CRJ-T Claude Resources Sets New Gold Production Record Of 75,748 Ounces In 2015 And Provides Outlook For 2016 Highlights:
Record annual gold production of 75,748 ounces during 2015, a 20% increase from 2014;Record safety and environment performances;Strong cash and bullion (1) position of $39.8 million at year-end; and2016 gold production guidance of 65,000 to 72,000 ounces.Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada: Claude Resources Inc. (“Claude” and or the “Company”) today reported that during 2015 its 100 percent owned Seabee Gold Operation exceeded revised guidance and achieved record annual gold production of 75,748 ounces. The record performance in 2015 was a result of a 20% improvement in grade (8.82 grams of gold per tonne) along with strong mill recoveries of 96.3% on 277,368 tonnes milled. In addition, 2015 gold sales improved 16% to 72,699 ounces (2014 - 62,772 ounces).
During the fourth quarter, the Company milled 65,950 tonnes at a grade of 8.99 grams of gold per tonne for total gold production of 18,340 ounces. The strong fourth quarter performance was a 49% increase from the comparable period in 2014. The significant improvement was a result of 37% higher grade ore and a 9% increase in tonnes milled. During the fourth quarter, gold sales were 18,311 ounces, up 10% over the same period in 2014.
At year-end, the Company had increased its cash and bullion (1) position by approximately $28.6 million to $39.8 million. The increase in cash and bullion year over year was a result of strong operating performance and improved Canadian dollar gold prices realized. In addition, cash and bullion was positively impacted during the quarter when the Company recovered its $2.8 million reclamation deposit by purchasing a surety bond to satisfy its decommissioning obligations.
“During 2015, our focus remained on production growth, cost containment and free cash flow margin with our operations team exceeding production and cost guidance for the second consecutive year,” stated Brian Skanderbeg, President and CEO. “More importantly, we achieved this record production while delivering the best safety and environmental performance in our history.”
“With record gold production, improved unit costs and successful advancement of the high grade Santoy Gap deposit ahead of schedule, we generated strong free cash flow and ended the year with a very strong cash and bullion position of $39.8 million, a $28.6 million increase from year-end 2014. With our strengthened financial position, we will invest more in exploration at the Seabee Gold Operation and continue to evaluate and advance internal and external growth opportunities. The 2016 drilling program consists of more than 65,000 metres from underground and 18,000 metres from surface and is expected to create long-term shareholder value by upgrading and expanding the Company’s Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves.”
| Production Highlights | Q4 2015 | Q4 2014 | Change | 2015 | 2014 | Change | | Santoy Mine Complex | | | | | | | | Tonnes milled | 34,473 | 36,429 | (5%) | 168,834 | 124,434 | 36% | | Head grade (grams per tonne) | 8.66 | 5.51 | 57% | 8.10 | 5.46 | 48% | | Ounces produced | 9,239 | 6,204 | 49% | 42,399 | 20,962 | 102% | | Seabee Gold Mine | | | | | | | | Tonnes milled | 31,477 | 24,122 | 30% | 108,534 | 155,163 | (30%) | | Head grade (grams per tonne) | 9.35 | 8.17 | 14% | 9.94 | 8.81 | 13% | | Ounces produced | 9,101 | 6,080 | 50% | 33,349 | 42,022 | (21%) | | | | | | | | | | Total tonnes milled | 65,950 | 60,551 | 9% | 277,368 | 279,597 | (1%) | | Average head grade (grams per tonne) | 8.99 | 6.57 | 37% | 8.82 | 7.32 | 20% | | Recovery (%) | 96.3 | 96.1 | - | 96.3 | 95.7 | 1% | | Total gold produced (ounces) | 18,340 | 12,284 | 49% | 75,748 | 62,984 | 20% | | Total gold sold (ounces) | 18,311 | 16,639 | 10% | 72,699 | 62,772 | 16% |
Outlook
At the Seabee Gold Operation in 2016, production is expected to be between 65,000 and 72,000 ounces of gold. The majority of tonnes and ounces in the 2016 business plan are expected to be sourced from the Santoy Gap deposit as it ramps up to an average of approximately 700 tonnes per day. The Company remains confident that it will continue to generate strong earnings as 2016 unit cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are expected to be consistent with 2015.
| 2016 Forecast (2) | | | Gold production | 65,000 - 72,000 | | Total cash cost per ounce (3) | $700 - $775 | | Total cash cost per ounce (U.S.$) (3) | $530 - $585 | | All-in sustaining cost per ounce (3) | $1,125 - $1,245 | | All-in sustaining cost per ounce (U.S.$) (3) | $850 - $935 |
“Our focus in 2016 will be on operating execution and free cash flow, with added emphasis on increasing exploration efforts and evaluating growth opportunities,” added Skanderbeg. “With a robust business plan that generates free cash flow at current gold prices, a strong financial position and an exciting exploration program we expect another year of solid performance in 2016.”
Further operating and financial results, as well as the 2015 year end Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve update for the Seabee Gold Operation, will be announced in late March 2016.
Claude Resources Inc. is a public gold exploration and mining company based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with an asset base located entirely in Canada. Its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CRJ) and the OTCQB (OTCQB: CLGRF). Since 1991, Claude has produced over 1,100,000 ounces of gold from its 100 percent owned Seabee Gold Operation in northeastern Saskatchewan. The Company also owns 100 percent of the Amisk Gold Project in northeastern Saskatchewan.
Footnotes:
Cash and bullion refers to cash on hand of $37.0 million and $2.8 million of bullion (gold poured in dore bars which has not yet been sold and is valued at market prices) at December 31, 2015.Forecasts are calculated using: midpoint of 2016 annual gold production forecast; consensus Canadian gold price of $1,505 per ounce; and, a foreign exchange rate assumption of $1.33 CDN$/U.S.$.Denotes a non-IFRS measure. For an explanation of this and other non-IFRS measures, refer to the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliations” in the Company’s most recently filed MD&A available on the Company’s website at www.clauderesources.com or on www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov. |
