TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Superior Gold Inc. ("Superior Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: SGI) (OTCQX: SUPGF) announces an update on key operating metrics for January 2023 as the Company refocuses on the leading underground performance indicators to demonstrate improved operational performance for the Company's 100%-owned Plutonic Gold operations, located in Western Australia.
Production increased to 5,942 ounces of gold, 17% above December 2022 and a 47% increase in underground gold production relative to the Q4 2022 average.
Underground Unit Cost per tonne decreased 12% to $70/tonne from the Q4 2022 average of $79/tonne
Preliminary cash cost per ounce of $1,618/oz, representing a decrease of more than 19% on Q4 cash costs per ounce
Focusing on leading underground key performance indicators improved January operating results:
Total underground ore tonnes mined increased to 87,959, 25% above Q4 2022 average
Development rates increased to 675 metres, 3% above Q4 2022 average, as the Company targets up to 750 metres per month later in 2023
Production drilling rates decreased to 13,557 metres,12% below Q4 2022 average, due to rig availability, although this has since been rectified as the Company targets up to 20,000 metres per month later in 2023
Stope grade increased to 2.54 g/t gold, as the Company continues to improve development rates to enable targeting 3.0 g/t later in 2023
Mill recovery increased to 88%, 2% above Q4 2022 average, as a result of processing higher-grade material
Chris Jordaan, President and CEO of Superior Gold stated: "In 2021 the budget developed for 2022 included early entry into the main open pit to derisk the plan and target ample feed to the mill. This was viewed as a high-value and short-lifespan project that would commence in Q2 and be completed early in Q4 2022.
Leading up and into 2022 Western Australia's (WA) borders remained closed and did so much longer than other states in Australia. This meant that COVID had little impact inside the WA borders as 7 to 14 day quarantining was still in effect for people entering WA. In March the borders were opened and COVID spread in WA resulting in a significant industry-wide increase in absenteeism, including at Plutonic. During this period, to mitigate the impact of excessive absenteeism moving ore from the underground mine was prioritized and labour in the mine was redirected accordingly. This had a direct negative impact on mine development as shown in figure 1 below.
Additionally, the open pit operation ramp-up was also delayed due to elevated absenteeism and an 853% increase in seasonal rainfall during Q2. This combined with lower-than-planned productivity from the open pit necessitated an urgent intervention and following a detailed business review it was decided to suspend operations at the open pit. Implementation of the turnaround strategy commenced late in Q3 and focussed on investing in development and production drilling as key levers to improved underground mine performance.
I am happy to report the continued positive progress made on many fronts in January as the Company targets improving underground performance. Management's re-focus on the leading underground performance indicators of development and production drilling rates positively impacts inventories, production ore mined, grade and ultimately gold production. The following Figures illustrate the operation's key operating metrics relative to recent prior periods.
Figure 2. 47% increase in gold production (underground only) to 5,942 ounces in January relative to the Q4 2022 average and 56% relative to Q3 2022. The Company continues to target improved stope grades of 3.0g/t in the second half of 2023 as development rates continue to allow for access to additional higher-grade stopes.
Figure 3. 3% increase in development metres to 675 metres per month in January relative to the Q4 2022 average and 26% relative to Q3 2022. Development is considered a key leading indicator and we are targeting up to 750 metres per month in the second half of 2023. We do expect some variability in the monthly development metre rates in line with the optimized plan however the monthly average of 750 metres target for the second half of 2023 is a sustainable objective.
Figure 4. 12% reduction in production drilling meters to 13,775 metres per month in January, relative to Q4 2022, however, an 84% increase relative to Q3 2022. January was slightly less than the Q4 2022 average due to rig availability which has since been rectified. The overall trend remains positive and we are targeting an average of approximately 20,000 metres per month later in 2023.
Figure 5. 25% increase in total ore mined to 87,958 tonnes per month in January relative to the Q4 2022 average and a 48% increase relative to Q3 2022. As development rates and production drilling rates continue to improve we expect to see less variability and a more consistent level of monthly total ore delivered to the mill.
Figure 6. 50% increase in broken stock inventory in the underground to 27,761 tonnes at the end of January relative to the end of Q4 2022 and over 3x the broken stock available at the end of Q3 2022. The drawdown of broken stock in Q3 was a direct result of the effect of Covid-19 and labour availability in Western Australia. With the improvement in development and production drilling rates, broken stock inventories continue to improve providing greater optionality for mill feed and improving grades.
Figure 7. 5% increase in stope grade to 2.54 g/t in January relative to the Q4 2022 average and a 3% decrease relative to Q3 2022. The Company continues to improve development rates in order to access higher grade planned stopes later in 2023 bringing the targeted average stope grade to 3.0 g/t. Development, production drilling and improving broken stock inventory are key to providing stope optionality to achieve a more consistent blend to the mill.
Figure 8. 12% decrease in underground unit cost per tonne to $70/tonne relative to the Q4 2022 average and an 18% decrease relative to Q3 2022. Optimizing the underground unit mining costs has been a key focus to improve operational performance and significant progress has been made following the impact of COVID-19 and its effect on absenteeism.
Following the challenges faced by the Company in 2022, management initiated a comprehensive business improvement program to reduce monthly operating costs, shut down the open pit and improve underground productivity. The benefits of our business improvement programs are evident through significantly increased ounces produced and improved stope grade in January. In addition to the productivity and cost improvements initiated in 2022, we restructured our operational team to simplify the focus of the underground mining manager and established dedicated technical services and maintenance manager roles.
To leverage our new block model and ensure the technical plans support increased stope grade and inventory performance, we have designed concept area plans for the entire 2023 budget, a significant improvement in technical risk management and design inventory. These area plans provide for increased development headings and grade control platforms in-line with the optimized production plan. We also continue to improve and refine our geological understanding through increased utilization of Leapfrog and local geological modelling techniques.
We will continue to target sustained increased rates of development and production drilling and would expect a commensurate increase in available future developed inventory. We would also expect improved operational flexibility with higher and more consistent grades and tonnages being delivered to the mill to improve our financial position."
Management Update and Q&A Video
Please see the attached link to see the CEO and VP of Business Development and Long Term Planning discuss the January results as well as a Q&A. Link: https://youtu.be/FFqmaHvMkco
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ettienne Du Plessis, who is a "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Du Plessis is not independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101.
About Superior Gold
Superior Gold is a Canadian-based gold producer that owns 100% of the Plutonic Gold Operations located in Western Australia. The Plutonic Gold Operations include the Plutonic underground gold mine and central mill, numerous open-pit projects, and an interest in the Bryah Basin joint venture. Superior Gold is focused on expanding production at the Plutonic Gold Operations and building an intermediate gold producer with superior returns for shareholders.
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are intended to be covered by the safe harbours created by those laws. "Forward-looking information" includes statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Forward-looking information includes information with respect to guidance as to projections, outlook, guidance, forecasts, estimates, and other statements regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, revenues and cash flows, and capital costs (sustaining and non-sustaining), including projected cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs) as well as statements with respect to the mine plan, exploration, drilling, operating, and organizational matters and activities relating to the Plutonic Gold Operations and the Company generally, including its liquidity and capital requirements, financial results, the Company's annual production guidance, the benefits of targeting sustained higher development rates and management's focus on underground mining. By identifying such information in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.
Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management at the date the statements are made, including but not limited to, assumptions about the Company's future business objectives, goals, and capabilities, the regulatory framework applicable to the Company and its operations, and the Company's financial resources. Furthermore, such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to (i) the available funds of the Company and the anticipated use of such funds, (ii) the availability of financing opportunities, (iii) legal and regulatory risks, (iv) risks associated with economic conditions, (v) risks related to the Company's underground mining operations, (vi) risk of litigation, (vii) risks related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact on the Company's operations (viii) risks related to the resumption of operations at the Main Pit Deeps project, (ix) reliance on the expertise and judgment of senior management, and ability to retain such senior management, * risks relating to the management of growth and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Readers are encouraged to refer to the annual information form of the Company dated October 16, 2020, for a discussion of other risks including outbreaks or threats of outbreaks of viruses, other infectious diseases, or other similar health threats, such as the novel coronavirus outbreak, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company by causing operational and supply chain delays and disruptions, labour shortages, shutdowns, inflationary pressures on operating or capital costs, the inability to sell gold, capital markets volatility or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. The Company cannot accurately predict what effects these conditions will have on the Plutonic Gold Operations or the financial results of the Company, including uncertainties relating to travel restrictions to the Plutonic Gold Operations or otherwise and business closures that have been or may be imposed by governments. If an outbreak or threat of an outbreak of a virus or other infectious disease or other public health emergency occurs, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations.
The Company cautions that 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 information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information as no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, and if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Except as required by law, the Company 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.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Superior Gold
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