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Contango Announces Earnings for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024

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Contango ORE reported Q3 2024 financial results, highlighting the commencement of gold production at Manh Choh with its first gold pour on July 8, 2024. The company's unrestricted cash position increased to $36.2M as of September 30, 2024. Gold production is expected near the upper end of 2024 guidance at approximately 38,500 ounces. The company realized an average blended gold price of $2,252 per ounce, with cash costs of $1,181 per ounce. Q3 2024 resulted in a net loss of $9.7M, including a non-cash expense of $22.9M related to unrealized loss on derivative contracts. The Peak Gold JV provided a cash distribution of $19.5M to the company.

Contango ORE ha riportato i risultati finanziari del terzo trimestre 2024, evidenziando l'inizio della produzione di oro a Manh Choh con il primo versamento d'oro avvenuto il 8 luglio 2024. La posizione di liquidità non vincolata dell'azienda è aumentata a $36,2 milioni al 30 settembre 2024. Si prevede che la produzione di oro sarà vicina al limite superiore della guida per il 2024, con circa 38.500 once. L'azienda ha realizzato un prezzo medio dell'oro miscelato di $2.252 per oncia, con costi di cassa di $1.181 per oncia. Il terzo trimestre 2024 ha registrato una perdita netta di $9,7 milioni, a cui si aggiunge una voce di spesa non monetaria di $22,9 milioni relativa a perdite non realizzate su contratti derivati. La joint venture Peak Gold ha fornito all'azienda una distribuzione di cassa di $19,5 milioni.

Contango ORE informó los resultados financieros del tercer trimestre de 2024, destacando el inicio de la producción de oro en Manh Choh con su primer vertido de oro el 8 de julio de 2024. La posición de efectivo no restringido de la empresa aumentó a $36.2 millones al 30 de septiembre de 2024. Se espera que la producción de oro se acerque al extremo superior de la guía para 2024, aproximadamente 38,500 onzas. La empresa realizó un precio promedio de oro mezclado de $2,252 por onza, con costos de efectivo de $1,181 por onza. El tercer trimestre de 2024 resultó en una pérdida neta de $9.7 millones, que incluye un gasto no monetario de $22.9 millones relacionado con pérdidas no realizadas en contratos derivados. La empresa joint venture Peak Gold proporcionó una distribución de efectivo de $19.5 millones a la compañía.

Contango ORE는 2024년 3분기 재무 결과를 보고하며, 2024년 7월 8일 Manh Choh에서 첫 금 생산이 시작되었음을 강조했습니다. 회사의 제한 없는 현금 보유는 2024년 9월 30일 기준으로 $36.2M으로 증가했습니다. 금 생산량은 2024년 가이던스의 상한선인 약 38,500온스에 이를 것으로 예상됩니다. 회사는 온스당 $2,252의 평균 혼합 금 가격을 실현했으며, 현금 비용은 온스당 $1,181이었습니다. 2024년 3분기에는 파생상품 계약의 미실현 손실과 관련된 비현금 비용 $22.9M을 포함하여 순손실이 $9.7M으로 나타났습니다. Peak Gold JV는 회사에 $19.5M의 현금 배당금을 지급했습니다.

Contango ORE a publié les résultats financiers du troisième trimestre 2024, mettant en avant le début de la production d'or à Manh Choh avec son premier coulage d'or le 8 juillet 2024. La position de liquidité non restreinte de l'entreprise a augmenté pour atteindre 36,2 millions USD au 30 septembre 2024. La production d'or devrait se rapprocher de l'extrémité supérieure de l'orientation 2024, à environ 38 500 onces. L'entreprise a réalisé un prix moyen d'or mixte de 2 252 USD par once, avec des coûts de trésorerie de 1 181 USD par once. Le troisième trimestre 2024 a entraîné une perte nette de 9,7 millions USD, y compris une dépense non monétaire de 22,9 millions USD liée à des pertes non réalisées sur des contrats dérivés. La coentreprise Peak Gold a fourni une distribution de trésorerie de 19,5 millions USD à l'entreprise.

Contango ORE hat die finanziellen Ergebnisse des dritten Quartals 2024 veröffentlicht und dabei den Beginn der Goldproduktion in Manh Choh hervorgehoben, mit dem ersten Goldabbau am 8. Juli 2024. Die unbeschränkte Liquiditätsposition des Unternehmens stieg bis zum 30. September 2024 auf 36,2 Millionen USD. Die Goldproduktion wird voraussichtlich am oberen Ende der Prognose für 2024 liegen, bei etwa 38.500 Unzen. Das Unternehmen erzielte einen durchschnittlichen gemischten Goldpreis von 2.252 USD pro Unze, mit Bar-Kosten von 1.181 USD pro Unze. Im dritten Quartal 2024 gab es einen Nettoverlust von 9,7 Millionen USD, einschließlich eines nicht zahlungswirksamen Aufwands von 22,9 Millionen USD im Zusammenhang mit unrealisierten Verlusten aus Derivatverträgen. Das Peak Gold JV hat dem Unternehmen eine Barausschüttung von 19,5 Millionen USD bereitgestellt.

Positive
  • Cash position increased to $36.2M from $15.5M at year-end 2023
  • Gold production commenced with favorable pricing at $2,252 per ounce average
  • Strong operating cash margin of $1,072 per ounce
  • Received $19.5M cash distribution from Peak Gold JV
  • Net cash provided from operating activities improved to $10.6M from -$7.7M YTD
Negative
  • Net loss of $9.7M in Q3 2024
  • Unrealized loss of $22.9M on derivative contracts
  • Significant remaining hedge balance of 109,775 ounces at lower prices
  • Increased loss on derivative contracts to $28.8M in Q3-2024 from $2.7M in Q3-2023

Insights

The Q3 2024 results reveal significant operational progress at Contango, marked by the commencement of gold production at Manh Choh. Key financial metrics include $36.2M in unrestricted cash, up from $24.1M in Q2. The company achieved an impressive blended gold price of $2,252 per ounce, with cash costs at $1,181 per ounce, yielding a healthy margin of $1,072 per ounce.

Notable operational highlights include 27,677 gold ounces sold (30% basis) and a substantial $19.5M cash distribution from Peak Gold JV. The company's hedging strategy shows prudent risk management, though it resulted in a $22.9M non-cash mark-to-market loss. The transition to positive operating cash flow ($10.6M YTD-2024 vs. -$7.7M YTD-2023) signals a pivotal shift toward sustainable operations.

The operational ramp-up at Manh Choh demonstrates strong execution, with production tracking toward the upper end of 2024 guidance (38,500 ounces). The successful integration with Kinross Fort Knox mill and achievement of planned transportation volumes indicates efficient operational implementation. The company's Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) strategy for Lucky Shot and Johnson Tract is particularly astute, as it minimizes capital requirements and environmental impact while accelerating potential development timelines.

The completion of the HighGold acquisition strengthens the company's project portfolio, while the ongoing drilling program at Johnson Tract shows commitment to resource definition. The positive cash flow position enables aggressive debt reduction while maintaining development momentum across the asset portfolio.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska, Nov. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Contango ORE, Inc. ("Contango" or the "Company") (NYSE American: CTGO) announced today it filed its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 ("Q3-2024") with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Periods referenced in this release include the nine month period ended September 30, 2024 ("YTD-2024"), the quarter ended September 30, 2023 ("Q3-2023") and the nine month period ended September 30, 2023 ("YTD-2023").

The Company's unrestricted cash position as of September 30, 2024 was $36.2 million ("M") compared to $24.1 M as of June 30, 2024 and $15.5 M as of December 31, 2023.

Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, the Company's President and CEO commented, "It has been a milestone quarter for Contango with the commencement of gold production at Manh Choh. We anticipate producing near the upper end of our 2024 guidance with gold production of approximately 38,500 ounces. The Company realized an average blended gold price of $2,252 per ounce of gold sold, which includes delivering 14,825 ounces into the hedge contracts priced at $2,020 per ounce (net) and selling 12,850 ounces of gold at an average spot price of $2,521. Cash costs on a by-product basis, per ounce for the Company were in line with expectations at $1,181 per ounce of gold sold. In other words, the Company had an average blended cash profit of $1,072 per ounce for gold sold, which includes gold sold at spot price and gold delivered into the hedges. We expect to provide formal Manh Choh production guidance for 2025 along with our 2025 plans for the Lucky Shot and Johnson Tract projects later this year once budgets are approved. In the near term, we plan to release drill results from this Summer's Johnson Tract surface drill program followed by the results of the Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Johnson Tract property. I would like to emphasize that the Company is in a strong financial position earning positive cashflow from ongoing operations at Manh Choh. This will allow us to aggressively pay down our debt in 2025 and deliver into our hedges, while also advancing our Lucky Shot and Johnson Tract programs towards a production decision using our Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) approach, which reduces our environmental footprint, simplifies permitting and minimizes construction capital. Contango is in a strong position to take advantage of the current gold market."

Statement of Cash Flows for YTD-2024 compared to YTD-2023:
Net cash provided from operating activities was $10.6 M for YTD-2024 compared to net cash used of $7.7 M for YTD-2023. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities is primarily a result of commencement of gold production at Manh Choh and the receipt of the Company's first cash distribution of $19.5 M from the Peak Gold JV. Cash used in investing activities was $31.9 M for YTD-2024 compared to $38.9 M for YTD-2023, with both period outflows primarily relating to cash invested in the Peak Gold JV. Cash flows provided from financing activities were $41.9 M for YTD-2024, which included $30 M in draw downs on the credit facility offset by $2 M in debt repayments, and $15.5 M in cash proceeds from equity issuances compared to $56.3 M for YTD-2024, which included $17.7 M in draw downs on the credit facility, $6.9 M in proceeds from warrant exercises and $34.1 M in proceeds from equity issuances.

Statement of Operations for Q3-2024 compared to Q3-2023:
The Company reported a net loss of $9.7 M or a loss of $0.81 per basic and diluted share for Q3-2024, which includes a non-cash expense of $22.9 M related to an unrealized loss on mark-to-market derivative contracts, calculated based on a forward gold price compared to the contracted hedge price. This compares to a net loss of $13.2 M or a loss of $1.47 per basic and diluted share for Q3-2023. The primary reason for the reduction in net loss in the 2024 period is due to the Company's 30% owned, Peak Gold JV, commencing production at Manh Choh resulting in income from its equity investment in the amount of $28.5 M compared to a $5.6 M loss in Q3-2023. In addition, the Company reported a $28.8 M loss on derivative contracts in Q3-2024 compared to $2.7M in Q3-2023.

During Q3-2024 and subsequent to period end, the Company has the following updates:

  • Manh Choh Project:

    • Production results for Q3-2024:

Contango's Share (30% basis)




Gold ounces sold



27,677

oz

Silver ounces sold



8,343

oz

Total gold sales


$

62,342,487


Total silver sales


$

245,559


Average blended realized gold price

$

2,253


Gold sold at spot price


12,850

oz

Gold delivered into hedge contracts


14,825

oz

Remaining hedge balance


109,775

oz

Cash distribution received from peak Gold JV

$

19,500,000


Cash costs on by-Product Basis, per Ounce

$

1,181

per oz sold







2024 gold production guidance

30,000 to 40,000

oz







    • The Manh Choh project, operated by Kinross, commenced producing gold and silver with its first gold pour on July 8, 2024;

    • Ore transportation ramped up to planned volumes, full commissioning of the modifications at the Kinross Fort Knox mill were completed and the Manh Choh project remains on track to deliver Peak Gold JVs planned production this year; and

    • Subsequent to Q3-2024, the Peak Gold JV paid a cash distribution to the Company in the amount of $12 M.

  • Johnson Tract Project:

    • On July 10, 2024, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of HighGold Mining Inc. ("HighGold"), as contemplated by the definitive arrangement agreement, issuing an aggregate of 1,698,887 shares of Contango common stock, with a value of approximately $33.4 M, to HighGold shareholders; and

    • At the Johnson Tract project the Company commenced a surface drilling campaign on July 30, 2024. The 2024 surface exploration drilling targeted 3,000 meters (approximately 9,850 ft) across 20 drill holes and was designed to in-fill the upper one-third of the near vertical resource. In parallel with the in-fill drilling, selected holes had hydrological testing and monitoring to characterize the overall surficial and deposit hydrology and water quality. In addition to assaying the core, selected drill core had advanced metallurgical, geochemical, and specific gravity tests to assist in building a geometallurgical model for the deposit. On September 9, 2024, the Company announced that it had completed approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 ft.) of the planned 2024 surface drilling program at the Johnson Tract project, which remained on budget and schedule.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

Contango will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the quarterly results on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 11:00am EST / 8:00am PST. Participants may join the webcast using the following call-in details: https://6ix.com/event/contango-ore-q3-results.

ABOUT CONTANGO

Contango is a NYSE American listed company that engages in exploration for gold and associated minerals in Alaska. Contango holds a 30% interest in the Peak Gold JV, which leases approximately 675,000 acres of land for exploration and development on the Manh Choh project, with the remaining 70% owned by KG Mining (Alaska), Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Kinross, operator of the Peak Gold JV. The Company also has a lease on the Johnson Tract project from the underlying owner, CIRI Native Corporation, a lease on Lucky Shot project from the underlying owner, Alaska Hardrock Inc. and through its subsidiary has 100% ownership of approximately 8,600 acres of peripheral State of Alaska mining claims.  In addition, Contango also owns a 100% interest in an additional approximately 145,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims through its wholly owned subsidiary, which gives Contango the exclusive right to explore and develop minerals on these lands. Additional information can be found on our web page at www.contangoore.com.  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Contango that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on Contango's current expectations and includes statements regarding future results of operations, quality and nature of the asset base, the assumptions upon which estimates are based and other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, strategies or statements about future events or performance (often, but not always, using words such as "expects", "projects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates", "potential", "possible", "probable", or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "should", or "could" be taken, occur or be achieved). Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those, reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: the risks of the exploration and the mining industry (for example, operational risks in exploring for and developing mineral reserves; risks and uncertainties involving geology; the speculative nature of the mining industry; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future production, costs and expenses; the volatility of natural resources prices, including prices of gold and associated minerals; the existence and extent of commercially exploitable minerals in properties acquired by Contango or the Peak Gold JV; ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Peak Gold JV; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the interpretation of exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; the loss of key employees or consultants; health, safety and environmental risks and risks related to weather and other natural disasters); uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; Contango's inability to retain or maintain its relative ownership interest in the Peak Gold JV; inability to realize expected value from acquisitions; inability of our management team to execute its plans to meet its goals; the extent of disruptions caused by an outbreak of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and the possibility that government policies may change, political developments may occur or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld, including as a result of presidential and congressional elections in the U.S. or the inability to obtain mining permits. Additional information on these and other factors which could affect Contango's exploration program or financial results are included in Contango's other reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the projections in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Contango does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

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SOURCE Contango Ore

FAQ

What was Contango's (CTGO) gold production guidance for 2024?

Contango's gold production guidance for 2024 is between 30,000 to 40,000 ounces, with expectations to produce near the upper end at approximately 38,500 ounces.

What was Contango's (CTGO) average realized gold price in Q3 2024?

Contango realized an average blended gold price of $2,252 per ounce, with gold sold at spot price averaging $2,521 and hedged gold at $2,020 per ounce.

What was Contango's (CTGO) cash position as of September 30, 2024?

Contango's unrestricted cash position was $36.2 million as of September 30, 2024, up from $24.1 million in June 2024.

When did Contango (CTGO) begin gold production at Manh Choh?

Contango commenced gold production at Manh Choh with its first gold pour on July 8, 2024.

Contango ORE, Inc.

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