Jaguar Mining Provides Q3 2009 Update of Operations
Record Quarterly Output Up 19%, Turmalina Phase I Expansion Completed on
Schedule
JAG - TSX/NYSE
Consolidated Operations (Turmalina, Paciência and Sabara)
- In Q3 2009, the Company produced a record 41,585 ounces of gold at an
average cash operating cost of $451 per ounce compared to 34,935
ounces at an average cash operating cost of $461 per ounce during the
same period last year, a production increase of 19%.
- For the first nine months of 2009, Jaguar produced 115,211 ounces of
gold at an average cash operating cost of $444 per ounce compared to
77,130 ounces at an average cash operating cost of $450 per ounce
during the first nine months of 2008, a production increase of 49%.
- Excluding the Sabara operation, which was idled during August and
September 2009 (See Sabara Operations below), Q3 2009 gold production
increased 12% or by 4,370 ounces over Q2 2009 gold production.
- Q3 2009 gold sales rose to 36,314 ounces at an average price of $969
per ounce, 21% above the comparable Q3 2008 gold sales of 29,926
ounces at an average price of $862 per ounce.
- Although cash operating costs were lower than Q2 2009 and 2008, the
further weakening of the U.S. dollar continued to impact reported
cash operating costs. Exchange rates in Q3 2009 averaged R$1.87 per
$1.00 compared to R$2.08 and R$2.32 per $1.00 in Q2 2009 and Q1 2009,
respectively; an increase (of the Brazilian real) of 10% and 19%
respectively. Had the Brazilian real remained steady at the R$2.08
per $1.00 in Q3 2009, average cash operating costs would have been
reduced to $406 per ounce compared to the reported $451 per ounce.
- In September, the Company completed the construction of the Phase I
expansion at Turmalina to boost annual gold production capacity from
80,000 ounces per year to 100,000 ounces per year. The new components
are expected to reach design levels during October 2009.
- Underground mine development at operations in the Iron Quadrangle
during Q3 2009 reached an all-time high record of 4.0 km in a
quarter, bringing year-to-date development to 10.7 km and total in-
place development to nearly 40 km. This amount of development helps
ensure the Company's ability to convert resources into reserves on-
schedule, as well as provide at least 18 months of advanced mine
access.
- Management currently estimates FY 2009 gold production will range
between approximately 165,000 to 170,000 ounces at average cash
operating costs of between $444 and $452 per ounce. The decision to
idle Sabara in Q1 and most of Q3 2009 accounts for the reduction from
the top-end of management's initial guidance of between 165,000 to
175,000 ounces. The idling of Sabara for approximately half of the
year also benefits Jaguar's overall cost performance.
Turmalina Operations - On Plan for Q3
In Q3 2009, Turmalina produced 22,249 ounces of gold at an average cash operating cost of
The following was achieved at Turmalina during Q3 2009:
- Mine production totaled 177,459 tonnes of ore at an average run-of-
mine ("ROM") grade of 5.11 grams per tonne compared to 128,354 tonnes
of ore at an average ROM grade of 5.20 grams per tonne in Q3 2008.
- Ore processed through the mill totaled 153,324 tonnes at an average
feed grade of 5.27 grams per tonne compared to 128,041 tonnes at an
average feed grade of 5.42 grams per tonne in Q3 2008.
- The plant recovery rate averaged 89%.
- Mine development totaled 1.25 km.
- Installed underground development within the Turmalina mine is
adequate to achieve the mine plan for a period of 18 months.
- Construction of the Phase I expansion circuit to boost annual gold
production from 80,000 ounces per year to 100,000 ounces per year was
completed on-schedule. The new circuit was placed into operation on
October 5, 2009.
Paciência Operations - On Plan for Q3
In Q3 2009, Paciência produced 17,927 ounces of gold at an average cash operating cost of
The following was achieved at Paciência during Q3 2009:
- Steps initiated in Q3 2009 to increase ore output and limit dilution
at the St. Isabel mine yielded positive results with ore production
rising to 131,909 tonnes at an average ROM grade of 3.54 grams per
tonne compared to 107,862 tonnes at an average ROM grade 3.19 grams
per tonne in Q2 2009.
- Ore shipments from the Pilar mine continued during Q3 2009 at
approximately the same level as Q2 2009 (40,912 tonnes at an average
ROM grade of 4.32 grams per tonne versus 40,458 tonnes at an average
ROM grade of 4.36 grams per tonne in Q2 2009).
- The initial shipments of ore from the Palmital mine (conglomerates)
near the Paciência plant began in Q3 2009 where ore production
totaled 6,745 tonnes at an average ROM grade of 6.99 grams per tonne.
- Consolidated ore production for the Paciência mining complex totaled
179,566 tonnes at an average ROM grade of 3.84 grams per tonne
compared to ore production of 96,020 tonnes at an average ROM grade
of 3.32 grams per tonne in Q3 2008.
- Ore processed through the mill totaled 167,193 tonnes with an average
feed grade of 3.55 grams per tonne.
- The plant recovery rate averaged 93%.
- Mine development at the St. Isabel mine totaled 1.0 km, 0.4 km at the
Pilar mine, 0.3 km at Palmital and 0.5 km at the NW1 zone.
Management plans to continue ore shipments from the Pilar mine during Q4 2009. However, during the latter part of Q1 2010, management intends to divert ore from Pilar to the Caeté Plant under construction, which is expected to begin commissioning during Q2 2010. Gold production at Paciência should not be materially affected as increases in ore production from the St. Isabel mine, Palmital mine and NW1 zone are expected to offset the re-direction of Pilar ore and lead to lower cash operating costs.
Sabara Operations
The Company is conducting a strategic review of the Sabara mining concessions and leaching facility, which could include divesting the operation in its entirety before the end of 2010. As part of this strategic review, and to maximize cash flow from this operation until new higher-grade oxide resources are available, the crushing and leaching operations were idled during most of the quarter. Curtailing this operation was unplanned at the beginning of the quarter. Management determined the profitability of the operation was significantly reduced running at lower throughput rates with limited quantities of ore from the Serra Paraiso mine. With the addition of ore from a new oxide zone in development at the Roca Grande deposit in the Caeté region, management intends to re-start crushing and leaching operations at the Sabara plant during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Mining operations at the Zone A mine were terminated as expected in Q2 2009 due to exhaustion of mineral resources. Ore shipments from the Serra Paraiso mine to the Sabara leaching and processing site continued during Q3 2009 and will continue to be stockpiled until leaching operations recommence. Serra Paraiso produced 15,035 tonnes at an average ROM grade of 2.48 grams per tonne.
Caeté Project
Construction of Jaguar's new Caeté Project is on-schedule for completion in March/
- Basic engineering is 100% complete with detailed engineering 68%
concluded.
- All major equipment required for the project, including crushing and
milling components, have been acquired.
- Crushing and Storage
- Civil works for the crushing circuit is 100% complete.
- Civil works for storage of crushed ore is scheduled to be
completed late October.
- Steel fabrication for the primary and secondary crushing circuits
is underway and will be completed by the end of the year.
- Milling
- Mill equipment is on-site.
- Installation is scheduled for Q1 2009.
- Carbon-in-pulp ("CIP")Processing Plant
- Major components are on-site.
- Tank fabrication for the leaching circuit is underway and will
continue through year-end. Tailings Storage
- Construction began on July 1st and is expected to be completed by
year-end.
- The liner for this structure will be installed in Q1 2010.
- All permits, licenses and power contracts necessary for mine
development, and construction and commissioning of the operation have
been received.
Cash Position
As of
2009 Outlook
The Company's 2009 production and cost estimates are as follows:
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Actual Estimated Actual Estimated
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Operation Y-T-D 2009 FY 2009 Y-T-D 2009 FY 2009
Production Production Cash Operating Cash Operating
(oz) (oz) Cost ($/oz) Cost ($/oz)
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Turmalina 60,887 87,000-90,000 $389 $389-396
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Paciência 47,965 68,000-70,000 $482 $479-487
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Sabara 6,360 10,000 $680 $650-666
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Total 115,211 165,000-170,000 $444 $444-452
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Note: Estimated cash operating costs based on R$1.75 to R$1.85 per $1.00.
Q3 Conference Call Details
The Company will release its Q3 2009 financial and operating results after the market close on
From North America: 800-218-5691
International: 213-416-2192
Replay:
From North America: 800-675-9924
International: 213-416-2185
Replay ID: 111009
Webcast: www.jaguarmining.com
About Jaguar
Jaguar is one of the fastest growing gold producers in
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws, concerning the Company's objectives, such as estimated 2009 gold production and cash operating costs, the build-out of the Caeté Project and lowering cash operating costs at Paciência. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "intends", "plans", "expects", "expected" and "will". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, or performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
These factors include the inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other ecological data, fluctuating gold prices and monetary exchange rates, the possibility of project cost delays and overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, uncertainties related to production rates, timing of production and the cash and total costs of production, changes in applicable laws including laws related to mining development, environmental protection, and the protection of the health and safety of mine workers, the availability of labor and equipment, the possibility of labor strikes and work stoppages and changes in general economic conditions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.
These forward-looking statements represent our views as of the date of discussion. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's views to change. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, either written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company subsequent to the date of this discussion except as required by law. For a discussion of important factors affecting the Company, including fluctuations in the price of gold and exchange rates, uncertainty in the calculation of mineral resources, competition, uncertainty concerning geological conditions and governmental regulations and assumptions underlying the Company's forward-looking statements, see the "CAUTIONARY NOTE" regarding forward-looking statements and "RISK FACTORS" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended
%CIK: 0001333849
For further information: Investors and analysts: Bob Zwerneman, Vice President Corporate Development and Director of Investor Relations, (603) 224-4800, [email protected]; Media inquiries: Valéria Rezende DioDato, Director of Communication, (603) 224-4800, [email protected]
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