(All dollar amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise
indicated)
TSXV: MTA
NYSE American: MTA
VANCOUVER, BC, March 31,
2023 /CNW/ - Metalla Royalty & Streaming
Ltd. ("Metalla" or the "Company") (TSXV:
MTA) (NYSE American: MTA) announces its operating and financial
results for the year ended December 31,
2022. Metalla has also filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") its SEC Annual Report on
Form 40-F for the year ended December 31,
2022. The Form 40-F includes the Company's Annual
Information Form, audited financial statements and management's
discussion & analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022. For complete details of the
consolidated financial statements and accompanying management's
discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, 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 year ended
December 31, 2022, 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, "2022 was a significant year for Metalla
and the precious metals royalty landscape. During the year Metalla
announced five transactions to acquire fifteen new royalties and
streams, for a combined purchase price of $33.5 million in cash and stock. Looking forward,
we see a tremendous opportunity to capitalize on our business
strategy and believe Metalla has a significant advantage in 2023,
attracting more high-quality third-party assets, given our size,
scale, and track record."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
During the year ended December 31,
2022, and the subsequent period up to the date of this news
release, the Company:
- Acquired, or amended agreements for 1 stream and 14 royalties,
through the following transactions:
-
- Acquired a portfolio of eight royalties from First Majestic
Silver Corp. ("First Majestic") for $20.0 million in common shares of Metalla valued
at $4.7984 per share, representing
the 25-day volume-weighted average price ("VWAP") of shares
of Metalla traded on the NYSE prior to the announcement of the
transaction. Upon closing, the Company issued to First Majestic
4,168,056 common shares of the Company. The royalties acquired in
this transaction included:
-
- a 100% Gross Value Return ("GVR") royalty on gold
production from the producing La
Encantada mine located in Coahuila, Mexico operated by First Majestic
limited to 1,000 ounces annually;
- a 2.0% Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty on the past
producing Del Toro mine located in
Zacatecas, Mexico owned by First
Majestic;
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the La
Guitarra mine located in Temascaltepec, Mexico owned by Sierra
Madre Gold and Silver Ltd.;
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Plomosas project located in
Sinaloa, Mexico owned by GR Silver
Mining Ltd.;
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the past-producing San Martin mine located in Jalisco, Mexico owned by First Majestic;
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the past producing La Parrilla mine
located in Durango, Mexico owned
by First Majestic and subject to a binding purchase agreement with
Golden Tag Resources Ltd.;
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the La
Joya project located in Durango,
Mexico owned by Silver Dollar Resources; and
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the La
Luz project located in San Luis
Potosi, Mexico owned by First Majestic.
- Acquired an existing 2.5%-3.75% sliding scale Gross Proceeds
("GP") royalty over gold and a 0.25%-3.0% NSR royalty on all
metals (other than gold and silver) on the majority of Barrick Gold
Corporation's ("Barrick") world-class Lama project located
in Argentina, from an arm's length
seller to for aggregate consideration of $7.5 million, to be satisfied by Metalla through
the payment on the closing date of $2.5
million in cash and $2.5
million in common shares valued at $5.3553 per share, representing the 15-day VWAP
of shares of Metalla traded on the NYSE prior to the announcement
of the transaction, the remaining $2.5
million, to be paid in cash or common shares, is payable
within 90 days upon the earlier of a 2 Moz gold mineral Reserve
estimate on the royalty area or 36 months after the closing date.
The transaction closed on March 9,
2023, at which time the Company paid the $2.5 million in cash and issued 466,827 common
shares of the Company to the arm's length seller;
- Acquired one silver stream and three royalties from Alamos Gold
Corp. ("Alamos") for
$5.0 million in common shares of
Metalla valued at $5.3228 per share,
representing the 20-day VWAP of shares of Metalla traded on the
NYSE prior to the announcement of the transaction. The transaction
closed on February 23, 2023, at which
time the Company issued 939,355 common shares of the Company to
Alamos. The stream and royalties
acquired in this transaction include:
-
- a 20% silver stream over the Esperanza project located in Morales, Mexico owned by Zacatecas Silver
Corp.;
- a 1.4% NSR royalty on the Fenn Gibb South project located in
Timmins, Ontario owned by Mayfair
Gold Corp.;
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Ronda project located in Shining
Tree, Ontario owned by Platinex
Inc.; and
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Northshore West property located in
Thunder Bay, Ontario owned by New
Path Resources Inc.
- Acquired a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Lac Pelletier project owned by Maritime
Resources Corp. from an arm's length seller for total consideration
of C$0.3 million in cash. The
Lac Pelletier project is located
in Rouyn Noranda, Quebec and is
within ten kilometers of the Yamana Gold Inc. ("Yamana")
Wasamac project where Metalla holds a 1.5% NSR royalty; and
- Amended an existing 1.0% NSR royalty on Monarch Mining
Corporation's ("Monarch") Beaufor Mine. In consideration for
$1.0 million paid in cash to Monarch,
Monarch agreed to waive a clause stipulating that payments under
the NSR royalty were only payable after 100 Koz of gold have been
produced by Monarch following its acquisition of Beaufor Mine.
- On May 12, 2022, the Company
filed a new final short form base shelf prospectus and a
corresponding registration statement on Form F-10 that replaced the
base shelf prospectus and Form F-10 registration statement
previously filed by the Company in 2020, and enhanced the Company's
financial flexibility. In connection with this transition, the
Company terminated its At-The-Market ("ATM") program
announced on May 14, 2021 (the
"2021 ATM Program"). From inception on May 14, 2021, to the termination on May 12, 2022, the Company distributed 1,990,778
common shares under the 2021 ATM program at an average price of
$8.18 per share for gross proceeds of
$16.3 million; and
- On May 27, 2022, the Company
announced that it had entered into a new equity distribution
agreement with a syndicate of agents to establish an ATM equity
program (the "2022 ATM Program") under which the Company may
distribute up to $50.0 million (or
the equivalent in Canadian Dollars) in common shares of the
Company. From inception to the date of this press release, the
Company distributed 1,048,649 common shares under the 2022 ATM
Program at an average price of $5.18
per share for gross proceeds of $5.4
million;
- On March 30, 2023, the Company
signed a binding term sheet with Beedie Capital to amend its loan
facility by: (i) extending the maturity date to 48 months from the
close of the amendment; (ii) increasing the loan facility by
C$5.0 million from C$20.0 million to C$25.0
million; increasing the interest rate from 8.0% to 10.0% per
annum; amending the conversion price of the C$3.0 million fourth drawdown from C$11.16 per share to a 30% premium to the 30-day
VWAP of the Company shares measured at market close on the day
prior to announcement of the amendment; amending the conversion
price of C$4.0 million of the
C$5.0 million third drawdown from
C$14.30 per share to the 5-day VWAP
of the Company shares measured at market close on the day prior to
announcement of the amendment, and converting the C$4.0 million into shares at the new conversion
price; and amending the conversion price of the remaining
C$1.0 million of the third drawdown
to the 30-day VWAP of the Company shares measured at market close
on the day prior to announcement of the amendment. All other terms
remain of the loan facility unchanged, and the amendment is subject
to regulatory approvals;
- On March 30, 2023, the Company
signed an amendment with the arm's length seller of the Castle
Mountain royalty to extend the maturity date of the $5.0 million loan from June 1, 2023, to April 1,
2024. As part of the amendment, on March 31, 2023, the Company will pay any accrued
interest on the loan, effective April 1,
2023, the interest rate will increase to 12.0% per annum,
and the principal and accrued interest will be repaid no later than
April 1, 2024;
- For the year ended December 31,
2022, received or accrued payments on 2,681 attributable
Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEOs") at an average realized price
of $1,765 and an average cash cost of
$7 per attributable GEO (see
Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the year ended December 31,
2022, recognized revenue from royalty and stream interests,
including fixed royalty payments, of $2.4
million, net loss of $10.9
million, and adjusted EBITDA of negative 1.5 million (see
Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the year ended December 31,
2022, generated operating cash margin of $1,758 per attributable GEO, from the Wharf,
El Realito, Joaquin, and COSE
royalties, 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); and
- For the year ended December 31,
2022, recognized payments due or received (not included in
revenue) from the Higginsville derivative royalty asset of
$2.4 million (see Non-IFRS
Financial Measures).
ASSET UPDATES
Below are updates during the three months ended December 31, 2022, and subsequent period to
certain of the Company's assets and is based on information
publicly filed by the applicable project owner:
La Encantada
On February 23, 2023, First
Majestic announced 107 ounces of gold production from La Encantada in the fourth quarter of 2022 for
a grand total of 413 ounces of gold for 2022. Silver production for
the mine totaled 3.09 Moz and 2023 guidance is in the range of 2.9
– 3.2 Moz silver. First Majestic plans to complete 8,000 meters of
exploration drilling to continue searching for a new mineralized
breccia body as well as extend and de-risk some of the known veins.
First Majestic will continue to advance mining at La Encantada towards the Ojuelas and Beca-Zone
orebodies to extract higher-grade ores.
Metalla holds a 100% GVR royalty on gold produced at the
La Encantada mine limited to 1.0
Koz annually.
El Realito
On February 16, 2023, Agnico Eagle
Mines Ltd. ("Agnico") reported that gold production from La
India totaled 16,669 oz gold for the fourth quarter. Agnico also
reported that the 2023 midpoint guidance for the La India mine is
expected to be 65 Koz gold. The stripping ratio for early
El Realito mining phases was
higher than anticipated and resulted in fewer tonnes places on the
leach pad. During 2023, Agnico plans to complete 4,000 meters of
exploration drilling at the Chipriona deposit, which is currently
open along strike with the El
Realito royalty boundary.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the El Realito deposit which is subject to a 1.0%
buyback right for $4.0 million.
Wharf Royalty
On February 22, 2023, Coeur Mining
Inc. ("Coeur") reported fourth quarter production of 19.9
Koz gold at 0.65 g/t, in line with full year guidance for Wharf
disclosed by Coeur on February 16,
2022. Coeur has guided 2023 production to be in the range of
85 – 95 Koz. Successful exploration and infill drilling during the
year allowed for a 7% increase, net of depletion, at Wharf where
Proven & Probable Reserves totaled 908 Koz gold at 0.027 oz/t
(0.84 g/t). Additionally, a total of 293 Koz gold at 0.02 oz/t
(0.62 g/t) of Measured & Indicated Resources, and Inferred
Resources stand at 63 Koz gold at 0.02 oz/t (0.62 g/t), were
declared at Wharf. Exploration efforts in 2023 will focus on
geological modelling and planning for 2024.
Metalla holds a 1.0% GVR royalty on the Wharf mine.
New Luika Silver Stream
On January 18, 2023, Shanta Gold
Limited ("Shanta") reported that it produced 16.7 Koz of
gold at its NLGM in Tanzania in
the fourth quarter of 2022, in line with full year production
guidance of 68-76 Koz gold. On February 27,
2023, Shanta announced the extension of the mine life at
NLGM through to Q1 2028 through the increase in Mineral Reserves at
the mine. Total Proven & Probable Mineral Reserves at NLGM now
stand at 394 Koz at 2.85 g/t gold, with Measured & Indicated
Resources at 764 Koz at 2.78 g/t gold. In addition, a tailings
retreatment project at NLGM contributed an additional 48 Koz of
recoverable gold and extends the NLGM operating life to at least
February 2031.
Metalla holds a 15% interest in Silverback, whose sole business
is receipt and distribution of a 100% silver stream on NLGM at an
ongoing cost of 10% of the spot silver price.
Côté-Gosselin
On February 2, 2023, and
February 16, 2023, IAMGOLD
Corporation ("IAMGOLD") reported that it had completed 73%
of the construction at the Côté Gold Project and drill results
received for the 2022 drill program continue to highlight the
resource expansion potential of the Gosselin deposit both to the
south of the recently declared 5Moz Resource estimate and at depth.
Significant intercepts include 1.99 g/t gold over 342.2 meters,
1.29 g/t gold over 313 meters, 1.5 g/t gold over 181 meters and
0.66 g/t gold over 388.5 meters.
Additional technical studies are planned to complete
metallurgical test work and mining and infrastructure studies to
review alternatives to optimize the inclusion of Gosselin into
future Côté life-of-mine plans.
Metalla holds a 1.35% NSR royalty that covers less than 10% of
the Côté Reserves and Resources estimate and covers all of the 5
Moz gold Gosselin Resource estimate.
Lama
On February 15, 2023, Barrick
reported that drilling of Lama targets continued during the quarter
with two drill rigs testing mineralization concepts at Penelope
South and Porfiada targets. Total exploration, evaluation and
project expenses for the whole Pascua-Lama project totaled
$52 million for the year end 2022.
For 2023, Barrick has budgeted $75
million for exploration at Lama.
Metalla holds a 2.5%-3.75% GP royalty on gold and a 0.25%-3.0%
NSR royalty on all other metals (other than gold and silver) at
Lama.
Castle Mountain
On February 21, 2023, Equinox Gold
Corp. ("Equinox") reported production in the third quarter
of 6,124 ounces of gold and exploration expenditure for the total
year of $2.2 million at the Castle
Mountain property. The environmental review process and public
scoping of the Phase 2 permit amendment is anticipated to begin in
the first half of 2023.
Equinox also reported that in 2023, Equinox plans to spend
$8 million on Castle Mountain phase
two optimization, engineering and permitting.
Metalla holds a 5.0% NSR royalty on the South Domes area of the
Castle Mountain mine.
Santa
Gertrudis
On February 16, 2023, Agnico
provided a resource update on the Santa
Gertrudis project near Hermosillo,
Mexico where Agnico expects to spend $7.3 million for 10,000 meters of drilling in
2023. Measured & Indicated resources at Santa Gertrudis totaled 516 Koz at 0.91 g/t
gold and 2,106 Koz at 3.71 g/t silver. Inferred resources totaled
1,464 Koz at 2.25 g/t gold and 7,548 Koz at 11.58 g/t silver.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Santa Gertrudis project.
Garrison
On January 6, 2023, Moneta Gold
Inc. ("Moneta") announced their plans to complete a 190,000
meter drill program to upgrade the resource and infill drilling to
support a pre-feasibility study at the Tower Gold Project. In
addition, Moneta plans to assess the expansion of underground
resources through additional exploration drilling at the Garrcon
deposit and evaluate opportunities to increase underground
production rates from the PEA results.
On September 7, 2022, Moneta
announced positive results for a PEA for the Tower Gold Project
envisioning a 19,200 tpd combined open pit and underground mining
operation with strong economics. Average annual gold production
over the first eleven years is expected to be 368 Koz gold with the
majority of the ounces in the first five to six years sourced from
the Garrison open pit.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Garrison project.
Wasamac
On February 16, 2023, Agnico
reported they are reviewing the technical aspects of the project
with a focus on processing ore at the Canadian Malartic mill, which
is expected to reduce the project footprint and capital cost. An
internal evaluation of the project is expected in the fourth
quarter of 2023 and Agnico expects the project has the potential to
produce 200 Koz gold per year. Agnico is in the process of
acquiring the Wasamac project through its acquisition of Yamana's
portfolio of Canadian assets.
Metalla holds a 1.5% NSR royalty on the Wasamac project subject
to a buy back of 0.5% for C$7.5
million.
Amalgamated Kirkland Property
On February 16, 2023, Agnico
reported it is evaluating the potential to source additional
production from Amalgamated Kirkland to be processed at either
Macassa or at the LaRonde complex. Agnico is evaluating the
potential to produce between 20 Koz to 40 Koz of gold per year from
the AK deposit commencing in 2024. A total of 16,438 meters of
drilling was completed at the AK deposit in 2022. In addition,
Agnico declared 100 Koz at 5.2 g/t gold 2P mineral reserves at AK
for end 2022.
Metalla holds a 0.45% NSR royalty on the Amalgamated Kirkland
property.
Fifteen Mile
Stream
On February 22, 2023, St. Barbara
Limited ("St Barbara") reported a revised permitting
timeline for Fifteen Mile Stream of development in FY26 was
declared. In addition, St. Barbara will investigate repurposing the
Touquoy processing facility for use at Fifteen Mile Stream to lower
capital cost and construction cost. On October 18, 2022, St Barbara Limited reported
that permitting for the Fifteen Mile Stream was approved under the
Federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 2012 (CEAA2012)
permitting process and they will target construction of the mine in
2026.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Fifteen Mile Stream
project, and 3.0% NSR royalty on the Plenty and Seloam Brook
deposits.
Tocantinzinho
On October 18, 2022, G Mining
Ventures Corp. ("G Mining") provided an update on its
recently concluded drill program at the Tocantinzinho project
("TZ") in Pará, Brazil.
Infill drilling within the Feasibility Study pit shell returned
significant results of 1.48 g/t gold over 193.6 meters and 1.7 g/t
gold over 144.7 meters. Drilling outside of the feasibility study
pit shell confirmed mineralization with significant intercepts of
1.05 g/t gold over 72.1 meters and 0.98 g/t gold over 10.4 meters.
In addition, G Mining identified new targets for greenfield
exploration around TZ. The high priority target called Castor is
located directly southeast of TZ. Early exploration on the target
has returned significant intercepts of 2.2 g/t gold over 8.4 meters
and 1.66 g/t gold over 8 meters. A follow up drill program is
planned for Q4 2022 and 2023. On September
12, 2022, G Mining announced a positive construction
decision for TZ.
Metalla holds a 0.75% GVR royalty on the Tocantinzinho
project.
Fosterville
On October 26, 2022, Agnico
reported that gold production from Fosterville for the full year of 2022 totalled
338 Koz gold. During 2023, Agnico plans to spend $20.8 million for 105,300 meters of capitalized
drilling and development of exploration drifts to replace Mineral
Reserve depletion and to add Mineral Resources in the Lower
Phoenix, Cygnet and Robbins Hills areas. Agnico will spend another
$4.4 million for 11,300 meters of
underground and surface expensed exploration with the aim of
discovering addition high-grade mineralization at Fosterville.
During the third quarter, significant progress was made on
exploration down plunge of the Lower Phoenix system and the newly
discovered Cardinal splay zone with significant highlights of 365.5
g/t gold over 1.1 meters, approximately 100 meters down plunge of
the Lower Phoenix Mineral Resource, 226.2 g/t gold over 1.4 meters
with visible gold and 168.2 g/t gold over 2.9 meters. In addition,
significant intercepts further down plunge the Lower Phoenix
Mineral Resources returned 14.6 g/t gold over 10.6 meters and 5.5
g/t gold over 21.9 meters. Further to an exploration update by
Agnico on August 11, 2022, expansion
drilling in the Lower Phoenix returned significant results of 31.5
g/t gold over 8 meters and 226.2 g/t gold over 1.4 meters.
Management has estimated the Metalla royalty boundary is
approximately 650-800 meters down dip from the reported drill
intercepts in the Lower Phoenix zone.
Metalla holds a 2.5% GVR royalty on the northern and southern
extensions of the Fosterville
mining license and other areas in the land package.
CentroGold
On February 22, 2023, Oz Minerals
stated that the relocation plan required for progressing the court
injunction removal for CentroGold was approved with the Federal
body of the National Institute of Colonization and Agrarian Reform
(INCRA). The request to remove the injunction has been submitted to
the court. Oz Minerals plans to complete a feasibility study on the
project once the injunction is removed. In addition, exploration
expenses of $2.3 million were spent
on the project for the quarter.
Metalla holds a 1.0-2.0% NSR royalty on the CentroGold
project.
Big Springs
On November 15, 2022, Warriedar
Resources Limited ("Warriedar") (formerly Anova Metals
Limited) announced a 21% increase to Measured & Indicated
Resources at the Big Springs project in Nevada, coming in at 555 Koz at 2.5 g/t gold.
Total Resources including Inferred now stand at 1,014 Koz gold at
2.0 g/t gold. For 2023, Warriedar has stated substantial further
resource growth potential is set to be pursued with aggressive
drilling program expected in 2023.
Metalla holds a 1.0-2.0% NSR on the Big Springs and Golden Domes
project.
Akasaba West
On February 16, 2023, Agnico, who
is currently in the process of closing its acquisition of Yamana,
announced that removal of overburden and installation of surface
infrastructure was ongoing to bring the Akasaba West project online
for early 2024 where it is expected to contribute 12,000 ounces of
gold per year to the Goldex operation.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Akasaba West project
subject to a 210 Koz gold exemption.
Endeavor
On March 28, 2023, Polymetals
Resources Ltd. ("Polymetals") announced the execution of a
share sale and purchase agreement in relation to the proposed
acquisition of all of the issued share capital of Orana Minerals
Pty Ltd., which is the sole shareholder of Cobar Metals Pty Ltd.
("Cobar Metals"). Cobar Metals has in turn entered
into an agreement to purchase the Endeavor lead, zinc and silver
mine in Australia via the
acquisition of three project companies, including Cobar Operations
Pty Ltd. ("Cobar Operations"). Polymetals announced it is
focused on various aspects of the Endeavor mine with a view to
recommencing operations. Completion of Polymetals acquisition of
Orana Minerals Pty Ltd. is subject to approval of Polymetals
shareholders, with documents to be sent to shareholders in the near
future. As part of Polymetals proposed acquisition of the
Endeavor mine, the Company has entered into an agreement with the
holder of the Endeavor mining tenements, Cobar Operations, by which
the Company will convert its 100% silver stream in the Endeavor
mine to a 4.0% NSR royalty on all lead, zinc and silver produced
from those tenements, and the closing of that agreement is
pending.
Camflo
On February 16, 2023, Agnico
reported the Canadian Malartic partnership has identified porphyry
hosted gold mineralization that could potentially be mined via an
open pit at the Camflo property and provide tonnage to the Canadian
Malartic operation by the end of the decade. Additional studies are
underway to fully evaluate the mineralization and additional
potential in adjacent rock types. An aggressive drill program of
$5 million with 22,000 meters is
planned in 2023. The Camflo property covers the past producing
Camflo mine which had historical production of approximately 1.6
Moz gold at 5.78 g/t.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Camflo mine, located
~1km northeast of the Canadian Malartic operation.
Montclerg
Through press releases dated February 8,
2023, and January 18, 2023,
GFG Resources Inc. reported high grade intervals at the Montclerg
Gold Project located 48 km east of the Timmins Gold District.
Significant intercepts include 8.46 g/t gold over 5 meters and 9.85
g/t gold over 16 meters.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Montclerg property.
Detour DNA
On February 16, 2023, Agnico
reported the results from step out drilling approximately 2.4 km
west of the Detour West pit where a significant drill hole
intercepted 2.6 g/t gold over 35.3 meters and 13.7 g/t gold over
3.2 meters.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Detour DNA property
which is approximately 7 km west of the Detour West reserve pit
margin.
Green Springs
On December 9, 2022, Contact Gold
Corp. announced it has entered into a $10
million Earn-in with Centerra Gold on the Green Springs
project.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Green Springs
project.
Joaquin and COSE
The Company owns a royalty on the Joaquin project and on the
COSE project, both of which are currently owned and operated by Pan
American Silver ("Pan American"). The ore from both
Joaquin and COSE was trucked to the Manantial Espejo mine where the
mill had excess capacity.
On February 22, 2023, Pan American
released its annual statements and as per those statements it
disclosed that mining and processing activities at Manantial Espejo
concluded in January 2023 and the
assets, including Joaquin and COSE, were placed on care and
maintenance at the end of 2022.
The Company considered this announcement as an indicator of
impairment on both Joaquin and COSE and as at December 31, 2022, fully impaired both royalties
to $nil, and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, recorded an impairment charge
of $3.7 million related to Joaquin
and COSE, concurrently the Company has reclassified the royalties
as development stage until operations at each project are
restarted.
The Company believes there is significant value that remains at
these projects based on historical National Instrument 43-101
Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101")
compliant Resources that were excluded from the Pan American mine
plan. If the projects are restarted, or are sold to an entity with
a plan to restart mining and processing activities, the Company
will do a further analysis to see if any part of the impairment can
be reversed in the future.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on Joaquin and holds a 1.5% NSR
royalty on COSE.
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
NI 43-101.
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 Financial Measures
Metalla has included certain performance measures in this
press release that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed
by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) including (a)
attributable gold equivalent ounces (GEOs), (b) average cash cost
per attributable GEO, (c) average realized price per attributable
GEO, (d) operating cash margin per attributable GEO, and (e)
adjusted EBITDA. 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.
(a) Attributable GEOs
Attributable GEOs are a non-IFRS financial measure that
is composed of gold ounces attributable to the Company, plus
an amount calculated by taking the revenue earned by the Company in
the period from payable silver ounces attributable to the Company
divided by the average London fix
price of gold for the relevant period, plus an amount calculated by
taking the cash received or accrued by the Company in the period
from the derivative royalty asset divided by the average
London fix gold price for the
relevant period. Included in the calculation of attributable
GEOs is any cash received from the Higginsville price participation
royalty, which is accounted for as a derivative royalty asset, as
such any payments received under this royalty are treated as a
reduction in the carrying value of the asset on the Company's
statement of financial position and not shown as revenue on the
Company's statement of profit and loss. However,
operationally as the Company receives payment similar to the
Company's other royalty interests, the results have been included
for more accurate comparability and to allow the reader to
accurately analyze the operations of the Company. The Company
presents attributable GEOs as it believes that certain investors
use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in
comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious
metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. The
Company's attributable GEO's for the year ended December 31, 2022 were as follows:
Attributable GEOs during the period from:
|
|
Higginsville
|
1,324
|
Wharf
|
639
|
El Realito
|
226
|
NLGM
|
101
|
COSE
|
123
|
Joaquin
|
268
|
Total attributable GEOs
|
2,681
|
(b) Average cash cost per attributable GEO
Average cash cost per attributable GEO is a non-IFRS
financial measure that is calculated by dividing the Company's
total cash cost of sales, excluding depletion by the number of
attributable GEOs. The Company presents average cash cost
per attributable GEO as it believes that certain investors use this
information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to
other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining
industry who present results on a similar basis. The Company's
average cash cost per attributable GEO for the year ended
December 31, 2022, was:
Cost of sales for NLGM
|
$18,213
|
Total cash cost of sales
|
18,213
|
Total attributable GEOs
|
2,681
|
Average cash cost per attributable GEO
|
$7
|
(c) Average realized price per attributable GEO
Average realized price per attributable GEO is a non-IFRS
financial measure that is calculated by dividing the Company's
revenue, excluding any revenue earned from fixed royalty payments,
and including cash received or accrued in the period from
derivative royalty assets, by the number of attributable GEOs sold.
The Company presents average realized price per attributable GEO as
it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate
the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and
royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry that
present results on a similar basis. The Company's average realized
price per attributable GEO for the year ended December 31, 2022, was:
Royalty revenue (excluding fixed royalty
payments)
|
$2,164,785
|
Payments from derivative assets
|
2,383,974
|
Revenue from NLGM
|
182,133
|
Sales from stream and royalty
interests
|
4,730,892
|
Total attributable GEOs sold
|
2,681
|
Average realized price per attributable
GEO
|
$1,765
|
(d) Operating cash margin per attributable GEO
Operating cash margin per attributable GEO is a non-IFRS
financial measure that is calculated by subtracting the average
cast cost price per attributable GEO from the average realized
price per attributable GEO. The Company presents operating cash
margin per attributable GEO as it believes that certain investors
use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in
comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious
metals mining industry that present results on a similar
basis.
(e) Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure which
excludes from net income taxes, finance costs, depletion,
impairment charges, foreign currency gains/losses, share based
payments, and non-recurring items. Management uses Adjusted
EBITDA to evaluate the Company's operating performance, to plan and
forecast its operations, and assess leverage levels and liquidity
measures. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA as it believes that
certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's
performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies
in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a
similar basis. However, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent, and
should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) or
cash flow provided by operating activities as determined under
IFRS. The Company's adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2022, was:
Net loss
|
$(10,928,334)
|
Adjusted for:
|
|
Royalty interest impairment
|
3,660,365
|
Interest expense
|
1,287,499
|
Finance charges
|
137,943
|
Gain on extension of loan payable
|
(346,251)
|
Income tax provision
|
41,854
|
Depletion
|
1,807,592
|
Foreign exchange gain
|
(34,781)
|
Share-based payments
|
2,880,570
|
Adjusted EBITDA
|
$(1,493,543)
|
Refer the Company's MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is available on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com, for a numerical reconciliation of the non-IFRS
financial measures described above. The presentation of these
non-IFRS financial 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 financial
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 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 intend
to and 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", "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 in this press release include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding: future events or future performance of
Metalla; the Company's plans and objections; the effectiveness, and
potential use and benefit, of the Company's final short form base
shelf prospectus and Form F-10 registration statement; the future
sales of common shares under the 2022 ATM program and the value of
the gross proceeds to be raised; the amendments to the Amended Loan
Facility; the payment of the principal and accrued interest on the
Castle Mountain loan and the anticipated timing thereof; the
completion by property owners of announced drilling programs,
capital expenditures, and other planned activities in relation to
properties on which the Company and its subsidiaries hold a royalty
or streaming interest and the expected timing thereof; production
and life of mine estimates or forecasts at the properties on
which the Company and its subsidiaries hold a royalty or streaming
interest; future disclosure by property owners and the expected
timing thereof; the completion by property owners of announced
capital expenditure programs; the completion of
8,000 meters of exploration drilling by
First Majestic at La
Encantada; the advancement
of mining at La
Encantada towards the Ojuelas and Beca-Zone
orebodies; the expected 2023 midpoint
guidance for the La India mine at El Realito; the completion
of 4,000 meters of exploration
drilling by Agnico at the Chipriona deposit at
El
Realito; the expected 2023 production at
Wharf; the focus of the
exploration efforts at Wharf in
2023; the extension of the mine operating life
at NLGM; additional technical
studies planned to complete test work and studies to optimize
inclusion of Gosselin into future
Côté life-of-mine
plans; Barrick's budget for
exploration at Lama; the beginning of the
environmental review process and public scoping of
the Phase 2 permit amendment at Castle Mountain and
the anticipated timing
thereof; Agnico's expected
expenses for drilling at Santa
Gertrudis for 2023; the
completion of a 190,000 meter drill program at the Tower
Gold Project; Moneta's plan to assess
the expansion of underground resources and evaluate
the increase of underground production
rates; the expected future
production at the Tower Gold Project, and anticipated timing
thereof; the assessment of the
Wasamac project by Agnico, and its expected production
potential; the acquisition of the Wasamac
project by Agnico; the production potential at
the AK deposit and the anticipated timing
thereof; St.
Barbara's plan to investigate repurposing
of the Touquoy processing facility; the
construction of the Fifteen Mile Stream mine, and the anticipated
timing thereof; G. Mining's plan for a follow-up
drill program at Tocantinzinho and the anticipated timing
thereof; the expected expenses by Agnico at
Fosterville, and the ,
and the completion of capitalized drilling, development of
exploration drifts, and underground and
surface exploration; the completion of a
feasibility study on CentroGold, and the anticipated
timing thereof; the expected drilling program
at the Big Springs project, and the anticipated
timing thereof, and the potential for
substantial further resource
growth; the closing of Agnico's acquisition of
Yamana; the expected timing of start of
production at Akasaba West, and the expected production
potential; the recommencing of operations at
the Endeavor mine; the completion of Polymetals
acquisition of Orana Minerals Pty Ltd. and obtaining
the required shareholder approval; the closing
of the agreement between the Company and Cobar Operations to
convert the Company's 100% silver stream in the
Endeavor mine to a 4.0% NSR royalty on all lead, zinc and silver
produced from those tenements; the
Company's belief that significant
value remains at the Joaquin and COSE projects, and the
potential restart of operations at those
projects; the potential that the
porphyry hosted gold mineralization identified by the Canadian
Malartic partnership may be mined
via an open pit from the Camflo property, and the
anticipated timing of production
thereof; the anticipate drill program at Camflo
property and the anticipated timing thereof; 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
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 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 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: risks related to
commodity price fluctuations; the absence of control over mining
operations from which Metalla will purchase precious
metals pursuant to gold streams, silver streams and other
agreements or from which it will receive royalty payments
pursuant to net smelter returns, gross overriding
royalties , gross value royalties and other royalty
agreements or interests and risks related to those mining
operations, including risks related to international
operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine
construction and operations, actual results of
mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of
economic evaluations and changes in project
parameters as plans are refined; risks related to exchange rate
fluctuations; that payments in respect of streams and
royalties may be delayed or may never be
made; risks related to
Metalla's reliance on public disclosure and other
information regarding the mines or
projects underlying its streams and
royalties; that some royalties
or streams may be subject to confidentiality
arrangements that limit or prohibit disclosure
regarding those royalties and
streams; business opportunities
that become available to, or are pursued by,
Metalla; that
Metalla's cash flow is dependent on the
activities of others; that Metalla has had
negative cash flow from operating activities in the
past; that some royalty and stream interests
are subject to rights of other
interest-holders; that
Metalla's royalties and streams may have unknown
defects; risks related to
Metalla's sole material
asset, the
Côté property; risks
related to general business and economic
conditions; risks related to global
financial conditions, geopolitical events and other
uncertainties; risks related to
epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises,
including COVID-19 global health pandemic, and the
spread of other viruses or pathogens, and the
potential impact thereof on Metalla's
business, operations and financial condition;
that Metalla is dependent on its key
personnel; risks
related to Metalla's financial
controls; dividend policy and
future payment of
dividends; competition; that
project operators may not respect contractual
obligations; that Metalla's
royalties and streams may be
unenforceable; risks
related to conflicts of interest of Metalla's
directors and officers; that Metalla may
not be able to obtain adequate financing in the
future; risks associated with
Metalla's 2022 ATM
Program; risks related to
Metalla's current credit facility and financing
agreements; litigation; title,
permit or license disputes related to interests on
any of the properties in which Metalla holds, or may
acquire, a royalty, stream or other
interest; interpretation by
government entities of tax laws or the implementation
of new tax laws; changes in tax laws
impacting Metalla; risks related to
anti-bribery and anti-corruption
laws; credit and liquidity
risk; risks related to
Metalla's information systems and cyber
security; risks
posed by activist
shareholders; that Metalla may
suffer reputational damage in the ordinary course of
business; risks
related to acquiring, investing in or developing resource
projects; risks applicable to
owners and operators of properties in which Metalla
holds an interest; exploration,
development and operating
risks; risks related to climate
change; environmental
risks; that the exploration
and development activities related to mine
operations are subject to extensive laws and
regulations; that the
operation of a mine or project is subject to the receipt
and maintenance of permits from governmental
authorities; risks
associated with the acquisition and maintenance of mining
infrastructure; that
Metalla's success is dependent on the
efforts of
operators' employees; risks
related to mineral resource and mineral reserve
estimates; that mining depletion
may not be replaced by the discovery of new mineral
reserves; that
operators' mining operations are
subject to risks that may not be able to be insured
against; risks related
to land title; risks related to international
operations; risks related to
operating in countries with developing
economies; risks related to the
construction, development and expansion of mines or
projects; risks associated with
operating in areas that are presently, or were formerly,
inhabited or used by indigenous
peoples; that Metalla is required, in certain
jurisdictions, to allow individuals from that
jurisdiction to hold nominal interests in
Metalla's subsidiaries in that
jurisdiction; the volatility of the
stock market; that
existing securityholders may be
diluted; risks related to
Metalla's public disclosure
obligations; risks
associated with future sales or issuances of debt or equity
securities; risks associated with the Amended Loan
Facility; that there can be no assurance that
an active trading market for Metalla's
securities will be
sustained; risks related to the
enforcement of civil judgments against Metalla;
risks relating to Metalla potentially
being a passive "foreign investment
company" within the meaning
of U.S. federal tax laws;
and , as 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. Although we have attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual actions,
events or results
to differ materially from those described
in forward-looking statements, there may
be other factors that cause actions,
events or results
not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
There can be no assurance
that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate,
as actual results and future events
could differ materially from those anticipated
in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements. We are
under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required
under applicable securities laws. For the
reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements.
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SOURCE Metalla Royalty and Streaming Ltd.