Three Valley Copper Corp. ("
TVC" or the
"
Company") today announced its operating and
financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2021. The Company is focused on growing copper production from, and
further exploration of, its primary asset, Minera Tres Valles SpA
("
MTV"). Located in Salamanca, Chile, MTV is 91.1%
owned by the Company and MTV's main assets are the Minera Tres
Valles mining complex and its 46,000 hectares of exploratory lands.
The Company's financial statements and management's discussion and
analysis ("
MD&A") are available at
www.threevalleycopper.com and www.sedar.com.
Recent Highlights
Corporate
- The Company,
through its indirectly held subsidiary (SRH Chile SpA), subscribed
for additional common shares of MTV for approximately $1.0 million,
resulting in the Company's indirect holding of MTV increasing from
90.3% to 91.1% effective August 16, 2021.
- On October 4,
2021, the Company delivered to the minority shareholder of MTV (the
"Minority Shareholder") the required written
notice of its intention to acquire the remaining interest in MTV
held by the Minority Shareholder as per the call option notice
requirements of the MTV shareholders' agreement.
- On October 20,
2021, the Company engaged an independent financial advisor to
review and evaluate potential alternatives that may further
maximize value for the shareholders of the Company. These
alternatives may include, inter alia, potential mergers, strategic
partnerships, acquisition or dispositions of assets and/or
refinancing or amending terms of the Company's long-term debt.
- On November 25,
2021, the Company successfully closed a bought-deal offering (the
"Bought-Deal Financing") and issued a total of
56,681,000 units (the “Units”) and 819,000
additional common share purchase warrants (each, an
“Additional Warrant”) at an
offering price of CAD$0.32 per Unit, for gross proceeds of CAD$18.2
million. Each Unit consists of one common share in the capital of
the Company and one common share purchase warrant (each a
“Warrant”). Each Additional Warrant and each
Warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at an
exercise price of CAD$0.45 for a period of 30 months from the
closing of the Bought-Deal Financing.
- Prior to closing
the Bought-Deal Financing, the Company and its subsidiaries
executed an undertaking agreement (the
"Undertaking") with the MTV senior secured lenders
(the "Lenders") to amend the loan repayment terms
of the secured prepayment facility entered into with the Lenders
and amended as part of MTV's Judicial Reorganization Agreement (the
"Amended Facility"). The Company and the Lenders
have undertaken to execute a binding agreement to amend the loan
repayment terms of the Amended Facility on or prior to September
30, 2022. Under the terms of the Undertaking the Lenders have
agreed not to accelerate or enforce their rights or remedies under
the Amended Facility should MTV fail to (i) make scheduled loan
repayments on March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022
and/or (ii) replenish the operating reserve account to reestablish
the minimum reserve as required under the Amended Facility (each, a
"Specific Event of Default"). As per the terms of
the Undertaking, the forbearance period is from November 22, 2021
to October 1, 2022. The Undertaking also provides that the net
proceeds of the Bought-Deal Financing that closed on November 25,
2021 will not be used to repay any of the loans outstanding under
the Amended Facility during the forbearance period. The Lenders
will cease to be bound by the Undertaking (i) should the Company
not invest the net proceeds received on CAD$16 million of the
Bought-Deal Financing into MTV between the closing of the financing
on November 25, 2021 and April 30, 2022, (ii) if an event of
default occurs under the Amended Facility other than a Specified
Event of Default, or (iii) if the Company and the Lenders fail to
enter into a definitive agreement by September 30, 2022, pursuant
to which the loan repayment schedule in the Amended Facility is
revised.
Operations
- The Company
continued to further advance the development of Papomono during the
third quarter of 2021. MTV completed the critical ventilation shaft
and the ore pass, which will further accelerate the speed of its
continued advance. As at October 31, 2021, the development of
Papomono is approximately 77% complete and 87% of the required
meters to begin producing have been completed.
- In August 2021,
MTV negotiated an extension of its underground development
contractor’s contract to include the remaining development work
following the initial construction and development phase of the
block caving project. This has enabled the contractor to have more
success with their recruiting efforts of skilled workers, and as a
result, performance improved significantly in August, September,
and October with over 200 meters of advancement each month, a rate
not seen since the construction began. The block caving
construction project is on track for completion in early 2022 with
the planned ramp-up of production during 2022.
- Effective August
1, 2021 MTV entered into an amendment to the offtake agreement (the
"Offtake") specific to the fixed price sales
component with Anglo American Marketing Limited
("AAML"). Under the terms of the amendment, the
remaining monthly deliveries of copper cathodes due under the fixed
price portion of the Offtake are deferred until May 1, 2022 and all
sales of copper cathodes commencing August 1, 2021 until April 30,
2022 will be sold at the prevailing spot price for copper cathode,
less a nominal amount.
- Copper cathode
production was 1,138 tonnes at an average grade of 0.52%,
increasing production 10% from 1,035 tonnes at an average grade of
0.53% for the three months ended June 30, 2021, mainly due to a
higher average grade of ore purchased from third-party small miners
and Empresa Nacional de Minera ("ENAMI") compared
to the second quarter of 2021.
- For the nine
months ended September 30, 2021, capital expenditures of $9.3
million were incurred related to the construction and development
of the incline block caving mine at the Papomono Masivo
deposit.
Financial
- Reported gross
loss of $0.9 million on a realized average copper price2 of $3.58
compared to $2.82 in Q3 2020.
- Adjusted EBITDA
from continuing operations1 of negative $0.4 million compared to
negative $0.9 million in Q3 2020.
- Net loss per
share attributable to owners of the Company of $0.02 compared to
$0.01 in Q3 2020.
- During September
2021, the Company drew down the remaining $6 million loan facility
available to it under the terms of the Amended Facility. This
additional senior secured debt has substantially the same security
and terms as defined in the Amended Facility but with a fixed
annual interest rate of 11%.
Commenting on the results, Michael Staresinic,
President and Chief Executive Officer of TVC stated, "This past
quarter showed a marked improvement with our flagship project, the
construction and development of our underground mine, Papomono.
Since the renegotiation of this contract in August, the contractor
has performed much better than we previously experienced with multi
200-meter month advancements. We are approaching 90% completion of
the required meters to begin producing and expect our first caving
of ore to begin in January 2022."
"As we continued our assessment of Papomono
during the quarter given its paramount importance to the Company,
it was concluded that to further ensure its successful ramp-up
during 2022 and maximize its economic benefit, we decided to bring
forward sustaining capital expenditures originally planned for
later years to 2022. This decision came at a time when our open pit
operations at Don Gabriel continued its underperformance delivering
less ore at a lower grade that will lead to cathode production at
the lower end of our 2021 revised guidance. The Company's original
plan for 2021 included reinvesting the cash flows delivered by Don
Gabriel to fund development of Papomono but unfortunately, this has
not happened and we foresaw near-term capital stresses to the
business. Our announced strategic review in October was, in part,
to help address this and quickly led to a required near-term
financing raising gross proceeds of C$18.2 million."
"With this financing we eliminated the
short-term liquidity issue that was on the horizon allowing us to
continue completing Papomono in January 2022 and increasing
production in 2022. The completion of Papomono continues to be our
focus and any deviation or delay would be value destructive to
stakeholders. Our senior lenders agreed with us and as a condition
of the financing, continued their strong partnership by agreeing to
forbear on the debt repayments due in the first three quarters of
2022 while we together continue to renegotiate new repayment terms
of the senior debt facility."
"This new capital also allows the strategic
review process to move forward without undue pressure. This new
capital secures a better future for the MTV project and assists the
strategic review process underway which ultimately we believe will
increase shareholder value."
"Our exploration program continues and with over
46,000 hectares available to explore with highly prospective
exploration targets including the 100 outcrop copper occurrences
identified and 170,000 meters of diamond drilling performed by
previous owners, we expect to provide preliminary results from this
campaign in the first half of 2022. We hope this is the beginning
of a multi-year exploration program and expansion of the copper
resources contained in our land tenure."
"We are very proud of our health and safety
record with every health and safety statistic reporting below the
country averages and specific to COVID-19, our initiated on-site
vaccination program has resulted in approximately 94% of the
workforce receiving both doses of the vaccine and nearly 100% of
the workforce has opted to participate. We have already begun a
booster shot program to supplement this."
Much has been accomplished by the team in Chile
during 2021 through a restart of mining operations all complicated
by the complexities of COVID-19. The copper price has remained
above $4 per pound for almost all of 2021 and we see this level of
support continuing. And the longer this trend continues, the more
capital and attention the industry will attract. Three Valley
Copper will not be overlooked. TVC is uniquely positioned among
junior copper companies to take advantage of this coming cycle -
fully built infrastructure, producing operations with defined
deposits and, a rich land package in a very good neighborhood."
Operational Results Summary
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
Operating information |
Sept. 30, 2021 |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Sept. 30, 2021 |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Copper (MTV Operations) |
|
|
|
|
Total ore mined (thousands of tonnes) |
178 |
|
49 |
|
550 |
|
351 |
|
Grade of ore mined (% Cu) |
0.52 |
% |
0.88 |
% |
0.54 |
% |
0.86 |
% |
Total waste mined (thousands of tonnes) |
739 |
|
118 |
|
1,358 |
|
853 |
|
Ore Processed (thousands of tonnes) |
231 |
|
90 |
|
680 |
|
474 |
|
Cu Production (tonnes) |
1,138 |
|
1,077 |
|
3,073 |
|
3,789 |
|
Cu Production (thousands of pounds) |
2,509 |
|
2,374 |
|
6,775 |
|
8,353 |
|
Change in inventory ($000s) |
$ |
3,563 |
|
(11 |
) |
$ |
10,427 |
|
(4,421 |
) |
Cash cost of copper produced 1 (USD per pound) |
$ |
3.40 |
|
$ |
2.44 |
|
$ |
3.49 |
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
Realized copper price 2 (USD per pound) |
$ |
3.58 |
|
$ |
2.82 |
|
$ |
3.48 |
|
$ |
2.46 |
|
1 Cash cost per pound of copper produced
includes all costs absorbed into inventory including inventory
write-downs less non-cash items such as depreciation and non-site
charges. It is a non-IFRS performance measure. Refer to Non-IFRS
Performance Measures.
2 Realized copper price is a non-IFRS
performance measures. Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures.
Ore Production
- Ore mined of
165,222 tonnes at a grade of 0.47% from Don Gabriel representing
93% of ore mined.
- 73% of ore
processed from Don Gabriel; 22% from third-party small miners and
ENAMI; 5% from Papomono Masivo.
- Produced 2.5
million pounds of 99.99% pure copper cathodes at a cash cost per
pound produced1 of $3.40.
- Sold 2.3 million
pounds of copper cathodes at an average realized copper price2 of
$3.58 per pound.
- High unit costs
expected throughout 2021 and into 2022 as the Company expects to
operate below capacity until Papomono Masivo is in full
production.
Construction and Development of Papomono
Masivo
- Mineral reserve
estimate for Papomono Masivo is 3,067kt of proven and probable
mineral reserves (at a copper grade of 1.51%).
- Block caving
construction 77% complete and 87% of the required meters to begin
producing have been completed as at October 31, 2021 with 19 opened
construction fronts.
- High grade ore
being extracted as part of construction process.
- In August 2021,
MTV negotiated an extension of the underground contractor, Aura,
contract to include the remaining development work following the
initial construction and development phase of the block caving
project. This has enabled Aura to have more success with their
recruiting efforts of skilled workers.
- Aura delivered
significantly improved performance since August 2021 with over 200
meters of advance per month from August to October. October 2021
was the best month since commencement of the project with 220
meters of advance. The block caving construction project is on
track for completion in early 2022.
Exploration
- In September
2021, the Company commenced its 2021 near mine exploration drilling
program on MTV focused on testing high-potential copper targets
located between Don Gabriel and Papomono, which sit approximately 3
kilometers apart.
- On September 28,
2021, the Company announced that it has identified a new porphyry
target in its license area. The identified central core has
dimensions of approximately 2km by 1km. This target is an example
of the broader potential of this property as copper porphyry
deposits are associated with some of the largest long life copper
mines in the world, with Chile hosting the greatest concentration
of these deposits.
- Dr. John
Mortimer, senior exploration geologist, is leading the Company's
explorations activities and executing the exploration program at
MTV.
- Significant
strategic land package of over 46,000 hectares.
- Property in the
well-known copper producing Coquimbo region which has Antofogasta
Minerals’ Los Pelambres mine located approximately 50 kilometers to
the east of MTV.
- With more than
100 copper outcrop occurrences and 70 artisanal mining sites with
geological characteristics similar to that of the Papomono and Don
Gabriel orebodies, together with near-term infill drilling
opportunities, the Company believes there is significant
exploration potential.
COVID-19
- Beginning in
March 2021 and in conjunction with the Chilean Ministry of Mining,
the Ministry of Health and the Regional Mining Secretary of
Coquimbo, MTV initiated an on-site vaccination program by offering
vaccinations to all MTV employees and contractors. To date, 2021,
approximately 94% of the workforce have received both doses of the
vaccine and nearly 100% of the workforce has opted to
participate.
- MTV continued
its vaccination campaign in October 2021, offering booster shots on
site to all workers.
- In the third
quarter of 2021, COVID-19 restrictions eased in Chile as cases
trended downward, resulting in little impact on the Company's
operations during this period. Should these restrictions reappear
in the future, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s
business activities will create elevated uncertainty and may
further impact production and previous guidance.
- The Company
continues its preventative, mitigating and containment measures to
actively minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Financial Results Summary
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
Financial information (in thousands) |
Sept. 30, 2021 |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Sept. 30, 2021 |
Sept. 30, 2020 |
Revenue |
$ |
8,362 |
|
$ |
5,610 |
|
$ |
22,873 |
|
$ |
17,700 |
|
Gross loss |
$ |
881 |
|
$ |
552 |
|
$ |
3,070 |
|
$ |
9,546 |
|
Net loss from continuing operations |
$ |
1,474 |
|
$ |
335 |
|
$ |
9,407 |
|
$ |
21,167 |
|
Net loss from discontinued operations |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
2,241 |
|
Net loss for the period |
$ |
1,474 |
|
$ |
335 |
|
$ |
9,407 |
|
$ |
23,408 |
|
Net loss per share attributable to owners of the Company |
$ |
0.02 |
|
$ |
0.01 |
|
$ |
0.16 |
|
$ |
0.48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA from continuing operations 1 |
$ |
2,254 |
|
$ |
1,873 |
|
$ |
1,347 |
|
$ |
(12,695 |
) |
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations 1 |
$ |
(392 |
) |
$ |
(926 |
) |
$ |
440 |
|
$ |
(4,529 |
) |
Gain (loss) on portfolio investments |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
1,038 |
|
$ |
107 |
|
$ |
(1,294 |
) |
Impairment of non-current assets |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
(7,628 |
) |
Reversal (write-down) of inventory |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
665 |
|
$ |
(2,474 |
) |
$ |
(3,441 |
) |
Gain on modification of debt |
$ |
— |
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
3,487 |
|
Cash used in operating activities before working capital
changes |
$ |
(1,229 |
) |
$ |
(1,097 |
) |
$ |
(103 |
) |
$ |
(4,412 |
) |
1 Refer to Non-IFRS Performance Measures
Financial Results
Revenues of $8.4 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2021 were generated predominantly from the sale
of copper cathodes. Finished goods inventory at September 30,
2021 was approximately $2.9 million. Copper cathodes sold for the
three months ended September 30, 2021 of 1,060 tonnes was higher
than the comparative quarter in 2020 of 858 tonnes with their
respective revenues based on an average realized copper price of
$3.58 per pound and $2.82 per pound.
The Company reported a gross loss of $0.9
million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, mainly due
to higher operating costs resulting from lower-than-expected grades
of the ore mined from Don Gabriel. A reversal of previous
write-down of inventory of $0.7 million that was recorded as a
decrease to cost of sales offset the gross loss of $0.6 million for
the comparable quarter.
Revenues of $22.9 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2021 were generated predominantly from the sale
of copper cathodes. Copper cathodes sold for the nine months ended
September 30, 2021 of 2,975 tonnes was lower than the comparative
period in 2020 of 3,068 tonnes. The decrease in tonnes of the
copper cathodes sold in 2021 was more than offset by the average
realized copper price of $3.48 per pound, which increased by 41%
from $2.46 per pound in the nine months ended September 30,
2020.
The Company reported a gross loss of $3.1
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 that includes
a write-down of inventory, net of reversals of $2.5 million that is
recorded as an increase to cost of sales. Included in the gross
loss of $9.5 million for the comparable period, is a write-down of
inventory, net of reversals of $3.4 million that is recorded as an
increase to cost of sales.
In accordance with the Offtake with AAML, MTV
sold 46% of its copper cathode production at $2.89 per pound for
the three months ended September 30, 2021. This percentage is
higher than the expected 40% as copper cathode production was lower
during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 than was
anticipated when the fixed priced portion of the contract was
entered into.
Effective August 1, 2021 MTV entered into an
amendment to the Offtake specific to the fixed prices sales
component with AAML. Under the terms of the amendment, the
remaining monthly deliveries of copper cathodes due under the fixed
price portion of the Offtake are deferred until May 1, 2022 and all
sales of copper cathodes commencing August 1, 2021 until April 30,
2022 will be sold at the prevailing spot price for copper cathode,
less a nominal amount. The remaining 12 months of contracted
delivery amounts of the fixed price portion of the contract will
resume on May 1, 2022 at the previous agreed fixed price of $2.89
per pound.
The increasing copper price together with MTV's
obligation to sell a set amount of its production at $2.89 per
pound affected the economics of purchasing ore from third-party
small miners at market until July 31, 2021, but thereafter, the
amendment to the Offtake significantly benefited ore supply from
third-party small miners. The amendment allowed the Company to
purchase ore from third-party miners at more competitive rates
driving a progressive increase in ore supply up to October 2021,
when MTV purchased over 21,000 tonnes of ore from third-party
miners, which was 17% above the expected 18,000 tonnes.
The Company's general and administrative expense
for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $1.3
million and $3.2 million compared to $0.8 million and $3.2 million,
respectively, in the comparative periods, showing an increase in
marketing expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2021,
compared to the same period of 2020.
Finance expenses for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2021 totaled $2.4 million and $6.8 million
compared to $1.2 million and $4.5 million, respectively, in the
comparative periods, as the average balance of the Company's
long-term debt grew. Given the current grace period achieved for
the long-term debt under MTV's restructuring in 2020, cash interest
payments made during the three and nine months ended September 30,
2021 amounted to $1.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
The Company reported a quarterly net loss
attributable to owners of the Company of $1.3 million or $0.02 per
share. Adjusted EBITDA (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures) from
continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2021
was negative $0.4 million or $0.01 per share. For the comparable
quarter in 2020, the Company reported a net loss attributable to
owners of the Company of $0.3 million or $0.01 per share and
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of negative $0.9 million
or $0.03 per share.
In the first three quarters of 2021, the Company
reported a net loss attributable to owners of the Company of $7.6
million or $0.16 per share. Adjusted EBITDA (see Non-IFRS Financial
Measures) from continuing operations for the nine months ended
September 30, 2021 was $0.4 million or $0.01 per share. For the
comparable quarters of 2020, the Company reported a net loss
attributable to owners of the Company of $16.2 million or $0.48 per
share and Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of negative
$4.5 million or $0.14 per share.
In the first three quarters of 2021, cash used
in operating activities was $9.8 million (cash used of $0.1 million
before changes in non-cash components of working capital), compared
with 2020 when cash used in operating activities was $2.4 million
(cash used of $4.4 million before changes in non-cash components of
working capital).
Cash Position, Working Capital and Net Debt
Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $6.7
million at September 30, 2021 from $12.0 million at
December 31, 2020 mainly due to $9.8 million used in operating
activities, $7.7 million of disbursed capital expenditures mainly
related to the construction and development of Papomono Masivo and
$1.8 million of interest payments; all partially offset by $8.3
million of net proceeds from the April 2021 bought deal financing,
$6.2 million of net proceeds from loans and borrowings and $0.4
million of net proceeds from the exercise of warrants.
The Company has working capital (see Non-IFRS
Financial Measures) of $3.1 million at September 30, 2021 and
approximately $27.5 million as at the date hereof. Cash position as
at the date hereof is approximately $17.8 million.
The Company is substantially leveraged. The
Company's net debt (see Non-IFRS Financial Measures) at
September 30, 2021 was $67.1 million. The Company's debt
position continues to increase as it capitalizes interest and
remains in a grace period for the majority of its debt (see the
Undertaking in Recent Highlights previously).
Health and Safety
For the three months ended September 30, 2021,
there was no Lost-Time Incident. MTV's annual injury frequency
index continues to remain below the average of the mining industry
in Chile. The Company and MTV devote considerable time and effort
to ensure that workers and contractors return safely to their
families after each shift. Safety statistics are monitored and
compared to the country and peer averages, and MTV pro-actively
engages in education and assessment to achieve a goal of zero
lost-time incidents.
Community and Environment
MTV continues to actively work with local
communities and stakeholders and for the three months ended
September 30, 2021, the MTV Foundation continued the funding of
projects agreed to by the MTV Foundation board, which is largely
composed of community representatives to help MTV understand the
true needs of its neighbors, such as starting an eco-friendly
cooperative at a local school. MTV’s ore purchase program also
ensures support from local miners, buying ore from over 26
providers and supporting the development of over 300 small-scale
miners through local mining unions.
Ongoing Arbitration
As previously disclosed, the Company is involved
in an arbitration proceeding with the Minority Shareholder of MTV.
The arbitration proceeding is continuing and no further material
developments have occurred. The Company remains confident in its
position and is monitoring the arbitration proceeding and its
process closely.
Qualified Persons
The scientific and technical content contained
in this news release is taken from the technical report (the
"Technical Report") entitled “Minera Tres Valles
Copper Project, Salamanca, Coquimbo Region, Chile NI 43-101
Technical Report” prepared by Dr Antonio Luraschi, RM CMC, Manager
of Metallurgic Development and Senior Financial Analyst, Wood, Mr
Alfonso Ovalle, RM CMC, Mining Engineer, Wood, Mr Michael G.
Hester, FAusIMM, Vice President and Principal Mining Engineer,
Independent Mining Consultants, Inc., Mr Enrique Quiroga, RM CMC,
Mining Engineer, Q&Q Ltda, Mr Gabriel Vera, RM CMC,
Metallurgical Process Consultant, GVMetallurgy, and Mr Sergio
Alvarado, RM CMC, Consultant Geologist, General Manager and
Partner, Geoinvestment Sergio Alvarado Casas E.I.R.L. all of whom
were independent qualified persons as defined by NI 43-101 at the
time the Technical Report was prepared. The Technical Report was
filed by TVC on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on December 14, 2018 and
subsequently amended and restated on May 27, 2021. Readers are
encouraged to read the Technical Report in its entirety except for
certain sections withdrawn by the Company in relation to disclosure
regarding the Preliminary Economic Assessment appearing in the
Technical Report (see press release dated April 12, 2021).
About Three Valley Copper Corp.
TVC, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
is focused on growing copper production from, and further
exploration of, its primary asset, Minera Tres Valles SpA. Located
in Salamanca, Chile, MTV is 91.1% owned by the Company and MTV's
main assets are the Minera Tres Valles mining complex and its
46,000 hectares of exploratory lands. For more information about
TVC, please visit www.threevalleycopper.com.
Non-IFRS Performance Measures
"Cash costs", "EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA",
"Realized copper price", "Working Capital" and "Net Debt" are
non-IFRS performance measures. These non-IFRS performance measures
do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These
measures may differ from those used by, and may not be comparable
to such measures as reported by, other issuers. The Company
believes that these measures are commonly used by certain
investors, in conjunction with conventional IFRS measures, to
enhance their understanding of the Company’s performance. For
further information and a detailed reconciliation of each non-IFRS
measure used in this press release to the most directly comparable
IFRS measure, please refer to the Company’s MD&A and
accompanying TVC financial statements filed on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking
Information
Certain statements in this news release, contain
forward-looking information (collectively referred to herein as the
"Forward-Looking Statements") within the meaning
of applicable Canadian securities laws. The use of any of the words
"expect", "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "may", "will",
"project", "should", "believe", "plans", "intends" and similar
expressions are intended to identify Forward-Looking Statements. In
particular, but without limiting the foregoing, this news release
contains Forward-Looking Statements pertaining to: future outcomes
and expectations related to MTV's ongoing operations, impacts of a
favorable copper price environment in the future; expectations
regarding the costs and timing of constructing Papomono Masivo
including impacts of the labour market in Chile; impacts of
COVID-19 and the Company’s and MTV’s precautions to manage and
mitigate same; expectations regarding production following
construction and ability and timing of generation of cash flow; the
sale of copper at prevailing market prices under the offtake
agreement improving cash flow; ongoing geopolitical risks in Chile;
expectations regarding the Company's revised 2021 guidance; the
long-term mine plan at Papomono Masivo and the timing in respect of
production growth therefrom; future block caving efforts and the
expected benefits therefrom and timing thereof; expectations
regarding exploration, the cost, timing and success of such
initiatives; and MTV's labour and health and safety initiatives and
expectations.
Although TVC believes that the Forward-Looking
Statements are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future
results, performance or achievements. A number of factors or
assumptions have been used to develop the Forward-Looking
Statements, including: there being no additional significant
disruptions affecting the development and operation of MTV; the
availability of certain consumables (including water) and services
and the prices for power and other key supplies being approximately
consistent with assumptions in the Technical Report; labour and
materials costs being approximately consistent with assumptions in
the Technical Report; fixed operating costs being approximately
consistent with assumptions in the Technical Report; permitting and
arrangements with stakeholders being consistent with current
expectations as outlined in the Technical Report; certain tax
rates, including the allocation of certain tax attributes, being
applicable to MTV; the availability of financing for the Company's
and MTV’s planned operations and development activities;
assumptions made in mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates
and the financial analysis based on these estimates, including (as
applicable), but not limited to, geological interpretation, grades,
commodity price assumptions, metallurgical performance, extraction
and mining recovery rates, hydrological and hydrogeological
assumptions, capital and operating cost estimates, and general
marketing, political, business and economic conditions, the
continued availability of quality management, critical accounting
estimates, all terms of the restructuring agreement and facility
agreement to which MTV and the Company are parties will be
satisfied in the future including no events of default, existing
water supply will continue, supplemental water availability will
continue, the geopolitical risk of Chile will remain stable,
including risks related to labour disputes, the construction and
expansion of mining operations including the Papomono Masivo
incline block caving underground mining project, as well as the
timing thereof and production therefrom; the timing of production
and results for the recently restarted Don Gabriel mine; and
expected timelines for drawdown and repayment of indebtedness of
MTV.
Actual results, performance or achievements
could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the
Forward-Looking Statements should assumptions underlying the
Forward-Looking Statements prove incorrect or should one or more
risks or other factors materialize, including: (i) possible
variations in grade or recovery rates; (ii) copper price
fluctuations and uncertainties; (iii) delays in obtaining
governmental approvals or financing; (iv) risks associated with the
mining industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development,
exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect
to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the
uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to mineral
reserves, production, costs and expenses; and labour, health,
safety and environmental risks) and risks associated with the other
portfolio companies' industries in general; (v) performance of the
counterparty to the ENAMI Contract; (vi) risks associated with
investments in emerging markets; (vii) general economic, market and
business conditions; (viii) market volatility that would affect the
ability to enter or exit investments; (ix) failure to secure
additional financing in the future on acceptable terms to the
Company, if at all; (x) commodity price and foreign exchange
fluctuations and uncertainties; (xi) risks associated with
catastrophic events, manmade disasters, terrorist attacks, wars and
other conflicts, or an outbreak of a public health pandemic or
other public health crises, including COVID-19; (xii) being
inconsistent those risks disclosed under the heading "Risk
Management" in TVC’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the
period ended December 31, 2020; and (xiii) being inconsistent with
current expectations including, without limitation, the impact of
any political tensions and uncertainty in Chile, or actions taken
by any local or national government, including but not limited to
amendments to mining laws and regulatory actions, (xiv) the impact
and probability of operational, geological and environmental risks
at MTV being inconsistent with current expectations (xiv) outcomes
and potential benefits of the strategic review process; intended
expenditures of the uses of proceeds from the Bought Deal Financing
and benefits received from said expenditures; the progress and
outcome of negotiations with the Lenders to restructure the
Company's debt under the Amended Facility; timing and expectations
related to arbitration with the Company's minority shareholder,
(xvi) those risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" or
incorporated by reference into TVC’s Annual Information Form dated
March 3, 2021. The Forward-Looking Statements speak only as of the
date hereof, unless otherwise specifically noted, and SRHI does not
assume any obligation to publicly update any Forward-Looking
Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable
Canadian securities laws.
Cautionary Note to United States
Investors Concerning Estimates of measured, indicated and inferred
mineral resources
This news release may use the terms "measured",
"indicated" and "inferred" mineral resources. Historically, while
such terms were recognized and required by Canadian regulations,
they were not recognized by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC has
adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral
property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are
registered with the SEC under the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These
amendments became effective February 25, 2019 (the “SEC
Modernization Rules”) with compliance required for the
first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC
Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure
requirements for mining registrants that were included in SEC
Industry Guide 7, which will be rescinded from and after the
required compliance date of the SEC Modernization Rules. As a
result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now
recognizes estimates of “measured”, “indicated” and “inferred”
mineral resources. In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions
of “proven mineral reserves” and “probable mineral reserves” to be
substantially similar to the corresponding Canadian Institute of
Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum definitions, as required by NI
43-101. Investors are cautioned that "Inferred mineral resources"
have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and 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. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred
mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other
economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to
assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral
resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United
States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any
part of an inferred mineral resource exists or is economically or
legally mineable.
For further information:
Michael StaresinicPresident and Chief Executive
OfficerT: (416) 943-7107E:
mstaresinic@threevalleycopper.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.Joshua
Lavers: jlavers@renmarkfinancial.com T: (416) 644-2020 or
(212) 812-7680www.renmarkfinancial.com
Source: Three Valley Copper Corp.
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