Polymetal: Q3 2022 production results

Polymetal International plc (POLY) Polymetal: Q3 2022 production results 02-Nov-2022 / 10:00 MSK Dissemination of a Regulatory Announcement, transmitted by EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Release time IMMEDIATE                            LSE, MOEX, AIX: POLY ADR: AUCOY Date 2 November 2022       Polymetal International plc Q3 2022 production results Polymetal reports solid production results for the third quarter of 2022. “In Q3, Polymetal stayed on track to meet our full year guidance of 1.7 Moz GE. The Company has successfully completed the restructuring of its sales channels and started to unwind accumulated inventory. We expect strong positive free cash flows in Q4”, said Vitaly Nesis, Group CEO of Polymetal. HIGHLIGHTS There have been no fatal accidents during the first nine months of 2022 among Polymetal’s workforce and contractors (similar to 9M 2021). In Q3 2022, four minor lost-time incidents were recorded among employees. Lost time injury frequency rate (LTIFR) for the first nine months of 2022 stood at 0.09, a year-on-year (y-o-y) decrease of 18%. Q3 gold equivalent (GE) production grew by 7% y-o-y to 490 Koz driven by Nezhda contribution which offset output reductions at Mayskoye (timing of shipments) and Kyzyl (grade). GE output for the first nine months of 2022 declined by 2% y-o-y to 1,187 Koz. All construction projects, including POX-2, progressed in line with the revised schedules (refer to further detail within the POX-2 section below) despite continuing supply chain challenges. Kytyn heap leach, part of Albazino hub, delivered first production of 13 Koz in September. During the first nine months of 2022, a total of 198 Koz of finished goods inventory was accumulated across the Group’s Russian mines. In late Q3 2022, export sales resumed at full speed and the management expects the gap between production and sales to be closed by the end of the year. Revenue for the quarter was down by 13% y-o-y to US$ 714 million, while 9M revenue decreased by 16% to US$ 1,762 million. The decline is attributable to inventory accumulation as well as lower metal prices. Net debt at the end of Q3 stood at approximately US$ 2.8 billion (stable since Q2), while by the end of October it decreased to US$ 2.7 billion driven by working capital release. The Company reiterates its 2022 full-year production guidance of 1.7 Moz GE and maintains its TCC and AISC guidance of US$ 900-1,000/GE oz and US$ 1,300-1,400/GE oz, respectively. Initial guidance for 2023 and 2024 envisages stable production of 1.7 Moz per annum, which is contingent on supply chain risks. Cost guidance for 2023 will be provided in late January 2023 together with the 2022 full year production results.                       OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS      3 months ended Sep 30, % change1 9 months ended Sep 30, % change1   2022 2021 2022 2021               Waste mined, Mt 52.1 54.1 -4% 162.1 152.0 +7% Underground development, km 25.6 24.2 +6% 74.5 70.5 +6% Ore mined, Mt 5.5 4.1 +35% 14.9 11.6 +29% Open-pit 4.4 3.1 +44% 11.9 8.7 +37% Underground 1.1 1.0 +7% 3.1 2.9 +6% Ore processed, Mt 5.2 4.1 +26% 13.6 11.7 +16% Average GE grade processed, g/t 3.7 3.6 +5% 3.5 3.7 -5% Production             Gold, Koz 427 401 +7% 1,014 1,037 -2% Silver, Moz 5.0 4.5 +10% 13.8 13.9 -1% Gold equivalent, Koz2 490 457 +7% 1,187 1,210 -2% Sales             Gold, Koz 360 406 -11% 816 1,002 -19% Silver, Moz 6.3 4.6 +39% 15.1 12.6 +20% Revenue, US$m3 714 819 -13% 1,762 2,093 -16% Net debt, US$m4 2,781 2,801 -1% 2,781 1,647 +69%               LTIFR (Employees)5 0.11 - NA 0.09 0.11 -18% Fatalities 0  0 NA  0 0 NA Notes: (1) % changes can be different from zero even when absolute numbers are unchanged because of rounding. Likewise, % changes can be equal to zero when absolute numbers differ due to the same reason. This note applies to all tables in this release. (2) Based on 80:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio and excluding base metals. Comparative data for 2021 restated accordingly (120:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio was used previously). Discrepancies in calculations are due to rounding. (3) Calculated based on the unaudited consolidated management accounts. (4) Non-IFRS measure based on unaudited consolidated management accounts. Comparative information is presented for 30 June 2022 (for the three months period) and 31 December 2021 (for the nine months period). (5) LTIFR = lost time injury frequency rate per 200,000 hours worked. (6) DIS – days lost due to work-related injuries.   PRODUCTION BY MINE    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021               GOLD EQ. (KOZ)1             Kazakhstan 133 140 -5% 377 433 -13% Kyzyl 82 93 -12% 217 275 -21% Varvara 51 47 +9% 160 157 +2% Russia 356 317 +12% 809 778 +4% Dukat 64 60 +6% 191 195 -2% Albazino 71 67 +7% 166 190 -12% Omolon 58 63 -9% 142 161 -12% Nezhda 45 - NA 106 - NA Svetloye 33 31 +7% 76 84 -10% Voro 27 22 +21% 66 63 +5% Mayskoye 59 75 -21% 63 85 -26% TOTAL 490 457 +7% 1,187 1,210 -2% Notes: (1) Based on 80:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio and excluding base metals. Comparative data for 2021 restated accordingly (120:1 Au/Ag conversion ratio was used previously). Discrepancies in calculations are due to rounding. CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST The Company will hold a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, 2 November 2022 at 11:00 London time (14:00 Moscow time). Please complete the registration using the link to participate in the call. Dial-in details will be sent to you via email after registration. To participate in the webcast follow the link: https://www.webcast-eqs.com/polymetal20221102. Enquiries Investor Relations Polymetal Evgeny Monakhov Timofey Kulakov Kirill Kuznetsov [e-mail] [phone] (UK) [phone] (Russia)     FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS   This release may include statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this release. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “targets”, “believes”, “expects”, “aims”, “intends”, “will”, “may”, “anticipates”, “would”, “could” or “should” or similar expressions or, in each case their negative or other variations or by discussion of strategies, plans, objectives, goals, future events or intentions. These forward-looking statements all include matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors beyond the company’s control that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the company’s present and future business strategies and the environment in which the company will operate in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. There are many factors that could cause the company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.   KYZYL    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 20.6 21.2 -3% 62.3 62.0 +0% Ore mined (open pit), Kt 558 574 -3% 1,689 1,672 +1%               PROCESSING             Ore processed, Kt 565 550 +3% 1,651 1,683 -2% Gold grade, g/t 5.6 6.1 -7% 5.1 6.2 -18% Gold recovery 89.2% 88.4% +1% 88.7% 89.1% -0% Concentrate produced, Kt 28.9 28.9 +0% 78.3 98.1 -20% Concentrate gold grade, g/t 98.4 102.3 -4% 95.0 94.3 +1% Gold in concentrate, Koz1 92 95 -4% 239 297 -20%               Concentrate shipped, Kt 16 10 +59% 42 58 -28% Payable gold shipped, Koz 30 20 +54% 78 106 -26%               Amursk POX             Concentrate processed, Kt 14 19 -25% 35 44 -21% Gold grade, g/t 136.8 133.8 +2% 134.0 133.9 +0% Gold recovery 94.1% 93.1% +1% 94.3% 92.1% +2% Gold produced, Koz 52 74 -29% 139 170 -18%               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 82 93 -12% 217 275 -21% Note: (1) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. It will be included in total production upon shipment to off-taker or dore production at Amursk POX. (2) To be further processed at Amursk POX. At Kyzyl, y-o-y production fell on the back of the planned grade decline towards the reserve average. Grade increased q-o-q as mining shifted from historicalunderground workings to the higher quality ore blocks. Concentrate and dore sales and shipments (both domestic and to China) have normalized and the Company expects to fully release the accumulated inventories by year-end. VARVARA    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 10.8 11.2 -3% 32.1 30.7 +4% Ore mined (open pit), Kt 963 908 +6% 3,032 2,815 +8%               PROCESSING             Leaching             Ore processed, Kt 823 830 -1% 2,421 2,387 +1% Gold grade, g/t 1.7 1.6 +7% 1.7 1.6 +2% Gold recovery1 91.0% 89.9% +1% 90.6% 88.8% +2% Gold production (in dore), Koz 41 38 +10% 128 122 +5%               Flotation             Ore processed, Kt 197 133 +48% 567 508 +12% Gold grade, g/t 2.9 2.9 +0% 2.8 2.8 +3% Recovery1 86.4% 88.4% -2% 89.4% 85.4% +5% Gold in concentrate, Koz 10 9 +5% 32 35 -9%               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 51 47 +9% 160 157 +2% Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and copper within work-in-progress inventory. Does not include toll-treated ore. At Varvara, quarterly gold production was up by 9% y-o-y to 51 Koz mostly driven by better grades of Komar ore and larger volumes of higher-grade third party feed through the leaching circuit. Flotation circuit also increased its output on the back of recovery of processing volumes after long maintenance in Q3 2021. Varvara Mine has become the first company in Kazakhstan (and third in Polymetal after Voro and Amursk POX) which was certified for full compliance under the International Cyanide Management Code by the International Cyanide Management Institute (ICMI).   DUKAT    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 1.2 0.9 +37% 3.1 1.9 +60% Underground development, km 12.3 10.9 +13% 35.9 33.7 +6% Ore mined, Kt 659 631 +5% 1,894 1,913 -1%     Open pit 120 92 +30% 336 316 +6%     Underground 539 538 +0% 1,558 1,598 -2%               PROCESSING             Omsukchan concentrator             Ore processed, Kt 500 516 -3% 1,521 1,537 -1% Grade             Gold, g/t 0.4 0.4 -7% 0.5 0.5 +6% Silver, g/t 226 219 +3% 235 243 -3% Recovery1             Gold 82.8% 83.9% -1% 83.4% 84.9% -2% Silver 85.5% 84.0% +2% 85.2% 86.2% -1% Production             Gold, Koz 5 6 -11% 21 20 +3% Silver, Moz 3.0 3.0 +1% 9.5 10.1 -6%               Lunnoye plant             Ore processed, Kt 120 121 -0% 353 358 -1% Grade             Gold, g/t 1.5 1.8 -13% 1.8 1.6 +12% Silver, g/t 199 239 -17% 195 236 -18% Recovery1             Gold 89.4% 90.0% -1% 90.5% 90.5% +0% Silver 94.2% 94.4% -0% 93.4% 93.2% +0% Production             Gold, Koz 5 6 -13% 19 17 +11% Silver, Moz 0.7 0.9 -18% 2.1 2.5 -18%               Primorskoye             Ore shipped, Kt 6.4 - NA 6.4 - NA Production             Gold, Koz 2 - NA 2 - NA Silver, Moz 0.4 - NA 0.4 - NA               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 12 12 -0% 41 37 +11% Silver, Moz 4.1 3.8 +7% 12.0 12.6 -5% Notes: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and silver within work-in-progress inventory. In Q3, silver production at Dukat grew by 7% y-o-y to 4.1 Moz due to higher grade from Perevalnoye ore at Omsukchan concentrator as well as contribution from Primorskoye. Planned contraction in gold production at both processing circuits was compensated by Primorskoye output. Primorskoye delivered first batches of high-grade direct-shipment ore to third-party customers. The Company also started milling Primorskoye ore at the Omsukchan concentrator (without beneficiation) for further sales to off-takers as concentrate.   ALBAZINO    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 8.2 5.7 +45% 22.5 16.3 +38% Underground development, km 5.2 4.5 +16% 14.8 11.7 +26% Ore mined, Kt 1,170 581 +101% 3,007 1,530 +97% Open pit 936 382 +145% 2,360 958 +146% Underground 234 199 +18% 648 572 +13%               PROCESSING             Albazino concentrator             Ore processed, Kt 465 458 +2% 1,372 1,329 +3% Gold grade, g/t 3.3 4.3 -22% 3.3 4.2 -22% Gold recovery1 87.5% 89.4% -2% 86.8% 88.8% -2% Concentrate produced, Kt 35.1 37.6 -7% 100.2 104.1 -4% Concentrate gold grade, g/t 38.7 46.7 -17% 38.8 47.6 -19% Gold in concentrate, Koz2 44 57 -23% 125 159 -22%               Kutyn Heap Leach             Ore stacked, Kt 562 - NA 562 - NA Gold grade, g/t 4.0 - NA 4.0 - NA Gold production, Koz 13 - NA 13 - NA               Amursk POX             Concentrate processed, Kt 37 42 -11% 105 124 -16% Gold grade, g/t 38.5 50.1 -23% 41.1 50.3 -18% Gold recovery 96.5% 96.4% +0% 96.2% 96.4% -0% Gold produced, Koz 58 67 -12% 153 189 -19%               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 71 67 +7% 166 189 -12% Notes: (1) To concentrate. (2) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. Included in total production after Dore production at the Amursk POX. Albazino Q3 gold production increased by 7% y-o-y to 71 Koz due to the successful start-up of Kutyn heap leach in September (please see the press release for more information), which produced 13 Koz by the end of the month. Kutyn has offset the decline in production from the concentrator driven by the completion of mining at the largest high-grade Anfisa open pit. To ensure equipment availability at the main underground Olga mine, the Сompany transitioned Ekaterina-2 underground mine to care and maintenance in October. The goal is to optimize the management of key spare part stocks..The concentrator will continue operating at full throughput and processing lower-grade stockpiled ore. The management made the decision to delay Albazino grid project timeline by 9 months with commissioning now expected in Q2 2025. The delay will lower capital commitments for 2023 and allow more time to ensure careful selection of electrical equipment in full compliance with all applicable sanctions.   AMURSK POX    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 Concentrate processed, Kt 53 61 -14% 144 171 -16%   Albazino 35 39 -10% 101 116 -13%   Kyzyl 14 19 -25% 35 44 -21%   Nezhda 1 - NA 4 - NA   Mayskoye - 2 -100% 0 3 -92%   Veduga - - NA - 4 -100%   Other1 2 3 -23% 4 4 -16% Gold recovery 95.1% 94.6% +1% 95.2% 94.2% +1% Average gold grade, g/t 65.2 76.3 -14% 63.7 72.0 -12% Average sulphur grade 17.6% 13.8% +27% 15.7% 13.8% +14% Total gold produced2, Koz 113 140 -20% 297 364 -19%   Albazino 56 59 -4% 151 171 -12%   Kyzyl 52 74 -29% 139 170 -18%   Nezhda 2 - NA 3 - NA   Mayskoye - 0 -100% 2 5 -71%   Veduga - 1 -100% - 11 -100%   Other1 2 7 -68% 2 8 -70% Notes: (1) Purchased concentrates which are included in reportable production in the Albazino segment. (2) For information only. Already accounted for in production at operating mines. The decrease in POX production was due to the decline in grade in feedstock sourced from Kyzyl and Albazino. The plant continued to process Nezhda’s low-carbon gold flotation concentrate with reasonable average recovery of 90% for the quarter. OMOLON    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 1.9 1.7 +12% 6.0 3.3 +81% Underground development, Km 2.5 3.0 -17% 8.4 8.6 -3% Ore mined, Kt 217 297 -27% 431 482 -11%     Open pit 114 208 -45% 114 242 -53%     Underground 103 89 +17% 318 240 +32%               PROCESSING             Kubaka Mill             Ore processed, Kt 220 222 -1% 646 651 -1% Grade             Gold, g/t 6.5 6.7 -3% 6.2 6.7 -7% Silver, g/t 19 88 -78% 21 59 -64% Recovery1             Gold 94.5% 95.8% -1% 93.9% 94.6% -1% Silver 77.0% 84.0% -8% 76.4% 81.6% -6% Gold production, Koz 43 43 +0% 119 131 -9% Silver production, Moz 0.1 0.6 -81% 0.3 1.0 -66%               Birkachan Heap Leach             Ore stacked, Kt 317 348 -9% 467 701 -33% Gold grade, g/t 1.1 2.4 -57% 1.1 1.8 -43% Gold production, Koz 13 13 +2% 18 17 +6%               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 56 55 +1% 137 148 -7% Silver, Moz 0.1 0.6 -76% 0.4 1.1 -63% Note:  (1) Technological recovery, includes gold and silver within work-in-progress inventory. In Q3, gold production at Omolon was stable y-o-y. Silver production was down as the Merrill-Crowe circuit remains idle. Heap leach was not engaged in re-handling of high-grade ore stockpiles (as it was in Q3 2021), hence the grade declined y-o-y. Underground mining at Burgali commenced and will replace ore tonnage from the Burgali open pit, to be depleted by the end of the year. NEZHDA    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 5.0 5.8 -14% 15.0 16.7 -10% Ore mined (open pit), Kt 764 226 +238% 2,088 937 +123%               PROCESSING             Ore processed, Kt 524 - NA 1,500 - NA Grade             Gold, g/t 4.0 - NA 3.8 - NA Silver, g/t 51.3 - NA 41.1 - NA Recovery1             Gold 76.1% - NA 73.9% - NA Silver 86.8% - NA 81.0% - NA Gold in concentrate, Koz 51 - NA 134 - NA Silver in concentrate, Moz 0.7 - NA 1.6 - NA               Concentrate shipped, Kt 17 - NA 24 - NA Payable gold in concentrate, Koz 25 - NA 77 - NA Payable silver in concentrate, Moz 0.6 - NA 1.2 - NA               Amursk POX             Concentrate processed, Kt 1 - NA 4 - NA Gold grade, g/t 41.3 - NA 40.5 - NA Gold recovery 90.3% - NA 89.7% - NA Gold produced, Koz 2 - NA 3 - NA               Gold produced in dore (at Voro and Dukat), Koz 11 - NA 11 - NA               TOTAL PRODUCTION1             Gold, Koz 38 - NA 91 - NA Silver, Moz 0.6 - NA 1.2 - NA Notes: (1) Includes concentrate produced and stockpiled for future sale, and excludes low-grade material. Expected 90% gold payable ratio is applied. At Nezhda, the majority of the production volume came from payable gold in gravity and silver concentrates. In Q3, the Company started processing gravity concentrate at Voro and Dukat. After the launch of the intensive cyanidation section of POX-2 in Q1 2023, the material will be directed there. Flotation concentrate will now be split into low-carbon and high-carbon materials, similar to Kyzyl. Low-carbon material will be processed, on the basis of two successful trial batch campaigns, through POX-1 at Amursk. High-carbon material will be mostly stockpiled until POX-2 is fully launched in H1 2024. The recovery rate at the concentrator is continuously growing towards the design level as the Company is implementing technological improvements. Grade in ore processed increased q-o-q according to the mine plan. The Company has accumulated sufficient ore stockpiles to ensure full productivity of the flotation plant for several months. Therefore, the management decided to temporarily suspend mining activity at the Nezhda open-pit from December 1st for four months in order to optimize costs.. SVETLOYE    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 1.5 1.3 +16% 4.6 3.0 +54% Ore mined (open pit), Kt 831 473 +76% 1,839 1,399 +31%               PROCESSING             Ore stacked, Kt 404 451 -10% 1,073 1,100 -2% Gold grade, g/t 4.8 2.3 +104% 3.1 3.1 -2% Gold recovery 80.8% 80.8% +0% 80.8% 81.3% -1% Gold production, Koz 33 30 +7% 75 83 -10%               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 33 30 +7% 75 83 -10% Quarterly gold production at Svetloye saw a 7% y-o-y increase to reach 33 Koz due to contribution from the Emmy pit where pushback was completed and higher-grade ore blocks introduced into the feed. VORO    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 2.3 2.8 -19% 8.8 6.4 +36% Ore mined (open pit), Kt 79 178 -55% 260 239 +9%               PROCESSING             CIP             Ore processed, Kt 267 262 +2% 768 784 -2% Gold grade, g/t 2.8 1.8 +57% 2.4 2.0 +24% Gold recovery1 80.9% 84.4% -4% 83.4% 84.3% -1% Gold production, Koz 24 20 +17% 59 56 +4%               Heap Leach             Ore stacked, Kt - - NA - - NA Gold grade, g/t   - NA   - NA Gold production, Koz 1 1 -21% 3 5 -48%               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 26 22 +21% 64 61 +5% Note: (1) Technological recovery, includes gold within work-in-progress inventory. At Voro, gold production for the quarter increased by 21% y-o-y to 26 Koz driven by large-scale introduction of high-grade transitional ore from Peshernoye. Mining volumes were substantially down in the reporting quarter as open-pit mining at Saum was discontinued on the back of deteriorating economics (strong rouble and higher rail tariffs). The management made the decision to accelerate the execution of the second stage of the Urals flotation project. Start-up is now targeted for Q3 2024 (previous plan was 2027). The objective is to bring forward cash flows from high-grade polymetallic deposits.     MAYSKOYE    3 months ended Sep 30, % change 9 months ended Sep 30, % change   2022 2021 2022 2021 MINING             Waste mined, Mt 0.6 1 -42% 2.6 3.0 -12% Underground development, km 5.5 5.0 +10% 15.5 14.8 +5% Ore mined, Kt 248 195 +28% 677 582 +16% Open-pit 72 33 +118% 127 84 +50% Underground 176 161 +9% 551 498 +11%               PROCESSING             Ore processed, Kt 224 234 -4% 683 669 +2% Gold grade, g/t 5.8 5.7 +2% 5.6 5.9 -4% Gold recovery1 58.0% 71.6% -19% 80.1% 85.3% -6% Gold in concentrate, Koz2 20 26 -22% 95 102 -7%               Amursk POX             Gold produced in dore from concentrate (POX), Koz - 0 -100% 2 5 -71% Gold produced in dore from carbon, Koz3 0 0 -100% 3 5 -50%               TOTAL PRODUCTION             Gold, Koz 59 75 -21% 63 85 -26% Notes: (1) To concentrate. (2) For information only; not considered as gold produced and therefore not reflected in the table representing total production. Included in total production upon sale to off-taker or dore production at Amursk POX. (3) Gold produced from carbon at Amursk POX. At Mayskoye, Q3 production contracted due to the recovery decrease attributable to higher than expected carbon content with lower sulfide and higher iron grades in the oxide ore. Open-pit mining at Mayskoye has been completed. POX-2 At POX-2, the installation of pulp conditioning and neutralization tanks, air coolers, a pulp cooling tank park, as well as technological equipment for the downstream section has been completed. The installation of structural steel and concrete floors and structures for High Bay is nearing completion. The construction of metal frameworks and concrete works for the installation of technological equipment in the CIL building continues. The start-up of the gravity concentrate processing circuit is planned for Q1 2023.  This will allow full in-house processing of gravity concentrates from Nezhda. Full commissioning of POX-2 is expected in Q2 2024 and remains at risk given material supply chain challenges.  The management nevertheless remains confident that the current plan is realistic and continues to implement a variety of risk mitigation measures, mostly focused on procuring critical equipment and spares from alternative suppliers. VEDUGA The management made the decision to delay Veduga project timeline by 12 months with first production now expected in H2 2027. This schedule optimization will reduce capital commitments for 2023 and allow for thorough selection of processing equipment to ensure full compliance with all applicable sanctions and flexible construction planning.     SUSTAINABILITY, HEALTH AND SAFETY There were no fatal accidents during the first nine months of 2022 among Polymetal’s workforce and contractors (consistent with 9M 2021). In Q3 2022, six minor lost-time incidents were recorded at Polymetal’s sites: four among employees and two among contractors. Employee LTIFR for the quarter amounted to 0.11 (zero LTIFR in Q3 2021), while 9M LTIFR stood at 0.09, a decrease of 18% y-o-y. All the LTIs have been investigated to eliminate the risks of similar incidents in the future. PERSONNEL Gennady Fukalov was appointed as the Managing Director of Svetloye replacing Vasilina Tarabarova (see below). Gennady is a mining professional with more than 25 years of experience in the industry. He joined Polymetal in 2005 as the mining engineer at Okhotsk Mining and Exploration Company LLC (sold in 2018) and was most recently the Chief Engineer at Kutyn. He graduated from the Krasnoyarsk Institute of Non-ferrous Metals with a degree in underground mining and from Vladivostok State University with a degree in economics and management. Vasilina Tarabarova was appointed as the Managing Director at Kutyn. Vasilina joined Polymetal in 2002 and held various positions at Okhotsk Mining and Exploration Company and Svetloye, having grown from junior to executive roles with her previous position being Managing director at Svetloye. She holds degrees in underground mining and geological survey of solid mineral deposits from Saint Petersburg Mining University as well as a degree in management from Komsomolsk-on-Amur State Technical University.

ISIN:	JE00B6T5S470
Category Code:	UPD
TIDM:	POLY
LEI Code:	213800JKJ5HJWYS4GR61
Sequence No.:	198214
EQS News ID:	1476835

End of Announcement	EQS News Service