MONTRÉAL, Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd (the “Corporation” or “Osisko”) (OR: TSX & NYSE) is pleased to announce its consolidated financial results for the year-end 2023. Amounts presented are unaudited and in Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted.

2023 Financial Highlights

• 94,323 gold equivalent ounces (“GEOs¹”) earned (89,367 GEOs in 2022);
• Record revenues from royalties and streams of $247.3 million ($217.8 million in 2022);
• Record cash flows generated by operating activities² of $187.0 million ($175.1 million in 2022);
• Net loss² of $48.3 million, $0.26 per basic share² (net earnings of $85.3 million, $0.47 per basic share in 2022), mostly due to non-cash impairment charges largely as a result of a fair value assessment of investments and royalty and stream interests of $149.6 million; and
• Adjusted earnings⁴ of $100.1 million, $0.54 per basic share ($87.3 million, $0.48 per basic share in 2022)

Other Highlights

• Total capital deployed of over $290.0 million across 5 new transactions:
  • Closing of the silver and copper streams on Metals Acquisitions Limited’s CSA mine in Australia by Osisko Bermuda Limited for US$150.0 million ($198.8 million);
  • Amendment to increase its effective silver stream from 12.5% to 87.5% on Taseko Mines Ltd.’s Gibraltar mine in BC for US$10.3 million ($13.6 million);
  • Acquisition of a 3% gold net smelter return (“NSR”) royalty and 1% copper NSR royalty on Hot Chili Ltd.’s Costa Fuego copper-gold project in Chile for US$15.0 million ($19.9 million);
  • Acquisition of a 1% NSR royalty covering Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd.’s Namdini gold project in Ghana for US$35.0 million ($48.4 million); and
  • Acquisition of a 1% NSR royalty on Cabral Gold Inc.’s Cuiú Cuiú gold project in Brazil for US$5.0 million ($6.8 million);
• Publication of the 2023 Asset Handbook and third edition of the Corporation’s sustainability report, Growing Responsibly;
• Appointment of Mr. Jason Attew as President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Corporation and Mr. Norman MacDonald as Chair of the Board of Directors;
• Sale of the equity investment in Osisko Mining Inc. for gross proceeds of $131.6 million, which were used to reduce the revolving credit facility to a drawn balance of $191.9 million; and
• Declaration of quarterly dividends totaling $0.235 per common share in 2023 ($0.22 per common share in 2022).

Subsequent to December 31, 2023

• Additional repayments of $30.2 million on the revolving credit facility to a drawn balance of approximately $164.5 million;
• Declaration of a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per common share payable on April 15, 2024 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 28, 2024; and
• Announcement of Mr. David Smith joining the Corporation’s Board of Directors as an Independent Director.

Guidance for 2024 and 5-Year Outlook

2024 Guidance³

Osisko expects GEOs earned to range between 82,000 to 92,000 in 2024 at an average cash margin of 97%. The 2024 guidance assumes the commencement of GEOs earned from the CSA Copper Stream from June 15, as well as the commencement of production from G Mining Ventures Corp.’s Tocantinzinho project and Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited’s project later in the year.

Osisko’s 2024 guidance on royalty and stream interests is largely based on publicly available forecasts from our operating partners. When publicly available forecasts on properties are not available, Osisko obtains internal forecasts from the producers or uses management’s best estimate.

5-Year Outlook³

Osisko expects its portfolio to generate between 120,000 and 135,000 GEOs in 2028. The outlook assumes the commencement of production at The Windfall Mining Group’s Windfall and South32 Ltd’s Hermosa, amongst others. It also assumes that Capstone Copper Corp’s Mantos Blancos will have reached its nameplate capacity following the recent expansion of its activities, as well as increased production from certain other operators that have announced planned expansions, including Alamos Gold Inc.’s Phase 3+ Expansion at Island Gold.

Beyond this growth profile, Osisko owns several other growth assets, which have not been factored in the 5-year outlook, as their timelines are either later, or less clear. As the operators provide further clarity on these assets, Osisko will seek to include them in its long-term outlook.

This 5-year outlook is based on internal judgements of publicly available forecasts and other disclosures by the third-party owners and operators of the Corporation’s assets and could differ materially from actual results. When publicly available forecasts on properties are not available, Osisko obtains internal forecasts from the producers or uses management’s best estimate.

This 5-year outlook replaces the 5-year outlook previously released in 2023, which should be considered withdrawn. Investors should not use this 5-year outlook to extrapolate forecast results to any year within the 5-year period (2024-2028).

Management Commentary

Jason Attew, President & CEO of Osisko commented: “2023 was a banner year for Osisko marked by new annual records achieved with respect to GEOs earned, revenues, cash flows and margins, in addition to the closing of several key transactions which will positively contribute to Osisko’s cash flow and GEOs earned. The Corporation is now well-positioned with a materially improved balance sheet, and also with having completed recent changes as it relates to both management and the Board.

After working through a full portfolio review as it relates to Osisko’s growth trajectory and associated timelines, the Corporation’s 2024 guidance and updated 5-year outlook together provide what management believes to be achievable ranges. Concerning the 2024 guidance, it is worth noting that the lack of GEO deliveries resulting from the stoppage of operations at the Renard diamond mine will be partially offset by expected improvements at certain other operating assets within our portfolio, in addition to some new assets moving out of development and into production throughout the year. Furthermore, the Corporation’s expected growth trajectory over the next five years remains very much intact as mine expansions and new projects are completed by our partners between now and 2028.

Osisko enters 2024 with a continued focus on simplifying its story to further re-establish itself as a ‘pure-play’ precious metals royalty and streaming company. We possess an unmatched asset base as defined by exposure to Tier 1 mining jurisdictions and this unique aspect of our portfolio, when combined with our robust organic growth outlook, results in the Corporation being well-positioned to deliver long-term value to our current and future shareholders.”

Q4 AND YEAR-END 2023 RESULTS CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Guy Desharnais, Ph.D., P.Geo., Vice President, Project Evaluation at Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd, who is a “qualified person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”).

About Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd is an intermediate precious metal royalty company which holds a North American focused portfolio of over 180 royalties, streams and precious metal offtakes, including 19 producing assets. Osisko’s portfolio is anchored by its cornerstone asset, a 3-5% net smelter return royalty on the Canadian Malartic Complex, one of Canada’s largest gold operations.

Osisko’s head office is located at 1100 Avenue des Canadiens-de-Montréal, Suite 300, Montréal, Québec, H3B 2S2.

For further information, please contact Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd:

Notes:

(1)   Gold Equivalent Ounces

GEOs are calculated on a quarterly basis and include royalties and streams. Silver earned from royalty and stream agreements are converted to gold equivalent ounces by multiplying the silver ounces earned by the average silver price for the period and dividing by the average gold price for the period. Diamonds, other metals and cash royalties are converted into gold equivalent ounces by dividing the associated revenue earned by the average gold price for the period.

Average Metal Prices and Exchange Rate

(2)   From continuing operations.

(3)   For the 2024 guidance, deliveries of silver, copper, and cash royalties have been converted to GEOs using commodity prices based on consensus prices and a gold/silver price ratio of 83:1. The commodity price assumptions that were used in the 5-year outlook are based on current long-term consensus and a gold/silver price ratio of 76:1.

(4)   Non-IFRS Measures

The Corporation has included certain performance measures in this press release and in the annual Management and Discussion Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2023 that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS Accounting Standards including (i) cash margin (in dollars and in percentage of revenues), (ii) adjusted earnings and (iii) adjusted earnings per basic share. 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 Accounting Standards. These measures are not necessarily indicative of operating profit or cash flow from operations as determined under IFRS Accounting Standards. As Osisko’s operations are primarily focused on precious metals, the Corporation presents cash margins and adjusted earnings as it believes that certain investors use this information, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, to evaluate the Corporation’s performance in comparison to other companies in the precious metals mining industry who present results on a similar basis. However, other companies may calculate these non-IFRS measures differently.

In 2023, the following changes were made to the composition of adjusted earnings:

These changes in the manner in which the Corporation calculates adjusted earnings were made to align the calculations with its peers and facilitate the comparison with these companies. These changes also affect indirectly adjusted earnings per basic share, because they are calculated from adjusted earnings. Comparative figures for 2022 have been restated to reflect the current composition of adjusted earnings.

Cash Margin (in dollars and in percentage of revenues)

Cash margin (in dollars) represents revenues less cost of sales (excluding depletion). Cash margin (in percentage of revenues) represents the cash margin (in dollars) divided by revenues.

Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per basic share

Adjusted earnings is defined as: net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, adjusted for certain items: foreign exchange gains (losses), impairment charges and reversal related to royalty, stream and other interests, expected credit losses and impairment of investments, gains (losses) on disposal of assets, gains (losses) on investments, share of income (loss) of associates, transaction costs and other items such as non-cash gains (losses), as well as the impact of income taxes on these items. Adjusted earnings per basic share is obtained from the adjusted earnings divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this press release, forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical fact, that address, without limitation, future events, production estimates of Osisko’s assets (including increase of production), the 2024 guidance on GEOs and cash margin and the 5-year outlook on GEOs included under “Guidance for 2024 and 5-Year Outlook” and other guidance based on disclosure from operators, timely developments of mining properties over which Osisko has royalties, streams, offtakes and investments, management’s expectations regarding Osisko’s growth, results of operations, estimated future revenues, production costs, carrying value of assets, ability to continue to pay dividend, requirements for additional capital, business prospects and opportunities future demand for and fluctuation of prices of commodities (including outlook on gold, silver, diamonds, other commodities) currency markets and general market conditions. In addition, statements and estimates (including data in tables) relating to mineral reserves and resources and statements and guidance as to gold equivalent ounces are forward-looking statements, as they involve implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, including the assumptions set out under “Guidance for 2024 and 5-Year Outlook”, and no assurance can be given that the estimates or related guidance will be realized. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "scheduled" and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations), or by statements that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, most of which are beyond the control of Osisko, and actual results may accordingly differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, without limitation, (i) with respect to properties in which Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest; risks related to: (a) the operators of the properties, (b) timely development, permitting, construction, commencement of production, ramp-up (including operating and technical challenges), (c) differences in rate and timing of production from resource estimates or production forecasts by operators, (d) differences in conversion rate from resources to reserves and ability to replace resources, (e) the unfavorable outcome of any challenges or litigation relating to title, permit or license, (f) hazards and uncertainty associated with the business of exploring, development and mining including, but not limited to unusual or unexpected geological and metallurgical conditions, slope failures or cave-ins, flooding and other natural disasters or civil unrest or other uninsured risks; with respect to external factors: (a) fluctuations in the prices of the commodities that drive royalties, streams, offtakes and investments held by Osisko, (b) fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar, (c) regulatory changes by national and local governments, including permitting and licensing regimes and taxation policies; regulations and political or economic developments in any of the countries where properties in which Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest are located or through which they are held, (d) continued availability of capital and financing to Osisko or the operators of properties, and general economic, market or business conditions, and (e) responses of relevant governments to the infectious diseases outbreaks and the effectiveness of such response and the potential impact of infectious diseases outbreaks on Osisko’s business, operations and financial condition; with respect to internal factors: (a) business opportunities that may or not become available to, or are pursued by Osisko or (b) the integration of acquired assets. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including, without limitation: the absence of significant change in the Corporation’s ongoing income and assets relating to determination of its Passive Foreign Investment Company ("PFIC”) status; the absence of any other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended and, with respect to properties in which Osisko holds a royalty, stream or other interest, (i) the ongoing operation of the properties by the owners or operators of such properties in a manner consistent with past practice and with public disclosure (including forecast of production), (ii) the accuracy of public statements and disclosures made by the owners or operators of such underlying properties (including expectations for the development of underlying properties that are not yet in production), (iii) no adverse development in respect of any significant property, (iv) that statements and estimates relating to mineral reserves and resources by owners and operators are accurate and (v) the implementation of an adequate plan for integration of acquired assets.

For additional information on risks, uncertainties and assumptions, please refer to the most recent Annual Information Form of Osisko filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov which also provides additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Osisko cautions that the foregoing list of risk and uncertainties is not exhaustive. Investors and others should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Osisko believes that the assumptions reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate as actual results and prospective events could materially differ from those anticipated such the forward-looking statements and such forward-looking statements included in this press release are not guarantee of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Osisko undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law.