Fortuna reports financial results for the second quarter of 2024

(All amounts are expressed in US dollars, tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise stated)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 07, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fortuna Mining Corp. (NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI) (“Fortuna” or the “Company”) today reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 highlights

Financial

• Attributable net income of $40.6 million or $0.13 per share, compared to a $26.3 million or $0.09 per share in Q1 2024

• Adjusted attributable net income¹ of $30.4 million or $0.10 per share, compared to $26.7 million or $0.09 per share in Q1 2024

• Generated $93.0 million (or $0.30 per share) of cash flow from operations before working capital changes, and free cash flow from ongoing operations¹ of $38.6 million, compared to $84.3 million (or $0.28 per share) and $12.1 million, respectively, in Q1 2024

• The Company issued Convertible Notes (the “2024 Notes”) for gross proceeds of $172.5 million which were partially used to pay in full the outstanding $125.0 million under its revolving credit facility. As at the end of the quarter total net debt¹ was $66.5 million and the total net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio¹ was 0.2:1

• Liquidity as of June 30, 2024 was $355.6 million, compared to $212.7 million at the end of Q1 2024

Operational

• Gold equivalent³ production of 116,570 ounces, compared to 112,543 ounces in Q1 2024

• Gold production of 92,716 ounces, compared to 89,678 ounces in Q1 2024

• Silver production of 990,574 ounces, compared to 1,074,571 ounces in Q1 2024

• Consolidated cash costs¹ per ounce of gold equivalent sold of $988, compared to $879 in Q1 2024; adjusting for San Jose, which is mining its last year of Mineral Reserves, consolidated cash costs was $858

• Consolidated all-in sustaining cash costs (AISC)¹ per ounce of gold equivalent sold of $1,656, compared to $1,495 in Q1 2024; adjusting for San Jose, consolidated AISC was $1,584

• The Company recorded zero lost time injuries and zero total recordable injuries in the quarter

Growth and Development

“Our business performed well in the quarter, generating strong net cash flow from operations of $93.0 million before working capital changes and free cash flow after sustaining capital of $38.6 million.” said Jorge Ganoza, Fortuna’s President and CEO. Mr. Ganoza continued, “We anticipate our free cash flow to increase further in the second half of the year as we conclude a heavy sustaining capex phase in the third quarter with the completion of the Lindero leach pad expansion project.” Mr. Ganoza added, “With the issue of $172.5 million of convertible notes we have significantly strengthened our balance sheet and liquidity while lowering our cost of capital. This added financial flexibility places the Company in an advantageous position to pursue strategic initiatives and emerging opportunities in our established regions.” Mr. Ganoza concluded “On the exploration front we continue creating value through discovery. At the recently identified Kingfisher prospect, at the Séguéla mine, we have drill defined gold mineralization over a strike length of two kilometers. Our drill program will continue non-stop with the aim of delivering a first resource for this exciting new discovery by year end.”

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_{¹ Refer to Non-IFRS Financial Measures section at the end of this news release and to the MD&A accompanying the Company’s financial statements filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of the calculation of these measures.
² Excluding letters of credit
³ Au Eq includes gold, silver, lead and zinc and is calculated using the following metal prices: $2,334/oz Au, $29.1/oz Ag, $2,157/t Pb and $2,835/t Zn or Au:Ag = 1:80.19, Au:Pb = 1:1.08, Au:Zn = 1:0.82 for Q2 2024, and the following metal prices $2,087/oz Au, $23.4/oz Ag, $2,084/t Pb and $2,450/t Zn or Au:Ag = 1:89.8, Au:Pb = 1:1.0, Au:Zn = 0.85 for Q1 2024.}

Second Quarter 2024 Consolidated Results

Second Quarter 2024 Results

Attributable Net Income and Adjusted Attributable Net Income
Net income attributable to Fortuna for the quarter was $40.6 million compared to $3.1 million in Q2 2023. After adjusting for non-cash and non-recurring items, adjusted attributable net income for the quarter was $30.4 million compared to $2.5 million in Q2 2023. The large change between net income and adjusted net income for the quarter was primarily the result of a $12.0 million deferred tax recovery that was removed from adjusted attributable net income related to the issuance of the 2024 Notes.

The increase in net income and adjusted net income is explained mainly by increased gold sales volume and higher realized gold and silver prices. Higher gold sales volume was primarily due to contributions from Séguéla which was under construction in the comparable period. This was partially offset by lower silver production at San Jose as the mine exhausts its Mineral Reserves. The realized gold and silver prices were $2,334 and $29.10 per ounce respectively compared to $1,975 and $24.10 per ounce, respectively, for the comparable period in the prior year.

Adjusted net income for the quarter was also impacted by higher G&A of $7.8 million, primarily due to an increase of $4.7 million in share based compensation related to the increase of our share price in the period and the addition of Séguéla’s G&A. The higher interest expense of $3.4 million for the quarter is explained by $3.7 million of capitalized interest in the comparative period vs nil in Q2 2024.

Depreciation and Depletion
Depreciation and depletion for the second quarter of 2024 was $57.3 million compared to $39.9 million in the comparable period. The increase in depreciation and depletion was primarily the result of higher sales volume and the inclusion of $17.5 million in depletion of the purchase price related to the acquisition of Roxgold Inc in 2021. This was partially offset by lower depreciation and depletion at San Jose as a result of an impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA and Cash Flow
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $112.7 million, a margin of 43% over sales, compared to $44.4 million a margin over sales of 28%, reported in the same period in 2023. The main driver for the increase in EBITDA was the contribution from Séguéla with an EBITDA margin of 62% in Q2 2024, partially offset by marginal EBITDA at San Jose. The prior period was also impacted by an illegal blockade of the San Jose Mine.

Net cash generated by operations for the quarter was $73.5 million compared to $44.2 million in Q2 2023. The increase of $29.3 million reflects higher adjusted EBITDA of $68.3 million offset by taxes paid of $17.4 million at Séguéla as two installment payments were made in the second quarter, with a third expected in September, and $19.4 million in negative working capital movements.

The negative change in working capital of $19.4 million consisted of the following:

• An increase in receivables of $9.3 million driven by an increase in VAT receivables of $4.9 million at Séguéla and $4.3 million at Yaramoko

• An increase of inventories of $13.5 million related to a $2.3 million increase in material and supplies and $2.6 million in metals inventory at Séguéla and a $1.5 million increase in materials and supplies and $4.5 million in metals inventory at Lindero

In the second quarter of 2024 capital expenditures on a cash basis were $50.4 million consisting primarily of $32.8 million in sustaining capital and $17.6 million of non-sustaining capital including $6.5 million to acquire one half of the 1.2% NSR royalty that was held by Franco Nevada at Séguéla.

Free cash flow from ongoing operations for the quarter was $38.6 million, compared to $9.5 million in Q2 2023. The increase in free cash flow from operations was primarily the result of contributions from Séguéla which was under construction in Q2 2023 and was offset by negative working capital changes and higher taxes paid as described above.

Cash Costs and AISC
Cash cost per equivalent gold ounce was $988, compared to $968 in the second quarter of 2023. The slightly higher cash cost per equivalent gold ounce was due to higher costs at San Jose, Lindero, and Yaramoko, partially offset by the contribution of low-cost production from Séguéla. Adjusting for San Jose, where previously capitalized costs are now expensed as the mine is in its last year of operations, cash costs per gold equivalent ounces was $858 for the current quarter.

All-in sustaining costs per gold equivalent ounce was $1,656 for the second quarter of 2024 compared to $1,799 for the second quarter of 2023. The decrease was primarily the result of higher gold sales and lower sustaining capital. Adjusting for San Jose, all-in sustaining cost per gold equivalent ounce was $1,584 for the current quarter.

General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses for the current quarter of $22.4 million were higher than the same period in 2023 as Séguéla transitioned to operations and costs are no longer being capitalized, and higher share-based compensation expenses due to an increase in the share price and the impact on the valuation of restricted share units expected to settle in cash. G&A is comprised of the following items:

Liquidity

The Company’s total liquidity available as of June 30, 2024 was $355.6 million comprised of $105.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, and the fully undrawn $250.0 million revolving credit facility (excluding letters of credit).

Séguéla Mine, Côte d’Ivoire

In the second quarter of 2024, mined material totaled 420,222 tonnes of ore, averaging 3.03g/t Au, and containing an estimated 40,912 ounces of gold from the Antenna, Ancien and Koula pits. Movement of waste during the quarter totaled 2,495,838 tonnes, for a strip ratio of 6:1.

Production was mainly focused on the Antenna pit which produced 364,491 tonnes of ore to provide higher grade feed to the processing plant during the power supply constraints detailed below. Mining at the Ancien and Koula pits provided the balance of ore production with 1,645,716 tonnes of the waste stripping occurring there.

Séguéla processed 318,457 tonnes in the quarter, producing 32,983 ounces of gold, at an average head grade of 3.47 g/t Au. During the quarter the mine experienced intermittent power outages from April to early July which resulted in the loss of 19 days of operating time for the mill. The loss of power was the result of power shedding from the national grid supplier due to failures at two power plants in Côte d’Ivoire. Since early July the mine has been receiving stable grid power. To guarantee mine power supply in the event of future outages the Company is sourcing expanded backup diesel power generation capabilities to support the entire process operation.

The potential impact to gold production from the intermittent power outages was largely mitigated by delivering higher grade feed to the mill and the benefits of operating efficiencies which have allowed the mill to operate at a throughput rate of 208 tonnes per hour compared to a name place capacity of 154 tonnes per hour. Séguéla’s 2024 production guidance of 126,000 to 138,000 oz Au remains unaffected.

Cash cost per gold ounce sold was $564, and all-in sustaining cash cost per gold ounce sold was $1,097 for Q2 2024. Both were below plan and guidance.

Yaramoko Mine, Burkina Faso

In the second quarter of 2024, 121,391 tonnes of ore were treated at an average head grade of 8.40 g/t, producing 31,447 ounces of gold. This represents a 29% increase in grade and an 8% increase in production, when compared to the same period in 2023. Higher gold production in the second quarter of 2024 was a result of higher head grades, offsetting lower tonnes milled. Processing operations at Yaramoko were also affected by intermittent power supply from the grid, however, our backup diesel generators mitigated the bulk of these constraints.

During the quarter, 89,991 tonnes of ore were mined averaging 7.81 g/t Au from 55 Zone, and 21,361 tonnes of ore averaging 8.89 g/t Au from QV Prime, totaling 111,352 tonnes averaging 8.02 g/t Au. In May, a rock burst occurred in the deeper levels of the 55 Zone, which interrupted production for a period of 10 days. No injuries or loss of property occurred as a result of the seismic event. Changes to the stoping sequence and design of underground excavations have been implemented based on a geotechnical evaluation.

The cash cost per ounce of gold sold for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, was $896, compared to $719 in the same period in 2023. The increase for the quarter is mainly attributed to the reallocation of fixed mining costs from capital to operating expenses, lower processed ore and higher energy costs from the use of diesel generators to offset constrained grid supply. This was partially offset by higher ounces sold in the period.

During the quarter power sourced from the grid was restricted to 45% with the balance coming from diesel power generation. This increased the cost per kilowatt hour with diesel generation costing $0.42/kwh compared to $0.24/kwh for grid power. The impact on total cost was mostly offset by lower energy consumption at the mine. Through the month of July availability of power from the grid was at 95%.

The all-in sustaining cash cost per gold ounce sold was $1,389 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024, compared to $1,626 in the same period of 2023. The change in the quarter was primarily due to higher volume of ounces sold, lower sustaining capital expenditure and lower sustaining lease expenses in 2024. This was partially offset higher by royalty costs due to higher metal prices and a change in the royalty regime in Burkina Faso which increased the royalty rate from 5% to 7% when the gold price is over $2,000 per ounce.

Drilling and development operations continued to extend the mining boundaries to the east and west of 55 Zone and demonstrate wider mineable widths than expected. In the third quarter, drilling will also focus on testing the potential for further strike extensions of 55 Zone, as well as testing the strike extensions that we currently see in QV Prime.

Lindero Mine, Argentina

Quarterly Operating and Financial Highlights
During the second quarter of 2024, total mined ore was 1.8 million tonnes at a stripping ratio of 0.7:1. A total of 1,408,791 tonnes of ore was placed on the heap leach pad at an average gold grade of 0.61 g/t, containing an estimated 27,663 ounces of gold. Gold production for Q2 2024 totaled 22,874 ounces, a 10% decrease from the second quarter of 2023, primarily due to a planned eight-day maintenance shutdown of the high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) and the agglomeration plant, coupled with a period of lower mechanical availability of front-end loaders.

The cash cost per ounce of gold for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $1,092 compared to $878 in the same period of 2023. The increase in cash cost per ounce of gold was primarily related to low mechanical availability of front-end loaders, higher maintenance costs due to the eight-day maintenance shutdown in the quarter and higher ounces sold in the comparable period.

The all-in sustaining cash cost per gold ounce sold during the second quarter of 2024 was $2,033, an increase from $1,686 in the second quarter of 2023. The increase for the quarter was primarily due to higher cash costs as described above and higher sustaining capital to support the expansion of the heap leach pad. The leach-pad project accounts for approximately $400 per ounce in the all-in sustaining cost for 2024.

As of June 30, 2024, the $51.8 million leach pad expansion project ($41.7 million capital investment in 2024) was approximately 58% complete. The construction of the project commenced in January 2024, with contractors on site undertaking earthworks and construction of the impulsion line, and liner deployment. Procurement is 96% complete, with critical path items onsite. Pump manufacturing for the new impulsion line was completed on schedule and arrived on site in July. Liner installation has commenced and contracts for the major mechanical works have been executed. The Company expects to start placing ore on the leach pad expansion in the fourth quarter of 2024.

San Jose Mine, Mexico

In the second quarter of 2024, San Jose produced 684,176 ounces of silver and 5,269 ounces of gold, 29% and 9% decreases respectively, at average head grades for silver and gold of 140 g/t and 1.09 g/t, a 17% decrease and 7% increase respectively, when compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in silver and gold production, when compared to the first quarter of 2023, is explained by lower tonnes extracted and lower grades for silver, which is consistent with the annual plan and guidance. During the second quarter, the processing plant milled 176,214 tonnes at an average of 1,980 tonnes per day, in line with the plan for the period.

The cash cost per silver equivalent ounce sold for the three months ending June 30, 2024, was $24.91, an increase from $15.79 in the same period of 2023. The San Jose Mine has less operational flexibility in 2024 compared to 2023, due to the reduced and more dispersed Mineral Reserves associated with the Trinidad deposit, which also increased mine costs. Ore processed decreased by 10% due to lower tonnes mined.

The all-in sustaining cash cost per payable silver equivalent ounce sold for the three months ended June 30, 2024, increased by 14% to $27.55. This compares to $24.07 per ounce for the same period in 2023. These increases were mainly driven by higher cash costs and lower production and partially offset by lower capital expenditure. Management conducts regular assessments and trade-offs between maintaining operations at the mine or putting it on care and maintenance.

Sustaining capital expenditures have decreased as we near the anticipated closure of the mine. Drilling in 2024 was higher due to the drilling campaign at the Yessi vein, which was discovered in the third quarter of 2023. Exploration at the Yessi vein is ongoing.

Caylloma Mine, Peru

In the second quarter, the Caylloma Mine produced 306,398 ounces of silver, which was in line with the second quarter of 2023, at an average head grade of 83 g/t Ag.

Lead and zinc production for the quarter were 10.5 million pounds of lead, and 13.0 million pounds of zinc. Lead production increased 3% and zinc production decreased by 7% compared to the same period in 2023. Head grades averaged 3.83%, and 4.80%, a 3% increase and 7% decrease, respectively, when compared to the second quarter of 2023.
The cash cost per silver equivalent ounce for the three months ended June 30, 2024 was $13.94, a 3% decrease compared to the comparable period in 2023. This was primarily due to lower energy and maintenance costs in the plant.

The all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of payable silver equivalent for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $19.87 compared to $19.18 for the same period in 2023. The higher all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce was the result of higher silver prices on the calculation of silver equivalent ounces.

Qualified Person

Eric Chapman, Senior Vice President of Technical Services, is a Professional Geoscientist of the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (Registration Number 36328), and is the Company’s Qualified Person (as defined by National Instrument 43-101). Mr. Chapman has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and has verified the underlying data.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company has disclosed certain financial measures and ratios in this news release which are not defined under the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and are not disclosed in the Company’s financial statements, including but not limited to: cash cost per ounce of gold sold; all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold sold; all-in sustaining cash cost per ounce of gold equivalent sold; all-in cash cost per ounce of gold sold; production cash cost per ounce of gold equivalent; cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; all-in sustaining cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; all-in cash cost per payable ounce of silver equivalent sold; free cash flow from ongoing operations; adjusted net income; adjusted attributable net income; adjusted EBITDA and working capital.

These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are widely reported in the mining industry as benchmarks for performance and are used by management to monitor and evaluate the Company’s operating performance and ability to generate cash. The Company believes that, in addition to financial measures and ratios prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use these non-IFRS financial measures and ratios to evaluate the Company’s performance. However, the measures do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. Accordingly, non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures and ratios of the Company’s performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The Company has calculated these measures consistently for all periods presented.

To facilitate a better understanding of these measures and ratios as calculated by the Company, descriptions are provided below. In addition see “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” in the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 (“Q2 2024 MDA”), which section is incorporated by reference in this news release, for additional information regarding each non-IFRS financial measure and non-IFRS ratio disclosed in this news release, including an explanation of their composition; an explanation of how such measures and ratios provide useful information to an investor; and the additional purposes, if any, for which management of the Company uses such measures and ratio. The Q2 2024 MD&A may be accessed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s profile.

Except as otherwise described in the Q2 2024 MD&A, the Company has calculated these measures consistently for all periods presented.

Reconciliation of Debt to total net debt and net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio for June 30, 2024

Reconciliation of net income to adjusted attributable net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

Reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

Reconciliation of net cash from operating activities to free cash flow from ongoing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023

Reconciliation of cost of sales to cash cost per ounce of gold equivalent sold for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023