UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of November, 2022

 

Commission File Number: 001-35936

 

B2Gold Corp.

 


(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

British Columbia, Canada

 


(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

Suite 3400, Park Place
666 Burrard Street

Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 2X8


Canada

 


(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

[   ] Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (1): [ ]

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b) (7): [ ]

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS FORM 6-K

See the Exhibit Index hereto.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

  B2Gold Corp.  
       
       
Date: November 1, 2022 By: /s/ Randall Chatwin  
  Name: Randall Chatwin  
  Title: Senior Vice President, Legal and Corporate Communications  

 

 
 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.   Description
   
99.1   News Release dated November 1, 2022 – B2Gold Reports Q3 2022 Results; Full-Year 2022 Total Consolidated Gold Production and Cost Guidance Remains Unchanged; Year-to-Date Operating Costs and All-In Sustaining Costs In Line with Budget despite Lower than Expected Gold Production

 

 

 

 



Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

 

 

News Release
B2Gold Reports Q3 2022 Results;

Full-Year 2022 Total Consolidated Gold Production and Cost Guidance Remains Unchanged;
Year-to-Date Operating Costs and All-In Sustaining Costs In Line with Budget despite Lower than Expected Gold Production

 

Vancouver, November 1, 2022 - B2Gold Corp. (TSX: BTO, NYSE AMERICAN: BTG, NSX: B2G) (“B2Gold” or the “Company”) announces its operational and financial results for the third quarter of 2022. The Company previously released its gold production and gold revenue results for the third quarter of 2022. All dollar figures are in United States dollars unless otherwise indicated.

 

2022 Third Quarter and Year-to-Date Summary

 

Total gold production of 227,016 ounces in Q3 2022, expected to increase significantly in Q4 2022: Lower than expected production at the Fekola and Otjikoto mines in the third quarter of 2022 due to temporary mining sequence changes (see “Operations” discussion). Strong production anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2022 at both operations. At Fekola, ore production from Fekola open-pit Phase 6 has commenced and is forecast to average between 3.4 to 3.5 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold. Over the full fourth quarter of 2022, gold grade mined is anticipated to average over 3.0 g/t gold at Fekola. At Otjikoto, gold production is anticipated to benefit as mining has reached a higher-grade zone in the Otjikoto pit and with stope ore production from the Wolfshag Underground mine.

 

Total consolidated cash operating costs of $824 per gold ounce sold in Q3 2022, expected to be significantly lower in Q4 2022: Total consolidated cash operating costs (see “Non-IFRS Measures”) (including estimated attributable results for Calibre Mining Corp. (“Calibre”), which accounts for approximately 5% of B2Gold’s total gold production in 2022) of $824 per gold ounce sold and consolidated cash operating costs from the Company’s three operating mines of $810 per gold ounce sold. Year-to-date total consolidated cash operating costs of $760 per gold ounce sold in line with expectations after a strong first half of 2022.

 

Total consolidated all-in sustaining costs of $1,169 per gold ounce sold in Q3 2022, expected to be significantly lower in Q4 2022: Total consolidated all-in sustaining costs (see “Non-IFRS Measures”) (including estimated attributable results for Calibre) of $1,169 per gold ounce sold and consolidated all-in sustaining costs from the Company’s three operating mines of $1,154 per gold ounce sold. Year-to-date total consolidated all-in sustaining costs of $1,108 per gold ounce sold is slightly better than expected after a strong first half of 2022. Total consolidated all-in sustaining costs are anticipated to benefit in Q4 2022 from higher grade ore being processed at Fekola and Otjikoto.
1 
 

 

 

Maintain full-year 2022 total gold production and total consolidated cost guidance: Based on the year-to-date cost performance and strong anticipated gold production in Q4 2022, the Company re-affirms full year 2022 total gold production and total consolidated cost guidance. Total gold production is expected to be between 990,000 and 1,050,000 ounces (including 40,000 and 50,000 attributable ounces projected from Calibre). Total consolidated cash operating costs are expected to be at the upper end of the Company’s original guidance range of between $620 and $660 per gold ounce and total consolidated all-in sustaining costs are expected to within the Company's original guidance range of between $1,010 and $1,050 per gold ounce.

 

Attributable net loss of $(0.02) per share; adjusted attributable net income of $0.03 per share in Q3 2022: Net loss attributable to the shareholders of the Company of $(23) million ($(0.02) per share); adjusted net income (see “Non-IFRS Measures”) attributable to the shareholders of the Company of $32 million ($0.03 per share).

 

Operating cash flow before working capital adjustments of $0.13 per share in Q3 2022: Cash flow provided by operating activities before working capital adjustments was $139 million ($0.13 per share) in the third quarter of 2022.

 

Robust financial position: At September 30, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $549 million and working capital (defined as current assets less assets classified as held for sale and current liabilities) of $725 million.

 

Q3 2022 dividend of $0.04 per share declared: The Company remains in a strong net positive cash position and paid a third quarter dividend of $0.04 per common share (annualized rate of $0.16 per common share), representing a 5.0% yield as of September 30, 2022.

 

Completed acquisition of Oklo Resources Limited (“Oklo”): The Company completed the acquisition of Oklo on September 20, 2022, providing B2Gold with an additional landholding of 1,405 km2 covering highly prospective greenstone belts in Mali, including Oklo’s flagship Dandoko project (550 km2), located approximately 25 kilometres from each of the Fekola Mine and the Anaconda area.

 

Fekola Complex study underway to deliver low capital intensity production growth: Commencing a feasibility level engineering study of stand-alone mill and oxide processing facilities at the Anaconda area. The study will be based on processing at least 4 million tonnes per annum (“Mtpa”) of saprolite and transitional (oxide) resources, with an option to add fresh rock (sulphide) capabilities in the future. Results of this study are expected in the second quarter of 2023. Conceptual analysis indicates that the combined Fekola and Anaconda processing facilities could have the potential to produce more than 800,000 ounces of gold per year commencing as early as 2026.
2 
 

 

Continued investment in near-mine exploration in Mali: The Company is drilling to infill and extend the saprolite resource area and to follow up on the sulphide mineralization at the Anaconda area, including the Mamba and Adder zones, and several other targets below the saprolite mineralization. The good grade and width combinations at the Anaconda area continue to provide a strong indication of the potential for Fekola-style south plunging bodies of sulphide mineralization, which remains open down plunge. Seven drill rigs are currently drilling in the Anaconda area and one drill rig is currently operating on Bakolobi. On the Mamba zone, drill results are particularly significant as they confirm the continuity of high grade sulphide mineralization 110 metres below the limit of the updated Mineral Resource pit boundaries. In the main Anaconda area Mineral Resource pit, drill results demonstrate the potential to add sulphide Mineral Resources beneath the currently defined saprolite resources, where the mineralization remains open at depth.

 

B2Gold and joint venture partner AngloGold Ashanti Limited (“AngloGold”) intend to initiate a joint sales process for Gramalote: B2Gold and partner AngloGold have completed a comprehensive review of the alternatives relating to the Gramalote project and consider that the interests of all stakeholders would be best served by finding a buyer for the project. The partners intend to commence a joint sales process for the Gramalote project in the fourth quarter of 2022.

 

 

3 
 

 

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2022 Results

 

  Three months ended Nine months ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2022 2021 2022 2021
         
Gold revenue ($ in thousands) 392,554 510,859 1,140,122 1,236,151
Net (loss) income ($ in thousands) (21,234) 134,871 110,255 307,685
(Loss) earnings per share - basic(1) ($/ share) (0.02) 0.12 0.09 0.27
(Loss) earnings per share - diluted(1) ($/ share) (0.02) 0.12 0.09 0.27
Cash provided by operating activities ($ thousands) 93,118 320,283 325,307 457,821
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) 1,711 1,782 1,810 1,794
Adjusted net income(1)(2) ($ in thousands) 31,996 122,750 142,340 272,646
Adjusted earnings per share(1)(2) - basic ($) 0.03 0.12 0.13 0.26
Excluding equity investment in Calibre:        
Gold sold (ounces) 229,400 286,650 629,800 689,051
Gold produced (ounces) 214,903 295,723 620,234 698,746
Cash operating costs(2) ($/ gold ounce sold) 810 456 741 544
Cash operating costs(2) ($/ gold ounce produced) 798 418 749 532
Total cash costs(2) ($/ gold ounce sold) 926 572 862 666
All-in sustaining costs(2) ($/ gold ounce sold) 1,154 777 1,100 887
Including equity investment in Calibre:        
Gold sold (ounces) 241,558 301,153 669,776 732,986
Gold produced (ounces) 227,016 310,261 660,004 742,517
Cash operating costs(2) ($/ gold ounce sold) 824 482 760 568
Cash operating costs(2) ($/ gold ounce produced) 815 445 767 556
Total cash costs(2) ($/ gold ounce sold) 939 596 878 687
All-in sustaining costs(2) ($/ gold ounce sold) 1,169 795 1,108 900

 

(1) Attributable to the shareholders of the Company.

(2) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company’s financial statements, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”.

4 
 

 

Operations

 

Fekola Mine - Mali

 

  Three months ended Nine months ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2022 2021 2022 2021
         
Gold revenue ($ in thousands) 230,023 288,306 652,361 712,302
Gold sold (ounces) 135,150 161,550 361,800 396,750
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) 1,702 1,785 1,803 1,795
Tonnes of ore milled 2,285,423 2,361,042 6,906,172 6,730,332
Grade (grams/ tonne) 1.90 2.30 1.72 1.98
Recovery (%) 93.1 94.8 92.9 94.2
Gold production (ounces) 129,933 165,557 354,647 404,256
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 694 424 667 494
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce produced) 728 363 667 478
Total cash costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 829 563 809 640
All-in sustaining costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 978 716 971 772
Capital expenditures ($ in thousands) 20,353 27,961 68,779 54,078
Exploration ($ in thousands) 3,392 2,096 13,848 9,323

 

(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company’s financial statements, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”.

 

The Fekola Mine in Mali (owned 80% by the Company and 20% by the State of Mali) produced 129,933 ounces in the third quarter of 2022, lower than expected due to a challenging rainy season in West Mali which temporarily delayed access to higher grade ore from Fekola open-pit Phase 6. In early October 2022, mining commenced from the higher grade Fekola open-pit Phase 6 as the region exited its rainy season (which typically runs from June to September). Ore production from Fekola open-pit Phase 6 is forecast to average between 3.4 to 3.5 g/t gold. Over the full fourth quarter of 2022, gold grade mined is anticipated to average over 3.0 g/t gold.

 

The Fekola Mine’s cash operating costs (refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”) for the third quarter of 2022 were $728 per gold ounce produced ($694 per gold ounce sold). Operating costs were higher than expected in the third quarter of 2022 largely due to fuel and explosive prices and increases in mining equipment maintenance costs.

 

All-in sustaining costs (refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”) for the third quarter of 2022 for the Fekola Mine were $978 per gold ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs for the third quarter of 2022 were higher than expected as a result of higher cash operating costs described above and lower gold ounces sold partially offset by realized gains on the settlement of fuel derivatives.

 

Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2022 totalled $20 million primarily consisting of $11 million for mobile equipment purchases and rebuilds, $6 million for tailings storage facility expansion and equipment, $2 million for process plant and other site maintenance and $1 million for the development of the Cardinal zone.

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On July 3, 2022, ECOWAS removed the economic, financial and diplomatic sanctions imposed on Mali in January 2022. The sanctions were removed by ECOWAS after the interim Malian Government announced a two-year transition to presidential elections and promulgated a new electoral law. Mali’s borders with its neighbouring countries are now open to normal commercial traffic and ordinary supply routes are available. Throughout the period of the sanctions, the Fekola Mine continued to operate normally and meet its production targets while maintaining a good working relationship with the interim Government.

 

Based on an expected strong fourth quarter of 2022 performance, as the region exits its rainy season and with higher grade production forecast from Fekola open-pit Phase 6, the Company re-affirms the Fekola Mine’s annual production guidance range of between 570,000 to 600,000 ounces of gold. Cash operating costs for the year are expected to be within Fekola's guidance range of between $510 and $550 per gold ounce produced and all-in sustaining costs are also expected to be within Fekola's guidance range of between $840 and $880 per gold ounce.

 

Masbate Mine - The Philippines

 

  Three months ended Nine months ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2022 2021 2022 2021
         
Gold revenue ($ in thousands) 107,936 117,795 290,704 325,627
Gold sold (ounces) 62,600 66,300 160,150 181,641
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) 1,724 1,777 1,815 1,793
Tonnes of ore milled 1,888,722 1,840,379 5,885,163 5,652,091
Grade (grams/ tonne) 1.10 1.24 1.12 1.17
Recovery (%) 74.7 81.6 77.1 82.5
Gold production (ounces) 49,902 61,207 164,041 175,598
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 879 546 815 597
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce produced) 867 609 801 611
Total cash costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 977 643 922 698
All-in sustaining costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 1,110 751 1,076 820
Capital expenditures ($ in thousands) 10,158 7,023 29,908 20,365
Exploration ($ in thousands) 696 1,446 3,111 3,871

 

(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company’s financial statements, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”.

 

The Masbate Mine in the Philippines produced 49,902 ounces in the third quarter of 2022. Gold production was 4% less than expected as the ratio of sulphide and transitional ore to oxide ore was higher than forecasted in the third quarter of 2022, which contributed to the lower throughput and gold recovery and higher gold mill feed grade.

6 
 

 

The Masbate Mine's cash operating costs (refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”) for the third quarter of 2022 were $867 per gold ounce produced ($879 per gold ounce sold). Cash operating costs per ounce produced for the third quarter of 2022 were higher than expected as a result of slightly lower gold production and higher mining and processing costs resulting from higher than expected diesel and heavy fuel oil cost.

 

All-in sustaining costs (refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”) for the third quarter of 2022 were $1,110 per gold ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs for the third quarter of 2022 were in line with expectations as a result of offsetting factors. Slightly higher cash operating costs as described above and slightly higher capital expenditures due to timing differences were offset by realized gains on the settlement of fuel derivatives and higher gold ounces sold.

 

Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2022 totalled $10 million, primarily consisting of $5 million for mobile equipment purchases and rebuilds, $2 million for an additional powerhouse generator and $1 million for tailings storage facility construction.

 

For the full year 2022 the Masbate Mine is expected to produce towards the lower end of increased guidance of between 215,000 and 225,000 ounces of gold (original guidance range was between 205,000 and 215,000 ounces of gold). For full-year 2022, with the increases being experienced in fuel prices, Masbate's cash operating costs are now expected to be at the lower end of Masbate's previously revised 2022 guidance range of between $820 and $860 per gold ounce (original guidance range was between $740 and $780 per gold ounce). The all-in sustaining cost guidance range remains unchanged and are expected to be at the upper end of Masbate's guidance range of between $1,070 and $1,110 per gold ounce.

 

Otjikoto Mine - Namibia

 

  Three months ended Nine months ended
  September 30, September 30,
  2022 2021 2022 2021
         
Gold revenue ($ in thousands) 54,595 104,758 197,057 198,222
Gold sold (ounces) 31,650 58,800 107,850 110,660
Average realized gold price ($/ ounce) 1,725 1,782 1,827 1,791
Tonnes of ore milled 877,249 901,216 2,573,360 2,656,367
Grade (grams/ tonne) 1.27 2.41 1.25 1.42
Recovery (%) 98.0 98.7 98.3 98.3
Gold production (ounces) 35,068 68,959 101,546 118,892
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 1,165 443 881 635
Cash operating costs(1) ($/ gold ounce produced) 958 382 948 597
Total cash costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 1,234 515 954 707
All-in sustaining costs(1) ($/ gold ounce sold) 1,625 781 1,247 1,137
Capital expenditures ($ in thousands) 20,292 19,371 59,575 59,337
Exploration ($ in thousands) 896 1,257 2,275 2,846

 

(1) Non-IFRS measure. For a description of how these measures are calculated and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable measures specified, defined or determined under IFRS and presented in the Company’s financial statements, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”.

7 
 

 

The Otjikoto Mine in Namibia, in which the Company holds a 90% interest, produced 35,068 ounces in the third quarter of 2022, lower than expected due to delays in bringing the Wolfshag Underground mine into production. Project delays were due to issues achieving development rates in prior periods, which have been addressed through the appointment of a new underground development contractor in April 2022. Development rates in the Wolfshag Underground mine have improved and are in line with budget, with access to initial development ore achieved in the third quarter of 2022 and stope ore production having commenced in the fourth quarter of 2022. Mined ore tonnage and grade continue to reconcile well with Otjikoto's resource model, with production anticipated to significantly increase in the fourth quarter of 2022 when mining reaches a higher-grade zone in the Otjikoto pit and with stope ore production from the Wolfshag Underground mine.

 

Cash operating costs (refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”) for the third quarter of 2022 were $958 per gold ounce produced ($1,165 per gold ounce sold). Cash operating costs per ounce produced for the third quarter of 2022 were higher than expected as a result of lower production due to delays in accessing Wolfshag Underground production (which has commenced in the fourth quarter of 2022) and higher fuel costs partially offset by a weaker than expected Namibian dollar.

 

All-in sustaining costs (refer to “Non-IFRS Measures”) for the third quarter of 2022 were $1,625 per gold ounce sold. All-in sustaining costs for the third quarter of 2022 were higher than expected as a result of the higher cash operating costs described above and lower gold ounces sold, partially offset by lower sustaining capital expenditures and realized gains on the settlement of fuel derivatives. The lower sustaining capital expenditures are mainly a result of delays in underground development resulting in underground development costs being classified as non-sustaining instead of sustaining as budgeted.

 

Capital expenditures for the third quarter of 2022 totalled $20 million, primarily consisting of $8 million for Wolfshag underground mine development, $7 million for prestripping in the Otjikoto pit, $3 million for mobile equipment purchases and rebuilds and $1 million to complete the national power grid connection line.

 

The Otjikoto Mine is expected to produce towards the lower end of its previously revised guidance range of between 165,000 and 175,000 ounces of gold in 2022 (original guidance range of 175,000 to 185,000 ounces). Overall and after factoring in the operating results for the first nine months of 2022, Otjikoto's costs guidance ranges for full-year 2022 remain unchanged. For full-year 2022, cash operating costs are expected to be within the Company's guidance range of between $740 and $780 per gold ounce and all-in sustaining costs are expected to be within its guidance range of between $1,120 and $1,160 per gold ounce.

 

Fekola Complex Regional Development and Exploration

 

Development

 

Based on the updated Anaconda area Mineral Resource estimate and B2Gold's preliminary planning, the Company has demonstrated that the Anaconda area (Bantako and Menankoto license areas) could provide selective higher grade saprolite material (average grade of 2.2 g/t gold) to be trucked approximately 20 kilometers and fed into the Fekola mill at a rate of up to 1.5 million tonnes per annum. Trucking of selective higher grade saprolite material to the Fekola mill will increase the ore processed and annual gold production from the Fekola mill, with the potential to add an average of approximately 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of gold per year to the Fekola mill's annual production (Fekola Complex optimization Phase I).

8 
 

 

In 2022, the Company budgeted $33 million for the development of saprolite mining at the Anaconda area including road construction, mine infrastructure, and mining equipment. The construction mobile equipment fleet is arriving, and the Company expects to break ground on roads and mining infrastructure construction in the fourth quarter of 2022. Engineering and procurement of the mine workshop and mobile equipment is on schedule for saprolite production from the Bantako license area as early as the second quarter of 2023 and from the Dandoko license area as early as the fourth quarter of 2023. Production from Bantako and Dandoko is contingent upon receipt of all necessary permits as well as optimizing long-term project value from the various oxide and sulphide material sources now available including Fekola Pit, Fekola Underground, Cardinal, Bantako, Menankoto, Dandoko, and Bakolobi.

 

Preliminary results of a Fekola Complex optimization study, coupled with 2022 exploration drilling results, indicate that there is a significant opportunity to increase gold production and resource utilization with the addition of oxide processing capacity. The Company has therefore commenced a feasibility level engineering study of stand-alone mill and oxide processing facilities at the Anaconda area (Fekola Complex optimization Phase II). The study will be based on processing at least 4 Mtpa of saprolite and transitional (oxide) resources, with an option to add fresh rock (sulphide) capabilities in the future. Results of this study are expected in the second quarter of 2023. Conceptual analysis indicates that the combined Fekola and Anaconda processing facilities could have the potential to produce more than 800,000 ounces of gold per year commencing as early as 2026, subject to completion of final feasibility studies, and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and permits. Further expansion of the Mamba and Cobra sulphide zones (see September 15, 2022 press release) could sustain a production profile averaging over 800,000 ounces of gold per year over a 10-year period. Drilling is currently ongoing at the Mamba and Cobra sulphide zones.

 

Exploration

 

In 2022, B2Gold is conducting an approximately 161,000 m drill program on the Fekola Complex with a budget of approximately $35 million, including drill programs on the Fekola North deposit to further test the underground mineralization potential, and on the Anaconda area, including the Mamba, Adder, Anaconda, Cascabel, Viper, and Cobra zones.

 

At the Mamba Main Zone in the Anaconda area, positive exploration drilling results were received, including hole BND_108 with 5.89 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold over 28.70 meters (“m”) from 455.45 m, hole BND_101 with 3.76 g/t gold over 32.08 m from 299.00 m, and hole BND_104 with 3.33 g/t gold over 14.30 m from 362.70 m, which collectively confirm and extend the continuity of the high grade sulphide mineralization of the sulphide shoot to over 700 m down plunge, providing a strong indication of the potential for Fekola-style bodies of sulphide mineralization, which remain open at depth.

9 
 

 

At the Cobra Zone in the Anaconda area, strong initial drilling results were received, including hole MSD_227 with 2.02 g/t gold over 25.30 m from 201.70 m, and 6.75 g/t gold over 13.80 m from 244.40 m, confirming the potential for economic grade and width combinations in the sulphide mineralization. The Company believes that the Cobra Zone may extend onto the Bakolobi permit and are currently drilling this extension target.

 

Gramalote Project

 

The Gramalote Feasibility Study has been completed for the Gramalote gold project in Colombia (the “Gramalote Project”), a joint venture between B2Gold and AngloGold, and both partners have determined that the project does not meet their investment thresholds for development of the project. The Gramalote Project continues to benefit from government support as well as continuing support from local communities. B2Gold and AngloGold have completed a comprehensive review of the alternatives relating to the Gramalote Project and consider that the interests of all stakeholders would be best served by finding a buyer for the Project. The partners intend to commence a joint sales process for the Gramalote Project in the fourth quarter of 2022.

 

Outlook

 

For the full-year 2022, total consolidated production and cost guidance remains unchanged. Lower than expected production at the Fekola and Otjikoto mines in the third quarter of 2022 were due to temporary mining sequence changes (see “Operations” discussion). Strong production is anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2022 at both operations. As a result, the Company re-affirms its total gold production guidance for 2022 of between 990,000 and 1,050,000 ounces of gold (including 40,000 and 50,000 attributable ounces projected from Calibre). Overall and after factoring in the operating results for the first nine months of 2022, the Company's costs guidance ranges for full-year 2022 remain unchanged. The Company’s total consolidated cash operating costs are expected to be at the upper end of the original guidance range of between $620 and $660 per ounce and total consolidated all-in sustaining costs are expected to within the original guidance range of between $1,010 and $1,050 per ounce.

 

The Company’s operations continue to be impacted by global cost inflation with fuel costs reflecting the most significant increases. However, despite these ongoing cost pressures, draw downs of existing inventories, proactive management and the revised sequencing of certain mining and capital costs, and gains realized from the Company's fuel hedging program, the Company's consolidated cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs in the first nine months of 2022 were in line with budget. For full-year 2022, the Company expects to be at the upper end of its original total consolidated cash operating cost guidance range and within its original total consolidated all-in sustaining cost guidance range. The Company will continue to closely monitor the levels of cost inflation over the remainder of 2022. B2Gold’s projects and operations continue to target long-term cash flow and value at industry leading costs per ounce of gold produced.

10 
 

 

The Company's ongoing strategy is to continue to maximize profitable production from its mines, further advance its pipeline of remaining development and exploration projects, evaluate new exploration, development and production opportunities and continue to pay an industry leading dividend yield.

 

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results - Conference Call Details

 

B2Gold executives will host a conference call to discuss the results on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at 10:00 am PST/1:00 pm EST. You may access the call by dialing the operator at +1 (778) 383-7413 / +1 (416) 764-8659 (Vancouver/Toronto) or toll free at +1 (888) 664-6392 prior to the scheduled start time or you may listen to the call via webcast by clicking here. A playback version will be available for two weeks after the call at +1 (416) 764-8677 (local or international) or toll free at +1 (888) 390-0541 (passcode 705653 #).

 

Qualified Persons

 

Bill Lytle, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information related to operations matters contained in this news release.

 

Brian Scott, P. Geo., Vice President, Geology & Technical Services, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information related to exploration and mineral resource matters contained in this news release.

 

About B2Gold

 

B2Gold is a Vancouver-based international gold mining company with three operating gold mines and numerous development and exploration projects in various countries including Mali, the Philippines, Namibia, Colombia, Finland and Uzbekistan. Since its founding in 2007, B2Gold has created significant shareholder value by identifying and acquiring companies with assets that benefit from B2Gold’s best-in-class approach to exploration, mine building and operations. This includes the acquisition of Australian-based Papillon Resources that brought in what is now B2Gold’s flagship Fekola Gold Project in Mali in 2014, Australian-based CGA Mining with its Masbate Gold Mine in the Philippines in 2013, and Canadian-based Auryx Gold with its Otjikoto Gold Project in Namibia in 2011. Fekola is now a tier-one gold mine expected to produce between 570,000 and 600,000 ounces of gold in 2022, Masbate is expected to produce between 215,000 and 225,000 ounces in 2022, and Otjikoto is expected to produce between 165,000 and 175,000 ounces in 2022.

 

ON BEHALF OF B2GOLD CORP.

 

“Clive T. Johnson”

President and Chief Executive Officer

11 
 

 

For more information on B2Gold please visit the Company website at www.b2gold.com or contact:

 

Michael McDonald Cherry De Geer
VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Development Director, Corporate Communications
+1 604-681-8371 +1 604-681-8371
investor@b2gold.com investor@b2gold.com

 

The Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE American LLC neither approve nor disapprove the information contained in this news release.

 

Production results and production guidance presented in this news release reflect total production at the mines B2Gold operates on a 100% project basis. Please see our Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2022 for a discussion of our ownership interest in the mines B2Gold operates.

 

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation, including: projections; outlook; guidance; forecasts; estimates; and other statements regarding future or estimated financial and operational performance, gold production and sales, revenues and cash flows, and capital costs (sustaining and non-sustaining) and operating costs, including projected cash operating costs and AISC, and budgets on a consolidated and mine by mine basis; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on B2Gold's operations, including any restrictions or suspensions with respect to our operations and the effect of any such restrictions or suspensions on our financial and operational results; the ability of the Company to successfully maintain our operations if they are temporarily suspended, and to restart or ramp-up these operations efficiently and economically, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's workforce, suppliers and other essential resources and what effect those impacts, if they occur, would have on our business, our planned capital and exploration expenditures; future or estimated mine life, metal price assumptions, ore grades or sources, gold recovery rates, stripping ratios, throughput, ore processing; statements regarding anticipated exploration, drilling, development, construction, permitting and other activities or achievements of B2Gold; and including, without limitation: projected gold production, cash operating costs and AISC on a consolidated and mine by mine basis in 2022, including production being weighted heavily to the second half of 2022; total consolidated gold production of between 990,000 and 1,050,000 ounces in 2022 with cash operating costs of between $620 and $660 per ounce and AISC of between $1,010 and $1,050 per ounce; the potential upside to increase Fekola’s gold production in 2023 by trucking material from the Anaconda area or the Dandoko project, including the potential to add approximately 80,000 to 100,000 per year to Fekola’s annual production profile, and for the Anaconda area and the Dandoko project to provide saprolite material to feed the Fekola mill starting in the second quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2023, respectively; the timing and results of a feasibility study for the Anaconda area to review the project economics of a stand-alone oxide mill; the potential for the Fekola complex to produce 800,000 ounces of gold per year over a 10-year period starting in 2026; stope ore production at the Wolfshag underground mine at Otjikoto commencing in the fourth quarter of 2022; the potential payment of future dividends, including the timing and amount of any such dividends, and the expectation that quarterly dividends will be maintained at the same level; and B2Gold's attributable share of Calibre’s production. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, although not always, identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur. All such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made.

12 
 

 

Forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond B2Gold's control, including risks associated with or related to: the duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the effectiveness of preventative measures and contingency plans put in place by the Company to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, but not limited to, social distancing, a non-essential travel ban, business continuity plans, and efforts to mitigate supply chain disruptions; escalation of travel restrictions on people or products and reductions in the ability of the Company to transport and refine doré; the volatility of metal prices and B2Gold's common shares; changes in tax laws; the dangers inherent in exploration, development and mining activities; the uncertainty of reserve and resource estimates; not achieving production, cost or other estimates; actual production, development plans and costs differing materially from the estimates in B2Gold's feasibility and other studies; the ability to obtain and maintain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for mining activities; environmental regulations or hazards and compliance with complex regulations associated with mining activities; climate change and climate change regulations; the ability to replace mineral reserves and identify acquisition opportunities; the unknown liabilities of companies acquired by B2Gold; the ability to successfully integrate new acquisitions; fluctuations in exchange rates; the availability of financing; financing and debt activities, including potential restrictions imposed on B2Gold's operations as a result thereof and the ability to generate sufficient cash flows; operations in foreign and developing countries and the compliance with foreign laws, including those associated with operations in Mali, Namibia, the Philippines and Colombia and including risks related to changes in foreign laws and changing policies related to mining and local ownership requirements or resource nationalization generally, including in response to the COVID-19 outbreak; remote operations and the availability of adequate infrastructure; fluctuations in price and availability of energy and other inputs necessary for mining operations; shortages or cost increases in necessary equipment, supplies and labour; regulatory, political and country risks, including local instability or acts of terrorism and the effects thereof; the reliance upon contractors, third parties and joint venture partners; the lack of sole decision-making authority related to Filminera Resources Corporation, which owns the Masbate Project; challenges to title or surface rights; the dependence on key personnel and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; the risk of an uninsurable or uninsured loss; adverse climate and weather conditions; litigation risk; competition with other mining companies; community support for B2Gold's operations, including risks related to strikes and the halting of such operations from time to time; conflicts with small scale miners; failures of information systems or information security threats; the ability to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting as required by law, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; compliance with anti-corruption laws, and sanctions or other similar measures; social media and B2Gold's reputation; risks affecting Calibre having an impact on the value of the Company's investment in Calibre, and potential dilution of our equity interest in Calibre; as well as other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" in B2Gold's most recent Annual Information Form, B2Gold's current Form 40-F Annual Report and B2Gold's other filings with Canadian securities regulators and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which may be viewed at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively (the "Websites"). The list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect B2Gold's forward-looking statements.

 

B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management at such time. These assumptions and factors include, but are not limited to, assumptions and factors related to B2Gold's ability to carry on current and future operations, including: the duration and effects of COVID-19 on our operations and workforce; development and exploration activities; the timing, extent, duration and economic viability of such operations, including any mineral resources or reserves identified thereby; the accuracy and reliability of estimates, projections, forecasts, studies and assessments; B2Gold's ability to meet or achieve estimates, projections and forecasts; the availability and cost of inputs; the price and market for outputs, including gold; foreign exchange rates; taxation levels; the timely receipt of necessary approvals or permits; the ability to meet current and future obligations; the ability to obtain timely financing on reasonable terms when required; the current and future social, economic and political conditions; and other assumptions and factors generally associated with the mining industry.

13 
 

 

B2Gold's forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management and reflect their current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. B2Gold does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits or liabilities B2Gold will derive therefrom. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

 

Non-IFRS Measures

This news release includes certain terms or performance measures commonly used in the mining industry that are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), including "cash operating costs" and "all-in sustaining costs" (or "AISC"). Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data presented is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and should be read in conjunction with B2Gold's consolidated financial statements. Readers should refer to B2Gold's Management Discussion and Analysis, available on the Websites, under the heading "Non-IFRS Measures" for a more detailed discussion of how B2Gold calculates certain of such measures and a reconciliation of certain measures to IFRS terms.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Mineral Reserve and Resource Estimates

The disclosure in this news release was prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101, which differs significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and resource and reserve information contained or referenced in this news release may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by public companies subject to the technical disclosure requirements of the SEC. Historical results or feasibility models presented herein are not guarantees or expectations of future performance.

 

 

14 

B2GOLD CORP.

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

   

For the three

months ended

Sept. 30, 2022

 

For the three

months ended

Sept. 30, 2021

 

For the nine

months ended

Sept. 30, 2022

 

For the nine

months ended

Sept. 30, 2021

                 
Gold revenue   $ 392,554   $ 510,859   $ 1,140,122   $ 1,236,151
                 
Cost of sales                
Production costs   (185,704)   (130,770)   (466,967)   (374,695)
Depreciation and depletion   (94,207)   (111,768)   (253,344)   (256,304)
Royalties and production taxes   (26,644)   (33,154)   (76,235)   (84,351)
Total cost of sales   (306,555)   (275,692)   (796,546)   (715,350)
                 
Gross profit   85,999   235,167   343,576   520,801
                 
General and administrative   (10,384)   (10,410)   (33,761)   (31,026)
Share-based payments   (5,808)   (5,996)   (18,253)   (15,835)
Write-down of mineral property interests   (3,927)     (7,085)   (1,040)
Reversal of impairment of long-lived assets       909  
Loss on sale of mineral property interests   (2,804)     (2,804)  
Community relations   (873)   (855)   (1,945)   (2,169)
Foreign exchange losses   (7,982)   (2,718)   (16,439)   (3,758)
Share of net income of associate   2,080   3,851   8,991   13,198
Other expense   (1,776)   (563)   (2,746)   (3,972)
Operating income   54,525   218,476   270,443   476,199
                 
Interest and financing expense   (2,709)   (3,112)   (7,983)   (9,057)
(Losses) gains on derivative instruments   (8,751)   5,484   18,297   23,024
Other income   3,621   43   14,309   1,199
Income from operations before taxes   46,686   220,891   295,066   491,365
                 
Current income tax, withholding and other taxes   (32,520)   (83,024)   (140,315)   (174,620)
Deferred income tax expense   (35,400)   (2,996)   (44,496)   (9,060)
Net (loss) income for the period   $ (21,234)   $ 134,871   $ 110,255   $ 307,685
                 
Attributable to:                
Shareholders of the Company   $ (23,410)   $ 123,110   $ 95,117   $ 283,122
   Non-controlling interests   2,176   11,761   15,138   24,563
Net (loss) income for the period   $ (21,234)   $ 134,871   $ 110,255   $ 307,685
                 

(Loss) earnings per share

(attributable to shareholders of the Company)

               
Basic   $ (0.02)   $ 0.12   $ 0.09   $ 0.27
Diluted   $ (0.02)   $ 0.12   $ 0.09   $ 0.27
                 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

(in thousands)

               
Basic   1,064,301   1,054,747   1,060,826   1,053,127
Diluted   1,064,301   1,060,687   1,067,753   1,061,756

 

 

B2GOLD CORP.

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

   

For the three

months ended

Sept. 30, 2022

 

For the three

months ended

Sept. 30, 2021

 

For the nine

months ended

Sept. 30, 2022

 

For the nine

months ended

Sept. 30, 2021

Operating activities                
Net (loss) income for the period   $ (21,234)   $ 134,871   $ 110,255   $ 307,685
Non-cash charges, net   160,355   122,258   331,700   265,304
Changes in non-cash working capital   (34,362)   57,871   (87,833)   (113,107)
Changes in long-term value added tax receivables   (11,641)   5,283   (28,815)   (2,061)
Cash provided by operating activities   93,118   320,283   325,307   457,821
                 
Financing activities                
Revolving credit facility transaction costs       (2,401)  
Repayment of equipment loan facilities   (879)   (7,236)   (12,374)   (21,806)
Interest and commitment fees paid   (725)   (3,967)   (3,049)   (5,700)
Cash proceeds from stock option exercises   335   1,943   12,966   3,777
Dividends paid   (42,949)   (42,186)   (127,695)   (126,151)
Principal payments on lease arrangements   (1,732)   (1,196)   (5,399)   (2,624)
Distributions to non-controlling interests   (23,648)   (23,177)   (27,828)   (32,411)
Funding from non-controlling interests   1,656     2,386  
Changes in restricted cash accounts   132   293   132   792
Cash used by financing activities   (67,810)   (75,526)   (163,262)   (184,123)
                 
Investing activities                
Expenditures on mining interests:                
Fekola Mine   (20,353)   (27,961)   (68,779)   (54,078)
Masbate Mine   (10,158)   (7,023)   (29,908)   (20,365)
Otjikoto Mine   (20,292)   (19,371)   (59,575)   (59,337)
Gramalote Project   (4,273)   (9,200)   (12,810)   (16,669)
Anaconda Property, pre-development   (5,154)     (12,083)  
Other exploration and development   (16,269)   (13,944)   (45,505)   (39,368)
Cash paid for acquisition of mineral property       (48,258)  
Deferred consideration received   45,000     45,000  
Cash paid for acquisition of Oklo Resources Limited   (21,130)     (21,130)  
Cash acquired on acquisition of Oklo Resources Limited   1,415     1,415  
Loan to associate   (5,000)     (5,000)  
Cash paid on exercise of mineral property option       (7,737)  
Funding of reclamation accounts   (954)   (1,071)   (5,052)   (4,570)
Purchase of common shares of associate         (5,945)
Other   1,626   2,071   1,268   (1,452)
Cash used by investing activities   (55,542)   (76,499)   (268,154)   (201,784)
                 
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (30,234)   168,258   (106,109)   71,914
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (7,002)   (3,892)   (17,434)   (5,092)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   586,692   382,141   672,999   479,685
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 549,456   $ 546,507   $ 549,456   $ 546,507
                 

 

 

B2GOLD CORP.

CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Expressed in thousands of United States dollars)

(Unaudited)

 

 

    As at September 30,
2022
  As at December 31,
2021
Assets        
Current        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 549,456   $ 672,999
Accounts receivable, prepaids and other   38,464   32,112
Deferred consideration receivable   3,850   41,559
Value-added and other tax receivables   12,000   14,393
Inventories   293,793   272,354
Assets classified as held for sale     12,700
    897,563   1,046,117
         
Long-term investments   24,496   32,118
Value-added tax receivables   91,924   63,165
Mining interests        
Owned by subsidiaries and joint operations   2,292,047   2,231,831
Investments in associates   118,685   104,236
Other assets   92,885   82,371
Deferred income taxes     1,455
    $ 3,517,600   $ 3,561,293
Liabilities        
Current        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 108,870   $ 111,716
Current income and other taxes payable   41,817   92,275
Current portion of long-term debt   19,796   25,408
Current portion of mine restoration provisions   734   734
Other current liabilities   1,041   1,056
    172,258   231,189
         
Long-term debt   42,732   49,726
Mine restoration provisions   85,352   116,547
Deferred income taxes   230,928   187,887
Employee benefits obligation   7,323   7,115
Other long-term liabilities   7,269   7,822
    545,862   600,286
Equity        
Shareholders’ equity        
Share capital   2,484,468   2,422,184
Contributed surplus   73,756   67,028
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (150,876)   (136,299)
Retained earnings   476,721   507,381
    2,884,069   2,860,294
Non-controlling interests   87,669   100,713
    2,971,738   2,961,007
    $ 3,517,600   $ 3,561,293
         

 

 

 



This regulatory filing also includes additional resources:
ex991.pdf
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