" The Company produced 130,055 ounces of gold and 3,400 tonnes of copper in the second quarter of 2023. Second quarter gold production was 10% higher than the previous quarter and 16% higher than the corresponding quarter in 2022. The quarter-on-quarter increase was mainly driven by 48% higher gold production at Macraes as mill feed increased by 42% following the completion of repairs to the inlet trunnion of Mill Number 2 ("ML-02") in late March. Waihi's second quarter gold production was also 44% higher, driven by increased ore production, as expected given the disruption to mining in the prior quarter due to record rainfall. The increase in production from the New Zealand operations was partially offset by 9% lower gold production at Haile related to lower mill feed grades, while Didipio was broadly flat quarter-on-quarter. The Company has produced 248,179 ounces of gold and 6,911 tonnes of copper year-to-date ("YTD") representing a 1% increase in gold production compared to the corresponding period in 2022.
On a consolidated basis, the Company recorded a second quarter AISC of $1,318 per ounce on gold sales of 139,071 ounces and copper sales of 3,490 tonnes. This was a 16% reduction in AISC compared to the previous quarter and a 8% reduction compared to the corresponding period in 2022. The quarter-on-quarter reduction was mainly driven by higher comparative gold sales, which included delayed sales from the first quarter. The Company recorded an AISC of $1,429 on sales of 251,153 ounces of gold and 6,744 tonnes of copper in the first half of 2023.
Haile produced 43,567 ounces of gold in the second quarter, a 9% reduction compared to the previous quarter. The quarter-on-quarter reduction was due to a lower average feed grade, which was partially offset by higher total mill feed. Haile's second quarter AISC was $1,351 per ounce, a 12% reduction compared to the previous quarter. The quarter-on-quarter reduction was driven by higher gold sales, which included 8koz of delayed sales from the first quarter. Haile produced 91,679 ounces of gold in the first half at an AISC of $1,434 per ounce.
During the second quarter progress continued on the Haile expansion, including expanded tailings and waste containment facilities plus development of the Haile underground mine, where development rates are progressing to plan with first ore still on track for delivery to the mill in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Didipio produced 32,207 ounces of gold and 3,400 tonnes of copper in the second quarter, a 2% reduction in gold production compared to the previous quarter, while copper production was largely flat quarter-on-quarter. The slight quarter-on-quarter reduction in gold production was due to lower mill feed as a result of a planned shutdown in April. Didipio's second quarter AISC was $741 per ounce on gold sales of 32,676 ounces and 3,490 tonnes of copper, a 27% increase on the previous quarter mainly due to lower by-product credits, reflecting a lower average copper price, and higher sustaining capital investment. Didipio produced 65,241 ounces of gold and 6,911 tonnes of copper in the first half of 2023 at an AISC of $662 per ounce.
Macraes produced 39,494 ounces of gold in the second quarter, a 48% increase compared to the previous quarter. The higher quarter-on-quarter production was mainly driven by improved mill performance following completion of the repairs to ML-02 at the end of the first quarter. Macraes' second quarter AISC was $1,287 per ounce, a 41% decrease compared to the previous quarter mainly due to the higher gold sales combined with lower sustaining capital investments. Macraes produced 66,176 ounces of gold in the first half at an AISC of $1,642 per ounce.
Waihi produced 14,787 ounces of gold for the second quarter, a 44% increase compared to the previous quarter. The higher quarter-on-quarter production was driven by a 21% increase in ore mined and a 23% increase in feed grade as mining productivity improved following the significant rainfall driven impacts seen in the first quarter. Waihi's second quarter AISC was $1,614 per ounce, a 26% reduction compared to the previous quarter mainly driven by higher gold sales, which offset higher cash costs and higher sustaining capital. Waihi produced 25,083 ounces of gold in the first half at an AISC of $1,836 per ounce.
Financial
The Company recorded second quarter consolidated revenue of $301.0 million, a 23% increase compared to the previous quarter. The quarter-on-quarter increase was driven by 24% higher gold sales combined with 2% higher average realized gold prices. The increase in gold sales coming from Haile, Macraes and Waihi, while Didipio was relatively flat. Compared to the corresponding period in 2022, second quarter revenue was 31% higher, also driven by increased gold sales combined with higher average gold prices. The Company reported a record first half consolidated revenue of $544.9 million, a 6% increase relative to the first half of 2022, driven by increased period-on-period gold sales combined with higher average gold prices received.
Second quarter EBITDA was $152.5 million, a 53% increase relative to the previous quarter. The quarter-on-quarter increase was mainly due to the higher revenue. Consolidated EBITDA for the first half was $252.5 million, reflecting a 9% increase compared to the first half of 2022 with higher revenue and lower foreign currency exchange losses, partially offset by higher indirect taxes and general and administration costs.
Second quarter Net Profit After Tax was $68.6 million or $0.09 per share fully diluted compared with a Net Profit After Tax of $38.9 million and $0.05 per share fully diluted in the previous quarter. The quarter-on-quarter increase reflected the higher EBITDA, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortisation consistent with the higher sales volume.
Second quarter Adjusted Net Profit After Tax, excluding non-cash unrealised foreign exchange translation gains/losses, was $70.4 million or $0.10 per share fully diluted compared with an Adjusted Net Profit After Tax of $40.1 million or $0.06 per share in the previous quarter. Net Profit After Tax for the first half was $107.5 million, a 5% increase compared to the first half of 2022.
Second quarter cash flows from operating activities were $161.7 million, which was 148% above the previous quarter reflecting both the higher revenue and EBITDA plus favourable working capital movements in the second quarter. Cash flows from operating activities for the first half totalled $226.9 million, which was 2% above the first half of 2022.
Second quarter cash flows used in investing activities totalled $89.4 million, which was 10% above the prior quarter, due primarily to higher quarter-on-quarter growth capital and exploration expenditure mainly in New Zealand.
Second quarter cash flow per share, before working capital movements, was $0.21 per share fully diluted, a 49% increase on the previous quarter.
As at June 30, 2023, the Company's available revolving credit facilities remained at $250 million, with $100 million undrawn. The Company had immediately available liquidity of $215 million including $115 million in cash. The Company's Free Cash Flow for the second quarter was $72.3 million.
The Company's Net Debt position, inclusive of equipment leases, decreased to $136.3 million from $191.1 million in the previous quarter. The Company's leverage ratio was at 0.34 times as of June 30, 2023
Consolidated capital and exploration expenditure for the second quarter of 2023 totalled $91.8 million, a 10% increase quarter-on-quarter primarily related to general operations capital, growth capital and exploration expenditure, mainly in New Zealand, partially offset by a decrease in capitalised pre-strip at Haile consistent with the mine plan. Relative to the corresponding prior period in 2022, second quarter capital and exploration expenditure was 41% higher, largely related to increased pre-stripping and capitalised mining costs and general operations sustaining capital at Haile and Macraes.
During the quarter, General Operations Capital expenditure mainly related to the expansion of waste management infrastructure (TSF Stage 4 and West PAG) and completion of the water treatment plant upgrade at Haile, plus capitalised major equipment rebuilds and conversion drilling at Macraes. Growth capital expenditure mainly related to development of the Haile Underground mine.
Exploration expenditure of $6.4 million for the second quarter continued to focus primarily on conversion drilling at Martha Underground and Wharekirauponga (Waihi), Palomino (Haile), Golden Point (Macraes) and definition and concept validation drilling at Didipio. "
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