Ascot Resources Ltd. (
TSX: AOT; OTCQX:
AOTVF) (“
Ascot” or the
“
Company”) is pleased to announce the Company’s
unaudited financial results for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2024 (“
Q3 2024”), located on Nisga’a
Nation Treaty Lands in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern
British Columbia. For details of the unaudited condensed interim
consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and
Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024,
please see the Company’s filings on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).
All amounts herein are reported in $000s of
Canadian dollars (“C$”) unless otherwise
specified.
Q3 2024 AND RECENT
HIGHLIGHTS
- On October 30, 2024, the Company
further announced it was able to reduce the size of the proposed
senior debt financing to US$7.5 million instead of the original
US$11.25 million previously disclosed. It had entered into a
non-binding indicative term sheet with Sprott Private Resource
Streaming and Royalty (B) Corp. (“Sprott”), to provide US$7.5
million of financing by way of an amendment to the terms of one of
its existing stream agreements between the Company and Sprott
(“Amended Debt Financing”). As part of the Amended Debt Financing,
the secured creditors would extend their existing waiver and
forbearance conditions until May 31, 2025.
- On October 22,
2024, the Company announced upsize of the previously announced
equity financing from gross proceeds of at least C$25 million and
up to a maximum of C$35 million, to gross proceeds of up to C$42
million.
- On October 21,
2024, the Company announced a plan to raise approximately C$40
million in funding to advance the development of PNL, restart the
mill and restart BM from the current state of temporary care and
maintenance. The funding will be through both debt and equity
financing and will enable the management to execute the mine
development plans. Subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions precedent, the Company anticipates the execution of
definitive documentation in respect of the new debt and the closing
of equity financing are expected to occur on or about November 18,
2024.
- On September 19,
2024, the Company and its secured creditors, Sprott Private
Resource Streaming and Royalty (B) Corporation, Nebari Gold Fund 1,
LP, Nebari Natural Resources Credit Fund II, LP and Nebari
Collateral Agent LLC agreed to extend the waiver arrangements until
October 31, 2024. On October 29, 2024, the waivers were further
extended to November 18, 2024.
- On September 6,
2024, the Company had made a prudent decision to suspend operation
due to delays in mine development that had hindered access to
sufficient ore feed.
- In Q3 2024
before the suspension of operations, the Big Missouri deposit
delivered 44,797 wet tonnes of material. Total mine development
achieved 1,428 meters of which 1,074 metres related to Big Missouri
and 354 metres relate to PNL.
- During Q3 2024
before the suspension of operations, the plant processed 71,386 dry
tonnes of mostly development ore in the commissioning of the mill.
In August 2024, the mill processed, near its design capacity, over
2,300 tpd for its 14-day operating schedule continuously.
- During Q3 2024,
the Company poured 3,885 ounces of gold and 10,153 ounces of
silver. It sold 3,452 ounces of gold to the offtaker at a realized
price of US$2,448/oz and delivered 399 ounces of gold and 6,979
ounces of silver pursuant to stream and royalty agreement.
- On July 25, 2024,
the Company closed the previously announced bought deal financing,
including the full exercise of the over-allotment option, for gross
proceeds of approximately $34 million (the “Offering”). The
Offering consisted of 30,242,000 flow-through units (the
“Flow-Through Units”) at a price of C$0.496 per Flow-Through Unit
and 44,188,000 hard dollar units (the “HD Units”) of the Company
(together, the “Offered Securities”) of C$0.43 per HD Unit. Each
Offered Security consisted of one common share of the company and
one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant
entitled the holder to acquire one share (each, a “Warrant Share”)
at a price of C$0.52 per Warrant Share for a period of 24 months
following closing.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Three months ended September 30, 2024
compared to three months ended September 30, 2023
The Company reported a net loss of $11,232 for
Q3 2024 compared to a net loss of $1,473 for Q3 2023. The increase
in net loss of $9,759 for the current period is primarily
attributable to a combination of factors, including:
- A $11,638 decrease in fair value of
derivatives mainly driven by the adjustment to discount rate
offsetting by higher gold and silver prices, which is a non-cash
item.
These factors were partially offset by a
decrease in general and administrative costs of $602 and revenue,
net of cost of sales of $461.
Nine months ended September 30, 2024
compared to nine months ended September 30, 2023
The Company reported a net loss of $14,490 for
the nine month period ended September 30, 2024 compared to $12,135
for the same period in 2023. The increase in net loss of $2,355 is
primarily attributable to a combination of factors, including:
- A $7,286 decrease in fair value of
derivatives mainly driven by the adjustment to discount rate
offsetting by higher gold and silver prices, which is a non-cash
item.
Partially offsetting by:
- A $1,008 decrease in financing
costs; and
- A $4,432 decrease in the loss of
extinguishment of debt.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL
RESOURCES
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024,
the Company issued 153,086,953 common shares, 84,594,528 warrants,
and granted 300,000 stock options, 89,667 Deferred Share Units
(“DSUs”) and 142,892 Restricted Share Units (“RSU”). Also,
5,263,230 stock options expired or were forfeited, 305,848 RSUs
were forfeited, 13,710,500 warrants expired and 371,369 stock
options, 137,533 DSUs and 1,087,983 RSUs were exercised in nine
months ended September 30, 2024.
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had cash
and cash equivalents of $9,882 and a working capital deficiency of
$62,389. Excluding the non-cash current liabilities, the working
capital deficiency was $42,764. The decrease in cash and cash
equivalents since December 31, 2023 was due to the increase in
expenditures in mine development, plant and equipment of 138,274
which is offset by net proceeds from the sale of Sprott royalty of
$40,554, net proceeds from the COF of $26,766, proceeds from the
bought deal private placement of $67,752 and proceeds from the
exercise of stock options of $193; cash outflows from operating
activities of $1,654; share issue costs of $4,175, financing costs
of $881, payment for lease liabilities of $2,937, and payment of
principal interest on COF of $3,096.
The negative working capital and suspension of
operations would have resulted in a default on Ascot’s credit
facilities. However, the Company obtained waivers from its lenders
providing for limited suspension of covenant compliance
requirements until November 18, 2024. Concurrent with closing of
the financing package and Amended Debt Financing, the lenders would
extend existing waivers and forbearance conditions until May 31,
2025. The Amended Debt Financing remains subject to receipt of
necessary regulatory approvals and exemptions, which may not be
received. The Company has not yet received any funding from the
Amended Debt Financing and the Amended Debt Financing remains
subject to several conditions which may not be satisfied or waived.
These considerations indicate material uncertainties which cast
significant doubt upon the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern (refer to Note 1 to the Company’s unaudited condensed
interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2024).
MANAGEMENT’S OUTLOOK FOR
2024
In 2024, the Company intended to transition from
the construction of the mine and related infrastructure to the
operation of the entire site and to become a gold producer.
After the announcement of temporary suspension
of operations in early September 2024, the key activities and
priorities for the remainder of 2024 include:
- Completing
financing for additional funding in Q4 2024.
- Developing a
comprehensive plan to accelerate mine development at PNL and ensure
a successful restart of production in Q2 2025.
- In order to
operate the processing plant at 2,400 tpd (100 tph) the company
needs to complete the mine development of PNL, ensuring that it, in
conjunction with Big Missouri production, supplies sufficient mill
feed to the processing plant. Management is addressing this by
developing over 6m per day on average at PNL continuously with
anticipation of breakthrough to the Prew ore zone, when rates are
expected to increase with multiple headings.
- Preserving the
site for winter season and ensuring the infrastructure is protected
and maintained for restart of operations in Q2 2025.
- Finalizing the
commission of the Moving Bed Bio-Reactor (“MBBR”) portion of the
water treatment plant.
Qualified Person
John Kiernan, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer of
the Company is the Company’s Qualified Person (QP) as defined by
National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the
technical contents of this news release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
Ascot Resources Ltd.“Derek C. White”President &
CEO
For further information
contact:
Kristina HoweVP
Communicationsinfo@ascotgold.com778-725-1060
About Ascot Resources Ltd.
Ascot is a Canadian mining company focused on
commissioning its 100%-owned Premier Gold Mine, which poured first
gold in April 2024 and is located on Nisga’a Nation Treaty Lands,
in the prolific Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia.
Concurrent with commissioning Premier towards commercial
production, the Company continues to explore its properties for
additional high-grade gold mineralization. Ascot’s corporate office
is in Vancouver, and its shares trade on the TSX under the ticker
AOT and on the OTCQX under the ticker AOTVF. Ascot is committed to
the safe and responsible operation of the Premier Gold Mine in
collaboration with Nisga’a Nation and the local communities of
Stewart, BC and Hyder, Alaska.
For more information about the Company, please
refer to the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or
visit the Company’s web site at www.ascotgold.com.
The TSX has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Information
All statements and other information contained
in this press release about anticipated future events may
constitute forward-looking information under Canadian securities
laws (“forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are
often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as
“seek”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “plan”, “estimate”, “expect”,
“targeted”, “outlook”, “on track” and “intend” and statements that
an event or result “may”, "will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or
“might” occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, included
herein are forward-looking statements, including statements in
respect of advancement and development of the PGP and the timing
related thereto, the completion of the PGP mine, the production of
gold, the use of proceeds from our financings, our ability to
secure additional financing, our financing needs, the resolution of
commissioning challenges, the anticipated grade of mineral
production, the operation of the mill and management’s outlook for
the remainder of 2024 and beyond. These statements involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those
anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including risks
associated with uncertainties relating to the grade of mineral
deposits; the inability to resolve commissioning challenges; lack
of liquidity; being in default under our credit facilities; the
need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and
uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing;
the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and
uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; risks
related to exploration and potential development of Ascot's
projects; business and economic conditions in the mining industry
generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange
rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results
and the geology and continuity of mineral deposits; the need for
cooperation of government agencies and indigenous groups in the
exploration and development of Ascot’s properties and the issuance
of required permits; uncertainty as to timely availability of
permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as
detailed from time to time in Ascot's filings with Canadian
securities regulators, available on Ascot's profile on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca including the Annual Information Form of the
Company dated March 25, 2024 in the section entitled “Risk
Factors”. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made
with regard to: the grade of mineral production; the capacity and
operation of the mill; production results and aggregate gold sales;
the estimated costs associated with construction of the Project;
the ability to maintain throughput and production levels at the PGP
mill; the tax rate applicable to the Company; future commodity
prices; the grade of mineral resources and mineral reserves; the
ability of the Company to convert inferred mineral resources to
other categories; the ability of the Company to reduce mining
dilution; the ability to reduce capital costs; and exploration
plans. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and
opinions of management at the date the statements are made.
Although Ascot believes that the expectations reflected in such
forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue
reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since
Ascot can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be
correct. Ascot does not undertake any obligation to update
forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable
laws. The forward-looking information contained in this news
release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Ascot Resources (TSX:AOT)
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