Jeremy Hoy

Jeremy Hoy inquired about the scope of the Kemess Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), asking if it would primarily tighten assumptions or if there was an opportunity to incorporate additional resources from exploration success.

Answer

Paul Tomory, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated that the PFS's main objective is to tighten assumptions, advance engineering, and progress environmental work for permitting. He noted that the PEA only evaluated less than half of the total resource, and while they would look to convert more inferred to indicated resources, expanding the mine plan beyond the initial 15 years is not the primary objective of this PFS, leaving that as future upside.

Jeremy Hoy inquired whether the Kemess Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) would primarily focus on tightening assumptions for OpEx, CapEx, and technical work, or if it would also aim to incorporate additional resources from exploration and conversion efforts.

Answer

President and CEO Paul Tomory clarified that the Kemess PFS's main objective is to refine assumptions, advance engineering, and initiate environmental work for permitting, rather than immediately expanding the mine plan beyond the initial 15-year scope. He noted that the current plan is robust, with potential for future resource additions.

Jeremy Hoy from Canaccord Genuity questioned the specific operational factors required to increase Greenstone's grade and recovery up to design levels. He also asked about the potential timeline to restart the Los Filos operation if the community were to sign a new agreement.

Answer

COO Douglas Reddy stated that Greenstone's recovery will improve as higher-grade ore is processed and noted that recent plant modifications have already rectified issues with short-circuiting in the tanks. Regarding Los Filos, CEO Gregory Smith explained that an immediate restart might not be the most economic path forward even with an agreement. The focus would likely shift to advancing the CIL plant project, and he reiterated that the company does not anticipate a resolution in the near term.

Jeremy Hoy from Canaccord Genuity asked for an update on the discussions with communities at the Los Filos mine and whether a resolution was still anticipated by the end of 2024.

Answer

CEO Gregory Smith stated that while discussions are constructive, new agreements are critical to the mine's long-term future. He clarified that there is no hard deadline, but if a resolution is not reached by early Q1 2025, the company would have to move towards a suspension of operations. Smith emphasized that all stakeholders are engaged and working towards a resolution to avoid a closure.

Jeremy Hoy asked for an update on community relations at Kemess, specifically addressing the historical aversion to open-pit mining in the region and the company's confidence in gaining community support for the revised open-pit plan.

Answer

President and CEO Paul Tomory clarified that the current open-pit concept is significantly smaller than a previous plan that faced opposition due to its potential impact on local water bodies. He explained the new project concept fits its tailings requirements within the existing permitted footprint, avoiding further disturbance. Tomory also noted that Centerra has an Impact and Benefit Agreement (IBA) in place and maintains very good relations with the local community, with whom they will continue to engage.

Jeremy Hoy inquired about the potential impact of trade tariffs on operating costs at the Mount Milligan mine and what, if any, mitigation plans were in place.

Answer

President and CEO Paul Tomory expressed low concern. CFO Ryan Snyder elaborated that with 95% of Mount Milligan's costs sourced from Canadian suppliers and all its concentrate sold into Asia, the direct impact of tariffs is expected to be minimal. He noted that ongoing cost-reduction programs are expected to offset any indirect cost pressures.

Jeremy Hoy asked about the optimization study at Mount Milligan, inquiring if the processing cost improvements seen this quarter will continue and whether these gains were factored into the original 2024 cost guidance.

Answer

Paul Chawrun, Chief Operating Officer, confirmed the optimization gains were not included in the initial 2024 guidance and that continuous improvement in the plant is expected. He noted this is a long-term program to make Mount Milligan a world-class operation. Paul Tomory, CEO, added that these new, improved operating metrics will be incorporated into the upcoming PEA for the mine's potential life extension.

Jeremy Hoy from Canaccord Genuity asked for a progress update on key underground development at Rainy River, specifically the fresh air raise and the vent loop, and whether they would be completed in Q2. He also inquired if the elevated grades from the B3 cave were continuing as it nears depletion.

Answer

President and CEO Patrick Godin confirmed that both the fresh air raise and the vent loop are on track for completion by the end of Q2, which will enhance underground development capabilities. CFO Keith Murphy stated that while the B3 cave continued to perform well with strong grades, it will be exhausted in Q2, leading to a transition to C-zone ore. Godin added that the better-than-expected B3 grades were due to less dilution than modeled.

Jeremy Hoy requested a more detailed update on the New Afton ramp-up, specifically asking about the expected timing for achieving the hydraulic radius and the progress on the new crusher and conveyor system.

Answer

President and CEO Patrick Godin reported that the project is progressing well, with the hydraulic radius expected to be achieved at the beginning of Q4. He added that the commissioning of the gyratory crusher and conveyor system is now anticipated for mid-Q4, ahead of the original year-end schedule, which he described as excellent progress.