TRX Gold Corporation (TSX: TRX) (NYSE American: TRX) (the “Company”
or “TRX Gold”) today reported its results for the first quarter of
2025 (“Q1 2025”) for the three months ended November 30, 2024.
Financial results are available on the Company’s website at
www.TRXgold.com.
Key highlights for Q1 2025
include:
-
Capturing record gold prices: The Company poured
4,841 ounces of gold (Q1 2024: 4,927) and sold 4,813 ounces of gold
(Q1 2024: 4,895) generating revenue of $12.5 million (Q1 2024: $9.4
million), gross profit of $4.8 million (Q1 2024: $3.7 million) and
Adjusted EBITDA1 of $4.4 million (Q1 2024: $2.6 million). The
increase in revenue, gross profit and Adjusted EBITDA1 compared to
the prior comparative period is mainly related to a record average
realized gold price (net)1 of $2,653 per ounce (Q1 2024: $1,942 per
ounce).
-
Production level in line with expectations and mine
sequencing: Gold production in Q1 2025 was mainly in line
with the prior year comparative period and reflects higher mill
throughput, offset by a lower average head grade of 1.29 g/t (Q1
2024: 2.57 g/t) and lower average recovery of 72% (Q1 2024: 81%). A
planned mine sequence commenced in Q1 2025, accessing lower grade
ore blocks during the quarter, concurrent with a scheduled
stripping campaign, in order to access higher grade ore blocks in
the second half of F2025. The lower average recovery in Q1 2025 was
mainly due to a higher proportion of blended material processed in
Q1 2025 (24% oxide / 76% sulphide) compared to the prior year
period, where the mill processed a higher proportion of oxide
material at a higher average recovery. The Company also experienced
lower recovery rates with lower grade material.
-
Decreasing variable cost per tonne: Processing
costs per tonne of $12.60 in Q1 2025 were significantly lower than
the prior year comparative period (Q1 2024: $26.56 per tonne)
predominantly due to greater economies of scale following final
commissioning of the expanded 2,000 tonne per day (“tpd”)
processing facility. Mining costs per tonne of $4.00 in Q1 2025
were also lower than the prior year comparative period (Q1 2024:
$4.25) and are expected to continue to improve over time as owner
operated equipment will be utilized to provide cost effective
support for site development projects as well as plant feed
operations.
-
Benefitting from economies of scale: Total ore
tonnes processed at the newly expanded processing facility of 1,703
tpd in Q1 2025, were 108% higher than the prior year comparative
period (Q1 2024: 817 tpd), reaching a maximum of 2,073 tpd,
following commissioning of the newly expanded processing plant in
early Q1 2025 (September 2024). The higher processing plant
throughput provided a higher proportion of overhead cost
absorption, significantly benefitting processing cost per
tonne.
- Increase
in annual gold production is expected: The Company
continues to expect gold production for fiscal 2025 (“F2025”) to be
higher than fiscal 2024 (“F2024”) levels, reflecting a full year of
operations from the expanded 2,000 tpd processing plant and an
expected decreased reliance on lower grade stockpile inventory,
partially offset by a waste stripping campaign required to access
high grade ore blocks to deliver consistent higher grade ore feed
to the mill. The Company continues to expect cash cost per ounce to
be in line with F2024 levels, mainly due to the impact of higher
expected gold production and significantly lower processing costs
per tonne, offset by a lower average grade profile, in line with
the scheduled mine sequence. Mining costs per tonne are also
expected to trend lower in F2025.
- Best
drill results to date at Buckreef Gold: During Q1 2025,
the Company announced its two best drill results ever, on a gram x
tonne x meters (“gtm”) basis, intersecting 37 meters (“m”) @ 6.86
g/t Au (253.82 gtm) from 130 m (hole BMDD315) and 35.5 m @ 5.48 g/t
Au (194.54 gtm) from 64 m, located along the newly discovered and
high-priority Stamford Bridge Zone. This is a promising new gold
mineralization shear zone located approximately 250 m east of the
Buckreef Gold Main Zone that is beginning to form what may become a
potential 1-kilometer “bridge” between the Buckreef Gold Main Zone
and the prospective Eastern Porphyry and Anfield zones. Subsequent
to Q1 2025, the Company announced additional high-grade intercepts
at Stamford Bridge (see January 14, 2025 Press Release) as part of
its ongoing exploration program focused on newly defined
exploration targets.
- Growth
initiatives in place: Growth capital in F2025 is expected
to be consistent with F2024 levels and includes expansion
initiatives related to the long-term growth of Buckreef Gold,
including plant optimizations aimed at increasing recovery,
throughput and production and study costs aimed at expanding
Buckreef Gold and developing the larger project.
-
Exploration is a priority: Exploration spending is
expected to increase in F2025 and includes diamond drill and
reverse circulation drilling services provided by the State Mining
Corporation (“STAMICO”) for a program which includes brownfields
drilling at Buckreef Main Zone (Northeast and Southwest), Buckreef
West, Eastern Porphyry, and greenfield drilling at Stamford Bridge
and Anfield.
- Health
& Safety remain top of mind: The Company achieved zero
lost time injuries and there were no environmental or community
related incidents during Q1 2025.
TRX Gold’s CEO, Stephen Mullowney comments: “Q1
2025 has been quite busy and has progressed in line with our plan.
Gold production is a function of tonnes processed x head grade x
recovery and consequently, your major cost drivers are tonnes moved
and tonnes processed. We are pleased to see the lower operating
costs per tonne come through on the plant expansion, which has
enabled the business to be profitable even when processing lower
grade material. These costs savings are expected to significantly
benefit the business as the grade profile in the mining sequence
improves. We have not stopped here, our newly appointed COO Richard
Boffey, has been busy with ongoing operational efficiencies which
are expected to benefit the business in the second half of the year
as well. The exploration team continues to plan and execute an
initial drill program at the newly discovered Stamford Bridge Zone,
which is turning into quite an exciting discovery, with the best
ever drill results to date at Buckreef Gold and the outline of a
shear structure becoming more evident. Much more work will follow
at this high-priority target over the next several months, as we
hope to uncover a new mineable zone. Lastly, we are laser-focused
on the mine plan in order to get to those high-grade ore blocks in
the second half of this fiscal year, so that we can continue to
capitalize on our reduced cost profile and robust gold prices.”
Figure 1: Buckreef Gold new and expanded
crushing circuit (Q2 2024)
Figure 2: New 350 Excavator and Haul
Truck (at December 20, 2024)
Figure 3: Buckreef Gold’s Open Pit
Mining Operations (Q4 2024)
Qualified Person
Mr. William van Breugel, P.Eng, BASc (Hons),
Technical Advisor to TRX Gold Corporation, is the Company’s
Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects” (“NI 43-101”) and has reviewed and
assumes responsibility for the scientific and technical content in
this press release.
Q1 2025 Results Conference Call and
Webcast Details
When: Tuesday, January 21 at 11:00 AM ESTWebcast
URL: https://shorturl.at/Wxbj3Conference call numbers:Canada/USA
TF: 1-844-763-8274International Toll: +1-647-484-8814A replay will
be made available for 30 days following the call on the Company’s
website.
About TRX Gold Corporation
TRX Gold is rapidly advancing the Buckreef Gold
Project. Anchored by a Mineral Resource published in May 20202, the
project currently hosts a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource
(“M&I Resource”) of 35.88 million tonnes (“MT”) at 1.77 grams
per tonne (“g/t”) gold containing 2,036,280 ounces (“oz”) of gold
and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 17.8 MT at 1.11 g/t gold for
635,540 oz of gold. The leadership team is focused on creating both
near-term and long-term shareholder value by increasing gold
production to generate positive cash flow. The positive cash flow
will be utilized for exploratory drilling with the goal of
increasing the current mineral resource base and advancing the
larger project development which represents 90% of current mineral
resources. TRX Gold’s actions are led by the highest environmental,
social and corporate governance (“ESG”) standards, evidenced by the
relationships and programs that the Company has developed during
its nearly two decades of presence in the Geita Region, Tanzania.
Please refer to the Company’s Updated Mineral Resources Estimate
for Buckreef Gold Project, dated May 15, 20202 and filed under the
Company’s profile on SEDAR+ and with the SEC on June 23, 2020 (the
“2020 Technical Report”) for more information.
For investor or shareholder inquiries,
please contact:
Investors Christina Lalli Vice
President, Investor RelationsTRX Gold Corporation+1-438-399-8665
c.lalli@TRXgold.comwww.TRXgold.com
Non-IFRS Performance
Measures
The company has included certain non-IFRS
measures in this news release. The following non-IFRS measures
should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements for the three month ended
November 30, 2024 filed on SEDAR+ and with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as the Company’s audited
consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 40-F and Annual Information Form for the year ended
August 31, 2024. The financial statements and related notes of TRX
Gold have been prepared in accordance with International Financial
Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Additional information has been filed
electronically on SEDAR+ and with the SEC and is available online
under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company’s
filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov and on our website at
www.TRXgold.com.
Cash cost per ounce of gold
sold
Cash cost per ounce of gold sold is a non-IFRS
performance measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by
IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Cash
cost per ounce may not be comparable to information in other gold
producers’ reports and filings. As the Company uses this measure to
monitor the performance of our gold mining operations and its
ability to generate positive cash flow, total cash cost per ounce
of gold sold starts with cost of sales related to gold production
and removes depreciation.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS performance
measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and
does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Adjusted
EBITDA may not be comparable to information in other gold
producers’ reports and filings. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a
supplemental measure of the Company’s performance and ability to
service its obligations. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by
securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the
evaluation of companies in the industry, many of which present
Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Issuers present
Adjusted EBITDA because investors, analysts and rating agencies
consider it useful in measuring the ability of those issuers to
meet their obligations. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income
before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and also eliminates
the impact of a number of items that are not considered indicative
of ongoing operating performance.
Certain items of expense are added, and certain
items of income are deducted from net income that are not likely to
recur or are not indicative of the Company’s underlying operating
results for the reporting periods presented or for future operating
performance and consist of:
- Change in fair value of derivative
financial instruments;
- Accretion related to the provision
for reclamation; and
- Share-based
compensation expense.
The following table provides a reconciliation of
net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) to Adjusted
EBITDA per the financial statements for the three ended November
30, 2024.
|
Three Months EndedNovember 30, 2024 |
Three Months EndedNovember 30, 2023 |
Net income and comprehensive income per financial statements |
2,137 |
|
(39 |
) |
Add: |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation |
906 |
|
484 |
|
Interest and other non-recurring expenses |
321 |
|
340 |
|
Income tax expense |
1,693 |
|
1,191 |
|
Change in fair value of derivative financial instruments |
(819 |
) |
(199 |
) |
Share-based payment expense |
156 |
|
810 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
4,394 |
|
2,587 |
|
|
Average realized price per ounce gold
sold
|
Three Months EndedNovember 30, 2024 |
Three Months EndedNovember 30, 2023 |
Revenue per financial statements |
$ |
12,528 |
|
$ |
9,404 |
|
Revenue recognized from OCIM prepaid gold purchase agreement |
|
(915 |
) |
|
(922 |
) |
Revenue from gold spot sales |
|
11,613 |
|
|
8,482 |
|
Ounces of gold sold |
|
4,813 |
|
|
4,895 |
|
Ounces of gold sold from OCIM prepaid gold purchase agreement |
|
(435 |
) |
|
(527 |
) |
Ounces from gold spot sales |
|
4,378 |
|
|
4,368 |
|
Average realized price (gross) |
$ |
2,603 |
|
$ |
1,921 |
|
Average realized price net OCIM prepaid gold purchase
agreement |
$ |
2,653 |
|
$ |
1,942 |
|
|
The Company has included “average realized price
per ounce of gold sold”, “cash cost per ounce of gold sold” and
“Adjusted EBITDA” as non-IFRS performance measures throughout this
news release as TRX Gold believes that these generally accepted
industry performance measures provide a useful indication of the
Company’s operational performance. The Company believes that
certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company’s
performance and ability to generate cash flow. Accordingly, they
are 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.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary
Statements
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements as defined in the applicable securities
laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts,
are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”,
“anticipates”, “believes”, “hopes”, “intends”, “estimated”,
“potential”, “possible” and similar expressions, or statements that
events, conditions or results “will”, “may”, “could” or “should”
occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements relate to future
events or future performance and reflect TRX Gold management’s
expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to continued operating
cash flow, expansion of its process plant, estimation of mineral
resources, ability to develop value creating activities,
recoveries, subsequent project testing, success, scope and
viability of mining operations, the timing and amount of estimated
future production, and capital expenditure.
Although TRX Gold believes the expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of
future performance. The actual achievements of TRX Gold or other
future events or conditions may differ materially from those
reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of
risks, uncertainties and other factors. These risks, uncertainties
and factors include general business, legal, economic, competitive,
political, regulatory and social uncertainties; actual results of
exploration activities and economic evaluations; fluctuations in
currency exchange rates; changes in costs; future prices of gold
and other minerals; mining method, production profile and mine
plan; delays in exploration, development and construction
activities; changes in government legislation and regulation; the
ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and in a timely
manner or at all; contests over title to properties; employee
relations and shortages of skilled personnel and contractors; the
speculative nature of, and the risks involved in, the exploration,
development and mining business. These risks are set forth in
reports that TRX Gold files with the SEC and the various Canadian
securities authorities. You can review and obtain copies of these
filings from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml
and the Company’s profile on the System for Electronic Document
Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR+”) at www.sedarplus.ca.
The disclosure contained in this press release
of a scientific or technical nature relating to the Company’s
Buckreef Project has been summarized or extracted from the
technical report entitled “The National Instrument 43-101
Independent Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for
the Buckreef Gold Mine Project, Tanzania, East Africa for TRX Gold”
with an effective date (the “Effective Date”) of May 15, 2020 (the
“2020 Technical Report”). The 2020 Technical Report was prepared by
or under the supervision Mr. Wenceslaus Kutekwatekwa (Mining
Engineer, Mining and Project Management Consultant) BSc Hons
(Mining Eng.), MBA, FSAIMM, of Virimai Projects, and, Dr Frank
Crundwell, MBA, PhD, a Consulting Engineer, each of whom is an
independent Qualified Person as such term is defined in NI 43-101.
The information contained herein is subject to all of the
assumptions, qualifications and procedures set out in the 2020
Technical Report and reference should be made to the full details
of the 2020 Technical Report which has been filed with the
applicable regulatory authorities and is available on the Company’s
profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company did not complete any new
work that would warrant reporting material changes in the
previously reported Mineral Resource (“MRE”) and Mineral Reserve
statements during the prior reporting period. The 2020 Technical
Report follows the CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources
and Mineral Reserves (“CIM Definition Standards”) and the CIM
Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best
Practice Guidelines (“CIM Guidelines”).
The information contained in this press release
is as of the date of the press release and TRX Gold assumes no duty
to update such information.
1 Refer to “Non-IFRS Performance Measures”
section.2 See Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Photos accompanying this announcement are
available
athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ef4ca4a-7364-427a-987f-4ac1e0b5b289https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e3461bc-4b48-43d7-ab71-fc00c09c5359https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4da72b8-3a7d-4701-810d-647d07e64da7
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