Hycroft Mining Holding Corporation

Good day and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Highcroft First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star 1 on your telephone. Please be advised that this conference is being recorded. If you require any further assistance, please press star zero. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Ms. Tracy Tom, Vice President, Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Thank you so much. Good morning. Thanks, everyone, for joining us today. Today we will be discussing our first quarter 2021 results for which we filed our Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission and issue a press release this morning. The press release can be found on our website at www.highcraftmining.com. Please read the press release and listen to this call in conjunction with reviewing the Form 10-Q, which contains additional disclosures. Also, please note that some information provided during this call may include forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Even if the risks or uncertainties have been materialized or the assumptions proven correct, these results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking. A discussion of some of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions are set forth in more detail on our press releases and SEC filings, including the most recently filed 10Q. We assume no obligation and do not intend to update any such forward-looking statements. I'll now turn the call over to Diane Garrett, President and CEO.

Thank you, Tracy. Good morning, everyone, and thank you for participating on our call today. I'm Diane Garrett, President and CEO of Highcroft Mining. Along with Tracy, others that are on the call today are Jack Henriss, our Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Stan Rideout, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Mike Eislein, our Vice President and General Manager. After my initial remarks, I'll then ask Stan Rideout to review the highlights of the first quarter financials, and then followed by Jack Henriss, who will provide a brief operational update. After that, we will open the call up for questions from our audience. First, I'd like to congratulate the entire HICROF team for their dedication to improving our health and safety culture at HICROF. When I joined last September, our total reportable incident frequency rate, otherwise known as TRIPR, was well above the industry average. We've worked diligently with a top-down approach to institute and improve our safety culture in addition to our corporate work culture overall. With additions to the operating team at site and at the corporate level, combined with a motivated workforce, we saw the benefits of that work very quickly. And by the end of 2020, we saw more than 50% reduction in that tripper rate and a significant decline in the frequency and seriousness of incidents. As we all know, safety performance leads to less incidents, which leads to operational efficiencies and productivity. We've continued seeing improvements into the first quarter of this year with another decrease in our TRIPR rate, which now places us below the industry average of 1.22. And I'm extremely pleased to report that the trend continues. And as of April, our TRIPR rate is 0.93. In addition, operating performance is at the best level since the restart of operations in 2019. In addition to all of these improvements, from safety to culture to operating performance, we've achieved a number of goals during the first quarter, and I'd like to discuss those with you now. First of all, production and sales were well above plan due to improvements made by our process group and the solution management system, and increasing the brimstone Merrill Crow throughput, which improved our recovery of metal from the solution. Our drill rigs began turning in March 2021 as planned, with the task of obtaining the metallurgical samples for our previously reported variability test work program. As we discussed in our last call, this program is critical to completing the database of information so that we know how each geologic domain will perform under the two-step novel sulfide oxidation and heap leach process. While there was a lot of good work done in the past, there were just some gaps we identified, and so we want to mitigate any potential startup risk by completing that database of information. We have significantly advanced the oxide and transitional material run-of-mine plan, which is what we're operating under at the current time. We have approximately 50, 500, million tons of ore of run of mine material, which represents about 450,000 ounces of gold and 18 million ounces of silver. That material is currently accessible and our existing leach pad has about 34 million tons of run of mine capacity available. Between the 34 million tons of current pad capacity and the 50 million tons of run of mine material, we can also utilize the new leach pad if necessary for this run of mine material and or the sulfide material when we begin accessing commercial scale sulfides in 2022. While we did continue to experience COVID-related workforce shortages that affected our ability to achieve our targeted mining rates during the first quarter, we're working to make up for those shortfalls. And at this time, we do not expect any impacts to our full year 2021 production and guidance outlook for gold sales. For this quarter, it is business as usual with optimizing our mine plans and performing the drilling necessary to complete the variability work for the sulfide oxidation process. Everything remains on track and on budget. Our goals for this year are multifold. First, we are working our team with Forte Dynamics toward a goal of being cash flow positive from our run-of-mine heat bleach operation. Our team is moving into the final stages of the mine plan optimization and scheduling with the current 50 million tons of run-of-mine material and more that we expect to encounter throughout our mining operations. We hope to achieve a base operation that is cash flow positive as we bring on the sulfide material to be processed under the two-stage process during 2022. Second, we are completing the necessary design work that we previously mentioned on the two-stage novel sulfide oxidation process, such as designing the solutions management system, heat stacking design, and forced air injection design. As I mentioned earlier, we're on track with the drilling for the representative samples across the entire deposit to complete the variability work and preparation and planning for this commercial scale sulfide production. Third, as we discussed on our last call, with total resources of 21 million ounces of gold and over 700 million ounces of silver, we feel it is prudent to at least look at the option for treating higher grade sulfide ores, which we have identified within the deposit, through a small mill. If we determine that additional value can be obtained by processing some portion of the sulfide through a mill, we have the flexibility and timing of bringing a mill online because we have the majority of the permits in hand and because the mills and motors are in storage. If a mill is determined to be a significant contributor to the overall value of the mine, we could bring it on in year three or four or five or even later. In other words, we have flexibility if and when a small mill may make sense. Because we have all of the equipment, we don't have the pressure of needing to spend the capital on long lead time items. So this is a very big benefit. Moreover, as I mentioned earlier, we are fully permitted for the mill operation and for a tailing stand. We're doing that work right now with the Cinco Engineering to see what the taking the previously existing feasibility study on the mill and wrapping in current economics on it. Fourth, For this year, our new team's deep dive into the existing drilling information has identified several areas of high-grade sulfide mineralization, and we're following up on these target areas while we have the drill rigs on site. So they're going to be performing a dual purpose this year. While we have a lot of work to do during the year, we have a team that's certainly up to the pass. This is what we do. We take projects up the value chain for all shareholders by reducing startup risk and optimizing the approach to mine planning and processing. We envision Highcroft as having a solid base run of mine heat bleach plan while we introduce the sulfide oxidation processing and possibly at some future point introduce a small milling component. As we've talked about before and in the past, this multi-stream processing design is very common in Nevada for these types of large deposits. So rarely in our area is it a one-size-fits-all approach. But we've also talked to you before about how the ore body tells you how to process each geologic domain so that it yields the best value for all of our shareholders. On a final note before I turn the conversation over to Stan Rideout, We remain very disappointed in our share performance, but we also believe these are compelling buying opportunities for such a large world-class mineral endowment. We had one seller following our last earnings call who had been in the stock for a while, and that continued to put pressure on our stock. We do see selling by other entities, and I know many of you have phoned me about that. They have reported to me that they're closing and or realigning portfolios, and while they remain shareholders of High Crop with significant positions of our stock, They also have to liquidate some holdings in those funds that are being closed. And we anticipate and hope very soon this selling will be nearing the end. So we have a very busy year ahead of us, and I'll provide some closing comments shortly. But for now, I'll turn it over to Stan Rideout, our CFO, to walk us through the financial summary. Stan?

Thank you, Diane, and good morning. During Q1 2021, the Highcroft mine continued to operate at a pre-commercial scale with operations focused on the run of mine ore. Top line revenue was in line with our plan and we're on track to meet full year ounce sales targets. Sales in Q1 2021 were 9,830 ounces of gold at an average realized price of $1,784 per ounce and $57,236 ounces of silver at an average realized price of $26.12 per ounce. In Q1 2021, ounces sold increased from the first quarter of 2020 by 50% for gold and 16% for silver, as more ore tons are out on the pads under leach compared to a year ago. While we are making progress and achieved our Q1 2021 sales plan, High Cross has not been able to generate positive net income or positive cash flows due to the low gold equivalent ounce production and sales volumes and a high operating cost profile. At the end of the first quarter of 2021, we had $36.5 million in cash, which represents a $20 million decrease from December 31, 2020. The cash balance at that time was $56.4 million. Cash used in operations was $15 million, and cash used in investing activities accounted for another $5 million as we wrapped up the spending on the leach pad. While there were no financing activities during Q1, we will begin making cash payments on the SPROT credit agreement in the second quarter. Additionally, a recent development and meaningful to the operations is that we expect to start improving our cost metrics as the We experienced the arrival of the new Caterpillar 994K wheel loader. Parts started arriving in March, and commissioning is expected to be completed soon. This unit will eliminate an expensive brimful loading unit, and we expect that it will improve our loading capabilities and cost structure. And as always, we continue to focus on controlling our spending and managing our cash. With that, I'll turn the conversation over to Jack.

Thank you, Stan. Good morning, everyone. We've been working diligently on our mine planning optimization work. As Diane indicated, we've identified 50 million tons of oxide and transitional ores. Our goal is to get the free cash flow positive as quickly as possible. We began this work in January, and we expect to complete it in Q3. As Stan indicated, a 994 parts began arriving in March. Commissioning is ongoing, and we expect to complete the commissioning of that new 994K in May. It has replaced a high-cost rental loading unit, and it will help reduce our unit loading costs as we continue to focus on lowering mining costs. Our variability drilling program is underway. We have a reverse circ drill on site. 34 pre-collar holes have been completed of a planned 98 holes total. Two core rigs continue to operate on site as well, and we've completed 12 core tails. The work to date has been completed in the Camel and Porter areas. We're currently drilling in South Brimstone and our next move will be to North Brimstone. We expect that program to continue throughout the year with variability testing completed early next year. And finally, we're following up on high-grade mineralization. This is an area we've identified to the south and adjacent to the vortex pit. We'll be following up in these areas in Q3 and Q4. In addition, we've already followed up on some inferred blocks adjacent to current and planned mining areas in the Camel area. The idea is to convert them from inferred to indicated blocks with some additional drilling. And our assays are pending as some of that work has already been completed. On that note, I'll turn it back over to Diane.

All right. Thank you, Stan. Thank you, Jack. Appreciate that very much. I just want to say on behalf of the whole Highcroft team, we really appreciate the continued support of all of our shareholders as we continue to develop and unlock the value of this amazing asset. We know we're on the right path to achieving that goal, and we wouldn't be able to do that without your support. So we really do appreciate it. It's a very busy year for us, and everything is on track, and we look forward to reporting back to the market once we have the final information on the keep leach, run a mine plan, as well as the work that comes in from our variability test work for the two-stage sulfide oxidation. and any updates we may have on the mill. And then if necessary, we'll be updating our technical report as well. So a lot on the go. We're very excited about what we see with Highcroft and where we're going for our shareholders this year. So with that, I'll ask the operator to open the call for questions. And again, thank you for participating and joining us today.

As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question, please press park. then the number one on your telephone keypad. And if you would like to withdraw your question, press the count key. One moment while we compile the Q&A roster. Your first question comes from Vincent Anderson with Steffel. Your line's open. You may ask your question.

Yeah, good morning. And sounds like the process group did a particularly nice job this quarter, so well done there. Can you help us bridge the financial impact of the 1Q mining disruptions versus those improvements you made to the solution management system and Merrill Crowe plant? I mean, just kind of thinking as it relates to the cadence of operating cash flows to the balance of the year.

So operationally, you know, early in the year we had issues with the COVID and COVID management that was impacting the mine ops crews primarily. We also did some safety stand downs to correct some issues there. But those impacts are often not felt immediately because of the way you stack a pad. And we kind of knew that we wanted to set ourselves up for you know, a strong first half performance in this year in the latter part of 2020. So we did a lot of work on coordinating our ore placement and stacking on the pad. We also undertook a conversion of a contractor pad operations crew and took that over internally and self-performed. And the result was You know, I think much better coordination and operation of solution flows and applications, the pad, which improved the ounce profile. So in a heap leach, obviously, you know, solution flow is directly attributable to your ounce profile. And, you know, it was in the way we coordinated our stacking and getting more material under leach quicker, it just improved the ounce profile, which translates to, you know, ounce production and revenue. relatively quickly on this pad. So from an operational perspective, that's what we're, you know, doing there. Yeah, go ahead.

I would just add briefly, you know, the challenge was, you know, because of the COVID impacts, you know, we weren't able to put, as Mike said, as much material on the leach pad. So we're going to have to run the rental fleet or the larger size rental fleet a little longer to catch up, you know, because of the missing folks in the seats there. So that, you know, so the cost kind of came through, but we'll see some of those costs roll through in the second quarter as we start, you know, stocking Oregon.

Okay. All right. Thank you. That's a perfect clarification there. And then, you know, just kind of balancing that, those comments, you know, you mentioned you had gold and silver production in the quarter. It ran pretty well ahead of ounces sold. Not too much of an impact to working capital or unit costs in aggregate. So how should we think about that against the balance of some of those higher costs from the 1Q disruptions just kind of flowing through the next couple of quarters?

Well, you know, our expectation is that we'll be able to operate more efficiently and keep our costs in line, but they will be higher as we stock on the pad. And so those ounces will, you know, come out probably more in the third quarter than being available to us in the second quarter. So, you know, that's kind of the impact. So I don't know, Mike or Jack, if you want to add anything.

No, that's spot on, Stan. That's exactly, it's kind of a delayed effect. But as long as we're, one thing we're focusing on, and we're picking up on it, picking up steam on it, I should say, pretty rapidly this quarter is that consistency and getting material to the pad and working through our active mine plan and making sure that we're emphasizing the ROM tons as they become available and really setting up our ore and waste runs in the mine to be as efficient as possible and take advantage. And looking at rental truck hours, you know, can we optimize our own fleet and reduce rental hours? You know, anything that moves the needle on cost and efficiency, a huge effort underway right now in the mine to really, you know, do a deep dive and get that extra margin of savings.

Okay. And then, so you're in the final stages of planning out that pre-commercial kind of phase of operations, as you mentioned in the report. But how should we think about capital expenditures this year, the balance between cash burden investment and some of these more critical assets, like the refining facilities that you mentioned?

So for the existing plan and the guidance, there's minimal capital. The 994K will loader, we were able to lease that. So with very little money down and then spread the payment over 48 months. So it's a really efficient capital investment there. We're using the rental fleet. So the $10 million investment into the variability program is the biggest item, as well as kind of the $5 million that we've already spent in the first quarter with the predominant amount on the the new leach pad, which we're now deferring that into the future for future capital there. So for the base plan, we're in good shape. As we transition and work on the run of mine plan, we're really working on the capital at this point. We think we'll be able to finance a significant portion of that. Our game plan is to do it through leases, capital leases with the operating equipment And then there'll be some other investment in, you know, the process facilities. So, you know, that's kind of the capital plan at this point.

Okay. And do you have a preliminary budget for the processing facilities?

Go ahead, Stan. We're both jumping in there.

I'm not trying to squeeze too much out of you, but just those seem to be key bottlenecks here.

Yeah, well, no. I mean, we've talked in the past. I mean, the upgrades to the North Merrill Crow Plant have to happen in order for us to reach higher mining rates and higher stacking rates. So we need to be able – for the plant to handle the solutions. And the brimstone plant, while we've made a lot of upgrades and addressed some of the issues there, it's not going to be satisfactory for the larger scale operation. So for the plant itself, the upgrades, I think we've addressed in the past, it's about $3 million to do that. We'll also need, we've got the refinery and the various components and all of that on site, but we need to put that into place. And that's about an equal amount of money as well So as far as, you know, the larger scale operation, when we go to higher tons, you know, there will be a component of additional haul trucks, which stands working with a number of equipment manufacturers right now on capital leases. But, you know, with the work that Jack and his team are doing on the mining side with 4K, we're finalizing the mine plans over the next couple of weeks. And then we'll be able to properly size the trucks and the number of trucks that we will need for that. So the capital items and things like that that we envision are to be delivered to the market. We're just finalizing our operational stuff right now so we can make sure we have the appropriate sized equipment for that. But from the plant and stuff, it's not significant dollars. Anything you want to add, Stan or Jack or Mike, to any of that?

Nope, that was spot on.

No, I think it's spot on. All right, well, thank you for that. And then, so just finally, you know, have you been able to begin additional lab testing on the sulfide ore pre-oxidation, and should we expect to get interim updates on those results, or should we just stay tuned for the full technical report?

Yeah, we're just getting rolling with the drilling. Samples will start trickling in here relatively soon over the next couple weeks. It's going to take a long time. This is a very large campaign, and we should start seeing some results probably end of third quarter, early fourth, but the whole suite of testing really won't be completed until, you know, the end of Q1 next year. So we should have some indication, though, as we go, but it's going to be several months yet.

Okay. So it sounds like you kind of want to do this holistically. There's no one specific area of the mind that you plan to, you know, really take those test results through to completion and kind of phase it in?

No, we've got a pretty detailed distribution of drill holes set up to well-define all the geological domains, and more importantly, the geometallurgical domains. We just don't have enough information to know one way or the other what's more promising than the next. So it's really just going to take some time to get these core samples in and run them through some preliminary tests. I have to hand it to the team. They've done a great job in really diving down and putting a plan together for this variability testing that should answer all the questions we need answered across this mine as we do this drilling.

All right. Well, thank you very much, and best of luck on the rest of the year.

Great. Thank you, Vincent.

Once again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. Again, if you would like to ask a question, please press star, then the number one on your telephone keypad. No further question at this time. I'll hand a call back to Dan Garrett.

Okay, thank you, operator. We have quite a few people on this call, so I guess we've answered everybody's questions. But as always, you have our numbers, you have our emails. Please reach out to us. Be happy to answer any of your questions at any time. So very excited about the progress we've made. Appreciate the support from all of our shareholders. And the team's just done an outstanding job, and we look forward to continuing this upward momentum as we develop this amazing asset. So with that, everyone have a great day. Thank you again for joining us, and we'll be in touch soon.

That concludes today's conference. Thank you all for joining. You may now disconnect.