TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: WDO) (“Wesdome” or the “Company”) today announces fourth quarter (“Q4”) and full year 2021 production results and 2022 guidance. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

Production from the Eagle River Complex in Q4 2021 totaled 62,374 tonnes at an average grade of 12.6 grams per tonne (“gpt”) and a recovery rate of 98% to produce 24,630 ounces of gold, putting full year 2021 production at 265,267 tonnes at an average grade of 12.2 gpt to produce 101,403 ounces, near the high end of our 2021 production guidance of 92,000 – 105,000 ounces.

At Kiena, Q4 production was 38,000 tonnes at an average grade of 14.1 gpt and a recovery rate of 98% to produce 16,929 ounces. Total production for the year at Kiena was 68,470 tonnes at an average grade of 10.4 gpt at a recovery rate of 98% to produce 22,440 ounces, also near the high end of our guidance range of 15,000 – 25,000 ounces.

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2021 Highlights:

• Eagle River underground gold production of 228,759 tonnes at an average grade of 13.8 gpt at a recovery rate of 98% to produce 99,120 ounces.
• Total Eagle River Complex production of 101,403 ounces, the first time in the mine’s history production exceeded 100,000 ounces.
• Mishi gold production of 36,508 tonnes at an average grade of 2.4 gpt to produce 2,283 ounces.
• Kiena Mine embarked on a construction and mining ramp up as per the May 2021 Pre-Feasibility study – fully funded from cash flow.
• Combined revenue from gold sales of $262.6 million (which excludes an additional $3.9 million from a bulk sample at the Kiena Mine).
• Published Kiena Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”); IRR 98%.
• Discovered new high grade Footwall Zone at Kiena Complex.
• Initial sill development and production on the Falcon 7 Zone and discovery of North Contact Zone at Eagle River.
• Monetized Moss Lake via vend-in transaction with Goldshore Resources for aggregate consideration of $57M including $12.5M upfront in cash and 30% of issued and outstanding shares at closing
• Included in TMX 30 recognition program for the third consecutive year. This flagship program showcases the TSX’s 30 top-performing stocks based on dividend adjusted share price appreciation.
• Placed 56^thoverall out of 220 TSX-listed companies in the annual Globe and Mail Board Games report on corporate governance, and in a multi-way tie for 10^thin the materials category
• In June 2021, the Company released its annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) Report, prepared using the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (“SASB”) Metals & Mining Standard and providing an overview of the company’s ESG strategies, policies, commitments, and 2020 performance.

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Wesdome Gold management comments

“2021 was an excellent year for Wesdome. We achieved two significant operational milestones, record production at the Eagle River Complex of 101,403 ounces, and the commencement of pre-production and construction activities at the Kiena mine in preparation for commercial production in Q2 2022.

“These achievements have resulted in further de-risking of the Company with the addition of a second producing Canadian asset which ultimately increases scale and diversifies cash flow sources, both key steps towards becoming a mid-tier Canadian producer.

“Looking ahead to 2022, we are guiding total production of 160,000 – 180,000 ounces, a 30% – 45% increase over 2021.

“We expect costs to be slightly lower than 2021, and are guiding consolidated cash costs per ounce sold to range between $875 – $970 per ounce (US $700 – $775), and all-in sustaining costs (“AISC”) to range between $1,270 and $1,400 per ounce (US$ 1,015 – $1,125).

“Full operating and financial details for 2021 will be provided in the Company’s year end financial statements and management discussion and analysis on March 10, 2022.

“I would like to thank all of our employees and stakeholders who have made this transformational year possible, despite the obvious challenges of the global pandemic and associated supply chain disruptions. Tough times make tough teams.”

Duncan Middlemiss, President and CEO of Wesdome Gold