Press Release Details

Orvana Reports Operating Performance for 2016 and Issues Production Guidance for 2017

10/31/2016
  • Gold production of 65,784 ounces, meets revised guidance
  • Gold equivalent production of approximately 98,960 ounces
  • Fiscal 2017 gold production guidance of 85,000 to 95,000 ounces, an anticipated increase of 30% to 45% over 2016

TSX:ORV

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2016 /CNW/ - Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX:ORV) (the "Company" or "Orvana") is pleased to report production results for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016 and issues its production, estimated cash operating costs ("COC") and all-in-sustaining costs ("AISC") guidance for fiscal 2017.

The following tables set out Orvana's fiscal 2016 production results and revised guidance as well as its fiscal 2017 production, cost and capital expenditure guidance.








FY2016

Revised Guidance


FY2016

Actual


FY2017

Guidance

El Valle and Carlés Mines Production







Gold (oz)

43,000 - 46,000


44,682


50,000 – 55,000


Copper (million lbs)

4.5 - 5.0


4.3


6.0 – 6.5


Silver (oz)

120,000 - 130,000


144,411


170,000 - 200,000







Don Mario Mine Production







Gold (oz)

20,000 – 21,000


21,102


35,000 – 40,000


Copper (million lbs)

11.0 - 12.0


10.5


7.0 – 7.5


Silver (oz)

330,000 - 370,000


381,523


130,000 – 150,000







Total Production







Gold (oz)

63,000 - 67,000


65,784


85,000 – 95,000


Copper (million lbs)

15.5 - 17.0


14.8


13.0 – 14.0


Silver (oz)

450,000 - 500,000


525,934


300,000 – 350,000












FY2017

Guidance

Total capital expenditures (US$ millions)





$27.0 - $30.0

COC (by-product) ($/oz) gold (1)





$1,050 - $1,150

AlSC (by-product) ($/oz) gold (1)





$1,300 - $1,400

(1)

FY2017 guidance assumptions for COC and AISC include by-product commodity prices of $2.00 per
pound of copper and $18.00 per ounce of silver and an average Euro to US Dollar exchange of 1.12.



 

Orvana's COC and AISC (1) on a by-product basis (net of copper and silver by-product revenue from El Valle and Carlés Mines and Don Mario Mine) per ounce of gold sold in fiscal 2016 are estimated to be approximately $1,085 and $1,425, respectively.

"We are very pleased that we met our gold production guidance for fiscal 2016 while we expect to increase our production substantially in fiscal 2017," stated Jim Gilbert, Chairman and CEO. "In recent months we commenced the implementation of investment plans at El Valle Mine and Don Mario Mine that are on-going with the objective of increasing gold production and over time reducing COC and AISC.  At El Valle we continue to incrementally increase production through higher underground development rates and contribution from the recent short-term re-start of the Carlés Mine.  At Don Mario the recommissioning of the carbon-in-leach circuit is nearing completion and upon commissioning will result in increased gold recovery, higher gold production and lower COC in the second half of fiscal 2017.  We look forward to reporting on our progress moving forward."

(1)

COC and AISC are non-IFRS performance measures with no standard definition under IFRS. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, the Company and certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance including the Company's ability to generate cash flows from its mining operations. Accordingly, it is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. AISC includes COC, sustaining capital, reclamation accretion and amortization, corporate general and administrative expenses and exploration expense.



 

About Orvana
Orvana is a multi-mine gold and copper producer. Orvana's operating assets consist of the producing gold-copper-silver El Valle and Carlés mines in northern Spain and the producing gold-copper-silver Don Mario mine in Bolivia. Additional information is available at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).

Cautionary Statements - Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this information constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, potentials, future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "believes", "expects", "plans", "estimates" or "intends" or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "are projected to" be taken or achieved) are not statements of historical fact, but are forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements herein relate to, among other things, Orvana's ability to achieve improvement in free cash flow; the potential to extend the mine life of El Valle and Don Mario beyond their current life-of-mine estimates; Orvana's ability to optimize its assets to deliver shareholder value; the Company's ability to optimize productivity at Don Mario and El Valle; estimates of future production, operating costs and capital expenditures; mineral resource and reserve estimates; statements and information regarding future feasibility studies and their results; future transactions; future metal prices; the ability to achieve additional growth and geographic diversification; future financial performance, including the ability to increase cash flow and profits; future financing requirements; and mine development plans.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates and assumptions of the Company contained or incorporated by reference in this information, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in Orvana's most recently filed Management's Discussion & Analysis and Annual Information Form in respect of the Company's most recently completed fiscal year (the "Company Disclosures") or as otherwise expressly incorporated herein by reference as well as: there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; permitting, development, operations, expansion and acquisitions at El Valle and Don Mario being consistent with the Company's current expectations; political developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; certain price assumptions for gold, copper and silver; prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; production and cost of sales forecasts meeting expectations; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; and labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Orvana's current expectations.

A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include fluctuations in the price of gold, silver and copper; the need to recalculate estimates of resources based on actual production experience; the failure to achieve production estimates; variations in the grade of ore mined; variations in the cost of operations; the availability of qualified personnel; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain all necessary regulatory approvals and licenses; the Company's ability to use cyanide in its mining operations; risks generally associated with mineral exploration and development, including the Company's ability to continue to operate the El Valle and/or Don Mario and/or ability to resume long-term operations at Carlés Mine; the Company's ability to acquire and develop mineral properties and to successfully integrate such acquisitions; the Company's ability to execute on its strategy; the Company's ability to obtain financing when required on terms that are acceptable to the Company; challenges to the Company's interests in its property and mineral rights; current, pending and proposed legislative or regulatory developments or changes in political, social or economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates; general economic conditions worldwide; and the risks identified in the Company's Disclosures under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties". This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's Disclosures for a description of additional risk factors.

Any forward-looking statements made in this information with respect to the anticipated development and exploration of the Company's mineral projects are intended to provide an overview of management's expectations with respect to certain future activities of the Company and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this information are intended to provide an overview of management's expectations with respect to certain future operating activities of the Company and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

SOURCE Orvana Minerals Corp.

Jeff Hillis, Chief Financial Officer, T (416) 369-6275, E jhillis@orvana.com