Wesdome Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results and Reserve and Resource Update

TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - February 22, 2017) - Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (WDO.TO) ("Wesdome" or "The Company") today announces fourth quarter (Q4) and full year financial results for the year ended December 31, 2016. All figures are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

2016 SUMMARY:

  • Gold production of 47,737 ounces, (2015: 50,470) in line with the Company's revised guidance of 45,000 - 50,000 ounces

  • Eagle River Mine underground production of 40,252 ounces (2015: 41,013) at a head grade of 7.9 grams per tonne ("g/t") (2015:7.8) with a mill recovery of 93.5% (2015: 94.9%)

  • Mishi Open Pit mine production of 7,485 ounces (2015: 9,457) at a head grade of 2.0 g/t (2015:2.6) with a mill recovery of 85.4% (2015: 87.3%)

  • Total mill throughput of 309,035 tonnes averaging 844 tonnes per calendar day comparable to the previous year of 836 tonnes per calendar day

  • The Eagle River Complex rebounded from an unusually poor Q1 2016 to post respectable 2016 results. The mine sequence is now better balanced to avoid a recurrence going forward

  • Eagle River Complex revenue of $81.6 million (2015: $73.5 million) on gold sales of 48,680 ounces (2015: 49,804) at an average realized price of $1,676 or US$1,265 per ounce (2015: $1,475 or US $1,153)

  • Mine operating profit1 of $26 million (2015: $17.7 million) increased compared to the previous year due to higher realized gold price despite a slight reduction in production and sales

  • Net income of $7.8 million (2015: loss of $(4.7) million), or $0.06 per share (2015: $(0.04)). The 2015 year includes $5.2 million Kiena Complex decommissioning costs which were recorded directly on the income statement

  • Operating cash flow of $19.9 million (2015: $10.0 million), or $0.161 per share (2015: $0.09) increased due to higher realized gold price, $2.5 million revenue from gold derived from the Kiena Complex mill cleanup and $2.6 million refund of prior years' exploration credits

  • Free cash flow1 of $(8.4) million (2015: $(5.7) million), or $(0.07) per share (2015: $(0.05)). The increased outflow in 2016 is due to increased exploration and capital expenditures as the Company increased its exploration efforts and invested in equipment and infrastructure at the Eagle River Complex

  • Production cash costs per ounce1 were $1,194 or US$901 (2015: $1,115 or US$872). The 7% increase in unit cost is due to 5% decrease in gold production, stockpiling of low grade Mishi ore which was written down to net realizable value; increases in underground equipment maintenance costs, utility costs, and development metres

  • All-in sustaining costs per ounce ("AISC")1 on a production basis of $1,707 or US$1,289 (2015: $1,542 or US$1,206), an increase of 11% over 2015 due to necessary expenditures on underground drilling, development, and equipment

  • Cash and cash equivalents of $26.8 million, 1,234 ounces gold in inventory at market price of $1.9 million and working capital of $15.6 million as at December 31, 2016