Release Date: March 06, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
- Endeavour Mining PLC (EDVMF, Financial) achieved a record free cash flow of $268 million in Q4 2024, contributing to a total of $365 million in H2 2024.
- The company declared record dividends for 2024 of $240 million, supplemented with $37 million of share buybacks, totaling $277 million in shareholder returns.
- Endeavour Mining PLC (EDVMF) increased its group reserves by 32% in 2024, achieving its five-year resource discovery target a year early.
- The company maintained an industry-leading safety record with a lost-time injury frequency rate significantly lower than the industry average.
- Endeavour Mining PLC (EDVMF) achieved a sector-leading low emission intensity of 0.63 tons of CO2 equivalent per ounce produced, reflecting strong environmental performance.
Negative Points
- The company faced challenges at Sabodala-Massawa due to low availability of high-quality ore, impacting recovery and grades.
- Endeavour Mining PLC (EDVMF) recognized a $200 million non-cash impairment related to the Kalana property in Mali and the Golden Hill permit in Burkina Faso.
- The company's sustaining and non-sustaining capital expenditures increased year over year in 2024 due to the addition of new growth projects.
- The realized gold price increase led to higher royalties and operating expenses, impacting operating cash flows.
- Endeavour Mining PLC (EDVMF) faced increased current income tax expenses due to higher taxable earnings at the operating site level.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you provide guidance on shareholder returns, particularly regarding buybacks and potential supplemental dividends?
A: Ian Cockerill, CEO, stated that the company has declared a cash dividend of $225 million for the year and is considering supplemental cash and buybacks. The accelerated rate of buybacks indicates a strong preference for this method of shareholder returns, contingent on satisfying return criteria. Definitive decisions will be made following Board discussions mid-year.
Q: How does the current gold price affect cash tax guidance, and is there a sensitivity analysis available?
A: Guy Young, CFO, explained that corporate income tax figures are fixed based on 2024 taxes expected to be paid in 2025. The variable portion is the withholding tax, which could increase by about $10 million for every $200 increase in gold price per ounce. However, changes in gold prices are not expected to immediately affect these figures due to planning and approval processes.
Q: What are the plans for increasing production at Sabodala-Massawa, and how will this affect the mine plan?
A: Djaria Traore, EVP of Operations and ESG, mentioned initiatives to increase throughput at the BIOX plant by 10-15% and improve grade and recovery rates. The company is confident in its guidance and expects production to grow to 350,000 ounces by 2027, incorporating underground deposits into the mine plan.
Q: What is the long-term plan for the Mana mine, considering its current cost performance?
A: Djaria Traore noted that while Mana's costs are above the group's midpoint, there are initiatives to improve efficiency, such as optimizing contractual relationships and improving underground mining rates. The company is focused on accessing higher-grade ore to reduce costs.
Q: Can you provide an update on the exploration and resource discovery program, particularly around Assafou?
A: Ian Cockerill highlighted that the focus is on near-mine opportunities, especially around Assafou, which shows high prospectivity. The company aims to convert resources to reserves and expand existing mine sites, with a significant focus on Cote d'Ivoire and Sabodala.
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
