GoodRx Releases Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

GoodRx Releases Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results

SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GoodRx Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: GDRX), a leading consumer-focused digital healthcare platform in the United States, has released its third quarter 2020 financial results and posted a letter to shareholders on the Overview page of its investor relations website at https://investors.goodrx.com.

GoodRx management will host a conference call and webcast today at 5:30 a.m. Pacific Time (8:30 a.m. Eastern Time) to discuss the results and the Company’s business outlook.

Third Quarter 2020 Results Conference Call

Date:

Thursday, November 12, 2020

Time:

5:30 a.m. Pacific Time / 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time

Webcast:

https://investors.goodrx.com (live and replay)

Dial-in number:

(833) 614-1447

Approximately one hour after completion of the live call, an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Company’s investor relations website at https://investors.goodrx.com for at least 30 days.

About GoodRx

GoodRx helps Americans get the healthcare they need at a price they can afford. As America’s leading resource for healthcare savings, GoodRx connects consumers with affordable and convenient prescriptions and medical care, including telehealth, mail order prescriptions, doctor visits, and lab tests. We have helped Americans save over $25 billion since 2011 and are the #1 most downloaded medical app in the last three years.

Investor Contact

GoodRx

Whitney Notaro

[email protected]

Press Contact

GoodRx

Lauren Casparis

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Professional Services Health Technology Insurance Mobile/Wireless Software Pharmaceutical

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Castlepoint Numa Inc. sells remaining minority shares in Pinewood Toronto Studios to Bell Media

– With two expansions completed and a third underway, Pinewood Toronto has been at virtually 100% capacity for several years –

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Alfredo Romano, president of Castlepoint Numa Inc., announced today that Castlepoint has completed the sale of the remainder of its minority shares in Pinewood Toronto Studios (PTS) to majority shareholder Bell Media for an undisclosed sum.

Bell Media exercised its right to purchase the shares through a right of first offer.

“When we invested in Pinewood Toronto in 2009, following the Lehman Brothers crisis, it was incomplete, empty and insolvent,” said Mr. Romano. “After two expansions and now a third that is under construction, it’s been at virtually 100% capacity for several years. We leave with Pinewood Toronto in very good hands with Bell Media, Paul Bronfman and CreateTO. We’re very proud to have been part of this partnership.”

Said Paul Bronfman, chairman of Pinewood Toronto, “Alfredo has been a fabulous partner for over 11 years and I will miss him. He has added a tremendous amount of experience and wisdom to our partnership. As chairman of PTS, we all wish him only good things.”

Pinewood Toronto, located in the Port Lands, is the largest purpose-built facility in Toronto with 11 sound stages, including the 46,000 sq. ft. Mega Stage. It will have 16 sound stages and support spaces totaling over 500,000 sq. ft. when the current expansion is completed. Recent productions filming at Pinewood Toronto include Star Trek: Discovery, Molly’s Game, It: Chapter Two and Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

Film and television production reached a record‐breaking $2.16 billion in Ontario in 2019, creating 44,540 full‐time equivalent and spin‐off jobs. “Demand for studio space in Toronto and other markets across North America is at an all-time high”, said Mr. Romano, adding that platform streamers such as Netflix and other Hollywood content creators have proven Toronto to be a premier location for filming.

About Castlepoint Numa Inc.

Castlepoint is a leader in the property development industry recognized for projects across the Greater Toronto Area and select markets in the United States. It is a values based company with expertise in heritage preservation, adaptive re-use, brownfield reclamation and the regeneration of large urban development sites. It was founded in 1988.

For further information:
Colleen Ryan
[email protected]
647-232-6867

Axcella Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Axcella Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

  • Plan to advance AXA1125 directly into a Phase 2b biopsy clinical trial in NASH under IND following successful Type B pre-IND meeting with FDA
  • Plan to advance AXA1665 directly into a Phase 2 clinical trial in OHE under IND following positive top-line data from AXA1665-002
  • Published peer-reviewed manuscripts highlighting therapeutic benefit of EMMs and results from AXA1665-001 clinical study
  • Presented AXA1125 late-breaker at EASL Digital International Liver Congress
  • Company to hold conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Axcella (Nasdaq: AXLA), a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new approach to treat complex diseases and improve health using endogenous metabolic modulator (EMM) compositions, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020 and provided a business update.

“Recent accomplishments serve as further validation of the strength of Axcella’s execution amid the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its clinical and regulatory approach,” said Bill Hinshaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of Axcella. “We are pleased to report that we recently completed a successful Type B pre-IND meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that enabled us to affirm our plans to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application and initiate a Phase 2b biopsy clinical trial of AXA1125, our product candidate for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We also presented positive top-line data in the third quarter for AXA1665, our product candidate for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) recurrence. Having already completed our pre-IND FDA engagement for AXA1665, preparations for its IND submission and Phase 2 clinical trial are now underway.”

“Just three years ago, Axcella finalized the designs of these differentiated, multi-targeted product candidates, and we now are prepared to enter later-stage clinical trials. Better still, we have compiled far more human data than would normally be expected at this stage of development, which we believe increases the probability of success in our next phase of development as we seek to make a difference for patients,” Mr. Hinshaw continued. “With key catalysts for AXA1125 and AXA1665 as well as our decision regarding enrollment expansion for our AXA4010-001 clinical study on the near-term horizon, our excitement continues to build.”

Recent Accomplishments and Next Steps

AXA1125

  • Completed Successful Type B Meeting: Axcella recently participated in a Type B pre-IND meeting with the FDA regarding AXA1125, focusing on key elements of the company’s development strategy. This engagement enables Axcella to proceed with its IND submission and Phase 2b clinical trial design as planned.
  • Planned Phase 2b Clinical Trial: Axcella plans to submit an IND for AXA1125 and proceed directly into a 48-week Phase 2b serial biopsy clinical trial enrolling adult patients with NASH, with a primary endpoint based on liver histology. This trial is expected to be initiated in the first half of 2021.
  • Presented Late-Breaker at EASL for AXA1125: A late-breaker poster containing key findings from Axcella’s AXA1125-003 clinical study was presented at the EASL Digital International Liver Congress by Stephen A. Harrison, M.D., Medical Director of Pinnacle Clinical Research in San Antonio, TX and visiting professor of Hepatology at the University of Oxford, UK.
  • Planned Presentations at AASLD: Posters regarding AXA1125-003 will be presented at The Liver Meeting® 2020, the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), which is taking place virtually November 13-16, 2020.

AXA1665

  • Reported Positive Top-Line Data: Axcella reported top-line data from AXA1665-002, a 12-week clinical study assessing the impact of AXA1665 on safety, tolerability and physiology in subjects with mild and moderate hepatic insufficiency. Results from the study showed that AXA1665 was generally well-tolerated, with dose dependent changes noted across measures of amino acid metabolism and neurocognition. These included statistically significant (p <0.05) improvements in the Fischer Ratio and the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) in the AXA1665 high dose arm vs. placebo. Additionally, clinically relevant trends were seen in certain measures of nitrogen/ammonia handling and physical function in the AXA1665 arms versus placebo.
  • Planned Phase 2 Clinical Trial Initiation: Axcella plans to submit an IND for AXA1665 and proceed directly into a 24-week Phase 2 clinical trial enrolling subjects with liver cirrhosis who have experienced at least one prior OHE event. This trial is expected to be initiated in the first half of 2021.
  • Published Findings from Initial Investigation of AXA1665: Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology published a peer-reviewed report detailing results from Axcella’s AXA1665-001 clinical study, the initial clinical investigation of AXA1665’s effect on safety, tolerability, and clinically relevant biomarkers related to hepatic and muscle metabolism and function.

AXA4010

  • Planned Enrollment Decision for AXA4010-001: Following Axcella’s receipt of Cohort 1 data in December 2020 from the ongoing AXA4010-001 clinical study, the company expects to communicate its decision about whether to enroll additional subjects with sickle cell disease in the study by early 2021.

EMM Platform

  • Published Manuscript Elucidating the Therapeutic Potential of EMMs:iScience published a peer-reviewed manuscript entitled “Endogenous Metabolic Modulators: Emerging Therapeutic Potential of Amino Acids” that detailed clinical precedents for EMMs as therapeutics and discussed the potential to develop EMM compositions that simultaneously target multiple biological pathways to address unmet needs in a range of complex diseases.

Financial Results

Cash Position: As of September 30, 2020, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $117.3 million, compared to $92.1 million as of December 31, 2019. The increase is primarily the result of net proceeds from the company’s follow-on stock offering that was completed in May 2020.

R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $7.5 million and $26.4 million, respectively. Research and development expenses for the same periods ended September 30, 2019 were $12.2 million and $29.1 million. The decrease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 is primarily due to the completion of the company’s AXA1125-003 and AXA1665-002 clinical studies.

G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $4.2 million and $12.9 million, respectively. General and administrative expenses for the same periods ended September 30, 2019 were $4.8 million and $13.0 million.

Net Loss: Net loss for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $12.4 million, or $0.34 per basic and diluted share, and $41.3 million, or $1.39 per basic and diluted share, respectively. This compares with a net loss of $17.3 million, or $0.75 per basic and diluted share, and $43.3 million, or $3.01 per basic and diluted share, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Included in the net loss for the quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $1.4 million and $4.9 million, respectively, of non-cash expense related to stock-based compensation, as compared to $1.7 million and $4.3 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2019.

Conference Call Reminder

Axcella will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss the company’s financial results and other recent business updates. The conference call webcast will be accessible in the Investors & News section on the company’s website at www.axcellahealth.com. To access the call via telephone, please dial (866) 652-5200 (U.S. toll free) or (412) 317-6060 (international) five minutes prior to the start time. For those unable to listen in live, a webcast archive will be available on the company’s website for 30 days following the call.

About Endogenous Metabolic Modulators (EMMs)

EMMs are a broad family of molecules, including amino acids, that regulate human metabolism. Axcella is developing a range of novel product candidates that are comprised of multiple EMMs engineered in distinct combinations and ratios to simultaneously impact multiple metabolic pathways to modify the root causes of various complex diseases and improve health.

About Axcella’s Clinical Studies

Each of the company’s clinical studies to date are or have been conducted as non-investigational new drug application (IND) clinical studies under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations and guidance supporting research with food. These studies evaluate product candidates for safety, tolerability and effects on the normal structures and functions in humans, including in individuals with disease. They are not designed or intended to evaluate a product candidate’s ability to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent a disease. If Axcella decides to further develop a product candidate as a potential therapeutic, as is the case with AXA1665 and AXA1125, any subsequent clinical studies will be conducted under an IND.

Internet Posting of Information

Axcella uses its website, www.axcellahealth.com, as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included on the company’s website in the “Investors and News” section. Accordingly, investors should monitor this portion of the company’s website, in addition to following its press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.

About Axcella

Axcella is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a new approach to treat complex diseases and improve health using endogenous metabolic modulator (EMM) compositions. The company’s product candidates are comprised of EMMs and their derivatives that are engineered in distinct combinations and ratios to simultaneously impact multiple biological pathways. Axcella’s pipeline includes lead therapeutic candidates for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) recurrence. Additional muscle- and blood-related programs are in earlier-stage development. For more information, please visit www.axcellahealth.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the characteristics, competitive position and development potential of the company’s product candidates and the company’s characterization of the results from its clinical studies and future clinical trials, including for AXA1125 and AXA1665, the design, status and timing of the company’s ongoing clinical study and planned IND-enabled clinical trials, the company’s anticipated program milestones, including the timing of data readout from Cohort 1 of AXA4010-001, the subject and timing of the company’s planned interactions with the FDA on the AXA1665 and AXA1125 programs, including the potential timing of IND application submissions for its product candidates, including AXA1125 and AXA1665, the potential of the company’s product candidates to impact health and/or disease, including AXA1125’s potential in NASH and AXA1665’s potential in OHE, and the importance of any intellectual rights granted to the company. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those related to the potential impact of COVID-19 on the company’s ability to conduct and complete its ongoing or planned clinical studies and IND-enabled clinical trials and planned interactions and submissions to FDA or other regulatory authorities, including planned IND submissions for AXA1125 and AXA1665, in a timely manner or at all due to patient or principal investigator recruitment or availability challenges, clinical trial site shutdowns or other interruptions and potential limitations on the quality, completeness and interpretability of data the company is able to collect in its ongoing AXA4010-001 clinical study and potential delays in disclosure of the same, other potential impacts of COVID-19 on the company’s our business and financial results, including with respect to the company’s ability to raise additional capital and operational disruptions or delays, changes in law, regulations, or interpretations and enforcement of regulatory guidance, whether data readouts and/or FDA feedback support the company’s IND submission and clinical trial initiation plans and timing, clinical trial design and target indications for AXA1125 and AXA1665, the clinical development and safety profile of the company’s product candidates and their health or therapeutic potential, whether and when, if at all, the company’s product candidates will receive approval from the FDA or other comparable regulatory authorities, and for which, if any, indications, competition from other biotechnology companies, past results from clinical studies not being representative of future results in clinical studies or IND-enabled clinical trials, and other risks identified in the company’s SEC filings, including Axcella’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and subsequent filings with the SEC. The company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Axcella disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent the company’s views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The company explicitly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Axcella Health Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

2020

 

2019

Assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

114,063

 

 

$

92,053

 

Marketable securities

 

3,192

 

 

 

Other assets

 

2,898

 

 

2,306

 

Total assets

 

$

120,153

 

 

$

94,359

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

$

31,391

 

 

$

34,135

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

88,762

 

 

60,224

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

120,153

 

 

$

94,359

 

Axcella Health Inc.

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

$

7,541

 

 

$

12,157

 

 

$

26,441

 

 

$

29,063

 

General and administrative

4,184

 

 

4,840

 

 

12,928

 

 

13,036

 

Total operating expenses

11,725

 

 

16,997

 

 

39,369

 

 

42,099

 

Loss from operations

(11,725)

 

 

(16,997)

 

 

(39,369)

 

 

(42,099)

 

Other income (expense), net

(712)

 

 

(307)

 

 

(1,969)

 

 

(1,225)

 

Net loss

$

(12,437)

 

 

$

(17,304)

 

 

$

(41,338)

 

 

$

(43,324)

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$

(0.34)

 

 

$

(0.75)

 

 

$

(1.39)

 

 

$

(3.01)

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted

36,942,475

 

 

23,083,367

 

 

29,804,034

 

 

14,430,397

 

 

Company Contact

Jason Fredette

[email protected]

(857) 320-2236

KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Biotechnology Pharmaceutical Health Clinical Trials

MEDIA:

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Veritone Launches Premium Audio Licensing Library and Services

Veritone Launches Premium Audio Licensing Library and Services

Podcasters, broadcasters and other audio creators can now easily license clips of premium audio content from major media brands for their programs and monetize their own content

COSTA MESA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Veritone, Inc., (Nasdaq: VERI), the creator of the world’s first operating system for artificial intelligence, aiWARE™, and provider of digital content licensing services on behalf of the world’s premier sports entities, news organizations and user-generated content networks, today announced it now offers comprehensive audio content monetization and licensing services for audio creators, including podcasters, broadcasters and audio advertisers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201112005197/en/

Veritone's premium audio licensing library and services enable podcasters, broadcasters and other audio creators to easily license clips of premium audio content from major media brands for their programs, as well as monetize their own content. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Veritone’s premium audio licensing library and services enable podcasters, broadcasters and other audio creators to easily license clips of premium audio content from major media brands for their programs, as well as monetize their own content. (Graphic: Business Wire)

As one of the world’s largest libraries of historic and breaking news and sports coverage, Veritone already works with iconic media and sports brands like CBS News, NCAA, Bloomberg and South China Morning Post to license its images and video footage for documentarians, filmmakers, advertisers and other creators to use in their productions. Veritone Licensing’s archives include millions of hours of AI-searchable audio and video content –– from historic footage of “60 Minutes,” “CBS Evening News” and the NCAA’s championship games, to user-generated content from today’s most popular influencers and content creators, all of which can be licensed for audio-only projects.

In addition to giving podcasters, broadcasters and other audio creators access to premium audio clips for their programs, this new audio offering will also provide them with opportunities to monetize their own audio archives through Veritone.

Leading podcast companies Stitcher and Audible are among customers already leveraging the new licensing service.

“At its core, podcasting is about telling a story in a very vivid and impactful way,” said Jordan Bell, Senior Producer at Stitcher and host of the podcast All-American. “It requires creativity, innovation and outside-of-the-box thinking and solutions. Veritone’s audio licensing offerings have helped us bring stories to life in really fresh, creative ways.”

Veritone Licensing delivers full-service audio consulting and research, including access to dedicated project management experts, to ensure audio and podcasters are able to find and access the right audio content for their specific needs. Veritone Licensing’s content libraries are also optimized for search and discoverability through the application of its proprietary AI technology.

“Through our large news and sports libraries, Veritone Licensing has licensed video content into countless feature films, documentaries and television programs,” said Jay Bailey, vice president of entertainment licensing at Veritone. “As podcasting continues to grow as an exciting and popular medium, expanding our licensing offerings to include audio content is a natural next step to better meet both creator and consumer demand. We’re confident that our premium content library will enhance and complement the vision of the podcasting and audio community.”

For more information about Veritone Licensing’s audio licensing offerings, please visit: https://unlock.veritone.com/audio_licensing.

About Veritone

Veritone (Nasdaq: VERI) is a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and solutions. The company’s proprietary operating system, aiWARE™ powers a diverse set of AI applications and intelligent process automation solutions that are transforming both commercial and government organizations. aiWARE orchestrates an expanding ecosystem of machine learning models to transform audio, video, and other data sources into actionable intelligence. The company’s AI developer tools enable its customers and partners to easily develop and deploy custom applications that leverage the power of AI to dramatically improve operational efficiency and unlock untapped opportunities. Veritone is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and has offices in Denver, London, New York and San Diego. To learn more, visit Veritone.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding Veritone’s audio licensing offering and the expected benefits to the company’s licensing customers. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments and risks with respect to various matters which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of Veritone. Certain of such judgments and risks are discussed in Veritone’s SEC filings. Although Veritone believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that the results contemplated in forward-looking statements will be realized. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by Veritone or any other person that their objectives or plans will be achieved. Veritone undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Allison Zullo

Walker Sands, for Veritone

330-554-5965

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Social Media Online Consumer Electronics Mobile Entertainment Technology Audio/Video Communications General Entertainment Other Entertainment Women Men Licensing (Entertainment) Entertainment Consumer Mobile/Wireless

MEDIA:

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Veritone’s premium audio licensing library and services enable podcasters, broadcasters and other audio creators to easily license clips of premium audio content from major media brands for their programs, as well as monetize their own content. (Graphic: Business Wire)
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U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. Announces Virtual Participation at Stephens Annual Investment Conference

U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. Announces Virtual Participation at Stephens Annual Investment Conference

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: USX) the nation’s fifth largest asset-based truckload carrier by revenue, today announced that Eric Fuller, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Eric Peterson, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Stephens Annual Investment Conference at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

A live audio webcast of the presentation will be available on the investors section of the Company’s website at https://investor.usxpress.com and will be archived for approximately 90 days. Management will also be available for one-on-one and small group meetings with investors.

About U.S. Xpress:

Founded in 1985, U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. is the nation’s fifth largest asset-based truckload carrier by revenue, providing services primarily throughout the United States. We offer customers a broad portfolio of services using our own truckload fleet and third-party carriers through our non-asset-based truck brokerage network. Our modern fleet of tractors is backed up by a team of committed professionals whose focus lies squarely on meeting the needs of our customers and our drivers.

USX Financial

U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.

Brian Baubach

Sr. Vice President Corporate Finance and Investor Relations

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Tennessee

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Trucking Automotive Transport Logistics/Supply Chain Management Fleet Management Other Transport

MEDIA:

Aramark to Participate in Upcoming J.P. Morgan Investor Conference

Aramark to Participate in Upcoming J.P. Morgan Investor Conference

PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Aramark (NYSE:ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms, announced that the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, John Zillmer, and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Ondrof, will participate in the virtual J.P. Morgan Ultimate Services Investor Conference on Thursday, November 19th, 2020 with a featured Fireside Chat session beginning at 9:10 a.m. ET.

A live audio webcast and replay of the Fireside Chat session will be available through the Investor Relations section of the Aramark website at www.aramark.com.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. We deliver innovative experiences and services in food, facilities management and uniforms to millions of people every day. We strive to create a better world by making a positive impact on people and the planet, including commitments to engage our employees; empower healthy consumers; build local communities; source ethically, inclusively and responsibly; operate efficiently and reduce waste. Aramark is recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Human Rights Campaign (LGBTQ+), DiversityInc, Equal Employment Publications and the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Inquiries

Karen Cutler (215) 238-4063

[email protected]

Investor Inquiries

Felise Kissell (215) 409-7287

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: United States North America Pennsylvania

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Supply Chain Management Professional Services Retail Restaurant/Bar Finance Banking Food/Beverage

MEDIA:

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Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree to Wrap Up 2020 by Bringing Holiday Joy to Military Children

Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree to Wrap Up 2020 by Bringing Holiday Joy to Military Children

Dollar Tree and its customers continue support of Operation Homefront’s Holiday Toy Drive for 14th year

SAN ANTONIO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
For the 14th consecutive year, Dollar Tree customers can purchase holiday toys for military children across the country. The Holiday Toy Drive is an Operation Homefront program designed to ease financial burdens that often accompany the holiday season for junior- and mid-grade (E1-E6) service members and their families.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201112005015/en/

Shoppers can place the purchased toys into collection boxes at store checkout counters through December 3. Operation Homefront volunteers will collect the toys to be distributed at the nonprofit’s nationwide holiday events and by on-base Family Readiness Groups. The annual partnership between Dollar Tree and Operation Homefront began in 2006.

“Dollar Tree is very proud to partner with Operation Homefront to help serve military families through their annual Holiday Toy Drive program,” said Chelle Davis, Dollar Tree spokesperson. “Supporting our nation’s military families is a high priority for Dollar Tree and we would like to thank our generous customers who help us make the holidays a little brighter for military families across the country.”

“Our military families have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and Dollar Tree’s unwavering commitment to our mission to help America’s military families who are struggling to make ends meet is greatly appreciated,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John I. Pray Jr., president & CEO of Operation Homefront. “The need for our highly valued Holiday Toy Drive program will be even more important this year and we are thrilled to havethe continued support ofthe entire Dollar Tree family and all their caring customers for a 14th season.”

Visit OperationHomefront.org/HolidayToys for more information about how to volunteer, sponsor, and donate toys or to register to receive toys at a distribution event.

About Dollar Tree: Dollar Tree, a Fortune 200 Company, operates more than 15,000 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree Canada. To learn more about the Company, visit www.DollarTree.com.

About Operation Homefront: Founded in 2002, Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, over 90 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America’s military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.

Media Inquiries:

Mike Lahrman, Public Relations Manager

[email protected]

(210) 202-1243

KEYWORDS: United States North America Texas

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Other Philanthropy Women Men Family Philanthropy Consumer Discount/Variety Retail

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GeoPark Announces Successful Indico Field Drilling in CPO-5 Block in Colombia With Initial Flow Rate of 5,500 BOPD of 35.2° API

GeoPark Announces Successful Indico Field Drilling in CPO-5 Block in Colombia With Initial Flow Rate of 5,500 BOPD of 35.2° API

BOGOTA, Colombia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
GeoPark Limited (“GeoPark” or the “Company”) (NYSE: GPRK), a leading independent Latin American oil and gas explorer, operator and consolidator with operations and growth platforms in Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Brazil and Argentina today announced the successful testing of the Indico 2 appraisal well in the CPO-5 block (GeoPark non-operated, 30% WI1) in Colombia.

The operator ONGC Videsh drilled and completed the Indico 2 appraisal well to a total depth of 10,925 feet. A test conducted through natural flow in the Une (LS3) sandstone formation resulted in a production rate of approximately 5,500 bopd2 of 35.2 degrees API, with a 0.1% water cut, through a choke of 40/64 inches and wellhead pressure of 330 pounds per square inch. Additional production history is required to determine stabilized flow rates of the well. Surface testing facilities are in place and the well is already in production.

The Indico 2 well was drilled to a bottom-hole location approximately 0.8 km northwest and 151 feet downdip of the Indico 1X well, with a net pay of approximately 161 feet.

Considering Brent of $40-45 per bbl and current production rates, the well is expected to have a payback period of less than three months.

The Indico light oil field was discovered in December 2018 and to date, continues showing strong reservoir performance from the Indico 1X well, that is currently producing 5,200 bopd with no water, with a cumulative production of over 3 million barrels of oil.

The drilling rig in the CPO-5 block is currently moving to the Aguila exploration prospect, located approximately 4.9 km southeast of the Indico oil field, which will be spudded in late November 2020. Aguila is a multi-target exploration prospect with the Une (LS3) formation as the main objective (an analogue of the existing and producing Mariposa and Indico fields) and also looking for hydrocarbon potential in the Guadalupe and Gacheta formations.

Further exploration, appraisal and development activities are budgeted to continue in the CPO-5 block in 2021 (mostly concentrated within the 1H2021) with the drilling of 5-6 gross wells plus the acquisition of 336 square kilometers of 3D seismic, as part of GeoPark’s fully funded and flexible work and investment program.

CPO-5 is a large block covering 0.5 million acres, and offers multi-play, low cost development, appraisal and exploration opportunities. It is located to the southwest and is adjacent to and on trend with the Llanos 34 block (GeoPark operated, 45% WI), where GeoPark has discovered more than 4003 million barrels of recoverable oil and has produced more than 100 million barrels of oil during the past eight years.

James F. Park, Chief Executive Officer of GeoPark, said: “It is great to begin drilling on this large high potential CPO-5 block and great to see the positive results starting to come in. Not only is this block rich in hydrocarbons – with four mapped oil plays in the Mirador, Guadalupe, Gacheta and Une (LS3) formations – but the associated economics and cycle times are industry-leading even under the lowest oil price scenarios. We are very pleased to be working with our partners ONGC Videsh on this block and congratulate them for successfully executing and carrying out this important operation.”

NOTICE

Additional information about GeoPark can be found in the “Investor Support” section on the website at www.geo-park.com.

Rounding amounts and percentages: Certain amounts and percentages included in this press release have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included in this press release have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but on the basis of such amounts prior to rounding. For this reason, certain percentage amounts in this press release may vary from those obtained by performing the same calculations using the figures in the financial statements. In addition, certain other amounts that appear in this press release may not sum due to rounding.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward looking statements contained in this press release can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘estimate’’ and ‘‘potential,’’ among others.

Forward-looking statements that appear in a number of places in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations, regarding various matters, including the drilling plan, payback period and oil production. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions, and on information currently available to the management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a discussion of the risks facing the Company that could affect whether these forward-looking statements are realized, see filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

1 Through GeoPark’s 100% ownership in Petrodorado South America S.A. Sucursal Colombia (Colombia).

2 Corresponds to an average production rate through a choke of 40/64 inches for approximately 12 hours.

3 Based on proved, probable and possible PRMS reserves, DeGolyer and MacNaughton (D&M) 2019.

INVESTORS:

Stacy Steimel

T: +562 2242 9600

[email protected]

Miguel Bello

T: +562 2242 9600

[email protected]

Diego Gully

T: +5411 4312 9400

[email protected]

MEDIA:

Communications Department

[email protected]

GeoPark can be visited online at www.geo-park.com

KEYWORDS: South America Colombia

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Oil/Gas Energy

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Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. Acquires full Ownership of HB4® Soy and Strategic Intellectual Property Rights for Wheat

Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. Acquires full Ownership of HB4® Soy and Strategic Intellectual Property Rights for Wheat

ROSARIO, Argentina–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. (“Bioceres” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: BIOX), a fully-integrated provider of crop productivity solutions designed to enable the transition of agriculture towards carbon neutrality, announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements for the acquisition of the remaining 50% ownership interest in Verdeca LLC (“Verdeca”) as well as strategic Intellectual Property assets related to soybean and wheat from Arcadia Biosciences Inc. (“Arcadia”) (NASDAQ: RKDA).

OVERVIEW OF TRANSACTION

  • Bioceres has acquired from Arcadia the remaining ownership interest in Verdeca, a joint venture formed by the two companies in 2012 to develop second generation biotechnologies for soybean and to globally commercialize HB4 Soy technology. Having assumed full control of HB4 Soy, Bioceres plans to further accelerate the commercialization of this technology by increasing the number of related breeding collaborations and go-to-market partnerships in current as well as new geographies. Full ownership also enables the Company to capture significantly more of HB4 Soy’s underlying economic value as revenues from this technology are generated. As part of the transaction, Bioceres has also gained full access and control of Verdeca´s vetted soybean library of gene-edited materials used to develop new quality and productivity, as well as exclusive rights to all Arcadia technologies that are applicable to soybean.
  • Through this transaction Bioceres has also acquired rights to Arcadia’s quality wheat traits and the related Good Wheat™ brand for Latin America. The complementary portfolio of genome-edited materials being licensed includes wheat varieties that produce flour with 65% less gluten, ten times the dietary fiber content of conventional wheat flours, and oxidative stability, which extends the shelf life of whole flours and food products produced with these flours. Further, from the standpoint of consumers, these flours produce breads and other foods that are substantially equivalent in taste and all other aspects to conventional wheat. It should be noted that some of the rights being acquired by Bioceres are subject to clearances by third parties.
  • In consideration for the acquisition of the above-mentioned rights and assets, Bioceres will pay Arcadia at the closing of the transaction $5 million in cash and $15 million in equity consisting of 1,875,000 Bioceres common shares priced at $8 and which are subject to a six-month lock-up period. Bioceres has relied on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 under Section 4(a)(2) thereof, for a transaction by an issuer not involving any public offering. One-third of these shares are pledged in favor of Bioceres and will be released to Arcadia when the aforementioned third-party clearances related to the in-licensing of the wheat rights have been granted. Following the closing of the transaction, Bioceres will also pay Arcadia: i) $2 million subject to Verdeca obtaining Chinese import clearance for HB4 Soy or achieving penetration of this technology in a minimum number of planted hectares, ii) royalty payments equivalent to 6% of the net HB4 Soy technology revenues realized by Verdeca and capped to a maximum $10 million aggregate amount of royalty payments, and iii) a royalty payment equivalent to 25% of the net wheat technology revenues resulting from the in-licensed materials. These payments do not include $1 million due to Arcadia post-closing as a reimbursement of costs associated to the transaction.

Note

Further details of the transaction will be discussed on Bioceres’ Fiscal First Quarter 2021 earnings conference call and webcast, which will be held at 8:30 a.m. EST on November 12, 2020. To access the conference call and webcast (click here).

About Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp.

Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. (NYSE American: BIOX) is a fully integrated provider of crop productivity technologies designed to enable the transition of agriculture towards carbon neutrality. To do this, Bioceres’ solutions create economic incentives for farmers and other stakeholders to adopt environmentally friendlier production practices. The Company has a unique biotech platform with high-impact, patented technologies for seeds and microbial ag-inputs, as well as next generation crop nutrition and protection solutions. Through its HB4® program, the Company is bringing digital solutions to support growers’ decisions and provide end-to-end traceability for production outputs. For more information, visit https://investors.biocerescrops.com

Forward-looking statements

This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements include estimated financial information and, among others, statements related to the expected or potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the related responses by governments, clients and the Company, on our business, financial condition, liquidity position and results of operations, and any such forward-looking statements, whether concerning the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, whether (i) the health and safety measures implemented to safeguard employees and assure business continuity will be successful, (ii) the uncertainty related to COVID-19 in the farming community will be short lived, and (iii) we will be able to coordinate efforts to ramp up inventories. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions, expectations, plans and forecasts regarding the Company’s current or future results and future business and economic conditions more generally. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations or could affect the Company’s ability to achieve its strategic goals, including the uncertainties relating to the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business, operations, liquidity and financial results and the other factors that are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings updated from time to time. The preceding list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of our forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. All forward-looking statements contained in this release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are or were made, and the Company does not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Investor Relations Contact

Máximo Goya, Investor Relations

+54-341-4861100

[email protected]

KEYWORDS: Argentina South America

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Biotechnology Agriculture Natural Resources Health Other Natural Resources

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Karora Announces Record Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA of $23 Million and Record Low AISC of US$1,044 per ounce Since HGO Acquisition

Canada NewsWire


Karora will host a call/webcast on November 12, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss the third quarter results. North American callers please dial: 1-888-231-8191, international callers please dial: (+1) 647-427-7450. For the



webcast of this event click [here]



 (replay access information below).

TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ – Karora Resources Inc. (TSX: KRR) (“Karora” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to announce its financial results and review of activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted. For additional information please refer to Karora’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis (“MD&A”) and unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Highlights

  • Third quarter 2020 consolidated gold production was 24,717 ounces. During the first nine months of 2020 gold production was 73,612 ounces, or 80% of the mid-point of annual guidance of 90,000 to 95,000 ounces, which is maintained (assuming no significant interruption in operations as a result of the COVID-19 virus)
  • Third quarter gold sales of 22,912 ounces were 1,805 ounces lower than ounces produced due to timing of sales which is expected to be captured in the fourth quarter
  • Record low consolidated all-in-sustaining-costs (“AISC”)1 of US$1,044 per ounce since acquiring the Higginsville mill. AISC continued to trend lower despite unfavourable foreign exchange impacts compared to the second quarter which accounted for an additional US$84 per ounce due to an 8% swing in the AUD:USD exchange rate
  • Karora maintains its 2020 cost guidance of US$1,050US$1,200 per ounce and continues to target AISC costs of approximately US$1,000 per ounce by the end of 2020
  • Net earnings of $34.9 million, or $0.24 per share for the third quarter of 2020, up $25.1 million from $9.8 million in the second quarter of 2020
  • Record adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)1 of $23.1 million or $0.16 per share for the third quarter of 2020, up $5.8 million from $17.3 million in the second quarter of 2020
  • Significantly strengthened cash position and balance sheet: Karora ended the third quarter of 2020 with a strong cash position of $67.3 million, an improvement of $17.1 million from June 30, 2020, and working capital was flat at $43.7 million
  • In the third quarter of 2020 the Corporation’s Beta Hunt mine reversed an impairment on its mineral property of $36.1 million based on an impairment assessment conducted in the third quarter of 2020. The after tax amount was $25.3 million. The initial impairment was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017.
  • Announced new high grade gold discoveries (Larkin Gold Zone, new Footwall Zone in Western Flanks North) and first new nickel discovery in 13 years (30C Nickel Trough) at the Beta Hunt Mine. The discoveries are in close proximity to existing mine infrastructure
  • New coarse gold occurrence: On November 2, 2020, Karora announced that underground development at the Beta Hunt Mine intersected an estimated 2,000 ounces of coarse gold. The coarse gold was found in the same geological environment as previously announced coarse gold occurrences and proximal to the 2018 Father’s Day Vein discovery
  • Increased Exploration Budget: As a result of drilling success year to date and the multiple high quality exploration targets across the Western Australian operations, the 2020 exploration budget was increased by approximately 50% to A$15 million from the previous A$9.5A$10 million budget, with the majority to be spent on HGO drill targets
  • Spargos Reward acquisition completed on August 7, 2020: Spargos Reward is a high-grade open pit gold project in Western Australia that is expected to begin generating positive cash flow for Karora in 2021
  • Royalty reductions: An agreement to reduce the Beta Hunt gold royalty by 2.75% (from 7.5% to 4.75%) effective July 1, 2020 was completed on September 3, 2020. During the second quarter of 2020 the Corporation eliminated the Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. (“Morgan Stanley”) NSR (“Net smelter royalty”) gold royalty on the Higginsville properties. The 110,000 ounce participation payment arrangement with Morgan Stanley remains in place.
  • On November 9, 2020, Karora completed a re-purchase of the 3% gross gold royalty held by Ramelius Resources Limited in respect of the Spargos Reward Gold Project (acquired by Karora in August 2020) via payment of A$3 million, satisfied with A$2 million in cash and 264,187 Karora Shares.
  • Sale of remaining interest in Dumont Nickel Project: on July 27, 2020, Karora closed the sale of its 28% interest in the Dumont Nickel Project for proceeds of up to $47.6 million. Karora immediately received $10.7 million in cash, comprised of $7.4 million from Waterton for its interest and a $3.3 million refund of Karora’s share of the cash held within the Dumont Joint Venture. On a future sale or other monetization event, the Corporation will be entitled to receive 15% of the net proceeds from the transaction (net of certain agreed costs and deductions) up to a maximum of an additional US$30 million.
  • Effective July 31, 2020, the Corporation completed a consolidation of its outstanding common shares on the basis of one (1) post-consolidation common share for every four point five (4.5) pre-consolidation common shares. The exercise price and the number of common shares issuable under any of the Corporation’s outstanding share-based securities such as warrants, stock options and restricted share units, as applicable, have been proportionately adjusted.
  1. Non-IFRS: the definition and reconciliation of these measures are included in the Non-IFRS Measures section 14 of Karora’s MD&A dated November 12, 2020.

Paul Andre Huet, Chairman & CEO, commented: “I am very pleased with our strong operational and financial performance for the third quarter. We continued to deliver operationally robust gold production and continued our trend of reducing costs, despite challenges associated with COVID-19 and the impact of a stronger Australian dollar during the quarter, which negatively affected our US dollar cost reporting. The negative foreign exchange impact added approximately US$78 per ounce and US$84 per ounce to our cash operating costs and AISC, respectively.

Our record adjusted EBITDA of over $23 million demonstrates our cash generating power now that we have full exposure to market gold prices and significantly reduced royalties across our properties in a strong gold price environment.

We have established a strong track record over the last five quarters with our consistent production results and declining costs since we acquired the Higginsville mine and mill in 2019. During the third quarter, we produced 24,717 ounces, for total production during the first nine months of 2020 of 73,612 ounces, representing 82% of the lower end of our 2020 guidance. We did sell 1,805 fewer ounces than we produced due to the timing of sales which we expect to make up in the fourth quarter.

Our downward trend in AISC continued despite the elevated costs associated with important COVID-19 precautions we have in place at our operations and a stronger Australian dollar. AISC of US$1,044 per ounce sold during the quarter was a US$21 per ounce improvement over the second quarter of 2020 and we continue to target reaching our goal of US$1,000 per ounce by the end of 2020.

Following the 50% increase in our 2020 drilling budget to A$15 million announced in September, we are well underway with an aggressive campaign of approximately 50,000 metres to be completed in the fourth quarter. We are beginning to see some impressive results already, including three new discoveries at our Beta Hunt Mine, made up of a gold discovery in a footwall zone in the Western Flanks shear and the new Larkin Gold Zone and 30C Nickel Trough in the interpreted southern extension of the Western Flanks shear. Additionally, an ore drive in the A Zone shear recently intersected an estimated 2,000 ounces of coarse gold in the same geological environment as the Father’s Day Vein discovery. At Higginsville we recently announced positive near surface drilling results at our Aquarius Project which could potentially lead to an economic starter pit, offsetting costs associated with accessing higher grade material underground.

By the end of the year, we expect to provide an updated resource and reserve estimate for our Australian operations that will incorporate this year’s drilling as well as reflect the improved economics of our deposits given our work in reducing royalties across the portfolio.

With Karora’s record cash balance of over $67 million, our consistent gold production with full exposure to market gold prices and an aggressive drill program ongoing, I believe we are well positioned for a very exciting fourth quarter. We have built a solid platform from which we are well positioned to grow the business to the next level as we prioritize our numerous organic growth opportunities.”

COVID-19 Preparedness

Karora’s strict COVID-19 control measures at its operations remain in effect. The measures are in place to ensure operating sites remain as prepared and responsive to the situation as possible. While the situation in Western Australia with respect to COVID-19 continues to be stable, Karora continues to actively monitor the advice of local health authorities and has continued to employ a full-time nurse and supporting medical staff to monitor the status of individuals entering and leaving site. Furthermore, the Corporation’s adjusted rotations for personnel on site, use of chartered Karora-only flights where prudent, remain in place to help ensure the health and safety of its employees and stakeholders, which remains the Corporation’s top priority.

Results of Operations

Table 1 – Highlights of operational results for the periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019

Three months ended,

Nine months ended,

For the periods ended September 30,


2020

2019


2020

2019


Gold Operations (Consolidated)

Tonnes milled (000s)


354

296


994

435

Recoveries


92%

92%


92%

92%

Gold milled, grade (g/t Au)


2.36

2.76


2.49

2.90

Gold produced (ounces)


24,717

24,216


73,612

37,403

Gold sold (ounces)


22,912

22,010


70,723

36,867

Average realized price (US $/ounce sold)


$1,905

$1,339


$1,665

$1,308

Cash operating costs (US $/ounce sold)1


$972

$1,032


$957

$1,062

All-in sustaining cost (AISC) (US $/ounce sold)1


$1,044

$1,159


$1,071

$1,173


Gold (Beta Hunt Mine)
1

Tonnes milled (000s)


191

210


563

342

Gold milled, grade (g/t Au)


2.75

2.93


2.95

3.07

Gold produced(ounces)


15,525

18,460


49,514

31,352

Gold sold (ounces)


14,502

16,593


47,603

31,155

Cash operating cost (US $/ounce sold)1


$1,035

$1,148


$985

$1,065


Gold (HGO Mine)

Tonnes milled (000s)


163

86


413

93

Gold milled grade (g/t Au)


1.91

2.34


1.88

2.27

Gold produced (ounces)


9,192

5,756


24,098

6,051

Gold sold (ounces)


8,410

5,417


23,120

5,712

Cash operating cost (US $/ounce sold)1


$863

$678


$901

$1,048

1.

Non-IFRS: the definition and reconciliation of these measures are included in the Non-IFRS Measures section 14 of Karora’s MD&A dated November 12, 2020.

Higginsville (“HGO”)

During the third quarter of 2020, 200 kt was mined and 163 kt of HGO material was milled at a grade of 1.91 g/t for production of 9,192 ounces of gold. Cash costs for the quarter were US$863 per ounce.

Production from the Baloo open pit contributed 128 kt in the quarter. A re-optimization of the pit was completed and additional mineralization identified in the northern portion of the pit which has driven the development of a new ramp from the south. Further exploration drilling will be conducted during the fourth quarter to test the eastern margins of the main mineralized zone. Drilling during the third quarter at Baloo was limited to grade control holes.

At Hidden Secret, a staged pre-stripping program to access the near surface mineralization commenced in August 2020. At Mousehollow, an open pit optimization has been completed and a mining proposal submitted to the appropriate authorities. Mining approval is expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. Once online, these combined pits will provide Karora with additional operational flexibility and mill feed optimization in addition to existing production from Baloo and Fairplay North.

Beta Hunt

During the third quarter of 2020, 191 kt of Beta Hunt material was milled at a grade of 2.75 g/t for production of 15,525 ounces of gold. Mined production from Beta Hunt was 199 kt during the quarter, a 16% increase compared to the prior quarter. The ramp up in production is a direct reflection of improved mining techniques and the addition of a CAT R2900 underground loader into the mining fleet.

Nickel production at Beta Hunt is currently restricted to remnant nickel resources south of the Alpha Fault, however, recent drilling has identified a number of new areas including the 30C Nickel Trough, where production can potentially be increased. A revised nickel production strategy, which is expected to provide a by-product credit towards gold production costs, will be based on an updated nickel mineral resource, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, as announced on November 2, 2020, underground development at the Beta Hunt Mine intersected an estimated 2,000 ounces of coarse gold. The coarse gold occurrence was found in the same geological environment as previously announced coarse gold occurrences and proximal to the 2018 Father’s Day Vein discovery. The new gold occurrence provides further support of Karora’s existing Coarse Gold Geological Model at Beta Hunt which could potentially apply to other areas in the mine.

Consolidated Milling

On a consolidated basis, 354 kt were milled in the third quarter of 2020 at an average gold grade of 2.36 g/t, to produce a total of 24,717 ounces of gold, increases of 9%, 4% and 3%, respectively over the prior quarter. Milling operations had another quarter of very strong cost performance with processing costs of A$21 per tonne which was in line with the second quarter and a marked improvement compared to A$27 per tonne in the first quarter of 2020. For the third quarter, the HGO mill feed was approximately 54% Beta Hunt material and approximately 46% HGO open pit material.

Overall, Western Australia’s operational performance met or exceeded targets throughout the quarter despite the additional cost and business disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic which included both restricted access to certain equipment and higher cost skilled labour experienced across the State of Western Australia.

Cash Operating Costs and AISC

Cash operating costs1 and AISC1 were US$972 and US$1,044 per ounce sold respectively on a consolidated basis for the third quarter of 2020.

During the third quarter the US dollar weakened by approximately 8% against the Australian dollar when compared to the second quarter. This negatively impacted US dollar cash operating costs and all-in sustaining costs for the third quarter by approximately US$78 per ounce and US$84 per ounce, respectively. Despite this, cash operating costs1 were only 4% higher compared to the second quarter and AISC1 was 2% lower compared to the second quarter.

Outlook and New Regional Mining Strategy

Following a strong operating performance over the first three quarters of 2020 with total gold production of 73,612 ounces at an AISC1 of US$1,071 per ounce, Karora is maintaining its consolidated production and cost guidance for its Australian operations (Beta Hunt and HGO) of 90,000 to 95,000 ounces of gold at an average AISC1 of US$1,050 to US$1,200 per ounce sold. Karora continues to target AISC1 costs of approximately US$1,000 per ounce sold by the end of 2020.

As announced on November 9, 2020, a new regional mining strategy aimed at optimizing mine-to-mill feed is being developed for Karora’s 1.4 Mtpa HGO treatment plant. With the increasing number of current and planned production sources from Higginsville, Beta Hunt and Spargos, all competing for a share of the feedstock, the new strategy divides Karora’s regional operating and near-term mining areas into four main mining centres:

  1. Higginsville Central – This area is the main focus for resource definition and conversion of resources to reserve drilling and includes multiple existing and potential future open pits and underground mines (including the Aquarius deposit) contained within an approximate 10 kilometre radius of the HGO treatment plant. 
  2. Higginsville Greater – This area covers all remaining projects and deposits outside Higginsville Central. However, given its vast tenement area and large number of existing and potential resource targets, this area may be further sub-divided over time. Deposits such as Baloo and the Lake Cowan prospects fall within Higginsville Greater.
  3. Beta Hunt – The Beta Hunt underground mine.
  4. Spargos – Acquired in August 2020 and a potential source of short term, high grade mill feed to HGO.

Karora will provide further details on the new regional mining strategy following the updated resource and reserve estimate expected later in the fourth quarter.

HGO Exploration

At Aquarius, a successful near surface drilling program completed during the third quarter outlined the potential for an economic starter pit which could offset costs associated with accessing the higher grade material underground. The near surface drilling identified high grade supergene gold mineralization, including 43.5 g/t over 3.0 metres and 5.7 g/t over 6.0 metres (which included 14.6 g/t over 2.0 metres). For further details on the results, see Karora news release dated November 9, 2020. Development of the Aquarius starter pit could commence as early as mid-2021.

The existing Aquarius historical mineral resource 2 3 is 20 kt @ 19.5 g/t (Measured and Indicated) and 43 kt @ 4.2g/t (Inferred).

Beyond Aquarius, limited exploration drilling was undertaken during the third quarter at HGO owing to the utilization of the drill rigs primarily for infill and grade control drilling at Baloo, Fairplay North, Hidden Secret and Mousehollow. Exploration drilling is scheduled to ramp up in the fourth quarter of 2020 with the mobilization of additional drill rigs. Figure 1 below shows some of the areas where Karora is either actively advancing or evaluating high-priority exploration targets at HGO during the fourth quarter following the announcement in September of an expanded 2020 exploration budget to A$15 million.

_________________________________


1 Non-IFRS: the definition and reconciliation of these measures are included in the Non-IFRS Measures section 14 of Karora’s MD&A dated November 12, 2020.


2 Karora Resources profile at www.sedar.com technical report, February 6, 2020.


3 Westgold 2018 Annual Update of Mineral Resources & Ore Reserves dated October 2, 2018, available to view on the ASX (www.asx.com.au). A qualified person has not done sufficient work on behalf of Karora to classify the historical estimate noted as current mineral resources and Karora in not treating the historical estimates as current mineral resources.

Beta Hunt Exploration

Drilling at Beta Hunt during the third quarter was focused on upgrading and extending the northern margin of the Western Flanks mineral resource and testing nickel trough targets on the basalt/ultramafic contact south of the Alpha Island Fault. The drilling was successful in discovering new footwall mineralization associated with the Western Flanks mineral resource, while the nickel targeted drilling made the first new nickel discovery in 13 years (30C Nickel Trough) and, concurrently, also delineated a new gold system – the Larkin Gold Zone – directly below the 30C Nickel Trough. Please see Karora’s news releases dated September 8 and 10, 2020 for further details on the strong new discoveries made at Beta Hunt.

Exploration and resource definition drilling in the fourth quarter is directed at testing the northern, up-plunge extent of the A Zone, from both underground and surface positions, extending the southern margin of Western Flanks, testing additional nickel targets south of the Alpha Island Fault and testing the potential along strike and down-dip potential of the newly discovered Larkin Gold Zone.

Results from drilling completed will be incorporated into an updated Beta Hunt Mineral Resource and Reserve statement aimed to be released in later in the fourth quarter.

Spargos Reward Gold Project

The Spargos Reward acquisition was completed on August 7, 2020. Spargos is a historic high-grade open pit and underground gold project located approximately 50 kilometres north of Higginsville.

Karora recently negotiated the acquisition and elimination of a 3% gold royalty covering the Spargos Reward tenement for consideration of A$3 million, satisfied with A$2 million in cash and 264,187 common shares of the Corporation. Much like the elimination of the Morgan Stanley NSR previously negotiated at Higginsville, the Corporation anticipates that this will both further improve the expected strong pit economics, as well as drive further exploration successes across the Spargos land package.

An infill and extensional drilling program to convert historical mineral resources to mineral reserves is underway. A revised resource and reserve statement is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter and will form the basis of an initial mine plan. The Corporation expects to begin mining activities at Spargos in the second quarter 2021.

Financial Highlights

Table 2 – Highlights of Third Quarter Financial Results
(in thousands of dollars except per share amounts)

For the periods ended

September 30, 2020


Three months ended,

Nine months ended,


2020

2019


2020

2019

Revenue


59,405

43,092


169,787

71,204

Production and processing costs


28,032

26,670


81,093

47,212

Earnings (loss) before income taxes1


50,208

(1,557)


68,334

(17,482)

Net earnings (loss)1


34,867

(1,378)


45,224

(17,407)

Net earnings (loss) per share – basic


0.24

(0.01)


0.33

(0.15)

Net earnings (loss) per share – diluted


0.24

(0.01)


0.32

(0.15)

Adjusted EBITDA2,3


23,097

4,021


55,901

(2,758)

Adjusted EBITDA per share – basic2,3


0.16

0.03


0.41

(0.02)

Cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities


20,827

2,072


54,125

(5,942)

Cash investment in property, plant and equipment and mineral property interests


(32,333)

(4,221)


(50,558)

(17,615)

1.

For 2020, Earnings (loss) before income tax include an impairment reversal of $36.1 million and net earnings include an after tax impairment reversal of $25.3 million.

2.

Non-IFRS: the definition and reconciliation of these measures are included in the Non-IFRS Measures section of Karora’s MD&A dated November 12, 2020.

3.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”).

During the third quarter, Karora reversed an impairment on its Beta Hunt mineral property totaling $36.1 million based on an impairment assessment conducted during the quarter. After tax, the amount totaled $25.3 million based on the Australian corporate tax rate of 30%. The initial impairment was originally recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Record adjusted EBITDA of $23.1 million was up 47% over the second quarter (and by $21.4 million over the corresponding 2019 period). Consolidated gold sales were 1,805 ounces less than gold produced during the third quarter (22,912 ounce sold versus 24,717 ounces produced) due to the timing of deliveries to the Perth Mint. The Corporation expects to sell these ounces during the fourth quarter.

Table 3 – Highlights of Karora’s Financial Position
(in thousands of dollars):

For the period ended


September 30, 2020

December 31, 2019

Cash and cash equivalents


67,299

34,656

Working capital1


43,739

26,506

PP&E & MPI


223,046

98,955

Total assets


315,849

177,777

Total liabilities


158,640

85,495

Shareholders’ equity


157,209

92,282

1

Working capital is a measure of current assets (including cash and cash equivalents) less current liabilities.

Karora finished the third quarter of 2020 with a strong cash position of $67.3 million, an increase of $17.1 million compared to June 30, 2020. As at September 30, 2020, Karora had a working capital surplus of $43.7 million.

For a complete discussion of financial results, please refer to Karora’s MD&A and unaudited condensed interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Conference Call / Webcast

Karora will be hosting a conference call and webcast today beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern time). A copy of the accompanying presentation can be found on Karora’s website at www.karoraresources.com.

Live Conference Call and Webcast Access Information:

North American callers please dial: 1-888-231-8191
Local and international callers please dial: 647-427-7450

A live webcast of the call will be available through Cision’s website at:
Webcast Link
(https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1394286&tp_key=363b46ced6)

A recording of the conference call will be available for replay through the webcast link, or for a one-week period beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on November 12, 2020, through the following dial in numbers:

North American callers please dial: 1-855-859-2056; Pass Code: 6191855
Local and international callers please dial: 416-849-0833; Pass Code: 6191855

Compliance Statement (JORC 2012 and NI 43-101)

The disclosure of scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Stephen Devlin, FAusIMM, Group Geologist, Karora Resources Inc., a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

About Karora Resources

Karora is focused on growing gold production and reducing costs at its integrated Beta Hunt Gold Mine and Higginsville Gold Operations (“HGO”) in Western Australia. The Higginsville treatment facility is a low-cost 1.4 Mtpa processing plant which is fed at capacity from Karora’s underground Beta Hunt mine and open pit Higginsville mine. At Beta Hunt, a robust gold mineral resource and reserve is hosted in multiple gold shears, with gold intersections along a 4 km strike length remaining open in multiple directions. HGO has a substantial historical gold resource and prospective land package totaling approximately 1,800 square kilometers. Karora has a strong Board and management team focused on delivering shareholder value. Karora’s common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol KRR. Karora shares also trade on the OTCQX market under the symbol KRRGF.


Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” including without limitation statements relating to the liquidity and capital resources of Karora, production guidance and the potential of the Beta Hunt Mine, Higginsville Gold Operation, the Aquarius Project and the Spargos Gold Project.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Karora to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; results of exploration programs; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, projected cash operating costs, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Karora ‘s filings with Canadian securities regulators, including the most recent Annual Information Form, available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although Karora has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Karora disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Cautionary Statement Regarding the Higginsville Mining Operations

A production decision at the Higginsville gold operations was made by previous operators of the mine, prior to the completion of the acquisition of the Higginsville gold operations by Karora and Karora made a decision to continue production subsequent to the acquisition. This decision by Karora to continue production and, to the knowledge of Karora, the prior production decision were not based on a feasibility study of mineral reserves, demonstrating economic and technical viability, and, as a result, there may be an increased uncertainty of achieving any particular level of recovery of minerals or the cost of such recovery, which include increased risks associated with developing a commercially mineable deposit. Historically, such projects have a much higher risk of economic and technical failure. There is no guarantee that anticipated production costs will be achieved. Failure to achieve the anticipated production costs would have a material adverse impact on the Corporation’s cash flow and future profitability. Readers are cautioned that there is increased uncertainty and higher risk of economic and technical failure associated with such production decisions.

SOURCE Karora Resources Inc.