ANNUAL REPORT 30 JUNE 2024
Summary
- Aeris Resources' FY24 Adjusted EBITDA increased substantially to $107.0 million, a $75 million improvement from FY23.
- Total revenue decreased to $540.0 million compared to $612.5 million in FY23, primarily due to Jaguar operations transitioning to care and maintenance.
- Tritton Copper Operations produced 19.7kt of copper, exceeding FY23 production and meeting guidance.
- Cracow Gold Operations produced 45.7koz of gold, meeting planned production and cost targets.
- North Queensland Operations produced 6.8kt of copper, below guidance due to limited toll processing slots.
- Jaguar Operations completed production and transitioned to care and maintenance in September 2023.
- Significant progress was made on the Stockman project, with a long-life mine design completed.
- The company completed a $30 million equity raise in November 2023 to provide working capital and financial flexibility.
- A $50 million debt facility was secured with Washington H. Soul Pattinson in August 2023.
- The company's Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) improved to 1.2 in FY24 from 1.7 in FY23.
Sentiment
Score: 7
Explanation: The overall sentiment is positive, reflecting improved financial performance and progress on key projects. However, challenges at some operations and the need for refinancing introduce some caution.
Highlights
- FY24 Adjusted EBITDA: $107.0 million (up from $32.0 million in FY23)
- FY24 Revenue: $540.0 million (down from $612.5 million in FY23)
- Tritton Copper Production: 19.7kt (up from 17.2kt in FY23)
- Cracow Gold Production: 45.7koz (down from 48.2koz in FY23)
- North Queensland Copper Production: 6.8kt (below guidance)
- Jaguar Operations: Transitioned to care and maintenance
- $30 million equity raise completed in November 2023
- $50 million debt facility secured in August 2023
- LTIFR improved to 1.2 in FY24 (from 1.7 in FY23)
Positives
- Significant increase in FY24 Adjusted EBITDA to $107.0 million.
- Tritton Copper Operations exceeded production guidance and delivered increased production.
- Cracow Gold Operations met production and cost targets.
- Successful completion of a $30 million equity raise.
- Securing a $50 million debt facility.
- Improvement in safety performance, with LTIFR decreasing to 1.2.
Negatives
- Overall revenue decreased compared to the previous year.
- North Queensland Operations' copper production was below guidance due to processing constraints.
- Jaguar Operations transitioned to care and maintenance, significantly impacting revenue.
Risks
- Commodity price volatility could impact future earnings and profitability.
- Exchange rate fluctuations could affect revenues, costs, and liabilities.
- Operational risks, such as equipment failures and weather events, could disrupt production.
- Depletion of resources and exploration risks could affect future production.
- Tenement forfeiture risks due to non-compliance.
- Native title and heritage issues could delay or impact operations.
- Health and safety risks associated with mining operations.
- Challenges in attracting and retaining suitably qualified personnel.
- Inadequate insurance coverage could affect the business.
- Production and cost estimates may not be achieved.
- Financial solvency risks due to working capital requirements and debt obligations.
- International conflicts could disrupt supply chains and commodity prices.
- Environmental risks and potential liabilities.
- Climate change impacts on water availability and extreme weather events.
Future Outlook
The company expects to continue building on its success in the coming years and deliver value to shareholders. Key growth projects, including Stockman, Constellation, and Jaguar (pending restart studies), are expected to contribute to future performance. The company is also focused on refinancing its debt facilities and securing long-term funding.
Management Comments
- The 2024 financial year was a pleasing improvement on the previous year.
- Importantly, we delivered on what we said we would do, achieving group level production and costs in line with market guidance.
- Tritton had a much-improved FY24 producing almost 20kt copper and achieving guidance.
- Our performance in FY24 was greatly improved across the business and we look forward to continuing to build on this success in the coming years and to deliver value to our shareholders.
Industry Context
Aeris Resources' performance reflects broader industry trends of fluctuating commodity prices and challenges in securing processing capacity. The company's focus on exploration and development projects aligns with the industry's efforts to extend mine life and secure future production.
Next Steps
- Continue to build on FY24 success.
- Advance study work on key growth projects (Stockman, Constellation, Jaguar).
- Continue exploration activities to extend mine lives.
- Finalise feasibility study and permitting work on the Barbara copper project.
- Undertake studies on options to restart Jaguar.
- Complete detailed metallurgical testing and engineering studies for the Stockman project.
- Complete an updated MRE for Golden Plateau in early FY25.
- Complete drilling at Constellation through the first half of FY25.
- Complete the prefeasibility study on a restart of Jaguar Operations in FY25.
- Complete the feasibility study for the Stockman project in FY25.
- Complete the feasibility study for the Barbara project in early FY25.
Key Dates
- 30 June 2022: End of FY22
- 25 November 2021: Date of LTI plan approval
- 30 June 2023: End of FY23
- 2 August 2023: Announcement of Jaguar care and maintenance and $50 million debt facility
- September 2023: Jaguar operations transitioned to care and maintenance
- November 2023: $30 million equity raise completed
- 31 December 2023: Sylvia Wiggins resigned
- 30 June 2024: End of FY24
- 29 August 2024: Date of financial statements authorisation
- 11 September 2024: Date of shareholder information reports
- 28 August 2024: Amendment to Contingent Instrument Facilities (CIF) with ANZ, extending maturity date to 15 October 2024 and extension to WHSP facility's availability period
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Market Announcement
- The announcement concerns a capital raising by Aeris Resources Limited.
Quarterly Report
- Underground ore production was impacted by delays to stope filling at Budgerygar due to a failure of the newly commissioned paste pump.
- Ramp up to full production at Murrawombie Pit was slower than expected due to the contractor having difficulty securing skilled operators.
Mineral Resource Update
- The document contains better than expected results due to the significant increase in copper and gold resources at the Constellation deposit, with a substantial upgrade to the Indicated Mineral Resource.
Half-Year Results
- The company's financial results for HY25 are significantly better than HY24, with increased revenue, lower costs, and a substantial improvement in profitability.
Quarterly Report
- The ANZ facility was renewed to July 2025 to facilitate the refinancing process.
- The company is working to complete refinancing.
Quarterly Report
- There were delays to the paste fill plant at Budgerygar.
Quarterly Report
- The new paste fill pump and reticulation system at the Budgerygar mine was delayed due to overseas supplier issues.
Annual General Meeting Results
- The AGM approved the issuance of an additional 10% of the issued capital over a 12-month period.
Facility Extension Announcement
- The refinancing process implies the company is seeking additional capital, though the specific method is not detailed.
Quarterly Report
- Tritton and Cracow exceeded production expectations, resulting in better than expected overall production.
- The AISC was lower than expected, indicating better cost management.
Quarterly Operational Report
- The completion of mining activities at Mt Colin is now expected in late November 2024.
Quarterly Operational Report
- Copper equivalent production exceeded expectations, reaching 10.2kt for the quarter.
- All-in sustaining costs (AISC) were lower than anticipated at A$5.32/lb.
Annual Report
- Despite lower overall revenue, Aeris Resources significantly exceeded expectations for Adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating improved operational efficiency and benefiting from higher commodity prices.
Annual General Meeting Notice
- Resolution 3 proposes issuing up to an additional 10% of the issued capital over a 12-month period.
- Funds raised would be used for exploration, assessing investment opportunities, and working capital.
Company Presentation
- Mt Colin's copper production was below guidance due to limited toll processing availability, indicating a delay in processing mined ore.
Quarterly Activities Report
- Mining activities at Mt Colin are now expected to continue until early Q2 FY25, which is later than the previously expected late Q4 FY24.
Presentation
- Delays in toll processing for Mt Colin have resulted in a significant buildup of ore stockpiles.
Missing type for ID: 3564
- ASX:AIS announces worse than expected results.
Missing type for ID: 3564
- ASX:AIS announces better than expected results.
Metallurgical Testwork Results
- The metal recoveries are better than the original conventional flotation flowsheet.
Exploration Update
- The DHEM results suggest that the targeted copper lodes are deeper than initially anticipated, which could increase exploration costs and delay potential production.
Group Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Statement
- The Jaguar Ore Reserve has not been updated since the previous reporting period (end December 2022).
Group Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve Statement
- The document contains worse than expected results due to the overall decrease in Group Ore Reserve tonnage.
Exploration Update
- The new IP anomaly is larger than the one associated with the existing Canbelego Main Lode, suggesting the potential for a larger copper deposit.
Quarterly Report
- Tritton's metal production was impacted by labour and equipment availability, leading to lower than expected output.
Quarterly Activities Report
- Mt Colin toll processing and copper production are behind schedule.
- Due to reduced processing runs through the year, copper production is forecast to be below guidance for FY24 at Mt Colin.
Exploration Update
- The document contains better than expected results because new geophysical surveys have identified significant new copper targets in close proximity to known, high-grade copper mineralisation at the Canbelego deposit.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.