Semafo's Mana produces 55,400 oz Au in Q1 SEMAFO REPORTS Q1 2017 PRODUCTION
Semafo Inc. has released its gold production results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017, and the revision of its 2017 guidance.
First Quarter Operations
During the first quarter of 2017, the Mana Mine produced 55,400 ounces of gold at a total cash cost of $6991,2 and an all-in sustaining cost1,3 of $892 per ounce. The mill processed 731,000 tonnes at an average grade of 2.55 g/t Au, including 252,400 tonnes of stockpile and low-grade material at an average grade of 2.24 g/t Au.
The mined grade was adversely affected by the geological interpretation of the upper portion of Zone 9, a mineralized zone in the south-west sector of the Siou pit that was first included in the 2017 mine plan. The upper portion presents a complex geometry as the area comprises the junction of three different zones: Zone 9 itself, and two subsidiary zones known as Zones 55 and 56. This resulted in misleading ore outlines and led to a significant variation in grade. Figure 1 depicts the different geological interpretations in the upper portion of Zone 9. In addition, it shows how the geometry becomes simpler and more rectilinear at depth. Mining will commence in the area at depth in the coming weeks. Second-quarter production is expected to reach approximately 45,000 ounces of gold.
Revised Guidance
We have adjusted our 2017 guidance4 to between 190,000 and 205,000 ounces of gold, at a total cash cost2 of between $685 and $715 per ounce and all-in sustaining cost3 of between $920 and $960 per ounce. The reduction of 25,000 ounces is projected to have minimal impact on our 2017 budgeted cash flow. This is due to the positive variance between our budgeted gold price for the year of $1,150 per ounce and the current gold price.
Mana 2017 Prior Guidance2017 Revised Guidance 4 Gold production ('000 oz) 215 - 235 190 - 205 Total cash cost2 ($/oz) 585 - 615 685 - 715 All-in sustaining cost3 ($/oz) 795 - 835 920 - 960 1 2017 numbers are preliminary and are subject to final adjustment. All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated. 2 Total cash cost is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS and represents the mining operation expenses and government royalties per ounce sold. 3 All-in sustaining cost is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standard definition under IFRS and represents the total cash cost, plus sustainable capital expenditures and stripping costs per ounce. 4 The 2017 revised guidance is based on the same assumptions as the 2017 prior guidance. See press release of February 1, 2017.
Conference Call
The Corporation will hold a conference call on Monday, April 24 to discuss the first quarter 2017 production and 2017 revised guidance. Interested parties are invited to join the call and webcast at 10 a.m. EDT.
Tel. local & overseas: +1 (647) 788 4922 Tel. North America: 1 (877) 223 4471 Webcast: https://www.semafo.com/ Replay number: 1 (800) 585 8367 or 1 (416) 621 4642 Replay pass code: 11869531 Replay expiration: May 8, 2017
Michel Crevier, P.Geo MScA, Vice-President Exploration and Mine Geology, is SEMAFO's Qualified Person and has reviewed this press release for accuracy and compliance with National Instrument 43-101.
About SEMAFO
SEMAFO is a Canadian-based mining company with gold production and exploration activities in West Africa. The Corporation operates the Mana Mine in Burkina Faso, which includes the high-grade satellite deposit of Siou, and is targeting production start-up of the Boungou Mine in the second half of 2018. SEMAFO's strategic focus is to maximize shareholder value by effectively managing its existing assets as well as pursuing organic and strategic growth opportunities.
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