Q4 2025 Newmont Corp Earnings Call
Speaker #1: Hello, and welcome to Newmont Corp 2025 results and 2026 guidance conference call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero.
Operator: Hello, and welcome to Newmont's Q4 2025 Results and 2026 Guidance Conference Call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Newmont's Group Head of Treasury and Investor Relations, Neil Backhouse. Please go ahead.
Operator: Hello, and welcome to Newmont's Q4 2025 Results and 2026 Guidance Conference Call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please note, this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Newmont's Group Head of Treasury and Investor Relations, Neil Backhouse. Please go ahead.
Speaker #1: After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Newmont's Group Head of Treasury and Investor Relations, Neil Backhouse.
Speaker #1: Please go ahead.
Speaker #2: Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining Newmont's fourth quarter 2025 results and 2026 guidance conference call. Joining me today are Natascha Viljoen, our President and Chief Executive Officer; Peter Wexler, our Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer; and François Hardy, our Chief Technical Officer.
Neil Backhouse: Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining Newmont's Q4 2025 results and 2026 guidance conference call. Joining me today are Natascha Viljoen, our President and Chief Executive Officer; Peter Wexler, our Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer; and Francois Hardy, our Chief Technology Officer. They will all be available today to answer your questions at the end of the call. Before we begin, please take a moment to review our cautionary statements shown here and refer to our SEC filings, which can be found on our website. With that, I'll turn the call over to Natascha.
Neil Backhouse: Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining Newmont's Q4 2025 results and 2026 guidance conference call. Joining me today are Natascha Viljoen, our President and Chief Executive Officer; Peter Wexler, our Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer; and Francois Hardy, our Chief Technology Officer. They will all be available today to answer your questions at the end of the call. Before we begin, please take a moment to review our cautionary statements shown here and refer to our SEC filings, which can be found on our website. With that, I'll turn the call over to Natascha.
Speaker #2: They will all be available today to answer your questions at the end of the call. Before we begin, please take a moment to review our cautionary statement shown here and refer to our SEC filings, which can be found on our website.
Speaker #2: With that, I'll turn the call over to Natasha.
Speaker #3: Thank you, Neil. And thank you all for joining today's call. At the beginning of this year, I transitioned into my new role as chief executive officer of NEWMONT.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Neil, and thank you all for joining today's call. At the beginning of this year, I transitioned into my new role as Chief Executive Officer of Newmont, and I want to be clear that the priorities that guided me as Chief Operating Officer and that contributed to Newmont's success in 2025 remain firmly in place. As CEO, I will continue to focus on the following key areas. Firstly, ensuring that safety remains the highest priority across the organization. Embedding efficiency, including cost and capital discipline, into everything that we do. Demonstrating that we are the best owners and operators of our assets by driving continuous improvement and greater operational consistency. Developing the highest return projects in our portfolio, ensuring our business has the runway to operate for decades to come.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Neil, and thank you all for joining today's call. At the beginning of this year, I transitioned into my new role as Chief Executive Officer of Newmont, and I want to be clear that the priorities that guided me as Chief Operating Officer and that contributed to Newmont's success in 2025 remain firmly in place. As CEO, I will continue to focus on the following key areas. Firstly, ensuring that safety remains the highest priority across the organization. Embedding efficiency, including cost and capital discipline, into everything that we do. Demonstrating that we are the best owners and operators of our assets by driving continuous improvement and greater operational consistency. Developing the highest return projects in our portfolio, ensuring our business has the runway to operate for decades to come.
Speaker #3: And I want to be clear that the priorities that guided me as chief operating officer and that contributed to NEWMONT's success in 2025 remain firmly in place.
Speaker #3: As CEO, I will continue to focus on the following key areas: firstly, ensuring across the organization; embedding efficiency, including cost and capital discipline, into everything that we do; demonstrating that we are the best owners and operators of our assets by driving continuous improvement and greater opperational consistency; developing the highest return projects in our portfolio; ensuring our business has the runway to operate for decades to come.
Speaker #3: And enhancing shareholder returns by improving our per-share metrics and returning capital to shareholders in a predictable manner, which we believe will support stronger price performance over time.
Natascha Viljoen: Enhancing shareholder returns by improving our per-share metrics and returning capital to shareholders in a predictable manner, which we believe will support stronger price performance over time. Together, these priorities position us to strengthen our business, enhance returns, and build enduring value for all of our stakeholders. Turning now to our results. The fourth quarter of 2025 marked a strong finish to a year of continued progress at Newmont. We achieved our full-year guidance, improved our operational performance, and strengthened our financial position, reflecting disciplined execution across the business. Our consistent focus on operational delivery, combined with a deliberate and patient approach to balance sheet management, has positioned us to continue returning capital to shareholders while improving our financial resilience. Building on that momentum, today we are introducing an enhanced capital allocation framework structured to be sustainable through the cycle.
Natascha Viljoen: Enhancing shareholder returns by improving our per-share metrics and returning capital to shareholders in a predictable manner, which we believe will support stronger price performance over time. Together, these priorities position us to strengthen our business, enhance returns, and build enduring value for all of our stakeholders. Turning now to our results. The fourth quarter of 2025 marked a strong finish to a year of continued progress at Newmont. We achieved our full-year guidance, improved our operational performance, and strengthened our financial position, reflecting disciplined execution across the business. Our consistent focus on operational delivery, combined with a deliberate and patient approach to balance sheet management, has positioned us to continue returning capital to shareholders while improving our financial resilience. Building on that momentum, today we are introducing an enhanced capital allocation framework structured to be sustainable through the cycle.
Speaker #3: Together, these priorities position us to strengthen our business, enhance returns, and build enduring value for all of our stakeholders. Turning now to our results.
Speaker #3: The fourth quarter of 2025 marked a strong finish to a year of continued progress at NEWMONT. We achieved our full-year guidance, improved our operational performance, and strengthened our financial position, reflecting disciplined execution across the business.
Speaker #3: Our consistent focus on operational delivery combined with a deliberate and passionate approach to balance sheet management has positioned us to continue returning capital to shareholders while improving our financial resilience.
Speaker #3: Building on that momentum, today we are introducing an enhanced capital allocation framework structured to be sustainable through the cycle, at its core is a dividend designed to grow on a per-share basis, supporting by ongoing share repurchases that permanently reduce our overall share count.
Natascha Viljoen: At its core is a dividend designed to grow on a per-share basis, supported by ongoing share repurchases that permanently reduce our overall share count. As a first step, we have increased our quarterly common dividend by 4%, with predictable future growth potential. With that in mind, on today's call, we will review our full year 2025 results and then walk through Newmont's 2026 guidance and the enhanced capital allocation framework. But first, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic loss of one of our team members, Matthew Middlebrook, following a fatal incident at our Tanami operation earlier this month. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and colleagues, and we are focused on supporting them however we can during this very difficult time.
Natascha Viljoen: At its core is a dividend designed to grow on a per-share basis, supported by ongoing share repurchases that permanently reduce our overall share count. As a first step, we have increased our quarterly common dividend by 4%, with predictable future growth potential. With that in mind, on today's call, we will review our full year 2025 results and then walk through Newmont's 2026 guidance and the enhanced capital allocation framework. But first, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic loss of one of our team members, Matthew Middlebrook, following a fatal incident at our Tanami operation earlier this month. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and colleagues, and we are focused on supporting them however we can during this very difficult time.
Speaker #3: As a first step, we have increased our quarterly common dividend by 4%, with predictable future growth potential. With that in mind, on today's call, we will review our full-year 2025 results and then walk through NEWMONT's 2026 guidance and the enhanced capital allocation framework.
Speaker #3: But first, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic loss of one of our team members, Matthew Middlebrook. Following a fatal incident at our Tanumai operation earlier this month, our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and colleagues.
Speaker #3: And we are focused on supporting them however we can during this very difficult time. And investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident is underway, and we are committed to fully understanding what happened and taking the necessary actions to strengthen the systems and controls we have in place.
Natascha Viljoen: An investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident is underway, and we are committed to fully understanding what happened and taking the necessary actions to strengthen the systems and controls we have in place, to ensure that everyone who walks through our gates go home safely every day. Turning now to our operational performance in 2025. We successfully achieved our production and cost guidance for the year. We produced 5.7 million ounces of gold from our core portfolio, as well as 28 million ounces of silver, and 135,000 tons of copper. We benefited from the cost savings and productivity initiatives implemented last year, which helped us mitigate pressures associated with a higher gold price environment and supported further margin expansion.
Natascha Viljoen: An investigation into the circumstances that led to the incident is underway, and we are committed to fully understanding what happened and taking the necessary actions to strengthen the systems and controls we have in place, to ensure that everyone who walks through our gates go home safely every day. Turning now to our operational performance in 2025. We successfully achieved our production and cost guidance for the year. We produced 5.7 million ounces of gold from our core portfolio, as well as 28 million ounces of silver, and 135,000 tons of copper. We benefited from the cost savings and productivity initiatives implemented last year, which helped us mitigate pressures associated with a higher gold price environment and supported further margin expansion.
Speaker #3: To ensure that everyone who walks through our gates goes home safely every day. Turning now to our operational performance in 2025, we successfully achieved our production and cost guidance for the year.
Speaker #3: We produced 5.7 million ounces of gold from our core portfolio, as well as 28 million ounces of silver and 135,000 tons of copper. We benefited from the cost savings and productivity initiatives implemented last year which helped us mitigate pressures associated with a higher gold price environment and supported further margin expansion.
Speaker #3: In addition to achieving our absolute and unit cost guidance for 2025, we were able to meaningfully improve our GNI guidance for 2026 by 100 million dollars, which is quite a 21% improvement.
Natascha Viljoen: In addition to achieving our absolute and unit cost guidance for 2025, we were able to meaningfully improve our G&A guidance for 2026 by $100 million, which equates to a 21% improvement. This operational and cost discipline contributed to record earnings and free cash flow on both a quarterly and annual basis, generating $2.8 billion in free cash flow in Q4 and $7.3 billion for the full year. We also generated $4.5 billion in proceeds to date from the successful completion of our non-core divestiture program, and notably, we returned $3.4 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Finally, at the end of 2025, we achieved commercial production at Ahafo North, bringing over 300,000 ounces of gold production into the portfolio this year.
Natascha Viljoen: In addition to achieving our absolute and unit cost guidance for 2025, we were able to meaningfully improve our G&A guidance for 2026 by $100 million, which equates to a 21% improvement. This operational and cost discipline contributed to record earnings and free cash flow on both a quarterly and annual basis, generating $2.8 billion in free cash flow in Q4 and $7.3 billion for the full year. We also generated $4.5 billion in proceeds to date from the successful completion of our non-core divestiture program, and notably, we returned $3.4 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Finally, at the end of 2025, we achieved commercial production at Ahafo North, bringing over 300,000 ounces of gold production into the portfolio this year.
Speaker #3: This operational and cost discipline contributed to record earnings and free cash flow on both the quarterly and annual basis. Generating 2.8 billion dollars in free cash flow in the fourth quarter and 7.3 billion for the full year.
Speaker #3: We also generated 4.5 billion dollars in proceeds to date from the successful completion of our non-core divestiture program. And notably, we returned 3.4 billion dollars to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Speaker #3: Finally, at the end of 2025, we achieved commercial production at a half-hour north, bringing over 300,000 ounces of gold production into the portfolio this year.
Speaker #3: Over the last few years, NEWMONT has been on a transformational journey, aimed at curating a world-class portfolio of operations with complementary gold and copper growth opportunities.
Natascha Viljoen: Over the last few years, Newmont has been on a transformational journey aimed at curating a world-class portfolio of operations with complementary gold and copper growth opportunities. In 2024, that transformation accelerated as we integrated new assets, began divesting non-core operations, and improved our understanding of the potential of our portfolio. And in 2025, this focus shifted to stabilization and optimization, with a deliberate emphasis on cost control, productivity improvements, project execution, and expanded exploration activities. At the beginning of last year, we indicated that Newmont would benefit from a more stable production profile, and that is exactly what we delivered, demonstrating both the strength of our underlying portfolio and the capability of our people.
Natascha Viljoen: Over the last few years, Newmont has been on a transformational journey aimed at curating a world-class portfolio of operations with complementary gold and copper growth opportunities. In 2024, that transformation accelerated as we integrated new assets, began divesting non-core operations, and improved our understanding of the potential of our portfolio. And in 2025, this focus shifted to stabilization and optimization, with a deliberate emphasis on cost control, productivity improvements, project execution, and expanded exploration activities. At the beginning of last year, we indicated that Newmont would benefit from a more stable production profile, and that is exactly what we delivered, demonstrating both the strength of our underlying portfolio and the capability of our people.
Speaker #3: In 2024, that transformation accelerated as we integrated new assets, began divesting non-core operations, and improved our understanding of the potential of our portfolio. And in 2025, this focus shifted to stabilization and optimization, with a deliberate emphasis on cost control, productivity improvements, project execution, and expanded exploration activities.
Speaker #3: At the beginning of last year, we indicated that Newmont would benefit from a more stable production profile. And that is exactly what we delivered.
Speaker #3: Demonstrating both the strength of our underlying portfolio and the capability of our people. And as I'll discuss in a moment, we continue to advance value accretive growth options including the initiation of a mine life extension program at Lahiu and the expected completion of NEWMONT's feasibility study for the request block case in the second half of the year.
Natascha Viljoen: And as I'll discuss in a moment, we continue to advance value-accretive growth options, including the initiation of a mine life extension program at Lihir and the expected completion of Newmont's feasibility study for the Red Chris block cave in the second half of the year. Underpinning this portfolio is the industry's strongest reserve and resource base, providing long-term visibility and confidence. And with this, I will turn it over to Francois to review our 2025 reserves and recent exploration success.
Natascha Viljoen: And as I'll discuss in a moment, we continue to advance value-accretive growth options, including the initiation of a mine life extension program at Lihir and the expected completion of Newmont's feasibility study for the Red Chris block cave in the second half of the year. Underpinning this portfolio is the industry's strongest reserve and resource base, providing long-term visibility and confidence. And with this, I will turn it over to Francois to review our 2025 reserves and recent exploration success.
Speaker #3: Underpinning this portfolio is the industry's strongest reserve and resource base, providing long-term visibility and confidence. And with this, I will turn it over to Francois to review our 2025 reserves and recent exploration success.
Speaker #4: Thank you, Natasha. And hello, everyone. Today, we announced that our gold reserve base stands at 118 million ounces, supported by an additional 149 million ounces of gold resource.
Francois Hardy: Thank you, Natascha, and hello, everyone. Today, we announced that our gold reserve base stands at 180 million ounces, supported by an additional 149 million ounces of gold resource. Together, representing approximately 40 years of production life, with meaningful near mine upside potential at many of our operations. In addition to holding the industry's largest gold reserve and resource base, Newmont also has one of the largest copper endowments within the gold industry, providing significant organic optionality to further diversify the portfolio over time. Following a thorough review, we have increased our reserve price assumption for 2025 from $1,700 per ounce to $2,000 per ounce. Even with this increase, our reserve price assumption remains conservative at more than 20% below the three-year trailing average and well below spot.
François Hardy: Thank you, Natascha, and hello, everyone. Today, we announced that our gold reserve base stands at 180 million ounces, supported by an additional 149 million ounces of gold resource. Together, representing approximately 40 years of production life, with meaningful near mine upside potential at many of our operations. In addition to holding the industry's largest gold reserve and resource base, Newmont also has one of the largest copper endowments within the gold industry, providing significant organic optionality to further diversify the portfolio over time. Following a thorough review, we have increased our reserve price assumption for 2025 from $1,700 per ounce to $2,000 per ounce. Even with this increase, our reserve price assumption remains conservative at more than 20% below the three-year trailing average and well below spot.
Speaker #4: Together, representing approximately 40 years of production life with meaningful near-mine upside potential at many of our operations. In addition to holding the industry's largest gold reserve and resource base, NEWMONT also has one of the largest copper endowments within the gold industry.
Speaker #4: Providing significant organic optionality portfolio over time. Following a thorough review, we have increased our reserve past assumption for 2025 from 1,700 dollars per ounce to 2,000 dollars per ounce.
Speaker #4: Even with this increase, our reserve price assumption remains conservative at more than 20% below the two-year trailing average and well below spot. And our reserve grade remained unchanged year over year when adjusted for the assets divested in 2025.
Francois Hardy: Our reserve grade remains unchanged year-over-year, when adjusted for the assets divested in 2025. It is worth noting that while our reserve price assumption may not change every year, we conduct a disciplined annual review process to ensure it remains appropriate and reflective of evolving views on near and long-term price. While the divestment of non-core assets was a primary driver of year-over-year change in reserves, there are a few additional movements worth highlighting. At Yanacocha, we reclassified approximately 4.5 million ounces from reserve back to resource, following the decision to indefinitely defer the Yanacocha Sulfides project, better aligning the reserve base with our updated development strategy as we prioritize other opportunities at and around the site and continue advancing closure activities in non-operational areas.
François Hardy: Our reserve grade remains unchanged year-over-year, when adjusted for the assets divested in 2025. It is worth noting that while our reserve price assumption may not change every year, we conduct a disciplined annual review process to ensure it remains appropriate and reflective of evolving views on near and long-term price. While the divestment of non-core assets was a primary driver of year-over-year change in reserves, there are a few additional movements worth highlighting. At Yanacocha, we reclassified approximately 4.5 million ounces from reserve back to resource, following the decision to indefinitely defer the Yanacocha Sulfides project, better aligning the reserve base with our updated development strategy as we prioritize other opportunities at and around the site and continue advancing closure activities in non-operational areas.
Speaker #4: And it's worth noting that, while our reserve price assumption may not change every year, we conduct a disciplined annual review process to ensure it remains appropriate and reflective of evolving views on near- and long-term price.
Speaker #4: While the divestment of non-core assets was a primary driver of year-over-year change in reserves, there are a few additional movements worth highlighting. At Anacotia, we reclassified approximately 4.5 million ounces from reserve back to resource following the decision to indefinitely defer the Anacotia sulfides project.
Speaker #4: Better aligning the reserve base with our updated development strategy as we prioritize other opportunities at and around the sites, and continue advancing closure activities in non-operational areas.
Speaker #4: This was partially offset by several meaningful reserve additions unrelated to gold price or cost escalation. Including etanamide in Lahiu. And then the bootstrap where we are seeing significant exploration success, converting approximately 740,000 ounces from resource to reserve.
Francois Hardy: This was partially offset by several meaningful reserve additions unrelated to gold price or cost escalation, including at Tanami and Lihir. Then at Brucejack, where we are seeing significant exploration success, converting approximately 740,000 ounces from resource to reserve. Our exploration activities also delivered promising results at Ahafo South, where we added approximately 2 million ounces to resource in 2023 and 2025. Exploration remains one of the most strategic levers to extend mine life, grow reserves, and create long-term value, which I'll expand upon as we turn to the next slide. Newmont's exploration program is tightly integrated across our 12 managed operations, with approximately 80% of activity focused on near mine and brownfields programs, which are designed to replace reserves, extend mine life, and leverage our deep ore body knowledge to unlock future upside.
François Hardy: This was partially offset by several meaningful reserve additions unrelated to gold price or cost escalation, including at Tanami and Lihir. Then at Brucejack, where we are seeing significant exploration success, converting approximately 740,000 ounces from resource to reserve. Our exploration activities also delivered promising results at Ahafo South, where we added approximately 2 million ounces to resource in 2023 and 2025. Exploration remains one of the most strategic levers to extend mine life, grow reserves, and create long-term value, which I'll expand upon as we turn to the next slide. Newmont's exploration program is tightly integrated across our 12 managed operations, with approximately 80% of activity focused on near mine and brownfields programs, which are designed to replace reserves, extend mine life, and leverage our deep ore body knowledge to unlock future upside.
Speaker #4: Our exploration activities also delivered promising results at a half a south, where we added approximately 2 million ounces to resource in 2025. Exploration remains one of the most strategic levers to extend mine life to our reserves and create long-term value, which I'll expand upon as we turn to the next slide.
Speaker #4: Newmont's exploration program is partly integrated across our 12 managed operations, with approximately 80% of activity focused on near-mine and brownfields programs, which are designed to replace reserves, extend mine life, and leverage our deep ore body knowledge to unlock future upside.
Speaker #4: The remaining effort is targeted at select greenfield opportunities that provide longer-term optionality for
Francois Hardy: The remaining effort is targeted at select greenfield opportunities that provide longer-term optionality for Newmont. While we're seeing encouraging results across the portfolio, I'll focus today on Brucejack and Ahafo South, where the work underway clearly demonstrates the strength of our approach. At Brucejack, our focused near mine drilling, guided by extensive ore body knowledge, delivered a meaningful result in 2025. So in addition to the reserves I mentioned earlier, drilling activities also delivered new resources adjacent to where we're currently mining. And importantly, we have made a new discovery in the Dozer zone, as highlighted on the slide, with several significant intercepts, including 20.9 meters at 154 grams per tonne downhole, representing another potential high-grade mineral zone and a key focus of our 2026 growth program. Together, these results reinforce the value of targeted exploration around existing infrastructure.
François Hardy: The remaining effort is targeted at select greenfield opportunities that provide longer-term optionality for Newmont. While we're seeing encouraging results across the portfolio, I'll focus today on Brucejack and Ahafo South, where the work underway clearly demonstrates the strength of our approach. At Brucejack, our focused near mine drilling, guided by extensive ore body knowledge, delivered a meaningful result in 2025. So in addition to the reserves I mentioned earlier, drilling activities also delivered new resources adjacent to where we're currently mining. And importantly, we have made a new discovery in the Dozer zone, as highlighted on the slide, with several significant intercepts, including 20.9 meters at 154 grams per tonne downhole, representing another potential high-grade mineral zone and a key focus of our 2026 growth program. Together, these results reinforce the value of targeted exploration around existing infrastructure.
Speaker #1: What do you want What are we seeing ? Encouraging results across the portfolio . Our focus today on Brucejack and a half hour , with the work underway , clearly demonstrates the strength of our approach at Brucejack , our focused near-mine drilling , guarded by extensive orebody knowledge , delivered a meaningful result in 2025 .
Speaker #1: So in addition to the reserves I mentioned earlier , drilling activities also delivered new resources adjacent to where we're currently mining . And importantly , we have made a new discovery in the zone .
Speaker #1: As highlighted on the slide , with several significant intercepts , including 20.9m . Triangle Shifting now to our south , exploration beneath the Sabika and appeared open pits .
Francois Hardy: They increase our confidence in Brucejack's longer-term potential and highlight the broader district-scale opportunity within the Golden Triangle. Shifting now to Ahafo South. Exploration beneath the Subika and the Penaso open pits continues to point to the next phase of high-grade underground growth. Based on current results, which are indicating grades higher than the current mine average, we anticipate exploration activities will deliver approximately 4 to 5 million ounces of new gold reserves in 2026. This would meaningfully extend the life of Subika underground mine and support the potential development of a new underground mine at Penaso, both leveraging the existing surface infrastructure and processing capacity at Ahafo South. Looking at our broader portfolio, we're also seeing encouraging exploration developments at Merian, which we plan to provide a more comprehensive update on later this year. I'll now turn the call back to Natascha.
François Hardy: They increase our confidence in Brucejack's longer-term potential and highlight the broader district-scale opportunity within the Golden Triangle. Shifting now to Ahafo South. Exploration beneath the Subika and the Penaso open pits continues to point to the next phase of high-grade underground growth. Based on current results, which are indicating grades higher than the current mine average, we anticipate exploration activities will deliver approximately 4 to 5 million ounces of new gold reserves in 2026. This would meaningfully extend the life of Subika underground mine and support the potential development of a new underground mine at Penaso, both leveraging the existing surface infrastructure and processing capacity at Ahafo South. Looking at our broader portfolio, we're also seeing encouraging exploration developments at Merian, which we plan to provide a more comprehensive update on later this year. I'll now turn the call back to Natascha.
Speaker #1: Continues to point to the next phase of high-grade underground growth, based on current results, which are indicating grades higher than the current mine average.
Speaker #1: We anticipate exploration activities will deliver approximately 4 to 5,000,000oz of new gold reserves in 2026 . This would meaningfully extend the life of Speaker , mine and support the potential development of a new underground mine at a pensive , both leveraging the existing surface infrastructure and processing capacity at a half hour Looking at our broader portfolio , we're also seeing encouraging exploration developments at Marion , which we plan to provide a more comprehensive update on later this year .
Speaker #1: I'll now turn the call back to Natasha
Speaker #2: Thank you . Francois 2025 was a milestone year for projects punctuated by the successful commissioning of a North , a major achievement that now enables the mine to begin delivering an average of 300,000oz per year .
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Francois. 2025 was a milestone year for projects, punctuated by the successful commissioning of Ahafo North, a major achievement that now enables the mine to begin delivering an average of 300,000 ounces per year. We are pleased to report that the total capital spend for the project is expected to come in at the lower end of our estimated range, at approximately $950 million. Building on this strong momentum, we continue to advance our two other major projects in execution towards completion. Beginning with the second expansion at Tanami, with a 1.5km concrete shaft lining now complete, we are shifting focus to equipping the shaft and completing construction of the underground crushing and associated materials handling system.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Francois. 2025 was a milestone year for projects, punctuated by the successful commissioning of Ahafo North, a major achievement that now enables the mine to begin delivering an average of 300,000 ounces per year. We are pleased to report that the total capital spend for the project is expected to come in at the lower end of our estimated range, at approximately $950 million. Building on this strong momentum, we continue to advance our two other major projects in execution towards completion. Beginning with the second expansion at Tanami, with a 1.5km concrete shaft lining now complete, we are shifting focus to equipping the shaft and completing construction of the underground crushing and associated materials handling system.
Speaker #2: And we are pleased to report that the total capital spend for the project is expected to come in at the lower end of our estimated range, at approximately $950 million.
Speaker #2: Building on this strong momentum , we continue to advance our two other major projects in execution towards completion . Beginning with the second expansion at Tanami , with a one and a half kilometre concrete shaft lining .
Speaker #2: Now complete, we are shifting focus to equipping the shaft and completing construction of the underground, crushing, and associated materials handling system.
Speaker #2: Construction for the headframe and mechanical work is expected to be completed in late 2026 , with full project completion still on track for the second half of 2027 .
Natascha Viljoen: Construction for the headframe and mechanical work is expected to be completed in late 2026, with full project completion still on track for the second half of 2027. At Cadia, development for both panel caves continues, and we are progressing towards cave completion at PC2-3 in Q4 of this year as planned. In addition, I'm pleased to announce that in December, we fired the first drawbell at PC1-2, marking an important milestone for this project and initiating the next critical phase of cave development. We continue to advance tailings work at Cadia, while progressing the necessary government approvals to support continued operations beyond the current facilities for decades to come.
Natascha Viljoen: Construction for the headframe and mechanical work is expected to be completed in late 2026, with full project completion still on track for the second half of 2027. At Cadia, development for both panel caves continues, and we are progressing towards cave completion at PC2-3 in Q4 of this year as planned. In addition, I'm pleased to announce that in December, we fired the first drawbell at PC1-2, marking an important milestone for this project and initiating the next critical phase of cave development. We continue to advance tailings work at Cadia, while progressing the necessary government approvals to support continued operations beyond the current facilities for decades to come.
Speaker #2: At Cadia, development for both panel caves continues, and we are progressing towards completion at TC2 Three in the fourth quarter of this year, as planned.
Speaker #2: In addition, I'm pleased to announce that in December we fired the first Roar Bell at PC1 Two, marking an important milestone for this project and initiating the next critical phase of development.
Speaker #2: And we continue to advance tailings work at Cadia while progressing the necessary government approvals to support continued operations beyond the current facilities for decades to come In addition to these major projects in execution , we received full funds approval for the nearshore barrier mine life extension at Lihir , which involves the construction of an in-ground concrete water seepage barrier , unlocking access to over 5,000,000oz of of low cost ounces from the carpet ore body .
Natascha Viljoen: In addition to these major projects in execution, we received full funds approval for the Nearshore Barrier Mine Life Extension at Lihir, which involves the construction of an in-ground concrete water seepage barrier, unlocking access to over 5 million ounces of low-cost ounces from the Kapit ore body and extending Lihir's mine life to beyond 2034. We continue to advance the feasibility study at Red Chris for the Block Cave Expansion project, with full funds approval targeted in the second half of 2026, when we plan to provide a more fulsome update. With the strong progress made in 2025, we are well positioned to continue delivering value from our world-class portfolio in 2026. Now, I want to take a look now at 2026.
Natascha Viljoen: In addition to these major projects in execution, we received full funds approval for the Nearshore Barrier Mine Life Extension at Lihir, which involves the construction of an in-ground concrete water seepage barrier, unlocking access to over 5 million ounces of low-cost ounces from the Kapit ore body and extending Lihir's mine life to beyond 2034. We continue to advance the feasibility study at Red Chris for the Block Cave Expansion project, with full funds approval targeted in the second half of 2026, when we plan to provide a more fulsome update. With the strong progress made in 2025, we are well positioned to continue delivering value from our world-class portfolio in 2026. Now, I want to take a look now at 2026.
Speaker #2: And extending the years mine life to begin to 2014 . And we continue to advance the feasibility study at request for the block Cave expansion project , with full funds approval targeted in the second half of 2026 .
Speaker #2: When we plan to provide a more fulsome update with strong progress made in 2025, we are well positioned to continue delivering value from our world-class portfolio in 2026.
Speaker #2: Now I want to take a look now at 2026 . And as with 2025 , we are providing high confidence , one year guidance within the plus or minus 5% range , along with a few of the key drivers supporting longer term production growth .
Natascha Viljoen: As of 2025, we are providing high-confidence, 1-year guidance within a ±5% range, along with a few of the key drivers supporting longer-term production growth. Beginning with production. Our 2026 guidance remains consistent with the indications provided on our Q3 call, with total attributable production of 5.3 million ounces, including 3.9 million ounces from managed operations and 1.4 million ounces from non-managed operations. This outlook reflects the year-on-year changes from the planned mine sequencing at Ahafo South, Peñasquito, and Cadia, as well as the production impact from the Boddington bushfires in December. But we are pleased to report that the recovery following the fires is going well, and our team has successfully repaired the critical water supply infrastructure, and processing operations have now restarted at full levels.
Natascha Viljoen: As of 2025, we are providing high-confidence, 1-year guidance within a ±5% range, along with a few of the key drivers supporting longer-term production growth. Beginning with production. Our 2026 guidance remains consistent with the indications provided on our Q3 call, with total attributable production of 5.3 million ounces, including 3.9 million ounces from managed operations and 1.4 million ounces from non-managed operations. This outlook reflects the year-on-year changes from the planned mine sequencing at Ahafo South, Peñasquito, and Cadia, as well as the production impact from the Boddington bushfires in December. But we are pleased to report that the recovery following the fires is going well, and our team has successfully repaired the critical water supply infrastructure, and processing operations have now restarted at full levels.
Speaker #2: Beginning with production at 2026 . Guidance remains consistent with the indications provided on our third quarter call , with total attributable production of 5.3 million ounces , including 3.9 million ounces from managed operations and 1.4 million ounces from Non-managed operations .
Speaker #2: This outlook reflects the year on year changes from the planned mine sequencing at a half hour South Penasquito and Cadia , as well as the production impact from the Boddington bushfires in December .
Speaker #2: But we are pleased to report that the recovery following the fires is going well, and our team has successfully repaired the critical water supply infrastructure. Processing operations have now restarted at full levels.
Speaker #2: This guidance also incorporates lower than expected ounces from Nevada gold mines and Pueblo Bio . As indicated by the managing partner . An importantly , through a careful assessment of our mind , plan at Yanacocha and in light of the current gold price environment , we have identified a highly capital efficient plan which leverages current infrastructure to continue mining operations through 2026 and into early 2027 , adding additional low cost ounces that are expected to benefit our production profile in early 2027 .
Natascha Viljoen: This guidance also incorporates lower than expected ounces from Nevada Gold Mines and Pueblo Viejo, as indicated by the managing partner. Importantly, through a careful assessment of our mine plan at Yanacocha, and in light of the current gold price environment, we have identified a highly capital-efficient plan, which leverages current infrastructure to continue mining operations through 2026 and into early 2027, adding additional low-cost ounces that are expected to benefit our production profile in early 2027, with further potential upside. For the full portfolio, we expect production to be relatively evenly weighted throughout the year, with a modest second half weighting of about 52%. As previously indicated, 2026 represents a trough in our production cycle due to planned mine sequencing across several operations.
Natascha Viljoen: This guidance also incorporates lower than expected ounces from Nevada Gold Mines and Pueblo Viejo, as indicated by the managing partner. Importantly, through a careful assessment of our mine plan at Yanacocha, and in light of the current gold price environment, we have identified a highly capital-efficient plan, which leverages current infrastructure to continue mining operations through 2026 and into early 2027, adding additional low-cost ounces that are expected to benefit our production profile in early 2027, with further potential upside. For the full portfolio, we expect production to be relatively evenly weighted throughout the year, with a modest second half weighting of about 52%. As previously indicated, 2026 represents a trough in our production cycle due to planned mine sequencing across several operations.
Speaker #2: With further potential upside for the full portfolio . We expect production to be relatively evenly weighted throughout the year , with a modest second half weighting of about 52% , and as previously indicated , 2026 represents a trough in our production cycle due to planned mine sequencing across several operations .
Speaker #2: As we positioned the portfolio to return to production growth in 2027 and beyond , maintaining our longer term outlook of approximately 6,000,000oz of gold and 150,000 tonnes of copper annually Turning now to our cost outlook .
Natascha Viljoen: As we position the portfolio to return to production growth in 2027 and beyond, maintaining our longer-term outlook of approximately 6 million ounces of gold and 150,000 tons of copper annually. Turning now to our cost outlook. As mentioned at the start of the call, we have made great strides towards improving and managing the cost within our control, and this will remain a key priority in 2026, especially when operating in a volatile macroeconomic environment. Last year, we committed to measuring the success of our cost and productivity program by our ability to control absolute cost. In 2026, the only expected increases to our cost applicable to sales are those directly linked to timing impacts and higher gold prices, including production taxes, working participation costs, and third-party royalties.
Natascha Viljoen: As we position the portfolio to return to production growth in 2027 and beyond, maintaining our longer-term outlook of approximately 6 million ounces of gold and 150,000 tons of copper annually. Turning now to our cost outlook. As mentioned at the start of the call, we have made great strides towards improving and managing the cost within our control, and this will remain a key priority in 2026, especially when operating in a volatile macroeconomic environment. Last year, we committed to measuring the success of our cost and productivity program by our ability to control absolute cost. In 2026, the only expected increases to our cost applicable to sales are those directly linked to timing impacts and higher gold prices, including production taxes, working participation costs, and third-party royalties.
Speaker #2: As mentioned at the start of the call, we have made great strides towards improving and managing the costs within our control, and this will remain a key priority in 2026, especially when operating in a volatile macroeconomic environment.
Speaker #2: Last year , we committed to measuring the success of our cost and productivity program by our ability to control absolute cost . And in 2026 .
Speaker #2: The only expected increases to our cost applicable to sales of those directly linked to timing impacts and higher gold prices , including production taxes , working participation costs and third party royalties Importantly , even with these price linked impacts all in sustaining costs are expected to be more than $100 per ounce lower than they would have been without the cost savings initiatives launched last year .
Natascha Viljoen: Importantly, even with these price-linked impacts, All-In Sustaining Costs are expected to be more than $100 per ounce lower than they would have been without the cost savings initiatives launched last year, demonstrating the structural improvements we've made to our cost base. As previously indicated, we are providing guidance on a By-Product Basis going forward, consistent with our industry peers, while continuing to report both by-product and co-product cost for comparability. On that basis, 2026 All-In Sustaining Costs are expected to be approximately $1,680 per ounce. This assumes a $4,500 per ounce gold price, a $60 per ounce silver price, and a $5 per pound copper price. For every $100 increase in gold price, we expect a $6 increase in our All-In Sustaining Costs due to taxes, royalties, and profit-sharing payments.
Natascha Viljoen: Importantly, even with these price-linked impacts, All-In Sustaining Costs are expected to be more than $100 per ounce lower than they would have been without the cost savings initiatives launched last year, demonstrating the structural improvements we've made to our cost base. As previously indicated, we are providing guidance on a By-Product Basis going forward, consistent with our industry peers, while continuing to report both by-product and co-product cost for comparability. On that basis, 2026 All-In Sustaining Costs are expected to be approximately $1,680 per ounce. This assumes a $4,500 per ounce gold price, a $60 per ounce silver price, and a $5 per pound copper price. For every $100 increase in gold price, we expect a $6 increase in our All-In Sustaining Costs due to taxes, royalties, and profit-sharing payments.
Speaker #2: Demonstrating the structural improvements we've made to our cost base . As previously indicated , we are providing guidance on a by product basis , going forward , consistent with our industry peers , while continuing to report both byproduct and co-product costs for comparability .
Speaker #2: On that basis . 2026 all in sustaining costs are expected to be approximately $1,680 per ounce . This assumes a 4500 dollars per ounce gold price .
Speaker #2: A $60 per ounce silver price , and a $5 per pound copper price . And for every $100 increase in gold price , we expect a $6 increase in our all in sustaining costs due to taxes , royalties and profit sharing payments .
Speaker #2: Beyond the macroeconomic impacts , the year over year change is primarily driven by the reasons we addressed on our third quarter call , including lower gold production from planned mine sequencing , changing inventory at multiple sites , and the timing shift of sustaining capital from 2025 to 2026 .
Natascha Viljoen: Beyond the macroeconomic impacts, the year-over-year change is primarily driven by the reasons we addressed on our third quarter call, including lower gold production from planned mine sequencing, changing in inventory at multiple sites, and the timing shift of sustaining capital from 2025 to 2026. But without the $150 million shifting from 2025, we now expect sustaining capital of about $1.95 billion in 2026. Of that, roughly 52% is weighted to the second half of the year, primarily related to tailings work at Boddington and Cadia to support production capacity and future mine life, as well as the advancement of the ventilation work at Tanami Mine, which is expected to be completed this year. Turning to development capital.
Natascha Viljoen: Beyond the macroeconomic impacts, the year-over-year change is primarily driven by the reasons we addressed on our third quarter call, including lower gold production from planned mine sequencing, changing in inventory at multiple sites, and the timing shift of sustaining capital from 2025 to 2026. But without the $150 million shifting from 2025, we now expect sustaining capital of about $1.95 billion in 2026. Of that, roughly 52% is weighted to the second half of the year, primarily related to tailings work at Boddington and Cadia to support production capacity and future mine life, as well as the advancement of the ventilation work at Tanami Mine, which is expected to be completed this year. Turning to development capital.
Speaker #2: But without the $150 million . Shifting from 2025 , we now expect sustaining capital of about 1.9 $1.95 billion in 2026 . Of that , roughly 52% is weighted to the second half of the year , primarily related to tailings work at Boddington and Cadia to support production capacity and future mine life , as well as the advancement of the ventilation work at Tanami , which is expected to be completed this year Turning to development capital , we expect to invest about $1.4 billion in 2026 .
Natascha Viljoen: We expect to invest about $1.4 billion in 2026 as we advance our major projects in execution, continue the feasibility study work at Red Chris, and progress the mine life extensions at Lihir and Cerro Negro. We expect 55% of total spend to be weighted to the second half of the year, primarily due to the start of the work on the Lihir Nearshore Barrier. We also expect a modest step up in exploration and advanced project spend to about $525 million this year, as we continue to invest in value creating near our existing assets, including Brucejack, Ahafo South, and Merian, as Francois previously touched on.
Natascha Viljoen: We expect to invest about $1.4 billion in 2026 as we advance our major projects in execution, continue the feasibility study work at Red Chris, and progress the mine life extensions at Lihir and Cerro Negro. We expect 55% of total spend to be weighted to the second half of the year, primarily due to the start of the work on the Lihir Nearshore Barrier. We also expect a modest step up in exploration and advanced project spend to about $525 million this year, as we continue to invest in value creating near our existing assets, including Brucejack, Ahafo South, and Merian, as Francois previously touched on.
Speaker #2: As we advance our major projects in execution , continue the feasibility study work at request and progress the mine life extensions at Liu and Sierra Negra , we expect 55% of total spend to be weighted to the second half of the year , primarily due to the start of the work on the Lihir nearshore barrier .
Speaker #2: We also expect a modest step up in exploration and advanced project spend to about $525 million this year . As we continue to invest in value creating near our existing assets , including Brucejack , Ahafo South and Marion .
Speaker #2: As Francois previously touched on, reclamation spend for 2026 is expected to be around $850 million, in line with 2025, primarily related to the construction of water treatment plants at Yanacocha, which are expected to be completed in 2027.
Natascha Viljoen: Reclamation spend for 2026 is expected to be around $850 million, in line with 2025, primarily related to the construction of water treatment plants at Yanacocha, which are expected to be completed in 2027. Once complete, we expect total reclamation spend to return to more normal levels of between $300 and $400 million in 2028. In Q1 2026, we expect to make over $1 billion of tax payments, primarily due to accruals made in 2025. As a result, and in addition to normal working capital seasonality, we expect first quarter free cash flow to be lower than Q4 2025. Looking ahead, our longer-term production growth profile is supported by several clear and executable drivers....
Natascha Viljoen: Reclamation spend for 2026 is expected to be around $850 million, in line with 2025, primarily related to the construction of water treatment plants at Yanacocha, which are expected to be completed in 2027. Once complete, we expect total reclamation spend to return to more normal levels of between $300 and $400 million in 2028. In Q1 2026, we expect to make over $1 billion of tax payments, primarily due to accruals made in 2025. As a result, and in addition to normal working capital seasonality, we expect first quarter free cash flow to be lower than Q4 2025. Looking ahead, our longer-term production growth profile is supported by several clear and executable drivers....
Speaker #2: Once complete, we expect total reclamation spend to return to more normal levels—normal levels of between $300 and $400 million in 2028.
Speaker #2: In the first quarter of 2026, we expect to make over $1 billion of tax payments, primarily due to accruals made in 2025.
Speaker #2: As a result, and in addition to normal working capital and capital seasonality, we expect first quarter free cash flow to be lower than the fourth quarter of 2025.
Speaker #2: Looking ahead , our longer term production growth profile is supported by several clear and executable drivers . The continued ramp up of Hawthorne North delivering new low cost ounces beginning this year .
Natascha Viljoen: The continued ramp-up of Ahafo North, delivering new low-cost ounces beginning this year. The completion of the Boddington stripping campaign in 2026, enabling access to higher gold and copper grades beginning in 2027. The completion of Tanami Expansion 2 in the second half of 2027 as planned. The ongoing development of the Cadia Panel Caves, extending mine life into the middle of this century, and access to low-cost ounces at Lihir, following the completion of the Nearshore Barrier, extending mine life well into the 2040s. Together, these opportunities provide a clear path to renewed production growth, supported by disciplined capital allocation and a portfolio designed to deliver value through this cycle. I will now turn the call over to Peter Wexler, to walk through our enhanced capital allocation framework. Thank you, Peter.
Natascha Viljoen: The continued ramp-up of Ahafo North, delivering new low-cost ounces beginning this year. The completion of the Boddington stripping campaign in 2026, enabling access to higher gold and copper grades beginning in 2027. The completion of Tanami Expansion 2 in the second half of 2027 as planned. The ongoing development of the Cadia Panel Caves, extending mine life into the middle of this century, and access to low-cost ounces at Lihir, following the completion of the Nearshore Barrier, extending mine life well into the 2040s. Together, these opportunities provide a clear path to renewed production growth, supported by disciplined capital allocation and a portfolio designed to deliver value through this cycle. I will now turn the call over to Peter Wexler, to walk through our enhanced capital allocation framework. Thank you, Peter.
Speaker #2: The completion of the Boddington stripping campaign in 2026 , enabling access to higher gold and copper grades beginning in 2027 . The completion of Tanami Expansion two in the second half of 2027 as planned , the ongoing development of the cardiac Panel extending mine life into the middle of this century , and access to low cost ounces at lihir following the completion of the nearshore barrier extending mine life well into the 2040s .
Speaker #2: Together, these opportunities provide a clear path to renewed production growth, supported by disciplined capital allocation and a portfolio designed to deliver value through the cycle.
Speaker #2: I will now turn the call over to Peter Wexler to walk through our enhanced capital allocation framework. Thank you. Peter.
Speaker #1: Thank you Natasha .
Peter Wexler: Thank you, Natascha, and hello, everyone. Our capital allocation priorities and commitment to discipline remain unchanged and supported by a focus on maintaining financial strength and flexibility, reinvesting in our business to ensure long-term sustainable free cash flow growth on a per-share basis, and returning capital to shareholders in a consistent and predictable manner. With that in mind, our enhanced capital allocation framework begins with net cash from operations and then prioritizes that cash be allocated first to Sustaining Capital and our dividend, which are intended to be commitments that will remain consistent throughout the commodity and investment cycle. Second, cash will be allocated to development capital and our balance sheet targets, which may flex based on our needs and our priorities. Third, excess cash available after these priorities are met, will be allocated to share repurchases.
Peter Wexler: Thank you, Natascha, and hello, everyone. Our capital allocation priorities and commitment to discipline remain unchanged and supported by a focus on maintaining financial strength and flexibility, reinvesting in our business to ensure long-term sustainable free cash flow growth on a per-share basis, and returning capital to shareholders in a consistent and predictable manner. With that in mind, our enhanced capital allocation framework begins with net cash from operations and then prioritizes that cash be allocated first to Sustaining Capital and our dividend, which are intended to be commitments that will remain consistent throughout the commodity and investment cycle. Second, cash will be allocated to development capital and our balance sheet targets, which may flex based on our needs and our priorities. Third, excess cash available after these priorities are met, will be allocated to share repurchases.
Speaker #3: And hello everyone . Our capital allocation priorities and commitment to discipline remain unchanged and supported by our focus on maintaining financial strength and flexibility , reinvesting in our business to ensure long term , sustainable free cash flow growth on a per share basis and returning capital to shareholders in a consistent and predictable manner .
Speaker #3: With that in mind, our enhanced capital allocation framework begins with net cash operation, and then prioritizes that cash be allocated first to sustaining capital.
Speaker #3: And our dividend, which is intended to be a commitment that will remain consistent throughout the commodity and investment cycle. Second, cash will be allocated to development capital and our balance sheet targets, which may flex based on our needs and priorities.
Speaker #3: Third, excess cash available after these priorities are met will be allocated to share repurchases, starting with the two priorities designed to be consistent through the cycle.
Peter Wexler: Starting with the two priorities designed to be consistent through the cycle, we will continue to allocate free cash flow to strengthen the longevity and integrity of our portfolio through targeted investments in critical infrastructure, which may entail elevated sustaining capital over the next few years as we work to maximize the long-term value of our portfolio. We will also pay a sustainable cash dividend of $1.1 billion per year, creating significant per-share growth potential for multiple metrics as ongoing share repurchases continue to reduce our overall share count. For Q4 2025, we have declared a dividend of $0.26 per share, reflecting the per-share growth potential embedded in this new approach. Following these consistent commitments, development capital spend and our net cash position may vary over time to reflect portfolio needs and broader macroeconomic conditions.
Peter Wexler: Starting with the two priorities designed to be consistent through the cycle, we will continue to allocate free cash flow to strengthen the longevity and integrity of our portfolio through targeted investments in critical infrastructure, which may entail elevated sustaining capital over the next few years as we work to maximize the long-term value of our portfolio. We will also pay a sustainable cash dividend of $1.1 billion per year, creating significant per-share growth potential for multiple metrics as ongoing share repurchases continue to reduce our overall share count. For Q4 2025, we have declared a dividend of $0.26 per share, reflecting the per-share growth potential embedded in this new approach. Following these consistent commitments, development capital spend and our net cash position may vary over time to reflect portfolio needs and broader macroeconomic conditions.
Speaker #3: We will continue to allocate free cash flow to strengthen the longevity and integrity of our portfolio through targeted investments in critical infrastructure, which may entail elevated sustaining capital over the next few years.
Speaker #3: As we work to maximize the long term value of our portfolio . We will also pay a sustainable cash dividend of $1.1 billion per year , creating significant per share growth potential for multiple metrics .
Speaker #3: As ongoing share repurchases continue to reduce our overall share count for the fourth quarter of 2025 , we have declared a dividend of $0.26 per share , reflecting the per share growth potential embedded in this new approach Following these consistent commitments , development , capital spend and our net cash position may vary over time to reflect portfolio needs and broader macroeconomic conditions .
Speaker #3: We will invest development capital to advance our current projects and prepare for the next phase of growth with a clear focus on responsibly advancing our highest return opportunities while maintaining strict capital , discipline and a clear commitment to value creation At the same time , we will maintain a resilient balance sheet anchored by a $1 billion net cash target , plus or -$2 billion , and underpinned by a minimum cash balance of 5 billion .
Peter Wexler: We will invest development capital to advance our current projects and prepare it for the next phase of growth, with a clear focus on responsibly advancing our highest return opportunities while maintaining strict capital discipline, and a clear commitment to value creation. At the same time, we will maintain a resilient balance sheet, anchored by a $1 billion net cash target, ±$2 billion, and underpinned by a minimum cash balance of $5 billion. This provides the flexibility to return capital to shareholders while funding our capital programs through the commodity price cycles and driving sustainable production growth and operational efficiency. Once these priorities are achieved, we intend to deploy excess cash on a ratable basis to share repurchases. This approach is expected to drive sustained per-share growth in our dividend and provide shareholders with greater exposure to the strong free cash flow generated from our portfolio.
Peter Wexler: We will invest development capital to advance our current projects and prepare it for the next phase of growth, with a clear focus on responsibly advancing our highest return opportunities while maintaining strict capital discipline, and a clear commitment to value creation. At the same time, we will maintain a resilient balance sheet, anchored by a $1 billion net cash target, ±$2 billion, and underpinned by a minimum cash balance of $5 billion. This provides the flexibility to return capital to shareholders while funding our capital programs through the commodity price cycles and driving sustainable production growth and operational efficiency. Once these priorities are achieved, we intend to deploy excess cash on a ratable basis to share repurchases. This approach is expected to drive sustained per-share growth in our dividend and provide shareholders with greater exposure to the strong free cash flow generated from our portfolio.
Speaker #3: This provides flexibility to return capital to shareholders while funding our capital programs through the commodity price cycles and driving sustainable production growth and operational efficiency. Once these priorities are achieved, we intend to deploy excess cash on a rateable basis to share repurchases.
Speaker #3: This approach is expected to drive sustained per share growth in our dividend and provide shareholders with greater exposure to the strong free cash flow generated from our portfolio.
Speaker #3: Even with the recent increase in our share price , our shares represent an exceptional value given our world class portfolio of long life operations and our deep pipeline of gold and copper projects With that , I'll turn it back to Natasha for closing remarks .
Peter Wexler: Even with the recent increase in our share price, our shares represent an exceptional value, given our world-class portfolio of long-life operations and our deep pipeline of gold and copper projects. With that, I'll turn it back to Natascha for closing remarks.
Peter Wexler: Even with the recent increase in our share price, our shares represent an exceptional value, given our world-class portfolio of long-life operations and our deep pipeline of gold and copper projects. With that, I'll turn it back to Natascha for closing remarks.
Speaker #2: Thank you Peter . In closing . 2025 was a year of execution and follow through as we achieved our full year guidance Finished the year strong with a strong financial position , optimized our cost structure , advance project capability , delivered meaningful exploration success and returned capital to shareholders .
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Peter. In closing, 2025 was a year of execution and follow-through as we achieved our full-year guidance, finished the year strong, with a strong financial position, optimized our cost structure, advanced project capability, delivered meaningful exploration success, and returned capital to shareholders, reinforcing the solid foundation we have built and the potential of this organization. Building on that, we are well positioned to drive margin expansion and generate robust free cash flow from our world-class portfolio of operations, projects, and exploration opportunities. Our scale, asset quality, and project optionality allows us to capture upside in favorable markets while remaining flexible through the commodity cycle.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Peter. In closing, 2025 was a year of execution and follow-through as we achieved our full-year guidance, finished the year strong, with a strong financial position, optimized our cost structure, advanced project capability, delivered meaningful exploration success, and returned capital to shareholders, reinforcing the solid foundation we have built and the potential of this organization. Building on that, we are well positioned to drive margin expansion and generate robust free cash flow from our world-class portfolio of operations, projects, and exploration opportunities. Our scale, asset quality, and project optionality allows us to capture upside in favorable markets while remaining flexible through the commodity cycle.
Speaker #2: Reinforcing the solid foundation we have built and the potential of this organization building on that , we are well positioned to drive margin expansion and generate robust free cash flow from our world class portfolio of operations , projects and exploration opportunities Our scale as a quality and project optionality allows us to capture upside in favorable markets while remaining flexible through the commodity cycle .
Speaker #2: And finally , we . Are anchored by resilient balance sheet and a disciplined capital allocation framework , which has enabled us to implement our enhanced approach to return capital , delivering predictable and sustainable returns to shareholders with a clear path to first share growth As we look ahead to the rest of 2026 , while we are operating in a rapidly evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic environment , our confidence come from clear understanding of our portfolio .
Natascha Viljoen: And finally, we are anchored by a resilient balance sheet and a disciplined capital allocation framework, which has enabled us to implement our enhanced approach to return capital, delivering predictable and sustainable returns to shareholders with a clear path to per-share growth. As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, while we are operating in a rapidly evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, our confidence comes from clear understanding of our portfolio, a disciplined, responsible approach to investment, focused on delivering results and long-term value for our shareholders. Just before I turn to Q&A, I want to briefly address the recent announcement by our Nevada Gold Mines joint venture partner. At this time, the only information available to us is what has been publicly disclosed and as stated in our recent press release.
Natascha Viljoen: And finally, we are anchored by a resilient balance sheet and a disciplined capital allocation framework, which has enabled us to implement our enhanced approach to return capital, delivering predictable and sustainable returns to shareholders with a clear path to per-share growth. As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, while we are operating in a rapidly evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, our confidence comes from clear understanding of our portfolio, a disciplined, responsible approach to investment, focused on delivering results and long-term value for our shareholders. Just before I turn to Q&A, I want to briefly address the recent announcement by our Nevada Gold Mines joint venture partner. At this time, the only information available to us is what has been publicly disclosed and as stated in our recent press release.
Speaker #2: A disciplined, responsible approach to investment focused on delivering results and long-term value for our shareholders. Just before I turn to Q&A, I want to briefly address the recent announcement by our Nevada Gold Mines joint venture partner.
Speaker #2: At this time , the only information available to us is what has been publicly disclosed . And as stated in our recent press release , our primary focus remains on working with the managing partner to improve performance of these assets and generate long term value for Newmont shareholders As disclosed in our 10-K , we have issued a notice of default to our joint venture partner related to operational performance and management of Nevada Gold Mines .
Natascha Viljoen: Our primary focus remains on working with a managing partner to improve performance of these assets and generate long-term value for Newmont shareholders. As disclosed in our 10-K, we have issued a notice of default to our joint venture partner related to operational performance and management of Nevada Gold Mines. We do not have any additional information to share at this time, and confidentiality provisions in the joint venture agreement prevent further comment on the notice of default. With that said, we look forward to addressing any questions about Newmont's operational and financial performance. I will now hand it back to the operator to open the call for questions.
Natascha Viljoen: Our primary focus remains on working with a managing partner to improve performance of these assets and generate long-term value for Newmont shareholders. As disclosed in our 10-K, we have issued a notice of default to our joint venture partner related to operational performance and management of Nevada Gold Mines. We do not have any additional information to share at this time, and confidentiality provisions in the joint venture agreement prevent further comment on the notice of default. With that said, we look forward to addressing any questions about Newmont's operational and financial performance. I will now hand it back to the operator to open the call for questions.
Speaker #2: We do not have any additional information to share at this time. Confidentiality provisions in the joint venture agreement prevent further comment on the notice of default. With that said, we look forward to addressing any questions about Newmont's operational and financial performance.
Speaker #2: I will now hand it back to the operator to open the call for questions.
Speaker #4: Of course , we will now begin the question and answer session . We ask that you please limit your inquiries to one primary question and one follow up question .
Operator: Of course. We will now begin the question and answer session. We ask that you please limit inquiries to one primary question and one follow-up question. To ask a question, you may press Star then one on your touch-tone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. To withdraw your question, please press Star then two. At this time, we will pause to assemble our roster. The first question comes from the line of Lawson Winder with Bank of America Securities. Your line is now open.
Operator: Of course. We will now begin the question and answer session. We ask that you please limit inquiries to one primary question and one follow-up question. To ask a question, you may press Star then one on your touch-tone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. To withdraw your question, please press Star then two. At this time, we will pause to assemble our roster. The first question comes from the line of Lawson Winder with Bank of America Securities. Your line is now open.
Speaker #4: To ask a question , you may press star , then one on your touchtone phone . If you are using a speakerphone , please pick up your handset before pressing the keys .
Speaker #4: To withdraw your question, please press star then two. At this time, we will pause to assemble our roster. The first question comes from the line of Lawson Winer with Bank of America Securities. Your line is now open.
Speaker #5: Thank you very much . Operator . And hello , Natasha . And team Very solid result . Nice to see for the end of the year to wrap it up strongly , if I could ask about CapEx and the and I apologize for that siren in the background .
Lawson Winder: Thank you very much, operator, and hello, Natasha and team. Very solid result. Nice to see for the end of the year to wrap it up strongly. If I could ask about CapEx and the. I apologize for that siren in the background. Just the CapEx, as it stands, sounds like there could be some potential upside through Red Chris and Merian. Could you just talk to those two projects and the update that we're going to be getting on those later in the year, and whether that could lead to higher CapEx than what's currently been guided? Thank you.
Lawson Winder: Thank you very much, operator, and hello, Natasha and team. Very solid result. Nice to see for the end of the year to wrap it up strongly. If I could ask about CapEx and the. I apologize for that siren in the background. Just the CapEx, as it stands, sounds like there could be some potential upside through Red Chris and Merian. Could you just talk to those two projects and the update that we're going to be getting on those later in the year, and whether that could lead to higher CapEx than what's currently been guided? Thank you.
Speaker #5: Just the CapEx as it's set. Sounds like there could be some potential upside through Red Cross and Marion. Could you just talk to those two projects and the update that we're going to be getting on those later in the year?
Speaker #5: And whether that could lead to higher CapEx than what's currently been guided? Thank you.
Speaker #2: Lawson , it was a little bit noisy . So I'm going to I'm reframe your repeat your question to make sure you're asking about CapEx and whether CapEx would increase with the requisite project .
Natascha Viljoen: Lawson, it was a little bit noisy, so I'm gonna just rephrase your, well, repeat your question to make sure. You're asking about CapEx and whether CapEx would increase with the Red Chris project and Merian. Is that what you asked?
Natascha Viljoen: Lawson, it was a little bit noisy, so I'm gonna just rephrase your, well, repeat your question to make sure. You're asking about CapEx and whether CapEx would increase with the Red Chris project and Merian. Is that what you asked?
Speaker #2: And Marianne, is that what you call us?
Speaker #5: Exactly. Thank you very much.
Lawson Winder: Exactly. Thank you very much.
Lawson Winder: Exactly. Thank you very much.
Speaker #2: Okay . Thank you . Thank you . Lawson Firstly , Lawson , we are on track to to talk a little bit more in detail on Request Project towards the second half of the year .
Natascha Viljoen: Okay. Thank you, Lawson. Firstly, Lawson, we are on track to talk a little bit more in detail on Red Chris project towards the second half of the year. Our capital guidance, as we have cited it, is on average to $1.8 on Sustaining Capital, $1.3 on development capital. And we did say that that would be average over a period of time. The capital allocation framework also allows us to, within the context of setting that guidance, allowing us to make decisions on value accretive projects as they come along, and we will be disciplined in how we allocate any capital to further development projects. The Merian example that Francois has spoken about is certainly a future opportunity that we will be able to share more information upon later in the year.
Natascha Viljoen: Okay. Thank you, Lawson. Firstly, Lawson, we are on track to talk a little bit more in detail on Red Chris project towards the second half of the year. Our capital guidance, as we have cited it, is on average to $1.8 on Sustaining Capital, $1.3 on development capital. And we did say that that would be average over a period of time. The capital allocation framework also allows us to, within the context of setting that guidance, allowing us to make decisions on value accretive projects as they come along, and we will be disciplined in how we allocate any capital to further development projects. The Merian example that Francois has spoken about is certainly a future opportunity that we will be able to share more information upon later in the year.
Speaker #2: Our capital guidance , as we have stated it is on average the one point eight on sustaining capital , 1.3 on development capital .
Speaker #2: And we did say that that would be average of over a period of time . The capital allocation framework also allows us to within the context of setting that guidance , allowing us to make decisions on value , creative projects as they come along .
Speaker #2: And we will be disciplined in how we allocate any capital to further development projects . The Merrion example that Francois has spoken about is certainly a future opportunity that we will be able to share more information upon later in the year
Speaker #5: Okay , I look forward to that . And then if I could just on a separate issue with your JV partner in Nevada Gold mines , Barrick , have the two entities had any further discussion on on Four Mile and a potential mechanism for vending that into the joint venture ?
Lawson Winder: Okay, I look forward to that. And then, if I could, just on a separate issue with your JV partner, Nevada Gold Mines, Barrick, have the two entities had any further discussion on Four Mile and a potential mechanism for vending that into the joint venture? Where does that currently stand?
Lawson Winder: Okay, I look forward to that. And then, if I could, just on a separate issue with your JV partner, Nevada Gold Mines, Barrick, have the two entities had any further discussion on Four Mile and a potential mechanism for vending that into the joint venture? Where does that currently stand?
Speaker #5: Where does that currently stand
Natascha Viljoen: Lawson, our current discussions have been predominantly around the improvement of, the performance of Nevada. I think a very constructive relationship to work together to, improve that performance and which we believe would be in the best interest of all of our shareholders.
Speaker #2: Lawson. Our current discussions have been predominantly around the improvement of the performance of Nevada, and I think it's been a very constructive relationship to work together to improve that performance.
Natascha Viljoen: Lawson, our current discussions have been predominantly around the improvement of, the performance of Nevada. I think a very constructive relationship to work together to, improve that performance and which we believe would be in the best interest of all of our shareholders.
Speaker #2: and which we believe would be in the best interest of all of our shareholders.
Speaker #5: Understood. Thank you very much, Natasha.
Lawson Winder: Understood. Thank you very much, Natascha.
Lawson Winder: Understood. Thank you very much, Natascha.
Speaker #2: Thanks , Alison
Natascha Viljoen: Thanks, Lawson.
Natascha Viljoen: Thanks, Lawson.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Josh Wolfson with RBC. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Josh Wolfson with RBC. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Josh Wolfson with RBC. Your line is now open.
Speaker #6: Thanks very much. Just going back to the long-term growth targets of 6,000,000 oz, is there any time frame that can be disclosed on when that target is expected to be achieved?
Josh Wolfson: Yeah, thanks very much. Just going back to the long-term growth targets of six million ounces, is there any time frame that can be disclosed on when that target is expected to be achieved, and maybe what are the larger drivers for that?
Josh Wolfson: Yeah, thanks very much. Just going back to the long-term growth targets of six million ounces, is there any time frame that can be disclosed on when that target is expected to be achieved, and maybe what are the larger drivers for that?
Speaker #6: And maybe, what are the larger drivers for that?
Natascha Viljoen: Josh, thank you. Thank you for that question. As we've indicated over the last while, we'll continue to give you one-year guidance. We have completed our asset reviews. We've just completed all of our long-term plans. As we conclude this work and it builds to maturity, we will be able to give you a better guidance about what that profile would look like. We certainly expect to be able to do that towards the end of this year.
Speaker #2: Josh thank you . Thank you for that question . As I think as we've indicated over the last while , is that we'll continue to give you one one year guidance .
Natascha Viljoen: Josh, thank you. Thank you for that question. As we've indicated over the last while, we'll continue to give you one-year guidance. We have completed our asset reviews. We've just completed all of our long-term plans. As we conclude this work and it builds to maturity, we will be able to give you a better guidance about what that profile would look like. We certainly expect to be able to do that towards the end of this year.
Speaker #2: We have completed our asset reviews . We've just completed all of our long term plans . And as we conclude this work and we built to maturity , we will be able to give you better guidance of what that what that profile would look like .
Speaker #2: And we certainly expect to be able to do that towards the end of this year.
Speaker #6: Great, thanks. And I guess I can't ask about MGM directly, but maybe indirectly related to some of the speculation in the media about M&A.
Josh Wolfson: Got it. Thanks. And I guess I can't ask about NGM directly, but maybe indirectly related to some of the speculation in the media about M&A. Could you clarify maybe what the company's views are on M&A today and maybe just how this plays into the current gold price environment? Thank you.
Josh Wolfson: Got it. Thanks. And I guess I can't ask about NGM directly, but maybe indirectly related to some of the speculation in the media about M&A. Could you clarify maybe what the company's views are on M&A today and maybe just how this plays into the current gold price environment? Thank you.
Speaker #6: Could you clarify, maybe, what the company's views are on M&A today, and maybe just how this plays into the current gold price environment?
Speaker #6: Thank you
Natascha Viljoen: ... Josh, a really good question. Certainly, we're really happy with our portfolio of assets and our pipeline of projects. As we do the work with on the back of all of our asset reviews, certainly enough potential in our own portfolio. We continue to evaluate our portfolio of assets, and that's just the right thing. We believe it's the right thing to do. It's part of the continuous work that we need to do. As we find value-accretive opportunities to make any changes to our portfolio, we will do that, but it will happen in a disciplined way and within the context of our capital allocation framework.
Natascha Viljoen: ... Josh, a really good question. Certainly, we're really happy with our portfolio of assets and our pipeline of projects. As we do the work with on the back of all of our asset reviews, certainly enough potential in our own portfolio. We continue to evaluate our portfolio of assets, and that's just the right thing. We believe it's the right thing to do. It's part of the continuous work that we need to do. As we find value-accretive opportunities to make any changes to our portfolio, we will do that, but it will happen in a disciplined way and within the context of our capital allocation framework.
Speaker #2: Josh , a really good question Firstly , we're really happy with our portfolio of assets and our pipeline of projects . And as we do the work with on the back of all of our asset reviews , certainly enough potential in our own portfolio .
Speaker #2: We continue to evaluate our portfolio of assets. And that's just the right thing. We believe it's the right thing to do.
Speaker #2: It's part of the continuous work that we need to do. And as we find value-accretive opportunities to make any changes to our portfolio, we will do that.
Speaker #2: But it will happen in a disciplined way, and within the context of our capital allocation framework.
Speaker #6: Great. Thank you very much.
Tanya Jakusconek: Great. Thank you very much.
Josh Wolfson: Great. Thank you very much.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Major with UBS. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Major with UBS. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Major with UBS. Your line is now open.
Speaker #7: Hi . Thanks for the questions . First one , just to be clear on the capital allocation waterfall , the provided should we be reading that in terms of the commitment to the buyback , that if you were to go above the the threshold , so a , you know , a billion plus or minus , you would we should assume in our models that 100% of free cash flow would be returned to shareholders through buybacks .
Daniel Major: Hi. Thanks for the questions. First one, just to be clear on the capital allocation waterfall that you provided. Should we be reading that in terms of the commitment to the buyback, that if you were to go above the, yeah, the threshold, so, you know, $1 billion plus or minus, you would, you know, we should assume in our models that 100% of free cash flow would be returned to shareholders through buybacks. And if that is the case, would that be, you know, done during a quarterly period or an annual period?
Daniel Major: Hi. Thanks for the questions. First one, just to be clear on the capital allocation waterfall that you provided. Should we be reading that in terms of the commitment to the buyback, that if you were to go above the, yeah, the threshold, so, you know, $1 billion plus or minus, you would, you know, we should assume in our models that 100% of free cash flow would be returned to shareholders through buybacks. And if that is the case, would that be, you know, done during a quarterly period or an annual period?
Speaker #7: And if that is the case, would that be, you know, done during a quarterly period or an annual period?
Speaker #2: Thank you . Thank you for that . That question , Daniel . So your assumption is accurate . And I think that's why we in the in the cash flow waterfall , we we've set out with clear clear expectations of where we want our cash to be all driven to a resilient , resilient balance sheet as now , just as a reminder , share buybacks will be writeable .
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you. Thank you for that, that question, Daniel. So your assumption is accurate, and I think that's why we in the, in the cash flow waterfall, we've set it out with clear, clear expectations of where we want our cash to be, all driven to a resilient, resilient balance sheet. As now, just as a reminder, share buybacks will be ratable. And as we come to the end of a program, and you would know that at the moment, we still have $2.4 billion left on our $6 billion approved program, we will go back to our board for approval for, any additional buyback.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you. Thank you for that, that question, Daniel. So your assumption is accurate, and I think that's why we in the, in the cash flow waterfall, we've set it out with clear, clear expectations of where we want our cash to be, all driven to a resilient, resilient balance sheet. As now, just as a reminder, share buybacks will be ratable. And as we come to the end of a program, and you would know that at the moment, we still have $2.4 billion left on our $6 billion approved program, we will go back to our board for approval for, any additional buyback.
Speaker #2: And as we come to the end of the program, and you would know that, at the moment, we still have $2.4 billion left on our $6 billion approved program.
Speaker #2: We will go back to our board for approval for any additional buyback.
Speaker #7: Okay . That's clear . Thank you . And then a follow up on the cost guidance . And you've changed the sort of headline guidance from Co-product to byproduct .
Daniel Major: Okay. That's clear. Thank you. And then, a follow-up on the cost guidance, and you've changed the sort of headline guidance from co-product to by-product. So on a like-for-like basis, your $1,935 co-product guidance for AISC. First, is it wash? What is the like-for-like for CAS, as well?
Daniel Major: Okay. That's clear. Thank you. And then, a follow-up on the cost guidance, and you've changed the sort of headline guidance from co-product to by-product. So on a like-for-like basis, your $1,935 co-product guidance for AISC. First, is it wash? What is the like-for-like for CAS, as well?
Speaker #7: So on a like for like basis , you're 1935 . Co-product guidance for ASIC . First . Is it the what what is the like for like for CAS as well
Speaker #2: We don't guide CIS Daniel, but it would be in the order of 14,430.
Natascha Viljoen: We don't guide CAS, Daniel, but it would be in the order of $1,450.
Natascha Viljoen: We don't guide CAS, Daniel, but it would be in the order of $1,450.
Speaker #7: Okay Okay . Thanks . And then maybe just just a follow up on that cost dynamic on slide 16 . You provided the the drivers of the inflation through the year .
Daniel Major: Okay. Okay, thanks. And then maybe just, just a follow-up on that, cost dynamic. On slide 16, you provided the drivers of the inflation through the year. If we look at those buckets, inventory change, working capital, and volumes, would it be fair to assume those would reverse in the subsequent 1, 2 years?
Daniel Major: Okay. Okay, thanks. And then maybe just, just a follow-up on that, cost dynamic. On slide 16, you provided the drivers of the inflation through the year. If we look at those buckets, inventory change, working capital, and volumes, would it be fair to assume those would reverse in the subsequent 1, 2 years?
Speaker #7: If we look at those , those buckets , inventory change , working capital and volumes , would it be fair to assume those would reverse in the subsequent one two years
Speaker #2: Yes, Daniel. Probably worthwhile to just quickly step through that. In the repeat remarks, we spoke about volume, and I've given you the underlying drivers that will reverse the volume sustaining capital.
Natascha Viljoen: Yes, Daniel, probably worthwhile to just quickly step through that. In the prepared remarks, we spoke about volume, and I've given you the underlying drivers that will reverse the volume. Sustaining capital, you will remember that a portion of that is sustaining capital that we've moved from 2025 into 2026. And we will see an elevated level of sustaining capital whilst we're still busy with Cadia and Boddington tailings. The changes in inventory, you are right, it's predominantly driven this year by the fact that we are treating stock bar material at Peñasquito, and that we are not adding any stock bar material at Ahafo. And then we will see a change at Yanacocha going forward as well, where we're not mining anymore, and putting material.
Natascha Viljoen: Yes, Daniel, probably worthwhile to just quickly step through that. In the prepared remarks, we spoke about volume, and I've given you the underlying drivers that will reverse the volume. Sustaining capital, you will remember that a portion of that is sustaining capital that we've moved from 2025 into 2026. And we will see an elevated level of sustaining capital whilst we're still busy with Cadia and Boddington tailings. The changes in inventory, you are right, it's predominantly driven this year by the fact that we are treating stock bar material at Peñasquito, and that we are not adding any stock bar material at Ahafo. And then we will see a change at Yanacocha going forward as well, where we're not mining anymore, and putting material.
Speaker #2: You’ll remember that the portion of that sustaining capital that we've moved from 2025 into 2026, and we will see an elevated level of sustaining capital while we are still busy with Dr. Boddington, tailings, and the changes in inventory.
Speaker #2: You are right, it's predominantly driven this year by the fact that we are treating stockpile material at— and that we are not adding any stock material at Lihir, and then we will see a change at Yanacocha going forward as well.
Speaker #2: We weren't mining any and putting material, so those changes on inventory are purely just a factor of where we are in our normal mining cycle.
Natascha Viljoen: So those changes on inventory is purely just a factor of where we are on our normal mining cycle. I think what is important, and I want to highlight, that our Cost Applicable to Sales has stayed constant year-over-year, and just wanna direct you towards that as well, and the work that we've done last year on making sure that we can keep what is in our control on cost stable year-over-year.
Natascha Viljoen: So those changes on inventory is purely just a factor of where we are on our normal mining cycle. I think what is important, and I want to highlight, that our Cost Applicable to Sales has stayed constant year-over-year, and just wanna direct you towards that as well, and the work that we've done last year on making sure that we can keep what is in our control on cost stable year-over-year.
Speaker #2: I think what is important, and I want to highlight that, our cost applicable to sales has stayed constant year on year.
Speaker #2: And just want to direct you towards that as well. And the work that we've done last year on making sure that we can keep what these are in our control on cost stable year on year.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions, Daniel. Our next question comes from the line of Tanya Jakusconek with Scotiabank. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions, Daniel. Our next question comes from the line of Tanya Jakusconek with Scotiabank. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions, Daniel. Our next question comes from the line of Tanya Jakusconek with Scotiabank. Your line is now open.
Speaker #8: Great . Good evening everybody . Thank you for taking my two questions . I'm going to start . Natasha , just on Nevada gold mines .
Tanya Jakusconek: Great. Good evening, everybody. Thank you for taking my two questions. I'm gonna start, Natascha, just on the Nevada Gold Mines. I'm interested in your views on, as you've had time to spend time on the property and look at what needs to be done to maximize shareholder value. Can you review with us what you think we need to tackle to maximize shareholder value and how long that's gonna take?
Tanya Jakusconek: Great. Good evening, everybody. Thank you for taking my two questions. I'm gonna start, Natascha, just on the Nevada Gold Mines. I'm interested in your views on, as you've had time to spend time on the property and look at what needs to be done to maximize shareholder value. Can you review with us what you think we need to tackle to maximize shareholder value and how long that's gonna take?
Speaker #8: I'm interested in your views now that you've had time to spend on the property and look at what needs to be done to maximize shareholder value.
Speaker #8: Can you review with us what you think we need to tackle to maximize shareholder value, and how long that's going to take?
Speaker #2: Tanya , thank you for that question . I will kick off the question and I will . Ask . Francois , who led the team , who was there to to add anything as as he sees fit .
Natascha Viljoen: Tanya, thank you for that question. I will kick off the question, and I will ask Francois, who led the team, who was there, to add anything, as he sees it. Firstly, we welcome the approach that we've seen from our JV partners with the changing leadership to work together to improve the Nevada Gold Mines performance. And to that extent, we used the same kind of methodology that we've used for our own operations by really understanding district potential and working our way through opportunities, really thinking about the entire Nevada and Nevada operations as a district. And working it back all the way to near-term and short-term productivity improvements. And so it's exactly, exactly the same that we've done at Nevada. Ranjeev?
Natascha Viljoen: Tanya, thank you for that question. I will kick off the question, and I will ask Francois, who led the team, who was there, to add anything, as he sees it. Firstly, we welcome the approach that we've seen from our JV partners with the changing leadership to work together to improve the Nevada Gold Mines performance. And to that extent, we used the same kind of methodology that we've used for our own operations by really understanding district potential and working our way through opportunities, really thinking about the entire Nevada and Nevada operations as a district. And working it back all the way to near-term and short-term productivity improvements. And so it's exactly, exactly the same that we've done at Nevada. Francois?
Speaker #2: Firstly , we we have we welcome the approach that we've seen from our JV partners with the changing leadership to work together to improve the Nevada gold mines performance , to and to that extent , we used the same kind of methodology that we've used for our own operations by really understanding district potential and working our way through opportunities , really thinking about the entire Nevada Nevada operations as a district and working it back all the way to near term and short term productivity improvements .
Speaker #2: And so, it's exactly—exactly the same that we've done at Nevada. Francois.
Speaker #1: Thank you . And thank you , Tanya , for the question . I think just to build on what Natasha said , the opportunity is to fill them all .
Francois Hardy: Thank you, Natascha, and thank you, Tanya, for the question. I think just to build on what Natascha said, the opportunity is to fill them all effectively and use a portfolio approach to how we do that, and also to blend the different types of material that is available there. I think there's also some short-term opportunity in terms of optimizing plans across the portfolio rather than on a side-by-side basis. But you know, those are probably the main drivers for our potential there at NGM.
François Hardy: Thank you, Natascha, and thank you, Tanya, for the question. I think just to build on what Natascha said, the opportunity is to fill them all effectively and use a portfolio approach to how we do that, and also to blend the different types of material that is available there. I think there's also some short-term opportunity in terms of optimizing plans across the portfolio rather than on a side-by-side basis. But you know, those are probably the main drivers for our potential there at NGM.
Speaker #1: Effectively. And use a portfolio approach to how we do that, also to blend the different types of material that are available there.
Speaker #1: I think there's also some some short term opportunity in terms of optimizing plans across across the portfolio , rather than on a side by side basis .
Speaker #1: But, you know, those are probably the main drivers for our potential there at MGM.
Speaker #8: And, sorry, the implementation—how long do you think all of this takes?
Tanya Jakusconek: I'm sorry, the implementation, how long do you think all of this takes?
Tanya Jakusconek: I'm sorry, the implementation, how long do you think all of this takes?
Speaker #1: Yeah . Look it's an ongoing partnership at the moment with with our JV partners . You know , we did we did a review in December and we continue to work through the action plan accordingly .
Francois Hardy: Yeah, look, it's an ongoing partnership at the moment with our JV partners. You know, we did a review in December, and we'll continue to work through the action plan accordingly.
François Hardy: Yeah, look, it's an ongoing partnership at the moment with our JV partners. You know, we did a review in December, and we'll continue to work through the action plan accordingly.
Speaker #8: Okay . And then my second question on still on Nevada gold mines . Just want to confirm and understand that you have , you know , on February 3rd , a notice of default to Barrick .
Tanya Jakusconek: Okay. And then my second question on still on Nevada Gold Mines. Just want to confirm. I understand that you have, you know, on, I forget, 3 February, the notice of default to Barrick. Can you just provide us just the process from this default on how we go forward and if it's not resolved? Just wanna know the proceedings of what happens. I know there's a time period of where you try to resolve it, and if not, there's a court. I'm just trying to understand the timing of that and if the court is in Nevada, if there's no resolution.
Tanya Jakusconek: Okay. And then my second question on still on Nevada Gold Mines. Just want to confirm. I understand that you have, you know, on, I forget, 3 February, the notice of default to Barrick. Can you just provide us just the process from this default on how we go forward and if it's not resolved? Just wanna know the proceedings of what happens. I know there's a time period of where you try to resolve it, and if not, there's a court. I'm just trying to understand the timing of that and if the court is in Nevada, if there's no resolution.
Speaker #8: Can you just provide us with the process from this default? How do we go forward? And if it's not resolved, I just want to know the proceedings of what happens.
Speaker #8: I know there's a time period where you try to resolve it, and if not, there's a court. I'm just trying to understand the timing of that.
Speaker #8: And if the court is in Nevada, if there's no resolution—
Speaker #2: Thank you, Tanya. I'm going to hand that question over to Peter Wexler.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Tanya. I'm gonna hand that question over to Peter Wexler.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Tanya. I'm gonna hand that question over to Peter Wexler.
Speaker #3: Thank you , Tanya , for your question . I think you're absolutely right . And you have access to the agreement , which was publicly filed , and it sets out detailed timelines for both how any disputes between the partners are resolved , as well as the jurisdictional , the jurisdictional , where it would be decided so or if it ever gets to that stage .
Peter Wexler: Thank you, Tanya, for your question. I think you're absolutely right, and you have access to the agreement, which was publicly filed, and it sets out detailed timelines for both how any disputes between the partners are resolved, as well as the jurisdictional where it would be decided. So or if it ever gets to that stage, but you have that all right in front of you, actually.
Peter Wexler: Thank you, Tanya, for your question. I think you're absolutely right, and you have access to the agreement, which was publicly filed, and it sets out detailed timelines for both how any disputes between the partners are resolved, as well as the jurisdictional where it would be decided. So or if it ever gets to that stage, but you have that all right in front of you, actually.
Speaker #3: But you have that all right in front of you, actually.
Speaker #8: Okay . Thank you
Tanya Jakusconek: Okay. Thank you.
Tanya Jakusconek: Okay. Thank you.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Hugo Nico Rossi with Goldman Sachs. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Hugo Nicolaci with Goldman Sachs. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Hugo Nicolaci with Goldman Sachs. Your line is now open.
Speaker #9: Hi , Natasha , and thanks for the update . Two questions from me , please . Look , the first one , I appreciate the emphasis on share repurchases is the key use of excess operational cash flow .
Hugo Nicolaci: Oh, hi, Natascha and team. Thanks for the update. Two questions from me, please. Look, the first one, I appreciate the emphasis on share repurchases as the key use of excess operational cash flow, but it appears that some of the more medium to longer term growth projects seem to have lost their emphasis a little bit, such as the Red Chris Cave, and definitely deferring Yanacocha Sulfides and some of the other resources like Nueva Union, Norte Abierto, Gowgull Creek, Conga, Lavabiano, Huasico, to name a few. They don't seem to be priorities for this decade. Do you see room for further divestments of resources from the portfolio? Or conversely, should we take the comment that you're exploring more opportunities in the region around Yanacocha, that you're actually still acquisitive from here?
Hugo Nicolaci: Oh, hi, Natascha and team. Thanks for the update. Two questions from me, please. Look, the first one, I appreciate the emphasis on share repurchases as the key use of excess operational cash flow, but it appears that some of the more medium to longer term growth projects seem to have lost their emphasis a little bit, such as the Red Chris Cave, and definitely deferring Yanacocha Sulfides and some of the other resources like Nueva Union, Norte Abierto, Gowgull Creek, Conga, Lavabiano, Huasico, to name a few. They don't seem to be priorities for this decade. Do you see room for further divestments of resources from the portfolio? Or conversely, should we take the comment that you're exploring more opportunities in the region around Yanacocha, that you're actually still acquisitive from here?
Speaker #9: But it appears that some of the more medium- to longer-term growth projects seem to have lost their emphasis a little bit, such as the Request Cave, and deferring Yanacocha Sulfides and some of the other resources like the Nuevo Union.
Speaker #9: Norte , Abierto Creek , Conga , la maquina with to name a few . They don't seem to be priorities for this decade .
Speaker #9: Do you see room for further divestments of resources from the portfolio, or conversely, should we take the comment that you're exploring more opportunities in the region around Yanacocha to mean that you're actually still acquisitive from here?
Speaker #2: Yeah , you go . There's lots in that question . So let me just see how I can unpack that . Firstly , we we've built deliberately built this portfolio of assets with the intent to develop and grow it .
Natascha Viljoen: Yeah. Hugo, there's lots in that question, so let me just see how I can unpack that. Firstly, we, we've built, deliberately built this portfolio of assets with the intent to develop and grow it. First point. Second point, we will do that in the disciplined manner that we set out in our development, in our capital allocation framework. So important to note, your question around Peru. Peru, Peru remains central to and key to our portfolio. You shouldn't read the fact that we have walked away from the Yanacocha Sulfides project as any indication to the potential that we have in the Kidush project and the Conga project at, in Peru. As we've concluded, as I've mentioned earlier, and we've concluded the asset reviews and developing the proper profile going forward, all of these projects are under review.
Natascha Viljoen: Yeah. Hugo, there's lots in that question, so let me just see how I can unpack that. Firstly, we, we've built, deliberately built this portfolio of assets with the intent to develop and grow it. First point. Second point, we will do that in the disciplined manner that we set out in our development, in our capital allocation framework. So important to note, your question around Peru. Peru, Peru remains central to and key to our portfolio. You shouldn't read the fact that we have walked away from the Yanacocha Sulfides project as any indication to the potential that we have in the Kidush project and the Conga project at, in Peru. As we've concluded, as I've mentioned earlier, and we've concluded the asset reviews and developing the proper profile going forward, all of these projects are under review.
Speaker #2: First point, second point, we will do that in the disciplined manner that we set out in our development, in our capital allocation framework.
Speaker #2: So, important to note your question around Paru Paru. Paru Paru remains central to and key to our portfolio. You shouldn't read the fact that we have walked away from the Yanacocha Sulfides project as an indication of the potential that we have in the project and the Conga project in Peru.
Speaker #2: As we concluded, as I mentioned earlier, and we've concluded the asset reviews and developing the profile going forward, all of these projects are under review.
Speaker #2: We've got a very clear framework in which we review these projects to to sequence them appropriately in the project . The the rigorous project , specifically benefited from the unfortunate incident that we had last year when we had the the decline .
Natascha Viljoen: We've got a very clear framework in which we review these projects to sequence them appropriately in the project. The Red Chris project specifically benefited from the unfortunate incident that we had last year when we had the failure in the deep mine. But it benefited us in highlighting just the areas of opportunity to improve design. And there's no other indication than just the need opportunity to improve design at Red Chris.
Natascha Viljoen: We've got a very clear framework in which we review these projects to sequence them appropriately in the project. The Red Chris project specifically benefited from the unfortunate incident that we had last year when we had the failure in the deep mine. But it benefited us in highlighting just the areas of opportunity to improve design. And there's no other indication than just the need opportunity to improve design at Red Chris.
Speaker #2: But it benefited us in highlighting just areas of opportunity to improve design, and there's no other indication than just any opportunity to improve design at Reckless.
Speaker #9: Got it . Thanks . And then a follow up . Then maybe on on costs . You know , great to see the cost savings initiatives you worked on last year coming through .
Hugo Nicolaci: Got it. Thanks, Natascha. And then a follow-up, maybe on costs. You know, great to see the cost savings initiatives you worked on last year coming through. Are you able to just provide some more detail on the magnitude of those cost savings that are hitting that 2026 outlook number, and then any further cost out targets you're looking to try and deliver this year?
Hugo Nicolaci: Got it. Thanks, Natascha. And then a follow-up, maybe on costs. You know, great to see the cost savings initiatives you worked on last year coming through. Are you able to just provide some more detail on the magnitude of those cost savings that are hitting that 2026 outlook number, and then any further cost out targets you're looking to try and deliver this year?
Speaker #9: Are you able to just provide some more detail on the magnitude of those cost savings that are hitting that 2026 outlook number? And then, any further cost-out targets you're looking to try and deliver this year?
Speaker #2: Yeah , probably a couple of ways that you can look at that . You know , the first thing is , as I've said earlier , Costa to be attributable to sales constant year on year .
Natascha Viljoen: Yeah. Probably a couple of ways that you can look at that, Hugo. The first thing is, as I said earlier, cost applicable to sales on a constant year-on-year basis, so we've basically offset inflation. Another way that you can think about it is, that savings allowed us to reduce $100 per ounce from our cost. So that is a good other way of doing it. So our all-in sustaining cost would have been $100 per ounce higher if we didn't have that. Also want you to point you to the G&A reduction. In the prepared remarks, we've spoken about a 21% reduction in G&A from guidance to guidance, and you will see that our G&A is well aligned last year with this year.
Natascha Viljoen: Yeah. Probably a couple of ways that you can look at that, Hugo. The first thing is, as I said earlier, cost applicable to sales on a constant year-on-year basis, so we've basically offset inflation. Another way that you can think about it is, that savings allowed us to reduce $100 per ounce from our cost. So that is a good other way of doing it. So our all-in sustaining cost would have been $100 per ounce higher if we didn't have that. Also want you to point you to the G&A reduction. In the prepared remarks, we've spoken about a 21% reduction in G&A from guidance to guidance, and you will see that our G&A is well aligned last year with this year.
Speaker #2: So we've basically offset inflation. Another way that you can think about it is that sidings allowed us to reduce $100 per ounce from our cost.
Speaker #2: So that that is a is a good other way of doing it . So our all in sustaining costs would have been $100 per ounce higher if we didn't have that .
Speaker #2: Also want you to to appoint you to the , the knee reduction you are in the prepared remarks . We've spoken about 21% reduction in the from guidance to guidance , and you will see that our nice well aligned last year with this year .
Speaker #2: So just a couple of markers that you can that you can look at . We also , as we've done as we've Retired debts and repurchase shares , we've also seen a reduction in cost of about $230 million .
Natascha Viljoen: So just a couple of markers that you can, that you can look at. We also, as we've done, as we've, retired debts and repurchased shares, we've also seen a reduction in cost of about $230 million between those two elements. As we go forward, some of those, we had two focus areas for cost reduction, headcount and non-headcount reduction. The headcount reduction has been completed, and the future continuous work that we have, through operational productivity and discipline, all goes back to the continuous non-headcount reduction, and we've made some significant progress to embed our savings in our cost structure.
Natascha Viljoen: So just a couple of markers that you can, that you can look at. We also, as we've done, as we've, retired debts and repurchased shares, we've also seen a reduction in cost of about $230 million between those two elements. As we go forward, some of those, we had two focus areas for cost reduction, headcount and non-headcount reduction. The headcount reduction has been completed, and the future continuous work that we have, through operational productivity and discipline, all goes back to the continuous non-headcount reduction, and we've made some significant progress to embed our savings in our cost structure.
Speaker #2: Between those two elements . As we go forward , some of those , we had two focus areas for cost reduction , headcount and not in non headcount reduction .
Speaker #2: The headcount reduction has been completed, and the future continuous work that we have through operational productivity and discipline all goes back to the continuous non-headcount reduction.
Speaker #2: And we've made some significant progress to embed our savings in our cost structure.
Speaker #9: Great, thanks, Natascha. On—
Daniel Morgan: Great. Thanks, Natascha.
Daniel Morgan: Great. Thanks, Natascha.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Anita Soni with CIBC. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Anita Soni with CIBC. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Anita Soni with CIBC. Your line is now open.
Speaker #10: Hi . Good evening Tasha and team . Thanks for taking my questions . I just wanted to ask about the Tanami expansion to just seeing the total spent to date is about 1.3 , and you're spending about three and a half , 350,000,003 30 this year .
Anita Soni: Hi, good evening, Natasha and team. Thanks for taking my questions. I just wanted to ask about the Panama expansion. Just seeing the total spent to date is about $1.3 billion, and you're spending about $350 million, $330 million this year. And the project total is $1.7 to $1.8 billion, with still a significant amount of time to go. So will you hit that $1.7 to $1.8 billion, or will you be near the upper end or slightly above that?
Anita Soni: Hi, good evening, Natasha and team. Thanks for taking my questions. I just wanted to ask about the Panama expansion. Just seeing the total spent to date is about $1.3 billion, and you're spending about $350 million, $330 million this year. And the project total is $1.7 to $1.8 billion, with still a significant amount of time to go. So will you hit that $1.7 to $1.8 billion, or will you be near the upper end or slightly above that?
Speaker #10: And the project total is $1.7 to $1.8 billion, with still a significant amount of time to go. So, will you hit that $1.7 to $1.8 billion, or will you be near the upper end or slightly above that?
Natascha Viljoen: We are right on track to hit those targets, Anita.
Speaker #2: We are right on track to hit those targets at any time.
Natascha Viljoen: We are right on track to hit those targets, Anita.
Speaker #10: Okay . My other one is a somewhat quick one . The on the capital allocation framework . You said plus the net cash position of $1 billion that I see plus or -2 billion .
Anita Soni: Okay. My other one is a somewhat quick one. On the capital allocation framework, you said, plus the net cash position of $1 billion, but I see ±$2 billion. I think maybe someone else mentioned ±$1 billion. I wanted to clarify that, but and then also ask, seems like a pretty wide range. Like, how do you make that decision that, you know, we're gonna keep an extra $2 billion of cash instead of buying back shares at this point?
Anita Soni: Okay. My other one is a somewhat quick one. On the capital allocation framework, you said, plus the net cash position of $1 billion, but I see ±$2 billion. I think maybe someone else mentioned ±$1 billion. I wanted to clarify that, but and then also ask, seems like a pretty wide range. Like, how do you make that decision that, you know, we're gonna keep an extra $2 billion of cash instead of buying back shares at this point?
Speaker #10: I think maybe someone else mentioned plus or minus $1 billion. I wanted to clarify that, and then also ask—it seems like a pretty wide range.
Speaker #10: How do you make that decision that, you know, we're going to keep an extra $2 billion of cash instead of buying back shares at this point?
Peter Wexler: Hi. Hi, Anita. That's a very good question. That was a very disciplined approach by the board to take a look at the ability for the company to withstand volatility across commodity cycles and ensure that our fixed dividend is always payable. We can meet our commitments. It can flex up and down, depending on where we are in both the cost cycle of the price cycle, as well as the other needs for some of the near shore projects that we might want to execute on that would be cost accretive with our financial discipline fully in focus. So that's how it was arrived. It was a very thoughtful process with the board of directors, and to ensure the long-term resiliency of the company.
Peter Wexler: Hi. Hi, Anita. That's a very good question. That was a very disciplined approach by the board to take a look at the ability for the company to withstand volatility across commodity cycles and ensure that our fixed dividend is always payable. We can meet our commitments. It can flex up and down, depending on where we are in both the cost cycle of the price cycle, as well as the other needs for some of the near shore projects that we might want to execute on that would be cost accretive with our financial discipline fully in focus. So that's how it was arrived. It was a very thoughtful process with the board of directors, and to ensure the long-term resiliency of the company.
Speaker #3: Hey . Hi , Anita . That's a very good question . That was a very disciplined approach by the board to take a look at the ability for the company to withstand volatility across commodity cycles and ensure that our fixed dividend is always payable .
Speaker #3: We can meet our commitments . It . Can flex up and down depending on where we are in the in both the cost cycle of the price cycle as well as the other needs for some of the near shore projects that we might want to execute on .
Speaker #3: That would be cost accretive with our financial discipline fully and focus . So that's how it was arrived . It was a very thoughtful process with the board of directors , and they to ensure the long term resiliency of the company .
Speaker #2: And Ahafo is $1 billion, plus or minus two. Yeah, yeah. So, and it is clearly set out in slide ten.
Natascha Viljoen: Anita, it is $1 billion ±2.
Natascha Viljoen: Anita, it is $1 billion ±2.
Peter Wexler: Yeah.
Peter Wexler: Yeah.
Natascha Viljoen: Yep. So, and it is clearly set out in slide 10, so the detail-
Natascha Viljoen: Yep. So, and it is clearly set out in slide 10, so the detail-
Speaker #2: So the detail is really set out there for your reference.
Anita Soni: Yep.
Natascha Viljoen: Is clearly set out there for your reference.
Anita Soni: Yep.
Natascha Viljoen: Is clearly set out there for your reference.
Speaker #10: Yeah, I just thought I heard someone say one, $1 billion, plus or minus one. So I just wanted to clarify that.
Anita Soni: Yeah, I just thought I heard someone say $1.1 billion ±1, so I just wanted to clarify that, but I did see the slide that said ±2.
Anita Soni: Yeah, I just thought I heard someone say $1.1 billion ±1, so I just wanted to clarify that, but I did see the slide that said ±2.
Speaker #10: But I did see the slide that said plus or minus two. Okay.
Natascha Viljoen: Okay. Thanks. Thanks, Anita.
Natascha Viljoen: Okay. Thanks. Thanks, Anita.
Speaker #2: Thanks. Thanks, Anita.
Speaker #11: Thanks
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Morgan with Barrenjoey. Daniel, your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Morgan with Barrenjoey. Daniel, your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Daniel Morgan with Barrenjoey. Daniel, your line is now open.
Speaker #12: Hi , Natasha and Tim . Hi , Natasha and Tim . My question is gold and copper at all time highs . You have some of the best assets in the industry .
Daniel Morgan: Hi, Natascha and team. Hi, Natascha and team. My question is gold and copper at all-time highs, you have some of the best assets in the industry. Is there an opportunity to a bit more on debottlenecking, brownfield expansion? Is, is this something that should be worthy of greater consideration? I mean, if I look at a lot of the messages today, you, you've got a new capital allocation strategy, which appears to speak to a focus on returning cash rather than growth. Can you just talk about that? Thank you.
Daniel Morgan: Hi, Natascha and team. Hi, Natascha and team. My question is gold and copper at all-time highs, you have some of the best assets in the industry. Is there an opportunity to a bit more on debottlenecking, brownfield expansion? Is, is this something that should be worthy of greater consideration? I mean, if I look at a lot of the messages today, you, you've got a new capital allocation strategy, which appears to speak to a focus on returning cash rather than growth. Can you just talk about that? Thank you.
Speaker #12: Is there an opportunity to do a bit more on debottlenecking brownfield expansion? Is this something that should be worthy of greater consideration?
Speaker #12: I mean, if I look at a lot of the messages today, you've got a new capital allocation strategy, which appears to speak to a focus on returning cash rather than growth.
Speaker #12: Can you talk about that? Thank you.
Speaker #2: Thank you , Daniel . And a really relevant question is something we continuously evaluate . So Daniel , firstly , we we make sure that the baseline of our production remains sustainable through the cycle .
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Daniel. A really relevant question and something we continuously evaluate. So Daniel, firstly, we make sure that the baseline of our production remains sustainable through the cycle. I think that's an important evaluation, so that is absolutely important. We continue to look at short-term opportunities. In my prepared remarks, I referred to Yanacocha specifically, where we have seen additional, an additional cut in the pits that we will be taking. The really near-term opportunities we are focusing on are those where we have low capital investment, because the moment you start to talk about capital investment, there's time associated with it. Low capital investment means quick to market.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Daniel. A really relevant question and something we continuously evaluate. So Daniel, firstly, we make sure that the baseline of our production remains sustainable through the cycle. I think that's an important evaluation, so that is absolutely important. We continue to look at short-term opportunities. In my prepared remarks, I referred to Yanacocha specifically, where we have seen additional, an additional cut in the pits that we will be taking. The really near-term opportunities we are focusing on are those where we have low capital investment, because the moment you start to talk about capital investment, there's time associated with it. Low capital investment means quick to market.
Speaker #2: I think that's an important evaluation, so that is included as we continue to look at short-term opportunities in our prepared remarks.
Speaker #2: I refer to Yanacocha specifically, where we have seen an additional cut in the bit that we will be fighting. So the really near-term opportunities we are focusing on are those where we have low capital investment.
Speaker #2: Because the moment you start to talk about capital investment, there's time associated with it, so low capital investment means quick to market.
Speaker #2: It considers constraints like tailings dam capacity, because we do need to consider the cost and the time to ensure that we've got long-term tailings capacity.
Natascha Viljoen: It considers constraints like tailings dam capacity, because we do need to consider the cost and the time to ensure that we've got long-term tailings capacity, so that needs to be considered as part of the economic evaluation. And then the next constraint would be our processing plants. So where we have no constraints, and we can make sure that it comes to market quickly with low risk, we are absolutely pursuing every opportunity. So very good point.
Natascha Viljoen: It considers constraints like tailings dam capacity, because we do need to consider the cost and the time to ensure that we've got long-term tailings capacity, so that needs to be considered as part of the economic evaluation. And then the next constraint would be our processing plants. So where we have no constraints, and we can make sure that it comes to market quickly with low risk, we are absolutely pursuing every opportunity. So very good point.
Speaker #2: So that needs to be considered as part of the economic evaluation. And then the next constraint would be our, our, our processing plants.
Speaker #2: So, we have no constraints and we can make sure that it comes to market quickly with low risk. We are absolutely pursuing every opportunity.
Speaker #2: So very good point
Daniel Morgan: ... Are there, I know you've got Red Chris this year, but, I mean, maybe you can just cast the market's eyes to potential assets across the portfolio, which, you know, have those opportunities for debottlenecking, where there's a, you know, a plant that has, you know, very capital efficient expansion or ample tailings. Or, you know, what are the assets where if we thought creatively about growth beyond, say, Red Chris, that we should be thinking about?
Daniel Morgan: ... Are there, I know you've got Red Chris this year, but, I mean, maybe you can just cast the market's eyes to potential assets across the portfolio, which, you know, have those opportunities for debottlenecking, where there's a, you know, a plant that has, you know, very capital efficient expansion or ample tailings. Or, you know, what are the assets where if we thought creatively about growth beyond, say, Red Chris, that we should be thinking about?
Speaker #12: Another I know you've got read , Cross this year , but I mean maybe you can just cast the market's eyes to potential assets across the portfolio , which you know , have those opportunities for debottlenecking where there's , you know , a plant that has , you know , very capital efficient expansion or ample tailings or , you know , what are the assets where if we thought creatively about growth beyond , say , Red Chris , that we should be thinking about
Speaker #2: Daniel, you're now talking just brownfield expansion, right?
Natascha Viljoen: Daniel, you're now talking just brownfield expansion, right?
Natascha Viljoen: Daniel, you're now talking just brownfield expansion, right?
Daniel Morgan: Correct, correct.
Speaker #12: Correct , correct .
Daniel Morgan: Correct, correct.
Speaker #2: Yeah . Okay . So a couple of south , we definitely and franchise mentioned in in these prepared remarks on and we actively pursuing that development underground development that goes hand in hand with exploration work that we're doing .
Natascha Viljoen: Yeah, okay. So a couple, a half hour south, we definitely, and Francois mentioned in, in his prepared remarks on, and we're actively pursuing that development, underground development that goes hand in hand with the exploration work that we're doing. A half hour north, at the brownfields expansion, there's a potential for us to, basically duplicate what we've done at a half hour north today. So that's a definite, definite opportunity for us. If we look across, and we look across to the hue, we've just concluded 49, so we will have access to high-grade ore there, and the mutual barrier will give us, access to further, to further high-grade, high-grade material. If we go to Tanami, as we, as we complete Tanami, there's certainly opportunities there for us. I'm just thinking through.
Natascha Viljoen: Yeah, okay. So a couple, a half hour south, we definitely, and Francois mentioned in, in his prepared remarks on, and we're actively pursuing that development, underground development that goes hand in hand with the exploration work that we're doing. A half hour north, at the brownfields expansion, there's a potential for us to, basically duplicate what we've done at a half hour north today. So that's a definite, definite opportunity for us. If we look across, and we look across to the hue, we've just concluded 49, so we will have access to high-grade ore there, and the mutual barrier will give us, access to further, to further high-grade, high-grade material. If we go to Tanami, as we, as we complete Tanami, there's certainly opportunities there for us. I'm just thinking through.
Speaker #2: Ahafo known as brownfields expansion . These potential for us to basically duplicate what we've done at a half hour north today . So that's a business opportunity for us .
Speaker #2: If we look across, and we look across to here, we've just concluded 14. So we will have access to high-grade ore there.
Speaker #2: And the nearshore barrier will give us access to further to further high grade , high grade material if we go to Tanami , as we as we complete Tanami , these certainly the opportunities are there for us .
Speaker #2: I'm just thinking through I think I've touched on all of the mine ones . Brucejack of course , just reminded me here of Brugia Brucejack .
Natascha Viljoen: I think I've touched on all of the main ones. Brucejack, of course, Francois just reminded me, of Brucejack. Brucejack, there's two opportunities. The one would be that we are looking at stub sizes. That is easy for us to do, to develop our stub sizes slightly larger, capturing the value of just what the wrap, the ring around the current stub sizes, slightly lower grade, but we do have the capacity in both the plant and the tailings, in the tailings dam. Then I'm gonna quickly jump over to Argentina at Cerro Negro. We are pursuing an open pit that we should be able to access and start mining on towards the end of the year.
Natascha Viljoen: I think I've touched on all of the main ones. Brucejack, of course, Francois just reminded me, of Brucejack. Brucejack, there's two opportunities. The one would be that we are looking at stub sizes. That is easy for us to do, to develop our stub sizes slightly larger, capturing the value of just what the wrap, the ring around the current stub sizes, slightly lower grade, but we do have the capacity in both the plant and the tailings, in the tailings dam. Then I'm gonna quickly jump over to Argentina at Cerro Negro. We are pursuing an open pit that we should be able to access and start mining on towards the end of the year.
Speaker #2: These , these two opportunities , the one would be that we are looking at stope sizes . That is easy to access , easy for us to do to develop our staff sizes slightly larger , capturing the value of just what the the ring around the current staff sizes slightly lower grade .
Speaker #2: But we do have the capacity in both the plant and the tailings in the tailings stage. Then I'm going to quickly jump over to Argentina at Cerro Negro.
Speaker #2: We are pursuing an open pit that we should be able to access and start mining on towards the end of the year. And then at Cardiologist, a reminder that PKK223 basically will be up and fully up and running by the end of the year.
Natascha Viljoen: And then at Kylie, just a reminder that DC 2, 3 basically will be up and full, up and running by the end of the year, and DC 1, 2 following closely after that. So a number of opportunities for us, some of which we've touched on already, but some of them not necessarily remarked on now.
Natascha Viljoen: And then at Kylie, just a reminder that DC 2, 3 basically will be up and full, up and running by the end of the year, and DC 1, 2 following closely after that. So a number of opportunities for us, some of which we've touched on already, but some of them not necessarily remarked on now.
Speaker #2: And BC1 too, following closely after that. So, a number of opportunities for us, some of which we've touched on already, but some of them are not necessarily remarked on, not
Speaker #12: Thanks so much, Natascha. And two.
Daniel Morgan: Thanks so much, Natascha and team.
Daniel Morgan: Thanks so much, Natascha and team.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Martin Pradier with Veritas Investment Research. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Martin Pradier with Veritas Investment Research. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Martin Pradier with Veritas Investment Research. Your line is now open.
Speaker #13: Yes . Thank you . My first question is related to Newmont and and the the relationship with Barrick . So there is this news about you having a a right of first refusal .
Martin Pradier: Yes, thank you. My first question is related to Newmont and the relationship with Barrick. So there is this news about you having a right of first refusal. Could you confirm that you have that right of first refusal, and what does it mean? Can Barrick do an IPO without your consent, or that would be violating the agreement?
Martin Pradier: Yes, thank you. My first question is related to Newmont and the relationship with Barrick. So there is this news about you having a right of first refusal. Could you confirm that you have that right of first refusal, and what does it mean? Can Barrick do an IPO without your consent, or that would be violating the agreement?
Speaker #13: Could you confirm that you have that right of first refusal? And what does it mean? Can Barrick do an IPO without your consent, or would that be violating the agreement?
Speaker #2: Thanks , Martin . I , Peter , will take your call .
Natascha Viljoen: Thanks, Martin. Peter Wexler will take you home.
Natascha Viljoen: Thanks, Martin. Peter Wexler will take you home.
Speaker #3: Thank you . Martin , for the question . The rights for both parties are spelled out in the agreement . We don't have any other information than you do on the IPO .
Peter Wexler: Thank you, Martin, for the question. The rights for both parties are spelled out in the agreement. We don't have any other information than you do on the IPO, and anything else would be a theoretical exercise. So we'll let you and, as I noted to Anita, review the agreement and make that determination for yourself.
Peter Wexler: Thank you, Martin, for the question. The rights for both parties are spelled out in the agreement. We don't have any other information than you do on the IPO, and anything else would be a theoretical exercise. So we'll let you and, as I noted to Anita, review the agreement and make that determination for yourself.
Speaker #3: And anything else would be a theoretical exercise. So we'll let you, and as I noted to Anita, review the agreement and make that determination for yourself.
Speaker #13: Okay . And in terms of yanacocha , how much is in book value of yanacocha still there ? I mean , I know you're you're stopping the the development and you did some impairment , but I'm assuming there is quite a bit more there in in the book value
Martin Pradier: Okay. And in terms of Yanacocha, how much is in book value of Yanacocha still there? I mean, I know you're stopping the development, and you did some impairment, but I'm assuming there is quite a bit more there in the book value.
Martin Pradier: Okay. And in terms of Yanacocha, how much is in book value of Yanacocha still there? I mean, I know you're stopping the development, and you did some impairment, but I'm assuming there is quite a bit more there in the book value.
Natascha Viljoen: So, on sulfide, book value was in the order of $78 million, Martin, and Conga is in the order of about $900 million.
Speaker #2: So, on sulfides, book value was in the order of $78 million. Martin and Congo is in the order of about $900 million.
Natascha Viljoen: So, on sulfide, book value was in the order of $78 million, Martin, and Conga is in the order of about $900 million.
Speaker #13: So, $900 million in Congo. And how much is it in the other 178?
Martin Pradier: So $900 million in Congo, and how much in the other one?
Martin Pradier: So $900 million in Congo, and how much in the other one?
Natascha Viljoen: 78. And the, yeah, the $78 million in sulfide is predominantly in the equipment that's still there, that we will be putting up for sale.
Natascha Viljoen: 78. And the, yeah, the $78 million in sulfide is predominantly in the equipment that's still there, that we will be putting up for sale.
Speaker #2: And yeah, the $78,000,000 in 5 is predominantly in equipment, in the equipment that's still there that we will be putting up for sale.
Speaker #13: Great . Thank you
Martin Pradier: Great, thank you.
Martin Pradier: Great, thank you.
Speaker #2: Thanks .
Natascha Viljoen: Thanks, Martin.
Natascha Viljoen: Thanks, Martin.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your thank you for your questions . Our next question comes from the line of Levi Spry with UBS . Your line is now open
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Levi Spry with UBS. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our next question comes from the line of Levi Spry with UBS. Your line is now open.
Speaker #14: Yeah . Hi , Natasha . And team , thanks for your time . Just one quick one . Back to . So can you just confirm the status there currently ?
Levi Spry: Yeah, hi, hi, Natasha and team. Thanks for your time. Just one quick one back to, to Tanami. So can, can you just confirm the status there currently and what's, what's imputed in your guidance for this year and, and the rest of the ramp up?
Levi Spry: Yeah, hi, hi, Natasha and team. Thanks for your time. Just one quick one back to, to Tanami. So can, can you just confirm the status there currently and what's, what's imputed in your guidance for this year and, and the rest of the ramp up?
Speaker #14: And what's imputed in your guidance for this year and the rest of the ramp-up?
Speaker #2: Sorry, Levi, I don't think we've heard you properly. Would you mind repeating?
Natascha Viljoen: Sorry, Levi, I don't think we've heard you properly. Would you mind repeating?
Natascha Viljoen: Sorry, Levi, I don't think we've heard you properly. Would you mind repeating?
Speaker #14: What's happening right now on site at the Tanami? And what’s computers in your guidance? This year and next?
Levi Spry: What's happening right now on site at Tanami, and what's imputed in your guidance this year and next?
Levi Spry: What's happening right now on site at Tanami, and what's imputed in your guidance this year and next?
Speaker #2: Okay. And, Levi, I assume you are asking in relation to the fight fatality that we had.
Natascha Viljoen: Okay. And Levi, I assume you are asking in relation to the fatality that we had?
Natascha Viljoen: Okay. And Levi, I assume you are asking in relation to the fatality that we had?
Speaker #14: Yeah. Is it currently operating, and when will it turn back on, or when do you expect it to turn back? Okay.
Levi Spry: ... Yeah, yeah. Is it currently operating, and when will it turn back on, or when do you expect it to turn back on?
Levi Spry: ... Yeah, yeah. Is it currently operating, and when will it turn back on, or when do you expect it to turn back on?
Natascha Viljoen: Yes, okay. All right, thanks, thanks for that, Martin. Levi, I just want to make sure I'm clear on your question. The operational side of Tanami has been up and running within about 4 days after the incident. After the incident, we shut down the entire site. We made sure that all of our colleagues are looked after and that everybody is getting assistance through our EID process, and we wanted to make sure that people's focus is on operations so that it can be safe. Didn't want to distract their attention. So operations fully up and running. The project, other than the shaft infrastructure, so we stopped all work on the shaft infrastructure, but development for the ventilation, underground infrastructure is back to normal to normal operations.
Natascha Viljoen: Yes, okay. All right, thanks, thanks for that, Martin. Levi, I just want to make sure I'm clear on your question. The operational side of Tanami has been up and running within about 4 days after the incident. After the incident, we shut down the entire site. We made sure that all of our colleagues are looked after and that everybody is getting assistance through our EID process, and we wanted to make sure that people's focus is on operations so that it can be safe. Didn't want to distract their attention. So operations fully up and running. The project, other than the shaft infrastructure, so we stopped all work on the shaft infrastructure, but development for the ventilation, underground infrastructure is back to normal to normal operations.
Speaker #2: All right . Thanks . Thanks for that , Martin . I'll leave . I just want to make sure I'm clear on your question .
Speaker #2: The operational side of Tanami has been up and running within about four days after the incident. After the incident, we shut down the entire site.
Speaker #2: We made sure that all of our colleagues are looked after and that everybody is getting assistance through our EAP process, and we wanted to make sure that people's focus is on operations so that it can be safe.
Speaker #2: And didn't want to distract the attention. So operations are fully up and running on the project, other than the shaft infrastructure. So we stopped all work on the shaft infrastructure.
Speaker #2: But development for the ventilation underground infrastructure is back to normal, to normal operations. And the shaft infrastructure, we will start up as soon as we've completed our internal investigation and made sure that we understand the cause of the incident and make sure that it doesn't happen again.
Natascha Viljoen: The shaft infrastructure, we will start up as soon as we've completed our internal investigation and make sure that we understand the root cause of the incident, and make sure that it doesn't happen again. So what has been included is just our normal production at Tanami. That's what's been included in our guidance.
Natascha Viljoen: The shaft infrastructure, we will start up as soon as we've completed our internal investigation and make sure that we understand the root cause of the incident, and make sure that it doesn't happen again. So what has been included is just our normal production at Tanami. That's what's been included in our guidance.
Speaker #2: So, what has been included is our normal production at Tanami. That's what's been included in our guidance.
Speaker #14: Thank you. Thanks, Natascha. Thanks.
Levi Spry: Thank you. Thanks, Natascha. Thanks.
Levi Spry: Thank you. Thanks, Natascha. Thanks.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our final question for today will come from the line of Adam Baker with Macquarie. Your line is now open.
Operator: Thank you for your questions. Our final question for today will come from the line of Adam Baker with Macquarie. Your line is now open.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions. Our final question for today will come from the line of Adam Baker with Macquarie. Your line is now open.
Speaker #15: Hi, Natascha. I'm just wondering, from a corporate perspective, how you considered lifting your reserve and resource assumptions, noting that your resource gold price assumption is now $2,000 an ounce and your reserves are at $1,700 an ounce.
Adam Baker: Hi, Natascha. I'm just wondering, from a corporate perspective, how you considered to lift your reserve and resource assumptions, noting that your resource gold price assumption is now $2,000 an ounce and your reserves at $1,700 an ounce. You know, why did you determine to do this? Do you think this is still too conservative? And I guess, how did the team land on that number? Thank you.
Adam Baker: Hi, Natascha. I'm just wondering, from a corporate perspective, how you considered to lift your reserve and resource assumptions, noting that your resource gold price assumption is now $2,000 an ounce and your reserves at $1,700 an ounce. You know, why did you determine to do this? Do you think this is still too conservative? And I guess, how did the team land on that number? Thank you.
Speaker #15: You know. And why did you determine to do this? Do you think this is still too conservative? And I guess, how did the team land on that number?
Speaker #15: Thank you
Speaker #2: Thank you. Adam, I'll ask France to answer that question.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Adam. I'll ask Francois Hardy to answer that question.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you, Adam. I'll ask Francois Hardy to answer that question.
Speaker #1: Yeah, thanks for your question. I think we go through quite a rigorous process in terms of how we define our gold price assumptions.
Francois Hardy: Yeah, thanks for your question, Adam. I think we go through quite a rigorous process in terms of how we define our gold price assumptions. And we look at many, many different market assumptions and direction. And the one we tend to align with reasonably closely is the three-year trailing average. And at the time of setting our 2026 gold price assumption for reserves, we were just above 80% of the three-year trailing average, which is typically we like to be in the low 80s, low to mid 80% of the three-year trailing average, and obviously, it shot up since then. We don't believe it's too conservative.
François Hardy: Yeah, thanks for your question, Adam. I think we go through quite a rigorous process in terms of how we define our gold price assumptions. And we look at many, many different market assumptions and direction. And the one we tend to align with reasonably closely is the three-year trailing average. And at the time of setting our 2026 gold price assumption for reserves, we were just above 80% of the three-year trailing average, which is typically we like to be in the low 80s, low to mid 80% of the three-year trailing average, and obviously, it shot up since then. We don't believe it's too conservative.
Speaker #1: And we look at many , many different market market and , and direction . And the one we tend to align with reasonably closely is a three year trailing average .
Speaker #1: And at the time of setting , setting our 2026 gold price assumption for reserves , we were just above 80% of the three year trailing average , which is typically we like to be in the low 80s , a low to mid 80% of the three year average .
Speaker #1: And obviously a shot up since then , we don't we don't believe it's too conservative . We have a rigorous process . If we look at our total portfolio and we look at how we restructure and and look at our long term line trends and the like .
Francois Hardy: We have a rigorous process, if we look at our total portfolio, and we look at how we structure and look at our long-term mine plans and the like. So at this stage, the 2000 is the right number for us. But we continue to evaluate short-term opportunities and the like. And I'll just point to reminding you that the mine plan assumptions and the reserve and resource assumptions that we make are two different numbers that we optimize against.
François Hardy: We have a rigorous process, if we look at our total portfolio, and we look at how we structure and look at our long-term mine plans and the like. So at this stage, the 2000 is the right number for us. But we continue to evaluate short-term opportunities and the like. And I'll just point to reminding you that the mine plan assumptions and the reserve and resource assumptions that we make are two different numbers that we optimize against.
Speaker #1: So at this stage, the 2,000 is the right number for us, but we continue to evaluate short-term opportunities and the like.
Speaker #1: And I'll just point to reminding you that the mine plan assumptions and the reserve and resource assumptions that we make are two different numbers that we optimize against.
Speaker #16: Thank you
Adam Baker: Thank you.
Adam Baker: Thank you.
Speaker #4: Thank you for your questions, Adam. This concludes the question and answer session. I would now like to turn the conference back over to Tom Palmer for any closing remarks.
Operator: Thank you for your questions, Adam. This concludes the question and answer session. I would now like to turn the conference back over to Tom Palmer for any closing remarks.
Operator: Thank you for your questions, Adam. This concludes the question and answer session. I would now like to turn the conference back over to Tom Palmer for any closing remarks.
Speaker #2: Thank you so much . Operator . And it's still not yet . And thank you for everybody for joining our call today . And looking forward to our next quarterly call .
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you so much, operator, and it's still Natascha Viljoen. And thank you for everybody for joining our call today, and looking forward to our next quarterly call. Thank you.
Natascha Viljoen: Thank you so much, operator, and it's still Natascha Viljoen. And thank you for everybody for joining our call today, and looking forward to our next quarterly call. Thank you.
Speaker #2: Thank you
Operator: That concludes today's call. Thank you for your participation, and you may now disconnect your line.
Operator: That concludes today's call. Thank you for your participation, and you may now disconnect your line.