Alamos Gold Inc. Q1 2023 Earnings Call
This conference is being recorded.
Let's close the homes that don't go as you see.
All participants thank you for standing by the conference is ready to begin with.
I would now like to start a meeting over to Mr. Scott Parsons Senior Vice President Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Thank you operator, and thanks to everybody for attending Alamos as first quarter 2023 Conference call. In addition to myself we have on the line today, John Mccluskey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Porter, Chief Financial Officer, Luke Chemo, Chief operating Officer, and Greg Fisher Senior Vice.
President of finance, we will be referring to a presentation. During the conference call that is available through the webcast and on our website I would also like to remind everyone that our presentation will be followed by a Q&A.
As we will be making forward looking statements during the call. Please refer to cautionary notes included in the presentation news release and M. DNA as well as the risk factors set out in our annual information form tactic.
Technical information in this presentation has been reviewed and approved by Chris <unk>, Our senior VP Technical services and a qualified person also please bear in mind that all the dollar amounts.
Mentioned in this conference call are in U S dollars unless otherwise noted now John will provide you with an overview.
Scott.
Yeah.
I'd like to welcome everyone to our call.
I'll start off by thanking Jamie Porter for his invaluable contribution to Alamos for nearly 20 years.
Jamie joined almost 2005, and it's been our Chief financial Officer since 2011.
It's been an instrumental part of our leadership team, helping oversee our growth from a single operation to a diversified intermediate producer with financial discipline that has allowed us to maintain one of the strongest balance sheets in the sector.
Jamie on behalf of the entire team. We wish you continued success in your future endeavors.
I also want to congratulate Greg Fisher on his promotion to Chief Financial Officer.
Greg has been an integral part of our senior management team for the past 13 years over that timeframe. Greg has led our finance team and helped instill the same financial discipline that has kept all of us on the right track throughout its history.
We're in excellent hands with Greg and look forward to his ongoing leadership and financial stewardship as we deliver on our strong outlook.
Now starting with slide three.
We had a strong start to the year with costs in line with annual guidance with production of 128400 ounces exceeding our first quarter guidance.
This was driven by solid performances in all three operations, including an exceptional performance from Lee Aki Grande in its third full quarter of operation.
We're well on our on track to achieve our full year guidance.
Revenues increased to a new quarterly record of 252 million in cash flow from operations increased for the fourth consecutive quarter to 127 million.
We also generated $11 million of free cash flow.
This marked the fourth consecutive quarter of positive free cash flow and we expect stronger results in the second quarter and on an ongoing basis over the next few years, while we fund the phase three expansion at island gold.
Yeah.
Now turning to slide four.
We continue to advance our various growth initiatives during the first quarter.
With the hoist house now up in the call away to be used for the shot sink no on site. We also announced the acquisition of matter too cold.
<unk> will more than triple our land package adjacent to it along strike from island gold.
Significantly adding to the regional exploration potential.
Additionally.
We achieved a significant permitting milestones that are Lynn Lake project with the approval of its environmental impact statement we.
We expect to have an updated feasibility study completed on Lynn Lake towards the middle of the year.
We also expect to complete a development plan for the ports to Larry deposit in the latter part of the year, which will incorporate results from an expanded exploration program currently underway.
We've already to find 1 million ounces of higher grade reserves and resources at P. D.
Over the past two years and see excellent potential for that growth to continue.
Supporting what we expect will be a significant mine life extension at <unk>.
Now turning to slide five.
These projects.
Are all contributors to our short our strong short and long term outlook.
We're expecting a 9% increase in production this year to approximately 500000 ounces and a 17% decrease in our all in sustaining costs to approximately $1000 per ounce by 2025.
The completion of the island gold phase three expansion in 2026 will be a game changer for the operation and the company and we will grow our annual production to over 600000 ounces per year and further reduce our costs.
Longer term, we have the capacity to increase our annual production to approximately 800000 ounces per year through the development of our Lynn Lake project.
Over to slide six as we continue to demonstrate we can fund this growth while generating solid ongoing free cash flow at critical prices, we expect to be generating well over 100 million in free cash flow per year, while funding the phase III expansion and that will grow considerably once the expansion is completed in 2026.
I'll now turn the call over to our CFO , Jamie Porter for the final time to review our financial performance Jamie.
Thank you John .
This will be my last quarterly conference call as part of all of a sudden although I'm sad to be leaving the company and the team are very proud of what we've accomplished together.
The outlook for Alamo has never been brighter the team has never been stronger I look forward to Alamos is continued growth and know the company is in great hands with Greg Fischer as Chief Financial Officer.
On to slide seven we sold 132007 hundred ounces of gold in the first quarter at an average realized price of $1896 per ounce, which was $6 per ounce above 11 P. M fixed price for record revenues of $252 million.
Total cash cost of $821 per ounce well below the full year guidance range at all in sustaining costs of $1176 per ounce were at the top end.
We're one of the few companies to meet our cost guidance in 2022 and are on track to do the same in 2023 with a solid start to the year.
Our reported net earnings of 48 million in the first quarter 12 cents per share included unrealized foreign exchange gains of $4 million recorded within deferred taxes and foreign exchange, partially offset by other losses of $1 million. Excluding these items. Our adjusted net earnings were $45 million or 12 cents per share.
Operating cash flow before changes in noncash working capital increased 16% from the fourth quarter and grew for the fourth consecutive quarter to $127 million 32, that's for sure.
Capital spending totaled 84 million in the quarter with a similar run rate expected to the rest of the year with construction activities on the phase III plus expansion well underway.
Included 27 million of sustaining capital and $52 million of growth capital and $5 million of capitalized exploration.
Our free cash flow of $11 million in the first quarter was understated, reflecting a temporary buildup of sales tax receivables in Canada. These receivables normalized in April with the collection of $20 million, which will contribute to much stronger free cash flow in the second quarter and through the rest of the year.
Our balance sheet remains strong with no debt 134 million in cash $26 million of equity securities and $500 million of Undrawn credit capacity with stronger production and costs trending lower over the next several years, we remain well positioned to continue generating solid free cash flow, while funding our high return growth projects and supporting ongoing returns to shareholders.
I'll now turn the call over to our CFO Lewke malls to provide an overview of our operations.
Thank you, Jamie I'm moving to slide eight.
Excuse me young Davidson continues to be a consistent performer with grades and mining rates of 8000 tonnes per day, both in line with guidance driving production of 45000 ounces.
Total cash costs were within the full year guidance range and all in sustaining costs just above the top end of the range.
Grades mined are expected to be in a similar range in the second quarter, an increase in the second half of the year driving production higher costs, lower and putting the operation on track to meet its full year guidance.
Site free cash flow totaled $16 million in the first quarter and with stronger free cash flow expected through the remainder of the year Young Davidson is on pace to generate another 100 million in 2023 and annually over the long term.
Over to slide nine.
Island Gold produced 33000 ounces in the quarter with grades mining rates and cost all consistent with full year guidance.
So with the solid start and similar results expected through the year.
And gold is well positioned to achieve full year guidance.
With the ramp up of construction activities on the phase III plus expansion the operation used $21 million of cash during the quarter, excluding exploration spending and the delay in collecting sales tax receivables Island Gold continues continues to largely self finance the expansion.
Over to slide 10.
The phase III plus expansion continues to progress with the installation of the 44 kv power line from the existing operation to the shaft area substation construction of the hoist House building steel and external cladding completed the fabrication of steel for the headframe and color house underway.
Detailed engineering for the paste plant is ongoing as well as basic engineering for the mill expansion and lateral development to support higher mining rates with the expansion.
Installation of the hoist and erection of the headframe are expected to start in the second quarter and as you can see in the photo on the lower right corner of the slide the Galloway that will be used in the shaft sinking arrived on site last week.
Shaft sinking is expected to start in the fourth quarter, putting an expansion putting the expansion on track to be completed in 2026 once completed island gold will be among the largest lowest cost and most profitable gold mines in Canada.
Moving to slide 11.
A lot of district production totaled 50500 ounces up slightly from the fourth quarter with total cash cost and all in sustaining costs coming in below full year guidance.
Mine site free cash flow increased to 37 million the highest level in 10 years.
This was driven by a very strong quarter for la Yaqui Grande with grades and throughput rates above annual guidance.
Production from the modest district will be first half weighted with the main mill out of pit, including El Salto are expected to be depleted in the third quarter.
<unk> stack at La Yaqui Grande are expected to decrease the rest of the year to be consistent with.
As with our other operations loss is well positioned to meet full year guidance given the strong start to the year.
Slide 12.
The Yaqui Grande delivered exceptional results in its third full quarter of operation with production increasing to 38400 ounces.
Stacking rates averaged 11 11300 tons per day above design levels for the second consecutive quarter and great stocked average well above reserve grades and guidance driving the record quarter.
Both are expected to decrease the guided levels through the remainder of the year supporting strong ongoing free cash flow generation.
And P. D. We have we haven't expanded drill program plan totaling 35000 meters during the first half of the year.
This follows a 71% increase in higher grade underground reserves and resources announced a P. D earlier this year.
The deposit is open in multiple directions, and we're continuing to see good results, which we expect will drive further growth.
These results will be incorporated into a development plan for the P. D. H be completed in the fourth quarter that we expect will outline a significant mine life extension uncle autos.
With that I will turn the call back to John .
Thank you Luke.
We've been a strong performer over the past year, which reflects our ongoing operational execution and unique attributes of the company.
With long life high quality assets and high return fully funded growth declining costs driving increasing profitability I wanted the lowest political risk profiles in the sector. We are uniquely positioned gold producer and our outlook has never been stronger.
We have everything we need to be successful we believe all the attributes needed to continue that strong performance.
That concludes our formal presentation I'll now turn the call back to the operator, who will open the lines for your questions operator.
Thank you.
We'll now take questions from the telephone lines Ive got a question in using a speaker phone. Please lift your handset before making your selection you'd have a question. Please press star one on your device.
You may cancel your question at any time by pressing star.
The first question is from Kerry Smith from Haywood Securities.
Thanks, operator.
Look for from a lot of it.
Specifically the Yaqui Sunday.
Yeah, the grade was significantly higher than even the high end of the guidance, which was $1 plus my graph. So was that a function of you know the grades and the model actually being better than what you predicted or you just happened to mine.
Much higher grade in that quarter and the model is still pretty accurate.
Kind of thinking about where the grade might average out for the year.
I assume it's going to be closer to the high end of that guidance, but just wondering if you could give any guidance there.
Yep, Alright, Carey I look to start certainly with a lot of that's a little bit of both I mean, the mining rates have been going a bit quicker than we had initially planned.
So you know from a sequence perspective, we're getting into some higher grade material a little bit quicker, but we've also been seeing some positive reconciliation, where we've been mining to date as well with regards to the extraction of the ore body, but I mean moving forward for the rest of the year, we expect to be more in line certainly with our with the reserve grade of about one.
Two five.
Okay. Okay. That's helpful. Thank you.
Then the second question just on the phase III plus expansion.
At Island, I know, you're just kind of get going there, but so far or is everything kind of tracking on schedule.
That's it.
Surprises one way or the other.
No I would say everything is tracking quite well there to be honest with you certainly on you know the main focus this year is really around the shop surface complex in the shop itself.
And.
The shaft surface infrastructure has certainly been progressing quite well with regards to our timeline as I think as I mentioned in our in my notes speaking notes.
We expect you to start thinking at the end of the year in the fourth quarter.
Which trucks quite well with our overall timeline are scheduled to be up and running at the end of Q1 2026.
Okay.
And maybe John can answer. This question just on this first nations appeal of.
Yeah, yes, it mentally what what you feel actually pertaining to I'm, just trying to understand what that.
Well it's.
It is it's quite a bit and unusual one eye.
I don't know, how well like illuminate Ted that's beyond what's already been said, but.
Generally when there is an objection with the first nation, it's got something to do with.
A lack of consultation.
In this particular case they seem more concerned with.
The the compensation, they're receiving under the I P E and whether or not they're getting a.
Our fair share of them.
What.
What will ultimately be distributed to first nations through the ipas and that's something that has never been brought before the court before and where.
Where.
Just as interested as everybody else a.
What kind of asked the court is going to take in front of us. So it really remains to be seen.
Yeah, Kerry I can just add a bit more to that as well I mean, you know we're building relationships there with two communities two first nation communities in Manitoba one's progressed very.
Well I mean.
To the point about where we were at that or we completed the hand shake phase and we're just kind of working through the legal documents with regards to our you know finalizing that Ah I be a impact benefit agreements, having pen to paper. The other community. We continue to engage with and have open dialogue with and still working through that process.
Despite this judicial review.
Okay, and just so I'm clear is.
Yeah Jackson is coming from Paul for both of those first nations ourselves.
No just just the one first nation Kerry.
Where you haven't actually got a handshake deal okay I understand correct.
Okay. That's helpful. Thanks.
John and then just maybe for Scott or Jim.
I know you did a bunch of drilling in Q1, and Alcon West and care Sito or if you feel is there anything there that you would care to talk about have you seen anything interesting.
In fact, Kerry Scott Scott is not on the call today, but.
Honestly, we've been getting great results just about everywhere, we're drilling and we will be publishing a follow up news release on that in due course.
Okay. Okay, Okay, great, Thanks, guys and good quarter and congratulations to Greg on his new appointment.
Best of luck to Jamie.
Thanks, Karen.
Yeah.
Thank you. The next question is from Mike Parkin from National Bank. Please go ahead.
Thanks, guys.
First question would be you know a bit of a follow up on Yaqui Grande.
You're obviously, you've already said you're mining.
At a more elevated rate then and budget your staff.
It's benefiting by about 10% in grades good.
[noise] with all of that.
Supporting an extremely low cost.
Operation are you seeing like looking at the resource is there isn't a huge amount, but do you see any potential where.
You know with the cut off grade being equal to be tweaked a bit to build in additional.
Tons or.
We're still feeling pretty certain that as we know it today in terms of a reserve base, that's likely to be the end result.
Yeah, Hi, Mike It's Luke here I'd say, you know the as far as the reserve base that we have there at La Yaqui Grande is pretty well defined so I mean, certainly as we think you know what the timelines we're talking about as far as the mining phase of that project.
Oh.
We're pretty confident with what we have to find already that are well well, obviously complete all of the mining of what's required there and stocked out overtime, but at.
At this point.
We're not looking at anything additional.
Okay.
And then switching over to TDA, where certainly the the resource and reserve has been growing quite a bit.
You've got an old Lady.
Mini mill on care and maintenance that seems like scale is.
Proving to be probably too small for the nearly 1 million ounces of silver resources, but.
Thinking.
Yeah, just kind of continues to grow.
From a more meaningful size the operation when it comes online and is it still kind of a licensee and Carlo stays where you would use a mill and so our gold concentrate.
Yeah, Yeah. We're we're we're still working through that process, but I mean, certainly based on the reserve base that we have currently we're looking at something bigger than we've done in the past there with regards to the mining rates from some of the previous underground mining.
We've done to them allowed us district as well as the you know the smaller milling operation that we had that basically generated a flow con for us and then we ship it off site. So we're you know we're gonna be working through our our our mine plan and and it looks to have that completed by the end of the year and then you know.
Accordingly, we will size the milling operation to whatever the mining rates can be supported but we are looking at something bigger probably in the neighborhood of.
Currently we're probably thinking around 1500 tons per day, but again, well, we'll have a better handle on that by the end of the year.
Okay, Great. That's it for me congrats to Jamie and his new job and congrats to Greg.
As new a bigger role thanks, again, guys and great quarter. Thanks, Mike Thanks, Mike It's Mike.
Thank you as a reminder, you May press star one if you have questions the.
The next question is from Carmen Perez from Bank of America. Please go ahead.
Hi, Thank you for the update.
I think earlier in the presentation, we alluded to you know the share price outperformance over the last year, which is obviously extremely impressive can you sort of talk about maybe how this might be impacting your capital allocation priorities and what do you mean by that is is there any change whether you know you are contemplating buying back.
Stock has that changed or are you do you view, maybe your shares as a acquisition currency perhaps.
If M&A opportunities makes sense.
Well the short answer is there's no change to our capital allocation plans everything is going to be on track as far as far as our.
Our purchasing of our stock in the market goes we tend to be very.
As I say circumspect about that when we see it.
Sort of a natural sort of decline in the share price you know heavy heavy selling generally accompanied by a lack of investor interest in this sector at those.
Those junctures, we tend to be active in buying stock, but are where we were not active at the moment.
And as far as M&A concern is concerned you can argue M&A always make sense, but it really comes down to the opportunity you know if you can make good deals in a bad market and you can make good deals and a good market and you can make bad deals in those various markets. So we've tended.
To be.
Very active when when the market is soft and we tend to pull back and focus on.
On.
On our growth and internal growth and AR and cash flow generation when the market is stronger and so that's what you see us doing now so there's less of an emphasis on M&A, but if you recall a few years ago when the market wasn't so interested in M&A. That's when we were the most active.
So that's where that contrarian approach is it's something that has worked for us very very well.
But it doesn't mean you can't make them you can't do an M&A transaction and the kind of market that we're in you just have to be.
Very particular about about what it is you're you're buying and what you are willing to pay.
That's very clear. Thank you that's it for me.
Thank you.
No no further questions at this time.
This morning's call. If you have any further questions that have not been answered please feel free to contact Mr. Scott Parsons at 416.
306, 890, 932 extension 5439.
Please disconnect your lines at this time and thank you for your participation.
Yeah.
Yeah.