(All dollar amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise
indicated)
TSXV: MTA
NYSE American: MTA
VANCOUVER, BC, March 26, 2021 /CNW/ - Metalla Royalty
& Streaming Ltd. ("Metalla" or the
"Company") (TSXV: MTA) (NYSE American: MTA) announces its
operating and financial results for the seven months ended
December 31, 2020. Metalla has also
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") its SEC Annual Report on Form 40-F for the seven
months ended December 31, 2020. The
Form 40-F includes the Company's Annual Information Form, audited
financial statements and management's discussion & analysis for
the seven months ended December 31,
2020. For complete details of the consolidated financial
statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis
for the seven months ended December 31,
2020, please see the Company's filings on SEDAR
(www.sedar.com) or on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Shareholders are
encouraged to visit the Company's website at
http://www.metallaroyalty.com/.
Metalla shareholders may receive a hard copy of the Company's
complete audited financial statements for the seven months ended
December 31, 2020, free of charge,
upon request. For further information please visit the Company
website at https://www.metallaroyalty.com/financial-reports/.
Brett Heath, President, and
CEO of Metalla, commented, "2020 represented another very
successful year for Metalla shareholders. We completed a record of
7 transactions adding 18 high-quality accretive royalties. We added
two producing assets with the Wharf and Higginsville royalties, two
royalties that capture maximum optionality with Cortez and
Fosterville, and more than a dozen
others that provide growth, exploration upside, diversification,
and further optionality. 2021 is already off to a great start with
a record of 4 transactions completed in the first quarter, adding 5
development stage royalties with major counterparties capturing a
significant amount of what we expect to be future organic growth.
This year, we are excited to grow our business with the same
disciplined and focused strategy that has made Metalla one of the
top-performing royalty companies since its inception.
"
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
During the seven months ended December
31, 2020, and the subsequent period, the Company:
- increased the number of royalties and streams held to a total
of 68 precious metal assets through the following notable
transactions:
-
- acquired a net 1.0% Gross Value Return ("GVR") royalty
interest on the operating Wharf mine ("Wharf") in
South Dakota from third parties
for total consideration of $1.0
million in cash and 899,201 common shares. Wharf is
operated by Coeur Mining, Inc. ("Coeur");
- acquired a 2.5% GVR royalty on the northern and southern
extensions of Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd.'s ("Kirkland Lake Gold") operating Fosterville mine ("Fosterville") in Victoria, Australia, from NuEnergy Gas Limited
for total consideration of A$2.0
million in cash and 467,730 common shares;
- acquired a 27.5% Price Participation Royalty ("PPR") on
Karora Resources Inc.'s ("Karora") operating Higginsville
Gold Operations ("Higginsville") in Higginsville,
Australia, from the Morgan Stanley
Capital Group Inc. for total consideration of 828,331 common
shares. The royalty is a 27.5% price participation royalty interest
on the difference between the London PM fix gold price and
A$1,340/oz on the first 2,500 ounces
per quarter until a cumulative total of 34,000 ounces of gold has
been delivered to Metalla;
- acquired a 1.0% Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty on
Minera Alamos Inc.'s La Fortuna project ("La Fortuna") from
Alamos Gold Inc. ("Alamos Gold"). As part of the Company's
acquisition of a royalty portfolio from Alamos Gold announced in
April 2019, the Company acquired an
option to acquire the La Fortuna royalty, upon completion of
satisfactory due diligence, for a deposit of $0.4 million in common shares of the
Company. The option allowed the Company to complete the
acquisition for an additional $0.6
million in cash, which was paid on October 22, 2020 in full satisfaction of the
acquisition price;
- completed a purchase agreement to acquire 100% of the issued
and outstanding shares of Genesis Gold Corporation
("Genesis") and Geological Services Inc. ("GSI"), two
privately held Utah Corporations for total consideration of
$1.0 million and 401,875 common
shares. Geologic and GSI hold a portfolio of eleven royalties
in Nevada and Utah;
- acquired an existing 0.45% NSR royalty on Agnico Eagle Mines
Ltd.'s ("Agnico") Amalgamated Kirkland property ("AK
Property") in its Kirkland
Lake project, and an existing 0.45% NSR royalty on
Kirkland Lake Gold's North
Amalgamated Kirkland property ("North AK Property") at
its Macassa mine, from private third parties for total
consideration of C$0.7 million in
cash;
- acquired an existing 0.5% NSR royalty on Barrick Gold Corp.'s
Del Carmen project ("Del Carmen"), which is part of the 9Moz Au
Alturas-Del Carmen project in the prolific El Indio belt in the
San Juan province of Argentina, from Coin Hodl Inc. for a total
consideration of C$1.6 million in
cash;
- acquired an existing 0.75% GVR royalty on Eldorado Gold Corp.'s
2Moz Au Tocantinzinho project ("Tocantinzinho") located in
the prolific Tapajos district in the State of Para in northern
Brazil, from Sailfish Royalty
Corp. for a total consideration of $9.0
million in cash, of which $6.0
million was paid upon closing and the remaining $3.0 million is payable 60 days after closing;
and
- acquired an existing 1%-2% NSR royalty on OZ Minerals 1.7Moz Au
CentroGold (Gurupi) project ("CentroGold") located in the
State of Maranhão in northern Brazil, from Jaguar Mining Inc. for total
consideration of $7.0 million in cash
and with additional potential payments of up to $11.0 million in shares and cash subject to the
completion of certain milestones.
- to December 31, 2020, the Company
had distributed 282,700 common shares under the ATM Program at an
average price of $10.58 per share for
gross proceeds of $3.0 million.
As at the date of this MD&A, the Company had distributed a
total of 1,301,593 common shares under the ATM program for gross
proceeds of $12.9 million;
- was added to the VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:
GDXJ) (the "GDXJ"), U.S. Global GO GOLD and
Precious Metal Miners ETF (NYSE Arca: GOAU), and the ETFMG Prime
Junior Silver Miners ETF (NYSE Arca: SILJ);
- received or accrued payments on 1,404 (May 31, 2020 – 1,989) attributable gold
equivalent ounces at an average realized price of $1,784 (May 31,
2020 - $1,589) and average
cash cost of $18 (May 31, 2020 - $607) per attributable gold equivalent oz. (see
non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- generated operating cash margin of $1,766 (May 31,
2020 - $983) per attributable
gold equivalent ounce from the Wharf, Joaquin, COSE, the New Luika
Gold Mine ("NLGM") stream held by Silverback Ltd.
("Silverback"), the Higginsville derivative royalty asset,
and other royalty interests (see non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- recognized revenue from royalty and stream interests, including
fixed royalty payments, of $1.3
million (May 31, 2020 -
$2.8 million), net loss of
$4.7 million (May 31, 2020 - $4.4
million), and adjusted EBITDA of negative $1.0 million (May 31,
2020 - negative $1.5 million)
(see non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- completed a secondary public offering for Coeur for a total of
3,910,000 common shares of the Company previously held, at a price
of $5.30 per common share for gross
proceeds of $20.7 million (the
"Secondary Offering"). The net proceeds of the
Secondary Offering were paid directly to Coeur; and
- completed an amendment of the convertible loan facility with
Beedie Capital ("Beedie") in August
2020 whereby Beedie converted C$6.0
million of the C$7.0 million
initial advance at C$5.56 per share
for a total of 1,079,136 shares. The Company drew down the
remaining C$5.0 million from the
original loan facility with a revised conversion price of
C$9.90 per share and Beedie made an
additional C$20.0 million available
to the Company to fund future acquisitions. In October 2020, Beedie converted the remaining
C$1.0 million of the initial advance
at C$5.56 per share for a total of
179,856 common shares. In March 2021,
Beedie converted the C$5.0 million
outstanding at C$9.90 per share for a
total of 505,050 common shares and the Company drew down an
additional C$5.0 million from the
amended loan facility with a conversion price of C$14.30 per share, in accordance with the terms
of the amended loan facility. Following the three conversions and
the additional drawdowns the Company has a total of C$5.0 million outstanding and C$15.0 million available on standby under the
amended loan facility as at the date of this press release.
ASSET UPDATES
Santa Gertrudis
On February 11, 2021, Agnico
announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Santa Gertrudis
with an Indicated resource of 111 Koz gold and 816 Koz silver
(5,778 Kt at 0.6 g/t gold and 4.39 g/t silver) and inferred
resource of 1,625 Koz gold and 7,715 Koz silver (27,671 Kt at 1.83
g/t gold and 8.67 g/t silver).
In the same quarter, in its February 11,
2021 news release, Agnico released drill results at the
Amelia deposit in the Trinidad Trend that were not captured in the
updated resource estimate. Several holes intersected known
structures as well as new structures, notable intercepts include
5.7 g/t gold and 10 g/t silver over 33 meters, 4.8 g/t gold and 3
g/t silver over 4.2 meters and 2.8 g/t gold and 12 g/t silver over
12.4 metres. Drilling focused at Espiritu Santo in the Trinidad
Trend showed that mineralization remains open at depth with
highlight intercepts of 3.9 g/t gold and 36 g/t silver over 10.5
metres and 5.5 g/t gold and 16 g/t silver over 10.1 metres.
In the El Toro Trend, south of the Trinidad trend, drilling demonstrated higher
grades below the mineral resource and suggested the presence of a
potential feeder zone at depth similar to Amelia. Notable
intercepts include 3.4 g/t gold and 1 g/t silver over 7.2 metres
and 3.6 g/t gold and 2 g/t silver over 18 metres.
Southwest of the Amelia Deposit, shallow high-grade intercepts
at the Santa Teresa Zone have refreshed the potential for the
presence of larger structures controlling higher-grade
mineralization to the west. Significant surface intercepts at Santa
Teresa include 2.1 g/t gold and 47 g/t silver over 4.5 metres, 4
g/t gold and 4 g/t silver over 5.1 metres and 3.9 g/t gold and 10
g/t silver over 7.5 metres.
In the February 11, 2021 press
release Agnico announced it expects to spend $11.0 million on 30,000 metres of drilling at
Santa Gertrudis that will be focused on expanding the mineral
resource, testing extensions of high-grade structures such as the
Amelia deposit, exploring new targets and completing metallurgical
test work. An updated mineral reserve and resource estimate and an
updated preliminary economic assessment are expected in 2021.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR on Santa Gertrudis subject to Agnico's
right to buy back 1% for $7.5
million.
Wharf Royalty
On February 17, 2021, Coeur
reported in a Form 8-K news release, that Wharf produced 93,056
ounces of gold at 0.84 g/t during 2020, meeting the production
guidance range of 85 – 95 Koz that was revised upward during the
year. Notably, second half gold production increased 31% from the
first half of 2020. Activities during the year included general
maintenance capital projects at Wharf and exploration drilling at
the Richmond Hill target. Coeur
has guided 85 – 95 Koz gold for 2021 production and expects to
complete an infill program spending $5-8 million focused on the southern edge of the
existing resources at Wharf, called Portland Ridge.
Coeur experienced a productive exploration program at Wharf in
2020 with a strong resource and reserve estimate released
February 17, 2021. The Company
released an updated reserve estimate of 720 Koz of gold, an
additional 605 Koz of gold in the M&I mineral resource category
and 67 Koz of gold in the inferred mineral resource category at the
operation.
Metalla holds a 1.0% GVR royalty on the Wharf mine.
Higginsville Royalty
On January 19 and March 19, 2021, Karora announced in a news
release the production of 99,249 ounces of gold from its
Higginsville and Beta Hunt operations in Western Australia, exceeding the top end of
2020 production guidance of 90-95 Koz. Karora has guided 2021
Higginsville and Beta Hunt production to amount to 105-115Koz of
gold with an increase of the exploration budget of A$20 million to be allocated across Higginsville,
Beta Hunt, and Spargos.
On Dec 16, 2020 Karora declared a
Mineral Reserve estimate of 17,752 Kt at 1.5 g/t for 845 Koz gold
with a measured and indicated mineral resource estimate of 29,994
Kt at 1.5 g/t for 1,466 Koz gold at the Higginsville operation.
Metalla holds a 27.5% PPR royalty interest on the difference
between the London PM fix gold price and A$1,340/oz on the first 2.5 Koz per quarter until
a cumulative total of 34.0 Koz of gold at the Higginsville
operation have been delivered. As at December 31, 2020, 4.1 Koz have been
delivered.
COSE & Joaquin Royalties
In its Management's Discussion & Analysis for the year ended
December 31, 2020, Pan American
Silver Corp. ("Pan American") guided that silver production
(including Manantial Espejo) is forecast to be between 3.18 and
3.46 Moz in 2021, which is between 25% and 36% higher than the 2.55
Moz produced in 2020. Gold production in 2021 is forecast to be
between 33.2 -35.3 Koz, which is 46% higher for gold than
production in 2020 using the midpoint of guidance. The expected
increase reflects higher anticipated throughput, particularly from
the higher grade COSE and Joaquin operations, as the operating
restrictions related to COVID-19 diminish during the year.
Metalla holds an NSR royalty of 1.5% and 2.0% on COSE and
Joaquin mines, respectively.
New Luika Silver Stream
On March 2, 2021, Shanta Gold
Limited ("Shanta") announced 2020 production met guidance
for a total of 82,979 oz of gold production and 92,323 oz of silver
production. During the year, Shanta completed upgrades to the
processing plant to increase plant throughput, Shanta noted the
plant throughput for 2020 achieved an all-time company record of
712Kt. 2021 production guidance has been set at approximately 80
Koz of gold. On January 20, 2021,
Shanta reported ore reserves of 3,980 Kt at 2.98 g/t for 382 Koz
gold and resources exclusive of Reserves of 6,379 Kt at 2.27 g/t
for 464 Koz gold. On December 16,
2020, Shanta announced a new discovery on New Luika called
Porcupine South, a JORC resource is expected on this new discovery
later in 2021.
Metalla holds a 15% interest in Silverback Ltd. whose sole
business is receipt and distribution of a silver stream on New
Luika at an ongoing cost of 10% of the spot silver price.
Endeavor Silver Stream
After decades of successful operation, the operator of the
Endeavor Mine, located in Cobar, Australia, CBH Resources Limited
("CBH") suspended mining operations at the Endeavor Mine in
December 2019 and placed it into care
and maintenance. In October 2020, CBH
announced they have entered into a farm-in agreement with Sandfire
Resources Ltd. ("Sandfire") whereby Sandfire may earn-in up
to a 100% interest in the Endeavor mine and surrounding exploration
tenements. In a press release dated October
27, 2020, Sandfire disclosed that it will bring its
technical exploration and geological expertise to the project, with
a focus on exploration within the surrounding tenement package
aimed at making new discoveries which could leverage off the
existing infrastructure. On February 25,
2021, Sandfire reported diamond drilling was conducted
during Q4 2020 to provide DHEM survey platforms targeting potential
extensions to the Endeavor mine's mineralization.
Metalla has the right to buy 100% of the silver production up to
20 million ounces (12.6 million ounces remaining under the contract
for delivery) from the Endeavor Mine for an operating cost
contribution of $1.00 per ounce of
payable silver, indexed annually for inflation, plus a further
increment of 50% of the silver price in excess of $7.00 per oz.
Wasamac
On January 21, 2021, Yamana Gold
Inc. ("Yamana") completed the acquisition of
the Wasamac property and Camflo property and began advancing
its Wasamac development plans. On February 11, 2021, Yamana further provided plans
on the Wasamac project outlining the potential for significant
future exploration success and mineral resource conversion with the
deposit remaining open along strike and open at depth. Yamana will
be commencing an exploration and infill drilling campaign and other
studies to refine and expand upon the potential of Wasamac. Yamana
has guided towards a production start date in 2025.
Metalla holds a 1.5% NSR on the Wasamac project subject to a buy
back of 0.5% for C$7.5 million.
Beaufor Mine
On January 28, 2021, Monarch
Mining Corporation ("Monarch") announced an updated resource
estimate for the Beaufor mine. As of December 31, 2020, the Beaufor mine contained a
M&I mineral resource estimate of 431Kt at 6.68 g/t for 92.7 Koz
of gold and an inferred resource estimate of 134 Kt at 6.96 g/t for
30.1 Koz of gold. Monarch Mining will continue its exploration plan
to grow the mineral resource with the ultimate plan to restart gold
production within 8 to 14 months.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR on the Beaufor mine once Monarch has
produced 100 Koz of gold. To date, approximately 27.3 Koz of gold
have been produced from the property.
El Realito
Agnico in its February 11, 2021,
press release provided production guidance for the La India mine
where the El Realito deposit is included in the reserve estimate.
Production guidance for 2021, 2022 and 2023 is 77 Koz, 75Koz and
42.5Koz, respectively. Agnico also stated its intentions to
complete a 20,000 metre drill program budgeted at $4 million focused on the extensions of the El
Realito deposit and extensions to the Chipriona deposit. On
October 28, 2020, Agnico reported
drilling was focused on the oxide and sulphide portions at El
Realito. Drilling in the shallow oxides continued to confirm
mineral resources and improved geological understanding of the
deposit and its feeder structures, while deeper drilling expanded
the sulphide mineralization at depth.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the El Realito deposit which
is subject to a 1.0% buyback right for $4
million.
Garrison
On January 14, 2021, Moneta
Porcupine Inc. ("Moneta") completed the acquisition of the
Garrison project from O3 Mining, amalgamating the projects that are
within two kilometers under one company that now boasts a global
resource of 8.4 Moz of gold. Moneta's acquisition came weeks after
O3 Mining released an updated preliminary economic assessment study
of the Garrison project on December 14,
2020. The study outlined a 12-year mine plan producing 121
Koz of gold per year for the first 8 years with a 33% internal rate
of return at $1,450/oz gold. In
conjunction with the acquisition, Moneta completed an
oversubscribed C$22.6 million
financing which will assist in funding its 70,000m program slated for 2021.
Metalla holds a 2% NSR Royalty on the Garrison project.
Fosterville
On March 18, 2021, Kirkland Lake Gold announced drilling is
expected to commence in April on the southern extension of the
Fosterville mining lease, with up
to four diamond drill rigs in the area operating for 24 hours a
day. Exploration will be focused on discovery of mineralized
systems extending from the Harrier and Daley's hill ore bodies and
previously unidentified gold mineralization in the southern portion
of the lease. In addition, Kirkland Lake
Gold plans to conduct a regional Airborne Gravity Survey to
identify corridors host to prospective mineralization in
March/early April in a large area south of the mining lease. On
February 25, 2021, Kirkland Lake Gold announced fiscal year 2020
exploration totalled a COVID-19 reduced budget of $57.8 million for a total of 117,848 metres of
surface and underground drilling at Fosterville. It reported that underground
drilling during the fourth quarter continued to target the Harrier
and Cygnet zones, as well at the Lower Phoenix System. 2021
expenditures at Fosterville are
expected to be in the range of $85 -
$95 million where drilling will
continue to focus on Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource
replacement and identifying new high-grade zones, including
Harrier, Lower Phoenix and Cygnet.
Metalla holds a 2.5% GVR royalty on the northern and
southern sections of the Fosterville mining lease, which is not
currently in production. Metalla had decided to reclassify this
royalty as a Gross Value Return Royalty after confirming this
royalty allows for no deductions.
Big Springs
On January 18, 2021 and
January 25, 2021, Anova Metals
Limited ("Anova") announced high grade drill results at the
Big Springs project confirming and extending mineral resources.
Significant intercepts include 3.96 g/t over 10.85 metres, 15.83
g/t over 5.49 metres, and 3.98 g/t gold over 4.54 metres. 2021
exploration will continue to aggressively focus on extensions to
high grade mineralization at Big Springs.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Big Springs project.
Fifteen Mile
Stream
St. Barbara Mining Limited ("St. Barbara") announced in
its February 17, 2021, half year
report that an updated Environmental Impact Statement for the
Fifteen Mile Stream project was submitted to the local authorities
and has guided to a 2024 production start date.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR Royalty on the Fifteen Mile Stream
project with a further 3.0% NSR royalty covering the Plenty deposit
(Plenty is subject to a 2% buy back for C$1.5 million).
Hoyle Pond Extension
As of the end of 2020, approximately 9.5 Koz of gold were
produced from mineral claims subject to Metalla's royalty and total
reserves of 269 Kt of 11.4 g/t for 98.3 Koz of gold and measured,
indicated, and inferred resources of 82.4 Kt at 7.7 g/t for 20.2
Koz of gold. Drilling is expected to continue in 2021 with a budget
of 5,000-10,000 metres on the extension.
Metalla owns a 2.0% NSR royalty payable by Newmont Corporation
on the Hoyle Pond Extension, located on claims that are beneath the
Kidd metallurgical complex and immediately adjacent to the east and
northeast of the Hoyle Pond mine complex. There is a 500,000 oz.
gold exemption on the leased mining rights.
Green Springs
Upon completion of the 2020 drill program, Contact Gold Corp.
("Contact") announced several drill highlights from drilling
at the Green Springs project. In a news release dated November 16, 2020, drill highlights from the Echo
zone included 2.18 g/t gold over 28.9 metres. In a news release
dated November 23, 2020, drilling at
the Zulu zone intersected 1.14 g/t gold over 25.9 metres. In a news
release dated January 12, 2021,
drilling at the Echo zone intercepted 2.24 g/t gold over 35 metres
and 1.49 g/t gold over 17.68 metres. In a news release dated
January 26, 2021, drilling at the
Bravo zone returned 10.7 g/t over 4.57 metres and 1.23 g/t gold
over 17 metres. Further, in a news release dated February 9, 2021, drilling intersected 1.45 g/t
over 39 metres at the Alpha Zone. Lastly, Contact announced on
February 23, 2021 drilling at the
Charlie zone returned 2.34 g/t gold over 33 metres. On
March 9, 2021, Contact announced the
start of the 2021 drill program at Green Springs.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR Royalty on Green Springs.
Redhill
On February 18, 2021, NuLegacy
Gold Corporation ("NuLegacy") announced they intersected
significant gold mineralization at the Rift Anticline
prospect. Significant intercepts included 1.6 g/t gold over 16.8
metres and 1.1 g/t gold over 13.9 metres. NuLegacy will begin
drilling the remaining 12 or 13 holes at the Rift Anticline in
March 2021.
Metalla holds a 1.5% GOR royalty on the Red Hill project.
Aureus East
In a news release dated March 1, 2021, Aurelius Minerals
Inc. ("Aurelius") reported assay results from underground
drilling at Aureus East of 11.7 g/t gold over
10.5 metres, 5.8 g/t gold over 16.5 metres and
14 g/t gold over 9.6 metres. On January 14, 2021, Aurelius reported high grade
results of 109.5 g/t gold over 1.62 metres and 8.08 g/t gold over
16.5 metres. Over the reminder of 2021, Aurelius will continue to
drill its 10,000 metres drill program at the Aureus
East project.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Aureus East project.
Fortuity 89
On March 9, 2021, Discovery
Harbour Resources Corp. announced it had entered an option and
earn-in agreement with Newcrest Mining Ltd. ("Newcrest") on
the Fortuity 89 property which is located four kilometres west of
the Caldera property near Tonopah,
Nevada. The option and earn-in agreement provide for
Newcrest to earn up to 75% of the project for total expenditures of
$31.5 million and the completion of a
positive preliminary economic assessment. Fortuity 89 is an early
stage epithermal gold target characterized by a strongly altered
outcrop surrounded by a large gravel plain.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Fortuity 89 project.
Edwards
On December 17, 2020, Alamos Gold
acquired Trillium Mining Corp. ("Trillium") for C$25 million in cash. Trillium held the Edwards
mine and the surrounding land package, along strike from its Island
Gold deposit. The acquisition of the Edwards Gold Mine and the
surrounding land will allow for Alamos Gold to apply a systematic,
district scale approach to exploration on the greenstone belt.
Alamos Gold has allocated a 25,000 metre drill program to the
regional land package in 2021.
Metalla holds a 1.25% NSR Royalty on the Edwards mine.
OUTLOOK
Primary sources of cash flows from royalties and streams for
2021 are expected to be Wharf, Higginsville, Joaquin, COSE, and
NLGM. In 2021, the Company expects 2,200 to 3,200 attributable gold
equivalent ounces(1). Similar to 2020, the Company
expects gold equivalent ounces to be weighted towards the second
half of the year.
(1)
|
For the
methodology used to calculated attributable gold equivalent ounces
see the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section of the Company MD&A
for the seven months ended December 31, 2020.
|
QUALIFIED PERSON
The technical information contained in this news release has
been reviewed and approved by Charles
Beaudry, geologist M.Sc., member of the Association of
Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and of the Ordre des Géologues du
Québec and a director of Metalla. Mr. Beaudry is a QP as defined in
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects.
ABOUT METALLA
Metalla is a precious metals royalty and streaming company.
Metalla provides shareholders with leveraged precious metal
exposure through a diversified and growing portfolio of royalties
and streams. Our strong foundation of current and future
cash-generating asset base, combined with an experienced team gives
Metalla a path to become one of the leading gold and silver
companies for the next commodities cycle.
For further information, please visit our website at
www.metallaroyalty.com
ON BEHALF OF METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD.
(signed) "Brett Heath"
President and CEO
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
Non-IFRS Measures
The items marked above are alternative performance measures
and readers should refer to non-international financial reporting
standards ("IFRS") financial measures in the Company's Management's
Discussion and Analysis for the seven months ended December 31, 2020 as filed on SEDAR and as
available on the Company's website for further details. Metalla has
included certain performance measures in this press release that do
not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS including (a)
average cash cost per attributable gold equivalent ounce, (b)
average realized price per attributable gold ounce, (c) operating
cash margin per attributable gold equivalent ounce, which is based
on the two preceding measures, and (d) adjusted EBITDA. In the
precious metals mining industry, this is a common performance
measure but does not have any standardized meaning. The Company
believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in
accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to
evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash
flow. The presentation of these non-IFRS measures is intended to
provide additional information and should not be considered in
isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared
in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate these
non-IFRS measures differently.
Technical and Third-Party Information
Metalla has limited, if any, access to the properties on
which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other interest. Metalla is
dependent on (i) the operators of the mines or properties and their
qualified persons to provide technical or other information to
Metalla, or (ii) publicly available information to prepare
disclosure pertaining to properties and operations on the mines or
properties on which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other
interest, and generally has limited or no ability to independently
verify such information. Although Metalla does not have any
knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be
no assurance that such third-party information is complete or
accurate. Some information publicly reported by operators may
relate to a larger property than the area covered by Metalla's
royalty, stream or other interests. Metalla's royalty, stream or
other interests can cover less than 100% and sometimes only a
portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, resources and
production of a property.
Unless otherwise indicated, the technical and scientific
disclosure contained or referenced in this press release,
including any references to mineral
resources or mineral reserves, was prepared in accordance with
Canadian National Instrument 43-101
("NI 43-101"), which differs significantly from the
requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC")
applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, the
scientific and technical information contained or
referenced in this press release may not be
comparable to similar information made public by
U.S. companies subject to the reporting and
disclosure requirements of the SEC.
"Inferred mineral resources" have a
great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great
uncertainty 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. Historical results or
feasibility models presented herein are not guarantees
or expectations of future
performance.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and
"forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward looking
statements") within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of
the date of this press release only, and the Company does not
assume any obligation to update or revise them except as required
by applicable law.
All statements included herein that address events or
developments that we expect to occur in the future
are forward-looking statements. Generally,
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "does not
expect", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims",
"anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative
variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by
statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could",
"should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved. Forward-looking statements and information include,
but are not limited to the future scaling of Metalla's business;
the potential for the properties on which Metalla's holds royalty
interests to have exploration success and be advanced towards
production; the satisfaction of future payment obligations by
Metalla; the future availability of funds pursuant to the Beedie
convertible loan facility; the future conversion of funds drawn
down by Metalla under the Beedie convertible loan facility; the
completion by property owners of announced drilling programs; the
completion by property owners of announced capital expenditure
programs; the mineral reserve estimates relating to the properties
on which Metalla holds a royalty or streaming interest; the
anticipated production at Higginsville and Beta Hunt; the amount
and allocation of the exploration budget at Higginsville, Beta Hunt
and Spargos; the forecasted silver and gold production at COSE and
Joaquin; diminishing operating restrictions related to COVID-19;
the potential for a JORC resource on New Luika; the future earn-in
by Sandfire of a 100% interest in the Endeavor project and
surrounding exploration tenements; the potential for Sandfire to
bring its technical exploration and geological expertise to the
Endeavor project; the potential to expand the mineral resource at
Santa Gertrudis; the potential for an updated mineral reserve and
preliminary economic assessment at Santa Gertrudis being delivered
in 2021; the potential for future exploration success and mineral
resource conversion at Wasamac; the future production start date at
Wasamac; the future exploration plan and the future restart of gold
production at the Beaufor Mine; the future completion of the
drilling program at El Realito; the anticipated 2024 production
start date of the Fifteen Mile Stream Project; the future earn-in
by Newcrest of a 75% interest in the Fortuity 89 project; the
future sources of cash flows from royalties in 2021; the amount of
attributable gold equivalent ounces that the Company expects to
receive in 2021 and their anticipated timing; the potential for
Metalla to be a leading gold and silver company for the next
commodities cycle; Metalla's future plans and objectives; future
expectations regarding the royalties and streams of
Metalla; royalty payments to be paid to Metalla by
property owners or operators of mining projects pursuant to
each royalty; the mineral reserves and resource
estimates for the Santa Gertrudis gold property and
other properties with respect to which the Company
has or proposes to acquire an
interest; future gold and silver
prices; other potential developments relating
to, or achievements by the counterparties for Metalla's stream
and royalty agreements, and with respect to the
mines and other properties in which Metalla has, or may
acquire, a stream or royalty
interest; and estimates of future
production, costs and other financial or economic
measures.
Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current
beliefs and are based on information currently available to
management. Forward-looking statements and information are based on
forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet
determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to
be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business,
economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies.
Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various
known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond
the ability of Metalla to control or predict, that may cause
Metalla's actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and
are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties
and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to:
changes in commodity prices; lack of control over mining
operations; exchange rates; delays in or failure to receive
payments; delays in construction; delays in the sale of the mines;
third party reporting; the world-wide economic and social impact of
COVID-19 is managed and the duration and extent of the coronavirus
pandemic is minimized or not long-term; disruptions related to the
COVID-19 pandemic or other health and safety issues, or the
responses of governments, communities, partner operators, the
Company and others to such pandemic or other issues; and the other
risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors"
in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, annual report
on Form 40-F and other documents filed with or submitted to the
Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR website at
www.sedar.com and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on
the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. Such forward-looking information
represents management's best judgment based on information
currently available. No forward-looking statement can be
guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.
Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements or information.
Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking
statements made in this press release are qualified by these
cautionary statements.
SOURCE Metalla Royalty and Streaming Ltd.