Fortuna(FSM) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income attributable to Fortuna of $42.6 million or $0.14 per share, a 380% increase compared to Q2 2024, driven by higher metal prices and an increase in gold sold [30][31] - Liquidity increased to $537 million, up $76 million from the previous quarter, primarily due to $84 million in proceeds from mine sales [9][10] - Free cash flow from operations was $57.5 million, down from $66 million in Q1, mainly due to the timing of tax payments [10][34] - The average realized gold price was $3,306 per ounce, a 14% increase from Q1 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated gold equivalent production for the period was 75,950 ounces, with gold production from continuing operations at 71,229 ounces, slightly above the previous quarter [12] - At the Seguela mine, production was 38,186 ounces, consistent with the prior quarter and exceeding the mine plan [18] - Lindero produced 23,450 ounces of gold, marking a 16% increase over Q1, with an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of $17.83 per ounce, a 6.7% reduction from the previous quarter [23][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The indicated resource at the Ambassador project in Senegal grew by 53%, and inferred resources increased by 93%, totaling a combined 1 million ounces [7] - The company’s cash cost per ounce was $929, up 7% from Q1, primarily due to the gold to base metal ratio at the Caylloma mine [12][31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to rebuild production to 5 million ounces per year, focusing on higher margin, longer life, and lower risk ounces [6][16] - The sale of the San Jose and Yaramoko mines generated $84 million in gross proceeds and allowed the company to redirect capital towards high-value growth opportunities [15] - The company is actively pursuing greenfield and brownfield exploration opportunities, with a total exploration budget of $51 million for 2025, up from $41 million in 2024 [74][75] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company’s growth potential, highlighting a robust balance sheet with $537 million in liquidity and $215 million in net cash [7][9] - The company is well-positioned for strong growth in 2026, with ongoing investments in the Seguela and Ambassador projects [16][60] - Management noted that the elevated AISC is a temporary effect related to capital expenditures and waste stripping, with expectations for costs to decrease in the latter half of the year [13][37] Other Important Information - The company achieved a record of 7.2 million work hours without any lost time injury, improving from the previous record of 6.7 million work hours [8] - The company’s capital expenditures for the quarter totaled $47 million, with $15 million classified as growth CapEx [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on stock performance and support - Management acknowledged the stock's performance and clarified that the EPS miss was due to the timing of withholding taxes, emphasizing the company's strong financial position [41] Question: Investments in other companies - Management confirmed ongoing investments in various projects, including Awale, and expressed confidence in the growth potential of these investments [46][49] Question: Permitting experience in Senegal - Management reported positive interactions with the Senegalese government and expressed confidence in obtaining necessary permits for the Ambassador project [52][53] Question: Key milestones for the Ambassador project - Management outlined a timeline for the environmental approval and PEA, expecting to submit the environmental document soon and aiming for approval early next year [60][62] Question: CapEx cadence for the second half of the year - Management indicated a slight increase in CapEx spending in Q3, with expectations for a decrease in Q4, contributing to lower AISC in the latter part of the year [63][64] Question: Greenfield projects and exploration budget - Management detailed ongoing greenfield projects and confirmed an exploration budget of $51 million for 2025, highlighting the focus on early-stage opportunities [74][75] Question: Acquisition strategy - Management stated that while they are open to acquisitions, their primary focus is on organic growth within their existing portfolio, emphasizing value over volume [80]