Teranga Gold Delivers Strong Q2 Production Led by Wahgnion; Increases 2020 Gold Production Guidance to 375,000-400,000 Ounces

“It’s been a good year so far despite the challenges and cost of maintaining operations during a pandemic,” said Richard Young, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Following the recent pre-feasibility study results for the integrated Sabodala-Massawa complex and Wahgnion’s updated mine plan, Teranga now has a flagship top-tier gold asset and a solid second operation. Our quality asset base is the foundation of the Company’s transformation into a mid-tier gold producer.”

Mr. Young added, “We are significantly increasing 2020 production guidance while our five-year production guidance for the period 2021 to 2025 is expected to average 533,000 ounces of gold per year² at all-in sustaining costs of $785 per ounce¹, establishing Teranga as one of the lowest cost producers globally with significant cash flows, particularly at current gold prices.”

“As expected, Wahgnion’s strong results for the quarter offset softer production at Sabodala where we mined at lower grade areas and diverted equipment and resources to commence mining at Sofia, the first of the Massawa higher grade deposits,” stated Paul Chawrun, Chief Operating Officer. “As demonstrated in the new Sabodala-Massawa mine plan, we are shifting our focus to ramp up mining at Massawa in the third quarter, and processing higher grade free-milling ore from Sofia through the Sabodala plant.”

2020 GUIDANCE UPDATE

2020 GOALS & MILESTONES

• Sabodala-Massawa Complex
  • File the pre-feasibility study (the “PFS”) for the Sabodala-Massawa Complex in Q3 2020.
  • Begin processing Massawa ore through the Sabodala mill in August.
  • Continue resource definition drilling at several of the Massawa deposits in support of a definitive feasibility study to be released in 2021.
    
• Wahgnion Updates
  • Continue Wahgnion exploration program with aim to increase reserves and extend mine life toward our goal of 15 years.
    
• Progress Golden Hill Project Towards Feasibility Stage
  • File technical report in support of mine license application.
  • Continue resource expansion drill program.
    
• Advancing Afema Exploration Targets in Cote d’Ivoire
  • Report early-stage trenching and drilling campaigns at the Woulo Woulo and Niamienlessa prospects at Afema.

SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL & OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
Three and six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to three and six months ended June 30, 2019

Consolidated Financial Performance

• Revenue of $164.2 million was 96% higher than the prior year period due to a 47% increase in ounces sold and 30% increase in average realized prices¹. The higher gold sales were due to Wahgnion, which achieved commercial production on November 1, 2019.

• Gross profit of $56.4 million was 209% higher than the prior year period mainly due to $34.9 million contribution from Wahgnion.

• Consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders was $2.4 million ($0.01 earnings per share) for the second quarter 2020 compared to net loss attributable to shareholders of $7.6 million ($0.07 loss per share) in the prior year period. The increase was mainly due to higher gross profit of $38.2 million and a non-cash impairment reversal of $31.7 million, partially offset by non-cash losses on changes in fair values of share warrant liabilities, gold offtake payment liabilities, call-rights and contingent consideration of $42.1 million, higher share-based compensation expense of $5.1 million, higher expensed finance costs of $4.7 million and higher income tax expense of $4.7 million.

• Adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders¹ was $27.7 million ($0.17 per share) for the second quarter 2020 compared to $2.9 million ($0.03 per share) in the comparative period. The increase was mainly due to higher gross profit partially offset by higher share-based compensation expense, expensed finance costs, exploration and evaluation expenditures and sustainability expenses.

• Operating cash flows before changes in working capital, excluding inventories, increased by 187% to $55.3 million mainly due to higher revenues net of mine operation expenses, partially offset by a build-up of supplies inventories as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Cash flows related to operating activities increased year-over-year by $23.2 million to $42.5 million due to higher revenues and gross profit, increase in advances received from a customer of $7.0 million, lower tax payments of $9.4 million and a build-up of stockpile inventory at Wahgnion in preparation for operations in the prior year period, partially offset by a $15.0 million advance waiver payment to the government of Senegal, higher royalty payments of $5.7 million, increased payments to suppliers and build-up of supplies inventories as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

• EBITDA¹ increased by 135% to $52.8 million from $22.5 million mainly due to higher revenues of $80.6 million and a non-cash impairment reversal of $31.7 million, partially offset by non-cash losses on changes in fair values of share warrant liabilities, gold offtake payment liabilities, call-rights and contingent consideration of $42.1 million and higher mine operation expenses of $32.6 million.

• Adjusted EBITDA¹ increased by 137% to $74.8 million from $31.6 million mainly due to higher revenues of $80.6 million, partially offset by higher mine operation expenses (excluding incremental COVID-19 costs) of $27.7 million and higher share-based compensation expense of $5.1 million, exploration and evaluation expenditures of $2.3 million and sustainability expenses of $2.3 million.
  
  
• Cash and cash equivalents totalled $49.4 million, an increase of $9.4 million from the first quarter 2020 balance of $40.0 million. The increase was mainly due to higher revenues and gross profit, advances received from a customer of $8.6 million, lower tax payments of $9.4 million and lower build-up of inventories at Wahgnion in preparation for operations in the prior year period, partially offset by capital expenditures of $23.8 million, interest payments of $8.9 million and higher suppliers and royalty payments.
  
  
• On May 28, 2020, the Company completed a restructuring transaction to terminate 25,500 ounces of gold forward sales contracts originally settling in the second and third quarters 2020 at forward prices averaging $1,326 per ounce (the "Restructuring") and crystallized losses on 25,500 ounces of gold forward sales contracts at $1,714 per ounce. Concurrently, the Company deferred settlement of the Restructuring to the fourth quarter 2020 and first quarter 2021 by entering into 25,500 ounces of collars, with a floor price of $1,500 per ounce and ceiling price of $1,962 per ounce. The total crystallized loss amount of $10.3 million is repayable in three monthly installments beginning November 2020 and ending January 2021 and has been recognized as a realized loss and derivative financial liability. This Restructuring has allowed the Company to realize higher gold prices on its gold sales during the second quarter, and by crystallizing the loss at $1,714 per ounce, mitigated further mark-to-market losses as gold prices rose above $1,714 per ounce. Using the ceiling price on the collars of $1,962 per ounce, this represents approximate savings of $6 million.
  
  
• The Company and Franco-Nevada are in advanced discussions to amend the gold stream arrangement to a proposed fixed delivery schedule of 783.33 ounces per month, up to October 31, 2031 based on the Sabodala standalone life of mine plan.

Consolidated Operating Highlights

• Gold production for the second quarter 2020 was 89,011 ounces, 40% higher than prior year period.
  
  
• Consolidated cost of sales per ounce was $1,142, an increase of 12% compared to the prior year period mainly due to lower grades processed, as well as, lower capitalized deferred stripping costs between periods, partially offset by lower mine production costs, net inventory movements and lower depreciation and amortization expense at Sabodala.
  
  
• Consolidated total cash costs per ounce¹ were $750, an increase of 10% compared to the prior year period due to lower grades processed, as well as, lower capitalized deferred stripping costs between periods, partially offset by lower mine production costs and net inventory movements at Sabodala.
  
  
• Consolidated all-in sustaining costs (excluding cash/(non-cash) inventory movements and amortized advanced royalty costs) per ounce¹ were $988, an increase of 23% mainly due to lower grades processed at Sabodala, higher capital expenditures and higher share-based compensation expense.
  
  
• The Company’s 2020 guidance has been updated to include mining and processing of high-grade ore from the first of the Massawa deposits, Sofia, which commenced mining activities in mid-July, as well as increases in total material movement for mining and processing at Wahgnion resulting from better than expected performance of the Wahgnion processing plant, when compared to its original design. The Company now expects to produce between 375,000 and 400,000 ounces of gold in 2020, an increase of 30,000 to 45,000 when compared to the Company's original guidance.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Sabodala Gold Operations

COVID-19 Update

Due to restrictions put in place for travel within Senegal as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sabodala implemented isolation protocols in mid-March and continued to operate throughout the second quarter. Freedom of movement within Senegal has since been re-allowed, however, Sabodala is still maintaining certain isolation protocols to limit the risk of the virus coming on site and placing employees and the operation at risk; namely an isolation period for incoming employees, which is at present a duration of one week, with the addition of serological testing.

Shift patterns remained reduced to allow for fatigue management that impacted the availability of operating personnel, however, this impact will be reduced during third quarter through the implementation of a new roster for employees.

Consumables and supplies represented a challenge during second quarter 2020, however with the build-up of inventory in first quarter 2020 and diligent work from the site team, no noticeable operational effects eventuated.

Gold shipment logistics continued to be a challenge throughout the second quarter 2020, however since early April, regular shipments to our refineries in Europe have resumed, albeit at higher costs. It is expected during the course of third quarter 2020, as commercial airline operations re-commence, our gold shipment contractor will be able to ensure standard shipments take place.

Mining

In the second quarter 2020, mining activities were focused primarily on Golouma West, Maki Medina, Sabodala Phase 4, Goumbati and Kourouloulou (a small surface pit not included in reserves). In the prior year period, mining activities were focused primarily on Golouma West, Sabodala Phase 4, and the narrow lower benches of Kerekounda. Total tonnes mined in the second quarter were 15% lower than the prior year period due to reduced operating hours as a result of fatigue management protocols and the deployment of shovels and excavators used in the construction of the haul road to Sofia, the first of the Massawa deposits to be mined, at various points through the second quarter 2020.

Ore tonnes mined were 52% higher in the second quarter 2020 compared with the prior year period due primarily to a concentration of mining activities at low strip ratio pits: Golouma West and Maki Medina, and the overall positive reconciliation to the reserve models. Mined ore grades were 34% lower than the prior year period due primarily to the completion of the highest-grade, lower benches of Kerekounda in the prior year period.

Fatigue management protocols are expected to remain in place through September, and could possibly be extended should the isolation protocols and global travel limitations continue. As a result, the planned mining of high-grade ore at both Golouma West and Kourouloulou will now be completed during first quarter 2021 due to the reduced pit advancement rate in the second quarter. Mining activities commenced at Massawa's Sofia starter-pit in mid-July, with ore delivery to the process plant scheduled to commence in August.

Processing

Ore tonnes milled in the second quarter 2020 decreased by 3% compared with the prior year period mainly due to slightly harder ore than in the previous period.

Head grade decreased by 24% in the second quarter 2020 due to depletion of high-grade Gora stockpiled material in the prior year period and pit sequencing in the current period in lower grade areas of several pits.

Gold production decreased by 28% to 45,826 ounces in the second quarter 2020 compared to the prior year period due to lower average head grades, lower ore tonnes milled and slightly lower recovery rates from ore in Golouma West. The lower recovery rates were expected based on metallurgical test work, which showed lower recovery rates in certain areas of the Golouma West pit, and is reflected in the recovery rate guidance in 2020.

Wahgnion Gold Operations

COVID-19 Update

Due to restrictions put into place for travel within Burkina Faso as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wahgnion implemented isolation protocols in mid-March. Travel restrictions within Burkina Faso in place since late March were lifted the first week of May. All key management positions and sufficient operating personnel have been in place since the isolation commenced and the Company is now taking advantage of the opportunity to bring in reinforcements and leveraging a number of local facilities to create temporary isolation sites to enable a workforce rotation without compromising operations. Although no longer a requirement by the government of Burkina Faso, the operation chose to maintain quarantine for all employees returning to site from their rotational break as well as conduct testing on all of them. Consumables and supplies continue to arrive as required. In addition, to mitigate the risk of potential supply disruptions, the site's strategy has been to increase inventory on site as much as is practical.

Gold shipments were a challenge at the onset of the pandemic in mid-March, however, since early April, regular shipments have resumed to the refineries in Europe.

Mining

In the second quarter 2020, mining capacity consisted of an owner-operated fleet, supplemented by two mining contractor fleets. The first contractor fleet was dedicated to waste removal from Nogbele North and construction of a lift to the tailings storage facility ("TSF"), while the second contractor fleet has been assisting mining operations in maintaining an accelerated ore delivery schedule due to better than expected performance from the processing plant. Currently, the first contractor fleet is scheduled to complete work on the TSF by November 2020. To accommodate longer than usual rosters and additional days off for fatigue management, as well as to accelerate mining production for a higher than planned plant throughput, the second contractor fleet is now expected to be extended until at least the end of the year.

During the second quarter 2020, mining activities were focused primarily on the Nogbele North and South pits. In total, 5.0 million tonnes were mined during the quarter, consisting of 0.7 million ore tonnes, at an average mine grade of 1.92 g/t, and 4.3 million waste tonnes. Total tonnes mined were 8% higher than plan mainly due to the extension of contract mining activities and ore tonnes were 37% higher than anticipated mainly due to changes in mining sequence and increased ore tonnes identified against the resource model through in-pit geological delineation.

Reconciliation to reserves for the Nogbele South pit, where mining started in first quarter 2020, is showing a slightly positive reconciliation. The overall reconciliation in the Nogbele North pit has also been positive to reserves below the impact of artisanal activities in the first several benches

Processing

Ore tonnes milled in second quarter 2020 was 0.9 million tonnes, approximately 36% higher than planned due to higher leach kinetics allowing for debottlenecking to realize higher mill throughput rates, higher mill operating time, less severe inclement weather than anticipated and a higher than average component of oxide to fresh blend ratio. During the second quarter 2020, the crusher feed blend was comprised of 65% oxide ore and 35% fresh hard rock.

Wahgnion's gold production during the second quarter 2020 was 43,185 ounces, which was higher than planned due to higher throughput rates and gold recoveries.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A copy of Teranga’s consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion & analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 are available on the Company’s website at www.terangagold.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and on the OTC Markets’ website at https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TGCDF.

Q2 2020 CONFERENCE CALL & WEBCAST

Teranga will host a conference call and audio webcast today at 8:30 a.m. ET, during which management will review the highlights for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. Those wishing to listen can access the live conference call and webcast as follows:

ENDNOTES

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"), which reflects management's expectations regarding Teranga’s future growth opportunities, results of operations, performance (both operational and financial) and business prospects (including the timing and development of new deposits and the success of exploration activities) and other opportunities. Wherever possible, words such as "plans", "expects", "does not expect", "scheduled", "trends", "indications", "potential", "estimates", "predicts", "anticipate", “to establish”, "does not anticipate", "believe", "intend", "ability to" and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", or are "likely" to be taken, occur or be achieved, have been used to identify such forward looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, forecasting gold production of between 225,000 and 235,000 ounces of gold at Sabodala-Massawa and between 150,000 and 165,000 ounces at Wahgnion in 2020, the results of the Sabodala-Massawa PFS and the anticipated capital and operating costs, the timeline for completing a definitive feasibility study, sustaining costs, net present value, process capacity, average annual gold production, average process recoveries, anticipated mining and processing methods, proposed PFS production schedule and gold production profile, anticipated construction, anticipated mine life, expected recoveries and grades, anticipated production rates, infrastructure, future financial or operating performance of the Company and its projects, estimation of mineral resources, exploration results, opportunities for exploration, development and expansion of the Massawa Project, its potential mineralization, the future price of gold, the realization of mineral reserve estimates, costs and timing of future exploration, and the timing of the development of new deposits. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, Teranga cannot be certain that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments that management believe to be reasonable and relevant but that may prove to be incorrect. These assumptions include, among other things, the closing and timing of financing, the ability to obtain any requisite governmental approvals, the accuracy of mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, gold price, exchange rates, fuel and energy costs, future economic conditions, anticipated future estimates of free cash flow, and courses of action. Teranga cautions you not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements.

The risks and uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements include, among others: the inherent risks involved in exploration and development of mineral properties, including government approvals and permitting, changes in economic conditions, changes in the worldwide price of gold and other key inputs, changes in mine plans and other factors, such as project execution delays, many of which are beyond the control of Teranga, as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in Teranga's 2019 Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2020, and in other filings of Teranga with securities and regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Teranga does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. Nothing in this document should be construed as either an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or sell Teranga securities. All references to Teranga include its subsidiaries unless the context requires otherwise.

ABOUT TERANGA

Teranga Gold is transitioning into a mid-tier gold producer operating long-life, low-cost mines and advancing prospective exploration properties across West Africa, one of the world’s fastest growing gold jurisdictions. The top-tier gold complex created by integrating the high-grade Massawa Project with the Company’s Sabodala mine, the successful commissioning of Wahgnion, Teranga’s second gold mine, and a strong pipeline of early to advanced-stage exploration assets support the continued growth of Teranga’s reserves, production and cash flow. Through its continued success and commitment to responsible mining, Teranga creates sustainable value for all stakeholders and acts as a catalyst for social, economic, and environmental development.

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