Endeavor Mining Is Beating Expectations: It's Time To BuyEndeavor Mining Is Beating Expectations: It's Time To Buy Sep. 18, 2015 2:53 PM ET | 3 comments | About: Endeavour Mining Corporation (EDVMF), Includes: GOLD, KGC, SEMFF Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, but may initiate a long position in EDVMF over the next 72 hours. (More...) Summary I previously called Endeavor Mining one of Africa's most undervalued gold producers. The company's all-in sustaining costs were around $1,000 at that time, but have fallen below $900 per ounce in the most recent quarter. Endeavor has generated nearly $60 million in free cash flow the first half of 2015; The company's balance sheet has also improved. Endeavor is a buy here. Endeavor Mining Corp. EDVMF Chart Recent Stock Price: $.477 Shares Outstanding: 413.14 million Market Cap: $197.07 million 52-Week Range: $.33 - $.74 In a previous Seeking Alpha article released back in March, I called Endeavor Mining (OTCQX:EDVMF) once of Africa's most undervalued gold producers. Endeavor owns four producing gold mines in Africa (the Agbaou, Nzema, Tabakoto and Youga mines), as well as the Hounde project. My reasoning: Endeavor was producing close to 500,000 gold ounces annually at all-in sustaining costs around $1,000 per ounce, and with an enterprise value of $442 million and $100 million in annual free cash flow, I felt shares were trading at a deep discount. Well, my bullishness on Endeavor has only grown stronger over the past few months. In the second quarter of 2015, Endeavor announced all-in sustaining costs of $898 - a drop of over $100 per ounce - on gold production of 131,165 ounces. This led to EBITDA of $53 million and after-tax net earnings of $33 million ($.05 per share). For the first half of 2015, Endeavor says it has generated $59 million in free cash flow, 59% to target based on previous guidance of $100 million. The company is performing well below guidance on cash costs and production, as 2015 guidance calls for 475,000 to 500,000 gold ounces at $930 to $980 AISC. The company is currently on track to produce over 500,000 ounces at sub-$900 AISC. (Credit: Endeavor Mining Corp.) Also notable, Endeavor has taken steps to improve the balance sheet, which was one previous concern of mine. Endeavor repaid $20 million of its debt in the quarter, reducing the drawn amount of its revolving credit facility to $260 million. The company ended the last quarter with $52.7 million in cash. Other notable news: Endeavor reported very encouraging drill results at the currently producing Agbaou gold mine. The company intersected gold grades between 2.58 to 42.43 g/t, over true widths between .8 to 26.7 metres. The goal will to extend the mine life at Agbaou, which currently contains 926,000 ounces of proven and probable gold reserves. A follow-up drill program has commenced and includes a total of 21,800 meters of reverse circulation and diamond drill holes. (Credit: Endeavour Corporate Presentation) Over the long-term, the real potential for Endeavor lies in the Hounde Project in Burkina Faso, West Africa. This project is fully permitted and has the potential to add nearly 200,000 ounces of annual producing over an initial 10 year mine life, although the mine is expected to produce 248,000 gold ounces over the first two years.As you can see in the above chart, Hounde could bring Endeavor Silver to the 700,000+ ounce a year threshold by 2017. While Hounde requires $325 million in upfront capital, the project carries very strong economics, as it should produce gold at AISC of $717 per ounce, resulting in margins of $383 per ounce at a $1,100 gold price. Endeavor Remains Undervalued Endeavor is well on-track to accomplish its goal of producing $100 million in free cash flow in 2015 ($59 million in first half), which would be an amazing accomplishment given the drop in gold prices. The company has also produced $98 million in EBITDA in the first half of 2015. With a current enterprise value of $462 million (on the TSX) and an annual EBITDA run rate of $196 million, Endeavor is trading at a 2015 EV/EBITDA of just 2.35; with $100 million in annual free cash flow, the company trades at a EV/FCF of just 4.62. This is very low compared to peers Semafo Mining (OTCPK:SEMFF), which trades at 3.92, Randgold (NASDAQ:GOLD), which trades at 15.20, and Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC) at 6.78. As mentioned, Endeavor is also taking steps to reduce its financial leverage, as the company repaid $20 million in debt this past quarter. Total debt is now at $240 million and will likely drop further in the coming quarters as Endeavor is producing positive free cash flow. In conclusion, Endeavor Mining is firing on all cylinders. The company should continue its strong performance in the coming quarters and years ahead, and paying off debt should reduce interest costs and improve free cash flow. I think shares should be bought here.