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News

Lundin Mining Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Results


VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 21, 2024 /CNW/ - (TSX: LUN) (Nasdaq Stockholm: LUMI) Lundin Mining Corporation (“Lundin Mining” or the “Company”) today reported its fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results. Unless stated otherwise, results are presented on a 100% basis and Caserones results are from July 13, 2023.

Jack Lundin, President and CEO commented, “2023 was a milestone year for the Company. We finished the year generating a record $3.4 billion in revenues and achieved our best-ever quarterly and full year copper production which we forecast to further increase by over 15% in 2024. Our 2023 financial performance was strong with $1.4 billion in adjusted EBITDA1, $345 million in free cash flow from operations1 and we returned $206 million to our shareholders in dividends.

“The Company’s record copper production was driven by our strategic acquisition of a majority interest in Chile’s Caserones copper mine, as well as organically through our expansion project at Neves-Corvo, which also contributed to record fourth quarter zinc production for the Company. Going forward, we will be disciplined in our growth plans and capital allocation as we continue to optimize assets and operational efficiencies to drive down costs.

“At Josemaria, we’re derisking the project via optimization and trade-off studies that aim to enhance the overall value of the Project. We are concurrently continuing to explore potential partnership opportunities and actively working towards establishing stability agreements in Argentina.”

Fourth Quarter Highlights

  • Copper Production: Consolidated production of 103,337 tonnes of copper in the fourth quarter, a quarterly record for the Company and an increase of over 80% on the same quarter in the previous year.
  • Other Production: During the quarter, a total of 50,719 tonnes of zinc, 3,729 tonnes of nickel and approximately 44,000 ounces of gold were produced. The zinc expansion project (“ZEP”) at Neves-Corvo contributed to record quarterly zinc volumes being produced.
  • Revenue: $1,060.0 million in the fourth quarter.
  • Adjusted EBITDA1: $419.7 million generated during the quarter.
  • Adjusted Earnings1Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company were $38.8 million ($0.05 per share) in the fourth quarter with adjusted earnings of $79.7 million ($0.10 per share).
  • Cash Generation: Cash provided by operating activities1 was $306.1 million and free cash flow from operations was $116.8 million, which included a working capital build of $56.0 million.

Full Year 2023 Highlights

  • Copper Production: Record copper production of 314,798 tonnes of copper for the full year which is above the midpoint of originally-published2 2023 annual copper production guidance.
  • Revenue: $3,392.1 million for the full year.
  • Adjusted EBITDA: $1,363.5 million generated during the full year.
  • Adjusted Earnings: Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company were $241.6 million ($0.31 per share) in 2023 and adjusted earnings of $336.2 million ($0.44 per share).
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1  These are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Company’s discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures section at the end of this news release.
2 Guidance as outlined in the news release ‘Lunding Mining Announces Closing of the Acquisition of Majority interest in the Caserones Mine in Chile and Commitments for New $800 Millon Term Loan’ dated July 13, 2023 and ‘Lundin Mining Announces 2022 Production Results & Provides 2023 Guidance” dated January 12, 2023.
  • Cash Generation: During the year, cash provided by operating activities1 was $1,016.6 million and free cash flow from operations1 amounted to $345.1 million, which included a working capital build of $7.6 million.
  • Balance Sheet: To fund the Caserones acquisition, the Company obtained a term loan in July 2023 of a principal amount of $800.0 million with an additional $400.0 million accordion option, maturing July 2026 (“Term Loan”). As at December 31, 2023, the Company had a net debt balance of $946.2 million, excluding lease liabilities.
  • Growth: The Company acquired a 51% interest in the Caserones copper mine on July 13, 2023 which added an additional 120,000 to 130,000 tonnes of copper2 to the Company’s production profile on a 100% basis. The acquisition adds another long-life asset in a tier one jurisdiction, which is strategically located in the Vicuña District.
  • Leadership: Jack Lundin assumed the role of CEO in the fourth quarter of 2023. During the year several senior leadership changes took place to add financial, technical and operational capacity to the team as the Company’s head office relocated to Vancouver.

Summary Financial Results 

  Three months ended

 

December 31,

  Twelve months ended

 

December 31,

US$ Millions (except per share amounts) 2023 2022   2023 2022
Revenue 1,060.0 811.4   3,392.1 3,041.2
Gross profit 188.9 155.2   652.4 762.6
Attributable net earningsa 38.8 145.6   241.6 426.9
Net earnings 66.8 145.3   315.2 463.5
Adjusted earnings a,b,c 79.7 191.5   336.2 482.8
Adjusted EBITDAb,c 419.7 353.7   1,363.5 1,292.5
Basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”)1 0.05 0.19   0.31 0.56
Adjusted EPSa,b,c 0.10 0.25   0.44 0.63
Cash provided by operating activities 306.1 156.9   1,016.6 876.9
Adjusted operating cash flowb 362.0 289.1   1,024.2 992.9
Adjusted operating cash flow per shareb 0.47 0.38   1.33 1.30
Free cash flow from operationsb 116.8 (35.7)   345.1 381.4
Free cash flowb 61.2 (124.3)   13.5 34.1
Cash and cash equivalents 268.8 191.4   268.8 191.4
Net (debt) cash excluding lease liabilitiesb (946.2) 16.3   (946.2) 16.3
Net (debt) cashb (1,223.4) (10.9)   (1,223.4) (10.9)
a. Attributable to shareholders of Lundin Mining Corporation.
b. These are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Company’s discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section at the end of this news release.
c. Q2 2023 amounts have been adjusted from those presented in the Company’s MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023.
  • For the year ended December 31, 2023 the Company generated revenue of $3,392.1 million (2022 - $3,041.2 million), gross profit of $652.4 million (2022 - $762.6 million) and adjusted EBITDA of $1,363.5 million (2022 - $1,292.5 million). Financial results include the contribution from the acquisition of the Caserones copper mine (“Caserones”) located in Chile, from the closing date of the transaction on July 13, 2023.
  • Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company were $38.8 million ($0.05 per share) in the fourth quarter, and were impacted by higher interest expenses and increased deferred tax on foreign exchange revaluation of non-monetary assets at the Josemaria Project in Argentina.
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1 These are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Company’s discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures section at the end of this news release.
2 Represents Caserones 2024 production guidance as outlined in the news release ‘Lundin Mining Provides 2024 Guidance & Announces 2023 Production Results’ dated January 14, 2024.
  • Adjusted earnings1 attributable to shareholders of the Company for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 of $336.2 million ($0.44 per share) were $146.6 million lower than the prior year after adjusting for the non-cash revaluation of derivative contracts, fair value adjustments relating to the Caserones acquisition and deferred tax relating to foreign exchange translation and a Chilean mining royalty rate change, among other things.
  • Cash and cash equivalents as at December 31, 2023 were $268.8 million. Cash provided by operating activities of $1,016.6 million in the year ended December 31, 2023 was used to fund investing activities of $1,674.5 million. Investing activities in the year included $648.6 million net cash paid at closing for the acquisition of Caserones, consisting of $796.6 million upfront cash consideration after adjustments, net of $148 million cash and cash equivalents held by SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile (“Lumina Copper”) at closing on a 100% basis. Cash generated from financing activities was $728.6 million, which was comprised primarily of the proceeds from the Term Loan to finance the Caserones acquisition.
  • Free cash flow1 for the three months ended December 31, 2023 of $61.2 million was $185.5 million higher than the prior year comparable period and benefited from the inclusion of Caserones cash flows as well as higher gross profit overall at the operations.
  • As at February 21, 2024, the Company had a cash balance of approximately $446.7 million and a net debt balance excluding lease liabilities of approximately $851.4 million.

Operational Performance

Total Production

(Contained metal)a 2023 2022
YTD Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Total Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1
Copper (t)b 314,798 103,337 89,942 60,057 61,462 249,659 56,552 63,930 64,096 65,081
Zinc (t) 185,161 50,719 49,774 36,115 48,553 158,938 44,308 40,327 41,912 32,391
Nickel (t) 16,429 3,729 4,290 4,686 3,724 17,475 4,096 4,379 4,719 4,281
Gold (koz)b 149 44 35 34 36 154 36 45 39 34
Molybdenum (t)b 2,024 928 1,096
a. Tonnes (t) and thousands of ounces (koz)    
b. Candelaria and Caserones production is on a 100% basis. Caserones results are from July 13, 2023.

Candelaria (80% owned): Candelaria produced, on a 100% basis, 152,012 tonnes of copper, approximately 90,000 ounces of gold and 1.5 million ounces of silver in concentrate during the year. Copper production was consistent with the prior year due to higher throughput being offset by lower grades and recoveries. Gold production was higher than in the prior year due to higher throughput and grades. Both metals were within the most recently disclosed 2023 production guidance ranges. Total production costs were higher than the prior year primarily due to inflationary cost increases and unfavourable foreign exchange. Copper cash cost1 of $2.07/lb was within the most recently disclosed 2023 cash cost guidance range.

Caserones (51% owned): Caserones produced 65,210 tonnes of copper and 2,024 tonnes of molybdenum on a 100% basis during the year, from the acquisition closing date of July 13, 2023 to the end of the year. Both metals met or exceeded the most recently disclosed 2023 production guidance ranges due to strong throughput, grade and recoveries. Copper cash cost of $1.99/lb was slightly below the low end of the most recently disclosed cash cost guidance range as a result of higher production.

Chapada (100% owned): Chapada produced 45,719 tonnes of copper and approximately 59,000 ounces of gold, with copper production remaining consistent to the prior year and gold production being negatively impacted by lower grade, throughput, and recoveries. Both metals were within the most recently disclosed 2023 production guidance ranges. Total production costs were lower than the prior year due to lower sales volumes. Full year copper cash cost of $2.27/lb was below the low end of the most recently disclosed cash cost guidance.

____________________________
1 These are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Company’s discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures section at the end of this news release.

Eagle (100% owned): Eagle’s production of 16,429 tonnes of nickel and 13,600 tonnes of copper were near the higher ends of recently disclosed 2023 production guidance ranges but lower than that in the prior year due to planned lower grades. Total production costs were lower than the prior year due to lower sales volumes. Nickel cash cost1 of $2.16/lb was within the most recently disclosed 2023 cash cost guidance range but higher than the prior year as a result of lower grade, lower by-product credits and higher repair and maintenance costs.

Neves-Corvo (100% owned): Neves-Corvo produced 33,823 tonnes of copper and 108,812 tonnes of zinc during the year. Zinc production increased significantly from the prior year due to higher throughput as a result of the zinc expansion project (“ZEP”). Copper production also increased due to higher throughput and production of both metals was within the most recently disclosed 2023 production guidance ranges. Total production costs were lower than in the prior year despite higher sales, primarily due to lower input costs, in particular lower electricity and diesel prices, partially offset by unfavourable foreign exchange. Copper cash cost1 of $2.37/lb for the year exceeded the most recently disclosed 2023 cash cost guidance range and was higher than in the prior year primarily due to lower zinc by-product credits, higher treatment and refining charges, and unfavourable foreign exchange.

Zinkgruvan (100% owned): Zinc production of 76,349 tonnes was consistent with the prior year, but slightly below the most recently disclosed 2023 production guidance range. Installation of a sequential flotation system during the year achieved improved recoveries, but a longer than anticipated ramp-up limited mill availability and reduced recoveries, limiting production of both lead and zinc. Lead production of 26,284 tonnes was also lower than in the prior year. Total production costs and sales volumes were consistent with the prior year and zinc cash cost1 of $0.43/lb was below the most recently disclosed 2023 cash cost guidance range but higher than in the prior year, primarily due to lower by-product credits. 

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1 These are non-GAAP measures. Please refer to the Company’s discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP measures section at the end of this news release.

Outlook

Production, cash cost, capital expenditures and exploration investment guidance for 2024 remains unchanged from the most recently reported guidance as outlined in the news release ‘Lundin Mining Provides 2024 Guidance & Announces 2023 Production Results” dated January 14, 2024.

2024 Production and Cash Cost Guidance

      Guidancea
  (contained metal) Production Cash Cost ($/lb)b
  Copper (t) Candelaria (100%) 160,000 - 170,000 1.60 – 1.80c
    Caserones (100%) 120,000 - 130,000 2.60 – 2.80
    Chapada 43,000 - 48,000 1.95 – 2.15d
    Eagle 9,000 - 12,000  
    Neves-Corvo 30,000 - 35,000 1.95 – 2.15c
    Zinkgruvan 4,000 - 5,000  
    Total 366,000 - 400,000  
  Zinc (t) Neves-Corvo 120,000 - 130,000  
    Zinkgruvan 75,000 - 85,000 0.45 – 0.50c
    Total 195,000 - 215,000  
  Nickel (t) Eagle 10,000 - 13,000 2.80 – 3.00
  Gold (koz) Candelaria (100%) 100 - 110  
    Chapada 55 - 60  
    Total 155 - 170  
  Molybdenum (t) Caserones (100%) 2,500 - 3,000  
a. Guidance as outlined in the news release ‘Lundin Mining Provides 2024 Guidance & Announces 2023 Production Results” dated January 14, 2024.     

 

b. Cash costs are based on various assumptions and estimates, including but not limited to: production volumes, commodity prices (Cu: $3.75/lb, Zn: $1.10/lb,Pb: $0.90/lb, Au: $1,800/oz, Mo: $20.00/lb, Ag: $23.00/oz ), foreign exchange rates (€/USD:1.05, USD/SEK:10.50, USD/CLP:850, USD/BRL:5.00) and production costs. Cash cost is a non-GAAP measure - see section ‘Non-GAAP and Other Performance Measures’ of the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section at the end of this news release.

c. 68% of Candelaria’s total gold and silver production are subject to a streaming agreement and silver production at Zinkgruvan and Neves-Corvo are also subject to streaming agreements. Cash costs are calculated based on receipt of approximately $429/oz gold and $4.28/oz to $4.68/oz silver.

d. 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.

2024 Capital Expenditure Guidancea,b

    ($ millions)
  Candelaria (100% basis) 300
  Caserones (100% basis) 205
  Chapada 110
  Eagle 25
  Neves-Corvo 125
  Zinkgruvan 75
  Other
  Total Sustaining 840
  Josemaria (expansionary) 225
  Total Capital Expenditures 1,065
  a. Guidance as outlined in the news release ‘Lundin Mining Provides 2024 Guidance & Announces 2023 Production Results” dated January 14, 2024.                                                                                                                                                                                             

 

b. Sustaining capital expenditure is a supplementary financial measure, and expansionary capital expenditure is a non-GAAP measure – see section ‘Non-GAAP and Other Performance Measures’ of the Company’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures section at the end of this news release.

2024 Exploration Investment Guidance

Total exploration expenditure guidance for 2024 is $48.0 million.

Exploration: Exploration drilling campaigns are underway at Caserones, Josemaria, Chapada and Zinkgruvan. Drilling at Caserones is targeting the Angelica target and Caserones sulphide deep target with three rigs. Initial holes are underway at Josemaria’s Cumbre Verde target, and additional roads are being developed to gain access to higher priority areas. At Chapada, drilling is focused on higher grade corridors within known areas of mineralization that could contribute higher grades to the mine plan. At Zinkgruvan, drilling with six rigs is focused on extending multiple deposits, with the priority on the high-grade Borta Barkom area.

Senior Leadership Appointments

The Company would also like to announce the executive appointments of Patrick Merrin as Executive Vice President, Technical Services and Joel Adams as Vice President, Commercial.

Patrick Merrin

Mr. Merrin was appointed Executive Vice President, Technical Services and brings over 25 years of international experience in mining and metals including 10 years in executive and senior technical, project and operating roles. Mr. Merrin was appointed CEO of Copper Mountain Mining prior to its acquisition in 2024. He has also worked as Senior Vice President Canadian Operations with Newcrest Mining, COO of Mining with the Washington Companies and Senior Vice President of Canadian Operations with Goldcorp. Earlier in his career he also held positions with Hudbay Minerals, Xstrata and Anglo American.

Mr. Merrin holds a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from McGill University, a Master of Business Administration from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto and is a registered Professional Engineer (Ontario).

Joel Adams

Mr. Adams was appointed Vice President, Commercial and will lead Lundin Mining’s commercial strategy. He has more than 15 years of experience as a base metal trader and in logistics management.

Prior to joining Lundin Mining, Joel was a Portfolio Manager with Balyasny Asset Management where he was focused on commodity trading. In addition, Mr. Adams was a senior base metals trader at Trafigura and prior to that held diverse roles within Glencore’s base metals business from 2010 to 2020 as a senior member of the copper division in Switzerland. 

Joel holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Colorado.

About Lundin Mining

Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with projects and operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Portugal, Sweden and the United States of America, primarily producing copper, zinc, nickel and gold. 

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 February 21, 2024 at 15:30 Pacific Standard Time.

Technical 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 Arman Barha, P.Eng., Vice President, Technical Services, a “Qualified Person” under NI 43-101. Mr. Barha has verified the data disclosed in this release and no limitations were imposed on his verification process.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures  

The Company uses certain performance measures in its analysis. These performance measures have no standardized meaning within generally accepted accounting principles under International Financial Reporting Standards and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies. For additional details please refer to the Company’s discussion of non-GAAP and other performance measures in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Cash Cost per Pound and All-in Sustaining Costs can be reconciled to Production Costs on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings as follows:

  Twelve months 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  
Add: Sustaining capital        380,112 83,880 72,291 22,201 102,621 53,358  
Royalties 15,820 8,568 22,994 3,949  
Reclamation and
other closure
accretion and depreciation
9,258 2,560 7,836 11,331 5,387 3,744  
Leases & other 13,325 47,944 4,999 4,100 553 427  
All-in sustaining cost 1,062,855 440,757 312,972 124,083 279,934 119,996  
AISC per pound ($/lb) 3.34 3.03 3.24 4.22 3.96 0.83  
               

 

  Twelve months ended December 31, 2022    
Operations Candelaria Caserones1 Chapada Eagle Neves-Corvo Zinkgruvan  
($000s, unless otherwise noted) (Cu) (Cu) (Cu)  (Ni)  (Cu) (Zn) Total
Sales volumes (Contained metal):              
Tonnes                     147,251 45,563 14,427 31,592 65,684  
Pounds (000s) 324,633 100,449 31,806 69,648 144,808  
Production costs                1,661,358
Less: Royalties and other             (53,785)
              1,607,573
Deduct: By-product             (656,534)
Add: Treatment and refining             124,841
Cash cost 637,486 209,238 25,168 158,351 45,637 1,075,880
Cash cost per pound ($/lb) 1.96 2.08 0.79 2.27 0.32  
Add: Sustaining capital        389,731 104,711 16,413 71,222 48,144  
Royalties 12,298 33,281 4,169  
Reclamation and other closure accretion and depreciation 8,001 7,388 18,512 1,562 3,937  
Leases & other 11,313 3,988 2,404 1,404 665  
All-in sustaining cost 1,046,531 337,623 95,778 236,708 98,383  
AISC per pound ($/lb) 3.22 3.36 3.01 3.40 0.68  
1 Caserones results are from July 13, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

  Three months ended December 31, 2023    
Operations Candelaria Caserones Chapada Eagle Neves-Corvo Zinkgruvan  
($000s, unless otherwise noted) (Cu) (Cu) (Cu)  (Ni)  (Cu) (Zn) Total
Sales volumes (Contained metal):              
Tonnes                     38,888 35,690 13,080 3,105 9,054 17,316  
Pounds (000s) 85,733 78,683 28,836 6,845 19,961 38,176  
Production costs                648,037
Less: Royalties and other             (24,520)
Inventory fair value adjustment             (7,760)
              615,757
Deduct: By-product             (204,164)
Add: Treatment and refining             57,938
Cash cost 152,276 183,687 54,108 16,229 39,218 24,013 469,531
Cash cost per pound 1.78 2.33 1.88 2.37 1.96 0.63  
Add: Sustaining capital                   79,316 55,031 19,858 6,548 28,070 10,546  
Royalties 8,270 2,174 5,003 1,081  
Reclamation and other closure accretion and depreciation 2,158 1,427 2,047 2,620 1,305 933  
Leases & other 2,901 25,715 1,131 1,101 106 103  
All-in sustaining cost 236,651 274,130 79,318 31,501 69,780 35,595  
AISC per pound ($/lb) 2.76 3.48 2.75 4.60 3.50 0.93  

 

  Three months ended December 31, 2022    
Operations Candelaria Caserones Chapada Eagle Neves-Corvo Zinkgruvan  
($000s, unless otherwise noted) (Cu) (Cu) (Cu)  (Ni)  (Cu) (Zn) Total
Sales volumes (Contained metal):              
Tonnes                     33,561 12,037 3,239 6,351 17,635  
Pounds (000s) 73,990 26,537 7,141 14,001 38,878  
Production costs                450,927
Less: Royalties and other             (15,664)
              435,263
Deduct: By-product             (168,620)
Add: Treatment and refining             33,897
Cash cost 186,628 51,782 17,169 32,462 12,499 300,540
Cash cost per pound 2.52 1.95 2.40 2.32 0.32  
Add: Sustaining capital                   117,174 41,299 5,968 22,086 16,607  
Royalties 3,137 9,152 3,185  
Reclamation and other closure accretion and depreciation 1,999 1,855 4,403 481 902  
Leases & other 4,360 932 638 835 118  
All-in sustaining cost 310,161 99,005 37,330 59,049 30,126  
AISC per pound ($/lb) 4.19 3.73 5.23 4.22 0.77  

Adjusted EBITDA can be reconciled to Net Earnings on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings as follows:

  Three months ended

 

December 31,

  Twelve months ended

 

December 31,

($thousands) 2023 2022   2023 2022
Net earnings 66,753 145,295   315,249 463,533
Add back:          
Depreciation, depletion and amortization                                      223,056 142,710   653,596 554,750
Finance income and costs 34,891 16,664   102,699 64,185
Income taxes 102,616 (2,347)   216,599 134,628
  427,316 302,322   1,288,143 1,217,096
Unrealized foreign exchange loss 2,769 (3,836)   1,224 21,164
Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative contracts (19,309) (62,971)   21,932 (62,971)
Ojos del Salado sinkhole expenses 1,687 55,482   16,922 63,271
Loss (income) from equity investment in associates   60 (3,297)
Caserones inventory fair value adjustment 7,760   39,945
Ore stockpile inventory write-down 62,546   62,546
Gain on disposal of subsidiary   (5,718) (16,828)
Other (493) 173   1,040 11,525
Total adjustments - EBITDA (7,586) 51,394   75,405 75,410
Adjusted EBITDA 419,730 353,716   1,363,548 1,292,506
           

Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share can be reconciled to Net Earnings Attributable to Lundin Mining Shareholders on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings as follows:

  Three months ended

 

December 31,

  Twelve months  ended

 

December 31,

($thousands, except share and per share amounts) 2023 2022   2023 2022
Net earnings attributable to Lundin Mining shareholders 38,797 145,562   241,562 426,851
Add back:          
Total adjustments - EBITDA (7,586) 51,394   75,405 75,410
Tax effect on adjustments (2,987) 8,214   (26,925) (797)
Deferred tax expense due to change in tax rate 14,500   40,200
Deferred tax arising from foreign exchange translation 41,168 (14,469)   28,841 (20,733)
Non-controlling interest on adjustments (4,221) 829   (22,886) 2,026
Total adjustments 40,874 45,967   94,635 55,906
Adjusted earnings                                                                        79,671 191,529   336,197 482,757
           
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding 773,476,216 770,804,446   772,532,260 762,518,753
           
Net earnings attributable to shareholders   0.05 0.19   0.31 0.56
Total adjustments   0.05 0.06   0.13 0.07
Adjusted earnings per share                                                     0.10 0.25   0.44 0.63

Free Cash Flow from Operations and Free Cash Flow can be reconciled to Cash provided by Operating Activities on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings as follows:

  Three months ended

 

December 31,

  Twelve months ended

 

December 31,

($thousands) 2023 2022   2023 2022
Cash provided by operating activities 306,081 156,890   1,016,612 876,889
Sustaining capital expenditures (203,827) (204,686)   (727,224) (639,831)
General exploration and business development 14,500 12,094   55,692 144,353
Free cash flow from operations 116,754 (35,702)   345,080 381,411
General exploration and business development (14,500) (12,094)   (55,692) (144,353)
Expansionary capital expenditures (41,082) (76,485)   (275,913) (202,993)
Free cash flow 61,172 (124,281)   13,475 34,065

Adjusted Operating Cash Flow and Adjusted Operating Cash Flow per Share can be reconciled to Cash Provided by Operating Activities on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings as follows:

  Three months ended

 

December 31,

  Twelve months ended

 

December 31,

($thousands, except share and per share amounts) 2023 2022   2023 2022
Cash provided by operating activities 306,081 156,890   1,016,612 876,889
Changes in non-cash working capital items 55,965 132,167   7,605 116,056
Adjusted operating cash flow                                                     362,046 289,057   1,024,217 992,945
           
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding 773,476,216 770,804,446   772,532,260 762,518,753
Adjusted operating cash flow per share                                  $               0.47 0.38   1.33 1.30

Net (debt) cash  and Net (debt) cash excluding lease liabilities can be reconciled to Debt and Lease Liabilities, Current Portion of Debt and Lease Liabilities and Cash and Cash Equivalents on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings as follows:

($thousands) December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022  
Debt and lease liabilities (1,273,162) (27,179)  
Current portion of total debt and lease liabilities            (212,646) (170,149)  
Less deferred financing fees (netted in above) (6,374) (4,926)  
  (1,492,182) (202,254)  
Cash and cash equivalents 268,793 191,387  
Net (debt) cash (1,223,389) (10,867)  
Lease liabilities 277,208 27,166  
Net (debt) cash excluding lease liabilities (946,181) 16,299  

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is “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 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 of any Preliminary Economic Assessment, 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 development and 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; the Company’s integration of acquisitions 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 statements.

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, nickel, zinc, gold and other metals; anticipated costs; ability to achieve goals; the prompt and effective integration of acquisitions; 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 statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: 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; volatility and fluctuations in metal and commodity demand and prices; significant reliance on assets in Chile; reputation risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; delays or the inability to obtain, retain or comply with permits; risks relating to the development of the Josemaria Project; health and safety laws and regulations; risks associated with climate change; risks relating to indebtedness; 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; inability to attract and retain highly skilled employees; risks inherent in and/or associated with operating in foreign countries and emerging markets, including with respect to foreign exchange and capital controls; project financing risks, liquidity risks and limited financial resources; health and safety risks; compliance with environmental, unavailable or inaccessible infrastructure, infrastructure failures, and risks related to ageing infrastructure; changing taxation regimes; 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; 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; regulatory investigations, enforcement, sanctions and/or related or other litigation; 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; risks associated with the use of derivatives; risks relating to joint ventures and operations; environmental and regulatory risks associated with the structural stability of waste rock dumps or tailings storage facilities; exchange rate fluctuations; 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; risks relating to dilution; risks relating to payment of dividends; counterparty and customer concentration risks; activist shareholders and proxy solicitation matters; estimation of asset carrying values; 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 significant shareholders; challenges or defects in title; internal controls; risks relating to minor elements contained in concentrate products; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases; and other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those described in the “Risks and Uncertainties” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the “Managing Risks” section of the Company’s MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca under the Company’s profile.

All of the forward-looking statements made 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, forecast 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.