Newmont Produced 2.2 Million Ounces In First Quarter
DENVER, CO - Newmont Corporation delivered a strong first quarter operational performance, producing 2.2 million gold equivalent ounces and generating over $1.4 billion in cash from operations before working capital changes," said Tom Palmer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Underpinned by the gold industry's leading portfolio of Tier 1 gold and copper operations, we remain well-positioned to achieve our full-year guidance and deliver meaningful synergies and productivity improvements from the combined portfolio. We remain focused on delivering on the commitments we laid out at the beginning of this year, creating an attractive value proposition for new and existing investors during this unique time in the gold industry."
Also, Newmont announced that Lundin Gold Inc. has agreed to buy out 100 percent of the balance of the stream credit facility agreement and offtake agreement for the Fruta del Norte gold mine in Ecuador. In connection with the acquisition of Newcrest and the Company's strategy to create lasting value, Newmont committed to delivering at least $2 billion in near-term cash improvements through portfolio optimization within the first two years. The early repayment of the facilities is another step in delivering on this commitment as Newmont continues to build a more profitable and resilient future for the business.
Attributable gold production decreased 4 percent to 1,675 thousand ounces from the prior quarter primarily due to lower production at Tanami due to a planned mill shutdown and seasonal rainfall impacts, and the ongoing stripping campaigns at Boddington and Akyem. In addition, lower production was delivered from the non-managed joint venture at Nevada Gold Mines. This unfavorable impact was partially offset by higher production at Peñasquito and Yanacocha, as well as a full quarter of ownership of the sites acquired in the Newcrest transaction. Full year production for 2024 is expected to be second-half weighted as previously indicated.
Nevada Gold Mines (NGM) attributable gold production was 264 thousand ounces. Pueblo Viejo (PV) attributable gold production was 54 thousand ounces for the quarter. Fruta del Norte attributable gold production is reported on a quarter lag. Production reported in the first quarter of 2024 was 21 thousand ounces.
The Company’s project pipeline supports stable production with improving margins and mine life. Tanami Expansion 2 (Australia) secures Tanami’s future as a long-life, low-cost producer by extending mine life beyond 2040 through the addition of a 1,460 meter hoisting shaft and supporting infrastructure to process 3.3 million tonnes per year and provide a platform for future growth. The expansion is expected to increase average annual gold production by approximately 150 to 200 thousand ounces per year for the first five years and reduce operating costs by approximately 30 percent. As a result of the identification of required overbreak and underbreak remediation, commercial production for the project is now expected in the second half of 2027. Ahafo North (Ghana) expands the existing footprint in Ghana with four open pit mines and a stand-alone mill located approximately 30 kilometers from the Company’s Ahafo South operations. The project is expected to add between 275 and 325 thousand ounces per year. Ahafo North is the best unmined gold deposit in West Africa with approximately 4.1 million ounces of Reserves and 1.3 million ounces of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources and significant upside potential to extend beyond Ahafo North’s current 13-year mine life. Commercial production for the project is expected in the second half of 2025. Cadia Block Caves (Australia) includes two existing panel caves to recover approximately 5.9 million ounces of Gold Reserves as well as 1.3 million tonnes of Copper Reserves. First ore has been delivered from the first panel cave (PC2-3), and development is underway at the second panel cave (PC1-2). The newly-acquired project is currently under review, and a more fulsome update on the anticipated metrics is expected to be provided in the second half of 2024.
Since mines operate for a finite period, careful closure planning is crucial to address the diverse social, economic, environmental and regulatory impacts associated with the end of mining operations. Newmont’s global Closure Strategy integrates closure planning throughout each operation’s lifespan, aiming to create enduring positive and sustainable legacies that last long after mining ceases. Newmont continues to accrue to reclamation and remediation spend through the year. Newmont expects to incur a cash outflow of approximately $600 million in 2024 and $700 million in 2025, primarily related to the construction of two new water treatment plants and post-closure management at Yanacocha. The operation’s ongoing closure planning study advanced to the feasibility state in December 2023 and continues to address several complex closure issues, including water management, social impacts and tailings. A long-term water management solution will replace five existing water treatment facilities with two, addressing the watersheds along the continental divide. Certain estimated costs remain subject to revision as ongoing study work and assessment of opportunities that incorporates the latest design considerations remain in progress.