Equinox Gold Corp (NYSE:EQX) This autumn 2021 Earnings Convention Name February 24, 2022 10:30 AM ET

Firm Contributors

Rhylin Bailie – IR

Christian Milau – CEO

Peter Hardie – CFO

Douglas Reddy – COO

Convention Name Contributors

Ryan Thompson – BMO

Kerry Smith – Haywood Securities

Mike Parkin – Nationwide Financial institution

Operator

Thanks for standing by. That is the convention operator. Welcome to the Equinox Gold Fourth Quarter 2021 Outcomes and Company Replace Convention Name and Webcast. [Operator Instructions]

I might now like to show the convention over to Rhylin Bailie, Vice President, Investor Relations for Equinox Gold.

Rhylin Bailie

Thanks, Karl, and thanks everyone for becoming a member of us this morning. We are going to, in fact, be making a lot of forward-looking statements right this moment. So please do take the time to go to our steady disclosure paperwork on our web site, on SEDAR and on EDGAR.

I am now going to show the convention name over to our CEO, Christian Milau.

Christian Milau

Thanks very a lot, and welcome everybody this morning. Simply recapping on the marketing strategy right here on Web page quantity 3, we have put collectively a set of corporations and property over the past 4 years, and we’re excited to be at this level in our progress cycle right here the place we have got the diversified Americas gold producer with the seven producing mines quickly to be eight, one Santa Luz is ramping up in quarter two this 12 months and 5 thrilling progress initiatives. And now we have an especially giant reserve and useful resource base, 16 and 30 million ounces, which permits us to have quite a lot of leverage to the gold worth. And as we proceed to develop these property, we’ll be transferring from roughly 700,000 ounces this 12 months in 2020 in the direction of 1 million ounces plus over the subsequent few years. And our stability sheet is in a robust place once more and that pathway in the direction of 1 million ounces is evident and in our management in our portfolio.

And after we take a look at the quarter 4 and full 12 months highlights, Pete and Doug will stroll you thru extra of the granularity on this, however I did wish to contact at excessive degree. As anticipated, we had a robust This autumn as beforehand launched. And we tracked down the trail of continuous on our two development initiatives, and Doug will speak concerning the element on that, however happy to say we’re making good progress. And as deliberate, we’re transferring these ahead on schedule at this stage. And likewise, we have had good outcomes over the past 12 months, and we proceed to give attention to it going ahead in drilling and increasing our portfolio of thrilling mineral and reserve base property that basically want some consideration to proceed to increase the mine life. And we have additionally put out two enlargement research on Aurizona and Fort Mountain, which proceed to point out mine life extension and reserve progress.

And the opposite space that we’re actually going to give attention to this 12 months, and we have sort of put it by a little bit bit to the again burner as we introduced on the final name, however Los Filos, we’re engaged on varied eventualities to optimize it, to look to convey ahead money flows, to extend manufacturing and actually work on that plan as we ship on the Greenstone development undertaking and have this be a key contributor. So we wish to cut back these prices and proceed to broaden that manufacturing base and make plans to have the ability to construct that CIL as soon as we get to stability and we get Greenstone up and operating.

When it comes to operations, once more, happy to report that we have had one other quarter of uninterrupted operations at Los Filos and it completed final 12 months properly. As you noticed within the press launch, RDM did have heavy rains lately, and Doug will contact on the element of that, however we’re working in the direction of spending the plant there for just a few weeks as we diminished the water degree within the TSF. However we do not anticipate an general materials change to our steering on account of this. We see this as a really short-term measure.

And by way of ESG, I do wish to contact on this. It continues to catch the attention of us and growing by way of priorities this 12 months as we construct out our crew. We received our first ESG report out final 12 months. This 12 months, we’ll be enhancing it. We do plan to have an ESG name that is targeted on that subject for all buyers to attend, give or take, round our time of our AGM right here within the second quarter. We have been implementing in the direction of sustainable mining and accountable gold mining principal protocols in any respect mine websites this 12 months. We set our Scope 1 and a couple of emissions targets final 12 months and emissions in whole. And we additionally achieved our goal of lowering them by 5%, which is a short-term objective. We do must set our long-term targets, and that is within the works this 12 months. And hopefully, by round this year-end, we’ll be capable to announce our long-term targets.

And likewise, simply in abstract, we had a superb sturdy end to the 12 months general. And I wish to flip it over to Pete and Doug to stroll you thru the granularity of that.

Peter Hardie

Thanks, Christian. With respect to our working outcomes, I am going to simply contact on just a few of them as Doug will undergo every of the mines in only a minute. For accountable mining in 2021, we improved on our already good security and environmental efficiency as demonstrated by our security and environmental metrics that you simply see right here. We particularly ended 2021 on a superb notice for security and our environmental stewardship.

As to COVID, it was managed properly in 2021 that was led primarily by the vaccine rollouts within the international locations the place we function, however that was additionally coupled with our continued rigorous screening and testing protocols. And that led to a little bit no downtime at our websites in ’21 as a result of COVID, which clearly we’re more than happy with.

As to operations, we beforehand introduced that we produced 602,000 ounces of gold. We achieved our steering there together with our all-in sustaining price of steering with an all-in sustaining price per ounce of $1,350 an oz.. We had been a little bit excessive on our money price per ounce steering simply above the upper finish of our vary.

On our subsequent web page, now we have our This autumn monetary outcomes. We had our greatest quarter-to-date actually from a monetary perspective. We offered 212,000 ounces of gold at a mean realized worth of $1,972 an oz.. Our money price for This autumn was $1,040 an oz., and our all-in sustaining price was a really respectable $1,266 an oz.. We had internet earnings for the quarter of $111 million and adjusted internet earnings of $76 million, which interprets into fundamental earnings per share of $0.37 a share or $0.25 a share on an adjusted foundation.

We had been additionally very busy on the company entrance in the course of the 12 months, which included — the outcomes of that are included in our internet earnings of $557 million for the 12 months. We offered 10 million models of Solaris the place every unit was a share and a half warrant to purchase extra shares for proceeds of $67 million and a achieve of $50 million. Promoting the shares diminished Equinox’s holding in Solaris to simply under 20%, which resulted in a change of accounting and a achieve of $186 million in the course of the 12 months. And one other advantage of that change in accounting is it permits us to mirror the truthful worth of that funding. It was beforehand carried on the unique price, which was very, very low. So we’re happy with that.

Throughout 2021, we offered the Pilar mine for a achieve of $45 million. And people gadgets get adjusted out together with others to reach at our internet — our adjusted earnings for the 12 months of $74 million. A few of these different gadgets embody an $85 million achieve on the change in truthful worth of Equinox issued warrants, which expired on exercised in October 2021 and a $58 million achieve on the change in truthful worth of gold contracts, which roll off in September of this 12 months. Our stability sheet stays unchanged and powerful with a little bit over $300 million in money and $200 million in obtainable credit score on the finish of the 12 months. And as well as, now we have roughly $450 million of investments, truthful worth.

And we have obtained a few questions on why our present property have elevated a lot. That is primarily as a result of three issues. To start with, we introduced the sale of Mercedes in December of 2021. These property are held on the market and are all present, together with the property, plant and gear. And as well as, the Solaris warrants we maintain to have the ability to purchase extra shares of Solaris at a low price, lots of which expire in This autumn of 2022 are actually included as present. They had been beforehand included for long-term. And eventually, the third huge motive our present property have elevated is, the truthful worth of the Solaris shares have gone up considerably. They’re about CAD11 a share on the finish of September, they usually’ve gone as much as CAD16 a share. In order that will increase each the truthful worth in fact of our funding there, together with the worth of the warrants.

With respect to our quarterly outcomes by mine, beforehand talked about, we had a robust quarter with 210,000 ounces of manufacturing, led by Los Filos, Fort Mountain and Aurizona. Money prices for the 12 months in This autumn had been particularly low at Aurizona, as you possibly can see within the center column underneath money prices and for the 12 months. And eventually, our all-in sustaining prices for the quarter had been led by Mesquite at $1,023 all-in sustaining for the quarter.

As to our steering for the 12 months, Christian, Ross and Rhylin have been out partaking with stakeholders fairly a bit since we launched it earlier this 12 months. So I am going to simply spotlight that alongside — as with this 12 months, a lot of the efficiency is weighted into the second half of the 12 months. So prices shall be larger, as you possibly can see on the backside web page — on the backside of the web page. Within the first half of the 12 months, we anticipate money price of about $1,200 a 12 months a little bit decrease for the primary half of the 12 months, dropping to just a bit over $1,000 an oz. in the direction of within the second half of the 12 months. And likewise, the all-in sustaining prices shall be larger within the first half within the mid $1,500 per ounce and dropping to the upper 1,200s or just a bit underneath $1,300 an oz. within the second half of the 12 months.

And with that, I am going to flip the dialogue of the operations and gross sales over to Doug.

Douglas Reddy

Thanks, Pete. In order Pete famous, in 2021, a number of of our open pit mines had been back-end weighted for the gold manufacturing. We do see that at just a few of the operations in 2022 as properly.

Wanting first at the usA. and Mesquite. In This autumn, we produced 66,870 ounces. And for the 12 months, 137,500 ounces. So majority of the ounces coming on the very finish of the 12 months. General manufacturing shall be related in 2022 for Mesquite. And I am going to notice that in 2021, we accomplished the stripping marketing campaign for the Brownie pit, and that is the ore that’s virtually fully being processed or positioned on the leach pad in 2022.

And equally, for 2022, we’re doing a $44 million stripping marketing campaign to open up a brand new section of the Vista East pit, the VE pit, and that can profit us on the very finish of 2022 and into 2023. We’re additionally carrying on with a $5 million exploration program at Mesquite, which seems at useful resource to order conversion in Brownie, Vista East and Rainbow pits. And I do wish to underscore that this mine is a constant producer. It will likely be doing its 5 million ounce in 2022. So a superb asset, very constant.

At Fort Mountain, our This autumn manufacturing was 8,357 ounces. We’re taking a look at 25 — it was 25,000 ounces for the 12 months and it will likely be larger in 2022, and that can mirror modifications to our stacking and irrigation practices which have been carried out throughout 2021. And likewise, we’ll be introducing crushing and agglomeration in Q1. That ought to improve our recoveries, keep away from a few of our percolation points that we have seen with sure rock sorts the place mixing has been essential and be capable to level the best way ahead for enhancing our leach occasions and recoveries. We’re doing a leach pad enlargement, which is properly underway already. It is a $7 million price ticket for that, however that is properly underway. And we’re doing the Section 2 research and allowing that can help the enlargement to 200,000 ounces a 12 months. The plan to submit the allow modification is — that can go in, in Q1.

So transferring on to Mexico. At Los Filos, in This autumn, we produced 54,733 ounces and the entire for 2021 was 144,000 ounces. It will likely be larger in 2022 at 160,000 to 180,000 ounces, and that can mirror a steady mode of operations. We have now ongoing improvement that was executed in 2021 within the Los Filos open pit and Guadalupe open pit, which is our main contributor for the open pit ore going to the leach pads now. And likewise improvement from the Bermejal underground deposits the place now we have a small quantity of contribution as we proceed with the event of Bermejal targeted on entering into the Zone 5 within the central and better grade portion of Bermejal. Our work in 2022 consists of $20 million of sustaining and $47 million of non-sustaining capital, principally by open pit stripping and underground improvement with $30 million of that being carried over from 2021 the place we had been reasonably delayed or interrupted in improvement work in the midst of the 12 months.

On the Mercedes mine, whole contribution attributable to Equinox for 2021 is 31,800 ounces. And as famous, now we have an settlement in place to promote the mine to Bear Creek for $100 million with a 2% NSR and slightly below 25 million shares in Bear Creek. That transaction is anticipated to shut across the finish of this quarter. Within the meantime, we proceed with the event into two extra deposits at Mercedes. And we are going to each take the price, but in addition the advantage of that up till the purpose the place we — till the transaction closes.

Transferring on to Brazil. Aurizona mine, This autumn manufacturing was 41,258 ounces and the entire manufacturing for the 12 months was 135,000 ounces. We are going to see barely decrease manufacturing in 2022 and that displays a small drop within the feed grade, the grade of the feed to the plant. We did set a brand new throughput document in This autumn with 922,000 ounces being processed — sorry, 922,000 tonnes being processed. And we additionally set a document for mining within the quarter.

In 2022, we’re transferring forward with allowing on portal areas for the underground enlargement. We have additionally had the outcomes from drilling 21,000 meters of drilling are available. A part of that targeted on the underground and likewise on different targets within the rapid space across the Piaba pit. That can profit us as we transfer forward with design work for the underground. We’re additionally doing $8 million of spend on infrastructure, together with a brand new pebble crusher, which helps us to take care of our feed to the plant as we transfer into the next proportion of recent rock. And we proceed drilling throughout the mine space and close by targets. We have now $8 million slated for exploration on that.

At Fazenda, in This autumn, we produced 14,499 ounces for a complete of 60,000 ounces in 2021. We must always see that barely larger in 2022, largely from some larger grades coming from each some underground areas and open pit manufacturing. This mine has been working for primarily over 30 years, and recoveries are actually round 89%. An enormous a part of our work has been the underground and extra exploration on floor that is labored on reserve alternative, and we proceed with that.

On the plant, it set a brand new manufacturing throughput document of 351,000 tonnes processed. And in 2022, we shall be doing an exploration program that not solely works or explores instantly round Fazenda, however throughout the Fazenda to Santa Luz district, very thrilling quite a few targets in that Greenstone Belt, and we are going to in the end take a look at growing or figuring out and growing assets that would both go to Fazenda or Santa Luz relying on the metallurgy and proximity to course of vegetation.

At RDM, our This autumn manufacturing was 13,362 ounces and our whole manufacturing for the 12 months was 59,000 ounces. We anticipate that that shall be larger in 2022 at 70,000 to 80,000 ounces largely coming from a brand new geotechnical mannequin that allows us to entry larger grades and improve our general manufacturing coming from the open pit. We did course of extra stockpile materials within the fourth quarter provided that we had heavy rainfall limiting some entry to our open pits.

And on this 12 months, we shall be doing a rise on the TSF capability and likewise putting in a thickener. Thickener provides us the flexibility to do some water conservation and it additionally reduces the amount of tailings going to the TSF. Water conservation as a result of RDM is in a drought-stricken space. And sometimes, we’re at all times working to take care of as a lot water as we will obtainable for processing all year long. We do have ample water. We have now a really full water storage dam. And separate to that, in fact, as you have famous, now we have numerous water in our TSF in the intervening time.

So in response to new tips, we shall be suspending the plant for the subsequent two to a few weeks, whereas we proceed pumping and evaporating to cut back water ranges within the TSF. Throughout that point, we proceed with mining and stockpiling of ore. And we anticipate that there shall be a marginal influence to us general as we restart and course of the ores that we have been placing to 1 facet throughout this era. I’ll notice that there aren’t any points with the TSF. And all common inner and exterior and unbiased inspections of the TSF have confirmed this.

So transferring on to Santa Luz. Commissioning is underway. Development is on time and on finances. The entire finances was $103 million for the development CapEx. We’re at 95% full general. The crushing space is near completion. Commissioning is underway on the leach circuit SAG mill, ball mill and secondary grinding areas. First ore shall be launched this month and first gold is focused for late in March.

We’ll transfer on to Greenstone the place development is underway. This undertaking is being developed by Equinox as 60%, Orion as 40%. Whole reserves on the undertaking of 5.5 million ounces, and it does have vital extra exploration upside. It is a typical open pit with leach CIP plan. The undertaking has wonderful infrastructure. It is on the TransCanada Freeway and proper subsequent to the City of Geraldton. We have now nice neighborhood and First Nation help for this undertaking. And our preliminary capital is $1.23 billion. That features $177 million in contingency, about 14% of the preliminary capital and likewise consists of $125 million for a fleet by which we might lease to cut back the upfront money spend. It does exclude preproduction income and 80% of our preliminary capital is Canadian greenback primarily based. I’ll notice that round 29% of the CapEx is now fastened by advantage of contracts which are in place and about 45% of the CapEx is dedicated to this point. We have now an general development interval of two years and 6 months of commissioning. First gold pour is focused for H1 of 2024.

In case you go over to Web page 14, you possibly can take a look at among the development progress. And I invite you to go to our web site and you may see wonderful photographs for each Greenstone and Santa Luz and time lapse pictures for Santa Luz so you possibly can see how issues are progressing at these websites. The engineering for Greenstone is 85% full. And one of many explanation why we’re in a position to be advancing with this undertaking so properly is — I imply, it is kudos to the crew. Their undertaking readiness has been superb going from being on standby to bringing every thing in control throughout 2021 in a short time. However the very skilled crew, they know this undertaking properly. They have been with the undertaking for a few years and been in a position to have every thing able to roll.

So Section 1 street constructing and tree clearing is full. Website entry street and energy strains are virtually full. The TSF work is forward of schedule. And freeway relocation work is definitely forward of schedule as properly. Website civil works and concrete basis work is underway. And plant earthworks are about 70% full. In order that’s a giant derisking factor and with the ability to get forward on our earthworks. Momentary water remedy plant is already in operation, and now we have a 600-person lodging facility that is in use. All principal and important gear have already been ordered. So superb progress at Greenstone and kudos to the crew.

I will go it again to Christian.

Christian Milau

And I am going to simply conclude on a few slides right here on 15. Simply to reiterate, we’re in that execution section proper now. And we have got about 600,000 ounces of incremental progress to our current roughly 700,000 ounce manufacturing base. And as you possibly can see, they’re sequenced properly for Santa Luz approaching stream within the subsequent few weeks, Greenstone within the subsequent two years, Los Filos, Fort Mountain and Aurizona underground will slot in, sooner or later, in and across the finish of the timing of Greenstone. So we have got among the best progress profiles, if not the most effective, in definitely the mid-tier to bigger gold area proper now. It is all inner.

And from a valuation perspective, we’re nonetheless buying and selling on a barely discounted a number of to a few of our friends, as you possibly can see versus the intermediate and senior friends. And we’ll proceed over the subsequent two years as we execute and ship these initiatives on time, on finances to claw method it, to transferring up that valuation curve. And in the intervening time, it is fairly a compelling valuation for 1 million ounce producer over the subsequent couple of years. And we have got extraordinarily good leverage to gold. And clearly, on this gold setting, we’re happy to have that reserve and useful resource base internally already owned in our portfolio.

And on 16, simply to reiterate what Pete touched on earlier, it is not lots to say on the stability sheet. It continues to be the identical sturdy money stability, obtainable debt from a world banking group, virtually $0.5 billion in investments, good money circulate coming from the working mines. We have virtually $1 billion of liquidity investments proper now. And we have got a funded inner progress profile. So we expect we’re positioned extraordinarily properly.

First half of this 12 months, barely decrease money producing from our mines. However as we hit the second half of this 12 months and with Santa Luz ramping up and a few of that CapEx coming off, we’re fairly enthusiastic about the place we’re and the place we’re positioned proper now. And clearly, the gold setting has been very supportive lately as properly. So on 17, only a spotlight of the general portfolio, now it is diversified progress targeted in all of our jurisdictions. We’re an Americas-focused gold producer.

I am eager and happy right here to take some questions on the again of a superb year-end — finish of the 12 months final 12 months in 2021.

Rhylin Bailie

Thanks, Christian. Operator, are you able to please remind folks how one can ask a query?

Query-and-Reply Session

Operator

[Operator Instructions]

Rhylin Bailie

Whereas we’re ready, I am going to take a query from one in all our very supportive shareholders within the state who’ve incessantly talked about this on his Rons Basement YouTube channel. It is an ideal quarter. Are you able to present any coloration on how operations are performing in the course of the first two months of 2022? And do you assume that your beforehand launched steering is on observe, conservative or aggressive?

Christian Milau

Possibly I am going to take that. And Doug, please leap in when you have any feedback. I imply, as we stated, the primary half of this 12 months is barely decrease manufacturing and better price. We’re monitoring alongside these strains. It is type of an annual development. It appears for us that second half of the 12 months tends to be a bit higher, and I do not see any distinction this 12 months. I believe we have offered a little bit extra granularity and clearer steering this 12 months by bifurcating the 2 halves. And we’re monitoring on plan there within the first couple of months as we transfer ahead and reiterate our steering with this launch right this moment.

Rhylin Bailie

One other query from on-line. I noticed that IAMGOLD lately elevated prices once more at their Cote undertaking. How do we all know that Greenstone goes to be on finances?

Douglas Reddy

So I believe one of the simplest ways to take a look at Greenstone is that the crew has been engaged on transferring the undertaking ahead for a few years. And as we received to the tip of 2019, the Greenstone crew, we’re doing an replace of all facets of the undertaking and the CapEx. And that is after we stepped in, and it has been a steady effort working with Greenstone to revisit and observe all the prices.

Mission readiness is a key merchandise. We have executed inner and exterior assessments of undertaking readiness. And I might say that Greenstone is true within the right place for undertaking readiness after we did our development announcement and engineering development being that we’re 85% now, I imply we’re about 80% on the time of the announcement.

All these issues imply that we’re truly — all of the CapEx was being executed on the idea of properly superior work on the positioning and with the ability to instantly begin with early works on tree clearing, camp development, water remedy plant and website infrastructure implies that we will transfer in a short time to have the ability to derisk, particularly on the earthworks facet of issues across the plant and likewise on the TMF. So I believe it is partially the chance that we needed to work with the crew to do a number of revisions and ensure that every thing was right as we transfer in the direction of the development choice and likewise making certain that readiness and engineering had been at enough ranges for this undertaking.

Christian Milau

And I believe we have taken the chance to watch the market, and clearly, provide chain and inflation points. And we have constructed that into our CapEx estimates. 14% contingency is a reasonably wholesome quantity relative to I’ve seen quite a lot of initiatives once they begin. And I believe we have regarded on the international alternate and we have checked out inflation and different issues. And we have additionally received the agency quotes and that we have been in a position to construct into our estimates.

Douglas Reddy

And I believe additionally, we profit by with the ability to see what’s occurring on different initiatives to return and ensure are we certain about what we’re doing. And each single time we see something occur on some other undertaking, that query circulates round. We double test and ensure that we have not missed one thing. And the crew at Greenstone may be very responsive with reference to double checking on every thing and being proactive after we see potential issues.

Rhylin Bailie

Operator, we’ll now take just a few questions from the telephone strains, please.

Operator

The following query comes from Ryan Thompson of BMO.

Ryan Thompson

Simply a few questions for me. First one is on the company facet of issues. Clearly, you are going to be counting on money from operations as you undergo this capital-intensive interval constructing at Greenstone. Is there any thought or dialogue of doubtless hedging out a few of your gold over the subsequent short while? After which the second query is extra simply on the operations. You talked about, at Mesquite, you have received quite a lot of stripping and so forth happening and also you’re additionally doing a little exploration to transform assets probably into reserves. Would there be any type of allowing related to attempting to usher in any of those new pits? Any type of coloration you might present on that may be useful as properly.

Peter Hardie

It is Peter right here. I am going to reply your first query on hedging gold. We don’t at the moment plan to hedge any gold to offer going ahead, despite the fact that we’re in a development interval. As we have talked about earlier than, we really feel like we’re properly funded heading ahead with our stability sheet liquidity. So no plans to hedge gold.

Christian Milau

And Ryan, we do take a look at different issues like the opposite currencies or we might take a look at gasoline on that. However gold being our main product and what most individuals are shopping for us for, we do preserve that as open to the spot market as potential. And we do consider that we have a robust stability sheet and different levers, as Pete stated. In order that’s not in focus proper now.

Douglas Reddy

With regard to Mesquite, there’s at all times allowing underway. It will depend on what you are taking a look at, whether or not it is a leach pad enlargement or should you’re taking a look at doing a drill program, there’s at all times some side of allowing that is underway. I am undecided if that solutions your query, however it’s a part of the traditional working apply at Mesquite.

Ryan Thompson

So I do know you could have a fairly large useful resource base there, and also you talked about attempting to transform a few of that into reserves. Wouldn’t it be like a type of an extended allowing course of to perform that or type of regular course type of enterprise?

Douglas Reddy

Sure. I imply, primarily, if we had been taking a look at giant or wholesale adjustments, clearly, it might be an extended factor. However once you’re in search of small issues, for instance, exploration applications will not be so small leach pad enlargement, I imply, I am going to say, a shorter or extra modest allowing interval. However should you’re in search of a wholesale change, clearly, it will be a long term timeframe. However that is all being managed very properly on the website.

Christian Milau

I believe, Ryan, quite a lot of the reserve and useful resource is sitting inside and round our pits and that is extra of the routine common allowing. And I believe we have most likely truly up to date allowing just a few occasions a 12 months in a way on varied totally different issues. And I believe throughout the freeway and that stuff is unquestionably the long term allowing, which is a multi-year plan. So I believe quite a lot of stuff across the periphery and the present useful resource sitting round is sort of extra — I am by no means going to name allowing routine, however nearer to routine. It is throughout the freeway in that that is most likely the multi-year plan.

Operator

The following query comes from Kerry Smith of Haywood Securities.

Kerry Smith

Christian, should you submit the EIA modification for Fort Mountain Section 2 someday in March, then are you continue to feeling like it will be a 3 12 months allowing cycle to get that authorized then?

Christian Milau

I believe we nonetheless point out three years. I imply, if all goes properly, it may very well be as quick as two years. However I believe it is higher to intention in the direction of three years. And due to the sequencing of our initiatives and with Greenstone being, give or take, two years away from being accomplished, three years might be a superb period of time. We have had good suggestions, good dialogue. I believe the crew has been in a position to adapt that allowing. The water subject they have been working with on the positioning they usually’ve discovered water sources that they want. So the allowing would be the key focus over the subsequent two years. And we expect minimal two years, nevertheless it may very well be three years.

Kerry Smith

And possibly Doug can reply, however with RDM, it is at all times sort of a dry space and also you’re at all times in search of water, and sadly, you are discharging now since you’ve received an excessive amount of. Is there any thought that possibly you must construct a supplemental type of water containment space simply in case this ever occurs once more?

Douglas Reddy

I believe we have already got a — I believe it is 3.4 million cubic meters water storage dam on website. So we already — on the finish of the 12 months, we had been taking a look at our water stability and figuring that we’re good for 2 years with none extra rain. So now that is distinctive. As you may have famous in Brazil, they’ve had heavy rains in a number of areas that sometimes do not get as a lot rain as they have been having. So we’re already pumping and evaporating water out of the TSF.

We have already been engaged on plans to have the ability to preserve water. I imply, that is why we’re placing within the — a part of the rationale we’re placing within the thickener. And on the identical time, we perceive this alteration within the rules that got here in. So actually, it simply — it implies that not simply pumping the surplus water out of the TSF, but in addition not including extra from our course of plant throughout that interval. So we’ll try this. We’ll convey it down. And we’ll get ready simply to convey it again on-line after which work on processing the ore and catching again up.

Christian Milau

And I believe, Kerry, by way of huge image, I believe water and emissions are two areas, and it is received an ESG focus, however two areas that we, as a enterprise, are undoubtedly specializing in as a result of now we have areas of dry areas. After which now we have these areas which have these extreme rains, and we made some proactive measures to purchase evaporators and issues like that final 12 months. We’ll proceed to take a look at water and water remedy in addition to one thing we put in place in horizontal, we put the remedy plan in that. So it will likely be an evolving factor the place we proceed to take a look at our water excesses and deficiencies.

Douglas Reddy

And that is the water stability and tailings facet of issues is an initiative that we have been doing for over a 12 months right here with Kelly Boychuk leads that. He is 30 — properly over 30 years’ expertise in coping with TSF. That is a part of the work that we do on an ongoing foundation to attempt to preserve water, but in addition in the end to redeem our footprint. And this thickener was one of many first actions that got here out of that. And we proceed doing take a look at work and taking a look at how we will enhance issues general. And partially pushed by ESG, but in addition it is simply smart for us to cut back our TSF footprint and preserve extra water.

Kerry Smith

And I do know you have talked about not beginning the mill development at Los Filos till Greenstone is accomplished by way of its development cycle. Is there a situation the place you maybe might begin the mill development sooner than that or is that sort of the plan now?

Christian Milau

I believe I might like everybody to imagine that is the bottom plan. There’s at all times a possibility to start out a bit earlier. However I believe prudence says that we ought to be from a stability perspective, capital perspective and all that ought to be planning for it after Greenstone. We are going to take a look at eventualities to maintain our optionality as open as potential. However I do need analysts to not be forecasting in a begin of development there within the subsequent six months sort of factor. I need it to be a few years out. If we convey it ahead, that shall be a excellent news story, and we’ll replace the market at the moment. However in the intervening time, I believe it is best to plan for about two years from now.

Kerry Smith

And have you ever sensed or possibly have your folks at website sensed any change within the angle of the communities now that they are again to work for higher or for worse? Are issues just like how they had been once they received again to work? Do you assume they’re higher? Do you sense that possibly they’re getting a bit discomfortable and issues? I am simply attempting to simply gauge how that’s going.

Douglas Reddy

I believe everyone is glad to be working. After we received by the final two points, everyone is again to work and that is what they wish to be doing. And so common angle on the website, I might say, that is my understanding is that it is higher when everyone is busy working. And for our crew — administration crew on the website, they’re persevering with to do every thing they’ll to be interacting with the communities on a extra day-to-day foundation and never when now we have a confrontation or a disaster, however nearly every thing.

Christian Milau

I believe we’re seeing extra coping with routine grievances even when they get elevated to the extent that they should not be. However we’re extra coping with day-to-day routine grievances frequently in a extra constructive method, constructing partnerships on issues exterior of simply mining and good issues locally. And I believe as Doug stated, we heard from the leaders and we had heard from the workforce successfully, they wish to be working and dealing. In order that’s nice that we’re all aligned on that entrance.

Douglas Reddy

And naturally, a part of it’s that with COVID restrictions easing off, we’re in a position to simply work together face-to-face. It is so significantly better than having a extra stilted conversations by Zoom or WhatsApp messaging or no matter.

Christian Milau

And we have seen COVID come down very considerably. We have now — it may be zero folks off in California proper now for a lot of absenteeism. Mexico has come down very considerably within the final couple of weeks for certain. Brazil nonetheless received some flu with that round, and I believe it is a little bit bit larger than the opposite two international locations. And in Canada, we have managed it very properly as properly. So we’re seeing little or no disruption. And I agree, we’re beginning to see extra journey and face-to-face conferences occurring, which may be very optimistic for our enterprise. And we wish to get you guys as analysts and a few buyers to go go to Santa Luz and Greenstone this 12 months too and see the good issues which are occurring there.

Rhylin Bailie

Since we’re speaking about Los Filos, I will take a query from on-line. So that you pushed the CIL plant out a little bit bit, which can clearly convey prices down, however do you see prices coming down within the interim as you are working by Bermejal and Guadalupe? What’s going to it take to get Los Filos a bit extra economical?

Douglas Reddy

Guadalupe has been principally stripping. It has been contributing in some ore, however actually contributed in a significant method within the latter a part of 2021. In order that brings in some larger grade ore going to the leach pad, however nonetheless, larger grade ore. In order that helps. And Bermejal underground, I imply, the event and preliminary improvement is establishing all of the infrastructure and we get a small contribution from it, however we had been delayed in with the ability to try this. In order we get into Bermejal extra, we’ll find yourself with larger grades, and that can assist convey extra ounces to the pad. We would love for CIL to be there to be processing it. However within the meantime, we’ll segregate it on the pad and be capable to reprocess it at a later date by the CIL.

Christian Milau

And I believe we’re operating varied optimizations and mine plans that now now we have the readability that we’re not planning to construct the CIL for the subsequent two years. We are able to truly plan to convey ahead a few of that grade and never stockpile it to place by a CIL in six months’ time or no matter. We are able to truly plan to make it additional cash generative in addition to hopefully decrease prices alongside the best way. I might say that is going to be gradual adjustments, the step change comes once you get a CIL plan in place.

Rhylin Bailie

Operator, we’ll go to the telephone strains, please.

Operator

The following query comes from Mike Parkin of Nationwide Financial institution.

Mike Parkin

You talked about you are including agglomeration, I believe you stated at Fort Mountain. When might we anticipate that to sort of kick in, by way of outcomes?

Douglas Reddy

Nicely, we’ll be doing the crushing and agglomeration beginning within the tail finish of Q1. And provided that it is a heap leach, you may begin to see the influence in Q2.

Mike Parkin

And is that factored into steering?

Douglas Reddy

Sure.

Mike Parkin

Then by way of when do you must sort of make a go, no-go choice on leasing the fleet for Greenstone?

Peter Hardie

Mike, it is Peter. We have already primarily made that call in the course of the development interval within the first 12 months or two of operations that we’ll be leasing gear. After which as Greenstone is money generative and self-financing, we’ll swap to buying it.

Mike Parkin

After which one final one for me. When it comes to Greenstone, the place are you considering you may have the mill constructing enclosed by?

Douglas Reddy

Enclosed? I might need to be digging into the timing schedule. Can I get again to you on that one?

Mike Parkin

Certain, sure. Rhylin could also be can go that on, that may be appreciated.

Christian Milau

However I believe one of many key issues, Mike, is all of the concrete works we anticipate to have executed, the engineering by, name it, spring this 12 months, this summer season is a giant summer season. Earthworks are virtually executed. We’ll have the concrete pads down. Have the metal already ordered and coming. Costs are fastened, which is a vital piece to that. And the plan is to be erecting a lot of these buildings so to working indoors subsequent winter. So we’ll get you the precise reply, however I might anticipate most of that to be executed by the autumn in order that we’re working indoors subsequent winter. And if we have to double shift as a result of we’re working single shifts, that shall be within the plans, and we’ll be engaged on that with the crew.

Douglas Reddy

We do not point out it a lot, however the crew in command of Greenstone are skilled, known as by the builders as properly. In order that they, in fact, issue all that into their general planning and have expertise with it.

Operator

The following query comes from Lawrence Danny, a Personal Investor.

Lawrence Danny

Thanks for all of your onerous work. I do know, as talked about, you are within the capital-intensive section investing in constructing and growing mines. When do you assume it is conceivable estimate-wise that we would see dividend? Are we taking a look at a few years?

Christian Milau

Good query. It is one thing that definitely we carry on our radar and focus as we transfer ahead. Proper now, the most effective use of our capital is increasing these property as you have type of acknowledged there. And the plan shall be to get Greenstone up and operating. And I believe on the again of Greenstone operating in name it 1 / 4 or two and getting confidence clearly and the money flows coming in, that can give us the flexibleness then to be contemplating that dividend sort coverage and probably a return of capital to shareholders. As we proceed to develop, I believe, at that stage, this enterprise shall be actually diversified and we’ll have a superb asset base and probably a little bit extra capital to permit us to start out returning it. So ramping up in 2022…

Lawrence Danny

I simply need extra readability on that. What’s that?

Christian Milau

Some level across the finish of ’24 as we undergo that finances section for 2025.

Rhylin Bailie

I’ve had a lot of questions are available speaking about manufacturing progress and the discount in all-in sustaining prices. So that you talked concerning the incremental progress out of your current property, will we begin to see all-in sustaining prices come down as these initiatives come on-line? When do you anticipate to hit that magic million ounce goal? And what’s going to your all-in sustaining prices appear to be once you get there?

Christian Milau

That is a lot of questions. Let me try to knock these off so as. So mainly, I imply, at the same time as we have indicated in our steering, we do anticipate all-in sustaining prices to return down this 12 months. And I believe it is a good instance of how we expect issues will progress in a way that Santa Luz is approaching, it will likely be one in all our decrease price property. It replaces some manufacturing or displaces some manufacturing of upper price property. And I believe Greenstone would be the subsequent section of decrease price manufacturing once more.

So getting in the direction of that 1 million ounces, the run price of 1 million ounces may be hit on the finish of 2024. It may be ’25 as Greenstone’s ramping up there. Our prices, I haven’t got an actual quantity, and that is fairly far out sooner or later. However transferring in the direction of $1,100 mark, possibly is an affordable estimate for this stage, give or take, as we get in the direction of that 1 million ounces and we diversify the portfolio into these longer life, higher high quality, decrease price property.

Rhylin Bailie

We’ll return to the telephone strains, please.

Operator

The following query comes from Robert Zeitzer, a Personal Investor.

Robert Zeitzer

I’ve a fast query in your portfolio of property, the Solaris, the i-80 and the Bear Creek Mining. Is there any thought given to both to start out promoting these items or conserving them for an extended time? I do know Solaris has been very, very profitable. The i-80 Gold seems very promising. I do know little or no concerning the Bear Creek. I do know our worth that we paid for it appears cheap, however the inventory would not appear to be performing. Is there any thought to both growing these positions or reducing them or conserving them?

Christian Milau

I am going to try to reply these three questions there. Beginning with Solaris, I imply, it’s a core holding that we mainly assist generate and create just a few years again. It has been very profitable, as you talked about and we nonetheless have roughly a $300 million stake there. We’re supportive with Richard Warke of that firm. I believe between the 2 of us, we personal may be as much as 50% of the shares. And it is a world-class core free deposit that we expect is of curiosity to world-class international copper main corporations. And we might prefer to be supportive of that firm. It is prone to be acquired we expect within the subsequent 12 to 24 months by a bigger firm that has the assets to develop it reasonably than a single asset or a smaller junior firm. So we’ll be supportive of that. And I believe so sooner or later, there most likely shall be a monetization occasion there, however we might prefer to be a supporter of as Richard takes it ahead and develops these plans.

When it comes to i-80, I believe it is barely totally different. It is a gold. It is in Nevada. Ewan has executed an exquisite job of pulling these property collectively and a really intelligent take care of Barrick that probably has the prospect to supply, give or take, 400,000 ounces a 12 months sooner or later. There’s some work to be executed there by way of growing that portfolio, refurbishing a plant and bringing that collectively the cohesive plan. However we like proudly owning 25% of a Nevada-based gold portfolio in our yard. It is solely a drive down the street. In order that one I see as possibly a little bit bit long term and a little bit extra strategic. So I believe that one we’ll regulate and be supportive of and possibly wish to personal extra of it later. However for now, we’ll preserve watching it and supporting it.

After which with Bear Creek, we do not even personal it. So I believe it is a little bit untimely to take a position on that. However what we do know is it is a large undertaking that is truly received excessive leverage to silver, and clearly, valuable metals, which clearly we’re very eager on. It is not an asset most likely for our portfolio, however we’re very eager to be a shareholder of that. And we have seen that get larger and better profile. They proceed to maneuver it ahead slowly. And I believe having a producing asset within the portfolio will give them extra leverage and skill to really finance it and transfer it ahead. So I believe that one, we simply want a while to become familiar with. However we’re very glad to be a, name it, a minority shareholder on that one.

Rhylin Bailie

So in the intervening time, it is our final query on-line. Your progress up to now clearly has come predominantly by mergers and acquisitions, however now you have received the property that it’s essential get to that 1 million ounce goal. Are you contemplating any extra M&A, notably across the Greenstone as a result of there are some actually nice junior minds?

Christian Milau

I imply, M&A is unquestionably taking a little bit little bit of a backseat for us now. We’re targeted on delivering these and executing on these development initiatives. Heads are down, and we’re actually targeted on that in the intervening time. So we’re probably not wanting onerous for M&A. We’re at all times an opportunistic group if the fitting alternative exists and is there. However one thing that we at all times need to weigh up after we’re taking a look at one thing like that particular sort of instance is we have got a lot potential underground and probably an extended strike and a few open to pit deposits down the street from — that we have already got the licenses on that basically so as to add one other license after we’ve received some thrilling stuff that we already personal and we have paid for, it is most likely extra economical to really go and drill and evolve these deposits that we already personal round our websites. And there is quite a lot of upside round Greenstone, particularly. However I believe truly, there’s most likely 4 or 5 different websites which have a really related situation the place the most effective capital spend is definitely on our personal websites round our mines. That is the way you add worth reasonably than going out and paying multi-millions of {dollars} for different early-stage deposits the place I believe our exploration crew has recognized a extremely thrilling type of three 12 months plan right here to proceed so as to add ounces round our mine, together with Greenstone.

Rhylin Bailie

For the time being, there aren’t any additional questions. So Christian, do you could have any closing remarks?

Christian Milau

No. I simply wish to say thanks once more for the help. We have had an ideal 2018 to 2020. The share worth was a little bit weaker in 2021 and for causes everyone knows. And I believe, hopefully, that is behind us now. And it is an thrilling platform right here with I believe among the most extremely leveraged progress to the valuable metals and gold area that you’ll discover on the market. And we have got a robust stability sheet to execute and ship upon our plans. So I believe that is going to be an thrilling subsequent couple of years in our progress portfolio.

Rhylin Bailie

Excellent. Thanks very a lot for becoming a member of us right this moment. Operator, now you can shut out the convention name.

Operator

Thanks. This concludes right this moment’s convention name. You might disconnect your strains. Thanks for taking part, and have a pleasing day.