Erdene Announces Q3 2024 Results and Provides Bayan Khundii Gold Project Update
November 14 2024 - 5:30AM
Erdene Resource Development Corp. (TSX:ERD | MSE:ERDN)
("Erdene" or the "Company") is pleased to announce
operating and financial results for the three months ended
September 30, 2024, and to provide an update on progress at the
Bayan Khundii Gold Project (“BK” or “Project”), being developed
with Mongolian Mining Corporation (“MMC”). This release should be
read in conjunction with the Company’s Q3-2024 Condensed
Consolidated Interim Financial Statements and MD&A, available
on the Company’s website and SEDAR+.
Peter Akerley, Erdene’s President and CEO
stated, “The third quarter of 2024 was another productive period
for Erdene as we made significant progress on the construction of
the Bayan Khundii Gold Mine and saw exceptional results from
expansion drilling peripheral to the planned open pit.”
He continued, “At the end of September, the
Bayan Khundii process plant, the critical path facility, was
approximately 55% complete. All major mechanical equipment is on
site, the SAG and ball mills have been installed, and construction
of non-process infrastructure is proceeding well, with major
progress on the integrated mineral waste facility, 400 person
accommodation complex, and 110 kV overhead transmission line during
the past quarter bringing the overall project to 45% complete.”
Mr. Akerley added, “We expect the process plant
and critical non-process infrastructure buildings to be closed over
the coming months, allowing for mechanical and electrical works
completion in Q1 and commissioning beginning in Q2 2025, as we work
toward first gold in mid-2025 and commercial production in Q3 2025.
During the fourth quarter, EM management will complete a detailed
schedule review and assessment of spending to complete
construction. While we anticipate an increase in capex due to
weather and logistical delays and modest scope changes, these
impacts are forecast to be manageable with available funding.”
Mr. Akerley concluded, “Expansion drilling in Q3
adjacent to the planned Bayan Khundii open-pit returned the highest
grades to date in the area, demonstrating strong growth potential.
Additionally, ore control drilling during the past quarter
confirmed the high-grade nature of the Bayan Khundii deposit,
consistent with the reserve model in near surface zones. These
results will be incorporated into an updated Bayan Khundii mine
plan in the coming months.”
Q3-2024 Highlights and Significant Subsequent
Events:
Images: Bayan Khundii Construction Site – Q3
2024
Bayan Khundii Gold Project
- Reached
approximately 45% construction progress at Bayan Khundii at
September 30, 2024
- Approximately US$70
million of Project expenditures incurred to the end of Q3 2024 –
potential cost increases due to logistical and weather delays and
minor scope changes are expected to be within available
funding
- Process plant, the
critical path facility, was ~55% complete at quarter end, with all
bulk concrete pours and mechanical equipment installation of the
SAG and ball mills complete
- Construction of
non-process infrastructure, including camp, 110 kV overhead
transmission line, warehouse, workshop, administration building and
utilities proceeding well
- Construction
expected to be largely complete in Q1 2025 with commissioning in Q2
and first gold production in mid-2025 followed by commercial
production in Q3
- Approximately 650
personnel on-site at quarter end achieving ~2,000,000 construction
hours without a lost-time or environmental incident
- Advanced community
development and local employment stakeholder programs
- Local Cooperation
Agreement for 2024 implemented supporting local development
programs
- Recruitment and
training of Bayan Khundii mine workforce continued with seventh
cohort of local residents selected for equipment operator training
at MMC’s UHG mine, bringing total number of trainees to 140 people
to date
- Company supported
installation and improvement of three rural water wells to increase
water availability for residents
Khundii Minerals District
Exploration
- Conducted 1,500 metre Bayan Khundii
ore-control drill program
- Drilled 89 shallow
holes totaling 1,048 metres focused on high-grade domains, within
15 metres of surface, scheduled to be developed in the first 3-4
months of mining and a further 10 holes totaling 456 metres to
assist with future mine planning
- Results confirmed
the high-grade domains in the current block model with highlight
intersection of 6.61 g/t Au over 12 metres, starting at
surface
- Completed 950 metre
expansion program on the periphery of the Bayan Khundii planned
open pit
- Drilling
intersected gold mineralization in all holes, demonstrating the
potential for resource growth and pit extension
- Results included
the highest-grade drilling results to date in Striker West,
adjacent to the Bayan Khundii open-pit, including 7.3 g/t gold over
42 metres, with multiple high-grade metre intersections of 15 to 79
g/t gold (BKD-377)
Corporate
- Recorded net loss
of $1,687,580 for the three months ended September 30, 2024,
compared to a net loss of $1,200,099 for three months ended
September 30, 2023
- Exploration and
evaluation expenses totaled $215,903 for the three months ended
September 30, 2024, compared to $219,670 for the same quarter in
2023, as increased activity compared to the prior year and an
increase in non-capitalized Mongolian office costs following the
close of the Strategic Alliance was more than offset by a reduction
in stock based compensation due to the timing of annual performance
stock option grants
- Corporate and
administrative expenses totaled $582,089 for the three months ended
September 30, 2024, compared to $600,595 for three months ended
September 30, 2023, with the decrease from the prior year
comparative quarter primarily due to the timing of annual staff
performance DSU grants, which were incurred in the Q2 2024 compared
to Q3 2023, partially offset by increased marketing spend related
to an investor site visit
- Loss from
investment in associate of $918,649 for the three months ended
September 30, 2024, compared to $445,493 for the three months ended
September 30, 2023, with the period over period change primarily
due to an increase in non-capitalized interest expenditures by EM
following the February 2024 financing partially offset by Erdene’s
change in ownership following the close of the Strategic Alliance
in Q1 2024
Qualified Person
Peter Dalton, P.Geo. (Nova Scotia), Senior
Geologist for Erdene, is the Qualified Person as that term is
defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved
the technical information contained in this news release.
About Erdene
Erdene Resource Development Corp. is a
Canada-based resource company focused on the acquisition,
exploration, and development of precious and base metals in
underexplored and highly prospective Mongolia. The Company has
interests in three mining licenses and an exploration license in
Southwest Mongolia, where exploration success has led to the
discovery and definition of the Khundii Gold District. Erdene
Resource Development Corp. is listed on the Toronto and the
Mongolian stock exchanges. Further information is available at
www.erdene.com. Important information may be disseminated
exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to
access this information.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information regarding Erdene contained
herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning
of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may
include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts,
projections, guidance, or other statements that are not statements
of fact. Although Erdene believes that the expectations reflected
in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.
Erdene cautions that actual performance will be affected by a
number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that
future events and results may vary substantially from what Erdene
currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include
the ability to obtain required third party approvals, market
prices, exploitation, and exploration results, continued
availability of capital and financing and general economic, market
or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are
expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
The information contained herein is stated as of the current date
and is subject to change after that date. The Company does not
assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking
statements, except as may be required under applicable securities
laws.
NO REGULATORY AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED THE CONTENTS OF THIS RELEASE
Erdene Contact Information
Peter C. Akerley, President and CEO, or Robert
Jenkins, CFO
Phone:Email:Twitter:Facebook:LinkedIn: |
(902)
423-6419info@erdene.comhttps://twitter.com/ErdeneReshttps://www.facebook.com/ErdeneResourcehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/erdene-resource-development-corp-/ |
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