Kirkland Lake Gold reports record Q2 production In 2021

“We generated record quarterly production in Q2 2021 and completed the first half of the year well positioned to achieve our full-year 2021 production guidance of 1,300,000 – 1,400,000 ounces, with our expectation now being to finish the year in the top half of the guidance range," said Tony Makuch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kirkland Lake Gold.

"The record production in Q2 2021 was largely driven by strong results at Fosterville, as well as higher levels of production at both Detour Lake and Macassa compared to both Q2 2020 and the previous quarter. Higher than planned production at Fosterville was mainly related to continued grade outperformance and changes in mine sequencing which resulted in an improved grade profile for the quarter. At Detour Lake, we achieved record production driven by increased mill throughput and a significant improvement in grade, with the average grade of 0.96 g/t in line with the current Mineral Reserve grade for the operation. Improved results at Macassa reflected increased processing rates, to an average of just under 1,000 tpd, as well as higher than expected grades. Both Detour Lake and Macassa are targeting further improvement in average grades over the balance of the year. At June 30, 2021, all three of our cornerstone assets were on track to achieve their full-year 2021 production guidance, with Fosterville positioned to potentially beat its guidance of 400,000 – 425,000 ounces.”

For the first half of 2021 (“YTD 2021”), production totalled 682,042 ounces, a 3% increase from the first half of 2020 (“YTD 2020”), reflecting higher production at Detour Lake and Macassa. All dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

Highlights of Q2 2021 Production Results

• Production of 379,195 ounces, 15% increase from 329,770 ounces in Q2 2020 and 25% higher than 302,847 ounces the previous quarter (YTD 2021 production of 682,042 ounces compared to 660,634 ounces in YTD 2020)
• Gold sales of 364,575 ounces at an average realized price(1) of $1,814 per ounce, with gold poured of 371,265 ounces
• Fosterville: Production at Fosterville totalled 157,993 ounces compared to 155,106 ounces for the same period in 2020 and 108,679 ounces in Q1 2021 (YTD 2021 production of 266,672 ounces versus 314,970 ounces in YTD 2020)
• Detour Lake: Record quarterly production of 165,880 ounces, 26% increase from 131,992 ounces in Q2 2020 and 13% higher than 146,731 ounces in Q1 2021 (YTD 2021 production of 312,611 ounces versus 223,547 ounces for five months in YTD 2020 after Detour Lake acquisition on January 31, 2020 (270,043 ounces for full YTD 2020))
• Macassa: Production of 55,322 ounces, 32% higher than 41,865 ounce in Q2 2020 and 17% increase from 47,437 ounces in Q1 2021 (YTD 2021 production of 102,759 ounces, 11% increase from 92,726 ounces for YTD 2020).

Other Highlights of Q2 2021

• Progress achieved towards key value-creation catalysts
  • Detour Lake: Achieved continued exploration success in support of future Mineral Reserve growth and further progress with key growth projects; New life-of-mine plan and technical report on track for first half of 2022
  • Macassa: #4 Shaft project remained over a month ahead of schedule, reaching approximately 5,600 feet at June 30, 2021, with project on track for completion in late 2022
  • Fosterville: New exploration drive completed with five drills deployed in June to test the down-plunge extension of the Swan Zone in the Lower Phoenix System; Twin exploration drive to Robbin’s Hill reached 5,548 m of advance as at June 30, 2021

• Committed to returning capital to shareholders: Normal Course Issuer Bid renewed, Automatic Share Purchase Plan introduced; Returned $62 million ($50 million in dividends and $12 million to repurchase 300,000 shares)
• Increased financial strength with cash of $855 million with no debt at June 30, 2021 versus $792.2 million at March 31, 2021; $98 million tax payment in Australia in Q2 2021 representing the final tax instalment for the 2020 tax year.

 

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