ADVFN Logo ADVFN

We could not find any results for:
Make sure your spelling is correct or try broadening your search.

Trending Now

Toplists

It looks like you aren't logged in.
Click the button below to log in and view your recent history.

Hot Features

Registration Strip Icon for charts Register for streaming realtime charts, analysis tools, and prices.

POLY Polymetal International Plc

215.00
0.00 (0.00%)
26 Apr 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Polymetal International Plc LSE:POLY London Ordinary Share JE00B6T5S470 ORD NPV
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 215.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Polymetal International PLC Q2 2018 production results (7994V)

26/07/2018 7:01am

UK Regulatory


Polymetal (LSE:POLY)
Historical Stock Chart


From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024

Click Here for more Polymetal Charts.

TIDMPOLY

RNS Number : 7994V

Polymetal International PLC

26 July 2018

 
 Release time   IMMEDIATE 
Date           26 July 2018 
 

Polymetal International plc

Q2 2018 production results

Polymetal International plc (LSE, MOEX: POLY; ADR: AUCOY) (together with its subsidiaries - "Polymetal", the "Company", or the "Group") is pleased to announce the Group's production results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS

-- Polymetal produced 324 Koz of gold equivalent (GE) in the second quarter of 2018, up 16% year-on-year. Volumes at Svetloye and Amursk POX combined with improved grades at Omolon drove the strong performance. Gold production for the quarter was 232 Koz, up 22% year-on-year. Silver production grew by 2% to 6.8 Moz year-on-year.

-- GE production for the first six months of 2018 was 619 Koz, an 11% increase year-on-year and fully in line with guidance. Stronger production in the 2H will be driven by traditional seasonal concentrate de-stockpiling at Mayskoye, as well as first contributions from the recently launched Kyzyl operation.

-- Kyzyl produced first concentrate in June, one month ahead of schedule. The operation is expected to ramp up to full throughput capacity (150 Kt per month) and reach design recoveries (86%) by October 2018. The company plans to produce 80 Koz of payable gold at Kyzyl this year.

-- Gold sales for the quarter increased by 17%, which largely offset a 7% decline in silver sales as the Company generated a total of US$ 435 million in revenues, up 13% compared to previous year.

-- During the quarter the Company generated significant free cash flow. Net debt increased by approximately US$ 75 million as the company paid US$ 129 million of final dividends for FY2017 (US$ 0.30 per share). As in prior years, we expect significantly stronger free cash flow generation in the second half of the year on the back of higher production volumes and seasonal working capital drawdowns.

-- Polymetal is pleased to report that no fatalities occurred in the quarter. The Group's LTIFR improved to 0.17 versus 0.19 in Q2 2017. As part of a continuous effort improve across health and safety metrics, in Q2 we have implemented two new standards - voice reporting of near-misses to improve communication underground, and an incident recording system to improve the efficiency of preventive measures.

-- The Company remains on track to meet its FY 2018 production guidance of 1.55 Moz of gold equivalent at TCC of US$ 650-700/GE oz and AISC of US$ 875-925/GE oz. Due to the seasonality of revenues, both TCC and AISC are expected to be at the higher end of the guidance range for the first half of the year. The cost guidance remains contingent on the Rouble/Dollar exchange rate dynamic that has a significant effect on the Group's Rouble-denominated operating costs. Polymetal will announce its half-yearly financial results on 22 August 2018.

"Another strong quarter puts us into a very comfortable position vis-a-vis our guidance for 2018", said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Polymetal, commenting on the results. "With Kyzyl launched ahead of schedule, the focus is now on its smooth ramp-up and the completion of the POX debottlenecking project."

 
                             3 months ended Jun 30,       % change(1)       6 months ended Jun 30,      % change(1) 
                           -------------------------  ------------------  -------------------------  ----------------- 
                               2018          2017                             2018          2017 
                           ------------  -----------  ------------------  ------------  -----------  ----------------- 
 
 Waste mined, Mt               32.1          29.5             +9%             60.9          55.1            +11% 
 Underground development, 
  km                           31.5          28.9             +9%             64.4          53.8            +20% 
 Ore mined, Kt                 3,352        3,277             +2%             6,541        6,590            -1% 
   Open-pit                    2,156        2,198             -2%             4,191        4,402            -5% 
   Underground                 1,196        1,079            +11%             2,350        2,189            +7% 
 Ore processed, Kt             3,905        3,443            +13%             6,967        6,286            +11% 
 Production 
   Gold, Koz                    232          190             +22%              446          389             +15% 
   Silver, Moz                  6.8          6.6              +2%             12.7          12.8            -0% 
   Copper, Kt                   0.9          0.5             +72%              1.6          1.0             +66% 
   Zinc, Kt                     1.6          1.2             +32%              3.0          2.3             +30% 
   Gold equivalent, 
    Koz(2)                      324          278             +17%              619          558             +11% 
 Sales 
   Gold, Koz                    239          203             +17%              445          380             +17% 
   Silver, Moz                  7.3          7.8              -7%             12.1          12.4            -3% 
   Copper, Kt                   1.4          0.5             +204%             2.3          0.5            +331% 
   Zinc, Kt                     1.2          1.7             -30%              1.5          2.2             -35% 
   Revenue, US$m(3)             435          385             +13%              789          683             +16% 
 Net debt, US$m(4)             1,653        1,578             +5%             1,653        1,421            +16% 
 Safety(5) 
   LTIFR                       0.17          0.19            -11%             0.16          0.15            +7% 
   Fatalities                    0            1              -100%              1            1               0% 
            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 1:80 Ag/Au, 5:1 Cu/Au and 2:1 Zn/Au conversion ratios. 
             (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 2018 (for the three months period) and 31 December 2017 (for the 
             six months period). 
             (5) LTIFR = lost time injury frequency rate per 200,000 hours worked. 
             (6) NA = not available, NM - not material 
 

PRODUCTION BY MINE

 
                          3 months           %            6 months           % 
                        ended Jun 30,     change(1)     ended Jun 30,     change(1) 
                     -----------------  -----------  -----------------  ----------- 
                       2018      2017                  2018      2017 
                     --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  ----------- 
 
 GOLD EQ. (KOZ)(1) 
 Dukat                  76        79        -4%         155      158        -2% 
 Albazino-Amursk        63        40        +58%        153      108        +41% 
 Omolon                 54        43        +27%        86        93        -8% 
 Mayskoye                -        4        -100%         -        9        -100% 
 Varvara                31        27        +18%        66        55        +19% 
 Voro                   28        33        -13%        54        58        -7% 
 Svetloye               45        26        +69%        53        26       +101% 
 Okhotsk                12        12        -3%         25        24        +5% 
 Kapan                  15        14        +1%         27        25        +8% 
-------------------  --------  -------  -----------  --------  -------  ----------- 
 TOTAL                  324      278        +17%        619      558        +11% 
 
   Notes:     (1) Based on 1:80 Ag/Au, 5:1 Cu/Au and 2:1 Zn/Au conversion ratios. 

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

Polymetal will hold a conference call and webcast on Thursday, 26 July 2018 at 10:00 London time (12:00 Moscow time).

To participate in the call, please dial:

8 800 500 98 63 access code 95582454# (free from Russia), or

0808 238 9671 (free from the UK), or

+1 646 722 4913 (free from the US), or

follow the link: http://polymetal260718-live.audio-webcast.com. Please be prepared to introduce yourself to the moderator or register.

Webcast replay will be available on Polymetal's website (www.polymetalinternational.com) and at http://polymetal260718-live.audio-webcast.com. A recording of the call will be available immediately after the call at +44 20 3364 5147 (from within the UK), 1 646 722 4969 (USA Toll Free) and +7 495 249 16 71 (from within Russia), access code 418779146#, from 12:30 Moscow time Thursday, 26 July, till 12:30 Moscow time Thursday, 2 August, 2018.

Enquiries

 
 Media                                   Investor Relations 
------------------                      ---------------------------------------------------- 
 FTI Consulting      +44 20 3727 1000    Polymetal             ir@polymetalinternational.com 
  Leonid Fink                             Eugenia Onuschenko    +44 20 7016 9505 (UK) 
  Viktor Pomichal                         Maryana Nesis 
                                          Michael Vasiliev      +7 812 334 3666 (Russia) 
------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ------------------------------ 
 Joint Corporate Brokers 
--------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------------------- 
 Morgan Stanley 
  Andrew Foster 
  Richard Brown      +44 20 7425 8000 
 
  Panmure Gordon                         RBC Europe Limited 
  Adam James                              Tristan Lovegrove 
  James Stearns       +44 20 7886 2500    Marcus Jackson       +44 20 7653 4000 
------------------  ------------------  --------------------  ------------------------------ 
 

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", "INTS", "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

DUKAT OPERATIONS

 
                                 3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                               -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                   2018          2017                    2018          2017 
                               ------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Dukat 
 Underground development, m        9,066        8,201        +11%       17,783        16,213       +10% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        420          418         +1%          825          817         +1% 
 
 Goltsovoye 
 Underground development, m        1,864        1,877        -1%         3,687        3,264        +13% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        48            47         +2%          93            92         +1% 
 
 Lunnoye 
 Underground development, m        2,299        2,154        +7%         4,487        3,802        +18% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        147          142         +4%          280          286         -2% 
 
 Perevalnoye 
 Underground development, m         907          755         +20%        1,780        1,257        +42% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt         -            -           NA           2            -           NA 
 
 Nachalny-2 
 Waste mined, Kt                     -            75        -100%          -            75        -100% 
 Ore mined (open pit), Kt            -            16        -100%          -            16        -100% 
 
 Terem 
 Underground development, m         847          458         +85%        1,694         458        +270% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        11            5         +126%         20            5         +306% 
 
 
   TOTAL HUB 
 Waste mined, Kt                     -            75        -100%          -            75        -100% 
 Underground development, m       14,983        13,445       +11%       29,431        24,994       +18% 
 Ore mined, Kt                      626          627         -0%         1,221        1,215        +1% 
    Open-pit                         -            16        -100%          -            16        -100% 
    Underground                     626          611         +2%         1,221        1,199        +2% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Dukat 
 Ore processed, Kt                  513          491         +4%          996          967         +3% 
 Grade 
   Gold, g/t                        0.5          0.4         +18%         0.5          0.4         +20% 
   Silver, g/t                      291          310         -6%          302          319         -5% 
 Recovery(1) 
   Gold                            87.0%        87.3%        -0%         86.6%        85.4%        +1% 
   Silver                          88.2%        89.1%        -1%         88.0%        88.3%        -0% 
 Production 
   Gold, Koz                        7.1          6.2         +14%        14.3          11.7        +22% 
   Silver, Moz                      4.1          4.3         -5%          8.4          8.6         -3% 
 
   Lunnoye 
 Ore processed, Kt                  114          116         -1%          227          228         -0% 
 Grade 
   Gold, g/t                        1.2          1.2         -5%          1.2          1.3         -3% 
   Silver, g/t                      323          346         -7%          340          364         -6% 
 
   Recovery(1) 
   Gold                            85.4%        90.2%        -5%         85.3%        91.0%        -6% 
   Silver                          90.2%        92.0%        -2%         91.0%        92.2%        -1% 
 Production 
   Gold, Koz                        3.6          4.2         -14%         7.6          8.5         -11% 
   Silver, Moz                      1.1          1.2         -8%          2.2          2.4         -7% 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
   Gold, Koz                       10.7          10.4        +3%         21.9          20.2        +8% 
   Silver, Moz                      5.2          5.5         -5%         10.6          11.0        -4% 
 

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

Dukat underground development and processing volumes at the Omsukchan concentrator both hit record levels as the operation is trying to offset grade declines and the narrowing of the average vein width.

Q2 gold production at Dukat increased by 3% year-on-year as the concentrator processed ore from gold-rich veins at the deeper levels of Dukat. Silver production decreased by 5% over 2017 due to planned grade declines.

Underground development at the Perevalnoye and Terem satellite deposits is making significant progress as both ore sources are expected to deliver significant contributions to the feed at the Omsukchan concentrator during the year. Stoping at Perevalnoye is expected to ramp up by Q3.

At Lunnoye, mill throughput volumes remained flat, while both gold and silver production decreased year-on-year by 14% and 8%, respectively. This comes on the back of lower grades following the depletion of high-grade areas of Zone 7.

ALBAZINO-AMURSK

 
                                  3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                                -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                    2018          2017                     2018         2017 
                                ------------  -----------  ---------  -------------  ----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Waste mined, Kt                    5,389        4,988        +8%         10,490        9,388       +12% 
 Underground development, m         2,336        1,898        +23%        4,696         3,485       +35% 
 Ore mined, Kt                       478          509         -6%          930           992        -6% 
    Open-pit                         370          424         -13%         715           830        -14% 
    Underground                      108           85         +26%         216           161        +34% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Albazino concentrator 
 Ore processed, Kt                   441          439         +1%          860           856        +1% 
 Gold grade, g/t                     4.8          4.8         +0%          5.0           4.8        +6% 
 Gold recovery(1)                   85.0%        87.9%        -3%         85.8%         87.1%       -2% 
 Concentrate produced, Kt           35.0          36.1        -3%          68.9         71.5        -4% 
  Concentrate gold grade, g/t       51.7          51.6        +0%          54.4         50.1        +8% 
  Gold in concentrate, Koz(2)       58.1          60.0        -3%         120.3         115.1       +5% 
 
 Amursk POX 
 Concentrate processed, Kt          32.2          23.1        +39%         82.2         66.2        +24% 
    Albazino                        27.2          20.0        +36%         71.1         60.2        +18% 
    Third-party                      5.0          3.1         +60%         11.1          6.0        +85% 
 Gold grade, g/t                    59.3          59.9        -1%          58.1         55.4        +5% 
 Gold recovery                      96.7%        96.0%        +1%         97.1%         96.1%       +1% 
 Gold produced, Koz                 63.0          39.8        +58%        152.8         108.1       +41% 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
   Gold, Koz                        63.0          39.8        +58%        152.8         108.1       +41% 
 
   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 completion of downstream processing at the Amursk POX

At Albazino, ore mining started at the new Ekaterina open pit. The processing of partially oxidized near-surface material has negatively impacted recoveries, a situation expected to be reversed by the end of the year.

Underground mine productivity and grades continued to improve on the back of a full transition to partially cemented waste backfill in primary stopes.

At Amursk POX, the scheduled 6-week maintenance shutdown was successfully completed in May with the installation of all new pipes and valves required for the debottlenecking project. Year-on-year production increased by 58% as 2017 performance was impacted by a longer autoclave re-line shutdown.

The debottlenecking project is on schedule. The new section to crush, mill and store lime and limestone has been commissioned. The focus now shifts to commissioning the new oxygen plant and installing sulphur filters and the acidic thickener. Polymetal plans to ramp up the debottlenecked POX plant in Q4 of 2018, with additional feed comprising Kyzyl and 3(rd) -party concentrates.

OMOLON OPERATIONS

 
                                 3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                               -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                   2018          2017                    2018          2017 
                               ------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Sopka 
 Waste mined, Kt                   1,645        1,903        -14%        2,677        2,330        +15% 
 Ore mined (open pit), Kt            5            64         -92%         298           64        +367% 
 
 Tsokol 
 Underground development, m         796          992         -20%        1,663        1,897        -12% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        38            26         +47%         76            61         +25% 
 
 Birkachan 
 Underground development, m        1,192        1,202        -1%         2,396        2,348        +2% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        32            28         +15%         60            54         +10% 
 
 Oroch 
 Waste mined, Kt                     -            -           NA           -           109        -100% 
 Ore mined (open pit), Kt            -            -           NA           -            81        -100% 
 
 Olcha 
 Waste mined, Kt                     -            -           NA           -           184        -100% 
 Underground development, m        1,181         820         +44%        2,282        1,326        +72% 
 Ore mined, Kt                      22            -           NA          48            73         -34% 
    Open pit                         -            -           NA           -            73        -100% 
    Underground                     22            -           NA          48            -           NA 
 
 TOTAL HUB 
 Waste mined, Kt                   1,645        1,903        -14%        2,677        2,622        +2% 
 Underground development, m        3,169        3,014        +5%         6,341        5,571        +14% 
 Ore mined, Kt                      97           117         -17%         482          333         +45% 
    Open-pit                         5            64         -92%         298          218         +37% 
    Underground                     92            54         +72%         184          115         +59% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Birkachan Heap Leach 
 Ore stacked, Kt                    472          121        +289%         472          121        +289% 
 Gold grade, g/t                    1.1          1.3         -15%         1.1          1.3         -15% 
 Gold production, Koz               1.0           -           NA          1.0           -           NA 
 
 Kubaka Mill 
 Ore processed, Kt                  216          214         +1%          422          429         -2% 
 Grade 
   Gold, g/t                        5.2          5.3         -1%          5.0          6.3         -20% 
   Silver, g/t                      171          134         +27%         102           78         +31% 
 Recovery(1) 
   Gold                            95.7%        94.0%        +2%         95.4%        93.8%        +2% 
   Silver                          88.2%        82.3%        +6%         81.7%        81.8%         0% 
 Gold production, Koz              39.7          35.3        +12%        70.1          84.3        -17% 
 Silver production, Moz             1.1          0.6         +79%         1.2          0.7         +60% 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
   Gold, Koz                       40.7          35.3        +15%        71.1          84.3        -16% 
   Silver, Moz                      1.1          0.6         +79%         1.2          0.7         +60% 
 
   Note:       (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and silver within work-in-progress inventory 

In Q2, gold production at Omolon was up 15% year-on-year with silver production jumping 79%. Higher grades and better metallurgical properties of Sopka ore drove improved recoveries and lower work-in-progress requirements.

Underground mines performed strongly with a continued shift towards underground ore mining, particularly in terms of metals contained.

The Birkachan heap leach operation recommenced in Q2 with stacking volumes positively impacted by the introduction of screening operation ahead of the crusher. The circuit is expected to deliver meaningful production in 2H.

MAYSKOYE

 
                                 3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                               -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                   2018          2017                     2018         2017 
                               ------------  -----------  ---------  -------------  ----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Waste mined, Kt                   1,377        1,554        -11%        1,950         2,571       -24% 
 Underground development, m        6,038        4,996        +21%        12,136        9,604       +26% 
 Ore mined, Kt                      285          284         +0%          463           538        -14% 
   Open-pit                         110          120         -8%          132           143        -8% 
   Underground                      174          164         +6%          331           395        -16% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Flotation 
 Ore processed, Kt                  213          157         +36%         416           363        +15% 
    Sulphide ore                    66           145         -54%         269           351        -23% 
    Oxide ore                       147           12        +1164%        147           12        +1164% 
 Gold grade, g/t                    8.3          5.6         +49%         6.7           5.9        +13% 
    Sulphide ore                    5.7          5.2         +10%         5.2           5.8        -10% 
    Oxide ore                       9.5          9.9         -4%          9.5           9.9        -4% 
 Gold recovery                     71.4%        88.6%        -17%        77.5%         78.4%       -1% 
    Sulphide ore                   87.5%        88.6%        +1%         87.9%         87.7%       +2% 
    Oxide ore                      67.1%        53.5%        +14%        67.1%         53.5%       +14% 
 Concentrate produced, Kt          16.2          11.5        +40%         33.4         30.1        +11% 
 Concentrate gold grade, g/t       50.4          59.8        -16%         51.3         60.2        -15% 
 Gold in concentrate, Koz(2)       26.2          22.2        +18%         55.0         58.2        -6% 
 
 Gold in carbon, Koz(3)            12.1          8.0         +51%         12.1          8.0        +51% 
 
 Amursk POX 
 Concentrate processed, Kt           -           1.0        -100%          -            5.2       -100% 
 Gold grade, g/t                     -           55.9       -100%          -           50.0       -100% 
 Gold recovery                       -          96.3%       -100%          -           96.1%      -100% 
 Gold produced, Koz                  -           3.8        -100%          -            9.0       -100% 
 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
 Gold, Koz                          0.0          3.8        -100%         0.0           9.0       -100% 
 
   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 internal downstream processing to saleable metal product

(3) Work in progress. For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production

Underground development at Mayskoye continued to increase as the new mine level (100m below surface) is expected to enter stoping in Q1 2019.

Oxide ore processing through the combined float-leach circuit has demonstrated broadly positive results. Recoveries are in line with metallurgical test work and, given very high grades of oxide material, gold production for the year is expected to jump significantly.

This year most of Mayskoye concentrate will be sold to Chinese off-takers as in-house POX capacity is taken up by higher-grade third-party material. Accordingly, production at Mayskoye will be booked in the second half of the year once the stockpiled concentrate is shipped to off-takers and loaded carbon is stripped at the Amursk POX.

VARVARA

 
                                       3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                                     -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                          2018         2017                     2018         2017 
                                     -------------  ----------  ---------  -------------  ----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Varvara 
 Waste mined, Kt                         1,652         2,982       -45%        3,256         6,659       -51% 
 Ore mined, Kt                            180           376        -52%         349           878        -60% 
 
 Komarovskoye 
 Waste mined, Kt                         5,899         2,956      +100%        11,444        5,260      +118% 
 Ore mined, Kt                            531           466        +14%        1,037          900        +15% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Flotation 
 Ore processed, Kt                        104           32        +226%         180           89        +103% 
 Grade 
   Gold, g/t                              1.4           3.1        -57%         1.3           2.4        -46% 
   Copper                                0.51%         0.70%       -26%        0.53%         0.61%       -13% 
 Recovery(1) 
   Gold                                   71.8%        69.4%       +2%         67.7%         65.0%       +2% 
   Copper                                 92.6%        87.2%       +5%         91.5%         80.7%       +11% 
 Production 
   Gold (in concentrate), Koz             2.6           1.7        +52%         4.2           3.3        +27% 
   Copper (in concentrate), Kt            0.5           0.2       +161%         0.9           0.4        +11% 
 
 Toll-treated ore processed, Kt(2)         32           52         -39%          43           63         -31% 
 
 Leaching 
 Ore processed, Kt                        723           671        +8%         1,498         1,409       +6% 
 Gold grade, g/t                          1.3           1.1        +15%         1.4           1.3        +12% 
 Gold recovery(1)                        87.5%         79.7%       +10%        86.9%         81.1%       +7% 
 Gold production (in dore), Koz           26.3         24.0        +10%         57.5         50.0        +15% 
 
 Total ore processed, Kt                  858           755        +14%        1,721         1,560       +10% 
 
   TOTAL PRODUCTION 
 Gold, Koz                                28.9         25.7        +12%         61.7         53.3        +16% 
 Copper, Kt                               0.5           0.2       +161%         0.9           0.4       +112% 
 

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

(2) To be further processed at Amursk POX.

In Q2, Varvara delivered a 12% increase in gold production year-on-year. Continued increases in Komar ore railing capacity drove higher processing volumes and improved head grades at the leaching circuit. Gold recovery rates in the leaching circuit also improved thanks to the detailed geo-metallurgical mapping of Komar ore followed by the introduction of flexible reagent additions.

Open pit mining volumes continued to shift away from Varvara towards Komar following high-margin ore tonnes.

Varvara continued to toll-treat third-party refractory gold ore. The produced gold concentrate is processed at the Amursk POX facility. Gold production from this material is booked following dore production from concentrate at Amursk.

VORO

 
                          3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                        -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                            2018          2017                    2018          2017 
                        ------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Voro 
 Waste mined, Kt             850         2,539        -67%        1,921        5,057        -62% 
 Ore mined, Kt               272          402         -32%         575          822         -30% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Voro Heap Leach 
 Ore stacked, Kt              2           180         -99%          2           180         -99% 
 Gold grade, g/t             1.5          1.3         +18%         1.5          1.3         +18% 
 Gold production, Koz        2.1          3.2         -34%         3.7          5.8         -36% 
 
   Voro CIP 
 Ore processed, Kt           252          252         +0%          498          498         +0% 
 Gold grade, g/t             4.2          4.9         -15%         4.0          4.3         -5% 
 Gold recovery(1)           81.1%        82.6%        -2%         80.8%        81.8%        -1% 
 Gold production, Koz       26.2          29.3        -10%        50.8          52.6        -4% 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
   Gold, Koz                28.3          32.5        -13%        54.5          58.4        -7% 
 
   Note:       (1) Technological recovery, includes gold within work-in-progress inventory 

Q2 gold production at Voro decreased by 13% year-on-year, largely driven by lower ore grades.

Mining volumes declined sharply as expected given that the open pit is nearing closure next year. Exploration drilling has identified substantial high-quality mineralization below the open pit. Technical studies are currently under way to determine the feasibility of underground mining.

The heap leach plant shifted to residual leaching, whereby previously leached ore is re-crushed and re-agglomerated to enable recoveries from previously impermeable material.

SVETLOYE

 
                              3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                            -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                2018          2017                    2018          2017 
                            ------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Svetloye 
 Waste mined, Kt                 122           66         +85%         224          255         -12% 
 Ore mined (open pit), Kt        335          331         +1%          661          595         +11% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Svetloye Heap Leach 
 Ore stacked, Kt                 434          370         +17%         653          466         +40% 
 Gold grade, g/t                 3.8          4.7         -18%         3.8          4.5         -15% 
 Gold production, Koz           44.7          26.4        +69%        53.0          26.4       +101% 
 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
 Gold, Koz                      44.7          26.4        +69%        53.0          26.4       +101% 
 

In Q2 Svetloye delivered a robust 69% year-on-year production increase.

Higher stacking volumes and continued leaching of material placed on pads last year more than offset grade declines.

Successful step-out drilling at the Emy pit and positive metallurgical test work for the material from the nearby Levoberezhny property indicate potential to extend the life-of-mine of Svetloye by approximately 4 years to 2028.

OKHOTSK OPERATIONS

 
                                 3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                               -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                   2018          2017                    2018          2017 
                               ------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Avlayakan 
 Underground development, m         756         1,223        -38%        2,108        2,467        -15% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        42            29         +44%         88            68         +30% 
 
 Khotorchan 
 Waste mined, Kt                    251           -           NA          254           -           NA 
 Ore mined (open pit), Kt           28            -           NA          28            -           NA 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Khakanja 
 Ore processed, Kt                  159          153         +3%          312          307         +2% 
 Grade 
   Gold, g/t                        1.8          1.7         +7%          1.8          1.5         +17% 
   Silver, g/t                      87            99         -12%         87            99         -13% 
 Recovery(1) 
   Gold                            97.4%        96.2%        +1%         97.2%        96.5%        +1% 
   Silver                          72.6%        73.7%        -1%         72.1%        73.8%        -2% 
 Gold production, Koz               8.0          7.8         +2%         16.6          14.8        +12% 
 Silver production, Moz             0.3          0.4         -13%         0.6          0.7         -7% 
 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
   Gold, Koz                        8.0          7.8         +2%         16.6          14.8        +12% 
   Silver, Moz                      0.3          0.4         -13%         0.6          0.7         -7% 
 

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

At Okhotsk, production was largely flat. Sea transportation of ore from Avlayakan commenced on time setting the stage for improvement in grades in Q3.

A new small-scale satellite open-pit mine, Khotorchan, entered production. The operation is expected to be completed in Q4 2018 with ore trucked by winter road to the Khakanja mill in Q1 2019.

KAPAN

 
                                 3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                               -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                   2018          2017                    2018          2017 
                               ------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Kapan 
 Underground development, m        4,268        4,355        -2%         9,684        7,723        +25% 
 Ore mined (underground), Kt        154          135         +14%         311          250         +24% 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Ore processed, Kt                  158          132         +20%         312          246         +27% 
 Grade 
  Gold, g/t                         2.0          2.6         -23%         1.9          2.4         -19% 
  Silver, g/t                       34            45         -25%         33            44         -24% 
  Copper, %                        0.32%        0.32%        +2%         0.31%        0.30%        +6% 
  Zinc, %                          1.48%        1.31%        +13%        1.40%        1.32%        +6% 
 Recovery 
  Gold                             84.7%        86.3%        -2%         83.4%        85.0%        -2% 
  Silver                           85.2%        84.9%        +0%         83.6%        84.1%        -1% 
  Copper                           95.8%        91.6%        +5%         95.2%        91.3%        +4% 
  Zinc                             86.7%        90.8%        -4%         87.1%        89.7%        -3% 
 
 TOTAL PRODUCTION 
   Gold, Koz                        7.7          8.6         -10%        14.2          14.4        -1% 
   Silver, Moz                      0.1          0.1         -9%          0.2          0.2         -5% 
   Copper, Kt                       0.4          0.3         +24%         0.8          0.6         +34% 
   Zinc, Kt                         1.6          1.2         +32%         3.0          2.3         +30% 
 

Gold production for Q2 decreased slightly year-on-year as the upper levels of the mine with high-grade stopes were temporarily unavailable due to the official enquiry of the fatal incident on March 2.

Ore mined volumes continued to grow, reflecting the positive results of ongoing improvement measures to debottleneck the underground mine, especially as mine personnel completed a full transition from manual to mechanized drilling. The processing volumes grew in line with mining.

Gold grades declined year-on-year as manual shrinkage with minimal dilution was completely phased out due to health and safety concerns.

KYZYL

 
                                 3 months ended Jun 30,    % change    6 months ended Jun 30,    % change 
                               -------------------------  ---------  -------------------------  --------- 
                                   2018          2017                    2018          2017 
                               ------------  -----------  ---------  ------------  -----------  --------- 
 MINING 
 Waste mined, Kt                  14,888        12,479       +19%       28,683        23,178       +24% 
 Ore mined (open-pit), Kt           323           -           NA          397           -           NA 
 
 PROCESSING 
 Ore processed, Kt                  74            -           NA          74            -           NA 
 Gold grade, g/t                    2.5           -           NA          2.5           -           NA 
 Gold recovery                      42%           -           NA          42%           -           NA 
 Concentrate produced, Kt           1.3           -           NA          1.3           -           NA 
 Concentrate gold grade, g/t       46.5           -           NA         46.5           -           NA 
 Gold in concentrate, Koz(1)        2.0           -           NA          2.0           -           NA 
 

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 sale to off-taker or internal downstream processing to saleable metal product

The Kyzyl processing plant was started up on 17 June 2018, one month ahead of schedule, with the first 1.3 Kt of concentrate produced during the month from the lower-grade material.

The 3-month ramp up period so far has been progressing according to plan. Grade reconciliation is in line with the reserve model. The recoveries are being improved continuously, with the current average run-rate of 72% achieved in July to date.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Nezhda - the Company decided to exercise its call option to acquire the remaining 75.3% stake in the gold property, which will bring its effective stake to 100% once completed. The total consideration for the call option exercise will amount to US$ 144 million, payable in Polymetal shares. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018 after the receipt of all required regulatory approvals. A detailed development plan for the asset will be presented after the completion of a Feasibility Study in Q4 2018.

Prognoz - the Company has brought its effective ownership in the silver asset to 100% via 2 separate transactions for a total of US$ 212 million paid in Polymetal shares. An updated JORC-compliant resource estimate is expected in Q4 2018.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Polymetal had no fatalities in the quarter, with a Group Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate ("LTIFR") of 0.17 versus 0.19 in Q2 2017.

All our Russian and Kazakh operations maintained their OHSAS 18001 accreditation following external audits, with Kyzyl and Komar re-certified during Q2 2018. An audit of Kapan is scheduled for the next quarter.

Safety remains a top priority for Polymetal and the Company reaffirms its commitment to further improving across health and safety metrics to achieve our zero--harm target. Details of the implemented safety and employee welfare initiatives are set out in the Sustainability Report, which can be found on our website.

Polymetal continues to invest in digital technologies and innovative practices to achieve greater levels of safety, efficiency, and productivity. In the reporting period, we have implemented two new standards - voice reporting of near-misses to improve communication underground, and an incident recording system to improve the efficiency of preventive measures.

PERSONNEL

Yerbol Rakhimov (51) was appointed as Managing Director of Mayskoye. Yerbol replaced Yevgeny Tsybin (41) who assumed the position of Technical Director in Polymetal's Magadan office. Mr Rakhimov was born in Kazakhstan in 1967 and in 1991 graduated from the Kazakh Polytechnic Institute with a degree in mining engineering. From 1991 until 2011 he held various positions with Kazzinc, first as an underground mine surveyor and all the way up to chief engineer and mine manager. In 2011, Mr. Rakhimov joined Polymetal as chief engineer of the Dukat underground mine, a position he held until 2015. In 2015, he was appointed chief engineer of the Dukat operations.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

DRLKELFLVDFEBBZ

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 26, 2018 02:01 ET (06:01 GMT)

1 Year Polymetal Chart

1 Year Polymetal Chart

1 Month Polymetal Chart

1 Month Polymetal Chart

Your Recent History

Delayed Upgrade Clock