Cerrado Gold Announces Q4 and Annual 2024 Gold Production Results for its Minera Don Nicolas Mine in Argentina

Rhea-AI Summary

Cerrado Gold reported its Q4 and annual 2024 production results from the Minera Don Nicolas Mine in Argentina. The company achieved annual gold equivalent production of 54,494 GEO, within their guidance of 50,000-60,000 GEO. Q4 production was 10,431 GEO, lower than Q3's 16,604 GEO due to decreased ore grades from residual open pits.

The company's heap leach operations reached record production of 5,956 GEO in Q4. Cerrado received significant asset sale and option payments totaling $34 MM during the quarter, strengthening their balance sheet. For 2025, production guidance is set at 50,000-55,000 GEO.

The company is installing additional crushing capacity at Calandrias Sur, aiming to reach 4,000-4,500 GEO monthly production by March 2025. They're also preparing to commence underground operations at Paloma in H2/25. At their Mont Sorcier project, metallurgical testwork confirmed potential for high-grade iron concentrate production, with a Bankable Feasibility Study targeted for Q1 2026.

Positive

• Annual production of 54,494 GEO achieved within guidance range
• Record heap leach production of 5,956 GEO in Q4
• Received $34 MM from asset sales and option payments
• Significant balance sheet improvement
• Additional crushing capacity installation in progress to increase production

Negative

• Q4 production declined to 10,431 GEO from 16,604 GEO in Q3
• Lower than planned ore grades from residual open pits
• 2025 guidance shows potential decrease from 2024 levels (50,000-55,000 GEO vs 54,494 GEO)

• Annual Gold Equivalent Ounce ("GEO") Production of 54,494 GEO; in line with Guidance of 50,000 - 60,000 GEO.

• Q4 Production of 10,431 GEO impacted by lower than planned ore grades from residual open pits.

• Record Production of 5,956, GEO from Heap Leach operations during the quarter.

• Received Asset Sale and Option payments totaling $34 MM during the quarter, significantly strengthening the balance sheet.

• 2025 Production Guidance of between 50,000-55,000 GEO.

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 15, 2025 / Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSXV:CERT)(OTCQX:CRDOF) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") announces production results for the fourth quarter ended December, 2024 ("Q4 2024") from the Minera Don Nicolas Mine in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina ("MDN"). Full fourth quarter financial results are expected to be released prior to April 30, 2025.

Q4 Operating Highlights

• Q4 Production of 10,431 GEO vs 16,604 GEO in Q3.

• Annual Sales of 51,694 GEO for 2024

• Production impacted by lower than planned feed grade to the CIL plant during the quarter as mining of high-grade pits nears completion.

• Studies to commence underground operations at Paloma in H2/25 initiated during the quarter.

• Focus remains on ramping up crushing capacity at Calandrias Sur and bringing heap leach production up to 4,000- 4,500 GEO per month by March 2025.

While operational results for Q4 2024 demonstrated a decrease in production over the previous quarter, this was driven by lower than expected ore grades delivered from the final stages of mining of the older high grade open pits and stockpiles to feed the CIL plant as the Company's operations transition to a primarily heap leach operation in 2025. The heap leach operational performance continued to improve over the quarter, reaching record production levels as more ore was added to the pad. The performance of the heap leach continues to depend on the crushing circuit. An additional secondary crushing circuit is currently being installed to ensure excess capacity is in place to support the transition to a heap leach only facility. Once fully operational, the crushing capacity should allow for approximately 300,000 tonnes of ore to be placed on the pad per month. The installation of the secondary crusher is expected to reduce fleet and operating costs and is expected to operate at full capacity by the end of the 1st quarter, at which time the mobile crushers will be placed on stand by.

In addition, the company is undertaking detailed analysis and preparations for equipment sourcing with the view to commencing underground operations later this year beneath the Palmoa pit. While the initial production expectations are relatively modest given the current known underground resource, underground access is expected to provide a platform for major exploration activities at lower costs than drilling from surface with the aim to materially expand the resources available for underground development. Further details will be released once finalized and a development decision is made.

The Company provides 2025 annual production guidance of between 50,000 - 55,000 GEO at an ASIC of between $1,300 - $1,500 per GEO. The bulk of this production is expected to be delivered solely from heap leach operations from Q2/25 onwards .

Mont Sorcier Update

At the Mont Sorcier high purity iron project, detailed metallurgical testwork and flow sheet design continued during the quarter. As announced in early December 2024 (see press release dated December 4, 2024) testwork has reaffirmed the potential to produce high grade and high purity iron concentrate grading in excess of 67% iron with silica and alumina below 2.3%. Ongoing testwork is focused on flotation testing, more detailed variability tests, grind size and reagent optimization programs as well as equipment sizing.

Current testwork and overall process design are to be at the core of the NI 43-101 Bankable Feasibility Study ("BFS") which is targeted to be completed by the end of Q1 2026. The Bankable Feasibility Study will look to provide greater detail into the potential of the project that was highlighted in the previous 2022 NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") that delivered a project NPV_8% of US$1.6 Billion based upon iron concerates grading 65% iron.

Corporate Activities

The Company has also continued to make progress on improving its working capital position during the quarter with the receipt of a total of US$34 million from asset sales and the sale of an option on the Michelle properties at MDN. As a result, the company has now significantly strengthened its balance sheet and expects to continue to deliver further deleveraging during 2025. Future payments from the Brazilian Monte do Carmo asset sale totalling US$15 million as well as a further US$10 million, should the Michelle Option be exercised, would continue to add to the Company's strong cash position moving forward.

Mark Brennan, CEO and Chairman commented, "While 2024 was a year with significant challenges, we are pleased to have achieved gold production in line with our guidance for the year, supported by strong growth in production from the heap leach as the year progressed. With the new crushing circuit currently being installed, we expect this trend to continue to support production targets for 2025 while we review the potential to add additional production from a potential underground operation at Paloma. Further testwork at our Mont Sorcier project in Quebec continues to highlight the significant upside we see in this project as we work to unlock value with the completion of a feasibility study by Q1/2026. Cerrado is exiting the year with a significantly improved working capital position, placing Cerrado in a stronger financial position heading into 2025. "

Table 1. Key Operating Information

Note : Q1-Q3 2024 Ore mined for Heap Leach Operations has been adjusted to reflect a recalculation based on updated information. This has no impact on ounces produced.

Review of Technical Information

The scientific and technical information from Minera don Nicolas in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Cid Bonfim, P. Geo., Senior Geologist Cerrado Gold, and Pierre Jean LaFleur, P. Geo., VP Exploration for Voyager Metals, a 100% owned subsidiary of Cerrado Gold, are Qualified Persons as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Cerrado

Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company focused on gold projects in South America. The Company is the 100% owner of both the producing Minera Don Nicolás and Las Calandrias mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. In Canada, Cerrado Gold is developing it's 100% owned Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project located outside of Chibougamou, Quebec.

In Argentina, Cerrado is maximizing asset value at its Minera Don Nicolas operation through continued operational optimization and is growing production through its operations at the Las Calandrias Heap Leach project. An extensive campaign of exploration is ongoing to further unlock potential resources in our highly prospective land package in the heart of the Deseado Masiff.

In Canada, Cerrado holds a 100% interest in the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium project, which has the potential to produce a premium iron ore concentrate over a long mine life at low operating costs and low capital intensity. Furthermore, its high grade and high purity product facilitates the migration of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, contributing to the decarbonization of the industry and the achievement of SDG goals.

For more information about Cerrado please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Mark Brennan
CEO and Chairman

Mike McAllister
Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: +1-647-805-5662
mmcallister@cerradogold.com

Disclaimer

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado, production forecasts and estimated ASIC for 2025 and beyond, the potential for additional crushing capacity that may be added and the performance of the heap leach pad, the possibility of commencing underground mining, the potential to produce iron concentrate grading in excess of 67% at Mont Sorcier, further deleveraging during 2025, receipt of the deferred closing payment of US$15 million in connection with the asset sale and the likelihood of the Michelle option being exercised and the related option payment being received. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado has made certain assumptions. Although Cerrado believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

SOURCE: Cerrado Gold Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What was Cerrado Gold's (CRDOF) total gold production for 2024?

Cerrado Gold produced 54,494 Gold Equivalent Ounces (GEO) in 2024, meeting their guidance range of 50,000-60,000 GEO.

Why did Cerrado Gold's (CRDOF) Q4 2024 production decrease?

Q4 2024 production decreased to 10,431 GEO from 16,604 GEO in Q3 due to lower than planned ore grades from residual open pits.

What is Cerrado Gold's (CRDOF) production guidance for 2025?

Cerrado Gold's 2025 production guidance is between 50,000-55,000 GEO at an ASIC of $1,300-$1,500 per GEO.

How much did Cerrado Gold (CRDOF) receive from asset sales in Q4 2024?

Cerrado Gold received $34 million from asset sales and option payments during Q4 2024.

What is Cerrado Gold's (CRDOF) target for heap leach production by March 2025?

Cerrado Gold aims to achieve heap leach production of 4,000-4,500 GEO per month by March 2025.