Lundin Mining Announces 2025 Production Results and 2026 Guidance
In addition, the Company is pleased to release production guidance for the three-year period from 2026 through 2028, as well as cash cost, capital and exploration expenditure guidance for 2026. Unless otherwise stated, all numbers are in US dollars.
"Looking ahead, our three-year production and one year cost outlook remains firmly on track with previously disclosed forecasts. Mine sequencing optimizations are expected to increase copper production by 20,000 tonnes in 2027, while the midpoint of 2026 has been adjusted by 5,000 tonnes, resulting in a net increase of approximately 15,000 tonnes over the two-year period. Operationally, we remain focused on delivering consistent performance through disciplined planning, which we believe will translate into stronger financial returns in a robust commodity price environment.
"Brownfield growth initiatives across our operations continue to progress, and the advancement of the Vicuña project remains on track. With the RIGI PEELP application submitted in December, the integrated technical report results forthcoming this quarter, and continued progress on upsizing our credit facility, 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year as Vicuña moves into an exciting new phase of development."
Highlights for 2025 Production and 2026 – 2028 Guidance
2025 Production Results
The Company beat original1 copper production guidance and was within the revised copper, gold and nickel production guidance for the year.
- 2025 full year production results (100% basis):
- Copper production of 331,232 tonnes (t);
- Gold production of 141,859 ounces (oz);
- Nickel production at Eagle of 9,907 t;
- During Q4 2025, Caserones achieved its highest quarterly consolidated copper production since the Company has owned the mine, producing 39,612 tonnes, driven by higher copper head grades and cathode production.
Guidance
- Updated three-year production guidance remains in line with previous 2026 and 2027 guidance2. The company forecasts 2026 consolidated copper production of 310,000 to 335,000 tonnes and gold production of 134,000 to 149,000 ounces at a cash cost guidance3 of
$1.90 /lb to$2.10 /lb. - Forecasted consolidated copper production of 315,000 to 340,000 tonnes in 2027 and 290,000 to 315,000 tonnes in 2028.
- Sustaining capital expenditures4 of
$550 million and expansionary capital expenditures4 of$445 million in 2026. - Exploration expenditures are forecast to be
$53 million primarily for in-mine and near-mine targets in 2026.
|
____________________________________________ |
|
1 Guidance as announced by news release "Lundin Mining Announces Record Production Results for 2024 & Provides 2025 Guidance" dated |
Summary of 2025 Production
The Company exceeded its original2 full year consolidated copper production guidance and was within the increased5 full year production guidance for 2025. Strong operational performance, particularly at Caserones drove production growth for the year.
Candelaria produced 145,471 tonnes of copper for the full year, benefiting from higher mill throughput due to softer ore.
Since
Full year copper production at Chapada was 43,974 tonnes, which benefited from consistent grades and strong throughput during the year.
|
|
|
Q4 2025 Production |
FY 2025 Production |
2025 Original Guidance2 |
2025 Revised Guidance5 |
|
|||||||||||||
|
Copper (t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Candelaria (100% basis) |
34,272 |
145,471 |
140,000 |
- |
150,000 |
143,000 |
- |
149,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Caserones (100% basis) |
39,612 |
132,881 |
115,000 |
- |
125,000 |
127,000 |
- |
133,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Chapada |
11,191 |
43,974 |
40,000 |
- |
45,000 |
40,000 |
- |
45,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Eagle |
1,957 |
8,906 |
8,000 |
- |
10,000 |
9,000 |
- |
10,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Total Copper |
87,032 |
331,232 |
303,000 |
- |
330,000 |
319,000 |
- |
337,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Gold (oz) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Candelaria (100% basis)6 |
19,055 |
80,528 |
78,000 |
- |
88,000 |
78,000 |
- |
84,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Chapada |
15,074 |
61,331 |
57,000 |
- |
62,000 |
57,000 |
- |
62,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Total Gold |
34,129 |
141,859 |
135,000 |
- |
150,000 |
135,000 |
- |
146,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
Nickel (t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
Eagle |
2,174 |
9,907 |
8,000 |
- |
11,000 |
9,000 |
- |
11,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
Total Nickel |
2,174 |
9,907 |
8,000 |
- |
11,000 |
9,000 |
- |
11,000 |
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
_________________________________________ |
|
|
2 |
Guidance as announced by news release "Lundin Mining Announces Record Production Results for 2024 & Provides 2025 Guidance" dated |
|
3 |
This is a non-GAAP measure. For equivalent historical non-GAAP financial measure comparatives see the Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives section of this press release. Please also see the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended |
|
4 |
Sustaining capital expenditure is a supplementary financial measure and expansionary capital expenditure is a non-GAAP measure - see the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended |
|
5 |
Guidance as most recently disclosed in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended |
Three-Year Production Guidance 2026 - 2028
Copper production is forecast to remain stable at approximately 310,000 to 335,000 tonnes annually in 2026, consistent with 2025 production, after accounting for the sale of the
Mine plan updates at the Company's Candelaria operation result in modifications to the previous 2026 guidance. At Candelaria, 2026 copper and gold production guidance reflects lower underground mining rates in the first half of the year as the Company insources the underground mining contract.
The outlook for consolidated copper production in 2027 increases compared to the previous 2027 guidance from higher forecast production at Candelaria, Caserones and Chapada resulting in an increase to the cumulative consolidated copper production over 2026 and 2027 by 15,000 tonnes when compared to the previous guidance during the same period and based on the midpoint of the guidance ranges, after accounting for the sale of the
Gold guidance for 2026 is forecast to be 134,000 to 149,000 ounces which reflects lower underground mining rates at Candelaria as mentioned previously. In 2027, gold production is expected to increase by approximately 10,000 ounces year-on-year, driven by higher production at Chapada, resulting in the cumulative consolidated gold production over 2026 and 2027 to remain essentially flat when compared to the previous guidance and based on the midpoint of the guidance ranges.
|
|
Production Guidance |
2026 |
|
2027 |
|
2028 |
||||||
|
Copper (t) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Candelaria (100% basis) |
135,000 |
- |
145,000 |
|
157,000 |
- |
167,000 |
|
135,000 |
- |
145,000 |
|
|
Caserones (100% basis) |
130,000 |
- |
140,000 |
|
115,000 |
- |
125,000 |
|
115,000 |
- |
125,000 |
|
|
Chapada |
45,000 |
- |
50,000 |
|
43,000 |
- |
48,000 |
|
40,000 |
- |
45,000 |
|
|
Total Copper |
310,000 |
- |
335,000 |
|
315,000 |
- |
340,000 |
|
290,000 |
- |
315,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gold (oz) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Candelaria (100% basis) 6 |
77,000 |
- |
87,000 |
|
85,000 |
- |
95,000 |
|
75,000 |
- |
85,000 |
|
|
Chapada |
57,000 |
- |
62,000 |
|
58,000 |
- |
63,000 |
|
57,000 |
- |
62,000 |
|
|
Total Gold |
134,000 |
- |
149,000 |
|
143,000 |
- |
158,000 |
|
132,000 |
- |
147,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Candelaria: Annual fluctuations in copper and gold production forecasts for the next three years are primarily due to variations in the grade profile of Candelaria.
Revisions to Candelaria's 2026 copper and gold production guidance incorporates lower underground mining rates in the first half of the year as the Company insources the underground mining contract. The production profile is forecast to be modestly weighted towards the second half of the year due to higher expected grades from Phase 12.
Higher copper production of approximately 7,000 tonnes in 2027 when compared to the previous 2027 guidance, results from revised ore sequencing and additional higher-grade ore from Phase 11.
Over the three-year guidance period, total mill throughput averages approximately 29 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa"), slightly higher than previous years due to an improved ore hardness model that accounts for softer ore from Phase 11.
Caserones: Copper production in 2026 is modestly weighted toward the first half of the year due to the planned grade profile. As part of the mine sequencing, 2027 and 2028 production profiles reflect anticipated lower copper head-grades following the completion of Phase 6 in early 2027.
|
________________________________________ |
|
|
6 |
68% of Candelaria's total gold and silver production is subject to a streaming agreement. |
Caserones copper guidance in 2027 increases by ~10,000 tonnes to 115,000 to 125,000 tonnes when compared to the previous 2027 guidance, as a result of higher cathode production and increased mill throughput.
Over the guidance period, mill throughput is expected to rise to approximately 34–36 Mtpa, supported by ongoing Full Potential initiatives. Cathode production is expected to improve from optimization efforts implemented in 2025 and is forecast to be 26,000–28,000 tonnes per annum ("tpa") over the period, an improvement of 6,000–8,000 tpa from prior levels.
Chapada: Copper production guidance increases by ~5,000 tonnes in 2026 to 45,000 to 50,000 tonnes and gold guidance is increased by approximately 10,000 ounces in 2027 as compared to the previous 2026 and 2027 guidance, respectively. Annual variations largely reflect mine sequencing and forecasted copper and gold grade profiles. An updated mine plan has reduced the proportion of stockpile material in mill feed from ~25% to ~10%, improving copper and gold recoveries over the three-year period.
2026 Cash Cost7 Guidance
Consolidated cash cost in 2026 is forecast to be within
2026 cash cost guidance reflects higher by-product credits primarily from an increase in gold and molybdenum commodity price assumptions offset by a stronger Chilean Peso.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Cost |
2026 8 |
|||
|
Copper |
|
|||
|
|
Candelaria9 |
|
- |
|
|
|
Caserones |
|
- |
|
|
|
Chapada10 |
|
- |
|
|
Consolidated C1 Cash Cost |
|
- |
|
|
Candelaria: Cash cost guidance is forecast to be
During the fourth quarter 2025,
Caserones: Cash cost is expected to decline in 2026 (as compared to the revised 2025 guidance) and are forecast to be
Chapada: Cash cost is forecast to be
|
_______________________________________ |
|
|
7 |
This is a non-GAAP measure. For equivalent historical non-GAAP financial measure comparatives see the Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives section of this press release. Please also see the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended |
|
8 |
2026 cash cost is based on various assumptions and estimates, including, but not limited to: production volumes, commodity prices (2026 - Mo: |
|
9 |
68% of Candelaria's total gold and silver production are subject to a streaming agreement and as such cash costs are calculated based on receipt of |
|
10 |
Chapada's cash cost is calculated on a by-product basis and does not include the effects of its copper stream agreements. Effects of the copper stream agreements are reflected in copper revenue and will impact realized price per pound. |
2026 Capital Expenditure Guidance
Total sustaining capital expenditures11 are forecast to be
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Expenditures ($ millions) |
202611,12 |
|
|
Sustaining Capital |
|
|
|
|
Candelaria (100% basis) |
|
|
|
Caserones (100% basis) |
|
|
|
Chapada |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vicuña (50% basis) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capital Expenditures |
|
|
Candelaria (
Expansionary capital is estimated to be
Caserones (
Chapada (
Vicuña (
A 50,000 metre (m) drill program is planned at Filo del Sol, the program will focus on resource conversion and growth, as well as drilling to support upcoming technical studies.
|
___________________________________________ |
|
|
11 |
Expansionary capital expenditure is a non-GAAP measure and sustaining capital expenditure is a supplementary financial measure. For historical comparatives see the Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives section of this press release. Please also see the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended |
|
12 |
Capital expenditures are based on various assumptions and estimates, including, but not limited to foreign currency exchange rates (2026 - CLP/USD:900, USD/BRL:5.50). |
Vicuña is targeting completion of an integrated technical report in Q1 2026 which will outline the district's development plan and include updated mineral resource estimates for both
2026 Exploration Investment Guidance
Exploration expenditures are planned to be
About
The information in this release is subject to the disclosure requirements of
Other Information
The scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with the disclosure standards of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and has been reviewed and approved by
Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives
Cash cost and sustaining and expansionary capital expenditures are non-GAAP financial measures and are not standardized financial measures under generally accepted accounting principles under IFRS and, therefore, amounts presented may not be comparable to similar data presented by other mining companies. These amounts are 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. Please refer to the section titled "Non-GAAP and Other Performance Measures" in
Cash Cost – Year Ended
|
Operations |
Candelaria |
Caserones |
Chapada |
Eagle |
Total – |
Neves- |
Zinkgruvan |
Total – |
|
($ millions, |
(Cu) |
(Cu) |
(Cu) |
(Ni) |
(Cu) |
(Zn) |
||
|
Sales volumes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes |
158,017 |
113,867 |
39,615 |
5,662 |
|
26,721 |
68,086 |
|
|
Pounds (000s) |
348,367 |
251,033 |
87,336 |
12,483 |
|
58,910 |
150,104 |
|
|
Production costs |
|
|
|
|
1,898.6 |
|
|
445.2 |
|
Less: Royalties |
|
|
|
|
(84.5) |
|
|
(4.8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,814.1 |
|
|
440.4 |
|
Deduct: By- |
|
|
|
|
(504.4) |
|
|
(305.5) |
|
Add: Treatment |
|
|
|
|
113.6 |
|
|
55.4 |
|
Cash cost |
603.5 |
629.6 |
137.7 |
52.4 |
1,423.3 |
129.1 |
61.2 |
190.4 |
|
Cash cost per pound ($/lb) |
1.73 |
2.51 |
1.58 |
4.20 |
|
2.19 |
0.41 |
|
Capital Expenditures – Year Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
($ millions) |
Sustaining |
Expansionary |
Capitalized |
Total |
|
|
|
Candelaria |
275.7 |
— |
— |
275.7 |
|
|
|
Caserones |
144.0 |
— |
— |
144.0 |
|
|
|
Chapada |
107.8 |
— |
— |
107.8 |
|
|
|
Eagle |
21.2 |
— |
— |
21.2 |
|
|
|
Josemaria |
— |
243.6 |
14.6 |
258.2 |
|
|
|
Other |
0.4 |
— |
— |
0.4 |
|
|
|
Continuing Operations |
549.1 |
243.6 |
14.6 |
807.3 |
|
|
|
Neves-Corvo |
89.3 |
— |
— |
89.3 |
|
|
|
Zinkgruvan |
65.7 |
— |
— |
65.7 |
|
|
|
Total |
704.1 |
243.6 |
14.6 |
962.3 |
|
|
|
Sustaining capital expenditures is a supplementary financial measure and expansionary capital expenditures is a non-GAAP measure. See the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended |
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Cost – Nine Months Ended
|
Continuing Operations |
Candelaria |
Caserones |
Chapada |
Consolidated |
Eagle |
Total – |
|
($ millions, unless |
(Cu) |
(Cu) |
(Cu) |
(Cu) |
(Ni) |
|
|
Sales volumes (Contained |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes |
107,618 |
93,153 |
32,627 |
233,398 |
5,895 |
|
|
Pounds (000s) |
237,257 |
205,367 |
71,930 |
514,554 |
12,996 |
|
|
Production costs |
557.3
|
607.2 |
234.9
|
1,399.4 |
112.7
|
1,514.0 |
|
Less: Royalties and other |
(9.5) |
(32.0) |
(17.4) |
(58.9) |
(12.7) |
(73.4) |
|
|
547.8 |
575.2 |
217.5 |
1,340.5 |
100.0 |
1,440.6 |
|
Deduct: By-product credits2 |
(136.3) |
(108.0) |
(162.4) |
(406.7) |
(66.0) |
(472.7) |
|
Add: Treatment and refining |
17.3 |
6.4 |
4.6 |
28.3 |
— |
28.3 |
|
Cash cost |
428.8 |
473.6 |
59.7 |
962.1 |
34.0 |
996.2 |
|
Cash cost per pound ($/lb) |
1.81 |
2.31 |
0.83 |
1.87 |
2.62 |
|
|
Discontinued Operations1 |
Neves-Corvo |
Zinkgruvan |
Total – |
|
($ millions, unless otherwise noted) |
(Cu) |
(Zn) |
|
|
Sales volumes (Contained metal): |
|
|
|
|
Tonnes |
6,745 |
20,698 |
|
|
Pounds (000s) |
14,870 |
45,631 |
|
|
Production costs |
90.2 |
36.9 |
127.1 |
|
Less: Royalties and other |
(1.3) |
— |
(1.3) |
|
|
88.9 |
36.9 |
125.8 |
|
Deduct: By-product credits2 |
(67.0) |
(23.3) |
(90.3) |
|
Add: Treatment and refining |
5.4 |
7.2 |
12.6 |
|
Cash cost |
27.3 |
20.8 |
48.1 |
|
Cash cost per pound ($/lb) |
1.84 |
0.46 |
|
|
1 Discontinued operations results are to |
|||
|
2 By-product credits are presented net of the associated treatment and refining charges. |
|||
Capital Expenditures – Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
||
|
($ millions) |
Total |
||
|
Candelaria |
21.7 |
||
|
Vicuña |
126.0 |
||
|
Expansionary capital investment from continuing operations |
147.7 |
||
|
Candelaria |
144.9 |
||
|
Caserones |
99.5 |
||
|
Chapada |
75.7 |
||
|
Eagle |
17.4 |
||
|
Other |
0.1 |
||
|
Sustaining capital investment from continuing operations |
337.6 |
||
|
Total capital expenditures from continuing operations |
485.3 |
||
|
Sustaining capital expenditures is a supplementary financial measure and expansionary capital expenditures is a non-GAAP measure. See the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and nine months ended |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this document constitute forward-looking information, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's plans, prospects, business strategies and strategic vision and aspirations, and their achievement and timing; the Company's guidance on the timing and amount of future production and its expectations regarding operational performance and the results of operations; the Company's guidance and expectations regarding financial performance, including estimated capital expenditures and other costs, expenditures and financial metrics; the Company's growth and optimization initiatives and expansionary projects, and the potential costs, outcomes, results and impacts thereof; approval of the RIGI application in
Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, including that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour; assumed and future price of copper, gold, zinc, nickel and other metals; anticipated costs; currency exchange rates and interest rates; ability to achieve goals and identify and realize opportunities; the prompt and effective integration of acquisitions and the realization of synergies and economies of scale in connection therewith; that the political, economic, permitting and legal environment in which the Company operates will continue to support the development and operation of mining projects; timing and receipt of governmental, regulatory and third party approvals, consents, licenses and permits and their renewals; positive relations with local groups; the accuracy of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates and related information, analyses and interpretations; and such other assumptions as set out herein as well as those related to the factors set forth below. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by
All of the forward-looking information in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, forecasted or intended and readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward ‐ looking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, ex cept as required by applicable law.
SOURCE