Looks Timmins Gold (TMM-T) bottomed.
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Timmins Gold reports its preliminary production results for the Company's fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2015. The Company achieved production of 22,943 gold equivalent ounces for the quarter and 93,353 gold equivalent ounces for the fiscal year and by doing so slightly beating its revised guidance.
Three Months Ended December 31, 2015:
| Category | Q4
2015 | Q4
2014 | %
Change | | | Ore Processed (Dry t) | 1,921,060 | 2,101,873 | (9 | ) | | Average Grade Processed (g/t Au) | 0.458 | 0.563 | (19 | ) | | Low Grade Stockpiled (t) | 968 | 158,625 | (99 | ) | | Average Grade Stockpiled (g/t Au) | 0.328 | 0.225 | 46 | | | Waste Mined (t) | 6,857,052 | 6,417,044 | 7 | | | Total Mined (t) | 8,569,919 | 8,361,480 | 2 | | | Strip Ratio | 4.00 | 3.30 | 21 | | | Gold Produced (oz) | 22,943 | 25,007 | (8 | ) | | Silver Produced (oz) | 13,158 | 16,322 | (19 | ) | | Gold Sold (oz) | 22,786 | 25,007 | (9 | ) | | Silver Sold (oz) | 13,158 | 16,322 | (19 | ) | | Days | 92 | 92 | - | | | Average Ore Processed (t/d) | 20,881 | 22,846 | (9 | ) | | Average Total Mined (t/d) | 93,151 | 90,886 | 2 | | | Realized Gold Price | 1,111 | 1,216 | (9 | ) |
Year Ended December 31, 2015:
| Category | Fiscal
2015 | Fiscal
2014 | %
Change | | | Ore Processed (Dry t) | 8,448,731 | 8,622,579 | (2 | ) | | Average Grade Processed (g/t Au) | 0.508 | 0.619 | (18 | ) | | Low Grade Stockpiled (t) | 176,650 | 913,318 | (81 | ) | | Average Grade Stockpiled (g/t Au) | 0.278 | 0.246 | 13 | | | Waste Mined (t) | 27,007,221 | 23,955,903 | 13 | | | Total Mined (t) | 34,887,513 | 32,752,482 | 7 | | | Strip Ratio | 3.43 | 2.72 | 26 | | | Gold Produced (oz) | 93,353 | 120,023 | (22 | ) | | Silver Produced (oz) | 52,047 | 85,262 | (39 | ) | | Gold Sold (oz) | 93,196 | 121,441 | (23 | ) | | Silver Sold (oz) | 52,047 | 85,262 | (39 | ) | | Days | 365 | 365 | - | | | Average Ore Processed (t/d) | 23,147 | 23,624 | (2 | ) | | Average Total Mined (t/d) | 95,582 | 89,733 | 7 | | | Realized Gold Price | 1,172 | 1,269 | (8 | ) |
"Gold production for the fourth quarter exceeded expectation due to efficient leaching and plant operations. Mine operations at San Francisco were impacted by greater than expected waste tonnes mined in the quarter due to local model variability observed versus prediction. We have made adjustments to the model and our operating plan and remain on track to achieve our 2016 objectives," stated Mark Backens, Interim CEO of Timmins.
"We continue to implement changes across the corporation to decrease costs, increase efficiency and maximize cash flow while maintaining flexibility to respond to changing market conditions. Recent changes include reductions in workforce, reduction in contract related expenditures, increased ADR plant efficiency and significant savings in corporate overheads."
San Francisco
Mining operations at San Francisco will continue into Q4 2016 at which point the mine would be placed on care and maintenance with heap leach operations continuing into 2017. This is on the assumption that gold price remains range bound. Production guidance for fiscal 2016 has also been revised with the ounces produced increasing to 75,000 to 85,000 gold ounces from the original 65,000 to 70,000 gold ounces. Production cash costs in 2016 are estimated to be approximately $750 to $850 per gold ounce sold. In the event of a sustained increase in the gold price, the Company could continue operations as outlined in the most recently published NI-43 101 technical report (dated December 6, 2013 at a $1,250/oz gold price), which would see production continuing up to 2022 based on current reserves.
Ana Paula
The Company is committed to advancing this priority asset by initially focusing its efforts on feasibility and permitting. Most recently, we are in the process of completing the disassembly of the plant and infrastructure of the El Sauzal mill recently acquired from Goldcorp Inc. As funding allows work will continue on the feasibility study with emphasis given to metallurgical testing and resource delineation.
Caballo Blanco
The Company focus has centered on engaging with government authorities, community members and local stakeholders and preparing for the permitting process.
Technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Taj Singh, M.Eng., P.Eng., the Vice President of Engineering and Project Development, who is recognized as a QP under NI 43-101.
About Timmins Gold
The Company owns and operates the San Francisco open pit, heap leach gold mine in Sonora which provides a base of operations, allowing the Company to develop two economically robust growth projects with manageable capital requirements, the Ana Paula and Caballo Blanco gold projects.
Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) nor the New York Stock Exchange MKT accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Timmins Gold Corp.
Mark Backens
Interim CEO and Director
604-682-4003
604-682-4002
mark.backens@timminsgold.com
www.timminsgold.com |
