EX-99.1 2 ftco-20220301xex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS

March 1, 2022 OTCQB: FTCO

FORTITUDE GOLD REPORTS 2021 RECORD GOLD PRODUCTION, $0.75 NET INCOME PER SHARE AND $40 MILLION CASH

COLORADO SPRINGS – March 1, 2022 - Fortitude Gold Corporation (OTCQB: FTCO) (the “Company”) today reported its year-end 2021 results including record gold production, net income of $17.9 million, or $0.75 per share, and a strong balance sheet including $40 million cash and no debt.  The Company confirmed both its previously announced 2021 annual production of 46,459 gold ounces, which exceeded the initial 2021 gold production target by 16%, and its 2022 Production Outlook targeting 40,000 ounces of gold (a range of 36,000 to 40,000 ounces).  The Production Outlook assumes no disruptions from the COVID-19 global pandemic or unforeseen operational challenges.  The Company also filed its year-end 2021 S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary of Isabella Pearl Mine Reserves and Resources.  In addition to the updated Reserves and Resources, the Company disclosed an estimated 30,755 recoverable gold ounces on the heap leach pad at December 31, 2021.  Reconciliation of ore tonnes mined to date has shown higher grades of gold in the Isabella Pearl Mine compared to the reserve model which has resulted in an increased mine life now of over 3 years at the current 40,000 annual gold ounce run rate.  The Company is also aggressively moving its Golden Mile property forward towards a development decision that could extend the Company’s gold production an additional 3 1/3 years for a combined 7-year mine life through 2028.  Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and dividend yield.

2021 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

$0.75 net income per share;
$17.9 million net income;
$40.0 million cash balance at December 31, 2021;
$82.1 million net sales;
46,459 annual gold production;
3.76 grams per tonne average gold grade mined;
$76.0 million working capital;
$40.6 million mine gross profit;
$24.7 million cash flows from operating activities;
$705 total all-in sustaining cost per ounce;
Updated 2021 Reserves and Resources; and
Initial Golden Mile mineral resource added to Company’s gold ounces

“Management of Fortitude Gold delivered strong operational results beating our increased annual gold outlook with record production, delivered strong financial results increasing cash to $40 million and delivered strong shareholder value distributing monthly dividends and outperforming our market peers,” stated Fortitude Gold CEO and President, Mr. Jason Reid.  “The Company exceeded its initial 2021 gold production guidance by 16% while boosting year-over-year gold production by more than 56%.  Operations delivered over 46,000 gold ounces a low all-in sustaining cost of $705 per ounce.  With $82.1 million in net sales, $17.9 million in net income, and a cash balance increase of $12.2 million to $40 million, the Company is in a very strong financial position with no debt.  In April we initiated a monthly dividend and subsequently increased the dividend twice to its current $0.48 per share paid monthly at $0.04 per share.  Our Isabella Pearl open pit mine overperformed with a mined average gold grade of 3.76 grams per tonne gold.”

Mr. Reid stated, “In January of 2021 we estimated the Isabella Pearl Mine would be depleted by mid-2024; however, between the higher grades coming from the tonnes mine to date, the updated Reserve and Resources, and 30,755 gold


ounces awaiting recovery on the heap leach pad, we have extended our mine life estimate at the current run rate of 40,000 gold ounces beyond the end of full year 2024.  We also target the same production profile and to be able to continue at least the same dividend per share from a second mine at Golden Mile, that we are aggressively moving forwards towards a development decision and eventual production.”

Mr. Reid continued, “For 2022 we have a clear vision of where we are going and expect Fortitude Gold to generate record free cash flow as we transition into the open pit phase two by the second quarter of this year, allowing access to higher grade ore while moving significantly less waste rock.  We also expect to heavily invest in exploration and continue to move our Golden Mile property towards a development decision and construction to be paid for with our strong treasury.  Fortitude Gold remains a unique investment in the precious metal space offering investors exposure to gold production, district scale exploration potential in arguably the premier mining jurisdictions in the world, Nevada, U.S.A., and a very attractive dividend yield, currently at over 7.5%.  During 2021, we transcended being just a gold equity, separating Fortitude from our peers in the junior gold space, by providing our shareholders a substantial yield and attractive monthly dividend income.”

2021 Overview

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold 45,891 gold ounces at a total cash cost of $587 per gold ounce, and a realized 2021 average sales price for gold of $1,795 per ounce.  The Company recorded revenues of $82.1 million, and net income of $17.9 million, or $0.75 per share.

The calculation of our cash cost per ounce contained in this press release is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations" contained in the Company’s recently filed Form 10-K for a complete discussion and reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures.

The following Production Statistics table summarize certain information about our operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

    

Year ended December 31, 

    

2021

    

2020

Ore mined

 

  

 

  

Ore (tonnes)

 

598,345

 

643,518

Gold grade (g/t)

 

3.76

 

2.42

Low-grade stockpile

 

  

 

  

Ore (tonnes)

 

8,600

 

160,739

Gold grade (g/t)

 

0.33

 

0.52

Pre-strip waste

 

 

1,346,316

Waste (tonnes)

 

7,159,740

 

4,930,262

Metal production (before payable metal deductions)(1)

 

  

 

  

Gold (ozs.)

 

46,459

 

29,479

Silver (ozs.)

 

44,553

 

28,359

(1)The difference between what we report as “metal production” and “metal sold” is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the doré we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades and recoveries which impact the amount of metals contained in doré produced and sold.


The following Sales Statistics table summarizes certain information about our operations for years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020:

    

Year ended December 31, 

    

2021

    

2020

Metal sold

  

  

Gold (ozs.)

45,891

 

29,929

Silver (ozs.)

43,189

 

29,129

Average metal prices realized (1)

  

 

  

Gold ($per oz.)

1,795

 

1,813

Silver ($per oz.)

24.74

 

21.12

Precious metal gold equivalent ounces sold

Gold Ounces

45,891

29,929

Gold Equivalent Ounces from Silver

595

339

46,486

30,268

Total cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold

$

610

$

949

Total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold

$

587

$

928

Total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold

$

705

$

952

(1)Average metal prices realized vary from the market metal prices due to final settlement adjustments from our provisional invoices when they are settled. Our average metal prices realized will therefore differ from the market average metal prices in most cases.


Year-End 2021 S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary

The Company filed its 2021 year-end S-K Technical Report Summary pursuant to Item 1300 of SEC Regulation S-K for the Isabella Pearl mine.  Year-end 2021 proven and probable reserves at the Isabella Pearl Mine totaled 908,800 tonnes grading 3.75 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, or 109,700 gold ounces.  In addition, the Company reported high-grade stockpile reserves of 14,000 tonnes grading 10.09 g/t gold and low-grade stockpile reserves of 435,000 tonnes grading 0.53 g/t gold.  

As of December 31, 2021, our estimate of Proven and Probable (“P&P”) reserves, all of which pertain to the Isabella Pearl Mine, were:

Precious

Precious

Metal

Metal

Gold 

Gold 

Gold

Silver 

Equivalent

Gold

Silver 

Equivalent

Description

    

Tonnes

    

g/t

    

g/t

    

    g/t

    

Ounces

    

Ounces

    

Ounces

Isabella Pearl Mine

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Proven

483,300

5.26

47

5.89

81,800

733,100

91,600

Probable

425,500

2.04

16

2.26

27,900

221,000

30,900

Proven and Probable Total

908,800

3.75

33

4.19

109,700

954,100

122,500

High-Grade Stockpile

14,000

10.09

88

11.26

4,500

39,600

5,000

Low-Grade Stockpile

435,000

0.53

5

0.59

7,300

63,900

8,200

Isabella Pearl Mine Total

1,357,800

2.78

24

3.11

121,500

1,057,600

135,700

Notes to the 2021 P&P reserves:

(1)Metal prices used for P&P reserves were $1,738 per ounce of gold and $23.22 per ounce of silver. These prices reflect the consensus 2022-2024 average prices for gold and silver (CIBC Global Mining Group, Analyst Consensus Commodity Price Forecasts, November 30, 2021).
(2)Precious metal gold equivalent is 74.85:1 determined by taking gold ounces produced or sold, plus silver ounces produced or sold converted to precious metal gold equivalent ounces using the gold to silver average price ratio for the period.
(3)For the Isabella Pearl Mine, the quantities of material within the designed pits were calculated using a cutoff grade of 0.33 Au g/t.
(4)Mining, processing, energy, administrative and smelting/refining costs were based on 2021 actual costs for the Isabella Pearl Mine.
(5)Metallurgical gold recovery assumptions used for the Isabella Pearl Mine were 81% for all ore which is currently being crushed. These recoveries reflect predicted average recoveries from metallurgical test programs.
(6)Isabella Pearl P&P reserves are diluted and factored for expected mining recovery.
(7)Figures in tables are rounded to reflect estimate precision and small differences generated by rounding are not material estimates.


The new SEC S-K Technical Report Summary now allows for disclosure of mineral resource estimates (exclusive of mineral reserves).  Year-end 2021 mineral resource estimates for the Isabella Pearl mine totaled 446,600 tonnes grading 1.26 g/t gold, or 18,100 gold ounces in the oxide measured and indicated category, and 259,400 tonnes grading 1.30 g/t gold, or 10,900 gold ounces in the oxide inferred category.

As of December 31, 2021, our Mineral Resource estimate (exclusive of Mineral Reserves), all of which pertain to the Isabella Pearl Mine, were:

    

Precious

Precious

Metal

Metal

Gold 

Gold 

Gold

Silver 

Equivalent

Gold

Silver 

Equivalent

Description

    

Tonnes

    

g/t

    

g/t

    

    g/t

    

Ounces

    

Ounces

    

Ounces

Measured and Indicated Resources

Isabella Pearl Mine

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Oxide

Measured

89,000

2.38

55

3.11

6,800

157,600

8,900

Indicated

357,600

0.99

9

1.10

11,300

96,200

12,600

Measured and Indicated Oxide Total

446,600

1.26

18

1.50

18,100

253,800

21,500

Sulfide

Measured

110,600

4.98

57

3.11

17,700

180,100

20,100

Indicated

40,800

3.79

48

1.10

5,000

62,700

5,800

Measured and Indicated Sulfide Total

151,400

4.66

50

5.32

22,700

242,800

25,900

Isabella Pearl Mine Measured and Indicated Total

598,000

2.12

26

2.47

40,800

496,600

47,400

Inferred Resources

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

    

  

Isabella Pearl Mine

Oxide Inferred

259,400

1.30

12

1.46

10,900

102,800

12,300

Sulfide Inferred

28,800

3.77

56

4.52

3,500

51,600

4,200

Isabella Pearl Mine Inferred Total

288,200

1.55

17

1.78

14,400

154,400

16,500

Notes to the 2021 Mineral Resources:

1.Reported at cutoffs of 0.33 g/t Au for Isabella Pearl Mine Oxide and 2.0 g/t Au for Isabella Pearl Mine Sulfide.
2.Whole block diluted estimates are reported within an optimized pit shell.
3.Mineral Resources do not have demonstrated economic viability.
4.Totals may not sum exactly due to rounding.
5.Mineral resources reported are exclusive of mineral reserves.

The Company also disclosed in the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary that in addition to the reserves, resources and various ore stockpiles, it estimates the eventual recovery of 30,755 gold ounces from crushed ore already placed on the heap leach pad.

The Qualified Persons (“QP”) who prepared this report are specialists in the fields of geology, exploration, and Mineral Resources and Reserves estimation and classification. The following individuals, by virtue of their education, experience and professional association, are considered QPs for this report and are members in good standing of appropriate professional institutions. The QPs are consultants, independent of FGC. The qualified persons who


prepared this report are Donald E. Hulse, P.E., SME-RM, Christopher Emanuel, SME-RM, and Ian H. Crundwell, P. Geo.

The Year-End 2021 S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary will be available on the Company’s website in the near future.


Projects Update

Fortitude Gold successfully ramped up gold production to targeted levels at its Isabella Pearl Mine in 2021.  The Company is targeting 40,000 ounces of gold (a range of 36,000 to 40,000 gold ounces) during the 2022 production year, assuming no disruptions from the COVID-19 global pandemic or unforeseen operational challenges.

In July 2021, the Company received permits to expand the Isabella Pearl heap leach pad and pad construction was completed in December 2021.  The expanded heap leach pad can now accommodate additional ore reserve tonnes defined during exploration drill campaigns in 2019 and 2020.  The newly permitted area for pad expansion is larger than the recently completed phase two expansion heap leach pad, so the Company may expand the pad further in the future if needed under the existing permits. The Company began placing ore on the new heap leach pad in February 2022.

The Company began the permitting process in 2021 to connect the Isabella Pearl Mine to the electrical power grid, a shift that is expected to reduce energy costs by approximately $80,000 per month once complete.  The capital cost to switch from diesel power generation to the electric grid is budgeted at approximately $1.6 million and is expected to be completed in 2022, subject to NV Energy timeframes.

In November 2021, the Company announced its maiden resource estimate for its Golden Mile Property in Mineral County, Nevada.  The Company’s Initial Assessment Technical Report Summary on Golden Mile estimates in-situ ounces consisting of 78,500 Indicated gold ounces at 1.13 g/t and 84,500 Inferred gold ounces at 1.10 g/t.  The mineralization at Golden Mile remains open along strike and at depth, and the current resource is confined solely to patented claims.  Company management is moving towards a development decision and eventual production based on this initial project resource and is currently finalizing estimates for project capital expenditures, sustaining project capital, as well as overall project economics.  In January of 2022 the Company filed its Plan of Operations with the Bureau of Land Management, the first step in permitting the Golden Mile project.  The Company targets an official board level development decision for Golden Mile in the first half of 2022 based off the project’s initial resource.

Exploration Program

The 2021 exploration drill programs focused on targets along the Isabella Pearl Mineralized trend, completed its initial drill campaign on its East Camp Douglas property and delineated an initial resource at Golden Mile. During 2021, the Company acquired 100% interest in a prospective property in west central Nevada called Ripper.  Ripper has high-grade gold surface samples in a favorable geologic setting for a potential open pit heap leach operation. Ripper becomes the sixth property in the Company’s portfolio. In 2022, the Company anticipates spending approximately $5.7 million for exploration activities at its Nevada Mining Unit.  Exploration expenses may be modified depending on drill rig and crew availability, exploration results, metal market conditions and available capital.  The primary focus in 2022 for exploration drill programs include testing targets along the mineralized trend and structural corridor where our Isabella Pearl mine is located, planned delineation and expansion drilling of the known mineralized zones at Golden Mile and exploration drilling at our County Line and East Camp Douglas properties.


See Accompanying Tables

The following information summarizes the results of operations for Fortitude Gold Corporation for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, its financial condition at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The summary data as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 and for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is derived from its audited financial statements contained in its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, but do not include the footnotes and other information that is included in the complete financial statements. Readers are urged to review the Company’s Form 10-K in its entirety, which can be found on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

The calculation of its cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold, total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold and total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold contained in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations" contained in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K for a complete discussion and reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures.


FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

December 31, 

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2020

  

ASSETS

  

  

Current assets:

  

  

Cash and cash equivalents

$

40,017

$

27,774

Accounts receivable

 

238

 

145

Inventories

 

37,550

 

23,051

Prepaid taxes

1,289

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

2,228

 

1,962

Total current assets

 

81,322

 

52,932

Property, plant and mine development, net

 

37,226

 

50,990

Operating lease assets, net

 

463

 

6,198

Deferred tax assets

509

959

Other non-current assets

 

2,909

 

1,946

Total assets

$

122,429

$

113,025

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

  

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Accounts payable

$

2,127

$

1,715

Loans payable, current

 

87

 

665

Finance lease liabilities, current

 

23

 

398

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

463

 

6,198

Mining taxes payable

 

1,699

 

1,001

Other current liabilities

 

912

 

1,092

Total current liabilities

 

5,311

 

11,069

Asset retirement obligations

 

4,725

 

3,844

Loans payable, long-term

 

30

 

117

Finance lease liabilities, long-term

 

15

 

27

Total liabilities

 

10,081

 

15,057

Shareholders' equity:

 

  

 

  

Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized and nil outstanding at December 31, 2021 and nil shares authorized and outstanding at December 31, 2020

 

 

Common stock - $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized and 23,961,208 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 21,211,208 shares outstanding at December 31, 2020

 

240

 

212

Additional paid-in capital

 

103,476

 

99,682

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

 

8,632

 

(1,926)

Total shareholders' equity

 

112,348

 

97,968

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

122,429

$

113,025


FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Year ended

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2020

Sales, net

$

82,109

$

53,967

Mine cost of sales:

 

  

 

  

Production costs

 

26,661

 

27,495

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,728

 

10,241

Reclamation and remediation

 

156

 

48

Total mine cost of sales

 

41,545

 

37,784

Mine gross profit

 

40,564

 

16,183

Costs and expenses:

 

  

 

  

General and administrative expenses

 

11,443

 

2,882

Exploration expenses

 

5,396

 

2,648

Other expense, net

 

190

 

233

Total costs and expenses

 

17,029

 

5,763

Income before income and mining taxes

 

23,535

 

10,420

Mining and income tax expense

 

5,669

 

203

Net income

$

17,866

$

10,217

Net income per common share:

 

  

 

  

Basic

$

0.75

$

0.48

Diluted

$

0.74

$

0.48

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

  

 

  

Basic

23,875,631

21,211,208

Diluted

 

24,108,365

 

21,211,208


FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020
(U.S. dollars in thousands)

Year ended

December 31, 

    

2021

    

2020

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Net income

$

17,866

$

10,217

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:

 

  

 

  

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,859

 

10,377

Stock-based compensation

3,405

Deferred taxes

450

(959)

Reclamation and remediation accretion

156

48

Other operating adjustments

 

(303)

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

  

 

  

Accounts receivable

 

(93)

 

(145)

Inventories

 

(10,866)

 

(2,300)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(266)

 

(1,643)

Other non-current assets

 

19

 

(2,085)

Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities

 

29

 

(1,508)

Income and mining taxes payable

 

(591)

 

1,001

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

24,665

 

13,003

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

  

 

  

Capital expenditures

 

(4,546)

 

(6,488)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(4,546)

 

(6,488)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Contributions from GRC

 

 

21,711

Dividends paid

(7,308)

Issuance of common stock

500

Repayment of loans payable

 

(665)

 

(879)

Repayment of capital leases

 

(403)

 

(439)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(7,876)

 

20,393

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

12,243

 

26,908

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

27,774

 

866

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

40,017

$

27,774

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 

  

 

  

Interest expense paid

$

26

$

86

Income and mining taxes paid

$

5,893

$

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

  

 

  

Change in capital expenditures in accounts payable

$

503

$

(1,544)

Change in estimate for asset retirement costs

$

794

$

1,159

Stock contributed from Parent

$

$

100

Equipment purchased under finance lease

$

16

$

Right-of-Use assets acquired through operating lease

$

1,820

$

7,265


About Fortitude Gold Corporation

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company’s strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company’s Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and a sixth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world’s premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements:  This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp.  The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words “plan”, “target”, "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company’s strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate.  The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release.  In particular, the scope, duration, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mining operations, Company employees, and supply chains as well as the scope, duration and impact of government action aimed at mitigating the pandemic may cause future actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.  Also, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate.

Contact:
Greg Patterson
719-717-9825
greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com
www.Fortitudegold.com