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Equinox Gold announces commercial production at its Greenstone Mine in Ontario, Canada. During Q3, the mine processed 14,300 tonnes per day (53% of design throughput), producing 42,400 ounces of gold at 79% recovery rate and US$930 per ounce cash cost. Recent operations show improved performance with 20-day throughput averaging 20,400 tpd (76% of design). The crushing and grinding circuits have demonstrated full production capacity of 27,000 tpd. At full production, Greenstone will be among Canada’s largest open-pit gold mines, with projected output of 390,000 ounces annually for the first five years and 330,000 ounces annually over a 15-year mine life.
Equinox Gold annuncia l’inizio della produzione commerciale presso il suo Greenstone Mine in Ontario, Canada. Durante il terzo trimestre, la miniera ha elaborato 14.300 tonnellate al giorno (53% della capacità progettata), producendo 42.400 once d’oro con un tasso di recupero del 79% e un costo di cassa di 930 dollari USA per oncia. Recenti operazioni mostrano prestazioni migliorate, con una media di throughput di 20 giorni di 20.400 tonnellate al giorno (76% del design). I circuiti di frantumazione e macinazione hanno dimostrato una piena capacità produttiva di 27.000 tonnellate al giorno. A piena produzione, Greenstone sarà una delle più grandi miniere d’oro a cielo aperto del Canada, con una produzione prevista di 390.000 once all’anno per i primi cinque anni e 330.000 once all’anno per i 15 anni di vita mineraria.
Equinox Gold anuncia el inicio de la producción comercial en su Greenstone Mine en Ontario, Canadá. Durante el tercer trimestre, la mina procesó 14,300 toneladas por día (53% de la capacidad de diseño), produciendo 42,400 onzas de oro con una tasa de recuperación del 79% y un costo en efectivo de US$930 por onza. Las operaciones recientes muestran un rendimiento mejorado, con un promedio de procesamiento de 20 días de 20,400 tpd (76% del diseño). Los circuitos de trituración y molienda han demostrado una capacidad de producción total de 27,000 tpd. A plena producción, Greenstone será una de las mayores minas de oro a cielo abierto de Canadá, con una producción proyectada de 390,000 onzas anuales durante los primeros cinco años y 330,000 onzas anuales a lo largo de una vida útil de 15 años de la mina.
Equinox Gold가 캐나다 온타리오에 위치한 Greenstone Mine에서 상업 생산을 시작했다고 발표했습니다. 3분기 동안 이 광산은 하루 14,300톤 (설계 처리량의 53%)을 처리했으며, 79% 회수율로 42,400온스의 금을 생산하고, 온스당 현금 비용은 930달러였습니다. 최근 운영 결과는 개선된 성과를 보여주며, 20일간의 처리량 평균이 20,400 tpd (설계의 76%)로 증가했습니다. 파쇄 및 분쇄 회로는 하루 27,000톤의 최대 생산 능력을 보여주었습니다. Greenstone이 전면 가동될 경우, 캐나다의 가장 큰 노천 금광 중 하나가 될 것이며, 처음 5년간 연간 390,000온스의 생산이 예상되며, 15년의 광산 생애 동안 연간 330,000온스를 생산할 것으로 예상됩니다.
Equinox Gold annonce le début de la production commerciale dans sa Greenstone Mine en Ontario, Canada. Au cours du troisième trimestre, la mine a traité 14 300 tonnes par jour (53 % du débit prévu), produisant 42 400 onces d’or avec un taux de récupération de 79 % et un coût en espèces de 930 $ US par once. Les opérations récentes montrent une performance améliorée avec un débit moyen de 20 jours de 20 400 tpd (76 % du design). Les circuits de concassage et de broyage ont démontré une capacité de production pleine de 27 000 tpd. Lors de la pleine production, Greenstone sera l’une des plus grandes mines d’or à ciel ouvert du Canada, avec une production projetée de 390 000 onces par an pour les cinq premières années et 330 000 onces par an sur une durée de vie minière de 15 ans.
Equinox Gold gibt die Aufnahme der kommerziellen Produktion in seiner Greenstone Mine in Ontario, Kanada, bekannt. Im dritten Quartal verarbeitete die Mine 14.300 Tonnen pro Tag (53% der Entwurfsdurchsatzrate) und produzierte 42.400 Unzen Gold mit einer Rückgewinnungsrate von 79% und einem Barpreis von 930 US-Dollar pro Unze. Jüngste Betriebsdaten zeigen eine verbesserte Leistung mit 20-tägigem Durchsatz von durchschnittlich 20.400 tpd (76% des Designs). Die Brech- und Mahlanlagen haben eine volle Produktionskapazität von 27.000 tpd nachgewiesen. Bei voller Produktion wird Greenstone zu den größten Tagebau-Goldminen Kanadas gehören, mit einer voraussichtlichen Produktion von 390.000 Unzen jährlich in den ersten fünf Jahren und 330.000 Unzen jährlich über eine Lebensdauer von 15 Jahren.
Positive
- Commercial production achieved at Greenstone Mine
- Q3 gold production of 42,400 ounces
- Recent throughput increased to 76% of design capacity (20,400 tpd)
- Crushing and grinding circuits demonstrated full production capacity
- Projected annual production of 390,000 ounces for first five years
Negative
- Q3 throughput at only 53% of design capacity
- Three multi-day shutdowns required during Q3
- Gold recovery rate at 78-79%, below optimal levels
- Cash cost of US$930 per ounce in Q3
Insights
The Greenstone Mine achieving commercial production represents a significant milestone for Equinox Gold, marking a substantial expansion of their production capacity. The Q3 metrics show encouraging progress with $930 per ounce cash costs, positioning the mine competitively in the current gold market. The demonstrated throughput of 20,400 tpd (76% of design capacity) and recovery rates reaching 90% daily highs indicate strong operational execution.
The projected annual production of 390,000 ounces for the first five years will transform Equinox’s production profile, potentially making it one of Canada’s premier gold producers. With a 15-year mine life and high-grade open-pit operations, this asset significantly strengthens the company’s long-term production outlook. The successful ramp-up despite global challenges demonstrates robust project management and operational capabilities.
The commencement of commercial production at Greenstone represents a pivotal shift in Equinox Gold’s financial profile. With positive operating cash flow already being generated during ramp-up, this milestone should significantly boost the company’s revenue and cash flow generation capacity. The $930 per ounce cash cost demonstrates healthy margins against current gold prices, suggesting strong potential for free cash flow generation.
The successful navigation of pandemic-related challenges, supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures while maintaining project execution speaks to effective cost management. The projected 390,000 ounces annual production target positions Greenstone to become a major contributor to Equinox’s financial performance, potentially leading to improved market valuation and balance sheet strength.
Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – November 6, 2024) – Equinox Gold Corp. (TSX: EQX) (NYSE American: EQX) (“Equinox Gold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that based on the operating progress achieved through October, its Greenstone Mine in Ontario, Canada has reached commercial production.
Greg Smith, President & CEO of Equinox Gold, commented: “With the Greenstone Mine continuing to ramp up and generating positive operating cash flow, we are pleased to announce commercial production at our newest and largest gold mine. This milestone marks the culmination of three years of construction and commissioning, accomplished during the challenges of a global pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures. I extend my thanks and congratulations to the Greenstone team for their dedication and perseverance in achieving this milestone.”
During Q3, the Greenstone Mine processed an average of 14,300 tonnes per day (“tpd”), representing 53% of design throughput, producing 42,400 ounces of gold at an average recovery rate of 79% and a cash cost of US$930 per ounce. The average throughput during the quarter includes three multi-day shutdowns to address issues identified during the ramp-up process. Throughput steadily increased through October and, as of November 5th, the trailing 20-day throughput averaged over 20,400 tpd, representing 76% of design. The crushing and grinding circuits have demonstrated operation at the full production rate of 27,000 tpd (crushing over 32,000 tpd, milling over 27,000 tpd). Gold recovery has reached daily highs over 90% and averaged 78% through October. The current focus is on increasing plant availability and recoveries.
At full production, the Greenstone Mine will be one of Canada’s largest and highest-grade open-pit gold mines, producing on average 390,000 ounces of gold per year for the first five years and 330,000 ounces of gold annually for an initial 15-year mine life.
ABOUT EQUINOX GOLD
Equinox Gold is a growth-focused Canadian mining company with seven operating gold mines and a path to achieve more than one million ounces of annual gold production from a pipeline of expansion projects. Equinox Gold’s common shares are listed on the TSX and the NYSE American under the trading symbol EQX. Further information about Equinox Gold’s portfolio of assets and long-term growth strategy is available at www.equinoxgold.com or by email at ir@equinoxgold.com.
EQUINOX GOLD CONTACTS
Greg Smith, President & Chief Executive Officer
Rhylin Bailie, Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: +1 604-558-0560
Email: ir@equinoxgold.com
Cautionary Notes & Forward-looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation and may include future-oriented financial information (collectively “Forward-looking Information”). Forward-looking Information in this news release relates to, among other things: the Company’s expectations for the operation of Greenstone, including future financial or operating performance; and anticipated improvements in recovery rates, mining rates, and throughput to achieve design capacity. Forward-looking Information is generally identified by the use of the words “will”, “target”, “focus”, “ramping up”, “achieve”, “increase”, “plan”, “continue”, and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “could”, “would” or “should”, or the negative connotation of such terms, are intended to identify Forward-looking Information. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such Forward-looking Information is reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on Forward-looking Information since the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company has based Forward-looking Information on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events and these assumptions include: the Company’s expectations for the operation of Greenstone, including future financial or operating performance and anticipated improvements in recovery rates, mining rates and throughput to achieve design capacity; the Company’s ability to achieve its production, cost and development expectations for Greenstone; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled production; that ore grades and recoveries remain consistent with expectations; that tonnage of ore to be mined and processed remains consistent with expectations; the ability of Equinox Gold to work productively with its Indigenous partners at Greenstone; no labour-related disruptions; that all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; and the Company’s ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and other regulatory requirements. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on the Forward-looking Information contained in this news release.
The Company cautions that Forward-looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such Forward-looking Information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, geotechnical failures, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding, fires, and severe weather); inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and hazards; labour relations; relationships with, and claims by, local communities and Indigenous partners; the Company’s ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner or at all; changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining; increased competition in the mining industry; and those factors identified in the section titled “Risks and Uncertainties” in Equinox Gold’s MD&A dated February 21, 2024 and in the section titled “Risks Related to the Business” in Equinox Gold’s most recently filed Annual Information Form, both of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Forward-looking Information is designed to help readers understand management’s views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, Equinox Gold assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any Forward-looking Information contained or incorporated by reference to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the Forward-looking Information. If Equinox Gold updates any Forward-looking Information, no inference should be drawn that Equinox Gold will make additional updates with respect to that or any other Forward-looking Information. All Forward-looking Information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Non IFRS Measures. This news release refers to cash costs which measure has no standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Their measurement and presentation is consistently prepared and is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Cash Costs and Cash Costs per oz sold is a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry; however, it has no standard meaning under IFRS. The measure is not necessarily indicative of cash flow from operations under IFRS or operating costs presented under IFRS.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/229115
FAQ
What is Equinox Gold’s (EQX) Greenstone Mine Q3 2023 production?
The Greenstone Mine produced 42,400 ounces of gold in Q3 2023, processing 14,300 tonnes per day at a 79% recovery rate.
What is the expected annual gold production at EQX’s Greenstone Mine at full capacity?
At full production, Greenstone Mine is expected to produce 390,000 ounces of gold annually for the first five years, followed by 330,000 ounces annually for the remaining mine life.
What was the cash cost per ounce at Equinox Gold’s Greenstone Mine in Q3 2023?
The cash cost at Greenstone Mine during Q3 2023 was US$930 per ounce of gold.
When did Equinox Gold’s Greenstone Mine achieve commercial production?
Equinox Gold announced that Greenstone Mine achieved commercial production in November 2023, based on operating progress through October.
