Eldorado Gold Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
November 1, 2024

There are 10 speakers on the call.

Operator

Thank you for standing by. This is the conference operator. Welcome to the Eldorado Gold Third Quarter 2024 Results Conference Call. As a reminder, all participants are in a listen only mode and the conference is being recorded. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask I would now like to turn the conference over to Lynette Gould, Vice President, Investor Relations, Communications and External Affairs.

Operator

Please go ahead, Ms. Gould.

Speaker 1

Thank you, operator, and good morning, everyone. I'd like to warmly welcome you to our Q3 2024 results conference call. Before we begin, I would like to remind you that we will be making forward looking statements and referring to non IFRS measures during the call. Please refer to the cautionary statements included in the presentation and the disclosure on non IFRS measures and risk factors in our management's discussion and analysis. Joining me on the call today, we have George Burns, President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Furnehoe, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lo Smith, Executive Vice President, Development, Greece and Simon Healy, Executive Vice President, Operations and Technical Services.

Speaker 1

Our news release yesterday details our Q3 2024 financial and operating results. This should be read in conjunction with our Q3 2024 financial statements and management's discussion and analysis, both of which are available on our website. They have also both been filed on SEDAR Plus and EDGAR. All dollar figures discussed today are U. S.

Speaker 1

Dollars unless otherwise stated. We will be speaking to the slides that accompany this webcast, and you can download a copy of the slides from our website. After the prepared remarks, we will open the call for Q and A. At this time, we will invite analysts to queue for questions. I will now turn the call over to George.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Lynette, and good morning, everyone. Here's the outline for today's call. I'll provide a brief overview of Q3 results and highlights. I will then pass the call over to Paul to go through our financial results and then on to Lo and Simon to review our operational performance. Turning to Slide 4, during the Q3, we achieved safe gold production of 125,195 ounces aligning with our progress towards full year guidance.

Speaker 2

At Olympias, we successfully concluded the CBA negotiations and reached a mutually beneficial agreement with the union workforce in early August. This 3 year agreement combined with increased productivity in our underground operations and is contemplated in our guidance supports the 650,000 tonne per annum expansion, an increase from the 500,000 tonnes per annum positioning Olympias for long term profitability. Total cash cost and all in sustaining costs were in line with our expectations at $9.53 per ounce sold and $13.35 per ounce sold respectively. Cost increased primarily as a result of higher royalties driven by higher gold prices in addition to higher labor costs during the quarter. Paul will touch on our cost in more detail later in the call.

Speaker 2

We're in a strong position as we head into the Q4 with our year to date production having increased 7% compared to the same period in 2023 and increased 12% compared to the same period in 2022. We have maintained but tightened our guidance ranges on gold production and cost, while slightly lowering the bottom end of the Skouries capital investment and depreciation expense. We also increased the upper end on capital investment at our operating mines reflecting our full year expectations within the operational and financial performance to date. We now anticipate gold production to be between 505,000, 530,000 ounces versus previous guidance of 505,000 to 555,000 ounces as a result of inventory buildup at Kislavag caused by lower slower leach cycles and work stoppages totaling 17 days in Q2 at Olympias. Total cash costs to be between $9.10 $9.40 per ounce sold versus the previous guidance of $8.40 to $9.40 All in sustaining costs are expected to be between $12.60 $12.90 per ounce sold versus previous guidance of $11.90 to $12.90 per ounce sold.

Speaker 2

The tightened cost guidance is towards the high end of our previous guidance, primarily the result of lower production and higher royalties in Greece and Turkey due to increased coal prices. Depreciation is expected to be between $250,000,000 $260,000,000 down from $280,000,000 to $290,000,000 as a result of lower depreciation at Kisladag and Olympias combined with favorable adjustment to ARO depreciation at Efemcukuru in Q1 2024. Sustaining capital guidance is expected to be between $135,000,000 $145,000,000 versus previous guidance of $135,000,000 to $160,000,000 primarily due to deferral of projects at Olympias. Skouries capital is expected to be between $350,000,000 $380,000,000 versus previous guidance of $375,000,000 to $425,000,000 The lowering of the guidance is driven primarily by work that is not on the critical path and that has been rescheduled to later in the project phase and the slower than expected mobilization of contractors to site during the 1st 3 quarters of 2024. Our growth capital at the operating mines is expected to be between $145,000,000 $160,000,000 versus previous guidance of $122,000,000 to $144,000,000 Capital has increased over the prior guidance, primarily driven by waste stripping and accelerated spending for the 2nd phase of the North Leach pad at Kisladag.

Speaker 2

At Skouries, we remain on track for 1st production in Q3 2025. We have significantly re de risked the project since we put it back into construction in April 2023 with all major contracts signed including the filter tailings building structure, which is on the critical path. We have approximately 1,000 people at site including our operational readiness team, which is in the process of operationalizing both the surface and underground mine. Thus far, we are seeing productivity slightly beating our assumptions. We are steadily progressing towards year end target of 1300 workers on-site.

Speaker 2

Our focus once we have the additional personnel on-site, we'll turn to integrating them to our assumed productivity levels to maintain the schedule and budget. We are managing this closely and taking proactive measures such as rescheduling some non critical work on process control facilities to mitigate potential challenges in a tight construction labor market. Turning to Slide 5, year to date, our lost time frequency rate increased to 0.91 per 1,000,000 worked hours compared to 0.71 in the same period in 2023. Positively, our total recordable incidents for the 1st 9 months of 2024 have decreased to 3.11 from 4.70 per 1000000 hours worked compared to the same period in 2023. Our commitment to providing and sustaining a safe, healthy workplace remains steadfast and we acknowledge that this is an ongoing journey of continuous improvement.

Speaker 2

Our health and safety focus in 2024 continues to be based on preventing high potential incidents and further empowering our employees to promote a positive health and safety culture. I would also like to congratulate our team in Quebec. Our number of supervisors were recently recognized for leading their teams to achieve between 50000,200,000 hours without a lost time incident. This stands as a testament to their dedication to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Additionally, congratulations to members of our Kisladag and Efemcukuru Mine Rescue teams in Turkey A, who collaborated in the 3rd Mine Rescue Competition organized by the Turkey's Miners Association, tying for 1st place in the Fest Mine Rescue Team award.

Speaker 2

I'll stop there and turn the call over to Paul for a review of our financial results.

Speaker 3

Thank you, George. Slide 6 provides a summary of our Q3 results. Our operations delivered in line with our guidance and we continue to be encouraged by high gold prices that contributed to our strong overall financial results in the quarter. As George highlighted, we've tightened our annual guidance ranges and continue to see potential upside in cash flow generation if gold prices remain at their current levels. Eldorado reported net earnings attributable to shareholders from continuing operations of approximately $101,000,000 or $0.49 per share in the quarter.

Speaker 3

This compared to the same quarter in 2023, the net earnings were positively impacted by higher revenue due to higher volumes sold and prices realized and again on deferred consideration due from G Mining that was recognized in the quarter. The deferred consideration relates to the sale in 2021 of the Tocantinzino mine. Following G Mining's declaration of commercial production in early September, we are set to receive $60,000,000 in September 2025 on the 1st anniversary of the declaration. It should be noted that GE Mining had the option to defer $30,000,000 of the consideration for one additional year after which the balancing payment will increase to $35,000,000 Following the inclusion of one time non recurring items, adjusted net earnings were $71,000,000 or $0.35 per share for the quarter. The adjustments in the quarter accounted for the reversal of 2 principal items.

Speaker 3

Firstly, a $50,000,000 net of withholding tax gain on the G Mining deferred consideration and secondly, a $33,000,000 unrealized loss on derivative instruments. Our free cash flow in the quarter was negative $4,800,000 or positive $98,300,000 excluding the capital investment in the Scurius project, reflecting the strong performance of our underlying operating assets. In the Q3, cash flow generated by operating activities before changes in working capital was $166,500,000 compared to $97,500,000 in the same quarter in the prior year. The increase is principally driven by revenue, which increased by $87,000,000 driven by higher volumes and realized gold prices, partially offset by higher production costs that increased by $26,000,000 $10,000,000 of which related to higher royalties. 3rd quarter total cash costs were $9.53 per ounce sold and all in sustaining costs were $13.35 per ounce sold.

Speaker 3

Our costs increased compared to Q3 2023, primarily as a result of higher royalty expenses and increased labor costs. The higher royalty expense in Q3 impacted AISC by approximately $70 per ounce when compared to our original full year guidance. In addition, increased sustaining capital investment at Lamaque, FMC Kuroun and Olympias contributed to higher AISC for the quarter compared to the same period in the prior year. Capital expenditures on a cash basis were $169,000,000 in the 3rd quarter, including investment in growth projects at Kisladag where we focused on planned waste stripping and the Northeast Leach Pad and related infrastructure. At Skouries, we continue to advance major earthworks and infrastructure construction for the project and invested approximately $83,000,000 in the quarter.

Speaker 3

It's worth noting we have restarted investing our own equity in the project in the Q4 this year following the catch up of the project finance funding to our agreed eightytwenty split. Current tax expense of approximately $40,000,000 for the Q3 increased from approximately $21,000,000 compared to the same period in 2023. The increase is primarily due to firstly capital gains tax of $9,900,000 on the recognition of the deferred consideration related to the sale of the Tophent and Zeno mine and secondly, increased Turkish taxes of $5,000,000 and finally increased mining duties in Quebec of $3,400,000 Deferred income tax reported an $11,400,000 recovery in Q3 2024 compared to an expense of just over $30,000,000 in the comparable quarter in the prior year. In the quarter deferred tax included an $8,200,000 expense reflecting the use of tax pools in excess of accounting deductions in Canada, a one time $5,900,000 expense for Dutch tax exposure accruals and both of these were offset by an $8,300,000 net recovery primarily related to local currency asset revaluation due to the weakening of the Turkish lira against the U. S.

Speaker 3

Dollar. Turning to Slide 7, our balance sheet remains well funded to meet our investment requirements. We ended the quarter with total liquidity of $885,000,000 including $677,000,000 of cash and cash equivalents and $208,000,000 of available credit capacity. Cash increased over the quarter as a result of positive cash flow from our producing mines combined with drawdowns from the project finance facility for the Scurius developments. We expect to build cash during the remainder of 2024 as we benefit from strong gold prices and further drawdown of our project financing.

Speaker 3

This build will be partially offset by the restart of equity contributions from Eldorado to the Scurius project as mentioned earlier. In summary, we're focused on maintaining a solid financial position providing Eldorado with the flexibility to respond to opportunities whilst delivering our growth strategy, all while continuing to be committed responsible mining as a foundation for our business as encapsulated in our values of collaboration, courage, integrity, drive and agility. With that, I'll now turn the call over to Lo to go through the Greek asset highlights.

Speaker 4

Thanks, Paul, and good morning. Starting on Slide 8 at our Scurios copper gold project. At the end of Q3, overall project progress was 79% when including the first phase of construction. This compares to 76% at the end of the Q2. During the summer months, we anticipated slower progress due to vacations and the rescheduling of non critical work, but we are now seeing an upward trend and expect this momentum to continue over the next three quarters.

Speaker 4

Detailed engineering has advanced and is now 78% complete and continues to be focused on the critical items. We are expecting additional progress over the balance of the year and expect to be approximately 90% complete by the end of the year. Work continues to ramp up on construction of major earthworks structures, including the haul roads, water management ponds, low grade stockpile, the integrated extractive waste management facility, primary crusher process facilities and filter tailings facility. Productivity improvements initiatives by the earthworks contractor, including a partial second shift, continues to yield improvements. Work continues to advance on the filter tailings building, which is on the critical path.

Speaker 4

In September, the first contract for the building was awarded, which included the building structure and mechanical installations. Piling has completed for the filter tailings building and concrete work is progressing to enable construction of the structural steel. With 3 active drills on-site, the piles for the filter buildings and ancillary buildings continue to progress. Work on the process plant is progressing well. Realigning of the flotation tanks was completed as planned and structural and mechanical work is in progress.

Speaker 4

Off-site pipe spool fabrication continues and delivery of HDPE piping to site has commenced. Scaffolding is advancing to support electrical cable tray and piping installations and the contractor continues to ramp up to support increasing levels of activity. Work is also progressing on the underground development to support test hope mining in 2025. Approximately 70% of the equipment and operator licenses has been received to date and development mining is ramping up. While we have lowered our underground development for 2024 to between 50600 meters, we are still on track for ore from the test stopes during the plant commissioning period in 2025.

Speaker 4

Moving on to Slide 9. During the Q3, the capital investment at Scurius was $82,700,000 slightly less than our spend during the Q2. This brings our year to date spend at Scourius to $227,100,000 In addition, our overall commitment committed spend for the project is $788,000,000 As George mentioned earlier, we have lowered and tightened our guidance range to be between $350,000,000 $380,000,000 and do not expect it will have an impact on first production in Q3 2025. The photos on the slide and the next few slides will show the advancement of work underway. In addition, we have provided a link of a progress update video in our Q3 news release.

Speaker 4

Shown here, construction of the 3 thickeners progressed on plan during the quarter. On the right side of the slide, there are series of photos showing the progress in the interior of the main process plant. Turning to Slide 10, the two photos on the left hand side are the primary crusher. Progress continued to advance on the construction of the foundation with retaining walls and stabilized excavations nearing completion. Construction of the crusher building will commence in November.

Speaker 4

On the right hand side is the filtered tailings area where you can see 3 drills actively working. The contractor's productivity has continued to increase and to date, 388 piles have been completed out of a total of approximately 871 at the filter facility. On the next two slides, you will see the advancement of work on the support infrastructure, including the process control room building, process plant substation, water pump station, lime plant, air blowers building and flotation reagent plant areas. On Slide 11, infrastructure on the west side of the building is shown, including the secondary substation where foundation and steel work is progressing well, alongside advancements at the pump house and the control building where work commenced earlier this year. On Slide 12, infrastructure on the east side of the main process building is shown, including construction works progressing on the lime plant, air blowers building, compressor building and flotation reagent area.

Speaker 4

We expect to provide progress updates as we advance towards the 1st production in the Q3 of 2025. Moving to Olympias on Slide 13. The 3rd quarter gold production was 21,000 211 ounces and total cash costs were $12.10 per ounce sold. During the Q3, as George mentioned, we successfully signed a 3 year CBA agreement in August and there were no work stoppages during this period compared with the Q2. With the planned expansion of the mill to 650,000 tons per annum from 500,000 tons per annum, we have started ordering the long lead items, including the grinding mill, thickness and flotation cells.

Speaker 4

Total cash costs were impacted by increased labor costs, which included one off and back pay repayments and higher royalty expenses as a result of higher realized gold price, as well as higher gold ounces sold. I will stop there and hand over to Simon to discuss the Turkish and Canadian operations.

Speaker 5

Thanks, Lo. Starting in Turkey on Slide 14. At Kishida, 3rd quarter production was 41,084 ounces with total cash costs of $8.99 per ounce sold. Total cash costs were primarily impacted by increased royalties as a result of increased average realized gold price. Production was slightly below plan as a result of a few contributing factors.

Speaker 5

The crushing circuit availability has been impacted due to maintenance issues, leading to slightly lower stack tons for the year to date than planned. We are working on a solution and expect to have a modified edge block installed in the Q1 of 2025. In addition, a small portion of the ore coming from the center portion of the HPGR contains particles that are greater than 10 mills, which has slightly reduced recovery due to the larger particle size. As we continue to analyze data following the ramp up of the HPGR and the agglomeration drum, we are seeing leak cycles extending beyond the planned 220 days, which has led to an increase in gold inventory. We have responded to these operating challenges through irrigation optimization activities, which have demonstrated positive results through drawdown of gold inventory, partially offsetting the longer lead cycle.

Speaker 5

Additionally, we have previous as we have previously discussed, the geometallurgical study has commenced with drilling currently underway. During the year, we have been constructing the absorption, desorption and recovery plan, which became operational this week with the 1st gold pour. The new North ADR plant is expected to provide a number of benefits, which will be realized at both facilities, including reduced carbon handling requirements, optimization of stacking irrigation and extracting cycle and decoupling of the north and south heap leach facilities for maximum cost efficiency. Congratulations to the Kishida team on their drive to achieve this significant milestone. At FN2 Crew, on Slide 16, 2nd quarter gold production was 19,794 ounces at a total cash cost of $13.25 per ounce sold.

Speaker 5

Gold production throughput and average gold grade at FMC2 crew were in line with the plan for the quarter. And now moving to the Lamaque complex on Slide 17. Lamaque delivered production of 43,106 ounces at a total cash cost of $7.28 per ounce sold, a slight decrease in the quarter compared to the prior year's quarter, primarily due to lower grades processed, partially offset by increased throughput. Total cash cost increases were affected by higher sales volumes, slightly higher royalties due to higher average realized gold price and additional costs incurred in labor, contractors and equipment rentals. The team remains focused on driving productivity with development rates increasing in both Triangle and Ormak mines during the quarter.

Speaker 5

This positive trend is expected to carry forward into the Q4. We remain on track to take a bulk sample from the Ormak deposit and announce our inaugural reserves by the end of 2024. We had an advanced development to 173 meters compared to a plan of 150 meters for the month of September and to over 200 meters in October. Today, we have stockpiled 11,500 tonnes of material of the targeted 25,000 tonnes we were planning to put through the mill in December from Ormak. I'll stop there and turn it back to George for his closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Thanks, team. As we head into the Q4, we're in a strong position to achieve our tightened gold production and cost guidance. Gold production levels are up 7% year to date compared to this time last year and we continue to build momentum towards 1st gold production at Skouries next year. The record high gold prices have significantly boosted our margins and the regions where we operated have also benefited from higher royalties and increased tax payments. By maintaining disciplined cost control and capital allocation alongside elevated gold prices, we expect continued margin expansion driving further growth in free cash flow from operations.

Speaker 2

Thank you for your time. I will now turn it over to the operator for questions from our analysts.

Operator

Thank you. We'll now begin the question and answer session. Our first question is from Cosmos Chiu with CIBC. Please go ahead.

Speaker 6

Thanks, George and team. Maybe my first question is on Skirios and the progress at Skirios. As you mentioned, underground development is now targeted for 500 to 600 meters, previously 2,200 meters, fairly sizable gap, I would say. But as you said, George, it's not going to impact your Q3, 2,005 first production. But my question is, it's not going to impact the timing of 1st production, but could this impact the ramp up and the speed of that ramp up after 1st production?

Speaker 6

Is there a way for you to catch up on underground development?

Speaker 2

Cosmos, thanks for the question. So the way I would describe it is the Skouries underground really isn't an important part of the production profile in the 1st several years. And in fact, it ramps up over say the next 7 or 8 years and at the end of a decade becomes the sole feed to the plant. So we really put an emphasis on getting the underground going as part of the initial construction to really check the box on all our technical assumptions, the size of the stopes and we wanted to get early information so that we can further optimize. And we have hope still that we can make the stopes larger than what's currently in our feasibility study.

Speaker 2

Now the reason for the slower ramp up in the development really was our transition from the Greek contractor had been doing the development to date to our finished contractor that's really going to ramp it up and do the test stope mining. We're bringing in European expertise on underground mining to be able to mine these large more technical stopes that are part of the Skouries design. So yes, I can tell you the delays were related to getting our European workers and their equipment certified and licensed to operate. But the initial productivity we're seeing out of this workforce is pretty fantastic. We will be able to continue to catch up as they deploy more workers and it really has no material impact on the next several years of Screwy's operations.

Speaker 6

Yes. That's good to hear. Maybe that leads in well into my next question here. As you mentioned, total CapEx of this project is $9,000,000 or $20,000,000 You've spent slightly over $410,000,000 so far with $770,000,000 committed. So in terms of that 9.20 versus the 411,000,000 that's spent, the difference, can we expect that to be spent in 2025 or it sounds like maybe not, given that some of the underground might be pushed out a little bit in terms of development.

Speaker 6

I'm just wondering timing of the spend and if the $920,000,000 is still a good number to use?

Speaker 2

Yes, we're still confident and comfortable with the 920,000,000 dollars Our employee count on construction has been rising all year. And as we said, we're expecting a further increase over the Q4. And then that larger workforce will continue to execute construction through into the Q3. So you're going to see a significant ramp up on spending in Q4 and then even more in Q1 right through into commercial production. Regarding a few things that might not happen by commissioning time, yes, there's some non critical infrastructure that's been delayed a bit from archaeological studies that were done.

Speaker 2

Some of that might spill later in the next year and perhaps even beyond, but it will have no impact on our ability to operate. And then on the underground piece, we're still going to get the plan to test stopes into the mill in the Q3 or Q4 of next year. So no impact on the underground portion of production next year. And we'll update the market in the New Year with guidance on everything. But again, the underground spend next year isn't material to our commercial production or even the next couple of years of operations.

Speaker 2

It's really another year of test opening in 2026 and then ramp up of infrastructure to then support higher mining levels over the next 5 years. So all that, that I just said is not very material to the project for next year.

Speaker 6

Of course. Maybe one last question, George, as you mentioned, you've tightened your 2024 production guidance. If I take your tightened guidance, it implies that you'll be increasing in Q4 production by about more than 10% quarter over quarter. I think Simon kind of touched on it, but could you maybe again summarize which ones will be the drivers in terms of that potential higher production into Q4?

Speaker 2

Sure. So the first thing I would say is we're in a better position this year than last year with our year to date production. And as you know, we've been growing production over the last couple of years and you're going to see that expand even further, ultimately the 45% production growth by 2027. So we're on track to deliver that high quality growth. In terms of the Q4 and even the year, our production at the Mok and Efemcukuru are going to be stronger relative to original guidance and we're a bit weaker at Kisladag and Olympias for the reasons we noted.

Speaker 2

And you're going to see a strong quarter at Lamaque consistent with prior years. And at Olympias, we're collective bargaining is in a good position now and we're expecting a strong quarter out of Olympias in the 4th quarter relative to the challenges we had in Q2. So at any rate, we're comfortable with our updated guidance and expecting a good Q4.

Speaker 6

Great. Thanks, George and team. Those are all the questions I have. Have a good weekend.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Operator

The next question is from Mike Parkin with National Bank. Please go ahead.

Speaker 7

Hi, guys. Thanks for taking my questions. On Slide 14, you noticed you're doing some subcell collection system, deep ripping procedures, new approach to solution.

Operator

I can't remember off the top

Speaker 7

of my head, but you guys use stackers, don't you, for placing the agglomerated, well, I guess it's a mix of agglomerated and non agglomerated or on the pad. So what's causing you to add ripping on the new I assume it's on the new pad only and did you do that on the old pad? And what's making you decide to do that if you're using like a Grasshopper system? I would think you're not worried about compression.

Speaker 2

Great question, Mike. I mean, yes, we use a conveyor system that takes the crushed and agglomerated ore from the crushing facility out to our heap leach pad and at the end of the grasshoppers, we have a radial stacker. So you're right, that radial stacker minimizes compaction of say haul trucks delivering the ore to the pad. In our case, we've got these are rubber tire grasshoppers and rubber tire conveyors. So there's a bit of compaction, you got maintenance and other light vehicles.

Speaker 2

And it's a typical practice where you do ripping to try to fluff up the crushed ore and maximize the ability to get good permeability throughout the ore. So I can just tell you in all copper and gold leaching, ripping is a pretty important part of efficient and good permeability. The challenge with the dozer doing that ripping is it does it in one direction and you can pull it in multiple directions. But what we can do with these track hose is rip it in every direction. And we can do some ripping without removing drip emitters if we have a particular path that's seeing a bit of ponding or not getting good permeability.

Speaker 2

So it just does a lot better job of fluffing up the ore and maximizing permeability through the pad. And I think we only agglomerate roughly a third of the total crush material. And that third that goes through the agglomeration drum gets mixed with the other 2 thirds. And we're kind of counting on the transfer points between grasshoppers to mix and further agglomerate the entire feed to the pad. So I mean that's one of the things we're studying over the next several quarters is what happens if we add more agglomeration drums.

Speaker 2

And we're also looking at particle size. What can we do to brush a bit finer, that's probably more screening. And at the end of the day, is there an ability to further optimize recovery and total production, including even debottlenecking the plant. So that's the study underway. Back to your specific question, it's just a better way to rip the surface and to further optimize permeability in the pad.

Speaker 7

Are you seeing any concerns around structural integrity? I remember when we were there a year ago, you had samples of like the column test showing that the agglomeration really withstood well on a structural kind of integrity in terms of resisting compaction. Is that kind of proving up in the pad application versus the column test?

Speaker 2

Yes. Over to you, Simon.

Speaker 5

Yes. Thanks, Mike. Yes, we continue prior to putting the agglomeration drum into circuit, we didn't have a lot of cement as a binder to create that stability. So with the agglomeration drum, we do add that cement, and it does create that both those agglomerated balls as well as some further strength into the actual pad.

Speaker 7

Okay. That's it for me guys. Thanks.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Mike.

Operator

The next question is from Tanya Jakusconek with Scotiabank. Please go ahead.

Speaker 8

Great. Good morning, everyone. Thank you so much for taking my questions. Maybe George, I just wanted to come back to the non critical work that you've kind of deferred at Stories. Can you just review with me what you've deferred?

Speaker 8

So part of it is the underground development. What else has been deferred?

Speaker 2

Yes. So the underground development was deferred really just due to delays in getting licensing of the workforce and permitting of equipment. The archaeological impacts are non critical infrastructure, such as our truck shop for the open pit. So we have workarounds for that. We'll use what I've used at many start up operations, Ctainers as a wall and a lid over the top for doing maintenance until we can get the truck shop constructed.

Speaker 2

So workarounds

Speaker 6

are

Speaker 2

in place depending on the timing of getting this archaeological clearance. It might still get done next year, it might not, but it will not impact our ability to operate. And I think you can remember the Cerro Negro operation in Argentina when we built that in a prior company, it was in 2 years before the truck shop was built, had no impact on the operations. So it's a truck shop is one of the issues. And another one we have an office plan for both the underground and open pit separate facilities.

Speaker 2

The open pit office is also being delayed by these archaeological studies. So we'll be using the underground office and other facilities during the interim phase while we get that office constructed. So again, it's non critical infrastructure that was planned to be worked on this quarter and next that will be delayed to some degree.

Speaker 8

Okay. So really what I'm taking from you is that it's really the truck shop and sort of the office that you can operate from other areas? And just as an aside, what's taking so long for this archaeological permit? Are there some disputes on it? I mean, I remember the days that like I think there was a vase or something that we were reviewing with this permit, some vase that was found or pops?

Speaker 2

Yes. Well, I mean, so in the open pit near the outcrop, there was a furnace that was deemed to be back in the days of Alexander the Great, where they were processing it or outcrop. So we moved that a couple of years ago. In this case, on kind of the edge of the pit, where this infrastructure was going to be put in, they've been doing these archaeological studies. And unlike North America, there's a long history of civilizations in Greece and other European countries.

Speaker 2

And there's lots of artifacts. So even though this is up in the foothills above the Aegean, they have found some things and they want to make sure that this area is cleared appropriately. And so just to describe it, you've got, I don't know, around 40, 50 people, laborers with wheelbarrows and archaeologists that are sifting through the sands and the surface. And they're obviously finding some things because we have a lot of activity, but they really have to complete the work to determine what's there, how significant is it, could it be moved, are we going to have to work around and leave it in place. Those are the sort of things that happen typically in Greece on any construction project.

Speaker 2

Fortunate to say this is the only activity and it's not critical to our start up and we'll have workarounds for it. So I'd say a normal process increase.

Speaker 8

Okay. So yes, it was separate from that furnace of Alexander the Great. Okay. Okay. Just wanted to come back to and I don't know who wants to take this question.

Speaker 8

Just on the inflation, you mentioned that you're seeing higher labor costs. So just wanted to review with you. I have in my notes here from previous calls that about and maybe this is if someone can correct me if I'm wrong, I had about 30% of your cost is labor that's yourself employed and then about 40% is I include the contractors. So I'm going to start first. Is that a correct number that I have?

Speaker 2

I think 27% is the number, so you're very close. 27% in Q3.

Speaker 8

Okay. So sorry, did I hear 47% or 27%?

Speaker 4

27%, 2.7%.

Speaker 8

Okay. So 2.7% is all of your employees?

Speaker 2

All for labor, yes.

Speaker 8

Labor. And does that also include contractors or is that separate?

Speaker 2

It's the contractors are separate that gets billed in as a single line item. So that 27% is our workforce.

Speaker 8

Okay. And what would be the percentage that would be contractors? And the reason I'm asking George is I'm trying to understand if you have different inflation in your own workforce at 27% and how is that different from the contractors? That's all I'm trying to get.

Speaker 2

I don't have the contractor percentage, but I would tell you there isn't a significant difference other than timing. Obviously, where we have union operations in Turkey and Greece, when we do our collective bargaining immediately there's a change in labor costs. The contractors are on different schedules. So timing would be a bit different, but I would say that the inflationary pressures are very similar.

Speaker 8

And when you did your current agreement at Olympias what sort of inflation rate did we see there for labor?

Speaker 2

So we signed a 3 year agreement on Olympias and it averages about 3 percent over the 3 year contract. So fairly consistent with inflation in Europe.

Speaker 8

Yes, that's good to hear. Okay. And then the other thing that I wanted to make sure I understood there was such a big I think it was mentioned that $70 an ounce was the impact from increase in gold price in your royalties. I think it was this quarter. If I can remember correctly and I just need to understand my sensitivity again, I think you did your budgets at $1900 and I think for every $100 move it was about $20 per ounce impact on your costs.

Speaker 8

Maybe I could just have that confirmed and just so that I understand that when you go to give guidance next year, I can kind of understand what the gold price impact would be on your costs?

Speaker 3

So, Tanja, it's Paul here. In the Q3 compared to our budget, just to give you a sense, the royalty cost is around $105 per ounce more. And so we had our budget set at $1900 and our realized prices were $2,492 and so the difference there, a $600 increase in realized prices gave us $105 an ounce more in royalties.

Speaker 8

Okay. Okay, perfect. That's a great sensitivity to have. And then finally, another number that would be very useful for us is, how are you thinking and I appreciate all of your reserves are based on looking at cutoff grades etcetera. So I'm thinking you're going to be reporting your reserves very shortly, usually in early December.

Speaker 8

So we're just like 2 months away. Oh, no, not even 2 months, months a bit. Can we just maybe talk a little bit about how you're thinking about your reserves and your cutoff grades? And ultimately, I think I had a $1400 bull price for your reserves. Maybe someone can share how you're thinking about that as we come to your reserve base?

Speaker 2

Sure. So, yes, our current reserves are at $1400 We do expect to update our reserve statements for the end of the year. We're not looking at a material change in price assumption and we essentially look to our peers. We take a look back 3, 5 year look back on metal prices. But we continue to believe it's appropriate to stay conservative on metal price and reserves to ensure we have solid margins in any gold price environment, Even though we're in a pretty good bull run and it appears to be continuing, we're not going to count on that from a reserve and resource statement perspective.

Speaker 2

So as you say, we'll be updating the market with the definitive price assumptions for this year's reserve update. Just don't expect any material change.

Speaker 8

And when you say material change, I mean, I would I'm assuming it's like less than 10% would that be not material to you?

Speaker 2

Yes. Less than 10% would be not material.

Speaker 8

Okay. Thank you. And thank you for all my questions. I really, really appreciate it. And I'll let someone else ask.

Speaker 8

Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Tasha.

Operator

The next caller is Lawson Winder with Bank of America Securities. Please go ahead.

Speaker 9

Thank you very much, operator, and good morning, George and team to you guys in Vancouver. And thank you for the update. Very comprehensive today. One thing I wanted to follow-up on with respect to Tanya's questioning on labor inflation is just I might have missed it, but did you disclose what is the built in annual increase in labor inflation with the new CBA? And if not, can you share that and whether there's any difference year to year or is there consistent each year of the contract?

Speaker 2

Yes. So for our collective RE agreement on Olympias, it's a 3 year agreement. Over the 3 years, it's kind of averaging 3% each year, so fairly close to inflation. There was an addition additionally a one off payment that isn't cumulative on their base that was tied into our decision to move forward with the expansion of Olympias. So anyway, I'd say it was a good win win agreement with our workforce and sorry, wage increase is consistent with inflation in Europe.

Speaker 9

Yes, fantastic. Thanks for that. And then just looking at and thinking about capital allocation, the gold price is up obviously significant. You guys are clearly benefiting from that despite the spending on SCORIES. Is there any thought internally to potentially reinstating the dividend near term or is that a decision that just has to wait until the completion of construction at SCORIES?

Speaker 2

Yes, I mean, dividend definitely is a focus of the company. And our view is when we set and reestablish our dividend and our dividend policy, we wanted to be sustainable. And so for us the focus will be in 2026 after we're in commercial production.

Speaker 9

Okay. And probably an obvious answer to my final question on capital allocation, but just as you look at potential options for growth, obviously, you have a lot in the portfolio. What about external options for growth? Does Eldorado what's your stance on M and A is really the question. I mean, does Eldorado feel that you can be opportunistic should opportunities come along or is that something that's just off the table for now?

Speaker 2

Well, I mean, we have a corporate development team and like every company, we're always looking for opportunities. Obviously, with our focus on Scurry's, that's priority 1. If an exceptional opportunity came along, we're definitely going to look at it. We'd be opportunistic. So I'd say it's not a primary focus, it's a secondary focus for us.

Speaker 9

Okay. Thanks very much, George. I appreciate it.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Operator

That is all the time we have for questions today. This concludes the question and answer session and today's conference call. You may disconnect your lines. Thank you for participating and have a pleasant day.

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Earnings Conference Call
Eldorado Gold Q3 2024
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