TORONTO, February 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --
Guiding for Another Record Year with Gold Production Growth of up to 14%; Cash Costs per Ounce Reduction of up to 13%; Capital Investment Reduction of up to 36%
AuRico Gold Inc. (TSX: AUQ) (NYSE: AUQ), ("AuRico" or the "Company") announces operational and capital investment estimates for 2015 that includes significant production growth from the cornerstone Young-Davidson mine. The Young-Davidson operation begins the year at the mid-point of its planned ramp-up, increasingly positioning the operation for growing profitability and a growing net free cash flow stream going forward.
All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. This release contains forward looking information and reference is made to the cautionary statement below.
2015 Operational Estimates
In 2015, company-wide production is expected to be in the range of 225,000 to 255,000 gold ounces, an increase of up to 14% over the prior year. Production growth is primarily driven by quarter over quarter production increases from the cornerstone Young-Davidson mine. Company-wide cash costs are expected to decrease by up to 13% to between $675 and $775 per ounce while all-in sustaining costs are expected to decrease by up to 17% to between $1,000 and $1,100 per ounce. Capital investment requirements at our operations are expected to decline by up to 36% over the previous year and are estimated to be between $102.5 and $115 million. It is anticipated that annual production will continue to grow year over year as annual capital investment requirements and all-in sustaining costs per ounce correspondingly decline.
To view "Growing Production With a Corresponding Decrease in Costs and Capital Investment", please click: http://files.newswire.ca/975/2015_Guidance_Charts.pdf
"In 2015 we will continue to build on the successes that we have achieved over the past two years. The disciplined ramp-up of the underground mine at Young-Davidson is expected to continue and drive production growth of up to 15% at this cornerstone asset along with a corresponding decrease in underground cash costs of up to 17%. These operational improvements, combined with a significant decrease of up to 37% in capital investment requirements at Young-Davidson are expected to position Young-Davidson for growing net free cash flow streams," stated Scott Perry, President and Chief Executive Officer. He continued, "Company-wide, AuRico begins 2015 uniquely positioned among our peer group with an organic production growth profile, declining costs and lower capital investment requirements. During the year, the Company will also continue to focus on surfacing additional value at our Canadian development projects in British Columbia and Manitoba."
2015 Operational Estimates[1] Gold Production (ounces) Low High Young-Davidson 160,000 180,000 El Chanate 65,000 75,000 Total Production 225,000 255,000 Cash Costs per Ounce Young-Davidson Underground Mine $600 $700 Historical Open Pit Stockpile Inventory (see note below) $1,100 $1,200 Young-Davidson Total $675 $775 El Chanate $675 $775 Total Cash Costs per Ounce $675 $775 Note: For cash flow purposes, cost to process historical open pit stockpile inventory is approx. $800 per ounce All-in Sustaining Costs per Ounce Young-Davidson $950 $1,050 El Chanate $950 $1,050 Total All-in Sustaining Costs per Ounce[2],[3] $1,000 $1,100 Capital Investment Program ($000s) Young-Davidson Growth Capital $40,000 $45,000 Sustaining Capital $45,000 $50,000 Total Capital Investment - Young-Davidson $85,000 $95,000 El Chanate Sustaining Capital $17,500 $20,000 Total Capital Investment - El Chanate $17,500 $20,000 Total Capital Investment $102,500 $115,000 Exploration Drilling Programs ($000s) Kemess Development Project $5,000 $10,000 Lynn Lake Development Project $5,000 $10,000 Mexico Properties $2,000 $3,000 General and Administrative ($000s)[4] Corporate G&A $15,000 Crocodile Gold Royalty Asset Upfront Cash Receipt (January 2015) $17,000 Annual NSR Revenue Estimates (Payable in Quarterly Instalments) $2,500
[1]. The following currency assumptions were used to forecast 2015 estimates: 0.85:1 US dollar to the Canadian dollar and 14.0:1 Mexican pesos to the US dollar. [2]. Company-wide all-in sustaining costs are defined as cash costs, sustaining capital, corporate general and administrative expense, excluding stock-based compensation and other non-cash items, and sustaining exploration. [3]. Sustaining capital is defined as capital expenditures required to maintain current levels of production. [4]. Does not include share-based compensation and other non-cash expenses.
Young-Davidson
The Young-Davidson mine is expected to deliver another year of production growth along with declining costs as the underground mine continues to ramp-up to planned levels. The declining capital investment requirements and growing production will underpin the operation's net free cash flow stream going forward.
El Chanate
About AuRico Gold
AuRico Gold is a leading Canadian gold producer with mines and projects in North America that have significant production growth and exploration potential. The Company is focused on its core operations including the cornerstone Young-Davidson gold mine in northern Ontario, and the El Chanate mine in Sonora State, Mexico. AuRico's project pipeline also includes the advanced development Kemess Property in northern British Columbia and the Lynn Lake Gold Camp in northern Manitoba. The Company also has other exploration opportunities in Canada and Mexico. AuRico's head office is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cautionary Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information as defined under Canadian and U.S. securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "believe", "anticipate", "will", "intend", "estimate", "forecast", "budget" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information as to strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance, such as the Company's expansion plans, project timelines, production plans, projected cash flows or capital expenditures, cost estimates, projected exploration results, reserve and resource estimates and other statements that express management's expectations or estimates of future performance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including: uncertainty of production and cost estimates; fluctuations in the price of gold and foreign exchange rates; the risk that mining operations do not meet expectations; the risk that projects will not be developed according to budgets or timelines, changes in laws in Canada, Mexico and other jurisdictions in which the Company may carry on business; risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits or approvals for operations or projects; disputes over title to properties; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; risks related to aboriginal or Ejido title claims; compliance risks with respect to current and future environmental regulations; disruptions affecting operations; opportunities that may be pursued by the Company; employee relations; availability and costs of mining inputs and labor; the ability to secure capital to execute business plans; volatility of the Company's share price; the effect of future financings; litigation; risk of loss due to sabotage and civil disturbances; the values of assets and liabilities based on projected future cash flows; risks arising from derivative instruments or the absence of hedging; adequacy of internal control over financial reporting; changes in credit rating; and the impact of inflation. Actual results and developments are likely to differ, and may differ materially, from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including assumptions about: business and economic conditions; commodity prices and the price of key inputs such as labour, fuel and electricity; credit market conditions and conditions in financial markets generally; revenue and cash flow estimates, production levels, development schedules and the associated costs; ability to procure equipment and supplies and ability to do so on a timely basis; the timing of the receipt of permits and other approvals for projects and operations; the ability to attract and retain skilled employees and contractors for the operations; the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates; the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on costs and results; interest rates; taxation; and ongoing relations with employees and business partners.
In particular, forward-looking information included in this document includes, but is not limited to: (1) production estimates and production growth rates, which assume accuracy of projected ore grade, mining rates, recovery timing and recovery rate estimates and may be impacted by unscheduled maintenance, labour and contractor availability; (2) capital expenditures and other cash costs, which assume foreign exchange rates and accuracy of production estimates, and may be impacted by unexpected maintenance, the need to hire external resources and accelerated capital plans; (3) profits and free cash flow, which assume production and expenditure estimates and may be impacted by gold prices, production estimates, and the timing of payments, and (4) reserves and resources which are forward looking statements by their nature involving implied assessment, and may be impacted by metal prices, future drilling results, operating costs, mining recoveries and dilution rates.
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.
PDF available at: http://40rhel5streamview01.newswire.ca/media/2015/02/19/20150219-764468-43381-b5f664b3-53a5-49a4-a21b-0ad2025ce229.pdf
For further information:
For further information please visit the AuRico Gold website at http://www.auricogold.com or contact:
Scott Perry President and Chief Executive Officer AuRico Gold Inc. +1-647-260-8880
Anne Day Vice President, Investor Relations and Communications AuRico Gold Inc. +1-647-260-8880
