Perseus Mining achieves near-mine exploration success in Ghana with potential to extend Edikan life
Resource definition drilling is ongoing and Perseus expects to complete a maiden mineral resource estimate for Nkosuo early in the June 2022 quarter.
Company
ASX:PRU
Perseus Mining Ltd (PRU:ASX) operates three gold mines in Africa: Edikan in Ghana, Sissingué and Yaouré in Côte d’Ivoire. The company acquired Orca Gold and now owns 70% of the Meyas Sand Gold Project in Sudan (formerly 'Block 14 Development Project').
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Resource definition drilling is ongoing and Perseus expects to complete a maiden mineral resource estimate for Nkosuo early in the June 2022 quarter.
“Steel margins lifting is a positive sign from the demand side which has coincided with positive news from the steel output side,” said Vivek Dhar, director of mining and energy commodities research at the Commonwealth Bank.
Canaccord expects the company to maintain positive momentum into the December quarter with strong production and cost performance at the Yaoure mine.
Although the group’s production metrics underwhelmed in the September quarter, all-in sustaining costs (AISC) were a bright spot on the balance sheet.
Perseus Mining capped another strong quarter with a new record for gold production at Yaouré, producing 64,558 ounces of gold at an AISC of US$671 per ounce which generated a notional cashflow of US$65.8 million.
“We expect the Yaouré ramp-up to drive improved production in the short term, with 2HCY21E (second half, calendar year 2021 end) guidance implying an annualised run-rate of 500,000 ounces per annum (+50% year on year)," says Canaccord.
Positive exploration results at Yaouré in Côte d’Ivoire come one day after similarly positive results at the Edikan Gold Project in Ghana.
The gold miner and explorer is ramping up to produce 500,000 ounces of gold per annum at its three West African operations.
Perseus completed the construction and commissioning of its third gold mine, Yaouré, in FY2021 while maintaining steady operating performance at its two other gold mines, Sissingué and Edikan.
The company also increased its FY2021 EBITDA by 11% on the previous financial year to A$303.1 million.
Perseus says Yaouré will produce 260,000 ounces of gold per year, making up more than half of the company’s stated annual goal of 500,000 ounces.
Cannacord doubled down on its support for Perseus this week, tweeting “We continue to see @PerseusMining as a sector standout, noting expectations for strong FCF generation and potential for capital management initiatives."
Canaccord has lifted its target price to A$2.00 based on upgraded FY22 estimates and potential for mine life extensions at Sissingue.
In the June quarter, it recorded gold production of 102,788 ounces, up 16% on the March 2021 quarter and up 50% on the December 2020 quarter.
The increase in the gold price comes on the back of increased investor interest, lower bond yields and a weaker US dollar.
In terms of gender balance, two of Perseus’ directors are women representing approximately 30% of directors.
Highlights of the report include zero fatalities in the history of the company and significant benefits for its host countries, including 96% of its employees coming from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
The publication, Top Australian Stock Picks – June Quarter 2021, contains Canaccord’s top 16 stock picks across a diverse group of sectors.
Production at the Yaouré mine ramped up in the March quarter and the company is confident of achieving its 2H guidance of 175-190,000 ounces at US$950-1150/ounce.
The company has released its March quarterly report, which showed solid increases in both gold production and sales.