Trevali Mining has released its 2020 production results and released production and costs guidance for 2021. Last year, the miner generated 313 million lb. of zinc, in line with its guidance for 312 million lb. to 327 million lb. for the year. Lead production came in at 30 million lb., above the 23 to 25 million lb. forecast, with an additional 752,000 oz. of silver, in line with the 742,000 to 762,000 oz. expected.
The majority of the company’s zinc output, at 150 million lb., came from the Perkoa underground mine n Burkina Faso, with a further 86 million lb. contributed by the Rosh Pinah underground site in Namibia.
The Caribou mine in New Brunswick, which temporarily stopped production in March 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic and weak zinc market conditions, generated 15 million zinc lb. Earlier this month, Trevali announced that it plans on restarting the mine in early February.
The first-quarter Caribou restart includes first production scheduled for March
This year, the company expects to produce 330 to 360 million lb. of zinc, at all-in sustaining costs of $90¢ to $97¢ per lb. In addition to lead, it expects to generate 45 to 50 million lb. of lead and 925,000 to 1 million oz. of silver. Perkoa is expected to contribute 150 to 165 million lb. of zinc; Caribou is forecast to generate 60 to 65 million lb. of the base metal.
“The company ended 2020 on solid footing and is well-positioned to take full advantage of the significant opportunities provided by the positive momentum in the zinc market,” Ricus Grimbeek, Trevali’s president and CEO, said in a release. “We are excited about the year ahead. Production is forecast at 330 to 360 million lb. of zinc from our four operations that will generate meaningful cash flow at current zinc prices.”
Grimbeek added that this forecast cash flow is expected to strengthen Trevali’s balance sheet, allowing it to pay down debt, and create financial flexibility for growth opportunities such as the RP2.0 expansion project at Rosh Pinah – a feasibility study for this development is expected in the second half of 2021.
The first-quarter Caribou restart includes first production scheduled for March. Additional operational and commercial enhancements are planned for this year.
In December, Trevali closed a C$34.5-million offering with proceeds intended for the restart of Caribou, exploration and development and debt repayment.
The 2021 capital budget stands at $50 million, which includes $39 million allocated for sustaining capital, $6 million planned for exploration and $5 million in expansion capital (this excludes the RP2.0 expansion project).
Fourth-quarter and full-year financial and operating results are expected before market open on February 25.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)
