GSS 2006 guidance
Looks pretty good. Any dilution should be relatively small.
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2006 GUIDANCE
Looking forward, the forecast for 2006 total production is approximately 300,000 ounces at an average cash operating cost of about $335 an ounce, benefiting from a full year's production at Wassa and the first production from the Bogoso sulfide expansion project. The 2007 forecast of approximately 500,000 ounces at an average cash operating cost of about $335 an ounce is based on a full year's production from the Bogoso sulfide expansion project.
Production at Bogoso/Prestea in the first quarter is expected to be about 20,000 ounces and is expected to gradually increase in the second and third quarters and to substantially increase in the fourth quarter as a result of the commencement of new production from the Bogoso expansion project. Cash operating costs at Bogoso/Prestea are expected to be high in the first quarter and to gradually improve through the subsequent quarters, averaging about $330 per ounce for the year.
Production from Wassa is expected to be about 24,000 ounces in the first quarter and is expected to gradually increase through the year as a result of increasing throughput and grade. Costs are expected to be high in the first quarter and to reduce in subsequent quarters as a result of lower strip ratios and higher gold production.
We anticipate total capital spending of approximately $155 million during 2006, with approximately $89 million of this expected to be used to complete the Bogoso sulfide expansion project. Cash on hand stood at approximately $89.7 million at December 31, 2005. At current gold prices (approximately $550 per ounce) we expect both Bogoso/Prestea and Wassa to generate positive operating cash flows in 2006. In March 2006, we sold our shares in Moto Goldmines which resulted in net proceeds of $38.9 million.
We are currently negotiating with banks to set up a $30 million revolving line of credit that could be drawn on if needed.
