Fortitude Gold Reports Second Quarter 2024 Results

July 31, 2024

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO / ACCESSWIRE / July 30, 2024 / Fortitude Gold Corporation (OTCQB:FTCO) (the "Company") today reported its second quarter 2024 results including $9.6 million net sales, $4.3 million in exploration expense, $2.9 million cash dividends to shareholders, $4.8 million mine gross profit, and a cash balance on June 30, 2024 of $32.9 million. The Company confirmed its previously announced preliminary 2024 second quarter production of 4,150 gold ounces as it awaits permit approval to mine deeper in the Pearl zone of the Isabella Pearl pit. Fortitude Gold is a gold producer, developer, and explorer with operations in Nevada, U.S.A. offering investors exposure to both gold production and substantial dividend yield.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Highlights

$9.6 million net sales
$(0.01) per share, $0.1 million net loss
$32.9 million cash balance on June 30, 2024
4,150 gold ounces produced
$48.4 million working capital at June 30, 2024
$4.8 million mine gross profit
$4.3 million exploration expenditures
$782 total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold*
$1,013 per ounce total all-in sustaining cost*
$2.9 million dividends paid

* The calculation of our cash cost and all-in sustaining cost per ounce contained in this press release is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations" contained in the Company's recently filed Form 10-K for a complete discussion and reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures.

Fortitude Gold sold 4,123 gold ounces at a total cash cost of $782 per ounce (after by-product credits) and an all-in-sustaining-cost per ounce of $1,013. Realized gold metal prices during the quarter averaged $2,341 per ounce⁽¹⁾. While the Company produced 4,150 ounces of gold during the quarter, the 2024 annual production outlook was previously deferred as the Company awaits permits from regulatory agencies to mine deeper in the Isabella Pearl deposit as well as expand mine operations with permit approval to build its second mine, its County Line project.

"The second quarter of 2024 was successful on numerous fronts despite the ongoing permitting delays," stated Fortitude Gold CEO and President, Mr. Jason Reid. "Our Isabella Pearl mine generated over $9 million dollars of revenue, we deployed $4.3 million dollars in exploration intercepting high-grade gold on numerous properties, and we distributed $2.9 million dollars in cash dividends to shareholders. The Company remains in a very strong financial position as we await our permits to mine both deeper in the higher-grade Pearl zone in the Isabella Pearl Pit and to begin mine construction of our County Line project, our next targeted mine build."

The following Sales Statistics table summarizes certain information about our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Metal sold
Gold (ozs.)		4,123		9,702		8,093		21,131
Silver (ozs.)		15,806		13,464		36,672		30,944
Average metal prices realized ⁽¹⁾
Gold ($per oz.)		2,341		1,990		2,209		1,935
Silver ($per oz.)		29.11		24.46		25.80		23.42
Precious metal gold equivalent ounces sold
Gold Ounces		4,123		9,702		8,093		21,131
Gold Equivalent Ounces from Silver		197		165		428		375
		4,320		9,867		8,521		21,506

Total cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold	$	894	$	561	$	840	$	546
Total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold	$	782	$	527	$	723	$	512
Total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold	$	1,013	$	680	$	898	$	625

(1) Average metal prices realized vary from the market metal prices due to final settlement adjustments from our provisional invoices when they are settled. Our average metal prices realized will therefore differ from the market average metal prices in most cases.

The following Production Statistics table summarize certain information about our operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023:

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Ore mined
Ore (tonnes)		120,270		112,834		186,766		219,309
Gold grade (g/t)		0.53		3.36		0.59		3.71
Low-grade stockpile
Ore (tonnes)		-		-		-		61,854
Gold grade (g/t)		-		-		-		0.47
Waste (tonnes)		348,488		312,614		799,997		530,741
Metal production (before payable metal deductions)⁽¹⁾
Gold (ozs.)		4,150		9,684		8,133		21,171
Silver (ozs.)		16,178		13,611		37,293		31,260

(1)The difference between what we report as "metal production" and "metal sold" is attributable to the difference between the quantities of metals contained in the doré we produce versus the portion of those metals actually paid for according to the terms of our sales contracts. Differences can also arise from inventory changes incidental to shipping schedules, or variances in ore grades and recoveries which impact the amount of metals contained in doré produced and sold.

See Accompanying Tables

The following information summarizes the results of operations for Fortitude Gold Corporation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, its financial condition at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The summary data as of June 30, 2024 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 is unaudited; the summary data as of December 31, 2023 is derived from our audited financial statements contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, but do not include the footnotes and other information that is included in the complete financial statements. Readers are urged to review the Company's Form 10-K in its entirety, which can be found on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

The calculation of its cash cost before by-product credits per gold ounce sold, total cash cost after by-product credits per gold ounce sold and total all-in sustaining cost per gold ounce sold contained in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures. Please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations" contained in the Company's most recent Form 10-K for a complete discussion and reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures.

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

	June 30, 2024		December 31, 2023
	*(Unaudited)*
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	32,873	$	48,678
Gold and silver rounds/bullion		1,756		1,532
Accounts receivable		527		42
Inventories		15,238		23,848
Prepaid taxes		672		355
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		1,078		811
Total current assets		52,144		75,266
Property, plant and mine development, net		23,883		25,365
Operating lease assets, net		-		631
Deferred tax assets		2,768		2,860
Leach pad inventories		46,334		30,533
Other non-current assets		386		344
Total assets	$	125,515	$	134,999
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	3,010	$	3,881
Operating lease liabilities, current		-		631
Mining taxes payable		207		2,309
Other current liabilities		516		1,133
Total current liabilities		3,733		7,954
Asset retirement obligations		6,796		6,500
Total liabilities		10,529		14,454
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized and nil outstanding at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		-		-
Common stock - $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized and 24,173,209 shares outstanding at June 30, 2024 and 24,084,542 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023		242		241
Additional paid-in capital		104,396		104,020
Retained earnings		10,348		16,284
Total shareholders' equity		114,986		120,545
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	125,515	$	134,999

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Three months ended						Six months ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2024			2023			2024			2023
Sales, net	$	9,554		$	19,219		$	17,735		$	40,759
Mine cost of sales:
Production costs		3,130			5,020			5,707			10,673
Depreciation and amortization		1,547			2,905			2,938			6,384
Reclamation and remediation		59			68			107			140
Total mine cost of sales		4,736			7,993			8,752			17,197
Mine gross profit		4,818			11,226			8,983			23,562
Costs and expenses:
General and administrative expenses		1,190			1,087			2,411			2,146
Exploration expenses		4,252			6,061			7,890			9,749
Other (income), net		(539	)		(434	)		(1,160	)		(761	)
Total costs and expenses		4,903			6,714			9,141			11,134
(Loss) income before income and mining taxes		(85	)		4,512			(158	)		12,428
Mining and income tax expense (benefit)		53			908			(18	)		2,456
Net (loss) income	$	(138	)	$	3,604		$	(140	)	$	9,972
Net (loss) income per common share:
Basic	$	(0.01	)	$	0.15		$	(0.01	)	$	0.41
Diluted	$	(0.01	)	$	0.15		$	(0.01	)	$	0.41
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		24,165,209			24,084,542			24,150,288			24,074,312
Diluted		24,165,209			24,225,953			24,150,288			24,219,270

FORTITUDE GOLD CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023
(U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

	Six months ended
	June 30,
	2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(140	)	$	9,972
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		3,016			6,430
Stock-based compensation		300			103
Deferred taxes		92			(1,018	)
Reclamation and remediation accretion		107			140
Unrealized (gain) loss on gold and silver rounds/bullion		(224	)		14
Other operating adjustments		-			(72	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(485	)		-
Inventories		(5,896	)		(2,167	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(267	)		(531	)
Other non-current assets		(42	)		-
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		(1,921	)		519
Income and mining taxes payable		(2,419	)		(601	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(7,879	)		12,789

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(2,204	)		(3,974	)
Purchase of gold and silver rounds/bullion		-			(239	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,204	)		(4,213	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid		(5,796	)		(6,741	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		77			60
Repayment of loans payable		(3	)		(30	)
Repayment of capital leases		-			(6	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(5,722	)		(6,717	)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(15,805	)		1,859
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		48,678			45,054
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	32,873		$	46,913

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income and mining taxes paid	$	2,309		$	4,074
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Change in capital expenditures in accounts payable	$	436		$	231

About Fortitude Gold Corp.:

Fortitude Gold is a U.S. based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, high margins, and strong returns on capital. The Company's strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. The Company's Nevada Mining Unit consists of seven high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt and an eighth high-grade gold property in west central Nevada. The Isabella Pearl gold mine, located on the Isabella Pearl mineralized trend, is currently in production. Nevada, U.S.A. is among the world's premier mining friendly jurisdictions.

Cautionary Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. If you are risk-averse you should NOT buy shares in Fortitude Gold Corp. The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. When used in this press release, the words "plan", "target", "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend" and "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company's strategy, future plans for production, future expenses and costs, future liquidity and capital resources, and estimates of mineralized material are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this press release. In particular, the scope, duration, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mining operations, Company employees, and supply chains as well as the scope, duration and impact of government action aimed at mitigating the pandemic may cause future actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Also, there can be no assurance that production will continue at any specific rate.

Contact:

Greg Patterson
719-717-9825
greg.patterson@fortitudegold.com
www.Fortitudegold.com

SOURCE: Fortitude Gold Corporation

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