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Randgold’s best first quarter in five years – Bristow

12th May 2017

By: Martin Creamer

Creamer Media Editor

     

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Gold mining company Randgold Resources has recorded a substantially higher profit in the three months to March than in the corresponding first-quarter period last year.

“This is probably the best quarter-one we’ve had for five years,” Randgold Resources CEO Dr Mark Bristow told Mining Weekly from London.

The “above-run-rate” output at all mines in the first three months of this year augurs well for 2017 guidance being met.

Cash rose by 16% to $600-million in the first quarter, which had zero debt.

Earlier this week, shareholders approved a 52% hike to $1 a share in the yearly dividend.

Profit was up 33% on the corresponding quarter of 2016 and down 10% quarter-on-quarter against last year’s record final-quarter finish.

Total cash costs per ounce were 4% down year-on-year and up 13% quarter-on-quarter.

High recoveries supported the performance of the Loulo-Gounkoto gold mine in Mali, where the Morila tailings retreatment operation is delivering according to plan, with sound cost control achieved at the Tongon mine, in Côte d’Ivoire.

Gold reserves have been replenished at the higher grade of 3.7 g/t, up from the previous 3.6 g/t, and vigorous greenfield explorationis being supplemented by exploration progress around existing mines.

Year-on-year first-quarter gold production was 10% higher at 322 470 oz; profit 33% higher at $84.9-million; and total cash costs were 4% lower at $619/oz.

But quarter-on-quarter performance failed to match last year’s record fourth-quarter results, which turned in 15%-higher production, 10%-better profit and 13%-lower cash costs.

Morila’s Domba satellite is expected to start operations in September as greenfield exploration teams deliver in line with Randgold’s aim to develop three new mines over the next five years.

Uncharacteristically, the London-listed company’s usually stable industrial relations record was disrupted in the first three months of this year, prompting a fresh look at this aspect of the business.

“We’re rolling out a potent internal campaign designed to ensure that our distinctive DNA is fully shared by all who work here,” said Bristow, who noted in a release to Creamer Media’s Mining Weekly that the campaign would foster an inclusive culture of two-way engagement across the business.

Gold reserves were boosted in the quarter by 520000 oz from Gara Far South, 475 000 oz from Massawa, in Senegal, and an extension to Yalea North’s Purple Patch, assuring Randgold of at least ten years of profitable production at a gold price of $1 000/oz.

The group’s Kibali mine, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is expected to deliver 610 000 oz of gold this year, up from 585 946 oz in 2016. Once the DRC mine’s underground operation is fully functional from 2018, production capacity is expected to rise to 750 000 oz/y.

Four ultrafine grind mills have been commissioned, the mine’s second new hydropower station is now operational and construction of the third and last hydropower station is being undertaken by an all-Congolese contracting group.

“Kibali has stayed on course to become one of the world’s great gold mines, despite the volatile political climate in the DRC at present,” said Bristow, who is intent on leading the way towards the development of the north-eastern DRC as a major new gold mining region.

Meanwhile, in Côte d’Ivoire, many opportunities have been confirmed for the extension of the life of Tongon, where Randgold is building a permit portfolio.

The company will seek to maintain a net cash position of $500-million to provide financing flexibility should a new mine development or other growth opportunity be identified.

It is guiding production at a rate of 1.25-million ounces of gold a year.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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