(TSX: SRHI) - SRHI Inc. ("
SRHI"
or the "
Company" - formerly Sprott Resource
Holdings Inc.) is pleased to announce that the Company's 70% owned
producing copper mine in Salamanca, Chile, Minera Tres Valles
("
MTV") has commenced the construction and
development of its Papomono Masivo underground deposit. The Company
also announces its operating and financial results for the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company's financial
statements and management's discussion and analysis
("
MD&A") are available at www.srhi.ca and
www.sedar.com.
- Desarrollos
Mineros Aura SpA (“Aura”) selected as contractor
for the construction and development of Papomono Masivo
- MTV emerges
successfully from creditor protection with support from 100% of
MTV’s senior secured lenders (the "Lenders") and
93% of the unsecured creditors
- The customary
documentation ("Customary Documentation") as
required under the Judicial Reorganization Agreement
("JRA") is nearing completion clearing hurdles to
additional financial support – funding currently in progress
- MTV agreed to
sell 40% of its copper production at $2.89 per pound for 24 months
ending July 2022 under its offtake agreement providing stability of
cash flow during its construction and development phase
“Since the JRA was approved at the end of August
and MTV successfully emerged from creditor protection, our teams
have been working to both secure an underground contractor and to
complete the customary documentation to fulfill the requirements of
the JRA,” stated Michael Staresinic, President and Chief Financial
Officer. “The Company, together with MTV, have executed the
remaining amending agreements allowing for the final Chilean
processes to be completed. Our contractor, Aura, has already begun
mobilizing their equipment at site and we expect this to be
completed in the next couple of weeks.”
Mr. Staresinic continued, "This past quarter was
a challenging yet rewarding period for the Company. With the
support of its creditors, MTV emerged from creditor protection in
August providing it with the future financial flexibility to
execute the construction and development of the Papomono Masivo
incline block caving project. The incline block caving project is
undoubtedly the most important part of MTV's future success."
Luis Vega, Chief Executive Officer of MTV,
stated, “Our recent partnership with Aura to construct and develop
Papomono Masivo is an important step in unlocking MTV’s value. Aura
is a well-known and reputable mining contractor properly qualified
to execute this project. The next 12 months are critical to MTV’s
success and we believe that with Aura as our partner, we will be
effective in executing the construction and development of Papomono
Masivo."
"We will take the remainder of the year to
complete the budget and our guidance for 2021," commented Terry
Lyons, Interim Chief Executive Officer of SRHI. "However, we do
expect that with the completion of the Customary Documentation, the
construction of the Papomono Masivo incline block caving project
will be underway before the end of the year and our Don Gabriel
open pit mine restarted shortly thereafter."
Mr. Lyons continued, “At the end of the first
quarter of 2020, the Company reacted to COVID-19 and modified its
operations which included updating short-term mine plans to focus
on easily accessible, higher grade material which can be mined at a
lower strip ratio and creating a lower operating cost environment
which would be sustainable in a depressed copper price environment.
The copper price during the third quarter remained above our
expectations and we are encouraged it will continue as we restart
operations in early 2021."
Business Update
Emergence by MTV from Creditor Protection
COVID-19 contributed to the decision to file for
creditors' protection for MTV in May 2020.
On August 24, 2020, the Company announced that
creditors of MTV approved the JRA in Chile with support from 100%
of the Lenders and 93% of the unsecured creditors. This support
provides a solution that is expected to generate sufficient
liquidity and flexibility to finance operations into 2021 and 2022
when mining operations are expected to generate sufficient cash
flow. As a result of the JRA, a significant portion of MTV's
accounts payable and accrued liabilities were converted to
long-term debt (the "Unsecured Debt") and
additional commitments by both the Lenders and the Company were
made subject to the completion of Customary Documentation. Upon the
completion of the Customary Documentation, the terms of the
Lenders' secured prepayment facility (the
"Facility") will be amended (the "Amended
Facility").
A summary of the financial commitments arising
from the JRA, both in effect and pending, is as follows:
SRHI Inc. to Provide $10 Million to MTV by June
2021
- Up to $10
million secured second ranking debt to be financed from the
Company’s cash resources (the “SRHI New
Loan”)
- May be drawn
down by MTV over the next 12 months
- Principal and
interest subordinated to the Facility and New Senior Debt (defined
below)
- Expected payback
beginning 2025
- Fulfills (and
will reduce, pro-rata) the Company’s $10 million corporate
guarantee provided under the Facility agreement (the
“Facility Agreement”) entered into between the
Lenders, MTV and the Company in December 2019
- No dilution to
the Company’s 70% equity holding of MTV
Lenders Amend Facility Agreement Terms and
Commit to Additional $6 Million
- Immediate
release of $7 million of cash, currently restricted by the Lenders
pursuant to the Facility Agreement, to support MTV’s operations
(effective August 24, 2020)
- Extension of the
Facility Agreement’s maturity by 12 months to December 2024
- Extension of the
Facility Agreement’s commencement for principal repayments by 12
months to begin March 31, 2022
- Extension by 18
months of the requirement to pay 50% of interest under the Facility
Agreement. Full interest payments begin March 31, 2022
- Up to $6 million
of new senior debt (“New Senior Debt”) to have
substantially the same security and terms as currently contemplated
in the Facility Agreement (with some amendments)
- The New Senior
Debt is to be made available to MTV, if needed, after SRHI has
fully advanced the SRHI New Loan
Unsecured Creditors Convert Amounts Owed to
Unsecured Debt
- Effective August
24, 2020, Unsecured Debt amounting to approximately $17 million
converted from accounts payable of MTV to long-term debt
(“Unsecured Term
Debt”)
- Effective August
24, 2020, Unsecured Debt amounting to approximately $5 million
converted from accounts payable of MTV to subordinated long-term
debt ("Subordinated Debt") to be repaid only after
all amounts due to the Lenders and unsecured creditors are fully
repaid
- Principal and
interest repayment grace period for Unsecured Term Debt – first
payment to begin March 31, 2022
- 50% of Unsecured
Term Debt to be repaid in 13 quarterly payments beginning March 31,
2022
- Remaining 50% of
Unsecured Term Debt to be repaid on June 30, 2025
- Annual interest
rate of New Unsecured Debt is 5%
- Opportunity for
accelerated prepayments
- Subordinated
Debt and Unsecured Term Debt totaling approximately $7 million is
due to Vecchiola S.A, a related party to the minority Shareholder
of MTV.
As a result of MTV filing for creditor
protection in May 2020, the TSX is reviewing the eligibility of the
Company’s securities for continued listing on the TSX. If the
Company cannot demonstrate that it meets applicable TSX
requirements on or before December 4, 2020, the Company’s
securities will be delisted 30 days from such date. In the event
that the Company is required to delist, the Company anticipates
having alternatives for providing shareholders a platform to
transact which may include a listing on the TSX Venture Exchange or
NEX Exchange. The Company expects that upon the successful
completion of the Customary Documentation, the TSX will conclude
its delisting review supporting the Company's continued listing on
the TSX.
Construction and Development of Papomono
Masivo
On November 8, 2018, the Company announced its
results from a series of technical studies (the “Technical
Studies”) on MTV that was consolidated into a NI 43-101
compliant technical report (the “Technical
Report”) that was filed on December 14, 2018. The
Technical Studies were completed by Amec Foster Wheeler, a Wood
company (“Wood”) along with contributions from
independent consulting firms that included:
- Mineral resource
and mineral reserve estimates for the Papomono deposits; and,
- Preliminary
Feasibility Study (“PFS”) for the underground
exploitation of the Papomono Masivo mine zone.
The Technical Studies concluded that a total
capital cost of US$21 million would be required for the PEA (the
“PEA Case”) to ramp-up operations to approximately
18,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathodes within 24 months
together with an additional $31 million of sustaining/development
capital costs. Upfront capital costs of $7.8 million and
sustaining/development capital costs of $6.7 million were
identified for the Papomono Masivo project in the PEA Case.
In early 2020, the Company completed additional
detailed engineering work to optimize certain aspects of the
construction and development of the Papomono Masivo deposit. This
additional work was the basis for the negotiation of the Aura
contract that has a value of $11.4 million based on the most recent
specifications obtained from this detailed engineering study. The
majority of this $11.4 million is considered upfront capital costs
compared to the $7.8 million identified in the Technical
Studies.
In the last 10 years alone, Aura has completed
contracts for Codelco El Teniente, Codelco Andina, Minera Los
Pelambres, Antogafasta Minerals, Minera Nova Ventura, Minera Las
Cenizas, Yamana Gold, Endesa, Colbun, among others. It has
accumulated construction of over 95,800 meters of tunnels, 348,300
cubic meters of excavations, 221,300 square meters of mesh
fortifications, and 2,600 tonnes of assembled structures.
Under the base case mine plan (the “Base
Case”), the mineral reserve estimate for Papomono Masivo
is 2,559kt of proven mineral reserves (at a copper grade of 1.51%)
and 508kt of probable mineral reserves (at a copper grade of 1.48%)
for a total of 3,067kt of proven and probable mineral reserves.
The construction and development of Papomono
Masivo is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021
with initial ore production beginning during the third quarter of
2021. For the remainder of 2020, MTV will be focusing on processing
ore in its current inventory, increasing its tolling business and
accelerating the processing of ore supplied by third-party miners.
Beginning in 2021, MTV intends to reopen its Don Gabriel open pit
mine for approximately 1 year while simultaneously constructing the
Papomono Masivo underground mine.
COVID-19
During the quarter, COVID-19 had a limited
impact on both the Company and MTV. There were no cases of COVID-19
reported and the necessary precautions to manage and mitigate the
risks related to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the necessary
safeguards to maintain the health and safety of our employees,
contractors and communities continues. As a result of COVID-19 and
the creditor protection process, MTV undertook immediate and
significant measures that continued throughout the third quarter
reflecting a care and maintenance mining program. Although
operating in a reduced state, MTV still produced 2.4 million pounds
of copper cathodes in the third quarter.
With the successful emergence by MTV from
creditor protection, restarting operations is expected in early
2021.
Chile's Drought and Social Unrest
Chile entered the rainy season in the second
quarter that provided adequate amounts of water to comfortably
sustain and expand operations, if necessary. During the first
quarter, the province of Coquimbo, where the mine is located, was
suffering from the most severe drought in 60 years, which affected
fluid flow through the heaps and impacted copper
production. At times, the flow of water from various sources
including the Choapa River, was not sufficient to fulfill MTV's
water rights necessitating production curtailment.
At the beginning of the second quarter, MTV was
able to secure water sources that currently yield the required
water flows to maintain its revised planned operations. The early
rains received from the start of this rainy season have helped MTV
and the surrounding areas that were in desperate need for water.
There is currently no water supply issues affecting MTV's mining
operations. However, should drought conditions or water supply
challenges reappear in the foreseeable future, further adjustments
to the operations at MTV may be required.
In October 2019, social unrest in Chile erupted
throughout the country. Deaths, vandalism and looting were reported
in Santiago and other regions of the country. As of
September 30, 2020, the social unrest had retreated as
COVID-19 became the focus of the country but its impacts on Chile's
economy continue. This geopolitical uncertainty and the current
global economic uncertainties has reduced the attractiveness of
Chile as an investment destination for capital providers.
Operational Update
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
Operating information |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Sept. 30, 2019 |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Sept. 30, 2019 |
Copper (MTV Operations) |
|
|
|
|
Total ore mined (thousands of tonnes) |
49 |
|
|
345 |
|
351 |
|
|
897 |
|
Grade of ore mined (% Cu) |
0.88 |
|
% |
0.73 |
% |
0.86 |
|
% |
0.66 |
% |
Total waste mined (thousands of tonnes) |
118 |
|
|
1,442 |
|
853 |
|
|
4,518 |
|
Ore Processed (thousands of tonnes) |
90 |
|
|
404 |
|
474 |
|
|
1,069 |
|
Cu Production (tonnes) |
1,077 |
|
|
1,646 |
|
3,789 |
|
|
5,176 |
|
Cu Production (thousands of pounds) |
2,374 |
|
|
3,628 |
|
8,353 |
|
|
11,412 |
|
Change in inventory ($000s) |
(11 |
) |
|
2,787 |
|
(4,421 |
) |
|
10,809 |
|
Cash cost of copper produced 1 (USD per pound) |
$ |
2.16 |
|
|
$ |
2.77 |
|
$ |
2.68 |
|
|
$ |
2.61 |
|
Realized copper price 1 (USD per pound) |
$ |
2.82 |
|
|
$ |
2.51 |
|
$ |
2.46 |
|
|
$ |
2.66 |
|
1 Refer to Non-IFRS Performance
Measures
During the three months ended September 30,
2020, the mining operation continued to run in a modified capacity,
consistent with the second quarter of 2020. While MTV continued to
releach rehandled ore from its leach pads, two open pit mines
remained idled and only the smaller Rajo Norte open pit continued
to run. Supplemental ore was also contributed by third parties and
ENAMI. The higher grades and faster leaching of the oxide ores
provided by these sources are a better contribution based on the
reduced production profile. There was very limited activity at the
Papomono underground site as it was principally in care and
maintenance.
Cost per pound produced decreased to $2.16 for
the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $2.77 for the
three months ended September 30, 2019 primarily as a result of cost
savings created by the change in mine sequencing and modifications
made to the operations. Cost per pound produced increased to $2.68
for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $2.61 for
the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The increase in cost per
pound is driven primarily by the write-down in inventory taken in
the first quarter of 2020.
Total ore and waste tonnes mined decreased
compared to the same quarter in the prior year (167 thousand tonnes
in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 1.8
million tonnes in the three months ended September 30, 2019). This
is largely due to a significant decrease in tonnes of waste moved
in the third quarter of 2020 (118 thousand tonnes compared to 1.4
million tonnes for the three months ended September 30, 2019).
During the first quarter of 2020, the contractor for Don Gabriel
demobilized and the mine was put on care and maintenance.
Ore mined decreased in the current quarter
compared to the same quarter in the prior year (49 thousand tonnes
in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 345
thousand tonnes in the three months ended September 30, 2019). This
was driven by a change in mine sequencing as the majority of MTV's
operation was on care and maintenance during the current quarter
and focused on more economic oxide ore which has a shorter leaching
cycle and helps produce higher production during this time.
Production for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of 1,077
tonnes of copper cathodes was lower than the three months ended
September 30, 2019 of 1,646 tonnes. The impact on copper production
was largely driven by:
- a modified, reduced mine plan
- reduced ore processing and
sub-optimal reagents in the heap leach
- downtime to the mining operation
during the quarter due to inclement weather
- periodic
shortages of equipment, critical materials and supplies such as
explosives, fuel and sulfuric acid affected both mine and plant
production
Salt Leach Project
Salt Leaching involves adding rock salt (NaCl)
in the agglomeration stage of the crushing plant allowing the mixed
sulphide and oxide material to cure in the heap for at least 30
days before application of sulphuric acid. The oxidation of
sulphide material in the heaps is expected to improve copper
recoveries by approximately 8%, reduce acid consumption, and
decrease the leach time by approximately 40%. Unfortunately, the
drought conditions experienced in Chile had a negative effect on
MTV's leaching operations near the end of 2019 and continued into
the first half of 2020 with the operation not having enough
solution available to irrigate all the ore being placed on the
leach pads. Chile entered the rainy season in the second quarter
that provided adequate amounts of water to comfortably sustain and
expand operations, if necessary. The early rains received from the
start of this rainy season have helped MTV and the surrounding
areas that were in desperate need for water. The higher levels of
water will be required to support a ramp up of tonnes added to the
Salt Leach and during the third quarter, MTV did not experience any
water supply issues. Beginning in September 2020, MTV began
increasing the addition of salt with the goal of reaching design
parameters by early 2021. However, should drought conditions or
water supply challenges reappear in the foreseeable future, further
adjustments to the operations at MTV may be required.
Production
During the third quarter of 2020, MTV produced
2.4 million pounds of 99.99% pure copper cathodes at a cash cost of
$2.16 per pound (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures) and sold 1.9
million pounds at an average sales price of $2.82 per pound. MTV
had approximately $1.9 million of finished goods inventory at
September 30, 2020.
Total material crushed in the three months ended
September 30, 2020 was 90 thousand tonnes primarily from operations
at the smaller Rajo Norte open pit mine. This compares to 404
thousand tonnes in the three months ended September 30, 2019 as
operations in the current quarter remained primarily in care and
maintenance.
Don Gabriel was historically the largest
contributor of ore to MTV and together with other ancillary
deposits, ore movement during the last six months in 2019 was more
than 100,000 tonnes per month, a first for MTV. The first three
months of 2020 were impacted by several external forces resulting
in production levels averaging approximately 54,000 tonnes per
month from Don Gabriel. During the first quarter of 2020, Don
Gabriel was idled and remained that way through the third quarter.
It is expected that operations at the Don Gabriel open pit mine
will restart in the first quarter of 2021.
For similar reasons, ore production from the
Papomono underground mine was curtailed at the end of the first
quarter of 2020 and remained that way through the third quarter,
extracting minimal ore as a part of care and maintenance. A large
component of ore production growth remains part of the long-term
mine plan which will come from the higher-grade Papomono Masivo
deposit beginning in late 2021. MTV plans to begin construction and
development of the incline block caving of Papomono Masivo before
the end of this year, and following a 12 month construction phase,
is expected to ultimately generate underground production in excess
of 2,000 tonnes per day while halving unit-mining costs.
Production in the third quarter of 2020 was the
lowest this year due to the mine idling described above. With the
approval of the JRA and near completion of the Customary
Documentation, MTV is finalizing its mine sequencing for 2021 that
is likely to include the restart of Don Gabriel while Papomono
Masivo is under construction and development. For the remainder of
2020, MTV will continue to produce copper cathodes from its
existing inventory, its tolling business and the processing of
third-party ore.
Capital Cost Expenditures
Capital expenditures for the nine months ended
September 30, 2020 amounted to $1.1 million and were primarily
pre-stripping waste rock at Don Gabriel in the first quarter in
preparation of the next mining phases, mining equipment and final
costs relating to the Salt Leach project. There were limited
capital expenditures for the three months ended September 30, 2020.
With the planned construction and development of Papomono Masivo
beginning before the end of 2020, the Company expects capital
expenditures for 2021 and the remainder of 2020 to increase
substantially.
Health and Safety
For the three months ended September 30, 2020,
there were no Lost-Time Incidents. The Company and MTV devote
considerable time and effort to ensure that our workers and
contractors return safely to their families after each shift. Our
safety statistics are monitored and compared to the country and
peer averages, and MTV pro-actively engages in education and
assessment to achieve a goal of zero lost-time incidents.
Community and Environment
MTV works with the local communities, and the
MTV Foundation continued the funding of projects agreed by the MTV
Foundation board, which is largely composed of community
representatives to help MTV understand the true needs of its
neighbors, such as starting an eco-friendly cooperative at a local
school. MTV’s ore purchase program ensures support from local
miners, buying ore from over 26 providers and supporting the
development of over 300 small-scale miners through local mining
unions.
Financial Results
Update
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
Financial information (in thousands) |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Sept. 30, 2019 |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Sept. 30, 2019 |
Revenue |
$ |
5,610 |
|
|
$ |
9,650 |
|
|
$ |
17,700 |
|
|
$ |
26,336 |
|
|
Gross loss |
$ |
(552 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,259 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,546 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,922 |
) |
|
Net loss from continuing operations |
$ |
(335 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,619 |
) |
|
$ |
(21,167 |
) |
|
$ |
(23,949 |
) |
|
Net loss from discontinued operations |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(374 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,241 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,428 |
) |
|
Net loss for the period |
$ |
(335 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,993 |
) |
|
$ |
(23,408 |
) |
|
$ |
(26,377 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations 1 |
$ |
(2,279 |
) |
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
$ |
(3,819 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,683 |
) |
|
Loss on portfolio investments |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(3,419 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,294 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,578 |
) |
|
Impairment of non-current assets |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
(7,628 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
Reversal (write-down) of inventory |
$ |
665 |
|
|
$ |
(1,194 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,441 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,059 |
) |
|
Gain on modification of debt |
$ |
3,487 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
Cash used in operating activities before working capital
changes |
$ |
(1,097 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,412 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,412 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,548 |
) |
|
1 |
Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures |
Financial Results Summary
Revenues of $5.6 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2020 were generated predominantly from the sale
of copper cathodes and, to a lesser extent, tolling charges for
mineralized material supplied by ENAMI. Finished goods inventory at
September 30, 2020 was approximately $1.9 million. Copper
cathodes sold for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of 858
tonnes was lower than the comparative quarter in 2019 of 1,653
tonnes. This was driven by the modified operations implemented in
2020 which has reduced operating volumes compared to 2019.
Tonnes of copper sold during the three months
ended September 30, 2020 were 795 tonnes lower than the three
months ended September 30, 2019 but the favourable price variance
mitigated the impact on the gross loss with an increase in realized
price from $2.51 per pound for the three months ended September 30,
2019 to $2.82 per pound for the three months ended September 30,
2020.
During the three months ended September 30,
2020, MTV and the offtake provider (one of the Lenders) agreed and
executed an increase to the fixed price portion originally agreed
to in the offtake agreement from 25% to 40%. MTV has contracted to
sell 40% of its expected copper cathode production at $2.89 per
pound from August 2020 to July 2022. This stability of cash inflow
for the next 2 years provides a degree of certainty for the
business during its construction and production ramp-up phases.
The Company reported a quarterly net loss of
$0.3 million or $(0.01) per share. This result includes a reversal
of a previous write-down of current inventory of $0.7 million and a
non-cash gain on a modification of debt of $3.5 million. The
modification of debt represents the difference in accounting
treatment upon the conversion of a significant portion of MTV's
accounts payable and accrued liabilities to long-term debt as
agreed to under the JRA. Adjusted EBITDA (see Non-IFRS Financial
Measures) from continuing operations for the three months ended
September 30, 2020 was negative $2.3 million or $(0.07) per share.
For the comparable quarter in 2019, the Company reported a net loss
of $9.0 million or $(0.26) per share and Adjusted EBITDA from
continuing operations of positive $51 thousand or $0.00 per share.
The net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2020 is lower
than the previous period in 2019 as the Company recognized a
reversal of a previous write-down of current inventory of $0.7
million and a gain on modification of debt of $3.5 million in the
current quarter compared to a write-down of inventory of $1.2
million and a loss on portfolio investments of $3.4 million in the
comparable quarter of the prior year.
In the first three quarters of 2020, the Company
reported a net loss of $23.4 million or $(0.70) per share. This
result includes a loss on sale from discontinued operations of $2.2
million, impairment charges of $7.6 million, an inventory
write-down of $3.4 million, gain on modification of debt of $3.5
million and a loss on portfolio investments of $1.3 million.
Adjusted EBITDA (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures) from continuing
operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was
negative $3.8 million or $(0.11) per share. For the comparable
quarters in 2019, the Company reported a net loss of $26.4 million
or $(0.77) per share and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations
of negative $4.7 million or $(0.14) per share.
In the first three quarters of 2020, cash used
in operating activities was $2.4 million (cash used of $4.4 million
before changes in non-cash components of working capital), compared
with the first three quarters of 2019 when cash used in operating
activities was $4.3 million (cash used of $5.5 million before
changes in non-cash components of working capital).
At September 30, 2020, the Company had a
consolidated working capital deficiency of $23.7 million primarily
as a result of the entire balance of the Facility presented as
current liabilities. The re-categorization of a large portion of
this facility balance to long-term debt is expected in the last
quarter of 2020. Should all of the obligations under the JRA have
been satisfied as at September 30, 2020, the working capital
of the Company would have been $20.9 million.
The gross loss for the three months ended
September 30, 2020 was $0.6 million. Compared to the first two
quarters of 2020, total costs have decreased due to cost saving
initiatives which included reductions in headcount, idling two
mining operations and operating only the smaller Rajo Norte open
pit, modifying plant shift schedules, purchasing high grade third
party ore and maintaining tolling of ENAMI ore which are higher
oxide ore and have a faster leach cycle.
Cash Position
Cash and cash equivalents increased to $15.1
million at September 30, 2020 from $11.6 million at
December 31, 2019 as the Company realized proceeds on the
disposition of two Portfolio Investments, recorded the release of
restricted cash of $7.0 million and MTV utilized its opening cash
balance to support the project's operations including capital
expenditures of $1.1 million during the nine months ended September
30, 2020. The majority of cash resided at the Company level and
amounted to $10.9 million at September 30, 2020.
Investment Portfolio Divestment
The Company continues to work on its divestment
strategies for its Investment Portfolio. During the three months
ended September 30, 2020, there were no dispositions of portfolio
investments.
Management expects that the remainder of the
Investment Portfolio could be divested in the first half of
2021.
Qualified Persons
The scientific and technical content contained
in this news release is taken from the Technical Report entitled
“Minera Tres Valles Copper Project, Salamanca, Coquimbo Region,
Chile NI 43-101 Technical Report” prepared by Dr Antonio Luraschi,
RM CMC, Manager of Metallurgic Development and Senior Financial
Analyst, Wood, Mr Sergio Navarrete, RM CMC, Mining Engineer, Wood,
Mr Alfonso Ovalle, RM CMC, Mining Engineer, Wood, Mr Michael G.
Hester, FAusIMM, Vice President and Principal Mining Engineer,
Independent Mining Consultants, Inc., Mr Enrique Quiroga, RM CMC,
Mining Engineer, Q&Q Ltda, Mr Gabriel Vera, RM CMC,
Metallurgical Process Consultant, GVMetallurgy, and Mr Sergio
Alvarado, RM CMC, Consultant Geologist, General Manager and
Partner, Geoinvestment Sergio Alvarado Casas E.I.R.L. all of whom
are independent qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101. The
Technical Report is available under the Company’s profile on
www.SEDAR.com. Readers are encouraged to read the Technical Report
in its entirety.
Notes on Preliminary Economic
Assessments
Please note that the PEA Case is preliminary in
nature, that it includes inferred mineral resources that are
considered too speculative geologically to have the economic
considerations applied to them that would enable them to be
categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the
PEA Case will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral
reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
About MTV
MTV is an operating mining complex located 300
kilometers northeast of Santiago, Chile in Region IV near the town
of Salamanca. MTV comprises two main deposits: Papomono
(underground) and Don Gabriel (open pit). The mine is currently
operating and producing high-grade copper cathode. The mine has
significant infrastructure in place with a crushing and processing
plant with nameplate capacity of 7,000 and 6,000 tonnes per day,
respectively. The plant is designed to produce up to 18,500 tonnes
per annum of LME Grade 99.999% copper cathodes. For more
information about MTV, please
visit http://www.mineratresvalles.com.
About SRHI Inc.
SRHI is a publicly-listed company based in
Toronto and its principal operating business is its 70% equity
interest in the producing copper mine MTV in Salamanca, Chile. For
more information about SRHI, please visit www.srhi.ca.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
"Cash costs", "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Working
Capital" are non-IFRS financial performance measures. Further
details on non-IFRS measures are provided in the MD&A
accompanying SRHI financial statements filed from time-to-time on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this news release, contain
forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as the
"Forward-Looking Statements") within the meaning
of applicable Canadian securities laws. The use of any of the words
"expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will",
"project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar
expressions are intended to identify Forward-Looking Statements. In
particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release
contains Forward-Looking Statements pertaining to: the potential
for positive outcomes as a result of the completion of the
Customary Documentation and the timing for certainty of such
outcomes; completion of the outstanding terms of the JRA and the
terms thereof; expectations regarding the $10 million guarantee and
its expected drawdown; expected timelines for drawdown and
repayment of indebtedness of MTV; expectations regarding the costs,
timing and benefits of constructing and mining Papomono Masivo and
MTV's plan during the construction period; MTV's focus for the
remainder of 2020 and the expected reopening of the Don Gabriel
mine and the timing thereof, sustainability of the mine plan at
MTV; expectations regarding refinancing of MTV; impacts of COVID-19
and the Company’s and MTV’s precautions to manage and mitigate
same; the potential for the Company’s guarantee of MTV’s
indebtedness to be called upon; the expectation for additional
capital to be provided by the Company to MTV as well as the
quantity, timing and use thereof by MTV; expectations regarding
production following construction and ability and timing of
generation of cash flow; the future of the Company’s stock exchange
listing and alternatives in respect thereof; the future
availability of water to MTV’s operations; expectations regarding
the costs, timing and benefits of the Salt Leach; the long-term
mine plan at Papomono and the timing in respect of production
growth therefrom; future block caving efforts and the expected
benefits therefrom and timing thereof; expectations for an Amended
Facility and timing thereof; and anticipated divestitures of the
remaining Investment Portfolio and timing thereof.
Although SRHI believes that the Forward-Looking
Statements are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future
results, performance or achievements. A number of factors or
assumptions have been used to develop the Forward-Looking
Statements, including: there being no additional significant
disruptions affecting the development and operation of MTV; the
availability of certain consumables (including water) and services
and the prices for power and other key supplies being approximately
consistent with assumptions in the Technical Studies; labour and
materials costs being approximately consistent with assumptions in
the Technical Studies; fixed operating costs being approximately
consistent with assumptions in the Technical Studies; permitting
and arrangements with stakeholders being consistent with current
expectations as outlined in the Technical Studies; certain tax
rates, including the allocation of certain tax attributes, being
applicable to MTV; the availability of financing for MTV’s planned
development activities; assumptions made in mineral resource and
mineral reserve estimates and the financial analysis based on the
mineral reserve estimate and in the case of the Preliminary
Economic Assessment, the mineral resource estimate, including (as
applicable), but not limited to, geological interpretation, grades,
commodity price assumptions, metallurgical performance, extraction
and mining recovery rates, hydrological and hydrogeological
assumptions, capital and operating cost estimates, and general
marketing, political, business and economic conditions, the
continued availability of quality management, critical accounting
estimates, successful completion of the Customary Documentation,
all terms of the JRA will be satisfied, existing water supply will
continue, supplemental water availability will continue, the
construction and expansion of mining operations including the
Papomono Masivo incline block caving underground mining project, as
well as the timing thereof and production therefrom; the timing for
the expected reopening of the Don Gabriel mine; expected timelines
for drawdown and repayment of indebtedness of MTV; and SRHI will
not be delisted from the TSX.
Actual results, performance or achievements
could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the
Forward-Looking Statements should assumptions underlying the
Forward-Looking Statements prove incorrect or should one or more
risks or other factors materialize, including: (i) possible
variations in grade or recovery rates; (ii) copper price
fluctuations and uncertainties; (iii) delays in obtaining
governmental approvals or financing; (iv) risks associated with the
mining industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development,
exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect
to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the
uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to mineral
reserves, production, costs and expenses; and labour, health,
safety and environmental risks) and risks associated with the other
portfolio companies' industries in general; (v) performance of the
counterparty to the ENAMI Tolling Contract; (vi) risks associated
with investments in emerging markets; (vii) general economic,
market and business conditions; (viii) market volatility that would
affect the ability to enter or exit investments; (ix) failure to
secure additional financing in the future on acceptable terms to
the Company, if at all; (x) commodity price fluctuations and
uncertainties; (xi) failure to successfully complete the Customary
Documentation; (xii) risks associated with catastrophic events,
manmade disasters, terrorist attacks, wars and other conflicts, or
an outbreak of a public health pandemic or other public health
crises, including COVID-19; (xiii) those risks disclosed under the
heading "Risk Management" in SRHI’s Management’s Discussion and
Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2019 or SRHI's 2020 Second
Quarter Report; and (xiv) those risks disclosed under the heading
"Risk Factors" or incorporated by reference into SRHI’s Annual
Information Form dated March 24, 2020. See also the cautionary
language under “Notes on Preliminary Economic Assessments” above.
The Forward-Looking Statements speak only as of the date hereof,
unless otherwise specifically noted, and SRHI does not assume any
obligation to publicly update any Forward-Looking Statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as may be expressly required by applicable Canadian
securities laws.
Cautionary Note to United States
Investors Concerning Estimates of measured, indicated and inferred
mineral resources
This news release may use the terms "measured",
"indicated" and "inferred" mineral resources. United States
investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and
required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred mineral
resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their
existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It
cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral
resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian
rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the
basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States
investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of
measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into
mineral reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to
assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists
or is economically or legally mineable.
For further information:
Michael StaresinicPresident and Chief Financial
OfficerT: (416) 943-7107E: mstaresinic@srhi.ca
Source: SRHI Inc.