Perpetua Resources Announces Second Quarter 2024 and Recent Highlights

Rhea-AI Summary

Perpetua Resources (Nasdaq: PPTA) announced key highlights for Q2 2024 and recent developments. The company, focused on advancing the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho, reported zero lost time incidents and no environmental spills. Notably, Perpetua secured $34.4 million in additional funding through a modified Technology Investment Agreement under the Defense Production Act and received an indication for up to $1.8 billion in financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

The company anticipates the publication of a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Draft Record of Decision in Q3 2024, with a Final Record of Decision expected in Q4 2024. Perpetua continues to progress on ancillary permits and construction readiness activities, including appointing new leadership, executing contracts, and advancing engineering work.

Positive

• Secured $34.4 million in additional funding through Defense Production Act
• Received indication for up to $1.8 billion financing from Export-Import Bank of the US
• Zero lost time incidents and no reportable environmental spills
• Final Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Record of Decision expected in Q3 2024
• Appointed new President and CEO, and Vice President of Projects
• Progressed on ancillary permits and construction readiness activities

Negative

• Delay in FEIS and Draft Record of Decision publication from Q2 to Q3 2024

Financial Analyst

Perpetua Resources' Q2 2024 update reveals significant progress in project financing and permitting for the Stibnite Gold Project. The $34.4 million additional funding through the Defense Production Act and the $1.8 billion financing indication from the Export-Import Bank of the United States are substantial developments. These financial commitments underscore the strategic importance of the project's antimony production for the U.S.

The company's focus on construction readiness, including key appointments and contracts with Ames Construction and Ausenco, indicates a proactive approach to project development. However, investors should note that the Final Record of Decision has been pushed to Q4 2024, which may impact the project timeline. The lack of specific financial figures in this update makes it challenging to assess the company's current financial health.

Mining Industry Expert

The Stibnite Gold Project is positioning itself as a strategic asset for the U.S., combining gold production with critical mineral antimony. The project's advancement in permitting, particularly the completion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service review and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's 401 Water Quality Certification, are positive indicators for the project's viability.

The appointment of Jonathan Cherry as CEO and the expansion of the project team suggest a strengthening of operational expertise. The engagement of established firms like Ames Construction and Ausenco for various aspects of project development is a prudent move. However, investors should be aware that large-scale mining projects often face challenges in permitting and construction phases, which could affect the timeline and budget.

Environmental Policy Analyst

Perpetua's progress through the NEPA process is noteworthy, with the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) nearing completion. The company's zero reportable environmental spills and publication of its 11th annual sustainability report demonstrate a commitment to environmental stewardship. However, the complexity of the project, involving restoration of a brownfield site, may present ongoing environmental challenges.

The advancement of ancillary permits, particularly the 404 permit and Compensatory Mitigation Plan, is important for the project's environmental compliance. The final 401 Water Quality Certification from Idaho is a significant milestone. Investors should monitor the outcome of the Endangered Species Act consultation, as it could impact project design and costs. The company's proactive approach to environmental concerns may help mitigate risks, but regulatory scrutiny in mining projects remains high.

BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Perpetua Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: PPTA) (TSX: PPTA) ("Perpetua Resources" or "Perpetua" or the "Company") announced today that its unaudited condensed consolidated financial results for the period ended June 30, 2024 were filed. For details, please see the Company's filings available on EDGAR and SEDAR.

Perpetua Resources' vision is to provide the U.S. with a domestic source of the critical mineral antimony, develop one of the largest and highest-grade open pit gold mines in the country and restore an abandoned brownfield site. Perpetua Resources is focused on advancing the permitting for the Stibnite Gold Project ("Stibnite Gold Project" or "Project") through the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA") process and construction readiness for the Project.

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights:

• Zero lost time incidents or reportable environmental spills.
• Awarded additional funding of $34.4 million through modified Technology Investment Agreement ("TIA") under Title III of the Defense Production Act ("DPA").
• Received indication for up to $1.8 billion financing from Export-Import Bank of the United States for the Stibnite Gold Project.
• Published 2023 Sustainability Report, the Company's eleventh annual sustainability report.

"Perpetua Resources' progress in the second quarter of 2024 to advance the permitting and construction readiness for the Stibnite Gold Project was further complemented by the $1.8 billion letter of interest we received from the Export-Import Bank of the United States in April," said Jon Cherry, President and CEO of Perpetua Resources. "Stibnite is a world-class gold project with a strategic and valuable by-product in antimony, and we look forward to building on our momentum. We are excited about the important milestones ahead and continuing to unlock value for our stakeholders."

Permitting and Construction Readiness Activities Update:

On January 1, 2024, the United States Forest Service ("USFS") released an updated schedule for the Project that stated the USFS expected to publish a FEIS and a Draft Record of Decision in the second quarter of 2024 and a Final Record of Decision ("ROD") in the fourth quarter of 2024. The USFS has confirmed that cooperating agency review of the FEIS is complete and both documents are completing final consultations and reviews in Washington D.C. As a result, management anticipates the publication of a FEIS and Draft Record of Decision in the third quarter of 2024 and a Final Record of Decision ("ROD") in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Perpetua continued to advance work on several ancillary permits which are being progressed in parallel with the NEPA process. Recent updates include:

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to process the Company's 404 permit application and Compensatory Mitigation Plan after the public comment period ended in October 2023.
• The USFS Biological Assessment was deemed acceptable to begin formal Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service in April 2024.
• In May 2024, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued its final 401 Water Quality Certification for the Project.

Perpetua is also advancing construction readiness activities in parallel with the permitting process and these activities are reimbursable under the DPA funding. Recent updates include:

• Appointed mining veteran Jonathan Cherry as new President and CEO,
• Appointed Vice President of Projects to lead the Stibnite Gold Project,
• Executed construction manager general contractor contract with Ames Construction, while advancing constructability reviews, value engineering studies, and detailed engineering for the Burntlog Route, the Company's proposed access route, with Ames and the road design consultants,
• Continued power line detailed scoping and engineering with Idaho Power, who has now engaged Kiewit, and identified long-lead items required for power line construction,
• Ausenco was awarded Basic and Value Engineering Scope for the Stibnite Gold Project,
• Hired key subject matter experts for the Owner's Team to guide Basic Engineering and overall construction readiness, and
• Ausenco and supporting consultants progressed basic and value engineering for their respective work streams.

About Perpetua Resources and the Stibnite Gold Project

Perpetua Resources Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is focused on the exploration, site restoration and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits in the Stibnite-Yellow Pine district of central Idaho that are encompassed by the Stibnite Gold Project.  The Project is one of the highest-grade, open pit gold deposits in the United States and is designed to apply a modern, responsible mining approach to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and the only mined source of antimony in the United States. Further advancing Perpetua Resources' ESG and sustainable mining goals, the Project will be powered by one of the lowest carbon emissions grids in the nation and a portion of the antimony produced from the Project will be supplied to Ambri, a U.S.-based company commercializing a low-cost liquid metal battery essential for the low-carbon energy transition. Perpetua Resources has been awarded a TIA of $59.2 million in DPA Title III funding to advance construction readiness and permitting of the Project. Antimony trisulfide from Stibnite is the only known domestic source of antimony that can meet U.S. defense needs for many small arms, munitions, and missile types. In addition to the company's commitments to transparency, accountability, environmental stewardship, safety and community engagement, Perpetua Resources adopted formal ESG commitments which can be found here.

Forward-Looking Information and Cautionary Note

Investors should be aware that the Letter of Interest is non-binding and conditional, and does not represent a financing commitment. A funding commitment is conditional upon completing the application, due diligence and underwriting process and receiving all required Project approvals. Additionally, funding under the DPA TIA is available only for the specified costs related to permitting, environmental baseline data monitoring, environmental and technical studies, and advancing construction readiness and is not available to fund the Company's costs under its Administrative Settlement and Order on Consent obligations and certain corporate expenses. Investors should also be aware that the publication of the permitting schedule does not indicate any commitments on the part of the USFS regarding the content or timing of a final decision. In developing the FEIS, the USFS may select an action based on components of each of the alternatives analyzed in the SDEIS. Furthermore, the USFS is not bound by the permitting schedule and anticipated milestones may be delayed materially or not be satisfied.

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, next steps and courses of action including our plans to submit a financing application to EXIM; the prospects of successfully securing financing from EXIM on acceptable terms, or at all; the expected timing of, and benefits to the Stibnite Gold Project of, securing such financing from EXIM; environmental clean up actions by us and our contractors; ongoing funding and anticipated liquidity; our ability to comply with and obtain permits related to the Stibnite Gold Project; actions to be taken by the Department of Defense, USFS, the State of Idaho and other government agencies and regulatory bodies; anticipated approval of reimbursement requests under the definitized agreement; our ability to successfully implement and fund the Project and the occurrence of the expected benefits from the Project; our and Ambri Inc.'s ability to perform under the supply agreement, which agreement is subject to certain conditions, including identification of one or more refiners to transform our antimony concentrate into antimony metal, and mutual agreement on certain material terms, including volume and pricing. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases or variations of such words and phrases or statements such as "anticipate", "expect" "plan", "likely", "believe", "intend", "forecast", "project", "estimate", "potential", "could", "may", "will", "would" or "should". In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release,  Perpetua Resources has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that we will successfully complete the EXIM application process and secure project financing on acceptable terms, or at all; as to production rates, operating cost, recovery and metal costs; that any additional financing needed will be available when needed on reasonable terms; that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Stibnite Gold Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that the formal review process under the NEPA (including any joint review process involving the USFS,  the State of Idaho and other agencies and regulatory bodies) as well as the environmental impact statements will proceed in a timely manner and as expected;  that the Project will receive necessary permits and approvals; that we will be able to obtain sufficient funding to finance permitting, pre-construction and construction of the Project and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner; that the current price and demand for gold and other metals will be sustained or will improve; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner;  that all necessary governmental approvals for the planned exploration, development and environmental protection activities on the Project will be obtained in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; and that the continuity of economic and political conditions and operations of the Company will be sustained. Forward-Looking Information are based on certain material assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Perpetua Resources to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among other things, changes in laws and regulations and changes in the application of standards pursuant to existing laws and regulations which may result in unforeseen results in the permitting process; uncertainty surrounding input to be received from regulators and community stakeholders; risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays in the review process including availability of personnel from the USFS, State of Idaho and other state, federal and local agencies and regulatory bodies (including, but not limited to, potential future U.S. government shutdowns); risks related to opposition to the Project; risks related to increased or unexpected costs in operations or the permitting process; risks that necessary financing will be unavailable when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, and that we will be able to continue as a going concern; risks related to the outcome of litigation and potential for delay of the Project, as well as  those factors discussed in Perpetua Resources' public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and its Canadian disclosure record. Although Perpetua Resources has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Perpetua Resources and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. For further information on these and other risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business and liquidity, see the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's filings with the SEC, including Perpetua's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 26, 2024 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov and with the Canadian securities regulators, which are available at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, Perpetua Resources does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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SOURCE Perpetua Resources Corp.

FAQ

What funding did Perpetua Resources (PPTA) secure in Q2 2024?

Perpetua Resources secured $34.4 million in additional funding through a modified Technology Investment Agreement under the Defense Production Act and received an indication for up to $1.8 billion in financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

When is the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Perpetua Resources' (PPTA) Stibnite Gold Project expected?

The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and Draft Record of Decision for the Stibnite Gold Project are now expected to be published in the third quarter of 2024, with a Final Record of Decision anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024.

What key appointments did Perpetua Resources (PPTA) make recently?

Perpetua Resources appointed Jonathan Cherry as the new President and CEO, and also appointed a new Vice President of Projects to lead the Stibnite Gold Project.

What progress has Perpetua Resources (PPTA) made on construction readiness for the Stibnite Gold Project?

Perpetua Resources has executed a construction manager general contractor contract with Ames Construction, advanced engineering for the Burntlog Route, continued power line engineering with Idaho Power, awarded Basic and Value Engineering Scope to Ausenco, and hired key subject matter experts for the Owner's Team.