Richmont Announces 4th Quarter and 2016 Financial Results

Richmont Mines Inc. announces operating and financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2016, driven by solid results from the Island Gold Mine. The Corporation hosted a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. This Conference call will be available for a short time (details below.) (All amounts are in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.)

Fourth Quarter and Annual Highlights

  • Company-wide production for the quarter was 29,505 ounces of gold (27,759 ounces sold), a 32% increase over Q4 2015, which contributed to record annual production of 104,050 ounces of gold (102,660 ounces sold), a 6% increase over 2015, achieving the high end of revised production guidance for the year.
  • The solid performance was driven by production from the cornerstone Island Gold Mine of 24,086 ounces of gold (22,422 ounces sold) for the quarter, a 70% increase over Q4 2015, and 83,323 ounces of gold (82,273 ounces sold) for 2016, a 51% increase over 2015, exceeding revised production guidance for the year.
  • Richmont reported fourth quarter revenues of $44.2 million (US$33.1 million), a 39% increase over Q4 2015 and record annual revenues of $168.7 million (US$127.3 million), a 17% increase over 2015.
  • Company-wide cash costs[1] for the quarter were $952 per ounce (US$714 per ounce), a 7% decrease over Q4 2015 and $908 per ounce (US$685 per ounce) for 2016, a 7% decrease over 2015 and in-line with revised cash cost guidance for the year.
  • Cash costs for the Island Gold Mine were $826 per ounce (US$619 per ounce) for the quarter, a 19% decrease over Q4 2015 and $779 per ounce (US$587 per ounce) for 2016, a 24% decrease over 2015 and below revised guidance for the year.
  • Company-wide All-In-Sustaining-Costs1 (“AISC”) for the quarter were $1,229 per ounce (US$922 per ounce), a 26% decrease over Q4 2015 and $1,272 per ounce (US$960 per ounce) for 2016, a 7% decrease over 2015 and in-line with revised AISC guidance for the year.
  • AISC for the Island Gold Mine were $912 per ounce (US$683 per ounce) for the quarter, a 42% decrease over Q4 2015 and $988 per ounce (US$745 per ounce) for 2016, a 32% decrease over 2015 and below revised guidance for the year.
  • Earnings for the quarter were $1.1 million (US$0.8 million), or $0.02 per share (US$0.01 per share), a $5.2 million improvement over the Q4 2015 loss of $4.1 million. Earnings for 2016 were $12.5 million (US$9.4 million), or $0.20 per share (US$0.15 per share), an 84% increase over 2015.
  • Operating cash flow2 for the quarter was $12.6 million (US$9.5 million), or $0.20 per share (US$0.15 per share), an 86% increase over Q4 2015. Operating cash flow for 2016 was $48.2 million (US$36.4 million), or $0.79 per share (US$0.60 per share), a 14% increase over 2015.
  • Richmont ended the year with a strong cash balance of $75.1 million (US$55.9 million) that is expected to fully support the Corporation’s organic growth strategy.

____________________________

1

Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS Performance Measures section contained in the 2016 Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

2

Operating cash flow presented is after changes in non-cash working capital.

Recent Corporate Highlights

  • On February 2, 2017, Richmont announced a projected increase of up to 15% in 2017 company-wide production guidance to between 110,000 and 120,000 gold ounces, including high-quality production growth from the Island Gold Mine to between 87,000 and 93,000 gold ounces. The increase in production is expected to drive a decrease of up to 8% in cash costs both company-wide and at the Island Gold Mine.
  • On January 31, 2017, Richmont announced Mineral Reserves and Resources as of December 31, 2016. Mineral Reserves at the cornerstone Island Gold Mine increased by 34% (net of depletion) to 752,200 ounces of gold, at an increased grade of 9.17 g/t gold. Inferred resources increased by 30% (net of conversion) to 995,700 gold ounces, at an increased grade of 10.18 g/t, at an average discovery cost of less than $35 per ounce.
  • On January 25, 2017, Richmont announced the appointment of Mr. Rob Chausse as Chief Financial Officer effective March 20, 2017.
  • On December 19, 2016, Richmont announced the receipt of the required permit amendments that allow for ore mining and processing rate increases to an average of 1,100 tonnes per day as contemplated in the Expansion Case Preliminary Economic Assessment (“Expansion Case PEA”) that is currently under review.

“We have reported a number of key milestones for 2016, including record company-wide production. The strong performance was driven by another consecutive year of solid results from the Island Gold Mine, which exceeded all annual production and cost guidance metrics,” stated Renaud Adams, CEO. He continued, “2016 was a pivotal year for Island Gold. During the year we completed a strategic underground mine and mill upgrade, advanced the accelerated underground development program and received the amended permits to increase mine and mill throughput rates to 1,100 tonnes per day. In 2017 we will continue to focus on positioning the Island Gold Mine for long-term success that drives shareholder value creation, which is supported by a solid balance sheet and a disciplined management team.”

Financial Highlights

(in thousands of $, except per share amounts)

Quarter ended
Dec. 31, 2016

Quarter ended
Dec. 31, 2015

Year ended
Dec. 31, 2016

Year ended
Dec. 31, 2015

Revenue from mining operations

44,204

31,864

168,700

143,733

Net earnings (loss) per share, basic

0.02

(0.07)

0.20

0.12

Operating cash flow, per share

0.20

0.12

0.79

0.74

Adj. operating cash flow, per share(1)(2)

0.17

0.04

0.80

0.60

Net free cash flow, per share(2)

(0.05)

(0.27)

(0.25)

(0.17)

Revenue from mining operations (US$)

33,134

23,861

127,340

112,406

Net earnings (loss) per share, basic (US$)

0.01

(0.05)

0.15

0.09

Operating cash flow, per share (US$)

0.15

0.09

0.60

0.58

Adj. operating cash flow, per share(1)(2) (US$)

0.13

0.03

0.61

0.47

Net free cash flow, per share(2) (US$)

(0.04)

(0.21)

(0.19)

(0.13)

(1)

Before changes in non-cash working capital.

(2)

Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the 2016 Management’s Discussion & Analysis.

Operational Highlights

Quarter ended
Dec. 31, 2016

Quarter ended
Dec. 31, 2015

Year ended
Dec. 31, 2016

Year ended
Dec. 31, 2015

Gold produced (oz)

29,505

22,380

104,050

98,031

Gold sold (oz)

27,759

21,576

102,660

96,895

Average cash costs per ounce ($)(1)

952

1,028

908

972

Average AISC per ounce ($)(1)

1,229

1,660

1,272

1,368

Average realized gold price per ounce ($)

1,589

1,474

1,640

1,480

Average cash costs per ounce (US$)(1)

714

770

685

760

Average AISC per ounce (US$)(1)

922

1,243

960

1,070

Average realized gold price per ounce (US$)

1,191

1,104

1,238

1,157

(1)

Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the 2016 Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Island Gold Mine Highlights

ISLAND GOLD MINE

Quarter ended 

Dec. 31, 2016 

Quarter ended 

Dec. 31, 2015 

Year ended 

Dec. 31, 2016 

Year ended 

Dec. 31, 2015 

Gold produced (oz)

24,086

14,203

83,323

55,040

Gold sold (oz)

22,422

13,504

82,273

52,363

Cash costs per ounce ($)(1)

826

1,019

779

1,027

AISC per ounce ($)(1)

912

1,580

988

1,453

Realized gold price per ounce ($)

1,592

1,476

1,639

1,481

Cash costs per ounce (US$)(1)

619

763

587

803

AISC per ounce (US$)(1)

683

1,183

745

1,136

Realized gold price per ounce (US$)

1,193

1,105

1,237

1,158

Underground tpd

977

657(2)

869(3)

659(2)

Mill tonnes

83,091

60,352

297,757

242,137

Mill tpd

903

656(2)

814(3)

663(2)

Head grade (g/t gold)

9.31

7.62

9.02

7.31

Recoveries (%)

96.9

96.0

96.5

96.8

Sustaining costs ($000’s)

1,920

7,576

17,203

22,330

Project costs ($000’s)

11,535

14,505

39,925

30,894

Non-sustaining exploration ($000’s)

3,899

2,865

14,802

4,600

Sustaining costs (US$000’s)

1,439

5,673

12,985

17,463

Project costs (US$000’s)

8,646

10,862

30,137

24,160

Non-sustaining exploration (US$000’s)

2,923

2,145

11,173

3,597

(1)

Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the 2016 Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

(2)

2015 productivity includes a 3-week underground mine shutdown and a 2-week mill shutdown in Q4 2015.

(3)

2016 productivity includes a 16-day underground mine shutdown and a 25-day mill shutdown in Q3 2016.

 

  • At the end of the year, the Island Gold Mine reported over 6 years of operations without lost-time injury.
  • Production for the quarter was 24,086 ounces of gold (22,422 ounces sold) and 83,323 ounces of gold (82,273 ounces sold) for the year, a 51% increase over 2015, exceeding revised production guidance for the year.
  • Cash costs for the quarter were $826 per ounce (US$619 per ounce). Cash costs for 2016 were $779 per ounce (US$587 per ounce), a 24% decrease over 2015 and below revised guidance for the year.
  • AISC for the quarter were $912 per ounce (US$683 per ounce). AISC for 2016 were $988 per ounce (US$745 per ounce), a 32% decrease over 2015 and below revised guidance for the year.
  • Underground mine and mill productivities for the quarter averaged 977 and 903 tonnes per day, respectively, which is consistent with the 2017 production scenario considered in the Expansion Case PEA that is currently under review. For 2016, underground mine and mill productivities averaged 869 and 814 tonnes per day, respectively, a 32% and 23% improvement over 2015.
  • During the quarter, long-hole stope mining began in the eastern and western extensions of the second mining horizon and development in ore began in the higher-grade third mining horizon.
  • The development of the main ramp continued and reached a vertical depth of 846 metres at the end of the quarter. It is expected that the ramp will reach the bottom of the higher-grade third mining horizon at the 860 metre level in the first quarter of 2017.
  • Approximately $6 million of the planned project capital for 2016 was not incurred during the year and a majority of that amount has subsequently been included in the 2017 expansion capital guidance.
  • Mill head grade for the quarter was 9.31 g/t gold, an increase over the prior two quarters, primarily due to the increased contribution of higher-grade development ore from the third mining horizon and a positive grade reconciliation of 10% (mined vs. December 31, 2015 Mineral Reserves).
  • During the quarter, Richmont received the required permit amendments that allow for an ore mining and processing rate increase to an average of 1,100 tonnes per day as contemplated in the Expansion Case PEA that is currently under review.

Beaufor Mine Highlights

BEAUFOR MINE

Quarter ended 

Dec. 31, 2016 

Quarter ended 

Dec. 31, 2015 

Year ended 

Dec. 31, 2016 

Year ended 

Dec. 31, 2015 

Gold produced (oz)

5,419

5,652

19,562

26,411

Gold sold (oz)

5,337

5,237

19,216

26,875

Cash costs per ounce ($)(1)

1,480

1,081

1,444

991

AISC per ounce ($)(1)

1,904

1,512

1,854

1,212

Realized gold price per ounce ($)

1,577

1,467

1,647

1,474

Cash costs per ounce (US$)(1)

1,110

810

1,090

775

AISC per ounce (US$)(1)

1,428

1,133

1,399

948

Realized gold price per ounce (US$)

1,182

1,099

1,243

1,153

Underground tpd

302

306

298

343

Mill tonnes

27,988

28,345

113,013

125,447

Head grade (g/t gold)

6.16

6.30

5.50

6.64

Recoveries (%)

97.8

98.4

98.0

98.6

Sustaining costs ($000’s)

2,260

2,259

7,871

5,942

Sustaining costs (US$000’s)

1,694

1,692

5,941

4,647

(1)

Non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to the Non-IFRS performance measures section contained in the 2016 Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

 

  • Production for the quarter increased over prior quarters to 5,419 ounces of gold (5,337 ounces sold) at cash costs of $1,480 per ounce (US$1,110 per ounce) and AISC of $1,904 per ounce (US$1,428 per ounce). Underground productivity increased over the prior two quarters to an average of 302 tonnes per day at a higher mill head grade of 6.16 g/t gold (8.78 g/t in December) as a result of improved mobile equipment availability and increased stope mining activities in the higher-grade Q Zone. For 2016, the mine produced 19,562 ounces of gold (19,216 ounces sold) at cash costs of $1,444 per ounce (US$1,090 per ounce) and AISC of $1,854 per ounce (US$1,399 per ounce).
  • Grades and underground productivity are expected to continue to increase in future quarters as a greater proportion of stope mining is planned from the higher grade Q Zone and expanded mobile equipment capacity and availability continue to be improved.
  • Annual production for the Quebec Division, which includes the Beaufor and Monique Mines, was 20,727 ounces of gold. Cash costs for the year were $1,429 per ounce (US$1,079 per ounce) and AISC were $1,816 per ounce (US$1,371 per ounce), underperforming revised guidance for the year.
  • Mine life at the Beaufor Mine is currently less than two years (based on reserves) and as a result, the depreciation will be higher in 2017.

Upcoming News & Events

  • Exploration Update (Late Q1 2017)
  • Expansion Case PEA (Q2 2017)
  • Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (May 4, 2017)

Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The financial statements and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis can be found on the Corporation’s website at www.richmont-mines.com or under the Corporation’s profile on www.sedar.com and with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Webcast and Conference Call

Senior management discussed the 2016 financial results in a webcast and conference call on that was heldTuesday, February 21, 2017 starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

A replay will be available until March 7, 2017 by dialing 1-416-764-8677 (Toronto local and international) or 1-888-390-0541 (toll free in Canada and U.S.), using pass code 420436#. The webcast and presentation slides will be archived on the Corporation’s website at www.richmont-mines.com.

About Richmont Mines Inc. - Richmont Mines currently produces gold from the Island Gold Mine in Ontario, and the Beaufor Mine in Quebec. The Corporation is also advancing development of the significant high-grade resource extension at depth of the Island Gold Mine in Ontario. With 35 years of experience in gold production, exploration and development, and prudent financial management, the Corporation is well-positioned to cost-effectively build its Canadian reserve base and to successfully enter its next phase of growth.
Brenda Stockton
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