Endeavour Mining plc has announced that it has closed the sale of its 90% interests in its Boungou and Wahgnion non-core mines in Burkina Faso to Lilium Mining, a subsidiary of Lilium Capital, an African and frontier markets-focused strategic investment vehicle led by West African entrepreneurs.

The total consideration is expected to exceed $300 million and is comprised of upfront and deferred cash considerations and net smelter return royalties.

Sébastien de Montessus, President and CEO, commented: “In line with our strategy of actively managing our portfolio to focus management efforts on higher quality assets, we are pleased to announce the sale of our non-core Boungou and Wahgnion mines to Lilium Mining.

“We believe that Lilium Mining is well positioned to continue to unlock value at the Boungou and Wahgnion mines, for the benefit of all stakeholders. Moreover, Lilium is a trusted Burkinabe-focused business that shares our commitment to operate the mines in the best interests of employees and local stakeholders”.

“We wish to thank our Boungou and Wahgnion employees and local stakeholders for their commitment, professionalism and contribution to Endeavour’s success over the past several years.”

TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT

Under the terms of the Agreement, the total consideration consists of the following:

$130 million to be received by 31 July 2023 in the form of a reimbursement of historical shareholder loans, which will be used to further strengthen the Company’s balance sheet as it progresses the construction of its growth projects. $25 million in deferred cash consideration payable in two instalments of $10 million and $15 million by end of Q4-2023 and end of Q1-2024, respectively. Deferred cash consideration comprised of 50% of the net free cashflow generated by the Boungou mine until $55 million has been paid, which is expected to occur by Q4-2024 based on the current gold price environment and mine plan. An NSR on Boungou commencing immediately for 4.0% of gold sold. Endeavour expects the NSR on Boungou to generate approximately $52 million of cash over its life of mine based on current reserves, assuming a gold price of $1,850/oz, with further exploration upside and potential to convert resources to reserves. An NSR on Wahgnion commencing immediately for 4.0% of gold sold. Endeavour expects the NSR on Wahgnion to generate approximately $41 million of cash over its life of mine based on current reserves, assuming a gold price of $1,850/oz, with further exploration upside and potential to convert resources to reserves.

The transaction constitutes a class 2 transaction for Endeavour for the purposes of the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules and, as such, does not require Endeavour shareholder approval. Based on the economic terms of the transaction, Endeavour will perform its purchase price adjustments with effect from 1 May 2023.

UPDATED GROUP GUIDANCE

Following the sale of the Boungou and Wahgnion mines, Endeavour has updated its 2023 full-year production and all-in sustaining cost (“AISC”) guidance to account for the removal of guided production from the Boungou mine of 115 –125koz at an AISC of $985 – 1,075/oz and from the Wahgnion mine of 150 – 165koz at an AISC of $1,250 – 1,350/oz.

As a result, the full year 2023 production guidance for continuing operations has decreased from 1,325 – 1,425koz to 1,060 – 1,135koz, while AISC guidance from continuing operations has improved by $45/oz to $895 – 950/oz. 

This asset sale is expected to be more than offset by Endeavour’s ongoing construction activities as the Group’s production and AISC are expected to significantly improve next year as the Sabodala-Massawa brownfield expansion in Senegal, and the Lafigué greenfield project in Côte d’Ivoire remain on track to be commissioned in Q2-2024 and Q3-2024, respectively. 

 

ABOUT BOUNGOU MINE

The Boungou mine was acquired by Endeavour in July 2020, as part of its acquisition of SEMAFO. Endeavour owned a 90% stake in the Boungou mine, with the remaining 10% owned by the State of Burkina Faso.

Located approximately 323 km east-southeast of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, the Boungou mine is an open pit operation on the highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt. Ore is treated at a 1.3Mtpa CIP processing plant that achieved commercial production in September 2018. 

As of 31 December 2022, Proven and Probable reserves totalled 8.9Mt at 2.91 g/t containing 0.83Moz of gold and Measured and Indicated resources (inclusive of reserves) totalled 8.6Mt at 3.59 g/t containing 0.99Moz of gold. 

For the full year ended 31 December 2022, Boungou produced 116koz at an AISC of $1,064/oz, while for H1-2023 production is expected to amount to approximately 33koz at an AISC of above $1,500/oz. 

For the full-year ended 31 December 2022, Boungou generated $27.8 million in earnings from mine operations. Boungou had a book value of $277.7 million comprised of $367.6 million in total assets and $89.9 million in total liabilities, as at 31 March 2023, on a 100% basis. 

 

ABOUT WAHGNION MINE

The Wahgnion mine was acquired by Endeavour in February 2021, as part of its acquisition of Teranga. Endeavour owned a 90% stake in the Wahgnion mine, with the remaining 10% owned by the State of Burkina Faso.

Located approximately 510 km southwest of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, the Wahgnion mine consists of several open pit operations on the highly prospective Birimian Greenstone Belt. Ore is treated at a 2.5Mtpa CIL plant that achieved commercial production in November 2019. 

As of 31 December 2022, Proven and Probable reserves totalled 14.0Mt at 1.59 g/t containing 0.72Moz of gold and Measured and Indicated resources (inclusive of reserves) totalled 18.4Mt at 1.70 g/t containing 1.00Moz of gold. 

For the full year ended 31 December 2022, Wahgnion produced 124koz at an AISC of $1,525/oz, while for H1-2023 production is expected to amount to approximately 68koz at an AISC of above $1,500/oz. For the full year ended 31 December 2022, Wahgnion generated an $18.3 million loss from mine operations. Wahgnion had a book value of $322.3 million comprised of $401.8 million in total assets and $79.5 million in total liabilities, as at 31 March 2023, on a 100% basis.