Contango Announces Production of 15,700 ounces of Gold and Anticipated $20.0 Million Cash Distribution from the Second Peak Gold JV Campaign of 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Contango ORE announced successful completion of its second 2025 production campaign at Peak Gold JV, producing 15,700 ounces of gold (Contango's 30% share). The JV processed 255,000 tons of ore with 0.220 oz/ton grade and 93% gold recovery, resulting in 52,000 total recovered ounces. The company expects a cash distribution exceeding $20M in June 2025. Mill throughput averaged 10,122 tons per day, 17% above plan and 25% higher than the first 2025 campaign. Contango maintains its 2025 production guidance of 60,000 ounces (30% share) with life-of-mine annual production expected at 58,750 ounces through 2029. Based on current projections and $3,200/oz gold price assumption, 2025 cash distributions are expected to exceed $93M, which will be used for strengthening cash position, debt reduction, and fulfilling hedge contracts.

Positive

• Production of 15,700 oz gold exceeded original guidance of 15,000 oz
• Mill throughput at 10,122 tons/day, 17% above plan and 25% higher than first campaign
• Strong 93% gold recovery rate, slightly higher than planned
• Expected cash distribution of over $20M in June 2025
• Projected 2025 cash distributions increased to over $93M
• Lower operating costs expected compared to first campaign's $1,374/oz AISC

Negative

• Average ore grade of 0.220 oz/ton slightly below plan
• Only 7,200 oz of gold from Campaign #2-2025 sold so far

Insights

Mining Industry Financial Analyst

Contango exceeds gold production targets with strong cash flow prospects, indicating operational efficiency despite minor grade challenges.

Contango has delivered impressive operational results in its second production campaign of 2025, producing 15,700 ounces of gold (exceeding guidance of 15,000 ounces) with an anticipated cash distribution of $20 million coming in June. The company's Peak Gold JV processed 255,000 tons of ore at a grade of 0.220 oz/ton with 93% gold recovery, slightly outperforming recovery targets despite marginally lower ore grades.

Most notable is the significant improvement in mill throughput, which averaged 10,122 tons per day—17% above plan and 25% higher than the first campaign of 2025. This operational efficiency is expected to translate directly into lower all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) compared to the $1,374 per ounce reported in the first campaign, demonstrating improving economies of scale and operational optimization.

The company has maintained its 2025 production guidance of 60,000 ounces (Contango's 30% share), with life-of-mine annual production projected at 58,750 ounces through 2029 at an AISC of approximately $1,400 per ounce. What's particularly compelling is the significant upward revision of expected cash distributions for 2025, now projected to exceed $93 million based on a $3,200 gold price assumption for H2 2025.

This cash flow acceleration positions Contango to strengthen its balance sheet by building cash reserves, reducing debt, and fulfilling hedge contracts—a strategic trifecta that reduces financial risk while maintaining exposure to gold price upside. With continued permitting activities at the Johnson Tract project, Contango is effectively balancing current production optimization with future growth potential.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Contango ORE, Inc. ("Contango" or the "Company") (NYSE American: CTGO) is pleased to announce that the Peak Gold JV has completed its second production campaign in 2025 ("Campaign #2-2025"), with Contango's share of production equal to approximately 15,700 ounces ("oz") of gold. The Company anticipates that the Peak Gold JV will make a cash distribution to Contango in excess of $20 million ("M") in late June 2025. 

During Campaign #2-2025, which includes ore processed from May 13, 2025 through June 7, 2025, the Peak Gold JV (on a 100% basis) processed 255,000 tons of ore with an average grade of 0.220 oz per ton and containing approximately 56,000 oz of gold. Gold recovery averaged 93%, resulting in approximately 52,000 oz of recovered gold, of which Contango's 30% share amounts to approximately 15,700 oz of gold. As of the date of this release, the Company has sold 7,200 oz of gold from Campaign #2-2025, with the remainder expected to be sold throughout the remainder of June.

Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, the Company's President and CEO stated, "On June 7^th, the Peak Gold JV completed processing the second Campaign of 2025, with Contango's 30% share of production totaling approximately 15,700 ounces of gold - exceeding the original guidance of 15,000 ounces of gold. This campaign processed approximately 255,000 tons of ore at an average head grade delivered to the mill at 0.220 ounces per ton - slightly below plan, however recoveries were slightly higher than plan at 93% for gold. In addition, mill throughput averaged 10,122 tons per day, which was also 17% above plan, and approximately 25% above the throughput rate achieved during the first campaign of 2025. We expect that this will result in lower operating costs for the second Campaign of 2025, compared to the first Campaign of 2025 where we reported all-in-sustaining costs of $1,374 per ounce of gold sold. Guidance for our 30% share of the Peak Gold JV's 2025 production remains at 60,000 ounces of gold, with life-of-mine average annual production expected to be 58,750 ounces of gold per year to 2029 with all-in sustaining costs estimated at $1,400 per ounce of gold sold. Mining operations at Manh Choh are progressing as planned with ongoing incremental improvements in both the ore transportation and processing at Fort Knox. We plan to report final gold sales and all-in-sustaining costs for the second campaign of 2025 with the second quarter 2025 financial results in early August 2025. Ore processing for the third campaign of 2025 is scheduled for August 2025." 

Mr. Van Nieuwenhuyse continued, "Based on year-to-date results and projections going forward, we now expect cash distributions for 2025 from the Peak Gold JV now to be in excess of $93 million, assuming a $3,200 per ounce spot gold price for the second half of 2025. This higher-than-expected cash flow will be used to strengthen our cash position, reduce debt and fulfill our hedge contracts. We continue to advance permitting activities on the Johnson Tract project."

ABOUT CONTANGO

Contango is a NYSE American listed company that engages in exploration for gold and associated minerals in Alaska. Contango holds a 30% interest in the Peak Gold JV, which leases approximately 675,000 acres of land for exploration and development on the Manh Choh project, with the remaining 70% owned by KG Mining (Alaska), Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation, operator of the Peak Gold JV. The Company and its subsidiaries also have (i) a lease on the Johnson Tract project from the underlying owner, CIRI Native Corporation, (ii) a lease on the Lucky Shot project from the underlying owner, Alaska Hardrock Inc., (iii) 100% ownership of approximately 8,600 acres of peripheral State of Alaska mining claims, and (iv) a 100% interest in approximately 145,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims that give Contango the exclusive right to explore and develop minerals on these lands. Additional information can be found on our web page at www.contangoore.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Contango that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on Contango's current expectations and includes statements regarding future results of operations, quality and nature of the asset base, the assumptions upon which estimates are based and other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, strategies or statements about future events or performance (often, but not always, using words such as "expects", "projects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates", "potential", "possible", "probable", or "intends", or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "should", or "could" be taken, occur or be achieved). Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: the risks of the exploration and the mining industry (for example, operational risks in exploring for and developing mineral reserves; risks and uncertainties involving geology; the speculative nature of the mining industry; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future production, costs and expenses; the volatility of natural resources prices, including prices of gold and associated minerals; the existence and extent of commercially exploitable minerals in properties acquired by Contango or the Peak Gold JV; ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Peak Gold JV; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the interpretation of exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; the loss of key employees or consultants; health, safety and environmental risks and risks related to weather and other natural disasters); uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; Contango's inability to retain or maintain its relative ownership interest in the Peak Gold JV; inability to realize expected value from acquisitions; inability of our management team to execute its plans to meet its goals; the extent of disruptions caused by an outbreak of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and the possibility that government policies may change, political developments may occur or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld, including as a result of presidential and congressional elections in the U.S. or the inability to obtain mining permits. Additional information on these and other factors which could affect Contango's exploration program or financial results are included in Contango's other reports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the projections in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Contango does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

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SOURCE Contango Ore

FAQ

What was Contango's gold production in Q2 2025 from Peak Gold JV?

Contango's 30% share of production from Campaign #2-2025 was approximately 15,700 ounces of gold, exceeding the original guidance of 15,000 ounces.

What is CTGO's expected cash distribution from Peak Gold JV for 2025?

Contango expects cash distributions from Peak Gold JV to exceed $93 million in 2025, based on a $3,200 per ounce gold price assumption for the second half of 2025.

What is Contango's production guidance for 2025?

Contango maintains its guidance for 30% share of Peak Gold JV's 2025 production at 60,000 ounces of gold, with life-of-mine average annual production of 58,750 ounces through 2029.

What was the mill throughput rate for Contango's second 2025 campaign?

The mill throughput averaged 10,122 tons per day, which was 17% above plan and approximately 25% above the throughput rate from the first campaign of 2025.

What is CTGO's expected all-in sustaining cost per ounce?

The life-of-mine all-in sustaining costs are estimated at $1,400 per ounce of gold sold, with the second campaign expected to have lower costs than the first campaign's $1,374 per ounce.