For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold the 1,419,442 ounces of silver delivered under the agreement, largely in line with the silver sold for the same period in the prior year. GEOs sold were 16,925 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 16,592 for the same period in the prior year.
As expected and previously disclosed, deliveries from Cerro Lindo improved sequentially in the third quarter of 2023 following the rainfall-related shutdown in mid-March due to Cyclone Yaku, which temporarily restricted access to higher-grade zones in the second quarter.
During the quarter, the exploration program at Cerro Lindo focused on extensions of known orebodies to the southeast of Cerro Lindo. Drilling also began at the Patahuasi Millay expansion target, which is within Triple Flag’s stream area and is located 500 meters to the northwest of Cerro Lindo.
| 2. | Northparkes (Operator: China Molybdenum Co., Ltd) |
Under the stream agreement with China Molybdenum Co., Ltd (“CMOC”), we receive 54% of payable gold until an aggregate of 630,000 ounces have been delivered and 27% of payable gold thereafter. We also receive 80% of payable silver until an aggregate of 9 million ounces of silver have been delivered, and 40% of payable silver thereafter for the remainder of the life of mine. Typically, deliveries under the stream lag production by 2 months. As at September 30, 2023, 37,794 ounces of gold and 680,842 ounces of silver had been delivered under the stream agreement with CMOC since inception.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we sold the 3,254 ounces of gold and 55,098 ounces of silver delivered to the Company. This compares to 2,544 ounces of gold and 48,707 ounces of silver delivered and sold for the same period in the prior year. GEOs sold were 3,919 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 3,095 for the same period in the prior year.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold the 9,184 ounces of gold and 171,255 ounces of silver delivered to the Company. This compares to 8,460 ounces of gold and 148,571 ounces of silver delivered and sold for the same period in the prior year. GEOs sold were 11,223 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 10,144 for the same period in the prior year.
E31 and E31N are higher gold grade open pit deposits at Northparkes, which are expected to contribute to significant near-term production growth at this operation. Development continues to advance, with the first blast successfully completed at E31N during August 2023. Mining of transitional ore commenced at both open pits during the month, with sulfide ore mined from E31 in September. Ore from E31 and E31N is expected to contribute to mill feed blend starting in the fourth quarter of 2023 , which should drive GEOs sales growth starting in 2024.
Separately, the E22 blockcave feasibility study continued to advance during the third quarter of 2023 and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024. A boxcut and decline development from surface is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2024. Of note, this study is expected to include an evaluation of a regrind ball mill which, if approved, could be installed by 2025 to improve concentrate grade and marketability.
| 3. | Impala Bafokeng Operations (Operator: Impala Platinum Holdings Limited) |
Under the stream agreement with Royal Bafokeng Platinum Limited (“RBPlat”), we receive 70% of payable gold until 261,000 ounces are delivered and 42% of payable gold thereafter from the RBPlat PGM Operations. Typically, deliveries under the stream lag production by 5 months. As at September 30, 2023, 26,523 ounces of gold had been delivered under the stream agreement with RBPlat since inception.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we sold the 1,631 ounces of gold delivered by RBPlat under the stream agreement, a 6% decrease from the ounces delivered and sold for the same period in the prior year. GEOs sold were 1,632 for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 1,751 for the same period in the prior year.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we sold the 4,767 ounces of gold delivered by RBPlat under the stream agreement, a 17% decrease from the ounces delivered and sold for the same period in the prior year. GEOs sold were 4,754 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 5,810 for the same period in the prior year.