TORONTO, July 15, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TRX Gold Corporation (TSX:TRX) (NYSE:TRX) (the "Company" or "TRX Gold") is pleased to announce the completion of the expanded processing plant to 2,000 tonnes per day ("tpd"), and also reported its results for the third quarter of 2024 ("Q3 2024") for the three months ended May 31, 2024. Financial results are available on the Company's website at www.TRXgold.com. Project highlights include: Immediate and positive impact on milling capacity: The newly expanded 2,000 tpd processing facility is now operational and is currently undergoing wet commissioning. During this commissioning phase, the expanded processing plant has been consistently achieving, on average, 1,750 tpd of mill throughput, reaching a maximum of 1,873 tpd, a 116% increase over Q3 2024, and is ramping up towards final commissioning. Average weekly gold production has also increased to 616 ounces over this same period, an increase in weekly production of 60%, on average, from Q3 2024 production levels. This weekly production run rate is expected to continue over the remainder of July and August 2024, during final plant commissioning and ramp-up. The Company is currently finalizing some minor welding work on the carbon-in-leach ("CIL") tanks, and some ancillary electrical work on the agitators and intertank screens. Once the additional CIL tanks are completed and fully commissioned, it is expected that the expanded processing plant will begin to achieve 2,000 tpd of processing capacity. Built-in capacity for future growth: As part of an initial phase of the plant expansion project, during Q3 2024, the Company completed construction of the new crushing circuit. The expanded crushing system is now operational and has been fully commissioned. The crushing circuit has been consistently achieving an average of 2,000 tpd of crushed material, reaching a maximum of 2,470 tpd. The new crushing plant, combined with the old crushing circuit, is rated to process 3,600 to 4,800 tpd of ore at full capacity with new equipment comprising: run-of-mine bin, apron feeder, conveyors, vibrating grizzly, primary jaw crusher and secondary and tertiary cone crushers. The crushing plant configuration is designed to produce a finely crushed ore ‘product' suitable for the existing and future ball mills to improve grind size for a more efficient, cost-effective processing of sulphide ore. The new circuit is expected to help drive increased throughput and recovery percentages and demonstrates the Company's overall design philosophy of simplicity, redundancy and durability, making it a key component to support future growth. Benefitting from economies of scale: This marks Buckreef Gold's third successful expansion project aimed at increasing annual gold production in a de-risked, self-funded and phased approach. Moreover, through this latest expansion, the project is expected to benefit from greater economies of scale, resulting from higher processing plant throughput and higher overhead cost absorption. Operational and Financial Highlights Strong operating cash flow year-to-date: During Q3 2024, the Company poured 4,628 ounces of gold, and sold 4,515 ounces of gold at an average realized price1 of $2,270 per ounce, resulting in positive operating cash flow of $3.1 million. For the nine-month period, the Company poured and sold 13,622 and 13,361 ounces of gold respectively, at an average realized price1 of $2,079 per ounce, resulting in positive operating cash flow of $9.3 million. Strong gross profit margins: During the quarter, the Company recognized revenue of $10.1 million, cost of sales of $5.8 million, gross profit of $4.4 million (43%) and Adjusted EBITDA1 of $3.9 million. Year-to-date, the Company recognized revenue of $27.5 million, cost of sales of $16.2 million, gross profit of $11.3 million (41%) and Adjusted EBITDA1 of $9.1 million. Prudent capital management: The Company maintained its liquidity by actively managing expenditures during the quarter, while advancing the processing plant expansion to 2,000 tpd. The Company used operating cashflow during Q3 2024 to continue to fund the plant expansion, while maintaining a cash balance of approximately $7.7 million and a positive adjusted working capital position of $1.7 million. Delivering on target: The total capital cost of the full mill expansion was budgeted to be approximately $6.0 million, which was completed on time and on budget. TRX Gold's CEO, Stephen Mullowney commented: "We are excited with the direction the Buckreef Gold Project is headed, as we are already seeing improved performance from the new crushing circuit and expanded milling facility, during its wet commissioning. We carefully managed our capital during the year to ensure the processing plant expansion was funded from organically generated cash flow. We look forward to completing our 2025 budget which is anticipated to focus on continued operational improvements and an increased focus on exploration at the Buckreef Gold Project." Qualified Person Mr. William van Breugel, P.Eng, BASc (Hons), technical advisor to TRX Gold Corporation, is the Company's Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects" ("NI 43-101") and has reviewed and assumes responsibility for the scientific and technical content in this press release. Q3 2024 Results Conference Call and Webcast Details When: Tuesday, July 23 at 11:00 AM ESTWebcast URL: https://shorturl.at/BFNqWConference call numbers:Canada/USA TF: 1-844-763-8274International Toll: +1-647-484-8814A replay will be made available for 30 days following the call on the Company's website. Figure 1: Buckreef Gold aerial view of new crushing circuit (Q2 2024) Figure 2: Buckreef Gold ore moving through new crushing circuit (Q3 2024) Figure 3: Buckreef Gold's new 1,000 tpd ball mill (Q3 2024) Figure 4: Buckreef Gold Tailings Storage Facility Expansion at TSF 2.2 (Q2 2024 – first lift completed and TSF is now fully operational) About TRX Gold Corporation TRX Gold is rapidly advancing the Buckreef Gold Project. Anchored by a Mineral Resource published in May 20202, the project currently hosts an NI 43-101 Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 35.88 MT at 1.77 g/t gold containing 2,036,280 ounces of gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 17.8 MT at 1.11 g/t gold for 635,540 ounces of gold. The leadership team is focused on creating both near-term and long-term shareholder value by increasing gold production to generate positive cash flow. The positive cash flow will be utilized for exploratory drilling with the goal of increasing the current gold Resource base and advancing the Sulphide Ore Project which represents 90% of current gold Resources. TRX Gold's actions are led by the highest ESG standards, evidenced by the relationships and programs that the Company has developed during its nearly two decades of presence in Geita Region, Tanzania. For investor or shareholder inquiries, please contact: Investors Christina Lalli Vice President, Investor RelationsTRX Gold Corporation+1-438-399-8665 Non-IFRS Performance Measures The company has included certain non-IFRS measures in this news release. The following non-IFRS measures should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nice months ended May 31, 2024, filed on SEDAR+ and with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), as well as the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F and Annual Information Form for the year ended August 31, 2023. The financial statements and related notes of TRX Gold have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Additional information has been filed electronically on SEDAR+ and with the SEC and is available online under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and the Company's filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.TRXgold.com. Average realized price per ounce of gold sold Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is a non-IFRS measure and does not constitute a measure recognized by IFRS and does not have a standardized meaning defined by IFRS. Average realized price per ounce of gold sold is calculated by dividing revenue by ounces of gold sold. It may not be comparable to information in other gold producers' reports and filings.   Three MonthsEnded May 31,2024 Three MonthsEnded May 31,2023 Nine MonthsEnded May 31,2024 Nine MonthsEnded May 31,2023 Revenue per financial statements $ 10,148 $ 9,317 $ 27,536 $