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2025

Lundin Mining Announces Record Production Results for 2024 and Provides 2025 Guidance


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VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 16, 2025 /CNW/ - (TSX: LUN) (Nasdaq Stockholm: LUMI) Lundin Mining Corporation (“Lundin Mining” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce production results for the year ended December 31, 2024 and provide production guidance for the three-year period of 2025 through 2027, as well as cash cost, capital and exploration expenditure guidance for 2025. Unless otherwise stated, all numbers are presented in US dollars. 

Highlights

On a consolidated basis the Company achieved guidance on all metals1 for the year and achieved record production levels for copper and zinc.

Jack Lundin, President and CEO, commented “2024 was a transformative year for the Company. We announced three strategic transactions while maintaining operational performance to meet production guidance on a consolidated basis for copper and gold and within revised guidance for zinc and nickel. The Company was able to achieve record production for copper and zinc during the year. This is a testament to the great effort and focus of the entire team at Lundin Mining.

“The first transaction of 2024 was to increase our ownership at Caserones from 51% to 70%. This added approximately 24,000 tonnes of annualized attributable copper production to the Company.

“Our two biggest assets, Candelaria and Caserones, both performed well in the year, Candelaria had one of its best second half performances in its 30-year history, producing just under 100,000 tonnes in H2 2024. Caserones continues to add to our growth story and produced 124,761 tonnes of copper in the year.

“Year over year, zinc production increased and set a record for the Company at 191,704 tonnes. In December, we announced the opportune sale of Neves-Corvo and Zinkgruvan to Boliden AB (“Boliden”) for total consideration of up to $1.52 billion. This transaction is expected to close mid-year, which will further increase our financial flexibility and shift our revenue mix to be more heavily weighted towards copper.

“Finally, we announced the joint acquisition of Filo Corp. (“Filo”) with BHP and the formation of Vicuña Corp. (Vicuña) to jointly develop the Filo del Sol (“FDS”) project and Josemaria project. It is with great pleasure to announce already that this transaction closed on January 15th, 2025.

“Looking ahead, we look forward to closing on the sale of the European assets in 2025 and will continue to focus on improving our operational performance at all our sites.”

_________________________________________
1 Guidance as most recently disclosed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
2025 cash costs guidance is based on various assumptions and estimates, including, production volumes, commodity prices (Cu: $4.40/lb, Mo: $17.00/lb, Au: $2,500/oz: Ag: $30.00/oz) and foreign currency exchange rates (Chilean Peso “CLP” CLP/USD:900, Brazilian Real “BRL” USD/BRL:5.50). Cash cost is a non-GAAP measure - see the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives at the end of this news release.
3 Sustaining capital expenditure is a supplementary financial measure and expansionary capital expenditure is a non-GAAP measure - see the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives at the end of this news release.

Summary of 2024 Production

    Q4 2024

 

Production

Full Year
2024

 

Production

2024 Original

 

Guidance4

 

 

2024 Revised
Guidance5

 
Copper (t)                  
  Candelaria (100% basis) 48,772 162,487 160,000 - 170,000 165,000 - 173,000  
  Caserones (100% basis) 31,737 124,761 120,000 - 130,000 121,000 - 125,000  
  Chapada 12,323 43,261 43,000 - 48,000 43,000 - 48,000  
  Eagle 1,262 6,366 9,000 - 12,000 6,000 - 8,000  
  Neves-Corvo 7,139 28,228 30,000 - 35,000 27,000 - 30,000  
  Zinkgruvan 258 3,964 4,000 - 5,000 4,000 - 5,000  
  Total Copper 101,491 369,067 366,000 - 400,000 366,000 - 389,000  
                       
   
Zinc (t)                  
  Neves-Corvo 27,879 109,571 120,000 - 130,000 111,000 - 116,000  
  Zinkgruvan 24,067 82,133 75,000 - 85,000 79,000 - 83,000  
  Total Zinc 51,946 191,704 195,000 - 215,000 190,000 - 199,000  
                     
Gold (oz)                  
  Candelaria (100% basis) 27,842 93,021 100,000 - 110,000 92,000 - 102,000  
  Chapada 18,614 65,415 55,000 - 60,000 63,000 - 68,000  
  Total Gold 46,456 158,436 155,000 - 170,000 155,000 - 170,000  
                         
Nickel (t)                  
  Eagle 1,617 7,486 10,000 - 13,000 7,000 - 9,000  
  Total Nickel 1,617 7,486 10,000 - 13,000 7,000 - 9,000  
                     
Molybdenum (t)                  
      Caserones (100% basis) 912 3,183 2,500 - 3,000 2,800 - 3,300  
    912 3,183 2,500 - 3,000 2,800 - 3,300  
                     
                                                           
_____________________________________________
4 Guidance as announced by news release “Lundin Mining Announces 2023 Production Results & Provides 2024 Guidance” dated January 14, 2024.
5 Guidance as most recently disclosed in the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Three-Year Production Outlook 2025 - 2027

Production Outlook6

    2025   2026   2027
Copper (t)                      
  Candelaria (100% basis) 140,000 - 150,000   145,000 - 155,000   150,000 - 160,000
  Caserones (100% basis) 115,000 - 125,000   130,000 - 140,000   105,000 - 115,000
  Chapada 40,000 - 45,000   40,000 - 45,000   40,000 - 45,000
  Eagle 8,000 - 10,000   5,000 - 8,000   5,000 - 8,000
  Total Copper 303,000 - 330,000   320,000 - 348,000   300,000 - 328,000
                         
Gold (oz)                      
  Candelaria (100% basis)7 78,000 - 88,000   87,000 - 97,000   85,000 - 95,000
  Chapada 57,000 - 62,000   57,000 - 62,000   47,000 - 52,000
  Total Gold 135,000 - 150,000   144,000 - 159,000   132,000 - 147,000
                         
Nickel (t)                      
  Eagle 8,000 - 11,000   6,000 - 9,000   4,000 - 7,000
  Total Nickel 8,000 - 11,000   6,000 - 9,000   4,000 - 7,000
                       
________________________________________
6 Production guidance is based on certain estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, geological formations, grade and continuity of deposits and metallurgical characteristics. 
7 68% of Candelaria’s total gold and silver production are subject to a streaming agreement.
Neves-Corvo is expected to be slightly above the cash cost guidance range for 2024 from lower by-product credits. Zinkgruvan is expected to be inline with cash cost guidance for 2024. Capital expenditures for 2024 for both assets are expected to be inline with guidance.

2025 Cash Cost9 Guidance

2025 cash cost guidance is based on various assumptions and estimates, including, production volumes as per 2025 guidance, commodity prices (Cu: $4.40/lb, Mo: $17.00/lb, Au: $2,500/oz: Ag: $30.00/oz) and foreign currency exchange rates (CLP/USD:900, USD/BRL:5.50).

Cash Cost 202510
Copper  
  Candelaria11 $1.80/lb - $2.00/lb
  Caserones $2.40lb - $2.60/lb
  Chapada12 $1.80/lb - $2.00/lb
Consolidated C1 Cash Cost $2.05/lb - $2.30/lb
Nickel    
  Eagle $3.05/lb - $3.25/lb
           
___________________________________________
This is a non-GAAP measure. For equivalent historical non-GAAP financial measure comparatives see the Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives section of this press release. Please also see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
10 2025 cash costs are based on various assumptions and estimates, including, but not limited to: production volumes, commodity prices (2025 - Cu: $4.40/lb, Mo: $17.00/lb, Au: $2,500/oz: Ag: $30.00/oz) foreign currency exchange rates (2025 - CLP/USD:900, USD/BRL:5.50) and operating costs.
11 68% of Candelaria’s total gold and silver production are subject to a streaming agreement and as such cash costs are calculated based on receipt of $433/oz and $4.32/oz, respectively, on gold and silver sales in the year.
12 Chapada’s cash cost is calculated on a by-product basis and does not include the effects of its copper stream agreements. Effects of the copper stream agreements are reflected in copper revenue and will impact realized price per pound.

2025 Capital Expenditure Guidance

Capital Expenditures ($ millions) 202513,14
Sustaining Capital  
  Candelaria (100% basis) $205
  Caserones (100% basis) $215
  Chapada $85
  Eagle $25
  Total Sustaining Capital $530
     
Candelaria Expansionary Capital $50
Vicuña Joint Arrangement $155
     
Total Capital Expenditures $735
________________________________________
13 Expansionary capital expenditure is a non-GAAP measure and sustaining capital expenditure is a supplementary financial measure. For historical comparatives see the Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives section of this press release. Please also see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and nine months ended September 30, 2024 for discussion of non-GAAP measures.
14 Capital expenditures are based on various assumptions and estimates, including, but not limited to foreign currency exchange rates (2025 - CLP/USD:900, USD/BRL:5.50).

2025 Exploration Investment Guidance

Exploration expenditures are planned to be $40 million in 2025 primarily for in-mine and near-mine targets at our operations. The largest portion of the planned expenditure will be at Caserones where drilling (18,000 meters (m)) and geophysical programs are planned. Significant drilling programs are also planned at Candelaria (18,000 m), and Chapada (20,000 m) with the goal to grow resources.  The drill program at Caserones will focus on deeper in-pit drilling to better define higher grade breccia zones and exploration drilling to continue testing the sulphide mineral potential below the Angelica oxide deposit. At Candelaria drilling is designed to continue expanding the underground resources, while also growing the shallow La Española Deposit and neighboring La Portuguesa target area.  At Chapada additional drilling at Sauva will continue to further define higher grade resources that will be incorporated into an updated resource estimate.

Vicuña is currently undertaking a drill program at FDS and Cumbre Verde that will continue throughout the year. The drill program will focus on resource growth with multiple step-out targets in all directions from zones of known mineralization, including both the Bonita and Aurora Zones along with infill drilling to support an initial mineral resource estimate mid-year. Drilling at Cumbre Verde will follow up on the initial results from last year and target the same mineralized system and structures discovered to the north of the project.

About Lundin Mining

Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with operations or projects in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and the United States of America, primarily producing copper, gold and nickel. In December 2024 the Company announced the sale of their European assets to Boliden, the transaction is expected to close in mid-2025 subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals.

The information in this release is subject to the disclosure requirements of Lundin Mining under the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out below on January 16, 2025 at 17:30 Eastern Time.

Other Information

The scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with the disclosure standards of National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) and has been reviewed by Patrick Merrin, P.Eng., Executive Vice President, Technical Services, a “Qualified Person” under NI 43-101. Mr. Merrin has verified the data disclosed in this release and no limitations were imposed on his verification process.

Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives

Cash Cost and Sustaining and Expansionary Capital Expenditures are non-GAAP financial measures and are not standardized financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles under IFRS and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies.

Cash Cost – Year Ended December 31, 2023

Operations Candelaria Caserones Chapada Eagle Neves-Corvo Zinkgruvan  
($000s, unless otherwise noted) (Cu) (Cu) (Cu)  (Ni)  (Cu) (Zn) Total
Sales volumes (Contained metal):              
Tonnes                     144,473 66,075 43,761 13,339 32,054 65,344  
Pounds (000s) 318,508 145,670 96,476 29,407 70,667 144,059  
Production costs                2,086,108
Less: Royalties and other             (66,237)
Inventory fair value adjustment             (39,945)
              1,979,926
Deduct: By-product credits             (699,915)
Add: Treatment and refining             183,328
Cash cost 660,160 290,553 219,278 63,457 167,424 62,467 1,463,339
Cash cost per pound ($/lb) 2.07 1.99 2.27 2.16 2.37 0.43  

Capital Expenditures – Year Ended December 31, 2023

($ thousands) Sustaining Expansionary Capitalized
Interest
Total  
Candelaria 308,112 380,112  
Casrones 83,880 83,880  
Chapada 72,291 72,291  
Eagle 22,201 22,201  
Josemaria 275,913 9,980 285,893  
Neves-Corvo 102,621 102,621  
Zinkgruvan 53,358 53,358  
Other 12,761 12,761  
  727,224 275,913 9,980 1,013,117  
Capital expenditures are reported on a cash basis, as presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Expansionary capital expenditures are non-GAAP measures. See the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the
year ended December 31, 2023, for discussion of non-GAAP measures heading “Non-GAAP and Other Performance
Measures” which is incorporated by reference herein.
 
                 

Cash Cost – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

Operations Candelaria Caserones Chapada Eagle Neves-Corvo Zinkgruvan  
($000s, unless otherwise noted) (Cu) (Cu) (Cu)  (Ni)  (Cu) (Zn) Total
Sales volumes (Contained metal):              
Tonnes                     108,965 87,117 29,415 4,574 21,491 49,459  
Pounds (000s) 240,226 192,060 64,849 10,084 47,379 109,038  
Production costs                1,754,677
Less: Royalties and other             (61,427)
              1,693,250
Deduct: By-product credits             (597,173)
Add: Treatment and refining             129,361
Cash cost 438,494 481,756 113,607 39,903 107,898 43,780 1,225,438
Cash cost per pound ($/lb) 1.83 2.51 1.75 3.96 2.28 0.40  

Capital Expenditures – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024

($ thousands) Sustaining Expansionary Capitalized
Interest
Total

 

 
Candelaria 220,194 220,194  
Caserones 100,977 100,977  
Chapada 74,927   74,927  
Eagle 15,998 15,998  
Josemaria 193,027 10,522 203,549  
Neves-Corvo 76,622 76,622  
Zinkgruvan 43,188 43,188  
Other 330 330  
  532,236 193,027 10,522 735,785  
Capital expenditures are reported on a cash basis, as presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Expansionary capital expenditures are non-GAAP measures. See the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the
nine months ended September 30, 2024, for discussion of non-GAAP measures heading “Non-GAAP and Other
Performance Measures” which is incorporated by reference herein.
 
                   

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein are “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this document constitute forward-looking information, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company’s plans, prospects and business strategies; the operation of Vicuña with BHP; the realization of synergies and economies of scale in the Vicuña district; estimated capital expenditures; the timing and expectations for studies and updated estimates; the completion of the sale of the Company’s European assets and the timing thereof; the conditions to close the sale of the Company’s European assets; the Company’s guidance on the timing and amount of future production and its expectations regarding the results of operations; expected costs; permitting requirements and timelines; timing and possible outcome of pending litigation; the results and timing of any Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pre-Feasibility Study, Feasibility Study, or Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimations, life of mine estimates, and mine and mine closure plans; anticipated market prices of metals, currency exchange rates, and interest rates; the implementation of the Company’s Responsible Mining Management System; the Company’s ability to comply with contractual and permitting or other regulatory requirements; anticipated exploration and development activities at the Company’s projects; expansion projects and the realization of additional value; the Company’s integration of acquisitions and expansions and any anticipated benefits thereof; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “contemplate”, “target”, “plan”, “goal”, “aim”, “intend”, “continue”, “budget”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “can”, “could”, “should”, “schedule” and similar expressions identify forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, including that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour; assumed and future price of copper, zinc, nickel, gold and other metals; anticipated costs; that the conditions to close the sale of the Company’s European assets will be satisfied; the ability to achieve goals and identify and realize opportunities; the prompt and effective integration of acquisitions, including the acquisition of Filo, the establishment of the joint arrangement with BHP and the realization of synergies and economies of scale in connection therewith; that the political environment in which the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects; and assumptions related to the factors set forth below. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Lundin Mining as at the date of this document in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, these statements are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and undue reliance should not be placed on such information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the failure to obtain required approvals for the sale of the Company’s European assets; global financial conditions, market volatility and inflation, including pricing and availability of key supplies and services; risks inherent in mining including but not limited to risks to the environment, industrial accidents, catastrophic equipment failures, unusual or unexpected geological formations or unstable ground conditions, and natural phenomena such as earthquakes, flooding or unusually severe weather; uninsurable risks; project financing risks, liquidity risks and limited financial resources; volatility and fluctuations in metal and commodity demand and prices; delays or the inability to obtain, retain or comply with permits; significant reliance on assets in Chile; reputation risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; health and safety risks; risks relating to the development of the Filo del Sol project and the Josemaria project; inability to attract and retain highly skilled employees; risks associated with climate change; compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations; unavailable or inaccessible infrastructure, infrastructure failures, and risks related to ageing infrastructure; risks inherent in and/or associated with operating in foreign countries and emerging markets, including with respect to foreign exchange and capital controls; economic, political and social instability and mining regime changes in the Company’s operating jurisdictions, including but not limited to those related to permitting and approvals, nationalization or expropriation without fair compensation, environmental and tailings management, labour, trade relations, and transportation; risks relating to indebtedness; the inability to effectively compete in the industry; risks associated with acquisitions and related integration efforts, including the ability to achieve anticipated benefits, unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to integration and diversion of management time on integration, including the joint acquisition of Filo and the joint arrangement with BHP; changing taxation regimes; risks related to mine closure activities, reclamation obligations, environmental liabilities and closed and historical sites; reliance on key personnel and reporting and oversight systems, as well as third parties and consultants in foreign jurisdictions; information technology and cybersecurity risks; risks associated with the estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits including but not limited to models relating thereto; actual ore mined and/or metal recoveries varying from Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates, estimates of grade, tonnage, dilution, mine plans and metallurgical and other characteristics; ore processing efficiency; community and stakeholder opposition; financial projections, including estimates of future expenditures and cash costs, and estimates of future production may not be reliable; enforcing legal rights in foreign jurisdictions; environmental and regulatory risks associated with the structural stability of waste rock dumps or tailings storage facilities; activist shareholders and proxy solicitation matters; risks relating to dilution; regulatory investigations, enforcement, sanctions and/or related or other litigation; risks relating to payment of dividends; counterparty and customer concentration risks; the estimation of asset carrying values; risks associated with the use of derivatives; risks relating to joint ventures, joint arrangements and operations; relationships with employees and contractors, and the potential for and effects of labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or shortages of labour or interruptions in production; conflicts of interest; existence of a significant shareholder; exchange rate fluctuations; challenges or defects in title; internal controls; compliance with foreign laws; potential for the allegation of fraud and corruption involving the Company, its customers, suppliers or employees, or the allegation of improper or discriminatory employment practices, or human rights violations; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; risks relating to minor elements contained in concentrate products; and other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk and Uncertainties” section of the Company’s MD&A for the year three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and the “Risk and Uncertainties” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com under the Company’s profile.

All of the forward-looking information in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, forecasted or intended and readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forwardlooking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable law.