Houndé Gold Mine production increased due to higher recovery rates
Production at Endeavour’s Houndé Gold Mine in Burkina Faso increased due to the higher recovery rates as well as the increased mill tonnage despite the lower grade milled. Tonnes of ore mined significantly increased due to increased oxide ore mined in the Kari area, as ore mining commenced in the Kari West pit, which allowed for greater machine efficiency.
In H2-2021, ore tonnes mined were significantly lower than tonnes milled as a greater focus was placed on waste extraction activities at Kari Pump, Vindaloo Main and Kari West, taking advantage of the flexibility provided by the available ore stockpiles.
Tonnes milled increased as the plant feed was made up of predominantly oxide ore from the Kari Pump and Kari West pits, supplemented by fresh materials from the Vindaloo deposit and stockpiles.
Average processed grades slightly decreased despite higher grades mined at Kari Pump mainly due to supplemental feed being sourced from lower grade stockpiles.
Recovery rates increased due to the higher proportion of oxide ore processed from Kari Pump and Kari West.
AISC decreased primarily due to lower sustaining capital expenditure as well as lower unit processing cost on account of increased oxide material milled, which lowered grinding media costs and reagent consumption. This overall decrease was partially offset by higher mining costs associated with longer hauling cycle times from the Kari Pump and Kari West pits.
Sustaining capital of $13.9 million is lower than the $21.9 million incurred in Q3-2021 and related to waste capitalisation at the Vindaloo Main and Kari Pump pits and fleet re-builds.
Non-sustaining capital of $6.8 million is higher than the $0.6 million incurred in Q3-2021 and primarily related to the costs associated with the development of the Kari West pit and new mining fleet acquired.
FY-2021 PERFORMANCE
Production for FY-2021 totalled 293koz, beating the guided 230-250koz range driven by mining efficiencies at the Kari area pits enabling access to greater volumes of high grade oxide ore. AISC amounted to approximately $843/oz, well below the guided $865-895/oz range due to the benefit of higher production.
Production increased compared to the prior year due to higher throughput as a greater proportion of oxide ore from Kari Pump was milled. This was partially offset by slightly lower grades and recoveries. AISC of $843/oz remained broadly in line with the prior year.
2022 OUTLOOK
Following a record 2021 performance, Houndé is expected to produce between 260—275koz in 2022 at AISC of $875—925/oz. Mining activities in FY-2022 will focus on Vindaloo Main, Kari Pump and Kari West. In H1-2022, ore will primarily be mined from Kari Pump, supplemented by Vindaloo Main, while stripping is underway at Kari West. In H2-2022, ore will be mined from Kari Pump and Kari West, once stripping has been completed. Mill throughput and recoveries are expected to decline slightly in FY-2022 due to changes in the ore blend.
Sustaining capital expenditure is expected to decrease from $49.1 million in FY-2021 to approximately $44.0 million in FY-2022, with FY-2022 expenditure relating mainly to waste extraction and fleet re-builds.
Non-sustaining capital expenditure is expected to remain broadly consistent with the $17.1 million in FY-2021 at approximately $18.0 million in FY-2022. The FY-2022 expenditures are mainly related to waste stripping, resettlement and associated mine infrastructure in the Kari area and completion of a TSF wall raise.
