Provides Three-Year Operational Outlook and Files Updated
Technical Reports for New Afton and Rainy River Mines
(All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise
indicated)
TORONTO, Feb. 12,
2025 /PRNewswire/ - New Gold Inc. ("New Gold" or
the "Company") (TSX: NGD) (NYSE American: NGD) is pleased to
provide its three-year operational outlook and announces the filing
of Technical Reports for the New Afton and Rainy River mines. The Technical Reports were
prepared in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI
43-101"). The Company is also providing its updated Mineral Reserve
and Mineral Resource Statement as of December 31, 2024. The Technical Reports are
available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's
website at www.newgold.com. The Company will be hosting a
conference call and webcast on Thursday,
February 13, 2025 at 1:00 pm Eastern
Time to discuss its operational outlook and Technical Report
highlights.
![New Gold Inc. Logo (CNW Group/New Gold Inc.) New Gold Inc. Logo (CNW Group/New Gold Inc.)](https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2618103/New_Gold_Inc__NEW_GOLD_ANNOUNCES_MINE_LIFE_EXTENSION_AT_BOTH_NEW.jpg)
The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial performance measures
throughout this release. Please refer to the "Non-GAAP Financial
Performance Measures" section of this news release for more
information. Numbered note references throughout this news release
are to endnotes which can be found at the end of this news
release.
New Projects Drive Mine Life Extensions at Both Assets with
Significant Upside Remaining
"Today's life-of-mine plans successfully outline New Gold's
strong production profile with reducing costs, strong free cash
flow generation and increasing net asset value, while also
highlighting exciting opportunities to build on over the
longer-term," stated Patrick Godin,
President and CEO. "Our exploration efforts translated to
successfully replacing mining depletion of Reserves in 2024. At New
Afton, the East Extension expansion adds high-grade material to a
low risk, low-cost operation while C-Zone's increased draw height
extends mine life at no additional capital. At Rainy River, the Phase 5 expansion extends the
open pit, accomplishing our main mine plan objectives to push
processing of the low-grade stockpile into the future and keep the
mill full to the end of 2029. The life-of-mine plans described in
the two Technical Reports provide an excellent base on which the
Company can build in the years to come. Significant upside and
opportunities have been outlined at each project and I look forward
to updating you on our progress."
New Afton Life-of-Mine
Highlights
- Copper and gold Mineral Reserves increased by 15% and 13%,
respectively, compared to year-end 2023.
- C-Zone Mineral Reserves tonnes increased by 27% year-over-year
with an increase in draw height to 450 metres, extending the New
Afton reserve mine life to 2031. These additional Mineral Reserves
come at no additional capital cost.
- The East Extension zone is added to Mineral Reserves for the
first time, following completion of a technical study in 2024. East
Extension, with copper and gold grades more than double C-Zone
grades, adds high-grade, supplementary mill feed during the C-Zone
production period, while providing a platform for further growth in
the Eastern Sector of the mine.
- The increased Mineral Reserves are the basis for the
life-of-mine plan outlined in the updated New Afton Technical
Report. With the C-Zone block cave ramping-up production as
planned, copper and gold production are expected to increase
significantly through 2025 and over the next three-years.
- With the production rate returning to 16,000 tonnes per day by
2026, New Afton is established to deliver strong operating margins,
driven by life-of-mine total operating costs averaging less than
$30 per tonne. Together with a
tapering capital cost profile, New Afton is expected to generate
significant cash flow.
- Upside to the Technical Report remains with opportunities to
optimize and extend mine life from the prospective K-Zone, HW Zone,
and D-Zone. K-Zone, the focus of drilling in 2024, is not yet
included in the Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates as
the zone remains open at depth and to the east and further drilling
is required to define the extent of the mineralization. Drilling
will benefit from the completion of a new underground exploration
drift expected to be completed in 2025.
Rainy River Life-of-Mine
Highlights
- The Rainy River Mineral Reserve, Mineral Resource, and
Technical Report updates are the culmination of a comprehensive
technical review, resulting in a 2% reduction in Mineral Reserves
on top of mining depletion and providing a solid foundation for the
life-of-mine plan.
- Open pit Mineral Reserves have decreased compared to year-end
2023, partly offset by increased Mineral Reserves in the planned
Phase 5 pushback. The Phase 5 pit design has been optimized to
reduce the strip ratio. No additional open pit mining equipment is
required for mining Phase 5 and total capital waste stripping, for
Phase 4 and Phase 5 combined, is estimated at $116 million.
- Underground Mineral Reserves increased to approximately 1.34
million ounces of gold, more than replacing depletion from
underground mining, mostly through the expansion of underground
mining zones.
- Gold Mineral Resources have increased by 76% compared to
year-end 2023, driven by a significant expansion of the open pit
resource pit shell. Technical studies are planned to evaluate these
opportunities, with an objective to further extend the open pit
mine life.
- The updated Rainy River
life-of-mine plan maintains a strong gold production profile,
averaging approximately 300,000 ounces per year over the next three
years. Inclusion of Phase 5 for the first time extends open pit
mining to 2028, defers processing of the low-grade stockpile, and
keeps the mill at full capacity until the end of 2029, while
providing a platform for further open pit extension.
- The total unit operating cost is expected to remain relatively
flat at $27 to $34 per tonne over the next five years,
increasing from 2030 when only higher-grade underground ore is
processed. Underground unit mining costs are expected to reduce as
the underground mine ramps up to a steady-state production rate of
approximately 5,800 tonnes per day by 2027, and as development
requirements taper off.
- In addition to the open pit conversion opportunities noted
above, further potential exists to expand existing near-surface and
underground zones and identify new targets. 2024 was the first
major drilling campaign at Rainy
River since 2017, and initial results are already providing
promising results.
2025 to Highlight Increasing Production and Decreasing Costs
Leading to Strong Free Cash Flow Generation
"In 2024, the Company reached a free cash flow inflection
point and 2025 will continue to build on that. This year, we expect
to see the value from the significant investments made in recent
years on our growth projects through increased production,
decreasing costs, and substantial free cash flow generation," added
Mr. Godin.
- Consolidated gold production is expected to increase by
approximately 16% to 325,000 to 365,000 ounces in 2025, compared to
2024, driven by increasing production at Rainy River.
- Copper production is expected to be in-line with 2024 at 50 to
60 million pounds as the ramp-up in C-Zone throughput is offset by
planned lower grades from both the exhaustion of the B3 cave and
first draw bells from C-Zone.
- All-in sustaining costs (on a by-product basis)1 are
expected to decrease by $215 per
ounce or 17% compared to the 2024 midpoint of guidance to between
$1,025 to $1,125 per ounce in 2025, driven by higher
production and lower operating costs from the New Afton C-Zone
crusher and conveyor system and as the Rainy River Phase 4 strip
ratio decreases.
- Total capital is expected to be $270 to $315
million, in-line with the 2024 guidance range, as New Afton
C-Zone and Rainy River underground
Main continue to ramp up and as development starts at the New Afton
East Extension and Rainy River Phase 5 expansions.
Strong Free Cash Flow Yield Over Three-Year Period
"Our three-year outlook illustrates the significant margins
our low-cost operations plan to achieve. Given the significant
reduction in costs and expanding margins, at current commodity
prices, New Gold is expected to generate significant cash flow over
the next three years, translating to an impressive free cash flow
yield through 2027," added Mr. Godin.
- 2026 and 2027 consolidated gold production is expected to be
55% higher (435,000 to 490,000 ounces) and 37% higher (375,000 to
445,000 ounces), respectively compared to 298,303 ounces in 2024
driven by increasing production profiles at both Rainy River and New Afton as growth projects
are completed and ramped up in the near-term.
- Copper production continues to increase with 2027 copper
production expected to be between 95 to 115 million pounds,
approximately 94% higher than 2024 driven by increased grade and
throughput from New Afton's C-Zone.
- All-in sustaining costs (on a by-product basis)1 are
expected to decrease by approximately 70% compared to the 2024
midpoint of guidance to between $400
and $500 per ounce driven by lower
total cash costs, higher production from both operations, higher
copper by-product and lower sustaining capital as the Rainy River
Phase 5 expansion is completed in 2026.
- 2027 total capital is expected to be $70 to $95 million,
decreasing significantly compared to 2024 as the New Afton C-Zone
and East Extension infrastructure, Rainy
River underground Main infrastructure and Rainy River Phase
5 expansion are completed.
- The higher production, lower costs, and lower capital spend
over the 2025 to 2027 period are expected to drive increasing
margins and generate significant free cash flow2 for the
Company.
Continuing to Prioritize Organic Growth Through
Exploration
"With the free cash flow inflection point behind us and a
clear corporate road map outlined in our updated technical reports,
the Company remains focused on unlocking long-term value for our
shareholders. Our 2025 exploration program is robust and will build
on the successful results we released throughout 2024. At New
Afton, there is a strong focus on advancing K-Zone, while
continuing to explore for new copper-gold zones. At Rainy River, we are building on recent
near-surface exploration successes, while continuing to target
underground extension opportunities," added Mr. Godin.
- Consolidated exploration budget is approximately $30 million for 2025, building on the successful
2024 exploration program.
- 2025 exploration efforts at New Afton will build on discoveries
of 2024, specifically around K-Zone. The Company reported
encouraging results in the spring and again in the fall of 2024, in
the area now known as the Eastern Sector. 2025 exploration will
continue to prioritize and advance these organic growth targets,
focusing on mine life extension with minimal incremental capital
spend. Development of a second exploration drift utilizing the
C-Zone infrastructure at the 4500 Level will accelerate underground
drilling and provide the ideal drill platforms to support and
maximize exploration efforts.
- Rainy River exploration
efforts will continue to focus on adding high-tonnage open pit
material to maintain mill feed at full capacity beyond 2029. The
inclusion of Phase 5 into Mineral Reserves last year and into the
mine plan this year exemplifies our near-surface exploration
success leading to mill feed extension. In addition, the Company is
reviewing the viability of additional pushbacks to the open pit
which could represent significant additions to the life-of-mine
without requiring additional exploration drilling. The 2025
exploration program will also focus on enhancing the production
profile by targeting high-grade underground growth. Following the
successful conversion to reserves at the Intrepid Zone, an
underground drilling platform is being developed to accelerate
exploration and definition drilling, and is expected be in
operation in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Consolidated Three-Year Operational Outlook
The Company has assumed $30.00 per
silver ounce and $4.00 per copper
pound, and a foreign exchange rate of $1.40 Canadian dollars to $1.00 US dollar in its outlook.
Operational
Estimates
|
2025
Guidance
|
2026
Guidance
|
2027
Guidance
|
Gold production
(ounces)2
|
325,000 –
365,000
|
435,000 –
490,000
|
375,000 –
445,000
|
New Afton gold
production (ounces)2
|
60,000 –
70,000
|
110,000 –
125,000
|
130,000 –
150,000
|
Rainy River gold
production (ounces)2
|
265,000 –
295,000
|
325,000 –
365,000
|
245,000 –
295,000
|
Copper production (M
lbs)
|
50 – 60
|
85 – 100
|
95 – 115
|
Cash costs per gold
ounce sold (by-product)1
|
$600 - $700
|
$200 - $300
|
$125 - $225
|
All-in sustaining costs
per gold ounce sold (by-product)1
|
$1,025 -
$1,125
|
$675 - $775
|
$400 - $500
|
Capital
Investment
|
2025
Guidance
|
2026
Guidance
|
2027
Guidance
|
Total capital
($M)
|
$270 - $315
|
$200 - $240
|
$70 - $95
|
Sustaining capital
($M)1
|
$95 - $110
|
$140 - $160
|
$40 - $55
|
Growth capital
($M)1
|
$175 - $205
|
$60 - $80
|
$30 - $40
|
2025 Consolidated Outlook
Gold production2 is expected to be 325,000 to 365,000
ounces, approximately 16% higher than 2024 driven by increased
production at Rainy River. Production is expected to
strengthen in the second half of the year, with the first half of
2025 representing approximately 38% of annual production and the
first quarter representing approximately 14%, as significant waste
stripping at Rainy River is
sequenced in the first quarter, and New Afton expedites exhaustion
of the B3 cave. Copper production is expected to be between 50 to
60 million pounds, in-line with 2024 as the increased throughput
from C-Zone at New Afton is offset by lower grades from the
remaining life of the B3 cave. Copper production is expected to
strengthen in the second half of the year, with the first half of
2025 representing approximately 43% of annual production and the
first quarter representing approximately 20%
2025 total cash costs (on a by-product basis)1 are
expected to decrease by approximately 20% compared to the 2024
midpoint of guidance to between $600
and $700 per ounce driven by
increased production from both operations. 2025 all-in sustaining
costs (on a by-product basis)1 are expected to decrease
by approximately 17% compared to the 2024 midpoint of guidance to
between $1,025 and $1,125 per ounce driven by lower total cash costs
and higher production from both operations. Total cash costs (on a
by-product basis)1 and all-in sustaining costs (on a
by-product basis)1 are expected to decrease
quarter-over-quarter throughout 2025 due to increasing production
and a lower strip ratio at Rainy
River in the second half of 2025.
Total capital is expected to be $270 to $315
million, of which, sustaining capital1 is
expected to be $95 to $110 million, and growth capital1 is
expected to be $175 to $205 million.
Sustaining capital1 is expected to be approximately
$15 million or 13% lower than the
2024 midpoint of guidance. The sustaining capital1 spend
primarily relates to capital stripping activities at Rainy River and tailings dam raises and
maintenance. As previously disclosed, 2024 sustaining capital is
expected to be $20 million lower than
the low end of the guidance range and included lower capitalized
stripping at Rainy River. 2025
sustaining capital includes approximately $40 million in Phase 4 capital stripping due to
the focus on waste stripping in the first quarter at Rainy River (and the resulting capitalization
of mining costs) and approximately $10
million related to the Phase 5 expansion. Sustaining
capital1 is expected to trend lower through the second
half of the year, as Phase 4 stripping activities at Rainy River are completed. The first half of
2025 is expected to represent approximately 75% of the sustaining
capital spend.
Growth capital1 at New Afton relates to completing
the C-Zone development and starting East Extension development and
at Rainy River relates to
advancing underground development at the Intrepid and underground
Main zones. The first half of 2025 is expected to represent
approximately 55% of the growth capital spend.
New Afton Operational Outlook
2025 New Afton Outlook
Operational
Estimates
|
2025
Guidance
|
Gold production
(ounces)2,3
|
60,000 –
70,000
|
Copper production
(Mlbs)
|
50 - 60
|
Cash costs per gold
ounce sold (by-product)1
|
($675) –
($575)
|
Cash costs per gold
ounce sold (co-product) 1
|
$725 - $825
|
Cash costs per copper
pound sold (co-product) 1
|
$2.00 -
$2.50
|
All-in sustaining costs
per gold ounce sold (by-product) 1
|
($625) –
($525)
|
All-in sustaining costs
per gold ounce sold (co-product) 1
|
$775 - $875
|
All-in sustaining costs
per copper pound sold (co-product) 1
|
$2.00 -
$2.50
|
Capital
Investment
|
2025
Guidance
|
Total capital
($M)
|
$115 - $135
|
Sustaining capital
($M)1
|
$5 - $10
|
Growth capital
($M)1
|
$110 - $125
|
Gold production2,3 is expected to be 60,000 to 70,000
ounces, in-line with 2024 (excluding gold produced from ore
purchase agreements). Copper production is expected to be 50 to 60
million pounds, in-line with 2024. Higher throughput from C-Zone is
offset by lower grades as the B3 cave is exhausted during the first
half of 2025. C-Zone is expected to average approximately 8,300
tonnes per day in 2025 and remains on-track to reach the throughput
rate of 16,000 tonnes per day in 2026. Production is expected to
significantly strengthen in the second half of the year as the B3
cave is exhausted and C-Zone continues its ramp-up. The first half
of 2025 is expected to represent approximately 45% of the annual
gold and copper production, with the first quarter expected to
represent approximately 20%.
Total cash costs (on a by-product basis)1 are
expected to decrease compared to the 2024 midpoint of guidance to
between ($675) and ($575) per ounce due to C-Zone production
increasing at lower mining costs and as a result of the elimination
of truck haulage from the B3 cave. All-in sustaining costs (on a
by-product basis)1 are expected to decrease compared to
the 2024 midpoint of guidance to between ($625) and ($525)
per ounce due to lower total cash costs, higher production and
lower sustaining capital. Total cash costs1 and all-in
sustaining costs1 are expected to decrease on a
quarterly basis throughout 2025 as throughput increases as C-Zone
continues to ramp up.
Total capital is expected to be $115 to $135
million. Sustaining capital1 is expected to be
$5 to $10
million, including approximately $5
million related to tailings management and $5 million related to equipment. Growth
capital1 is expected to be $110 to $125
million related to the completion of the C-Zone project and
starting the East Extension expansion. East Extension capital is
expected to be $10 to $20 million. C-Zone project capital is primarily
focused on mine development and other infrastructure installation,
and continued progress on stabilization and includes $15 million of carry over from 2024. East
Extension capital is primarily related to mine development and
equipment purchases. Growth capital is expected to be generally
consistent throughout the year, with C-zone spend the focus of the
first half and East Extension the second half.
The exhaustion of B3 earlier in the year and the continued
ramp-up of mining at C-Zone through the year position New Afton to
generate increasing free cash flow quarter over quarter through
2025.
2025 New Afton Exploration Outlook
2025 exploration expenditures at New Afton are expected to be
approximately $17 million. New
Afton is continuing to advance its organic growth strategy focusing
on new mining zones that have the potential to extend mine life
with minimal capital investment. There is a strong focus on K-Zone
in 2025, where the Company is strengthening its position to
delineate the zone's high-grade core and grow its overall
footprint. 2025 K-Zone drilling will
benefit from the development of a 700-metre exploration drift
located at the 4500 level. The new drift will accelerate
underground exploration drilling and provide ideal drill platforms
for delineation. Drift development has commenced, and the first
exploration drill bay is expected to be operational in the second
quarter of 2025, with full completion scheduled for the third
quarter.
In addition, the Company is applying its vectoring knowledge to
explore for new zones of copper-gold porphyry mineralization within
its land package and advance other strategic opportunities for mine
life extension. New Afton's processing plant, infrastructure and
tailings storage facility have sufficient capacity to process
significantly more ore beyond the current New Afton mine life.
Rainy River Operational Outlook
2025 Rainy River Outlook
Operational
Estimates
|
2025
Guidance
|
Gold production
(ounces)2
|
265,000 –
295,000
|
Cash costs per gold
ounce sold (by-product)1
|
$875 - $975
|
All-in sustaining costs
per gold ounce sold (by-product)1
|
$1,250 -
$1,350
|
Capital
Investment
|
2025
Guidance
|
Total capital
($M)
|
$155 - $180
|
Sustaining capital
($M)1
|
$90 - $100
|
Growth capital
($M)1
|
$65 - $80
|
Gold production2 is expected to be 265,000 to 295,000
ounces, an increase of 20% over the prior year due to a 25%
increase in gold grade as the underground mining rate is expected
to increase. Production is expected to significantly strengthen in
the second half of the year as significant waste stripping
activities are sequenced in the first quarter. The first half of
2025 is expected to represent approximately 37% of the annual
production, with the first quarter expected to represent
approximately 11%. Ore from the low-grade stockpile will be
processed in the first quarter as Phase 4 stripping during the
first quarter will set up the open pit for low strip, high ore
extraction for the balance of this phase. After the first quarter,
the remaining 2025 average Phase 4 strip ratio is expected to be
approximately 1:1, increasing production for the balance of the
year. Production in the second half of the year is expected to be
consistent between the third and fourth quarter.
Total cash costs (on a by-product basis)1 are
expected to decrease by approximately 8% compared with the midpoint
of the 2024 guidance range to $875 to
$975 per ounce driven by higher
production. All-in sustaining costs (on a by-product
basis)1 are expected to decrease by approximately 10%
compared to the 2024 midpoint of guidance to $1,250 and $1,1350
per ounce due to higher production. Total cash costs (on a
by-product basis)1 and all-in sustaining costs (on a
by-product basis)1 are expected to decrease
significantly on a quarterly basis throughout 2025 as low strip,
open pit production increases and as the underground contribution
increases throughout the year.
Total capital is expected to be $155 to $180
million. Sustaining capital1 is expected to be
$90 to $100
million, including $10 million
related to Phase 5 expansion, approximately $40 million in Phase 4 capitalized waste (with
Phase 4 stripping from 2024 $25
million below plan), $25
million towards the annual tailings dam raise, $10 million in capital parts and components
replacement programs and $10 million
related to equipment and other. Growth capital1 is
expected to be $65 to $80 million, related to the continued development
of the Intrepid and underground Main Zones and also includes
$10 million in additional equipment
purchases, to eliminate future rental costs and increase equipment
availability, and $5 million carried
forward from 2024. As the mine continues to update sequencing for
2025 production, an additional $25
million is included in growth capital for access meters and
owners costs, that was previously planned as operating costs.
Sustaining capital1 is expected to be heavily first
half weighted, trending lower in the second half of the year, with
the first half of 2025 expected to represent approximately 75% of
the 2025 sustaining capital spend. Similarly, growth
capital1 is expected to be first half weighted, with the
first half expected to represent approximately 65% of the growth
capital spend.
2025 Rainy River Exploration Outlook
2025 exploration expenditures at Rainy
River are expected to be approximately $14 million. The Company is pursuing its
objective to increase high-tonnage open pit ore to keep the
processing plant operating at full capacity beyond 2029.
Near-surface exploration is continuing in 2025, building on recent
exploration success at Phase 5 and NW Trend which saw both Mineral
Reserve and Resource growth, respectively. In addition, the Company
is reviewing the viability of additional pushbacks to the open pit
which could represent significant additions to the life-of-mine
without requiring additional exploration drilling.
The 2025 exploration strategy also includes initiatives to
increase feed grades and enhance the production profile. This
includes converting Inferred Resources within the ODM core,
following up on high-grade intervals recently intersected
down-plunge of existing ore zones, and growing strike-extents at
Intrepid to increase the ounces per vertical metre. Exploration at
Intrepid will benefit from an underground drilling platform being
developed to accelerate exploration and definition drilling. The
new underground platform is scheduled to be operational in the
fourth quarter.
Looking beyond the existing operational footprint, the Company
will explore for untested targets on the property, focusing on
finding quality ounces that can quickly be added to Rainy River's mine life. Soil and till
geochemistry work will be carried out to generate targets, a proven
method that led to the discovery of the Rainy River deposit.
2025 Sensitivities
A summary of key assumption sensitivities to all-in sustaining
costs1 can be found below:
Sensitivities
|
Copper
Price
|
CDN/USD
|
Base
Assumption
|
$4.00
|
$1.40
|
Sensitivity
|
+/- $0.25
|
+/- $0.05
|
All-In Sustaining
Cost1 per Ounce
Impact
|
Rainy River
|
-
|
+/- $40
|
New Afton
|
+/- $200
|
+/- $80
|
Consolidated
|
+/- $40
|
+/- $50
|
|
|
|
|
New Afton
Updated Technical Report Highlights
|
Units
|
2025 NI
43-101
(Life-of-mine
2025-2031)
|
Production
Summary
|
Mineral Reserves Mine
Life
|
Years
|
7
|
Ore Tonnes
Mined
|
Mt
|
39.6
|
Gold Grade
Mined
|
g/t
|
0.65
|
Copper Grade
Mined
|
%
|
0.72
|
Ore
Processed
|
Mt
|
39.6
|
Average Gold
Recovery
|
%
|
84.5 %
|
Average Copper
Recovery
|
%
|
88.6 %
|
Total Gold
Production
|
Koz
|
696.6
|
Average Annual Gold
Production – Life-of-mine
|
Koz
|
99.5
|
Total Copper
Production
|
Mlbs
|
554.9
|
Average Annual Copper
Production – Life-of-mine
|
Mlbs
|
79.3
|
Operating and
Capital Costs Summary
|
Mining Costs
|
$/t
processed
|
11.93
|
Processing
Costs
|
$/t
processed
|
10.00
|
Site G&A
Costs
|
$/t
processed
|
3.55
|
Total
Capital
|
$M
|
$191.0
|
Sustaining
Capital1
|
$M
|
$43.4
|
Growth
Capital1
|
$M
|
$147.6
|
- New Afton Mineral Reserves increased, replacing mining
depletion by a factor of 209% for gold and 231% for copper compared
to year-end 2023 due to the conversion of the East Extension zone
and the increase of the C-Zone draw height to 450 metres. With this
addition, the mine life has extended to 2031 at an increased
processing rate of 16,000 tonnes per day beginning in 2026.
- The B3 draw strategy has been accelerated, prioritizing cave
exhaustion to allow for the faster ramp up of C-Zone. B3 is planned
to be exhausted in the first half of 2025. C-Zone will continue to
ramp up through 2025, with mine development scheduled for
completion in the second half of 2025 and production continuing
through mid-2031.
- The East Extension project at New Afton adds high-grade ore,
more than double the average grade of C-Zone, during the C-Zone
production period, to a low risk, low-cost operation, while
simultaneously providing a platform for further growth in the
Eastern Sector. Inclusion of the East Extension into the mine
mid-2026 through to the start of 2031 to complement C-Zone
material. East Extension will be mined using the long-hole stoping
method and ore production will commence in mid-2026 through to the
start of 2031 at an average rate of 500 tonnes per day. East
extension ore will be trucked to C-Zone crusher, and waste will be
backhauled from C-Zone extraction for stope filling.
- The processing plant is planned to return to previously
achieved throughput rates of approximately 6 Mtpa, or 16,000 tonnes
per day by 2026. Average recoveries for the updated life-of-mine
plan are 88.6% copper and 84.5% gold, lower than recent periods
primarily driven by the increased processing rates. The cleaner
circuit will be upgraded in 2025 to increase recoveries, partially
offsetting the reduction due to higher processing rates.
- The Thickened and Amended Tailings (TAT) plant has sufficient
capacity to accommodate the increased processing rate. The site has
sufficient tailings storage capacity for the updated life-of-mine
plan, with approximately 30 million tonnes of capacity remaining at
the end of the current mine plan.
- Capital expenditures include the completion of the C-Zone
project in 2025 and the development of the East Extension zone in
2025 and 2026. 2025 represents approximately 65% of life-of-mine
capital with 2026 representing 22% with capital significantly
decreasing from 2027 onwards. East Extension total capital is
expected to be approximately $41
million; it will benefit from the ability to utilize the
C-Zone materials handling, ventilation, and dewatering systems and
other mine infrastructure. East Extension ramp development will
take advantage of the exploration drift to drill K-Zone. East
Extension is the first zone from the prospective Eastern Sector to
be added to Mineral Reserves.
- Total block cave mining and processing costs are expected to
remain comparable to 2024 actual costs over the next three years
despite the increased production rate, due to lower fixed costs per
tonne and the elimination of truck haulage from the B3 cave. As a
result, unit operating costs per tonne are expected to decrease to
be comparable with historical unit operating costs per tonne during
production of the East and West block caves prior to 2022. All-in
sustaining costs decrease significantly year over year as
production increases and operating costs remain relatively
consistent.
- The Company plans to continue to look for and identify
opportunities to optimize and extend the mine plan including,
extending mine life from the prospective K-Zone, HW Zone, and
D-Zone, increasing Mineral Reserves and Resources via the
identification of new zones during future exploration programs,
processing improvements including recovery rates and thickened and
amended tailings optimization, and improving cave performance.
- For a detailed breakdown of annual production, unit cost, and
capital cost estimates, please see the full technical report filed
on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's website at
www.newgold.com.
Rainy River
Updated Technical Report Highlights
|
Units
|
2025 NI
43-101
(Life-of-mine
2025-2033)
|
Production
Summary
|
Mineral Reserves Mine
Life
|
Years
|
9
|
Open Pit Tonnes Ore
Mined
|
Mt
|
20.8
|
Open Pit Strip
Ratio
|
Waste/Ore
|
2.30
|
Underground Ore Tonnes
Mined
|
Mt
|
16.4
|
Tonnes Ore
Processed
|
kt
|
52.9
|
Combined Average Gold
Grade
|
g/t
|
1.25
|
Average Gold
Recovery
|
%
|
92
|
Total Gold
Production
|
Koz
|
1,959
|
Average Annual Gold
Production – 2025-2027
|
Koz
|
304
|
Average Annual Gold
Production – 2025-2029
|
Koz
|
280
|
Average Annual Gold
Production – Life-of-mine
|
Koz
|
218
|
Operating and
Capital Costs Summary
|
Open Pit Mining
Costs
|
$/t mined
|
5.16
|
Underground Mining
Costs
|
$/t mined
|
37.50
|
Processing
Costs
|
$/t
processed
|
10.99
|
Site G&A
Costs
|
$/t
processed
|
5.40
|
Total
Capital
|
$M
|
708.3
|
Sustaining
Capital2
|
$M
|
378.2
|
Growth
Capital2
|
$M
|
330.1
|
- The updated mine plan is based on a higher degree of confidence
in the updated resource block model and is based on the latest face
positions. This includes grade-capping on open pit Mineral Reserve
blocks to mitigate risk associated with the remaining high-grade
pockets.
- The updated open pit mine plan includes the addition of Phase
5, which was previously incorporated in Mineral Reserves at
year-end 2023. Phase 5 adds 6.5 Mt of open pit ore at an average
grade of 0.64 g/t gold and an average strip ratio of 4.05:1,
including overburden. Phase 5 involves a pushback to the west of
the main pit. Phase 4 of the open pit is expected to be completed
in 2026. Phase 5 waste stripping is expected to commence in
late-2025 and ramp up through 2026 until completion in 2028.
- The underground mine plan is based on the 2024 Mineral
Reserves, updated using revised resource domains, estimation
parameters, and additional drilling data. This resulted in
additional underground ore tonnes at a lower average grade, for a
49,000 ounce increase in contained gold, net of depletion. The
underground mine remains on track to ramp up to approximately 5,800
tonnes per day in 2027 (previously 5,500 tonnes per day).
- The additional ore from Phase 5 maintains full mill capacity to
the end of 2029 when the low-grade stockpile is depleted. The mill
is operated at reduced tonnage from 2030-2034 when only underground
ore is processed.
- All tailings are routed to the tailings management facility.
Three tailings dam raises are planned, one raise each year for the
next three years, which provides sufficient tailings storage
capacity for the life-of-mine.
- The low strip ratio from Phase 4 and increase in production
decreases total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs over the
next three years. Underground mining costs per tonne continue to
decrease over the next five years as underground tonnes increase,
with open pit costs per tonne increasing as tonnes decrease post
2028.
- Capital expenditures primarily include capital and deferred
waste stripping, underground development, equipment purchases and
maintenance and tailing management area capital. Total capital
spending is relatively flat for the next two years, as Phase 4 and
Phase 5 stripping is completed and the major underground Main zone
infrastructure is completed, before reducing significantly for the
remainder of the life-of-mine.
- The Company plans to continue to look for and identify
opportunities to optimize and extend the mine life by expanding
known Mineral Resources and adding Mineral Reserves to the open
pit, to explore further pushbacks to the main pit and for the
establishment of additional satellite pits, which are currently
excluded from the Mineral Reserve Inventory, expand underground
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves through exploration could
provide additional mining flexibility and maximize opportunities
for higher grade zones, and underground optimization has the
potential to increase underground Mineral Reserves, reduce waste
development, and/or increase underground production rates.
- For a detailed breakdown of annual production, unit cost, and
capital cost estimates, please see the full technical report filed
on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com and on the Company's website at
www.newgold.com.
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources (as at
December 31, 2024)
As at December 31, 2024, New Gold
is reporting Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources as summarized
in the table below. Detailed Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
tables follow at the end of this press release.
Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resources Summarya
|
As at December 31,
2024b
|
As at December 31,
2023
|
Gold
koz
|
Silver
koz
|
Copper
Mlbs
|
Gold
koz
|
Silver
koz
|
Copper
Mlbs
|
Proven and Probable
Mineral Reserves
|
Rainy River
|
2,126
|
5,535
|
-
|
2,421
|
6,343
|
-
|
Open Pit
|
589
|
1,573
|
-
|
867
|
1,947
|
-
|
Underground
|
1,344
|
2,829
|
-
|
1,322
|
3,161
|
-
|
Stockpile
|
194
|
1,133
|
-
|
233
|
1,235
|
-
|
New Afton
|
828
|
2,253
|
631
|
735
|
1,856
|
551
|
Total Proven and
Probable Mineral Reservesc
|
2,954
|
7,788
|
631
|
3,156
|
8,199
|
551
|
Measured and
Indicated Mineral Resources (exclusive of Mineral
Reserves)1
|
Rainy River
|
1,294
|
4,573
|
-
|
837
|
2,218
|
-
|
Open Pit
|
734
|
2,659
|
-
|
128
|
159
|
-
|
Underground
|
560
|
1,914
|
-
|
709
|
2,060
|
-
|
New Afton
|
1,352
|
4,431
|
1,100
|
1,350
|
5,093
|
1,147
|
Total Measured and
Indicated Mineral Resourcesc
|
2,646
|
9,004
|
1,100
|
2,187
|
7,312
|
1,147
|
Total Inferred
Mineral Resourcesc
|
399
|
910
|
1
|
230
|
563
|
101
|
a. Refer to the
detailed Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource tables that follow at
the end of this press release for the estimates as at December 31,
2024 and
the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2024 for
estimates as at December 31, 2023.
b. The Mineral Reserves
and Mineral Resources stated above are as at December 31, 2024 and
do not reflect any events subsequent to that date.
c. Numbers may not add
due to rounding
|
As of December 31, 2024, New Gold
reported total Mineral Reserves of 2,954,000 ounces of gold, 7.8
million ounces of silver, and 631 million pounds of copper.
Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, exclusive of Mineral
Reserves, totals 2,646,000 ounces of gold, 9.0 million ounces of
silver and 1,100 million pounds of copper and Inferred Mineral
Resources of 399,000 ounces of gold, 910,000 ounces of silver and 1
million pounds of copper.
New Afton reported Mineral Reserves of 828,000 ounces of gold
and 631 million pounds of copper in the B3 and C-Zone block caves,
and the newly incorporated East Extension, forming the basis for a
reserves mine life to 2031. Mineral Reserves increased by 94,000
ounces of gold and 81 million pounds of copper in 2024 primarily
due to the increase in C-Zone draw height and inclusion of East
Extension, fully offsetting mining depletion for the year.
Rainy River reported total
Mineral Reserves of 2,126,000 ounces of gold for year-end 2024. The
impact of the updated block model and capping of Reserve blocks
resulted in a reduction in remaining Phase 4 Mineral Reserves,
partially offset by the Phase 5 design, which has been optimized to
increase gold Mineral Reserves, adding 42,000 ounces of gold.
Underground Mineral Reserves increased from 1,322,000 ounces of
gold at the end of 2023 to 1,344,000 ounces of gold at the end of
2024, more than offsetting depletion from underground mining
primarily as a result of exploration drilling completed in 2024
which has extended several zones at depth and along strike. Rainy
River Indicated Mineral Resources increased 55% year-over-year in
2024, with a 470% increase in open pit resources primarily due to a
potential pushback to the south of the open pit as a result of
higher gold price assumptions and the inclusion of NW Trend
following successful near-surface exploration.
The Company continues to target replacing mining depletion over
the next few years, through extension of existing zones and
inclusion of new mining zones.
Operational Outlook and Life-of-Mine Technical Session
Webcast Details
The Company will host a Technical Session via webcast
Thursday, February 13, 2025 at
1:00 pm Eastern Time to discuss the
operational outlook.
- Participants may listen to the webcast by registering on our
website at www.newgold.com or via the following link
https://app.webinar.net/LpXO3lgJWEK
- Participants may also listen to the conference call by calling
North American toll free 1-888-699-1199, or 1-416-945-7677 outside
of the U.S. and Canada, passcode
52116
- To join the conference call without operator assistance, you
may register and enter your phone number at
https://emportal.ink/3V9yGSb to receive an instant automated call
back.
- A recorded playback of the conference call will be available
until March 13, 2025 by calling North
American toll free 1-888-660-6345, or 1-289-819-1450 outside of the
U.S. and Canada, passcode 52116.
An archived webcast will also be available at www.newgold.com
About New Gold
New Gold is a Canadian-focused intermediate mining Company with
a portfolio of two core producing assets in Canada, the Rainy River gold mine and the
New Afton copper-gold mine. New Gold's vision is to build a
leading diversified intermediate gold company based in Canada that is committed to the environment
and social responsibility. For further information on the Company,
visit www.newgold.com.
Endnotes
- "Total cash costs", "all-in sustaining costs" (or "AISC"),
"sustaining capital", "growth capital", and "free cash flow" are
all non-GAAP financial performance measures that are used in this
news release. These measures do not have any standardized meaning
under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other issuers. For more information about these
measures and, why they are used by the Company, see the "Non-GAAP
Financial Performance Measures" section of this news release.
- Production is shown on a total contained basis while sales are
shown on a net payable basis, including final product inventory and
smelter payable adjustments, where applicable.
- New Afton operational estimates are exclusive of any
material from the ore purchase agreement.
- New Gold produces copper and silver as by-products of its gold
production. The calculation of consolidated total cash costs and
all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce is net of by-product silver
and copper sales revenue. As a Company focused on gold production,
New Gold aims to assess the economic results of its operations in
relation to gold, which is the primary driver of New Gold's
business. New Gold believes this metric is of interest to its
investors, who invest in the Company primarily as a gold mining
Company. To determine the relevant costs associated with gold only,
New Gold believes it is appropriate to reflect all operating costs,
as well as any revenue related to metals other than gold that are
extracted in its operations.
Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures
Cash Costs per Gold Ounce Sold
"Cash costs per gold ounce sold" is a common non-GAAP financial
performance measure used in the gold mining industry but does not
have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be
comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. New Gold
reports cash costs on a sales basis and not on a production basis.
The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures
prepared in accordance with IFRS, this measure, along with sales,
is a key indicator of the Company's ability to generate operating
earnings and cash flow from its mining operations. This measure
allows investors to better evaluate corporate performance and the
Company's ability to generate liquidity through operating cash flow
to fund future capital exploration and working capital
needs.
This measure is intended to provide additional information only
and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. This
measure is not necessarily indicative of cash generated from
operations under IFRS or operating costs presented under IFRS.
Cash costs figures are calculated in accordance with a standard
developed by The Gold Institute, a worldwide association of
suppliers of gold and gold products that ceased operations in 2002.
Adoption of the standard is voluntary and the cost measures
presented may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures
of other companies. Cash costs include mine site operating costs
such as mining, processing and administration costs, royalties, and
production taxes, but are exclusive of amortization, reclamation,
capital and exploration costs and net of by-product revenue. Cash
costs are then divided by gold ounces sold to arrive at the cash
costs per gold ounce sold.
The Company produces copper and silver as by-products of its
gold production. The calculation of cash costs per gold ounce for
Rainy River is net of by-product
silver sales revenue, and the calculation of cash costs per gold
ounce sold for New Afton is net of by-product copper and silver
sales revenue. New Gold notes that in connection with New Afton,
the by-product revenue is sufficiently large to result in a
negative cash costs on a single mine basis. Notwithstanding this
by-product contribution, as a Company focused on gold production,
New Gold aims to assess the economic results of its operations in
relation to gold, which is the primary driver of New Gold's
business. New Gold believes this metric is of interest to its
investors, who invest in the Company primarily as a gold mining
Company. To determine the relevant costs associated with gold only,
New Gold believes it is appropriate to reflect all operating costs,
as well as any revenue related to metals other than gold that are
extracted in its operations.
To provide additional information to investors, New Gold has
also calculated New Afton's cash costs on a co-product basis, which
removes the impact of copper sales that are produced as a
by-product of gold production and apportions the cash costs to each
metal produced by 30% gold, 70% copper, and subsequently divides
the amount by the total gold ounces, or pounds of copper sold, as
the case may be, to arrive at per ounce or per pound figures.
Unless indicated otherwise, all cash costs information in this
MD&A is net of by-product sales.
Further details regarding historical cash costs and a
reconciliation to the nearest IFRS measures are provided in the
MD&A for the three months and nine-months ended September 30, 2024 (the "2024 MD&A")
accompanying New Gold's financial statements filed on SEDAR+
(www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under the heading
"Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures".
All-In Sustaining Costs per Gold Ounce Sold
"All-in sustaining costs per gold ounce sold" or ("AISC") is a
non-GAAP financial performance measure that does not have any
standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable
to similar measures presented by other issuers. New Gold calculates
"all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce sold" based on guidance
announced by the World Gold Council ("WGC") in September 2013. The WGC is a non-profit
association of the world's leading gold mining companies
established in 1987 to promote the use of gold to industry,
consumers and investors. The WGC is not a regulatory body and does
not have the authority to develop accounting standards or
disclosure requirements. The WGC has worked with its member
companies to develop a measure that expands on IFRS measures to
provide visibility into the economics of a gold mining company.
Current IFRS measures used in the gold industry, such as operating
expenses, do not capture all of the expenditures incurred to
discover, develop and sustain gold production. New Gold believes
that "all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce sold" provides further
transparency into costs associated with producing gold and will
assist analysts, investors, and other stakeholders of the Company
in assessing its operating performance, its ability to generate
free cash flow from current operations and its overall value. In
addition, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the
Board of Directors uses "all-in sustaining costs", together with
other measures, in its Company scorecard to set incentive
compensation goals and assess performance.
"All-in sustaining costs per gold ounce sold" is intended to
provide additional information only and does not have any
standardized meaning under IFRS and may not be comparable to
similar measures presented by other mining companies. It should not
be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The measure is not
necessarily indicative of cash flow from operations under IFRS or
operating costs presented under IFRS.
New Gold defines all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce sold as
the sum of cash costs, net capital expenditures that are sustaining
in nature, corporate general and administrative costs, sustaining
leases, capitalized and expensed exploration costs that are
sustaining in nature, and environmental reclamation costs, all
divided by the total gold ounces sold to arrive at a per ounce
figure. To determine sustaining capital expenditures, New Gold uses
cash flow related to mining interests from its unaudited condensed
interim consolidated statement of cash flows and deducts any
expenditures that are non-sustaining (growth). Capital expenditures
to develop new operations or capital expenditures related to major
projects at existing operations where these projects will
materially benefit the operation are classified as growth and are
excluded. The definition of sustaining versus non-sustaining is
similarly applied to capitalized and expensed exploration costs.
Exploration costs to develop new operations or that relate to major
projects at existing operations where these projects are expected
to materially benefit the operation are classified as
non-sustaining and are excluded.
Costs excluded from all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce sold
are non-sustaining capital expenditures, non-sustaining lease
payments and exploration costs, financing costs, tax expense, and
transaction costs associated with mergers, acquisitions and
divestitures, and any items that are deducted for the purposes of
adjusted earnings.
To provide additional information to investors, the Company has
also calculated all-in sustaining costs per gold ounce sold on a
co-product basis for New Afton, which removes the impact of other
metal sales that are produced as a by-product of gold production
and apportions the all-in sustaining costs to each metal produced
on a percentage of revenue basis, and subsequently divides the
amount by the total gold ounces, or pounds of copper sold, as the
case may be, to arrive at per ounce or per pound figures. By
including cash costs as a component of all-in sustaining costs, the
measure deducts by-product revenue from gross cash costs.
Further details regarding all in sustaining costs and a
reconciliation to the nearest IFRS measures are provided in the Q3
2024 MD&A accompanying New Gold's financial statements filed on
SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under the heading
"Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures".
Sustaining Capital and Sustaining Leases
"Sustaining capital" and "sustaining lease" are non-GAAP
financial performance measures that do not have any standardized
meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar
measures presented by other issuers. New Gold defines "sustaining
capital" as net capital expenditures that are intended to maintain
operation of its gold producing assets. Similarly, a "sustaining
lease" is a lease payment that is sustaining in nature. To
determine "sustaining capital" expenditures, New Gold uses cash
flow related to mining interests from its unaudited condensed
interim consolidated statement of cash flows and deducts any
expenditures that are capital expenditures to develop new
operations or capital expenditures related to major projects at
existing operations where these projects will materially increase
production. Management uses "sustaining capital" and "sustaining
lease" to understand the aggregate net result of the drivers of
all-in sustaining costs other than cash costs. These measures are
intended to provide additional information only and should not be
considered in isolation or as substitutes for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Further details
regarding sustaining capital and sustaining lease and
reconciliations to the nearest IFRS measures are provided in the Q3
2024 MD&A accompanying New Gold's financial statements filed on
SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under the heading
"Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures".
Growth Capital
"Growth capital" is a non-GAAP financial performance measure
that does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other issuers. New Gold considers non-sustaining capital costs to
be "growth capital", which are capital expenditures to develop new
operations or capital expenditures related to major projects at
existing operations where these projects will materially increase
production. To determine "growth capital" expenditures, New Gold
uses cash flow related to mining interests from its unaudited
condensed interim consolidated statement of cash flows and deducts
any expenditures that are capital expenditures that are intended to
maintain operation of its gold producing assets. Management uses
"growth capital" to understand the cost to develop new operations
or related to major projects at existing operations where these
projects will materially increase production. This measure is
intended to provide additional information only and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Further details
regarding growth capital and a reconciliation to the nearest IFRS
measures are provided in the Q3 2024 MD&A accompanying
New Gold's financial statements filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca)
and EDGAR (www.sec.gov) under the heading "Non-GAAP Financial
Performance Measures".
Free Cash Flow
"Free cash flow" is a non-GAAP financial performance measure
that does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and
therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by
other issuers. New Gold defines "free cash flow" as cash generated
from operations and proceeds of sale of other assets less capital
expenditures on mining interests, lease payments, and settlement of
non-current derivative financial liabilities which include the
Rainy River gold stream obligation and the New Afton free cash flow
interest obligation. New Gold believes this non-GAAP financial
performance measure provides further transparency and assists
analysts, investors and other stakeholders of the Company in
assessing the Company's ability to generate cash flow from current
operations. "Free cash flow" is intended to provide additional
information only and should not be considered in isolation or as a
substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with
IFRS. This measure is not necessarily indicative of operating
profit or cash flows from operations as determined under IFRS.
For additional information with respect to the non-GAAP measures
used by the Company, including a reconciliation to the most
directly comparable measure under IFRS, refer to the detailed
"Non-GAAP Financial Performance Measure" section disclosure in the
MD&A for the three months and nine-months ended September 30, 2024 filed on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
MINERAL RESERVES AND MINERAL RESOURCES
New Gold's Mineral Reserve estimates as at December 31, 2024, are presented in the following
table.
Mineral Reserves
|
Tonnes
000s
|
Grade
|
Contained
Metal
|
Gold
g/t
|
Silver
g/t
|
Copper
%
|
Gold
koz
|
Silver
koz
|
Copper
Mlb
|
RAINY
RIVER
|
Open
Pit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Probable
|
20,816
|
0.88
|
2.35
|
-
|
589
|
1,573
|
-
|
Proven &
Probable
|
20,816
|
0.88
|
2.35
|
-
|
589
|
1,573
|
-
|
Underground
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
250
|
3.69
|
29.67
|
-
|
30
|
238
|
-
|
Probable
|
16,175
|
2.53
|
4.98
|
-
|
1,314
|
2,591
|
-
|
Proven &
Probable
|
16,424
|
2.54
|
5.36
|
-
|
1,344
|
2,829
|
-
|
Stockpile
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
15,685
|
0.38
|
2.25
|
-
|
194
|
1,133
|
-
|
Probable
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Proven &
Probable
|
15,685
|
0.38
|
2.25
|
-
|
194
|
1,133
|
-
|
Total Rainy
River
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
15,935
|
0.44
|
2.68
|
-
|
223
|
1,371
|
-
|
Probable
|
36,991
|
1.60
|
3.50
|
-
|
1,903
|
4,164
|
-
|
Proven &
Probable
|
52,926
|
1.25
|
3.25
|
-
|
2,126
|
5,535
|
-
|
NEW
AFTON
|
B3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Probable
|
941
|
0.49
|
1.08
|
0.57
|
15
|
33
|
12
|
Proven &
Probable
|
941
|
0.49
|
1.08
|
0.57
|
15
|
33
|
12
|
C-Zone
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Probable
|
37,664
|
0.64
|
1.62
|
0.70
|
772
|
1,957
|
585
|
Proven &
Probable
|
37,664
|
0.64
|
1.62
|
0.70
|
772
|
1,957
|
585
|
East
Extension
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Probable
|
962
|
1.31
|
8.51
|
1.63
|
41
|
263
|
35
|
Proven &
Probable
|
962
|
1.31
|
8.51
|
1.63
|
41
|
263
|
35
|
Total New
Afton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proven
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Probable
|
39,567
|
0.65
|
1.77
|
0.72
|
828
|
2,253
|
631
|
Proven &
Probable
|
39,567
|
0.65
|
1.77
|
0.72
|
828
|
2,253
|
631
|
TOTAL NEW
GOLD
|
Proven &
Probable
|
|
|
|
|
2,954
|
7,778
|
631
|
Notes to the
Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates are provided
below.
|
MINERAL RESOURCES
New Gold's Mineral Resource estimates as at December 31, 2024, are presented in the following
tables:
Mineral Resources (Exclusive of Mineral Reserves)
|
Tonnes
000s
|
Grade
|
Contained
Metal
|
Gold
g/t
|
Silver
g/t
|
Copper
%
|
Gold
koz
|
Silver
koz
|
Copper
Mlb
|
RAINY
RIVER
|
Open
Pit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Indicated
|
25,216
|
0.90
|
3.28
|
-
|
734
|
2,659
|
-
|
Measured &
Indicated
|
25,216
|
0.90
|
3.28
|
-
|
734
|
2,659
|
-
|
Inferred
|
2,198
|
0.59
|
1.52
|
-
|
42
|
107
|
-
|
Underground
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured
|
310
|
2.74
|
26.38
|
-
|
27
|
263
|
-
|
Indicated
|
9,556
|
1.74
|
5.37
|
-
|
533
|
1,651
|
-
|
Measured &
Indicated
|
9,866
|
1.77
|
6.03
|
-
|
560
|
1,914
|
-
|
Inferred
|
5,465
|
2.03
|
4.56
|
-
|
356
|
800
|
-
|
Total Rainy
River
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured
|
310
|
2.74
|
26.38
|
-
|
27
|
263
|
-
|
Indicated
|
34,772
|
1.13
|
3.86
|
-
|
1,267
|
4,310
|
-
|
Measured &
Indicated
|
35,083
|
1.15
|
4.05
|
-
|
1,294
|
4,573
|
-
|
Inferred
|
7,663
|
1.62
|
3.68
|
-
|
398
|
908
|
-
|
NEW
AFTON
|
Underground
(Bulk)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured
|
51,195
|
0.85
|
1.81
|
0.67
|
958
|
2,976
|
758
|
Indicated
|
29,101
|
0.37
|
1.33
|
0.48
|
349
|
1,242
|
308
|
Measured &
Indicated
|
80,297
|
0.51
|
1.63
|
0.60
|
1,307
|
4,217
|
1,066
|
Inferred
|
132
|
0.19
|
0.54
|
0.19
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
Underground
(Stope)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Indicated
|
1,346
|
1.02
|
4.93
|
1.14
|
44
|
213
|
34
|
Measured &
Indicated
|
1,346
|
1.02
|
4.93
|
1.14
|
44
|
213
|
34
|
Inferred
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Total New
Afton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Measured
|
51,195
|
0.58
|
1.81
|
0.67
|
958
|
2,976
|
758
|
Indicated
|
30,448
|
0.40
|
1.49
|
0.51
|
393
|
1,455
|
342
|
Measured &
Indicated
|
81,643
|
0.51
|
1.69
|
0.61
|
1,352
|
4,431
|
1,100
|
Inferred
|
132
|
0.19
|
0.54
|
0.19
|
1
|
2
|
1
|
TOTAL NEW
GOLD
|
Measured &
Indicated
|
|
|
|
|
2,646
|
9,004
|
1,100
|
Inferred
|
|
|
|
|
399
|
910
|
1
|
Notes to the Mineral
Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates are provided
below.
|
Notes to Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates
1. New Gold's Mineral Reserves and
Mineral Resources have been estimated in accordance with the CIM
Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves
(May 2014).
2. Mineral Reserves and Mineral
Resources have been estimated based on the following metal price
assumptions and foreign exchange rate criteria:
|
Gold
Price
$/ounce
|
Silver
Price
$/ounce
|
Copper
Price
$/pound
|
Exchange
Rate
CAD:USD
|
Mineral
Reserves
|
1,650
|
20.00
|
3.50
|
1.30
|
Mineral
Resources
|
1,980
|
24.00
|
4.20
|
1.30
|
3. Cut-offs for Mineral Reserves
and Mineral Resources are outlined in the table below:
Mineral
Property
|
Mineral
Reserves
|
Mineral
Resources
|
Rainy River
|
Open Pit
|
0.30 g/t
AuEq
|
0.30 g/t
AuEq
|
|
Underground
|
1.68 g/t
AuEq
|
1.40 g/t
AuEq
|
New Afton
|
Bulk Mining
|
24.00 $/t
|
0.33% CuEq
|
|
Stoping
|
100.00 $/t
|
0.98% CuEq
|
4. New Gold reports its Measured
and Indicated Mineral Resources exclusive of Mineral Reserves.
Resources are not Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated
economic viability. Numbers may not add due to rounding.
5. Additional details regarding
Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimation, classification,
reporting parameters, key assumptions and associated risks for each
of New Gold's material properties are provided in the respective NI
43-101 Technical Reports, which are available on SEDAR+
(www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov).
6. The preparation of New Gold's
Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources has been completed under the
oversight and review of the following New Gold employees, all of
whom are "Qualified Persons" as defined by NI 43-101.
Mineral
Reserves
|
Mineral
Resources
|
Rainy
River
|
Open
Pit
Mr. Jason Chiasson,
P.Eng
Chief Open Pit
Engineer, Rainy River
Underground
Mr. Alexander Alousis,
P.Eng
Manager, Underground
Mine, Rainy River
|
Open
Pit
Mr. Vincent
Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo
Director, Mineral
Resources, Geology, New Gold
Mr. Jason Chiasson,
P.Eng
Chief Open Pit
Engineer, Rainy River
Underground
Mr. Vincent
Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo
Director, Mineral
Resources, Geology, New Gold
Mr. Alexander Alousis,
P.Eng
Manager, Underground
Mine, Rainy River
|
New
Afton
|
Mr. Joshua Parsons,
P.Eng
Principal Mine
Engineer, New Afton
|
Mr. Vincent
Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo
Director, Mineral
Resources, Geology, New Gold
Mr. Joshua Parsons,
P.Eng
Principal Mine
Engineer, New Afton
|
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this news release, including
any information relating to New Gold's future financial or
operating performance are "forward-looking". All statements in this
news release, other than statements of historical fact, which
address events, results, outcomes or developments that New Gold
expects to occur are "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking
statements are statements that are not historical facts and are
generally, but not always, identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget",
"scheduled", "targeted", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends",
"anticipates", "projects", "potential", "believes" or variations of
such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events
or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will be
taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation of
such terms. Forward-looking statements in this news release
include, among others, statements with respect to: the Company's
three-year operational outlook; the Company's guidance and
expectations regarding production, costs, capital investments and
expenses on a mine-by-mine and consolidated basis, associated
timing and accomplishing the factors contributing to those expected
results; anticipated mine life; Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource estimates; grades expected to be mined and milled at the
Company's operations; planned activities and timing for 2025 and
future years at the Rainy River Mine and New Afton Mine, including
planned development and exploration activities and related
expenses; expectations of successfully ramping up production at
Rainy River's underground Main
Zone throughout 2025 and expanding to Phase 5; expectation that
gold production is expected to increase at Rainy River; expectations regarding the New
Afton C-Zone successfully ramping up to full commercial production
by the end of 2025 and development starts at the East Extension;
expectations that copper, gold and silver production will increase
significantly over the next three years at New Afton Mine; the
Company's ability to extend New Afton Mine's mine life beyond 2031;
expectations that the Company will extend New Afton mine life from
the highly prospective K-Zone, HW Zone, and D-Zone; successfully
increasing reserves and resources via identifying new zones during
future exploration programs; successfully completing growth
projects and the significant tapering off of capital spending
projected as a result; and expectations that free cash flow will
increase significantly in the coming years and successfully
accomplishing the factors contributing thereto.
All forward-looking statements in this news release are based on
the opinions and estimates of management that, while considered
reasonable as at the date of this news release in light of
management's experience and perception of current conditions and
expected developments, are inherently subject to important risk
factors and uncertainties, many of which are beyond New Gold's
ability to control or predict. Certain material assumptions
regarding such forward-looking statements are discussed in this
news release, New Gold's latest annual management's discussion and
analysis ("MD&A"), its most recent annual information form and
technical reports on the Rainy River Mine and New Afton Mine filed
on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. In
addition to, and subject to, such assumptions discussed in more
detail elsewhere, the forward-looking statements in this news
release are also subject to the following assumptions: (1) there
being no significant disruptions affecting New Gold's operations,
including material disruptions to the Company's supply chain,
workforce or otherwise; (2) political and legal developments in
jurisdictions where New Gold operates, or may in the future
operate, being consistent with New Gold's current expectations; (3)
the accuracy of New Gold's current Mineral Reserve and Mineral
Resource estimates and the grade of gold, copper and silver
expected to be mined; (4) the exchange rate between the Canadian
dollar and U.S. dollar, and to a lesser extent the Mexican peso,
and commodity prices being approximately consistent with current
levels and expectations for the purposes of guidance and otherwise;
(5) prices for diesel, natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and other
key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels;
(6) equipment, labour and material costs increasing on a basis
consistent with New Gold's current expectations; (7) arrangements
with First Nations and other Indigenous groups in respect of the
Rainy River Mine and New Afton Mine being consistent with New
Gold's current expectations; (8) all required permits, licenses and
authorizations being obtained from the relevant governments and
other relevant stakeholders within the expected timelines and the
absence of material negative comments or obstacles during any
applicable regulatory processes; and (9) the results of the
life-of-mine plans for the Rainy River Mine and the New Afton Mine
described herein being realized.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates
and assumptions that are inherently subject to known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual
results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without
limitation: price volatility in the spot and forward markets for
metals and other commodities; discrepancies between actual and
estimated production, between actual and estimated costs, between
actual and estimated Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and
between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries; equipment
malfunction, failure or unavailability; accidents; risks related to
early production at the Rainy River Mine, including failure of
equipment, machinery, the process circuit or other processes to
perform as designed or intended; the speculative nature of mineral
exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining and
maintaining the validity and enforceability of the necessary
licenses and permits and complying with the permitting requirements
of each jurisdiction in which New Gold operates, including, but not
limited to: uncertainties and unanticipated delays associated with
obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, permits and
authorizations and complying with permitting requirements; changes
in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changing
costs, timelines and development schedules as it relates to
construction; the Company not being able to complete its
construction projects at the Rainy River Mine or the New Afton Mine
on the anticipated timeline or at all; the ability to successfully
implement strategic plans; volatility in the market price of the
Company's securities; changes in national and local government
legislation in the countries in which New Gold does or may in the
future carry on business; compliance with public company disclosure
obligations; controls, regulations and political or economic
developments in the countries in which New Gold does or may in the
future carry on business; the Company's dependence on the Rainy
River Mine and New Afton Mine; the Company not being able to
complete its exploration drilling programs on the anticipated
timeline or at all; inadequate water management and stewardship;
tailings storage facilities and structure failures; failing to
complete stabilization projects according to plan; geotechnical
instability and conditions; disruptions to the Company's workforce
at either the Rainy River Mine or the New Afton Mine, or both;
significant capital requirements and the availability and
management of capital resources; additional funding requirements;
diminishing quantities or grades of Mineral Reserves and Mineral
Resources; actual results of current exploration or reclamation
activities; uncertainties inherent to mining economic studies
including the Technical Reports for the Rainy River Mine and New
Afton Mine; impairment; unexpected delays and costs inherent to
consulting and accommodating rights of First Nations and other
Indigenous groups; climate change, environmental risks and hazards
and the Company's response thereto; ability to obtain and maintain
sufficient insurance; management and reporting of environmental,
social and governance ("ESG") matters; actual results of current
exploration or reclamation activities; fluctuations in the
international currency markets and in the rates of exchange of the
currencies of Canada, the United States; global economic and
financial conditions and any global or local natural events that
may impede the economy or New Gold's ability to carry on business
in the normal course; inflation; compliance with debt obligations
and maintaining sufficient liquidity; the responses of the relevant
governments to any disease, epidemic or pandemic outbreak not being
sufficient to contain the impact of such outbreak; disruptions to
the Company's supply chain and workforce due to any disease,
epidemic or pandemic outbreak; an economic recession or downturn as
a result of any disease, epidemic or pandemic outbreak that
materially adversely affects the Company's operations or liquidity
position; taxation; fluctuation in treatment and refining charges;
transportation and processing of unrefined products; rising costs
or availability of labour, supplies, fuel and equipment;
information systems security threats; adequate infrastructure;
relationships with communities, governments and other stakeholders;
perceived reputation amongst stakeholders; labour disputes;
effectiveness of supply chain due diligence; the uncertainties
inherent in current and future legal challenges to which New Gold
is or may become a party; defective title to mineral claims or
property or contests over claims to mineral properties;
competition; loss of, or inability to attract, key employees; use
of derivative products and hedging transactions; reliance on
third-party contractors; counterparty risk and the performance of
third party service providers; investment risks and uncertainty
relating to the value of equity investments in public companies
held by the Company from time to time; the adequacy of internal and
disclosure controls; conflicts of interest; the lack of certainty
with respect to foreign operations and legal systems, which may not
be immune from the influence of political pressure, corruption or
other factors that are inconsistent with the rule of law; and the
successful acquisitions and integration of business arrangements
and realizing the intended benefits therefrom. In addition, there
are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral
exploration, development, construction, operation and mining,
including environmental events and hazards, industrial accidents,
unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding or
drought and gold bullion losses (and, in each case, the risk of
inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover
these risks) as well as "Risk Factors" included in this Annual
Information Form. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance, and actual results and future events could
materially differ from those anticipated in such statements. All of
the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Information
Form are qualified by these cautionary statements. New Gold
expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new
information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with
applicable securities laws.
Technical Information
The scientific and technical information with respect to Mineral
Reserves and Mineral Resources are those Qualified Persons set out
in the notes to the Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources
Estimates as at December 31, 2024
above, each of whom is a Qualified Persons for the purposes of
National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects.
The scientific and technical information relating to the
exploration has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Jean-François
Ravenelle, Vice President, Geology for the Company. Dr. Ravenelle
is a Professional Geologist and a member of the Association of
Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and the Ordre des Géologues du Québec.
All other scientific and technical information contained in this
news release has been reviewed and approved by Travis Pastachak, Senior Director, Project
Development for the Company. Mr. Pastachak is a Professional
Geoscientist and a member of the Professional Engineers and
Geoscientists of Saskatchewan
(APEGS). Dr. Ravenelle and Mr. Pastachak are each a
"Qualified Person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
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SOURCE New Gold Inc.