Q2 2026 OceanaGold Corp Earnings Call

August 6, 2026

Operator: Good day, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the OceanaGold Corporation Q2 2026 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question and answer session. If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance, please press star zero for the operator. This call is being recorded on Thursday, 6 August 2026. I would now like to turn the conference over to Valerie Burns. Please go ahead.

Operator: Good day, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the OceanaGold Corporation Q2 2026 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question and answer session. If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance, please press star zero for the operator. This call is being recorded on Thursday, 6 August 2026. I would now like to turn the conference over to Valerie Burns. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: and welcome to the OceanaGold Corporation Q2 2026 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question-and-answer session.

Speaker #1: If at any time during this call you require immediate assistance, please press star zero for the operator. This call is being recorded. On Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Speaker #1: I would now like to turn the conference over to Valerie Burns. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to OceanaGold's second quarter 2026 operating and financial results webcast and conference call. I'm Valerie Burns, Director of Investor Relations.

Valerie Burns: Good morning, everyone, welcome to OceanaGold's Q2 2026 operating and financial results webcast and conference call. I'm Valerie Burns, Director of Investor Relations. Joining me today are Gerard Bond, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marius van Niekerk, Chief Financial Officer, and Bhuvanesh Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer. The presentation that we will be referencing during the conference call is available through the webcast and on our website. As we will be making forward-looking statements during the call, please refer to the cautionary notes included in the MD&A and annual information form. All dollar amounts discussed in this conference call are in US dollars. I will now turn the call over to Gerard for opening remarks.

Speaker #2: Joining me today are Gerard Bond, President and Chief Executive Officer; Marius van Niekerk, Chief Financial Officer; and Bhuvanesh Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer. The presentation that we will be referencing during the conference call is available through the webcast and on our website.

Speaker #2: As we will be making forward-looking statements during the call, please refer to the cautionary notes included in the MD&A and annual information form. All dollar amounts discussed in this conference call are in U.S.

Speaker #2: dollars. I will now turn the call over to Gerard for opening remarks.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Val, and good morning, everyone. We had a really good second quarter. We safely and responsibly delivered 7% more gold than we did in the first quarter.

Gerard Bond: Thank you, Val, good morning, everyone. We had a really good Q2. We safely and responsibly delivered 7% more gold than we did in the Q1. We continued to generate strong free cash flow. We made great progress with our organic growth projects. We returned meaningful amounts of capital to shareholders, we still added cash to the balance sheet. Our gold production of around 139,000 ounces and copper production of 2,700 tons was in line with plan, keeping us on track to deliver on our full year guidance. Our margins remained strong. Even with the pullback from the record high gold prices of the Q1, the Q2 delivered a record quarterly adjusted EBITDA margin of 61%. After investing in our growth projects, which include the Waihi North project and the Palomino underground mine, we generated $130 million of free cash flow.

Speaker #3: We continued to generate strong free cash flow. We made great progress with our organic growth projects. We returned meaningful amounts of capital to shareholders, and we still added cash to the balance sheet.

Speaker #3: Our gold production of around 139,000 ounces and copper production of 2,700 tons was in line with plan, keeping us on track to deliver on our full-year guidance.

Speaker #3: Our margins remained strong. Even with the pullback from the record-high gold prices of the first quarter, the second quarter delivered a record quarterly adjusted EBITDA margin of 61%.

Speaker #3: After investing in our growth projects, which include the Wahe North project and the Palomino Underground Mine, we generated 130 million dollars of free cash flow.

Speaker #3: Taking us to 385 million dollars of free cash flow year to date. In line with our capital allocation framework, we continue to actively provide capital returns to shareholders.

Gerard Bond: Taking us to $385 million of free cash flow year to date. In line with our capital allocation framework, we continue to actively provide capital returns to shareholders, returning $78 million through dividends and buybacks in the quarter. We strengthened the balance sheet with cash up 6% to $655 million, and we remain debt-free. We made great progress at our flagship Waihi North project, with the tunnel towards the high-grade Wharekirauponga ore body is well underway, and we have advanced numerous other aspects of this exciting project. Finally, we released more high-grade drill results from multiple targets at Haile. These demonstrate our ability to add value through exploration and highlight the significant upside potential that we have in our portfolio. We're on track to deliver on our 2026 guidance.

Speaker #3: Returning 78 million dollars through dividends and buybacks in the quarter. And we strengthened the balance sheet, with cash up 6% to 655 million dollars, and we remain debt-free.

Speaker #3: We made great progress at our flagship Wahe North project, where the tunnel towards the high-grade ferric cure upon the ore body is well underway.

Speaker #3: And we have advanced numerous other aspects of this exciting project. Finally, we released more high-grade drill results for multiple targets at hale. These demonstrate our ability to add value through exploration and highlight the significant upside potential that we have in our portfolio.

Speaker #3: We're on track to deliver on our 2026 guidance. At the halfway mark of the year, we're around halfway towards the midpoint of full-year guidance for both gold production and capital spend.

Gerard Bond: At the halfway mark of the year, we're around halfway towards the midpoint of full year guidance for both gold production and capital spend. We expect stronger copper production in H2 that will achieve our copper production guidance. In terms of the shape of the rest of the year, we expect the company's Q3 gold production to be similar to Q2. We expect Q4 gold production to be the highest of the year. This increase is driven by expected stronger production at Haile in Q3, and again in Q4. This higher gold production in H2, together with a lower rate of sustaining capital, is expected to drive our AISC lower in Q3 and again in Q4.

Speaker #3: And we expect stronger copper production in the second half that will achieve our copper production guidance. In terms of the shape of the rest of the year, we expect the company's third quarter gold production to be similar to the second quarter, and we expect fourth quarter gold production to be the highest of the year.

Speaker #3: This increase is driven by expected stronger production at hale in the third quarter and then again in the fourth. This higher gold production in the second half, together with a lower rate of sustaining capital, is expected to drive our all-in sustaining costs lower in the third quarter and again in the fourth.

Speaker #3: Our all-in sustaining costs for the year is anticipated to near the upper end of our 2026 guidance range. This reflects labor cost inflation, more investment in maintenance and reliability improvements that have really high payback, the impacts of high diesel prices where we're unhedged, and lower silver byproduct credits due to a lower silver price than we is expected to be in line with guidance.

Gerard Bond: Our AISC for the year is anticipated to near the upper end of our 2026 guidance range. This reflects labor cost inflation, more investment in maintenance and reliability improvements that have really high payback, the impacts of higher diesel prices where we are unhedged, and lower silver by-product credits due to a lower silver price than we expected. Total capital expenditure is expected to be in line with guidance. In the coming half, we expect an increase in growth capital for the Waihi North project and Palomino underground, more waste strip in the tail, partially offset by lower sustaining CapEx across the company. Overall, we're very pleased with our performance in H1 of 2026 and remain focused on safely and responsibly delivering on our full year guidance in H2.

Speaker #3: In the coming half, we expect an increase in growth capital for the Wahe North project and Palomino Underground, and more waste-driven at hale. Partially offset by lower sustaining capex across the company.

Speaker #3: Overall, we're very pleased with our performance in the first half of 2026 and remain focused on safely and responsibly delivering on our full-year guidance in the second half.

Speaker #3: Our capital allocation framework allocates our operating cash flow in a very balanced way, and you can see how in the first half of this year, we're almost evenly distributing it to sustaining the business, growing the business, returning capital, and adding cash to the balance sheet.

Gerard Bond: Our capital allocation framework allocates our operating cash flow in a very balanced way. You can see how in H1 of this year, we're almost evenly distributing it to sustaining the business, growing the business, returning capital, and adding cash to the balance sheet. By component, the $165 million of sustaining capital include investments in site infrastructure, improving the integrity of plant and equipment, mobile fleet improvements, as well as deferred stripping and capitalized mining. Our growth capital of $118 million was mainly investment into the Waihi North project and the Palomino underground at Haile. The $25 million of exploration expenditures reflects that big step up in drilling across the portfolio where we think we can add enormous value to exploration.

Speaker #3: So by component. The 165 million dollars of sustaining capital includes investments in site infrastructure, improving the integrity of plant and equipment, mobile fleet improvements, as well as deferred stripping and capitalized mining.

Speaker #3: Our growth capital of $118 million was mainly investment in the Waihi North project and the Palomino Underground at Haile. And the $225 million, the $25 million of exploration expenditures, reflects that big step up in drilling across the portfolio, where we think we can add enormous value through exploration.

Speaker #3: We remain very focused on shareholder returns, and I'm pleased to have returned a total of 174 million dollars of shareholders money back to them in the first half of the year through our high dividend and share buyback program.

Gerard Bond: We remain very focused on shareholder returns and are pleased to have returned a total of $174 million of shareholders' money back to them in H1 through our high dividend and share buyback program. A reminder that we have an approved program of up to $350 million of buybacks to 2026, of which $134 million has been bought back to date. After all that, we were still able to add $178 million of cash to the balance sheet in H1, which is a 37% increase in cash from the year-end. In summary, our capital allocation framework is working as intended, funding the business, investing in growth, strengthening the balance sheet, and delivering attractive returns to shareholders. I will now turn the call over to Marius to discuss our financial results in more detail.

Speaker #3: A reminder that we have an approved program of up to 350 million dollars of buybacks for 2026, of which 134 million dollars has been bought back to date.

Speaker #3: After all that, we'll still be able to add 178 million dollars of cash to the balance sheet in the first half of the year, which is a 37% increase in cash from the year end.

Speaker #3: So in summary, our capital allocation framework is working as intended. Funding the business, investing in growth, strengthening the balance sheet, and delivering attractive returns to shareholders.

Speaker #3: I'll now turn the call over to Marius to discuss our financial results in more detail.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Jared. And good morning, everyone. Q2 delivered another strong set of financial results. Notably, we achieved a record adjusted EBITDA margin of 61%, driven by lower cost of sales and a lower additional government share at the DPO.

Marius van Niekerk: Thank you, Gerard, and good morning, everyone. Q2 delivered another strong set of financial results. Notably, we achieved a record-adjusted EBITDA margin of 61%, driven by the lower cost of sales and a lower additional government share at Didipio. Also reflecting our ability to translate strong operational performance and disciplined cost management bottom line. We place strong emphasis on our per-share metrics, which pleasingly reflects step-ups across the board. On screen, we compare Q2 against the same period last year, all financial metrics improved. EBITDA was up 84%, operating cash flow was up 38%, and earnings per share increased by 102% to $0.99. We generated free cash flow of $130 million, resulting in a free cash flow per share of $0.58.

Speaker #2: Also reflecting our ability to translate strong operational performance and disciplined cost management. Bottom line. We play strong emphasis on our per-share metrics, which pleasingly reflects step-ups across the board.

Speaker #2: On screen, we. Second quarter against the same period last year. And all financial metrics improved. EBITDA was up 84%. Operating cash flow was up 38%.

Speaker #2: And earnings per share increased by 102% to 99 cents. And we generated free cash flow of 130 million dollars, resulting in a free cash flow per share of 58 cents.

Speaker #2: So after the investment in organic growth and shareholder returns that Jared spoke about, and after higher annual tax and government cash payments made this quarter, we were able to still add 35 million dollars in cash to the balance sheet.

Marius van Niekerk: After the investment in organic growth and shareholder returns that Gerard spoke about, after higher annual tax and government cash payments made this quarter, we were able to still add $35 million in cash to the balance sheet. We generated revenue in the quarter of $647 million at an average realized gold price of just over $4,400 an ounce, reflecting the timing of our gold sales. These are solid financial results, importantly, with increasing production and unit costs expected to come down, we remain well-positioned to continue to generate significant free cash flow for the remainder of the year. As it relates to Iran conflict, to date, there has been no disruption to our operations related to fuel or the supply network. We hedge approximately 80% of our diesel requirements at both Haile and Macraes.

Speaker #2: We generated revenue in the quarter of 647 million dollars at an average realized gold price of just over 4,400 dollars an ounce, reflecting the timing of our gold sales.

Speaker #2: These are solid financial results, an importantly, with increasing production and unit cost expected to come down. We remain well positioned to continue to generate significant free cash flow for the remainder of the year.

Speaker #2: As it relates to Iran conflict, to date, there's been no disruption to our operations related to fuel order supply network. We hedge approximately 80% of our diesel requirements at both hale and McGraw's.

Speaker #2: With those hedges in place, should oil prices of around $100 per barrel prevail for the remainder of 2026, then we continue to estimate an AISC impact of around $25 per ounce.

Marius van Niekerk: With those hedges in place, should oil prices of around $100 per barrel prevail for the remainder of 2026, we continue to estimate an AISC impact of around $25 per ounce. We have extended 80% diesel hedges across all our operations from Q1 2027. I will now pass the call over to Bhuvanesh to discuss our operating performance.

Speaker #2: We've extended 80% diesel hedges across all our operations from Q1 2027. I will now pass the call over to Bhuvanesh to discuss our operating performance.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Marius. And good morning, everyone. At hale, we had a strong quarter, producing 60,000 ounces of gold, which was in line with our guidance, driven by increased access to open-pit ore inlet bidder, 3, and higher-grade ore from the Hoshu Underground.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: Thank you, Marius, and good morning, everyone. At Haile, we had a strong quarter, producing 60,000 ounces of gold, which was in line with our guidance, driven by increased access to open pit ore in Ledbetter Phase 3 and higher-grade ore from the Horseshoe Underground. We expect this trend to continue in H2, with production to increase in Q3 and then again in Q4, and all-in sustaining cost is expected to decrease each quarter. Our continued mill optimization initiatives and the hard work of the team resulted in the outstanding achievement in June of record monthly mill throughput, the highest since the mill was commissioned in 2017. Development of the decline towards Palomino Underground progressed in the quarter, remaining in line with the plan to achieve first ore in 2028.

Speaker #1: We expect this trend to continue in the second half of the year with production to increase in the third quarter and then again in the fourth quarter, and all in sustaining cost is expected to decrease each quarter.

Speaker #1: Our continued mill optimization initiatives and the hard work of the team resulted in the outstanding achievement in June of record monthly mill throughput. The highest since the mill was commissioned in 2017.

Speaker #1: Development of the decline towards Palomino Underground progressed in the quarter, remaining in line with the plan to achieve first ore in 2028. We continue to drill targets at Hoshu let better Underground, Pisces, and Clyde's Dale in the second half of the year.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: We continue to drill targets at Horseshoe, Ledbetter Underground, Pisces, and Clydesdale in H2. Haile is performing to plan and is well-positioned to continue delivering for the remainder of the year. Macraes had an exceptional H1, producing 64% of the midpoint of its guidance already, driven by higher grades mined and processed from the Innes Mills open pit. In line with plan, production is expected to step down in H2, with full-year production and cost still expected to be within the guidance. At Coronation North, waste stripping continued to progress during the quarter in preparation for ore access later this year.

Speaker #1: Hale is performing to plan and is well positioned to continue delivering for the remainder of the year. McGraw's had an exceptional first half of the year.

Speaker #1: Producing 64% of the midpoint of its guidance already driven by higher-grade mined and processed from the Inus Mills open-pit. In line with plan, production is expected to step down in the second half of the year with full-year production and cost still expected to be within the guidance.

Speaker #1: At Coronation North, waste stripping continued to progress during the quarter in preparation for ore access later this year. We accelerated exploration programs across several areas at McGraw's during the quarter.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: We accelerated exploration programs across several areas at Macraes during the quarter, with focus on resource conversion and expansion. We are expecting to submit the Macraes Phase IV fast-track application for our ongoing mine life extension plans in Q3 of this year. We are continuing to evaluate further extension opportunities that could potentially extend mine life into the 2040s, given the leverage of this asset to the gold price and the inherent optionality at the site. We look forward to sharing more about these developments later this year. A real highlight in July, Macraes produced its sixth million ounce of gold, a tremendous milestone that demonstrates how innovation, resilience, and disciplined operational execution can drive real value creation and is a great credit to the team there, past and present.

Speaker #1: With focus on resource conversion and expansion, and we are expecting to submit the McGraw's phase four fast-track application for our ongoing mine life extension plans in the third quarter of this year.

Speaker #1: We are continuing to evaluate further extension opportunities that could potentially extend mine life into the 2040s, given the leverage of this asset to the gold price and the inherent optionality at the site.

Speaker #1: We look forward to sharing more about these developments later this year. A real highlight in July McGraw's produced its sixth million ounce of gold, a tremendous milestone that demonstrates how innovation, resilience, and disciplined operational execution can drive real value creation and is a great credit to the team there past and present.

Speaker #1: At Wahi, we maintained consistent production, with just under 17,000 ounces of gold produced in the second quarter, remaining on track to deliver its full-year production guidance.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: At Waihi, we maintained consistent production, with just under 17,000 ounces of gold produced in Q2, remaining on track to deliver its full-year production guidance. All-in sustaining cost in the quarter was impacted by the processing of lower-grade stockpile material. With access to higher-grade underground stopes now available, we expect all-in sustaining cost to decrease in H2. Pleasingly, Waihi achieved a record quarterly mill throughput since becoming an underground-only operation in 2016. A great result for the team there. I'd like to spend a moment on the Waihi North project, where we reached a significant milestone this quarter with the opening of the portal and the commencement of decline development towards the Wharekirauponga underground in May. Since then, the decline development has progressed in line with the plan, nearing 200 meters as we speak.

Speaker #1: All in sustaining cost in the quarter was impacted by the processing of lower-grade stockpile material. With access to higher-grade underground stoves now available, we expect all in sustaining cost to decrease in the second half of the year.

Speaker #1: Pleasingly, Wahi achieved a record quarterly mill throughput since becoming an underground-only operation in 2016. A great result for the team there. I'd like to spend a moment on the Wahi North project, where we reached a significant milestone this quarter with the opening of the portal and the commencement of decline development towards the Ferre Keraponga Underground in May.

Speaker #1: Since then, the decline development has progressed in line with the plan, nearing 200 meters as we speak. Additionally, the service trench was completed in July and the commissioning of the expanded water treatment plant is expected by the end of the third quarter.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: Additionally, the service trench was completed in July, and the commissioning of the expanded water treatment plant is expected by the end of Q3. The next key milestone for the project will be the addition of the second jumbo underground to begin the twin tunnels towards the Wharekirauponga ore body. We expect growth capital to continue to increase in H2 as development activities across the project ramps up. On exploration at Wharekirauponga, drilling is set to accelerate in H2. We have now added 2 new drill rigs, bringing the total number of active drill rigs to 5. We look forward to increased drilling as it continues to grow and define this exciting ore body that will anchor what we believe will be a flagship asset for many years to come.

Speaker #1: The next key milestone for the project will be the addition of the second jumbo underground to begin the twin tunnels towards the Ferre Keraponga ore body.

Speaker #1: We expect growth capital to continue to increase in the second half of the year as development activities across the project ramps up. On exploration at Ferre Keraponga, drilling is set to accelerate in the second half of the year.

Speaker #1: We have now added two new drill rigs, bringing the total number of active drill rigs to five. We look forward to increased drilling as it continues to grow and define this exciting ore body that will anchor what we believe will be a flagship asset for many years to come.

Speaker #1: At the DPO, we produced over 21,000 ounces of gold and around 2,700 tons of copper in the second quarter, an improvement in gold production from the prior quarter despite some mill downtime.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: At the DPO, we produced over 21,000 ounces of gold and around 2,700 tons of copper in Q2, an improvement in gold production from the prior quarter, despite some mill downtime. Underground mining rates improved and excitingly, during the quarter, the decline development resumed as well. With underground mining rates planned to continue ramping up, we expect production to increase in H2. All in sustaining cost is expected to decrease as a result of a higher gold and copper production and lower sustaining capital expenditures in H2. Exploration at Didipio is accelerating. We now have 3 drills operating underground and have an additional rig testing the extents of the Didipio mineralization at depth.

Speaker #1: Underground mining rates improved and excitingly, during the quarter, the decline development resumed as well. With underground mining rates planned to continue ramping up, we expect production to increase in the second half of the year.

Speaker #1: All-in sustaining cost is expected to decrease as a result of higher gold and copper production and lower sustaining capital expenditures in the second half of the year.

Speaker #1: Exploration at DDPO is accelerating. We now have three drills operating underground and have an additional rig testing the extents of the depth. At True Blue and area of known mineralization, 800 meters northeast of DDPO, we continue to drill, targeting the addition of new mineral resources by year end.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: At True Blue, an area of known mineralization 800 meters northeast of Didipio, we continue to drill, targeting the addition of new mineral resources by year-end. I'll now turn the call back to Gerard.

Speaker #1: I'll now turn the call back to Jared.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Bhuvanesh. In summary, this was another strong quarter in what we expect to be another strong year for OceanaGold. So to wrap it all up, we achieved record mill throughput rates at Hale and Wahi.

Gerard Bond: Thank you, Bhuvanesh. In summary, this was another strong quarter in what we expect to be another strong year for OceanaGold. To wrap it all up, we achieved record mill throughput rates at Haile and Waihi. Mine performance was very good at Didipio, where we're also back into decline development. Macraes delivered strongly and is creating attractive options for its future, whilst recently celebrating production of its six millionth ounce. Tremendous progress has been made at the Waihi North Project and driving towards the new Palomino underground mine. We had some stellar exploration results at Haile. We safely and responsibly delivered to plan, remaining on track to meet guidance while generating record adjusted EBITDA margins and strong free cash flow. We also strengthened the balance sheet and returned meaningful capital to shareholders. We had some excellent drill results.

Speaker #2: Mine performance was very good at DDPO, where we're also back into decline development. McGraw's delivered strongly and is creating an attractive options for its future, whilst recently celebrating production of its six million pounds.

Speaker #2: Tremendous progress has been made at the Wahi North project and driving towards the new Palomino Underground mine. And we had some stellar exploration results at Hale.

Speaker #2: We safely and responsibly delivered to plan, remaining on track to meet guidance while generating record adjusted EBITDA margins and strong free cash flow. We also strengthened the balance sheet and returned meaningful capital to shareholders.

Speaker #2: And we had some excellent drill results. I'm excited about continuing to share some of these drill results over the year as we deploy our record investment in exploration.

Gerard Bond: I'm excited about continuing to share some of these drill results over the year as we deploy our record investment in exploration. In closing, I want to recognize the OceanaGold team. This quarter's strong results reflects their hard work and operating discipline. I'd like to extend my thanks to everyone throughout OceanaGold for their efforts. I'll now return the call to the operator and open up the line to take any questions.

Speaker #2: In closing, I want to recognize the OceanaGold team. This quarter's strong results reflect their hard work and operating discipline and I'd like to extend my thanks to everyone throughout OceanaGold for their efforts.

Speaker #2: I'll now return the call to the operator and open up the line to take any questions.

Speaker #1: Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, you just simply press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, you just simply press star then the number one on your telephone keypad. If you would like to withdraw a question, please press star then the number two. Your first question comes from Ovais Habib from Scotiabank. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: And if you would like to withdraw a question, please press star, then the number two. Your first question comes from Avaya Sabid. From Scotiabank, please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Thanks, operator. Hi, Jared and OceanaGold team. Congrats on a good quarter. I've been bouncing between two conference calls, so I apologize if you've already touched on the questions I may ask.

Ovais Habib: Thanks, operator. Hi, Gerard and OceanaGold team. Congrats on a good quarter. I've been bouncing between two conference calls. Apologize if you've already touched on the questions I may ask. Starting off with Haile, the accelerated stripping at the Snake Pit that we're doing at the beginning of the year, I think you may be continuing that right now as well. Can you please remind us why you pulled that stripping forward? Should this translate into any sort of lower stripping costs going into 2027?

Speaker #3: Starting off with Hale, the accelerator is tripping at the snake pit that we're doing at the beginning of the year. I think you may be continuing that right now as well.

Speaker #3: Can you please remind us why you pulled that stripping forward and should this translate into any sort of lower stripping costs going into 2027?

Speaker #2: Yeah, hi. Avaya, yeah, I don't think we pulled it forward so much. We just changed the sequence. But I'll hand that one over to Marius.

Gerard Bond: Yeah. Hi, Ovais. Yeah, I don't think we pulled it forward so much, we just changed the sequence. I'll hand that one over to Marius.

Speaker #4: Hi, Avaya. Yeah, we had that winter storm in Q1, so we took the opportunity to review the mine sequence with a focus on staying productive and efficient for that long-term plan.

Marius van Niekerk: Hi, Ovais. We had that winter storm in Q1, we took the opportunity to review the mine sequence, with a focus on staying productive and efficient for that long-term plan. In H1, we did about 1.6 million tons of stripping, which we reported as growth, given consideration to its growth potential and value, and we intend to strip another 2 million tons in H2. Probably another $8 million of spend from a stripping perspective.

Speaker #4: So in the first half, we did about 1.6 million tons of stripping, which we reported as growth, given consideration to its growth potential and value.

Speaker #4: And we intend to strip another 2 million tons in the second half. So probably another $8 8 million of spent from a stripping perspective.

Speaker #3: Got it. Sounds good. Thanks for calling on that. And then just staying at Hale, looks like the Palomino decline is progressing well. Are you planning to set up a drill stations along the way to test the area between Horseshoe and Underground and Palomino?

Ovais Habib: Got it. Sounds good. Thanks for the color on that. Just staying at Haile, looks like the Palomino decline is progressing well. Are you planning to set up drill stations along the way to test the area between Horseshoe and underground in Palomino? Is that in the plan? Any color on that would be appreciated.

Speaker #3: Is that in the plan? Any color on that would be appreciated.

Speaker #2: Yeah, absolutely. That's the intention. Avaya, we can get much better access, different angles, shorter drill lengths. Increase the density into parties from there. And also getting good angles back into the Horseshoe Underground.

Gerard Bond: Absolutely. That's the intention, Ovais. We can get much better access, different angles, shorter drill lengths, increase the density into Pisces from there. Also getting good angles back into the Horseshoe Underground. That is absolutely the intention.

Speaker #2: That is absolutely the intention.

Speaker #3: And has that been happening already, or is that going to are you going to be setting that drill stations in kind of the second half?

Ovais Habib: Has that been happening already, or are you going to be setting up the drill stations in H2?

Gerard Bond: We put some drill holes into Pisces from there. Again, as we get greater length, or closer to Palomino, we're going to have greater access points to get into Pisces from there as well. We're on the way.

Speaker #2: If we put some drill holes into parties from there, and again, as we get a greater length or closer to Palomino, we're going to have greater access points to get into parties from there as well.

Speaker #2: Yeah, so we're on the way.

Speaker #3: Okay. And moving on to Wahi North then, and similar kind of question there as well. I mean, the decline development seems to be progressing well.

Ovais Habib: Moving on to Waihi North then, similar kind of question there as well. The decline development seems to be progressing well. Is there a target you have in mind, in terms of meters, to reach by the end of the year? Also, have you started to drill test any sort of areas between Waihi and Upper Karangaranga?

Speaker #3: Is there a target you have in mind in terms of meters to reach by the end of the year? And also, have you started to kind of drill tests any sort of areas between Wahi and Perakara Prangla?

Speaker #2: Well, we certainly have a we certainly have a target to drill every month, actually. So yes, we're definitely on plan as it stands at the moment.

Gerard Bond: Well, we certainly have a target to drill every month, actually. We're definitely on plan as it stands at the moment. We're still heading down, we've got to get to the point where we start the twin decline. It's about 200 meters into that, which we expect will be in at around this time next year, that we are going past some known mineralization where we're certainly going to be having the rigs off to the side drilling, looking for gold. We're still heading down. Absolutely, along that four and a half kilometers of twin decline, we're going to have numerous exploration cuttings off to the left and right, looking for mineralization. The first time we expect to be able to do that, having regard to where we see, or have known mineralization, is around this time next year.

Speaker #2: I mean, we're still heading down, and then we've got to get to the point where we start the twin decline. And it's about 200 meters into that, which we expect will be in at around this time next year, that we are going past some known mineralization where we're certainly going to be having the rigs off to the side, drilling, looking for gold.

Speaker #2: So we're still heading down. But absolutely, along that four and a half kilometers of twin decline, we're going to have numerous exploration cutties off to the left and right to looking for for mineralization.

Speaker #2: But the first time we expect to be able to do that, having regard to where we see or have known mineralization is around this time next year.

Speaker #2: So you have to hold your breath, Avaya.

Gerard Bond: You have to hold your breath, Ovais.

Speaker #3: That sounds good. And just maybe a question for Bhuvanesh then in terms of the ground conditions experienced so far, at after the portal and kind of the decline, that's all kind of according to plan, looks all good on that end?

Ovais Habib: Sounds good. Just maybe a question for Bhuvanesh then. In terms of the ground conditions experienced so far after the portal and the decline, that's all according to plan? Looks all good on that end?

Speaker #4: Yes, Avaya, it has been actually a very pleasing results from that aspect. So far in 200 meters, we had, as we have anticipated, close to 80 meters of pressure that we compensated through just in the last few weeks as well.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: Yes, Avesh, it has been actually a very pleasing results from that aspect. Far in 200 meters, we had, as we have anticipated, close to 80 meters of pressure that we compensated through just in the last few weeks as well, and it was exactly as per the plan as well. Remember, last year, we had drilled two long horizontal holes of almost 600-plus meters and 800-meters-plus holes as well. That has given us excellent information and understanding of the geotech conditions. It's gone all to plan so far.

Speaker #4: And it was exactly as per the plan as well. And remember, we last year we had drilled two long horizontal holes of almost 600 plus meters and 800 meters plus holes as well.

Speaker #4: That has given us an excellent information and understanding of the geotech conditions. So it's gone all to plan so far.

Speaker #3: Okay, excellent. That's it for me, guys. Thanks for taking my questions.

Ovais Habib: Okay, excellent. That's it for me, guys. Thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Avaya.

Gerard Bond: Thank you, Avesh.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Fahad Tariq from Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Fahad Tariq from Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: Hi, thanks for taking my question. I want to ask about Wahi costs in the second half of the year. There was a comment that ASIC is expected to decline, but I think there was another comment in the MDNA and press release saying that production is expected to be flat or relatively consistent.

Fahad Tariq: Hi, thanks for taking the question. I wanted to ask about Waihi costs in the H2 of the year. There was a comment that AISC is expected to decline, but I think there was another comment in the MD&A press release saying that production is expected to be flat or relatively consistent. I just want to understand where the lower costs are coming from, whether it's a grade uplift or something else.

Speaker #5: So I just want to understand where the lower costs are coming from, whether it's a great uplift or something else.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Fahad. It's definitely a great uplift, right? So we were more reliant on stockpiles in the quarter just gone. We're back into fresh oil.

Gerard Bond: Thanks, Fahad. It definitely is a grade uplift, right? We were more reliant on stockpiles in the quarter just gone. We're back into fresh ore. We make that comment in the MD, that we're back into good ore. All other things being equal, when you have higher grade, your costs are a little low.

Speaker #2: We made that comment in the MDNA. That we're back into good oil. And so when you all other things being equal, when you have higher grade, your costs are a little lower.

Speaker #5: Okay, great. And then just taking a step back, the comment about labor cost inflation, can you just provide more detail on whether that's at a specific mine or region and just what you're seeing and where that's coming from?

Fahad Tariq: Okay, great. Just taking a step back, the comment about labor cost inflation, can you just provide more detail on whether that's at a specific mine or region and just what you're seeing and where that's coming from? It sounds like it's not really diesel that's the big impact right now. Correct me if I'm wrong. It's more labor cost inflation. I'm just trying to understand where that's coming from.

Speaker #5: It sounds like it's not really diesel that's the big impact right now. Correct me if I'm wrong. It's more labor cost inflation. So just trying to understand where that's coming from.

Speaker #2: Well, we covered all the drivers of it. And diesel was a factor because we weren't hedged at all at Wahi or Didipio. And in the other sites, we were hedged 80%, which has been extraordinarily beneficial.

Gerard Bond: Well, we covered all the drivers of it, diesel was a factor because we weren't hedged at all at Waihi or Didipio. In the other sites, we were hedged 80%, which has been extraordinarily beneficial. You still had an unhedged portion. Diesel cost was a factor, but labor inflation was the largest factor. The number one place where we experience that the most is at Haile because we don't have any currency protection there. Sometimes labor rate inflation, it manifests itself in two forms.

Speaker #2: But you still had none hedge portion. So diesel cost was a factor, but labor inflation was the largest factor. And the number one place where we experienced that the most is at Hale because we don't have any currency protection there.

Speaker #2: And sometimes labor rate inflation, it's just it manifests itself in two forms. It's what it takes for to pay employees or track new employees into the business, but also as and when you rely on contractors.

Gerard Bond: It's what it takes to pay employees or attract new employees into the business, also as and when you rely on contractors, particularly maintenance contractors, the rate of inflation in their costs, particularly if you rely more on them, we did a lot more maintenance in the quarter, you tend to have a higher exposure to that mark into market of labor rates in the US.

Speaker #2: And particularly maintenance contractors, the rate of inflation in their costs particularly if you rely more on them. And we did a lot more maintenance in the quarter.

Speaker #2: You tend to have a higher exposure to that mark into market of labor rates in the US.

Speaker #5: Okay, great. That's it for me. Thank you.

Fahad Tariq: Okay, great. That's it for me. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Fahad. Thank you.

Gerard Bond: Thank you, Fahad. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Don DeMarco from National Bank. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Don DeMarco from National Bank. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Oh, hi, Gerard and team. So I heard earlier in the call that at Hale, the throughput hit a record in June. Just wondering if you expect that to continue into July and Q3 in general, maybe setting up for a record in Q3?

Don DeMarco: Hi, Gerard team. I heard earlier in the call that at Haile, the throughput hit a record in June. Just wondering if you expect that to continue into July and Q3 in general, maybe setting up for a record in Q3, or are there some mitigating factors, maintenance and so on?

Speaker #6: Or are there some mitigating factors, maintenance and so on?

Speaker #2: Thanks, Don. I'll let Bhuvanesh make his promises on that one. Bhuvanesh?

Gerard Bond: Thanks, Don. I'll let Bhuvanesh make his promises on that one. Bhuvanesh?

Speaker #4: I think we would continue to see those rates probably improve. And this is all because of the spend that we have actually made in improving the asset reliability of that plant.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: I think we will continue to see those rates probably improve. This is all because of the spend that we have actually made in improving the asset reliability of that plant. It has been a long eight, nine months worth of process we have undertaken as well. We do have some shuts coming up that will probably have to be factored as a part of the mill throughput, as you would imagine. We are very confident of ensuring that these grades continue to basically be delivered through the H2, too.

Speaker #4: And it has been a long eight, nine months' worth of process we have undertaken as well. We do have some shots coming up that will probably have to be factored as a part of the mill throughput, as you would imagine.

Speaker #4: But we are very confident of ensuring that this grades continue to basically be delivered through the second half of the year too.

Speaker #6: Great. Thanks. That's all for me. Thank you for taking my question.

Don DeMarco: Great. Thanks. That's all for me. Thank you for taking my question.

Speaker #2: Thank you, Don.

Gerard Bond: Thank you, Don.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Harrison Reynolds. From RBC Capital Markets, please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Harrison Reynolds from RBC Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: Hi, good morning, Oceana team. Good to see another solid quarter. One question on Hale. Notice you approved the paste plant. I remember this being under study when we were on site a couple of months ago.

Harrison Reynolds: Hi, good morning, Oceana team. Good to see another solid quarter. One question on Haile. Notice you approved the paste plant. I remember this being under study when we were on site a couple of months ago. Could you walk us through the benefit of this, cycle times, lower costs, and what you saw as a result of this study?

Speaker #5: Could you walk us through the benefit of this cycle times, lower costs, and what you saw as a result of this study?

Speaker #2: Bhuvanesh?

Gerard Bond: Bhuvanesh?

Speaker #4: Sure. So Harrison, there are two key aspects of the paste plant that helps project as it was approved by board. The first aspect, obviously, is the cycle time of the strobe sequencing as well.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: Harrison, there are two key aspects of the paste plant that helps us invest in that particular project, as was approved by board. The first aspect obviously is the stope sequencing as well. We do see some of that accelerate as we start to see the pace coming through as well, especially because the curing time is going to be 14 days. That means that the stope cycle can be moved faster. The second bit, which is probably the primary driver moving forward of all of this is, it helps us to really slow down the rate of the tailings dam rise that we need to do as well.

Speaker #4: We do basically see some of that accelerate as we start to see the paste coming through as well, especially because the curing time is going to basically be 14 days.

Speaker #4: So that means that the strobe cycle can be moved faster. And then the second bit, which is probably the primary driver moving forward of all of these, basically, is it helps us to really slow down the rate of the tailings dam rise that we need to do as well.

Speaker #4: So there's a huge impact to the cost and the cycle times that we would like to improve especially in the open pit because those waste runs are quite extremely longer as well.

Bhuvanesh Malhotra: There's a huge impact to the cost and the cycle times that we would like to improve, especially in the open pit, because those waste runs are quite extremely longer. Thirdly, I should say this, another factor to it, which is about ensuring that the tailings capacity can be elongated as much as we can as we continue to find Pisces and Clydesdale and all of those other things. Those can all be accommodated in the stage 6 raise, which is what we would like to achieve.

Speaker #4: And thirdly, I should say this, another factor to it, which is about ensuring that the tailings capacity can be elongated of as much as we can as we continue to find pieces and clydesdale and all of those other things as well.

Speaker #4: Those can all be accommodated in the stage six raise, which is what we would like to achieve.

Speaker #5: Great. Yeah, sounds like a good project. That's it for me. Thanks for taking my questions.

Harrison Reynolds: Great. Yeah. Sounds like a good project. That's it for me. Thanks for taking my questions.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Harrison.

Gerard Bond: Thanks, Harrison.

Speaker #1: There are no further questions. I'll turn the call back over to Gerard.

Operator: If there are no further questions, I'll turn the call back over to Gerard.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Alfredo. That concludes our webcast and conference call. A replay will be available on our website later today. On behalf of the management team and everyone at OceanaGold, I appreciate you joining us and wish you a very pleasant rest of day.

Gerard Bond: Thanks, operator. That concludes our webcast and conference call. A replay will be available on our website later today. On behalf of the management team and everyone at OceanaGold, I appreciate you joining us and wish you a very pleasant rest of day. Bye for now.

Speaker #2: Bye for now.

Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today's conference call. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect.

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