative instruments; and business opportunities that may be pursued by the Company.
For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that may affect the Company's ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, see the Company’s latest 40-F/Annual Information Form and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, each under the heading “Risk Factors” available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The foregoing should be reviewed in conjunction with the information and risk factors and assumptions found in this news release.
The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
Alamos prepares its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates included in this document have been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (the “CIM”) - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as amended (the “CIM Standards”). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators, which established standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Mining disclosure in the United States was previously required to comply with SEC Industry Guide 7 (“SEC Industry Guide 7”) under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has adopted final rules, to replace SEC Industry Guide 7 with new mining disclosure rules under sub-part 1300 of Regulation S-K of the U.S. Securities Act (“Regulation S-K 1300”) which became mandatory for U.S. reporting companies beginning with the first fiscal year commencing on or after January 1, 2021. Under Regulation S-K 1300, the SEC now recognizes estimates of “Measured Mineral Resources”, “Indicated Mineral Resources” and “Inferred Mineral Resources”. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of “Proven Mineral Reserves” and “Probable Mineral Reserves” to be substantially similar to international standards.
Investors are cautioned that while the above terms are “substantially similar” to CIM Definitions, there are differences in the definitions under Regulation S-K 1300 and the CIM Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral resources that the Company may report as “proven mineral reserves”, “probable mineral reserves”, “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources” under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the mineral reserve or mineral resource estimates under the standards adopted under Regulation S-K 1300. U.S. investors are also cautioned that while the SEC recognizes “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources” under Regulation S-K 1300, investors should not assume that any part or all of the mineralization in these categories will ever be converted into a higher category of mineral resources or into mineral reserves. Mineralization described using these terms has a greater degree of uncertainty as to its existence and feasibility than mineralization that has been characterized as reserves. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to assume that any measured mineral resources, indicated mineral resources, or inferred mineral resources that the Company reports are or will be economically or legally mineable.
Cautionary non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures
Note that for purposes of this section, GAAP refers to IFRS. The Company believes that investors use certain non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures as indicators to assess gold mining companies. They are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared with GAAP.
“Cash flow from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital” is a non-GAAP performance measure that could provide an indication of the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from operations, and is calculated by adding back the change in non-cash working capital to “Cash provided by (used in) operating activities” as presented on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows. “Free cash flow” is a non-GAAP performance measure that is calculated as cash flows from operations net of cash flows invested in mineral property, plant and equipment and exploration and evaluation assets as presented on the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows and that would provide an indication of the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from its mineral projects. “Mine site free cash flow” is a non-GAAP measure which includes cash flow from operating activities at, less capital expenditures at each mine site. Return on Equity is defined as Earnings from Continuing Operations divided by the average Total Equity for the current and previous year. “Mining cost per tonne of ore” and “Cost per tonne of ore” are non-GAAP performance measures that could provide an indication of the mining and processing efficiency and effectiveness of the mine. These measures are calculated by dividing the relevant mining and processing costs and total costs by the tonnes of ore processed in the period. “Cost per tonne of ore” is usually affected by operating efficiencies and waste-to-ore ratios in the period. “Total capital expenditures per ounce produced” is a non-GAAP term used to assess the level of capital intensity of a project and is calculated by taking the total growth and sustaining capital of a project divided by ounces produced life of mine. “Total cash costs per ounce”, “all-in sustaining costs per ounce”, “mine-site all-in sustaining costs”, and “all-in costs per ounce” as used in this analysis are non-GAAP terms typically used by gold mining companies to assess the level of gross margin available to the Company by subtracting these costs from the unit price realized during the period. These non-GAAP terms are also used to assess the ability of a mining company to generate cash flow from operations. There may be some variation in the method of computation of these metrics as determined by the Company compared with other mining companies. In this context, “total cash costs” reflects mining and processing costs allocated from in-process and doré inventory associated and associated royalties with ounces of gold sold in the period. Total cash costs per ounce are exclusive of exploration costs. “All-in sustaining costs per ounce” include total cash costs, exploration, corporate and administrative, share based compensation and sustaining capital costs. “Mine-site all-in sustaining costs” include total cash costs, exploration, and sustaining capital costs for the mine-site, but exclude an allocation of corporate and administrative and share based compensation.
Additional GAAP measures that are presented on the face of the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income and are not meant to be a substitute for other subtotals or totals presented in accordance with IFRS, but rather should be evaluated in conjunction with such IFRS measures. This includes “Earnings from operations”, which is intended to provide an indication of the Company’s operating performance, and represents the amount of earnings before net finance income/expense, foreign exchange gain/loss, other income/loss, and income tax expense. Non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. A reconciliation of historical non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures are available in the Company’s latest Management’s Discussion and Analysis available online on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov and at www.alamosgold.com.
Table 1: Phase 3+ Expansion Production Schedule
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 | 2033 | 2034 | 2035 | 2036 | 2037 | 2038 | 2039 | |
| Mill Feed mined (000’s tonnes) | 438 | 438 | 439 | 479 | 699 | 876 | 878 | 876 | 876 | 876 | 878 | 876 | 876 | 876 | 878 | 875 | 874 | 542 |
| Waste mined (000’s tonnes) | 493 | 579 | 647 | 676 | 537 | 393 | 393 | 370 | 427 | 412 | 376 | 227 | 219 | 229 | 122 | 81 | 0 | 0 |
| Total tonnes mined (000’s) | 931 | 1,017 | 1,086 | 1,155 | 1,236 | 1,269 | 1,272 | 1,246 | 1,303 | 1,288 | 1,255 | 1,103 | 1,095 | 1,105 | 1,000 | 956 | 874 | 542 |
| Grades (g/t Au) | 9.73 | 9.40 | 11.29 | 12.47 | 10.45 | 10.46 | 10.12 | 11.66 | 11.79 | 12.81 | 11.73 | 10.27 | 11.94 | 10.16 | 9.78 | 9.32 | 8.73 | 7.34 |
| Gold production (oz) | 132,414 | 127,790 | 153,828 | 185,287 | 232,577 | 284,401 | 275,792 | 317,015 | 320,326 | 348,148 | 319,683 | 279,249 | 324,615 | 276,227 | 266,537 | 253,014 | 236,529 | 126,766 |
| Gold Sales (oz) | 129,957 | 125,446 | 151,285 | 181,818 | 227,541 | 277,060 | 268,075 | 309,146 | 312,241 | 340,991 | 312,693 | 273,071 | 316,232 | 270,199 | 261,582 | 247,917 | 231,662 | 124,403 |
| Operating costs | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unit mining costs (C$/tonne) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unit milling costs (C$/tonne) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unit G&A costs (C$/tonne) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total unit operating costs2 (C$/tonne) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total cash costs (US$/oz) 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mine-site AISC (US$/oz) 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sustaining capex (US$ M) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Growth capex (US$ M) |
1 Please refer to Cautionary Notes on non-GAAP Measures and Additional GAAP Measures.
2 Total unit operating costs are inclusive of royalties and silver credits
FAQ
What is the significance of the Phase 3+ Expansion Study for Alamos Gold (AGI)?
How much gold production is expected from the Island Gold mine after the expansion?
What are the projected cash costs per ounce after the expansion for AGI?
What is the after-tax NPV of the Phase 3+ Expansion for Alamos Gold?
When is the expected completion date for the Island Gold mine expansion?
