Argonaut Gold Announces Third Quarter 2017 Operating and Financial Results

Third Quarter Production of 24,280 Gold Equivalent Ounces Including San Agustin Pre-commercial Production

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Argonaut Gold Inc. (TSX: AR) (the "Company", "Argonaut Gold" or "Argonaut") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2017.  The Company reports quarterly net income of $0.4 million or earnings per share of $0.00 derived from the sale of 22,609 gold equivalent ounces¹ ("GEO" or "GEOs"), which generated cash flow from operations before working capital changes of $5.7 million. The Company produced 24,280 GEOs during the third quarter, including pre-commercial production from the San Agustin mine of 2,932 GEOs. As the San Agustin project was in the pre-production development stage as at September 30, 2017, the GEOs produced are excluded from the revenue, sales, net income, adjusted net income (loss), cash flows from operations, cash cost and all-in sustaining cost numbers presented in this release. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars, unless otherwise specified (C$ refers to Canadian dollars).

CEO Commentary
Pete Dougherty, President and CEO stated: "As expected and guided throughout the year, the third quarter was to be our lowest quarterly production primarily due to an approximately 45% reduction in crushing capacity at our El Castillo mine when we shut down and relocated the west crusher to San Agustin. This crusher is now fully operational at San Agustin, as evidenced by the improvement in crushing rates month-over-month throughout the quarter.  With our production year-to-date, we are on track to deliver full year production of between 122,000 and 130,000 GEOs. I'm very pleased to see San Agustin delivered on schedule, substantially under budget and, more importantly, with no major safety or environmental issues. As we look to the future, with approximately 60% production growth from our existing Mexico operations by 2019 and the pending announcement of the Magino feasbility study results, we provide not only short-term upside but also longer-term growth potential." 

Key operating and financial statistics for the third quarter of 2017 are outlined in the following table:

Third Quarter 2017 and Recent Company Highlights:

• Corporate
• • Entered into zero cost collar Mexican peso ("MXN") to US dollar ("USD") contracts for $18 million to be invested in future development capital in Mexico with downside protection of 17.5 MXN:1 USD and participation up to 21 MXN:1 USD from January 2018 to December 2018.
• El Castillo
• • From December 31, 2016 to July 1, 2017, increased pit-constrained Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources from approximately 486,000 to 751,000 contained gold ounces after depletion (see press release dated September 21, 2017) consisting of approximately 77,000 ounces measured within approximately 4.5 million tonnes at 0.54 g/t and 673,000 ounces indicated within approximately 59.5 million tonnes at 0.35 g/t.
  • Third quarter production of 11,521 GEOs.
  • Averaged nearly 45,000 tonnes per day mined.
  • Placed 1.7 million tonnes of ore containing approximately 15,600 gold ounces on the leach pads.
  • Initiated design improvements in the CR2 crusher to increase capacity from 6,000 tonnes per day to 14,000 tonnes per day.
  • Began construction of the Victoria heap leach pad.
• San Agustin
• • Third quarter pre-commercial production of 2,932 GEOs.
  • Achieved first gold pour on September 18, 2017.
  • Achieved commercial production on October 1, 2017.
  • Project delivered with a capital investment of approximately $32 million, which is 25% under budget from the initial capital estimate of $43 million.
• La Colorada
• • From December 31, 2016 to July 1, 2017, increased pit-constrained Indicated Mineral Resources from approximately 560,000 and 9.9 million contained gold and silver ounces respectively to approximately 586,000 and 9.9 million contained gold and silver ounces respectively, after depletion (see press release dated September 21, 2017) within approximately 29.9 million tonnes grading 0.61 g/t gold and 10.3 g/t silver.
  • Third quarter production of 9,827 GEOs.
  • Averaged over 60,600 tonnes per day mined.
  • Averaged over 12,300 tonnes per day through the crusher.
  • Placed 1.3 million tonnes of mineralized material containing approximately 21,000 gold ounces and 360,000 silver ounces on the leach pads.
  • Initiated construction of the Northeast Phase 2 leach pad.
• Magino
• • Advanced feasibility study.
  • • Base case will be a 10,000 tonne per day plant with a scalable design to 30,000 tonne per day should economics warrant such an expansion in the future.
    • Anticipate releasing study results during the fourth quarter
  • Advanced Environmental Assessment ("EA") process.
  • Signed Collaborative Agreement with the Red Sky Métis Independent Nation and continued to consult with and work towards agreements with other Indigenous communities.

Financial Results – Third Quarter 2017
Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $28.7 million, a decrease from $35.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.  During the third quarter of 2017, gold ounces sold totaled 22,206 at an average realized price per ounce of $1,270 (compared to 25,429 gold ounces sold at an average realized price per ounce of $1,344 during the same period of 2016).

Production costs for the third quarter of 2017 were $20.3 million, a decrease from $23.6 million in the third quarter of 2016 primarily due to the decrease in gold ounces sold. Cash cost per gold ounce sold (see Non-IFRS Measures section) was $893 in the third quarter of 2017, comparable to $896 in the same period of 2016. Depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A") expense included in cost of sales for the third quarter of 2017 totaled $4.8 million, a slight increase from $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2016, due to the increase in the average DD&A expense per ounce in work-in-process inventory. As a result of the non-cash impairment loss on non-current assets recorded during the year ended December 31, 2015, the average DD&A in work-in-process inventory decreased throughout 2016. During 2017, the average DD&A in work-in-process inventory began increasing as the effect of the non-cash impairment loss on average DD&A lessened.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2017 were $2.7 million, comparable to $2.6 million in the same period of 2016.

Gains on foreign exchange derivatives for the third quarter of 2017 were $0.2 million, an increase from nil in the third quarter of 2016, due to gains on the Company's zero-cost collar contracts on the MXN.

Other income for the third quarter of 2017 was $0.0 million, an increase from other expense of $0.6 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to differences in foreign currency translation effects.

Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2017 was $0.2 million compared to $3.2 million in the same period of 2016.  The decrease in income tax expense is primarily due to an increase in the recognition of previously unrecognized Mexican deferred tax assets.

Net income for the third quarter of 2017 was $0.4 million or $0.00 per basic share, an increase from $0.2 million or $0.00 per basic share for the third quarter of 2016.

Financial Results – First Nine Months 2017
Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $115.6 million, an increase from $109.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  During the first nine months of 2017, gold ounces sold totaled 90,129 at an average realized price per ounce of $1,250 (compared to 84,962 gold ounces sold at an average price per ounce of $1,257 during the same period of 2016).

Production costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $74.9 million, an increase from $71.6 million in the first nine months of 2016 primarily due to the increase in gold ounces sold. Cash cost per gold ounce sold (see Non-IFRS Measures section) was $798 in the first nine months of 2017, comparable to $812 in the same period of 2016. DD&A expense included in cost of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 totaled $17.6 million, a slight decrease from $17.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, due to the decrease in the average DD&A expense per ounce in work-in-process inventory for the period. Additionally, included in cost of sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is a non-cash impairment reversal of $3.6 million related to the net realizable value of work-in-process inventory at the El Castillo mine, as a result of an increase in the price of gold during 2016.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $8.8 million, an increase from $7.7 million in the same period of 2016, primarily due to employee transition costs.

Gains on foreign exchange derivatives during the first nine months of 2017 were $2.6 million, an increase from nil in the first nine months of 2016, due to gains on the Company's zero-cost collar contracts on the MXN.

Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $3.0 million, an increase from other expense of $3.6 million in the same period of 2016, primarily due to differences in foreign currency translation effects.

Income tax recovery for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $0.0 million compared to income tax expense of $7.8 million in the same period of 2016.  The change is primarily due to the foreign exchange effects of the strengthening MXN on the calculation of deferred taxes, partially offset by higher taxable income during the first nine months of 2017.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $18.7 million or $0.11 per basic share, an increase from $3.8 million or $0.02 per basic share for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Operational Results – Third Quarter 2017
The Company anticipated and previously guided that the relocation of the west crusher from El Castillo to San Agustin would reduce crushing capacity at El Castillo by approximately 45%, which would contribute to the lowest quarterly production in 2017 being during the third quarter.  The Company also budgeted for a seasonal reduction in operational productivity and metal leaching during the third quarter due to expected issues experienced in previous years during the rainy season, which typically runs from mid-June to mid-October. Costs and production were within the anticipated ranges for the third quarter. 

Bill Zisch, Chief Operating Officer, commented: "We knew the production during the third quarter would be the lowest of the year, as we temporarily reduced our crushing capacity in order to relocate a crushing and stacking system from El Castillo to San Agustin.  In addition, our third quarter plans anticipated seasonal inefficiencies during the rainy season from July to September.  These provisions for lower productivity helped us meet internal expectations this quarter.  Looking forward, we expect the fourth quarter will be our highest quarterly production in 2017, primarily due to the ramp-up and normalization of San Agustin operations.  As a result of the Company's performance to date, we are well positioned to deliver within our production guidance range at between 122,000 to 130,000 GEOs."   

Summary of Production Results at El Castillo
As anticipated and budgeted for, tonnes placed on the leach pads at El Castillo during the third quarter of 2017 were reduced by approximately 38% from the second quarter of 2017 and 23% from the third quarter of 2016 due to the relocation of the west crusher to San Agustin. Mine ore grades that were approximately 30% higher than plan during the second quarter returned to near anticipated levels during the third quarter.

Summary of Operating Results at San Agustin
The San Agustin project represents the next leg of the Company's growth.  The Company envisions the San Agustin deposit to be a significant contributor within the El Castillo mining complex.  The project is located approximately 10 kilometres from the nearby El Castillo mine and will share much of the existing infrastructure.

During the third quarter, the Company began commissioning and ramp-up of the project.  The first gold pour was achieved on September 18, 2017 and commercial production was achieved on October 1, 2017.  Mining and crushing operations are exceeding ramp-up projections, as de-bottlenecking of unit operations continued through the quarter.  During the month of September, the crushing circuit averaged over 16,700 tonnes per day, which is name plate capacity.  Leaching and carbon plant operations were commissioned the first week of September, and the Company is working to increase leach pad irrigation and flow rates through the plant.

The San Agustin project was delivered for the capital investment of approximately $32 million, which was 25% under budget from the initial capital estimate of $43 million.

Summary of Production Results at La Colorada
An extended leach period associated with the presence of coarse gold in localized higher grade zones in the bottom of the Gran Central/La Colorada pit has contributed to lower than planned overall recoveries.  The remaining tonnage with the Gran Central/La Colorada pit is expected to be mined out during the first quarter of 2018.  Mining will then shift to the El Creston pit.

Magino
The Company has selected a 10,000 tonne per day processing facility for the pending feasibility study, which will show a significantly reduced capital requirement from the 30,000 tonne per day project presented in the January 2016 pre-feasibility study and provides the Company with a scalable project that can funded on a stand-alone basis.  The project is designed to allow future expansion should economics warrant such a decision.  A 30,000 tonne per day scenario is also being evaluated and will be detailed in the Other Relevant Data section of the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Technical Report.  The Company expects to announce the results of the feasibility study in the fourth quarter 2017 and file the Technical Report within 45 days of announcement.

During the third quarter, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency completed its conformity review of the previously submitted Environmental Impact Statement and held Indigenous and public sessions as part of the EA process.  Also during the third quarter, the Company executed a Collaborative Agreement with the Red Sky Métis Independent Nation.

Argonaut Gold Third Quarter Operational and Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast:

The Company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its third quarter operating and financial results at 8:30 am EDT on Friday, November 3, 2017.

The conference call replay will be available from 11:30 am EDT on November 3, 2017 until 11:59 pm EST on November 10, 2017.

Non-IFRS Measures
The Company has included certain non-IFRS measures including "Cash cost per gold ounce sold", "All-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold", "Adjusted net income (loss)" and "Adjusted earnings (loss) per share – basic" in this press release to supplement its financial statements which are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Cash cost per gold ounce sold is equal to production costs less silver sales divided by gold ounces sold. All-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold is equal to production costs less silver sales plus general and administrative expenses, exploration expenses, accretion of reclamation provision and sustaining capital expenditures divided by gold ounces sold. Adjusted net income (loss) is equal to net income less foreign exchange impacts on deferred income taxes, foreign exchange (gains) losses, reversal of non-cash impairment write down related to the net realizable value of the work-in-process inventory and unrecognized (recognition of previously unrecognized) Mexican deferred tax assets. Adjusted earnings (loss) per share – basic is equal to adjusted net income (loss) divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding. The Company believes that these measures provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the performance of the Company. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. Therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.  Please see the management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for full disclosure on non-IFRS measures.

This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and associated MD&A, for the same period, which are available from the Company's website, www.argonautgold.com, in the "Investors" section under "Financial Filings", and under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Creating Value Beyond Gold

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Argonaut Gold Inc. ("Argonaut" or "Argonaut Gold"). Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimated production and mine life of the various mineral projects of Argonaut; the ability to obtain permits for operations; synergies; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production;  and financial impact of completed acquisitions; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of Argonaut; the future price of gold, copper, and silver; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; success of exploration activities; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Argonaut, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Argonaut and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, changes in project parametres, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated.

These factors are discussed in greater detail in Argonaut's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Argonaut cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Argonaut believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Although Argonaut has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Argonaut undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed. Comparative market information is as of a date prior to the date of this document.

Qualified Person, Technical Information and Mineral Properties Reports
Technical information included in this release was supervised and approved by Thomas Burkhart, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.  For further information on the Company's material properties, please see the reports as listed below on the Company's website or on www.sedar.com:

About Argonaut Gold

Argonaut Gold is a Canadian gold company engaged in exploration, mine development and production activities.  Its primary assets are the production stage El Castillo mine and San Agustin mine, which together form the El Castillo Complex in Durango, Mexico and the production stage La Colorada mine in Sonora, Mexico.  Advanced exploration stage projects include the San Antonio project in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and the Magino project in Ontario, Canada.  The Company also has several exploration stage projects, all of which are located in North America.

SOURCE Argonaut Gold Ltd.