Pantoro Ltd (ASX:PNR, OTC:PNTOF) has entered a gold price protection facility for approximately 24% of gold produced at its Norseman Gold Project in Western Australia during 2025.
In line with its focus to unlock the full potential of its 100%-owned Norseman Project, the company has executed an option trade for its 2025 calendar year gold production, in the form of a zero-premium collar.
The trade was executed without any payment to the counterparty, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA).
Importantly, Pantoro maintains full exposure to gold prices up to A$4,200 per ounce and with minimal downside in the event of prices rising beyond that level.
Diesel hedge
Pantoro has also hedged 800,000 litres of diesel per month for 12 months from January to December 2025 at current prices, equating to just under half of its projected diesel consumption for the year.
Diesel prices are at their lowest since Pantoro commenced construction at Norseman in 2021 but a re-escalation of prices is considered likely in the near term due to the emerging conflict in the Middle East.
Risk management step
Managing director Paul Cmrlec said: “These trades are a prudent risk management step which continues to provide Pantoro with full exposure to gold prices up to A$4,200 per ounce, with minimal downside as and when prices rise higher.
“Stability in our diesel pricing at current low rates provides further protection to operating margins at the Norseman Gold Project.”
Option trade components
The option trade has two components:
- Put options - 2,000 ounces per month with a put value (protection value) of A$3,500 per ounce for 12 months from January to December 2025; and
- Call options - 1,000 ounces per month with a call value of A$4,200 per ounce expiring monthly between January and December 2025.
The 2:1 put-to-call ratio provides protection for 24% of production at 100,000 ounces per annum, while the call option value ensures that only 12% of production at 100,000 ounces per annum has its upside limited by the trade.
Pantoro said this structure would have a minimal effect on the realised price of gold in a high price environment. As gold production increases above 100,000 ounces, the realised gold price improves further.