Eldorado Gold Provides Skouries Project Update; 2025 Detailed Company Production & Cost Guidance; Updated Three-Year Growth Profile; Conference Call Details
(All dollar figures are in US dollars, unless otherwise stated)
As previously disclosed, labour market tightness in
First production at Skouries is now expected in the first quarter of 2026, followed by commercial production expected in mid-2026. The revised Project capital cost estimate incorporates an increase of approximately
The revised schedule and cost estimates remain sensitive to a successful workforce ramp up, with a target of maintaining approximately 1,300 workers on site through the peak of construction activities. The Company continues to make progress, achieving a daily on-site total of approximately 1,150 workers at the end of January. The workforce risk will remain after ramping up to the required personnel, as the Company continues integrating and managing diverse skill sets (concrete, mechanical, electrical and control systems) needed to support the unfolding work fronts.
As of
The Company maintains a strong financial position, with approximately
(1) Cash position reflects the Company’s cash balance and cash equivalents. Amounts are unaudited.
(2) Total liquidity includes the cash balance and availability on the senior secured facility. Amounts are unaudited.
“While we have revised the start-up and cost estimates, we remain confident in Skouries’ long-term value, highlighted by an initial 20-year mine life that is expected to have a transformational impact on our production and costs,” said
“Our updated 2025 gold production guidance is expected to be between 460,000 and 500,000 ounces. This has been lowered from our prior outlook provided in 2024 to reflect the change in initial production at Skouries from the third quarter of 2025 to the first quarter of 2026. In addition, guidance at both Kisladag and Olympias has been lowered compared to our prior 2025 guidance provided in 2024. At Kisladag, expected production has been impacted by longer than planned leach cycles and lower grade stacked. At Olympias, production guidance has been impacted by a delay in mill expansion commissioning to 650 ktpa and unscheduled maintenance of the gold concentrate filters.
“Our costs have increased due to wage pressures in Turkiye and
Skouries Cost Variance
The revised cost estimates reflect a mid-2026 commercial production date with variances allocated to either
Table 1.
Category |
Previous | Revised | Incurred | Remaining |
Estimate | Estimate | (Dec-31-24) | (Dec-31-24) | |
|
920 | 1,063 | 505 | 558 |
Accelerated Operational Capital | 0 | 154 | 7 | 147 |
Total Capital and Cost | 920 | 1,217 | 512 | 705 |
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Indirect Costs: Certain fixed monthly costs, such as those associated with the owner's team, EPCM, insurance, and general administration, will be incurred over an extended construction period.
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Quantity of Materials: Higher expected quantities of materials such as concrete, steel, and piping, identified during completion of detailed engineering in compliance with Greek engineering standards.
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Other: Escalation in the unit rates from the construction contractors and other items.
Table 2.
Category | Variance |
Indirect Costs | 86 |
Materials | 36 |
Other | 21 |
Total Variance | 143 |
Accelerated Operational Capital
The Company has reviewed and optimized the open pit and underground mine start-up and production plans. With commercial production now expected in mid-2026, the Company expects to incur additional mining costs through to commercial production of approximately
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Pre-Commercial Mining: The Company continues to progress the operationalization of mining activities and expects to complete additional pre-commercial production mining in both the open pit and underground mines ahead of commercial production. This will provide better continuity of our mining teams and faster access to higher-grade ore, enabling the mill to process higher-quality material during 2026. This plan is expected to deliver gold and copper production volumes in 2026 in line with prior guidance.
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Open Pit : Trade-off studies for the open pit mine support a faster transition from contract mining to an owner-operated model. This has accelerated the purchase of higher capacity mobile mining equipment, including five Cat 777 haul trucks and three additional loading units. The combination of these larger 100-tonne haul trucks versus the 20-tonne haul truck fleet being required for construction of civil works and switching to an owner-operated model is expected to increase overall efficiency and lower life of mine unit costs. The studies also support transitioning from a two-phase to a four-phase open pit, accelerating access to higher grade ore while optimizing waste stripping. -
Underground: Underground development is progressing well with a leading European contractor, which is also deploying a multi-year training program to develop the local workforce and enhance large-stope mining capability. The longer period of underground mining prior to commercial production provides additional time to complete the required development metres, which, combined with the completion of test stoping, derisks overall production plans. As previously guided, test stoping is expected to be completed within 2025.
Table 3. Accelerated Operational Capital ($Millions)
Category | Estimate |
Mining Equipment | 47 |
Mining & Mobile Maintenance | 67 |
Other | 40 |
Total Variance | 154 |
Project Status
As of
2025 Production and Cost Guidance
2025 Guidance | ||||||
Kisladag | Efemcukuru(3) | Olympias(3,4) | Total | |||
Gold Production (000’ oz) | 170 – 180 | 160 – 170 | 70 – 80 | 60 – 70 | 460 – 500 | |
Silver Production (000’ oz) | 1,300 – 1,500 | 1,300 – 1,500 | ||||
Lead Production (000’ t) | 12 – 15 | 12 – 15 | ||||
Zinc Production (000’ t) | 12 – 15 | 12 – 15 | ||||
Tonnes Processed (millions) | 0.95 – 1.00 | 13.20 – 13.60 | 0.53 – 0.55 | 0.50 – 0.52 | ||
Gold Grade (g/t) | 5.50 – 6.20 | 0.65 – 0.75 | 4.80 – 5.30 | 7.50 – 8.50 | ||
Total Cash Costs(1) ($/oz sold) | 790 – 890 | 1,020 – 1,120 | 1,300 – 1,400 | 1,020 – 1,120 | 980 – 1,080(5) | |
All-in Sustaining Costs(1)($/oz sold) | 1,290 – 1,390 | 1,200 – 1,300 | 1,560 – 1,660 | 1,280 – 1,380 | 1,370 – 1,470(5) | |
Capital Expenditures ($ millions) | ||||||
Sustaining Capital(1) | 85 – 95 | 25 – 30 | 15 – 20 | 20 – 25 | 145 – 170 | |
Operations - Growth Capital(1,2) | 70 – 75 | 115 – 125 | 15 – 20 | 45 – 50 | 245 – 270 | |
Operations - Sustaining and Growth Capital(1,2) | 155 – 170 | 140 – 155 | 30 – 40 | 65 – 75 | 390 – 440 | |
Skouries - |
400 – 450 | 400 - 450 | ||||
Skouries - Accelerated |
80 – 100 | 80 - 100 |
(1) | These financial measures are non-IFRS financial measures. Certain additional disclosures for non-IFRS financial measures and ratios have been incorporated by reference and additional detail can be found at the end of this press release in the section titled ‘Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures and Ratios.’ |
(2) | Includes capitalized exploration at the |
(3) | Payable metal produced. |
(4) | Olympias by-product grades: Silver: 90 – 120 g/t; Zinc: 4.0 – 4.5%; Lead: 3.5 – 4.0%. |
(5) | Totals may not add based on the averaging of costs. |
Gold production in 2025 is expected to be between 460,000 and 500,000 ounces which reflects the following:
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First production from Skouries in 2026 rather than 2025.
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At Kisladag, expected production has been impacted by longer than planned leach cycles and lower grade stacked.
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At Olympias, expected production has been impacted by a delay in mill expansion commissioning to 650ktpa, and unscheduled maintenance of the gold concentrate filters.
Similar to prior years, quarter-to-quarter gold production in 2025 is expected to fluctuate with higher production expected in the second half as a result of ore grade variability across the portfolio and the impact of winter conditions at Kisladag.
Total cash costs(1) in 2025 are expected to be between
(1) Total cash cost per ounce sold and AISC per ounce sold are non-IFRS financial measures. Certain additional disclosures for non-IFRS financial measures and ratios have been incorporated by reference, and additional detail can be found at the end of this press release and in the section ‘Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures and Ratios.’
Exploration and evaluation expenditures are expected to be between
OPERATING MINES:
In 2025, production guidance of 170,000 to 180,000 ounces at the
Total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold are expected to increase as a result of the deepening of the mine and lower grade in the top of Lower Triangle, in addition to increased labour costs as a result of wage pressures due to the tight labour market in
Sustaining capital expenditures of between
TURKIYE
Kisladag
In 2025, production guidance of 160,000 to 170,000 ounces at Kisladag is slightly lower than the previously guided range of 175,000 to 185,000 ounces, primarily due to lower grade as a result of recent mine plan optimization adjusting to avoid an area of local cultural significance. Also, as previously disclosed in the third quarter of 2024, the Company has incorporated the longer leach cycle and coarse ore particle performance in its guidance. The Company continues to focus on irrigation optimization efforts, which have demonstrated positive results on gold inventory reduction, partially offsetting the longer leach cycle. In addition, an engineering study is underway to confirm optimal recovery, leach kinetics and process throughput and is expected to be completed in mid-2025.
Total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold are expected to be impacted by inflation not currently being fully offset by the depreciation of the Lira against the US dollar, and increased royalties due to the anticipated continuation of high gold prices.
Planned 2025 sustaining capital of between
Efemcukuru
In 2025, production guidance of 70,000 to 80,000 ounces is unchanged from the previously guided range. Total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold are expected to be negatively impacted by increased labour costs and electricity costs. Higher labour costs are expected as a result of inflation not currently being fully offset by the depreciation of the Lira against the US dollar, and increased royalties due to the anticipated continuation of high gold prices.
Planned sustaining capital expenditures of between
Olympias
In 2025, production guidance of 60,000 to 70,000 ounces at Olympias is expected to be lower than the prior guidance due a delay in mill expansion commissioning to 650ktpa and unscheduled maintenance of the gold concentrate filters.
Total cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce sold are expected to be positively impacted by increased by-product metal sales partially offset by increased royalties due to the anticipated continuation of high gold prices. Continued quarter to quarter variability in AISC and total cash costs is expected due to by-product credits from timing of by-product concentrate shipments.
Planned 2025 sustaining capital expenditures of between
Three-Year Outlook Overview:
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Gold production of between 660,000 and 720,000 ounces by 2027, resulting in growth of 33% over the three-year period compared to 2024 production.
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Delivering consistent safe production from robust long-life assets.
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Unlocking mineral value across the portfolio through expansion and development.
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Skouries commercial production in mid-2026.
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Addition of copper, a critical mineral to the portfolio.
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Continued focus on exploration to unlock the outstanding potential of the Company’s brownfield property portfolio and to the identification and development of new opportunities in Eldorado’s focus jurisdictions.
2025 | 2026 (2) | 2027 | 2024 Actual | |
Gold Production (000’ oz) | ||||
|
170 – 180(1) | 180 – 190 | 175 – 185 | 197 |
Kisladag | 160 – 170 | 135 – 145 | 165 – 175 | 174 |
Efemcukuru | 70 – 80 | 75 – 85 | 70 – 80 | 80 |
Olympias | 60 – 70 | 80 – 90 | 80 – 90 | 70 |
Skouries | 135 – 155(2) | 170 – 190 | ||
Total Gold Production | 460 – 500 | 605 – 665 | 660 – 720 | 520 |
Copper Production (Mlbs) | ||||
Total Copper Production Skouries | 45 – 60 | 60 – 80 | ||
Silver Production (000’ oz) | ||||
Total Silver Production Olympias | 1,300 – 1,500 | 1,550 – 1,750 | 1,750 – 1,950 | |
Lead Production (t) | ||||
Total Lead Production Olympias | 12,000 – 15,000 | 15,000 – 18,000 | 17,000 – 20,000 | |
Zinc Production (t) | ||||
Total Zinc Production Olympias | 12,000 – 15,000 | 18,000 – 21,000 | 19,000 – 22,000 |
(1) | Includes expected production ounces from the second bulk sample process at Ormaque. |
(2) | Includes expected pre-commercial production from Skouries. Skouries’ commercial production is expected in mid-2026. |
2025 Assumptions and Sensitivities
Commodity and Currency Price Assumptions | |
Gold ($/oz) | 2,300 |
Silver ($/oz) | 28.00 |
Lead ($/mt) | 2,050 |
Zinc ($/mt) | 2,700 |
USD : CDN | 1 : 1.33 |
EUR : USD | 1 : 1.05 |
USD : TRY (Q1) | 1 : 35.00 |
USD : TRY (Q2) | 1 : 37.00 |
USD : TRY (Q3) | 1 : 39.00 |
USD : TRY (Q4) | 1 : 41.00 |
Sensitivities | 2025 | Change | Operating Sites Local Currency Exposure | AISC ($/oz sold) |
Gold Price | $2,300 | $100 | ~8 | |
USD : CDN | 1 : 1.33 | $0.05 | 90% | ~20 |
EUR : USD | 1 : 1.05 | $0.05 | 95% | ~15 |
Qualified Person
Except as otherwise noted,
Data is verified through the internal reviews of life of mine plans on a site-by-site basis which confirms the expected production outputs along with the expected revenue and cost distribution.
Conference Call
Senior management will host a conference call to discuss the details of the Company’s Skouries Project Update and Guidance on
Participants may elect to pre-register for the conference call via this link: https://dpregister.com/sreg/10196352/fe619f1800. Upon registration, participants will receive a calendar invitation by email with dial in details and a unique PIN. This will allow participants to bypass the operator queue and connect directly to the conference. Registration will remain open until the end of the conference call.
Conference Call Details | Replay (available until March 20, 2025) | ||
Date: | Thursday, February 6, 2025 | Vancouver : | +1 412 317 0088 |
Time: | 11:30 AM ET (8:30 AM PT) | Toll Free: | 1 855 669 9658 |
Dial in: | +1 647 484 8814 | Access code: | 1502892 |
Toll free: | 1 844 763 8274 |
About Eldorado
Eldorado is a gold and base metals producer with mining, development and exploration operations in Turkiye,
Contact
Investor Relations
647 271 2827 or 1 888 353 8166
[email protected]
Media
236 885 6251 or 1 888 353 8166
[email protected]
Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures and Ratios
Certain non-IFRS financial measures and ratios are included in this news release, including total cash costs, all-in sustaining cost ("AISC"), growth capital costs, and sustaining capital costs. The Company believes that these measures and ratios, in addition to conventional measures and ratios prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-IFRS and other financial measures and ratios are intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures or ratios of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures and ratios do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers.
With respect to the non-IFRS measures disclosed in this news release, the Company defines them as follows:
Total Cash Costs
We define total cash costs following the recommendations of the Gold Institute Production Cost Standard. The production cost standard developed by the
All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC)
We define AISC based on the definition set out by the
Sustaining Capital
Sustaining capital is capital required to maintain current operations at existing levels, including capitalized stripping and underground mine development. Sustaining capital excludes non-cash sustaining lease additions, unless otherwise noted, and does not include capitalized interest, expenditure related to development projects, or other growth or sustaining capital not related to operating gold mines.
Growth Capital
Growth capital is capital investment for new operations, major growth projects or enhancement capital for significant infrastructure improvements at existing operations.
Our
Forward-looking Statements and Information
Certain of the statements made and information provided in this press release are forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. Often, these forward-looking statements and forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “budgets”, "committed", “continue”, “estimates”, “expects”, "focus", “forecasts”, "foresee", "forward", "future", "goal", “guidance”, “intends”, "opportunity", "outlook", “plans”, “potential”, "schedule", "strategy", "target", “underway”, "working" or the negatives thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “can”, “could”, "likely", "may", “might”, “will” or "would" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements or information with respect to: our updated 2025 production and cost guidance for the Company and by each material property with detail on plans for each property in 2025; three year production outlook for each of the Company, material property and metal mined; construction costs and site expenditures for the
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are by their nature based on a number of assumptions, that management considers reasonable. However, such assumptions involve both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which, if proven to be inaccurate, may cause actual results, activities, performance or achievements may be materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements or information. These include assumptions concerning: timing, cost and results of our construction and development activities, improvements and exploration; the future price of gold and other commodities; exchange rates; anticipated values, costs, expenses and working capital requirements; production and metallurgical recoveries; mineral reserves and resources; our ability to unlock the potential of our brownfield property portfolio; our ability to address the negative impacts of climate change and adverse weather; consistency of agglomeration and our ability to optimize it in the future; the cost of, and extent to which we use, essential consumables (including fuel, explosives, cement, and cyanide); the impact and effectiveness of productivity initiatives; the time and cost necessary for anticipated overhauls of equipment; expected by-product grades; the use, and impact or effectiveness, of growth capital; the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, suspensions or delays on our business; the sustaining capital required for various projects; and the geopolitical, economic, permitting and legal climate that we operate in (including recent disruptions to shipping operations in the
More specifically with respect to the
In addition, except where otherwise stated, Eldorado has assumed a continuation of existing business operations on substantially the same basis as exists at the time of this press release. Even though we believe that the assumptions and expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statement or information will prove to be accurate. Many assumptions may be difficult to predict and are beyond our control.
Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, activities, performance or achievements to be materially different from those described in the forward-looking statements or information. Generally, these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: risks relating to our operations in foreign jurisdictions; community relations and social license; liquidity and financing risks; climate change; inflation risk; environmental matters including existing or potential environmental hazards; production and processing, including throughput, recovery and product quality; geometallurgical variability; waste disposal including a spill, failure or material flow from a tailings facility causing damage to the environment or surrounding communities; geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions or failures; the global economic environment; risks relating to any pandemic, epidemic, endemic or similar public health threats; reliance on a limited number of smelters and off-takers; labour (including in relation to employee/union relations, the Greek transformation, employee misconduct, and the availability of key personnel, skilled workforce, expatriates, and contractors); indebtedness (including current and future operating restrictions, implications of a change of control, ability to meet debt service obligations, the implications of defaulting on obligations and change in credit ratings); the Company's ability to satisfy covenants under its agreements, including its project funding agreements; government regulation; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; commodity price risk; mineral tenure; ability to secure the required permits, licenses and authorizations in a timely manner; risks relating to environmental sustainability and governance practices and performance; financial reporting (including relating to the carrying value of our assets and changes in reporting standards); non-governmental organizations; corruption, bribery and sanctions; information and operational technology systems; litigation and contracts; estimation of mineral reserves and mineral resources; different standards used to prepare and report mineral reserves and mineral resources; credit risk; price volatility, volume fluctuations and dilution risk in respect of our shares; actions of activist shareholders; reliance on infrastructure, commodities and consumables (including power and water); currency risk; interest rate risk; tax matters; dividends; reclamation and long-term obligations; the ongoing potential for material impairment and/or write-downs of assets; acquisitions, including integration risks, and dispositions; regulated substances; necessary equipment; co-ownership of our properties; the unavailability of insurance; conflicts of interest; compliance with privacy legislation; reputational issues; competition, and those risk factors discussed in our most recent Annual Information Form & Form 40-F.
With respect to the
The inclusion of forward-looking statements and information is designed to help you understand management’s current views of our near- and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained herein. Except as required by law, we do not expect to update forward-looking statements and information continually as conditions change and you are referred to the full discussion of the Company’s business contained in the Company’s reports filed with the securities regulatory authorities in
This press release contains information that may constitute future-orientated financial information or financial outlook information (collectively, “FOFI”) about Eldorado’s prospective financial performance, financial position or cash flows, all of which is subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth above. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise or inaccurate and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on FOFI. Eldorado’s actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, FOFI. Eldorado has included FOFI in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on Eldorado’s future operations and management’s current expectations relating to Eldorado’s future performance. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. FOFI contained herein was made as of the date of this press release. Unless required by applicable laws, Eldorado does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any FOFI statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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