Lundin Mining Highlights Strategic Vision and Financial Outlook for Leading Growth and Shareholder Returns
Growth Initiatives
The Company has outlined medium-term brownfield expansion opportunities over the next three to five years to grow copper production by 30,000 – 40,000 tonnes per year through low capital intensity projects, including those at Candelaria, Caserones and Chapada described below.
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Candelaria: Management has reworked the previously envisioned
Candelaria Underground Expansion Project (CUGEP) to a lower capital-intensive option with only marginally lower production rates. The expansion opportunity includes the insourcing ofLundin Mining's underground mining contract, which is anticipated to provide incremental copper production gains from higher productivity rates through better mechanical availability and higher development rates. Through initiatives identified, underground throughput capacity could increase by 50% to 60% (to ~22,000 tonnes per day) from current levels (12,000 to 14,000 tonnes per day). The Company forecasts that this could increase annual copper production at Candelaria by approximately 10% or 14,000 tonnes of copper per year at a low cost of capital. - Caserones: While leaching improvements have incrementally increased cathode production over recent quarters, the cathode plant remains underutilized. The Company forecasts that through continued improvements with its leaching practices and additional oxide material, incremental future production can be realized in the range of 7,000 – 10,000 tonnes of copper per year.
- Chapada: Internal scoping studies for the Saúva project have identified the potential to add approximately 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of copper production per year and 50,000 to 60,000 ounces of gold production per year, representing 50% and 100% production increases at Chapada for copper and gold respectively. This brownfield project is ~15 km from the Chapada mine and is undergoing a prefeasibility study, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
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Eagle: Exploration is underway at the Boulderdash project where
Lundin Mining has entered into exclusivity for a 70% earn-in agreement with Talon Metals Corp. (seeLundin Mining's News Release datedMarch 5, 2025 ). The Boulderdash exploration properties are adjacent to the Company's Eagle mine. Exploration success at Boulderdash could meaningfully extend the life of mine at Eagle.
In addition to the growth initiatives at its operations,
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Vicu
ña Project: The recently published Mineral Resource estimate for the Vicuña Project highlights one of the world's largest copper, gold and silver Mineral Resources, with the potential to support a globally ranked mining complex. The Company continues to advance the integrated study of
Filo del Sol and Josemaria, which is expected to be completed in Q1 2026. The integrated study will outline a development concept for the combined project, including a production profile and capital estimate.
Financial Outlook
The Company continues to return capital to investors targeting an annual distribution of
Webcast / Conference Call Details:
Date:
Time:
Webcast: WEBCAST LINK or https://lundin-mining.videosync.fi/cmd-2025/register
An archive of the webcast will be available at www.lundinmining.com after the event.
2025 Guidance Updates
In addition, the Company is providing an update on its cash cost and capital expenditures guidance.
The Company remains on track to meet annual consolidated production guidance for copper, gold and nickel. Total consolidated copper production for the two months April and
Cash cost guidance at Chapada has been reduced as cash costs continue to benefit from increased realized prices on by-product gold sales and weaker local currency while the cash cost guidance for the other assets remains unchanged. As a result, the consolidated cash cost4 guidance is being reduced from
Annual sustaining capital expenditure5 guidance has remained at
2025 Production and Cash Cost Guidance
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Guidancea |
Revised Guidance |
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|
(contained metal) |
Production |
Cash Cost ($/lb)b |
Production |
Cash Cost ($/lb)b,c |
|
|
Copper (t) |
Candelaria (100%) |
140,000 – 150,000 |
1.80 – 2.00 |
140,000 – 150,000 |
1.80 – 2.00 |
|
|
Caserones (100%) |
115,000 – 125,000 |
2.40 – 2.60 |
115,000 – 125,000 |
2.40 – 2.60 |
|
|
Chapada |
40,000 – 45,000 |
1.80 – 2.00d |
40,000 – 45,000 |
1.30 – 1.50 d |
|
|
Eagle |
8,000 – 10,000 |
|
8,000 – 10,000 |
|
|
|
Total |
303,000 – 330,000 |
2.05 – 2.30 |
303,000 – 330,000 |
1.95 – 2.15 |
|
Gold (koz) |
Candelaria (100%)e |
78 – 88 |
|
78 – 88 |
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|
|
Chapada |
57 – 62 |
|
57 – 62 |
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|
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Total |
135 – 150 |
|
135 – 150 |
|
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Nickel (t) |
Eagle |
8,000 – 11,000 |
3.05 – 3.25 |
8,000 – 11,000 |
3.05 – 3.25 |
a. Guidance as outlined in the news release "Lundin Mining Announces Record Production Results for 2024 and Provides 2025 Guidance" dated
b. Cash cost is a non-GAAP measure. For equivalent historical non-GAAP 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 |
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c. 2025 revised projected cash costs are based on various assumptions and estimates, including but not limited to: production volumes, commodity prices (Cu: d. Chapada's cash cost is calculated on a by-product basis and does not include the effects of its copper stream agreements. Effects of the copper stream agreements are reflected in copper revenue and will impact realized price per pound. |
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e. 68% of Candelaria's total gold and silver production are subject to a streaming agreement. Cash costs are calculated based on receipt of approximately |
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2025 Capital Expenditure Guidanceb,c
|
($ millions) |
Guidancea |
Revisions |
Revised Guidance |
|
Candelaria (100% basis) |
205 |
- |
205 |
|
Caserones (100% basis) |
215 |
(15) |
200 |
|
Chapada |
85 |
15 |
100 |
|
Eagle |
25 |
- |
25 |
|
Total Sustaining |
530 |
- |
530 |
|
Expansionary - Candelaria (100% basis) |
50 |
- |
50 |
|
Expansionary - Vicuña Joint Arrangement (50% basis) |
155 |
60 |
215 |
|
Total Capital Expenditures |
735 |
60 |
795 |
a. Guidance as outlined in the news release "Lundin Mining Announces Record Production Results for 2024 and Provides 2025 Guidance" dated |
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b. Sustaining capital expenditure is a supplementary financial measure, and expansionary capital expenditure is a non-GAAP measure. For more information and 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 c. Capital expenditures are based on various assumptions and estimates, including, but not limited to foreign currency exchange rates (2025 - CLP/USD:950, USD/BRL:5.50) |
Qualified Persons
The scientific and technical information in this press release has been prepared in accordance with the disclosure standards of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") and has been reviewed and approved by Eduardo Cortés, Registered Member (Comisión Calificadora de Competencias en Recursos y Reservas Mineras (
About
Historical Non-GAAP Measure Comparatives
Cash cost, adjusted operating cash flow, free cash flow from operations, adjusted free cash flow from operations, EBITDA and expansionary capital expenditures are non-GAAP financial measures and sustaining capital expenditures is a supplementary financial measure. These performance measures have no standardized meaning within 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
Adjusted free cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as cash flow provided by operating activities, excluding general exploration and business development costs and deducting sustaining capital expenditures (as separately defined) and non-cash working capital items. Adjusted free cash flow from operations is indicative of the Company's ability to generate cash from its operations after consideration of required sustaining capital expenditure necessary to maintain existing production levels, and removing the impact of working capital, which can experience volatility from period-to-period.
Cash Cost – Year Ended
Operations |
Candelaria |
Caserones |
Chapada |
Eagle |
|
|
($thousands, unless otherwise noted) |
(Cu) |
(Cu) |
(Cu) |
(Ni) |
|
Total continuing |
Sales volumes (Contained metal): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tonnes |
158,017 |
113,867 |
39,615 |
5,662 |
|
|
Pounds (000s) |
348,367 |
251,033 |
87,336 |
12,483 |
|
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Production costs |
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|
|
|
|
1,898,627 |
Less: Royalties and other |
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|
|
|
|
(84,501) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,814,126 |
Deduct: By-product credits |
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|
|
|
|
(504,431) |
Add: Treatment and refining |
|
|
|
|
|
113,565 |
Cash cost |
603,533 |
629,582 |
137,714 |
52,431 |
|
1,423,260 |
Cash cost per pound ($/lb) |
1.73 |
2.51 |
1.58 |
4.20 |
|
|
Adjusted Operating Cash Flow – Year Ended
($thousands) |
|
Cash provided by operating activities related to continuing operations |
1,300,848 |
Changes in non-cash working capital items |
(220,880) |
Adjusted operating cash flow — continuing operations |
1,079,968 |
Free Cash Flow from Operations and Adjusted Free Cash Flow from Operations – Year Ended
($thousands) |
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating activities related to continuing operations |
1,300,848 |
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Sustaining capital expenditures |
(549,100) |
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General exploration and business development |
45,352 |
||
Free cash flow from operations — continuing operations |
797,100 |
||
Deduct: Changes in non-cash working capital items |
(220,880) |
||
Adjusted free cash flow from operations — continuing operations |
576,220 |
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|
|
|
EBITDA – Year Ended
($thousands) |
|
|
|
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Net earnings (loss) — continuing operations |
|
153,354 |
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Add back: |
|
|
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization |
|
607,744 |
|||
Finance costs, net |
|
141,455 |
|||
Income taxes expense |
|
229,973 |
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EBITDA — continuing operations |
|
1,132,526 |
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|
|
|
|
|
Capital Expenditures – Year Ended
($ thousands) |
Sustaining |
Expansionary |
Capitalized Interest |
Total |
|||
Candelaria |
275,720 |
— |
— |
275,720 |
|||
Caserones |
143,965 |
— |
— |
143,965 |
|||
Chapada |
107,843 |
— |
— |
107,843 |
|||
Eagle |
21,222 |
— |
— |
21,222 |
|||
Josemaria |
— |
243,566 |
14,641 |
258,207 |
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Other |
350 |
— |
— |
350 |
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Continuing Operations |
549,100 |
243,556 |
14,641 |
807,307 |
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Capital expenditures are reported on a cash basis, as presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Expansionary capital expenditures are non-GAAP measures. See the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended |
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Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein are "forward-looking information", "future oriented financial information" and "financial outlook" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking information" herein) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. The purpose of disclosing future oriented financial information and financial outlook is to provide a general overview of management's expectations
regarding the anticipated results of operations including earnings and cash generated therefrom and costs thereof and readers are cautioned that future oriented financial information and financial outlook may not be appropriate for other purposes.
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 the results of operations; expected financial performance, including expected revenue, costs and expenditures, earnings, cash flows and other financial metrics; the Company's growth initiatives, and the potential costs, outcomes, results and impacts thereof and timing thereof; forecasted metal prices; permitting requirements and timelines; timing and possible outcome of pending litigation; the results of any Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pre-Feasibility Study, Feasibility Study, or Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimations, life of mine estimates, and mine and mine closure plans; anticipated market prices of metals, currency exchange rates and interest rates; the Company's shareholder distribution policy, including with respect to share buybacks and the payment and amount of dividends and the timing thereof; the development and implementation of the Company's Responsible Mining Management System; the Company's ability to comply with contractual and permitting or other regulatory requirements; anticipated exploration and development activities, including potential outcomes, results, impacts and timing thereof; the Company's integration of acquisitions and expansions and any anticipated benefits thereof, including the anticipated project development and other plans and expectations with respect to the Vicuña Project and the 50/50 joint arrangement with BHP; Mineral Resource estimation for the Vicuña Project, including the parameters and assumptions related thereto; the Company's plans, prospects and business strategies; the operation of Vicuña with BHP; the realization of synergies and economies of scale in the Vicuña district; the development and future operation of the Vicuña Project; the timing and expectations for future studies with respect to the Company's operations and projects, including the Vicuña Project and the Saúva Project; the potential for resource expansion; the terms of the contingent payments in respect of the completion of the sale of the Company's European assets and expectations related thereto; the earn-in arrangement in respect of the Boulderdash properties, including the entering into of an option agreement in respect thereof and the terms of such option agreement; future actions taken by Talon Metals Corp. and
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; 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 is 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, except as required by applicable law.
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1 This is a non-GAAP measure. For more information and 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 |
2 Adjusted free cash flow from operations is a non-GAAP measure that adjusts free cash flow from operations to exclude changes in working capital items. For more information and a reconciliation to historical comparatives of free cash flow, 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 |
3 Lundin Mining's five-year financial outlook is indicative in nature and subject to change. The indicative five-year financial outlook is based on long-term commodity prices of |
4 This is a non-GAAP measure. For more information and 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 |
5 Sustaining capital is a supplementary financial measure, and expansionary capital expenditure is a non-GAAP measure. For more information and 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 |
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