Ero Copper Announces 2023 Production Results and Provides 2024 Guidance
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Ero Copper Announces 2023 Production Results and Provides 2024 Guidance

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Ero Copper Corp.
Ero Copper Corp.

(all amounts in US dollars, unless otherwise noted)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) ("Ero" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its 2023 production results, 2024 guidance and three-year production outlook.

HIGHLIGHTS

Record Gold Production Driven by Successful Completion of the NX 60 Initiative

  • The Xavantina Operations produced 59,222 ounces of gold in 2023, exceeding the increased guidance range of 55,000 to 59,000 ounces, issued on November 2, 2023, and the original 2023 guidance range of 50,000 to 53,000 ounces

  • Average processed gold grades of 15.13 grams per tonne ("gpt") represented a 98.8% increase in gold grades as compared to 2022

Caraíba Mill Expansion Design Capacity Reached by Year-End

  • The Caraíba Operations produced 43,857 tonnes of copper in concentrate for the full year, slightly below guidance of 44,000 to 47,000 tonnes

  • Although the Caraíba mill expansion design capacity was achieved by year-end, throughput volumes and copper production for the fourth quarter and full year were impacted by approximately one week of additional unplanned downtime related to the integration of the expansion circuit

2024 Guidance

  • Consolidated copper production is expected to be 59,000 to 72,000 tonnes in concentrate at C1 cash costs between $1.50 to $1.75 per pound of copper produced

  • The Xavantina Operations are expected to produce 55,000 to 60,000 ounces of gold at average C1 cash costs between $550 to $650 per ounce of gold produced and all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") between $1,050 and $1,150 per ounce of gold produced

  • Total capital expenditures are expected to decrease year-on-year to a range of $299 to $349 million in 2024, primarily due to the completion of the Tucumã Project, which remains on track to commence production during the second half of the year. As a result, capital spend is expected to be weighted towards the first half of 2024

Three-Year Production Outlook

  • Consolidated copper production is projected to more than double to 95,000 to 105,000 tonnes in 2025, as the Tucumã Mine is expected to achieve its first full year of production

  • Following the successful completion of the NX 60 initiative in 2023, the Xavantina Operations are expected to sustain annual gold production levels of 55,000 to 60,000 ounces through 2026

Commenting on the production results and 2024 guidance, David Strang, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our 2023 production performance reflects the strong execution of our organic growth strategy, highlighted by the successful completion of the NX 60 initiative, which resulted in a 39% year-on-year increase in gold production. Although the completion of the mill expansion project at our Caraíba Operations necessitated additional plant downtime, culminating in full-year copper production that slightly missed our expectations, this milestone is pivotal for supporting higher sustained ore production volumes from the Pilar Mine over the long term.