Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (the “
Company” or
“
Osisko”) (OR: TSX & NYSE) is pleased to
provide some select asset updates. All monetary amounts included in
this update are expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise
noted.
Jason Attew, President & CEO of Osisko
commented: “As we head into the final stretch of 2024, positive
progress continues to be made across Osisko’s high-quality asset
base thanks to the ongoing hard work and dedication of our
operating partners. These achievements continue to surface
incremental value for Osisko and its shareholders, largely by
underpinning the Company’s near-to-medium-term gold equivalent
ounce delivery growth profile. Osisko’s projected growth trajectory
remains peer-leading and comes from assets that require no
contingent capital along the way; in other words, our five-year
growth outlook is already entirely bought and paid for.”
SELECT ASSET UPDATES
Mantos Blancos (operated by Capstone Copper
Corp.)
On October 31st, 2024, Capstone Copper Corp.
(“Capstone”) provided an update on its Mantos
Blancos mine located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. In July
2024, a successful two-week planned shutdown was completed which
included the installation of a new holding tank and additional
pumps in the tailings area. These investments addressed the
deficiencies identified that were preventing the sustained
achievement of the 20,000 tonnes per day (“tpd”)
throughput capacity from the plant’s sulphide concentrator.
Following the plant ramp-up period in August, Capstone reported
that ore throughput averaged 18,062 tpd through to the end of the
third quarter of 2024, with plant throughput meeting or exceeding
the nameplate capacity of 20,000 tpd over 23 separate operating
days (as at September 30th, 2024). Capstone subsequently reported
that the average daily throughput at Mantos Blancos for October
2024 was 18,481 tpd and that from November 1st to November 16th,
2024, plant throughput averaged over and above 20,000 tpd. The
overall variability of the milling process has been significantly
reduced and consistently higher throughput is expected throughout
the fourth quarter of 2024, and beyond.
Additionally, Capstone continues to highlight
the potential for a Phase II expansion at Mantos Blancos over the
next few years, with a Feasibility Study, looking at increasing
throughput to at least 27,000 tpd, expected towards the end of
2025.
Osisko, through its wholly-owned subsidiary
Osisko Bermuda Limited (“Osisko Bermuda”), owns a
silver stream on Mantos Blancos. Under the stream agreement, Osisko
Bermuda will purchase 100% of payable silver produced at Mantos
Blancos until 19.3 million ounces have been delivered and 40% of
payable silver thereafter for the remaining life-of-mine
(“LOM”).
Island Gold District (operated by Alamos Gold
Inc.)
On September 12th, 2024, Alamos Gold Inc.
(“Alamos”) provided updated three-year production
and operating guidance incorporating the recently completed
acquisition of the Magino mine and mill
(“Magino”), now part of Alamos’ Island Gold
District. Alamos is spending US$40 million to expand the newly
acquired Magino mill to 12,400 tpd by 2026. This will accommodate
ore from both Magino and the increased production from the Island
Gold Mine (“Island Gold”) following the completion
of the Island Gold Phase 3+ Expansion in the first half of 2026.
The Phase 3+ Expansion includes a new shaft which is expected to
increase underground production from Island Gold to at least 2,400
tpd. On November 4th, 2024, Alamos announced that it expects to
conclude an Island Gold District LOM plan by mid-2025, followed by
an Island Gold District Expansion Study by the fourth quarter of
2025.
Alamos is also now considering a further
expansion of the Island Gold District in the future that would
potentially increase production from the underground operation,
over and above the Phase 3+ Expansion already underway. According
to Alamos, a further expansion of the Magino mill to 15,000 to
20,000 tpd will be evaluated, including possibly increasing
underground throughput sourced from Island Gold beyond the
currently planned 2,400 tpd.
Finally, the union of Island Gold and Magino
will continue to facilitate previously impossible exploration
initiatives, whereby Alamos sees potential to expand the Magino
open pit to the east, which was previously constrained by the
boundary between the two separately owned properties; drilling is
already underway.
Osisko owns a 1.38-3.0% net smelter return
(“NSR”) royalty on the Island Gold Mine. With the
district now fully consolidated, Alamos’ expanded and accelerated
Phase 3+ Expansion mine plan at Island Gold is anticipated to
transition a greater proportion of production towards Osisko’s 2%
and 3% NSR royalty boundaries earlier in the mine plan, as opposed
to the mineral inventory covered by Osisko’s current 1.38% NSR
royalty. A small portion of the eastern limit of the Magino pit is
also covered by the 3.0% NSR royalty owned by Osisko.
Éléonore Mine (operated by Newmont Corp.)
On November 25th, 2024, Newmont Corp.
(“Newmont”) announced that it has agreed to sell
its Éléonore operation in Northern Quebec, Canada, to Dhilmar Ltd
(“Dhilmar”) for US$795 million in cash
consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the first
quarter of 2025, subject to certain conditions being satisfied.
Dhilmar is a newly incorporated, UK-based private mining company.
The company is led by its CEO and Managing Director, Alexander
Ramlie, and supported by board members with decades of mining
experience across a range of commodities and with both surface and
underground operations. Mr. Ramlie and his team worked closely with
Newmont in 2016 to acquire the Batu Hijau copper-gold mine in
Indonesia on behalf of PT Amman Mineral Internasional Tbk.
Osisko has a 2.2-3.5% NSR royalty on Éléonore,
with a sliding scale based on production. The royalty starts at
2.0% for the first 3.0 million ounces of gold and increases by
0.25% per million ounces produced thereafter. If the spot gold
price exceeds US$500 per ounce, the rate is multiplied by 1.1. The
maximum rate is capped at 3.5%. As at October 31st, 2024, Éléonore
has produced over 2.46 million ounces of gold, resulting in a
current NSR royalty rate of 2.2%.
Seabee Mine (operated by SSR Mining Inc.)
On November 6th, 2024, SSR Mining Inc.
(“SSR Mining”) announced that gold production from
Seabee was 10,252 ounces in the third quarter of 2024, reflecting
the temporary suspension of operations at Seabee due to forest
fires. Following the temporary suspension, employees were cleared
to return to the site on September 23rd, 2024 to begin repairs to
ancillary equipment damaged by the fires, including power poles,
piping, and exploration equipment. Operations at Seabee were fully
reinstated on October 11, 2024. As a result, full-year 2024
production guidance for Seabee is now 65,000 to 70,000 ounces of
gold (previously 75,000 to 85,000 ounces of gold).
Osisko owns a 3.0% NSR royalty on Seabee,
including the Santoy, Porky, and Shane exploration targets.
Namdini Gold Mine (operated by Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd., a
majority-owned subsidiary of Shandong Gold Mining Co Ltd.)
On November 8th, 2024, Cardinal Namdini Mining
Ltd. (“Cardinal Namdini”) hosted a commissioning
ceremony for the Namdini Gold Mine in Ghana. Cardinal Namdini
reiterated that it is committed to becoming a leader in sustainable
mining. The event was honoured by the presence of the many esteemed
guests including: H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of
the Republic of Ghana; H.E. Tong Defa, Ambassador Extraordinary
& Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Ghana;
Mr. Han Yaodong, CEO of Shandong Gold Group; Kugbilsong
Nanlebeglang, Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area; and,
Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Ghana Minister for Lands & Natural
Resources. Subsequent to the commissioning update, news of first
gold being poured at Namdini was announced on November 11th,
2024.
Namdini has been developed as a single open-pit
mine feeding a conventional carbon-in-leach processing facility,
with mining expected to initially focus on a high-grade starter pit
area towards the north of the deposit.
Osisko owns a 1.0% NSR covering the Namdini Gold
Mine.
Dalgaranga Project (operated by Spartan
Resources Ltd.)
On November 25th, 2024, Spartan Resources Ltd.
(”Spartan”) announced that it has received
approvals from both the Department of Energy, Mines, Industry
Regulation and Safety and the Department of Water and Environment
Regulation for the mining and processing of underground ores at the
Dalgaranga Gold Project (“Dalgaranga”), along with
modifications to the mill. These approvals were an important step
towards the restart of Spartan’s 100%-owned Dalgaranga project
following the receipt of all key regulatory approvals required to
allow the mining and processing of underground ores to proceed.
On November 27th, 2024, Spartan also announced
that recent surface drilling has confirmed a significant new gold
discovery, named “Freak”, immediately south (110 meters) of the
Pepper Gold Deposit at Dalgaranga. Highlight intercepts included
5.37 grams per tonne (“g/t”) gold
(“Au”) over 10.26 meters (”m”),
and 5.30 g/t Au over 7.43 m, amongst others. Follow-up wedge holes
from the parent discovery hole have now returned multiple
high-grade intercepts in the new mineralized position, which
remains open down-plunge, sits in a similar orientation to the
Pepper and Never Never Gold Deposits and exhibits identical
alteration styles and mineralogy to the first two breakthrough
high-grade underground discoveries at Dalgaranga. This exciting new
discovery, which is currently the focus of an intensive
three-to-four diamond rig drilling program, represents the third
significant high-grade discovery made by Spartan at Dalgaranga
adjacent to the existing 2.5 million tonne per annum process plant
and supporting surface infrastructure. On September 30th, 2024,
Osisko announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire a
1.8% gross revenue royalty (“GRR”) on Dalgaranga
operated by Spartan in Western Australia. The consideration to be
paid by Osisko to the seller, Tembo Capital Mining Fund III, for
the GRR will total US$44 million (“the
Transaction”). Spartan has the ability to buy back up to
20% of the 1.8% GRR for a total of A$3.15 million until February
2027. Closing of the Transaction is subject to approval from
Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board which is expected in
the fourth quarter or 2024.
Hermosa Project (operated by South32 Ltd.)
In its September 2024 Quarterly Activities
Report published on October 20th, 2024, South32 Ltd.
(“South32”) announced that it had invested US$124
million at Hermosa during the September 2024 quarter. South32
progressed construction of the Taylor zinc-lead-silver project
(“Taylor”), as well as on an exploration decline
for the Clark battery-grade manganese deposit. All critical path
dewatering wells were also commissioned during the period.
Construction of Taylor continues to progress as
planned. The headframe for the main shaft has been completed and
commissioning of the hoisting system for the ventilation shaft is
underway. Shaft sinking is on track to commence in the December
2024 quarter. South32 is expecting to spend US$530 million at
Taylor in its fiscal year 2025. Taylor has an initial 28-year LOM
based on current Mineral Reserves, with the potential to realize
further exploration upside, and first production is still on
schedule for South32’s fiscal year 2027.
Osisko owns a 1.0% NSR royalty on zinc and lead
sulphide ores produced at Taylor / Hermosa.
Wharekirauponga Project (operated by OceanaGold
Ltd.)
On October 6th, 2024, OceanaGold Ltd.
(“OceanaGold”) announced that it welcomed the
inclusion of its Waihi North Project, which includes the
Wharekirauponga (“WKP”) proposed underground mine,
in the list of proposed projects under the New Zealand Government's
Fast-track Approvals Bill for regionally and nationally significant
infrastructure and development projects. The Fast-track Approvals
Bill is expected to be passed into law later this year, allowing
listed projects to apply directly to a government-appointed expert
panel for a final decision.
On November 14th, OceanaGold also reported
exploration results from drilling at WKP, located ~10 km from its
operating Waihi gold mine, where highlights included 34.7 g/t Au
over 4.2 m (true width), 16.8 g/t Au over 5.7 m, and 13.0 g/t Au
over 6.6 m. In addition, OceanaGold noted that it is planning to
release a Pre-Feasibility Study for the Waihi North Project (which
includes WKP), and its existing Waihi operation on December 11th,
2024.
Osisko owns a 2.0% NSR royalty on WKP.
Windfall Project (operated by Gold Fields
Limited)
On October 28th, 2024, Gold Fields Limited
(“Gold Fields”) announced the completion of the
acquisition of Osisko Mining Inc. following receipt of all
regulatory approvals and support from shareholders for the
transaction at the Osisko Mining Inc. shareholder meeting on
October 17th, 2024. At the time, Gold Fields CEO Mike Fraser
commented:
“Deposits of the scale and quality of Windfall
with highly prospective exploration camps are rare, particularly in
a world-class jurisdiction like Québec, Canada. This transaction
therefore marks an important step in our journey to continue
improving the quality of our portfolio. The key members of the
Windfall team are remaining with the project, and we look forward
to working with them and our Windfall business partners to develop
this truly exceptional asset. We are also looking forward to
partnering with our host communities, the Cree First Nation of
Waswanipi and the city of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, other local
communities, and the Québec Government to build the next major
mining complex in Québec.”
Osisko owns a 2.0-3.0% NSR royalty on the
Windfall Project and surrounding property.
Cariboo Project (operated by Osisko Development
Corp.)
On October 14th, 2024, Osisko Development Corp.
(“Osisko Development”) announced the successful
closing of a non-brokered private placement of units of the company
for aggregate gross proceeds of US$34.5 million. Following
this, and on November 12th, 2024, Osisko Development announced the
closing of an additional brokered private placement of units of the
company for aggregate gross proceeds of US$57.5 million.
Separately, and on November 20th, 2024, Osisko
Development announced the approval of the British Columbia
(“BC”) Mines Act permits for its 100%-owned
Cariboo Gold Project ("Cariboo") located in
central BC, Canada. The approval of these permits marks an
important milestone in enabling Osisko Development to move forward
with the construction and operation of the underground Cariboo Gold
Project, in parallel with Osisko Development’s ongoing discussions
and consultations with the Xatśūll First Nation. A decision for the
remaining Environmental Management Act permits referred to the
Statutory Decision Maker of the Ministry of Energy and Climate
Solutions is expected shortly.
Progress continues on the ongoing bulk sample
and underground development alongside the optimized Cariboo
feasibility study work, which are slated to be completed in the
first quarter of 2025 and second quarter of 2025, respectively. A
formal positive final investment decision and the engagement on a
project financing package in the coming months would allow for
full-scale construction to commence in the second half of 2025 with
a targeted completion date at the end of 2027.
Osisko owns a 5.0% NSR royalty on the Cariboo
property.
Altar (operated by Aldebaran Resources Inc.)
On November 25th, 2024, Aldebaran Resources Inc.
(“Aldebaran”) announced the results of an updated
Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) for Altar. This
updated MRE includes three main porphyry discoveries (Altar
Central, Altar East, and Altar United) reported within a single
conceptual open pit. Highlights included a Measured & Indicated
Mineral Resource of 2.40 billion tonnes grading 0.42% copper
(“Cu”), 0.07 g/t Au, 1.22 g/t silver
(“Ag”) and 42 parts per million
(“ppm”) molybdenum (“Mo”), and an
Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.22 billion tonnes grading 0.37% Cu,
0.04 g/t Au, 1.25 g/t Ag and 45 ppm Mo.Previous to this, and on
November 7th, 2024, Aldebaran announced that it had entered into an
option to joint venture agreement with Nuton Holdings Ltd.
(“Nuton”), a Rio Tinto venture, whereby Nuton can
acquire a 20% indirect interest in the Altar copper-gold project
(“Altar”) in San Juan, Argentina, by making staged
payments totaling US$250 Million.
Osisko owns a 1.0% NSR royalty on the majority
of Altar.
ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIO
UPDATES
1) |
On
November 29th, 2024, Osisko received its first Tocantinzinho
(“TZ”) royalty payment from G Mining Ventures
Corp. (“G Mining”). This was after G Mining
achieved commercial production at TZ on September 1st, 2024, and
also announced the production of 22,071 ounces of gold, as well as
17,144 ounces sold, during the third quarter ending September 30th,
2024. (0.75% NSR royalty) |
2) |
Eldorado Gold Corp. announced
that at Lamaque, the inaugural reserve at Ormaque is expected to be
announced by the end of 2024, and material for the bulk sample is
now being stockpiled in preparation for processing through the mill
in December 2024. (1.0% NSR royalty, including Ormaque) |
3) |
Minera Alamos Inc.
(“Minera Alamos”) announced that at its operating
Santana Gold Mine, mining and stacking operations during the first
full quarter (third quarter of 2024) of production from the new
Nicho Main Zone pit reached 3,800 ounces of gold which is in line
with Minera Alamos’ forecasts for the period, and an amount that
surpasses the total ounces mined and stacked for the entirety of
2023. (3.0% NSR royalty) |
4) |
Marimaca Copper Corp.
(“Marimaca”) announced a $68 million strategic
investment by Assore International Holdings
(“AIH”), including private placements totaling
$30.3 million by AIH. Completion of the Definitive Feasibility
Study for the Marimaca MOD Project remains on track for near-term
delivery in the first half of 2025. (1.0% NSR royalty) |
5) |
Calibre Mining Corp. announced
revised 2024 production guidance from its Nevada Operations,
including Pan, to be 34,000 to 36,000 ounces of gold vs. 40,000 to
45,000 ounces of gold, previously. (4.0% NSR royalty) |
6) |
Falco Resources Ltd. provided a
corporate update on its flagship Horne 5 Project located in
Rouyn-Noranda, Québec. Following the completion of the public
hearing process with the Office of Public Hearings on the
Environment (“BAPE”), Falco continues to file
documentation and provide responses to the BAPE, in view of the
completion of its report, which is due for submission to the
Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change,
Wildlife and Parks by December 26, 2024. (90-100% silver
stream) |
7) |
Talisker Resources Ltd. announced
an increased financing package for its 100%-owned Bralorne Gold
Project (“Bralorne”) in British Columbia;
aggregate proceeds of the entire financing package increased to
approximately $22.6 million, and will be used to continue
advancement of Bralorne, including the transition to underground
mining, and for general corporate purposes. (1.7% NSR royalty) |
8) |
U.S. GoldMining Inc. announced an
updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its 100%-owned Whistler
Gold-Copper Project in Alaska, U.S.A. Highlights included Indicated
Mineral Resources of 294.5 million tonnes grading 0.42 g/t Au,
0.16% Cu and 2.01 g/t Ag, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 198.2
million tonnes grading 0.52 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu and 1.81 g/t Ag.
(2.75% NSR royalty) |
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical content of this
news release has been reviewed and approved by Guy Desharnais,
Ph.D., P.Geo., Vice President, Project Evaluation at Osisko Gold
Royalties Ltd, who is a “qualified person” as defined by National
Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
(“NI 43-101”).
About Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd
Osisko is an intermediate precious metal royalty
company focused on the Americas that commenced activities in June
2014. Osisko holds a North American focused portfolio of over 185
royalties, streams and precious metal offtakes. Osisko’s portfolio
is anchored by its cornerstone asset, a 3-5% net smelter return
royalty on the Canadian Malartic Complex, which is home to one of
Canada’s largest gold mines.
Osisko’s head office is located at 1100 Avenue
des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Suite 300, Montréal, Québec,
H3B 2S2.
For further
information, please contact Osisko Gold Royalties
Ltd: |
Grant MoentingVice President, Capital MarketsTel: (514) 940-0670
x116Cell: (365) 275-1954Email: gmoenting@osiskogr.com |
Heather TaylorVice President, Sustainability and CommunicationsTel:
(514) 940-0670 x105Email: htaylor@osiskogr.com |
Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press
release may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of
applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking
statements are statements other than statements of historical fact,
that address, without limitation, future events, management’s
expectations on the growth of its asset base and expected
development on time and on budget of the projects and properties
underlying Osisko’s interests. Forward-looking statements are
statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not
always, identified by the words “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”,
“believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential”,
“scheduled” and similar expressions or variations (including
negative variations), or that events or conditions “will”, “would”,
“may”, “could” or “should” occur. Forward-looking statements are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors, most of which are beyond the control of Osisko, and actual
results may accordingly differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, without
limitation, (i) with respect to properties in which Osisko holds a
royalty, stream or other interest; risks related to: (a) the
operators of the properties, (b) timely development, permitting,
construction, commencement of production, ramp-up (including
operating and technical challenges), (c) differences in rate and
timing of production from resource estimates or production
forecasts by operators, (d) differences in conversion rate from
resources to reserves and ability to replace resources, (e) the
unfavorable outcome of any challenges or litigation relating title,
permit or license, (f) hazards and uncertainty associated with the
business of exploring, development and mining including, but not
limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical
conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural
disasters or civil unrest or other uninsured risks, (ii) with
respect to other external factors: (a) fluctuations in the prices
of the commodities that drive royalties, streams, offtakes and
investments held by Osisko, (b) fluctuations in the value of the
Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, (c) regulatory changes
by national and local governments, including permitting and
licensing regimes and taxation policies, regulations and political
or economic developments in any of the countries where properties
in which Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest are
located or through which they are held, (d) continued availability
of capital and financing and general economic, market or business
conditions, and (e) responses of relevant governments to infectious
diseases outbreaks and the effectiveness of such response and the
potential impact of such outbreaks on Osisko’s business, operations
and financial condition; (iii) with respect to internal factors:
(a) business opportunities that may or not become available to, or
are pursued by Osisko, (b) the integration of acquired assets or
(c) the determination of Osisko’s PFIC status (d) that financial
information may be subject to year-end adjustments. The
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable,
including, without limitation: the absence of significant change in
Osisko’s ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its
PFIC status, and the absence of any other factors that could cause
actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated,
estimated or intended and, with respect to properties in which
Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest, (i) the ongoing
operation of the properties by the owners or operators of such
properties in a manner consistent with past practice and with
public disclosure (including forecast of production), (ii) the
accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or
operators of such underlying properties (including expectations for
the development of underlying properties that are not yet in
production), (iii) no adverse development in respect of any
significant property, (iv) that statements and estimates relating
to mineral reserves and resources by owners and operators are
accurate and (v) the implementation of an adequate plan for
integration of acquired assets.
For additional information on risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to the most recent
Annual Information Form of Osisko filed on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov which also provides
additional general assumptions in connection with these statements.
Osisko cautions that the foregoing list of risk and uncertainties
is not exhaustive. Investors and others should carefully consider
the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and
the risk they entail. Osisko believes that the assumptions
reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but
no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be
accurate as actual results and prospective events could materially
differ from those anticipated such the forward-looking statements
and such forward-looking statements included in this press release
are not guarantee of future performance and should not be unduly
relied upon. In this press release, Osisko relies on
information publicly disclosed by other issuers and third parties
pertaining to its assets and, therefore, assumes no liability for
such third-party public disclosure. These statements speak
only as of the date of this press release. Osisko undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law.
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