Achieves Top End of Consolidated Production Guidance and Midpoint of All-In Sustaining Cost Guidance
(All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated)
TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – New Gold Inc. (“New Gold” or the “Company”) (TSX:NGD) (NYSE:NGD) reports fourth quarter and full year 2023 results. Full year 2023 production totaled 423,517 gold equivalent1 (“gold eq.”) ounces at all-in sustaining costs2 of $1,545 per gold eq. ounce, achieving the top end of the Company’s 2023 gold equivalent production guidance range. Another solid quarterly performance delivered strong cash flow from operations of $71 million and positive free cash flow, while still investing in and advancing growth projects that are expected to significantly increase production in the coming years.
Focus on Operational Excellence Leads to Achieving 2023 Production and Cost Guidance Ranges
“2023 was a successful year for New Gold. We executed on our key priority of stabilizing our operations and delivered consistent results throughout the year,” stated Patrick Godin, President and CEO. “As a result, New Gold achieved the top end of its 2023 gold equivalent production guidance, and the midpoint of all-in sustaining cost guidance set out at the start of 2023. The Company was able to once again demonstrate the free cash flow generation potential in the fourth quarter, despite the capital investment in our projects.”
Fourth quarter consolidated gold eq.1 production of 105,082 ounces (79,187 ounces of gold, 12.0 million pounds of copper and 157,788 ounces of silver) at all-in sustaining costs2 of $1,575 per gold eq. ounce.
Full year consolidated gold eq.1 production was 423,517 ounces (321,178 ounces of gold, 47.4 million pounds of copper and 593,146 ounces of silver), achieving the top end of 2023 consolidated production guidance.
Full year consolidated all-in sustaining costs2 of $1,545 per gold eq. ounce achieved the midpoint of 2023 consolidated cost guidance.
During the fourth quarter, the Company generated positive free cash flow2 of $1 million after investing over $61 million in advancing growth projects. Rainy River had another excellent quarter generating $24 million in free cash flow2, net of $24 million in capital expenditures and $7 million in stream payments.
2024 an Inflection Point as Growth Projects Set for Completion, Company Expected to Enter Prolonged Free Cash Flow Generation Period in the Second Half of the Year
“Last week we outlined our Operational Outlook for the next three years highlighting an approximately 35% increase in gold production and approximately 60% increase in copper production by 2026. As we work towards completing our growth projects this year, the reduction in operating costs and capital expenditures should see consistent free cash flow generation commencing in the second half of this year. This free cash flow growth is expected to increase over the next three years in-line with our increasing production profiles. We have reached the free cash flow inflection point, and I look forward to sharing progress throughout the year,” added Mr. Godin.
2024 consolidated gold production is expected to be 310,000 to 350,000 ounces, compared to 321,178 in 2023. Production is expected to strengthen in the second half of the year, with the second half of 2024 expected to represent approximately 60% of annual production as waste stripping at Rainy River is sequenced in the first half of the year. 2024 copper production is expected to be 50 to 60 million pounds, approximately 16% higher than 2023 driven by increased contribution from C-Zone at New Afton.
2024 total capital is expected to be $290 to $330 million, as growth projects at both operations are completed in the year. Commercial production at C-Zone remains on-track for the second half of 2024, along with commissioning of the underground crusher and conveyor. Initial production from Rainy River’s underground Main Zone remains on-track for the fourth quarter of 2024.
2024 is expected to be the final year of significant capital spending, as the Company starts to realize the benefits of these expenditures. As a result, consolidated gold production is expected to increase by approximately 35% over 2023 to 410,000 to 460,000 ounces in 2026. Copper production is expected to increase by approximately 60% compared to 2023 to 71 to 81 million pounds in 2026. All-in sustaining costs (on a by-product basis)2 are expected to decrease by over 50% compared to 2023 to between $650 and $750 per ounce in 2026.
The higher production, lower total cash costs, and lower capital spend over the next three years are expected to drive significant free cash flow for the Company.
Consolidated Financial Highlights
Q4 2023
Q4 2022
FY 2023
FY 2022
Revenue ($M)
199.2
162.8
786.5
604.4
Operating expenses ($M)
120.8
108.5
450.4
382.7
Net (loss) earnings ($M)
(27.4)
(16.9)
(64.5)
(66.8)
Net (loss) earnings per share ($)
(0.04)
(0.02)
(0.09)
(0.10)
Adj. net (loss) earnings ($M)2
(4.7)
(6.3)
48.4
(26.1)
Adj. net (loss) earnings, per share ($)2
(0.01)
(0.01)
0.07
(0.04)
Cash generated from operations ($M)
70.6
31.9
287.6
190.7
Cash generated from operations, per share ($)
0.10
0.05
0.42
0.28
Cash generated from operations, before changes in non-cash operating working capital ($M)2
64.9
44.3
293.4
181.6
Cash generated from operations, before changes in non-cash operating working capital, per share ($)2
0.09
0.06
0.43
0.27
Revenue increased over the prior-year periods primarily due to higher sales volumes and higher gold prices, partially offset by lower copper prices.
Operating expenses were higher than the prior-year periods due to higher production.
Net loss for the quarter increased over the prior-year period primarily due to higher unrealized losses on the revaluation of the Rainy River gold stream obligation and the New Afton free cash flow interest obligation, partially offset by higher revenue. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net loss was consistent compared to the prior-year period.
Adjusted net earnings2 for the quarter was consistent compared to the prior-year period. For the year ended December 31, 2023, adjusted net earnings2 increased compared to the prior-year period primarily due to higher revenue and lower finance costs, partially offset by higher operating expenses, and depreciation and depletion.
Cash generated from operations increased over the prior-year periods primarily due to higher revenue.
Consolidated Operational Highlights
Q4 2023
Q4 2022
FY 2023
FY 2022
Gold eq. production (ounces)1,3
105,082
97,824
423,517
347,054
Gold eq. sold (ounces)1,3
103,504
95,161
415,181
342,839
Gold production (ounces)3
79,187
80,694
321,178
271,373
Gold sold (ounces)3
77,870
78,507
319,116
269,147
Copper production (Mlbs)3
12.0
6.9
47.4
31.1
Copper sold (MIbs)3
11.9
6.8
44.4
30.2
Gold revenue, per ounce ($)4
1,977
1,736
1,920
1,791
Copper revenue, per pound ($)4
3.52
3.53
3.61
3.70
Average realized gold price, per ounce ($)2
2,001
1,751
1,944
1,808
Average realized copper price, per pound ($)2
3.72
3.74
3.84
3.94
Operating expenses, per gold eq. ounce ($)4
1,167
1,140
1,085
1,116
Total cash costs, per gold eq. ounce ($)2
1,209
1,167
1,128
1,150
Depreciation and depletion, per gold eq. ounce ($)4
640
551
566
572
All-in sustaining costs, per gold eq. ounce ($)2
1,575
1,668
1,545
1,818
Sustaining capital ($M)2
24.1
34.1
121.6
183.6
Growth capital ($M)2
36.5
37.1
144.3
109.2
Total capital ($M)
60.6
71.2
265.9
292.8
Rainy River Mine
Operational Highlights
Rainy River Mine
Q4 2023
Q4 2022
FY 2023
FY 2022
Gold eq. production (ounces)1,3
64,290
71,221
259,679
235,194
Gold eq. sold (ounces)1,3
62,650
68,392
260,897
233,788
Gold production (ounces)3
62,692
69,753
253,745
229,822
Gold sold (ounces)3
61,086
66,992
254,932
228,565
Gold revenue, per ounce ($)4
1,999
1,748
1,939
1,807
Average realized gold price, per ounce ($)2
1,999
1,748
1,939
1,807
Operating expenses, per gold eq. ounce ($)4
1,222
1,014
1,091
985
Total cash costs, per gold eq. ounce ($)2
1,222
1,014
1,091
985
Depreciation and depletion, per gold eq. ounce ($)4
769
559
640
634
All-in sustaining costs, per gold eq. ounce ($)2
1,600
1,467
1,554
1,605
Sustaining capital ($M)2
20.2
26.2
102.8
127.1
Growth capital ($M)2
4.2
4.2
17.8
17.7
Total capital ($M)
24.5
30.4
120.6
144.8
Operating Key Performance Indicators
Rainy River Mine
Q4 2023
Q4 2022
FY 2023
FY 2022
Open Pit Only
Tonnes mined per day (ore and waste)
109,895
110,536
119,948
112,826
Ore tonnes mined per day
29,377
34,667
34,007
22,965
Operating waste tonnes per day
47,838
56,547
53,537
39,017
Capitalized waste tonnes per day
32,681
19,323
32,404
50,843
Total waste tonnes per day
80,519
75,870
85,942
89,860
Strip ratio (waste:ore)
2.74
2.19
2.53
3.91
Open Pit and Underground
Tonnes milled per calendar day
25,046
22,225
24,012
23,568
Gold grade milled (g/t)
0.94
1.16
0.99
0.91
Gold recovery (%)
90
92
91
91
Fourth quarter gold eq.1 production was 64,290 ounces (62,692 ounces of gold and 127,138 ounces of silver), a decrease over the prior-year period due to lower gold grade and recovery, partially offset by higher tonnes processed. Full year gold eq.1 production was 259,679 ounces (253,745 ounces of gold and 472,018 ounces of silver), an increase over the prior year primarily due to higher tonnes processed and higher gold grade. Full year gold eq.1 production achieved the top end of the 2023 guidance range of 235,000 to 265,000 ounces.
Operating expense4 per gold eq. ounce for the quarter increased over the prior-year period due to lower sales volume. Full year operating expense per gold eq. ounce increased over the prior-year period due to lower capitalized tonnes, and increased costs associated with mill maintenance, partially offset by higher sales volume. Full year operating expense per gold eq. ounce was above the annual guidance range of $905 to $985 per gold eq. ounce as a result of the lower capitalized tonnes, previously outlined in the Company’s third quarter 2023 earnings release.
All-in sustaining costs2 per gold eq. ounce for the quarter increased over the prior-year period primarily due to lower sales volume, partially offset by a lower sustaining capital. Full year all-in sustaining costs2 per gold eq. ounce decreased over the prior-year period primarily from higher sales volume and lower sustaining capital. Full year all-in sustaining costs2 per gold eq. ounce was within the 2023 guidance range of $1,475 to $1,575 per gold eq. ounce.
Total capital for the quarter and full year was $24 million and $121 million, respectively, a decrease over the prior-year periods due to lower capitalized waste mining costs in the year, and lower capital development in the Intrepid underground zone. Sustaining capital2 primarily related to capitalized waste and tailings dam raise. Growth capital2 is related to the continued development of the Intrepid underground zone. Full year total capital is below the 2023 guidance range of $145 million to $165 million, with $25 million of capitalized waste deferred to 2024.
Free cash flow2 for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 was $24 million and $55 million (net of $7 million and $29 million stream payments), respectively, an improvement over the prior-year periods primarily due to higher revenue and a decrease in capital expenditures.
New Afton Mine
Operational Highlights
New Afton Mine
Q4 2023
Q4 2022
FY 2023
FY 2022
Gold eq. production (ounces)1,3
40,792
26,603
163,838
111,860
Gold eq. sold (ounces)1,3
40,853
26,769
154,284
109,051
Gold production (ounces)3
16,495
10,941
67,433
41,551
Gold sold (ounces)3
16,784
11,514
64,185
40,582
Copper production (Mlbs)3
12.0
6.9
47.4
31.1
Copper sold (Mlbs)3
11.9
6.8
44.4
30.2
Gold revenue, per ounce ($)4
1,898
1,668
1,846
1,699
Copper revenue, per ounce ($)4
3.52
3.53
3.61
3.70
Average realized gold price, per ounce ($)2
2,009
1,766
1,964
1,808
Average realized copper price, per pound ($)2
3.72
3.74
3.84
3.94
Operating expenses, per gold eq. ounce ($)4
1,081
1,461
1,074
1,395
Total cash costs, per gold eq. ounce ($)2
1,187
1,557
1,191
1,503
Depreciation and depletion, per gold eq. ounce ($)4
439
527
437
434
All-in sustaining costs, per gold eq. ounce ($)2
1,302
1,870
1,331
2,044
Sustaining capital ($M)2
3.8
7.9
18.7
56.5
Growth capital ($M)2
32.2
32.9
126.5
91.5
Total capital ($M)
36.1
40.8
145.2
148.0
Operating Key Performance Indicators
New Afton Mine
Q4 2023
Q4 2022
FY 2023
FY 2022
New Afton Mine Only
Tonnes mined per day (ore and waste)
9,933
7,978
9,771
7,003
Tonnes milled per calendar day
8,181
6,8145
8,289
9,0065
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