Nomad Royalty receives 5,575 oz AuEq in Q1
2021-07-16 07:50 ET - News Release
Mr. Joseph de la Plante reports
NOMAD ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY Q2 2021 DELIVERIES AND PROVIDES ASSET UPDATES
Nomad Royalty Company Ltd. has provided its preliminary gold and silver deliveries and sales from its royalty and stream interests for the second quarter of 2021 (in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted).
DELIVERIES/SALES (OUNCES) Q1 2021 Q2 2021 YTD 2021 Gold -- premier gold prepay loan 900 - 900 Gold -- stream interests 1,956 1,934 3,890 Gold -- stream interests (supplement related to the minimum annual delivery) 1,998 - 1,998 Gold -- royalty interests (1) (received in cash) 175 220 395 Silver -- stream interests 37,338 28,848 66,186 Gold equivalent ounces (1) (2) 5,575 2,577 8,152
The company realized preliminary revenues (3) of $4.6-million and $14.2-million for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021, respectively, resulting in preliminary cash operating margin (3) (4) of $4.0-million and $11.9-million, respectively. Additionally, following the acquisition of the interest in Compania Minera Caserones (CMC) in May, 2021, the company estimates the gross dividend to be received in connection with CMC's Q2 2021 activities to approximate $400,000, reflecting two months since the economic effective date. For further clarity, numbers related to CMC are not included in the "Deliveries/sales (ounces)" table.
Notes
(1) Preliminary gold ounces from royalty interests consist of gold equivalent ounces of cash-settled amounts for the RDM and Moss net smelter return royalties.
(2) The company's royalty and stream revenues are converted to gold equivalent ounces by dividing the gold royalty and stream revenues for a specific period by the average realized gold price per ounce for the gold stream revenues and by dividing the gold royalty revenues by the average gold price for the gold royalty revenues, for the respective period. Silver earned from royalty and stream agreements is converted to gold equivalent ounces by multiplying the silver ounces by the average silver price for the period and dividing by the average gold price for the period.
(3) The financial information disclosed in this press release is preliminary, subject to final quarter-end closing adjustments, and may change materially.
(4) Cash operating margin is calculated by subtracting the cash cost of gold and silver sold from revenues. The company presents cash operating margin as management and certain investors use this information to evaluate the company's performance in comparison with other streaming and royalty companies who present results on a similar basis as well as to evaluate the company's ability to generate cash flow.
Preliminary Q2 2021 deliveries were lower than Q1 2021, mainly as of result of lower production from the Bonikro gold mine and the Mercedes mine. Additionally, Q1 2021 deliveries included the annual supplemental delivery related to the minimum annual silver delivery from the Mercedes mine, accounting for 1,998 gold ounces.
During the second quarter of 2021, there have been many positive updates from Nomad's streams and royalties. In particular, Nomad highlights the announcements by Barrick Gold Corp. regarding the progression and potential initial production timeline at Robertson. In addition, Artemis Gold Inc. and Troilus Gold Corp. raised in excess of $580-million (Canadian) to further advance the Blackwater project in British Columbia, and the Troilus gold project in Quebec. Additionally, during the quarter, Nomad released an inaugural National Instrument 43-101 technical report on the Blyvoor gold mine, detailing a 22-year mine life. Nomad is very encouraged from the operational progress at the Blyvoor gold mine and expects to see significant growth from the asset over the next quarters. The strategic process at the Woodlawn mine is still under way. On July 15, 2021, the operator has entered voluntary administration as it continues to seek a path to effect a restructuring and recapitalization and ultimately restarting the Woodlawn mine.
Asset updates and recent developments
Robertson rising within Cortez mine complex
At the Cortez mine complex, growth activities in respect to the Robertson property are progressing. On May 25, 2021, Barrick discussed the progression of the Robertson deposit in detail during its annual Nevada Gold Mines investor day.
As per Barrick, Robertson is currently being qualified as an emerging Tier 2 gold asset, defined as an asset with a reserve potential to deliver a minimum 10-year life, annual production of at least 250,000 ounces of gold and total cash costs per ounce of gold over the mine life that are in the lower half of the industry cost curve. Several positive milestones are upcoming, with the notice of intent planned for the second quarter of 2022, a record of decision for the second quarter of 2023, and most significant to Nomad, initial production during the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to permitting. A prefeasibility study is currently being prepared with respect to the development of Robertson. It is expected that equipment and manpower from the Cortez operation will be transferred to Robertson once the Crossroads open-pit mine is completed. The leach grade ore is to be processed through a high-pressure grinding roll (HPGR) crusher and the higher grades are processed at the existing Pipeline oxide mill.
On the exploration front, Barrick stated that upside has been identified within the current surface oxide deposit at Robertson, and that additional material in the range of 50 million to 60 million tonnes at grades between 0.3 gram per tonne and 0.5 g/t gold could be projected at or near surface. Additionally, a new mineralized structure at Robertson parallel to the main ore-controlling structure had been defined.
Additionally, the corridor between Robertson and the existing Pipeline operation has been identified as an area of strong interest for deep exploration. This represents a seven-kilometre trend with the potential for larger multimillion-ounce deposits. There are currently five areas of interest within this corridor.
Mining operations continue to ramp up at Blyvoor
The Blyvoor gold mine operation continues to steadily gain momentum and deliveries will be expected at regular intervals as the mine ramps up to full production capacity by Q1 2022. A technical report was released on June 28, 2021, outlining a 22-year life of mine based on mineral reserves of 5.5 million ounces of gold in proven and probable mineral reserves (18.84 million tonnes at 9.09 g/t Au). The report also outlined an average annual gold production of 242,000 ounces of gold at an average all-in sustaining cost of $570 (U.S.) per ounce over the life of the mine. Additionally, the report outlined 11.37 million ounces of gold in measured and indicated mineral resources (50.08 million t at 7.06 g/t Au) inclusive of mineral reserves and 11.29 million oz of gold in inferred mineral resources (79.77 million t at 4.40 g/t Au).
Bonikro commences stripping activities at PB5
Quarterly deliveries from the Bonikro mine were 968 ounces of gold. While production came mainly from the Hire pits, Bonikro-PB5 development activities were initiated. As such, mining equipment was received, site preparation and dewatering activities are now continuing, and stripping activities were commenced. Quarterly production was mainly impacted by a May shutdown and early works at Bonikro-PB5.
Barrick drilling at South Arturo mine
At the South Arturo mine, Barrick initiated an 8,000-metre drill program planned for the year, focused on extending mineralization further down dip at the Lower El Nino and Cloud Nine target. An updated mineral reserve and resource estimate is expected during the second half of 2021. The development of a ramp to access the deeper mineralization at El Nino is under way and is expected to be completed in Q1 2023. Production of orebodies accessed from the ramp is expected to begin in Q2 2022.
Troilus continues successful exploration program
At the Troilus gold project, over 69,300 m have been drilled since the 2020 resource estimate cut-off (as of June 4, 2021), an updated mineral resource and inaugural reserve expected in the second half of 2021. Recent exploration results have considerably extended the western footprint of the J zone and the Southwest zone toward the northeast. Troilus Gold Corp. continues to drill at a rate of 10,000 m per month. During the second quarter, Troilus Gold completed $45-million (Canadian) in equity financing in order to continue its exploration program and advance prefeasibility works at the project. Troilus Gold also appointed Richard Harrisson as chief operating officer, a mining industry veteran who brings a wealth of experience in mine engineering, construction and operations, having held senior positions at some of Canada's premier operations over the last 20 years. Most recently, Mr. Harrisson served as director of project evaluations at Canadian Malartic where he oversaw the engineering and predevelopment of the $1.7-billion Odyssey project from conception through to the current construction.
Blackwater continues to advance toward construction decision
At the Blackwater gold project, on May 25, 2021, Artemis Gold Inc. completed a $171-million (Canadian) equity financing, the proceeds of which will be used to make a final cash acquisition payment, and to finance permitting and development costs for the project. As it continues to advance the project, Artemis Gold announced on May 27, 2021, that it had signed an impact benefits agreement with Nazko First Nation. On June 22, 2021, Artemis Gold announced the final results of grade control drilling of high-grade near-surface mineralization. The program consisted of 561 holes and 33,216 m of reverse circulation drilling, which commenced in mid-November, 2020, and concluded at the end of March, 2021, one month ahead of schedule.
On July 15, 2021, Artemis Gold announced the approval of Mines Act Permit M-246 allowing for early construction works at the Blackwater gold project. The approval of the early works permit is the first step required for mine construction, allowing for the necessary site preparation and land clearing work to begin.
Moss reveals considerable exploration growth potential
At Moss, Northern Vertex Mining Corp. completed a pad expansion and had considerable resource expansion drilling success, some of the recent intercepts included, 36.58 m of 1.46 g/t Au and 35.1 g/t Ag, 30.85 m of 1.65 g/t Au and 34.25 g/t Ag, 21.34 m of 1.98 g/t Au and 23.75 g/t Ag, 28.96 m of 2.28 g/t Au and 28.84 g/t Ag, and 9.15 m of 4.90 g/t Au and 57.18 g/t Ag (refer to Northern Vertex's corporate presentation dated July 13, 2021). The resource expansion drilling is focused on intra- and near-mine opportunities for resource expansion, potential resource expansion exists down dip and along strike from existing operation. The geological model was rebuilt from February to July, 2021, in order to identify opportunities and issues. Following the review, Northern Vertex observed that numerous infill drill holes stopped short of the gold vein creating artificial gaps in the resource. Significant opportunities exist to positively impact the resource and mine plan, which will be incorporated into future drill programs and in Northern Vertex's 2022 resource update.
Notice of Q2 2021 results release
The company expects to release its results for the second quarter of 2021 on July 28, 2021, after market close.
Qualified person
Vincent Cardin-Tremblay, PGeo, vice-president, geology, of Nomad Royalty is the qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 -- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects who has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.
About Nomad Royalty Company Ltd.
Nomad Royalty is a gold and silver royalty company that purchases rights to a percentage of the gold or silver produced from a mine, for the life of the mine. Nomad owns a portfolio of 15 royalty and stream assets, of which eight are on currently producing mines. Nomad plans to grow and diversify its low-cost production profile through the acquisition of additional producing and near-term producing gold and silver streams and royalties.
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