Equinox Gold Corp. (AMEX:EQX) Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Wayne Lam: And then maybe just last one for me. Just on the inflationary impacts — do you guys have any percentage estimate on how much consumables have kind of eased versus your budget? And then some of your peers have noted quite a bit of offset on the input cost easing just given the stronger local currencies in Mexico and Brazil. I’m just wondering if you guys are feeling those pressures as well as an offset to the input costs and have you been managing that?

Peter Hardie: Yes. So prior to consideration of that FX strength that you see in Brazil and Mexico, we are starting to see some tapering in unit input costs, which we’re obviously very happy to see. In Mexico, even prior to consideration of FX. With respect to diesel, PEMEX, the government, I should say, or PEMEX. They tend to buffer fuel price increases. But at the same time, when fuel prices taper, there’s an effect where that’s buffered as well. So while we have seen fuel come off, as Doug already mentioned quite reasonably in the U.S. and also in Brazil, we haven’t seen that necessarily in Mexico. With respect to FX, yes, the FX in Brazil and Mexico is almost effectively offsetting the unit price decreases that we’re seeing — with respect — and then with regards to cost management, we hedged about 50% of the near-term FX exposures that we have in Mexico and Brazil.

that’s been helping some, which is why you see realized gains on our FX in our financials. That’s what that program is. Hopefully, that gives you a rough idea of what we’re seeing and how we try and manage the risk.

Rhylin Bailie: I’ve got a question online from Ovais Habib, our analyst at Scotiabank. Ovais says, cash cost in the first half has been below the guidance range, how should we look at the second half? Are you on track to beat the cash cost guidance? Or is there a catch-up in cost and all-in sustaining over the second half that we should expect?

Peter Hardie: So I’ll address the all-in sustaining first. I think it’s in the same line of questioning that Anita mentioned, some of the sustaining capital was deferred into the second half of the year. We do intend to spend that. So you’ll see an increase there on a per unit basis. With respect to cash costs as well, we do think they’ll go up some as the inventory releases from the buildup, especially when related to our leaching operations. So we see those going up a little. And I’ll just reiterate, if we hit around the top end of our guidance, then we will come in, we believe, right around the low end of both our cash cost and all-in sustaining cost guidance.

Rhylin Bailie: Operator, you can take the next question from the phone, please?

Operator: The next question is from Dalton Baretto with Canaccord Genuity.

Dalton Baretto: You sound good considering the hour there. A few questions from me. Just first off on liquidity. Outside of your I-80 stake, are you happy with the existing liquidity you have right now relative to the remaining spend? Or are you going to look to bolster it a little bit.

Greg Smith: Yes, outside of [indiscernible], we’re relatively happy. So — and we don’t see ourselves bolstering it.

Dalton Baretto: And then just on — so you have 40% Orion’s stake in Greenstone. I know you can’t speak to their intentions, but on the chance that they look to offload their stake kind of post commercial production, do you guys have a ROFR on that stake? And then have you given any thought to how you would fund that?