Taseko
Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial and Operational Performance
and Florence Construction Update
This
release should be read with the Company's Financial Statements and
Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A"), available
at
www.tasekomines.com and filed
on
www.sedarplus.com. Except
where otherwise noted, all currency amounts are stated in Canadian
dollars. In March 2024 Taseko acquired the remaining 12.5% interest
and now owns 100% of the Gibraltar Mine, located north of the City
of Williams Lake in south-central British Columbia. Production and
sales volumes stated in this release are on a 100% basis unless
otherwise indicated.
|
VANCOUVER, BC, July 31, 2024
-- Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO) (NYSE American: TGB) (LSE: TKO)
("Taseko" or the "Company") reports second quarter 2024 Adjusted
EBITDA* of $71 million and Earnings
from mining operations before depletion and amortization* of
$77 million. Second quarter earnings
benefited from a $26 million
insurance recovery related to mill repairs that were completed in
January. Revenues for the second quarter were $138 million. A net loss of $11 million ($0.04
loss per share) was recorded for the quarter and adjusted net
income was $31 million ($0.10 per share).
Gibraltar produced 20 million pounds of copper and 185
thousand pounds of molybdenum in the second quarter, as previously
disclosed. Production was impacted by planned downtime for the
in-pit crusher relocation and other maintenance, and an 18-day mine
shutdown for a labour strike. Mill throughput in the quarter was
5.7 million tons, processing an average grade of 0.23% copper.
Copper recoveries in the quarter averaged 78%, lower than previous
quarters due to interruptions to operating time in both
concentrators. Total operating costs (C1)* for the quarter were
US$2.99 per pound of copper produced,
higher than recent quarters mainly due to lower production levels.
The in-pit crusher relocation, a project in development for nearly
two years, was completed in the second quarter. Conveyor and
electrical tie ins were done by mid-July and the new system is now
running at full capacity.
Stuart McDonald, President and CEO of Taseko, commented,
"This was our first full quarter with 100% ownership of
Gibraltar and despite the
operational disruptions, the mine's financial performance was quite
strong as we generated $35 million of
operating cashflow. With all of the major project and mill
maintenance work now completed at Gibraltar, we're looking forward to stronger
copper production and cashflow
generation in the second half."
Construction
activities at the Florence Copper project continued to ramp up in
the second quarter and there are over 200 contractors now onsite.
Concrete foundations have been poured for the SX/EW
plant, tank farms and other key components of the plant site. On
the wellfield,
18 production wells were completed to the end of June, in line with
the schedule, and development of the pipeline corridor is well
advanced. The first evaporation pond, which has been brought ahead
in the schedule to provide greater water management flexibility
will be fully lined and completed in the next few weeks.
Mr.
McDonald added, "We're pleased with the initial construction
progress at Florence as all key
activities are advancing on schedule. We've
also had good success in recruiting key management and technical
roles for the commercial operation and now have nearly half of the
170 permanent positions filled. Many of these positions have been
filled by local Arizonans and there is excitement about
participating in the development of America's next copper
mine. The
project remains on schedule for first copper production in the
fourth quarter 2025."
*Non-GAAP
performance measure. See end of news release
Second
Quarter Review
-
Earnings from mining
operations before depletion, amortization and non-recurring items*
was $76.9 million, Adjusted EBITDA*
was $70.8 million, and Adjusted net
income* was $30.5 million
($0.10 per share);
-
Second quarter cash flow
from operations was $34.7 million and
net loss was $11.0 million
($0.04 loss per share) for the
quarter;
-
Gibraltar produced 20.2 million pounds of
copper for the quarter. Average head grades were 0.23% and copper
recoveries were 78% for the quarter;
-
Gibraltar sold 22.6 million pounds of copper
in the quarter at an average realized copper price of US$4.49 per pound;
-
Total operating costs
(C1)* for the quarter were US$2.99
per pound produced;
-
On June 1, 2024, operations at the Gibraltar mine were suspended for 18 days due
to strike action by its unionized workforce. The mine was put into
temporary care and maintenance with only essential staff operating
and maintaining critical systems during the strike. Operations at
Gibraltar resumed on June 19 after the ratification of a new agreement
by union members;
-
During the quarter, a
total of 5.7 million tons were milled. Throughput was impacted by
both the labour strike and planned downtime in Concentrator #1 for
the relocation of the primary crusher and
maintenance;
-
During the quarter, the
Company finalized an insurance claim for property damage to
Concentrator #2 and business interruption for the associated
production impact in 2023 and January
2024. An additional insurance recovery of $26.3 million was recorded in the second quarter,
and proceeds are expected to be received in the third
quarter;
-
Construction of the
commercial production facility at Florence is advancing with recent activities
focused on wellfield drilling, process pond construction and civil
works including pouring of concrete foundations;
-
On April 23, 2024, the Company completed an offering
of US$500 million aggregate principal
amount of 8.25% Senior Secured Notes due May
1, 2030. The majority of the proceeds were used to redeem
the outstanding US$400 million 7%
Senior Secured Notes due on February 15,
2026. The remaining proceeds, net of transaction costs, call
premium and accrued interest, were approximately $110 million and are available to fund capital
projects, including construction at Florence Copper;
and
-
The Company had a cash
balance of $199 million at
June 30, 2024 and has approximately
$308 million of available liquidity
including its undrawn US$80 million
revolving credit facility.
*Non-GAAP
performance measure. See end of news release
Highlights
Operating
Data (Gibraltar - 100% basis)
|
Three
months ended June 30,
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
Change
|
2024
|
2023
|
Change
|
Tons mined
(millions)
|
18.4
|
23.4
|
(5.0)
|
41.2
|
47.5
|
(6.3)
|
Tons milled
(millions)
|
5.7
|
7.2
|
(1.5)
|
13.4
|
14.3
|
(0.9)
|
Production
(million pounds Cu)
|
20.2
|
28.2
|
(8.0)
|
49.9
|
53.1
|
(3.2)
|
Sales
(million pounds Cu)
|
22.6
|
26.1
|
(3.5)
|
54.3
|
52.7
|
1.6
|
Financial
Data
|
Three
months ended June 30,
|
Six
months ended June 30,
|
(Cdn$ in
thousands, except for per share amounts)
|
2024
|
2023
|
Change
|
2024
|
2023
|
Change
|
Revenues
|
137,730
|
111,924
|
25,806
|
284,677
|
227,443
|
57,234
|
Cash flows
provided by operations
|
34,711
|
33,269
|
1,442
|
94,285
|
61,268
|
33,017
|
Net (loss)
income (GAAP)
|
(10,953)
|
9,991
|
(20,944)
|
7,943
|
43,779
|
(35,836)
|
Per share –
basic ("EPS")
|
(0.04)
|
0.03
|
(0.07)
|
0.03
|
0.15
|
(0.12)
|
Earnings
from mining operations before
depletion,
amortization and non-recurring
items*
|
76,928
|
27,664
|
49,264
|
129,725
|
68,803
|
60,922
|
Adjusted
EBITDA*
|
70,777
|
22,218
|
48,559
|
120,700
|
58,277
|
62,423
|
Adjusted
net income (loss)*
|
30,503
|
(4,376)
|
34,879
|
38,231
|
712
|
37,519
|
Per share –
basic ("adjusted EPS")*
|
0.10
|
(0.02)
|
0.12
|
0.13
|
-
|
0.13
|
Effective
as of March 25, 2024 the Company
increased its ownership in Gibraltar from 87.5% to
100%.
As a
result, the financial results reported in this MD&A include
100% of Gibraltar income and
expenses for the period March 25,
2024 to June 30, 2024 (87.5%
for the period March 16, 2023 to
March 24, 2024, and 75% prior to
March 15, 2023).
For more
information on the Company's acquisition of Cariboo, please refer
to the Financial Statements – Note 3.
The
Company finalized the accounting for the acquisition of its initial
50% interest in Cariboo from Sojitz and the related 12.5% interest
in Gibraltar in the fourth quarter
of 2023.
In
accordance with
the accounting standards for business combinations, the comparable
financial statements as of June 30,
2023 and for the three and six months then ended have been
revised to reflect the changes in finalizing the consideration paid
and the allocation of the purchase price to the assets and
liabilities acquired.
*Non-GAAP
performance measure. See end of news release
Review
of Operations
Gibraltar mine
Operating
data (100% basis)
|
Q2
2024
|
Q1
2024
|
Q4
2023
|
Q3
2023
|
Q2
2023
|
Tons mined
(millions)
|
18.4
|
22.8
|
24.1
|
16.5
|
23.4
|
Tons milled
(millions)
|
5.7
|
7.7
|
7.6
|
8.0
|
7.2
|
Strip
ratio
|
1.6
|
1.7
|
1.5
|
0.4
|
1.5
|
Site
operating cost per ton milled (Cdn$)*
|
$13.93
|
$11.73
|
$9.72
|
$12.39
|
$13.17
|
Copper
concentrate
|
|
|
|
|
|
Head
grade (%)
|
0.23
|
0.24
|
0.27
|
0.26
|
0.24
|
Copper
recovery (%)
|
77.7
|
79.0
|
82.2
|
85.0
|
81.9
|
Production
(million pounds Cu)
|
20.2
|
29.7
|
34.2
|
35.4
|
28.2
|
Sales
(million pounds Cu)
|
22.6
|
31.7
|
35.9
|
32.1
|
26.1
|
Inventory
(million pounds Cu)
|
2.3
|
4.9
|
6.9
|
8.8
|
5.6
|
Molybdenum
concentrate
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production
(thousand pounds Mo)
|
185
|
247
|
369
|
369
|
230
|
Sales
(thousand pounds Mo)
|
221
|
258
|
364
|
370
|
231
|
Per
unit data (US$ per pound produced)*
|
|
|
|
|
|
Site
operating costs*
|
$2.88
|
$2.21
|
$1.59
|
$2.10
|
$2.43
|
By-product
credits*
|
(0.26)
|
(0.17)
|
(0.13)
|
(0.23)
|
(0.13)
|
Site
operating costs, net of by-product credits*
|
$2.62
|
$2.04
|
$1.46
|
$1.87
|
$2.30
|
Off-property
costs
|
0.37
|
0.42
|
0.45
|
0.33
|
0.36
|
Total
operating costs (C1)*
|
$2.99
|
$2.46
|
$1.91
|
$2.20
|
$2.66
|
Review
of Operations
Second
Quarter Review
Gibraltar produced 20.2 million pounds of copper for the
quarter. Copper production and mill throughput in the quarter were
impacted by a strike in June 2024 and
planned downtime in Concentrator #1 for the relocation of the
in-pit crusher and other concurrent maintenance.
On
June 1, 2024, operations at the mine
were suspended for 18 days due to strike action by Gibraltar's unionized workforce strike. During
this period all mining and milling operations were shut down and
only essential staff remained on site to operate and maintain
critical systems. Operations resumed on June
19, after the ratification of a new agreement by union
members.
Copper
head grades of 0.23% were in line with management expectations and
the mine plan. Copper recoveries in the second quarter were 78%,
lower than the recent quarters due to increased milling of
partially oxidized ore from the Connector pit and variable mill
operating conditions during the strike and maintenance
activities.
Operations
Analysis - Continued
A total of
18.4 million tons were mined in the second quarter, lower than
previous quarters due to the labour disruption. Stripping continued
in the Connector pit and ore release will transition from the
Gibraltar pit to the Connector pit
in the coming months. A total of 1.5 million tons of oxide ore from
the upper benches of the Connector pit were also added to the heap
leach pads in the period.
Total site
costs* at Gibraltar of
$90.5 million (which includes
capitalized stripping of $10.7
million) was lower compared to the previous quarter due to
the strike in June. A total of $2.5
million care and maintenance costs were incurred during the
strike which are not included in total site costs or cost of
sales.
During the
six months ended June 30, 2024, the
Company incurred total costs of $9.7
million in relation to the primary crusher relocation
project for Concentrator #1. Direct costs for the physical move of
the crusher of $7.9 million have been
included in the statement of income (loss).
Molybdenum
production was 185 thousand pounds in the second quarter and
production was impacted by mill availability. At an average
molybdenum price of US$21.79 per
pound, molybdenum generated a by-product credit per pound of copper
produced of US$0.26 in the second
quarter.
Off-property
costs per pound produced* were US$0.37 for the second quarter and also reflected
higher copper sales volumes relative to production volumes compared
to the prior quarter.
Total
operating costs per pound produced (C1)* was US$2.99 for the quarter, compared to US$2.66 in the prior year quarter as shown in the
bridge graph below with the difference substantially attributed to
the lower copper production in the quarter:
Photo
-
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2473015/Taseko_Mines_Limited_Taseko_Reports_Second_Quarter_2024_Financia.jpg
Gibraltar
Outlook
With the
major project and maintenance work in both concentrators now
completed, production in the second half of 2024 is expected to be
stronger than the first half of 2024. An updated mine plan and mill
throughput opportunities are being evaluated to recover some of the
production that was lost during the strike. Copper production for
the year is expected to be in the range of 110 to 115 million
pounds, compared to original guidance of approximately 115 million
pounds.
The
Gibraltar pit continued to be the
main source of mill feed in the second quarter and mining of ore is
now transitioning into the Connector pit, which will be the primary
source of mill feed in the second half of the
year.
Additional
oxide ore from Connector pit is expected to be added to the heap
leach pads this year.
Refurbishment
of Gibraltar's SX/EW plant, which
has been idle since 2015, will begin later this year and management
is planning to restart the facility in 2025.
*Non-GAAP
performance measure. See end of news release
Gibraltar
Outlook - Continued
In the
quarter, the Company has tendered Gibraltar concentrate to various customers for
the remainder of 2024 and for significant tonnages in 2025 and
2026. In 2023, Treatment and Refining Costs ("TCRCs") accounted for
approximately US$0.17 per pound of
off-property costs. With these recently awarded offtake contracts,
the Company expects off-property costs to reduce to US$0.05 per pound or less over the next two and a
half years due to these fixed, lower TCRCs on the sale of its
copper concentrate.
The
Company has a prudent hedging program in place to protect a minimum
copper price during the Florence
construction period.
Currently,
the Company has copper collar contracts that secure a minimum
copper price of US$3.75 per pound for
42 million pounds of copper covering the second half of 2024, and
copper collar contracts that secure a minimum copper price of
US$4.00 per pound for 108 million
pounds of copper for 2025.
The copper
collar contracts also have ceiling prices between US$5.00 and US$5.40
per pound (refer to the section "Hedging Strategy" for
details).
Florence
Copper
The
Company has all the key permits in place for the commercial
production facility at Florence Copper and construction has
commenced.
All the
major SX/EW plant components are on site and previous work on
detailed engineering and procurement of long-lead items has
de-risked the construction schedule.
First
copper production is expected in the fourth quarter of
2025.
The
Company has a technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report
Florence Copper Project, Pinal County,
Arizona" dated March 30, 2023
(the "2023 Technical Report") on SEDAR+. The 2023 Technical Report
was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and incorporated the
results of testwork from the Production Test Facility ("PTF") as
well as updated capital and operating costs (Q3 2022 basis) for the
commercial production facility.
Project
highlights based on the 2023 Technical Report:
-
Net present value of
US$930 million (at $US 3.75 copper price, 8% after-tax discount
rate)
-
Internal rate of return of
47% (after-tax)
-
Payback period of 2.6
years
-
Operating costs (C1) of
US$1.11 per pound of
copper
-
Annual production capacity
of 85 million pounds of LME grade A cathode
copper
-
22 year mine
life
-
Total life of mine
production of 1.5 billion pounds of copper
-
Remaining initial capital
cost of US$232 million (Q3 2022
basis)
Construction
activities in the second quarter of 2024 have focused on wellfield
drilling, site preparations and earthworks for the commercial
wellfield and plant area including the excavation of process ponds
and concrete foundation work for the plant, and the hiring of
additional personnel for the construction and operations
teams.
Drilling
of the commercial facility wellfield commenced in February and two
drills operated during the second quarter, with a third drill
mobilized in July.
As of the
end of June, a total of 18 production wells had been drilled which
is in line with the planned construction schedule.
The
Company has a fixed-price contract with the general contractor for
construction of the SX/EW plant and associated surface
infrastructure.
Florence
Copper - Continued
Florence
Copper Quarterly Capital Spend
|
Three
months ended
|
Six
months ended
|
(US$ in
thousands)
|
June
30, 2024
|
June
30, 2024
|
Site and
PTF operations
|
4,314
|
8,559
|
Commercial
facility construction costs
|
36,850
|
54,848
|
Other
capital costs
|
7,053
|
22,762
|
Total
Florence project expenditures
|
48,217
|
86,169
|
The
estimated remaining capital costs in the 2023 Technical Report for
construction of the commercial facility was US$232 million, of which US$36.9 million has been incurred in the second
quarter of 2024 and US$54.8 million
has been incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2024.
Other
capital costs of US$22.8 million
include final payments for delivery of long-lead equipment that was
ordered in 2022, and to bring forward the construction of an
evaporation pond to provide additional water management
flexibility.
The
Company has closed several Florence project level financings to fund
initial commercial facility construction costs. On April 26th,
the Company received the second deposit of US$10 million from the US$50 million copper stream transaction with
Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.) Inc. ("Mitsui"). The third deposit was
received in July and the remaining amounts of US$20 million should be received in October 2024 and January
2025.
The
Company considers that the construction of Florence Copper is now
fully funded, and remaining project costs are expected to be funded
with the Company's available liquidity, remaining instalments from
Mitsui, and cashflow from its 100% ownership interest in
Gibraltar.
The
Company also has in place an undrawn revolving credit facility for
US$80 million.
Long-term
Growth Strategy
Taseko's
strategy has been to grow the Company by acquiring and developing a
pipeline of projects focused on copper in North America. We continue to believe this
will generate long-term returns for shareholders. Our other
development projects are located in British Columbia, Canada.
Yellowhead
Copper Project
Yellowhead
Mining Inc. ("Yellowhead") has an 817 million tonnes reserve and a
25-year mine life with a pre-tax net present value of $1.3 billion at an 8% discount rate using a
US$3.10 per pound copper price
based on
the Company's 2020 NI 43-101 technical report. Capital costs of the
project were estimated at $1.3
billion over a 2-year construction period. During the first
5 years of operation, the copper equivalent grade will average
0.35% producing an average of 200 million pounds of copper per year
at an average C1* cost, net of by-product credit, of US$1.67 per pound of copper produced. The
Yellowhead copper project contains valuable precious metal
by-products with 440,000 ounces of gold and 19 million ounces of
silver production over the life of mine.
Long-term
Growth Strategy - Continued
The
Company is preparing to advance into the environmental assessment
process and has recently opened a project office to support ongoing
engagement with local communities including First Nations. The
Company is also conducting a site investigation field program this
year, and collecting baseline data and modeling which will be used
to support the environmental assessment and permitting of the
project.
New
Prosperity Gold-Copper Project
In late
2019, the Tŝilhqot'in Nation, as represented by Tŝilhqot'in
National Government, and Taseko Mines Limited entered into a
confidential dialogue, with the involvement of the Province of
British Columbia, seeking a
long-term resolution of the conflict regarding Taseko's proposed
copper-gold mine previously known as New Prosperity, acknowledging
Taseko's commercial interests and the Tŝilhqot'in Nation's
opposition to the project.
This
dialogue has been supported by the parties' agreement, beginning
December 2019, to a series of
standstill agreements on certain outstanding litigation and
regulatory matters relating to Taseko's tenures and the area in the
vicinity of Teẑtan Biny (Fish Lake).
The
dialogue process has made meaningful progress in recent months but
is not complete. The Tŝilhqot'in Nation and Taseko acknowledge the
constructive nature of discussions, and the opportunity to conclude
a long-term and mutually acceptable resolution of the conflict that
also makes an important contribution to the goals of reconciliation
in Canada.
In
March 2024, Tŝilhqot'in and Taseko
formally reinstated the standstill agreement for a final term, with
the goal of finalizing a resolution before the end of this
year.
Aley
Niobium Project
Environmental
monitoring and product marketing initiatives on the Aley niobium
project continue. The converter pilot test is ongoing and is
providing additional process data to support the design of the
commercial process facilities and will provide final product
samples for marketing purposes. The Company has also initiated a
scoping study to investigate the potential production of niobium
oxide at Aley to supply the growing market for niobium-based
batteries.
Annual
Sustainability Report
In
June 2024, the Company published its
annual Sustainability Report, titled H2O
+ ESG (the "Report"). The Report focuses on the 2023 operational
and sustainability performance of Taseko's foundational asset, the
Gibraltar copper mine in
British Columbia, and highlights
social and economic contributions from the Florence Copper project
in Arizona, which will soon become
the Company's second operating asset.
Taseko's
2023 Sustainability Report features several significant initiatives
underway across the Company to conserve and reuse water, and to
achieve water management objectives. This includes a pioneering
in-situ biological water treatment initiative undertaken at the
Gibraltar mine last year – part of
a long-term water management program that has achieved a 77%
reduction in free water stored in the mine's tailings storage
facility over the past decade.
While
profitable operations and return on investment are critical drivers
for Taseko's success, the Company also delivers value to its
employees and operating communities, business partners, Indigenous
Nations and governments. The annual Sustainability Report is an
opportunity to showcase the important benefits that the Company
generates through its operations, investments and
people.
The full
report can be viewed and downloaded at:
tasekomines.com/sustainability/overview/
The Company
will host a telephone conference call and live webcast on Thursday,
August 1, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific) to
discuss these results. After opening remarks by management, there
will be a question-and-answer session open to analysts and
investors.
To join the
conference call without operator assistance, you may pre-register
at
https://emportal.ink/4fnpKl1 to receive
an instant automated call back just prior to the start of the
conference call. Otherwise, the conference call may be accessed by
dialing 888-390-0546 toll-free, 416-764-8688 in Canada, or online
at
tasekomines.com/investors/events/.
The
conference call will be archived for later playback until August
15, 2024, and can be accessed by dialing 888-390-0541 toll-free,
416-764-8677 in Canada, or online at
tasekomines.com/investors/events/ and
using the entry code 099395 #.
|
Stuart McDonald
President
& CEO
No
regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information
in this news release.
Non-GAAP
Performance Measures
This
document includes certain non-GAAP performance measures that do not
have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may
differ from those used by, and may not be comparable to such
measures as reported by, other issuers. The Company believes that
these measures are commonly used by certain investors, in
conjunction with conventional IFRS measures, to enhance their
understanding of the Company's performance. These measures have
been derived from the Company's financial statements and applied on
a consistent basis. The following tables below provide a
reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly
comparable IFRS measure.
Total
operating costs and site operating costs, net of by-product
credits
Total
costs of sales include all costs absorbed into inventory, as well
as transportation costs and insurance recoverable. Site operating
costs are calculated by removing net changes in inventory,
depletion and amortization, insurance recoverable, and
transportation costs from cost of sales. Site operating costs, net
of by-product credits is calculated by subtracting by-product
credits from the site operating costs. Site operating costs, net of
by-product credits per pound are calculated by dividing the
aggregate of the applicable costs by copper pounds produced. Total
operating costs per pound is the sum of site operating costs, net
of by-product credits and off-property costs divided by the copper
pounds produced. By-product credits are calculated based on actual
sales of molybdenum (net of treatment costs) and silver during the
period divided by the total pounds of copper produced during the
period. These measures are calculated on a consistent basis for the
periods presented.
(Cdn$ in
thousands, unless otherwise indicated)
|
2024
Q2
|
2024
Q11
|
2023
Q41
|
2023
Q31
|
2023
Q21
|
Cost of
sales
|
108,637
|
122,528
|
93,914
|
94,383
|
99,854
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depletion
and amortization
|
(13,721)
|
(15,024)
|
(13,326)
|
(15,993)
|
(15,594)
|
Net change
in inventories of finished goods
|
(10,462)
|
(20,392)
|
(1,678)
|
4,267
|
3,356
|
Net change
in inventories of ore stockpiles
|
1,758
|
2,719
|
(3,771)
|
12,172
|
2,724
|
Transportation
costs
|
(6,408)
|
(10,153)
|
(10,294)
|
(7,681)
|
(6,966)
|
Site
operating costs
|
79,804
|
79,678
|
64,845
|
87,148
|
83,374
|
Oxide ore
stockpile reclassification from capitalized stripping
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3,183)
|
Less
by-product credits:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Molybdenum,
net of treatment costs
|
(7,071)
|
(6,112)
|
(5,441)
|
(9,900)
|
(4,018)
|
Silver,
excluding amortization of deferred revenue
|
(144)
|
(137)
|
124
|
290
|
(103)
|
Site
operating costs, net of by-product credits
|
72,589
|
73,429
|
59,528
|
77,538
|
76,070
|
Total
copper produced (thousand pounds)
|
20,225
|
26,694
|
29,883
|
30,978
|
24,640
|
Total costs
per pound produced
|
3.59
|
2.75
|
1.99
|
2.50
|
3.09
|
Average
exchange rate for the period (CAD/USD)
|
1.37
|
1.35
|
1.36
|
1.34
|
1.34
|
Site
operating costs, net of by-product credits (US$ per
pound)
|
2.62
|
2.04
|
1.46
|
1.87
|
2.30
|
Site
operating costs, net of by-product credits
|
72,589
|
73,429
|
59,528
|
77,538
|
76,070
|
Add
off-property costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treatment
and refining costs
|
3,941
|
4,816
|
7,885
|
6,123
|
4,986
|
Transportation
costs
|
6,408
|
10,153
|
10,294
|
7,681
|
6,966
|
Total
operating costs
|
82,938
|
88,398
|
77,707
|
91,342
|
88,022
|
Total
operating costs (C1) (US$ per pound)
|
2.99
|
2.46
|
1.91
|
2.20
|
2.66
|
1 Q2,
Q3 and Q4 2023 includes the impact from the March 15, 2023
acquisition of Cariboo from Sojitz, which increased the Company's
Gibraltar ownership from 75% to 87.5%. Q1 2024 includes the impact
from the March 25, 2024 acquisition of Cariboo from Dowa and
Furukawa, which increased the Company's Gibraltar ownership from
87.5% to 100%.
|
Non-GAAP
Performance Measures - Continued
Total
Site Costs
Total site
costs are comprised of the site operating costs charged to cost of
sales as well as mining costs capitalized to property, plant and
equipment in the period. This measure is intended to capture
Taseko's share of the total site operating costs incurred in the
quarter at Gibraltar calculated on
a consistent basis for the periods presented.
(Cdn$ in
thousands, unless otherwise indicated) –
87.5% basis
(except for Q1 2024 and Q2 2024)
|
2024
Q2
|
2024
Q11
|
2023
Q41
|
2023
Q31
|
2023
Q21
|
Site
operating costs
|
79,804
|
79,678
|
64,845
|
87,148
|
83,374
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized
stripping costs
|
10,732
|
16,152
|
31,916
|
2,083
|
8,832
|
Total
site costs – Taseko share
|
90,536
|
95,830
|
96,761
|
89,231
|
92,206
|
Total
site costs – 100% basis
|
90,536
|
109,520
|
110,584
|
101,978
|
105,378
|
1 Q2,
Q3 and Q4 2023 includes the impact from the March 15, 2023
acquisition of Cariboo from Sojitz, which increased the Company's
Gibraltar ownership from 75% to 87.5%. Q1 2024 includes the impact
from the March 25, 2024 acquisition of Cariboo from Dowa and
Furukawa, which increased the Company's Gibraltar ownership from
87.5% to 100%.
|
Adjusted
net income (loss) and Adjusted EPS
Adjusted
net income (loss) removes the effect of the following transactions
from net income as reported under IFRS:
-
Unrealized foreign
currency gains/losses;
-
Unrealized gain/loss on
derivatives;
-
Other operating
costs;
-
Call premium on settlement
of debt;
-
Loss on settlement of
long-term debt, net of capitalized interest;
-
Gain on Cariboo
acquisition;
-
Gain on acquisition of
control of Gibraltar;
-
Realized gain on sale of
inventory;
-
Realized gain on
processing of ore stockpiles; and
-
Finance and other
non-recurring costs for Cariboo
acquisition.
Management
believes these transactions do not reflect the underlying operating
performance of our core mining business and are not necessarily
indicative of future operating results. Furthermore, unrealized
gains/losses on derivative instruments, changes in the fair value
of financial instruments, and unrealized foreign currency
gains/losses are not necessarily reflective of the underlying
operating results for the reporting periods presented.
Non-GAAP
Performance Measures – Continued
(Cdn$ in
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
2024
Q2
|
2024
Q1
|
2023
Q4
|
2023
Q3
|
Net
(loss) income
|
(10,953)
|
18,896
|
38,076
|
871
|
Unrealized
foreign exchange loss (gain)
|
5,408
|
13,688
|
(14,541)
|
14,582
|
Unrealized
loss on derivatives
|
10,033
|
3,519
|
1,636
|
4,518
|
Other
operating costs
|
10,435
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Call
premium on settlement of debt
|
9,571
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Loss on
settlement of long-term debt, net of capitalized
interest
|
2,904
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Gain on
Cariboo acquisition
|
-
|
(47,426)
|
-
|
-
|
Gain on
acquisition of control of Gibraltar**
|
-
|
(14,982)
|
-
|
-
|
Realized
gain on sale of inventory***
|
4,633
|
13,354
|
-
|
-
|
Realized
gain on processing of ore stockpiles****
|
3,191
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Accretion
and fair value adjustment on Florence royalty
obligation
|
2,132
|
3,416
|
-
|
-
|
Accretion
and fair value adjustment on consideration
payable to
Cariboo
|
8,399
|
1,555
|
(916)
|
1,244
|
Non-recurring
other expenses for Cariboo acquisition
|
394
|
138
|
-
|
-
|
Estimated
tax effect of adjustments
|
(15,644)
|
15,570
|
(195)
|
(1,556)
|
Adjusted
net income
|
30,503
|
7,728
|
24,060
|
19,659
|
Adjusted
EPS
|
0.10
|
0.03
|
0.08
|
0.07
|
(Cdn$ in
thousands, except per share amounts)
|
2023
Q2
|
2023
Q1
|
2022
Q4
|
2022
Q3
|
Net
income (loss)
|
9,991
|
33,788
|
(2,275)
|
(23,517)
|
Unrealized
foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
(10,966)
|
(950)
|
(5,279)
|
28,083
|
Unrealized
(gain) loss on derivatives
|
(6,470)
|
2,190
|
20,137
|
(72)
|
Gain on
Cariboo acquisition
|
-
|
(46,212)
|
-
|
-
|
Accretion
and fair value adjustment on consideration
payable to
Cariboo
|
1,451
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Non-recurring
other expenses for Cariboo acquisition
|
263
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Estimated
tax effect of adjustments
|
1,355
|
16,272
|
(5,437)
|
19
|
Adjusted
net (loss) income
|
(4,376)
|
5,088
|
7,146
|
4,513
|
Adjusted
EPS
|
(0.02)
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
0.02
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**The $15.0
million gain on acquisition of control of Gibraltar in Q1 2024
relates to the write-up of finished copper concentrate inventory
for Taseko's 87.5% share to its fair value at March 25,
2024.
|
*** Cost of
sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 included $4.6
million in write-ups to net realizable value for concentrate
inventory held at March 25, 2024 that were subsequently sold in
April. The realized portion of the gains recorded in the prior
quarter for GAAP purposes have been included in Adjusted net income
(loss) in the current quarter reflecting the period they were
sold.
**** Cost
of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 included $3.2
million in write-ups to net realizable value for ore stockpiles
held at March 25, 2024 that were subsequently processed in the
second quarter. The realized portion of the write-ups recorded in
the prior quarter for GAAP purposes have been included in Adjusted
net income (loss) in the current quarter reflecting the period they
were processed.
|
Non-GAAP
Performance Measures - Continued
Adjusted
EBITDA
Adjusted
EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure of the Company's
performance and ability to service debt. Adjusted EBITDA is
frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other
interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the industry,
many of which present Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results.
Issuers of "high yield" securities also present Adjusted EBITDA
because investors, analysts and rating agencies consider it useful
in measuring the ability of those issuers to meet debt service
obligations.
Adjusted
EBITDA represents net income before interest, income taxes, and
depreciation and also eliminates the impact of a number of items
that are not considered indicative of ongoing operating
performance. Certain items of expense are added and certain items
of income are deducted from net income that are not likely to recur
or are not indicative of the Company's underlying operating results
for the reporting periods presented or for future operating
performance and consist of:
-
Unrealized foreign
exchange gains/losses;
-
Unrealized gain/loss on
derivatives;
-
Amortization of
share-based compensation expense;
-
Other operating
costs;
-
Call premium on settlement
of debt;
-
Loss on settlement of
long-term debt;
-
Gain on Cariboo
acquisition;
-
Gain on acquisition of
control of Gibraltar;
-
Realized gain on sale of
inventory;
-
Realized gain on
processing of ore stockpiles; and
-
Non-recurring other
expenses for Cariboo acquisition.
Non-GAAP
Performance Measures - Continued
(Cdn$ in
thousands)
|
2024
Q2
|
2024
Q1
|
2023
Q4
|
2023
Q3
|
Net
(loss) income
|
(10,953)
|
18,896
|
38,076
|
871
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
Depletion
and amortization
|
13,721
|
15,024
|
13,326
|
15,993
|
Finance
expense
|
21,271
|
19,849
|
12,804
|
14,285
|
Finance
income
|
(911)
|
(1,086)
|
(972)
|
(322)
|
Income tax
(recovery) expense
|
(3,247)
|
23,282
|
17,205
|
12,041
|
Unrealized
foreign exchange loss (gain)
|
5,408
|
13,688
|
(14,541)
|
14,582
|
Unrealized
loss on derivatives
|
10,033
|
3,519
|
1,636
|
4,518
|
Amortization
of share-based compensation expense
|
2,585
|
5,667
|
1,573
|
727
|
Other
operating costs
|
10,435
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Call
premium on settlement of debt
|
9,571
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Loss on
settlement of long-term debt
|
4,646
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Gain on
Cariboo acquisition
|
-
|
(47,426)
|
-
|
-
|
Gain on
acquisition of control of Gibraltar**
|
-
|
(14,982)
|
-
|
-
|
Realized
gain on sale of inventory***
|
4,633
|
13,354
|
-
|
-
|
Realized
gain on processing of ore stockpiles****
|
3,191
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Non-recurring
other expenses for Cariboo acquisition
|
394
|
138
|
-
|
-
|
Adjusted
EBITDA
|
70,777
|
49,923
|
69,107
|
62,695
|
**The $15.0
million gain on acquisition of control of Gibraltar in Q1 2024
relates to the write-up of finished copper concentrate inventory
for Taseko's 87.5% share to its fair value at March 25,
2024.
|
*** Cost of
sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 included $4.6
million in write-ups to net realizable value for concentrate
inventory held at March 25, 2024 that were subsequently sold in
April. The realized portion of the gains recorded in the prior
quarter for GAAP purposes have been included in Adjusted net income
(loss) in the current quarter reflecting the period they were
sold.
**** Cost
of sales for the three months ended June 30, 2024 included $3.2
million in write-ups to net realizable value for ore stockpiles
held at March 25, 2024 that were subsequently processed in the
second quarter. The realized portion of the write-ups recorded in
the prior quarter for GAAP purposes have been included in Adjusted
net income (loss) in the current quarter reflecting the period they
were processed.
|
Non-GAAP
Performance Measures - Continued
(Cdn$ in
thousands)
|
2023
Q2
|
2023
Q1
|
2022
Q4
|
2022
Q3
|
Net
income(loss)
|
9,991
|
33,788
|
(2,275)
|
(23,517)
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
Depletion
and amortization
|
15,594
|
12,027
|
10,147
|
13,060
|
Finance
expense
|
13,468
|
12,309
|
10,135
|
12,481
|
Finance
income
|
(757)
|
(921)
|
(700)
|
(650)
|
Income tax
expense
|
678
|
20,219
|
1,222
|
3,500
|
Unrealized
foreign exchange (gain) loss
|
(10,966)
|
(950)
|
(5,279)
|
28,083
|
Unrealized
(gain) loss on derivatives
|
(6,470)
|
2,190
|
20,137
|
(72)
|
Amortization
of share-based compensation expense
|
417
|
3,609
|
1,794
|
1,146
|
Gain on
Cariboo acquisition
|
-
|
(46,212)
|
-
|
-
|
Non-recurring
other expenses for Cariboo acquisition
|
263
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Adjusted
EBITDA
|
22,218
|
36,059
|
35,181
|
34,031
|
Earnings
from mining operations before depletion and
amortization
Earnings
from mining operations before depletion and amortization is
earnings from mining operations with depletion and amortization,
also any items that are not considered indicative of ongoing
operating performance are added back. The Company discloses this
measure, which has been derived from our financial statements and
applied on a consistent basis, to provide assistance in
understanding the results of the Company's operations and financial
position and it is meant to provide further information about the
financial results to investors.
|
Three
months ended
June
30,
|
Six
months ended
June
30,
|
(Cdn$ in
thousands)
|
2024
|
2023
|
2024
|
2023
|
Earnings
from mining operations
|
44,948
|
12,070
|
69,367
|
41,182
|
Add:
|
|
|
|
|
Depletion
and amortization
|
13,721
|
15,594
|
28,745
|
27,621
|
Realized
gain on sale of inventory
|
4,633
|
-
|
17,987
|
-
|
Realized
gain on processing of ore stockpiles
|
3,191
|
-
|
3,191
|
-
|
Other
operating costs
|
10,435
|
-
|
10,435
|
-
|
Earnings
from mining operations before depletion, amortization and
non-recurring items
|
76,928
|
27,664
|
129,725
|
68,803
|
During the
three and six months ended June 30,
2024 the realized gains on sale of inventory and processing
of ore stockpiles relates to inventory held at March 25, 2024 that was written-up from book
value to net realizable value and subsequently sold or processed
between March 26 and June 30,
2024.
Non-GAAP
Performance Measures - Continued
Site
operating costs per ton milled
The
Company discloses this measure, which has been derived from our
financial statements and applied on a consistent basis, to provide
assistance in understanding the Company's site operations on a tons
milled basis.
(Cdn$ in
thousands, except per ton milled amounts)
|
2024
Q2
|
2024
Q11
|
2023
Q41
|
2023
Q31
|
2023
Q21
|
Site
operating costs (included in cost of
sales)
– Taseko share
|
79,804
|
79,678
|
64,845
|
87,148
|
83,374
|
Site
operating costs – 100% basis
|
79,804
|
90,040
|
74,109
|
99,598
|
95,285
|
Tons milled
(thousands)
|
5,728
|
7,677
|
7,626
|
8,041
|
7,234
|
Site
operating costs per ton milled
|
$13.93
|
$11.73
|
$9.72
|
$12.39
|
$13.17
|
1 Q2,
Q3 and Q4 2023 includes the impact from the March 15, 2023
acquisition of Cariboo from Sojitz, which increased the Company's
Gibraltar ownership from 75% to 87.5%. Q1 2024 includes the impact
from the March 25, 2024 acquisition of Cariboo from Dowa and
Furukawa, which increased the Company's Gibraltar ownership from
87.5% to 100%.
|
Technical
Information
The
technical information contained in this MD&A related to the
Florence Copper Project is based upon the report entitled: "NI
43-101 Technical Report – Florence Copper Project, Pinal County, Arizona" issued March 30, 2023 with an effective date of
March 15, 2023 which is available on
SEDAR+. The Florence Copper Project Technical Report was prepared
under the supervision of Richard
Tremblay, P.Eng., MBA, Richard
Weymark, P.Eng., MBA, and Robert
Rotzinger, P.Eng. Mr. Tremblay is employed by the Company as
Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Weymark is Vice President Engineering,
and Robert Rotzinger is Vice
President Capital Projects. All three are Qualified Persons as
defined by NI 43–101.
Caution
Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This
document contains "forward-looking statements" that were based on
Taseko's expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as
of which those statements were made. Generally, these
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "anticipate",
"project", "target", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend",
"should" and similar expressions.
Forward-looking
statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties
and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results,
level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially
different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. These included but are not limited to:
-
uncertainties about the
effect of COVID-19 and the response of local, provincial, federal
and international governments to the threat of COVID-19 on our
operations (including our suppliers, customers, supply chain,
employees and contractors) and economic conditions generally and in
particular with respect to the demand for copper and other metals
we produce;
-
uncertainties and costs
related to the Company's exploration and development activities,
such as those associated with continuity of mineralization or
determining whether mineral resources or reserves exist on a
property;
-
uncertainties related to
the accuracy of our estimates of mineral reserves, mineral
resources, production rates and timing of production, future
production and future cash and total costs of production and
milling;
-
uncertainties related to
feasibility studies that provide estimates of expected or
anticipated costs, expenditures and economic returns from a mining
project;
-
uncertainties related to
the ability to obtain necessary licenses permits for development
projects and project delays due to third party
opposition;
-
uncertainties related to
unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings;
-
changes in, and the
effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting
our exploration and development activities and mining operations,
particularly laws, regulations and policies;
-
changes in general
economic conditions, the financial markets and in the demand and
market price for copper, gold and other minerals and commodities,
such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity and other forms
of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange rates,
particularly with respect to the value of the U.S. dollar and
Canadian dollar, and the continued availability of capital and
financing;
-
the effects of forward
selling instruments to protect against fluctuations in copper
prices and exchange rate movements and the risks of counterparty
defaults, and mark to market risk;
-
the risk of inadequate
insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover mining
risks;
-
the risk of loss of key
employees; the risk of changes in accounting policies and methods
we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties
associated with critical accounting assumptions and
estimates;
-
environmental issues and
liabilities associated with mining including processing and stock
piling ore; and
-
labour strikes, work
stoppages, or other interruptions to, or difficulties in, the
employment of labour in markets in which we operate mines, or
environmental hazards, industrial accidents or other events or
occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt the
production of minerals in our mines.
For
further information on Taseko, investors should review the
Company's annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission
www.sec.gov and home
jurisdiction filings that are available at
www.sedar.com.
Cautionary
Statement on Forward-Looking Information
This
discussion includes certain statements that may be deemed
"forward-looking statements".
All
statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical
facts, that address future production, reserve potential,
exploration drilling, exploitation activities, and events or
developments that the Company expects are forward-looking
statements.
Although
we believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are
not guarantees of future performance and actual results or
developments may differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements.
Factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and
exploration successes, continued availability of capital and
financing and general economic, market or business
conditions.
Investors
are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results or developments may differ
materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements.
All of the
forward-looking statements made in this MD&A are qualified by
these cautionary statements.
We
disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by
applicable law.
Further
information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with
these forward-looking statements and our business may be found in
our most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the
SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory
authorities.
For
further information on Taseko, please see the Company's website at
www.tasekomines.com or contact: Brian
Bergot, Vice President, Investor Relations – 778-373-4554,
toll free 1-800-667-2114
SOURCE
Taseko Mines Limited