"Avion Gold—"Better-than-expected" is my middle name. Avion announced record monthly production of roughly 9,171 oz. gold in December from its Tabakoto/Segala operations in Mali, West Africa and record quarterly production of ~26,121 oz. gold in Q410. The total annual production for 2010 was ~87,661 oz. gold and exceeded the upper end of the previously forecast range of 75–85 Koz. gold. Mill feed plans for 2011 include open-pit mining at the Dioulafoundou deposit, underground development ore from the Tabakoto deposit and stockpile reclamation of ore from the Segala open pit that was mined out in 2010. It is expected that ore derived from the Dioulafoundou pit and Tabakoto underground development will be higher grade than that mined at the Segala Pit in 2010. Several other ore zones will be available to provide alternative open pit ore sources (Tabakoto South and Djambaye II zones) with these being developed as required and as equipment availability permits. Underground development of the Segala deposit is planned to be well underway during the year. Gold production is estimated at ~22 Koz. during Q111, increasing to 27 Koz. in Q411 as the amount of development ore from Tabakoto underground increases. Analysts expect Avion's gold production to reach toward 200 Koz./year in 2012 as the mill is expanded to 4,000 t/d from 2,000 t/d through late 2011."
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: Wellington West erhöht Kursziel auf 2 Can$:
Paolo Lostritto, Wellington West Capital Markets (01/07/11)
"Resource update lifts Tabakoto grade and global resource; premium valuation applied grade up by 53% to 5.7 g/t; resource only up 11% at Tabakoto U/G. Drilling further defined high-grade structures, but vein thickness may result in dilution and throughput challenge, especially during ramp-up.
Dioulafoundou resource up 44%, which should help with 2012 production. Dioulafoundou O/P and potential O/P extensions at Tabakoto South/Dabo & Djambaye II should provide alternative sources of ore for 2011/2012. And recent Kofi acquisition adds gold resources with growth potential; closed four of nine concession transactions with AXMAN to add 290 Koz. Indicated and 370 Koz. Inferred gold within ~US$8/t trucking distance to the Tabakoto mill.
Raising target to $2. from $1.55; valuation dependent on CFPS growth. Valuation boost from higher production and CFPS in 2012. Maiden reserve estimates targeted for Q111; plus 70,000m of drilling in 2011."
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: Catherine Gignac, NCP Northland Capital Partners:
(02/04/11) "We are forecasting substantial production and cash flow growth through to 2013 as the mill is doubled in size to 4,000tpd. The pending initial reserve statement and detailed underground mining plan will provide clarity on future mining parameters. We believe exploration budgets are modest relative to the significant potential upside on the large land packages held in Mali and Burkina Faso. We estimate that Avion ended 2010 with over $40M in cash, no debt and fully financed capital programs. We expect development of the Tabakoto and Segala underground mines throughout 2011 and early 2012 alongside a mill expansion for Q212 to more than double 2010 annual output to over 200 Koz. by 2013. Additionally, $10M in exploration spending is underway for 2011 and should generate a steady stream of news flow as the company proves the multimillion-ounce potential of its large property packages in Mali and Burkina Faso."
Avion Gold Corp to Present at Wellington West New York Gold Show Date: February 15, 2011
Avion Gold Corp to Present at Wellington West London Gold Show Date: February 18, 2011
Avion Gold Corp to Present at 3rd Annual "Spring Break for Wall Street" hosted by Stock and Bond Club of South Florida & LDV Capital Management Date: March 2, 2011
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: The Gold Report Interview with Malcolm Gissen
5/4/11
Malcolm Gissen: A gold company that we have invested in for about three years is Avion Gold. Initially, we invested at roughly $0.10 about three years ago [as part of a private placement]. Avion has since become a gold producer in West Africa and is now trading at around $1.65. . .We bought more in the open market and got stock in warrants. In fact, we're exercising the warrants now because they expire in a couple of weeks. The warrants were at $0.65; so, we've had a very big gain. Avion's production was about 51,000 ounces (Koz.) in 2009 and around 87 Koz. in 2010. This year, it anticipates producing about 100 Koz. With gold at $1,500/oz., that's $150M in cash flow. Avion has very good grade in its mines in Mali. The company's doing further exploration and getting very good results. In addition, it has and is exploring properties in Burkina Faso, also in West Africa. The results look promising and the company expects to complete an NI 43-101-compliant resource estimate during the second quarter of this year.
TGR: Avion owns 80% of the Segala, Tabakoto and Dioulafoundou gold deposits in Mali. Those are currently open-pit operations, but Avion is going to head underground at some point, correct?
MG: That's correct. And we believe, with the grade it's getting and the exploration results, Avion should be expanding its resource. The 43-101 will be important because it will provide verification for what the company's doing. Many larger gold companies wait for junior miners to produce a 43-101 report before they start getting interested in the junior, in terms of a possible acquisition.