UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of: November, 2024
Commission file number: 001-39166
Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
501- 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1X8
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover:
[ ] Form 20-F [x] Form 40-F
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBITS 99.1, 99.4 AND 99.5 INCLUDED WITH THIS REPORT ARE HEREBY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS EXHIBITS TO THE REGISTRANT'S REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ON FORM F-10 (FILE NO. 333-280367), AS AMENDED AND SUPPLEMENTED, AND ON FORM S-8 (FILE NOS. 333-234659, 333-249938, 333-265835 AND 333-276265) AND TO BE A PART THEREOF FROM THE DATE ON WHICH THIS REPORT IS SUBMITTED, TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY DOCUMENTS OR REPORTS SUBSEQUENTLY FILED OR FURNISHED.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 14, 2024
|
|
/s/ Kim Casswell
|
|
|
Kim Casswell
|
|
|
Corporate Secretary
|
CONDENSED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited - Expressed in Thousands of United States Dollars)
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, AND 2023
METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars) |
|
|
|
|
As at |
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
Notes |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
(Re-presented)(1) |
|
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
10,215 |
|
$ |
14,107 |
|
Accounts receivable |
3 |
|
1,296 |
|
|
2,811 |
|
Prepaid expenses and other |
|
|
739 |
|
|
734 |
|
Total current assets |
|
|
12,250 |
|
|
17,652 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty, stream, and other interests |
4 |
|
255,956 |
|
|
257,824 |
|
Investment in Silverback |
|
|
326 |
|
|
450 |
|
Deferred income tax assets |
|
|
181 |
|
|
105 |
|
Total non-current assets |
|
|
256,463 |
|
|
258,379 |
|
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
268,713 |
|
$ |
276,031 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
5 |
$ |
637 |
|
$ |
5,394 |
|
Current acquisition payables |
6 |
|
- |
|
|
1,598 |
|
|
|
|
637 |
|
|
6,992 |
|
Convertible loan facility |
2(c),6 |
|
13,123 |
|
|
13,588 |
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
13,760 |
|
|
20,580 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition payable |
4 |
|
2,181 |
|
|
2,028 |
|
Deferred income tax liabilities |
|
|
536 |
|
|
536 |
|
Total non-current liabilities |
|
|
2,717 |
|
|
2,564 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
16,477 |
|
|
23,144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share capital |
10 |
|
306,144 |
|
|
303,323 |
|
Reserves |
|
|
13,850 |
|
|
12,930 |
|
Deficit |
|
|
(67,758 |
) |
|
(63,366 |
) |
Total equity |
|
|
252,236 |
|
|
252,887 |
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
|
$ |
268,713 |
|
$ |
276,031 |
|
(1) Comparative information has been re-presented due to a retrospective change in accounting policy. Refer to Note 2(c) for more information.
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements were authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors on November 13, 2024.
Approved by the Board of Directors
“Brett Heath”
|
Director
|
|
“Amanda Johnston”
|
Director
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for share and per share amounts) |
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
Notes |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue from royalty interests |
7 |
$ |
1,622 |
|
$ |
1,359 |
|
$ |
3,752 |
|
$ |
3,299 |
|
Depletion on royalty interests |
4 |
|
(578 |
) |
|
(787 |
) |
|
(1,862 |
) |
|
(1,700 |
) |
Gross profit |
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
572 |
|
|
1,890 |
|
|
1,599 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses |
8 |
|
(1,150 |
) |
|
(992 |
) |
|
(3,367 |
) |
|
(3,094 |
) |
Share-based payments |
10 |
|
(716 |
) |
|
(501 |
) |
|
(1,905 |
) |
|
(1,968 |
) |
Royalty interest impairment |
4 |
|
- |
|
|
(1,053 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(2,355 |
) |
Loss from operations |
|
|
(822 |
) |
|
(1,974 |
) |
|
(3,382 |
) |
|
(5,818 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share of net income of Silverback |
|
|
36 |
|
|
30 |
|
|
77 |
|
|
63 |
|
Mark-to-market gain on derivative royalty asset |
|
|
- |
|
|
84 |
|
|
- |
|
|
567 |
|
Mark-to-market gain (loss) on derivative loan liabilities |
6 |
|
(7 |
) |
|
239 |
|
|
392 |
|
|
297 |
|
Interest expense |
6 |
|
(494 |
) |
|
(128 |
) |
|
(1,473 |
) |
|
(785 |
) |
Finance charges |
6 |
|
(85 |
) |
|
(59 |
) |
|
(255 |
) |
|
(137 |
) |
Loss on extinguishment of loan payable |
6 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,417 |
) |
Gain on sales of mineral claims |
4 |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
5,093 |
|
Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
|
|
(88 |
) |
|
(89 |
) |
|
92 |
|
|
(311 |
) |
Other income (expenses) |
|
|
429 |
|
|
(203 |
) |
|
319 |
|
|
(252 |
) |
Loss before income taxes |
|
|
(1,031 |
) |
|
(2,100 |
) |
|
(4,230 |
) |
|
(2,700 |
) |
Current income tax recovery (expense) |
9 |
|
(167 |
) |
|
58 |
|
|
(238 |
) |
|
(1,055 |
) |
Deferred income tax recovery (expense) |
9 |
|
29 |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
76 |
|
|
(215 |
) |
Net loss and comprehensive loss |
|
$ |
(1,169 |
) |
$ |
(2,127 |
) |
$ |
(4,392 |
) |
$ |
(3,970 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings (loss) per share - basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
$ |
(0.05 |
) |
$ |
(0.08 |
) |
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - basic and diluted |
|
|
91,641,647 |
|
|
52,839,197 |
|
|
91,387,297 |
|
|
51,871,066 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars) |
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
Notes |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(4,392 |
) |
$ |
(3,970 |
) |
Items not affecting cash: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain on sales of mineral claims |
4 |
|
- |
|
|
(5,093 |
) |
Share of net income of Silverback |
|
|
(77 |
) |
|
(63 |
) |
Mark-to-market gain on derivative royalty asset |
|
|
- |
|
|
(567 |
) |
Mark-to-market gain on derivative loan liabilities |
6 |
|
(392 |
) |
|
(297 |
) |
Depletion |
|
|
1,862 |
|
|
1,700 |
|
Interest and accretion expense |
|
|
1,473 |
|
|
885 |
|
Finance charges |
|
|
255 |
|
|
137 |
|
Loss on extinguishment of loan payable |
6 |
|
- |
|
|
1,417 |
|
Royalty interest impairment |
4 |
|
- |
|
|
2,355 |
|
Share-based payments |
|
|
1,905 |
|
|
1,968 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
162 |
|
|
1,270 |
|
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) |
|
|
(139 |
) |
|
275 |
|
Other |
|
|
(224 |
) |
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
433 |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments received from derivative royalty asset |
|
|
806 |
|
|
1,992 |
|
Income taxes paid |
|
|
(409 |
) |
|
(575 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in non-cash working capital items: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable |
|
|
709 |
|
|
(507 |
) |
Prepaid expenses and other |
|
|
223 |
|
|
326 |
|
Trade and other payables |
|
|
(3,948 |
) |
|
(10 |
) |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
|
(2,186 |
) |
|
1,283 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions of royalty and stream interests |
|
|
(2,199 |
) |
|
(7,374 |
) |
Dividends received from Silverback |
|
|
201 |
|
|
161 |
|
Sale of mineral claims |
4 |
|
- |
|
|
4,972 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(1,998 |
) |
|
(2,241 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from private placement |
|
|
727 |
|
|
- |
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
|
|
- |
|
|
298 |
|
Proceeds from ATM, net of share issue costs |
|
|
- |
|
|
4,435 |
|
Dividends paid |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
Interest paid |
6 |
|
(58 |
) |
|
(757 |
) |
Finance charges paid |
6 |
|
(255 |
) |
|
(242 |
) |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
|
414 |
|
|
2,539 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
(122 |
) |
|
(240 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in cash and cash equivalents during period |
|
|
(3,892 |
) |
|
1,341 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
|
|
14,107 |
|
|
4,555 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
|
$ |
10,215 |
|
$ |
5,896 |
|
Supplemental disclosure with respect to cash flows (Note 12)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Expressed in thousands of United States dollars, except for share amounts) |
|
|
|
Number of shares |
|
|
Share capital |
|
|
Reserves |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Total equity |
|
Balance as at December 31, 2022 |
|
49,467,877 |
|
$ |
161,696 |
|
$ |
13,199 |
|
$ |
(56,334 |
) |
$ |
118,561 |
|
Shares issued in ATM, net of issue costs |
|
944,396 |
|
|
4,435 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
4,435 |
|
Acquisition of royalties and other interests (Note 4) |
|
1,406,182 |
|
|
6,225 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
6,225 |
|
Conversion of loan payable (Note 6) |
|
545,702 |
|
|
3,330 |
|
|
(433 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
2,897 |
|
Extinguishment of loan payable (Note 6) |
|
- |
|
|
1,209 |
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
1,078 |
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
337,666 |
|
|
848 |
|
|
(550 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
298 |
|
Shares issued on vesting of restricted share units |
|
137,704 |
|
|
1,259 |
|
|
(1,259 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Share-based payments - stock options |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
697 |
|
|
- |
|
|
697 |
|
Share-based payments - restricted share units |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,271 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,271 |
|
Dividends paid |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
(1,195 |
) |
Loss for the period |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(3,970 |
) |
|
(3,970 |
) |
Balance as at September 30, 2023 |
|
52,839,527 |
|
$ |
179,002 |
|
$ |
12,794 |
|
$ |
(61,499 |
) |
$ |
130,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares |
|
|
Share capital |
|
|
Reserves |
|
|
Deficit |
|
|
Total equity |
|
Balance as at December 31, 2023 |
|
90,877,231 |
|
$ |
303,323 |
|
$ |
12,930 |
|
$ |
(63,366 |
) |
$ |
252,887 |
|
Conversion of loan payable (Note 6) |
|
429,800 |
|
|
1,109 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,109 |
|
Private placement |
|
250,000 |
|
|
727 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
727 |
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
99,319 |
|
|
357 |
|
|
(357 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Shares issued on vesting of restricted share units |
|
92,440 |
|
|
628 |
|
|
(628 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
Share-based payments - stock options |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
697 |
|
|
- |
|
|
697 |
|
Share-based payments - restricted share units |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,208 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,208 |
|
Loss for the period |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(4,392 |
) |
|
(4,392 |
) |
Balance as at September 30, 2024 |
|
91,748,790 |
|
$ |
306,144 |
|
$ |
13,850 |
|
$ |
(67,758 |
) |
$ |
252,236 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements.
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. ("Metalla" or the "Company"), incorporated in British Columbia, Canada, is a precious metals royalty and streaming company, which engages in the acquisition and management of gold, silver, and copper royalties, streams, and similar production-based interests. The Company's common shares ("Common Shares") are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") under the symbol "MTA" and on the NYSE American ("NYSE") under the symbol "MTA". The head office and principal address is 501 - 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
The Company has incurred a cumulative deficit to date of $67.8 million as at September 30, 2024, and has had losses from operations for multiple years. Continued operations of the Company are dependent on the Company's ability to generate positive cash flow in the future, receive continued financial support, and/or complete external financing. Management expects that its cash balance, cash flows from operating activities, and available credit facilities will be sufficient to fund the operations of the Company for at least the next twelve months.
2. SUMMARY OF MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Statement of Compliance
The condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements, including International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34, Interim Financial Reporting.
(b) Basis of Preparation and Measurement
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial instruments, which have been measured at fair value. In addition, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared using the accrual basis of accounting except for cash flow information.
These condensed interim consolidated financial statements are presented in United States dollars except as otherwise indicated.
(c) Change in Accounting Policy
The accounting policies applied in the preparation of these condensed interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those applied and disclosed in the Company's most recent annual consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, except for the change as discussed below.
2. SUMMARY OF MATERIAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont'd…)
IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements
The IASB has issued an amendment to IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements ("IAS 1") that clarifies certain requirements for determining whether a liability should be classified as current or non-current and requires new disclosures for non-current liabilities that are subject to covenants within 12 months after the reporting date. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024, and are required to be applied retrospectively. The amendment requires the classification of liabilities as current or non-current depending on the rights existing at the end of the reporting period and clarifies that management's expectations in respect of settlement do not affect classification. Liabilities are classified as non-current if the company has a substantive right to defer settlement for at least twelve months at the end of the reporting period. 'Settlement' is defined as the extinguishment of a liability with cash, other economic resources, or an entity's own equity instruments. There is an exception for convertible instruments that might be converted into equity, but only for those instruments where the conversion option is classified as an equity instrument as a separate component of a compound financial instrument.
This change has resulted in a change in the accounting policy for classification of liabilities that can be settled in the Company's own shares. Previously, counterparty conversion options were not considered when classifying the related liabilities as current or non-current. Under the revised policy, when a liability includes a counterparty conversion option that may be settled by a transfer of the Company's shares, the Company is required to consider the conversion option in classifying the liability as current or non-current except when it is classified as an equity component of a compound instrument.
The Company conducted an analysis of the impact of the change in accounting policy upon adoption of IAS 1 to the Company's financial statements and has determined that the Company's convertible A&R Loan Facility (as defined below) is impacted by the revised policy and the related liabilities have been reclassified to current liabilities because the lender has the unconditional right to convert at anytime, including within the next twelve months. There are no changes to the expected cash outflows from the convertible debt, and no changes to the liquidity of the Company and the maturity date of the debt remains May 10, 2027. The Company's other liabilities were not impacted by the changes to IAS 1.
Due to the requirement for retrospective adoptions of the IAS 1 amendments, the statement of financial position as at December 31, 2023, has been re-presented, with a reclassification of $13.6 million from non-current liabilities to current liabilities. Prior to substantial modification of the A&R Loan Facility (as defined below) during 2023, the equity conversion feature of the previous convertible loan facility was classified as an equity component of a compound instrument. Therefore, the change in policy did not impact the Company's statement of financial position as at January 1, 2023. There is no retrospective impact on the comparative statement of loss and comprehensive loss, statement of equity, and statement of cash flows.
As discussed above the changes to IAS 1 will have no impact on the Company's cash flows or liquidity and the only change is on the classification of the convertible debt instrument as a current liability instead of the non-current liability, as such the Company does not consider the adoption of IAS 1 will have a material impact on the Company in future reporting periods.
(d) Future Changes to Accounting Policy
IFRS 18 - Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements ("IFRS 18") is a new standard that will provide new presentation and disclosure requirements and which will replace IAS 1. IFRS 18 introduces changes to the structure of the income statement; provides required disclosures in financial statements for certain profit or loss performance measures that are reported outside an entity's financial statements; and provides enhanced principles on aggregation and disaggregation in financial statements. Many other existing principles in IAS 1 have been maintained. IFRS 18 is effective for years beginning on or after January 1, 2027, with earlier application permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard.
3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
|
|
As at |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Royalty, derivative royalty, and stream receivables |
$ |
1,169 |
|
$ |
2,482 |
|
GST and other recoverable taxes |
|
97 |
|
|
325 |
|
Other receivables |
|
30 |
|
|
4 |
|
Total accounts receivable |
$ |
1,296 |
|
$ |
2,811 |
|
As at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any royalty, derivative royalty and stream receivables that were past due. The Company's allowance for doubtful accounts as at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was $Nil.
4. ROYALTY, STREAM, AND OTHER INTERESTS
|
|
Producing |
|
|
Development |
|
|
Exploration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Assets |
|
|
Total |
|
As at December 31, 2022 |
$ |
9,467 |
|
$ |
98,452 |
|
$ |
12,809 |
|
$ |
120,728 |
|
Nova portfolio acquisition |
|
10,412 |
|
|
120,438 |
|
|
130 |
|
|
130,980 |
|
Alamos portfolio acquisition |
|
- |
|
|
4,192 |
|
|
75 |
|
|
4,267 |
|
Lama acquisition |
|
- |
|
|
6,601 |
|
|
- |
|
|
6,601 |
|
Del Carmen and Beaufor impairments |
|
- |
|
|
(2,355 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(2,355 |
) |
Depletion (1) |
|
(2,348 |
) |
|
(30 |
) |
|
(11 |
) |
|
(2,389 |
) |
Reclassifications and other |
|
- |
|
|
5,178 |
|
|
(5,186 |
) |
|
(8 |
) |
As at December 31, 2023 |
$ |
17,531 |
|
$ |
232,476 |
|
$ |
7,817 |
|
$ |
257,824 |
|
Depletion |
|
(1,862 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,862 |
) |
Reclassifications and other |
|
10,992 |
|
|
(10,992 |
) |
|
(6 |
) |
|
(6 |
) |
As at September 30, 2024 |
$ |
26,661 |
|
$ |
221,484 |
|
$ |
7,811 |
|
$ |
255,956 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical cost |
$ |
33,000 |
|
$ |
229,267 |
|
$ |
7,860 |
|
$ |
270,127 |
|
Accumulated depletion and impairments |
$ |
(6,339 |
) |
$ |
(7,783 |
) |
$ |
(49 |
) |
$ |
(14,171 |
) |
(1) Fixed royalty payments were received in relation to certain exploration and development assets. The depletion related to these payments was recorded based on the total fixed royalty payments expected to be received under each contract.
(a) During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company completed the following transactions:
Reclassifications from Development to Producing Assets
During the period the Company reclassified the following properties from development assets to producing assets:
- Tocantinzinho; and
- La Guitarra.
4. ROYALTY, STREAM, AND OTHER INTERESTS (cont'd…)
(b) During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company completed the following transactions:
Nova Royalty Acquisition
On December 1, 2023, the Company closed an arrangement agreement whereby the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Nova Royalty Corp. (TSX-V: NOVR) ("Nova") pursuant to a plan of arrangement. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the arrangement agreement between the Company and Nova dated September 7, 2023 (the "Arrangement Agreement"), Nova shareholders received 0.36 of a Common Share for each Nova common share held prior to the Nova acquisition, for a total of 33,893,734 Common Shares issued. In accordance with the Arrangement Agreement, each Nova restricted share unit vested into a Nova common share at the close of the Nova acquisition and was exchanged for 0.36 of a Metalla Common Share for a total of 741,597 Common Shares issued, and each Nova stock option was replaced with a fully vested replacement Metalla option. All replacement options were adjusted as per the terms of the Arrangement Agreement and are exercisable into Metalla Common Shares.
Concurrent with closing of the Nova acquisition on December 1, 2023, the Company drew down from its loan facility with Beedie Investments Ltd. ("Beedie") (Note 6) an amount equal to the principal and unpaid interest and fees outstanding under Beedie's convertible loan agreement with Nova (the "Nova Loan Facility") to refinance and retire the Nova Loan Facility (Note 6). Upon completion of the Nova acquisition, existing Metalla and Nova shareholders owned approximately 60.41% and 39.59% of the combined company, respectively. Following the completion of the acquisition, Nova became a wholly owned subsidiary of Metalla.
For accounting purposes, the Company determined the acquisition of Nova did not meet the definition of business combination under IFRS 3 - Business Combinations. Accordingly, the transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition under relevant IFRS standards with a closing date of December 1, 2023. Under this method the Company is required to recognize identifiable assets and liabilities at their individual fair values and any transaction costs are capitalized as part of the acquisition, with no goodwill recognized.
To estimate the fair value of the mineral interest acquired, management used discounted cash flow models and a market-based approach. Management applied significant judgment in determining the fair value of the mineral interests, including the use of significant assumptions, such as discount rates, long-term forecast commodity prices, and future production of operator mineral reserves and resources information for the portfolio of mineral stream and royalty agreements. Future production and operator mineral reserves and resources information are based on information compiled by appropriately qualified persons. The assets and liabilities acquired included mineral interests of $131.0 million, current assets of $1.0 million, and current liabilities of $6.2 million. Below is a reconciliation of the purchase consideration for the Nova acquisition along with the total assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed.
Number of Metalla Shares issued to Nova shareholders |
|
33,893,734 |
|
Number of Metalla Shares issued to Nova RSU holders |
|
741,597 |
|
Total Number of Metalla Shares issued |
|
34,635,331 |
|
Closing price of a Metalla Share on November 30, 2023, on TSXV |
|
C$4.34 |
|
C$/US$ exchange rate on November 30, 2023 |
|
1.3560 |
|
Market value of Metalla Shares issued |
$ |
110,853 |
|
Value of Nova share options converted to Metalla share options |
|
1,152 |
|
Nova long-term debt repaid as part of transaction |
|
11,064 |
|
Transaction costs |
|
2,695 |
|
Purchase consideration |
$ |
125,764 |
|
4. ROYALTY, STREAM, AND OTHER INTERESTS (cont'd…)
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
79 |
|
Accounts receivable |
|
892 |
|
Mineral interests |
|
130,980 |
|
Current liabilities |
|
(6,187 |
) |
Total assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed |
$ |
125,764 |
|
Details of some of the royalties the Company holds through Nova are discussed below, based on information publicly filed by the applicable owner.
Aranzazu
The Company acquired a 1.0% NSR royalty on the producing Aranzazu copper-gold-silver mine owned by Aura Minerals Inc. ("Aura"). Aranzazu is a copper-gold-silver deposit located within the Municipality of Concepcion del Oro in the State of Zacatecas, Mexico. Aura is the sole owner and operator of Aranzazu. The Company is entitled to 1.0% of the net smelter returns on all metals sold at Aranzazu, less certain allowable deductions, provided that the monthly average price per pound of copper, as quoted by the London Metals Exchange, equals or exceeds $2.00/lb. The fair value ascribed to the Aranzazu NSR royalty upon the acquisition of Nova was $10.4 million.
Taca Taca
The Company acquired a 0.42% NSR royalty on the Taca Taca copper-gold-molybdenum project, owned by First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum"). Taca Taca is a porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum project located in northwestern Argentina in the Puna (Altiplano) region of Salta Province. The Company is entitled to 0.42% of the net smelter returns on all metals sold at Taca Taca. The Taca Taca royalty is subject to a buyback right based on the proven reserves at Taca Taca in a feasibility study completed by a recognized, international consulting firm that is contracted by mutual consent of all parties, including royalty holders. The buyback amount will be based on the amount of the proven reserves multiplied by the prevailing market prices of all applicable commodities within Taca Taca. The fair value ascribed to the Taca Taca NSR royalty upon the acquisition of Nova was $34.6 million.
Vizcachitas
The Company acquired a 0.98% NSR royalty on the open pit operations and a 0.49% NSR royalty on underground operations at Vizcachitas. Vizcachitas is a large copper-molybdenum porphyry deposit in central Chile, owned by Los Andes Copper Ltd. ("Los Andes"). The fair value ascribed to the Vizcachitas NSR royalty upon the acquisition of Nova was $33.1 million.
NuevaUnión
The Company acquired a 2.0% NSR royalty on future copper production on the Cantarito claim which makes up part of the La Fortuna deposit forming part of the NuevaUnión copper-gold project ("NuevaUnión") located in in the Huasco Province in the Atacama region of Chile. NuevaUnión is jointly owned by Newmont Corporation and Teck Resources Limited. In 2020, prior to the Arrangement Agreement, the Company partnered with Nova to jointly purchase the royalty on NuevaUnión such that Metalla acquired an entitlement to all payments under the NSR royalty with respect to gold production, Nova acquired an entitlement to all payments with respect to copper production, and both Metalla and Nova acquired an entitlement to an even split of all other payments under the NSR. With the acquisition of Nova, the Company now holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on all metals at NuevaUnión. The fair value ascribed to Nova's portion of the NuevaUnión NSR royalty upon the acquisition of Nova was $21.2 million.
4. ROYALTY, STREAM, AND OTHER INTERESTS (cont'd…)
Copper World Complex
The Company acquired a 0.315% NSR royalty on the Copper World Complex project in Arizona, USA, 100% owned by Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay"). The Copper World NSR covers all metals, including copper, molybdenum, silver, and gold extracted from the majority of mining claims covering the Copper World Complex. The Company also retains a right of first refusal with respect to an additional 0.360% NSR royalty on the Copper World Complex. The fair value ascribed to the Copper World NSR royalty upon the acquisition of Nova was $12.7 million.
Pine Valley Mineral Claims Sale
In June 2023, the Company sold the JR mineral claims that make up the Pine Valley property, which is part of the Cortez complex in Nevada, for $5.0 million in cash to Nevada Gold Mines, LLC, an entity formed by Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick") and Newmont Corporation. As part of the purchase and sale agreement, the Company has retained a 3.0% Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty on the Pine Valley property. The Company recognized a gain on sale of mineral claims of $5.0 million. The Company acquired the Pine Valley mineral claims through the acquisition of Genesis Gold Corporation ("Genesis") in 2020, and the Company ascribed a fair value of less than $0.1 million to the Pine Valley mineral claims upon acquisition of Genesis.
Lama Royalties Acquisition
In March 2023, the Company acquired an existing 2.5%-3.75% sliding scale Gross Proceeds royalty over gold and a 0.25%-3.0% NSR royalty on all metals (other than gold and silver) on the majority of Barrick's Lama project located in Argentina from an arm's length seller for aggregate consideration of $6.5 million. The consideration consisted of $2.5 million in cash, $2.1 million in Common Shares upon closing, and an additional $2.5 million to be paid in cash or Common Shares, at the Company's sole discretion, within 90 days upon the earlier of a 2-million-ounce gold mineral reserve estimate on the royalty area or 36 months after the closing date. The Company issued 466,827 Common Shares to the arm's length seller (valued at $4.44 per share on March 9, 2023). The outstanding $2.5 million payment (the "Lama Payable") was recorded at fair value upon inception using a discount rate of 10.0% and an estimated payment date of 36 months from closing and was recorded at $1.9 million. The Lama Payable has been disclosed as a non-current liability on the Company's statement of financial position as an acquisition payable and this amount will be increased to $2.5 million over the term of the payable using the effective interest method. The Company incurred $0.2 million in transaction costs associated with this transaction. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized an accretion expense on the Lama Payable of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively (September 30, 2023 - less than $0.1 million and $0.1 million).
Alamos Portfolio Acquisition
In February 2023, the Company acquired one silver stream and three royalties from Alamos Gold Corp. ("Alamos") for aggregate consideration of $4.2 million. Upon closing the Company issued 939,355 Common Shares to Alamos (valued at $4.42 per share on February 23, 2023). The Company incurred $0.1 million in transaction costs associated with this transaction. The stream and royalties acquired in this transaction included:
- a 20% silver stream over the Esperanza project located in Morales, Mexico owned by Zacatecas Silver Corp.;
- a 1.4% NSR royalty on the Fenn Gibb South project located in Timmins, Ontario owned by Mayfair Gold Corp.;
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Ronda project located in Shining Tree, Ontario owned by Platinex Inc.; and
- a 2.0% NSR royalty on the Northshore West property located in Thunder Bay, Ontario owned by New Path Resources Inc.
5. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
|
|
As at |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Trade payables and accrued liabilities |
$ |
619 |
|
$ |
5,081 |
|
Taxes payable |
|
18 |
|
|
313 |
|
Total trade and other payables |
$ |
637 |
|
$ |
5,394 |
|
6. LOANS PAYABLE
|
|
A&R Loan Facility |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt |
|
|
Derivative |
|
|
Castle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portion |
|
|
Portion |
|
|
Mountain Loan |
|
|
Total |
|
As at December 31, 2022 |
$ |
5,335 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
5,250 |
|
$ |
10,585 |
|
Additions |
|
10,357 |
|
|
707 |
|
|
- |
|
|
11,064 |
|
Conversion |
|
(2,737 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(2,737 |
) |
Extinguishment of loan facility |
|
(195 |
) |
|
428 |
|
|
- |
|
|
233 |
|
Modification of loan facility |
|
(410 |
) |
|
99 |
|
|
- |
|
|
(311 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
771 |
|
|
- |
|
|
248 |
|
|
1,019 |
|
Interest payments |
|
(349 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(460 |
) |
|
(809 |
) |
Principal repayment |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(4,340 |
) |
|
(4,340 |
) |
Fair value adjustment of derivative portion |
|
- |
|
|
(673 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(673 |
) |
Foreign exchange adjustments |
|
255 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
255 |
|
As at December 31, 2023 |
$ |
13,027 |
|
$ |
561 |
|
$ |
698 |
|
$ |
14,286 |
|
Conversion |
|
(1,109 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1,109 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
1,299 |
|
|
- |
|
|
20 |
|
|
1,319 |
|
Interest payments |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
(58 |
) |
Principal repayment |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(660 |
) |
|
(660 |
) |
Fair value adjustment of derivative portion |
|
- |
|
|
(392 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(392 |
) |
Foreign exchange adjustments |
|
(263 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(263 |
) |
As at September 30, 2024 |
$ |
12,954 |
|
$ |
169 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
13,123 |
|
A&R Loan Facility
In March 2019, the Company entered into a convertible loan facility with Beedie to fund acquisitions of new royalties and streams which has subsequently been amended from time to time. The loan facility bears interest on amounts advanced and a standby fee on funds available. Funds advanced are convertible into Common Shares at Beedie's option, with the conversion price determined at the date of each drawdown or at the conversion date (in the case of the conversion of accrued and unpaid interest).
In August 2022, the Company and Beedie closed a first supplemental loan agreement to extend the maturity date of the loan facility from April 22, 2023, to January 22, 2024. In consideration for the extension the Company incurred a fee of C$0.2 million (the "Loan Extension Fee") convertible into Common Shares at a conversion price of C$7.34 per share. Upon closing, the Company recognized a gain of $0.3 million to reflect the change required in the amortized cost of the liability using the effective interest method over a longer period of time.
6. LOANS PAYABLE (cont'd…)
As at December 31, 2022, the Company had C$5.0 million outstanding with a conversion price of C$14.30 per share (the "Third Drawdown"), C$3.0 million outstanding with a conversion price of C$11.16 per share (the "Fourth Drawdown"), C$0.2 million outstanding with a conversion price of C$7.34 per share from the Loan Extension Fee, and had C$12.0 million available under the loan facility.
In May 2023, the Company and Beedie closed an additional supplemental loan agreement to further amend the loan facility by, among other things, extending the maturity date to May 10, 2027, increasing the loan facility by C$5.0 million from C$20.0 million to C$25.0 million, and increasing the interest rate from 8.0% to 10.0% per annum.
The amendment was considered a substantial modification of the loan facility, and for accounting purposes the existing debt instruments were extinguished and the new debt instruments were recognized at fair value on the amendment date. The difference in value between the amount that was retired for the old debt instrument and the amount recorded for the new debt instrument, taking into account the modification in conversion price to induce conversion of part of the old debt instrument, was recorded as a loss on extinguishment of loan payable of $1.4 million. Transaction costs of $0.1 million incurred were included in the loss on extinguishment of loan payable.
The conversion feature, prepayment options, and availability of credit under the new loan facility (together the "Derivative Loan Liabilities") have all been determined to be non-cash embedded derivatives that are not closely related to the principal amounts due under the loan facility, and as such are bifurcated from the loan facility and the Derivative Loan Liabilities will be accounted for at fair value through profit and loss. The debt portion of the loan facility along with any transaction costs and fees directly attributable to the loan facility will be included in the respective effective interest rate calculation for the debt portion and will be measured at amortized cost. Upon initial recognition on May 19, 2023, the Derivative Loan Liabilities were assigned a fair value of $0.4 million, and the debt portion of the liability was assigned a fair value at $2.7 million for a total face value of $3.1 million (C$4.2 million), with an implied effective interest rate of 14.6%. On May 19, 2023, the Derivative Loan Liabilities were valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: risk free interest rate of 4.0%, expected dividend yield of 0.0%, expected volatility of 51%, and an expected life of 2.0 years.
Effective December 1, 2023, Metalla and Beedie entered into an amended and restated convertible loan facility agreement (the "A&R Loan Facility") to further amend and restate the loan facility by:
i. increasing the maximum aggregate principal amount of the facility from C$25.0 million to C$50.0 million;
ii. amending the conversion price of the C$4.2 million outstanding balance to a conversion price of C$6.00 per share under the A&R Loan Facility;
iii. a further draw down of C$12.2 million with a conversion price of C$6.00 per share to refinance the principal amount due under the Nova Loan Facility (the total C$16.4 million comprised of the C$4.2 million outstanding balance plus the C$12.2 million additional draw down being the "Principal Amount");
iv. a draw down of C$2.0 million from the A&R Loan Facility to refinance the accrued and unpaid interest outstanding under the Nova Loan Facility at the close of the Nova acquisition with a conversion price equal to the market price of the shares of Metalla at the time of conversion (the "Accrued Interest Amount");
v. a draw down of C$0.8 million to refinance the accrued and unpaid fees outstanding under the Nova Loan Facility at the close of the Nova acquisition, which will not be convertible into Common Shares (the "Accrued Fees Amount");
vi. establishing an 18-month period whereby the interest of 10.0% per annum compounded monthly will be added to the Accrued Interest Amount and on June 1, 2025, reverting to a cash interest payment of 10.0% on a monthly basis, the additional Accrued Interest Amount having the same conversion price equal to the market price of the shares of Metalla at the time of conversion;
vii. incurring an amendment fee of C$0.1 million and any outstanding costs and expenses are to be paid by Metalla; and
viii. updated the existing security arrangements to include security to be provided by Nova and certain other subsidiaries of Metalla and Nova for the A&R Loan Facility.
6. LOANS PAYABLE (cont'd…)
On December 1, 2023, following the changes to the A&R Facility and the drawdown of the C$12.2 million, the Derivative Loan Liabilities were remeasured and were assigned a fair value of $0.9 million, and the debt portion of the Principal Amount was assigned a fair value of $11.2 million for a total face value of $12.1 million (C$16.4 million). The debt portion, including any directly attributable transaction costs and fees will be accounted for at amortized cost using the implied effective interest rate of 14.6%. The Accrued Interest Amount and the Accrued Fees Amount under the A&R Loan Facility are both accounted for as loans payable which were initially valued at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost and are included in the total A&R Loan Facility balance.
The Derivative Loan Liabilities were remeasured at September 30, 2024, and were assigned a fair value of $0.2 million (December 31, 2023 - $0.6 million) and were calculated at September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2023, using a convertible debt and swaption pricing model with the following major market inputs and assumptions:
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Maturity date |
|
May 10, 2027 |
|
|
May 10, 2027 |
|
Risk free interest rate |
|
2.73% |
|
|
3.66% |
|
Share price |
|
C$4.16 |
|
|
C$4.05 |
|
Expected volatility |
|
52% |
|
|
52% |
|
Dividend yield |
$ |
Nil |
|
$ |
Nil |
|
Conversion price |
|
C$6.00 |
|
|
C$6.00 |
|
On February 20, 2024, Beedie elected to convert C$1.5 million of the Accrued Interest Amount into Common Shares at a conversion price of C$3.49 per share, being the closing price of the shares of Metalla on the TSX-V on February 20, 2024, for a total of 429,800 Common Shares which were issued on March 19, 2024.
As at September 30, 2024, under the A&R Loan Facility, the Company had C$16.4 million outstanding from the Principal Amount with a conversion price of C$6.00 per share, C$2.0 million outstanding from the Accrued Interest Amount with a conversion price equal to the market price of the shares of Metalla at the time of conversion, C$0.8 million outstanding from the Accrued Fees Amount which is not convertible into Common Shares, and had C$30.9 million available under the A&R Loan Facility with the conversion price to be determined on the date of any future advances.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized finance charges of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively (September 30, 2023 - $0.1 million and $0.1 million) related to costs associated with the A&R Loan Facility, including standby fees on the undrawn portion of the A&R Loan Facility, as well as set up and other associated costs.
The Company adopted an amendment to IAS 1 effective January 1, 2024, which requires the A&R Loan Facility to be presented as a current liability rather than a non-current liability. See Note 2(c) for more information.
6. LOANS PAYABLE (cont'd…)
Castle Mountain Loan
In connection with the Castle Mountain acquisition in October 2021, the Company entered into a $5.0 million loan agreement (the "Castle Mountain Loan") with the arm's length seller bearing interest at a rate of 4.0% per annum until fully repaid on June 1, 2023. On March 30, 2023, the Company signed an amendment to extend the maturity date of the Castle Mountain Loan from June 1, 2023, to April 1, 2024. As part of the amendment, on March 31, 2023, the Company paid the $0.3 million accrued interest on the loan, effective April 1, 2023, the interest rate increased to 12.0% per annum, and the principal and accrued interest were to be repaid no later than April 1, 2024. On July 7, 2023, the Company paid all accrued interest due at the time on the Castle Mountain Loan and made a principal repayment of $4.3 million.
On April 1, 2024, the Company made a payment of $0.7 million to fully repay and settle all of the accrued interest and outstanding principal on the Castle Mountain Loan.
7. REVENUE
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Royalty revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wharf |
$ |
663 |
|
$ |
338 |
|
$ |
1,258 |
|
$ |
1,244 |
|
El Realito |
|
90 |
|
|
769 |
|
|
596 |
|
|
1,546 |
|
Aranzazu |
|
485 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,359 |
|
|
- |
|
La Encantada |
|
85 |
|
|
192 |
|
|
221 |
|
|
349 |
|
Tocantinzinho |
|
167 |
|
|
- |
|
|
167 |
|
|
- |
|
La Guitarra |
|
51 |
|
|
- |
|
|
51 |
|
|
- |
|
Total royalty revenue |
|
1,541 |
|
|
1,299 |
|
|
3,652 |
|
|
3,139 |
|
Other fixed royalty payments |
|
81 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
100 |
|
|
160 |
|
Total revenue |
$ |
1,622 |
|
$ |
1,359 |
|
$ |
3,752 |
|
$ |
3,299 |
|
The Company operates in one industry and has one reportable segment, which is reviewed by the chief operating decision maker.
8. GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Compensation and benefits |
$ |
525 |
|
$ |
466 |
|
$ |
1,552 |
|
$ |
1,296 |
|
Corporate administration |
|
365 |
|
|
341 |
|
|
969 |
|
|
897 |
|
Professional fees |
|
219 |
|
|
157 |
|
|
674 |
|
|
728 |
|
Listing and filing fees |
|
41 |
|
|
28 |
|
|
172 |
|
|
173 |
|
Total general and administrative expenses |
$ |
1,150 |
|
$ |
992 |
|
$ |
3,367 |
|
$ |
3,094 |
|
9. INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense differs from the amount that would result from applying Canadian income tax rates to earnings before income taxes. These differences result from the following items:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
$ |
(1,031 |
) |
$ |
(2,100 |
) |
$ |
(4,230 |
) |
$ |
(2,700 |
) |
Canadian federal and provincial income tax rates |
|
27.00% |
|
|
27.00% |
|
|
27.00% |
|
|
27.00% |
|
Income tax recovery based on the above rates |
|
(278 |
) |
|
(567 |
) |
|
(1,142 |
) |
|
(729 |
) |
Difference between Canadian and foreign tax rate |
|
(59 |
) |
|
(12 |
) |
|
(106 |
) |
|
(307 |
) |
Permanent differences |
|
223 |
|
|
143 |
|
|
550 |
|
|
1,326 |
|
Changes in unrecognized deferred tax assets |
|
248 |
|
|
572 |
|
|
(584 |
) |
|
1,166 |
|
Other adjustments |
|
4 |
|
|
(109 |
) |
|
1,444 |
|
|
(186 |
) |
Total income tax expense |
$ |
138 |
|
$ |
27 |
|
$ |
162 |
|
$ |
1,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current income tax expense (recovery) |
$ |
167 |
|
$ |
(58 |
) |
$ |
238 |
|
$ |
1,055 |
|
Deferred income tax expense (recovery) |
$ |
(29 |
) |
$ |
85 |
|
$ |
(76 |
) |
$ |
215 |
|
10. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value.
(a) Issued Share Capital
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had 91,748,790 Common Shares issued and outstanding (December 31, 2023 - 90,877,231).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company:
- issued 429,800 Common Shares related to the conversion of a portion of the Accrued Interest Amount from the A&R Loan Facility (Note 6);
- issued 250,000 Common Shares related to a private placement; and
- issued 191,759 Common Shares related to the vesting of RSUs and the exercise of stock options.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company:
- issued 944,396 Common Shares in the at-the-market offerings at an average price of $4.90 per share for gross proceeds of $4.6 million, with aggregate commissions paid or payable to the agents of $0.1 million and other share issue costs of $0.4 million, resulting in aggregate net proceeds of $4.1 million;
- issued 34,943,542 Common Shares related to the acquisition of Nova (Note 4);
- issued 1,406,182 Common Shares for the acquisition of royalties and other interests (Note 4);
- issued 2,835,539 Common Shares related to a subscription agreement to complete a C$15.0 million equity placement at an average price of C$5.29 per share;
- issued 545,702 Common Shares related to the conversion of a portion of the Third Drawdown from the A&R Loan Facility (Note 6); and
- issued 733,993 Common Shares related to the vesting of RSUs and the exercise of stock options.
10. SHARE CAPITAL (cont'd…)
(b) Stock Options
The Company has adopted a stock option plan approved by the Company's shareholders. The maximum number of shares that may be reserved for issuance under the plan is limited to 10% of the issued common shares of the Company at any time, less the amount reserved for RSUs. The plan allows for a cash-less broker exercise, or a net exercise on some of the Company's stock options upon vesting, both of which are subject to approval from the Company's Board of Directors. The vesting terms, if any, are determined by the Company's Board of Directors at the time of the grant.
The continuity of stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was as follows:
|
|
Weighted Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
(C$) |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
As at December 31, 2022 |
$ |
7.26 |
|
|
2,818,902 |
|
Granted |
|
4.05 |
|
|
922,500 |
|
Issued as part of Nova Transaction (Note 4) |
|
6.10 |
|
|
2,013,118 |
|
Exercised (1) |
|
2.91 |
|
|
(779,527 |
) |
Expired |
|
11.73 |
|
|
(60,000 |
) |
Forfeited |
|
5.98 |
|
|
(80,000 |
) |
As at December 31, 2023 |
$ |
6.83 |
|
|
4,834,993 |
|
Granted |
|
4.14 |
|
|
160,000 |
|
Exercised (1) |
|
1.69 |
|
|
(169,196 |
) |
Expired |
|
9.53 |
|
|
(355,000 |
) |
Forfeited |
|
4.47 |
|
|
(115,000 |
) |
As at September 30, 2024 |
$ |
6.78 |
|
|
4,355,797 |
|
(1) During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, 169,196 stock options were exercised on a net exercise basis with a total of 99,319 Common Shares issued for the exercise (2023 - 581,226 and 264,988, respectively).
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company granted 160,000 stock options (December 31, 2023 - 992,500) with a weighted-average exercise price of C$4.14 (December 31, 2023 - C$4.05) and a fair value of $0.2 million or $1.18 per option (December 31, 2023 - $1.1 million or $1.24 per option). The fair value of the stock options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with weighted average assumptions as follows:
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
Twelve months |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Risk free interest rate |
|
3.62% |
|
|
3.71% |
|
Expected dividend yield |
|
0% |
|
|
0% |
|
Expected stock price volatility |
|
51% |
|
|
53% |
|
Expected life in years |
|
3.25 |
|
|
3.25 |
|
Forfeiture rate |
|
0% |
|
|
0% |
|
10. SHARE CAPITAL (cont'd…)
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, in accordance with the vesting terms of the stock options granted, the Company recorded charges to share-based payments expense of $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively (September 30, 2023 - $0.1 million and $0.7 million), with offsetting credits to reserves. As at September 30, 2024, the weighted average remaining life of the stock options outstanding was 1.57 years (December 31, 2023 - 2.17 years). The Company's outstanding and exercisable stock options as at September 30, 2024, and their expiry dates are as follows:
|
|
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price |
|
|
Number |
|
|
Number |
|
Expiry Date |
|
|
(C$) |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
December 1, 2024 |
|
$ |
13.19 |
|
|
53,100 |
|
|
53,100 |
|
December 1, 2024 |
|
$ |
9.17 |
|
|
736,200 |
|
|
736,200 |
|
December 1, 2024 |
|
$ |
4.33 |
|
|
639,000 |
|
|
639,000 |
|
December 1, 2024 |
|
$ |
4.12 |
|
|
481,247 |
|
|
481,247 |
|
January 15, 2025 |
|
$ |
7.66 |
|
|
383,750 |
|
|
383,750 |
|
November 6, 2025 |
|
$ |
12.85 |
|
|
315,000 |
|
|
315,000 |
|
April 27, 2026 |
|
$ |
11.73 |
|
|
310,000 |
|
|
310,000 |
|
August 16, 2027 |
|
$ |
5.98 |
|
|
445,000 |
|
|
445,000 |
|
December 28, 2028 |
|
$ |
4.05 |
|
|
832,500 |
|
|
- |
|
July 23, 2029 |
|
$ |
4.14 |
|
|
160,000 |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,355,797 |
|
|
3,363,297 |
|
(c) Restricted Share Units
The Company has adopted an RSU plan approved by the Company's shareholders. The maximum number of RSUs that may be reserved for issuance under the plan is limited to 10% of the issued common shares of the Company at any time, less the amount reserved for stock options. The vesting terms are determined by the Company's Board of Directors at the time of issuance, the standard vesting terms have one-half vest in one year and one-half vest in two years. The continuity of RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was as follows:
|
|
Number |
|
|
|
Outstanding |
|
As at December 31, 2022 |
|
721,554 |
|
Granted |
|
587,500 |
|
Settled |
|
(270,704 |
) |
Forfeited |
|
(60,000 |
) |
As at December 31, 2023 |
|
978,350 |
|
Granted |
|
260,000 |
|
Settled |
|
(92,440 |
) |
Forfeited |
|
(75,000 |
) |
As at September 30, 2024 |
|
1,070,910 |
|
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, in accordance with the vesting terms of the RSUs granted, the Company recorded charges to share-based payments expense of $0.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively (September 30, 2023 - $0.4 million and $1.3 million), with offsetting credits to reserves.
11. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES
The aggregate value of transactions and outstanding balances relating to key management personnel were as follows:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Salaries and fees |
$ |
309 |
|
$ |
342 |
|
$ |
766 |
|
$ |
874 |
|
Share-based payments |
|
542 |
|
|
357 |
|
|
1,481 |
|
|
1,402 |
|
Total related party expenses |
$ |
851 |
|
$ |
699 |
|
$ |
2,247 |
|
$ |
2,276 |
|
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had $0.1 million (December 31, 2023 - $0.6 million) due to directors and management related to remuneration and expense reimbursements, which have been included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. As at September 30, 2024, the Company had $Nil (December 31, 2023 - $Nil) due from directors and management.
12. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE WITH RESPECT TO CASH FLOWS
Significant Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company:
a) issued 429,800 Common Shares, valued at $1.1 million, for the conversion of a portion of the Accrued Interest Amount from the A&R Loan Facility (Note 6);
b) reallocated $0.6 million from reserves for 92,440 RSUs that settled; and
c) reallocated $0.4 million from reserves for 169,196 stock options exercised.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company:
a) issued 545,702 Common Shares, valued at $3.3 million, for the conversion of a portion of the Third Drawdown (Note 6);
b) issued 34,943,542 Common Shares, valued at $112.1 million, for the acquisition of Nova (Note 4);
c) issued 466,827 Common Shares, valued at $2.1 million, for the acquisition of the Lama royalties (Note 4);
d) issued 939,355 Common Shares, valued at $4.2 million, for the acquisition of the Alamos royalty portfolio (Note 4);
e) reallocated $2.2 million from reserves for 270,704 RSUs that settled; and
f) reallocated $0.9 million from reserves for 779,527 stock options exercised.
13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company classified its financial instruments as follows:
|
|
As at |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Financial assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
10,215 |
|
$ |
14,107 |
|
Royalty, derivative royalty, and stream receivables |
|
1,169 |
|
|
2,482 |
|
Other receivables |
|
127 |
|
|
329 |
|
Fair value through profit or loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities |
|
523 |
|
|
295 |
|
Total financial assets |
$ |
12,034 |
|
$ |
17,213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
$ |
637 |
|
$ |
5,394 |
|
Loans payable |
|
12,954 |
|
|
13,725 |
|
Acquisition payables |
|
2,181 |
|
|
2,928 |
|
Fair value through profit or loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative loan liabilities |
|
169 |
|
|
561 |
|
Total financial liabilities |
$ |
15,941 |
|
$ |
22,608 |
|
Fair Value
Financial instruments recorded at fair value on the consolidated statement of financial position are classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:
a) Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
b) Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly; and
c) Level 3 - Inputs for assets and liabilities that are not based on observable market data.
The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market inputs whenever such inputs exist. A financial instrument is classified to the lowest level of the hierarchy for which a significant input has been considered in measuring fair value.
Cash, accounts receivables (royalty, derivative royalty, and stream receivables, and other receivables), and accounts payable (trade and other payables), are carried at amortized cost. Their carrying value approximated their fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments or because they reflect amounts that are receivable to the Company without further adjustments. Marketable securities are carried at fair value and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. There were no transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, and the year ended December 31, 2023.
Loans payable and acquisition payables are carried at amortized cost. The fair values of the Company's loans payable are approximated by their carrying values as the interest rates are comparable to market interest rates. The derivative loan liabilities are carried at fair value and were valued using a swaption model, with inputs that are not observable (Note 6). Therefore, the derivative loan liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
13. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (cont'd…)
Capital Risk Management
The Company's objectives when managing capital are to provide shareholder returns through maximization of the profitable growth of the business and to maintain a degree of financial flexibility relevant to the underlying operating and metal price risks while safeguarding the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The capital of the Company consists of share capital. The Board of Directors does not establish a quantitative return on capital criteria for management. The Company manages the capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. The Company may issue new shares in order to meet its financial obligations. The management of the Company believes that the capital resources of the Company as at September 30, 2024, are sufficient for its present needs for at least the next twelve months. The Company is not subject to externally imposed capital requirements.
Credit Risk
Credit risk arises from cash deposits, as well as credit exposures to counterparties of outstanding receivables and committed transactions. There is no significant concentration of credit risk other than cash deposits. The Company's cash deposits are primarily held with a Canadian chartered bank. Receivables include value added tax due from the Canadian government. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the Company's maximum exposure to credit risk. The Company believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk and overall, the Company's credit risk has not declined from the prior year.
Liquidity Risk
The Company strives to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its short-term business requirements, taking into account its anticipated cash flows from royalty interests, its holdings of cash, and its committed liabilities. The maturities of the Company's loan liabilities are disclosed in Note 4 and Note 6. All current liabilities with the exception of the convertible loan facility are settled within one year. The convertible loan facility has been disclosed as a current liability upon the adoption of the amendments to IAS 1 (see Note 2(c)), however any settlement of the liability within the next twelve months would be upon conversion into Common Shares and is not expected to be settled in cash within the next twelve months.
Currency Risk
The Company is exposed to the financial risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates. The Company primarily operates in Canada, Australia, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States and incurs expenditures in currencies other than United States dollars. Thereby, the Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from currency exposure. The Company has not hedged its exposure to currency fluctuations. Based on the above net exposure, as at September 30, 2024, and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 1% depreciation or appreciation of the United States dollar against the Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Argentinian peso, and Mexican peso would result in an increase/decrease in the Company's pre-tax income or loss of approximately $0.1 million.
14. COMMITMENTS
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had the following contractual obligations:
|
|
Less than |
|
|
1 to |
|
|
Over |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year |
|
|
3 years |
|
|
3 years |
|
|
Total |
|
Trade and other payables |
$ |
637 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
637 |
|
Loans payable principal and interest payments(1) |
|
839 |
|
|
17,917 |
|
|
- |
|
|
18,756 |
|
Payments related to acquisition of royalties and streams |
|
- |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,500 |
|
Total commitments |
$ |
1,476 |
|
$ |
20,417 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
21,893 |
|
(1) Payments required to be made on the A&R Loan Facility based on the closing balance as at September 30, 2024, and assuming no conversion until maturity date.
In addition to the commitments above, the Company could in the future have additional commitments payable in cash and/or shares related to the acquisition of royalty and stream interests. However, these payments are subject to certain triggers or milestone conditions that have not been met as of September 30, 2024.
Form 52-109F2
Certification of Interim Filings
Full Certificate
I, Brett Heath, Chief Executive Officer of Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd., certify the following:
1. Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the "interim filings") of Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. (the "issuer") for the interim period ended September 30, 2024.
2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.
3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.
4. Responsibility: The issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings
(a) designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that
(i) material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and
(ii) information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b) designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer's GAAP.
5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer's ICFR is Internal Control Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
5.2 ICFR - material weakness relating to design: N/A
5.3 Limitation on scope of design: N/A
6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer's ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2024 and ended on September 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer's ICFR.
Date: November 14, 2024
"Brett Heath"
Brett Heath
President and Chief Executive Officer
Form 52-109F2
Certification of Interim Filings
Full Certificate
I, Saurabh Handa, Chief Financial Officer of Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd., certify the following:
1. Review: I have reviewed the interim financial report and interim MD&A (together, the "interim filings") of Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. (the "issuer") for the interim period ended September 30, 2024.
2. No misrepresentations: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim filings do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated or that is necessary to make a statement not misleading in light of the circumstances under which it was made, with respect to the period covered by the interim filings.
3. Fair presentation: Based on my knowledge, having exercised reasonable diligence, the interim financial report together with the other financial information included in the interim filings fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, financial performance and cash flows of the issuer, as of the date of and for the periods presented in the interim filings.
4. Responsibility: The issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) and internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as those terms are defined in National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings, for the issuer.
5. Design: Subject to the limitations, if any, described in paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3, the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I have, as at the end of the period covered by the interim filings
(a) designed DC&P, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance that
(i) material information relating to the issuer is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which the interim filings are being prepared; and
(ii) information required to be disclosed by the issuer in its annual filings, interim filings or other reports filed or submitted by it under securities legislation is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in securities legislation; and
(b) designed ICFR, or caused it to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with the issuer's GAAP.
5.1 Control framework: The control framework the issuer's other certifying officer(s) and I used to design the issuer's ICFR is Internal Control Integrated Framework published by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
5.2 ICFR - material weakness relating to design: N/A
5.3 Limitation on scope of design: N/A
6. Reporting changes in ICFR: The issuer has disclosed in its interim MD&A any change in the issuer's ICFR that occurred during the period beginning on July 1, 2024 and ended on September 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the issuer's ICFR.
Date: November 14, 2024
"Saurabh Handa"
Saurabh Handa
Chief Financial Officer
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
GENERAL
This management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") for Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. (the "Company" or "Metalla") is intended to help the reader understand the significant factors that have affected Metalla and its subsidiaries performance and such factors that may affect its future performance. This MD&A, which has been prepared as of November 13, 2024, should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, and the related notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"), applicable to the preparation of interim financial statements including International Accounting Standard 34 - Interim Financial Reporting. Readers are encouraged to consult the Company's audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the corresponding notes to the financial statements, and the related annual MD&A.
Additional information relevant to the Company is available for viewing on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the EDGAR section of the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
INDEX
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Metalla is a precious and base metals royalty and streaming company that is focused on acquiring gold, silver, and copper metal purchase agreements, Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalties, Gross Value Return ("GVR") royalties, Net Profit Interests ("NPI"), Gross Proceeds ("GP") royalties, Gross Overriding Return ("GOR") royalties, Price Participation ("PP") royalties, Net Proceeds ("NP") royalties, and non-operating interests in mining projects that provide the right to the holder of a percentage of the gross revenue from metals produced from the project or a percentage of the gross revenue from metals produced from the project after deducting specified costs, if any, respectively. The Company's common shares ("Common Shares") are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") under the symbol "MTA" and on the NYSE American ("NYSE") under the symbol "MTA". The head office and principal address is 501 - 543 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Below are key Company highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024:
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received or accrued payments on 648 (three months ended September 30, 2023 - 1,095) attributable Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEOs") at an average realized price of $2,481 (three months ended September 30, 2023 - $1,901) and an average cash cost of $9 (three months ended September 30, 2023 - $5) per attributable GEO (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures). For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received or accrued payments on 1,673 (nine months ended September 30, 2023 - 2,878) attributable GEOs at an average realized price of $2,292 (nine months ended September 30, 2023 - $1,893) and an average cash cost of $11 (nine months ended September 30, 2023 - $6) per attributable GEO (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized revenue from royalty and stream interests, including fixed royalty payments, of $1.6 million (three months ended September 30, 2023 - $1.4 million), net loss of $1.2 million (three months ended September 30, 2023 - $2.1 million), and Adjusted EBITDA of $0.9 million (three months ended September 30, 2023 - $0.5 million) (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures). For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized revenue from royalty and stream interests, including fixed royalty payments, of $3.8 million (nine months ended September 30, 2023 - $3.3 million), net loss of $4.4 million (nine months ended September 30, 2023 - $4.0 million), and Adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million (nine months ended September 30, 2023 - $0.9 million) (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company generated operating cash margin of $2,472 (three months ended September 30, 2023 - $1,896) per attributable GEO, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company generated operating cash margin of $2,281 (nine months ended September 30, 2023 - $1,887) per attributable GEO from the Wharf, Tocantinzinho, El Realito, Aranzazu, La Encantada, La Guitarra, the New Luika Gold Mine ("NLGM") stream held by Silverback Ltd. ("Silverback"), and other royalty interests (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- On September 3, 2024, G Mining Ventures Corp. ("G Mining") announced it had achieved commercial production at Tocantinzinho with the mill operating at 76% of nameplate throughput (9,817 tpd), processing a total of 304 Kt of ore at a recovery rate of 88%. G Mining expects to continue to ramp up production through H2-2024, targeting nameplate throughput of 12,890 tpd by Q1-2025. G Mining disclosed that commercial production was reached at Tocantinzinho on time and on budget;
- On July 30, 2024, Sierra Madre Gold & Silver Ltd. ("Sierra Madre") announced the first shipments of silver and gold concentrates from La Guitarra;
- On July 24, 2024, the Company announced the appointment of Jason Cho as President of the Company. Concurrently with his appointment, Mr. Cho made a C$1.0 million equity investment into the Company, for the acquisition of 250,000 Common Shares at C$4.00 per Common Share by way of private placement (the "Placement"). The Placement closed on August 9, 2024;
- On July 15, 2024, Metalla published its inaugural Asset Handbook outlining the Company's gold, silver, and copper royalties and streams. The Asset Handbook is available on the Company's website;
- On June 28, 2024, the Company filed a new final short form base shelf prospectus and a corresponding registration statement on Form F-10 that replaced the base shelf prospectus and Form F-10 registration statement previously filed by the Company in 2022; and
- Effective August 8, 2024, the Company adopted a minimum share ownership policy applicable to directors and officers of the Company in order to further align the financial interest of Metalla's leadership with the Company's shareholders. The policy requires, subject to various provisions, that: (i) the CEO own Common Shares with a fair market value equal to five times his annual base salary; (ii) the CFO and other officers own Common Shares with a fair market value equal to two times their annual base salary; and (iii) non-executive directors own Common Shares with a fair market value equal to two times their annual cash retainer. Directors and officers will have three years to ensure they are in compliance with the newly adopted policy.
OUTLOOK
Primary sources of cash flows from royalties and streams for 2024 are expected to be Wharf, Aranzazu, El Realito, Tocantinzinho and others. Year-to-date the Company has received or accrued 1,673 attributable GEOs (1) and remains on track to achieve the low end of full-year guidance for 2024 of 2,500 attributable GEOs (1), partially dependent on the timing and quantity of sales from Tocantinzinho in the fourth quarter. The Company had previously provided guidance that it expected 2,500 to 3,500 attributable GEOs (1) in 2024.
(1) For the methodology used to calculate attributable GEOs, see Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
PORTFOLIO OF ROYALTIES AND STREAMS
As at the date of this MD&A, the Company owned 101 royalties, streams, and other interests. Seven of the royalties and streams are in the production stage, forty are in the development stage, and the remainder are in the exploration stage.
Notes:
(1) Au: gold; Ag: silver; Cu: copper; Zn: zinc; and Pb: lead.
(2) Kt: kilotonnes; Mt: million tonnes; g/t: grams per tonne; oz: ounces; Koz: kilo ounces; Moz: million ounces; Ktpa: kilotonnes per annum; Mtpa: million tonnes per annum; and tpd: tonnes per day.
(3) A$: Australian Dollar.
(4) See the Company's website at https://www.metallaroyalty.com/ for the complete list and further details.
Production and Sales from Royalties and Streams
The following table summarizes the attributable GEOs sold by the Company's royalty partners, including any amounts related to derivative royalty assets:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
Attributable GEOs(1) during the period from: |
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Wharf |
|
268 |
|
|
192 |
|
|
542 |
|
|
703 |
|
El Realito |
|
36 |
|
|
398 |
|
|
273 |
|
|
799 |
|
La Encantada |
|
34 |
|
|
99 |
|
|
98 |
|
|
180 |
|
Aranzazu |
|
196 |
|
|
- |
|
|
593 |
|
|
- |
|
Tocantinzinho |
|
67 |
|
|
- |
|
|
67 |
|
|
- |
|
La Guitarra |
|
20 |
|
|
- |
|
|
20 |
|
|
- |
|
NLGM(3) |
|
27 |
|
|
31 |
|
|
80 |
|
|
91 |
|
Higginsville(2) |
|
- |
|
|
375 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,105 |
|
Total attributable GEOs(1) |
|
648 |
|
|
1,095 |
|
|
1,673 |
|
|
2,878 |
|
(1) For the methodology used to calculate attributable GEOs, see Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(2) In prior periods the Higginsville PP royalty was accounted for as a derivative royalty asset, as such any payments received under this royalty were treated as a reduction in the carrying value of the asset on the statement of financial position and not shown as revenue on the Company's statement of profit and loss. However, operationally the Company was paid for the ounces sold similar to the Company's other royalty interests, therefore the results have been included here for more accurate comparability and to allow the reader to accurately analyze the operations of the Company. For additional details on the derivative royalty asset see Note 5 of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Higginsville participation royalty reached the full 34,000 gold ounces threshold in the fourth quarter of 2023 and is no longer payable to Metalla.
(3) Adjusted for the Company's proportionate share of NLGM held by Silverback.
Producing Assets
As at the date of this MD&A, the Company owned an interest in production from the following properties that are in the production stage:
Property |
|
Operator |
|
Location |
|
Metal |
|
Terms |
|
Wharf |
|
Coeur Mining |
|
South Dakota, USA |
|
Au |
|
1.0% GVR |
|
New Luika |
|
Shanta Gold |
|
Tanzania |
|
Au, Ag |
|
15% Ag Stream |
|
El Realito |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Sonora, Mexico |
|
Au, Ag |
|
2.0% NSR(1) |
|
La Encantada |
|
First Majestic Silver |
|
Coahuila, Mexico |
|
Au |
|
100% GVR(2) |
|
Aranzazu |
|
Aura Minerals Inc. |
|
Mexico |
|
Cu-Au-Ag |
|
1.0% NSR |
|
Tocantinzinho(3) |
|
G Mining Ventures |
|
Para, Brazil |
|
Au |
|
0.75% GVR |
|
La Guitarra(3) |
|
Sierra Madre Gold |
|
Mexico State, Mexico |
|
Ag |
|
2.0% NSR(1) |
|
(1) Subject to partial buy-back and/or exemption.
(2) 100% gross value royalty on gold produced at the La Encantada mine limited to 1.0 Koz annually.
(3) During the three months ended September 30, 2024, Tocantinzinho and La Guitarra were reclassified from development to producing assets.
Below are updates during the three months ended September 30, 2024, and subsequent period to certain production stage assets, based on information publicly filed by the applicable project owner:
Tocantinzinho
On September 3, 2024, G Mining announced it had achieved commercial production at the Tocantinzinho gold project with the mill operating at 76% of nameplate throughput (9,817 tpd), processing a total of 304 Kt of ore at a recovery rate of 88%. G Mining expects to continue to ramp up production through H2-2024, targeting nameplate throughput of 12,890 tpd by Q1-2025. G Mining disclosed that commercial production has been reached at Tocantinzinho on time and on budget.
Metalla accrued 67 GEOs from Tocantinzinho for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 0.75% GVR royalty on Tocantinzinho.
Wharf
On November 6, 2024, Coeur Mining, Inc. ("Coeur") reported 2024 third quarter production of 33.7 Koz gold and continues to reiterate the full year guidance for 2024 at Wharf of 86 – 96 Koz gold. Exploration investment during the quarter totaled $2 million focused on an expanded drill program to meaningfully extend the mine life at Wharf. Two rigs were active during the quarter at Juno and North Foley deposits undertaking infill and expansion drilling.
Metalla accrued 268 GEOs from Wharf for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 1.0% GVR royalty on the Wharf mine.
Aranzazu
On November 4, 2024, Aura Minerals Inc. ("Aura") announced third quarter 2024 production at Aranzazu totaled 24,486 GEOs (as defined by Aura), while continuing to reiterate 2024 guidance for Aranzazu, which it had disclosed on February 20, 2024, of 94-108 Koz GEOs (as defined by Aura).
During the third quarter, Aura reported a total of 8,405 meters of drilling was completed in the Glory Hole, Esperanza, and La Apuesta zones. At Glory Hole, exploration focused on resource conversion drilling to upgrade Mineral Resources from Inferred to Indicated, with highlight results of 0.86% copper and 0.26 g/t gold over 6 meters. At Esperanza, drilling continued to extend mineralization down dip of the skarn body with highlight intercept of 0.75% copper and 0.32 g/t gold over 30 meters.
Metalla accrued 196 GEOs from Aranzazu for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Aranzazu mine.
El Realito
On October 30, 2024, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. ("Agnico") reported that gold production from La India totaled 4.5 Koz for the third quarter of 2024. Agnico stated that production is expected to come from residual leaching of the heap leach pads and is expected to continue through year-end 2024.
Metalla accrued 36 GEOs from El Realito for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the El Realito deposit which is subject to a 1.0% buyback right for $4.0 million.
La Guitarra
On September 24, 2024, Sierra Madre announced that daily throughput rates of silver and gold mineralization have averaged 350 tpd over the past 30 days, generating in excess of $2.4 million in revenue since the commencement of mining at the La Guitarra complex.
On July 30, 2024, Sierra Madre announced the first shipments of silver and gold concentrates from La Guitarra. Sierra Madre shipped 90.68 dry metric tonnes of concentrate at 3000 g/t silver and 30 g/t gold with another ~90 dry tonnes of concentrate to be shipped soon after. Sierra Madre plans to continue to increase production with a goal of reaching 500 tpd of throughput for approximately 350 dry tonnes of concentrate per month by year-end.
Metalla accrued 20 GEOs from La Guitarra for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR Royalty on La Guitarra, subject to a 1.0% buyback for $2.0 million.
La Encantada
On October 17, 2024, First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic") announced production of 59 oz of gold from La Encantada in the third quarter of 2024. Since successfully identifying a water source in the first quarter, First Majestic announced ore processing throughput has reached capacity by the end of the quarter and expects Q4 production to revert to historical levels. During the quarter, two surface drill rigs completed 1,862 meters of drilling on the property.
Metalla accrued 34 GEOs from La Encantada for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 100% GVR royalty on gold produced at the La Encantada mine limited to 1.0 Koz annually.
Development Stage Assets
As at the date of this MD&A, the Company owned a royalty or stream interest from the following properties that are in the development stage:
Property |
|
Operator |
|
Location |
|
Metal |
|
Terms |
Akasaba West |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Val d’Or, Quebec |
|
Au, Cu |
|
2.0% NSR(1) |
Amalgamated Kirkland |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
0.45% NSR |
Aureus East |
|
Aurelius Minerals |
|
Halifax, Nova Scotia |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Big Springs |
|
Warriedar Resources |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR(2) |
Castle Mountain |
|
Equinox Gold |
|
California, USA |
|
Au |
|
5.0% NSR |
CentroGold |
|
BHP |
|
Maranhao, Brazil |
|
Au |
|
1.0%-2.0% NSR(6) |
Copper World Complex |
|
Hudbay Minerals Inc. |
|
USA |
|
Cu-Mo-Ag |
|
0.315% NSR(3) |
COSE(11) |
|
Patagonia Gold |
|
Santa Cruz, Argentina |
|
Au, Ag |
|
1.5% NSR |
Côté and Gosselin |
|
IAMGOLD/Sumitomo |
|
Gogama, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.35% NSR |
Del Toro |
|
First Majestic Silver |
|
Zacatecas, Mexico |
|
Ag, Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Dumont |
|
Waterton |
|
Canada |
|
Ni-Co |
|
2.0% NSR(1) |
Endeavor(11) |
|
Polymetals Resources |
|
NSW, Australia |
|
Zn, Pb, Ag |
|
4.0% NSR |
Esperanza |
|
Zacatecas Silver |
|
Morelos, Mexico |
|
Ag |
|
20% Ag Stream(5) |
Fifteen Mile Stream (“FMS") |
|
St. Barbara |
|
Halifax, Nova Scotia |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
FMS (Plenty Deposit) |
|
St. Barbara |
|
Halifax, Nova Scotia |
|
Au |
|
3.0% NSR(1) |
Fosterville |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Victoria, Australia |
|
Au |
|
2.5% GVR |
Garrison |
|
STLLR Gold |
|
Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Hoyle Pond Extension |
|
Newmont Corporation |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR(1) |
Joaquin(11) |
|
Unico Silver |
|
Santa Cruz, Argentina |
|
Au, Ag |
|
2.0% NSR |
Josemaria |
|
Lundin Mining |
|
Argentina |
|
Cu-Au-Ag |
|
0.08% NPI(3)(4) |
La Fortuna |
|
Minera Alamos |
|
Durango, Mexico |
|
Au, Ag, Cu |
|
3.5% NSR(7) |
La Joya |
|
Silver Dollar |
|
Durango, Mexico |
|
Ag, Cu, Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
La Parrilla |
|
Silver Storm Mining |
|
Durango, Mexico |
|
Au, Ag |
|
2.0% NSR |
Lama |
|
Barrick Gold Corp |
|
San Juan, Argentina |
|
Au |
|
2.5% GPR(8) |
Lama |
|
Barrick Gold Corp |
|
San Juan, Argentina |
|
Cu |
|
0.25% NSR(9) |
Lac Pelletier |
|
Maritime Resources |
|
Noranda, Quebec |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
North AK |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
0.45% NSR |
NuevaUnión |
|
Newmont and Teck |
|
Atacama, Chile |
|
Au, Cu |
|
2.0% NSR |
Plomosas |
|
GR Silver |
|
Sinaloa, Mexico |
|
Ag |
|
2.0% NSR(1) |
Saddle North |
|
Newmont Corporation |
|
Canada |
|
Cu-Au-Ag |
|
0.25% NSR(3) |
San Luis |
|
Highlander Silver |
|
Peru |
|
Au, Ag |
|
1.0% NSR |
San Martin |
|
First Majestic Silver |
|
Jalisco, Mexico |
|
Ag, Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Santa Gertrudis |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Sonora, Mexico |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR(1) |
Taca Taca |
|
First Quantum |
|
Argentina |
|
Cu-Au-Mo |
|
0.42% NSR(1) |
Timmins West Extension |
|
Pan American Silver |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.5% NSR(1) |
Twin Metals |
|
Antofagasta PLC |
|
USA |
|
Cu-Ni |
|
2.4% NSR |
Vizcachitas |
|
Los Andes Copper |
|
Chile |
|
Cu-Mo |
|
0.98%; 0.49% NSR(10) |
Wasamac |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec |
|
Au |
|
1.5% NSR(1) |
West Wall |
|
Anglo/Glencore |
|
Chile |
|
Cu-Au-Mo |
|
1.0% NPR |
Zaruma |
|
Pelorus Minerals |
|
Ecuador |
|
Au |
|
1.5% NSR |
(1) Subject to partial buy-back and/or exemption.
(2) Subject to fixed royalty payments.
(3) Subject to a right of first refusal to acquire an additional portion of the royalty.
(4) Subject to closing conditions.
(5) Subject to cap on payments.
(6) 1.0% NSR royalty on the first 500 Koz, 2.0% NSR royalty on next 1Moz, and 1.0% NSR royalty thereafter.
(7) 2.5% NSR royalty capped at $4.5 million, 1.0% NSR royalty uncapped.
(8) 2.5% GP royalty on first 5Moz gold, 3.75 GVR royalty thereafter.
(9) 0.25% NSR royalty on all metals except gold and silver, escalates to 3.0% based on cumulative net smelter returns from the royalty area.
(10) 0.98% NSR royalty on open pit operations and 0.49% NSR royalty on underground operations.
(11) The mine was previously classified as production, however it was placed on care and maintenance, as such the Company has reclassified it to development stage properties.
Below are updates during the three months ended September 30, 2024, and subsequent period to certain development stage assets, based on information publicly filed by the applicable project owner:
Côté-Gosselin
On October 15, 2024, IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD") announced diamond drill results outlining the successful extension of mineralization outside of the Gosselin December 31, 2023 Mineral Resource pit shell. Key extensions have been intersected south and west of the Gosselin West Breccia, and at depth between the Côté and Gosselin West Breccia in an attempt to connect the two zones. Highlights of the Gosselin drill program include: 0.96 g/t gold over 368.8 meters; 2.7 g/t gold over 235 meters; 1.1 g/t gold over 357 meters; 1.19 g/t gold over 201 meters.
On February 15, 2024, IAMGOLD announced the updated Gosselin mineral resource estimate of 4.4 million Indicated gold ounces at 0.85 g/t and 3.0 million Inferred gold ounces at 0.75 g/t. Exploration drilling for the remainder of 2024 will continue to target mineralization beneath both Gosselin and Côté.
Figure 1: Long Section of Gosselin Drill Program (Source: IAMGOLD press release dated October 15, 2024)
Figure 2: Plan view of Côté & Gosselin drilling (Source: IAMGOLD Côté Mine Tour Presentation dated October 15, 2024, pg. 64)
Metalla holds a 1.35% NSR royalty that covers less than 10% of the Côté Reserves and Resources estimate and covers all of the Gosselin Resource estimate.
Taca Taca
On August 29, 2024, Salta Gobierno (Government of the Province of Salta), announced through a press release that a Representative for International Relations of Salta, Julio Argentino San Millán, along with the Secretary of Industry and Commerce of the Province of Salta, Nicolás Avellaneda, held a meeting with the General Manager of the Taca Taca Project from First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum"), John Dean, the Manager of Administration and Finance, Germán Pérez and the Head of Purchasing and Logistics, Martín Guzmán. This meeting, where they discussed the progress of the Taca Taca copper project, took place within the framework of Argentina Mining 2024, an international mining sector event held at the Convention Center in the Province of Salta. John Dean, the General Manager of the Taca Taca Project, emphasized that Argentina's new macroeconomic reality provides a favorable environment to develop this important project, noting that its execution in the Province will begin in 2025.1
The press release stated that First Quantum expressed that the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) is timely and beneficial, as it establishes a regulatory framework that encourages and increases investment flows into Argentina. First Quantum also stated that it would take advantage of this new regime and disclosed that it is looking for a minority shareholder partner to help construct the Taca Taca Project.1
On October 22, 2024, First Quantum stated in its Q3 2024 MD&A that the primary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Taca Taca Project continues to be under evaluation by the Secretariat of Mining of Salta Province and First Quantum stated they remain optimistic about securing its approval in 2024.
Metalla holds a 0.42% NSR royalty on Taca Taca subject to a buyback based on the amount of Proven Reserves in a feasibility study multiplied by the prevailing market prices of all applicable commodities.
Endeavor
On September 16, 2024, Polymetals Resources Ltd. ("Polymetals") announced it had secured a $20 million pre-payment/loan facility to fully fund the Endeavor restart along with favorable offtake terms for delivery of zinc and silver/lead concentrates.
Polymetals reiterated that the Endeavor mine is on track to be restarted with first cashflows expected in H1-2025. Polymetals announced an updated Endeavor mine plan on August 5, 2024, with a Pre-tax NPV8% of A$414 million, Internal Rate of Return of 345% and free cash flow A$609 million over the 10-year mine plan, with average annual EBITDA of $89 million over the first 5 years.
On October 9, 2024, Polymetals announced the results from recent drilling completed at Endeavor. Key intercepts include 517 g/t silver-equivalent ("AgEq") (as defined by Polymetals) over 67.1 meters and 551 g/t AgEq over 53.8 meters, outlining the potential for increased ore extraction rates from the Upper North Lode at Endeavor.
Metalla holds a 4.0% NSR royalty on lead, zinc and silver produced from Endeavor.
Copper World
On August 29, 2024, Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") announced receipt of the Aquifer Protection Permit for Copper World. Hudbay stated the issuance of this permit is a key milestone in the advancement of Copper World, which is a standalone operation requiring only state and local permits and is expected to produce 85 Kt of copper per year over a 20-year mine life. The Aquifer Protection Permit represents the second of three key state-level permits required to advance the project towards a construction decision. Hudbay has also completed the last permit application required, an Air Quality Permit, which was submitted in late 2022, and includes a public comment period scheduled to conclude in September 2024.
With receipt of the Aquifer Permit, Hudbay plans to commence activities related to the preparation of definitive feasibility studies for Copper World, allocating $25 million in capital spending in 2024. Hudbay intends to commence a process to identify a minority joint venture partner after receiving its last outstanding permit and sees potential to advance Copper World to a final investment decision in early 2026.
Metalla holds a 0.315% NSR royalty on Copper World with the right of first refusal to acquire an additional 0.360% of the NSR royalty.
Joaquin
On October 11, 2024, Unico Silver Limited ("Unico") announced the completion of the acquisition of Joaquin from Pan American Silver Corporation. From 2019-2022, Joaquin produced 4.3 Moz AgEq (as defined by Unico) at 410 g/t with ore trucked 145 kilometers to the Manantial Espejo mine.
Joaquin contains a historic foreign estimate in the Measured and Indicated categories of 70.1 Moz AgEq at 138 g/t and in the Inferred category of 3.3 Moz AgEq at 110 g/t in the La Negra and La Marocha deposits. Unico is planning a comprehensive exploration program on four advanced prospects, aiming to publish an initial JORC (2012) Mineral Resource Estimate in H1-2025.2
Unico outlined there are several historical drill holes that fall outside the historic resource with highlighted intercepts of 1,699 g/t silver & 22 g/t gold over 4.5 meters and 99 g/t silver & 0.4 g/t gold over 8.6 meters.
Figure 3: Joaquin Project Map (Source: Unico press release dated August 20, 2024)
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on Joaquin.
Amalgamated Kirkland and North AK
On October 30, 2024, Agnico announced step out drilling into the shallow eastern extension of AK deposit intersected a highlight intercept of 7.7 g/t gold over 5.7 meters and 11.8 g/t gold over 1.9 meters.
Metalla holds a 0.45% NSR royalty on the Amalgamated Kirkland and North AK properties.
CentroGold
On September 9, 2024, G Mining announced that it has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire CentroGold from BHP for a 1.0% NSR royalty on the first million ounces of gold produced and a 1.5% NSR royalty interest thereafter. G Mining disclosed that it intends to build on CentroGold’s existing geological model and redesign CentroGold from first principles to better align with permitting requirements and economic landscape. G Mining also intends to update CentroGold’s JORC historic estimate of 1.7 million ounces of indicated and 0.6 million ounces of inferred, to NI 43-101 disclosure standards shortly after closing, which is expected to take place in Q1-2025 following regulatory approvals.3
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the first 500 koz of production, 2.0% NSR royalty on the next 1 Moz, and 1.0% NSR royalty thereafter on the CentroGold project.
Fosterville
On October 30, 2024, Agnico reported that Fosterville produced 65.5 Koz of gold in the third quarter of 2024. Agnico continues to focus on productivity gains and cost control at the mine and the mill to maximize throughput as gold grades continue to decline with the depletion of the Swan zone. Exploration in the third quarter focused on extensions of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at the Lower Phoenix area. Highlight intervals in the Cardinal structure approximately 100 meters down-plunge and to the south of current Mineral Reserves include 72.8 g/t gold over 5.7 meters with visible gold and 6.8 g/t gold over 3.2 meters.
Metalla holds a 2.5% GVR royalty on the northern and southern extensions of the Fosterville mining license and other areas in the land package.
Fifteen Mile Stream
On October 10, 2024, St. Barbara Limited ("St. Barbara") reported an updated Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") for the 15-Mile and Beaver Dam projects. Key highlights from the PFS include average annual gold production of 74 Koz per year over the 11-year mine life at all-in sustaining cost of $1,025 per ounce. The project will utilize existing infrastructure and equipment from the Touquoy mine, allowing for a 12-month construction period.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Fifteen Mile Stream project, and 3.0% NSR royalty on the Plenty and Seloam Brook deposits.
Castle Mountain
On November 6, 2024, Equinox Gold Corp. ("Equinox") reported in their Q3 2024 MD&A that the mine permitting amendment plan was submitted to the lead county and BLM agencies which reviewed the plan for completeness in early 2023. Equinox received the BLM determination that the plan was complete in Q1 2024 and expects to receive the notice of intent in Q1 2025, which commences the formal permitting process. Work on the preliminary draft Environmental Impact Statement will occur throughout 2025 and 2026 upon creation of a memorandum of understanding with the BLM, San Bernardino County and Castle Mountain.
Metalla holds a 5.0% NSR royalty on the South Domes area of the Castle Mountain mine.
Exploration Stage Assets
As at the date of this MD&A, the Company owned a royalty or stream interest in a large portfolio of properties that are in the exploration stage including:
Property |
|
Operator |
|
Location |
|
Metal |
|
Terms |
Anglo/Zeke |
|
Nevada Gold Mines |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
0.5% GOR |
Bancroft |
|
Transition Metals Corp. |
|
Canada |
|
Ni-Cu-PGM |
|
1.0% NSR |
Beaudoin |
|
Explor Resources |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au, Ag |
|
0.4% NSR |
Big Island |
|
Voyageur Mineral Explorers |
|
Flin Flon, Manitoba |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Bint Property |
|
Glencore |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Biricu |
|
Minaurum Gold |
|
Guerrero, Mexico |
|
Au, Ag |
|
2.0% NSR |
Black Ridge (Carlin East) |
|
Ridgeline Minerals |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
0.5% NSR(3) |
Boulevard |
|
Independence Gold |
|
Dawson Range, Yukon |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Caldera |
|
Not Applicable |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Camflo Mine |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Val d’Or, Quebec |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Capricho |
|
Solaris/Pucara |
|
Peru |
|
Au, Ag |
|
1.0% NSR |
Colbert/Anglo |
|
Newmont |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Copper King |
|
Pacific Empire Minerals |
|
Canada |
|
Cu-Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
DeSantis Mine |
|
Canadian Gold Miner |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.5% NSR |
Detour DNA |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Cochrane, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Dundonald |
|
Class 1 Nickel |
|
Canada |
|
Ni |
|
1.25% NSR |
Edwards Mine |
|
Alamos Gold |
|
Wawa, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.25% NSR |
Elephant Head |
|
Canadian Gold Miner |
|
Canada |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR(2) |
Fenn Gibb South |
|
Mayfair Gold |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.4% NSR |
Fortuity 89 |
|
Not Applicable |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Golden Brew |
|
Highway 50 Gold |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
0.5% NSR |
Golden Dome |
|
Warriedar Resources |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR(3) |
Goodfish Kirana |
|
Kirkland Gold Discoveries |
|
Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Green Springs |
|
Orla Mining |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Homathko |
|
Transition Metals Corp. |
|
Canada |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Island Mountain |
|
Tuvera Exploration |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR(3) |
Janice Lake |
|
Forum Energy |
|
Canada |
|
Cu-Ag |
|
1.0% NSR(2) |
Jersey Valley |
|
Not Applicable |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Kings Canyon |
|
Pine Cliff Energy |
|
Utah, USA |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Kirkland-Hudson |
|
Agnico Eagle Mines |
|
Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
La Luz |
|
First Majestic |
|
San Luis Potosi, Mexico |
|
Ag |
|
2.0% NSR |
Los Patos |
|
Private |
|
Venezuela |
|
Au |
|
1.5% NSR |
Los Tambos |
|
Pucara Res. |
|
Peru |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Maude Lake |
|
Transition Metals Corp. |
|
Canada |
|
Ni-Cu-PGM |
|
1.0% NSR |
Mirado Mine |
|
Orecap Invest Corp. |
|
Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR(1) |
Montclerg |
|
GFG Resources |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Northshore West |
|
Newpath Resources Inc |
|
Thunderbay, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
Nub East |
|
Pacific Empire Minerals |
|
Canada |
|
Cu-Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
NWT |
|
Pacific Empire Minerals |
|
Canada |
|
Cu-Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Orion |
|
Minera Frisco |
|
Nayarit, Mexico |
|
Au, Ag |
|
2.75% NSR(4) |
Pelangio Poirier |
|
Pelangio Exploration |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Pine Valley |
|
Nevada Gold Mines |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
3.0% NSR |
Pinnacle |
|
Pacific Empire Minerals |
|
Canada |
|
Cu-Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Pucarana |
|
Buenaventura |
|
Peru |
|
Au |
|
1.8% NSR(1) |
Puchildiza |
|
Not Applicable |
|
Chile |
|
Au |
|
1.5% NSR |
Red Hill |
|
NuLegacy Gold Corp. |
|
Nevada, USA |
|
Au |
|
1.5% GOR |
Ronda |
|
PTX Metals |
|
Shining Tree, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR(2) |
Saturday Night |
|
Transition Metals Corp. |
|
Canada |
|
Ni-Cu-PGM |
|
1.0% NSR |
Sirola Grenfell |
|
Record Resources |
|
Kirkland Lake, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
0.25% NSR |
Solomon’s Pillar |
|
Private |
|
Greenstone, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR |
Tower Mountain |
|
Thunder Gold Corp. |
|
Thunder Bay, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
TVZ Zone |
|
Newmont |
|
Timmins, Ontario |
|
Au |
|
2.0% NSR |
West Matachewan |
|
Laurion/Canadian Gold |
|
Canada |
|
Au |
|
1.0% NSR(2) |
Wollaston |
|
Transition Metals Corp |
|
Canada |
|
Cu-Ag |
|
1.0% NSR |
(1) Option to acquire the underlying and/or additional royalty.
(2) Subject to partial buy-back and/or exemption.
(3) Subject to fixed royalty payments.
(4) Subject to closing conditions.
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS
The following table provides selected financial information for the eight most recently completed financial quarters up to September 30, 2024:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Revenue from royalty and stream interests |
$ |
1,622 |
|
$ |
875 |
|
$ |
1,255 |
|
$ |
1,296 |
|
Net loss |
|
1,169 |
|
|
1,491 |
|
|
1,732 |
|
|
1,867 |
|
Loss per share - basic and diluted |
|
0.01 |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
0.02 |
|
|
0.03 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic |
|
91,641,647 |
|
|
91,486,913 |
|
|
91,028,583 |
|
|
65,271,084 |
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2022 |
|
Revenue from royalty and stream interests |
$ |
1,359 |
|
$ |
959 |
|
$ |
981 |
|
$ |
628 |
|
Net loss |
|
2,127 |
|
|
487 |
|
|
1,356 |
|
|
4,788 |
|
Loss per share - basic and diluted |
|
0.04 |
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
0.03 |
|
|
0.11 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic |
|
52,839,197 |
|
|
52,224,188 |
|
|
50,514,392 |
|
|
45,500,634 |
|
Changes in revenues, net income (loss), and cash flows on a quarter-by-quarter basis are affected primarily by changes in production levels and the related commodity prices at producing mines, acquisitions of royalties and streams, as well as the commencement or cessation of mining operations at mines the Company has under royalty and stream agreements.
A summary of material changes impacting the Company's quarterly results are discussed below:
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024, revenue increased, and net loss decreased primarily due to the start of payments from both Tocantinzinho and La Guitarra in the period.
- For the three months ended June 30, 2024, revenue decreased due to lower amounts compared to prior periods from Wharf and El Realito, the net loss decreased due to lower general and administrative expenses, and higher mark-to-market gains on loan liabilities compared to the prior period, offset partially by lower gross profit compared to the prior period.
- For the three months ended March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, revenue and net loss remained roughly consistent with the prior period as the primary sources of revenue remained unchanged.
- For the three months ended September 30, 2023, revenue increased compared to the prior period due to higher GEOs delivered from El Realito and La Encantada. Net loss was higher than the previous period as the prior quarter had a gain on sale of mineral claims, offset by higher revenue in the current period.
- For the three months ended June 30, 2023, revenue remained roughly consistent with the prior period as the primary sources of revenue remained unchanged. Net loss was lower than previous periods due to the gain on sale of mineral claims, offset by an impairment charge on the Del Carmen royalty.
- For the three months ended March 31, 2023, revenue increased with the start of payments from La Encantada, and a ramp up at El Realito. Net loss was lower than the previous periods primarily due to no impairment charges during the period.
- For the three months ended December 31, 2022, revenue remained roughly consistent with the prior period as the primary sources of revenue remained unchanged. Net loss was higher than previous periods due to the impairment charges on the Joaquin and COSE royalties.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
The Company's net loss totaled $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 ("Q3 2024"), compared with a net loss of $2.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 ("Q3 2023").
Significant items impacting the change in net loss included the following:
- an increase in revenue from $1.4 million in Q3 2023 to $1.6 million in Q3 2024, primarily due to revenue earned from Aranzazu, Tocantinzinho, and La Guitarra in the current period compared to $Nil in the comparative period, partially offset by the decrease in revenue from El Realito as that royalty winds down;
- a decrease in royalty interest impairment from $1.1 million in Q3 2023 to $Nil in Q3 2024 as the Company did not record any impairments in the current period;
- an increase in share-based payments from $0.5 million in Q3 2023 to $0.7 million in Q3 2024, driven primarily by higher fair values for share-based payments granted in prior periods which are being expensed to the statement of income;
- an increase in interest expenses from $0.1 million in Q3 2023 to $0.5 million in Q3 2024, due to higher loan balances in the current period; and
- an increase in other income (expenses) from an expense of $0.2 million in Q3 2023 to income of $0.4 million in Q3 2024, primarily related to the elimination of annual exploration expenditures on the Red Hill property.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
The Company's net loss totaled $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 ("Q3 2024 YTD"), compared with a net loss of $4.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 ("Q3 2023 YTD").
Significant items impacting the change in net loss included the following:
- an increase in revenue from $3.3 million in Q3 2023 YTD to $3.8 million in Q3 2024 YTD, primarily due to revenue earned from Aranzazu, Tocantinzinho, and La Guitarra in the current period compared to $Nil in the comparative period, partially offset by the decrease in revenue from El Realito as production on that property winds down;
- a decrease in royalty interest impairment from $2.4 million in Q3 2023 YTD to $Nil in Q3 2024 YTD as the Company did not record any impairments in the current period;
- a decrease in mark-to-market gains on derivative royalty assets from $0.6 million in Q3 2023 YTD to $Nil in Q3 2024 YTD, as the Company did not have any derivative royalty assets in the current period;
- an increase in interest expenses from $0.8 million in Q3 2023 YTD to $1.5 million in Q3 2024 YTD, due to higher loan balances in the current period;
- a decrease in loss on extinguishment of loan payable from $1.4 million in Q3 2023 YTD to $Nil in Q3 2024 YTD as the Company recorded a one-time charge of $1.4 million in Q3 2023 YTD related to the modification of its Amended Loan Facility (as defined below);
- a decrease in gain on sales of mineral claims from $5.1 million in Q3 2023 YTD to $Nil in Q3 2024 YTD as the Company recorded a one-time gain of $5.1 million in Q3 2023 YTD related to the sale of mineral claims;
- an increase in other income (expenses) from an expense of $0.3 million in Q3 2023 YTD to income of $0.3 million in Q3 2024 YTD, primarily related to the elimination of annual exploration expenditures on the Red Hill property; and
- a decrease in current income taxes from $1.1 million in Q3 2023 YTD to $0.2 million in Q3 2024 YTD, primarily related to taxes due in Q3 2023 YTD from the sale of the mineral claims.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company considers items included in shareholders' equity and debt as capital. The Company's objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, so that it can continue to add value for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders.
The Company's cash balance as at September 30, 2024, was $10.2 million (December 31, 2023 - $14.1 million) and its adjusted working capital was $11.6 million (December 31, 2023 - $10.7 million) (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures). The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets.
The Company believes it will have access to sufficient resources to undertake its current business plan for at least the next twelve months. In order to meet its capital requirements, the Company’s primary sources of cash flows are expected to be from the Wharf, Aranzazu, La Encantada, Tocantinzinho, La Guitarra, Endeavor, and Amalgamated Kirkland royalties and streams, drawdowns under the Beedie Loan Facility, and public and/or private placements. The Company may also enter into new debt agreements, or sell non-core assets.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash decreased by $3.9 million. The decrease was due to cash used in operating activities of $2.2 million, cash used in investing activities of $2.0 million, and cash provided by financing activities of $0.4 million. Exchange rate changes had an impact on cash of $0.1 million.
Debt
Convertible Loan Facility
In March 2019, the Company entered into a convertible loan facility (the "Loan Facility") with Beedie to fund acquisitions of new royalties and streams which has subsequently been amended from time to time. The Loan Facility bears interest on amounts advanced and a standby fee on funds available. Funds advanced are convertible into Common Shares at Beedie's option, with the conversion price determined at the date of each drawdown or at the conversion date (in the case of the conversion of accrued and unpaid interest). The Loan Facility is secured by certain assets of the Company and each advance can be fully repaid at any time after the 12-month anniversary of the advance.
In August 2022, the Company and Beedie closed a first supplemental loan agreement to amend the Loan Facility by, among other things, extending the maturity date from April 22, 2023, to January 22, 2024, amending the standby fee on funds available to 1.5%, and increasing the facility from C$12.0 million to C$20.0 million. As part of the amendment all future advances will have a minimum amount of C$2.5 million and each advance will have its own conversion price based on a 20% premium to the 30-day Volume-Weighted Average Price ("VWAP") of the Company's shares on the earlier of the announcement of such advance and the funding date of such advance. In May 2023, the Company and Beedie closed a second supplemental loan agreement to amend the Loan Facility by, among other things, extending the maturity date to May 10, 2027, increasing the facility from C$20.0 million to C$25.0 million, and increasing the interest rate from 8.0% to 10.0% per annum.
Effective December 1, 2023, Metalla and Beedie entered into an amended and restated convertible Loan Facility agreement to amend and restate the loan facility (the "A&R Loan Facility"). Pursuant to the A&R Loan Facility, the parties agreed to among other things, increase the A&R Loan Facility from C$25.0 million to C$50.0 million, amend the conversion price of the of the C$4.2 million outstanding balance to a conversion price of C$6.00 per share under the A&R Loan Facility, drawdown a further C$12.2 million with a conversion price of C$6.00 per share to refinance the principal amount previously due under the convertible loan agreement (the "Nova Loan Facility") held by Nova Royalty Corp. ("Nova") (the total C$16.4 million, comprised of the C$4.2 million outstanding balance plus the C$12.2 million additional drawdown being the "Principal Amount"), drawdown C$2.0 million from the A&R Loan Facility to refinance the accrued and unpaid interest outstanding under the Nova Loan Facility at the close of the plan of arrangement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Nova (the "Nova Transaction") with a conversion price equal to the market price of the shares of Metalla at the time of conversion (the "Accrued Interest Amount"), drawdown C$0.8 million to refinance the accrued and unpaid fees outstanding under the Nova Loan Facility at the close of the Nova Transaction, with such amounts not being convertible into Common Shares (the "Accrued Fees Amount").
The A&R Loan Facility also established an 18-month period during which the interest of 10.0% per annum compounded monthly will be added to Accrued Interest Amount, and on June 1, 2025, will revert to a cash interest payment of 10.0% on a monthly basis, and updated the existing security arrangements to include security provided by Nova and certain other subsidiaries of Metalla and Nova for the A&R Loan Facility, along with updated security arrangements at Metalla to reflect developments in our business.
On February 20, 2024, Beedie elected to convert C$1.5 million of the Accrued Interest Amount into Common Shares at a conversion price of C$3.49 per share, being the closing price of the shares of Metalla on the TSX-V on February 20, 2024, for a total of 429,800 Common Shares which were issued on March 19, 2024.
As at September 30, 2024, under the A&R Loan Facility, the Company had C$16.4 million outstanding from the Principal Amount with a conversion price of C$6.00 per share, C$2.0 million outstanding from the Accrued Interest Amount with a conversion price equal to the market price of the Common Shares of Metalla at the time of conversion, C$0.8 million outstanding from the Accrued Fees Amount which is not convertible into Common Shares, and had C$30.9 million available under the A&R Loan Facility with the conversion price to be determined on the date of any future advances.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash used in operating activities was $2.2 million and was primarily the result of payment of the current liabilities associated with the acquisition of Nova. The cash used in operating activities was impacted by a net loss of $4.4 million, partially offset by $4.8 million for items not affecting cash, payments received from derivative royalty assets related to the fourth quarter of 2023 of $0.8 million, income taxes paid of $0.4 million and a $3.0 million decrease in non-cash working capital items. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $1.3 million and was primarily the result of a net loss of $4.0 million, partially offset by $4.0 million for items not affecting cash, payments received from derivative royalty assets of $2.0 million, income taxes paid of $0.6 million, and a $0.2 million decrease in non-cash working capital items.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash used in the Company's investing activities was $2.0 million and was primarily related to payments related to the acquisition of royalties and streams. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash used in the Company's investing activities was $2.2 million and was primarily related to acquisition of royalties and streams of $7.4 million, offset by the sale of mineral claims of $5.0 million.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, cash provided by the Company's financing activities was $0.4 million, and was primarily related to proceeds of $0.7 million for a private placement, partially offset by interest and finance charges paid of $0.3 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, cash provided by the Company's financing activities was $2.5 million, which was primarily comprised of $4.4 million in net proceeds from the At-The-Market equity programs, $0.3 million from the exercise of stock options, partially offset by a $1.2 million special dividend payment, and $1.0 million in finance charges and interest payments.
Outstanding Share Data
As at the date of this MD&A the Company had the following:
- 91,836,973 Common Shares issued and outstanding;
- 3,820,751 stock options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of C$7.13; and
- 1,070,910 unvested restricted share units.
Dividends
The Company's long-term goal is to pay out dividends with a target rate of up to 50% of the annualized operating cash flow of the Company, however, the timing and amount of the payment of a dividend is determined by the Board of Directors by taking into account many factors, including (but not limited to), an increase and stabilization in operating cash flows, and the potential capital requirements related to acquisitions. Going forward, the Board of Directors of the Company will continually assess the Company's business requirements and projected cash flows to make a determination on whether to pay dividends in respect of a particular quarter during its financial year.
Use of Proceeds from Prior Financings
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company raised $0.7 million in net proceeds through a private placement, to a newly hired executive, for general working capital purposes. During each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company raised $4.1 million in net proceeds through At-The-Market equity programs to finance the purchase of streams and royalties and for general working capital purposes. The Company also raised $11.1 million through a private placement completed on October 23, 2023, for the acquisition of royalties and streams, Nova Transaction expenses, and general and administrative expenses of the combined company following completion of the Nova Transaction. To date, there has been no variance to the use of proceeds previously announced for those financing activities.
Requirement for Additional Financing
Management believes that the Company's current operational requirements and capital investments can be funded from existing cash, cash generated from operations, and funds available under the A&R Loan Facility. If future circumstances dictate an increased cash requirement and the Company elects not to delay, limit, or eliminate some of its plans, the Company may raise additional funds through debt financing, the sale of non-core assets, the issuance of hybrid debt-equity securities, or additional equity securities. The Company has relied on equity financings and loans for its acquisitions, capital expansions, and operations. Capital markets may not be receptive to offerings of new equity from treasury or debt, whether by way of private placements or public offerings. The Company's growth and success may be dependent on external sources of financing which may not be available on acceptable terms.
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
The aggregate value of transactions and outstanding balances relating to key management personnel were as follows:
Key management compensation for the Company consists of remuneration paid to management (which includes Brett Heath, the Chief Executive Officer, Saurabh Handa, the Chief Financial Officer, and Jason Cho, the President) for services rendered and compensation for members of the Board of Directors (which includes Lawrence Roulston, Alexander Molyneux, James Beeby, Amanda Johnston, and previously included Douglas Silver (res. effective May 17, 2023), and E.B. Tucker (ret. effective December 5, 2023) in their capacity as directors of the Company.
The Company's key management compensation was as follows:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Salaries and fees |
$ |
309 |
|
$ |
342 |
|
$ |
766 |
|
$ |
874 |
|
Share-based payments |
|
542 |
|
|
357 |
|
|
1,481 |
|
|
1,402 |
|
|
$ |
851 |
|
$ |
699 |
|
$ |
2,247 |
|
$ |
2,276 |
|
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had $0.1 million due to directors and management related to remuneration and expense reimbursements, which have been included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. As at September 30, 2024, the Company had $Nil due from directors and management.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As of the date of this MD&A, the Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company, including, and without limitation, such considerations as liquidity and capital resources.
PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
While the Company continues to pursue further transactions, there are no binding transactions of a material nature that have not already been disclosed publicly.
COMMITMENTS
Contractual Commitments
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had the following contractual commitments:
|
|
Less than |
|
|
1 to |
|
|
Over |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year |
|
|
3 years |
|
|
3 years |
|
|
Total |
|
Trade and other payables |
$ |
637 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
637 |
|
Loans payable principal and interest payments(1) |
|
839 |
|
|
17,917 |
|
|
- |
|
|
18,756 |
|
Payments related to acquisition of royalties and streams(2) |
|
- |
|
|
2,500 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,500 |
|
Total commitments |
$ |
1,476 |
|
$ |
20,417 |
|
$ |
- |
|
$ |
21,893 |
|
(1) Payments required to be made on the A&R Loan Facility based on the closing balance as at September 30, 2024, and assuming no conversion until maturity date.
(2) Payment required for the royalty on the Lama project of $2.5 million, payable in cash or Common Shares within 90 days upon the earlier of a 2 Moz gold Mineral Reserve estimate on the royalty area or March 9, 2026.
Contingent Commitments
In addition to the contractual commitments above, the Company could in the future have commitments payable in cash and/or shares related to the acquisition of royalty and stream interests. However, these payments are subject to certain triggers or milestone conditions that had not been met as of September 30, 2024.
As at September 30, 2024, the Company had the following contingent commitments:
- the Company is obligated to make additional potential payments in connection with its acquisition of its royalty on the CentroGold project of $7.0 million payable in Common Shares upon receipt of all project licenses, the lifting or extinguishment of the injunction imposed on the CentroGold project with no pending appeals and, if necessary, the completion of any and all community relocations, and $4.0 million in cash upon the achievement of commercial production at the project;
- the Company is obligated to make additional potential payments in connection with its acquisition of its royalty on the NuevaUnión copper-gold project of $2.0 million in cash and $2.0 million in Common Shares upon achievement of commercial production at the La Fortuna deposit in Chile;
- the Company is obligated to make additional potential payments in connection with its acquisition of its royalty on the Hoyle Pond Extension property, the Timmins West Extension property, and the DeSantis Mine property totalling C$5.0 million in cash and Common Shares upon achievement of various production milestones; and
- The Company is obligated to make additional potential payments in connection with its acquisition of its royalty on Vizcachitas of $4.5 million payable in Common Shares upon the first to occur of: (i) Los Andes Copper or its successors or assign makes a fully-financed construction decision on the Vizcachitas project; (ii) Los Andes Copper or its successor or assign enters into an earn-in transaction with respect to the Vizcachitas project or for Los Andes Copper itself, with a third party, for a minimum interest of 51%; or (iii) Los Andes Copper or its successor or assign sells the Vizcachitas project or Los Andes Copper to an arms' length third party.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Classification
The Company classified its financial instruments as follows:
|
|
As at |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Financial assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
$ |
10,215 |
|
$ |
14,107 |
|
Royalty, derivative royalty, and stream receivables |
|
1,169 |
|
|
2,482 |
|
Other receivables |
|
127 |
|
|
329 |
|
Fair value through profit or loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities |
|
523 |
|
|
295 |
|
Total financial assets |
$ |
12,034 |
|
$ |
17,213 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortized cost: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade and other payables |
$ |
637 |
|
$ |
5,394 |
|
Loans payable |
|
12,954 |
|
|
13,725 |
|
Acquisition payable |
|
2,181 |
|
|
2,928 |
|
Fair value through profit or loss: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative loan liabilities |
|
169 |
|
|
561 |
|
Total financial liabilities |
$ |
15,941 |
|
$ |
22,608 |
|
The Company's activities expose it to financial risks of varying degrees of significance which could affect its ability to achieve its strategic objectives for growth and shareholder returns. The principal financial risks to which the Company is exposed are credit risk, liquidity risk, and currency risk. The Board of Directors has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Company's risk management framework and reviews the Company's policies on an ongoing basis.
Fair Value
Financial instruments recorded at fair value on the consolidated statement of financial position are classified using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy has the following levels:
a) Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
b) Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly; and
c) Level 3 - Inputs for assets and liabilities that are not based on observable market data.
The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market inputs whenever such inputs exist. A financial instrument is classified to the lowest level of the hierarchy for which a significant input has been considered in measuring fair value.
Cash, accounts receivables (royalty, derivative royalty, and stream receivables, and other receivables), and accounts payable (trade and other payables), are carried at amortized cost. Their carrying value approximated their fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments or because they reflect amounts that are receivable to the Company without further adjustments. Marketable securities are carried at fair value and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Loans payable and acquisition payables are carried at amortized cost. The fair values of the Company's loans payable are approximated by their carrying values as the interest rates are comparable to market interest rates. The derivative loan liabilities are carried at fair value, and were valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and a swaption model with inputs that are not observable (See Note 6 of the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024). Therefore, the derivative loan liabilities were classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Credit Risk
Credit risk arises from cash deposits, as well as credit exposures to counterparties of outstanding receivables and committed transactions. There is no significant concentration of credit risk other than cash deposits. The Company's cash deposits are primarily held with a Canadian chartered bank. Receivables include goods and service tax refunds due from the Canadian federal government. The carrying amount of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the Company's maximum exposure to credit risk. The Company believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk and overall, the Company's credit risk has not declined significantly from the prior year.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Company manages liquidity risk by continuing to monitor forecasted and actual cash flows. The Company has in place a planning and budgeting process to help determine the funds required to support the Company's normal operating requirements on an ongoing basis and its development plans. The Company strives to maintain sufficient liquidity to meet its short-term business requirements, taking into account its anticipated cash flows from royalty interests, its holdings of cash, and its committed liabilities. The maturities of the Company's loan liabilities are disclosed in Note 4 and Note 6 of the Company's condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. All current liabilities with the exception of the A&R Loan Facility are settled within one year, the A&R Loan Facility has been disclosed as a current liability upon the adoption of IAS 1, however any settlement of the liability within the next twelve months would be upon conversion into Common Shares and is not expected to be settled in cash.
Currency Risk
The Company is exposed to the financial risk related to the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates. The Company primarily operates in Canada, Australia, Argentina, Mexico, and the United States and incurs expenditures in currencies other than United States dollars. Thereby, the Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from currency exposure. The Company has not hedged its exposure to currency fluctuations. Based on the above net exposure, as at September 30, 2024, and assuming that all other variables remain constant, a 1% depreciation or appreciation of the United States dollar against the Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Argentinian peso, and Mexican peso would result in an increase/decrease in the Company's pre-tax income or loss of approximately $0.1 million.
NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES
The Company has included, in this document, certain performance measures, including (a) attributable GEOs, (b) average cash cost per attributable GEO, (c) average realized price per attributable GEO, (d) operating cash margin per attributable GEO, which is based on the two preceding measures, (e) Adjusted EBITDA, and (f) adjusted working capital. The presentation of these non-IFRS measures is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and other companies may calculate these measures differently.
Attributable Gold Equivalent Ounces (GEOs)
Attributable GEOs are composed of gold ounces attributable to the Company, calculated by taking the revenue earned by the Company in the period from payable gold, silver, copper and other metal ounces attributable to the Company divided by the average London fix price of gold for the relevant period. In prior periods the GEOs included an amount calculated by taking the cash received or accrued by the Company in the period from the derivative royalty asset divided by the average London fix gold price for the relevant period.
The Company presents attributable GEOs as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis.
Average Cash Cost Per Attributable GEO
Average cash cost per attributable GEO is calculated by dividing the Company's total cash cost of sales, excluding depletion by the number of attributable GEOs. The Company presents average cash cost per attributable GEO as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis.
The Company's average cash cost per attributable GEO was:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Cost of sales for NLGM(1) |
$ |
6 |
|
$ |
6 |
|
$ |
18 |
|
$ |
18 |
|
Total cash cost of sales |
|
6 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
18 |
|
Total attributable GEOs |
|
648 |
|
|
1,095 |
|
|
1,673 |
|
|
2,878 |
|
Average cash cost per attributable GEO |
$ |
9 |
|
$ |
5 |
|
$ |
11 |
|
$ |
6 |
|
(1) Adjusted for the Company's proportionate share of NLGM held by Silverback.
Average Realized Price and Operating Cash Margin Per attributable GEO
Average realized price per attributable GEO is calculated by dividing the Company's revenue, excluding any revenue earned from fixed royalty payments, and including cash received or accrued in the period from derivative royalty assets, by the number of attributable GEOs.
The Company presents average realized price per attributable GEO as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis.
The Company's average realized price per attributable GEO was:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Royalty revenue (excluding fixed royalty payments) |
$ |
1,541 |
|
$ |
1,299 |
|
$ |
3,652 |
|
$ |
3,139 |
|
Payments from derivative assets(3) |
|
- |
|
|
723 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,134 |
|
Revenue from NLGM(1) |
|
67 |
|
|
60 |
|
|
183 |
|
|
176 |
|
Sales from stream and royalty interests |
|
1,608 |
|
|
2,082 |
|
|
3,835 |
|
|
5,449 |
|
Total attributable GEOs sold |
|
648 |
|
|
1,095 |
|
|
1,673 |
|
|
2,878 |
|
Average realized price per attributable GEO |
$ |
2,481 |
|
$ |
1,901 |
|
$ |
2,292 |
|
$ |
1,893 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating cash margin per attributable GEO(2) |
$ |
2,472 |
|
$ |
1,896 |
|
$ |
2,281 |
|
$ |
1,887 |
|
(1) Adjusted for the Company's proportionate share of NLGM held by Silverback.
(2) Operating cash margin per attributable GEO is calculated by subtracting from the average realized price per attributable GEO, the average cash cost per attributable GEO.
(3) In prior periods the Higginsville PP royalty was accounted for as a derivative royalty asset, as such any payments received under this royalty were treated as a reduction in the carrying value of the asset on the statement of financial position and not shown as revenue on the Company's statement of profit and loss. However, operationally the Company was paid for the ounces sold similar to the Company's other royalty interests, therefore the results were previously included here for more accurate comparability and to allow the reader to accurately analyze the operations of the Company. The Higginsville participation royalty reached the full 34,000 gold ounces threshold in the fourth quarter of 2023 and is no longer payable to Metalla.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure which excludes from net income taxes, finance costs, depletion, impairment charges, foreign currency gains/losses, share based payments, and non-recurring items. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the Company's operating performance, to plan and forecast its operations, and assess leverage levels and liquidity measures. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. However, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) or cash flow provided by operating activities as determined under IFRS.
The Company's Adjusted EBITDA was:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
|
Nine months ended |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(1,169 |
) |
$ |
(2,127 |
) |
$ |
(4,392 |
) |
$ |
(3,970 |
) |
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Royalty interest impairment |
|
- |
|
|
1,053 |
|
|
- |
|
|
2,355 |
|
Gain on sales of mineral claims |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(5,093 |
) |
Interest expense |
|
494 |
|
|
128 |
|
|
1,473 |
|
|
785 |
|
Finance charges |
|
85 |
|
|
59 |
|
|
255 |
|
|
137 |
|
Loss on extinguishment of loan payable |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
1,417 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
138 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
162 |
|
|
1,270 |
|
Depletion |
|
578 |
|
|
787 |
|
|
1,862 |
|
|
1,700 |
|
Foreign exchange loss (gain) |
|
88 |
|
|
89 |
|
|
(92 |
) |
|
311 |
|
Share-based payments (1) |
|
716 |
|
|
501 |
|
|
1,905 |
|
|
1,968 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
930 |
|
$ |
517 |
|
$ |
1,173 |
|
$ |
880 |
|
(1) Includes stock options and restricted share units.
Adjusted Working Capital
Adjusted working capital is calculated by taking the Company's current assets less its current liabilities, excluding the convertible loan facility. The Company presents working capital, adjusted for the convertible loan facility, as the classification of the convertible loan facility as a current liability is driven by changes in classification requirements under IFRS and not because the Company expects that liability to be settled in cash within the next twelve months. The Company believes that the exclusion of the convertible loan facility from adjusted working capital gives a more accurate picture of the liquidity of the Company. Adjusted working capital is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
The Company's adjusted working capital was:
|
|
As at |
|
|
|
September 30, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2024 |
|
|
2023 |
|
Total current assets |
$ |
12,250 |
|
$ |
17,652 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
(13,760 |
) |
|
(20,580 |
) |
Working capital |
|
(1,510 |
) |
|
(2,928 |
) |
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible loan facility |
|
13,123 |
|
|
13,588 |
|
Adjusted working capital |
$ |
11,613 |
|
$ |
10,660 |
|
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformance with IFRS requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. The Company's material accounting policies and estimates are disclosed in Note 2 of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023.
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company's Disclosure Controls and Procedures ("DCP") are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted by the Company under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms and include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted by the Company under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The Company's management, with the participation of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's DCP as defined under the Exchange Act, as at September 30, 2024. Based upon the results of that evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that, as at September 30, 2024, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company, with participation of the CEO and CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate Internal Control over Financial Reporting ("ICFR"). Management has used the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
The Company's ICFR is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company's financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. The Company's ICFR includes:
- maintaining records, that in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;
- providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB;
- providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are made in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and
- providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The Company's ICFR may not prevent or detect all misstatements because of inherent limitations. Additionally, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with the Company's policies and procedures.
Changes in ICFR
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations of Controls and Procedures
The Company's management, including the CEO and CFO, believe that any disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, they cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by unauthorized override of the control. The design of any systems of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Accordingly, because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
NOTES
1: For more information, please view the Salta Gobierno’s August 29, 2024 Press Release (https://www.salta.gob.ar/prensa/noticias/reunion-con-directivos-de-la-empresa-first-quantum-por-el-proyecto-taca-taca-97506).
2: For more information, please view Unico’s August 20, 2024 Press Release (https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/USL/02840629.pdf) and October 11, 2024 Press Release (https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/USL/02865249.pdf).
3: For more information, please view G Mining’s September 9, 2024 Press Release (https://assets.ctfassets.net/jj9ent3ck4o2/6uEalz27WzdmzJmN1a6D2e/e4ccaa5cff2f0da0cf7ba4831d6eb522/GMIN_l_Acquisition_of_CentroGold_I_09.09.2024__1_.pdf).
RISK FACTORS
The Company's ability to generate revenues and profits from its natural resource properties is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For a full discussion on the risk factors affecting the Company, please refer to the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 28, 2024, which is available on www.sedarplus.ca.
QUALIFIED PERSONS
The technical information contained in this MD&A has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, geologist M.Sc., member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and of the Ordre des Géologues du Québec. Mr. Beaudry is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").
TECHNICAL AND THIRD-PARTY INFORMATION
Metalla has limited, if any, access to the properties on which Metalla (or any of its subsidiaries) holds a royalty, stream or other interest. Metalla is dependent on (i) the operators of the mines or properties and their qualified persons to provide technical or other information to Metalla, or (ii) publicly available information to prepare disclosure pertaining to properties and operations on the mines or properties on which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other interest, and generally has limited or no ability to independently verify such information. Although Metalla does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such third-party information is complete or accurate. Some information publicly reported by operators may relate to a larger property than the area covered by Metalla's royalty, stream or other interests. Metalla's royalty, stream or other interests can cover less than 100% and sometimes only a portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, resources and production of a property.
Unless otherwise indicated, the technical and scientific disclosure contained or referenced in this MD&A, including any references to Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves, was prepared in accordance with Canadian NI 43-101, which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, the scientific and technical information contained or referenced in this MD&A may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.
"Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Historical results or feasibility models presented herein are not guarantees or expectations of future performance.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This MD&A contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively. "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this MD&A only and the Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update updated forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law. For this reason and the reasons set forth below, investors should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.
All statements included herein that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Generally forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements in this MD&A include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
- future events or future performance of Metalla;
- the completion of the Company's royalty purchase transactions;
- the Company's plans and objectives;
- the Company's future financial and operational performance;
- expectations regarding stream and royalty interests owned by the Company;
- the satisfaction of future payment obligations, contractual commitments and contingent commitments by Metalla;
- the future achievement of any milestones in respect of the payment or satisfaction of contingent consideration by Metalla;
- the future availability of funds, including drawdowns pursuant to the A&R Loan Facility;
- the effective interest rate of drawdowns under the A&R Loan Facility and the life expectancy thereof;
- the future conversion of funds drawn down by Metalla under the A&R Loan Facility;
- the amount that Metalla has to pay under the A&R Loan Facility and the applicable exchange rate;
- the completion by property owners of announced drilling programs, capital expenditures, and other planned activities in relation to properties on which the Company and its subsidiaries hold a royalty or streaming interest and the expected timing thereof;
- production and life of mine estimates or forecasts at the properties on which the Company and its subsidiaries hold a royalty or streaming interest;
- future disclosure by property owners and the expected timing thereof;
- the completion by property owners of announced capital expenditure programs;
- the Company undertaking any offering of securities under its base shelf prospectus and corresponding registration statement;
- the expected ramp-up in production at Tocantinzinho through H2-2024;
- the target nameplate throughput by Q1-2025 in Tocantinzinho;
- the expected 2024 production guidance at Wharf;
- the expected 2024 production guidance at Aranzazu;
- that production at El Realito will come from residual leaching of heap leach pads and will continue through year-end 2024;
- the expected shipments at La Guitarra;
- Sierra Madre's plans to increase production at La Guitarra, and the production goal by year-end;
- the exploration drilling at Gosselin for the remainder of 2024 and the target thereof;
- that First Quantum will take advantage of the RIGI;
- First Quantum’s search for a minority shareholder for the Taca Taca Project;
- the receipt of approval for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment at Taca Taca and the anticipated timing thereof;
- the expected timing of restart and first cashflows at Endeavor;
- the potential for increased ore extraction rates at Endeavor;
- the expected mine life and production at Copper World;
- the conclusion of the public comment period for the Air Quality Permit application for Copper World and the timing thereof;
- the commencement of activities related to the preparation of a definitive feasibility study for Copper World, the budget and timing thereof;
- Hudbay’s process to identify a minority joint venture partner for Copper World;
- Unico’s planned comprehensive exploration program, boost of Foreign Estimates and publication of an initial Mineral Resource Estimate in H1-2025 for Joaquin;
- G Mining’s plans to redesign CentroGold;
- the update of CentroGold’s JORC compliant resource estimate to NI 43-101 disclosure;
- the expected mine life, production and cash costs for Fifteen Mile Stream;
- the use of existing infrastructure and equipment at Fifteen Mile Stream;
- the receipt of a notice of intent in connection with the mine permitting amendment plan for Castle Mountain, and the anticipated timing thereof;
- the work on the preliminary draft Environmental Impact Statement, the creation of a memorandum of understanding, for Castle Mountain and the timing thereof;
- that the interest in the A&R Loan Facility will revert to a cash interest payment and the timing thereof;
- the amount and timing of the attributable GEOs expected by the Company in 2024;
- the availability of cash flows from the Wharf, Aranzazu, Tocantinzinho, La Guitarra, Endeavor, and Amalgamated Kirkland, and La Encantada royalties and streams;
- royalty payments to be paid to Metalla by property owners or operators of mining projects pursuant to each royalty interest;
- the future outlook of Metalla and the mineral reserves and resource estimates for the properties with respect to which the Metalla has or proposes to acquire an interest;
- future gold, silver and copper prices;
- other potential developments relating to, or achievements by, the counterparties for the Company’s stream and royalty agreements, and with respect to the mines and other properties in which the Company has, or may acquire, a stream or royalty interest;
- costs and other financial or economic measures;
- prospective transactions;
- growth and achievements;
- financing and adequacy of capital;
- future payment of dividends;
- future public and/or private placements of equity, debt or hybrids thereof; and
- the Company’s ability to fund its current operational requirements and capital projects.
Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to management.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:
- risks related to commodity price fluctuations;
- the absence of control over mining operations from which Metalla will purchase precious metals pursuant to gold streams, silver streams and other agreements or from which it will receive royalty payments pursuant to net smelter returns, gross overriding royalties, gross value royalties and other royalty agreements or interests and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans are refined;
- risks related to exchange rate fluctuations;
- that payments in respect of streams and royalties may be delayed or may never be made;
- risks related to Metalla's reliance on public disclosure and other information regarding the mines or projects underlying its streams and royalties;
- that some royalties or streams may be subject to confidentiality arrangements that limit or prohibit disclosure regarding those royalties and streams;
- business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by, Metalla;
- that Metalla's cash flow is dependent on the activities of others;
- that Metalla has had negative cash flow from operating activities in the past;
- that some royalty and stream interests are subject to rights of other interest-holders;
- that Metalla's royalties and streams may have unknown defects;
- risks related to Metalla's two material assets, the Côté property and the Taca Taca property;
- risks related to general business and economic conditions;
- risks related to global financial conditions, geopolitical events and other uncertainties; risks related to epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, and the potential impact thereof on Metalla's business, operations and financial condition;
- that Metalla is dependent on its key personnel;
- risks related to Metalla's financial controls;
- dividend policy and future payment of dividends;
- competition;
- that project operators may not respect contractual obligations;
- that Metalla's royalties and streams may be unenforceable;
- risks related to conflicts of interest of Metalla's directors and officers;
- that Metalla may not be able to obtain adequate financing in the future;
- risks related to Metalla's current credit facility and financing agreements;
- litigation;
- title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Metalla holds, or may acquire, a royalty, stream or other interest;
- interpretation by government entities of tax laws or the implementation of new tax laws;
- changes in tax laws impacting Metalla;
- risks related to anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws;
- credit and liquidity risk;
- risks related to Metalla's information systems and cyber security;
- risks posed by activist shareholders;
- that Metalla may suffer reputational damage in the ordinary course of business;
- risks related to acquiring, investing in or developing resource projects;
- risks applicable to owners and operators of properties in which Metalla holds an interest;
- exploration, development and operating risks;
- risks related to climate change; environmental risks;
- that the exploration and development activities related to mine operations are subject to extensive laws and regulations; that the operation of a mine or project is subject to the receipt and maintenance of permits from governmental authorities;
- risks associated with the acquisition and maintenance of mining infrastructure;
- that Metalla's success is dependent on the efforts of operators' employees;
- risks related to mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates;
- that mining depletion may not be replaced by the discovery of new mineral reserves; that operators' mining operations are subject to risks that may not be able to be insured against;
- risks related to land title; risks related to international operations;
- risks related to operating in countries with developing economies;
- risks related to the construction, development and expansion of mines or projects;
- risks associated with operating in areas that are presently, or were formerly, inhabited or used by indigenous peoples;
- that Metalla is required, in certain jurisdictions, to allow individuals from that jurisdiction to hold nominal interests in Metalla's subsidiaries in that jurisdiction;
- the volatility of the stock market;
- that existing securityholders may be diluted;
- risks related to Metalla's public disclosure obligations;
- risks associated with future sales or issuances of debt or equity securities;
- risks associated with the Beedie Loan Facility;
- that there can be no assurance that an active trading market for Metalla's securities will be sustained;
- risks related to the enforcement of civil judgments against Metalla;
- risks relating to Metalla potentially being a passive "foreign investment company" within the meaning of U.S. federal tax laws; and
- other factors identified and as described in more detail under the heading "Risk Factors" contained in this MD&A, and in the Company's Annual Information Form and Form 40-F Annual Report filed with regulators in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and the SEC at www.sec.gov.
Although Metalla has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
This MD&A contains future-orientated information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about the Company's revenues from royalties, streams and other projects which are subject to the same assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications set forth in the above paragraphs. FOFI contained in this MD&A was made as of the date of this MD&A and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about the Company's anticipated business operations. Metalla disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this MD&A, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law. FOFI contained in this MD&A should not be used for the purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
CONSENT OF CHARLES BEAUDRY
The undersigned hereby consents to the inclusion in the Management's Discussion & Analysis of Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. (the "Company") for the period ended September 30, 2024 of references to the undersigned as a non-independent qualified person and the undersigned's name with respect to the disclosure of technical and scientific information contained therein.
The undersigned further consents to the inclusion or incorporation by reference of all references to the undersigned in the Company's Registration Statements on Form F-10 (No. 333-280367) and Form S-8 (Nos. 333-234659, 333-249938, 333-265835 and 333-276265). This consent extends to any amendments to the Form F-10 or Form S-8, including post-effective amendments.
/s/ Charles Beaudry
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Charles Beaudry
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November 14, 2024
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METALLA REPORTS FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2024
AND PROVIDES ASSET UPDATES
(All dollar amounts are in thousands of United States dollars unless otherwise indicated, except for shares, per ounce, and per share amounts)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
TSXV: MTA NYSE American: MTA |
November 14, 2024 |
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Vancouver, Canada: Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. ("Metalla" or the "Company") (TSXV: MTA) (NYSE American: MTA) announces its operating and financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. For complete details of the condensed interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, please see the Company's filings on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Shareholders are encouraged to visit the Company's website at www.metallaroyalty.com.
Brett Heath, CEO of Metalla, commented, "This is a pivotal moment for the Company. In the third quarter, we achieved a major milestone by receiving our first royalty payments from Tocantinzinho and La Guitarra, both of which we expect to continue scaling production to full capacity in the fourth quarter and into 2025. Looking forward, we anticipate Amalgamated Kirkland and Endeavor will begin production in Q4 2024 and H1 2025, respectively, accelerating our GEO growth trajectory through the next year, with several additional assets expected to reach production between 2025 and 2028."
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
Below are key Company highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024:
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received or accrued payments on 648 attributable Gold Equivalent Ounces ("GEOs") at an average realized price of $2,481 and an average cash cost of $9 per attributable GEO (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures). For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company received or accrued payments on 1,673 attributable GEOs at an average realized price of $2,292 and an average cash cost of $11 per attributable GEO (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized revenue from royalty and stream interests, including fixed royalty payments, of $1.6 million, net loss of $1.2 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $0.9 million (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures). For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized revenue from royalty and stream interests, including fixed royalty payments, of $3.8 million, net loss of $4.4 million, and Adjusted EBITDA of $1.2 million (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company generated operating cash margin of $2,472 per attributable GEO, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company generated operating cash margin of $2,281 per attributable GEO from the Wharf, Tocantinzinho, El Realito, Aranzazu, La Encantada, La Guitarra, the New Luika Gold Mine ("NLGM") stream held by Silverback Ltd., and other royalty interests (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures);
- On September 3, 2024, G Mining Ventures Corp. ("G Mining") announced it had achieved commercial production at Tocantinzinho with the mill operating at 76% of nameplate throughput (9,817 tonnes per day ("tpd")), processing a total of 304 kilotonnes ("Kt") of ore at a recovery rate of 88%. G Mining expects to continue to ramp up production through H2-2024, targeting nameplate throughput of 12,890 tpd by Q1-2025. G Mining disclosed that commercial production was reached at Tocantinzinho on time and on budget;
- On July 30, 2024, Sierra Madre Gold & Silver Ltd. ("Sierra Madre") announced the first shipments of silver and gold concentrates from La Guitarra;
- On July 24, 2024, the Company announced the appointment of Jason Cho as President of the Company. Concurrently with his appointment, Mr. Cho made a C$1.0 million equity investment into the Company, for the acquisition of 250,000 common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at C$4.00 per Common Share by way of private placement which closed on August 9, 2024;
- On July 15, 2024, Metalla published its inaugural Asset Handbook outlining the Company's gold, silver, and copper royalties and streams. The Asset Handbook is available on the Company's website;
- On June 28, 2024, the Company filed a new final short form base shelf prospectus and a corresponding registration statement on Form F-10 that replaced the base shelf prospectus and Form F-10 registration statement previously filed by the Company in 2022; and
- Effective August 8, 2024, the Company adopted a minimum share ownership policy applicable to directors and officers of the Company in order to further align the financial interest of Metalla's leadership with the Company's shareholders. The policy requires, subject to various provisions, that: (i) the CEO own Common Shares with a fair market value equal to five times his annual base salary; (ii) the CFO and other officers own Common Shares with a fair market value equal to two times their annual base salary; and (iii) non-executive directors own Common Shares with a fair market value equal to two times their annual cash retainer. Directors and officers will have three years to ensure they are in compliance with the newly adopted policy.
ASSET UPDATES
Below are updates for the three months ended September 30, 2024, and subsequent period to certain of the Company's assets, based on information publicly filed by the applicable project owner:
Tocantinzinho
On September 3, 2024, G Mining announced it had achieved commercial production at the Tocantinzinho gold project with the mill operating at 76% of nameplate throughput (9,817 tpd), processing a total of 304 Kt of ore at a recovery rate of 88%. G Mining expects to continue to ramp up production through H2-2024, targeting nameplate throughput of 12,890 tpd by Q1-2025. G Mining disclosed that commercial production has been reached at Tocantinzinho on time and on budget.
Metalla accrued 67 GEOs from Tocantinzinho for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 0.75% GVR royalty on Tocantinzinho.
Wharf
On November 6, 2024, Coeur Mining, Inc. ("Coeur") reported 2024 third quarter production of 33.7 Koz gold and continues to reiterate the full year guidance for 2024 at Wharf of 86 - 96 Koz gold. Exploration investment during the quarter totaled $2 million focused on an expanded drill program to meaningfully extend the mine life at Wharf. Two rigs were active during the quarter at Juno and North Foley deposits undertaking infill and expansion drilling.
Metalla accrued 268 GEOs from Wharf for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 1.0% GVR royalty on the Wharf mine.
Aranzazu
On November 4, 2024, Aura Minerals Inc. ("Aura") announced third quarter 2024 production at Aranzazu totaled 24,486 GEOs (as defined by Aura), while continuing to reiterate 2024 guidance for Aranzazu, which it had disclosed on February 20, 2024, of 94-108 Koz GEOs (as defined by Aura).
During the third quarter, Aura reported a total of 8,405 meters of drilling was completed in the Glory Hole, Esperanza, and La Apuesta zones. At Glory Hole, exploration focused on resource conversion drilling to upgrade Mineral Resources from Inferred to Indicated, with highlight results of 0.86% copper and 0.26 g/t gold over 6 meters. At Esperanza, drilling continued to extend mineralization down dip of the skarn body with highlight intercept of 0.75% copper and 0.32 g/t gold over 30 meters.
Metalla accrued 196 GEOs from Aranzazu for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Aranzazu mine.
El Realito
On October 30, 2024, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. ("Agnico") reported that gold production from La India totaled 4.5 Koz for the third quarter of 2024. Agnico stated that production is expected to come from residual leaching of the heap leach pads and is expected to continue through year-end 2024.
Metalla accrued 36 GEOs from El Realito for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on the El Realito deposit which is subject to a 1.0% buyback right for $4.0 million.
La Guitarra
On September 24, 2024, Sierra Madre announced that daily throughput rates of silver and gold mineralization have averaged 350 tpd over the past 30 days, generating in excess of $2.4 million in revenue since the commencement of mining at the La Guitarra complex.
On July 30, 2024, Sierra Madre announced the first shipments of silver and gold concentrates from La Guitarra. Sierra Madre shipped 90.68 dry metric tonnes of concentrate at 3000 g/t silver and 30 g/t gold with another ~90 dry tonnes of concentrate to be shipped soon after. Sierra Madre plans to continue to increase production with a goal of reaching 500 tpd of throughput for approximately 350 dry tonnes of concentrate per month by year-end.
Metalla accrued 20 GEOs from La Guitarra for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR Royalty on La Guitarra, subject to a 1.0% buyback for $2.0 million.
La Encantada
On October 17, 2024, First Majestic Silver Corp. ("First Majestic") announced production of 59 oz of gold from La Encantada in the third quarter of 2024. Since successfully identifying a water source in the first quarter, First Majestic announced ore processing throughput has reached capacity by the end of the quarter and expects Q4 production to revert to historical levels. During the quarter, two surface drill rigs completed 1,862 meters of drilling on the property.
Metalla accrued 34 GEOs from La Encantada for the third quarter of 2024.
Metalla holds a 100% GVR royalty on gold produced at the La Encantada mine limited to 1.0 Koz annually.
Côté-Gosselin
On October 15, 2024, IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD") announced diamond drill results outlining the successful extension of mineralization outside of the Gosselin December 31, 2023 Mineral Resource pit shell. Key extensions have been intersected south and west of the Gosselin West Breccia, and at depth between the Côté and Gosselin West Breccia in an attempt to connect the two zones. Highlights of the Gosselin drill program include: 0.96 g/t gold over 368.8 meters; 2.7 g/t gold over 235 meters; 1.1 g/t gold over 357 meters; 1.19 g/t gold over 201 meters.
On February 15, 2024, IAMGOLD announced the updated Gosselin mineral resource estimate of 4.4 million Indicated gold ounces at 0.85 g/t and 3.0 million Inferred gold ounces at 0.75 g/t. Exploration drilling for the remainder of 2024 will continue to target mineralization beneath both Gosselin and Côté.
Metalla holds a 1.35% NSR royalty that covers less than 10% of the Côté Reserves and Resources estimate and covers all of the Gosselin Resource estimate.
Taca Taca
On August 29, 2024, Salta Gobierno (Government of the Province of Salta), announced through a press release that a Representative for International Relations of Salta, Julio Argentino San Millán, along with the Secretary of Industry and Commerce of the Province of Salta, Nicolás Avellaneda, held a meeting with the General Manager of the Taca Taca Project from First Quantum Minerals Ltd. ("First Quantum"), John Dean, the Manager of Administration and Finance, Germán Pérez and the Head of Purchasing and Logistics, Martín Guzmán. This meeting, where they discussed the progress of the Taca Taca copper project, took place within the framework of Argentina Mining 2024, an international mining sector event held at the Convention Center in the Province of Salta. John Dean, the General Manager of the Taca Taca Project, emphasized that Argentina's new macroeconomic reality provides a favorable environment to develop this important project, noting that its execution in the Province will begin in 2025.1
The press release stated that First Quantum expressed that the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) is timely and beneficial, as it establishes a regulatory framework that encourages and increases investment flows into Argentina. First Quantum also stated that it would take advantage of this new regime and disclosed that it is looking for a minority shareholder partner to help construct the Taca Taca Project.1
On October 22, 2024, First Quantum stated in its Q3 2024 MD&A that the primary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Taca Taca Project continues to be under evaluation by the Secretariat of Mining of Salta Province and First Quantum stated they remain optimistic about securing its approval in 2024.
Metalla holds a 0.42% NSR royalty on Taca Taca subject to a buyback based on the amount of Proven Reserves in a feasibility study multiplied by the prevailing market prices of all applicable commodities.
Endeavor
On September 16, 2024, Polymetals Resources Ltd. ("Polymetals") announced it had secured a $20 million pre-payment/loan facility to fully fund the Endeavor restart along with favorable offtake terms for delivery of zinc and silver/lead concentrates.
Polymetals reiterated that the Endeavor mine is on track to be restarted with first cashflows expected in H1-2025. Polymetals announced an updated Endeavor mine plan on August 5, 2024, with a Pre-tax NPV8% of A$414 million, Internal Rate of Return of 345% and free cash flow A$609 million over the 10-year mine plan, with average annual EBITDA of $89 million over the first 5 years.
On October 9, 2024, Polymetals announced the results from recent drilling completed at Endeavor. Key intercepts include 517 g/t silver-equivalent ("AgEq") (as defined by Polymetals) over 67.1 meters and 551 g/t AgEq over 53.8 meters, outlining the potential for increased ore extraction rates from the Upper North Lode at Endeavor.
Metalla holds a 4.0% NSR royalty on lead, zinc and silver produced from Endeavor.
Copper World
On August 29, 2024, Hudbay Minerals Inc. ("Hudbay") announced receipt of the Aquifer Protection Permit for Copper World. Hudbay stated the issuance of this permit is a key milestone in the advancement of Copper World, which is a standalone operation requiring only state and local permits and is expected to produce 85 Kt of copper per year over a 20-year mine life. The Aquifer Protection Permit represents the second of three key state-level permits required to advance the project towards a construction decision. Hudbay has also completed the last permit application required, an Air Quality Permit, which was submitted in late 2022, and includes a public comment period scheduled to conclude in September 2024.
With receipt of the Aquifer Permit, Hudbay plans to commence activities related to the preparation of definitive feasibility studies for Copper World, allocating $25 million in capital spending in 2024. Hudbay intends to commence a process to identify a minority joint venture partner after receiving its last outstanding permit and sees potential to advance Copper World to a final investment decision in early 2026.
Metalla holds a 0.315% NSR royalty on Copper World with the right of first refusal to acquire an additional 0.360% of the NSR royalty.
Joaquin
On October 11, 2024, Unico Silver Limited ("Unico") announced the completion of the acquisition of Joaquin from Pan American Silver Corporation. From 2019-2022, Joaquin produced 4.3 Moz AgEq (as defined by Unico) at 410 g/t with ore trucked 145 kilometers to the Manantial Espejo mine.
Joaquin contains a historic foreign estimate in the Measured and Indicated categories of 70.1 Moz AgEq at 138 g/t and in the Inferred category of 3.3 Moz AgEq at 110 g/t in the La Negra and La Marocha deposits. Unico is planning a comprehensive exploration program on four advanced prospects, aiming to publish an initial JORC (2012) Mineral Resource Estimate in H1-2025.2
Unico outlined there are several historical drill holes that fall outside the historic resource with highlighted intercepts of 1,699 g/t silver & 22 g/t gold over 4.5 meters and 99 g/t silver & 0.4 g/t gold over 8.6 meters.
Metalla holds a 2.0% NSR royalty on Joaquin.
Amalgamated Kirkland and North AK
On October 30, 2024, Agnico announced step out drilling into the shallow eastern extension of AK deposit intersected a highlight intercept of 7.7 g/t gold over 5.7 meters and 11.8 g/t gold over 1.9 meters.
Metalla holds a 0.45% NSR royalty on the Amalgamated Kirkland and North AK properties.
CentroGold
On September 9, 2024, G Mining announced that it has entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire CentroGold from BHP for a 1.0% NSR royalty on the first million ounces of gold produced and a 1.5% NSR royalty interest thereafter.
G Mining disclosed that it intends to build on CentroGold’s existing geological model and redesign CentroGold from first principles to better align with permitting requirements and economic landscape. G Mining also intends to update CentroGold’s JORC historic estimate, of 1.7 million ounces of indicated and 0.6 million ounces of inferred, to NI 43-101 disclosure standards shortly after closing, which is expected to take place in Q1-2025 following regulatory approvals.3
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the first 500 koz of production, 2.0% NSR royalty on the next 1 Moz, and 1.0% NSR royalty thereafter on the CentroGold project.
Fosterville
On October 30, 2024, Agnico reported that Fosterville produced 65.5 Koz of gold in the third quarter of 2024. Agnico continues to focus on productivity gains and cost control at the mine and the mill to maximize throughput as gold grades continue to decline with the depletion of the Swan zone. Exploration in the third quarter focused on extensions of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources at the Lower Phoenix area. Highlight intervals in the Cardinal structure approximately 100 meters down-plunge and to the south of current Mineral Reserves include 72.8 g/t gold over 5.7 meters with visible gold and 6.8 g/t gold over 3.2 meters.
Metalla holds a 2.5% GVR royalty on the northern and southern extensions of the Fosterville mining license and other areas in the land package.
Fifteen Mile Stream
On October 10, 2024, St. Barbara Limited ("St. Barbara") reported an updated Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") for the 15-Mile and Beaver Dam projects. Key highlights from the PFS include average annual gold production of 74 Koz per year over the 11-year mine life at all-in sustaining cost of $1,025 per ounce. The project will utilize existing infrastructure and equipment from the Touquoy mine, allowing for a 2-month construction period.
Metalla holds a 1.0% NSR royalty on the Fifteen Mile Stream project, and 3.0% NSR royalty on the Plenty and Seloam Brook deposits.
Castle Mountain
On November 6, 2024, Equinox Gold Corp. ("Equinox") reported in their Q3 2024 MD&A that the mine permitting amendment plan was submitted to the lead county and BLM agencies which reviewed the plan for completeness in early 2023. Equinox received the BLM determination that the plan was complete in Q1 2024 and expects to receive the notice of intent in Q1 2025, which commences the formal permitting process. Work on the preliminary draft Environmental Impact Statement will occur throughout 2025 and 2026 upon creation of a memorandum of understanding with the BLM, San Bernardino County and Castle Mountain.
Metalla holds a 5.0% NSR royalty on the South Domes area of the Castle Mountain mine.
Notes
1: For more information, please view the Salta Gobierno’s August 29, 2024 Press Release (https://www.salta.gob.ar/prensa/noticias/reunion-con-directivos-de-la-empresa-first-quantum-por-el-proyecto-taca-taca-97506).
2: For more information, please view Unico’s August 20, 2024 Press Release (https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/USL/02840629.pdf) and October 11, 2024 Press Release (https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/USL/02865249.pdf).
3: For more information, please view G Mining’s September 9, 2024 Press Release (https://assets.ctfassets.net/jj9ent3ck4o2/6uEalz27WzdmzJmN1a6D2e/e4ccaa5cff2f0da0cf7ba4831d6eb522/GMIN_l_Acquisition_of_CentroGold_I_09.09.2024__1_.pdf).
QUALIFIED PERSON
The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, geologist M.Sc., member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and of the Ordre des Géologues du Québec. Mr. Beaudry is a QP as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").
ABOUT METALLA
Metalla is a precious and base metals royalty and streaming company with a focus on gold, silver, and copper royalties and streams. Metalla provides shareholders with leveraged metal exposure through a diversified and growing portfolio of royalties and streams. Our strong foundation of current and future cash-generating asset base, combined with an experienced team gives Metalla a path to become one of the leading gold, silver, and copper companies for the next commodities cycle.
For further information, please visit our website at www.metallaroyalty.com
ON BEHALF OF METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD.
(signed) "Brett Heath"
CEO
CONTACT INFORMATION
Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd.
Brett Heath, CEO
Phone: 604-696-0741
Email: info@metallaroyalty.com
Kristina Pillon, Investor Relations
Phone: 604-908-1695
Email: kristina@metallaroyalty.com
Website: www.metallaroyalty.com
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
Metalla has included certain performance measures in this press release that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) including (a) attributable gold equivalent ounces (GEOs), (b) average cash cost per attributable GEO, (c) average realized price per attributable GEO, (d) operating cash margin per attributable GEO, and (e) Adjusted EBITDA. The Company believes that, in addition to conventional measures prepared in accordance with IFRS, certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance and ability to generate cash flow.
(a) Attributable GEOs
Attributable GEOs are a non-IFRS financial measure that is composed of gold ounces attributable to the Company, calculated by taking the revenue earned by the Company in the period from payable gold, silver, copper and other metal ounces attributable to the Company divided by the average London fix price of gold for the relevant period. In prior periods the GEOs included an amount calculated by taking the cash received or accrued by the Company in the period from the derivative royalty asset divided by the average London fix gold price for the relevant period. The Company presents attributable GEOs as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. The Company's attributable GEOs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, were:
|
|
Three months |
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
ended |
|
Attributable GEOs during the period from: |
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
Wharf |
|
268 |
|
|
542 |
|
El Realito |
|
36 |
|
|
273 |
|
La Encantada |
|
34 |
|
|
98 |
|
Aranzazu |
|
196 |
|
|
593 |
|
Tocantinzinho |
|
67 |
|
|
67 |
|
La Guitarra |
|
20 |
|
|
20 |
|
NLGM |
|
27 |
|
|
80 |
|
Total attributable GEOs |
|
648 |
|
|
1,673 |
|
(b) Average cash cost per attributable GEO
Average cash cost per attributable GEO is a non-IFRS financial measure that is calculated by dividing the Company's total cash cost of sales, excluding depletion by the number of attributable GEOs. The Company presents average cash cost per attributable GEO as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. The Company's average cash cost per attributable GEO for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, was:
|
|
Three months |
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
Cost of sales for NLGM |
$ |
6 |
|
$ |
18 |
|
Total cash cost of sales |
|
6 |
|
|
18 |
|
Total attributable GEOs |
|
648 |
|
|
1,673 |
|
Average cash cost per attributable GEO |
$ |
9 |
|
$ |
11 |
|
(c) Average realized price per attributable GEO
Average realized price per attributable GEO is a non-IFRS financial measure that is calculated by dividing the Company's revenue, excluding any revenue earned from fixed royalty payments, by the number of attributable GEOs. The Company presents average realized price per attributable GEO as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis. The Company's average realized price per attributable GEO for three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, was:
|
|
Three months |
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
Royalty revenue (excluding fixed royalty payments) |
$ |
1,541 |
|
$ |
3,652 |
|
Revenue from NLGM |
|
67 |
|
|
183 |
|
Sales from stream and royalty interests |
|
1,608 |
|
|
3,835 |
|
Total attributable GEOs sold |
|
648 |
|
|
1,673 |
|
Average realized price per attributable GEO |
$ |
2,481 |
|
$ |
2,292 |
|
(d) Operating cash margin per attributable GEO
Operating cash margin per attributable GEO is a non-IFRS financial measure that is calculated by subtracting the average cast cost price per attributable GEO from the average realized price per attributable GEO. The Company presents operating cash margin per attributable GEO as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry that present results on a similar basis.
(e) Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IFRS financial measure which excludes from net income taxes, finance costs, depletion, impairment charges, foreign currency gains/losses, share based payments, and non-recurring items. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the Company's operating performance, to plan and forecast its operations, and assess leverage levels and liquidity measures. The Company presents Adjusted EBITDA as it believes that certain investors use this information to evaluate the Company's performance in comparison to other streaming and royalty companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. However, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent, and should not be considered an alternative to net income (loss) or cash flow provided by operating activities as determined under IFRS. The Company's adjusted EBITDA for three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, was:
|
|
Three months |
|
|
Nine months |
|
|
|
ended |
|
|
ended |
|
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
Net loss |
$ |
(1,169 |
) |
$ |
(4,392 |
) |
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense |
|
494 |
|
|
1,473 |
|
Finance charges |
|
85 |
|
|
255 |
|
Income tax provision |
|
138 |
|
|
162 |
|
Depletion |
|
578 |
|
|
1,862 |
|
Foreign exchange loss (gain) |
|
88 |
|
|
(92 |
) |
Share-based payments |
|
716 |
|
|
1,905 |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
930 |
|
$ |
1,173 |
|
(e) Adjusted working capital
Adjusted working capital is a non-IFRS measure which is calculated by taking the Company's current assets less its current liabilities, excluding the Convertible Loan Facility. The Company presents working capital, adjusted for the Convertible Loan Facility, as the classification of the Convertible Loan Facility as a current liability is driven by changes in classification requirements under IFRS and not because the Company expects that liability to be settled in cash within the next twelve months. The Company believes that the exclusion of the Convertible Loan Facility from adjusted working capital gives a more accurate picture of the liquidity of the Company. Adjusted working capital is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company's adjusted working capital as at September 30, 2024, was:
|
|
As at |
|
|
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
Total current assets |
$ |
12,250 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
(13,760 |
) |
Working capital |
|
(1,510 |
) |
Adjusted for: |
|
|
|
Convertible loan facility |
|
13,123 |
|
Adjusted working capital |
$ |
11,613 |
|
Refer the Company's MD&A for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, for a numerical reconciliation of the non-IFRS financial measures described above. The presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Other companies may calculate these non-IFRS financial measures differently.
Future-Oriented Financial Information
This news release contains future-oriented financial information and financial outlook information (collectively, "FOFI") about Metalla's anticipated revenues from the Endeavor NSR which was prepared by Polymetals and is subject to the assumptions, risk factors, limitations and qualifications as set forth in this news release. FOFI contained in this news release was made as of the date of this news release and was provided for the purpose of providing further information about Metalla's anticipated future business operations. Metalla disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FOFI contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required pursuant to applicable law. FOFI contained in this news release should not be used for purposes other than for which it is disclosed herein.
Technical and Third-Party Information
Metalla has limited, if any, access to the properties on which Metalla(or any of its subsidiaries) holds a royalty, stream or other interest. Metalla is dependent on (i) the operators of the mines or properties and their qualified persons to provide technical or other information to Metalla, or (ii) publicly available information to prepare disclosure pertaining to properties and operations on the mines or properties on which Metalla holds a royalty, stream or other interest, and generally has limited or no ability to independently verify such information. Although Metalla does not have any knowledge that such information may not be accurate, there can be no assurance that such third-party information is complete or accurate. Some information publicly reported by operators may relate to a larger property than the area covered by Metalla's royalty, stream or other interests. Metalla's royalty, stream or other interests can cover less than 100% and sometimes only a portion of the publicly reported mineral reserves, resources and production of a property.
Unless otherwise indicated, the technical and scientific disclosure contained or referenced in this press release, including any references to mineral resources or mineral reserves, was prepared in accordance with Canadian NI 43-101, which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") applicable to U.S. domestic issuers. Accordingly, the scientific and technical information contained or referenced in this press release may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.
"Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Historical results or feasibility models presented herein are not guarantees or expectations of future performance.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only and the Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update or revise them except as required by applicable law.
All statements included herein that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: future events or future performance of Metalla; the completion of the Company's royalty purchase transactions; the Company's plans and objectives; the Company's future financial and operational performance; expectations regarding stream and royalty interests owned by the Company; the satisfaction of future payment obligations, contractual commitments and contingent commitments by Metalla; management’s statements regarding the start and increase of production at properties on which Metalla holds royalties and streams, and the timing thereof; the expected ramp-up in production at Tocantinzinho through H2-2024; the target nameplate throughput by Q1-2025 in Tocantinzinho; the expected 2024 production guidance at Wharf; the expected 2024 production guidance at Aranzazu; that production at El Realito will come from residual leaching of heap leach pads and will continue through year-end 2024; the expected shipments at La Guitarra; Sierra Madre’s plans to increase production at La Guitarra, and the production goal by year-end; the exploration drilling at Gosselin for the remainder of 2024 and the target thereof; that First Quantum will take advantage of the RIGI; First Quantum’s search for a minority shareholder for the Taca Taca Project; the receipt of approval for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment at Taca Taca and the anticipated timing thereof; the expected timing of restart and first cashflows at Endeavor; the potential for increased ore extraction rates at Endeavor; the expected mine life and production at Copper World; the conclusion of the public comment period for the Air Quality Permit application for Copper World and the timing thereof; the commencement of activities related to the preparation of a definitive feasibility study for Copper World, the budget and timing thereof; Hudbay’s process to identify a minority joint venture partner for Copper World; Unico’s planned comprehensive exploration program, boost of Foreign Estimates and publication of an initial Mineral Resource Estimate in H1-2025 for Joaquin; G Mining’s plans to redesign CentroGold; the update of CentroGold’s JORC compliant resource estimate to NI 43-101 disclosure; the expected mine life, production and cash costs for Fifteen Mile Stream; the use of existing infrastructure and equipment at Fifteen Mile Stream; the receipt of notice of intent in connection with the mine permitting amendment plan for Castle Mountain, and the timing thereof; the work on the preliminary Environmental Impact Statement, the creation of a memorandum of understanding, for Castle Mountain, and the timing thereof; royalty payments to be paid to Metalla by property owners or operators of mining projects pursuant to each royalty interest; the future outlook of Metalla and the mineral reserves and resource estimates for the properties with respect to which the Metalla has or proposes to acquire an interest; future gold, silver and copper prices; other potential developments relating to, or achievements by, the counterparties for the Company’s stream and royalty agreements, and with respect to the mines and other properties in which the Company has, or may acquire, a stream or royalty interest; costs and other financial or economic measures; prospective transactions; growth and achievements; financing and adequacy of capital; future payment of dividends; future public and/or private placements of equity, debt or hybrids thereof; and the Company’s ability to fund its current operational requirements and capital projects
Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Metalla to control or predict, that may cause Metalla's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: risks related to commodity price fluctuations; the absence of control over mining operations from which Metalla will purchase precious metals pursuant to gold streams, silver streams and other agreements or from which it will receive royalty payments pursuant to net smelter returns, gross overriding royalties, gross value royalties and other royalty agreements or interests and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans are refined; risks related to exchange rate fluctuations; that payments in respect of streams and royalties may be delayed or may never be made; risks related to Metalla's reliance on public disclosure and other information regarding the mines or projects underlying its streams and royalties; that some royalties or streams may be subject to confidentiality arrangements that limit or prohibit disclosure regarding those royalties and streams; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by, Metalla; that Metalla's cash flow is dependent on the activities of others; that Metalla has had negative cash flow from operating activities in the past; that some royalty and stream interests are subject to rights of other interest-holders; that Metalla's royalties and streams may have unknown defects; risks related to Metalla's two material assets, the Côté property and the Taca Taca property; risks related to general business and economic conditions; risks related to global financial conditions, geopolitical events and other uncertainties; risks related to epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, and the spread of other viruses or pathogens, and the potential impact thereof on Metalla's business, operations and financial condition; that Metalla is dependent on its key personnel; risks related to Metalla's financial controls; dividend policy and future payment of dividends; competition; that project operators may not respect contractual obligations; that Metalla's royalties and streams may be unenforceable; risks related to conflicts of interest of Metalla's directors and officers; that Metalla may not be able to obtain adequate financing in the future; risks related to Metalla's current credit facility and financing agreements; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Metalla holds, or may acquire, a royalty, stream or other interest; interpretation by government entities of tax laws or the implementation of new tax laws; changes in tax laws impacting Metalla; risks related to anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; credit and liquidity risk; risks related to Metalla's information systems and cyber security; risks posed by activist shareholders; that Metalla may suffer reputational damage in the ordinary course of business; risks related to acquiring, investing in or developing resource projects; risks applicable to owners and operators of properties in which Metalla holds an interest; exploration, development and operating risks; risks related to climate change; environmental risks; that the exploration and development activities related to mine operations are subject to extensive laws and regulations; that the operation of a mine or project is subject to the receipt and maintenance of permits from governmental authorities; risks associated with the acquisition and maintenance of mining infrastructure; that Metalla's success is dependent on the efforts of operators' employees; risks related to mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; that mining depletion may not be replaced by the discovery of new mineral reserves; that operators' mining operations are subject to risks that may not be able to be insured against; risks related to land title; risks related to international operations; risks related to operating in countries with developing economies; risks related to the construction, development and expansion of mines or projects; risks associated with operating in areas that are presently, or were formerly, inhabited or used by indigenous peoples; that Metalla is required, in certain jurisdictions, to allow individuals from that jurisdiction to hold nominal interests in Metalla's subsidiaries in that jurisdiction; the volatility of the stock market; that existing securityholders may be diluted; risks related to Metalla's public disclosure obligations; risks associated with future sales or issuances of debt or equity securities; risks associated with the Company's loan facility; that there can be no assurance that an active trading market for Metalla's securities will be sustained; risks related to the enforcement of civil judgments against Metalla; risks relating to Metalla potentially being a passive "foreign investment company" within the meaning of U.S. federal tax laws; and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, annual report on Form 40-F and other documents filed with or submitted to the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
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