(All dollar amounts are in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise
indicated, except for shares, per ounce, and per share amounts)
TSXV: MTA
NYSE American: MTA
VANCOUVER, BC, May 12, 2023
/CNW/ - Metalla Royalty & Streaming
Ltd. ("Metalla" or the "Company") (TSXV:
MTA) (NYSE American: MTA) announces its operating and financial
results for the three months ended March 31,
2023. For complete details of the condensed interim
consolidated financial statements and accompanying management's
discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2023, please see the Company's filings
on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Shareholders are
encouraged to visit the Company's website at
www.metallaroyalty.com.
Brett Heath, President, and
CEO of Metalla, commented, "During the first quarter we received
stronger than expected production from Wharf and El Realito along with several exciting
portfolio updates. We are also very pleased with the continued
support of Beedie Capital securing an amendment for an expanded and
extended convertible loan facility. We look forward to the balance
of 2023, attracting more high-quality third-party
assets."
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
During the three months ended March
31, 2023, and the subsequent period up to the date of this
news release, the Company:
- Acquired 1 stream and 5 royalties, to bring the total held as
at the date of this press release to 85 precious metals assets,
through the following transactions:
-
- Acquired an existing 2.5%-3.75% sliding scale Gross
Proceeds ("GP") royalty over gold, together with a
0.25%-3.0% Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty on all
non-gold and silver metals on the majority of Barrick Gold
Corporation's ("Barrick") world-class Lama project in
Argentina, from an arm's length
seller for aggregate consideration of $7.5
million. 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 seller (valued at
$5.3553 per share). 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;
- 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
Volume-Weighted Average Price ("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.
- For the three months ended March 31,
2023, received or accrued payments on 927 attributable Gold
Equivalent Ounces ("GEOs") at an average realized price of
$1,836 and an average cash cost of
$5 per attributable GEO (see
Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the three months ended March 31,
2023, recognized revenue from royalty and stream interests,
including fixed royalty payments, of $1.0
million, net loss of $1.4
million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $0.6
million (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the three months ended March 31,
2023, generated operating cash margin of $1,831 per attributable GEO, from the Wharf,
El Realito, La Encantada, 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);
- For the three months ended March 31,
2023, recognized payments due or received (not included in
revenue) from the Higginsville derivative royalty asset of
$0.7 million (see Non-IFRS
Financial Measures);
- 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 1,078,079 common shares under the 2022 ATM
Program at an average price of $5.20
per share for gross proceeds of $5.6
million;
- On May 11, 2023, the Company
entered into a second supplemental loan agreement (the
"Supplemental Loan Agreement") with Beedie Capital, expected
to be effective March 31, 2023, once
customary conditions are satisfied, to amend its loan facility
by:
-
- extending the maturity date to May
9, 2027;
- increasing the loan facility by C$5.0 million from C$20.0
million to C$25.0 million, of
which C$21.0 million will be undrawn
after giving effect to the C$4.0
million conversion described below;
- increasing the interest rate from 8.0% to 10.0% per
annum;
- amending the conversion price of the fourth drawdown from
C$11.16 per share to C$8.67 per share, being 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 third drawdown from
C$14.30 per share to C$7.33 per share, being 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. The Company will issue Beedie 545,702 common shares of
the Company for the conversion of the C$4.0
million once customary conditions are satisfied;
- amending the conversion price of the remaining
C$1.0 million of the Third Drawdown
from C$14.30 per share to
C$8.67 per share, being to the 30-day
VWAP of the Company shares measured at market close on the day
prior to announcement of the amendment; and
- All other terms of the loan facility remain
unchanged.
- 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 paid all accrued
interest on the loan, and effective April 1,
2023, the interest rate increased to 12.0% per annum, and
the principal and accrued interest will be repaid no later than
April 1, 2024.
ASSET UPDATES
Below are updates during the three months ended March 31, 2023, and subsequent period to certain
of the Company's assets, based on information publicly filed by the
applicable project owner:
La Encantada
On April 20, 2023, First Majestic
Silver Corp. ("First Majestic") announced production of 89
ounces of gold in the first quarter of 2023 from La Encantada. Silver production for the mine
totaled 0.84 Moz, and 2023 guidance is in the range of 2.9 – 3.2
Moz silver. First Majestic also completed 1,863 meters of drilling
on the property with the use of two underground rigs. First
Majestic will continue to advance mining at La Encantada towards the Ojuelas and Beca-Zone
orebodies to extract higher-grade ores during the quarter to
further improve overall production.
On March 31, 2023, First Majestic
declared Probable Reserves of 13.6 Moz at 133 g/t silver, and total
Measured and Indicated Resources of 31.6 Moz at 148 g/t silver at
La Encantada with an effective
date of December 31, 2022.
Metalla holds a 100% GVR royalty on gold produced at the
La Encantada mine limited to 1.0
Koz annually.
El Realito
On April 27, 2023, Agnico Eagle
Mines Ltd. ("Agnico") reported that gold production from La
India totaled 16,321 oz gold for the first quarter of 2023. Mine
production levels for the first quarter were good with grades
higher than target. Changes are underway to improve the leach
kinetics of the heap leach pads at the mine. An investigation is
ongoing for additional sulphide mineralization with a plan to drill
4,000 meters at the Chipriona target which is northwest and
adjacent to 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 April 24, 2023, Shanta Gold
Limited ("Shanta") reported that it produced 15.3 Koz of
gold at its NLGM in Tanzania in
the first quarter of 2023. 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.
Wasamac
On April 27, 2023, Agnico reported
that prior to the closing of the transaction to acquire Yamana Gold
Corp.'s ("Yamana") Canadian assets, Yamana completed 29
drill holes totalling 14,673 meters at Wasamac which yielded a
significant intercept of 4.7 g/t gold over 54.1 meters.
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 annually.
Metalla holds a 1.5% NSR royalty on the Wasamac project subject
to a buy back of 0.5% for C$7.5
million.
Garrison
On April 11, 2023, Moneta Gold
Inc. ("Moneta") announced the results of assays from
historical drill core at Garrison. The sampling confirmed the
continuity and extension of gold mineralized zones not currently
included in the latest Mineral Resource estimate. Significant
results include 1.87 g/t over 18 meters and 1.58 g/t gold over 18.5
meters at Garrcon and 13.5 g/t gold over 3.2 meters and 4.79 g/t
gold over 3.75 meters at Jonpol.
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.
Amalgamated Kirkland Property
On April 27, 2023, Agnico reported
infill drill results from the Amalgamated Kirkland deposit
featuring highlights of 14.7 g/t gold over 5.3 meters and 13.0 g/t
gold over 4.9 meters. The AK deposit remains open toward the west
and vertically along the west fringe.
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.
Metalla holds a 0.45% NSR royalty on the Amalgamated Kirkland
property.
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"). Completion of Polymetals
acquisition of Orana Minerals Pty Ltd. is subject to approval of
Polymetals shareholders, with the meeting scheduled for
May 12, 2023. 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.
On April 17, 2023, Polymetals
announced the results of six drill holes completed on Endeavor,
highlighted by 19.5% zinc Equivalent ("ZnEq") over 81 meters
and 14.6% ZnEq over 52 meters at the North lode. Polymetals
announced it is focused on various aspects of the Endeavor mine
with a view to recommencing operations. On April 25, 2023, Polymetals released additional
results from drilling at the South Lode at Endeavor, highlights
included 11.02% ZnEq over 71 meters.
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.
Fifteen Mile
Stream
On April 27, 2023, St. Barbara
Limited ("St Barbara") reported a revised permitting
timeline for Fifteen Mile Stream which targets development in
fiscal 2026. In addition, St. Barbara will investigate repurposing
the Touquoy processing facility for use at Fifteen Mile Stream to
lower capital and construction cost.
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.
Fosterville
On April 27, 2023, Agnico reported
that gold production from Fosterville for the first quarter of 2023
totalled 86 Koz gold. At the tail end of the quarter, drilling
began at the lower end of the Lower Phoenix/Swan zone where
drilling will also target the newly discovered Cardinal structure
in the hanging wall of the Swan Zone. During 2023, Agnico plans to
spend $20.8 million for 105,300
meters of 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 exploration with the aim of
discovering addition high-grade mineralization at Fosterville.
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.
Lama
On May 3, 2023, Barrick reported
that drilling continued during the first quarter of 2023 with one
rig testing mineralization concepts at Penelope South and West
targets. Total exploration, evaluation and project expenses for the
whole Pascua-Lama project totaled $8
million for the first quarter of 2023.
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 May 3, 2023, Equinox Gold Corp.
("Equinox") reported a surface exploration program of
geological mapping and channel sampling commenced with the primary
goal to sample previously identified mineralization exposed on
surface such that data can be used in future Mineral Resource
estimation. Sustaining capital expenditures during the quarter were
primarily related to work on a water well. A total of $1.4 million was spent on Phase 2 permitting and
optimization for the quarter.
On February 23, 2023, Equinox
reported that in 2023 it 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.
Akasaba West
On April 27, 2023, Agnico
announced that 670 kt of overburden was removed to date and
construction 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.
Camflo
On April 27, 2023, Agnico reported
there are three drill rigs currently investigating near-surface
targets at 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.
Plomosas
On March 20, 2023, GR Silver
Mining announced an updated Mineral Resource estimate for the
Plomosas project. At the Plomosas Mine area, total Indicated
Resources are 31 Moz at 200 g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq")
and Inferred Resources are 17 Moz at 175 g/t AgEq. The San Juan-La
Colorada Area has an Indicated Resource of 1 Moz at 204 g/t AgEq
and an Inferred Resource of 16 Moz at 180 g/t AgEq.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Plomosas property
subject to a buy back of 1.0% for $1.0
million.
Tower Mountain
On April 25, 2023, Thunder Gold
Corp announced they intersected 941 g/t over 1.5 meters with
visible gold in the core at the Thunder Gold property. Additional
highlights include 0.77 g/t gold over 23 meters and 1.26 g/t gold
over 17.5 meters.
Metalla holds a 2% NSR royalty on the Tower Mountain
property.
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. On April 5, 2023, Contact
Gold reported a 4,500 meter drill program with a budget of
$1.85 million will be conducted at
Green Springs.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Green Springs
project.
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 ("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 TSXV) 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 GEOs for the three months ended March 31, 2023, were as follows:
Attributable GEOs
during the period from:
|
|
Higginsville
|
354
|
Wharf
|
352
|
El
Realito
|
168
|
La
Encantada
|
26
|
NLGM
|
27
|
Total attributable
GEOs
|
927
|
(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 three months ended March 31, 2023, was:
Cost of sales for
NLGM
|
$5
|
Total cash cost of
sales
|
5
|
Total attributable
GEOs
|
927
|
Average cash cost
per attributable GEO
|
$5
|
(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 three months ended March 31, 2023,
was:
Royalty revenue
(excluding fixed royalty payments)
|
$981
|
Payments from
derivative assets
|
669
|
Revenue from
NLGM
|
52
|
Sales from stream
and royalty interests
|
1,702
|
Total attributable
GEOs sold
|
927
|
Average realized
price per attributable GEO
|
$1,836
|
(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 three months ended March 31,
2023, was:
Net
loss
|
$(1,356)
|
Adjusted
for:
|
|
Interest
expense
|
315
|
Finance
charges
|
33
|
Income tax
provision
|
199
|
Depletion
|
399
|
Foreign exchange
loss
|
68
|
Share-based
payments
|
897
|
Adjusted
EBITDA
|
$555
|
Refer the Company's MD&A for the three months ended
March 31, 2023, 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 completion of the
Company's royalty purchase
transactions; the Company's plans and
objectives; the Company's future
financial and operational performance;
expectations regarding stream and royalty
interests owned by the Company; the satisfaction of
future payment obligations, contractual commitments and contingent
commitments by Metalla; the
future achievement of any milestones in respect of the payment or
satisfaction of contingent consideration by
Metalla; 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 future availability
of funds, including drawdowns pursuant to the
Company's loan facility (as amended or
supplemented); the effective
interest rate of drawdowns under the Company's loan facility (as
amended or supplemented) and the life
expectancy thereof; the future conversion
of funds drawn down by Metalla under its loan
facility (as amended or
supplemented); the amendments or supplements to
the Company's loan facility, including the effectiveness of the
Supplemental Loan Agreement and conversion of C$4.0 million of the third
drawdown; 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 expected 2023 production at
La
Encantada; the expected
2023 guidance for the mine at La Encantada; the
advancement of mining at La
Encantada towards the Ojuelas and Beca-Zone
orebodies; the intended improvements for the
heap leach pads 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; the assessment of
the Wasamac project by Agnico, and its expected
production
potential; 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 production potential at the AK
deposit and the anticipated timing
thereof; 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; additional technical studies
planned to complete test work and studies to optimize inclusion of
Gosselin into future
Côté life-of-mine
plans; 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; the expected expenses by
Agnico at Fosterville, and the
completion of capitalized drilling, development of
exploration drifts, and underground and surface
exploration; the budget for the Phase 2
optimization, engineering and permitting at Castle
Mountain and the anticipated timing thereof;
Agnico's expected expenses for
drilling at Santa Gertrudis for
2023; the expected timing of start of
production at Akasaba West, and the expected
production potential; 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 anticipated drill program at
Camflo property and the anticipated timing
thereof; the expected drilling program at Green
Springs, and the anticipated timing and
expenses; the amount and timing of
the attributable GEOs expected by the Company in 2023;
the availability of cash flows from
the Wharf, Higginsville, El
Realito, NLGM and La
Encantada royalties and streams;
royalty payments to be paid to Metalla by property owners or
operators of mining projects pursuant to
each royalty interest;
the future outlook of Metalla and the
mineral reserves and resource estimates for the
properties with respect to which the
Metalla has or proposes to acquire an
interest; future gold and
silver prices; other potential developments
relating to, or achievements by, the counterparties
for the Company's stream and royalty agreements,
and with respect to the mines and other properties
in which the Company has, or may acquire, a stream
or royalty interest; costs and other
financial or economic
measures; prospective transactions;
growth and achievements; financing
and adequacy of capital;
future payment of dividends;
future public and/or private placements of equity,
debt or hybrids thereof; and the
Company's ability to fund its current operational
requirements and capital projects.
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 Company's 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 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.