Operating Expense

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Operating Expense [Abstract]

OPERATING EXPENSE

OPERATING EXPENSE

Operating expense during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 consists of the following expenses by nature:

	2024		2023
Raw materials and consumables	$	343,557	$	341,411
Salaries and employee benefits(1)	185,056		161,939
Contractors	280,281		208,726
Repairs and maintenance	81,135		70,237
Site administration	114,252		106,803
Royalties	33,106		29,681
	1,037,387		918,797
Change in inventories	(47,801)		(154,565)
Total operating expense	$	989,586	$	764,232

(1)    Total salaries and employee benefits, excluding share-based compensation, for the year ended December 31, 2024, including amounts recognized within care and maintenance expense, exploration and evaluation expense and general and administration expense, was $207.1 million (2023 – $183.5 million).