PROFIT & LOSS

Expansion go-ahead for low-cost Fruta del Norte

Lundin reports Q3 results

Staff reporter
 Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador

Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte mine in Ecuador

Lundin reported gross revenues of US$123 million for the mine's first full quarter of operations, and adjusted net earnings of $45.8 million or 20c per share for the September quarter.

The mine had produced 94,250 ounces of gold for the period, at cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs of $632 per ounce and $728/oz sold, respectively.

President and CEO Ron Hochstein said the low costs and higher gold prices meant the company had achieved positive cash flow during its first full quarter of operations and the company had plans to increase shareholder value in 2021.

"They include the mill throughput expansion to 4,200 tonnes per day, a 10,000m resource expansion Fruta del Norte drill programme and drilling the Barbasco exploration target," he said.

No cost was specified for the plant expansion and Hochstein said on a conference call the full details would be coming out in the next few weeks.

Lundin's initial internal throughput expansion study had confirmed the technical feasibility of increasing throughput in the plant from 3,500 to 4,200tpd.

"Engineering, costing, procurement of additional equipment and scheduling are underway with the objective of completing this project before the end of 2021," Lundin said.

Guidance for the second half of 2020 was unchanged and Lundin said fourth quarter production was expected to be lower than in the third quarter, at 60,000-75,000oz due to a planned mill maintenance shutdown.

The company expects the mine to produce 200,000-220,000oz this year.

It planned to complete the construction of the company's bridge over the Zamora River in the second quarter of 2021.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to pay $3 million to replace a collapsed public bridge over the same river, which was used in part for access to the operation, with frustration over the collapse prompting a recent 15-day blockade

Lundin expected to generate net sale receipts and net operating cash flows "well in excess" of its known obligations due in the next 12 months.

It said 34 cases of COVID-19 had been identified at Fruta del Norte and there were no known actively cases currently at site.

Hochstein will host a virtual town hall meeting tomorrow.

The results were released after market close, where Lundin finished down 6.5% to C$11.28, capitalising it at $2.6 billion (US$2 billion).

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.