Evolution Mining reports strong quarter, progress at Red Lake

[caption id="attachment_1003742949" align="alignnone" width="432"] Evolution Mining's Red Lake mine in northwestern Ontario. Credit: Evolution Mining[/caption] Evolution Mining produced 170,021 oz. of gold at its six mines in Australia and Canada at all-in sustaining costs (AISCs) of US$857 (A$1,198) per oz. in the third quarter – putting the gold miner ahead of its 2020 guidance. Previously released guidance for the year ending June 2021 outlined production of 670,000-730,000 oz. of gold at AISCs of A$1,240-1,300 per oz. For the quarter, the company reported operating cash flow of A$272.3 million, ending the period with cash of A$369.7 million and bank debt of A$550 million. At Evolution's Canadian operations – Red Lake in Ontario – which it acquired from Newmont in early 2020, Evolution has made progress on its plans to transform the asset to a producer of more than 200,000 oz. of gold per year at AISCs of less than US$1,000 per oz. The Sydney, Australia-based company established an initial JORC-compliant resource at Red Lake in September totalling 11 million oz. gold – substantially higher than previously estimated. The project now contains 22.8 million indicated tonnes grading 7.77 g/t gold for 5.7 million oz. gold, and 25.5 million inferred tonnes grading 6.49 g/t gold for 5.3 million oz. During the quarter, production at the mine was affected by forest fire in the area that resulted in a temporary suspension of operations and an 11% reduction of available operating time. The mine produced 26,638 oz. of gold at an AISC of A$2,074 per oz. for the period, down slightly from the previous quarter's figures of 27,428 oz. at A$1,943 per oz. Evolution is also working towards achieving 1,200 metres of underground mine development per month at Red Lake, where 2,678 metres were completed during the quarter. Six underground drill rigs are currently conducting a resource definition and exploration drilling program onsite, with 17,585 metres drilled in 79 holes at the Twin Otter area and at Cochenour during the period. Infill drilling results at both deposits (including 12.5 metres of 9.96 metres from 251.5 metres depth at Twin Otter) have served to increase confidence in grade continuity and will allow the company to upgrade resources in future mining areas. An updated resource statement is due out in February. Evolution has also reported encouraging results from exploration drilling at the Thor and Voss targets along strike of Cochenour, including 1.27 metres (true width) of 11.72 g/t gold from 265.8 metres at Thor and 0.3 metre (true width) of 627.8 g/t gold from 274 metres depth. In addition to a resource update in February, the gold miner expects to release the results of a surface decline study to develop upper level ore access at Red Lake in the first quarter of 2021, with a prefeasibility study assessing long-term processing options to follow in the second quarter. Ultimately, Evolution's long-term plan is to achieve 300,000 to 500,000 oz. of low cost annual production at Red Lake. For more information, visit www.evolutionmining.com.au.