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New Gold Inc.

New Gold Reports Third Quarter Operational Results

Oct 13, 2020
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- October 13, 2020 – New Gold Inc. (“New Gold” or the “Company”) (TSX and NYSE American: NGD) reports third quarter operational results for the Company as of September 30, 2020 and reaffirms annual production guidance. (All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated)
 
An earnings conference call and webcast will be held on November 5, 2020 beginning at 8:30 am Eastern Time to discuss the third quarter financial results. (Details provided at the end of this news release)
 
During this quarter, the Rainy River Mine delivered another strong quarter of operational and technical performance. Mine operations ramped up towards the 2021 target capacity of approximately 150,000 tonnes per day and the mill delivered a record of 27,000 tonnes per day, reaching the maximum monthly average throughput allowable under the existing mill permit. With both the mine and mill operating at capacity, the Company's efforts will now shift to focus on identifying additional opportunities to further optimize mine and mill productivities and unit cost performance.
 
Third Quarter and Recent Highlights
 
  • Total production for the third quarter was 115,536 gold equivalent (gold eq.) ounces (78,959 ounces of gold, 171,825 ounces of silver and 18.2 million pounds of copper), on track to achieve revised annual production guidance.
  • The Rainy River Mine produced 64,221 gold eq. ounces (63,004 ounces of gold and 102,814 ounces of silver) for the quarter, on track to achieve the mid-range of revised annual production guidance.
  • The New Afton Mine produced 51,315 gold eq. ounces (15,955 ounces of gold and 18.2 million pounds of copper) for the quarter, on track to achieve the mid-range of revised annual production guidance.
  • During the quarter, the Company completed the divestment of the Blackwater Project to Artemis Gold (“Artemis”) for total cash consideration of C$190 million.The initial cash payment of C$140 million was received during the quarter with the remaining C$50 million cash payment due on August 24, 2021. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has retained an 8% gold stream and a 6% equity stake in Artemis. (Refer to the Company's June 24, 2020 and August 24, 2020 news releases for further information)
  • During the quarter, the Company completed the full redemption of its outstanding 6.25% senior notes due in 2022 that was funded from the proceeds of the $400 million senior notes offering that was completed on June 24, 2020. (Refer to the Company's June 24, 2020 and July 10, 2020 news releases for further information)
  • During the quarter, the Company transferred approximately $90 million in letters of credit related to mine closure costs to surety bonds, increasing the funds available under the credit facility.
  • On October 9, 2020, the Company extended its secured credit facility with a syndicate of 8 top-tier financial institutions. The facility will now mature on October 9, 2023 and has a new maximum borrowing limit of $350 million. (Additional details provided below)
  • At the end of the quarter, the Company had a cash position of $415 million and a strong liquidity position of approximately $720 million, based on the amended credit facility.
  • Mr. Eric Vinet has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations to be effective October 19, 2020. Eric joined New Gold in January 2019 as Vice President, Technical Services and most recently was the Interim General Manager at the Rainy River Mine where he led the successful repositioning of the operation for profitability and free cash flow generation.
 
"We are very pleased with the results from the Rainy River Mine as the operations met, or exceeded, target levels. Supported by the strong operational performance delivered in the quarter and with all deferred site construction capital substantially complete, the operation is well positioned to deliver on its life of mine plan that includes strong production growth at lower costs along with a significant and corresponding reduction in capital requirements." stated Renaud Adams, CEO. "Our improved operational performance has allowed New Gold to complete key corporate transactions during the year that supported the restructuring of our balance sheet and strengthened our liquidity position. As we enter the final quarter of the year, we will continue to build on the progress made during the year as we position the Company for the future and deliver free cash flow generation beginning in 2021."
 
Consolidated Third Quarter Operational Results
 
 
 
 
  • Following the approval by Health Canada, three rapid testing devices were procured to test for the COVID-19 virus as we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our employees and our local and Indigenous communities. Daily testing increased during the quarter to further enhance screening protocols, which have been instrumental in keeping the operation COVID-19 free.
  • For the third quarter, gold eq. production was 64,221 ounces (63,004 ounces of gold and 102,814 ounces of silver), well positioned to achieve the mid-range of revised annual production guidance as the overall grade is expected to continue to improve in the fourth quarter.
  • During the third quarter, the open pit mine continued to ramp-up towards our 2021 target capacity of 150,000 tonnes per day. Mine productivity increased by 15% over the prior quarter, averaging 145,701 tonnes per day, achieving 97% of the 2021 productivity target.
  • During the quarter, approximately 3.4 million ore tonnes and 10.0 million waste tonnes (including 4.3 million capitalized waste tonnes) were mined from the open pit at an average strip ratio of 2.99:1.
  • During the quarter, the mill achieved a record of 26,998 tonnes per day, reaching the maximum average allowable under the existing mill permit. The mill continued to process ore directly supplied by the open pit combined with ore from the medium grade stockpile and processed an average grade of 0.88 grams per tonne at a gold recovery of 89%. Low grade ore continues to be stockpiled for future processing as part of the underground mine plan. Now that the mill has reached its maximum capacity, efforts will focus on additional optimization opportunities to increase recovery and unit cost performance. Mill availability for the quarter averaged 90%, in-line with plan.
  • All key capital projects were substantially completed during the quarter, including the Stage 2 tailings dam raise, wick drain installation for stabilization of the east waste dump, commissioning of the maintenance and warehouse facilities as well as the water treatment train following the commissioning of the Biochemical Reactor (BCR2) that allows clean water effluent discharge. As previously disclosed, a small portion of the Tailings Management Area (TMA) construction as well as potentially other smaller projects that were originally scheduled for completion in 2021 are now planned for completion in 2020, thereby reducing planned capital requirements for 2021.
  • In the latter part of the quarter, drilling permits were received and an exploration drilling program will be launched during the fourth quarter that will initially focus on the northeast trend area, located approximately 18 kilometers northeast of the Rainy River Mine. The 8,000 metre drilling campaign has been designed in two phases and will test previously identified high priority targets.

 

 

 

  • The mine produced 51,315 gold eq. ounces for the quarter (15,955 ounces of gold, and 18.2 million pounds of copper) and the operation remains well positioned to achieve the mid-range of revised annual production guidance.
  • During the quarter, total development towards the B3 and C-zone advanced by approximately 1,150 metres, achieving 92% of planned levels year to date.
  • The underground mine averaged 17,249 tonnes per day for the quarter, above original planned levels.
  • The mill averaged 15,483 tonnes per day for the quarter, in-line with plan, at an average gold and copper grade of 0.44 grams per tonne gold and 0.71% copper, respectively, with gold and copper recoveries of 80% and 82%, respectively.
  • As previously disclosed, the mill continues to process lower copper and gold grades than originally planned. Both the 2020 and 2021 mine plans incorporate multiple sources of mined ore, including extraction from the east and west caves and rehabilitation and pillar recoveries of medium-high grade. During the quarter, a new access point into the east cave recovery zone was completed supporting an initial average extraction rate of 1,400 tonnes per day, including a peak of 2,000 tonnes per day, with an ultimate target extraction rate of 4,000 tonnes per day.
  • Capital projects continued to be advanced during the quarter, including the construction of the Thickened and Amended Tailings ("TAT") facility. Installation of the lime system was completed, and foundation piling work is in progress. Manufacturing of the thickener is currently underway and is expected to be delivered in Q1 2021.
  • During the quarter, a key portion of the water permit was received, and the Phase 1 permit for the Thickened and Amended Tailings is expected to be received in the fourth quarter. B3 permitting remains on schedule and submission of the C-zone permit is expected during the fourth quarter.
  • Approval for Phase 1 of the Cherry Creek Trend drilling program was recently received with drilling expected to be launched in the fourth quarter. The program will focus on drilling high priority targets defined by coincidental geochemical and geophysical anomalies. The objective of the 10,000 metre Phase 1 drilling campaign is to evaluate both near surface epithermal gold and underlying copper-gold system potential within the approximately 12 kilometre trend of the prospective structural corridor located approximately 3 kilometres west of the New Afton mill.
 
Credit Facility Highlights
 
On October 9, 2020, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions, including The Bank of Nova Scotia, Royal Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, The Toronto Dominion Bank, Bank of America N.A., Bank of Montreal, JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., and National Bank of Canada. The amended and restated credit agreement extends the maturity date for the facility from August 14, 2021 to October 9, 2023 and modifies the maximum borrowing limit to $350 million from $400 million. All material financial covenants remain the same.
 
Third Quarter Conference Call and Webcast
 
The Company will host an earnings call and webcast on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 08:30 AM Eastern Time to discuss the financial results. Details are provided below:
 
Participants may listen to the webcast by registering on our website at www.newgold.com or via the following link https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=669A87CE-F2EB-4685-A672-8B43399BEAFE
 
  • Participants may also listen to the conference call by calling toll free 1-833-350-1329, or 1-236-389-2426 outside of the U.S. and Canada.
  • A recorded playback of the conference call will be available until by calling toll free 1-800-585-8367, or 1-416-621-4642 outside of the U.S. and Canada, passcode 7759268. An archived webcast will also be available until December 5, 2020 at www.newgold.com.
 
About New Gold Inc.
 
New Gold is a Canadian-focused intermediate gold mining company with a portfolio of two core producing assets in Canada, the Rainy River and New Afton Mines. The Company also holds an 8% gold stream on the Artemis Gold Blackwater project located in British Columbia and a 6% equity stake in Artemis. The Company also operates the Cerro San Pedro Mine in Mexico (in reclamation). New Gold's vision is to build a leading diversified intermediate gold company based in Canada that is committed to environment and social responsibility. For further information on the Company, visit www.newgold.com.
 

Source: https://www.newgold.com/2020/Corporate-Presentation-November-2020/default.aspx

Project Buyer (Temp)

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Major Materials Warehouse Technician - 7/7 Rotation

The role of the Major Material Warehouse Technician is responsible for the managing of all the major materials (fuel, oils, mill reagents, tires, drilling materials etc.) to support the mine operations. 

Senior Inventory Management Analyst - Relocation Required

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Warehouse Technician - 7/7 Rotation - No Camp - Relocation Required

The role of Warehouse Technician is to ensure the efficient operation of all warehouse activities. 

Lead Environment Technician - Relocation Required

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Mine Superintendent - 14/14 Rotation - Camp & Travel

The role of Mine operations Superintendent is to oversee the safe and efficient extraction of ore through the supervision and control of mining department activities such as budgeting, planning staffing and cost control.  

Senior Underground Mine Engineer - Relocation Required

The Senior Mine Engineer will provide clarity and focus for the engineering group to achieve and surpass the mine’s safety and production targets and to add value to the operation. 

Construction & Engineering Superintendent

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Senior Hydrogeologist/Water Resource Engineer

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Red Seal Millwrights

Red Seal Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) provides skilled expertise, executing world class maintenance practices and lubrication techniques.