The Perseus Mining Limited (ASX: PRU) share price is down 4.71% to $1.32 in early afternoon trading. This comes after the company released its September quarter activities report.
Despite falling 43% from 27 February through to 13 March during the wider COVID-19-led market rout, Perseus Mining's share price is still up 17% year-to-date. That compares the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO), which is down 6%.
Investors who were fortunate enough to buy shares at the 13 March lows will be enjoying a gain of 86% today.
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What does Perseus Mining do?
Perseus Mining is an Australian listed West African gold producer.
The company was originally an exploration company when it started in 2004. It acquired the historic Edikan heap leach mine in Ghana in 2006. Following successful exploration outcomes at Edikan, the company evolved from explorer to developer and then gold miner in August 2011.
Today Perseus operates 2 gold mines in West Africa. The company expects the first gold from its third mine, Yaouré, in December this year. It forecasts its gold production will increase to more than 500,000 ounces per year in 2021/2022.
Why is the Perseus Mining share price sliding?
Perseus Mining's latest activities report offered mixed results in the short term with a more positive mid-term outlook.
On the plus side, the company reported gold production increased 6% from the previous quarter, to 68,772 ounces.
However, it came at a higher cost, with production costs increasing by 2% to US$823 (AU$1,151) per ounce. All in sustaining costs (AISC) hit US$964 per ounce, up 3% over the previous quarter.
Meanwhile, Perseus Mining's gold sales declined by 23% to 60,441 ounces. This was somewhat balanced out by a 3% increase in the weighted average gold sales price, up to US$1,595 per ounce.
The company also reported a US$16.2 million decrease of its available cash and bullion on hand, down to US$147.4 million as at 30 September. Its corporate debt remains fully drawn to US$150 million, putting the company in a net debt position of US$2.6 million.
Perseus gold production and AISC guidance for the December 2020 half year was unchanged at 125,500 to 139,000 ounces at an AISC of US$940 to $1,025 per ounce.
Looking ahead, the company forecasts continued strong production at Edikan and Sissingué in the December 2020 quarter. Additionally, it stated that Yaouré was now expected "to contribute to the Perseus group's production performance in this period for the first time".
After a strong performance so far this year, the Perseus Mining share price is one to keep an eye on.
