Polymetal International plc (POLY)
Polymetal: Q2 2022 production results

21-Jul-2022 / 09:00 MSK
Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.


 

 

Release time

 

IMMEDIATE                                                 LSE, MOEX, AIX: POLY / ADR: AUCOY

Date

21 July 2022

 

Polymetal International plc

Q2 2022 production results

Polymetal reports solid production results for the second quarter of 2022.

 

“In Q2, we hit our production targets and are on track to meet our full-year guidance. International sanctions against Russia continue to have a material impact on sales, procurement and logistics. The management is fully focused on maintaining operating and financial stability of the Company”, said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Polymetal.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • No fatal accidents occurred among Group workforce and contractors in Q2 2022. During this period, two minor LTI incidents were recorded among employees. Lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) for the six-month period decreased by 53% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 0.08 (0.17 in H1 2021).
  • Q2 gold equivalent production (“GE”) decreased by 9% year-on-year to 326 Koz. Lower grades and planned long maintenance shutdown at the Amursk POX reduced output from Kyzyl and Albazino, more than offsetting fresh contribution from Nezhda.
  • GE output for H1 was 697 Koz, down by 7% y-o-y, including 453 Koz in Russia and 244 Koz in Kazakhstan. СOVID-related restrictions in China forced the Company to reduce shipments of gold concentrates from Nezhda and Kyzyl. The Company reiterates its full-year production guidance of 1.7 Moz of GE (1.2 Moz in Russia and 500 Koz in Kazakhstan), however notes a risk of underperformance given persistent lockdowns and logistical constraints in Chinese ports and railway.
  • In Q2, 130 Koz of GE in gold and silver bullion inventory accumulated across the Group’s Russian mines. This gap between sales and production is likely to be closed during Q3 as the Company ramps up export sales to various Asian markets.
  • Revenue for the quarter recorded a 36% decline y-o-y to US$ 433 million, while H1 revenue was down by 18% to US$ 1,048 million (US$ 605 million Russia and US$ 443 million Kazakhstan). The negative dynamics was the result of lower sales volumes on the back of inventory accumulation, while the average realized price was marginally higher.
  • Net debt as of the end of Q2 stood at approximately US$ 2.8 billion. A quarterly increase of US$ 0.8 billion was driven by bullion and concentrate inventory accumulation, accelerated purchases of equipment and spares, funding of the critically important contractors and suppliers, and upward US$ re-valuation of ruble-denominated debt driven by significant Rouble strengthening during the quarter. The Company maintains sufficient liquidity with US$ 0.5 billion in cash and US$ 0.4 billion of undrawn credit lines with non-sanctioned banks.             
  • Given significant appreciation of Ruble against US Dollar, the Company will update its FY2022 cash costs and CAPEX guidance with the publication of its H1 2022 financial results on 22 September 2022. 

OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change1

6 months ended June 30,

% change1

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

55.0

52.5

+5%

110.0

98.0

+12%

Underground development, km

25.1

23.3

+8%

48.9

46.3

+6%

Ore mined, Mt

5.1

3.8

+37%

9.4

7.5

+26%

Open-pit

4.1

2.8

+47%

7.4

5.6

+33%

Underground

1.0

0.9

+7%

2.0

1.9

+5%

Ore processed, Mt

4.3

4.0

+8%

8.4

7.6

+11%

Average GE grade processed, g/t

3.3

3.7

-9%

3.4

3.8

-11%

Production

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

271

299

-9%

587

635

-8%

Silver, Moz

4.3

4.8

-10%

8.8

9.4

-6%

Gold equivalent, Koz2

326

359

-9%

697

753

-7%

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

189

315

-40%

456

595

-23%

Silver, Moz

4.4

4.3

+3%

8.7

8.0

+9%

Revenue, US$m3

433

681

-36%

1,048

1,274

-18%

Net debt, US$m4

2,801

1,978

+42%

2,801

1,647

+70%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LTIFR (Employees)5

0.06

0.10

-40%

0.08

0.17

-53%

Fatalities

0

0

NA

0

0

NA

Notes: (1) % changes can be different from zero even when absolute numbers are unchanged because of rounding. Likewise, % changes can be equal to zero when absolute numbers differ due to the same reason. This note applies to all tables in this release.

 (2) Based on 80:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio and excluding base metals. Comparative data for 2021 restated accordingly (120:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio was used previously).

(3) Calculated based on the unaudited consolidated management accounts.

(4) Non-IFRS measure based on unaudited consolidated management accounts. Comparative information is presented for 31 March 2022 (for the three months period) and 31 December 2021 (for the six months period).

(5) LTIFR = lost time injury frequency rate per 200,000 hours worked.

6) DIS – days lost due to work-related injuries.

PRODUCTION BY MINE

 

 3 months ended June 30,

%

change

6 months ended June 30,

%

change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOLD EQ. (KOZ)1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kazakhstan

105

144

-27%

244

293

-17%

Kyzyl

53

93

-43%

135

182

-26%

Varvara

52

51

+3%

109

110

-1%

Russia

220

215

+3%

453

460

-2%

Dukat

61

68

-11%

127

135

-6%

Albazino

39

46

-15%

95

123

-23%

Omolon

45

51

-12%

85

98

-14%

Nezhda

31

-

NA

61

-

NA

Svetloye

24

26

-8%

43

53

-19%

Voro

19

19

+2%

39

41

-4%

Mayskoye

1

4

-68%

4

10

-60%

TOTAL

326

359

-9%

697

753

-7%

Notes: (1) Based on 80:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio and excluding base metals. Comparative data for 2021 restated accordingly 120:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio was used).

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, 21 July 2022 at 11:00 London time (13:00 Moscow time).

To participate in the call, please dial:

From the UK:

+44 (0) 330 165 4012 (local access)

0800 279 6877 (toll free)

From the US:

+1 646 828 8073 (local access)

800 289 0720 (toll free)

From Russia:

+7 495 646 5137 (local access)

8 10 800 2865 5011 (toll free)

To participate from other countries, please dial any of the local access numbers listed above.

Conference code: 1493984

To participate in the webcast follow the link: https://www.webcast-eqs.com/polymetal20220721.

Please be prepared to introduce yourself to the moderator or register.

A recording of the call will be available at +44 (0) 20 3859 5407 (from the UK), +1 719 457 0820 (from the USA) and 8 10 800 2702 1012 (from Russia), access code 1493984, from 15:30 London time Thursday, 21 July, till 15:30 London time Thursday, 28 July 2022. Webcast replay will be available on Polymetal’s website (www.polymetalinternational.com) and at https://www.webcast-eqs.com/polymetal20220721.

 

Enquiries

Investor Relations

Polymetal

Evgeny Monakhov

Timofey Kulakov

Kirill Kuznetsov

ir@polymetalinternational.com

+44 20 7887 1475 (UK)

 

+7 812 334 3666 (Russia)

Forward-looking statements

This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “targets”, “believes”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “anticipates”, “would”, “could” or “should” or similar expressions or, in each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company’s control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could cause the company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.

 

 

 

KYZYL

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

21.0

20.6

+2%

41.7

40.9

+2%

Ore mined (open-pit), Kt

547

542

+1%

1,131

1,098

+3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

535

569

-6%

1,086

1,133

-4%

Gold grade, g/t

4.8

6.5

-26%

4.8

6.2

-23%

Gold recovery

89.0%

89.9%

-1%

88.3%

89.4%

-1%

Concentrate produced, Kt

24.5

34.2

-28%

49.3

69.3

-29%

Concentrate gold grade, g/t

94.5

97.0

-3%

93.0

90.9

+2%

Gold in concentrate, Koz1

75

107

-30%

148

202

-27%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrate shipped, Kt

15

21

-27%

26

48

-45%

Payable gold shipped, Koz

28

40

-29%

48

86

-44%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amursk POX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrate processed, Kt

7

13

-47%

21

25

-18%

Gold grade, g/t

131.2

130.8

+0%

132.1

133.9

-1%

Gold recovery

94.0%

90.2%

+4%

94.4%

91.3%

+3%

Gold produced, Koz

25

53

-54%

87

96

-10%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

53

93

-43%

135

182

-26%

Note: (1) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. It will be included in total production upon shipment to off-taker or dore production at Amursk POX.

(2) To be further processed at Amursk POX.

In Q2, gold in concentrate production at Kyzyl contracted by 30% mostly due to the planned decline in grade as mining shifted to the eastern part of the pit.

Concentrate inventory continued to accumulate due to the Amursk POX shutdown and COVID-related logistical restrictions in China.

Recovery rate at POX grew by 4% y-o-y due to improvements in the flowsheet implemented during the maintenance shutdown (addition of conditioning slurry tanks).

 

VARVARA

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

10.3

10.0

+3%

21.3

19.5

+9%

Ore mined, Kt

1,113

850

+31%

2,070

1,906

+9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaching

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

829

794

+4%

1,598

1,558

+3%

Gold grade, g/t

1.6

1.7

-2%

1.7

1.7

-0%

Gold recovery1

91.1%

89.9%

+1%

90.3%

88.2%

+2%

Gold production (in dore), Koz

41

38

+8%

87

84

+3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flotation

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

192

185

+4%

371

375

-1%

Gold grade, g/t

2.8

2.8

-2%

2.8

2.7

+4%

Recovery1

88.4%

83.9%

+5%

89.0%

84.3%

+6%

Gold in concentrate, Koz

11

12

-14%

22

26

-14%

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

52

51

+3%

109

110

-1%

Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and copper within work-in-progress inventory. Does not include toll-treated ore.

Gold output at Varvara was largely stable y-o-y and exceeded the production plan.

Grade processed at the flotation circuit remained high on the back of prevailing share of better quality third-party ore. Gold recovery at the leaching circuit grew following the flowsheet improvements.

Ore mined increase is driven by the start of mining at the River pit.

At Varvara, a pilot rail-veyor project (the first one implemented in Eurasia) was commissioned to transport incoming ore from the railway spur to the crusher, thus reducing the greenhouse gas emissions and ore transportation cost.

Varvara Mine Supply Chain has become the first company in Kazakhstan (and third in Polymetal) which was certified in full compliance under the International Cyanide Management Code by the International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI).

 

DUKAT

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

1.0

0.7

+53%

1.9

1.1

+79%

Underground development, km

12.0

11.1

+8%

23.5

22.8

+3%

Ore mined, Kt

601

638

-6%

1,234

1,283

-4%

    Open-pit

109

119

-9%

215

223

-4%

    Underground

492

518

-5%

1,019

1,060

-4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Omsukchan concentrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

506

508

-1%

1,021

1,021

-0%

Grade

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, g/t

0.5

0.6

-14%

0.6

0.5

+12%

Silver, g/t

231

257

-10%

240

255

-6%

Recovery1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold

83.5%

87.1%

-4%

83.6%

85.3%

-2%

Silver

85.4%

87.6%

-3%

85.1%

87.2%

-2%

Production

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

6

8

-18%

15

14

+9%

Silver, Moz

3.1

3.6

-14%

6.5

7.1

-9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunnoye plant

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

117

122

-4%

232

237

-2%

Grade

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, g/t

2.0

1.6

+24%

2.0

1.6

+26%

Silver, g/t

201

219

-8%

193

235

-18%

Recovery1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold

90.5%

90.0%

+1%

91.0%

90.8%

+0%

Silver

93.1%

93.2%

-0%

92.9%

92.6%

+0%

Production

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

7

6

+24%

13

11

+25%

Silver, Moz

0.7

0.8

-12%

1.4

1.6

-18%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

13

13

-1%

29

25

+16%

Silver, Moz

3.8

4.4

-13%

7.8

8.8

-11%

Notes: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and silver within work-in-progress inventory.

Dukat H1 production was above the plan as throughput and grade exceeded the budget.

Waste mined increase in H1 is attributable to the mining of crown pillars at the Dukat open pit.

At Primorskoye, the Company is stockpiling crushed ore with shipments to customers expected to commence in August.

 

ALBAZINO

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

7.1

5.6

+27%

14.3

10.7

+34%

Underground development, km

5.0

3.9

+27%

9.5

7.1

+33%

Ore mined, Kt

1,065

455

+134%

1,837

949

+94%

Open-pit

855

268

+219%

1,424

576

+147%

Underground

211

187

+13%

 413

373

+11%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Albazino concentrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

454

444

+2%

907

871

+4%

Gold grade, g/t

3.2

4.0

-20%

3.2

4.1

-22%

Gold recovery1

86.2%

88.4%

-2%

86.5%

88.6%

-2%

Concentrate produced, Kt

32.8

33.7

-3%

65.1

66.5

-2%

Concentrate gold grade, g/t

38.6

46.7

-17%

38.8

48.1

-19%

Gold in concentrate, Koz2

41

51

-20%

81

103

-21%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amursk POX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrate processed, Kt

24

34

-29%

68

82

-18%

Gold grade, g/t

39.5

47.1

-16%

42.6

50.4

-16%

Gold recovery

93.5%

96.3%

-3%

95.4%

96.4%

-1%

Gold produced, Koz

39

46

-15%

95

123

-23%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

39

46

-15%

95

123

-23%

Notes: (1) To concentrate.

 (2) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. Included in total production after Dore production at the Amursk POX.

Mining at the largest high-grade Anfisa open pit has been completed at Albazino. Depletion of Anfisa is the main driver behind the planned production decline at the mine this year.

Volume of Albazino concentrate processed at Amursk POX decreased due to the long maintenance shutdown.

Waste and ore mining volumes in H1 were higher, driven by Farida pit (Albazino) and Kutyn development. Underground development advanced due to ramping-up of Ekaterina and Anfisa underground mines.

At Kutyn, ore crushing commenced. The project completion rate reached 90%. Start-up is scheduled for Q3 2022.

 

AMURSK POX

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

Concentrate processed, Kt

33

50

-34%

91

110

-17%

  Albazino

23

33

-30%

66

77

-14%

  Kyzyl

7

13

-47%

21

25

-18%

  Nezhda

2

-

NA

3

-

NA

  Mayskoye

-

2

-100%

0

3

-92%

  Veduga

-

-

NA

-

4

-100%

  Other1

1

1

+10%

1

1

+10%

Gold recovery

94.8%

93.0%

+2%

95.2%

94.0%

+1%

Average gold grade, g/t

59.1

69.8

-15%

62.8

69.7

-10%

Average sulphur grade

16.3%

14.1%

+16%

14.5%

13.8%

+6%

Total gold produced2, Koz

64

103

-39%

184

224

-18%

  Albazino

39

45

-14%

95

112

-16%

  Kyzyl

25

53

-54%

87

96

-10%

  Mayskoye

-

4

-100%

2

5

-70%

  Nezhda

-

-

NA

1

-

NA

  Veduga

-

-

NA

-

9

-100%

  Other1

0

1

-93%

0

1

-89%

Notes: (1) Purchased concentrates which are included in reportable production in the Albazino segment.

           (2) For information only. Already accounted for in production at operating mines.

POX production was down y-o-y due to the long maintenance shutdown (40 days) for the scheduled relining of the autoclave.


OMOLON

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

2.2

1.3

+79%

4.0

1.6

+157%

Underground development, Km

2.8

3.0

-5%

5.9

5.7

+4%

Ore mined, Kt

110

113

-2%

214

186

+15%

    Open-pit

-

34

-100%

-

34

-100%

    Underground

110

78

+40%

214

151

+42%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kubaka Mill

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

213

217

-2%

426

429

-1%

Grade

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, g/t

6.3

6.5

-3%

6.0

6.7

-10%

Silver, g/t

21

64

-67%

23

44

-48%

Recovery1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold

94.3%

95.0%

-1%

93.6%

93.9%

-0%

Silver

76.6%

81.0%

-5%

76.2%

79.5%

-4%

Gold production, Koz

40

43

-8%

76

88

-13%

Silver production, Moz

0.1

0.3

-66%

0.2

0.5

-48%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birkachan Heap Leach

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore stacked, Kt

151

308

-51%

151

353

-57%

Gold grade, g/t

1.0

1.3

-18%

1.0

1.2

-16%

Gold production, Koz

4

4

-2%

5

4

+18%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

43

47

-8%

82

93

-12%

Silver, Moz

0.1

0.3

-64%

0.2

0.5

-47%

Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and silver within work-in-progress inventory.

At Omolon, Kubaka mill recorded a planned decline in gold grade and production. In 2022, the plant processes lower-grade silver ore, Merrill-Crowe circuit remains idle, hence silver production is also down.

At the heap leach facility, Q2 stacking volumes decreased due to rehandling of the previously stacked ore. Grade was lower according to the mine plan – depletion of the Birckachan heap leach ore reserves.

Underground development commenced at Burgali underground, first ore is expected to be delivered in H2 2023. Open-pit ore mining at the deposit will recommence in Q3 2022, currently stripping is in progress.

The 2.5 MWh solar power plant reached planned capacity and now generates 20% of the required electricity for Kubaka mill.


NEZHDA

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

5.1

5.6

-10%

10.0

11.0

-9%

Ore mined, Kt

720

365

+98%

1324

710

+86%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

491

-

NA

976

-

NA

Grade

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, g/t

3.6

-

NA

3.6

-

NA

Silver, g/t

40.8

-

NA

35.7

-

NA

Recovery1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold

72.2%

-

NA

72.7%

-

NA

Silver

77.8%

-

NA

76.5%

-

NA

Gold in concentrate, Koz

41

-

NA

83

-

NA

Silver in concentrate, Moz

0.5

-

NA

0.9

-

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrate shipped, Kt

6

-

NA

7

-

NA

Payable gold in concentrate, Koz

27

-

NA

52

-

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amursk POX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Concentrate processed, Kt

2

-

NA

3

-

NA

Gold grade, g/t

40.7

-

NA

40.2

-

NA

Gold recovery

90.3%

-

NA

89.5%

-

NA

Gold produced, Koz

-

-

NA

1

-

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

27

-

NA

53

-

NA

Silver, Moz

0.3

-

NA

0.6

-

NA

Notes: (1) Includes concentrate produced and stockpiled for future sale, and excludes low-grade material. Expected 90% gold payable ratio is applied.

At Nezhda, the majority of the production volume came from the payable gold in concentrate. Amursk POX continued to process trial batches of concentrate to study its technological parameters before processing at the future POX-2 plant.

The 110-kV line linking Nezhda mine to the regional grid, powered by the combination of hydro and gas, has been successfully commissioned. Previously operating diesel-powered gensets have been transferred to stand-by emergency mode.

 


SVETLOYE

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

1.5

1.1

+41%

3.2

1.8

+80%

Ore mined (open pit), Kt

638

536

+19%

1,007

926

+9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore stacked, Kt

356

366

-3%

668

648

+3%

Gold grade, g/t

2.2

2.8

-23%

2.0

3.7

-45%

Gold recovery

80.8%

80.8%

-

80.8%

81.5%

-1%

Gold production, Koz

24

26

-8%

43

53

-19%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

24

26

-8%

43

53

-19%

H1 gold production contracted y-o-y on the back of stacking of stockpiled lower-grade ore from the depleted Lyudmila main pit. However, q-o-q grade dynamics has normalized after a sharp decline in Q1.

Ore mining advanced after the Company increased the velocity of mining decline in the open pit by addition of the reserve excavator and engaging with a mining contractor.

VORO

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

3.1

3.0

+3%

6.5

3.6

+80%

Ore mined, Kt

105

57

+83%

180

62

+191%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

CIP

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

254

262

-3%

500

522

-4%

Gold grade, g/t

2.3

1.9

+23%

2.2

2.0

+9%

Gold recovery1

84.6%

84.6%

-0%

85.1%

84.2%

+1%

Gold production, Koz

17

16

+3%

35

36

-3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heap Leach

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore stacked, Kt

-

-

NA

-

-

NA

Gold grade, g/t

-

-

NA

 

-

NA

Gold production, Koz

0.9

1.7

-48%

1.5

3.7

-59%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

19

18

+3%

38

40

-5%

Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold within work-in-progress inventory.

At Voro, quarterly production saw a y-o-y increase driven by higher volumes of third-party high-grade material in the feed.

Voro flotation plant construction is 80% complete. Start-up is targeted for Q1 2023.

 

 

 

 

MAYSKOYE

 

 3 months ended June 30,

% change

6 months ended June 30,

% change

 

2022

2021

2022

2021

MINING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste mined, Mt

1.0

1.0

-2%

2.0

2.0

+3%

Underground development, km

5.3

4.7

+12%

10.0

9.8

+2%

Ore mined, Kt

234

197

+19%

429

388

+11%

Open-pit

42

38

+8%

54

51

+6%

Underground

192

158

+21%

375

336

+11%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROCESSING

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ore processed, Kt

229

218

+5%

459

435

+6%

Gold grade, g/t

5.5

5.7

-4%

5.6

6.0

-7%

Gold recovery1

91.8%

92.0%

-0%

91.3%

92.3%

-1%

Gold in concentrate, Koz2

37

37

+1%

75

77

-3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amursk POX

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold produced in dore from concentrate (POX), Koz

-

4.2

-100%

1.6

5.2

-70%

Gold produced in dore from carbon, Koz3

1.3

-

NA

2.5

4.9

-49%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL PRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gold, Koz

1

4

-68%

4

10

-60%

Notes: (1) To concentrate.

(2) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. Included in total production upon sale to off-taker or dore production at Amursk POX.

(3) Gold produced from carbon at Amursk POX.

At Mayskoye, Q2 gold in concentrate production was broadly stable y-o-y.

An underground ore conveyor was successfully commissioned and entered the ram-up period. The US$ 30 million project is expected to cut costs (AISC by up to US$ 150/oz) and reduce GHG emissions. Importantly, it frees up the substantial fleet of underground trucks that can be used to support other mines in the absence of sanctions-related fleet replacement.

POX-2

At POX-2, installation of concentrates pulp blending vessels, intensive cyanidation reactor and slurry cooling section was complete. Thickener installation continues. The plant start-up is expected Q2 2024 according to the revised schedule.

SUSTAINABILITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY

There were no fatal accidents among Polymetal’s employees and contractors during the first half of the year (consistent with H1 2021). Lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) among the Group’s employees decreased by 40% y-o-y to 0.08 for the quarter (0.10 in Q2 2021) and by 53% to 0.08 in H1 (0.17 in H1 2021). In Q2 2022, two incidents resulting in lost-time injuries occurred among Polymetal employees and five among contractors’ workers, all of the injuries were classified as minor. The incidents were followed by proper investigations aimed at improving safety of workplaces.

Following the latest review by Vigeo Eiris, a global leader in ESG assessments, data, research and analytics, Polymetal’s ESG overall score has been updated to 67/100 (69/100 in 2021), corresponding to the Advanced level of performance and placing Polymetal on the 2nd place among 41 industry peers.

 

 

 



ISIN: JE00B6T5S470
Category Code: UPD
TIDM: POLY
LEI Code: 213800JKJ5HJWYS4GR61
OAM Categories: 3.1. Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State
Sequence No.: 176115
EQS News ID: 1402539

 
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