Centerra Gold Announces Attractive Economics on the Goldfield Project; Proceeding with Project Development and Construction Activities
Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU) has announced positive economics for its Goldfield project in Nevada, with an after-tax NPV5% of $245 million and an IRR of 30% at a $2,500/oz gold price. The project requires an initial capital investment of $252 million and is expected to begin production by end of 2028.
The project features a 7-year mine life with average annual gold production of 100,000 ounces in peak years at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,392 per ounce. Centerra has implemented a strategic gold hedge on 50% of production for 2029-2030, with a floor price of $3,200/oz and ceiling prices of $4,435-$4,705/oz.
The optimized process includes a three-stage crushing circuit for high-grade ore and run-of-mine processing for lower-grade material, improving gold recovery to 76%. The project will create 300-400 construction jobs and 250-300 operational positions.
Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU) ha annunciato dati economici positivi per il suo progetto Goldfield in Nevada, con un NPV post-tasse al 5% di 245 milioni di dollari e un IRR del 30% a un prezzo dell'oro di 2.500 dollari/oz. Il progetto richiede un investimento iniziale di capitale di 252 milioni di dollari e si prevede che la produzione inizi entro la fine del 2028.
Il progetto prevede una vita della miniera di 7 anni con una produzione media annua di oro di 100.000 once negli anni di picco, a un costo totale sostenibile di 1.392 dollari per oncia. Centerra ha implementato una copertura strategica sull'oro per il 50% della produzione prevista per il 2029-2030, con un prezzo minimo garantito di 3.200 dollari/oz e prezzi massimi compresi tra 4.435 e 4.705 dollari/oz.
Il processo ottimizzato include un circuito di frantumazione a tre stadi per il minerale ad alto tenore e un trattamento diretto del materiale a basso tenore, migliorando il recupero dell'oro al 76%. Il progetto creerà 300-400 posti di lavoro durante la costruzione e 250-300 posizioni operative.
Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU) ha anunciado resultados económicos positivos para su proyecto Goldfield en Nevada, con un VPN después de impuestos al 5% de 245 millones de dólares y una TIR del 30% a un precio del oro de 2.500 dólares/oz. El proyecto requiere una inversión inicial de capital de 252 millones de dólares y se espera que la producción comience a finales de 2028.
El proyecto cuenta con una vida útil de la mina de 7 años con una producción anual promedio de oro de 100,000 onzas en los años pico, con un costo total sostenible de 1,392 dólares por onza. Centerra ha implementado una cobertura estratégica de oro para el 50% de la producción prevista para 2029-2030, con un precio piso de 3,200 dólares/oz y precios techo entre 4,435 y 4,705 dólares/oz.
El proceso optimizado incluye un circuito de trituración de tres etapas para el mineral de alta ley y procesamiento directo para el material de menor ley, mejorando la recuperación de oro al 76%. El proyecto generará 300-400 empleos durante la construcción y 250-300 puestos operativos.
Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU)가 네바다의 Goldfield 프로젝트에 대해 긍정적인 경제성을 발표했습니다. 세후 NPV 5% 기준 2억 4,500만 달러 및 금 가격 온스당 2,500달러 기준 내부수익률(IRR) 30%를 기록했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 초기 자본 투자금 2억 5,200만 달러가 필요하며 2028년 말까지 생산을 시작할 예정입니다.
프로젝트는 7년간의 광산 수명을 가지며, 최고 생산 연도에는 연간 평균 10만 온스의 금 생산이 예상되며, 온스당 1,392달러의 총 지속 비용이 소요됩니다. Centerra는 2029-2030년 생산량의 50%에 대해 금 가격 헤지를 전략적으로 실시했으며, 최저 가격은 온스당 3,200달러, 최고 가격은 4,435~4,705달러입니다.
최적화된 공정은 고품위 광석을 위한 3단계 파쇄 회로와 저품위 광석에 대한 원광 처리 방식을 포함하여 금 회수율을 76%로 향상시켰습니다. 이 프로젝트는 건설 기간 동안 300-400개의 일자리와 운영 기간 동안 250-300개의 직위를 창출할 것입니다.
Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU) a annoncé des résultats économiques positifs pour son projet Goldfield au Nevada, avec une VAN après impôts à 5% de 245 millions de dollars et un TRI de 30% à un prix de l'or de 2 500 $/oz. Le projet nécessite un investissement initial en capital de 252 millions de dollars et devrait commencer la production d'ici la fin 2028.
Le projet offre une durée de vie de la mine de 7 ans avec une production annuelle moyenne d'or de 100 000 onces lors des années de pointe, à un coût total soutenable de 1 392 $ par once. Centerra a mis en place une couverture stratégique sur 50% de la production prévue pour 2029-2030, avec un prix plancher de 3 200 $/oz et des prix plafonds entre 4 435 et 4 705 $/oz.
Le procédé optimisé comprend un circuit de concassage en trois étapes pour le minerai à haute teneur et un traitement en continu pour le minerai à faible teneur, améliorant le taux de récupération de l'or à 76%. Le projet créera 300 à 400 emplois pendant la phase de construction et 250 à 300 postes opérationnels.
Centerra Gold (NYSE:CGAU) hat positive Wirtschaftlichkeitsdaten für sein Goldfield-Projekt in Nevada bekannt gegeben, mit einem Nachsteuer-NPV bei 5% von 245 Millionen US-Dollar und einer IRR von 30% bei einem Goldpreis von 2.500 US-Dollar pro Unze. Das Projekt erfordert eine anfängliche Kapitalinvestition von 252 Millionen US-Dollar und soll Ende 2028 mit der Produktion beginnen.
Das Projekt hat eine Lebensdauer der Mine von 7 Jahren mit einer durchschnittlichen jährlichen Goldproduktion von 100.000 Unzen in Spitzenjahren zu Gesamtkosten von 1.392 US-Dollar pro Unze. Centerra hat eine strategische Goldabsicherung für 50% der Produktion in den Jahren 2029-2030 implementiert, mit einem Mindestpreis von 3.200 US-Dollar pro Unze und Höchstpreisen zwischen 4.435 und 4.705 US-Dollar pro Unze.
Der optimierte Prozess umfasst eine dreistufige Brechanlage für hochgradiges Erz und eine Direktverarbeitung für niedriggradiges Material, wodurch die Goldrückgewinnung auf 76% gesteigert wird. Das Projekt wird 300-400 Arbeitsplätze während der Bauphase und 250-300 operative Stellen schaffen.
- None.
- Significant initial capital requirement of $252M
- Relatively short mine life of approximately 7 years
- Contract mining dependency may impact operational flexibility
- Additional permitting requirements needed for Goldfield and McMahon Ridge deposits
Insights
Centerra's Goldfield project offers strong 30% IRR with $245M NPV, leveraging high gold prices while adding 100,000oz annual production starting 2028.
Centerra Gold's decision to advance the Goldfield project represents a significant positive development for the company's near-term growth strategy. The project economics are compelling with an after-tax NPV5% of $245 million and IRR of 30% at a $2,500/oz gold price assumption, which is conservative relative to current spot prices above $3,000/oz.
The capital intensity is attractive at $252 million for initial development, yielding approximately 100,000 ounces annually during peak production years at a competitive AISC of $1,392/oz. This positions Goldfield favorably within the cost curve of global gold producers. The project's 7-year mine life with production expected by end-2028 provides a timely bridge as Centerra's Öksüt mine faces natural production declines.
Particularly noteworthy is Centerra's optimization of the processing strategy, implementing a hybrid approach that routes high-grade ore through a three-stage crushing circuit while processing lower-grade material as run-of-mine. This strategic decision has substantially improved recoveries from mid-60% to 76%, enhancing project economics without significant capital increases.
The company's partial hedging strategy for 2029-2030 production with a floor price of $3,200/oz significantly de-risks the payback period while maintaining upside exposure through ceiling prices averaging $4,435-$4,705/oz. With 80% of LOM production remaining unhedged, Centerra retains substantial leverage to gold price appreciation.
The project's location in Nevada, a premier mining jurisdiction, minimizes political risk. The contract mining approach further reduces initial capital requirements and execution risk. With permits already in place for the Gemfield deposit (representing 80% of production) requiring only minor amendments, regulatory hurdles appear manageable.
Centerra's strong community relations and executed Development Agreement with Esmeralda County further de-risk the project's social license, with projected $300 million in local economic benefits and 250-300 permanent jobs creating significant positive impact.
The Goldfield Project is expected to have after-tax NPV
This news release contains forward-looking information about expected future events that is subject to risks and assumptions set out in the “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information” below. All figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated. All production figures reflect payable metal quantities and are on a
TORONTO, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Centerra Gold Inc. (“Centerra” or the “Company”) (TSX: CG) (NYSE: CGAU) is pleased to announce that it has completed a technical study of its Goldfield project (“Goldfield” or “the Project”) in Nevada, which confirms attractive economics for the Project, including an after-tax net present value (
President and CEO, Paul Tomory, commented, “We are pleased to be advancing with development and construction at the Goldfield project. Over the last several months, Centerra has undertaken additional technical work and project optimizations that have significantly enhanced Goldfield’s value proposition and have de-risked the project. Favourable gold prices combined with these recent developments have improved the Project’s economics, enabling us to move forward with execution. We believe Goldfield is well positioned to deliver strong returns. The project is expected to be funded from Centerra’s existing liquidity and is located in a top tier mining jurisdiction, with an approximate 7-year mine life, average annual gold production of around 100,000 ounces in peak production years at an all-in sustaining costNG (“AISC”) of approximately
Goldfield Highlights
- Attractive economics with low execution risk in a top tier mining jurisdiction. Goldfield is expected to yield an after-tax NPV
5% of$245 million and after-tax IRR of30% , using a long-term gold price of$2,500 per ounce, which includes the impact of gold hedges on a portion of production in 2029 and 2030 to lock in strong margins, safeguard project economics in the early years of the project, and expedite the capital payback period. The initial capital investment at Goldfield is$252 million , including approximately$40 million in pre-production stripping and other costs, and the Project is expected to benefit from a short timeline to first production by the end of 2028 and low execution risk given its relatively simple process flowsheet. The Project is located in a historic mining district of Nevada, one of the most reliable mining jurisdictions, offering a stable regulatory environment, skilled workforce, and strong support for resource development. - Supportive gold price environment has enhanced project returns. Since the start of 2025, the gold price has increased by
30% . As a result, long-term gold price estimates have increased to$2,500 per ounce, which is the gold price assumption for Goldfield’s economics. In addition, Centerra has implemented a targeted gold hedging strategy on50% of production in 2029 and 2030, with a gold price floor of$3,200 per ounce and an average gold price cap of$4,435 per ounce in 2029 and$4,705 per ounce in 2030, at no cost to the Company. This hedging strategy is expected to allow Centerra to lock in strong margins to safeguard project economics and support predictable cash flow during the ramp-up period, while maintaining exposure to rising gold prices for the life of mine (“LOM”). For the LOM, almost80% of the planned production remains unhedged and fully exposed to market gold prices. - Additional technical work on crushing strategy optimization resulted in a positive impact on project economics. Over the last several months, Centerra advanced technical work to evaluate hybrid processing alternatives which led to an optimized process flowsheet. High-grade material is expected to be processed through a three-stage semi-portable crushing circuit to maximize recovery, and lower-grade material is expected to be processed as run-of-mine to maintain low capital intensity. The selective routing of mineralized material to the most economically appropriate path substantially improved average recoveries, from mid
-60% to approximately76% , and resulted in a positive impact to the overall project returns. - Goldfield is expected to grow Centerra’s near-term gold production profile, making it a strategic asset as the Company continues to advance its longer-life gold-copper growth pipeline. The Project is expected to provide an increase in gold production, which will help offset natural declines at Öksüt, and ensure continuity as Centerra advances its next phase of long-life, gold-copper, cornerstone organic growth projects in British Columbia at Mount Milligan and Kemess.
Goldfield Project Summary
Goldfield is a conventional open-pit, heap leach project located in Nevada, a top tier mining jurisdiction. Centerra has completed a technical study which demonstrated a NPV
Goldfield Production and Cost Profile
Total Mined(3) (kt) | Grade (g/t) | Gold Production (koz) | Production Cost ($/oz) | AISCNG ($/oz) | |
2028(1) | 18,633 | 0.70 | 22 | - | - |
2029 | 20,592 | 0.87 | 114 | 1,003 | 1,419 |
2030 | 19,958 | 0.77 | 120 | 965 | 1,194 |
2031 | 18,717 | 0.76 | 106 | 1,040 | 1,269 |
2032 | 14,697 | 0.48 | 90 | 1,023 | 1,306 |
2033 | 5,488 | 0.38 | 47 | 1,169 | 1,325 |
2034 | 996 | 0.30 | 29 | 1,000 | 1,144 |
2035(2) | - | - | 6 | 1,596 | 1,833 |
Total LOM | 99,079 | 0.66 | 533 | 1,077 | 1,392 |
(1) 2028 is a partial year of operation with first production expected by the end of the year. (2) 2035 is a partial year of operation with residual leaching. (3) Total tonnes mined includes both ore and waste. The strip ratio is 1.97.
Goldfield Gold Hedging Strategy
Centerra has implemented a targeted gold hedging strategy on
Hedged Production (kozs) | Unhedged Production (kozs) | Hedge Floor Price ($/oz) | Average Hedge Ceiling Price ($/oz) | |
2029 | 57 | 57 | 3,200 | 4,435 |
2030 | 60 | 60 | 3,200 | 4,705 |
Capital ExpendituresNG
Goldfield is expected to require an investment of approximately
Goldfield Initial Non-Sustaining CapitalNG Breakdown | Total ($M) |
Mine | 10 |
Crushing | 22 |
Processing | 34 |
Power Supply and Electrical | 26 |
Heap Leach | 17 |
Site General | 27 |
Subtotal Infrastructure Directs | 136 |
Indirects | 40 |
Contingency | 35 |
Subtotal Infrastructure | 211 |
Pre-production Stripping and Other Costs | 41 |
Total Initial Non-Sustaining CapitalNG | 252 |
In 2025, following approval of the Project, Centerra expects to spend between
Sustaining capital expendituresNG following first production are expected to be approximately
Centerra is expected to use contract mining at Goldfield to benefit from several strategic and economic advantages that align with the Project’s scale and development timeline. By leveraging third-party mining contractors, Centerra’s plan has optimized initial capital requirements and mobilization timelines, and is expected to mitigate the execution risks during the early phases of operation.
Figure 1: Main Site Infrastructure and Gemfield Overview
Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimate
Four mineralized zones have been outlined as part of the mine plan: Goldfield Main, Gemfield, Jupiter, and McMahon Ridge, from which the Company is targeting oxide and transition material. In February 2025, Centerra published an initial measured and indicated gold mineral resource of 706,000 ounces as of December 31, 2024. Mineral resources, inclusive of reserves at the Project have increased due to changes in metal price, recoveries and processing assumptions. The table below outlines the mineral reserve and resource at Goldfield as of June 30, 2025.
Goldfield Gold Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimate (June 30, 2025)
Tonnes (kt) | Gold Grade (g/t) | Contained Gold (koz) | |
Mineral Reserves | |||
Proven | 9,944 | 1.04 | 334 |
Probable | 23,404 | 0.49 | 372 |
Total Proven and Probable Reserves | 33,348 | 0.66 | 706 |
Mineral Resources (inclusive of Mineral Reserves) | |||
Measured | 10,418 | 1.08 | 363 |
Indicated | 26,616 | 0.50 | 432 |
Measured and Indicated Resources | 37,034 | 0.67 | 794 |
Inferred Resources | 2,121 | 0.33 | 23 |
NOTE: Refer to “Reserve and Resource Additional Footnotes” at the end of this news release. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
Figure 2: Plan view of the four mineralized zones – Goldfield Main, Gemfield, Jupiter, McMahon Ridge
Figure 3: Cross section view of the Gemfield deposit, looking north
Permitting and Community Relations
Centerra continues to advance permitting activities for Goldfield in alignment with its staged development approach. The Project has existing permits for the Gemfield deposit, which will require minor amendments. The Modified Plan of Operations for the Gemfield deposit was submitted in early August 2025, with associated air and water pollution and control permits to follow shortly. Permit applications for Goldfield and McMahon Ridge are expected to be submitted in accordance with the approved mine plan sequence and align with projected development timelines.
The Goldfield project benefits from strong support from local communities, underpinned by an executed Development Agreement with Esmeralda County that reinforces Centerra’s commitments to community partnership and responsible development.
The Project is expected to deliver substantial long-term benefits to the local communities and the broader region over the life of the mine. Centerra expects to invest over
Sensitivity Analysis
Goldfield demonstrates attractive economics at an assumed long-term gold price of
Project Economics | Gold Price ($/oz) | ||||
(unhedged / hedged) | (unhedged / hedged) | (unhedged / hedged) | $3,400 | $3,800 | |
NPV | |||||
IRR |
Project Assumptions
The economic analysis of the Project was performed using the following assumptions and basis:
- Economic assessment of the project uses a discounted cash flow approach. Cash flows are taken to occur at the mid-year of each period. NPV is calculated by discounting LOM cash flows from 2026 to the end of mine life to December 31, 2035, using
5% discount rate, and includes the impact of gold hedges on a portion of production in 2029 and 2030. Refer to the “Goldfield Gold Hedging Strategy” section above for details. - Project economics are based on a valuation date of January 1, 2026.
- A flat price of
$2,500 /oz of gold is assumed throughout the LOM. - All costs presented are in constant US dollars as of June 30, 2025 with no price inflation or escalation factors applied.
- No salvage values are assumed for the capital equipment at the end of mine life.
- Reclamation and closure costs for the site were estimated at a total of
$31 million .
Reserve and Resource Additional Footnotes
General
- A conversion factor of 31.1035 grams per troy ounce of gold and 0.9072 metric tonnes per short ton are used in the mineral reserve and resource estimates.
- Samples were prepared and analyzed by independent, ISO-accredited laboratories. Quality control programs include the insertion of blanks, certified reference materials, duplicate samples, internal and external reviews and checks by umpire laboratories.
- Development of geological and mineralized domains, geostatistical analysis, block model construction and grade estimates were done using industry standard methods and commercially available software packages. Assays were composited and capped; block grades were estimated using ordinary kriging.
- The following formula was used to calculate cut-off grade for each mineralized zone: [Processing cost + G&A cost] / [Recovery * (Gold Price * Payability Factor * (1- Royalty%) – Selling Cost)] where G&A cost is
$0.55 /t, payability factor is99.9% and selling cost is$5 /oz.
Reserves
- Mineral reserves are reported in metric tonnes based on a gold price of
$2,000 /oz. - Mineral reserve estimates are supported by mineable pit designs, detailed LOM plan, equipment simulations, capital and operating cost estimates, and financial analysis.
- The Gemfield pit includes a volume of “must take” mineralized material (662,157 tonnes and 6,469 contained ounces) for permitting and closure purposes which lies outside the optimized pit shell. This material is included in the Gemfield reserve pit and economic analysis.
- Lersch-Grossman (LG) pit shells were generated for each mineralized zone that guided pit design. Pit shell inputs include average mining cost, incremental haulage cost, overall pit slope angles, metallurgical recoveries, processing costs and costs of sales. Metallurgical testing for each mineralized zone was used to determine recoveries and processing costs. Pit shell optimization inputs are shown below.
- Mining Cost: A base mining cost of
$3.47 /t was applied with an incremental haulage costs of$0.31 /t and$0.35 /t applied to Goldfield Main and McMahon Ridge respectively. A general and administrative (“G&A”) cost of$0.55 /t was applied for constraining the pit shell. - Pit Slope Angles: Overall slope angles were assumed to be 35 degrees for all mineralized zones, except Goldfield Main which varied between 25 and 35 degrees depending on slope orientation. Inter-ramp pit slope used in designs are variable by rock type and were determined by drilling, laboratory testing, and geotechnical evaluations of the different zones.
- Processing Costs: Processing costs were estimated based on crushing and metallurgical testing to determine sizing of equipment, reagent consumption, placement of material, and leaching operations. Gemfield: run-of-mine (“ROM”)
$3.95 /t, crushed$5.97 /t; Goldfield Main: ROM$4.87 /t, crushed$6.90 /t; Jupiter: ROM$3.03 /t, crushed$5.06 /t; McMahon Ridge: ROM$3.43 /t for oxide and$4.99 /t for transition, crushed$5.46 /t for oxide and$7.02 /t for transition material. - Recovery: Recoveries were estimated by laboratory testing of representative samples including bottle roll and column leach tests. Gemfield (0.1-0.8 g/t Au): ROM
69% , crushed87% ; Gemfield (>0.8 g/t Au): ROM54% , crushed78% ; Goldfield Main: ROM61% , crushed51% for transition or82% for oxide material; Jupiter: ROM56% , crushed77% ; McMahon Ridge: ROM56% , crushed61% for transition or77% for oxide material. - Cut-off Grades: Gemfield: ROM 0.11 g/t, crushed 0.12 g/t; Goldfield Main: ROM 0.16 g/t, crushed 0.15 g/t for oxide or 0.24 g/t for transition material; Jupiter: ROM 0.10 g/t, crushed 0.12 g/t; McMahon Ridge: ROM 0.10 g/t, crushed 0.12 g/t for oxide or 0.20 g/t for transition material.
- No dilution factor was applied as the selective mining unit (“SMU”) is expected to account for operational dilution and reflects the equipment sizing and capabilities.
- Royalties applied: Gemfield
5% , Goldfield Main4% , Jupiter2.9% , McMahon Ridge3%
Resources
- Mineral resources are reported in metric tonnes based on a gold price of
$2,400 /oz. - The open pit mineral resources are constrained by a pit shell and are reported based on cut-off grades reported below that take into consideration metallurgical recoveries and selling costs.
- Mineral resources are reported inclusive of reserves.
- Mining Cost: A base mining cost of
$3.43 /t was used with an incremental haulage costs of$0.31 /t and$0.35 /t applied to Goldfield Main and McMahon Ridge respectively. A G&A cost of$0.55 /t was applied for constraining the pit shell. - Processing Costs: Processing costs were estimated based on crushing and metallurgical testing to determine sizing of equipment, reagent consumption, placement of material, and leaching operations. Goldfield Main: ROM
$3.95 /t, crushed$6.27 /t; Goldfield: ROM$4.87 /t, crushed$7.20 /t; Jupiter: ROM$3.03 /t, crushed$5.36 /t; McMahon Ridge: ROM$3.43 /t, crushed$5.75 /t for oxide and$7.32 /t for transition material. - Cut-off Grades: Gemfield: ROM 0.08 g/t, crushed 0.10 g/t; Goldfield Main: ROM 0.12 g/t, crushed 0.12 g/t for oxide and 0.20 g/t for transition material; Jupiter: ROM 0.08 g/t, crushed 0.10 g/t; McMahon Ridge: ROM 0.09 g/t, crushed 0.11 g/t for oxide and 0.17 g/t for transition material.
- No royalty costs were applied to the resource estimate.
- Sulphide Resources: Laboratory testing has shown that material classified as sulphide can be recovered from the Goldfield and McMahon Ridge zones with crushing. Sulphide material contained in the constraining pit shell is included in the resource. Processing costs, recoveries and cut-off grades for sulphide materials as follows – Goldfield Main: Crushed processing cost
$9.59 /t, recovery51% , cut-off grade 0.26 g/t; McMahon Ridge: Crushed processing cost$7.89 /t, recovery37% , cut-off grade 0.30 g/t.
Mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates are forward-looking information and are based on key assumptions and are subject to material risk factors. If any event arising from these risks occurs, the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, and the market price of Centerra’s shares could be adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company, or that are currently deemed immaterial, may also materially and adversely affect the Company’s business operations, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, and the market price of Centerra’s shares. See the section entitled “Risk That Can Affect Centerra’s Business” in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) for the three months ended June 30, 2025, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar and see also the discussion below under the heading “Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information”.
Qualified Person – Mineral Reserves and Resources
Christopher Richings, Professional Engineer, member of the Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia and Centerra’s Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Richings is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101.
All mineral reserve and resources have been estimated in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and NI 43-101.
About Centerra Gold
Centerra Gold Inc. is a Canadian-based gold mining company focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring gold and copper properties in North America, Türkiye, and other markets worldwide. Centerra operates two mines: the Mount Milligan Mine in British Columbia, Canada, and the Öksüt Mine in Türkiye. The Company also owns the Kemess Project in British Columbia, Canada, the Goldfield Project in Nevada, United States, and owns and operates the Molybdenum Business Unit in the United States and Canada. Centerra’s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol CG and on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol CGAU. The Company is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
For more information:
Lisa Wilkinson
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications
(416) 204-3780
Lisa.Wilkinson@centerragold.com
Additional information on Centerra is available on the Company’s website at www.centerragold.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the provisions for “safe harbor” under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Such forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “assume”, “believes”, “commenced”, “continue”, “estimate”, “evaluate”, “expect”, “finalizing”, “focus”, “forecast”, “future”, “ongoing”, “optimize”, “plan”, “potential”, “project”, “target” or “update”, or variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation of such terms. Such statements include but may not be limited to: the development and construction of Goldfield and the ability of the Company to enhance its value proposition including delivering strong returns; Goldfield’s life of mine, average annual production and costs including its initial capital costs and the expectation to fund this from the Company’s existing liquidity; the timing of first production at Goldfield and the impact it would have on Centerra’s production profile, cash flow and value to shareholders; the economics for the Goldfield Project and the ability of gold hedges to lock in strong margins, safeguard project economics and expedite the capital payback period; the capital investment required at Goldfield and any benefits realized from its short timeline to first production and its flowsheet; the results and cost of any further studies and field campaigns; the ability to procure long-lead items required to construct and develop Goldfield; the ability of the Company to economically source skilled contract miners; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, including inferred mineral resources, at Goldfield and the potential of eventual economic extraction of minerals from the project; the identification of future mineral reserves or resources at the project; the Company’s ability to convert existing mineral resources into categories of mineral resources or mineral reserves of increased geological confidence; future exploration potential; and the future success of Goldfield.
The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the time of making such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, technical, legal, political and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, which may prove to be incorrect, include but are not limited to: there being no significant disruptions affecting the activities of the Company whether due to extreme weather events and other or related natural disasters, labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; permitting and development of the project being consistent with the Company’s expectations; political and legal developments being consistent with its current expectations; the accuracy of the current mineral resource estimates of the Company; certain price assumptions for gold and foreign exchange rates; the Company’s future relationship with Indigenous groups being consistent with the Company’s expectations; and inflation and prices for diesel, natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and other key supplies being approximately consistent with anticipated levels. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information.
Market price fluctuations in gold and other metals, as well as increased capital or production costs or reduced recovery rates may render ore reserves containing lower grades of mineralization uneconomic and may ultimately result in a restatement of mineral reserves. The extent to which mineral resources may ultimately be reclassified as proven or probable mineral reserves is dependent upon the demonstration of their profitable recovery. Economic and technological factors, which may change over time, always influence the evaluation of mineral reserves or mineral resources. Centerra has not adjusted mineral resource figures in consideration of these risks and, therefore, Centerra can give no assurances that any mineral resource estimate will ultimately be reclassified as proven and probable mineral reserves.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves, and do not have demonstrated economic viability, but do have reasonable prospects for economic extraction. Measured and indicated mineral resources are sufficiently well defined to allow geological and grade continuity to be reasonably assumed and permit the application of technical and economic parameters in assessing the economic viability of the resource. Inferred mineral resources are estimated on limited information not sufficient to verify geological and grade continuity or to allow technical and economic parameters to be applied. Inferred mineral resources are too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that mineral resources of any category can be upgraded to mineral reserves through continued exploration.
Centerra’s mineral reserve and mineral resource figures are estimates, and Centerra can provide no assurances that the indicated levels of gold will be produced, or that Centerra will receive the metal prices assumed in determining its mineral reserves. Such estimates are expressions of judgment based on knowledge, mining experience, analysis of drilling results, and industry practices. Valid estimates made at a given time may significantly change when new information becomes available. While Centerra believes that these mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates are well established, and the best estimates of Centerra’s management, by their nature mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates are imprecise and depend, to a certain extent, upon analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences, which may ultimately prove unreliable. If Centerra’s mineral reserve or mineral reserve estimates for its properties are inaccurate or are reduced in the future, this could have an adverse impact on Centerra’s future cash flows, earnings, results, or operations and financial condition.
There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management’s expectations and plans relating to the future. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those made in our other filings with the securities regulators of Canada and the United States including, but not limited to, those set out in the Company’s latest 40-F/Annual Information Form and Management’s Discussion and Analysis, each under the heading “Risk Factors”, which are available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or on EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar). The foregoing should be reviewed in conjunction with the information, risk factors and assumptions found in this news release.
The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, or whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Other Information
Christopher Richings, Professional Engineer, member of the Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia and Centerra’s Vice President, Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Richings is a “qualified person” within the meaning of the Canadian Securities Administrator’s NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This document contains “specified financial measures” within the meaning of NI 52-112, specifically the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios and supplementary financial measures described below. Management believes that the use of these measures assists analysts, investors and other stakeholders of the Company in understanding the costs associated with producing gold and copper, understanding the economics of gold and copper mining, assessing operating performance, the Company’s ability to generate free cash flow from current operations and on an overall Company basis, and for planning and forecasting of future periods. However, the measures have limitations as analytical tools as they may be influenced by the point in the life cycle of a specific mine and the level of additional exploration or other expenditures a company has to make to fully develop its properties. The specified financial measures used in this document do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers, even as compared to other issuers who may be applying the World Gold Council (“WGC”) guidelines. Accordingly, these specified financial measures should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for, analysis of the Company’s recognized measures presented in accordance with IFRS.
Definitions
The following is a description of the non-GAAP financial measures, non-GAAP ratios and supplementary financial measures used in this document:
- All-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis per ounce is a non-GAAP ratio calculated as all-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis divided by ounces of gold sold. All-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated as the aggregate of production costs as recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings, refining and transport costs, the cash component of capitalized stripping and sustaining capital expenditures, lease payments related to sustaining assets, corporate general and administrative expenses, accretion expenses, asset retirement depletion expenses, copper and silver revenue and the associated impact of hedges of by-product sales revenue. When calculating all-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis, all revenue received from the sale of copper from the Mount Milligan Mine, as reduced by the effect of the copper stream, is treated as a reduction of costs incurred. A reconciliation of all-in sustaining costs on a by-product basis to the nearest IFRS measure is set out below. Management uses these measures to monitor the cost management effectiveness of each of its operating mines.
- Sustaining capital expenditures and Non-sustaining capital expenditures are non-GAAP financial measures. Sustaining capital expenditures are defined as those expenditures required to sustain current operations and exclude all expenditures incurred at new operations or major projects at existing operations where these projects will materially benefit the operation. Non-sustaining capital expenditures are primarily costs incurred at ‘new operations’ and costs related to ‘major projects at existing operations’ where these projects will materially benefit the operation. A material benefit to an existing operation is considered to be at least a
10% increase in annual or life of mine production, net present value, or reserves compared to the remaining life of mine of the operation. A reconciliation of sustaining capital expenditures and non-sustaining capital expenditures to the nearest IFRS measures is set out below. Management uses the distinction of the sustaining and non-sustaining capital expenditures as an input into the calculation of all-in sustaining costs per ounce and all-in costs per ounce.
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