B2Gold Reports Q1 2025 Results

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Strong Operating Performance Across All Three Operations Led to Lower Than Expected All-In Sustaining Costs and Higher Than Expected Gold Production in the First Quarter

Goose Project Remains on Track for First Gold Production Next Month; Total Construction and Mine Development Budget Remains at C$1,540 Million

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) ("B2Gold” or the "Company”) is pleased to announce its operational and financial results for the first quarter of 2025. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.

2025 First Quarter Highlights

  • Gold production of 192,752 ounces in Q1 2025: Consolidated gold production in the first quarter of 2025 was 192,752 ounces, higher than expected. All B2Gold operations exceeded production budgets in the first quarter, and the Company remains on track to meet its consolidated annual production guidance range. All three operations continue to meet or exceed gold production expectations to start the second quarter of 2025.

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  • Consolidated cash operating costs of $832 per gold ounce produced in Q1 2025: Consolidated cash operating costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) were $832 per gold ounce produced ($880 per gold ounce sold) during the first quarter of 2025. Cash operating costs per ounce produced for the first quarter of 2025 were lower than expected as a result of lower than expected fuel costs and higher than expected gold production.
  • Consolidated all-in sustaining costs of $1,533 per gold ounce sold in Q1 2025: Consolidated all-in sustaining costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) were $1,533 per gold ounce sold during the first quarter of 2025. Consolidated all-in sustaining costs for the first quarter of 2025 were lower than expected due to lower than expected total consolidated cash operating costs per gold ounce sold and lower than expected sustaining capital expenditures.
  • Attributable net income of $0.04 per share; adjusted attributable net income of $0.09 per share in Q1 2025: Net income attributable to the shareholders of the Company of $58 million, or $0.04 per share; adjusted net income (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) attributable to the shareholders of the Company of $122 million, or $0.09 per share.
  • Operating cash flow before working capital adjustments of $244 million in Q1 2025: Cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital adjustments was $244 million, or $0.19 per share, in the first quarter of 2025.
  • Strong financial position and liquidity: At March 31, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $330 million and working capital (defined as current assets less assets classified as held for sale and current liabilities) of $174 million. During the first quarter of 2025, the Company repaid the outstanding balance of $400 million on the Company's $800 million revolving credit facility ("RCF”), leaving $800 million remaining available for future draw downs.
  • 2025 Winter Ice Road ("WIR”) campaign completed at the Goose Project: Following the successful completion of the 2024 sea lift, construction of the 163 kilometer ("km”) WIR commenced in December 2024 and was completed in February 2025, ahead of schedule. B2Gold successfully completed the 2025 WIR campaign in mid-April 2025, one month ahead of schedule, and delivered all necessary material from the Marine Laydown Area ("MLA”) to support operations until next year's WIR campaign.
  • Total Goose Project construction and mine development cash expenditure estimate before first production remains at C$1,540 million: Based on the construction and mine development cash expenditures incurred to date, combined with the estimated expenditures to be incurred through to the first gold pour in the second quarter of 2025, the Company expects to be in-line with the total Goose Project construction and mine development cash expenditure estimate of C$1,540 million, as announced on September 12, 2024. Operating cost guidance for the Goose Project for the second half of 2025 will be released in mid-2025 following the commencement of first gold production.
  • Goose Project construction and development continue to progress on track for first gold pour in the second quarter of 2025; estimated production of 120,000 to 150,000 ounces in 2025: All planned construction activities in 2024 and early 2025 were completed and project construction and development continue to progress on track for first gold pour at the Goose Project in the second quarter of 2025 followed by ramp up to commercial production in the third quarter of 2025. The Company continues to estimate that gold production in calendar year 2025 will be between 120,000 and 150,000 ounces and that average annual gold production for the six-year period from 2026 to 2031 inclusive will be approximately 300,000 ounces per year.
  • Updated Mineral Reserve Life of Mine Plan for the Goose Project announced; optimization studies have commenced: On March 27, 2025, the Company announced an updated Mineral Reserve Life of Mine Plan for the Goose Project. The updated technical report highlighted the robust Mineral Resources at the Goose Project and the further potential to expand known deposits and discover additional mineralization, as well as an updated Mineral Reserve estimate. The Company is pursuing multiple optimization studies for the Goose Project, including one study to analyze increasing mill throughput at the Goose Project from 4,000 tonnes per day ("tpd”) potentially up to 6,000 tpd, and a separate study analyzing the implementation of a flotation / concentrate leach process which has the potential to increase gold recovery and reduce processing unit costs. The results of these studies are expected to be finalized in late 2025 / early 2026. Once the studies are completed, the Company will evaluate the economics of each option and pursue the desired choice.
  • Feasibility Study on the Gramalote Project in Colombia underway and targeted for completion in mid-2025: The positive Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA”) results on the Company's 100% owned Gramalote Project, completed in the second quarter of 2024, outlined a significant production profile with average annual gold production of 234,000 ounces per year for the first five years of production, and strong project economics over a 12.5 year project life. As a result, B2Gold commenced work on a feasibility study with the goal of completion in mid-2025. Feasibility work including geotechnical investigation, processing design and site infrastructure design is underway and the study remains on schedule.
  • Positive PEA results for the Antelope deposit at the Otjikoto Mine in Namibia announced; development decision anticipated in Q3 2025: On February 4, 2025, the Company announced positive PEA results for the Antelope deposit, located approximately 4 km southwest of the existing Otjikoto open pit. Based on the positive results from the PEA, B2Gold believes that the Antelope deposit has the potential to become a small-scale, low-cost, underground gold mine that can supplement the low-grade stockpile production during the period of 2028 to 2032 and result in a meaningful production profile for Otjikoto into the next decade. The PEA for the Antelope deposit indicates an initial mine life of 5 years and total production of 327,000 ounces, averaging approximately 65,000 ounces per year over the life of mine. In combination with the processing of existing low grade stockpiles, production from the Antelope deposit has the potential to increase Otjikoto Mine production to approximately 110,000 ounces per year for 2029 through 2032. A development decision on the Antelope deposit is expected in the third quarter of 2025.
  • Convertible senior unsecured notes issued: On January 28, 2025, the Company issued 2.75% convertible senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the "Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $460 million. The initial conversion rate for the Notes is 315.2088 common shares of the Company (the "Shares”) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $3.17 per Share. The initial conversion rate represented a premium of approximately 35% relative to the closing sale price of the Shares on January 23, 2025, and is subject to adjustment in certain events.
  • Implementation of Normal Course Issuer Bid ("NCIB”): On April 1, 2025, the Toronto Stock Exchange accepted the notice of B2Gold's intention to implement a NCIB. As of March 20, 2025, the Company had 1,319,616,807 Shares issued and outstanding with approval to purchase up to 65,980,840 Shares, representing 5% of the issued and outstanding Shares as of that date over a period of twelve months commencing April 3, 2025.
  • Q2 2025 dividend of $0.02 per share declared: On May 7, 2025, B2Gold's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the second quarter of 2025 of $0.02 per common share (or an expected $0.08 per share on an annualized basis), payable on June 24, 2025, to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2025.

First Quarter 2025 Results

 Three months ended
 March 31,
 20252024
   
Gold revenue ($ in thousands)532,107461,444
Net income ($ in thousands)62,56448,481
Earnings per share - basic(1)($/ share)0.040.03
Earnings per share - diluted(1)($/ share)0.040.03
Cash provided by operating activities ($ thousands)178,788710,727
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce)2,8922,069
Adjusted net income(1)(2)($ in thousands)121,85081,503
Adjusted earnings per share(1)(2)- basic ($)0.090.06
Consolidated operations results:  
Gold sold (ounces)183,998222,978
Gold produced (ounces)192,752214,339
Production costs ($ in thousands)161,994156,745
Cash operating costs(2)($/ gold ounce sold)880703
Cash operating costs(2)($/ gold ounce produced)832718
Total cash costs(2)($/ gold ounce sold)1,113838
All-in sustaining costs(2)($/ gold ounce sold)1,5331,346
Operations results including equity investment in Calibre(3):  
Gold sold (ounces)183,998234,355
Gold produced (ounces)192,752225,716
Production costs ($ in thousands)161,994168,650
Cash operating costs(2)($/ gold ounce sold)880720
Cash operating costs(2)($/ gold ounce produced)832734
Total cash costs(2)($/ gold ounce sold)1,113851
All-in sustaining costs(2)($/ gold ounce sold)1,5331,345
   

(1) Attributable to the shareholders of the Company.

(2) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures”.

(3) Production from Calibre Mining Corp.'s ("Calibre) La Libertad, El Limon and Pan mines is presented on an approximate 24% basis until January 24, 2024 and 14% subsequently until June 20, 2024 which represented the Company's indirect ownership interest in Calibre's operations through its equity investment in Calibre. On June 20, 2024, the Company reduced its ownership interest to approximately 4% and determined that it no longer had significant influence over Calibre and as a result, after June 20, 2024, no longer recorded attributable production representing its indirect ownership interest in Calibre's mines through an equity investment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

B2Gold continues to maintain a strong financial position and liquidity. At March 31, 2025, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $330 million (December 31, 2024 - $337 million) and working capital (defined as current assets less assets classified as held for sale and current liabilities) of $174 million (December 31, 2024 - $321 million). During the first quarter of 2025 the Company repaid $400 million on the Company's $800 million RCF, leaving $800 million remaining available for future draw downs, plus a $200 million accordion feature.

Second Quarter 2025 Dividend

On May 7, 2025, B2Gold's Board of Directors declared a cash dividend for the second quarter of 2025 (the "Q2 2025 Dividend”) of $0.02 per common share (or an expected $0.08 per share on an annualized basis), payable on June 24, 2025 to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2025.

The Company currently has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP”). For the purposes of the Q2 2025 Dividend, the Company has determined that no discount will be applied to calculate the Average Market Price (as defined in the DRIP) of its common shares issued from treasury. Beneficial shareholders who wish to participate in the DRIP should contact their financial advisor, broker, investment dealer, bank, financial institution, or other intermediary through which they hold common shares for instructions on how to enroll in the DRIP.

This dividend is designated as an "eligible dividend” for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). Dividends paid by B2Gold to shareholders outside Canada (non-resident investors) will be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding taxes.

The declaration and payment of future dividends and the amount of any such dividends will be subject to the determination of the Board, in its sole and absolute discretion, taking into account, among other things, economic conditions, business performance, financial condition, growth plans, expected capital requirements, compliance with B2Gold's constating documents, all applicable laws, including the rules and policies of any applicable stock exchange, as well as any contractual restrictions on such dividends, including any agreements entered into with lenders to the Company, and any other factors that the Board deems appropriate at the relevant time. There can be no assurance that any dividends will be paid at the intended rate or at all in the future.

For more information regarding the DRIP and enrollment in the DRIP, please refer to the Company's website at https://www.b2gold.com/investors/stock_info/.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction nor will there be any sale of these securities in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, state or jurisdiction.

The Company has filed a registration statement relating to the DRIP with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that may be obtained under the Company's profile on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov/EDGAR or by contacting the Company using the contact information at the end of this news release.

Operations

Fekola Complex - Mali

 Three months ended
 March 31,
 20252024
   
Gold revenue ($ in thousands)254,667256,318
Gold sold (ounces)87,808123,828
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce)2,9002,070
Tonnes of ore milled2,446,6712,462,863
Grade (grams/ tonne)1.311.62
Recovery (%)91.592.7
Gold production (ounces)93,805119,141
Production costs ($ in thousands)89,02585,105
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold)1,014687
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce produced)965698
Total cash costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold)1,350852
All-in sustaining costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold)1,9371,436
Capital expenditures ($ in thousands)64,00380,562
Exploration ($ in thousands)-1,302
   

(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures”.

The Fekola Mine in Mali (owned 80% by the Company and 20% by the State of Mali) had a strong start to the year with gold production for the first quarter of 2025 of 93,805 ounces. For the first quarter of 2025, mill feed grade was 1.31 grams per tonne ("g/t”), mill throughput was 2.45 million tonnes, and gold recovery averaged 91.5%. Mill feed grade in April 2025 was in line with the annual budgeted mill feed grade of 1.84 g/t in 2025.

The Fekola Mine's cash operating costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) for the first quarter of 2025 were $965 per ounce produced ($1,014 per gold ounce sold). Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced for the first quarter of 2025 were lower than expected as a result of higher than estimated gold production, lower operating costs including lower fuel prices for diesel and heavy fuel oil, and lower processing maintenance costs.

All-in sustaining costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) for the first quarter of 2025 for the Fekola Mine were $1,937 per gold ounce sold, lower than expected. All-in sustaining costs were lower than anticipated as a result of lower than expected cash operating costs per gold ounce sold and lower than expected sustaining capital expenditures, partially offset by higher gold royalties resulting from a higher than expected average realized gold price. Gold royalties include higher revenue-based production taxes based on a sliding scale and revenue-based State funds for the Fekola Mine, which became effective for the first time in March 2025. The lower sustaining capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2025 were mainly a result of timing of expenditures and are expected to be incurred later in 2025.

Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2025 totaled $64 million primarily consisting of $20 million for deferred stripping, $17 million for Fekola underground development, $16 million for mobile equipment purchases and rebuilds, $4 million for the construction of a new tailings storage facility ("TSF”) and $3 million for solar plant expansion.

The Fekola Complex is comprised of the Fekola Mine (Medinandi permit hosting the Fekola and Cardinal pits and Fekola underground) and Fekola Regional (Anaconda Area (Bantako, Menankoto, and Bakolobi permits) and the Dandoko permit). The Fekola Complex is expected to produce between 515,000 and 550,000 ounces of gold in 2025 at cash operating costs of between $845 and $905 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of between $1,550 and $1,610 per ounce. The Fekola Complex is expected to process 9.56 million tonnes of ore during 2025 at an average grade of 1.84 g/t gold with a process gold recovery of 93.4%. Gold production is expected to be weighted approximately 40% to the first half of 2025 and 60% to the second half of 2025.

The Fekola Complex's total 2025 gold production is anticipated to increase significantly relative to 2024, due to the contribution of higher-grade ore from Fekola underground in the second half of 2025 and Fekola Regional later in the second half of 2025. Between 25,000 and 35,000 ounces of gold production is expected from the mining of higher-grade ore at Fekola underground. Fekola Regional is expected to contribute between 20,000 and 25,000 ounces of additional gold production in 2025 through the trucking of open pit ore to the Fekola mill. Despite a delay in the expected commencement of mining at Fekola Regional due to permit delays, the Company still expects to meet its production guidance from the Fekola Complex in 2025.

The development of Fekola Regional will enhance the overall Fekola Complex life of mine production profile and is expected to extend the mine life of the Fekola Complex. Fekola Regional is anticipated to contribute approximately 180,000 ounces of additional annual gold production in its first four full years of production from 2026 through 2029. Significant exploration potential remains across the Fekola Complex to further extend the mine life.

Masbate Mine - The Philippines

 Three months ended
 March 31,
 20252024
   
Gold revenue ($ in thousands)129,39398,967
Gold sold (ounces)44,45047,700
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce)2,9112,075
Tonnes of ore milled2,278,0322,169,462
Grade (grams/ tonne)0.830.99
Recovery (%)75.972.4
Gold production (ounces)46,36949,782
Production costs ($ in thousands)38,01642,771
Cash operating costs(1)($/ gold ounce sold)855897
Cash operating costs(1)($/ gold ounce produced)833835
Total cash costs(1)($/ gold ounce sold)1,0211,010
All-in sustaining costs(1)($/ gold ounce sold)1,2061,219
Capital expenditures ($ in thousands)7,7338,530
Exploration ($ in thousands)420821
   

(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures”.

The Masbate Mine in the Philippines continued its strong performance with first quarter of 2025 gold production of 46,369 ounces, above expectations. For the first quarter of 2025, mill feed grade was 0.83 g/t gold, mill throughput was 2.28 million tonnes, and gold recovery averaged 75.9%.

The Masbate Mine's cash operating costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) for the first quarter of 2025 were $833 per ounce produced ($855 per gold ounce sold). Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced for the first quarter of 2025 were lower than expected as a result of higher than expected gold production as well as lower operating costs due primarily to lower diesel and heavy fuel oil costs.

All-in sustaining costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) for the first quarter of 2025 were $1,206 per gold ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs for the first quarter of 2025 were lower than expected as a result of lower than expected cash operating costs per gold ounce sold and higher than expected gold ounces sold, partially offset by higher gold royalties resulting from a higher than expected average realized gold price.

Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2025 totaled $8 million, primarily consisting of $2 million for a solar plant, $2 million for deferred stripping, $1 million for mobile equipment purchases and rebuilds and $1 million for expansion of the existing TSF.

The Masbate Mine is expected to produce between 170,000 and 190,000 ounces of gold in 2025 at cash operating costs of between $955 and $1,015 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of between $1,310 and $1,370 per ounce. Gold production is scheduled to be relatively consistent throughout 2025. For 2025, Masbate is expected to process 8.0 million tonnes of ore at an average grade of 0.88 g/t with a process gold recovery of 79.9%. Mill feed will be a blend of mined fresh ore from the Main Vein pit and low-grade ore stockpiles.

Otjikoto Mine - Namibia

 Three months ended
 March 31,
 20252024
   
Gold revenue ($ in thousands)148,047106,159
Gold sold (ounces)51,74051,450
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce)2,8612,063
Tonnes of ore milled843,057826,477
Grade (grams/ tonne)1.961.74
Recovery (%)98.898.5
Gold production (ounces)52,57845,416
Production costs ($ in thousands)34,95328,869
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold)676561
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce produced)594642
Total cash costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold)790644
All-in sustaining costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold)916958
Capital expenditures ($ in thousands)3,60713,813
Exploration ($ in thousands)1,8311,789
   

(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company's financial statements, refer to "Non-IFRS Measures”.

The Otjikoto Mine in Namibia, in which the Company holds a 90% interest, continued to outperform during the first quarter of 2025, producing 52,578 ounces of gold, above expectations. For the first quarter of 2025, mill feed grade was 1.96 g/t, mill throughput was 0.84 million tonnes, and gold recovery averaged 98.8%.

Cash operating costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) for the first quarter of 2025 were $594 per gold ounce produced ($676 per ounce gold sold). Cash operating costs per gold ounce produced for the first quarter of 2025 were lower than expected as a result higher than expected gold production, a weaker than expected Namibia foreign exchange rate and lower than expected underground mining costs.

All-in sustaining costs (see "Non-IFRS Measures”) for the first quarter of 2025 were $916 per gold ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs for the first quarter of 2025 were lower than expected as a result of higher than expected gold ounces sold and lower than expected sustaining capital expenditures, partially offset by higher gold royalties resulting from a higher than expected average realized gold price. The lower sustaining capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2025 were mainly a result of timing of expenditures and are expected to be incurred later in 2025.

Capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $4 million, consisting mainly of $3 million for Wolfshag underground mine development.

The Otjikoto Mine is expected to produce between 165,000 and 185,000 ounces of gold in 2025 at cash operating costs of between $695 and $755 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of between $980 and $1,040 per ounce. Gold production at Otjikoto will be weighted towards the first half of 2025 due to the conclusion of open pit mining activities in the third quarter of 2025. For the full year 2025, Otjikoto is expected to process a total of 3.4 million tonnes of ore at an average grade of 1.63 g/t with a process gold recovery of 98.0%. Processed ore will be sourced from the Otjikoto pit and the Wolfshag underground mine, supplemented by existing ore stockpiles. Open pit mining operations are scheduled to conclude in the third quarter of 2025, while underground mining operations at Wolfshag are expected to continue into 2027. In addition to the economic potential of the Antelope deposit, exploration results received to date indicate the potential to extend underground production at Wolfshag past 2027, supplementing processing operations into 2032 when economically viable stockpiles are forecast to be exhausted.

On February 4, 2025, the Company announced the positive PEA results for the Antelope deposit. Based on the positive results from the PEA, B2Gold believes that the Antelope deposit has the potential to become a small-scale, low-cost, underground gold mine that can supplement the low-grade stockpile production during the period of 2028 to 2032 and result in a meaningful production profile for Otjikoto into the next decade. The PEA for Antelope indicates an initial mine life of 5 years and total production of 327,000 ounces averaging approximately 65,000 ounce per year over the life-of mine. In combination with the processing of existing low grade stockpiles, production from Antelope has the potential to increase Otjikoto Mine production to approximately 110,000 ounces per year from 2029 through 2032. The Company has approved an initial budget of up to $10 million for 2025 to de-risk the Antelope deposit development schedule by advancing early work planning, project permits, and long lead orders. Technical work including geotechnical, hydrogeological, and metallurgical testing is anticipated to be completed over the next several months. Cost and schedule assumptions will continue to be refined by working with suppliers and contractors, including running a competitive bid process for the development phase of the Antelope deposit. A development decision is expected in the third quarter of 2025.

The Inferred Mineral Resource estimate for the Antelope deposit that formed the basis for the PEA included 1.75 million tonnes grading 6.91 g/t gold for a total of 390,000 ounces of gold, the majority of which is hosted in the Springbok Zone. The Antelope deposit remains open along strike in both directions, highlighting strong potential for future resource expansion.

The PEA is preliminary in nature and is based on Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the engineering and economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as Mineral Reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA based on these Mineral Resources will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Goose Project

Development

The Back River Gold District consists of eight mineral claims blocks along an 80 km belt. Construction is underway at the most advanced project in the district, the Goose Project, with development on schedule for first gold pour in the second quarter of 2025.

B2Gold recognizes that respect and collaboration with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association ("KIA”) is central to the license to operate in the Back River Gold District and will continue to prioritize developing the project in a manner that recognizes Inuit priorities, addresses concerns, and brings long-term socio-economic benefits to the Kitikmeot Region. B2Gold looks forward to continuing to build on its strong collaboration with the KIA and Kitikmeot Communities.

All planned construction activities in 2024 and early 2025 were completed and project construction and development continue to progress on track. The first four generators in the powerhouse will be commissioned by the end of the first week in May 2025. Availability of the Echo pond tailings line will occur in the first week of June 2025 with mill start-up immediately following. First gold is expected by the end of June 2025 with ramp up to commercial production expected in the third quarter of 2025. The Company continues to estimate that gold production in 2025 will be between 120,000 and 150,000 ounces and that average annual gold production for the six year period from 2026 to 2031 inclusive will be approximately 300,000 ounces per year.

Following the successful completion of the 2024 sealift, construction of the 163 km WIR began in December 2024 and was completed in February 2025. The WIR was operational by mid-February 2025 with the transportation of all materials from the MLA to the Goose Project site completed one month ahead of schedule in mid-April 2025. Over 4,000 loads and 80 million litres of fuel were transported over the 2025 WIR season.

Development of the open pit and underground remain the Company's primary focus to ensure that adequate material is available for mill startup and that the Echo pit is available for tailings placement. Open pit mining of the Echo pit continues to meet production targets and is scheduled to be completed by May 2025, and is anticipated to be ready to receive tailings when the mill starts. Mining of the Umwelt open pit commenced in December 2024 and is currently meeting production targets. The Umwelt underground development remains on schedule for the commencement of high-grade stope ore production in the third quarter of 2025.

In the first quarter of 2025, the Company incurred cash expenditures of $95 million (C$136 million) for the Goose Project on construction and development activities.

Based on the construction and mine development cash expenditures incurred to date, combined with the estimated expenditures to be incurred through to first gold pour in the second quarter of 2025, the Company expects to be in-line with the total Goose Project construction and mine development cash expenditure estimate of C$1,540 million, as announced on September 12, 2024. Operating cost guidance for the Goose Project for the second half of 2025 will be released in mid-year 2025 following the commencement of gold production.

Optimization Studies

With first gold production for the Goose Project expected by the end of the second quarter of 2025, B2Gold has begun multiple optimization studies with the goal of maximizing the long-term value of the Back River Gold District. These studies include:

  • Evaluating a flotation / concentrate leach process as a potential option to increase gold recovery and reduce operating costs (discussed in further detail below);
  • Evaluating the installation of a SAG mill to be paired in conjunction with the existing 4,000 tpd ball mill, which could potentially expand mill throughput capacity (discussed in further detail below);
  • Evaluating the viability of constructing and running the Goose Project winter ice road on a less than annual basis;
  • Evaluating underground mining methods and the potential to exceed the planned production from the Umwelt underground by increasing the mine production rate through development of more active production levels, and consideration of alternate mine methods to both lower costs and capture additional existing Mineral Resources into the mine plan; and
  • Assessing the feasibility of remote operation of surface and underground equipment as it presents an opportunity to optimize production efficiencies and reduce employee transportation costs.

In connection with these studies, B2Gold will be reviewing any regulatory requirements and engaging with the KIA and local communities to ensure any optimization of the Goose Project provides benefits to all stakeholders.

The Company is pursuing multiple optimization studies for the Goose Project, including one study to analyze the potential to increase mill throughput at the Goose Project from 4,000 tpd potentially up to 6,000 tpd, and a separate study analyzing the implementation of a flotation/concentrate leach process which has the potential to increase gold recovery and reduce processing unit costs. The Goose Project is currently permitted for mill throughput of up to 6,000 tpd, so no amendment to the Project Certificate would be required if the Company pursues the mill throughput expansion. The results of these studies are expected to be finalized in late 2025 / early 2026. Once the studies are completed, the Company will evaluate the economics of each option and pursue the desired choice.

Gramalote Project Development

The Gramalote Project is located in central Colombia, approximately 230 km northwest of Bogota and 100 km northeast of Medellin, in the Province of Antioquia, which has expressed a positive attitude towards the development of responsible mining projects in the region.

Following consolidation of the ownership, B2Gold completed a detailed review of the Gramalote Project, including the higher-grade core of the resource, facility size and location, power supply, mining and processing options, tailings design, resettlement, potential construction sequencing and camp design to identify potential cost savings to develop a medium-scale project. The results of the review allowed the Company to determine the optimal parameters and assumptions for the Gramalote PEA, the results of which were announced on June 18, 2024. Based on the positive results from the PEA, B2Gold believes that the Gramalote Project has the potential to become a medium-scale, low-cost open pit gold mine and approved the commencement of a feasibility study.

B2Gold is progressing the feasibility work with the goal of completing a feasibility study by mid-2025. Due to the work completed for previous studies, the work remaining to finalize a feasibility study for the updated medium-scale project is not extensive. The main work programs for the feasibility study include geotechnical and environmental site investigations for the processing plant and waste dump footprints, as well as capital and operating cost estimates.

The Gramalote Project will continue to advance resettlement programs, establish coexistence programs for small miners, work on health, safety and environmental projects and continue to work with the government and local communities on social programs.

Due to the desired modifications to the processing plant and infrastructure locations, a Modified Environmental Impact Study is required. B2Gold has commenced work on the modifications to the Environmental Impact Study and expect it to be completed and submitted shortly following the completion of the feasibility study. If the final economics of the feasibility study are positive and B2Gold makes the decision to develop the Gramalote Project as an open pit gold mine, B2Gold would utilize its proven internal mine construction team to build the mine and mill facilities.

Outlook

The Company is pleased with its positive first quarter of 2025 operating and financial results. The Company is on track to meet its 2025 total gold production guidance of between 970,000 and 1,075,000 ounces. The Company's full year total cash operating costs for the Fekola Complex, Masbate and Otjikoto continue to be forecast between $835 and $895 per gold ounce and total all-in sustaining costs continue to be forecast between $1,460 and $1,520 per gold ounce. Operating cost guidance for the Goose Project for the second half of 2025 will be released in mid-year 2025 following the commencement of gold production.

Upon completion of the construction activities at the Goose Project, the mine is expected to pour first gold in the second quarter of 2025, followed by ramp up to commercial production in the third quarter, and contribute between 120,000 and 150,000 ounces of gold in 2025. Over the first six full calendar years of operation from 2026 to 2031 inclusive, the average annual gold production for the Goose Project is estimated to be approximately 300,000 ounces of gold per year.

The Company is pursuing multiple optimization studies for the Goose Project, including one study to analyze the potential to increase mill throughput at the Goose Project from 4,000 tpd potentially up to 6,000 tpd, and a separate study analyzing the implementation of a flotation/concentrate leach process which has the potential to increase gold recovery and reduce processing unit costs. The Goose Project is currently permitted for mill throughput of up to 6,000 tpd, so no amendment to the Project Certificate would be required if the Company pursues the mill throughput expansion. The results of these studies are expected to be finalized in late 2025 / early 2026. Once the studies are completed, the Company will evaluate the economics of each option and pursue the desired choice.

Based on the positive PEA results for the Antelope deposit at the Otjikoto Mine released in February 2025, B2Gold believes that the Antelope deposit has the potential to become a small-scale, low-cost underground gold mine that can supplement the low-grade stockpile production during the period from 2028 to 2032 and result in meaningful production profile for Otjikoto into the next decade.

The Company expects to complete a feasibility study for its wholly owned Gramalote Project in Colombia by mid-2025. The feasibility study will include modifications to the processing plant and infrastructure locations and therefore a Modified Environmental Impact Study will also be required. Work on the modifications to the Environmental Impact Study are well advanced and the Company expects it to be completed and submitted shortly following the completion of the feasibility study. If the final economics of the feasibility study are positive and the Company makes the decision to develop the Gramalote Project as an open pit gold mine, the Company will utilize its proven internal mine construction team to build the mine and mill facilities.

The Company's ongoing strategy is to continue to maximize responsible profitable production from its existing mines, maintain a strong financial position, realize the potential increase in gold production from the Company's existing development projects, continue exploration programs across the Company's robust land packages, evaluate new exploration, development and production opportunities and continue to return capital to shareholders.

First Quarter 2025 Financial Results - Conference Call Details

B2Gold executives will host a conference call to discuss the results on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 8:00 am PT / 11:00 am ET.

Participants may register for the conference call here: registration link. Upon registering, participants will receive a calendar invitation by email with dial in details and a unique PIN. This will allow participants to bypass the operator queue and connect directly to the conference. Registration will remain open until the end of the conference call. Participants may also dial in using the numbers below:

  • Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: +1 (833)-821-2803
  • All other callers: +1 (647)-846-2419

The conference call will be available for playback for two weeks by dialing toll-free in the U.S. and Canada: +1 (855)-669-9658, replay access code 90

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