GUYANA GOLDFIELDS INC. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Transcription

1 MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Management s Discussion and Analysis... 3 Company Business... 3 Third Quarter 2018 Highlights... 4 Outlook... 5 Key Performance Drivers & Trends... 6 Third Quarter 2018 Operating Results... 7 Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results Financial Condition Exploration Activities Capital Projects Updates Liquidity & Capital Resources Commitments & Contingencies Summary of Quarterly Financial Results Outstanding Share Data Non-IFRS Performance Measures Additional IFRS Financial Performance Measures Risk Factors Forward-Looking Statements Technical Information Accounting Disclosures

3 The following is Management s Discussion and Analysis ( MD&A ) of the factors management believes are relevant to assessing and understanding the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Guyana Goldfields Inc. (the Company ) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and References to Guyana Goldfields in this MD&A refer to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with Guyana Goldfield s unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related notes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, which are prepared in condensed format in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ( IFRS ) as applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including International Accounting Standard IAS 34 Interim Reporting ( IAS 34 ). The unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements should also be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, which have also been prepared in accordance with IFRS. This MD&A contains certain forward-looking statements. Refer to the cautionary language at the end of this MD&A. For the purposes of preparing this MD&A, management, in conjunction with the Board of Directors, considers the materiality of information. Information is considered material if (i) such information results in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a significant change in the market price or value of the Company s common shares; (ii) there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making an investment decision; or (iii) it would significantly alter the total mix of information available to investors. Additional information relating to the Company, including its Annual Information Form for the most recently completed fiscal year, is available on SEDAR at The Company is a reporting issuer under applicable securities legislation in each of the provinces of Canada and its outstanding common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol GUY. Certain non-ifrs measures are included in this MD&A. The Company believes that these measures provide investors an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The non-ifrs measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. The non-ifrs measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. Results are reported in United States dollars, unless otherwise noted. Due to rounding, the sum of all the quarters may not add to the annual total and per ounce figures may not calculate based on the amounts presented. Information contained herein is presented as at October 29, 2018 unless otherwise indicated. COMPANY BUSINESS Guyana Goldfields Inc. is a Canadian-based company engaged in the investment, acquisition, exploration, development and operation of mineral property interests, principally gold resource properties in Guyana, South America. The Company s primary focus is the production of gold from its 100% owned Aurora Gold Mine (or Aurora ), which commenced commercial production on January 1, The Company also holds a contiguous 216,995 acre land package located in the Aranka district of Guyana, approximately thirty kilometers northeast of the Aurora Gold Mine, known as the Aranka Properties, which consist of a number of separate properties including Sulphur Rose. The Company has a 100% interest in the Aranka Properties, subject to a net smelter royalty ( NSR ) that varies from 1.5% to 2%, or fixed payments in lieu thereof at the option of the Company. In addition, within an area located northeast of the Aurora Gold Mine, the Company also holds a 100% interest in certain additional properties known as the Other Properties, subject to a 1.5% NSR or a fixed payment in lieu thereof at the option of the Company. -3-

4 RESULTS SUMMARY 2018 gold production guidance revised downward to 150, ,000 ounces as grades have not rebounded as quickly as anticipated in the fourth quarter. Gold sales of 41,200 ounces at a total cash cost (before royalty)¹ of $681 per ounce of gold sold. Cost of sales (including royalty and depreciation) was $958 per ounce while all-in sustaining costs¹ ("AISC") were $1,094 per ounce. Significant increase in mining rates, reflecting an improvement of 49% from prior quarter at 59,100 tonnes per day ("tpd") during the third quarter. Mill throughput running consistently at 7,000 tpd with recoveries improving to 93.5% for the quarter. Continued strengthening of the balance sheet with divestment of the Solgold Plc ("Solgold") equity investment for gross proceeds of $35.5 million contributing to a total cash position of $92.6 million at quarter end. Continued cash flow performance with $19.5 million of cash from operations, representing the 11th consecutive quarter of positive cash flow generated from operations since the start of commercial production on January 1, Early works contract for the underground portal development was awarded with work commencing early in the fourth quarter. Best hole of near mine exploration drill program at East Walcott returned three separate strongly mineralized zones including 9.09 g/t Au over 44.8m from 205m downhole followed by g/t Au over 21.4m from 130m downhole and 6.8 g/t Au over 23.0m from 102m downhole. Senior leadership changes to reflect re-focus on delivering shareholder value and growth including the appointment of independent Director, Mr. René Marion, as Non-Executive Chairman. See Management Changes 2018 below. (in thousands of dollars, except ounces, per ounce and per share figures) Three months ended Nine months ended September 30 September Ounces produced 41,000 41, , ,600 Ounces sold 41,200 39, , ,700 Revenues $ 49,418 50,207 $ 141, ,063 Earnings from mine operations $ 9,965 13,574 $ 31,121 32,857 Earnings before tax $ 2,768 10,503 $ 15,602 17,904 Net (loss) earnings $ (2,196) 6,149 $ 7,399 12,981 Net (loss) earnings per diluted share $ (0.01) 0.04 $ Comprehensive income $ 24,050 1,032 $ 33,645 23,814 Cash flow from operating activities $ 19,498 12,772 $ 41,350 36,483 Cash and cash equivalents $ 92,621 64,162 $ 96,621 64,162 Restricted cash $ 2,204 1,184 $ 2,204 1,184 Debt $ 45,000 65,000 $ 45,000 65,000 Total Assets $ 479, ,148 $ 479, ,148 Realized gold price per ounce $ 1,200 1,287 $ 1,274 1,258 Cost of sales per ounce $ $ Cash costs per ounce before royalty 1 $ $ AISC per ounce 1 $ 1, $ 1, This is a non-ifrs measure. Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures section in this MD&A -4-

5 OUTLOOK 2018 Production and Cost Guidance Metric Previous guidance Revised guidance Gold production (ounces, thousands) Cost of sales (production costs, royalty & depreciation) ($ per ounce) $905 - $955 $1,030 - $1,055 Cash cost 1, excluding royalty ($ per ounce) $535 - $585 $660 - $685 AISC 1 ($ per ounce) $945 - $995 $1,025- $1,050 The Company had an improved third quarter of 2018 from both a production and cost perspective, driven by improved mining rates. The average head grade, however, was lower than anticipated. Since production commenced in 2016, ore sourced from the Rory s Knoll diorite has reconciled well with the reserves. Previous guidance assumed that the average grade would rebound to +3 g/t Au throughout the current quarter, however, based on results to date, that no longer appears likely. Management believes the recent underperformance can be attributed to grade variability not captured in the model. The Company has engaged RPA Inc., an independent firm of engineers and geologists, to assist in the investigation of the geologic controls and grade variability of the deposit. The Company expects the results from this review to be incorporated in the 2019 guidance and annual reserve and resource update to be disclosed in the first quarter of As a result, the Company is lowering its production guidance to 150, ,000 ounces of gold for 2018, down from the previous range of 175, ,000 ounces of gold. Cost of sales have been revised to $1,030 -$1,055 per ounce and all-in sustaining costs of $1,025 -$1,050 per ounce, and cash cost (before royalty)¹ of $660 - $685 per ounce for the year. Looking forward, a revision to the life of mine production profile is anticipated. During the third quarter average mining rates improved to 59,100 tpd, a 49% increase from the second quarter, with September averaging 65,900 tpd. The increase represents a significant improvement and expectation that the longer-term rate of 75,000 tpd will be consistently achieved commencing early in the fourth quarter. The process facility continues to run consistently at 7,000 tpd, with recoveries improving to 93.5%. The second phase of the mill expansion remains on schedule for mechanical completion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018 and is currently tracking in-line with budget. Cost of sales (including depreciation) for the third quarter of $958 per ounce of gold sold and an AISC of $1,094 per ounce of gold sold were higher than management s initial estimates. The unit costs per ounce sold were impacted by the lower than expected gold production and sales during the quarter. In September 2018, the Company signed a Letter of Intent related to the early works development for the underground portal. The portal collar is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter, along with the award of the ramp development contract. The underground development capital requirements, as presented in the 2018 Optimized Life of Mine study, are also being reviewed by management with an expectation that significant portion of 2019 capital will be deferred through 2020 without impact to the development schedule. During the quarter the decision was made to focus exploration efforts on the high quality near min targets that will potentially provide the greatest opportunities for near term growth. activity on near mine targets. Field programs were completed on Iroma, Wynamu and Arangoy. Results of each project will be reviewed and followup campaigns will be developed. Within the mine environment plans have been developed to ramp the drilling activity up in the fourth quarter and through See Exploration Activities for further information. 1 This is a non-ifrs measure. Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures section in this MD&A -5-

6 KEY PERFORMANCE DRIVERS & TRENDS The price of gold is the largest single factor in determining the Company s profitability and cash flow from operations. Historically, the price of gold has been subject to volatile price movements over short periods of time and is affected by numerous macroeconomic and industry factors that are beyond the Company s control. Major influences on the gold price include currency exchange rate fluctuations and the relative strength of the U.S. dollar, the supply of and demand for gold and macroeconomic factors such as the level of interest rates and inflation expectations. The price of gold over the last eight quarters based on the London Bullion Market Association PM Fix is summarized in the chart below. The average market price of gold on the London Bullion Market was $1,213 per ounce for the third quarter of 2018, down from the prior quarter. During this period the Company realized an average selling price of gold of $1,200 per ounce sold, with the difference from the average due to timing of sales. Subsequent to September 30, 2018, the price of gold has primarily been in a trading range between $1,186 per ounce and $1,220 per ounce. The Company has not entered into any gold hedging programs. Other key performance drivers include production volumes and costs, which are further discussed below. -6-

7 OPERATING RESULTS KEY OPERATING STATISTICS Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September Ore mined tonnes ('000s) ,550 1,699 Waste mined tonnes ('000s) 4,872 2,946 10,786 8,433 Total mined tonnes ('000s) 5,438 3,634 12,336 10,132 Strip ratio waste:ore Tonnes mined per day tpd 59,100 39,500 45,200 37,100 Ore processed tonnes ('000s) ,898 1,686 Tonnes processed per day tpd 7,000 6,200 7,000 6,200 Head grade g/t Au Recovery % Gold produced Ounces 41,000 41, , ,600 Gold sold Ounces 41,200 39, , ,700 Average realized gold price $/ounce 1,200 1,287 1,274 1,258 GOLD PRODUCTION 60 Gold Production Trend 50 ounces (000's) Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q3 Gold production for the third quarter was 41,000 ounces, which was consistent with the comparable quarter in the prior year. On a year to date basis, the Company produced 107,700 ounces of gold, a slight decrease of 3,900 ounces as compared to 109,700 ounces of gold production from the nine-month period ending September 30, The decline from the comparative period was a result of lower average head grade, partially offset by higher mill throughput rates. See Mining Activities and Processing Activities, respectively, below for further detail. -7-

8 MINING ACTIVITIES (tpd) 70,000 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 - Mining Rate (tpd) 2016-Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q3 Waste mining rate (tpd) Ore mining rate (tpd) Strip ratio During the third quarter, average mining rates improved by 49% when compared to the prior quarter with September showing a further improvement with an average of 65,900 tpd. The average strip ratio during the quarter was 8.6 tonnes of waste to one tonne of ore. The year to date mining rate averaged 45,200 tpd, an increase of 8,100 tpd from 37,100 tpd in the prior year comparative period. The mining rate increase was a result of additional equipment availability and the ramp up of the contract miner, STRACON S.A. ( STRACON ). Mining rates for the final month of the quarter averaged 65,900 tpd. The long term mining rate (for the next 36 months) is planned to be 75,000 tpd. As the year to date mining rates are behind plan, ore feed was sourced from lower grade zones of Mad Kiss and Aleck Hill deposits, which resulted in lower than planned production. PROCESSING ACTIVITIES (tpd) Mill Throughput 2016-Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q3 Rock ore (tpd) Saprolite ore (tpd) Mill head grade (Au g/t) The mill continued to run consistently with the third quarter and year to date average throughput of 7,000 tpd. -8-

9 The mill head grade for the third quarter was 2.12 g/t Au, which was lower as compared to the third quarter of This was due to lower than planned mining rates (see Mining Activities above), which resulted in ore feed from lower grade zones delivered to the mill. Gold recoveries of 93.5% were significantly higher than the third quarter of the prior year at 90.0%, a result of process facility capital improvements. See the Capital Projects Updates Process Facility Expansion section below for additional information on the status of the Phase 2 expansion. COST OF SALES, TOTAL CASH COSTS 1 & AISC 1 $1,400 Costs per Ounce vs Gold Price $1,200 USD per ounce $1,000 $800 $600 $ Q Q Q Q Q Q Q Q3 Realized Au Price per oz IFRS cost of sales per oz Operating cash cost per oz AISC per oz Cost of sales (including depreciation and royalties) was $958 per ounce in the third quarter of 2018 compared to $940 per ounce for the comparable quarter in This corresponds to a total cash cost (before royalty) 1 of $681 per ounce of gold sold, a decrease from the prior quarter ($864 per ounce) and an increase from the comparable quarter in 2017 ($595 per ounce). The increase in costs on a per ounce basis when compared to the comparable and prior quarter were largely attributable to lower grades and a higher strip ratio due to mine sequencing. AISC 1 for the quarter was $1,094 per ounce, which was down from the prior quarter ($1,186 per ounce) and increased from the comparable quarter in the prior year ($828 per ounce). This increase in AISC 1 over the prior year is attributed to the significantly higher mining rates as shown in the mining section above. MANAGEMENT CHANGES 2018 On July 30, 2018, the Company announced that the Chairman position would become a Non-Executive role, with independent director, Mr. Rene Marion, replacing Mr. Patrick Sheridan Jr. as the Company s Chairman. Mr. Marion was most recently Non-Executive Chairman and Director of Richmont Mines, where he oversaw the acquisition of the Island Gold Mine. Prior to that, Mr. Marion served as President, CEO and Director of AuRico Gold Inc. from 2007 to 2012, where he oversaw the acquisition and development of AuRico s flagship Young- Davidson Mine. Mr. Marion has been a director of Guyana Goldfields Inc. since Mr. Sheridan will continue as a director of the Company. 1 This is a non-ifrs measure. Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures section in this MD&A -9-

10 On September 10, 2018, the Company announced the appointment of Ms. Lisa Zangari as the Company s Chief Talent Officer. Ms. Zangari is a seasoned senior human resources executive with a long history in mining that illustrates strong strategic management skills, a solid background in human resources and a 20-plus year career focused on delivering high levels of employee engagement, performance and results. On September 17, 2018, the Company announced the appointment of Mr. Ron Stewart as Senior Vice President, Technical Services and Corporate Development. Mr. Stewart is a mining professional with over 30 years of international experience in exploration, project development, operations and capital markets. Mr. Stewart s primary role will be to oversee the Company s exploration and corporate development activities with a focus on near-mine open pit feed targets. Mr. Stewart will be responsible for enhancing, developing and prioritizing exploration targets within the proximity of the existing Aurora gold mine operation. The changes reflect both Board and Management re-alignment to re-focus the Company on delivering superior shareholder value and growth. FINANCIAL RESULTS KEY FINANCIAL STATISTICS (in thousands of dollars, except ounces, per ounce and per share figures) Three months ended September 30 Nine months ended September Revenue $ 49,418 $ 50,207 $ 141,348 $ 138,063 Cost of sales 39,453 36, , ,206 Earnings from mine Operations $ 9,965 $ 13,574 $ 31,121 $ 32,857 Corporate general & administrative expenses 1,949 2,606 7,868 8,259 Exploration expenses 1,230 1,094 4,203 3,539 Restructuring expenses 3,642-3,642 - Finance (income) expense, net 376 (639) (193) 3,155 Deferred tax expense 4,964 4,364 8,202 4,923 Net (loss) earnings $ (2,196) $ 6,149 $ 7,399 $ 12,981 Comprehensive income $ 24,050 $ 1,032 $ 33,645 $ 23,814 Net (loss) earnings per share ( EPS ) Basic $ (0.01) $ 0.04 $ 0.04 $ 0.08 Diluted $ (0.01) $ 0.04 $ 0.04 $ 0.07 Gold ounces sold 41,200 39, , ,700 Average realized selling price per ounce $ 1,200 $ 1,287 $ 1,274 $ 1,258 Cost of sales per ounce $ 958 $ 940 $ 994 $ 960 Cash costs per ounce before royalty 1 $ 681 $ 595 $ 709 $ 610 AISC per ounce 1 $ 1,094 $ 828 $ 1,067 $ This is a non-ifrs measure. Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures section in this MD&A -10-

11 REVENUE METAL SALES During the third quarter of 2018, the Company sold 41,200 ounces of gold ( ,000 ounces) at an average realized price of $1,200 per ounce (2017 $1,287 per ounce). Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $49.4 million, a decrease of $0.8 million compared to the comparable period in 2017 ($50.2 million). The decrease was due to a lower realized gold price ($3.6 million) offset by a higher volume of gold ounces sold ($2.8 million). On a year to date basis, the Company sold 110,900 ounces of gold, a slight increase from the comparable period in the prior year of 109,700 ounces sold. The average realized selling price for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $1,274 per ounce (2017 $1,258 per ounce). Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $141.3 million, $3.3 million higher than the comparable period in 2017 of $138.1 million. The increase in revenue was due to a higher average realized selling price ($1.8 million) and a higher volume of gold ounces sold ($1.5 million). COST OF SALES Cost of sales is comprised of royalties, costs associated with mining and processing activities ( production costs ) and depreciation. Cost of sales for the third quarter of 2018 was $39.5 million, which was $2.9 million higher than the third quarter of 2017 ($36.6 million). The increase in cost of sales from the comparable period was due to the higher volume of ounces sold ($2.1 million) and a higher average production costs during the current period ($0.8 million). On a per ounce of gold sold basis, cost of sales was $958 per ounce, which was higher than the comparable period last year (2017 $940). For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, cost of sales was $110.2 million, an increase of $5.0 million from the comparable period in the prior year ($105.2 million). The increase in cost of sales for the year to date period is due to a higher average cost per ounce sold ($3.9 million) and a higher volume of ounces sold ($1.2 million). CORPORATE, GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Corporate, general and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits (including share-based compensation), professional fees, shareholder relations and filing fees, as well as other expenditures associated with operating the Canadian corporate office. Corporate, general and administrative expenses of $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2018 were slightly lower by $0.7 million from the third quarter of 2017 ($2.6 million). Year to date expense of $7.9 million was slightly lower than the comparable period of 2017 ($8.3 million). Given the nature of these costs, the expenses are expected to be consistent from period to period. RESTRUCTURING EXPENSES Restructuring expenses include termination benefits (including severance and share-based compensation), professional fees, fees paid to independent directors on a committee focusing on organizational efficiency, as well as other expenditures associated with management changes during the three months ended September 30, One time material severance costs are excluded from AISC calculations as per World Gold Council s June 2013 published guidance. For further details on the management changes, refer to the Management Changes 2018 section above. -11-

12 EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION EXPENSES Exploration and evaluation expenses include costs associated with brownfields and greenfields exploration projects, including but not limited to salaries and wages, drilling and assay costs and field and camp supplies. Exploration expenses in the current quarter totaled $1.2 million (2017 $1.1 million). Year to date expenditures totaled $4.2 million, up from $3.5 million from the comparative period in For further details on exploration activities during the quarter refer to the Exploration Activities section below. NET FINANCE INCOME/EXPENSE Net finance income or expense for the third quarter of 2018 was a net expense of $0.4 million, compared to a net income of $0.6 million in the third quarter of The year to date net finance income of $0.2 million was $3.3 million higher than the $3.2 million net expense for the comparable period in The increase in year to date finance revenue from the prior year was a result of unrealized and realized gains on the diesel derivative instruments during the current year. DEFERRED TAX EXPENSE Deferred tax expense for the third quarter of 2018 was $5.0 million, an increase of $0.6 million from the third quarter 2017 expense of $4.4 million. The current nine-month period tax expense of $8.2 million was $3.3 million higher than the comparable period in 2017 ($4.9 million). The increase in the current year deferred tax expense was primarily due to the reversal of the deferred income tax recovery associated with the decline in the mark-to-market on the marketable investment. NET (LOSS) EARNINGS Net loss for the third quarter of 2018 amounted to $2.2 million ($0.01 loss per diluted share), a decrease of $8.3 million in comparison to net earnings of $6.1 million ($0.04 earnings per diluted share) for the third quarter of Primary reasons for the decrease in net income are due to increased deferred tax expense and the restructuring charges taken during the current quarter, as explained above. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME The Company reported a comprehensive gain of $24.1 million in the current quarter (2017 $1.0 million). The Company sold its investment in SolGold Plc during September 2018 for $35.5 million and recorded a cumulative mark-to-market gain of $25.5 million, which was not reclassified to profit and loss. (see Liquidity and Capital Resources for more details). -12-

13 FINANCIAL CONDITION As at September 30, 2018 As at December 31, 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 92,621 $ 75,725 Long term debt 45,000 60,000 Current assets $ 156,154 $ 125,745 Non-current assets 324, ,271 Total assets $ 479,448 $ 472,016 Current liabilities $ 40,390 $ 29,923 Non-current liabilities 51,866 61,107 Total liabilities 92,256 91,030 Shareholders equity 387, ,986 Total liabilities and equity $ 479,488 $ 472,016 The financial condition of the Company remains strong with a positive working capital balance of $115.8 million as at September 30, 2018, up from the December 31, 2017 balance of $95.8 million. Current assets have increased from the 2017 year-end by $30.4 million to $156.2 million mainly due to the $35.5 million cash proceeds received from the sale of the Company s investment in SolGold. The Company intends to use these proceeds for debt reduction and general corporate purposes. Subsequent to the sale of the investment in Solgold, the Company notified the lending syndicate of management s intention to make an accelerated payment of $20 million by the end of the fourth quarter. In addition, management is in discussions with the lending syndicate to renegotiate the terms of the remaining Loan Facility (as defined below). Current liabilities increased year to date by $10.5 million to $40.4 million, driven by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The most significant liability on the Company s statement of financial position was the Company s loan facility for the Aurora Gold Mine ( Loan Facility ), with a principal balance outstanding of $45 million as of September 30, 2018 (December 31, $60 million). The average interest rate on the facility is 3.75% plus three-month LIBOR. The loan is to be repaid in quarterly payments of $5 million until extinguishment of the loan. The current portion of the Loan Facility is $20 million as at September 30, There is no required gold hedging or other required similar provisions associated with the Loan Facility and the Company is in compliance with all key covenants under the Loan Facility as of the date of this MD&A. EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES During the quarter the decision was made to focus exploration efforts on attractive near mine targets. Field programs were completed on Iroma, Wynamu and Arangoy. Results of each project will be reviewed and followup campaigns will be developed. Plans have been developed to ramp the drilling activity up in the fourth quarter and through IROMA Drilling at Iroma commenced in late 2017 and concluded during the third quarter of drill holes (6,614 m) were drilled in total mainly targeting a soil anomaly with dimensions of 2.4km by 0.5km containing >50 parts per -13-

14 billion ( ppb ) gold. Assay results for the final 13 holes were received during the third quarter with 11 of these holes intercepting gold mineralization. Once all the data is in hand an assessment will be made regarding possible follow-up exploration of this target. There has been insufficient exploration to define a Mineral Resource on the Iroma property to date and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in such target being delineated as a Mineral Resource. EAST WALCOTT AND NEAR MINE The East Walcott zone is located immediately adjacent to the main Rory's Knoll ore body at the Aurora Gold Mine and is currently being mined in the Rory's Knoll open pit. The Company initiated a 12 hole (4,500 m) diamond drill program during the second quarter at East Walcott focused on gaining a better understanding of the geological controls, dimensions and continuity of higher grade mineralization to assist with underground planning efforts. In addition to the assay results for the first five holes at East Walcott press released on September 11, 2018, assay results for another four holes at East Walcott were received during the quarter. Hole EWD101 returned three separate strongly mineralized zones including 8.35 g/t Au over 5.17m from m downhole followed by 6.76 g/t Au over 12.9m from 299.3m downhole and 7.7 g/t Au over 13m from 319m downhole. A complete listing of the intercepts reported are presented in the table below. Additional drilling is planned to target mineralization at depth both here and at the Mad Kiss mineralized zone. Hole # Azimuth Dip From To Width Grade (True North) (degrees) (m) (m) (m) (g/t Au) EWD EWD EWD EWD CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATES PROCESS FACILITY EXPANSION The Company completed the Phase 1 mill expansion in the first quarter of 2018, which was designed to increase the hard rock throughput rate from 5,600 tpd to 6,600 tpd. The first phase of the expansion was completed on time and slightly under the target budget of $21 million. The expansion consisted of debottlenecking the back end of the circuit and included the addition of three leach tanks, a pre leach thickener, carbon management systems and the expansion of the elution circuit. The second phase of the mill expansion is progressing in-line with the schedule and expected to be mechanically complete in the fourth quarter and commissioned in the fourth quarter. Based on the highly encouraging results from trials supplementing mill feed with pre-crushed ore, as well as the higher than expected increase in recoveries from the Phase 1 expansion, the scope of the second phase of the mill expansion has been reduced to include only the addition of a pre-crushing circuit. The original scope envisaged the addition of the pre-crush circuit along with a 1,000 tpd ball mill. The Company expects that when completed, the second phase of the mill expansion will process 7,500 tpd of hard rock with gold recoveries in excess of 94%. -14-

15 UNDERGROUND MINING UPDATE In September 2018 the Company signed a Letter of Intent related to the early works development for the underground portal. Mobilization and field work commenced in October 2018, with the portal collar scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter. The Company is finalizing the review of bids received for the underground development contract with the target of final award in the fourth quarter of The initial phase of the decline will be completed in 2019 providing access for development drilling and initial production development. The decline is designed to access all principal underground mining areas, including some higher-grade areas that may provide supplemental mill feed during the development period OPTIMIZED LIFE OF MINE STUDY On February 2, 2017, the Company issued a feasibility study entitled Independent Technical Report Updated Feasibility Study, Aurora Gold Mine Project with an effective date of December 31, 2016 (the 2017 Feasibility Study ), that reflected an expansion of the current processing facility from 5,600 tpd to 8,000 tpd based on a twophased approach. On February 20, 2018, the Company released an update on the 2017 Feasibility Study (the 2018 Optimized Life of Mine ) ( LOM ) which provides for smoother life-of-mine production and cost profiles while reducing overall capital, operating costs and further improving cash flows at a 7,500 tpd processing rate. The life of the mining operation was estimated to be extended from 2031 to Details of the 2018 Optimized Life of Mine and comparison to the previously presented 2017 Feasibility Study can be found in the press release filed on SEDAR at The LOM plan was prepared by the Company with contributions from JDS Energy & Mining ("JDS") and has an effective date of December 31, LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company finished the quarter with a cash balance of $92.6 million. This strong cash position provides the Company with ample capacity to meet its most significant near-term liquidity requirements, which consist of capital purchase commitments of $13.5 million and scheduled principal debt repayments of $20.0 million over the next four quarters. OPERATING CASH FLOWS After working capital adjustments, the Company generated $19.4 million of operating cash flow during the third quarter compared to $12.7 million of operating cash flow in the third quarter of For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company generated operating cash flow of $41.3 million compared to $36.5 million in the comparable period in The increase in current period cash flow is a result of higher cash from working capital, as compared to the third quarter of INVESTING ACTIVITIES Cash from investing activities was a net inflow of $16.2 million for the third quarter, which related to the proceeds from the sale of the equity investment in Solgold Plc for net proceeds of $35.5 million, offset additions to mineral properties, plant and equipment. Year to date cash flow to investing activities totals $7.9 million (2017 $31.6 million). The current year to date number is lower in the current year due to the proceeds from the sale of Solgold Plc. The most significant capital investments include mill expansion capital and deferred stripping activities, as well as additions to the Company s mine fleet. -15-

16 FINANCING ACTIVITIES For the third quarter of 2018, total cash from financing activities was an outflow of $5.7 million compared to an outflow of $6.0 million in the third quarter of Both the current and prior quarter had similar levels of debt and interest related payments. Year to date financing cash outflows was $16.5 million, an increase of $2.6 million from the 2017 comparable period outflow of $13.8 million. The increase in cash flows on a year to date basis is mainly due to less proceeds from the exercise of stock options as compared to the comparable period in LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK The Company anticipates that its mine operations will generate sufficient working capital and cash flow to cover operating requirements for the next twelve months, including principal debt and interest repayments. COMMITMENTS & CONTINGENCIES The Mineral Agreement and Mining Licence for the Aurora Gold Mine require the Company to undertake various obligations and commitments over the twenty-year life of the agreements. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all terms and conditions of the Mining Licence and Mineral Agreement for the Aurora Gold Mine. The government of Guyana has the right to terminate the agreements in the event of default by written notice to the Company, subject to a dispute resolution process involving arbitration. The Company has $13.5 million of capital commitments as at September 30, In May 2018, the Company entered into an open-pit mining service contract with STRACON to meet higher mining requirements through to the end of The mining requirement is to cover a three-and-a-half-year peak in waste mining requirements, which is in excess of the Company s own mining fleet capacity and will allow the Company to focus on mining gold-containing ore for processing. STRACON commenced mining operations in June The contract is priced at a fixed cost per tonne of material mined based on expected tonnage from 2018 to The Company has entered into diesel swap contracts to mitigate risk associated with the volatility in diesel price. The Company has not applied hedge accounting to these derivative contracts. The swap contracts are fair valued at each statement of financial position date, with the movement in fair value recognized through net finance income (expense) in net earnings (loss). The mark-to-market fair values of all contracts is determined by using inputs that are observable and determined using standard valuation techniques. Derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The diesel commodity swap forward contracts are secured under the Loan Facility and documented in the form of an International Swap and Derivatives Association ( ISDA ) master agreement. The following is a summary of the Company s commitments for diesel forward contracts at September 30, 2018: Year Contracted operating expenses Number of litres hedged Average rate per litre (US cents/litre) 2018 $ 2,012 4,800,000 $ ,104 18,000, ,700 6,000, Total $ 12,816 28,800,000 $

17 Fair value estimates for derivative contracts are based on quoted market prices provided by a financial institution and represent the amount the Company would have received from, or paid to, a counterparty to unwind the contract at the market rates in effect at the condensed interim consolidated Statement of financial position date. The fair value of derivative instruments is as follows: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Derivative asset, current $ 2,926 $ 1,535 Derivative asset, non-current 1,827 1,334 Fair market value $ 4,753 $ 2,869 SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS (Expressed in thousands of dollars except per share and ounce amounts). (Quarterly results are unaudited) A B All metal sales prior to commercial production were credited against capitalized Aurora Gold Mine assets under development, a component of mineral properties, plant and equipment. Includes corporate general and administrative expenses, exploration and evaluation expenses, stock-based compensation, and non-mine related depreciation expense (as separately disclosed in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements). OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA At the date of this MD&A, the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company totaled 173,530,802. Options outstanding amounted to 6,052,511 at the date of this MD&A, each of which is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company in accordance with the terms thereof. -17-

18 NON-IFRS 1 PERFORMANCE MEASURES The Company has included certain non-ifrs performance measures in this MD&A. These measures are not defined under IFRS and should not be considered in isolation. The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance of the Company. The inclusion of these measures is meant to provide additional information and should not be used as a substitute for performance measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. These measures are not necessarily standard and therefore may not be comparable to other issuers. The Company has applied the World Gold Council s June 2013 published guidance in reporting cash costs and AISC to its mining operations. Adoption of cash costs and AISC metrics is voluntary and not necessarily standard, and therefore, these measures presented by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that the cash costs and AISC measures complement existing measures reported by the Company. TOTAL CASH COSTS PER OUNCE Total cash costs are a common financial performance measure in the gold mining industry but with no standard meaning under IFRS. The Company reports total cash costs on a sales basis. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, such as sales, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company s performance and ability to generate operating earnings and cash flow from its mining operations. Management uses this metric as an important tool to monitor operating cost performance. Total cash costs include production and royalty costs. Production costs include mining, processing, refining and transportation, and site administration, and in total are then divided by gold ounces sold to arrive at total cash costs per gold ounce sold. This measure also includes other mine related costs incurred such as mine standby costs and any current inventory write downs. Production costs are exclusive of depreciation. Other companies may calculate these measures differently. The following table reconciles these non-ifrs measures to the September 30, 2018 unaudited condensed interim consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 1 IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards -18-

19 ALL-IN SUSTAINING COST PER OUNCE All-in sustaining cost per ounce is also a non-ifrs performance measure. The Company believes this measure more fully defines the total costs associated with producing gold; however, this performance measure has no standardized meaning. Accordingly, there may be some variation in the method of computation of AISC as determined by the Company compared with other mining companies. In this context, the Company calculates AISC as the sum of total cash costs (as described above), share-based compensation, corporate general and administrative expense, exploration and evaluation expenditures that are sustaining in nature (defined as brownfields exploration on the Company s Mining Licence), reclamation cost accretion, sustaining capital including deferred stripping (defined in further detail below) and realized gains and losses on diesel derivative contracts, all divided by the gold ounces sold to arrive at a per ounce figure. Sustaining capital expenditures are expenditures that do not increase annual gold ounce production at a mine site and excludes expenditures at the Company s development projects as well as expenditures that are deemed expansionary in nature. The following table reconciles these non-ifrs measure to the September 30, 2018 unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements. (in thousands of dollars except ounces and per ounce calculations) (1) Sustaining capital is defined as all capital expenditures which do not result in a material increase in gold production and/or cash flow and exclude all expenditures at growth projects. (2) Included in net finance expense in the unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - See Note 16 to the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 OPERATING CASH FLOW PER DILUTED SHARE Operating cash flow per diluted share has been computed as follows: -19-

20 ADDITIONAL IFRS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES The Company has included the additional IFRS measure Earnings from mine operations in the condensed interim consolidated financial statements. Management believes that that Earnings from mine operations provides useful information to investors as an indication of the Company s principal business activities before consideration of how those activities are financed, and before sustaining capital expenditures, corporate general and administrative expenses, exploration and evaluation expenses, stock-based compensation, non-mine related depreciation, net finance expenses and taxation. RISK FACTORS The following list is a summary of existing and future material risks to the business of the Company. Each of the Company s major risk factors are discussed in more detail in the Company s most recent Annual Information Form ( AIF ) for the year ended December 31, 2017 on the Company s website and filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at The risks below are not listed in any particular order and are not exhaustive. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company, or those that it currently deems to be immaterial, may become material and adversely affect the Company s business. The realization of any of these risks may materially and adversely affect the Company s business, financial condition, results of operations and/or the market price of the Company s securities. Exploration, Development and Operating Risks Licencing Matters Geotechnical Risks Open Pit Mine Risks Underground Mine Risks Mineral Processing Risks Infrastructure Risks Insurance and Uninsured Risks Environmental Risks and Hazards Uncertainty Relating to Mineral Resources Reliability of Resource and Reserve Estimates Uncertainty of Feasibility Study Results & Revisions to Estimates Mine Closure Limited History of Mineral Production Land Title Global Financial Conditions Competition May Hinder Corporate Growth Production and Cost Estimates Additional Capital Dilution Commodity Prices Indebtedness and Inability to Satisfy Repayment Obligations Interest Rate Fluctuations Exchange Rate Fluctuations Government Regulation Territorial Risk -20-

21 Political Risks Labour and Employment Matters Subsidiaries Market Price of Common Shares Future Sales of Common Shares by Existing Shareholders Dependence on Management and Key Personnel Competition Shortages and Price Volatility of Input Commodities and Equipment Hedging Risk Conflicts of Interest Cyber Security Threats Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws Limited History of Earnings or Dividends Accounting Policies and Internal Control Proposed Transactions Related Party Transactions FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Except for statements of historical fact relating to Guyana Goldfields, certain information contained in this MD&A constitutes forward-looking information under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the potential of the Company s properties and investments; ability to continue to satisfy all conditions and covenants under the Loan Facility and make scheduled repayments thereunder; the use of net proceeds from the Offering; the future price of gold; expected operating cash flows and capital costs for the Aurora Gold Mine; production and cost guidance for 2018; success, nature and timing of exploration and development activities; timing and anticipated costs and benefits of mill expansion and mine plan optimization activities, cost and timing of future exploration and development; the estimation of Mineral Resources and Reserves and any anticipated upside potential thereof; conclusions of economic evaluations; successful and profitable operations of the Aurora Gold Mine, including the impact of the 2018 Optimization Life of Mine; the Company s ability to meet its most significant near-term liquidity and operating requirements, operating requirements for the next 12 months and debt repayment requirements under the Loan Facility; the ability of the Company to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the price of diesel; requirements for additional capital, mine expansion plans, underground development, expected improvements in mining, processing and general and administrative costs as well as proposed expanded exploration activities and related costs and other potential opportunistic investments in 2018, and other statements relating to the financial and business prospects of Guyana Goldfields. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as plans, expects or does not expect, is expected, budget, scheduled, estimates, forecasts, intends, anticipates or does not anticipate, or believes, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, likely, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to: -21-