Stock Symbols: AEM (NYSE)
AGE (TSX)
(All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted)
TORONTO, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited is
today hosting research analysts and investors on a tour of the LaRonde
minesite. The visit will focus on operations and will include an underground
and mill tour. A regional exploration and development update will also be
provided regarding the Company's projects and programs on the Cadillac-
Bousquet Belt.
The Company has completed its mine planning process for 2004. As
previously disclosed, the new mine plan was devised with an annual gold
production target of 300,000 ounces. A summary of the estimated metal
production and cash operating costs together with the material assumptions
used in the Company's estimates for 2004 follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------
Ore processed (000's tons) 2,555
Daily throughput rate (tons) 7,000
Grades:
Gold (oz./t) 0.13
Silver (oz./t) 2.50
Zinc (%) 3.40
Copper (%) 0.60
Payable metal production:
Gold (ozs.) 300,000
Silver (000's ozs.) 4,700
Zinc (000's lbs.) 120,000
Copper (000's lbs.) 24,000
Minesite operating costs (C$/ton) 49-51
Total cash operating costs ($/oz.) 155-165
Assumptions:
Gold ($/oz.) 340
Silver ($/oz.) 5.00
Zinc ($/lb.) 0.40
Copper ($/lb.) 0.85
C$/US$ exchange rate 1.30
-------------------------------------------------------------
The Company undertook a comprehensive review of short-term and long-term
production targets. Based on recent experience, a more conservative approach
to reduce mining risk was taken, which is still expected to result in strong
cash flows and low cash operating costs. LaRonde's total cash operating costs
are expected to decline significantly in 2004 to a range of $155 to $165 per
ounce, based on the assumptions and estimates above. The decline in total cash
operating unit costs from those estimated for 2003 is attributable to the
elimination of the El Coco royalty (over $50 per ounce in 2003) and higher
gold and byproduct metal production as ore throughput increases to a steady
state of 7,000 tons per day.
The estimated sensitivity of LaRonde's 2004 total cash operating costs to
changes in metal prices and exchange rates follows:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change in variable Impact on total cash operating costs ($/oz.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
$0.10 in C$/US$ 25
$0.50/oz. in silver 10
$0.05/lb. in zinc 14
$0.10/lb. in copper 4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
LaRonde on Track for Fourth Quarter 2003 Production of 70,000 to 75,000
Ounces
The proportion of ore from the lower level mining horizons continued to
increase in October to over 70% from 63% in the third quarter. Gold production
was slightly above 24,000 ounces in October with cash operating costs within
the previously announced range of $210 to $230 per ounce and total cash
operating costs of $240 to $260 per ounce, including the El Coco royalty.
October's gold production was in line with expectations and the Company
expects to achieve its previously disclosed target of 70,000 to 75,000 ounces
in the fourth quarter.
Regional Program Plans to be Announced in December
The Company intends to provide an update on its 2004 program for its
pipeline of regional projects, including LaRonde II, Lapa and Goldex, in a
separate press release in December. At that time, the cash dividend for 2004
is also expected to be set.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" (within
the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995) that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Risks and uncertainties are disclosed under the heading "Risk
Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form (AIF) filed with certain
Canadian securities regulators (including the Ontario and Quebec Securities
Commissions) and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (as
Form 20-F).
About Agnico-Eagle
Agnico-Eagle is a long established Canadian gold producer with operations
located in northwestern Quebec and exploration and development activities in
eastern Canada and the southwestern United States. Agnico-Eagle's LaRonde Mine
in Quebec is Canada's largest gold deposit. The Company has full exposure to
higher gold prices consistent with its policy of no forward gold sales. It has
paid a cash dividend for 23 consecutive years.
SOURCE Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited
CONTACT: Barry Landen, V.P. Corporate Affairs, Agnico-Eagle Mines
Limited (416) 947-1212
(AGE. AEM)
|